Assessing Hail Damage – It has been a time of wild weather with a late spring, an extended period of heat and pop-up storms. Bayer CropScience Customer Business Advisor Ryan Fisher says hail has been part of the weather story. “In a lot of cases, those early-season corn and soybean crops can handle some hail as long as the growing point is still viable,” said Fisher. “With corn, a lot of times the growing points are still below the soil, but some fields are getting past that stage with V4 to V5 timing when the growing point starts to ermege.” Fisher said the best time to assess hail damage is four-to-five days after the storm.

Crop Watch – Field conditions vary in central South Dakota, “but, we definitely need some rain.” Tim Luken manages the Onida location for Oahe Grain says the rains have been spotty. “The next couple weeks will be okay, but after that we’ll need rain,” said Luken. “That stuff starts growing, it’ll need some groceries to keep going.” The corn and soybeans have responded well to the warm weather, but the small grains don’t like the heat. NDSU Extension Cropping Systems Specialist Greg Endres says the winds have made it difficult to spray on a timely basis. The weeds are also growing fast. “We try to stress the need to control small weeds and we just don’t have much time, the weeds are growing very rapidly across the board and densities seem to be up this year as well.”

Canola Minute – In this week’s Canola Minute, Northern Canola Growers Association President Dan Marquardt talks about planting progress and emergence. This update is sponsored by the Northern Canola Growers Association.

Feeding Frenzy – According to the NDSU Crop and Pest Report, a canola flea beetle feeding frenzy is underway. There may be issues with insecticide seed treatments in the early-planted fields in northeast North Dakota because the canola plant was not actively growing during the hot, dry weather. In this situation, a rescue foliar insecticide treatment is recommended. The plant will be able to tolerate flea leaf beetle feeding once the canola reaches the four-to-six leaf stage.

Resistance Concern – Pioneer Field Agronomist Kristie Sundeen is seeing spotty flea beetle pressure in northern North Dakota. Sundeen is a little worried there may be insecticide resistance. “I do think we’re starting to see a little bit of resistance with insecticides, but I guess we’ll wait and see how well they work. The important thing is that farmers stay on the high-rate end with foliar applications.”

Sugarbeet Report – NDSU Extension Entomologist Mark Boetel talks about where peak root maggot fly activity is. Hear more in the Sugarbeet Report, presented by Syngenta, Amity Technology, H&S Manufacturing, SESVanderHave and Bayer CropScience.

Herbicide Breakdown Hampered by Weather – A dry fall and late spring may be causing a unique issue for sugarbeet farmers. Extension sugarbeet agronomist Tom Peters is seeing some injury in sugarbeet stands. “Our herbicides are normally broken down by soil microbes and microbes need water. They were largely ineffective in the fall at breaking down herbicides.” Snow on fields until late April and cooler soils late into spring also slowed herbicide breakdown before planting. “In most years we wouldn’t expect problems. This is just a consequence of the last eight or nine months. Sugarbeets are very sensitive so we’re seeing some injury in certain situations.” Listen to the full conversation with Tom Peters here.

Weeds Took Off With the Recent Heat – NDSU Extension Weed Specialist Joe Ikley says some broadleaf weeds had an early start. “We had about two weeks of spring and then right into summer; some of our weeds, like kochia, were were up early and are still continuing to be a problem.” Rainfall will determine the next step. “If we got a preemergence residual herbicide put on over the top that didn’t have rain to incorporate it, those fields could be somewhat problematic moving forward.” Ikley said that may trigger a post-emergence application earlier than would be seen in a typical year.

Emergence Influenced by Dry Conditions – Kennedy, Minnesota farmer Tom Dowdle has a diverse crop mix, including soybeans, wheat, barley, sugarbeets and sunflowers. “Some of the wheat had spotty emergence because of dryness and some of our beets were in dry dirt,  but we got a couple few lighter showers and I think that helped.” The intermittent rains has interupted the spraying schedule. Dowdle was able to treat a few beet fields for root fly maggot.

Ukrainian Farmland Lost – Thousands of acres of farmland have been flooded from dam explosion in southern Ukraine. Infrastructure along the port and the rivers has been damaged. Global Commodity Analytics and Consulting President Mike Zuzulo says this situation is causing havoc for agriculture in the region. “As a result of this, it makes it less important if the Black Sea grain deal gets updated or extended. If Ukraine can’t get it out the door, it doesn’t matter if there’s an agreement.”

