Farm Bill Framework Released – Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member John Boozman has released his farm bill proposal. It includes language similar to the farm bill passed out of the House Agriculture Committee. Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow welcomed Boozman’s farm bill framework but quickly criticized it. Stabenow said the Republican proposal follows what she calls the “flawed approach” taken in the House Ag Committee farm bill and splits the broad farm and food coalition.

Funding is the Problem – With the release of Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member John Boozman’s farm bill text, James Callan Associates President Jim Callan sees it as an important step. “It addresses reference prices more comprehensively; it addresses crop insurance more thoroughly; it includes Senator Hoeven’s FARMER act which would plus up premium support for the underlying policy.” As a lobbyist for ag groups in North Dakota, Callan is focused on the money. “It’s good to see this movement with Senator Boozman because now you have three of the four corners of ag moving forward with some semblance of farm bill activity. Funding is a big issue when it comes to reference prices and crop insurance. You have to find the money.”

More Expensive and More Difficult – One of the highlights of the Midwest Agriculture Summit was a farm policy panel discussion. The farm bill was an obvious topic. American Sugarbeet Growers Association President Neil Rockstad said there is a sense of urgency. “If we’re operating under the constraints of the 2018 farm bill we’re operating under 2018 numbers in 2024 which isn’t very effective.” Another extension will be necessary if new legislation can’t be passed by the end of September.  American Soybean Association President Josh Gackle said that uncertainty is not good for farmers. “One of the big struggles for the House and Senate is the overall cost of the bill and where are you going to shift dollars,” said Gackle. “The entire bill costs $1.2 trillion; that number just grows because of inflation. If you’re working on building a five-year farm bill in 2025 rather than 2024, it just gets more expensive and harder to get done.”

Fighting the Same Farm Bill Funding Issues – North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center Director Brad Lubben describes himself as a ‘cynical optimist.’ Lubben was part of a farm policy discussion at the Midwest Council Ag Forum and said lawmakers have been fighting over the same farm bill funding issues for many years. One issue is the use of the one-time Inflation Reduction Act to fund conservation programs. Secondly, Congress is bogged down with the Agriculture Secretary’s authority to use CCC funds. “We have a history, of almost 15 years battling over that discretionary authority and neither party generally seems to be willing to trust a (Agriculture) Secretary of the other party with how to spend that money so we’re fighting over the same issue.” Lubben, who is at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said the third funding issue is with federal nutrition programs.

Farming for the Future – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is partnering with the Red River Farm Network and the Linder Farm Network to provide information on soil health. This week, water quality-certified producer from Pipestone County, Randy Spronk, talks about his operation. Listen to Farming for the Future. 

Senate Hearing to be Held at Grand Farm – North Dakota Senator John Hoeven plans to bring a congressional hearing to the new Grand Farm Ag Innovation Campus this summer. “I’ve already got it approved through our appropriations committee so hopefully, one of the very first events here is going to be a national congressional field hearing.” Hoeven said the hearing will be an opportunity to drive home the importance of the ag research partnerships  between research institutions, private industry, federal agencies and organizations like Emerging Prairie. The date for the hearing was not announced.

Spray Time – Rob Rynning, who farms at Kennedy, Minnesota, has been able to tackle weed control between the rain events. “This moisture is good for the weeds,” Rynning told RRFN. “In the canola, we’ve had some flea beetle issues, but we haven’t seen many grasshoppers in any of the other crops so I think we’re okay there.”

Aerial Spraying Challenges – Whenever Mother Nature allows, the planes have been flying to get ahead of the weed control. Wahpeton, North Dakota-based Dakota Air Spray Chief Pilot Eric Klindt said the weather obviously plays a huge role in his work. “Fortunately, there were a few days where we would be able to go,” said Klindt. Beyond the issue with windy days, Klindt said pilots can’t fly in the early mornings or late nights because of inversions, which results in off-target movement of the herbicide.

Small Grains Conditions – University of Minnesota Extension Small Grains Specialist Jochum Wiersma likes what is being seen with the cereal crop. “The conditions for small grains like wheat, winter rye, oats, and spring barley are phenomenal if it isn’t drowned out. That’s one of the challenges this spring, some areas are extremely wet and even have standing water. This causes some yellowing wheat and is nitrogen deficient due to saturated soils.” Wiersma says there is not much to do for nitrogen deficiency until the fields dry up. “The plant is basically suffering from an oxygen deprivation and as a result, it can’t take up nitrogen.”

