‘I Want Our Farmers to be Taken Care Of’ – The United States and China have a framework agreement in place ahead of Thursday’s meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was part of preliminary discussions in Malaysia and sounded optimistic during his appearance on Meet the Press. “I think we’re going to be able to discuss substantial soybean and ag purchases for our American farmers; I think we’re going to be able to discuss more balanced trade.” The two sides have also apparently come to terms on rare earth minerals, eliminating the need for 100 percent tariffs on Chinese products. On Air Force One, President Trump said agricultural trade is one of his priorities for Thursday’s meeting. “I want our farmers to be taken care of.” The Trump-Xi summit will be the first in-person meeting for the two world leaders in Trump’s second term.

ASA is Encouraged by Potential Trade Deal – The American Soybean Association is encouraged by the potential for successful trade negotiations between the U.S. and China. In a statement, ASA President Caleb Ragland said they ‘appreciate the White House and trade negotiators keeping U.S. soybeans at the center of discussions’ and is hopeful the Trump-Xi meeting will result in a successful trade deal.

Phase One Deal Compliance Under Scrutiny – The U.S. is preparing to reopen an old trade dispute with China just days before President Trump meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. The U.S. Trade Representative’s Office plans to launch a new investigation into whether China has upheld its commitments under the Phase One trade deal signed during Trump’s first term. The review, expected to begin with a request for industry and labor input, could lead to new tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act.

Deals Secured in Southeast Asia – The United States has secured trade agreements with Malaysia and Cambodia and has framework deals with Thailand and Vietnam. Malaysia and Cambodia have agreed to cut tariffs on a variety of U.S. products, including ag commodities. In return, the U.S. would exempt certain products from the two Southeast Asian countries from import tariffs.

An Additional 10% Tariff Imposed on Canada – President Trump is punishing Canada for an ad campaign funded by the province of Ontario using the voice of former President Ronald Reagan. The comments came from a 1987 radio address where Reagan promoted free trade and against tariffs. On Truth Social, Trump said the ad is “a serious misrepresentation of the facts and a hostile act.” An additional ten percent tariff on Canadian imports was also included in the social media post. Trade negotiations between the two countries were also canceled. Prime Minister Mark Carney, who is also in Malaysia for the ASEAN business summit, said the meeting was an opportunity for Canada to develop trade relationships with other countries.

A Political Victory for Milei – Argentine President Javier Milei’s political party was a big winner in the weekend elections, more than doubling its representation in Congress. The vote follows a $40 billion U.S. investment in Argentina to prop up its currency. While the U.S. was giving Argentina the first $20 billion line of credit, the South American country dropped its export tax and sold 20 cargoes of its soybeans to China. American farmers were upset because China has been absent from the U.S. market.

Trump Takes Credit for ‘Saving’ Beef Industry, Faces Backlash – It can be difficult to unify the U.S. beef and cattle industry, but President Trump accomplished that. On Truth Social, Trump said cattle ranchers need to understand the only reason they have done well is due to the tariffs he placed on cattle coming into the United States. He went on to say it would be nice if ranchers understood that they need to get their prices down because he is also focused on the consumers. Trump followed up with a post, saying he ‘saved’ the American cattle industry with his tariffs. The comments were met with criticism from all segments of the U.S. beef industry.

Blowback From Cattle Groups – The response to Trump’s comments has been quick from the U.S. cattle industry. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association said its members cannot stand behind the President while he undercuts the future of family farmers and ranchers by importing Argentinian beef. North Dakota Stockmen’s Association President Randy Schmitt is asking Trump to back away from his plan because it risks damaging the livelihood of American ranchers. The White House plan would feature a purchase of 800,000 metric tons of Argentine beef, quadruple the existing tariff quota.  U.S. Cattlemen’s Association President Justin Topper said this threat directly harms American producers and his group is opposed to this government intervention.

USDA Releases Plan to Rebuild Cattle Herd – With all the drama over imports of Argentine beef, USDA unveiled a plan to strengthen the American beef industry. This comprehensive plan includes the streamlining and expansion of grazing on federal lands; new standards to deal with wolves and other predators; new risk protection tools and country of origin labeling. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said this plan will incentivize new ranchers to enter the business.

