A Conversation with Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack – It’s a busy week of travel for Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Following a trip to Minnesota, there are plans to travel to Germany and Poland for a meeting with G7 countries about what’s happening with Ukraine. “We want to make sure they understand we are using all of our food assistance programs. Then, we’re working with the shipping industry to see if we can reduce the cost of transporting the product to areas in need,” says Vilsack. “We’re also looking for ways to incentivize more production in the United States. I’m going to Poland to meet with Ukrainian officials to get first-hand information.” In an interview with the Red River Farm Network over the weekend, Vilsack also gave an update on disaster relief. Northern Plains crop farmers should know more about the new WHIP+ program soon. “It should be very quick. We’ll put in place the structure, hopefully, this month, with payments in June.” Hear the interview.

Vilsack’s Visit Shows “A Strong Commitment to the Region” – Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack talked about resiliency and perseverance in Saturday’s commencement address at the University of Minnesota – Crookston. “No doubt you all will face adversity in your life, likely multiple times. You have the skills to make a better day happen. I see you and I believe in you as America’s resilient generation.” Chancellor Mary Holz-Clause says it’s an honor to host the agriculture secretary. “It’s a strong commitment the secretary has to this region and the importance of recognizing the Red River Valley. This is a very important agricultural region.” Holz-Clause knows Vilsack from time in Iowa. “Prior to becoming the secretary of agriculture, Vilsack was the governor of Iowa. The vice-chancellor and I are both from Iowa and we knew him from a previous life. He’s done a wonderful job of navigating through so many issues as agriculture secretary.”

Ag Leaders Participate in Q&A Session with USDA Leader – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack met with about 100 local farmers, ranchers and agriculture leaders before giving a commencement address at the University of Minnesota-Crookston Saturday. At breakfast, Vilsack answered questions about Ukraine, trade, the farm bill and more. Crookston, Minnesota farmer Tim Dufault did not realize how far behind funding was for agricultural research. “Other agencies, over the last ten years, have received a 28 percent increase in spending, but ag research has not.” According to Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen, there was a lot of discussion about 2023. “Whether it’s the farm bill, lingering impact of the war on Ukraine on grain, wheat, sugar and fertilizer prices and what the food system will look like, it’s interesting to hear his perspective.”

A Few Unanswered Questions – Badger, Minnesota farmer Shayne Isane attended breakfast with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Saturday, representing Minnesota Farm Bureau. “It’s not often the U.S. secretary of agriculture comes to northern Minnesota. If I would have been in the field, it would have been tougher to get away, but we aren’t so I graciously offered to come. I wasn’t going to turn this down.” Isane says many topics were covered, but not all submitted questions were answered. Minnesota farmers want to know more about possible changes to haying and grazing Conservation Reserve Program acres during drought. “It was a big issue for us and if I would have gotten a chance, besides a handshake and introduction, I would have asked him about that. It was an important thing for us last year, especially in northern Minnesota when we couldn’t get early haying and grazing. USDA wouldn’t budge. The secretary said strict rules wouldn’t allow them to do that.”

Canola Minute – Recent moisture is improving the drought in western North Dakota, but it’s also delaying spring planting. Keep up-to-date on the latest weather by using NDAWN. Hear more in the latest Canola Minute, presented by the Northern Canola Growers Association.

White House Wants to Boost U.S. Wheat and Oilseed Production – As part of a $33 billion request for Ukrainian aid, the White House would like to see wheat and oilseed production increase in the United States to help address global food shortages. President Biden is asking Congress for $500 million to fund two proposals. The first would increase the marketing assistance loan rates for food crops. The other proposal incentivizes double-cropping wheat. National Association of Wheat Growers CEO Chandler Goule says the marketing loan rate increase won’t be enough to do the job. NAWG would also like the proposal to expand beyond winter wheat to spring wheat. “The only states with winter wheat that aren’t in a drought situation right now are Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Alabama. Our analysis says if every soybean acre in those four states were double cropped to wheat, you’d only be able to make up 25 percent of the Ukraine export market. I know the White House’s goal was to make up for 50 percent.”

