DC Rhetoric Sends Soybean Prices South – President Donald Trump now says there is no reason to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of the month. Trump’s comments are in response to new Chinese restrictions on exports of rare earth minerals used by the U.S. tech sector. On Truth Social, Trump said he is considering a “massive increase” in tariffs for China. Total Farm Marketing Senior Market Advisor Bryan Doherty says this is not a step in the right direction. Soybean prices were already dealing with large supplies and harvest pressure. That is further complicated by what’s happening in Washington, D.C. “I’ve always said it’s hard to out-guess politicians,” said Doherty. “There was a lot of favorable talk of a money bridge and tariff money used to pay farmers, but with the government shutdown, you don’t have any advancement of that, so there’s more uncertainty.” Soybeans suffered double-digit losses on Friday, but had small gains in the overnight trade.

China Responds to Trump Tariff Threat – The Commerce Ministry released a statement saying, ‘China’s stance is consistent; China does not want a tariff war, but it is not afraid of one.’ This back-and-forth began when China added new restrictions on rare earth minerals, which are necessary for technology products like smartphones. After markets took a dump on Friday, Trump returned to Truth Social and downplayed the conflict with Chinese President Xi. The post said ‘the USA wants to help China, not hurt it.’ The additional 100 percent tariffs are scheduled to take effect on November 1.

Tariff News Called ‘Deeply Disappointing’ – The American Soybean Association released a statement after news surfaced that President Trump may cancel a scheduled meeting with Chinese President XI. ASA President Caleb Ragland said ‘trade wars are harmful to everyone and these latest developments are deeply disappointing.’ With soybean farmers facing a financial crisis, Ragland said the ASA hopes trade talks can get back on the calendar and help restore market relationships.

U.S.-China Port Fees Kick in Tuesday – There is a game of tit-for-tat happening between the U.S. and China. Beginning Tuesday, ships built in China, operated or owned by Chinese entities, will be forced to pay a fee at their first port of call in the United States. Ships carrying more than 10,000 containers could see fees top $1 million. China is responding by adding similar fees for U.S.-built ships or ships that fly the U.S. flag. China’s countermeasure also takes effect on Tuesday.

A Record Month for Brazilian Soybean Exports – With the United States shut out of the Chinese market, Brazilian soybean exports reached record highs last month. Brazil exported 7.3 million metric tons in September, a 15 percent increase from the previous record. Brazilian soybean sales to China were also at a record high, up 33 percent from the previous high.

With China MIA, Market is Still Working – The soybean harvest is here and China remains absent from the U.S. market. The question remains, where does the crop go? “I sold a lot of beans for delivery come harvest all the way back in March and April,” said Dazey, North Dakota farmer Justin Sherlock. “We’re currently delivering some to the crush plant in Spiritwood; we have some contracts with shuttle loading elevators and I’ll probably end up storing a few beans.” Sherlock, who is president of the North Dakota Soybean Growers Association, said the market is working. “Many grain elevators are still taking soybeans and are able to find homes for the crop. Some of the elevators are saying they are getting commitments to move beans in December through February. Some of them may go to export, some of them may go to other states to get crushed.”

Farm Assistance Won’t Happen Until Government Reopens – During President Trump’s Cabinet meeting, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said these are uncertain times for the U.S. farm economy. She blamed the $50 billion agricultural trade deficit inherited from the Biden Administration and high input costs.”The President has committed, if we need a bridge, to get us from the Biden years to the new Trump era,” said Rollins. “That’s what we’re working on every day, we’ve got to get the government reopened so that we can move forward on that.” The USDA leader also spoke about the importance of a long-term view. “We have to change this hamster wheel of government; we’ve got to ensure that the farmers have the market to sell.”

Pressure Mounts in Washington – As the government shutdown continues, political pressure is mounting on Capitol Hill. Washington analyst Jim Wiesemeyer expects lawmakers to reach an agreement before the end of the month and possibly as soon as this week. “Eventually, we always get a break as the pressure builds, and the pressure is starting to build,” said Wiesemeyer. “The issue, really the only issue, is the Democrats’ insistence on the Obamacare health benefits, something the Republicans just do not want.” Compromise may happen as the November 1st enrollment date approaches. Wiesemeyer says the shutdown is already affecting the farm sector, delaying key programs and payments. “It is impacting a lot of things now in the farm sector, farm program payments, the 2024 ARC and PLC payments, and the $1.8 billion in payments for the Conservation Reserve Program,” he said. “The implementation and details on the coming trade-related farmer aid package, anywhere from $12 to $15 billion, are delayed until the U.S. government reopens.”

