Peterson, HCI Partner to Expand Specialty Crop Opportunities
Peterson is expanding specialty crop opportunities across the Upper Midwest through a new partnership with HC International. Peterson President Carl Peterson says the agreement will connect seed development with growing demand for identity-preserved, organic, non-GM and other specialty crops. “We’re…
Crop Potential is Reduced
Crops in west-central Minnesota are hanging on, but another rain is needed to finish the season. Wilkin County farmer Galen Affield says conditions are particularly dry around Fergus Falls, although some areas north of Breckenridge have held up better. “I…
Dry Weather Takes the Top Off the Crops
Dry conditions continue to cut into crop potential across the Red River Valley. Ada, Minnesota farmer John Brainard says the sugarbeet pre-pile harvest will begin in the upcoming week in his region. “Right now the sugar content is high but…
WASDE Report Released
Wednesday’s USDA crop production numbers were considered positive for corn, bearish for soybeans and neutral for wheat. The national average corn yield is 180.7 bushels per acre. That compares to an average pre-report trade estimate of 182.5 bushels per acre.…
Klobuchar and Demuth to Face Off
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar and House Speaker Lisa Demuth will face each other in November’s election for governor. Klobuchar jumped into the race after Tim Walz decided not to seek a third term. She won the DFL primary with 90…
Tafoya Wins MN GOP Senate Primary
The former sideline reporter for NBC Sunday Night Football is Minnesota’s Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate. Michelle Tafoya won 80 of Minnesota’s 87 counties, easily defeating Republican endorsed Adams Schwarze. “My team and I are thrilled because tonight’s results…
Drought Remains a Concern
Persistent heat and limited rainfall continue to challenge crops across the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest. DTN meteorologist John Baranick says the region entered the growing season with a moisture deficit that has continued to worsen. “We didn’t have a…
Peterson, HCI Partner to Expand Specialty Crop Opportunities
Peterson is expanding specialty crop opportunities across the Upper Midwest through a new partnership with HC International. Peterson President Carl Peterson says the agreement will connect seed development with growing demand for identity-preserved, organic, non-GM and other specialty crops. “We’re…
Market Differentation
The U.S. soybean industry is working to expand export markets and reduce its reliance on a single customer, like China. Jim Sutter, president and CEO of the U.S. Soybean Export Council, says the industry is focused on differentiating U.S. soy…
Balance Sheet Tightens
The USDA’s August crop report points toward tighter corn and soybean balance sheets. Midwest Market Solutions President Brian Hoops said USDA lowered its corn yield estimate, but increased planted acreage from 95.3 million to 96.7 million acres. Corn production is now…
Crop Potential is Reduced
Crops in west-central Minnesota are hanging on, but another rain is needed to finish the season. Wilkin County farmer Galen Affield says conditions are particularly dry around Fergus Falls, although some areas north of Breckenridge have held up better. “I…
Two Months Without Meaningful Rainfall
Drought conditions continue to intensify across eastern North Dakota. Arthur-area farmer Kevin Skunes said his farm has gone about eight weeks without meaningful rainfall. “We’ve lost a substantial amount of crop so far, so not looking very good.” He estimates…
Dry Weather Takes the Top Off the Crops
Dry conditions continue to cut into crop potential across the Red River Valley. Ada, Minnesota farmer John Brainard says the sugarbeet pre-pile harvest will begin in the upcoming week in his region. “Right now the sugar content is high but…
WASDE Report Released
Wednesday’s USDA crop production numbers were considered positive for corn, bearish for soybeans and neutral for wheat. The national average corn yield is 180.7 bushels per acre. That compares to an average pre-report trade estimate of 182.5 bushels per acre.…
Market Differentation
The U.S. soybean industry is working to expand export markets and reduce its reliance on a single customer, like China. Jim Sutter, president and CEO of the U.S. Soybean Export Council, says the industry is focused on differentiating U.S. soy…
Balance Sheet Tightens
The USDA’s August crop report points toward tighter corn and soybean balance sheets. Midwest Market Solutions President Brian Hoops said USDA lowered its corn yield estimate, but increased planted acreage from 95.3 million to 96.7 million acres. Corn production is now…
WASDE Report Released