Solving a Global Wheat Demand Puzzle – As long as there’s uncertainty surrounding the Russia-Ukraine war, market volatility will remain. Ukraine typically exports 20 million tons of wheat each year. “About ten percent of the total world trade is coming from Ukraine,” said Vince Peterson, president, U.S. Wheat Associates. “Ukraine doesn’t think they’ll be able to export more than 500,000 to one million tons each month at the absolute most, that means, there would be a shortage.” There’s a big hole to fill, but Peterson said the world has plenty of wheat. “How do you get and pay for high-priced wheat and high-cost freight from the various origins that have it to those that really need it? That’s the puzzle for the world right now.”

Trudeau Promises to Support Ukraine Grain Trade – In an unannounced visit to Kyiv, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged to help Ukraine find options to export grain. Details were not provided. Trudeau also said Canada would provide $25 million to the United Nations World Food Program to address food security.

More Flexibility, Better Protection – USDA has updated three key crop insurance options for livestock producers. With Dairy Revenue Protection, dairy farmers can continue coverage even if they experience a disaster, such as a barn fire. Livestock Gross Margin coverage for cattle, dairy and swine is now available nationwide. Regarding Livestock Risk Protection, insurance companies must pay indemnities within 30 days of receiving the claim form. The previous window for payment was 60 days.

Cramer Asks FSA to Adjust Livestock Indemnity Program – North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer sent a letter to the Farm Service Agency last month asking Administrator Zach Ducheneaux to make adjustments to the Livestock Indemnity Program. This program helps farmers experiencing higher than normal livestock deaths as a result of severe weather. Cramer is concerned about the payment rates for calves lost. “Please consider the actual value of the animal. One year ago, we weren’t at 8.5 percent inflation. A value of a calf was much lower than it is today,” said Cramer. “We’re asking them to use this flexibility and adjust the model so producers can get what their loss is actually worth.” Cramer has not heard back from the FSA on the request.

Slow Go for Disaster Relief – As Northern Plains livestock producers get their first round of drought relief payments, crop farmers are still waiting for more details from the Farm Service Agency on disaster relief. North Dakota Senator John Hoeven says the USDA is expected to provide more details to farmers this month on how the new WHIP+ program works. “By June, folks should be signing up and the aid going to farmers.” Hoeven is surprised it’s taken this long to implement the disaster aid. Why has it taken so long? “I had the very same question for Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack when I met with him.  Vilsack said part of the problem was getting the program through the Office of Management and Budget. Vilsack also said it took USDA longer to announce the program, but delivery should be faster. USDA should be able to announce how the program will work this month and get it out of the door next month.”

Do No Harm – Even though it’s early in the farm bill discussions, Crop Insurance Professionals Association President William Cole says the industry is still pushing for Congress to do no harm. “We hope that it stays in place or improves on where we’re at now. We’re hoping to participate in as many hearings as we can, protecting what we already have.” CIPA met in Kansas City for their spring meeting this past week.

Equal Support Families and Farmers for the Next Farm Bill – At the NAFB Washington Watch event, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow answered questions on the nutrition title of the 2023 Farm Bill. “It’s essential to me to keep the commitment on access to food for folks who temporarily need help and that we move forward on things that encourage healthy eating,” said Stabenow. “We have to be supportive of both families and farmers: I’m not going to trade one for the other.” Ranking Member John Boozman is focused on improving farm programs and addressing uncertainty in agriculture. “There’s Ukraine’s situation, rising inflation and supply chain issues. We need to look into reporting requirements for current programs, making them easier to access. We also need to provide more dollars to the EQIP conservation programs” Next month, the Senate Ag Committee will have a farm bill hearing in Arkansas. Boozman says a hearing date will be announced soon. RRFN’s Washington Watch coverage is sponsored by the Minnesota Corn Growers Association.

Redefining WOTUS Is Not Simple – The Environmental Protection Agency is developing a more durable definition of Waters of the United States. The agency wants to provide certainty to agriculture, but EPA Administrator Michael Regan says it is a fine line to walk. “How do you protect the environment, provide farmers certainty, follow the science and the law, but do it in a way where it’s implementable?” This summer, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case on the WOTUS rule, which could alter any new definition EPA creates. Regan acknowledges the EPA is trying to walk and chew gum at the same time. “In certain states, the map was completely blue in one administration. In another administration, the map was completely red. We have to find what’s just right. We want a respectful relationship with states on the implementation and execution of the Clean Water Act. It is not simple at all.”

