PP Claims Expected to Exceed $1 Billion – According to USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey, numerous prevented plant claims have already been paid out. “I think those claims have climbed over the $100 million mark so far and we expect that probably to pass the $1 billion mark at some point as you look at the acres that are likely to be in the prevented plant area.” The NRCS has also announced special cost-share funding for farmers to plant cover crops in eight states. Those eight states include Minnesota and South Dakota. These cost-share dollars are available through the EQIP program.

Kennedy, MN Area Remains on the Dry Side – Kennedy, Minnesota farmer Rob Rynning says conditions are dry in the northwest corner of the state. Those dry conditions are bringing out the bugs. “Most everybody had at least one post-emergence insecticide application for flea beetles,” says Rynning. “We’re starting to see more and more grasshoppers. I don’t think they’re a threat yet. If it turned a little damper maybe they’d back off a bit.” While the cool weather in June slowed row crop development, Rynning adds weather was favorable for the small grains and canola. “Some of the later seeded canola look a little better than the early seeded.” Listen to the interview with Rynning.

Farmers Continue to Battle Wet Conditions in Central ND – Wednesday morning, Wimbledon, North Dakota farmer Joe Ericson had over an inch of rain in the gauge. That rain added to already saturated soils in the central part of the state. Ericson says both the soybeans and corn are behind. “This last week of warmth has really pushed the corn along. The beans are short, but are starting to come around,” says Ericson. “I think both crops will have below average yields.” Despite the soggy conditions, Erickson has been able to keep up with weed control.

What’s Hot, What’s Not in the Market – In this week’s edition of What’s Hot, What’s Not in the Market, Advance Trading risk management advisor Tommy Grisafi puts corn in the ‘hot’ category.

Rains Boost the Crop Near Drake, ND – Dakota Agronomy Partners sales agronomist Justin Alme, based in Drake, North  Dakota,  says rains over the past week have really perked up the crop. “The stands are decent. There aren’t lots of uneven crops, but it’s crazy what a few inches of rain will do.” Farmers are wrapping up weed control in the area, too.

Pioneer Agronomy Update from Fisher, MN – Iron Deficiency Chlorosis is impacting soybean fields near Fisher, Minnesota. According to Pioneer field agronomist Zach Fore, there are three things that can be done to manage it. “Variety, variety, variety,” says Fore. “Once the crop is in the ground, there aren’t any solutions for IDC.” Near FIsher, Red River Seed owner Todd Sorenson says the issue have been short-lived. Mositure-wise, the area is just right. “We could use a little extra moisture, but we’ve been getting rains when we need them.” Watch the Facebook video here.

Crop Conditions are Mixed Near Onida, SD – Wet field conditions continue to hamper crop production in the Onida, South Dakota area. Oahe Grain location manager Tim Luken says the crops are a mixed bag. “Farmers got about 70 percent of the spring wheat put in and farmers went into June planting corn.” The recent heat gave the crop a boost. “Last year at this time our corn was waist high. We’ll be lucky to be ankle to mid-calf high this year,” says Luken. “The soybeans look normal for this time of the year. There will be lots of set-aside acres this year.”

SD Corn Comments – The Environmental Protection Agency recently released a review regarding glyphosate. Hear more in this week’s Corn Comments, a feature from the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council.

Heat Units Needed to Get the Soybeans ‘Back on Track’ – Based at Lakota, North Dakota, Huso Crop Consulting owner Mark Huso says it’s going to take nice weather this month to get the soybeans back on track. “It’s going to take some 80-90 degree days. I’m not overly concerned at the moment, as some of the early soybeans are really starting to push up,” says Huso. “At some point though, things will change.” Huso goes on to say the small grains and sunflowers, by far, look the best. Listen to the full conversation.

Dry Bean Scene – While the dry bean crop was planted later than average in northeastern North Dakota, it is off to a good start. Get the details in this week’s Dry Bean Scene, made possible by the Northarvest Bean Growers Association, UPL, FMC, Central Valley Bean Co-op, SRS Commodities and Johnstown Bean Company.