‘On-Shoring’ the Beef Industry – Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins weighed in on the controversy over beef prices during an appearance on CNBC. President Trump said the U.S. would import Argentine beef to lower consumer beef prices. Rollins didn’t address that possibility, but spoke about the loss of 150,000 ranchers since 2017. Rollins cited the consolidation seen in beef processing. “We have offshored a lot of that with companies in Brazil and internationally; China owns some companies,” said Rollins. “There’s a real important realignment that has to happen for us to begin to on-shore, we talk about on-shoring in manufacturing, but we need to on-shore for our beef producers (and) our ranchers.” Note: Some packers are foreign-owned, but China does not own any beef plants in the United States. Rollins said the President is committed to bringing grocery prices down, “but also to have a vital industry for these ranchers to be able to survive in.”

An Offhand Remark Delievered Chaos to the Cattle Market – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has responded to President Trump’s plan to import Argentine beef to lower consumer beef prices. NCBA CEO Colin Woodall says his organization is concerned. “but, more importantly, we are just flat disappointed.” Woodall said Trump’s plan only creates chaos. “Any offhanded comment, as innocuous as they may think it is, can have huge ramifications on the marketplace,” said Woodall. “We saw that on Friday (October 17) when the futures markets just absolutely crashed and cost this industry, and a lot of cattle producers, a lot of money for nothing more than just a passing comment on the plan that wasn’t even fully formed.” The NCBA supports letting the market work, rather than accepting government intervention.

GOP Lawmakers Pressure White House to Reevaluate Argentine Decision – The Trump Administration is getting pushback from lawmakers over the proposal to increase Argentine beef imports to offset consumer beef prices. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said this isn’t the right approach and he hopes the White House has gotten that message. A group of farm state House Republicans are delivering that same message. South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson said these efforts will only undermine the farmers and ranchers who put dinner on the table. North Dakota Representative Julie Fedorchak reaffirmed her support for an America First philosophy, saying American ranchers can meet the demands of the market.

Mexico Wants Border Reopened for Cattle – Mexico’s agriculture minister will be in Washington, D.C. this week, seeking a reopening of its border with the United States. Cattle have not moved across the border since May due to Mexico’s problem with New World Screwworm. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has been critical of Mexico’s response to the screwworm in recent weeks.

MN Corn Matters – Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council Chair John Mages is featured in this edition of MN Corn Matters, highlighting efforts to build demand for corn. Listen to the report at this link. 

Walz Calls For Federal Action to Help Farmers – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz says the state’s farm economy is under serious stress, with many producers facing loan defaults and rising bankruptcies. He is calling for federal action to stabilize trade and create stronger domestic markets for crops. “We’re seeing calls to some of our helplines way up, and I’m asking people to take care of one another, but we’ve got to find a way out of this,” Walz said. “We’re asking to figure out something on these trade deals, and I’m also pushing here for what we can do to create domestic markets. The irony is we’re probably going to have record crops, but you’ve got to have a place to sell them, and the price has to be there.”

NDFU Calls for Stronger Action from Congress – North Dakota Farmers Union President Mark Watne is urging the state’s congressional delegation to take stronger action to protect U.S. agriculture, warning that current federal policies are threatening both farmers and consumers. “Our food production system is being attacked, and we have a short-term huge need for some bridge payments, which our delegation’s been good on,” said Watne. “But the challenge is we’re disrupting a production system that’s been the envy of the world. We’re likely to become a residual supplier to the world, only getting a price when it’s so cheap we can’t make a living.” Watne sees no plan coming from the Administration. “This is just a disruptive system, and it needs to be fixed before farmers die off and consumers pay the price.” The ongoing government shutdown is further delaying progress on health care and farm policy. “You can try to pick the blame with Dems or Repubs, but that’s irrelevant,” he said. “The problem is, folks who believe in helping people with subsidies and health care do not trust this administration to bring it back to the table. When you have a president that lies to the people and an administration that isn’t being truthful, it’s hard for anyone to say, I trust you now.”

Bode: Market Growth Key to Keeping Corn Farmers Profitable – A big corn crop is being harvested and prices remain under pressure. “We’re concerned,” says Corn Refiners Association CEO John Bode. ” We don’t think corn producers are making the money they should be, and we need the corn farmer to be successful, to be our long-term partner.” Bode says that means increased market access for US corn and corn products. “We need markets for American agriculture. We need strong demand, and that’s across the board.” One area that Bode says needs attention is the lack of fresh trade agreements. “America has signed one free trade agreement since 2007, and that was the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement). We need that review to be finished.”

