Walz Meets with Farmers Impacted by Flooding – Governor Tim Walz was at the Jim Nelson farm in Oslo, Minnesota over the weekend, surveying flood damage. It’s been a month of weather extremes, from blizzards to rains and then, last week’s derecho event in southern Minnesota. “We’re starting to get a handle on it now and If we need federal help, we’ll support that. I’d encourage lawmakers, who are really working well together now, to try and get some packages done for agriculture so we can be prepared.” Walz issued an executive order on Friday, allowing temporary relief for motor carriers helping with spring planting. “It’s already a late start due to the weather and these complications. We need to remove weight barriers and times of service. What’s next? We see the situation in Ukraine and people are relying on us in the Midwestern United States to help feed the world.”

Derecho Hits the Northern Plains – The National Weather Service is calling Thursday night’s storms in the Northern Plains a derecho, which is a long duration wind event. “A derecho usually spans several miles,” said Kari Fleegel, meteorologist, National Weather Service. “There were lots of severe weather reports flowing in on Friday about the high winds. There are wind estimates from 60-to-80 miles-per-hour. In southeastern South Dakota, there were wind reports more than 100 miles-per-hour. We also had reports of a few tornadoes.” The high winds damaged buildings, trees and farm structures across eastern South Dakota, portions of southeastern North Dakota and Minnesota.

Planters Make Way for Cleanup Crews – Glacier Plains Cooperative Assistant Grain Merchandiser Grant Thompson says farmers are falling behind in corn planting, especially with the strong winds that left facilities and fields in disarray. “Every day that passes, we get a little further delayed in corn planting.” Thompson says the community is in clean-up mode after winds up to 80 miles an hour went through the Benson area. “We’ve got a lot of trees uprooted, grain storage loss, some bins have been flattened. We also have a dairy that’s in the process of loading up all of their cows to be sent elsewhere until they can get cleaned up and rebuilt.”

Cleaning Up After Farm is Hit with a Wall of Dirt – Clean-up continues for the farmers and ranchers affected by the derecho event. Brookings County, South Dakota farmer David Iverson won’t forget the wall of dirt that moved through in the storm. “The fields were muddy, so I don’t know where the dirt came from. We lost trees along with a 100-year-old barn. It’s a piece of history that will be lost forever.” Iverson says clean-up will likely be drawn out over the next few weeks. Photo credit: David Iverson

Spring Wheat Yield Potential is Declining – It’s getting late for spring wheat planting in northern Minnesota. University of Minnesota Extension Small Grains Agronomist Jochum Wiersma says the yield potential is declining a half a bushel-to-one bushel per day if wheat is planted past the recommended planting date. “On average, we’re walking backwards every single day from now on.” To offset yield losses, farmers can increase seeding rates. Wiersma recommends increasing one plant per square foot per each week delayed. On the positive side, Wiersma says if wheat prices stay at current levels or improve, this can also help offset yield losses. Good conditions during grain fill can also make up for the late start.

MN Wheat Minute – The clock is ticking to get spring wheat seeded. Hear more from Minnesota Wheat CEO Charlie Vogel in this week’s MN Wheat Minute.

Delayed Planting Concern – North Dakota Wheat Commission Market Development and Research Manager Erica Olson says most of the spring wheat planting is happening in the western part of North Dakota. “They haven’t received the moisture. Further east and in the central part of North Dakota, there are delays.” Olson says the continued, cooler wet weather is a concern. “This is the slowest pace we’ve seen since 2011. That was a really wet year. Traditionally, farmers like to get spring wheat in the ground early,” says Olson. “There’s uncertainty. If we can get into the field in the next week or two, with modern technology, we can get a lot planted.”

Wheat Remains in the Plan – A large percentage of spring wheat is seeded in South Dakota and southwest North Dakota. WestBred Regional Manager Peter Comis says it is a different situation in other parts of the region. “It is still at a standstill.” Despite the planting delays, Comis does not anticipate large acreage changes. “Farmers will try to put wheat in until the second week of June above Highway 2, they’re going to get that crop in the ground just because of where the price is at.” Hear the story.