Hit-or-Miss Weather – The weather has been all over the place. Wimbledon, North Dakota’s Mike Clemens said he’s been lucky at his farm, but neighboring farms to the north and west are “wetter than heck.” Despite the hit-or-miss weather, Clemens has gotten his first spray done for most of the crop. “Our corn is up and looks great. The beans are slow coming up, but they’re coming; we got a little bit of small grains in and that’s looking pretty good, too.”

Planting Wrapped Up This Past Week – For the third year in a row, Crookston farmer Tim Dufault finished planting in June. “Even though we started with an early spring we had lots of rain. Things have finally dried out fairly decent and we still had to drive around some spots to get the field done.” Insects have been a headache. “Some leafhoppers and other bugs have caused us to spray the wheat fields,” said Dufault. “Hopefully, these are the only surprises we have this growing season as far as insects.”

The Good and the Bad – Outside of the drowned-out areas, Rock ‘n Roll Agronomy owner Jason Hanson feels the cool season crops are performing well. “Barley, wheat, canola, and peas look really good,” said Hanson. “Corn and soybeans look tough; we will need a long frost-free fall now.” Hanson is based at Webster, North Dakota north of Devils Lake. A high percentage of the canola fields are being sprayed for flea beetles, but Hanson said the issue isn’t as bad as last year due to the cool and wet conditions this year. Hanson has seen a couple of fields be switched from canola to soybeans. Some canola had to be reseeded due to wind. Hanson will be keeping an eye on the prevented plant acres.

Increased Disease Risk – The wet spring throughout the Northern Plains has increased the risk of plant disease. NDSU Plant Pathologist Andrew Friskop warns stripe rust has been confirmed in North Dakota wheat fields. “We know the disease doesn’t over-winter in North Dakota and is dependent on southerly winds; because of that now we’re starting to see it.” The biggest risk is with susceptible varieties that are behind in the growth stages. Friskop also encourages growers to monitor the scab risk in spring wheat this summer.

Managing White Mold in Canola – The spring has been nearly ideal for cereal crops and canola. “We have a real good year going; the crop is up and out of the ground and stands are pretty decent,” said Dan Melaas, district sales manager, BASF. The white mold risk should be a top-of-mind for canola growers. “Make sure you’re scouting and if it is wet when you get out into those fields at 10 o’clock in the morning, you have the potential for white mold.” Application should happen when the crop is at 20-to-40 percent flowering. Melaas said Endura fungicide is an industry-leading fungicide and should be in the plan to reduce disease pressure. Listen to the full interview.

Canola Minute – Here’s the latest Canola Minute from the Northern Canola Growers Association. This week, Northern Canola Growers Association Vice President Mike Brekhus joins us and provides insight into the Kenmare, North Dakota crop. Listen to the report. 

Flea Beetle Pressure Seen in Western ND and MT – Nuseed Field Sales Manager Trygg Olson, who is based at Carrington, says there is flea beetle pressure out west. “Especially, in northwest North Dakota and some areas in southwest North Dakota and eastern Montana,” said Olson. “Are we late enough in the year to get the heat to avoid some of the flea beetle pressure as we look into north-central/northeast North Dakota? It’s very possible.”

Bugs, Bugs, Bugs – As crops began to emerge, so did the bugs. “Get out to scout for flea beetles in any later-planted crop,” said Janet Knodel, entomologist, NDSU Extension. “Most of the early crop is just taking off now with that moisture and then the cool weather suppressed the flea beetle feeding so we lucked out there for canola growers.” Cereal aphids have been found in wheat in northeastern North Dakota counties and the  grasshopper hatch is just starting. “It’s something you want to continue to scout for at least weekly if you have time.”

Pioneer Agronomy Update – In the latest Pioneer Agronomy Update, Field Agronomist Kevin SInner said the excessive rains this spring can lead to problems beyond planting delays. “There are some of these fields that have lost significant amounts of nitrogen.” In the situations where fertility losses are suspected, Sinner said soil and tissue sampling can help confirm the suspicion. Once confirmed, additional nutrition may be needed to help farmers reach their yield goals this fall. Listen to the update with Sinner. More information about nitrogen loss can be found online.

