Minnesota

Two recent economic studies paint trade tariffs in a very harsh light. Several ag leaders spoke Wednesday about the results. Gary Wertish is president of the Minnesota Farmers Union. He cited one report by the World Agricultural Economic and Environmental Services...

With Congress now back from its August recess, leaders in both parties are saying they will resume talks to get a Farm Bill passed before the end of the year, even if it happens during a lame duck session. Senate Agriculture chairwoman Debbie Stabenow told Successful Farming she would do “everything in my power to pass a farm bill” this year.   F...

Most livestock producers would love to see half or more of their grazing lands in good to excellent condition this time of year, but nationally over the last couple of weeks, pasture conditions have been steadily heading downwards.  USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey said nationally, pasture and range conditions are 35% good to excellent, which has held steady.  But unf...

The National Farmers Union will host the College Conference on Cooperatives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, February 16-19.  During the three days, participants will hear from experts in the field of cooperatives, participate in interactive learning activities and workshops, and tour co-ops in the Twin Cities.  Th...

The Environmental Defense Fund says extreme heat, changing rainfall, and other climate change impacts will make it harder to grow U.S. staple crops as soon as 2030.   The group said future food supplies and farmer livelihoods will be at stake without adaptation efforts getting underway immediately.  Th...

The U.S. Grains Council held its 62nd annual Board of Delegates Meeting in California during the final week of July.  During the three-day event, Minnesota grain farmer Chad Willis wrapped up his term as Chairman. “Just being able to lead the organization, I guess. The deleg...

Spring wheat plantings remain significantly behind schedule nationwide. According to USDA, roughly 39% of this year’s crop was in the ground on Sunday , well off the five-year-average of 67%. Brad Rippey meteorologist with the USDA said amid the drought last year, 83% of the spring wheat crop had been planted by this week in 2021. He ...

Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley and Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar led an effort this week for more funding to help address the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak. The Senators told the Senate Appropriations Committee leaders, “Although the virus poses minimal risk to human health, it has serious implications for U.S. po ...

When it comes to spring wheat plantings across the country, USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey said there is a wide contrast in conditions, including from lingering drought in the west, to extraordinarily wet and flooding conditions in the east ...

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says flooding in Minnesota and North Dakota's Red River Valley is putting a damper on any sugarbeet field work. "Sugar beet planting nationally, 18% complete by May 1, far behind the five year average of 47% ...