ND Farmers Markets and Growers Association Update – Here’s the latest from the North Dakota Farmers Markets and Growers Association. Based at Esmond, Garden Dwellers Farm owner Holley Mawby says cold herbs, such a cilantro, dill and chives, are growing great. Listen to the update.

A Mixed Kansas Wheat Harvest – Wahpeton, North Dakota-based custom harvester Mike Matjcek is harvesting wheat at Kingman, west of Wichita. The harvest results are mixed. “We have two different machines running. In one area, we have clean wheat, about 80 bushels per acre. In other areas, we’re finding more weeds in the fields and wet conditions cutting into yield.” Wolf Harvesting owner Craig Wolf is wrapping up winter wheat harvest south of Dodge City. Wolf says there’s an excellent winter wheat crop in the area, up to 70 bushels per acre on average. Wolf’s next stop is at Colby, Kansas. “If everything goes right, I think in less than ten days we’ll be finishing up and heading toward South Dakota. In August, we’ll head to North Dakota.”

Fewer Spring Wheat Acres Forecast for SD – According to the USDA, South Dakota’s spring wheat acreage is record low. South Dakota Wheat Commission Executive Director Reid Christopherson says the spring wheat is vulnerable and will likely be a small crop. “We’re still anxiously watching those numbers and are using more conservative numbers in our budgeting process. There could be less spring wheat acreage as combines start to roll.”

Be on the Lookout for Disease in Small Grains – Conditions are favorable for disease development in wheat and barley. With the crops starting to flower and head, NDSU Extension Cereal Crops Plant Pathologist Andrew Friskop says now is the time to apply fungicide. Farmers should also look for scab, leaf spot and rust. “My gut instinct is we will see more leaf rust this year, especially on susceptible varieties,” says Friskop. “Moving forward into the growing season, bacterial leaf streak may be a problem again this year. Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be sprayed that provides consistent results.” Hear the interview with Friskop.

Window Narrowing for Fungicide Application on Wheat – Farmers are applying fungicide on wheat, but the window is narrowing. Syngenta agronomic service representative Jason Snell says there are lots of questions on Miravis Ace, a new fungicide. “There’s been high interest from growers,” says Snell. “Miravis Ace can extend the fungicide application window for growers, about five to seven days earlier than other products, and still get very effective fusarium head blight control on wheat, barley and small grains.”

Potential Palmer Amaranth Pops Up in ND Fields – Palmer amaranth may already be popping up in North Dakota fields. NDSU Extension Weed Scientist Joe Ikley looked at two different fields in the last two weeks, one in Benson County and the other in Nelson County. “I walked fields and found plants that looked like Palmer amaranth. Samples have been collected and sent to the lab to confirm if it’s Palmer. We want to confirm before we put an action plan in place.” Palmer amaranth was first identified in North Dakota last summer. “If there is any Palmer out there it’s probably taller than we can control with herbicides. Now we have to pay attention to the pigweed seed heads as they start trying to reproduce. If this goes through a combine, we’d have more messes in fields next year.”

The Sugarbeet Report – According to University of Minnesota and NDSU Extension sugarbeet agronomist Tom Peters, the sugarbeet crop is at a transition period between weed and cercospora control. Get the details in the Sugarbeet Report, made possible by SESVanderHave, Syngenta, Premium Ag Solutions, H&S Manufacturing and Corteva Agriscience.

The Potential for a Short Growing Season – With a delayed crop, a long growing season will be needed. That may be a challenge. According to World Weather Incorporated Senior Agricultural Meteorologist Drew Lerner, data is causing concern. “There are three weather cycles playing out right now including El Nino and the lunar cycle. El Nino is wimpy and it might dissipate in the next few weeks,” Lerner explains. “The lunar cycle is the number one reason for the wet weather and cool bias coming back in regular intervals.” The third factor is the solar minimum. “There is a tendency for solar minimum years to help continue cool outbreaks. If the lunar cycle is already promoting a cooler tendency in the atmosphere, the solar cycle will come along and reinforce that,. We are concerned a shorter growing season is more likely than a longer one.”