FSA County Office Reopen – The Farm Service Agency county offices have reopened with a limited staff. The FSA will provide access to safety net programs, including ARC and PLC. It will address the processing of farm loans. The furloughed FSA employees will be paid through carryover administrative funds.

Limited Staff May Affect FSA Loan Processing – Farm Service Agency county offices are open, but staff are limited to two county employees per location. Farmers are anxious to secure the signatures necessary to process farm loans, but North Dakota FSA State Executive Director Brad Thykeson said there are limitations. “The sad part is, in North Dakota, we don’t have a loan presence in every office, and the funding that we are able to open up these county offices is under CCC funds, and that doesn’t cover our farm loan people,” said Thykeson. “It is going to be hard for every office to be treated the same; I think that is what is going to be a little hardship across North Dakota because we don’t have farm loan presence in every office.” Access will be available for ARC/PLC, marketing assistance loans and disaster programs. Thykeson is encouraging producers to communicate with their county FSA offices.

Grains Standards Bill Moves Through Ag Committee – The Senate Agriculture Committee unanimously passed the grain standards reauthorization bill. The bill would extend USDA’s grain grading and inspection authority through the 2030 fiscal year.

Combines Rolling Fast Across West Central Minnesota – With soybean harvest pretty much wrapped up in west central Minnesota, Peterson Farms Seed Lead Agronomist Rick Swenson says farmers have turned to corn harvest. “Corn yields have been pretty good, people are pretty happy. I would say a handful are looking at Monday’s forecast and were trying to line up to finish before that. Others are only a third of the way through, so we’ve got a little way to go, but we’re not even to November yet, and a lot of tillage has already been done.”

Above Normal Sunflower Yields Reported – National Sunflower Growers Association Executive Director John Sandbakken says the weather has disrupted harvest in some areas, but field activity continues. “We’ve had some rain delays here and there with situations like that, but yields right now are trending above normal,” said Sandbakken. “Without actual USDA reports, I really can’t tell exactly where progress is, but things are moving along well.”

One For The Books – Harvest is moving quickly again in northwestern Minnesota after rain delays slowed progress earlier this month. CHS Agronomist Brian Oachs, based in Thief River Falls, says farmers have made steady progress on corn. “Things are looking pretty good right now. We’ve had some rain systems set us back, kind of like most of the region,” said Oachs. “Beans got ramped up, and everybody’s well into the corn acres right now. Growers are pleased with where things are at for yield and quality.” Oachs says this year’s corn crop could be one of the area’s best. “It is definitely going to be one for the books,” he said. “A lot of guys are talking about possibly one of the top two or three crops they’ve ever raised. Storage is starting to get a little tight here with three crops all being above average, but that’s a good problem. It’s nice to have full bins.”

South Dakota Corn Harvest Rolling Strong Despite Wet Season – Corn harvest in South Dakota is in high gear. Dairyland Seed District Sales Manager Keith Rekow says, despite the significant amount of moisture they’ve received, most of what he’s hearing from farmers has been positive. “For the most part, their corn is around 16 and 17 percent moisture, and some pushing up to the low 20s; guys are pretty happy with the yields so far.” With all the moisture that hit the state this growing season, Rekow says they’ve seen their fair share of disease pressure. “We’ve seen some southern rust, but not big amounts, and a little bit of northern corn leaf blight in some areas that we didn’t expect.”

Northern Minnesota Corn Setting New Expectations – Corn harvest is nearly complete in the Crookston, Minnesota area. Kevin Capistran says yields have been exceptional, with fields performing well for a second straight year. “Amazingly good corn crop yield-wise, moisture has been kind of stubborn here with all the wet weather, but we’re getting it through the dryer, getting it put away.” Capistran says the back-to-back high yields are changing what’s possible for farmers in northern Minnesota. “If this area consistently produces over 200-bushel corn, it’s going to change the dynamics of what we’re doing going forward because this is two stellar years in a row for corn up in this area, this far north.”