Farmers Face Uncertainty as Shutdown Continues – House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Representative Angie Craig warns that the lack of government services is already impacting farmers across the country. “Farmers are hurting, and they need help.” The Minnesota Democrat said her caucus is ready to work, but her Republican House colleagues haven’t been in Washington, D.C. Craig also criticized the White House’s approach to farm assistance, calling it inadequate. “What the administration wants to do without congressional authority is a drop in the bucket of what family farmers need to stay afloat, and frankly, we’re going to be in the same position next year that we are right now if the Trump administration doesn’t actually change its policies.”

Smith: ‘We Need to Negotiate and Come Together’ – Minnesota Senator Tina Smith says the government shutdown is having a particular effect on rural communities. “We keep having the same vote over and over again, and nothing changes, which tells me that what needs to happen is we actually need to negotiate and come together.” Smith warned that if insurance premiums continue to climb, many farmers and rural residents could lose their coverage altogether. “What we worry about is that people will decide they just can’t afford it, and then they don’t have health insurance,” said Smith. “When you layer that on top of the big challenges to rural hospitals that are cutting back services because of cuts to Medicaid, you’ve got what I think is a rural healthcare crisis.”

Democrats Push to Stop Insurance Premium Hikes – Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar links the ongoing government shutdown to America’s healthcare crisis. She says many Minnesotans, especially farmers, are at risk due to rising health insurance costs. “The thing that we want to see, which would really impact rural Minnesota, rural America, is making sure that we keep up with where these premiums are going for the healthcare plans,” said Klobuchar. “In Minnesota, it’s called MNSure, and nearly 30 percent of our farmers are on this kind of plan. If we don’t extend the health care tax credit, premiums will double for millions of Americans.” Klobuchar says Democrats are pushing to prevent major health insurance premium increases before open enrollment begins in November.

Grassley: ‘We Can’t Miss This Opportunity’ – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley wants Congress to take the lead in delivering financial relief to farmers. “My colleagues on the Senate Ag Committee have mentioned figures in the tens of billions of dollars for farmers, and it will likely take congressional involvement to provide that level of funding,” said Grassley. “Any payment program for farmers from Congress should include legislation allowing for the sale of year-round nationwide E-15. This would generate $25 billion in new economic activity, and roughly $10 billion of that is directly from increased corn demand.” Grassley believes year-round E-15 and fertilizer market transparency should be top priorities in any aid or spending package.

Self-Inflicted Uncertainty – As Minnesota farmers wrap up soybean harvest, they’re facing another round of challenges from trade tensions, rising costs, and the ongoing government shutdown. Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish says the combination of tariffs and policy uncertainty is weighing heavily on farm income this fall. “The losses are extremely higher than what we’ve seen before, and the previous administration paid out $28 billion to farmers and that didn’t recover all the losses either,” he said. “We already deal with weather and markets all the time, but this is a level of uncertainty that’s really self-inflicted.”

Farmers Need a Helping Hand – A coalition of 250 agriculture groups has sent a letter to President Trump, asking for help. The letter said farmers do not want to be in a position to ask for more assistance; they need a bridge to better markets. The groups signing the letter include national organizations like the American Soybean Association and National Corn Growers Association. Numerous state commodity groups have also signed off on this letter.

Essential Air Service in Jeopardy – Unless the government shutdown ends, the federal program that subsidizes air travel in rural areas will run out of funding as soon as Sunday. The Essential Air Service supports commercial airlines to maintain flights at small airports. Airports affected in this region include Devils Lake, Jamestown, Bemidji, Thief River Falls, Aberdeen and Watertown.

