A Contentious Markup for the Ag Committee
In the markup of its budget reconciliation bill, the biggest point of contention is a $300 billion whack to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson made two points: SNAP is not working, and the…
Tax Bill Draft Released
The House Ways and Means Committee has released its tax bill. This bill makes the 2017 tax rate reductions permanent. It increases the 199A pass-through deduction for business entities, like S-Corporations and LLCs, from 20 percent to 23 percent. This…
90-Day Pauuse Seen as a Trade Reset Opportunity
The American Soybean Association sees the decision to lower tariffs between the U.S. and China for 90 days as a chance to rebuild a market that has not fully recovered from the previous trade war. ASA President Caleb Ragland said…
Grain Stocks Tighten
The latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates Report offered a bullish tone for corn and soybeans, with new crop stocks coming in significantly lower than trade expectations. “USDA came in and obviously kept demand fairly strong for both corn…
Olson: A Step Forward
With the 90-day rollback in tariff rates, NDSU Crops Economist Frayne Olson sees a short-term window for the U.S. to re-enter the Chinese market. “The first steps of this are to de-escalate, meaning that we’re going to take the tariffs…
Students Learn High-Tech Farming Through FFA Initiative
The National FFA Organization and Microsoft are expanding their FarmBeats for Students program, which teaches precision agriculture in classrooms. Chief Program Officer Christine White said the program is aimed at helping prepare students for how emerging technologies are being integrated…
Japan Eyes More U.S. Corn in Trade Talks
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba suggested that increasing U.S. corn imports, particularly for ethanol and biomass use, could be part of ongoing trade negotiations with Washington. Ishiba emphasized Japan’s commitment to protecting its domestic agriculture sector, especially as pressure mounts…
Topsoil Relocation
Sugarbeets are especially vulnerable to the strong winds seen this past week. Grand Forks area farmer Chris Adams hopes the beets were small enough to avoid replanting. A lot of topsoil has been moving with the winds. “It’s definitely making us…
A Contentious Markup for the Ag Committee
In the markup of its budget reconciliation bill, the biggest point of contention is a $300 billion whack to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson made two points: SNAP is not working, and the…
Ceres AI and FieldView Partner on AI-Driven Risk Intelligence
Ceres AI and Bayer Climate FieldView are working together, integrating Ceres AI’s advanced data analytics with FieldView’s digital farming platform. The collaboration will provide information to farmers, insurance carriers and capital management groups.
Mental Health Advocate to Retire
Minnesota Agricultural Mental Health Specialist Ted Matthews plans to retire at the end of June. Matthews has spent more than 30 years in this role. Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen said Matthew’s “impact on rural mental health in Minnesota can’t be…
Cutbacks Announced for Bayer Crop Science Frankfurt Facility
Bayer is reorganizing its Crop Science activities in Germany. As a result, the German-based company will discontinue its work in its Frankfurt location at the end of 2028. Bayer plans to sell a portion of the business and relocate other…
Morris to Lead USDA AMS
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has appointed Erin Morris to be the new administrator of the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. Morris is currently the associate administrator and has been with the agency for 20 years. Morris succeeds Bruce Summers, who is…
CropLife America Appoints Rea
BASF Senior Vice President of Agriculture Solutions Paul Rea has been appointed board chair for CropLife America. This is Rea’s second time serving in this role.