Wednesday’s USDA crop production numbers were considered positive for corn, bearish for soybeans and neutral for wheat. The national average corn yield is 180.7 bushels per acre. That compares to an average pre-report trade estimate of 182.5 bushels per acre.…
Oil Reserves Drop Below a Key Level
The U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve has fallen below 300 million gallons for the first time since the early 1980s. Global oil supplies are being pinched by the ongoing war with Iran and the lack of movement through the Strait of…
DTN Releases Yield Estimate
DTN’s proprietary yield models are forecasting a national average corn yield of 178.5 bushels per acre and an average soybean yield 52.1 bushels per acre. Both figures are below last year’s record crop. DTN uses vegetation index maps, USDA crop…
Heavy Rain Raises Concerns for China’s Crops
Heavy rainfall is raising concerns for corn and soybean production in China after Typhoon Dolphin moved through central China over the weekend. Flooding is possible across portions of North China. China had otherwise experienced a favorable growing season, but significant…
Black Sea Uncertainty Could Benefit U.S. Wheat
Shipping disruptions in the Black Sea are adding uncertainty to global wheat trade. NDSU Extension Crops Economist Frayne Olson says recent disruptions can “throw some real, real wrinkles into the supply chains.” For buyers, the timing is critical. “If you’ve…
Peterson, HCI Partner to Expand Specialty Crop Opportunities
Peterson is expanding specialty crop opportunities across the Upper Midwest through a new partnership with HC International. Peterson President Carl Peterson says the agreement will connect seed development with growing demand for identity-preserved, organic, non-GM and other specialty crops. “We’re…
Market Differentation
The U.S. soybean industry is working to expand export markets and reduce its reliance on a single customer, like China. Jim Sutter, president and CEO of the U.S. Soybean Export Council, says the industry is focused on differentiating U.S. soy…
SDSU Extension Welcomes Paige Madison
Paige Madison is the new livestock production and stewardship field specialist for South Dakota State University Extension. She is also the new Beef Quality Assurance Coordinator for the state. Madison is a Minnesota native. Previously, she worked at a horse…
Time Needed to Enroll in SDRP
North Dakota Farm Service Agency Executive Director Brad Thykeson says extra time is needed to enroll in the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program due to the complexity of the program. “We’re trying to use our sister agency, RMA, for a lot…
Oil Reserves Drop Below a Key Level
The U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve has fallen below 300 million gallons for the first time since the early 1980s. Global oil supplies are being pinched by the ongoing war with Iran and the lack of movement through the Strait of…
Peterson-HC International Partnership
The North Dakota-based seed company, Peterson, has announced a new partnership with HC International. HC International is a grain trading company that focuses on identity-preserved and organic products. With this partnership, the two companies are aligning production with the needs…
Farm Bill Ready for Action After August Recess
North Dakota Senator John Hoeven says the Senate Agriculture Committee has a farm bill ready to advance when lawmakers return from the August recess. Negotiations continue over changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, but Hoeven believes the proposal balances…
Crop Potential is Reduced
Crops in west-central Minnesota are hanging on, but another rain is needed to finish the season. Wilkin County farmer Galen Affield says conditions are particularly dry around Fergus Falls, although some areas north of Breckenridge have held up better. “I…
Two Months Without Meaningful Rainfall
Drought conditions continue to intensify across eastern North Dakota. Arthur-area farmer Kevin Skunes said his farm has gone about eight weeks without meaningful rainfall. “We’ve lost a substantial amount of crop so far, so not looking very good.” He estimates…
Dry Weather Takes the Top Off the Crops
Dry conditions continue to cut into crop potential across the Red River Valley. Ada, Minnesota farmer John Brainard says the sugarbeet pre-pile harvest will begin in the upcoming week in his region. “Right now the sugar content is high but…
Keep Monitoring for Soybean Aphids
Soybean aphid populations have remained relatively low across much of Minnesota, but University of Minnesota Extension Crops Educator Liz Stahl says growers should continue monitoring fields as temperatures moderate. “Overall numbers have been low. I know there has been some…
Drought Remains a Concern
Persistent heat and limited rainfall continue to challenge crops across the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest. DTN meteorologist John Baranick says the region entered the growing season with a moisture deficit that has continued to worsen. “We didn’t have a…