Market Desensitized to the Headlines Coming Out of Russia-Ukraine – In recent days, a dam and hydroelectric plant in Russian-controlled southern Ukraine was destroyed and a section of a major pipeline carrying ammonia fertilizer was blown up. StoneX Chief Commodities Economist Arlan Suderman says the market is getting desensitized to the headlines coming out of the war. “It knows that Russia’s dumping cheap wheat onto the world market and as long as Russia is able to do that we don’t see any impending shortages and the market discounts the news out of the Black Sea region.” Suderman believes it will be increasingly more challenging for Ukraine to export wheat.

Spray Tips – Our Pioneer Agronomy Update took us to Hunter, North Dakota where we met with Pioneer Strategic Account Manager Cole Ehrlin. Ehrlin said the heat is pushing the crop nicely, but with it, comes weed problems. “We’ve had super-hot weather lately with more in the forecast. A lot of the small grains have been sprayed already with corn growers really hitting it hard these last few days.” Ehrlin recommends spraying in the morning after the dew evaporates to avoid the hottest part of the day. You can watch the full update here.

What’s Hot, What’s Not in the Markets – In this week’s edition of What’s Hot, What’s Not in the Markets, Martinson Ag Risk Management President Randy Martinson said the corn and soybeans are bullish driven by a weather market. “I think they’re waiting to see if the noon forecast verifies what is being talked about right now, that being the heat and dry.” The cattle market put in a key reversal last week and may struggle in the near term.

Unemployment Causes Issues for Agriculture – At the Midwest Agriculture Summit in West Fargo, Kemmsies Group Managing Partner Dr. Walter Kemmsies said unemployment is a growing issue nationally and it has a great impact on agriculture. “The working age population growth has slowed. The U.S. Census says we’re only going to get about 300,000 workers joining the workforce for the next ten years.” For perspective, Kemmsies said there were 339,000 people hired last month. The trend of people moving from rural to urban areas is continuing.  That presents a problem for agriculture. “If we don’t have the technology in place to increase the output, we’re going to have additional national security problems.”

FCA Offers Economic Outlook – While many crop input costs have declined, farmers are likely facing tighter margins this year. The Farm Credit Administration has released its quarterly report on the farm economy. It says grain stocks will likely increase due to a big crop this year. Cattle producers are benefiting from high prices after last year’s herd reduction. Weaker prices and high feed costs have resulted in negative returns for pork producers.

Respect Interest Rates – The agricultural markets are seeing extreme volatility, trading everything from weather to global economic news. Advance Trading Risk Management Advisor Tommy Grisafi is encouraging farmers to respect interest rates. “It’s not free to store a bushel anymore, it’s not free to carry a bushel and it’s not free to have labor move that bushel around,” said Grisafi. “Look at the market in multiple-year timeframes and that may help change your perspective.” In Grisafi’s words, the great commodity bull market for grains is slowly coming to an end. Grisafi is featured in the latest edition of ‘The Bull Pen.’ This monthly look at the markets can be found on the Red River Farm Network YouTube channel.

Potato Ban Discussed During Japanese Trade Mission – The Japanese ban on U.S. fresh potatoes continues, but USDA is working to get the issue resolved. Undersecretary for Trade and Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor is home after a trade trip to Japan and said progress is happening. “These are technical discussions around pest risk and the mitigation measures regarding pests of concern for Japan from the United States. We continue to have really productive technical discussions and also positive discussions at the political level.” North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring was also part of the trade mission to Japan.

Haag: Science is on Our Side – The process for dispute settlement consultations with Mexico under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement will take time. National Corn Growers Association President Tom Haag is pleased to finally see some traction in response to Mexico’s ban on biotech corn. “This could take eight months to a year for all of this to develop,’ said the Eden Valley, Minnesota farmer. “I’m very confident that with our scientific data we’ll be just fine and we’ll show that Mexico has to accept them.”

Corn Matters – Minnesota Corn Growers Association President Richard Syverson talks about new developments in the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. Hear more in the latest Corn Matters.

RMA Takes Input on PP Policies – The Risk Management Agency is seeking feedback to consider possible changes to prevented planting. “One is the harvest price option,” said RMA Administrator Marcia Bunger. “Currently, with prevent plant the only price that is applicable is the spring price, but much like the counterparts of those acres that are being harvested, we are wanting feedback on whether to allow the prevent plant payment calculation to be based upon the higher of the projected price or the harvest price.” Another topic being addressed is the 1-in-4 rule. which requires planting in at least one of the last four years to be eligible for PP. Listening sessions are planned throughout the country, including one in West Fargo in August.

