April 14, 2025

President Trump says millions of illegal immigrants could be allowed to return 

From MSN


President Donald Trump has proposed that undocumented immigrants employed in sectors such as agriculture and hospitality could self-deport and return legally, provided their employers vouched for them.


Full story.

TFI applauds critical mineral decision

From St. Joseph Post


The Fertilizer Institute thanked members of Congress in both chambers for sending a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum in support of potash and phosphate being included on the list of critical minerals. “We thank the multiple senators and representatives for working together and uniting a bipartisan voice urging the Secretary of the Interior to rightfully recognize the essential nature of phosphate and potash,” said TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch.


Full story.

At the Minnesota Capitol, legislators working through process of developing omnibus spending bills



The deadline for committees to pass their bills on the Senate Finance Committee or House Ways and Means Committee or Taxes Committees was April 11. The legislature will be on holiday break for the Easter / Passover holidays this week. 


The House and Senate Ag bills both passed. 

A few highlights we are tracking include the following.  

  • The Senate Ag bill was amended to include $50,000 in the first year to conduct a study and develop recommendations for establishing​ an incentive-based program to support and​ encourage agricultural retailers in promoting​ 4R nutrient management practices. The 4R​ nutrient management practices include: the​ right source of nutrients, at the right rate and​ right time, in the right place.  
  • The House Ag bill includes a provision changing the RUP Mixer/Loader/Handler requirements to allow unlicensed individuals who mix and load a restricted pesticide to operate under the supervision of a licensed applicator. Handlers must meet requirements for direct supervision of noncertified applicators by certified applicators under Code of Federal Regulations, title 40, section 171.201, which includes training, meeting a minimum age and receiving instructions.  
  • The House Ag bill also includes funding for a new biofertilizer innovation and efficiency program. This would provide per-acre payments to farmers who reduce their application of commercial nitrogen fertilizers and apply an alternative qualifying product. 
  • The commissioner must determine which products qualify for the program, including soil​ amendments, fertilizers with nitrogen fixing properties, biological sources of nitrogen and​ other biofertilizers.    
  • The program must provide an​ annual per-acre incentive payment to a qualifying farmer who verifies through documentation​ that the farmer has reduced commercial nitrogen fertilizer rates by using a qualifying product​ in the farmer's crop nutrient management plans by the lesser of:​ (1) 15 percent; or​ (2) 30 pounds per acre. 
  • 

Below are links for the posted bill information:

HF2446 (Anderson, P.H.) Agriculture Budget Bill:

 

House - Legacy Finance bill (HF 2563): 

 

 S.F. 2458 Putnam Agriculture Omnibus Bill (See 4/10/2025) 

Ag Retailers Association: American industry needs a predictable trade policy 

From The SCOOP


Letter authored by Daren Coppock:


The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) understands and supports the desire of the Trump Administration to stop unfair trading practices in the global marketplace that lead to artificial advantages or trade imbalances.Some of the countries singled out by President Trump have long patterns of putting their proverbial thumbs on the scale to the disadvantage of US producers and exporters.


Full story.

AGCO pauses equipment imports as tariff turmoil escalates 

From Farm Progress


With trade tensions ratcheting up, Agco is the latest equipment manufacturer to pause shipments from foreign factories to the United States. Domestically made machines shipped from the United States to other countries that haven’t enacted retaliatory tariffs will continue uninhibited.


“The U.S. and reciprocal tariff landscape remains very fluid,” reads a statement from the company. “Agco’s priority continues to be serving farmers around the world while minimizing tariff impact. We are evaluating the best way to leverage our global footprint to continue delivering our high-quality products — especially those made in Europe — to farmers globally.”


Full story.

Minnesota net farm income sinks to lowest level this century 

From Brownfield Ag News


A new report shows net farm income in Minnesota has fallen to its lowest level this century.


University of Minnesota Extension economist Pauline Van Nurden says the median income dropped to just under $22,000 in 2024.


Full story.

Boost corn ROI: Focus on fertilizer timing and placement 

From The SCOOP


Corn roots will tell you whether they are getting adequate nutrients to reach high yield goals this season – if you go out in fields, dig and look.


High-yield corn growers David Hula and Randy Dowdy say they routinely walk farmers’ fields and dig where fertilizer was broadcast applied and evaluate corn root development. The evidence often tells them the roots and fertilizer had little or no connection.


Full story.

Benefits of splitting spring nitrogen applications 

From Farm Progress


When should you apply your spring nitrogen — preplant, sidedress or a split application? Fertilizer is one of the top investments you make for your corn each year; and because of that, you want to get timing right and protect what you apply.


The weather and when planting will begin both influence when nitrogen is applied in the spring. A preplant application is always recommended if it does not delay planting. However, if weather doesn’t cooperate and you need to plant before you get fertilizer applied, a sidedress application may be an alternative.


Full story.

Five secrets to success for making most of pesticides 

From Farm Progress



Making the most of your inputs is critical this growing season. There are measures you can take to get the most out of spray applications. During a presentation at Pay Dirt, hosted by the Elkhart County Soil and Water Conservation District in Indiana, Fred Whitford, director of Purdue Pesticide Programs, shared five things you should think about before mixing and applying chemicals this year:


Water quality plays a big role. Water isn’t just a carrier for chemicals. It’s complex, and its properties can have large impacts on chemical efficacy and crop productivity.


Full story.

Bayer files petition to U.S. Supreme Court for review of Durnell Roundup case 

From CropLife


Bayer – through its indirect subsidiary Monsanto – has filed its petition for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court in the Durnell case, just three business days after the Missouri Supreme Court’s decision created a pathway toward the high court’s review. The company argues that a split among federal circuit courts in the Roundup personal injury litigation, on the cross-cutting question of whether federal law preempts state-based failure-to-warn claims, warrants review and resolution by the country’s top court. The stakes could not be higher as tens of thousands of Roundup cases are pending in state and federal courts, all of which rest on state-based failure-to-warn claims that should be preempted by federal law. The ongoing litigation also threatens Monsanto’s ability to continue to supply glyphosate-based products to farmers and other professional users.


Full story.

U of MN Extension - Minnesota Crop News 

UMN-AFREC Communications Update 


Here is a recap of UMN-AFREC communications work in January, February and March 2025, and look what is happening in the months ahead.


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