- RRFN Interview: AgCountry Business Development EVP Marc Knisley
- Devil’s in the Details
- White House Defends Climate Funding
- What’s Hot, What’s Not in the Markets
- R.D. Offutt Farms Files Lawsuit Over White Earth Nation Water Rule
- Leader Thune Would Remain on Ag Committee
- Broader Options Needed
- All Top Stories
RRFN Interview: AgCountry Business Development EVP Marc Knisley
The collaboration agreement between AgCountry Farm Credit Services, Farm Credit Services of America and Frontier Farm Credit has been in place for nearly a month. This is the largest collaboration of its kind in the Farm Credit System. Marc Knisley,…
Devil’s in the Details
The new guidelines for sustainable aviation fuel tax credits specify certain farming practices. Minnesota Congressman Brad Finstad does not like the direction taken with the new guidelines. “The devil’s in the details and the devil is all over the place…
White House Defends Climate Funding
Nearly $20 million was set aside for conservation in the Inflation Reduction Act. There are different ideas on Capitol Hill, including proposals to fold that money into the farm bill. White House Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi emphasized the IRA is…
What’s Hot, What’s Not in the Markets
In this week’s edition of What’s Hot, What’s Not in Markets, Martinson Ag Risk Management President Randy Martinson points to wheat as a strong point in the markets. There is some weakness in the wheat futures this morning, but Martinson…
R.D. Offutt Farms Files Lawsuit Over White Earth Nation Water Rule
R.D. Offutt Farms is going to court to challenge the new White Earth Nation water ordinance. This ordinance gives the tribe jurisdiction over all water use on the reservation and within five miles of the reservation. It applies to non-tribal…
Leader Thune Would Remain on Ag Committee
South Dakota Senator John Thune has been the Senate Minority Whip since 2021 and is a candidate to replace Senator Mitch McConnell as the Republican leader at the end of the year. If successful, Thune said he would remain a…
Broader Options Needed
Sustainability and carbon emission reduction remain important for agriculture. Corn Refiners Association President and CEO John Bode feels there should be more opt-in options with the new SAF guidelines. We feel that there needs to be recognition of the amazing…
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, Jonathan Kilpatrick, Farmer Education Director at Sustainable Farming Association joins Farming…
Devils Lake Discharge Operations Begin
The North Dakota Department of Water Resources has started its annual discharge operations on the Devils Lake West End Outlet at 200 cubic square feet per second. The East End Outlet could start running as soon as next week. At…
RRFN Interview: AgCountry Business Development EVP Marc Knisley
The collaboration agreement between AgCountry Farm Credit Services, Farm Credit Services of America and Frontier Farm Credit has been in place for nearly a month. This is the largest collaboration of its kind in the Farm Credit System. Marc Knisley,…
Steeves Succeeds Smeins
Rabo AgriFinance has named John Steeves its new head of rural business economics. Most recently, Steeves was the executive vice president of banking at Canadian Western Bank. Steeves succeeds Shawn Smeins, who will retire on May 15.
Devil’s in the Details
The new guidelines for sustainable aviation fuel tax credits specify certain farming practices. Minnesota Congressman Brad Finstad does not like the direction taken with the new guidelines. “The devil’s in the details and the devil is all over the place…
Different Approaches for AFREC
In St. Paul, the House and Senate agriculture bills consider the groundwater problems in southeastern Minnesota. The House version allows the Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council to sunset and divert the funds for the groundwater issue. Senate Agriculture Committee…
Pioneer Agronomy Update
In the latest Pioneer Agronomy Update, @Pioneer Seeds Field Agronomist Larry Lunder says Growing Degree Days continue to accumulate very slowly across North Dakota. “Progress has been made on small grain and canola planting with corn and soybeans just getting…
What’s Hot, What’s Not in the Markets
In this week’s edition of What’s Hot, What’s Not in Markets, Martinson Ag Risk Management President Randy Martinson points to wheat as a strong point in the markets. There is some weakness in the wheat futures this morning, but Martinson…
Ground Beef Termed Safe From Avian Influenza
USDA tested ground beef for the H5N1 virus and all samples were negative. The samples came from supermarkets in states with dairy cattle that tested positive for avian influenza. USDA will conduct additional tests.