Balance is Important for Corn Yields – Nutritional balance is important for soil health when trying to maximize yield for corn. LG Seeds Sales Agronomist Shane Irlbeck says it’s not good if there are too many or not enough micronutrients in the soil. “If one thing is too far off it might throw your yields off.” Soil testing is recommended. “If your PH is off, it can cause nutrients to not be available for the plant in certain ranges of PH soil. We want soil for corn to be in that 6.5 to 6.8 range.”

Makin’ Hay – Despite wet weather and alfalfa weevil pressure, Dairyland Seed Regional Agronomist Brian Weller says a nice alfalfa crop is being seen in southern Minnesota. “We’ve had some very good tonnages, especially the folks that have fertilized and done a good job of fertility in the past.” Weller says some farmers cut their first crop of hay early due to the alfalfa weevil pressure.

Sugarbeet Report – In this week’s Sugarbeet Report, RRFN visits with NDSU Extension Entomologist Mark Boetel about peak fly activity for sugarbeet maggot. Treatment options are part of the discussion. Listen to the report. 

A Non-Event – Overall, the June World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate was a non-event. USDA made no changes to corn or soybean yields; no changes to old crop corn ending stocks; increased old crop soybean ending stocks by 10 million bushels and made no changes to the old crop wheat balance sheet. USDA lowered global corn carryout less than a million tonnes and made no changes to South American corn production. USDA did lower Brazil’s soybean production by one million tonnes to 153 million but did not change Argentina’s corn or soybean ending stocks.

Kick the Can Down the Road – USDA made only minor changes in the June supply and demand report. Comstock Investments Director of Managed Programs Joe Camp says USDA kicked the can down the road. “The USDA analysts are looking somewhat lazy when you’re seeing the old crop (corn) balance sheet not changing at all even with the past month’s worth of data on usage,” said Camp. “The expectation was we could see both ethanol and exports raised slightly higher; both of those components of demand are doing better than what USDA targets would have suggested” With late-May planting, Camp says the Agriculture Department could have cut corn yields, but left that figure alone.

Limited Trade Activity Expected Until Acreage Report – Van Ahn and Company analyst Kristi Van Ahn expects a quiet market until the quarterly stocks and acreage reports at the end of the month. “We will get some crop conditions and weather updates before that,” said Van Ahn. “If you don’t get any information from the June (WASDE) report, the market tends to be very quiet and very choppy for two weeks until we can get updated acreage numbers and quarterly grain stocks.” The acreage and stocks report will be released June 28.

Fielding Questions – Fielding Questions is a collaboration between RRFN and AgCountry Farm Credit Services. AgCounty Vice President of Insurance and Commodity Marketing Education Rob Fronning is our guest. Regarding a lackluster supply/demand report, Fronning said it may set up more excitement for the acreage report at the end of the month. “We’re back to weather and what is going on around the country and world.” Fronning also recaps the planting season and the prevalence of prevented plant. Listen to the podcast. 

Not Expecting Large PP Number – Grain traders took risk premium out of the grains Friday. AgriSompo North America chief analyst Sterling Smith says traders are not expecting large PP acres. “The planted acres report at the end of the month is going to be closely followed,” said Smith. “How many corn acres did we really get planted, that will probably set the tone going into the 4th of July and exactly how pollination and weather behave.” Smith said the U.S. trend line corn yield of 181 bushels per acre may be a little unrealistic. “We’ve never had a January yield above 180 bushels per acre, let alone above 181.”

FCIC Adjusts ECO Rate for ’25 – The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation board has approved an increase in the Enhanced Coverage Option subsidy rate for the 2025 crop insurance year. This rate will increase from 44 percent to 65 percent, which aligns with the endorsement for the Supplemental Coverage Option. This change is designed to increase interest in ECO by reducing costs.

Interest Rates Left Alone – In a statement after its two-day policy meeting, Federal Reserve officials kept its key benchmark interest rate unchanged. The Fed also reduced its interest rate cut forecast.

Innovation Shop Opening A Colaborative Effort – Kicking AgTech Week in the Fargo/Moorhead area was the grand opening of Grand Farm’s Innovation Campus. “The community rallied around this,” said Grand Farm Executive Director William Aderholdt. Aderholt recognized the numerous industry stakeholders that made sure the grand opening was a success. A variety of technologies, including autonomous vehicles and drones, were demonstrated. Photos of the event can be found on the RRFN Facebook page. 