Growers Eye Halloween Finish – Sugarbeet harvest is almost complete for Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative in the southern Red River Valley. Agronomist Greg Krause says conditions have been mixed across the region, but overall progress has been good. “We had some wet pockets down here throughout the summer. We’ve had a few specific areas throughout the co-op that have been on the bullseye of the radar every time rainfall came through,” said Krause. “Most of our central growing region has probably received adequate rainfall throughout the growing season. Overall, I’d say field conditions are pretty good.” Minn-Dak is projecting a 29.5 ton crop this season, with about 85 percent of fields harvested. “Give or take, Halloween would be a good deadline to try to have things wrapped up by, but we’ll play the hand that Mother Nature deals us.”

Sugarbeet Harvest Continues in Northeast ND – St. Thomas, North Dakota farmer Brent Baldwin says the finish line for his sugarbeet harvest is in sight. Recent rain slowed down the beet lifters. “It’s a little bit more of a struggle, a little bit more mud.” Baldwin says this year’s crop is shaping up well. “You know, it’s really good , a really good crop. It’s nice tonnage. Sugar’s a little bit disappointing.”

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, MDA’s Megan Mullen says the state water quality certification program will be on the road this winter, participating in numerous conferences. Find out more in this report. 

Crop Quality Report – U.S. Wheat Associates has released its 2025 U.S. Crop Quality Report, providing a detailed analysis of more than 2,200 wheat samples collected nationwide. The annual report helps global wheat buyers evaluate the quality and value of this year’s U.S. crop. USW President and CEO Mike Spier says the report highlights the “high-quality wheat grown by U.S. wheat farmers and used by millers and bakers around the world.” Supported by the USDA and state wheat commissions, the report features expanded testing and new data on product performance

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 winds of change are blowing, and we are seeing the grains start to be hot again, specifically soybeans. Meanwhile, the cattle market has fallen into the “not hot” category. Listen to the full report here.

Farmland Values Remain Firm – A quarter section of land north of East Grand Forks sold for $11,500 per acre this past Thursday. Amy Nikolaisen, who is a partner in Nikolaisen Land Company, said it was a highly productive piece of ground in a good location. “We weren’t sure what it would bring because Sullivan Township hasn’t had any comps for quite a few years, so the comparables that we used were from surrounding townships,” said Nikolaisen. “That got us in the $7,000-$7,500 (per acre) area.” There were 66 bids on the property and the land sold well. Land values are holding firm despite low commodity prices. Nikolaisen credits a good harvest. “I also think there is optimism with (President) Trump going to come with more money, and a lot of young guys are using Beginning Farmer programs and I think that helps.” Nikolaisen Land Company is based in Cando, with offices also located in Devils Lake, Grand Forks, and Linton.

Questions Surrounding the Current Farm Economy – These are challenging times in agriculture. CoBank CEO Thomas Halverson is surveying the situation and asking himself key questions. “Is this a cyclical thing? Which will be reversed through normal application of market forces over the next six, 12, 18 months or is there something else going on that would make this more of a structural thing that’s going to last multiple years and, not going to be resolved by markets clearing in the normal market forces kind of way?” Halverson believes these issues get more complicated as farmers get closer to making decisions for next year. CoBank is one of the largest private providers of credit to the U.S. rural economy. The Red River Farm Network asked Halverson about the current farm financial situation. “Our financial and operating performance is very strong. I’m very comfortable and confident in it, but I would tell you that the credit quality has, has softened some, and we’ve had more realized credit losses this year than we’ve had in quite a few years.” Halverson is a member of the Commission on U.S. Rural Prosperity, which hosted a field hearing on Wednesday near Casselton. Listen to the full interview. 

Tight Margins Force Farmers to Carry Debt Forward into ’26 – Low commodity prices and high input costs are squeezing farm margins as the year draws to a close. Keith Olander, executive director of AgCentric and the Minnesota State Agricultural Center of Excellence, says many farmers will be forced to carry loans forward, making 2026 cash flow planning even more challenging. “Lenders, I think, are always willing to help, but we need to not just think of the hole we’ve dug to this point,  it’s how do we protect ourselves into ’26 and not be a year from now where we’ve still got debt lagging on us with operating (loans) not paid off,” said Olander. “Of course, we’re all trying to be optimistic that we get an interest rate cut because that’s a game-changer. There are similarities to the economic conditions of 2016-to-2019, but there are also stark differences. Those differences include interest rates and inflationary gains in input costs.