Below Average Temperatures Remain the Hurdle – In a La Nina spring, there can be cooler-than-usual temperatures. USDA Midwest Climate Hub Director Dennis Todey says that’s been true this year. “We have been very cold the last 30 days. Temperatures are below average in Minnesota, with most temperatures four-to-six degrees below average. Parts of western Minnesota into North Dakota have been even colder at six- to-ten degrees below average.” Cool temps and cloud coverage keeps the soil from drying out, slowing planting progress. “It’s been a problem not only in Minnesota, but all across the Midwest. The other situation is the delayed corn planting is the second lowest percent corn planted at this point behind 2013 (based on data starting from 2000).” Todey was part of the University of Minnesota Extension’s Strategic Farming: Field Note series.

Late Planting vs Prevent Plant – NDSU Extension Farm Management Specialist Ron Haugen says farmers have three options when it comes to late planting or resorting to prevent plant. “If it gets to be really late, one of the main decisions is should I even plant a crop at all and try to collect insurance, should I plant late, or should I switch to a different crop?” Haugen says the conflict in Ukraine adds a sense of urgency to get a crop in the ground. “We really want to get a crop in the Upper Midwest with all that’s happening in the world right now. Prices are really good even with high expenses.”

Prevent Plant Possible – Northern Ag Incorporated crop insurance agent Jody Miller is getting questions about prevent plant from farmers in northwest Minnesota. By taking prevent plant, Miller says farmers can still plant a crop within a certain period of time, but farmers lose one percent of coverage per day the crop is planted beyond the final planting date. Final planting dates vary by county. “In our area, we’re a few weeks away from the final planting dates. The first is May 25 for corn. For wheat, the final planting date is June 5 and then, soybeans on June 10. Other crops fall in-between.” Miller says acreage shifts are starting to happen. “I’m sure seed dealers are scrambling trying to accommodate the very different planting intentions than what we thought of over the winter. Did farmers get fertilizer applied in the fall? If they did, they’re locked in on a certain category of crops they’re able to plant. There’s a really big shift happening and it’s hard to pinpoint exactly where it’s going to end as far as actual planted acres. It will depend on the weather and how quickly we can warm up.” Hear the interview.

Communicate with Crop Insurance Agent – NAU Country Insurance Vice-President of Farm Services Rich Morrison recommends farmers stay in touch with their crop insurance agent about the planting situation. “If planting delays continue in the next three weeks, what choices do farmers have? I know farmers are thinking about prevent plant.” Famers don’t have to make a decision on the final planting date. “The other decision farmers may want to make is because of the higher prices, farmers may want to plant corn a few days late.”

Hours-of-Service Waiver – North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has signed an executive order, waiving hours of service requirements for truckers hauling farm inputs. Burgum said this waiver will help keep farmers supplied with fertilizer, seed and crop protection products during the delayed and compressed planting season.

Don’t Forget the Pre – Farmers may be tempted to just get the crop planted when the planting window gets tight. However, NDSU Extension Weed Specialist Joe Ikley says farmers get need to apply pre-emergence herbicides. “We can get a lot of crop into the ground in a hurry when we plant, but sprayers can’t keep up with planters. If farmers focus on planting the crop in this tight window and going back to apply a pre-emergent herbicide, the crop could be out of the ground.” Ikley says there are options. “If you can keep that sprayer close behind the planter, that’s one thing. Aerial applicators can also be used to apply herbicides.”

Adjust on the Fly – Short-season varieties are the norm in far northwestern Minnesota. Due to the planting delays, Shane Isane, who farms at Badger, expects to see more soybeans this season. “We’re looking at possibly having to make some changes as we get later into the month; we may have to go to more soybeans. We’ll adjust on the fly and hopefully we can miss out on some of these rains.”