Grand Farm Celebrates New Innovation Campus – AgTech Week kicked off with the grand opening of Grand Farm’s Innovation Campus in Wheatland, North Dakota. Industry leaders and politicians from across the state were in attendance. North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum said the area is poised to become the epicenter for agriculture in America. “We’ve got a world that needs to be fed, solutions that need to be solved, challenges to our soil health as far as land health; That’s all happening here.”

Putting the Ovation in Innovation – Innovation never stops, and North Dakota Congressman Kelly Armstrong said places like the new Ag Innovation Campus will help establish the future. “The technology that we are developing here, innovating here, allows future ag professionals to move into the 21st Century and do what we do best which is feed and fuel the world.” Armstrong, who won the GOP gubernatorial primary, said Grand Farm west of Casselton keeps  sees the Northern Plains at the forefront of ag innovation and precision agriculture. “This allows us to continue to move forward in a way where North Dakota kids get to make North Dakota futures here.”

An Investment in the Future – The new Bolley Agricultural Research Laboratory represents one of the largest capital construction projects in NDSU history. “It will allow NDSU to continue our remarkable legacy as a land grant institution, supporting agricultural education and research to benefit North Dakota, to benefit our region and to benefit our world,” said NDSU President David Cook. A long list of dignitaries spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony, including State Senator Terry Wanzek. Wanzek, who farms near Jamestown, spoke about the ROI of this project. “As legislators, we are often scrutinized or criticized for our spending habits, but I wish they would understand, like in this case, it’s not spending, it’s an investment.” Photos from the groundbreaking event can be found online.

Ag Research Corridor Includes Bolley, Dalrymple and Peltier Facilities – State Board of Agricultural Research and Education Chair Sarah Lovas was also on the program for the Bolley Agricultural Laboratory, touting the 25 percent return on investment with ag research. “We are raising livestock in crops in droughty, flooding and sometimes, unpredictable tundra-like conditions,” said Lovas. “Without the research to support the raising of all our crops in that diverse climatic situation, I don’t know if we would be as competitive as we are.” NDSU’s 18^th Street was being touted as the ag research corridor Wednesday with the new Bolley lab on one end of the street. The ag research cooridor also includes the Jack Dalrymple Agricultural Research Complex and the new Peltier Complex.

Ribbon Cutting for New Peltier Complex – The new Peltier Complex on the NDSU campus brings together food science, meat science and cereal science departments, Northern Crops Institute and the Ag Products Development Center. This facility is named for the Peltier family, which has made its mark with farming, grain elevators and seed business. The Peltier name is also synonymous with North Dakota State University. Proseed President Keith Peltier represented the family at Wednesday’s program celebrating this state-of-the-art facility. “My dad always said it’s not a good deal unless it is a good deal for everyone and this is a good deal for everyone.”  Peltier emphasized North Dakota agriculture is feeding and fueling the world. He waxed poetic in his closing comments. “May the rain sweep gently across your fields, may the sun warm the land and may every seed you planted bear good fruit and the late summer finds you standing in fields of plenty–and it you need good seed, think Proseed.” Of course, that’s Keith’s famous Proseed tagline.

A Reputation for Certified Seed – The new Bolley Agricultural Lab will be located on the western edge of the NDSU campus. The facility’s namesake is Henry L. Bolley. Bolley was one of the first faculty members at North Dakota Agricultural College, now NDSU. He was the school’s first plant pathologist; the founder and coach of the university’s football team and served as the state seed commissioner from 1909 to 1929. Ken Bertsch is in his 25^th year leading the North Dakota State Seed Department. “Our agency is unlike any other in the United States in that we certify all crops, including potatoes and we are the only certification agency in the country that does that.” Bertsch highlighted the diversity of North Dakota agriculture during his presentation. “More acres of certified seed are grown in North Dakota than any place in the United States and in addition to that, we grow the second largest number of acres of seed potatoes  in the United States,  behind Idaho as you might expect.

Three Things – According to the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute Director Pat Westhoff, three things are responsible for the entire increase in global consumption of grains and oilseeds over the past four decades; population, biofuels, and China. “Take away those three and there’s no change with global consumption of grains in the last 40 years.” Westhoff said population growth has slowed. Ethanol consumption, at least for the time being, has also leveled off. “With China, who knows where they’re going. This massive growth in Chinese demand the last several years has leveled off now. If they were to pull back on their imports, we’ve got a tough situation.”

