Alan Bjerga with the National Milk Producers Federation has the details.

The ethanol industry and its backers in Congress have a new concern over the Environmental Protection Agency’s handling of summertime E15 sales, allowed so far on a temporary summer-to-summer basis.

After weeks of paying higher prices, those increases at the gas pump may be nearing a halt as refineries complete the transition from winter to summer gas blends. 

USDA recently wrapped up a successful trade mission to New Delhi, India. Alexis Taylor, USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, says the first mission to India in seven years was very productive.

About 13 percent of U.S. farms participated in Federal crop insurance programs in 2022, with the highest share from small family farms.

In this week's episode of AGRI-BIZ, Cass County 4-H signs up a new round of kids for the Livestock Enhancement Program at the Red River Valley Fair, sugarbeet planting leaps forward in the region, researchers at the NDSU Carrington Research Center are gearing up for the growing season, USDA is trying to get ahead of bird flu in dairy cattle, and more.

Oklahoma State University Livestock Market Economist, Derrell Peel, talks about the April Cattle on Feed Report released on April 19,

The Rural Development Finance Corporation has issued its first loan through the Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program, which offers low-interest financing for the start-up, expansion or operation of regional meat processing facilities, to Kramlich-Deede Meats in Medina.

The last couple of years have seen outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in the spring and fall as temperatures change. However, this year has seen an unusual outbreak of the virus among dairy cattle. Bernt Nelson, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, provides an update

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says above normal temperatures and precipitation will be predominant across much of the nation during the period of April 30 - May 6.

U.S. sunflower oil exports in the first five months of the marketing year stand at 11,045 metric tons (MT) a slight decrease of 1,407 MT from the same time a year ago. 

The U.S agricultural industry is entering the growing season, which means things will get busy. The National Agricultural Aviation Association is asking all uncrewed aircraft system operators (or drones) to be mindful of low-altitude crewed or manned agricultural aircraft operations.

This Farm Talk Segment is brought to you by North Dakota Corn. Registration is open for a free 2-day workshop for North Dakota teachers – Feeding and Fueling the World. The workshop is focused on integrating the science of modern food production into their classrooms and career technical education programs. Heidie Haugo with the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council has the details. 

Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom explains that with support from USDA and the Beef Checkoff Program, USMEF is finding new opportunities for underutilized cuts in a wide range of international markets. These efforts, along with marketing of beef variety meats, help maximize the value of every animal.

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers will host the Modern Ag on the Mall event next month in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Rosslyn Biggs, a beef cattle specialist with Oklahoma State University, says the HPAI cases underscore a need for vigilance in protecting cattle from wildlife.

USDA livestock analyst Shayle Shagam explains a marker in measuring marketing of cattle in feedlots, and how it could indicate current trends in cattle inventory.

Farmers aren’t the only ones prepping for the spring planting season. Researchers at the Carrington Research Extension Center in central North Dakota are doing the same.

The Minnesota 95th State FFA Convention is taking place in Minneapolis. 

Dr. Beth Thompson, South Dakota State Veterinarian, talks about a number of the common signs of HPAI infection that producers need to watch for.

Andrew Mauch serves as the President of the North Dakota Corn Growers Association. Mauch talks more about how the ethanol markets are being impacted by carbon capture and sequestration and how it effects corn producers.

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says above normal temperatures and precipitation are expected for much of the nation for the period of April 23 - 29.

The Food and Agriculture – Information Sharing and Analysis Center released its first annual report on ransomware incidents in the U.S. food and agriculture sector.

Steffes Group Director of Real Estate Max Steffes and Rusty Halvorson discuss land auction highlights from Q1 2024, trend expectations heading into the U.S. elections this fall, some of the highest selling items from March and more!

In this week's episode of AGRI-BIZ, Rusty Halvorson and Sarah Heinrich cover the latest developments in the carbon conversation for agriculture, plus highlights of Auction Talk with Steffes Group.

Market bears have not been hibernating this winter in the grain markets. Allison Thompson is a market analyst with The Money Farm located in Ada, Minnesota.