Squeezed by Rising Input Costs – Land rent negotiations will be particularly challenging going into 2026. Green Solutions Group Farm Management Analyst Kent Thiesse says high crop input costs further complicate the situation. “It looks like fertilizer costs are going to be up anywhere from 15 to 25 percent in many areas. Seed costs look like they’re going to be up, and other ongoing overhead costs. Machinery costs are high. Repair costs are high. So cost of production keeps edging up, and it would be nice to see some improvement in prices by next year, but right now we’re just not seeing that.”

Cash Flow May Influence Fall Fertilizer Business – Working capital is being squeezed by low commodity prices. If fertilizer isn’t applied this fall due to a lack of cash, that business will be pushed into the spring. “Our system is developed and built for a normal fall/spring split on its fertilizer applications,” said Josh Linville, vice president of fertilizer, StoneX. “If we start overloading one side too much, like in this case, the spring, now all of a sudden we’ve got logistical issues; now all of a sudden we’ve got application capacity issues: now all of a sudden we’re trying to bid the same machine away from another farm or from another field. It can be a thing that actually helps us during the winter months when things get quiet, but there’s a price to be paid in the springtime.”

Rural Prosperity Tour Begins in ND, MN – The Brookings-AEI Commission on Rural Prosperity hosted field hearings in the Fargo area and at Mahnomen this past week. Former North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp co-chairs this commission with former Republican Governor Chris Sununu of New Hampshire. Heitkamp told the Red River Farm Network it is time for fresh ideas to strengthen Rural America. This is a time of great division within U.S. politics. To move beyond that, Heitkamp said it is important to focus on the facts and deal with the real decision makers. “There’s going to be very partisan people on both sides on a small town rural commission, but they’re going to try to figure out how to get the dogs to stop barking and how to get rid of the trash,” said Heitkamp. “We’re going to that level where you take it down to the people who actually have to make the investment decisions, people who are confronted with the challenges today; I think once you become problem-focused and not focused on who’s a good guy and who’s a bad guy, you’re going to get a lot more done.” Once the six field hearings are done, a report will be written. “Governor Sununu and I are doing this together and we’re really hopeful that it can drive a broader dialogue beyond just checking the boxes and doing what we’ve always done.” Listen to the full interview. 

Defining ‘Rural’ – North Dakota State Representative Jared Hagert spoke about government investments in rural communities at the Rural Prosperity field hearing. Hagert said these aren’t partisan issues. “Even in North Dakota, it’s hugely different how you define rural,” said Hagert. “Think about the Rural Health Transformation Committee that’s just been meeting to decide how to allocate dollars; the whole state is considered rural, but if you look at Census data and how they define it, it’s not.” Going forward, Hagert said there needs to be a better understanding of what is and isn’t rural.

Fielding Questions: Featuring VP of Legislative and Government Affairs Andy Martin – In the latest Fielding Questions podcast, AgCountry Farm Credit Services Vice President of Legislative and Public Affairs Andy Martin reviews the ongoing government shutdown and the impact on farmers and ranchers. The status of the so-called ‘skinny farm bill’ is also outlined. Fielding Questions is a collaboration between AgCountry Farm Credit Services and the Red River Farm Network. Click here to listen to the podcast. 

MFU Minute – In the Minnesota Farmers Union Minute, MFU Director of Government Relations Stu Lourey recaps the resolutions process and the issues facing members. Click here. 

India Soy Group Opposed to GMO Imports – The Soybean Processors Association of India is urging its government to not to allow imports of biotech soybeans from the United States. The organization claims these imports would hurt the country’s goal of self-sufficiency.  If realized, it would limit the opportunities with any trade deal between the United States and India.

Dry Bean Scene – In the latest episode of the Dry Bean Scene, NDSU Extension Plant Pathologist Sam Markell says a wide variety of diseases were seen this past year, including bacteria blights. Click here to listen. 