Strengthening the Bond Between MN and Canada – June is a Canada-heavy month for Minnesota officials. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen and Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Matt Varilek were part of a trade mission to Quebec this past week. Deputy Agriculture Commissioner Andrea Vaubel will be in Vancouver this week. “I’ll be traveling to Vancouver with Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan for a first-of-its-kind Native Nations-focused trade mission led by USDA Under Secretary Alexis Taylor,” said Vaubel. “We’ll be talking about women in agriculture, indigenous agriculture in Canada and in the US and talking all things trade with Canada.”

Port of Baltimore Reopens – Nearly 11 weeks after a cargo ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, the main channel to the Port of Baltimore has reopened. This is one of the busiest ports in the United States.

The Effects of War – NDSU Distinguished Professor Dr. Bill Wilson spoke about the international landscape during the Midwest Agriculture Summit Tuesday. Ukraine has been known as the breadbasket of the world, but Wilson said the war with Russia has impacted that reputation. “Their shipping costs went up from about 75 cents a bushel to about $3 a bushel and they remain at that high level,” said WIlson. “That’s a huge change. They went from the lowest-cost shipper in the world to ultimately the highest-cost shipper in the world and I’m guessing that will remain.”

New Testing Requirements – The Minnesota Board of Animal Health has announced new testing requirements for lactating dairy cows. These animals must test negative for H5N1 and get a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection before attending events, like a show or fair. If samples test positive, the state will begin a disease investigation and quarantine the cows. All results will remain confidential.

Meat Inspection Funding Cut – The federal government is cutting money available for states for meat inspection. North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said state and federal governments split those costs 50-50. “We were informed that they’re no longer are going to be able to provide any more money to do that which is disheartening given the fact that this is for consumers. It’s food safety. It impacts our producers but it also impacts the consumer.” Goehring said the Biden Administration seems to have money for NGO’s but is ignoring essential programs. “We’ve been dealing with this for a while and we’ve been a bit quiet about it,” Goehring told RRFN. “Not now because now it’s really going to hurt the consumer. It’s going to hurt the producer. It’s going to hurt all of our small and midsized processors who were promised they were here to help them.”

Feedlots May Sit This Year Out – University of Minnesota Extension Beef Specialist Eric Mousel describes this past year’s cattle market as “bonkers.” However, the cash cattle market hasn’t responded to what the futures market is doing. “It has been pretty level without much movement either way regardless of what the futures are doing.”  Mousel sees change on the horizon. “Going forward, I think we’ll probably see feedlots sit this year out either because they can’t find the cattle or they can’t afford them.”

Good Grass, Good Markets – The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association’s Spring RoundUp brought ranchers from across the state together to voice concerns and issues facing the cattle industry. “It’s green and lush pretty much everywhere you go in cattle country in North Dakota,” said Jason Leiseth, president. “To top that off we keep setting records in the cattle market almost daily in almost every class of cattle.” That includes cull cows and cull bulls, which has been a common topic of discussion during the Roundups.

Optimism in Cattle Sector – North Dakota Stockmen’s Association Executive Vice President Julie Ellingson says there’s a lot for ranchers to be excited about this summer. “It’s been a positive year with a lot of optimism; we are celebrating some of the strongest prices and consumer demand.” The NDSA has wrapped up its Spring Roundups and has its annual feedlot tour coming up. More information about upcoming events can be found at ndstockmen.org under the Events tab.

MN Beef Update –  Minnesota Beef Council Director of Industry Relations Jon Dilworth joins the Minnesota Beef Update this week to discuss the selection of the new youth beef ambassadors. Listen to the report. 

White Earth Water Ordinance on Pause – The White Earth Nation has paused the enforcement of its controversial water-permitting rule. The ordinance is now in place for only new projects. The White Earth Nation also plans to create a regional task force in a seven-county area around the reservation to conduct research and develop new regulatory solutions. Last month, R.D. Offutt Farms filed a lawsuit against White Earth Nation over the water ordinance. The ordinance gave the tribe jurisdiction over all water use on the reservation and within five miles of the reservation. The White Earth permitting fees were also 30 times more expensive than the Minnesota DNR permits.

More Litigation for EPA – The National Corn Growers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Petroleum Institute and car dealerships are suing the Environmental Protection Agency over its emissions standards for light-duty and medium-duty trucks. The emission standards would require 68 percent of new passenger vehicles and 43 percent of new medium-duty trucks and vans to be electric by 2032. Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall said these “impractical standards” will drive up the cost for farm vehicles and force farmer to rely on a charging network that doesn’t exist in Rural America.