Hormel Foods is the latest U.S. pork producer to reach a settlement in the ongoing allegations of a price-fixing conspiracy in the meat industry. In the first settlement round, Hormel will pay $2.43 million to the commercial indirect purchaser class in the case.

This Farm Talk segment is brought to you by North Dakota Corn. Andrew Mauch, NDCGA President, talks more about how the ethanol markets are being impacted by carbon capture and sequestration and how it effects corn producers. 

Spring planting progress has begun across the region. Along with getting the work done, comes to the decision as to what to plant. Jeff Gale serves as the NDSU Extension Ag and Natural Resources Agent for Foster County. He talks more about what producers are planning to plant in 2024 in the Carrington area.

Spring planting progress is taking place across the region. Andrew Mauch farms in southeastern North Dakota near Mooreton. 

Scott Jacobson, public affairs officer with the U.S. Forest Service, says since 2002, foresters and crews have been replanting trees to help the forest fill back in after the Jasper Fire.

The first case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is now confirmed in Minnesota. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed the first 2024 outbreak in Minnesota in a Meeker County flock. File Photo

For the second straight month, unit sales of 100-plus horsepower ag tractors increased in the U.S. New data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers says March sales jumped 3.2 percent compared to last year, following February’s increase of 2.8 percent compared to 2023.

Lance Honig with USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service saying that the weekly crop progress report is as near to real time crop information as you can get.

John Swanson and Kevin Capistran have been re-elected to the Minnesota Sunflower Council. 

South American corn production numbers will be lower than expected, especially in Argentina. 

The 2025 American Farm Bureau Federation’s Ag Innovation Challenge opened applications last week and announced a big change to the prize money. 

The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service is canceling the July Cattle report and discontinuing the Cotton Objective Yield Survey, as well as all County Estimates for Crops and Livestock beginning with the 2024 production year. 

There’s a lot of excitement surrounding the possible early start to field work this spring, but farmers are expected to harvest fewer dollars this growing season.

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service last week announced the availability of more than $12 million to control and prevent chronic wasting disease in wild and farmed deer and elk.

Over the past two years, low river levels along the Mississippi River system have had a negative impact on farmers and ag businesses throughout the U.S. Those issues may continue for many more years if they’re not addressed.

In this week's episode of Agri-Biz, Sarah Heinrich talks with Kayla Pulvermacher of the North Dakota Grain Growers Association about the farm bill debate and the group's upcoming E-Tour with EPA officials.  Rusty Halvorson talks with North Dakota Ag Commissioner Doug Goehring about protecting the dairy cattle from the movement of avian influenza around the nation.  North Dakota Senator John Hoeven unveiled the FARMER Act in Washington, DC, to strengthen crop insurance.  The National Wheat Yield Contest has a new website and is adding a new category this year.  AURI hosted its New Uses Forum in Mankato, MN, this past week. 

While high cattle prices are cause for celebration, CEO of the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion Board, Greg Hanes says the cattle numbers are much lower, and it doesn’t look like the rebuilding phase will begin anytime soon.

Nutrien Ag Solutions recently announced a multi-year commitment of nearly $850,000 to the National FFA Organization in support of its commitment to shape future agriculture leaders.

The National Wheat Foundation is now accepting entries for its ninth annual yield contest, which features a new website and pilot category for 2024. 

A coalition of farm groups this week urged senate leadership to pass the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act.

This Farm Talk segment is brought to you by North Dakota Corn. Bill Wagner is the District 3 Rep for the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council. Wagner was recently elected by his peers to serve as the NDCUC Vice Chairman. He farms near Neche, ND.

USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service announced Tuesday that it is canceling the July Cattle report and discontinuing the Cotton Objective Yield Survey and all County Estimates for Crops and Livestock beginning with the 2024 production year.

The University of Minnesota’s Center for Farm Financial Management reports the average Minnesota farmer made just over $44,000 in 2023, a 76% drop from 2022’s record net income. 

American Farmland Trust is calling for agricultural influencers working in corn, soy, wheat, cotton, and dairy systems to apply for the chance to attend AFT’s Advanced Soil Health Training.