NDFB: Lang Ready to Serve – NDFB President Daryl Lies is not seeking reelection, and there are two candidates to fill the vacancy: Lucas Lang of Sterling and Val Wagner of Monango. Lang is a fourth-generation rancher who is a member of the NDFB state board. Lang said there are numerous policy issues facing North Dakota farmers and ranchers. “It’s the key issues for every farmer across the state, like trade deals. We’d like to see a little better prices for stuff and private property rights are always one of our key foundation cornerstones of our organization,” said Lang. “With all the projects and stuff going on throughout the state, it’s a balancing act moving into the future without crushing those that are making a living on the land and know best how to steward it.”

Wagner: Connections Made Through Farm Bureau – Val Wagner and her husband, Mark, ranch in Dickey County in southeastern North Dakota. Wagner is the current NDFB vice president, but has been involved in the organization for decades. Wagner said her roles within the Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Program and Promotion and Education Committee have given her experience at the national level. “I’ve seen firsthand how important the conversations that we have at the county level and relaying those up even to the national level, how quickly people’s opinions and views can be changed once they hear your personal story,” said Wagner. “Making those connections has been, in my opinion, one of the greatest gifts that Farm Bureau has given me. I’ve even been able to have conversations with people in the White House, regarding what’s happening on our local farms; those conversations are how we make a difference, no matter where you’re at.” The election will be held during the NDFB Annual Meeting, November 21-22, in Fargo.

NDSU Expert Stresses Importance of Vaccinations – NDSU Livestock Systems Specialist Karl Hoppe says preparation for weaning calves begins with vaccinations. “The number one thing they always need to be concerned about is vaccinations and pre-vaccinations for the major cattle disease that we have out there,” said Hoppe. “It really does make a difference that vaccines are put into our calves, both an initial dose as well as a booster dose.” Hoppe notes that once calves are purchased and mingled with calves from other farms, there’s a greater risk without vaccination. “Our calves are always sold to somebody at some point, where they’re usually co-mingled with somebody else’s calf. These diseases that we can vaccinate for are the most prevalent ones, and any vaccination like that is hugely beneficial.”

SDSU Specialist: Invest in Bred Females – Weaning time is also decision time; should ranchers sell heifer calves and take advantage of the current market environment or retain those heifers for the future of their herd? Either way, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist Taylor Grussing says ranchers may want to consider purchasing bred females. “Buying pregnant cows that fit into a different calving window is a way to capitalize on some resources that are underutilized during parts of the calving season,” said Grussing. “Another option could be purchasing another class of animals, such as stock herd or crossbred animals that could rotate into a crossbred system.”

Certified Angus Beef Tops 1.2 Billion Pounds Sold – Despite tighter beef supply and rising retail prices, consumer demand for beef hit a 40-year high this year. Certified Angus Beef capitalized on the strong market, selling 1.2 billion pounds globally—one of the brand’s best years ever. CAB President John Stika credited the brand’s success to the dedication and innovation of the beef community. The brand saw record-setting sales in March, its all-time best month, with strong follow-ups in April, May, and November, marking 2025 as CAB’s third-best year overall.

Lamb Supplies Are Up – Lamb and yearling slaughter numbers are up more than three percent from last year. However, lamb weights are down. A report from the American Lamb Board indicates the national lamb cutout rose eight percent since July and is at its highest level since September 2022. Prices for major cuts have increased, with racks up 13 percent; shoulders up 15 percent; six percent gains for the leg and ground lamb values up 17 percent.

Excellent Quality Soybeans Moving Through Bayer West Fargo Plant – The Bayer Commercial Soybean Production facility in West Fargo began as a canola and sunflower plant owned by Interstate Seed. It was acquired by Monsanto in 2009 and converted to soybean seed processing. Now a Bayer company, the plant packages 2.8 million units or bags of soybean seed each year. Unit Lead Jose Zandonadi says this facility serves the growing demand for soybeans in the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest. The first soybeans from the 2025 growing season are now coming through the West Fargo plant. “We’ve been seeing really good quality coming into our facility,” said Zandonadi. “We make sure that every single bean meets the quality that’s necessary before we’re even thinking about bringing it to this site. So, for the most part, every single bean that comes here is meeting that quality that we’re looking for. That job is very easy for us because we have good quality soybeans out there this year.” Asgrow hosted ag reporters at its site on Wednesday. Tour photos are available online. Listen to the RRFN interview with Zandonadi. 