Ready to Go – There hasn’t been much planting progress across North Dakota and western Minnesota, but Proseed Sales Manager Jeff Hamre says farmers are ready to go when conditions improve. “Farmers have greased the equipment two to three times and we’re practicing starting the motors, revving them on the edge of the field. It’s like a Le Mans race right now for everyone,” says Hamre. Hamre believes the industry has a good quantity of seed that could be moved around if necessary. we have to do that. A few farmers are changing corn maturities due to the delayed planting season. For soybeans, there’s been talk about the availability if a switch is needed. “What is the availability? That’s probably the biggest question right now. People haven’t made the change yet.” Hear the story.

The Sugarbeet Report – Sugarbeet planting progress is slow in the Northern Plains. Hear more in the Sugarbeet Report, presented by Amity Technology, H&S Manufacturing, SESVanderHave and REGEV from SummitAgro.

How President Biden’s New Plan for Ag Came Together – President Biden has a new plan to ramp up crop production in the United States to offset the losses in Ukraine. This plan includes increasing the number of counties eligible for double cropping insurance, increasing technical assistance for precision agriculture and doubling the funding for domestic fertilizer production. White House Economic Advisor Heather Boushey explains how the plan came together. “We looked at the evidence, talked to people affected like farmers who are coping with the challenges, dealing with their own supply chain issues. Then, we made a plan that we had the capacity to do that would be cost effective.”

Ag Groups Find the Positive in Biden’s Plan to Lower Food Costs – Agriculture groups are responding to President Biden’s new plan to incentivize crop production in the United States and lower food costs. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said the effort to create greater opportunities and reduce barriers is welcomed, but this alone will not solve the multiple challenges farmers face. “It could take years to realize the benefits.” National Farmers Union President Rob Larew said the organization will continue to work with the USDA to identify the best policy options to help farmers across the country meet production challenges. The American Soybean Association also applauded the Biden administration’s plan for double cropping efforts, technical assistance and investment in more domestic fertilizer production.

Policies to Incentivize Crop Production Take Time – Amid the shocks from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, there are global food security concerns. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Policy Specialist Brad Lubben says there is a good reason to understand why United States agriculture should respond, but the challenge with any policy proposal is how quickly something can happen. “It’s difficult to imagine we can incentivize crop production this year more than we already have. The dramatic highs set in the commodity prices have encouraged as much cropping potential as we think we can encourage. Raising loan rates or trying to incentivize additional crops may not tip the scales much.”

SD Corn Comments – Can farmers grow enough corn to meet both food and fuel needs? In the latest South Dakota Corn Comments, the South Dakota Corn Growers Association said no problem. Hear more.

$500 Million Ag Plan Pulled from Ukrainian Relief Package – The House passed a $40 billion economic assistance package for Ukraine. Before passage, a provision to support U.S. farmers was eliminated from the bill. The Biden Administration proposed a $500 million plan to increase marketing loan rates and incentivize double cropping of soybeans after wheat. This proposal was criticized by lawmakers and economists and was pulled from the final bill.

More Roadblocks for Ukrainian Grain Movement – Ukraine is trying to export grain, but Russia is making sure that can’t be done throught the ports. StoneX Group Chief Commodities Economist Arlan Suderman says grain is still being moved west via rail. “Exports are about 20 percent of what they were prior to the war over land, with many obstacles. There are concerns as the wheat harvest gains momentum later this spring in Romania, Poland and Baltic states.” Ukrainian farmers are trying to plant. “That’s what farmers do and they’re trying to do it wearing flak jackets as they operate tractors to protect themselves.”

Time Needed to Expand U.S. Grain Supplies – With an expected decline in Ukrainian crop production and logistical challenges moving existing grain, the countries that typically buy Ukrainian crops are looking elsewhere for their needs. “We don’t have a lot of head-to-head competition, but indirectly, because of the total supplies globally are smaller than they were before, it’s having an impact on the value of the crop we have in the United States,” said Frayne Olson, crops marketing economist, NDSU Extension. How can U.S. crop production help offset the losses in Ukraine? “In the short-term, supplies will be very tight until our harvest. The next question is will there be enough expansion or growth in the supply side coming into the 2022 harvest and beyond to compensate? We’ll probably have some things happen we don’t even anticipate right now, but we need time to figure that out.”