EPA Holds First Virtual WOTUS Roundtable – On Monday, the EPA hosted its first virtual regional roundtable on the Waters of the United States rule. Iowa State University Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor Larry Weber told the EPA there are high levels of nitrates leaving Iowa in water due to the industrialization of agriculture and the expansion of livestock production. “I would argue that we lose ground to the intensification of agriculture each and every day. We have an unregulated industry in agriculture that needs policy and regulations to bring it in line with other societal needs for the entire agricultural Midwest. We need balance between our agricultural, economic, water, natural and human resources.” Francis Thicke, an organic dairy farmer from Iowa, also told the EPA more regulations are needed. This virtual roundtable is the first of ten being held this summer. The next roundtable discussion will also be Midwest-based, held later this month.

FAPRI Adjusts Ag Outlook – The Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute has updated its baseline economic outlook to reflect the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on markets. This report calls for higher commodity prices, higher production expenses and higher food costs than reported in the March report. FAPRI is forecasting 2022 net farm income to be on par with last year with higher crop and livestock prices offsetting the increase in expenses and the drop in government payments. Assuming a return to more normal conditions next year, FAPRI projects lower prices for many commodities and lower net farm income.

Input Uncertainties Highlighted in April Ag Economy Barometer – The April Ag Economy Barometer increased eight points from the March survey. That’s due, in part, to a boost in commodity prices. At the same time, the barometer reading is much lower compared to one year ago. Purdue University Center for Commercial Agriculture Director Jim Mintert says the barometer is picking up on the uneasiness people have about the future of the farm economy. “That’s despite the fact that based on current budget projections even with the elevated production costs, 2022 should be a year that will equal or exceed what we had in 2021. It’s an unusual situation, but I think it reflects a tremendous amount of uncertainty.” Farmers are dealing with higher input costs and a lack of product availability. “Farmers told us in the last survey they’ve received a notice from input suppliers that an input they’ve purchased would not be available for delivery.”

Losing Ground in Ag Trade – Nearly a year-and-a-half into the Biden administration, key agricultural trade positions remain unfilled, and agriculture may be losing ground.  According to former Chief Agriculture Negotiator Gregg Doud, it takes about ten years to see how well a trade deal went. “We’re in a situation if you don’t have anything coming in the pipeline, that can cause problems down the road.” National Association of State Departments of Agriculture CEO Ted McKinney says Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack is making an effort to get his former undersecretary of trade post filled. Vilsack told reporters last week there are candidates going through a strict ethics process. “I worry about some of the conditions I’ve heard,” says McKinney. “I heard one candidate said no, because they’ll have to sell the farm. I’m a strong ethics person, but I do not understand the rule that you have to sell the farm.” Aside from ethics, McKinney says U.S. agriculture should not be complacent when it comes to trade, because the moment the U.S. is not at the table, someone else will be.

Join NCI for Ancient Grains Conference – Northern Crops Institute is hosting its inaugural Ancient Grains Conference July 20 at the Oliver Kelly Farm in Elk River, Minnesota. The conference will consider the characteristics and utilization of ancient grains. Breakout sessions include an agronomy panel discussion, an ancient grain health and nutrition panel, trends and hands-on demonstrations. Early bird registration is available until June 29.

SD Corn Comments – The latest SD Corn Comments features an update on recent rains, planting and the drought situation in South Dakota. Corn Comments is presented by the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council.

Class I Railroads Must Provide Rail Reports – The Surface Transportation Board is now requiring all Class I rail carriers to provide specific reports on rail service, performance and employment. The announcement follows the board’s two-day rail hearing at the end of April. BNSF Railway, Union Pacific and two other rail carriers are also required to submit service recovery plans, progress reports, historical data and have a bi-weekly conference call with the board. That information will be made public, unless railroads request from the board that certain information is exclusive. Chairman Martin Oberman said additional steps will be taken if necessary.

Labor Contract Expires in July – Negotiations between the union representing West Coast port workers and the major cargo companies begin Tuesday. These labor talks are happening during a time of port delays and supply chain disruptions. Dockworkers are expected to ask for more money, better benefits and limits to automation within cargo handling facilities.