Cattle Market Vulnerable to Sharp Correction
Cattle prices continue to push into record territory, but Van Ahn and Company Marketing Specialist Steve Witt warns the market may be nearing a tipping point. “Labor shortages are keeping the packing plants running at limited capacity.” Witt cited recent…
COFCO Invests Heavily in Brazilian Port
China is building the world’s largest export terminal in Santos, Brazil. The state-owned COFCO is behind this infrastructure investment. When complete, it will increase COFCO’s annual export capacity from 4.5 million tons to 14 million. Soybeans, corn and sugar will…
90-Day Pauuse Seen as a Trade Reset Opportunity
The American Soybean Association sees the decision to lower tariffs between the U.S. and China for 90 days as a chance to rebuild a market that has not fully recovered from the previous trade war. ASA President Caleb Ragland said…
Grain Stocks Tighten
The latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates Report offered a bullish tone for corn and soybeans, with new crop stocks coming in significantly lower than trade expectations. “USDA came in and obviously kept demand fairly strong for both corn…
Olson: A Step Forward
With the 90-day rollback in tariff rates, NDSU Crops Economist Frayne Olson sees a short-term window for the U.S. to re-enter the Chinese market. “The first steps of this are to de-escalate, meaning that we’re going to take the tariffs…
Japan Eyes More U.S. Corn in Trade Talks
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba suggested that increasing U.S. corn imports, particularly for ethanol and biomass use, could be part of ongoing trade negotiations with Washington. Ishiba emphasized Japan’s commitment to protecting its domestic agriculture sector, especially as pressure mounts…
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 said the bull run continues in the cattle market. “Cattle continue to trade to new all-time contract highs; canola is seeing…
Ceres AI and FieldView Partner on AI-Driven Risk Intelligence
Ceres AI and Bayer Climate FieldView are working together, integrating Ceres AI’s advanced data analytics with FieldView’s digital farming platform. The collaboration will provide information to farmers, insurance carriers and capital management groups.
Mental Health Advocate to Retire
Minnesota Agricultural Mental Health Specialist Ted Matthews plans to retire at the end of June. Matthews has spent more than 30 years in this role. Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen said Matthew’s “impact on rural mental health in Minnesota can’t be…
Cutbacks Announced for Bayer Crop Science Frankfurt Facility
Bayer is reorganizing its Crop Science activities in Germany. As a result, the German-based company will discontinue its work in its Frankfurt location at the end of 2028. Bayer plans to sell a portion of the business and relocate other…
Morris to Lead USDA AMS
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has appointed Erin Morris to be the new administrator of the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. Morris is currently the associate administrator and has been with the agency for 20 years. Morris succeeds Bruce Summers, who is…
CropLife America Appoints Rea
BASF Senior Vice President of Agriculture Solutions Paul Rea has been appointed board chair for CropLife America. This is Rea’s second time serving in this role.
Addressing Farm Labor Shortage
A bipartisan group of lawmakers has reintroduced the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. The bill updates the H-2A program to help address the farm labor shortage. The same bill passed in the House, but through the Senate.
Muller Named SD Ag Ambassador
South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden has named Glen Muller as the 2025 Governor’s Ag Ambassador. Muller, who is the executive director of the South Dakota Pork Producers Council, will be given the award at the Governor’s Ag Summit in Deadwood…
Topsoil Relocation
Sugarbeets are especially vulnerable to the strong winds seen this past week. Grand Forks area farmer Chris Adams hopes the beets were small enough to avoid replanting. A lot of topsoil has been moving with the winds. “It’s definitely making us…
Pioneer Agronomy Update
In the Pioneer Agronomy Update, Pioneer Field Agronomist Eric Lagge talks about the extreme weather seen in the region, from extreme heat and wind to start the week to a major cool-down and rain at the end of the week.…
Spring Planting Pushes Forward in North Dakota
According to the USDA, North Dakota farmers continued spring planting with 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork last week. Corn planting reached 41 percent, well ahead of average. Soybeans hit 26 percent, and spring wheat was 58 percent planted, with 20…
South Dakota Farmers Accelerate Planting Despite Dry Soil Conditions
South Dakota farmers had 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork last week, with planting progress moving quickly despite dry soil conditions. USDA reports 69 percent of corn is planted—well ahead of both last year and the five-year average—with 21 percent emerged.…