G7 Nations Discuss Fertilizer Supplies – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was in Germany over the weekend with his counterparts from Canada, Japan and parts of Europe. The Group of Seven nations agreed to increase transparency in the fertilizer market. Tight fertilizer supplies have all of the G7 countries anxious about price and availability. Vilsack is in Poland today, meeting with a few of those agricultural ministers to get a handle on the Ukraine situation.

Corn Matters – In the latest Corn Matters, Minnesota Corn Growers Association director Harold Wolle has more on a call to action from the National Corn Growers Association on fertilizer.

USDA Unveils More Details About the Emergency Relief Program – Crop farmers experiencing natural disaster events in 2020 and 2021 will soon start receiving WHIP+ program payments. The USDA unveiled more details about the Emergency Relief Program this morning. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack told the Red River Farm Network earlier this month payment distributions should happen in June. “This emergency relief program, based on the WHIP+ legislation passed by Congress last September, is designed to help with drought and other weather disasters,” said John Hoeven, North Dakota Senator. “USDA will send out pre-filled applications to farmers this month, based on their crop insurance. Assistance should be out in June.” Get the payment rates and learn more about the Emergency Relief Program.

India Bans Wheat Exports – The world’s second largest wheat producer is taking a protectionist stance, banning wheat exports. This news follows India releasing a record export target for the new marketing year. Buyers were looking for India to partially fill the gap in exports from the Black Sea region. Anxiety over food security is ramping up after a recent heat wave. When markets opened Sunday night, the trade responded to this news with double-digit gains for wheat, corn and soybeans.

Egypt Addresses Food Security Concern – Egypt’s prime minister says the country has enough wheat in strategic reserves to cover its needs for four months. There are enough vegetable oils to meet the country’s needs for six months.

Malaysia Ponders Palm Oil Proposal – Malaysia is considering a reduction in its export tax on palm oil. The proposal is designed to address the global vegetable oil shortage and increase the country’s market share.  A decision is expected as soon as next month. This plan follows Indonesia’s decision to ban palm oil exports and the disruption to Ukrainian exports.

Canola Minute – In the latest Canola Minute, Northern Canola Growers Association board member and farmer Jon Wert talks about the start to canola planting.

Specialty Crops Battle for Acres – A few farmers in the region pulled the planter out of the shed and worked around wet spots in the field this weekend. Highs in the upper 60s and 70s will help dry things out. However, a few rains are possible, with the best chance coming on Thursday. Martinson Ag Risk Management President Randy Martinson expects the Cornbelt to see significant planting in crop progress today’s report. Specialty crops, like canola and dry beans, are being influenced by late planting. “The same scenario goes for barley; I think Busch is calling customers this week to see if they will increase acres because they’re worried about barley production across the Northern Plains this week.”

Container Chaos – In October 2020, ocean carriers started refusing export bookings to get empty shipping containers back overseas as quickly as possible and capture high-value imports. One year and a half later not much has changed. Congress intervened and ocean carriers can no longer ‘unreasonably’ decline exports. SB&B Foods President Bob Sinner says that language is the problem. “What is unreasonable and how do you define that? That’s been our frustration.” Importers are incentivized to unload their containers at the port and pick the product up by truck. “That means we’re not going to have these containers coming into the Midwest where we need them and it’s only going to increase or add to the congestion.” Sinner says another complication in on the horizon with the current labor contract for West Coast port workers expiring July 1. SB&B exports food-grade soybeans and specialty products to Southeast Asia.