MFU Minute – Minnesota Farmers Union Vice President Anne Schwagerl joins the MFU Minute this week and discusses the sponsorship of the West Central Initiative 17 Rooms Event in Morris. This program focuses on sustainability. Listen to the report.

Court Rules on ERP Relief for ‘Socially Disadvantaged’ Farmers – A federal court in Amarillo, Texas has granted part of a motion to prevent USDA from providing additional assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers. This case centers on payments for the Emergency Relief Program which based the assistance on a farmers’ gender and race. The court said a progressive payment system can be used in future assistance programs if it is not based on race or sex.

A Lawyer Shortage Across America – America finds itself with a shortage of attorneys and certified public accountants in rural areas,  According to Washburn University Professor of Agricultural Law and Taxation Roger McEowen, the problem is even worse throughout the Midwest and western U.S. “About 40 percent of all counties throughout the United States face a lawyer shortage. That means they have fewer than one attorney per one thousand residents.” The national average, which includes metro areas, is four attorneys per 1,000 residents. “When we’re at less than one, that’s a significant problem.”

Dry Bean Scene – In this week’s Dry Bean Scene, Northarvest Bean Growers Association President Eric Jorgenson provides his perspective on the condition of the dry bean crop. Listen to the report. 

Enviros Call for More Government Oversight – A coalition of 16 environmental groups is criticizing Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and his administration for failing to protect the environment. The groups, which include the Minnesota Environmental Partnership, Sierra Club and the Izaak Walton League, have a website to voice their concerns. It claims the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Agriculture Department, Health Department and DNR are providing too little oversight. Twelve cases are highlighted, including groundwater issues in southeastern Minnesota; the use of neonicotinoids; pesticide drift in potato production and the approval of feedlot projects. The coalition is asking lawmakers to hold hearings on these environmental issues.

NDSU Ag Policy Research Center Highlighted – FAPRI at the University of Missouri and the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M are seen as the leading sources of nonpartisan farm policy research. Former House Agriculture Committee Chair Collin Peterson has been the driving force behind the creation of a similar ag policy research center at NDSU. “We’re going to enhance what they’re doing, not compete with it,” said Peterson. “There’s some good databases out there that have been built. We can build on that and we can go into the other areas where you don’t have the information, like dairy.” The new policy center is based at NDSU, but represents agriculture throughout the Midwest.

Good Jobs Challenge – Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber Foundation Executive Director Jenna Mueller is excited to have the region included in the Economic Development Administration’s Good Jobs Challenge. This $3.5 million award is geared towards upskilling the current and future workforce. “We know that North Dakota is really advancing ag technology. With that comes opportunities for new skilling and increased food production. That forces us to be innovative, which requires better access to resources and tools.”

Ag Tech Talent Pool Found in F/M Area – AgTech Week in Fargo/Moorhead brought an international audience to the region. That includes a delegation from Japan. An entrepreneur from Florida, James Dykstra, also made the trip north. Dykstra’s CodeStack Systems is a data management firm. With the combination of agriculture and innovative technologies, Dykstra sees the Fargo/Moorhead area as a place to source employees. “The Emerging Digital Academy has a bunch of really great tech talent that’s skilled specifically in the agricultural sector so you’re able to find people with a background in agriculture technology and really a knowledge that’s needed to bridge the gap between something that’s just a concept and something that can deliver real results and meaningful life changes for farmers.”

Workforce Grant Program Results Announced – USDA is awarding $50 million for its Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program. Over 140 projects nationwide will be funded to address agricultural workforce issues. These projects include $720,000 for Black Gold Farms of Grand Forks to provide training, housing and transportation services. Olsen Custom Farms of Hendricks, Minnesota is receiving $600,000 to create a platform for employees to create a more supportive work environment. Six Minnesota projects were funded, two in North Dakota and one in South Dakota. Here’s the complete list. 

Incentives for Conservation – The Iowa Soybean Association’s Soil and Water Outcomes Fund has expanded into Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota. Field Program Representative Katie Nelson says the goal is to help farmers implement conservation practices. The program provides a financial benefit to farmers for implementing conservation practices. “We really leave that decision up to them on what they want to do,” said Nelson. “They can make a switch from conventional tillage to strip-till or vertical till or even a switch to no-till; they can also put in a cover crop or a combination of both. Another practice that they can implement is an expanded rotation, adding a crop or even a perennial crop in their rotation.”