State Can’t Fill Gaps Left by Federal Shutdown – Minnesota Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Aric Putnam is continuing his farm tour across the state with stops in Oklee, Karlstad, Hallock and Waubun this past week. With the ongoing federal government shutdown, Putnam said it’s making for difficult conversations, especially when state government can’t pick up the slack. “When it comes to our interaction with the federal government, the numbers are so big that the state can’t compensate for things that the federal government decides not to do; we can’t take out the slack because the resources just aren’t there,” said Putnam. “The federal government’s getting punitive, that’s a real challenge.”

Farm Expenses Remain High – While most commodity prices are in the tank, a new report from the American Farm Bureau Federation outlines the expense side of the ledger. It says production expenses this year are forecast to be record high at $467 billion. That’s nearly $12 billion higher than one year ago. Cash rents and farmland values are at record highs. Fertilizers represent one of the single largest costs for row crop operations. Those prices are down from their peak in 2022, but well above pre-Covid levels. The report says big yields will not be enough to guarantee profitability this fall, especially with expenses holding firm. Read the entire report.

Higher Than Normal Fall Fertilizer Demand – Given the crop mix, the demand for nitrogen is expected to be high for the 2026 crop year. StoneX Vice President of Fertilizers Josh Linville expects farmers to lean into the cheapest route forward, which has been anhydrous ammonia on a price per pound of actual N basis. Internationally, global NH3 values are rising with tight supplies. On the nitrogen front, Linville thinks Russia may have painted itself into a corner. “Russia has lost access to some of the biggest demand points out there. Australia has refused to do business with them. Canada’s refused, and a lot of Europe has refused to do business as well. The U.S. is one of Russia’s last remaining large demand locations, and if the U.S. were to cut ties, then all of a sudden Russia doesn’t really have anywhere to go.”

What’s Hot What’s Not in the Markets – In the latest edition of What’s Hot, What’s Not in the Markets, Martinson Ag Risk Management President Randy Martinson says the cattle market is once again red hot, while wheat continues to be in the “not hot” category. Click here to listen to the full report.

Waiting on Corn – 5L Custom Harvesting just finished up soybean harvest at Harrold, South Dakota. “Our average was 65 bushels (per acre), which is really good for the area,” reports owner Josh Lennox. “We’ve actually been begging for some rain just to get a break from the harvest, but we’re pretty happy.” Lennox says they’re waiting for the corn to finish drying down. “The test corn we cut averaged around 175 bushels here in Harrold, which is great, but we’re still waiting for it to dry down before getting rolling; the moisture was still too high.”

Harvest Update From NE SD – Harvest is moving along quickly in northeastern South Dakota. Peever farmer Bob Metz is seeing solid soybean yields. “It is going great. We’ve got good weather, so things are moving along nicely,” said Metz. “Most of the guys are like in that mid-50s, some low 50s, and there’s some 40s, and then occasional 60 (bushels per acre,) but I would say that 45 to 55 catches just about everything.” Corn harvest is next on the list. “We’ve just had two beautiful weeks of drying down,” said Metz. “I hear some are in that 200 (bushel per acre) area; that’s a pretty darn good crop for our part of the world.”

Soybean Yields Vary After Early Frost – Soybean harvest is nearly complete across northwest Minnesota, and farmers are now turning their attention to corn. CHS Ag Services Sales Agronomist Brian Oachs says the recent warm, dry weather helped improve field conditions and speed up harvest progress. “That frost earlier in September did a little more damage in spots than we thought it did, and white mold crept in fairly hard in a few spots. The heat and the wind the last couple weeks have really dried things down and taken a lot of moisture pretty quickly.” With crops coming off quickly, farmers are moving into fertilizer applications and soil sampling. “Guys are getting some nutrients down to take a little bit of pressure off spring, and guys are just starting to kind of get into that full tilt now, getting a lot of soil sampling done and starting the planning process for 2026.”

Pinto Bean Yields Disappoint – Harvest continues across central North Dakota as farmers move from pinto beans to soybeans and corn. Bremen farmer Donny Allmaras says disease and wet conditions hurt dry bean yields this season. “Pinto beans were very, very poor on average,” said Allmaras. “There were some okay fields, but for the most part, they’re well below average because of white mold, some bacterial blight, and just excess water too.” Corn is faring much better, with record yields expected. “The big thing that could beat us up on the corn yield is the drowned out spots. If we have more than we anticipated, obviously, that pulls that yield down. Those zeros are hard to overcome.”