Untangling the Supply Chain – The U.S. dairy industry is untangling the supply chain crisis. “Within the last year, because of the imbalance of how people were buying things, companies that shipped products from Asia unload those ships and sent them back empty,” said Chris Galen, Senior Vice President of Member Services, National Milk Producers Federation. “That’s been a detriment to ag exporters, including the dairy industry. We’re doing a number of things to deal with the situation including trucking, transportation, shipping and availability of shipping containers.” Galen says the Ocean Shipping Reform Act is an important piece of legislation lawmakers are considering. “There’s a version that’s passed the Senate and another version that passed the House. Those versions are different and have to be brought together and merged into one version that has to be passed again by both chambers.”

Seeking Answers to Supply Chain Challenges – South Dakota Representative Dusty Johnson and Minnesota Representative Angie Craig have introduced legislation to address problems with the supply chain. The bill calls for a USDA task force to evaluate the reliability of the current food supply chain and provide recommendations to Congress to prevent future problems.

Lawmakers Send Trade Agenda Letter to Biden Administration Officials – South Dakota Senators John Thune and Mike Rounds along with North Dakota Senator John Hoeven and other lawmakers sent a letter to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai asking them to prioritize market access initiatives in the U.S. trade agenda. There are specific concerns about the Indo-Pacific region.

Dry Bean Scene – In this week’s Dry Bean Scene, we chat with Kevin Regan, Northarvest’s delegate to the U.S. Dry Bean Council event in Washington D.C. The Dry Bean Scene is sponsored by the Northarvest Bean Growers Association.

U.S. and Mexico Resolve Potato Trade Dispute – After more than 25 years of regulatory hurdles, fresh U.S. potatoes are available in Mexico. Previously, the United States could not export potatoes beyond a 26-kilometer border zone. “Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack lived up to the promised deadline of getting this done by May 15,” said Kam Quarles, CEO, National Potato Council. “The real test of how well this trade relationship is working is when we get into the end of the year when we get the big volumes moving after harvest. How does the competition and Mexican government react?” Fresh potato growers in other parts of the country are monitoring the durability of the market.

A Few Surprises – USDA delivered a few surprises in Thursday’s supply and demand report. U.S. wheat yield harvested acres and production were reduced more than the trade expected. Global wheat stocks are at their lowest level since 2017. The report reflected late planting, dropping the national corn yield average to 177 bushels per acre. U.S. soybean stocks increased, as expected, due to an increase in acreage. The soybean demand picture is positive with significant increases in the projected crush and export outlook.

Trade Moves Past USDA Report – Total Farm Marketing Senior Market Advisor Naomi Blohm says Thursday’s supply/demand report was supportive “but nothing was over-the-top bullish to get prices through short-term resistance levels. Neither was anything over-the-top bearish to get us to crash and burn.” Blohm says that keeps the market in an elevated, sustained holding pattern as the focus returns to weather and delayed planting.

NCI to Host Grain Industry Emerging Leaders Course – The Northern Crops Institute is hosting a three-day Grain Industry Emerging Leaders Course on June 22 – 24, 2022. The objective is to prepare current grain elevator employees to transition to managerial roles. Ultimately, this course will provide an overview of grain merchandising as it applies to grain elevator management. Participants will be able to understand the cash and futures markets, learn merchandising strategies and logistics of grain handling. The hybrid course will take place at the NCI corporate office in Fargo. Register online for this educational opportunity. The registration deadline is June 10.

Making Changes Where Necessary – Van Ahn and Company market analyst Kristi Van Ahn says farmers are evaluating a change in the crop mix where they can. “Farmers are starting to talk about where acreage shifts will happen and where there will be prevent plant.” The shift is happening. “Farmers are switching acres to barley because they can get it planted right now and I’ve heard shifts toward soybeans, too; variety dates are also moving back.”