Corn Matters – In the latest Corn Matters, Minnesota Corn Growers Association District Field Manager Macy Kahler says the association is offering free nitrate testing this year.

Chlorpyrifos Litigation Moves Forward – Chlorpyrifos can no longer be applied on any food crops in the United States. That means sugarbeet and soybean growers will use different products to manage pests this year, but agriculture groups are trying to get the product back. Twenty ag groups including the American Soybean Association and the American Sugarbeet Growers Association are suing the EPA for denying the use of the product. The groups also want EPA to improve the pesticide review process. American Sugarbeet Growers Association Executive Vice President Luther Markwart says that’s a longer-term challenge. “We’ll continue to strive to work to defend the product we have and hopefully, move alternative products through the pipeline, but again, those are longer-term processes.” The litigation continues to move forward in court. According to the American Soybean Association, a briefing schedule is set for the court to hear the case. The initial brief is due in less than two weeks. EPA will then need to respond by the end of July and another response brief is due back in early September. Hear the story.

A Different Form of Sugarbeet Root Maggot Control – With the chlorpyrifos ban in place, sugarbeet growers will use different products to control the sugarbeet root maggot this year. Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative Vice President of Agriculture Mike Metzger says there are several pockets of sugarbeet root maggots in the growing area, but the situation is worse in the northern Red River Valley. “The biggest issue in our growing area is around Sabin, Minnesota. There are a variety of other chemistries available for post-emergence control of the sugarbeet root maggot. I’d argue some of them aren’t as effective as chlorpyrifos, but they offer some form of suppression. That’s what we have to use and that’s what we’re recommending for growers.” In a delayed planting season, sugarbeets may enter into a disease window or insect infestation at an earlier growth stage. “It’s like giving pneumonia  to a healthy, 40-year-old or an infant. Obviously, the infant is going to have a more serious response. When there’s a sugarbeet in the two-to-four leaf stage going into the fly period, the damage can be a lot more severe given the size.”

The Sugarbeet Report – Eliminating cover crops and early season weed control are top-of-mind for North Dakota State University/University of Minnesota Extension Sugarbeet Agronomist Tom Peters. In this week’s Sugarbeet Report, Peters says this task will come earlier this year due to the late planting.

StatsCan Report Reviews Stocks Situation – Canadian corn and soybean stocks are up over one year ago. Meanwhile, stocks of wheat, barley and canola are lower. According to Friday’s report, corn stocks are up 14 percent from one year ago at 9.2 million metric tons. The inventory of soybeans is at two million metric tons, which is a fraction of one percent higher than 2021. Wheat stocks are down more than 36 percent from one year ago, dropping to levels not seen since 2003. Canadian canola stocks are forecast at nearly four million tons, down 49 percent from last year. Barley stocks are down 44 percent.

MN Wheat Minute – Minnesota Wheat CEO Charlie Vogel has an update on the delayed planting season in this week’s Minnesota Wheat Minute.

A Waiting Game – Peever, South Dakota farmer Bob Metz says the tile lines are running full. Planting season is on pause, waiting for fields to be fit. The delayed start to the season will shorten the window for planting and applying fertilizer. “When we do get ready to plant corn, all that fertilizer has to go on at once and that’s going to put a huge stress on the system.”

Rising Interest Rates – The Federal Reserve Bank’s half-percentage point interest rate bump is the largest increase in more than 20 years. In a news conference, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said additional half-point increases could be justified in June and July.

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 weather market and delayed planting has been supportive to the wheat market. Cold, wet conditions are the big negative in agriculture across the region. Listen to the full report.

A Partial Planting Delay Already Factored Into Grain Markets – StoneX Group Chief Commodities Economist Arlan Suderman says the grain markets already factor in a partial delay in spring planting. There’s an expectation for the majority of U.S. crops to get planted. “When you look at where we’re at here at the beginning of May and start looking at the forecast, you have to start looking at the possibility that we’ll see increased prevent plant this year. Prices are certainly going to provide incentive to try and get things planted and maybe after the insurance date in some cases, but I don’t think the market has fully priced in the risks of not getting things planted in the Northern Plains.” Suderman says it’s not only the Red River Valley that has planting problems this year. Most of the Midwest is struggling, but it’s a different kind of struggle. “If you look at the core of the Midwest, April rainfall was below normal, but it was so cool that even the rains kept things from drying. It wouldn’t take as much of a warm up to dry things out and allow fieldwork. It’s not as saturated as it is in the Northern Plains.”