Pioneer Agronomy Update – Last year, many farmers were surprised by how quickly the corn dried in the field. In the Pioneer Agronomy Update, Pioneer Field Agronomist, Kristie Sundeen said “we are on trend to see that again this year.” Farmers are encouraged to shell out some corn to get a handle on moisture levels. A timely soybean harvest can also prevent losses. Soybeans tend to lose and reabsorb moisture readily. After several such cycles of wetting and drying, they are predisposed to shatter. Click here to listen to the latest update. 

A Banner Year for Foliar Disease – The 2025 North Dakota Corn Disease Survey is showing higher-than-normal disease pressure this season. NDSU Extension Plant Pathologist Andrew Friskop says warm, wet conditions allowed certain foliar diseases more time to develop. “This year was what I call a banner year for foliar diseases,” said Friskop. “The good thing is most of the diseases didn’t develop until the dent stage or after the dent stage, so I don’t think there’s much yield loss.” Friskop was surprised by the amount of Northern corn leaf blight and Southern rust. “In Iowa, they had very high levels of Southern rust, and that likely contributed to spores blowing into North Dakota. The good thing for us is it didn’t really take off until later in the season, but in Iowa, they’re losing 50 or 60 bushels just from Southern rust alone. It’s going to be part of a lot of conversations among corn growers this winter season.”

Ideal Summer Conditions Fuel Widespread White Mold – As the combines roll, many farmers are finding increasing amounts of white mold in their soybean fields. NDSU Extension Soybean Pathology Specialist Wade Webster says conditions in July and early August in North Dakota were perfect for white mold development. “Some areas, specifically in that central region, had pockets with heavier white mold,” said Webster. “I think, just because of commodity prices, there seemed to be fewer fungicide applications being put out for white mold management, which probably exacerbated the development of white mold in the fields.”

White Mold Cuts Into Soybean Yields Across RRV – Asgrow DEKALB Technical Agronomist Derek Pruitt says soybean harvest in the Red River Valley is moving along nicely. “Yields are looking pretty good,” said Pruitt. “The main thing that I’m hearing is that we definitely had some white mold issues; it was probably one of the worst years we’ve had in a really long time for white mold throughout the country, and I think that took off some of that top-end yield potential.” A late-season frost didn’t help with yields. ” I think that impacted us a little bit more than we initially thought.”

Meteorologists Expect Weak La Niña Tendencies – World Weather Incorporated reports that La Niña-like conditions are still trying to develop and could form over the next several weeks, but a full-blown La Niña event remains unlikely. Meteorologists say some atmospheric patterns may bring on mild La Niña tendencies as time goes on. Any traditional La Niña effects are not expected to emerge until November and are projected to be weak when they do appear.

Canola Minute – In the Canola Minute, Northern Canola Growers Association Executive Director, Barry Coleman, invites everyone to the annual meeting in Minot November 5-6. Click here to listen.

October is Co-op Month – October is National Co-op Month and this is the International Year of Cooperatives. Member-owned farm cooperatives create local jobs and improve food security. Two million U.S. farmers are members of more than 2,100 ag and retail purchasing cooperatives. These co-ops reinvest in their community. During National Co-op Month, Associated Milk Producers Incorporated and its Dinner Bell Creamery, the North Dakota Farmers Union and the Red River Farm Network recognize the role cooperatives play in our lives. Remember, cooperatives build a better world!

A 1.4-Billion-Bushel Grain Storage Shortfall – The U.S. is facing a potentially 1.4-billion-bushel shortage of upright grain storage this year. With a large incoming crop and uneven export markets, CoBank Grains and Oilseed Economist Tanner Ehmke says farmers will face some difficult decisions once harvest is wrapped up. “We’ve got a record corn crop, which is going to be competing for storage with soybeans and wheat, and we’re coming off of the largest wheat harvest in about five years.”

MN Corn Matters – In this week’s Minnesota Corn Matters, University of Minnesota Extension Specialist in Nutrient and Water Management, Lindsay Pease, offers an update on fall nitrogen recommendations. Click here to listen.