Late-Planted Wheat Being Combined at Pisek, ND
Wheat harvest is underway at Pisek, North Dakota. Darren Kadlec said some of his wheat was planted as late as Memorial Day because of lingering frost and wet conditions. “I think the wheat will be okay right here. It seems…
Good Yields and Quality for Barley in NE ND
Drought conditions are creating significant differences in crop prospects across northeast North Dakota. Dale Zahradka says barley has been a bright spot, with about one-third of his crop harvested and yields and quality looking good. A three-inch rain at the…
SD Brand Inspection Fee to Move Higher
The South Dakota Brand Board has approved a 45 percent increase in the livestock ownership inspection fee, raising it from $1 to $1.45 per head. The increase takes effect October 1st if it’s approved by the Legislature’s Rules Review Committee…
Smithfield Releases Q2 Results
Smithfield Foods is reporting second quarter net income of $238 million, up 27 percent from one year ago. As the company moves into the balance of the year, the investment in a new pork processing plant in Sioux Falls was…
Strong Performance for Livestock Product Sales
The animal health company, Zoetis, reports second-quarter revenue of $2.5 billion. That’s flat with last year. Net income totaled $691 million. Companion animal product sales declined 11 percent, while livestock product sales increased 23 percent.
NCBA Announces Environmental Stewardship Award Regional Winners
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has named its 2026 Environmental Stewardship Award Program regional winners. There are two operations from the tri-state region included among the seven finalists. They are Feikema Farms of Luverne, Minnesota and Stomprud Angus Ranch of…
Out of the Ashes
The owners of the Agri Star Meat and Poultry plant in Postville, Iowa, plan to rebuild after a fire destroyed much of the facility last week. This is one of the largest kosher meat-processing plants in the country, specializing in…
Work Stoppage at Fort Morgan Beef Plant Could End Soon
Cargill and the union workers at its Fort Morgan, Colorado beef processing plant have a tentative agreement to end their labor dispute. Cargill locked out workers after union members in late May after union members rejected the company’s last contract…
SD Cattle Losses
South Dakota State University Extension Feedlot Management Specialist Warren Rusche is monitoring the extreme heat’s impact on the state’s cattle. “It’s been pretty stressful, and in some cases, I’m hearing reports of mortality and death loss in central South Dakota…
Time Needed to Enroll in SDRP
North Dakota Farm Service Agency Executive Director Brad Thykeson says extra time is needed to enroll in the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program due to the complexity of the program. “We’re trying to use our sister agency, RMA, for a lot…
Klobuchar and Demuth to Face Off
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar and House Speaker Lisa Demuth will face each other in November’s election for governor. Klobuchar jumped into the race after Tim Walz decided not to seek a third term. She won the DFL primary with 90…
Tafoya Wins MN GOP Senate Primary
The former sideline reporter for NBC Sunday Night Football is Minnesota’s Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate. Michelle Tafoya won 80 of Minnesota’s 87 counties, easily defeating Republican endorsed Adams Schwarze. “My team and I are thrilled because tonight’s results…
Flanagan Victorious in Primary Bid
Minnesota’s primary election is in the books, setting the stage for what will be a closely watched general election in November. Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan will be on the ballot for Minnesota’s open U.S. Senate seat. “For months now I…
Farm Bill Ready for Action After August Recess
North Dakota Senator John Hoeven says the Senate Agriculture Committee has a farm bill ready to advance when lawmakers return from the August recess. Negotiations continue over changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, but Hoeven believes the proposal balances…
A Definition of Ultra-Processed Foods
The Health and Human Services Department and the USDA have submitted the federal government’s first proposed definition of ultra-processed foods for final review. While ultra-processed foods have been in the crosshairs of the Make America Healthy Again movement, there hasn’t…
SDRP Deadline Extended Again
USDA has extended the signup deadline for the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program to September 30. There is also additional flexibility for the documentation of these losses. This is for quality losses due to natural disasters in 2023 and 2024. This…
