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…
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…
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…
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…
FARMER Act Gains Traction on the Hill
North Dakota Senator John Hoeven has support for his FARMER Act, which would help farmers ‘buy up’ to higher levels of crop insurance coverage and improve the Supplemental Coverage Option. Hoeven said crop insurance was designed for a state like Iowa…
Labor is a Choke Point for Ag Transportation
Transportation challenges continue in agriculture. Agricultural Retailers Association President and CEO Daren Coppock says labor is the choking point. “There just aren’t enough people out there willing and qualified to do the kind of work that needs to be done,” said…
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…
College Curriculum Hinders Job Placement at NRCS
The Natural Resources Conservation Service is struggling to fill jobs across Rural America. NRCS Chief Terry Cosby cites the college curriculum as a problem. “Most college campuses have dropped classes out of their curriculum that are important to us, mainly soils…
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.
Rail Strike Possible North of the Border
Canadian rail workers have voted overwhelmingly to strike. This would impact the Canadian Pacific Kansas City and Canadian National rail companies in Canada. The labor unions in the United States work under a different agreement. The strike could happen as…
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.
Veg or Grain?
Potatoes will remain classified as a vegetable, not a grain. A change was under consideration as an amendment to the USDA’s dietary guidelines. Maine Senator Susan Collins received a call from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack with the news. Collins was…
SAF Tax Credits, Pipeline Influence Outlook for Gevo
Gevo ended the first quarter with sales of $3.9 million. That compares to $4.06 million one year ago. The Colorado-based company plans to tap into the sustainable aviation fuel market with a Lake Preston, South Dakota plant. The fate of…
- Ground Beef Termed Safe From Avian Influenza
- Well Grounded
- Biotech Wheat on the Way
- MCGA Disappointed in GREET Model Guidance
- Ethanol Groups Respond to SAF Guidance
- SAF Has Great Potential, But Administration Needs to Get the Policy Right
- Strong U.S. Economy Responsible for Farm Trade Deficit
- All Markets
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…
Strong U.S. Economy Responsible for Farm Trade Deficit
U.S. agriculture exports have been increasing over the past 25 years, topping at $196 billion in 2022. That’s up from $63 billion in 1997. At the same time, the U.S. is importing more farm products than it exports. The Red…
College Curriculum Hinders Job Placement at NRCS
The Natural Resources Conservation Service is struggling to fill jobs across Rural America. NRCS Chief Terry Cosby cites the college curriculum as a problem. “Most college campuses have dropped classes out of their curriculum that are important to us, mainly soils…
Rail Strike Possible North of the Border
Canadian rail workers have voted overwhelmingly to strike. This would impact the Canadian Pacific Kansas City and Canadian National rail companies in Canada. The labor unions in the United States work under a different agreement. The strike could happen as…
SAF Tax Credits, Pipeline Influence Outlook for Gevo
Gevo ended the first quarter with sales of $3.9 million. That compares to $4.06 million one year ago. The Colorado-based company plans to tap into the sustainable aviation fuel market with a Lake Preston, South Dakota plant. The fate of…
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…
Minnesotan Selected for National Leadership Program
The American Farm Bureau Federation has selected ten individuals nationwide for its Partners in Advocacy Leadership class. PAL is designed to help farm leaders solidify their roles as advocates for agriculture. There is one representative from the region; Amanda Durow…
A Move From BASF to CropLife America
CropLife American has selected Jeff Blackwood as its vice president of government relations. For more than a decade, Blackwood has been the policy lead for the BASF agricultural solutions business. Before BASF, Blackwood worked on Capitol Hill.
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.…
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…
Growing Leaders
The recent South Dakota Soybean Genesis Leadership Program brought together industry professionals to increase exposure to soybean production. “It opened people’s eyes to things going on in the ag industry today,” said Bruce Haines, director, South Dakota Soybean Research and…
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…
Patience Needed
Turning cattle out to pastures too early will influence grass conditions later in the season. “Hold back as long as you can because if you nip the grass off now, you’ll have stunted growth later on,” said Dr. Gerald Stokka,…
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…
Veg or Grain?
Potatoes will remain classified as a vegetable, not a grain. A change was under consideration as an amendment to the USDA’s dietary guidelines. Maine Senator Susan Collins received a call from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack with the news. Collins was…
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…
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…
Senate Bill Holds Ag Coalition Together
Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow emphasized bipartisanship when she released her new farm bill. Minnesota Senator Tina Smith said the Stabenow bill can hold the big agriculture coalition together. There are a lot of similarities between the House and…
FARMER Act Gains Traction on the Hill
North Dakota Senator John Hoeven has support for his FARMER Act, which would help farmers ‘buy up’ to higher levels of crop insurance coverage and improve the Supplemental Coverage Option. Hoeven said crop insurance was designed for a state like Iowa…
Labor is a Choke Point for Ag Transportation
Transportation challenges continue in agriculture. Agricultural Retailers Association President and CEO Daren Coppock says labor is the choking point. “There just aren’t enough people out there willing and qualified to do the kind of work that needs to be done,” said…