U.S., Canadian Leaders Meet in DC – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made his second visit to the White House on Tuesday, and trade was part of the conversation. These discussions are happening ahead of next year’s review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. President Donald Trump said the USMCA may be renegotiated or a new trade agreement may be put in place. Tariffs were also discussed. “Look, we’re the king of being screwed by tariffs, just so you understand, and I’m not talking about Canada; I’m talking about countries all over the world. When you look at Europe, when you look at China, almost every country charged the U.S.,” said President Donald Trump. “We didn’t charge them because we were led by stupid people in many cases.”

‘Stronger Together’ – During a visit to the Oval Office, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stressed that the United States and Canada are neighbors and have common interests. “There are areas where we compete: it’s in those areas where we have to come to an agreement that works, but there are more areas where we are stronger together and that’s what we’re focused on,” said Carney. “We’re gonna get the right deal, right deal for America and right deal, obviously, from my perspective, for Canada.”

MFU Minute – These are uncertain times in agriculture. In the Minnesota Farmers Union Minute, MFU President Gary Wertish discusses the challenges seen on the farm today. Click here.

CO2 Project Seen as a Positive Move for Ethanol, Farmers and Rural Communities – Carbon capture utilization is no longer a concept; it is a reality. A Madrid, Nebraska, ethanol plant is shipping CO2 through the Trailblazer Pipeline for permanent storage in Wyoming. American Carbon Alliance CEO Tom Buis said this technology will bring new markets for ethanol, create jobs, and raise corn prices. If states block this technology, the ACA leader believes ethanol plants won’t be able to meet low-carbon standards, and corn prices will continue to decline. Buis said some states are reacting to emotion and rhetoric rather than facts. “What happened in South Dakota is exactly that,” Buis told RRFN. “It wasn’t based on the fact that pipelines are safe and an opportunity for farmers and rural communities. They ignored that and until they view the benefits, it’ll be very difficult”.

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 events and topics. This week, Ryan Ingmire, a water quality certification specialist, talks about a recent field tour. Click here to listen. 

EID Lawsuit Can Move Forward – A federal district court in South Dakota has ruled that a lawsuit over USDA’s electronic identification ear tags can move forward. The lawsuit was filed by the New Civil Liberties Alliance on behalf of R-CALF USA, the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance and four South Dakota ranchers.

SD Corn Comments – October is Pork Month. In this edition of South Dakota Corn Comments, Garretson hog farmer Chad Stoterau is featured. Click here to listen. .

Q3 Upheld Lower Court Decision – The U.S. Court of Appeals based in Boston has upheld a lower court decision to dismiss Triumph Foods’ challenge of Massachusetts Question 3. Voters approved this law, banning the sale of meat from pigs, poultry or veal calves not raised under specific housing standards. Triumph Foods is now in litigation in a similar case challenging California’s Proposition 12.

Dry Bean Scene – Excess moisture, hail and white mold combined to take the top off of the black bean crop for Ashley Altepeter, East Grand Forks. In this week’s Dry Bean Scene, Altepeter recaps the harvest and the action taken to minimize splits in this year’s crop. Listen to the Dry Bean Scene at this link. 

Consumer Sentiment Holds Steady Amid Government Shutdown – Consumer sentiment held steady in October despite the ongoing government shutdown, according to preliminary data from the University of Michigan. The index dipped slightly to 55 from 55.1 in September, performing better than economists expected. The report shows economic optimism remains weak as Americans face rising costs and job uncertainty. Analysts say the shutdown is also clouding the outlook by delaying key government data releases, including last week’s jobs report. Inflation expectations remain elevated, though slightly lower than last month.

4-H Week: Taking the Leadership Path – Breckin Anderson is a student at the University of Minnesota-St. Paul and a 14-year member of the Wilkin County, Minnesota 4-H program. Anderson started his 4-H experience by showing cattle. “I did that for quite a few years before I started exploring the other options that 4-H had to offer, which included the leadership path,” said Anderson. “Now, that’s clearly what my biggest thing is. That was a really eye-opening experience for me starting out with my county 4-H ambassadors and then moving into now being my second year being a Minnesota state 4-H ambassador.” Anderson sees the state 4-H ambassador program as a way to best represent Minnesota at the state and national level.

