Concerns are growing about how fertilizer prices are set, with USDA officials pointing to limited competition in key segments of the market. Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden says the issue comes down to how price discovery works. “The way price…

Federal officials are linking fertilizer supply challenges directly to broader national security concerns, according to U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who emphasized the critical role agriculture plays beyond food production. “They’re not just feeding our nation, they’re providing the important…

The USDA is rolling out both short-term and long-term strategies to address rising fertilizer costs, according to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Rollins said farmers are under growing pressure from consolidation in the fertilizer…

The sun’s out but the fields around Grand Forks are still just a little too wet and cold for planting to begin, that’s according to Rock n Roll Agronomy Owner Jason Hanson. “There is nothing going on in my area.…

Dairyland Seed District Sales Manager Keith Rekow says it’s still early, but there’s some field activity taking place this week in the eastern part of South Dakota. “A little bit of fertilizer spreading but the most field activity I’ve seen…

Farmers in Northwest Minnesota have started scratching at the dirt. Pioneer Seeds Field Agronomist Kevin Sinner says that most farmers are still waiting on the weather to warm up, while a few managed to get some early planting in. “So…

U.S. agriculture is facing longer-term economic pressure rather than a typical boom-and-bust cycle, according to USDA Chief Economist Justin Benavidez. Speaking in Washington, Benavidez says the farm economy has been shaped by a growing imbalance between rising costs and returns.…

Concerns are growing about how fertilizer prices are set, with USDA officials pointing to limited competition in key segments of the market. Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden says the issue comes down to how price discovery works. “The way price…

The Trump administration is pushing new efforts to reduce fertilizer costs and strengthen domestic production, according to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. “Look, we all know that fertilizer input costs are a challenge for our nation’s farmers, and President Trump…

Federal officials are linking fertilizer supply challenges directly to broader national security concerns, according to U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who emphasized the critical role agriculture plays beyond food production. “They’re not just feeding our nation, they’re providing the important…

The USDA is rolling out both short-term and long-term strategies to address rising fertilizer costs, according to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Rollins said farmers are under growing pressure from consolidation in the fertilizer…

U.S. agricultural trade efforts are shifting from opening markets to capturing real sales, according to USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg. Speaking in Washington, Lindberg said the focus in 2026 is on turning new trade…

The sun’s out but the fields around Grand Forks are still just a little too wet and cold for planting to begin, that’s according to Rock n Roll Agronomy Owner Jason Hanson. “There is nothing going on in my area.…

Dairyland Seed District Sales Manager Keith Rekow says it’s still early, but there’s some field activity taking place this week in the eastern part of South Dakota. “A little bit of fertilizer spreading but the most field activity I’ve seen…

Concerns are growing about how fertilizer prices are set, with USDA officials pointing to limited competition in key segments of the market. Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden says the issue comes down to how price discovery works. “The way price…

Federal officials are linking fertilizer supply challenges directly to broader national security concerns, according to U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who emphasized the critical role agriculture plays beyond food production. “They’re not just feeding our nation, they’re providing the important…

The USDA is rolling out both short-term and long-term strategies to address rising fertilizer costs, according to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Rollins said farmers are under growing pressure from consolidation in the fertilizer…

U.S. agriculture is facing longer-term economic pressure rather than a typical boom-and-bust cycle, according to USDA Chief Economist Justin Benavidez. Speaking in Washington, Benavidez says the farm economy has been shaped by a growing imbalance between rising costs and returns.…

Sugarbeet growers are facing mounting pressure from falling prices, rising imports, and ongoing policy uncertainty, creating what industry leaders describe as a critical moment for the sector. American Sugarbeet Growers Association CEO and Executive Vice President Luther Markwart says multiple…

Agriculture leaders are raising concerns about policy shifts, rising costs, and limited market growth impacting farmers. Corn Refiners Association President and CEO John Bode says the “Make America Healthy Again” movement has good intentions but risks unintended consequences. “Make America…

Financial pressure is intensifying across the U.S. sugar industry as prices fall and costs climb. American Sugar Alliance Director of Economics and Policy Analysis Rob Johansson says growers are facing a tough environment. “We’ve seen prices come down pretty substantially…

Farmers have always used on-farm storage as a marketing strategy. “It is really shocking how many growers are storing grain on farm for way longer period of time,” said John Mays, senior director of specialty agriculture, Central Life Sciences. It doesn’t…

Lawrence Sukalski of Fairmont and Dave Garry of Thief River Falls are new members of the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council. Sukalski succeeds Rochelle Krusemark and Garry replaces Bill Zurn. Three checkoff veterans were reelected to the MSRPC; Patrick…

Peterson Farms Seed is transitioning its identity to simply Peterson. General Manager Scott Sanders says this change reflects the company’s more comprehensive approach. Peterson customers should not experience any change. “This is something that Carl and Julie started 30 years…

BASF and Nutrien have formed a strategic alliance to help farmers gain more value from their current sustainable farming practices. BASF Sustainability Market Development Manager Chad Asmus says this effort will help farmers take advantage of the 45Z Clean Fuel…

Yara reports first quarter net income of $327 million, up from $295 million a year ago. Geopolitical events have disrupted the global fertilizer market. However, Yara officials said the company’s business model is uniquely positioned to manage this volatility.