Reducing Red Tape – USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small spoke at the Midwest Agriculture Summit in West Fargo. Her agency is trying to simplify the application process. “Thankfully, we’ve got real partners in Congress who are asking us to help simplify some of these 71 different programs.” Torres Small says there is an opportunity to reduce red tape and “investing in partners that will help make those grant programs a little easier to access.” Torres Small is in line to be the next USDA deputy secretary.

Administration Asked to Follow SCOTUS Direction on WOTUS – North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer wants the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers to follow the action of the Supreme Court and change the way it handles the Waters of the United States rule. Cramer said there is no reason for delays from the Biden Administration. In a letter to both agencies, Cramer said action should be taken to prevent further delay in determining jurisdiction.

Wolf Delisting Bill Introduced – Legislation has been introduced in the Senate to delist the gray wolf from the endangered species list. This plan would create a region-specific plan to delist the wolf in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It would create an advisory committee to create the final delisting rule for the region.

MN Beef Update – Minnesota State Beef Quality Assurance Coordinator Kaitlyn Root discusses BQA certification, in the latest Minnesota Beef Update.

Support for Small Farms – A bill has been introduced in the House and Senate to create a new office within USDA to focus on small farms. New Jersey Senator Cory Booker said this office would consider the specific needs of small farms and facilitate fair access to federal farm programs.

Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act Approved in House Committee – The House Education and Labor Committee has approved a bill allowing schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to serve whole milk. House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, who is also a member of the education and labor committee, introduced the bill. While the dairy industry praised the bill, the Center for Science in the Public Interest said it was “a misguided and harmful bill.”

SD Corn Comments – In this week’s edition of South Dakota Corn Comments, South Dakota Dairy Producers Executive Director Tom Peterson celebrates June as Dairy Month.

Dairy Industry Quantifies Its Economic Impact – The International Dairy Food Association has released its latest economic impact study. The report says the U.S. dairy industry’s economic impact totaled nearly $794 billion and is responsible for 3.2 million jobs. An additional 60,000 new jobs were created in the past two years.

Policy Priorities for Pork – The National Pork Producers Council leadership outlined policy priorities to kick off World Pork Expo. Topics included trade, the prevention of foreign animal diseases and an agricultural labor shortage. California’s Proposition 12 was cited as an issue that will impact pork producers for years to come. NPPC CEO Bryan Humphreys said the organization is working with the California Department of Food and Agriculture to ensure a smooth transition for farmers and consumers.

Dust a Factor in Calf Pneumonia – It didn’t take long this spring to go from snow on the ground to 90 degrees. NDSU Extension Livestock Specialist Karl Hoppe says it’s important to keep an eye on cattle. “Make sure there’s adequate water and adequate bunk space for them to get to the water, that will keep them cool.” Dealing with dust and high temps while trying to fight flies can be difficult for the animal’s health. “If they’re pawing at the ground and putting dust up in the air, that’s going to be hard on their lungs and anytime you’re taxing the lungs, it can lead to issues.”

West Coast Shipping Delays – Union workers at the West Coast ports have been staging unannounced work stoppages, causing problems for cargo shipments. The contract negotiations have now moved into their second year. Trade groups have asked the White House to get more involved in the labor dispute.

Drought May Slow Barge Movement – Dryness across a large part of the Eastern Corn Belt is raising concern about river levels. Loewen and Associates market analyst Matt Hines says barge traffic could be at risk. “We got down to some record low levels not too long ago, replenished them pretty quickly,” said Hines. “I would say we’ll be talking about it again this summer.”

Safety Review Coming for All Major Railroads – The federal government will perform a safety assessment of all major U.S. railroads. This decision follows the February derailment of the Norfolk Southern train in Ohio. The Federal Railroad Administration will conduct this review over the next year. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer sought the analysis, saying “the freight rail industry has perpetuated a culture of cost-cutting and shortcuts.”

Farmer Sentiment Down In May – The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer showed farmer sentiment declined in the month of May. “People became less optimistic about both the current situation on their farms and future expectations,” said Dr. James Mintert, director, Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture. “A good bit of that decline in sentiment was probably related to the decline in crop prices that happened between when we collected data in mid-April to when we collected data in mid-May.”

