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MCPR board update
The MCPR Board of Directors met on June 12. The board meeting was well attended. The board reviewed the FY 24-25 year-end financials and the proposed budget for FY 25-26. The board is pleased to report that MCPR ended the fiscal year with a net positive income, and that the organization is financially stable with over six months of operating reserves invested in CD and interest-earning accounts. The budget for FY 25-26 looks good. While we are anticipating a number of cost increases related to our major events and staffing, we are projecting a modest profit for the year.
Planning is well underway for this year’s short course. Our planning team and partners at the U of MN Extension are ahead of schedule. We already have several excellent speakers committed and a solid framework to deliver timely and meaningful sessions that should be of interest to agronomy and ag retail professional staff. We are anticipating good attendance and seeing strong interest among our sponsors and exhibitors for the upcoming short course. Please mark your calendars for December 2-4, and plan to bring your whole team! This is Minnesota's premier networking and professional development event for ag retail.
Emma Haydock, MCPR 4R Coordinator, reported on a few key programs. This year, MCPR is conducting an ag retail survey to gather information that will help inform our policy advocacy efforts and better position the ag sector to combat further regulatory action related to fertilizer management and mandated farming practices. If your organization is contacted by one of our survey liaisons or MCPR staff, please work with them to schedule the site visit. We are looking to complete surveys at 90 locations. We will be looking to gather information on 12 farm fields per location to give us a statistically significant sample in each crop district. Staff also reported on the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program, noting the effort to streamline the process and work underway to certify additional locations across the state. If your ag retail location(s) are interested in becoming 4R certified, please contact Emma Haydock emma@mcpr-cca.org.
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Board nominations
The nominations committee is seeking individuals interested in running for the following seats on the board of directors.
Serving on the MCPR board is a great way to build your network of contacts and be in the know on what’s happening in the ag sector. Serving on the board opens doors, and members regularly connect with policymakers, agency leaders and key industry partners. If you are interested in learning more or want to make a recommendation, please contact Arnie Sinclair at 612-718-7943 or arnie.sinclair@titanmachinery.com
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Registration now open: CPM Short Course and MCPR Trade Show
Mark your calendar for the CPM Short Course and MCPR Trade Show Dec. 2-4, exclusively at the Minneapolis Hilton Hotel! Exhibitor and sponsor registration is now available.
Visit this page for information on exhibiting and sponsoring the event. 2024 exhibitors will receive priority on booth location until Oct 1.
Click here for the event schedule. More details will be added as they become available.
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Register today for MCPR’s annual golf outing!
Tee off with the Minnesota Crop Production Retailers at its annual golf outing on Thursday, Aug. 14 at The Wilds Golf Club in Prior Lake. Enjoy 18 holes on one of Minnesota’s crown jewel courses and support MCPR in their mission of supporting regulatory and legislative initiatives that benefit retailers, manufacturers, distributors and custom applicators of crop production inputs.
Registration for the annual golf outing is now open. The cost is $220 for a single or $880 for a foursome, which includes golf, cart, lunch and dinner, drink and raffle tickets. Check-in and lunch will begin at 10 a.m. with an 11 a.m. shotgun start. Dinners and awards/prizes will follow. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.
For more information or to register, visit mcpr-cca.org/golf-outing/.
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Will Trump tax cuts benefit farmers?
From Farm Progress
Farmers like few things more than extra money in their wallets. During the 2024 campaign, President Donald Trump repeatedly vowed to lower taxes. Now, empowered by a Republican House and Senate, he’s looking to fulfill that promise in his “big, beautiful bill.”
Full story.
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Secretary Rollins signs the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report
From USDA
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins signed the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report. This is prepared monthly by the World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB) and provides market-moving annual forecasts for supply and use of U.S. and world wheat, rice, coarse grains, oilseeds, and cotton.
Full story.
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Lawmakers deliver budget bills to governor's desk in one-day special session
From Minnesota House of Representatives
About that talk of needing all 21 hours left in a legislative day to complete a special session?
House members were more than up to the challenge Monday. Beginning at 10 a.m., they had all but two bills passed by the end of the 2100 hour, if one wants to use military time.
Full story.
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Legislature completes budget in one-day special session. What it means for your business
From Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
On Monday, Governor Walz convened a special session of the Legislature to pass the remaining budget bills that had been agreed upon by caucus leaders and the governor. In all, 14 bills were passed, completing the $66 billion budget for the next two years.
Full story.
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Process EPA Uses to Develop Core Maps for Pesticide Use Limitation Areas
From EPA
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published a process it uses to develop maps for protecting species designated as threatened or endangered (listed) by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and their designated critical habitats. These maps allow EPA to protect listed species from the use of pesticides through geographically specific mitigations. The process identifies areas where listed species are likely to be located and areas where they are not, which ensures that additional measures to protect listed species are only required in these areas.
Full story.
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Best practices for postemergence weed control
From Minnesota Crop News
With temperatures rising and adequate soil moisture across much of the region, weeds are growing rapidly, creating ideal conditions for early-season competition in row crops. Even if a pre-emergence herbicide was applied, it is important to scout fields now for weed emergence. Early detection and timely intervention are key.
Full story.
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Reach your corn yield goals with strategic nitrogen use
From The SCOOP
Mother Nature has thrown all sorts of weather curveballs at corn growers this spring. Farmers are dealing with every kind of weather extreme – from deep drought in parts of the West to record rainfall in the East. The result: some growers have been fortunate enough to use a timely, planned nitrogen (N) program, while others are having to play catch-up and use a rescue approach to N this season.
Full story.
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EPA announces proposed registration of pesticide diflufenican
From CropLife
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released for public comment its proposed registration decision for two products containing the new active ingredient diflufenican, a broad-spectrum herbicide for use for preplant and preemergence control of broad leaf weeds including waterhemp, Palmer amaranth, and other pigweed species in corn and soybean. This new active ingredient would give farmers an additional tool to help manage crops and increase yields in order to provide a healthy and affordable food supply for our country.
Full story.
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Nitrate crisis pushes central Iowa water supplier to consider first-time lawn-watering ban
From Des Moines Register
High nitrate levels in the Raccoon River, a key source of drinking water for central Iowa residents, could lead officials to ban lawn irrigation in an effort to save water for essential uses.
Central Iowa Water Works asked the Des Moines area's 600,000 customers Wednesday, June 11, to cut lawn watering by 50% as nitrate levels in the Raccoon River pushed just over 20 milligrams per liter this week, twice the federal limit for safe drinking water.
Full story.
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U of MN Extension - Minnesota Crop News
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PSEE field day recertification workshop information
Category C or C/H recertification:
Dates and Locations:
- July 15 - Lamberton UMN Research and Outreach Center, Lamberton
- August 12 - Waseca UMN Research and Outreach Center, Waseca
Registration.
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