Minnesota Agriculture Department | Red River Farm Network

MN Drought Relief Checks Coming

Published August 23, 2022

Minnesota’s livestock farmers and specialty crop growers who applied for disaster assistance to help with 2021 drought should get checks soon. The Minnesota Agriculture Department says checks are being mailed this week. Minnesota Ag Commissioner Thom Petersen says there’s still…

Emergency Funding Approved for HPAI Response

Published April 8, 2022

State Representative John Burkel describes this as band-aid funding to offset the cost of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza testing supplies and equipment for the veterinary diagnostics lab. "That emergency preparedness response fund had dropped under $400,000 and the state thought…

Finding Drought Relief Solutions for MN Farmers

Published June 25, 2021

As severe drought conditions spread, the Minnesota Agriculture Department is exploring ways to help farmers. In a stakeholder call on Friday, Ag Commissioner Thom Petersen said disaster loans could be available for farmers through the Rural Finance Authority. "We haven't…

MDA Budget Proposal Focuses on Biofuels, Meat Processing and Conservation

Published January 26, 2021

The Minnesota Agriculture Department’s budget proposal has a three-percent increase from the previous biennium. With the additional funds, Minnesota Ag Commissioner Thom Petersen says the department wants to build on two areas, starting with a $4 million investment in E15…

COVID Creates a “Perfect Storm” for MN Agriculture

Published November 23, 2020

COVID caused disruptions in the food supply chain this year. Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen says Minnesota’s processing industry was hit harder than any other state in the country. "More than 30 percent of Minnesota's pigs go to the Smithfield…

MN Nitrogen Fertilizer Rule Goes Into Effect Next Month

Published August 3, 2020

Starting in September, fall nitrogen fertilizer application in Minnesota will be restricted in areas vulnerable to groundwater contamination. The Groundwater Protection rule restricts the use of nitrogen fertilizer in the fall and on frozen soils in Minnesota. Depending on where…

MDA Investigates Drift Complaints

Published July 23, 2020

As of July 20, the Minnesota Agriculture Department received 91 dicamba complaints. There were 21 total complaints in 2019. "It all started the first week of June. It was chaotic both from a legal standpoint with the courts and also,…

Starting Strong in 2020

Published January 24, 2020

Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen says local agriculture had its challenges and successes in 2019. "Last year was one of the wettest on record, the lowest farm income in 23 years and trade was a challenge." There are positives in…

Articles tagged under: Minnesota Agriculture Department

MN Drought Relief Checks Coming

Emergency Funding Approved for HPAI Response

Finding Drought Relief Solutions for MN Farmers

MDA Budget Proposal Focuses on Biofuels, Meat Processing and Conservation

COVID Creates a “Perfect Storm” for MN Agriculture

MN Nitrogen Fertilizer Rule Goes Into Effect Next Month

MDA Investigates Drift Complaints

Starting Strong in 2020

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