Smithfield Foods reported operating profits of $333 million in the first quarter, up 3.4 percent from the same quarter in 2025. Net sales totaled $3.8 billion, up less than one percent from a year ago. “We delivered record first-quarter results…

Nitrogen is a critical expense for growers this spring. “One way to protect that nitrogen would be to split apply,” said Sam Olson, crop advisor, Centra-Sota Agronomy. “But, that’s not enough to completely mitigate your risk.” Nitrogen is vulnerable and…

The sun’s out but the fields around Grand Forks are still just a little too wet and cold for planting to begin, that’s according to Rock n Roll Agronomy Owner Jason Hanson. “There is nothing going on in my area.…

Dairyland Seed District Sales Manager Keith Rekow says it’s still early, but there’s some field activity taking place this week in the eastern part of South Dakota. “A little bit of fertilizer spreading but the most field activity I’ve seen…

Farmers in Northwest Minnesota have started scratching at the dirt. Pioneer Seeds Field Agronomist Kevin Sinner says that most farmers are still waiting on the weather to warm up, while a few managed to get some early planting in. “So…

Farmers have always used on-farm storage as a marketing strategy. “It is really shocking how many growers are storing grain on farm for way longer period of time,” said John Mays, senior director of specialty agriculture, Central Life Sciences. It doesn’t…

Peterson Farms Seed is transitioning its identity to simply Peterson. General Manager Scott Sanders says this change reflects the company’s more comprehensive approach. Peterson customers should not experience any change. “This is something that Carl and Julie started 30 years…

A new USDA pilot program is underway in Grand Forks County, North Dakota, to modernize acreage reporting for farmers. USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce says the effort is designed to simplify the reporting process and…

BASF and Nutrien have formed a strategic alliance to help farmers gain more value from their current sustainable farming practices. BASF Sustainability Market Development Manager Chad Asmus says this effort will help farmers take advantage of the 45Z Clean Fuel…

Federal wolf protections are under renewed scrutiny, with implications for livestock producers in Minnesota, where wolf populations remain a central issue. According to Associate Deputy Secretary of the Interior Karen Budd-Falen, the department is reviewing how current policies affect ranchers…

Concerns continue to grow across the cattle industry as the threat of New World Screwworm inches closer to the U.S. border, raising both economic and biosecurity alarms. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Executive Director of Government Affairs Sigrid Johannes says the…

Labor negotiations are underway between union workers and Cargill at a Fort Morgan, Colorado, beef-processing plant. Workers are seeking higher wages and better working conditions.

In Cattle Country Conversations, South Dakota State University Extension Rangefield Specialist Kaylee Wheeler discusses early-season pasture monitoring. Find out more at this link. 

Minnesota Beef Council CEO Kelly Schmidt talks about the recent Minnesota Association of Nutrition and Dietetics Conference in this edition of the Minnesota Beef Update. Listen. 

As the farm bill process advances, James Callan and Associates Founder and CEO Jim Callan is closely monitoring the House Rules Committee process. “Some (amendments) will be thrown aside, and many will be considered so, it will be up to…

The U.S. Department of Justice is launching a new investigation into the meatpacking industry, focusing on potential criminal anti-competitive behavior. Reports indicate the probe will examine major companies, including Cargill, Tyson Foods, JBS, and National Beef, which together account for…

Concerns are growing about how fertilizer prices are set, with USDA officials pointing to limited competition in key segments of the market. Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden says the issue comes down to how price discovery works. “The way price…

Federal officials are linking fertilizer supply challenges directly to broader national security concerns, according to U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who emphasized the critical role agriculture plays beyond food production. “They’re not just feeding our nation, they’re providing the important…

The USDA is rolling out both short-term and long-term strategies to address rising fertilizer costs, according to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Rollins said farmers are under growing pressure from consolidation in the fertilizer…

U.S. agriculture is facing longer-term economic pressure rather than a typical boom-and-bust cycle, according to USDA Chief Economist Justin Benavidez. Speaking in Washington, Benavidez says the farm economy has been shaped by a growing imbalance between rising costs and returns.…

USDA is making $52 million available to encourage private landowners to allow public access to their land for hunting, fishing and other wildlife-dependent recreation. The Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program is administered by the NRCS. Grant applications are…

A new USDA pilot program is underway in Grand Forks County, North Dakota, to modernize acreage reporting for farmers. USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce says the effort is designed to simplify the reporting process and…

Federal wolf protections are under renewed scrutiny, with implications for livestock producers in Minnesota, where wolf populations remain a central issue. According to Associate Deputy Secretary of the Interior Karen Budd-Falen, the department is reviewing how current policies affect ranchers…