Grain Trade Remains Unsure of Planted Acres – Uncertainty continues to surround the grain markets, with many traders unsure of planted acres. Progressive Ag Marketing market analyst Brian Strommen says the planted acres may not be known until fall. “We’ll see what happens in about five weeks.” Crop conditions are another area where traders seem to be very uncertain, given how late this crop got put in the ground. “We hear different condition ratings in states where stands and emergence weren’t ideal. There’s going to be lots of conversation on this as we move forward.”

Analysts Keep an Eye on Crop Progress – The potential for an early frost or freezes and a late planting season poses a greater yield risk. Ag and Investment Services CEO Sue Martin says the market will factor this in at some point, but pollination needs to take place first. Right now, the trade is focused on weather and crop condition ratings. Continued crop improvement is expected in today’s crop progress report. “I think the crop condition ratings will show improvements. If it’s only one percent there will be disappointment, potentially helping the corn market go higher,” she says. “Right now, the market has turned its focus away from acres to a point. Not everyone believes the National Agricultural Statistics Service numbers.”

Acreage Report is Foundation for Thursday’s S/D Numbers – While the recent USDA acreage report was widely discounted, that data will be used to produce this week’s supply/demand report. “Absolutely, we will use the NASS information as the foundation for the decisions we make in the July WASDE,” said Seth Meyer, chairman, World Ag Outlook Board. USDA will resurvey 14 states to update the acreage numbers this month. Meyer says resurveys aren’t uncommon. “They resurveyed in 2015; they resurveyed for the acreage report in 2013; they resurveyed in 2011. Clearly, the size of this year’s survey is unprecedented, but it is not unprecedented to go out and resurvey.  USDA will release its latest supply/demand report on Thursday.

Volatility Creates Opportunity – The ups and downs of the market can be hard to swallow, but Advance Trading Vice President Dave Fogel says volatility provides more opportunities to enhance the farmers’ price. “I just had a call from someone in northwest Ohio and he’s not going to get planted and he has a bunch of bushels sold to an elevator out there,” said Fogel. “We can help them and we can make it better, but I can’t stop the losses that are happening today and I have a hard time with that. As far as those that have a crop or have a crop stored, there are a lot of good things we can do right now.” Fogel says everyone is trying to find a year that can be compared to this season, but that’s not possible. “Every year, somebody burns up and somebody floods, but never to this extreme.”

RVO Proposal Released on Friday, Ethanol Industry is Not Happy – The EPA’s proposed renewable volume obligations makes no change in the Renewable Fuel Standard volumes for corn-based ethanol. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper was not happy with the news. “I think it is pretty clear why they waited until the Friday after July 4th to put this thing out. I think the agency is probably sheepish and embarrassed by this proposal and they should be.” Conventional ethanol volumes would remain at 15 billion gallons. The small refinery exemptions remain a point of contention. Last month, President Trump ordered a review of the small refinery waiver program. Despite that, the EPA has not reconciled its rules to account for the billions of gallons lost through those waivers.

Response Comes In After RVO Announcement – National Corn Growers Association President Lynn Chrisp said farmers are facing a very tough economic environment and the small refinery waivers continue to chip “away at the farmers’ bottom line.” Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor called Friday’s announcement “a slap in the face” to the American farmer. The American Petroleum Institute is critical of the Renewable Fuel Standard, calling it an “unworkable program that must be eliminated.”

Canola Minute – The Northern Canola Growers Association has a couple of plot tours coming up. The first is in Minot on July 17, and the second is at Langdon on July 18. Hear more from NCGA Executive Director Barry Coleman in the latest Canola Minute.

China Continues to Struggle with African Swine Fever – China continues to struggle to contain African Swine Fever. China’s government says the situation remains dire with many weak links within the swine industry. A Chinese government statement says the prevention and control remains complicated. There is a lack of compliance by farmers who continue the practice of feeding kitchen waste to pigs, as well as the lack of supervision during transportation.