Dry Bean Scene – In this week’s Dry Bean Scene, we catch up NDSU Cropping Systems Specialist, Greg Endres, to talk about his research in row spacing with navy and black beans. The Dry Bean Scene is sponsored by the Northarvest Bean Growers Association.

Interest Grows in Midwest Council on Agriculture – Former House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson continues to work closely with the development of Midwest Council on Agriculture. The multistate agriculture coalition is growing, now at 70 members. Peterson says there is a goal of 100 members. “We’re starting the process now of getting commodity groups involved.” This group is advocating for Midwestern interests in agriculture and economic policy. Former USDA Under Secretary Bill Northey remains involved with the coalition after recently accepting a new job in Iowa. Peterson says it is important to stay bipartisan. “We’re focused on issues as they come up. We’ve done work on immigration and other things. We haven’t started work on the farm bill and frankly, at this point, I’m not sure it’s going to happen in 2023.”

MFU Minute – Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish says Minnesota lawmakers got at least one hurdle out of the way in the state session. Hear more in this week’s Minnesota Farmers Union Minute.

Tax Bill Advances – The Minnesota House passed its omnibus tax bill with a vote of 69-to-62. The bill includes an expansion of the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit and the Ag to School Tax Credit. A conference committee is expected to work out the differences between the House and Senate tax bills.

House and Senate Versions of Omnibus Ag Bill Differ – The tax bill moving through the Minnesota Legislature seems to have broad support. Lathrop GPM Senior Government Relations Specialist Daryn McBeth is optimistic about the overlap between the House and Senate tax bills. “I’m just hopeful in reading the tea leaves that a tax bill could be a deal to get out at the end of the session.” Property tax reform and an expansion of the beginning farmer tax credit are on the table. In addition to taxes, McBeth says the action surrounding the omnibus agriculture bill is being watched closely.

Omnibus Ag Bill, Drought Package Unresolved – Minnesota Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Torrey Westrom and his House counterpart, Representative Mike Sundin, have agreed to the ground rules for their work on the omnibus agriculture bill. There are differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. “Quite a little bit,” Sundin told RRFN. “The House spends more than the Senate does, they are holding tighter to the dollar. If we’re going to move on some of these issues, we’ve got a surplus and now is the time.” Sundin said negotiations also continue on the drought relief package for farmers. “We’ve got agreement on like ten different points and we’re still stuck on some of the (DNR) tree seedling issues.”

Lawmakers Ask Walz for Help With Drought Relief Package – With two weeks left in the state legislative session, Minnesota lawmakers have been unable to reach an agreement on a drought relief package for agriculture. Leaders in the Senate and House agriculture committees are negotiating the details, but there’s one big hurdle that cannot be agreed on. “The ag drought relief bill could be resolved in less than a day if we could get the House to back off their demand to continue to require DNR tree drought relief in the same bill for farmers,” says Torrey Westrom, chair, Minnesota Senate Ag Committee. “They’re holding up farmers while we’re trying to bring in other issues. We have most of the other farmer drought related issues resolved and we’re asking for the governor to get engaged to help us get this package out the door.”

Compromise Scarce in St. Paul – It isn’t a budget year, so Minnesota lawmakers are not required to deal with the $9 billion state surplus. With a few weeks left in the session, little compromise is happening. Minnesota Milk Producers Association Executive Director Lucas Sjostrom says the stalemate is understandable. This session is complicated by election-year politics with a chance the House, Senate and Governor’s offices could flip. “You just don’t know what can happen five or six months from now,” said Sjostrom. “If you think you’re going to win, you’d have a shot to do it your way or more your way.” The Minnesota legislative session ends on May 23.

MFBF Update – Minnesota Farm Bureau Leadership Coordinator Rachael Peterson says the Young Farmers and Ranchers have a new safety vest campaign. Hear more about it in this week’s update from the Minnesota Farm Bureau.