Specialty Crops Battle for Acres – A few farmers in the region pulled the planter out of the shed and worked around wet spots in the field this weekend. Highs in the upper 60s and 70s will help dry things out. However, a few rains are possible, with the best chance coming on Thursday. Martinson Ag Risk Management President Randy Martinson expects the Cornbelt to see significant planting in crop progress today’s report. Specialty crops, like canola and dry beans, are being influenced by late planting. “The same scenario goes for barley; I think Busch is calling customers this week to see if they will increase acres because they’re worried about barley production across the Northern Plains this week.”

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 says the wheat market is hot, the livestock markets continue to struggle.

G7 Nations Discuss Fertilizer Supplies – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was in Germany over the weekend with his counterparts from Canada, Japan and parts of Europe. The Group of Seven nations agreed to increase transparency in the fertilizer market. Tight fertilizer supplies have all of the G7 countries anxious about price and availability. Vilsack is in Poland today, meeting with a few of those agricultural ministers to get a handle on the Ukraine situation.

Aussie and New Zealand Regulators Approve GMO Wheat – Biotech wheat has been approved for human consumption in Australia and New Zealand. The GMO wheat cannot be grown in these two countries, but food developed from the biotech wheat can be imported. Argentine farmers are the only ones that can legally grow this crop.

Senators Seek 30×30 Review – Twenty Republican senators wrote a letter to the White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory urging proper analysis and a public comment period for the 30×30 initiative. The letter argues the public input requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act must be followed. The Biden Administration’s 30×30 initiative calls for 30 percent of land and water to be conserved by 2030. The lawmakers signing the letter include North Dakota Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer and South Dakota Senators John Thune and Mike Rounds.

Comment Period Extended for SEC Climate Reporting Rule – The Securities and Exchange Commission has extended the comment period on its climate reporting rule until June 17. This proposed regulation would mandate publicly traded companies  report their carbon emissions and other climate-related information. A coalition of 120 ag groups asked the SEC for more time to review the proposal.

Hard to Keep Patient with DOJ’s Cattle Market Review – South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds is starting to lose patience with the Department of Justice’s major investigation on the four largest meat packers. “We’re not satisfied with what’s going on. There’s a smaller group of us beginning to circulate requests to have other entities in the federal government also begin investigations and report back to the Congress what they’re finding on violations of price fixing, rules and regulations we have.” Rounds says the other entities span beyond the Department of Justice and USDA.

MN Beef Update – Did you know that May is beef month? Minnesota Beef is focusing promotion efforts on grilling. Hear more in this week’s Minnesota Beef Update.

TransFARMation: Anxiety Level Rises with Each Case of Avian Influenza – Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has spread to more than 30 states and has affected millions of birds. The commercial poultry industry went through a similar outbreak in 2015. Erica Sawatzke is a turkey grower from Kennsington, Minnesota and chairs the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. “We’re fortunate that my farm has not gotten it yet, but you always have this fear of who’s next.” Farmers are in the food business and the concept of euthanizing the flock has a financial and emotional toll on growers. “It’s just a helpless feeling.” In this episode of TransFARMation, Sawatzke shares her unique perspective about this deadly disease. 

End-of-Session Framework Deal – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller have come to terms on a broad framework for the end of the legislative session. The plan includes $4 billion to invest in education, public safety and health care and $4 billion for tax relief. That leaves $4 billion from the state’s budget surplus to help the state manage future economic insecurity. The details are still being worked out. The House and Senate conference committee has been unable to finalize the omnibus agriculture bill as the await the financial targets.

MN Lawmakers Still Working on a Drought Relief Package – With one week left in the legislative session, Minnesota lawmakers are still trying to reach an agreement on a drought relief package. Minnesota House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Sundin told RRFN more progress is expected once Republican meet over the weekend. At issue is funding for tree seedlings through Department of Natural Resources. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said it’s frustrating it’s taken this long, but he’s confident something can be done before the end of the session.

MN Rail Projects Funded – The Minnesota Department of Transportation has funded eight freight rail projects, totaling $6.5 million. The projects include $1.87 million for a new loadout building and a new track connect at the ADM plant in Marshall, $1.2 million to modernize the rail at the Duluth Seaway Port Authority and $270,000 for a new rail spur at the American Crystal Sugar Company plant in East Grand Forks.