Quality is Job #1 – Countless quality checks are in place in the Bayer soybean seed processing facility in West Fargo. “We’re looking for moisture, disease, mechanical damage or anything that will inhibit its ability to grow,” said Site Lead Dan Sundberg. Each soybean goes through a high-tech sorter. “We take a picture of every seed that comes through here; there is a blast of air that pushes it out of the stream if it doesn’t meet quality. It’s an incredible technology that really improved our processes here.”

Schedule Ramps Up at Soybean Facility – The Bayer commercial soybean processing facility in West Fargo handles the equivalent of 100,000 acres of soybean seed each year across North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. This site moves through 2.8 million units or bags of soybean seed each year. With the soybean harvest wrapping up, the schedule now ramps up West Fargo facility. Process generalist Ben Davis outlines the season for the site. “We have growers that we contract with; they grow the beans and we’re checking with them during the summer,” said Davis. “Come harvest time, it gets very busy. From summer maintenance to harvest time, it is a big change. Now, we’re hitting our stride and we’ll continue until planting in May.” The site handles double-zero through 1.2 relative maturities. Plant officials are pleased with he quality coming in with this year’s crop.

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.

Stars to be Recognized in Indy – The American Star Awards represent the best of the best among thousands of American FFA Degree recipients. The American Star Farmer finalists include Benjamin Scheresky of the Max, North Dakota chapter. Caldyn Huper of the United South Central FFA Chapter in Wells, Minnesota, is a finalist for the American Star in Agricultural Placement award.

Celebrating Leadership and Ag Innovation – Thousands of FFA members, advisors, alumni and supporters are heading to Indianapolis this week for the 98^th National FFA Convention and Expo. Last year, more than 71,000 people attended the event. Over 5,100 American FFA Degrees will be awarded. Members are participating in contests, workshops and general sessions. There will also be an opportunity to explore ag careers in the massive Expo. The new National FFA Officer team will be announced on Saturday.

Minnesota FFA President Launches ‘Let’s Speak Ag’ Podcast Series – The National FFA SpeakAg Pioneers promote advocacy and agricultural literacy. Minnesota FFA State President Cameron Addington is part of the program. “I’ll be partnering with a state officer from Pennsylvania, Lexi Butler, and we’re taking podcasting as our main avenue for ag advocacy. Over the next couple of months, we’re going to be rolling out a mini-series called Let’s Speak Ag where we’ll be interviewing farmers and stakeholders and people within National FFA.” The first episode is scheduled for release around Thanksgiving and will be available for download on Spotify and Apple Music.

AURI Ag Innovation News – In this episode of the Ag Innovation News Podcast, host Jamie Dickerman sits down with Darin Broton, executive director of the Minnesota Agri-Growth Council. They explore the rich history and future vision of Minnesota’s agricultural sector, discussing key innovations and the importance of value-added agriculture. Darin shares insights on the upcoming Agri-Growth Summit and the collaborative efforts to shape Minnesota’s ag and food economy by 2040. Tune in to discover how Minnesota is leading the way in agricultural innovation and policy advocacy. Watch the interview.

A Path to a Stronger MN Agriculture & Food Economy – Minnesota AgriGrowth is hosting its Fall Summit on Thursday in St. Louis Park. This year’s summit builds off AgriGrowth’s focus on building a clear vision for the state’s farm and food economy. “It is clear as day that Minnesota is adrift, and there is no clear sense of where we want this important, historical sector of the state’s economy to be 15 years from now,” said Darin Broten, executive director, AgriGrowth. “This year’s summit builds on that with conversations with CEO’s and financial analysts to talk about what is it going to take to invest in Minnesota’s ag and food economy.” The format is different for this year’s Summit, with the schedule within a reception and dinner rather than a day-long program in downtown Minneapolis. Registration can be done on the AgriGrow website.

Plan Now for Blue & Gold Gala – The North Dakota FFA Foundation is hosting its 4^th annual Blue and Gold Gala on November 8 in Fargo. “Honestly, it’s one of those nights where you leave feeling proud of North Dakota ag and the incredible people who’ve made it possible,” said North Dakota FFA Foundation Program Coordinator Kayla Hart. There will be entertainment and a fundraising auction. Details are available online. 