$47 Million Requested for Flood Projects – The Red River Watershed Management Board is requesting $47 million from the Minnesota Legislature to help with the development of flood projects. RRWMB Executive Director Robert Sip says there’s a significant amount of water storage that needs to get done. “We have about ten projects in our funding process.” Sip says it’ll come down to the eleventh hour on whether the legislature will approve the funding. “We know that $47 million is a big ask, but we need to get these projects done to offer a little relief.”

Surveying Flood Damage – Governor Doug Burgum and other state officials are in northeastern North Dakota today to survey flood damage and will meet with local leaders about the response effort. In late April, Burgum declared a statewide emergency to respond to infrastructure damage from the spring storms.

North Dakota Patureland Rental Rates Increase – Data compiled from the North Dakota Department of Trust Lands annual survey indicates pastureland values increased 11.5 percent while rental rates stayed relatively even. NDSU Extension ag finance specialist Bryon Parman says this could be lingering effects of the drought. “There were some regional differences with some areas moving from six percent to one percent. One of the things that may have muted pasture rental rates was the drought, which can have a multi-year impact.” Parman says predicting pasture value is hard because weather plays a large role in influencing that value. “It doesn’t always just depend on commodity price like it would on cropland.”

May is Beef Month – Governor Burgum has proclaimed May as ‘Beef Month’ in North Dakota. “We’re excited to celebrate not only beef, but also the farmers and ranchers that help produce it,” said Nicole Wardner, consumer marketing and industry relations specialist, North Dakota Beef Commission. “Livestock producers are working really hard, even through April blizzards, to make sure there’s a quality product for consumers to purchase.” NDBC also has a virtual 5K run, and social media campaign planned for May.

Casselton City Council Approves Crush Plant – The North Dakota Soybean Processors plant has a thumbs up from the Casselton City Council. Construction on the $400 million soybean crush plant is expected to begin this summer. This project is a joint venture between Minnesota Soybean Processors and Louisiana-based CGB Enterprises.

Grand Farm Innovation Center Coming to Casselton – Grand Farm has announced their new site location will be near Casselton, North Dakota. Emerging Prairie CEO Greg Tehven says the proximity near the interstate and smaller community were the deciding factors. “There were a lot of communities that show tremendous interest in Grand Farm, but at the end of the day, our board decided Casselton’s location would be most advantageous.” The new location is set to break ground in the fourth quarter of this year and will sit on 140 acres of land two miles west of Casselton. “We think this will give us the ability to grow while being near Theraldson Ethanol, American Crystal Sugar, NDSU, Maple River Grain, and others we can collaborate with.”

AURI Update – Have you checked out the monthly AURI Fields of Innovation event series? Hear more about it in this week’s AURI Update.

CF Industries and Mitsui Partnering on New Ammonia Plant – CF Industries and Mitsui & Company plan to develop a greenfield ammonia production facility in the United States. The new facility will produce a low-carbon ammonia that is expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 60 percent than conventional ammonia fertilizer. CF Industries will have 52 percent ownership of the joint venture; 48 percent will belong to Mitsui.

Profits Surge for CF Industries – The extremely tight global fertilizer inventories helped boost the bottom line for CF Industries. Quarterly net income totaled $883 million, up from $151 million one year ago. Quarterly net sales went from $1 billion one year ago to $2.9 billion this year. CF Industries shipped its highly quarterly volume of nitrogen by rail in North America in ten years.

Record Quarter for Nutrien – The first quarter generated record net income for Nutrien of $1.4 billion. That’s up from $133 million in the same quarter one year ago. Fertilizer sales volume was down, influenced by the late planting season.

An Earnings Increase for Mosaic – The uncertainty caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has impacted fertilizer supplies. Mosaic reports higher prices more than offset the downturn in volume. First quarter earnings were just shy of $1.2 billion. That’s up from $157 million one year ago.

Corteva Reports Quarterly Financials – In the first quarter, Corteva reports adjusted operating earnings of $708 million. That’s up from $592 million one year ago. Crop protection net sales rose 23 percent, driven in part by the Enlist herbicide introduction. Seed sales were up one percent.

Supply Chain Issues Push FMC Sales into First Quarter – FMC Corporation is reporting first quarter revenue of $1.3 billion. That’s up 13 percent from the same quarter last year. North American sales were record high with farmers trying to lock down supplies earlier than normal.