Pulse Growers Spotlight – In this week’s Pulse Growers Spotlight, NDSU Plant Pathologist Audrey Kalil has tips and tricks for ensuring crop health.

R.D. Offutt Farm Certified in MN Water Quality Program – R.D. Offutt’s Twin Rivers Seed Farm at Staples is the latest operation to be certified in the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program. R.D. Offutt Farms President Keith McGovern says this program demonstrates RDO’s commitment to regenerative agriculture. “What are you doing to prevent soil erosion? How are you measuring the amount of water you’re putting on the crop? These are all things by working with new technology and working with the University of Minnesota that actually grow a better crop.” Darren Newville is the district manager for the East Otter Tail and Wadena Soil and Water Conservation Districts and says these conservation practices go beyond water quality. “The Farm Business Management program is showing that the farms that are certified are generally more profitable that the farms that aren’t. So the farms that have adopted these practices, they’re sustainable financially, too.” Listen to the full interview.

Nearly 1 Million Acres Enrolled in Water Quality Certification Program – The Minnesota Water Quality Certification Program is in its eighth year and has over 975,000 acres certified. Nearly 1,400 farms have gone through the certification process. The R.D. Offutt Twin Rivers Seed Farm at Staples is the latest addition to that list.  Brad Redlin, who manages the program for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, says this is a unique project. “This is a relationship among many,” said Redlin. “The potatoes are only in there one year in a rotation and they have growers producing other crops. RDO renters are now introduced and involved in the program; it is really impactful.”

MFBF Minute – Minnesota Farm Bureau Leadership Coordinator Rachel Peterson talks about a safety initiative in the latest MFBF Minute.

More Can be Done for Cyber Security – As businesses become more digitized, securing data takes on more importance. North Dakota Chief Information Security Officer Michael Gregg addressed the 2023 Bushel Buddy Seat Conference saying agriculture is not immune to hacking and security threats. “Thirty-seven percent of businesses in the last year reported being impacted by ransomware in some way. That’s a huge number.”  Taking time to secure passwords and vet emails before opening links are all necessary steps to staying secure. “We’ve got to work to improve our security posture. There’s a lot we’re doing, but we can always do more.”

Importance of Financial Analysis – At the Cultivate Conference during a panel discussing the economic health of agriculture, AgCountry Sr. Vice President Mark Vetter said despite rising interest rates it’s still possible to take advantage of locking in variable rates when the time is right. “Fixed interest rates change daily. Recession and downturns in the stock market can affect interest rates. Get a relationship with a lender and have a plan in place for when we have the right opportunity.” While crop prices are down, there is still a chance for farms to stay profitable. It’s important to analyze your financials and know your numbers. “Know your cost of production. At $5 if you’re still at 15 to 20 percent return, maybe that isn’t such a bad spot to lay off some risk.”

North Dakota Stars – This year’s North Dakota FFA Star in Agricultural Placement is Brett Baumgarten from the Kindred FFA Chapter. Baumgarten says his Supervised Agricultural Experience consists of working on his family’s farm. “My favorite part is getting to spend time with my dad and grandpa because assets will be around forever, but people won’t always be here. The memories, skills, and experiences they’ve taught and shared with me will last all through my lifetime.” The 2023 State Star Farmer is Scranton FFA member Lillian Steeke. Steeke says her SAE, which consists of sheep, cattle, and poultry has grown her sense of responsibility. “The most rewarding part comes from that little lamb or chick and moving it up into the production side.”

New ND FFA State Officer Team Installed – Ty MacDonald of Bismarck is president. Jack Stoppleworth of Kindred is secretary and Ian Dukart of Killdeer is vice president. The new treasurer is Anna Hauge of Flasher and the reporter is Annaliese Rauschenberger of South Prairie. The sentinel is Ryan Slaubaugh of Rugby and the parliamentarian is Ireland Watterud of the Divide County FFA.

Ready to Lead – Newly elected State FFA President Ty MacDonald is looking forward to the upcoming year. “I’m excited to interact with other members across the state at conventions and banquets.” Originally from the Bismarck chapter, MacDonald says FFA is a family affair. “I started FFA in the 8th grade. My two older brothers dragged me to meetings, but it wasn’t until the creed contest where I learned I enjoyed public speaking.”