Meat Lawsuit Filed in Mississippi – In a federal lawsuit, the state of Mississippi is being accused of violating free-speech rights by not allowing plant-based foods to be labeled as meat. The lawsuit was filed by the Plant Based Foods Association and the Illinois-based Upton’s Naturals Company. Twelve states have enacted meat labeling laws, including North Dakota and South Dakota.

Minnesota Beef Update – Summer time means grilling time, especially when beef is on the menu. Get some grilling tips from Royalee Rhoads, Minnesota Beef Council, director of industry relations in the Minnesota Beef Update.

Austria Passes Legislation Banning Glyphosate – Austria is the first country in the European Union to pass legislation banning the use of glyphosate. The vote came despite glyphosate being cleared for use in Austria and the rest of the European Union until 2022. Other EU countries have been allowed to ban specific compounds. The European Commission has three months to reject the Austrian measure.

Project Safe Send Begins July 9 – This year’s Project Safe Send campaign begins Tuesday in Wyndmere, North Dakota and will wrap up July 26 in Valley City, North Dakota. The campaign gives farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses and homeowners a safe location and legal method to discard of any old or unused pesticides. People disposing of more than 1,000 pounds of pesticides are asked to pre-register one week prior to delivery, which a maximum of 20,000 pounds per participant accepted. A full list of drop off locations in North Dakota can be found here.

USPS to Unveil State and County Fair Stamps – The U.S. Postal Service is releasing a special line of stamps showcasing American state and county fairs. Farmers and livestock are just a couple of the agricultural features on the four, one-of-a-kind designs. Nearly 40 million stamps have been printed, and they will be unveiled July 25 at the North Dakota State Fair.

2019/20 Young Leader Program Participants Being Sought – The American Soybean Association and Corteva Agriscience are seeking applicants to the 2019-2020 Young Leader Program. Active farmers and farming couples who are passionate about the future of agriculture are invited to apply. The program begins in December and wraps up late February in conjunction with the Commodity Classic Convention. Additional details and the application can be found here.

Red River Valley Ag Leadership Celebration – An event that celebrates agriculture and the next generation of agricultural leaders will be held July 16 at Mentor, Minnesota. This event will also honor Dave Torgerson’s career within the Minnesota wheat industry.

MN Corn Matters – There is a farm youth workshop coming up in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Learn more from Eyes on the Horizon farm stress speaker Monica McConkey in Corn Matters, a weekly update from the Minnesota Corn Growers Association.

Winslow Takes Over as MCRPC Chair – Scott Winslow of Fountain is the new chairman for the Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council. Jim O’Conner, who farms at Blooming Prairie, was elected vice chair. Brandon Fast of Mountain Lake is treasurer and Doug Albin of Clarkfield is secretary.

SBARE Elects New Officers – Mark Birdsall of Berthold is the new chairman of the North Dakota State Board of Agricultural Research and Education, succeeding Keith Peltier of West Fargo. Sarah Lovas of Hillsboro is the new SBARE vice chair. Jim Bahm of New Salem has joined the board and Dean Wehri of Mott will serve a second term.

Chambers Promoted as Cramer’s Legislative Director – Micah Chambers is the new legislative director for North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer. Previously, Chambers was Cramer’s senior legislative assistant for the Senate Armed Services Committee and Environment and Public Works Committee issues.

MFU Minute – There are several items on the Minnesota Farmers Union event calendar. Hear more about Breakfast on the Farm and more from MFU Vice President Bryan Klaubunde in the MFU Minute.

ND Beef Commission Elects New Officer Team – The North Dakota Beef Commission named its 2019-2020 executive officers. Weston Dvorak of Manning, North Dakota is the new chairman. Sidney, Montana rancher Mark Voll is the vice-chairman and Travis Maddock of Davenport, North Dakota is the secretary/treasurer. Clark Price of Hensler, North Dakota is the ex-officio member. The officers were selected by the North Dakota Beef Commission board to serve one-year terms at a recent board meeting.

Olson Departs MN Turkey Growers – Steve Olson has left the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association. Serving as executive director for nearly 19 years, Olson helped more than double the size of the Midwest Poultry Federation Convention and combat the avian influenza outbreak in 2015. In a press release, Olson states he looking forward to his next opportunities.