Another Inflation Increase – Inflation is 8.3 percent higher than it was one year ago. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the energy index declined in April, but there are increases in the indexes for shelter, food, airline fares and new vehicles. The food index increased 0.9 percent, with the index for dairy and related products increasing 2.5 percent. That’s the largest monthly increase since July 2007. The index for meats, poultry, fish and eggs increased 1.4 percent.

Farm Families on the Brink – The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture reviewed USDA’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget request last week. USDA is requesting $195.9 billion. During the hearing, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack asked lawmakers to not lose sight of farm families that need help financially. “There are 61,670 farm families on the brink. Those farm families are either delinquent in their loans to USDA, are bankrupt or are pending foreclosure.” Lawmakers, including Subcommittee Ranking Member John Hoeven, followed up on disaster relief for farmers and ranchers. Vilsack said more details on the new WHIP+ program will be released this month. Kansas Senator Jerry Moran asked Vilsack if additional ad-hoc money is needed for future disaster relief. “Our disaster assistance programs are a one-size-fits-all, but the reality is there are multiple types of disasters in areas. It will be important and necessary in the future to have enough flexibility and resources to tailor disaster assistance to the actual disaster.”

MFBF Update – Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack met with Minnesota farmers before giving the commencement address at the University of Minnesota-Crookston earlier this month. Minnesota Farm Bureau board member Shayne Isane recaps the meeting in the latest MFBF Update.

A Price Shock Coming to Gas Pumps Near You – Energy prices continue to rocket higher. AgriSompo North America market analyst Sterling Smith expects even higher energy prices. “Crude oil is up $3.50 to $4 per barrel. Unleaded gasoline is up 12 cents per gallon and diesel prices are up.” Retail diesel fuel prices are expected to remain elevated. Smith says there are a lot of logistical problems in the Northeast. “They’re having to truck diesel from the South and the Midwest to keep diesel supplies in place. Even if we see futures ease, there’s not going to be anything there to keep prices from pushing higher.”

Tractor, Combine Sales Slip – Tractor and combine sales declined for the second month in a row. Information from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers says U.S. tractor sales declined more than 22 percent in April compared to one year ago. Combine sales dropped nearly six percent. AEM spokesman Curt Blades said this comparison is being made to record sales one year ago.

Improving Yield and Quality – The National Wheat Foundation is sponsoring the National Wheat Yield Contest for the seventh straight year. Project Manager Anne Osborne says the goal is to improve the productivity, quality and marketability of the U.S. wheat crop. “The quality component is unique to wheat because it’s so important to our customers,” Osborne told RRFN. “We can’t just have high yields if the wheat won’t bake up a nice loaf of bread.” Osborne, who is based in North Dakota’s Barnes County, acknowledges the late spring and the impact on wheat acres. “Look at the prices and look at the world’s need for a food that we produce here in North Dakota. With this contest, the winning is nice, but the learning is the most important thing.”

ND Corn Celebrates 35 Years – The North Dakota Corn Growers Association is celebrating its 35th anniversary. NDCGA Executive Director Brenda Elmer says concern for the corn market spurred the decision to organize. “Thirty-five years ago, several leaders came together over shared concern about the Canadian corn market with countervailing duties on corn.” Three years later, the North Dakota Corn Council was established. “Just a couple years later, those leaders initiated the beginnings of the corn checkoff. That’s really been the beginning of a lot of value-added ag in the northern climate.”

Administration Weighs in on Bayer Court Case – The White House wants the Supreme Court to reject an appeal made by Bayer. Bayer is asking the court to reverse a lower court decision regarding the use of Roundup and cancer. The action taken by the Supreme Court is being monitored closely by the crop protection industry as it relates legal liability.