An Opportunity to Educate – Clarence Przekwas is a youth leader for Kittson County 4-H. “Through that, I’m able to guide the younger generation to the next step.” Przekwas has focused on livestock projects, including beef, pigs and horses. While he enjoys his time in the showring, the North Star 4-H member appreciates the opportunity to educate others about farming. “The general public needs to know what agriculture is, and to be honest, they don’t,” said Pzekwas. “When we go to State Fair, our goal is to interact with the public, to have them ask questions and our goal is to teach them as much as we possibly can.”

Livestock and Leadership – Sidney Erickson grew up with parents who were involved in 4-H, making it an easy decision for her to join. “It’s just always been in my family, so that’s what got me into 4H.” Showing livestock is Erickson’s passion, and her favorite part of 4-H. “It’s the most important thing in 4-H for me. I grew beef cattle, and as I got a little older, I started my own sheep flock.” Erickson, who is from Fertile, Minnesota, is a state 4-H ambassador. “4-H has probably made the biggest impact on my life. It’s definitely shaped me into the person that I am. It’s just made me a better person as a whole.”

Representing the 4-H Brand – This is National 4-H Week. Luella Beckendorf is a State 4-H Ambassador from St. James, Minnesota.”We are representatives of the Minnesota 4-H brand, so it’s a lot of speaking to different organizations where we talk to the public about 4-H and what it is and what it does and talk to kids, teaching them about leadership, service and involvement.”

4-H Provides Opportunities for Leadership – Madalynn Crompton is a member of the Woodland 4-H Club in Minnesota’s Norman County. “I’ve been in 4-H for as long as I can remember and I absolutely love being in 4-H. 4-H has given me so many different opportunities, especially to develop my leadership skills and being able to help others.” Crompton’s 4-H projects have ranged from pigs to beef cattle and from photography to horticulture. She plans to attend the University of Minnesota-Crookston to pursue an animal science degree. Crompton said 4-H opened her eyes to numerous career opportunities.”Yes, 100 percent.” In the upcoming week, Crompton will be on a 4-H trip to South Dakota. The group will focus on animal agriculture with a visit to South Dakota State University and veterinary facilities.

AURI Ag Innovation News Podcast – In the latest edition of the AURI Ag Innovation News podcast, the inspiring journey of Ruth Linkenmeyer Meirick, executive director of the Minnesota Foundation for Agriculture, is shared. Discover how Ruth’s personal experiences on a family farm shaped her passion for agriculture and community engagement. In this episode, we explore the Foundation’s transformative initiatives, from promoting mental health awareness in rural communities to fostering leadership among young farmers. Learn about the groundbreaking partnership with Zumbro Valley Medical Society and Mayo Clinic, aimed at enhancing rural healthcare. Watch the interview.

Bobcat Invests in ND Facility – Bobcat Company has finished a $4.8 million renovation of its Bismarck manufacturing facility. This site manufactures excavators and aftermarket parts. It also includes the Bobcat Acceleration Center, which is an innovation hub and engineering facility for the company.

Kubota is Working on a New Autonomous Concept – The world’s first autonomous, hydrogen fuel cell tractor has been unveiled by Kubota. It uses compressed hydrogen, rather than gas or diesel fuel. The tractor drives itself with the use of sensors and AI cameras. The vehicle is operated by remote control and does not have the traditional cab and seat for a driver. Field testing will happen in Japan.

Cargill & Tyson Settle Price-Fixing Lawsuit – Pending court approval, Cargill and Tyson Foods have agreed to settle a price-fixing lawsuit. The companies were accused of conspiring to restrict beef supplies to boost prices. To settle the case, Cargill will pay $32.5 million and Tyson will pay $55 million. Litigation continues against JBS USA and National Beef Packing.

Syngenta Expects Victrato Registration Soon – Soybean Cyst Nematode delivers $1.5 billion in yield losses each year in the United States. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Plant Pathologist Dylan Mangel says the nematodes continue to evolve. “The problem isn’t what management you’re using; the problem is people are not using management.” In a program called Nematode University, Syngenta Seedcare Product Lead Katie Jaeger highlighted the Victrato seed treatment. The molecule used in this product was first discovered in 2008 and field testing began in 2013. Victrato is awaiting registration and should be available for the 2026 growing season. “The performance is really unmatched,” said Jaeger. “The level of potency we’re able to achieve correlates to the level of performance that you’ll witness.”