National FFA President Visits ND – National FFA President Andrew Seibel attended the North Dakota FFA Convention. “This is actually state number 31 for me and state convention number seven. As national officers, we travel all over the countries. We’re on the road over 300 days, and travel over 150,000 miles visiting with students and partners.” Seibel realized he could thrive in this organization by just being himself. “I wanted to pursue leadership so every member knows they can be themselves. Through that, they can do anything within this blue jacket.”

‘A Remarkable Era’ – North Dakota FFA Association Executive Secretary Craig Kleven says membership in FFA continues to grow. “Convention has over 1,300 members, plus advisors and chaperones. We’re also at a new record for membership in North Dakota at 7,994 students. It’s a remarkable era.” Despite the growth in chapters, Kleven says there’s still an ag teacher shortage. “We’ve seen some retirements and people leaving the profession. With the growth, we’ve had nearly ten chapters chartered since I’ve been in this role and so we just can’t find enough ag teachers.”

FFA Locks in High Caliber of Leadership – The North Dakota FFA Convention featured the annual career fair with colleges and  ag companies interacting with FFA members. AgCountry Farm Credit Services Marketing and PR Programs Specialist Marissa Moffet says FFA is a great organization for them to support. “We want to promote agriculture and youth education goes along with that. It’s a great opportunity to build that relationship at a young age.” Moffet has strong roots in FFA, starting in her home chapter of South Heart before serving as a state officer. “FFA members really bring a high caliber of leadership and communication skills that transitions into any job.”

Corteva Supports Ukrainian Agriculture – The U.S. Agency for International Development is collaborating with Corteva Agriscience to help Ukrainian farmers gain access to corn and sunflower seed, crop protection products and financing. Corteva is also increasing Ukrainian farmers’ access to technology and agronomic support.

PowerCore Enlist RA Coming to the Market in ’24 – Corteva Agriscience has announced PowerCore Enlist Refuge Enhanced corn will be available for the 2024 growing season. Company officials said this product offers greater flexibility with three modes of action in a single-bag solution. In addition to being available in Pioneer, Brevant, Dairyland Seed and other Corteva brands, the PowerCore Enlist RA trait will be available through authorized independent seed companies.

An Important Step for Short-Stature Corn – USDA has determined Bayer’s short-stature corn can be safely grown and bred in the United States. The technology still needs approval from EPA and importing countries.  This corn is generally one-third the size of current hybrids and is designed to protect the crop from extreme weather. It also provides more flexibility for over-the-ground application of crop inputs.

Court Vacates Approvals for Bayer Phosphate Mine – A federal judge has overturned the approvals made by the Bureau of Land Management for a phosphate mine owned by Bayer in southeastern Idaho. The phosphate from this mine is used in the production of glyphosate. Bayer officials said the court’s decision will not have any impact on current glyphosate supplies.

Improving Sales Performance Through NCI Bison Sales Training Course – The Northern Crops Institute is hosting a two-day in-person Bison Sales Training course July 17-18. This course is designed to improve the performance of younger sales professionals in the ag industry. Topics will include how to create a sales plan, understanding the buyer, improved skills in key areas and how to create an evaluation plan.  Registration deadline for this course is June 26. More information is available online. 

Artificial Intelligence Reviewed at Fargo Conference – Artificial Intelligence was a big discussion point at the 2023 Bushel Buddy Seat Conference. Bushel Director of Engineering Nathan Joraanstad says grain businesses can be using open AI technologies, like Chat GPT, to make their lives more efficient. “Bushel is looking at how we can implement this technology within our products so a farmer or elevator staff user can ask questions and we provide the response in the application.” Joraanstad says it’s important to use AI technology with some caution. “You don’t want to give it confidential or intellectual property information.”

Convenience of Technology – Serving on a panel at the 2023 Bushel Buddy Seat Conference discussing technology from the perspective of the farmer, Tekamah, Nebraska farmer Quentin Connealy says technology has become a very important aspect of their operation. “We’re pin-pointing each acre. How we plant it, how it was harvested last year, it all goes full circle.” Technology helps determine variable rate planting and fertilizing. Using the Bushel app has added convenience working not only with their local grain buyer, but in dealing with insurance agents as well. “Being able to have all the data at the tips of our fingers is nice. It works so much better with the whole team.”

Bobcat-Agtonomy Collaboration – West Fargo-based Bobcat has announced a strategic investment in a Silicon Valley ag tech software company called Agtonomy. Bobcat’s equity investment follows a strategic partnership that was formed earlier this year. Agtonomy’s technology allows farmers to handle labor-intensive jobs, such as weeding, spraying and transportation with greater precision.