Protein Catalyst Launched in MN – A Minnesota coalition has launched a new initiative called Protein Catalyst. MBOLD, which includes the University of Minnesota, AURI, ag organizations and major food companies, is focused on expanding Minnesota’s role in creating and producing protein products. Coalition members will conduct research to promote innovation in animal agriculture and plant-based protein markets and share that information with others. Global protein demand is expected to increase by up to 50 percent by 2050.

Xitavo Soybeans Developed Locally – The Xitavo Breeding program has five regional hubs across the Midwest, including a station at Sabin, Minnesota. Xitavo soybean breeder John Davies sees value in having that development and testing done at the local level. “I think that’s very important; when a farmer looks at data, he wants to look at data from his area so it might translate to what is going on his farm rather than just getting a generalized multi-regional data set.” Yield remains the priority, but work is also being done locally to develop Soybean Cyst Nematode-resistant varieties. “The farmers are losing yield in the field and they don’t even know it,” said Davies. “Cyst Nematode is everywhere, sucking yield. The varieties that we’re coming through now, the results today look very promising.” Watch the YouTube interview. 

New Fungicide to Address White Mold – BASF has received EPA approval for a new fungicide to address white mold called Zorina. Senior Product Manager Erick Garcia says white mold is a big issue, and each year it becomes a bigger issue. “In 2024 alone, it’s estimated that soybean farmers lost over 26 million bushels to white mold alone and in severe cases, someone can expect to lose up to 80 percent of their yield potential if white mold under severe pressure is left untreated.” Zorina can be used in soybeans, canola, and dry beans. Garcia wants farmers to be proactive, not reactive, saying Zorina fungicide can be part of the solution.

Yara International Reports 3Q Financials – Yara International finished the third quarter with net income of $804 million, up 38 percent from one year ago. The bottom line was helped by record production and improved margins.

An Acquisition in the Farm Management Sector – Iowa-based Peoples Company has announced the pending acquisition of Murray Wise Associates from Farmland Partners. Murray Wise is recognized for its work in farmland sales, brokerage, management and advisory services. Farmland Partners acquired MWA in 2021.  The sale takes effect on November 15.

DLF Welcomes Matt Fanta – Matt Fanta is the new North America executive vice president for the forage and turf seed company, DLF. Most recently, Fanta served as president of Wilbur Ellis Nutrition. Before that, he spent 20 years with Land O’Lakes. During that time, Fanta served in senior leadership roles including president of Forage Genetics International.

SD Wheat Growers Names New Executive Director – The South Dakota Wheat Growers Association has named Jennifer Scharpe as its new executive director. Scharpe brings more than 15 years of experience in agricultural education and leadership, along with a lifelong connection to production agriculture. She succeeds Caren Assman, who is retiring. Assman will remain with the organization through December to help coordinate the Ag Horizons Conference and support a smooth leadership transition.

World Food Prize Presented in Des Moines – Brazilian soil scientist Mariangela Hungria is the 2025 World Food Prize Laureate. Hungria received the $500,000 World Food Prize for her groundbreaking work in biological nitrogen fixation.

McKinney, Hayes to be Honored by USMEF – The U.S. Meat Export Federation has announced the 2025 recipents of its most prestigious awards. National Association of State Departments of Agriculture CEO Ted McKinney will receive the Michael J. Mansfield Award. McKinney was the first USDA undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs. Dermot Hayes, who recently retired as an Iowa State University professor, will receive the USMEF Distinguished Service Award. Hayes has been a consulting economist for the National Pork Producers Council and National Pork Board. The awards will be presented at the USMEF Strategic Planning Conference on November 13.

Thompson Moves to Academia – South Dakota State Veterinarian Beth Thompson has accepted a new role. Effective November 17, Thompson will join Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine as an associate professor in the Center for Public and Corporate Veterinary Medicine. Thompson has been on the job in South Dakota for three-and-a-half years. Before that, she was the state veterinarian in Minnesota.

Hall of Fame Honors for Birkemeyer – Congratulations to Jim Birkemeyer of R & J Broadcasting for being inducted into the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Birkemeyer is the owner of RRFN affiliate radio stations in Ada, Bagley, Fosston, Mahnomen and Warroad. Birkemeyer is the embodiment of local, community-based radio, including sports and farm programming.