Fargo Hosting Global Sugar Conference – This year’s World Association of Beet and Cane Growers Annual Meeting will be held in Fargo. “We have 18 different countries represented and a great lineup of speakers giving an overview of U.S. industry on sugar policy and sugar production,” explains Harrison Weber, executive director, Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association. This year’s meeting is the first to be hosted in the United States in 20 years. “The last time we hosted this event was 2004; a lot has changed in that time. It’s a really great meeting hearing what growers around the globe are facing.” The meeting begins tomorrow and continues through Friday.

MN Corn Matters – Minnesota Corn Growers Association District Field Manager Marlene Dufault joins Corn Matters this week to discuss events happening at the county level this summer. Listen to the report. 

CHS to Test Autonomous Trucking Program in ND – CHS has announced an autonomous vehicle pilot program for North Dakota. CHS Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer David Black made the announcement at the Grand Farm event. CHS uses a follow-me model with its current pilot project in Minnesota. The second vehicle has a safety driver in the seat, but the vehicle is doing the actual driving. Black sees demand for a system like this. “All of us, especially in agriculture, see challenges with driver shortages and being able to find safe, quality, licensed drivers in space so we really want to take our time and prove out the pilot,” said Black. “We see this running for a year or two in North Dakota.” CHS has 10,000 miles under our belt with this project moving soybean oil between its processing plants in Minnesota. A similar level is anticipated as CHS moves fertilizer and crop inputs between Minot and Bismarck.

Financing for New BioManufacturing Facility – The State of Minnesota has secured a $214 million U.S. Energy Department loan to finance a new biomanufacturing facility in Marshall, Minnesota. Bioforge Marshall is owned by the climate technology company Solugen. This plant will use corn to manufacture chemicals typically made from oil, resulting in significantly lower carbon solutions. Construction is expected to be wrapped up in 2025.

SCN Resistance Trait on the Way – BASF is introducing the first and only biotech soybean cyst nematode resistance trait. Nemasphere will be stacked with the Enlist E3 technology and will be available in a full range of soybean seed varieties. BASF has been field testing this technology for eight years. Pending regulatory approval, Nemashere is expected to be available in 2028.

CLAAS Celebrates a Half-Million Harvesters – CLAAS is celebrating the production of its 500,000th combine since 1936. Two special anniversary LEXION combines will be displayed at field days, trade shows and field demonstrations.

MN Investment Group Aquires Hiniker Company – Minnesota-based Kinperium Industries has acquired Hiniker Company. Hiniker has been in business for over 50 years manufacturing snow and ice management products and agricultural attachments. In the ag space, they manufacture cultivators, shredders, cover crop seeders and other products.

Job Opportunities in Agriculture – Check out the Job Opportunities in Agriculture tab on the Red River Farm Network website. The Roseau County Farm Service Agency in Roseau, Minnesota is hiring a full-time program technician. Duties include general office activities supporting FSA programs administered at the field level. The application deadline is June 24.

Back Again – Former FMC CEO Pierre Brondeau is back on the job. Brondeau was the CEO from 2010 to 2020 and served as board chairman for the past four years. He succeeds Mark Douglas, who stepped down.

FEMA Adds Peirick – Cathy Peirick joins the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association as its member services director. Most recently, Peirick was in a similar position with the American Soybean Association.

Ritchison Named State Climatologist – Daryl Ritchison’s ‘interim’ ‘tag has been removed and he is officially North Dakota’s state climatologist. Ritchison will also continue as the director of the North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network. “It’s just add-on responsibilities with data integrity within the state.”

SD Corn Comments – Trent Kubik, who is a husband, father and farmer from Hamill, joins South Dakota Corn Comments this week. Listen to Kubik’s special Father’s Day message.

Soil Health Specialist Hired – Chandler Gruener is a new soil health specialist for NDSU Extension and is based at the North Central Research Extension Center in Minot. Gruener is a Missouri native and is finishing his doctorate in crop and soil sciences at the University of Georgia.

SD Ag Foundation Hires First Executive Director – The South Dakota Agricultural Foundation appointed Kyle Holt as its first executive director. Previously, Holt was deputy secretary for the South Dakota Department of Agriculture; director of the South Dakota Secretary of State’s office and senior policy advisor for the commissioner of South Dakota School and Public Lands. The South Dakota Agricultural Foundation is the philanthropic partner for rural communities and agriculture’s next generation.