MN Wheat Minute – Minnesota Wheat is looking for research fields. Hear more from University of Minnesota Small Grains Specialist Jochum Wiersma in the latest Minnesota Wheat Minute.

Data-Driven Farming in North Dakota – The world’s largest deployment of precision agriculture infrastructure is happening in North Dakota. An artificial intelligence-powered precision agriculture firm, Trilogy Networks, is working with an ultra-high speed broadband company, MLGC. The Dakota Innovation Corridor covers 250 square miles and includes 25 large farms and 150,000 acres. Every farm will have access to MLGC’s 10-gigabit broadband and Trilogy’s FarmGrid system. Trilogy Networks will open its Center for Agricultural Innovation in Fargo.

Collins Appointed as Vestaron Board Chairman – Former Corteva CEO James Collins Jr. has been appointed chairman of the board for the Vestaron Corporation. Collins joined the Vestaron board in January. Vestaron is a crop protection company that focuses on peptide-based biopesticides.

FCA Appoints Duran as Chief of Staff – Farm Credit Administration Chairman and CEO Vincent Logan has named Maribel Duran as chief of staff. Duran comes to FCA from USDA where she served as deputy chief of staff to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Anthian Hires Scott – Athian has named Corey Scott of Scandia, Minnesota as its vice president of sales and marketing. Scott has spent 15 years in the food and agriculture space, including her recent time with the Truterra division of Land O’Lakes. Athian helps the dairy and beef value chain capture and claim carbon credits by validating and certifying greenhouse gas reductions.

A Promotion for Malissa Fritz Schentzel – Malissa Fritz Schentzel is now the vice president of communications for CHS Inc. She has been with CHS for nine years, most recently as the senior director of internal and transformational communications. Previously, Schentzel was with Weber Shandwick and the Minnesota Board of Animal Health.

Ruhland to Leave USB Post – The United Soybean Board will begin a search for a new CEO after its July board meeting. Polly Ruhland, who has been on the job for six years, will leave USB at the end of the year. Previously, Ruhland was the CEO of the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board.

Doud to Succeed Mulhern at NMPF – The National Milk Producers Federation board of directors has unanimously voted to name Gregg Doud as its next president and CEO. Doud will succeed Jim Mulhern, who is retiring at the end of the year. Doud was the chief agricultural trade negotiator during the Trump Administration. Doud is now with Aimpoint Research. Previously, the Kansas native was president of the Commodity Markets Council, chief economist for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee professional staff.

New National Pork Board Officer Team Takes Over Next Month – Bob Ruth of Pennsylvania is the incoming president of the National Pork Board. Al Wulfekuhle of Iowa was elected vice president and Chad Groves of Kansas is treasurer. Heather Hill of Indiana will move to past president after July 1.

Newman to Serve Another Term – David Newman has been reelected to a second term as president of the National Pork Board. Newman owns and operates a livestock operation in Missouri and is an animal science professor at Arkansas State University. Previously, Newman was the Extension swine specialist for North Dakota State University. Gene Noem of Iowa and Heather Hill of Indiana were elected as vice president and treasurer respectively.

A New Chair for MSRPC – Traverse County farmer Tom Frisch is the new chair of the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council. Gail Donkers of Faribault is the new vice chair. Ben Storm of Dover is treasurer and Pat Sullivan of Franklin is the secretary.

Worth Reelected – Minnesota Soybean Growers Association President Bob Worth has been reelected for another year. The Lake Benton farmer is the first MSGA president to serve multiple two-year terms. Darin Johnson of Wells was reelected vice president. Rose Wendinger of St. James will serve as secretary and Ryan Mackenthun is the treasurer.

Rada Takes New Leadership Role at MN FFA – The Minnesota FFA Association has named Dr. Lavyne Rada as its new executive director. Rada has been on the association’s staff since 2014 and most recently has been the interim executive director. Rada succeeds Juleah Tolosky who left in September of 2022 for a similar role in New York.

Ag Teacher Ambassadors Selected – More than 70 ag education teachers have been selected as national teacher ambassadors for the FFA program. These teachers will receive intensive training in June and July and collaborate with educational resources. Ambassadors chosen from the RRFN region include two North Dakotans, Bailey Hawbaker of Stanley and Callahan Anderes Lemar of North Valley Career and Technical Center.