Newton Returns to AFBF – The American Farm Bureau Federation has announced Dr. John Newton’s return to the organization. Newton will serve as vice president of public policy and economic analysis. He previously served as Farm Bureau’s chief economist from 2018 to 2021. After that, Newton served three years as chief economist for the Senate Agriculture Committee and the past year as the executive head of Terrain. Newton succeeds Sam Kieffer, who was named the chief executive officer for the National Association of Wheat Growers. Newton was part of the Red River Farm Network forums at this year’s Big Iron Farm Show.

NDFB Welcomes Kusler as Assistant Treasurer – Niketa Kusler has joined NDFB as the assistant treasurer trainee. Kusler will train alongside Val Gordon, who plans to retire in 2026. Following Gordon’s retirement, Kusler will assume the role of assistant treasurer. Kusler most recently served as controller for Suite Shots & Kingpinz. Before that, she was the controller for Advanced Business Methods.

Gunderson Begins New Role as GEO CEO – Matt Gunderson has launched a new company called GEO. GEO will provide fractional C-Suite leadership for agriculture, financial services and nonprofit organizations; oversee administrative, financial, human resources and estate planning and provide land assessment, consulting, management and real estate services. Gunderson spent over a decade with Farmers National Company, including time as a senior vice president. Previously, Gundreson was the executive vice president of the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation, overseeing the Ak-Sar-Ben River City Rodeo and Stock Show.

Meat Institute Hires O’Quinn – The Meat Institute appointed Maggie O’Quinn as its new director of member and sponsor recruitment. O’Quinn has worked in sales and marketing roles at Midan Marketing and Certified Angus Beef LLC. She has served on the Annual Meat Conference Planning Committee and the US Meat Export Federation Executive Committee. The Meat Institute was previously known as the North American Meat Institute.

CropLife America Honors Crop Protection Industry Leaders – CropLife America honored industry leaders during its annual meeting. Caydee Savinelli of Syngenta and Paul Whatling of FMC Corporation received the Lea S. Hitchner Award, the highest honor from CropLife America for sustained career dedication. Brian Reeve of Syngenta and Eileen Hollcraft of Corteva Agriscience were presented with the Pilar Award for their commitment to CLA. John Campbell of the Southern Crop Production Association took home the Urbanowski Grassroots Award. The Rising Star Award belongs to Elizabeth Kneller of BASFand Jessica Chen of Bayer Crop Science. University of Georgia professor Dr. Stanley Culpepper received the Jay Vroom Agriculture Ambassador Award and the Chairman’s Award for outstanding member service went to CLA Deputy Counsel Edward Thomas.

Fielding Questions – In this week’s edition of Fielding Questions, Ag Country Senior Vice President of Retail Lending Troy Andreasen talks about National Co-op Month. Being a customer-owned business has benefits and Andreasen outlines that strength in today’s podcast. Fielding Questions is a collaboration between AgCountry Farm Credit Services and the Red River Farm Network. Click here to listen. 

Orwick to Retire – American Sheep Industry Association Executive Director Peter Orwick plans to retire in November. Orwick has been in this role for over 25 years. Orwick is a South Dakota native and a graduate of South Dakota State University.

Maddocks to Receive ND Leopold Conservation Award – The Brian and Vicki Maddock family has been selected as the recipient of the North Dakota Leopold Conservation Award. The Maddock ranch in Benson County has focused on regenerative agriculture. The Leopold Award honors farmers and ranchers who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land. The Maddock family will receive a $10,000 award during a ceremony in December.

Top 10 Cattle Industry Leaders Under 40 – Cattle Business Weekly has announced its Top 10 Industry Leaders Under 40. This year’s class includes farm broadcaster Lane Nordlund, Belt, Montana; cattle feeder Patrick Maher, Timber Lake, South Dakota; DV Auction rep Logan Hoffman of Wheatland, North Dakota; ranchers Charles and Heather Maude, Caputa, South Dakota; cattleman Brady Wulf, Starbuck, Minnesota; rancher Nick Jorgenson, Ideal, South Dakota and auctioneer Dan Koupal, Winner, South Dakota.