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…

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 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…

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.…

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…

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…

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…

North Dakota Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak is asking USDA for more flexibility for livestock producers dealing with drought. After meeting with farmers and ranchers in southwestern North Dakota, Fedorchak says one immediate concern is emergency haying of Conservation Reserve Program acres.…

Fighting around the Black Sea is providing some support for wheat prices, but stronger U.S. exports are needed to sustain the rally. USDA cut expected wheat exports from Russia and Ukraine by a combined 2.5 million metric tons, or roughly…

The White House is cracking down on companies avoiding U.S. tariffs by routing goods through other countries. A new report says China linked goods are being rerouted through more than 40 countries, potentially involving between $40 billion and $303 billion…

Inflation at the producer level cooled more than expected in July. The Producer Price Index was unchanged from June, compared to economists’ expectations for a 0.2 percent increase. Prices remain 4.7 percent higher than a year ago. Slower inflation could…

Farm equipment sales continued to slow in July. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers says U.S. tractor sales fell nearly 11 percent from a year ago, while combine sales declined more than five percent. Canada saw a similar slowdown, with tractor…

With the Farm Bill failing to advance out of committee, National Farmers Union Vice President for Advocacy Mike Stranz says lawmakers face major decisions when they return to Washington. “I think throughout August and into September, when Congress comes back…

Young farmers see some wins in the Senate Agriculture Committee’s latest Farm Bill, but say more work is needed. The National Young Farmers Coalition highlighted provisions creating an Office of Small Farms, supporting peer to peer farmer education and establishing…

Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen sat down for an interview at the Midwest Agricultural Export Summit in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Petersen discussed Minnesota’s agricultural export opportunities, the current trade environment, opportunities for products including dairy, pork and dry edible…

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…

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…

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.…

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’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 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…

North Dakota Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak is asking USDA for more flexibility for livestock producers dealing with drought. After meeting with farmers and ranchers in southwestern North Dakota, Fedorchak says one immediate concern is emergency haying of Conservation Reserve Program acres.…

Fighting around the Black Sea is providing some support for wheat prices, but stronger U.S. exports are needed to sustain the rally. USDA cut expected wheat exports from Russia and Ukraine by a combined 2.5 million metric tons, or roughly…

The White House is cracking down on companies avoiding U.S. tariffs by routing goods through other countries. A new report says China linked goods are being rerouted through more than 40 countries, potentially involving between $40 billion and $303 billion…

Inflation at the producer level cooled more than expected in July. The Producer Price Index was unchanged from June, compared to economists’ expectations for a 0.2 percent increase. Prices remain 4.7 percent higher than a year ago. Slower inflation could…

Farm equipment sales continued to slow in July. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers says U.S. tractor sales fell nearly 11 percent from a year ago, while combine sales declined more than five percent. Canada saw a similar slowdown, with tractor…

Young farmers see some wins in the Senate Agriculture Committee’s latest Farm Bill, but say more work is needed. The National Young Farmers Coalition highlighted provisions creating an Office of Small Farms, supporting peer to peer farmer education and establishing…

Farmers will once again have the option to purchase additional prevented planting coverage. Risk Management Agency Administrator Pat Swanson says the additional five percent coverage is returning after producers asked for the option to be restored. “We had a lot…

North Dakota Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak is asking USDA for more flexibility for livestock producers dealing with drought. After meeting with farmers and ranchers in southwestern North Dakota, Fedorchak says one immediate concern is emergency haying of Conservation Reserve Program acres.…

Fighting around the Black Sea is providing some support for wheat prices, but stronger U.S. exports are needed to sustain the rally. USDA cut expected wheat exports from Russia and Ukraine by a combined 2.5 million metric tons, or roughly…

Farmers will once again have the option to purchase additional prevented planting coverage. Risk Management Agency Administrator Pat Swanson says the additional five percent coverage is returning after producers asked for the option to be restored. “We had a lot…

Brazil’s second-crop corn harvest is wrapping up, with CONAB raising its production estimate. Soybean and Corn Advisor President Michael Cordonnier says harvest is complete in Mato Grosso. “Up in Mato Grosso, which is the number one state, they’re completely done…

Crop conditions remain favorable around Raymond, Minnesota. Farmer Noah Hultgren says the area received significant rain at the end of July. “In my area, we had five to seven inches on July 31,” said Hultgren, following nearly three weeks without…

Dry conditions are limiting crop potential in northeastern North Dakota. Walhalla-area farmer Richard Dunnigan says soybeans have held up surprisingly well despite the lack of moisture, but wheat has been less impressive. Small grain harvest is underway in the region,…

Drought continues to take a toll on crops in eastern South Dakota. Chester area farmer Keith Alverson says conditions deteriorated through late July and early August as D2 drought expanded across the region. “We get an occasional shower that passes…

The American Feed Industry Association is reviewing proposed FDA changes to the approval process for feed ingredients considered Generally Recognized as Safe, or GRAS. The organization says it supports efforts to strengthen ingredient oversight while maintaining feed safety and encouraging…

U.S. dairy exporters see growing opportunities around the world. U.S. Dairy Export Council President and CEO Krysta Harden says Mexico remains the industry’s strongest market, while Central America, the Caribbean and Indonesia offer additional potential. “We have a lot of…

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 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…

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.

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…

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…

With the Farm Bill failing to advance out of committee, National Farmers Union Vice President for Advocacy Mike Stranz says lawmakers face major decisions when they return to Washington. “I think throughout August and into September, when Congress comes back…

Young farmers see some wins in the Senate Agriculture Committee’s latest Farm Bill, but say more work is needed. The National Young Farmers Coalition highlighted provisions creating an Office of Small Farms, supporting peer to peer farmer education and establishing…

President Trump has issued another 90 day waiver from the Jones Act. The regulation requires shipping conducted between U.S. ports to be done by American ships. The waiver was granted in an attempt to lower oil and gas prices.

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…

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…

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…

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…