Ag Sales Boost Bayer’s Bottom Line – Bayer’s first quarter bottom-line was helped significantly by its Crop Science division. The herbicide business enjoyed a 60 percent increase in sales. The fungicide business grew by nearly 19 percent. Corn seed and traits posted gains, while sales in the soybean seed and traits were level with one year ago.

North American Business Gives JBS a Boost – The Brazilian meatpacker, JBS, made nearly $1 billion in profits during the first quarter. That’s up more than 151 percent from last year. U.S. beef sales to China increased more than 60 percent, while pork exports declined.

For the Farmers – John Deere and Busch Light launched a ‘For the Farmers’ campaign. Cases of Busch Light sold through July 3 will feature a farm scene. A John Deere tractor is part of the artwork. This partnership will support Farm Rescue.

Doggett Leaving NCGA – National Corn Growers Association CEO Jon Doggett will be leaving the association next year. According to Agri-Pulse, an internal announcement from Doggett said it’s not retirement, he wants to continue to work and move to a new chapter in his life. The NCGA has not issued a public statement.

McKenna Joins RFA Staff – Mikayla McKenna is the new communications manager for the Renewable Fuels Association. McKenna’s experience includes interning with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, the American Feed Industry Association and Iowa Corn Growers Association.

USDA Names Nominee for Under Secretary of Trade – The USDA’s nominee for the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agriculture is Alexis Taylor, the Director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Agriculture groups have been anxious to see the position filled. National Association of Wheat Growers CEO Chandler Goule says Taylor is a good candidate. “I’ve personally known Taylor for more than 15 years, we met while working on the 2008 Farm Bill. After that, she worked at the USDA as the Acting Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Ag Service under President Obama.” The USDA Under Secretary for Trade is a liaison from the USDA to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Taylor’s nomination will need to move through the confirmation process.

Governor’s Ag Ambassador Award Goes to Walt Bones – Walt Bones will be honored with the Governor’s Ag Ambassador Award during the Ag Summit June 22 in Brookings. Bones was South Dakota’s secretary of agriculture from 2011-to-2013 and continues to operate a diversified crop and livestock farm near Parker, South Dakota.

Fisher Awarded NDSU Honorary Doctorate of Agriculture – North Dakota State University honored North Dakota Wheat Commission Administrator Neal Fisher with an honorary doctorate of agriculture over the weekend. “It’s overwhelming when they read that you’re the 165th recipient of this degree,” Fisher tells the Red River Farm Network. “I’m greatly honored to receive this from an institution that I deeply admire.” Fisher joined the North Dakota Wheat Commission in 1978 as a marketing specialist and was named administrator in 1998. Photo credit: NDSU 

Twedt Joins PivotBio Team – Evan Twedt has accepted a commercial agronomist role with PivotBio. For the last ten years, Twedt has been with Bayer/Monsanto. Twedt is based at McHenry, North Dakota.

From Minnesota Corn to Cargill – Meghan Doyle has accepted an executive communications role with Cargill. Doyle has been with the Minnesota Corn Growers Association for the past nine years, including time as the senior communications director.

A Promotion for Rozum – John Rozum has been promoted to senior director of agriculture and utility exhibitions and events for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. Rozum has been with AEM for nearly nine years. Previously, Rozum was the sales manager at World Dairy Expo.

Agricultural Trailblazer Passes – Funeral services for Bob Knudson, 87, will be held Thursday in Fargo. Knudson’s list of accomplishments is nearly endless. After time in the military, Knudson joined NDSU Extension. His first job in the private sector was with the North Dakota Seed Potato Company. During that time, Knudson served as president of the Red River Valley Potato Growers Association and vice president of the National Potato Board. After ten years, Knudson joined Nickerson Seed Company, was CEO of Nickerson’s West Coast Beet Seed and was AgriPro’s director of cereal seed. After retirement in 2000, Knudson spent ten years as a senior consultant to Syngenta’s North American wheat seed business. AgriPro named a new wheat variety KNUDSON at that time. Knudson was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Agricultural Marketing Association and was inducted into the AGR Hall of Fame.