Well Grounded
The Well Grounded podcast is a presentation of Acres and Shares and the Red River Farm Network. In this edition, our guest is Bryon Parman, agricultural finance specialist, North Dakota State University, who breaks down the annual land values survey.…
Biotech Wheat on the Way
Biotechnology and gene-editing are seen as a way to deliver high-yield stability to the wheat business. U.S. Wheat Associates Director of Trade Policy Peter Laudeman said this technology is on the horizon. “You’ve got this company out of Argentina, Bioceres that’s…
MCGA Disappointed in GREET Model Guidance
The Treasury Department guidelines for sustainable aviation fuel tax credits concentrate on the standalone blenders credit or 40B provision. “The guidance in the model that was announced is for a tax credit that expires at the end of 2024,” said…
Ethanol Groups Respond to SAF Guidance
Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper said the GREET model guidance positions ethanol-based aviation fuel for takeoff, but more work needs to be done. The RFA believes more flexibility needs to be added. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor…
SAF Has Great Potential, But Administration Needs to Get the Policy Right
Ethanol has carved out an important market for on-road fuel usage, but new opportunities are on the horizon with sustainable aviation fuel. According to Growth Energy Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley, SAF has the potential to be…
Devils Lake Discharge Operations Begin
The North Dakota Department of Water Resources has started its annual discharge operations on the Devils Lake West End Outlet at 200 cubic square feet per second. The East End Outlet could start running as soon as next week. At…
RRFN Interview: AgCountry Business Development EVP Marc Knisley
The collaboration agreement between AgCountry Farm Credit Services, Farm Credit Services of America and Frontier Farm Credit has been in place for nearly a month. This is the largest collaboration of its kind in the Farm Credit System. Marc Knisley,…
Steeves Succeeds Smeins
Rabo AgriFinance has named John Steeves its new head of rural business economics. Most recently, Steeves was the executive vice president of banking at Canadian Western Bank. Steeves succeeds Shawn Smeins, who will retire on May 15.
Different Approaches for AFREC
In St. Paul, the House and Senate agriculture bills consider the groundwater problems in southeastern Minnesota. The House version allows the Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council to sunset and divert the funds for the groundwater issue. Senate Agriculture Committee…
Pioneer Agronomy Update
In the latest Pioneer Agronomy Update, @Pioneer Seeds Field Agronomist Larry Lunder says Growing Degree Days continue to accumulate very slowly across North Dakota. “Progress has been made on small grain and canola planting with corn and soybeans just getting…
Organizations Chosen for Climate Corps Training
USDA has selected 28 groups to train young people about climate-smart agriculture. The USDA Working Lands Climate Corps is described as a pathway to a career in conservation, climate-change and rural development. The organizations hosting the Climate Corps include the…
Mullen Participates in LEAF Leadership in the Field
The Potato Leadership, Education and Advancement Foundation has announced 18 participants for its inaugural class of the Leadership in the Field program. Bernie Mullen of H&S FreshPak at Hoople, North Dakota is the participant from the region. LEAF is a…
Pioneer Agronomy Update
In the latest Pioneer Agronomy Update, @Pioneer Seeds Field Agronomist Larry Lunder says Growing Degree Days continue to accumulate very slowly across North Dakota. “Progress has been made on small grain and canola planting with corn and soybeans just getting…
Rain Delay
Dairyland Seed District Sales Manager Keith Rekow says many farmers in parts of eastern South Dakota were able to get some planting in before rains hit this past week. “In the dairy areas south of Watertown some guys got about…
New SAF Guidelines Too Strict Says Corn Growers
The Department of Treasury’s announcement limiting corn-based ethanol’s contribution to sustainable aviation fuel has drawn concern from corn farmers throughout the Northern Plains. For North Dakota Corn Growers Association President Andrew Mauch, the guidelines are too restricting on an area…
Growing Like Weeds
Farmers in the Washburn, North Dakota area made decent planting progress before the rains. Dakota Agronomy Partners agronomist Sheldon Laib says weed control will begin as soon as field conditions allow. “Producers want to get their sprayers going because they’re starting…
El Nino is Fading Fast
Long-range forecasts are leaning towards a drier summer. “Some of that has to do with the transition from El Nino to La Nina which is happening as we speak,” said Brad Rippey, USDA meteorologist. “El Nino is fading fast and…
Biotech Wheat on the Way
Biotechnology and gene-editing are seen as a way to deliver high-yield stability to the wheat business. U.S. Wheat Associates Director of Trade Policy Peter Laudeman said this technology is on the horizon. “You’ve got this company out of Argentina, Bioceres that’s…
Welcome Moisture
The southern Red River Valley is going through its wettest spring in years. Keith Alverson, who farms at Chester, South Dakota, is happy with the moisture. “For the first time since 2019 we’re gonna go into the planting season with…
Flooding Cuts into Crop Size in Southern Brazil
The Brazilian government is reporting 78 deaths from the severe flooding in its southernmost state of Rio Grand do Sul. Water has overtaken major cities. Advance Trading Research Director Cesar Cruz estimates at least 15 percent of the soybeans will…
A Setback for Lab-Grown Meat
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed legislation banning lab-grown meat in the state. In a statement, DeSantis said his administration will continue to support local farmers and ranchers.