BNSF Releases 1Q Financials – Agricultural shipments were down in the first quarter, but profits were up for BNSF Railway. Operating income rose eight percent to $2 billion. Overall agriculture volume was down more than four percent. Grain exports were down, while the amount of ethanol moving by rail increased.

Strong Balance Sheet for Farm Credit System – First quarter net income for the Farm Credit System increased nearly four percent, reaching $1.8 billion. Despite supply chain disruptions, inflation and the war in Ukraine, FCS cited positive loan growth and a strong balance sheet. A

First Quarter Sales Up for Farm Equipment Manufacturer – In the first quarter, AGCO sales totaled $2.7 billion. That’s an increase of 13 percent from the same quarter last year. High horsepower tractor sales were up in North America. Retails sales of large row-crop equipment was 11 percent below one year ago due to supply chain issues.

Ransomware Attack Hits AGCO – A cyberattack has affected operations at AGCO production facilities and dealers. AGCO has not said which facilities are impacted. The ransomware attack is taking place during planting season while the industry is already dealing with supply chain disruptions.

AGCO Acquistion Accelerates Autonomous Activity – AGCO has acquired Winnipeg-based JCA Industries. JCA specializes in the design of electronic systems and software development to automate and control agricultural equipment.

Recognizing Food Providers – UPL has announced an initiative to recognize “the food chain heroes” for their commitment to high quality, sustainable food production. This recognition will be given to farmers, crop consultants, food processors, retailers and others who make a difference throughout the food chain. Nominations are being accepted now at alliesforagricutlure.com. Winners will be announced bi-monthly. UPL will make a $1,000 donation on behalf of each winner to a local food bank in their community.

Support for Local Meat Processing – The U.S. Commerce Department Economic Development Administration awarded the Minnesota Farmers Union Foundation $2.9 million dollars to use towards purchasing mobile meat slaughtering and processing equipment. This grant will be utilized to facilitate workforce training. The processing equipment will be used for instruction at Central Lakes College in Staples, Minnesota, and the mobile slaughter unit will help support training at Ridgewater College and Central Lakes College.

MN Beef Update – In this week’s MN Beef Update, Minnesota Beef Council Director of Industry Relations Royalee Rhoads recaps a food and consumer science teacher’s event.

World Food Prize Laureate Announced – The 2022 World Food Prize will be presented to climatologist and agronomist Cynthia Rosenzweig. Rosenzweig is a senior research scientist at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies and an adjunct senior research scientist at Columbia Climate School. She is being recognized for her research on climate change and its impact on food production.

Fielding Questions: Farm Succession Planning 101 – Do you have all you need for a successful farm transition? AgCountry Farm Credit Services Consultant in Succession and Retirement Planning Bobbi Sondreal walks through the basics of farm transitions and succession planning in the latest episode of the Fielding Questions podcast.

MN FSA Names State Committee – The Minnesota Farm Service Agency state committee has been named. Fillmore County dairy and crop farmer Eunice Biel is the new chairperson. The other committee members are Tim Velde of Yellow Medicine County, Hannah Bernhardt of Pine County, Kurt Blomgren of Watonwan County and Lisa Brunner of Mahnomen County.

Five Elected to MN Soybean Checkoff Board – Ridgeway farmer Glen Groth has been elected to his first full three-year term on the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council. Four other individuals were reelected: Joe Serbus of Bird Island, Tom Frisch of Dumont, Gail Donkers of Faribault and Gene Stoel of Lake Wilson.

MCRPC Election Results Announced – Chad Willis of Willmar and Gary Prescher of Delavan have been reelected to the Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council. Vesta farmer Jordan Goblish is new to the corn checkoff board.

Matheson Succeeds Carter – Jim Matheson is the new executive director of the National Bison Association. Matheson has been the organization’s assistant director for the past 17 years. Dave Carter, who recently resigned as executive director after serving 20 years in that role.

Vrieze Exits 40 Square Cooperative Solutions – 40 Square Cooperative Solutions has named Chief Financial Officer Scott Miller as its acting executive director. Miller fills the void left by Char Vrieze who left 40 Square for a new role in the cooperative industry. Vrieze was with 40 Square since 2009. A search is underway for executive director position.