Minnesota Farmers Make Strong Planting Progress Amid Hot, Dry Conditions
Minnesota farmers made significant planting progress last week with 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork, thanks to hot and dry conditions. According to USDA, corn is 75 percent planted and 30 percent emerged—both about a week ahead of average. Soybeans are…
Nearing Finish Line on Planting
Planting progress is moving quickly in the Thompson, North Dakota area. Farmer Tim Schumacher says most of the region’s crops are nearly in. “Most of the corn should be in the next two, three days. Probably 75 percent of the…
Crops in, Moisture Needed
New Salem, North Dakota area farmer Jim Bahm says most of the crop is in, but conditions are dry. “Crops are pretty much getting in. The wheat’s up. Soybeans are in, corn’s in. We are exceptionally dry.” With little moisture…
Cattle Market Vulnerable to Sharp Correction
Cattle prices continue to push into record territory, but Van Ahn and Company Marketing Specialist Steve Witt warns the market may be nearing a tipping point. “Labor shortages are keeping the packing plants running at limited capacity.” Witt cited recent…
USDA Suspends Cattle Imports from Mexico
The USDA has suspended all live cattle, horse, and bison imports at southern U.S. border ports due to the rapid northward spread of the New World Screwworm in Mexico. The pest has now been found as far north as roughly…
Stateler Pushes for Pork Priorities in Farm Bill
National Pork Producers Council President Duane Stateler says the pork industry is counting on Congress to deliver a farm bill that strengthens defenses against foreign animal disease and addresses Proposition 12. “We just wanted to get the three-legged stool in…
Cattle Markets Push Higher
AgMarket.net analyst Jacob Burks says the futures market is continuing to chase the cash cattle market higher. On Thursday, the August and September Feeder Cattle contracts topped $300 for the first time in history. “This can stay strong for a…
Minnesota Pork Board Launches ‘Activate’ Leadership Program
The Minnesota Pork Board announced the launch of a new leadership development program called Activate. “Participants in the Activate program will focus on five key areas,” said Kate Maddock, sustainability outreach coordinator. “Those are hands-on training within advocacy, communications, relationship…
An Easy Calving Season
Mild spring weather has been good for calving season. “Up in my neck of the woods, we’re kind of begging for little moisture, but as far as the calving season itself, it’s been pleasant,” said North Dakota Stockman’s Association President…
Alfalfa Sees Jump Start from Spring Rain
South Dakota’s drought conditions eased with recent rains. “We’re starting to see our cool-season grasses really green up where we got some rain, and it also helped push things along with the alfalfa” said Sara Bauder, forage field specialist, SDSU…
A Contentious Markup for the Ag Committee
In the markup of its budget reconciliation bill, the biggest point of contention is a $300 billion whack to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson made two points: SNAP is not working, and the…
Addressing Farm Labor Shortage
A bipartisan group of lawmakers has reintroduced the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. The bill updates the H-2A program to help address the farm labor shortage. The same bill passed in the House, but through the Senate.
Tax Bill Draft Released
The House Ways and Means Committee has released its tax bill. This bill makes the 2017 tax rate reductions permanent. It increases the 199A pass-through deduction for business entities, like S-Corporations and LLCs, from 20 percent to 23 percent. This…
90-Day Pauuse Seen as a Trade Reset Opportunity
The American Soybean Association sees the decision to lower tariffs between the U.S. and China for 90 days as a chance to rebuild a market that has not fully recovered from the previous trade war. ASA President Caleb Ragland said…
Olson: A Step Forward
With the 90-day rollback in tariff rates, NDSU Crops Economist Frayne Olson sees a short-term window for the U.S. to re-enter the Chinese market. “The first steps of this are to de-escalate, meaning that we’re going to take the tariffs…
Japan Eyes More U.S. Corn in Trade Talks
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba suggested that increasing U.S. corn imports, particularly for ethanol and biomass use, could be part of ongoing trade negotiations with Washington. Ishiba emphasized Japan’s commitment to protecting its domestic agriculture sector, especially as pressure mounts…
Conference Committees Meet in St. Paul
A Minnesota House-Senate conference committee reviewed its two versions of the omnibus agriculture bill on Friday. Legislative leaders have not provided the budget target so no action was taken. There is a $17.8 million difference between the two bills. House…