Ground Beef Termed Safe From Avian Influenza
USDA tested ground beef for the H5N1 virus and all samples were negative. The samples came from supermarkets in states with dairy cattle that tested positive for avian influenza. USDA will conduct additional tests.
A Smoother Calving Season
For Binford, North Dakota rancher Megan Overby, calving progress is close to 80 percent complete. “We start calving at the beginning of April and try to wrap up by mid-June,” said Overby. “We may be seeing just a tick of…
The North Dakota Beef Commission ‘Bull’etin
The North Dakota Beef Commission is celebrating May Beef Month. According to Executive Director Nicole Wardner, different demographics are being targeted, including children from pre-kindergarten to sixth grade. “We have our Junior Beef Reader’s Challenge and that’s challenging kids to…
Stray Voltage in the Courts
The Minnesota Milk Producers Association has filed a request to the Minnesota Supreme Court to participate in the Clay View Dairy case as an amicus curiae. The goal is to clarify the statute of limitations for stray voltage claims filed…
Farm Bill Passage May be Delayed Until After the Election
National Farmers Union Vice President of Advocacy Mike Stranz is looking forward to the markup of the House farm bill later this month. “What we’ve seen from the House is that whenever there’s a major piece of legislation that needs…
Devil’s in the Details
The new guidelines for sustainable aviation fuel tax credits specify certain farming practices. Minnesota Congressman Brad Finstad does not like the direction taken with the new guidelines. “The devil’s in the details and the devil is all over the place…
Different Approaches for AFREC
In St. Paul, the House and Senate agriculture bills consider the groundwater problems in southeastern Minnesota. The House version allows the Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council to sunset and divert the funds for the groundwater issue. Senate Agriculture Committee…
White House Defends Climate Funding
Nearly $20 million was set aside for conservation in the Inflation Reduction Act. There are different ideas on Capitol Hill, including proposals to fold that money into the farm bill. White House Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi emphasized the IRA is…
Ag Included in a Bigger Budget Bill
The Minnesota House agriculture bill is folded into the supplemental budget bills for climate, energy and commerce. An amendment dealing with the public option for health insurance sidelined this omnibus bill last week. The amendment was approved in the Ways…
2,4-D Duties Under Consideration
The Commerce Department has initiated antidumping and countervailing duty investigations against China and India over 2,4-D. The International Trade Commission is scheduled to make its preliminary determination by May 20 and the Commerce Department’s preliminary determination will be made by…
R.D. Offutt Farms Files Lawsuit Over White Earth Nation Water Rule
R.D. Offutt Farms is going to court to challenge the new White Earth Nation water ordinance. This ordinance gives the tribe jurisdiction over all water use on the reservation and within five miles of the reservation. It applies to non-tribal…
Leader Thune Would Remain on Ag Committee
South Dakota Senator John Thune has been the Senate Minority Whip since 2021 and is a candidate to replace Senator Mitch McConnell as the Republican leader at the end of the year. If successful, Thune said he would remain a…