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Day on the Hill to be held Tuesday
The MCPR Day on the Hill is March 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. We will be meeting in the 5th floor Conference Room of the Veterans Building on the State Capitol Complex. If you can attend, but haven’t signed up yet, please take a few minutes to register. If you know someone who would like to attend, please help spread the word.
Register for the MCPR Day on the Hill.
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Agricultural Retailers Association – legislative fly-in: building momentum for ag retail
From ARA
"Our overarching message this year was one of optimism and strength," said ARA's Hunter Carpenter after 115 ARA members and industry partners participated in more than 130 meetings to discuss the public policy priorities of agricultural retailers with their elected officials.
Full story.
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Secretary Rollins previews her vision for restoring rural prosperity
From USDA
Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins delivered remarks to hundreds of local leaders at the National Association of Counties. There, she previewed her vision for restoring rural prosperity to America. She discussed the importance of the President’s efforts to rein in out-of-control government spending and federal overreach to return more power to the people. She also addressed the wildfires in the Carolinas and provided an update on the Department’s distribution of economic and disaster aid passed by Congress in December.
Full story.
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Trump administration ordered to reinstate thousands of fired USDA workers
From POLITICO
Thousands of fired workers at the Department of Agriculture must get their jobs back for at least the next month and a half, the chair of a federal civil service board ruled Wednesday.
The ruling said the recent dismissals of more than 5,600 probationary employees may have violated federal laws and procedures for carrying out layoffs.
Full story.
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EPA staff reductions could be major challenge for pesticide approval process
From Brownfield Ag News
The CEO of the Ag Retailers Association says staffing shortages at the EPA could make an already long pesticide registration process even longer.
“The Office of Pesticide Programs, which handles all of these registrations, has been understaffed and under-resourced constantly,” says Daren Coppock.
Full story.
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Trump delays tariffs for goods covered under Mexico, Canada trade deal
From The SCOOP
President Donald Trump on Thursday exempted goods from both Canada and Mexico under a North American trade pact for a month from the 25% tariffs that he had imposed earlier this week, the latest twist in fast-shifting trade policy that has whipsawed financial markets and business leaders.
The exemption, which will expire on April 2, covers both of the two largest U.S. trading partners. Trump had earlier only mentioned an exemption for Mexico, but the amendment he signed to his order for 25% levies on imports from both - which went into effect on Tuesday - covers Canada as well.
Full story.
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‘Bear with me,’ Trump says as both farmers and consumers brace for tariff effects
From AP
Farmers and meat producers across the U.S. can expect the new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China and the retaliatory action from those countries to hurt their bottom lines by billions of dollars if they stay in place a while, and consumers could quickly see higher prices for produce and ground beef.
But some of the impact on farmers might not be felt until the next harvest and some products might actually get cheaper in the short run for consumers if exports suffer. And the price of corn, wheat and soybeans accounts for relatively little of the price of most products. Plus, President Donald Trump could offer farmers significant aid payments, as he did during the trade war with China during his first administration, to offset some of the losses.
Full story.
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MCPR 4R Bill
The Senate Agriculture Committee heard SF 1840, MCPR’s 4R Bill, on March 5. MCPR Executive Director Lee Helgen testified on behalf of the bill. After a good bit of discussion, the bill passed out of committee and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee to review the data privacy section.
The Committee amended the bill to change some of the must requirements for MDA to add the flexibility of the Commissioner … “may” … these types of amendments are common when the allocating funding for projects and programs to give the department room to administer programs and provide grants.
The bill passed on split voice vote. The comments and questions in opposition seemed to revolve around the anticipated budget deficits and potential impact of creating a new program and funding commitments.
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MDA presentation to Senate Ag Committee on March 5
From MDA
Minnesota Department of Agriculture Update on Nitrates in Southeast MN Water.
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Waste treated seeds – Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - rule hearing held March 5, 2025
An administrative law judge conducted a hearing on the proposed waste treated seeds rule starting at 3 p.m. on March 5, 2025.
During the hearing on attendees noted, “many of the oral comments given were in support of science-based policies and of streamlining regulations. More than once a MN famer got on and explained how important treated seeds were and how they have very little left-over seed.”
ASTA and others are working on preparing comments for MPCA. The deadline for submitting comments is March 25. If you would like more information, please contact Jordan Gregory jgregory@betterseed.org, Director, State Government Affairs for American Seed Trade Association
Below is some of the information submitted for review.
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MN February budget and economic forecast - update
Minnesota’s budget outlook has been adjusted downward amid significant near-term economic and fiscal uncertainty. The FY 2026-27 projected balance is now $456 million, $160 million lower than prior estimates. Higher forecast inflation results in increases in projected revenues and expenditures. Spending growth outpaces revenue growth through projections for fiscal year 2029. The projected general fund shortfall for the FY 2028-29 biennium is now $5.995 billion, $852 million worse than November estimates. Shifting policies at the federal level introduce significant uncertainty to the projections.
Related: Minnesota's near-term surplus shrinks, future projected deficit grows to about $6 billion
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Does targeted spraying actually save money?
From FarmProgress
Spot-spraying technology is not new. “Systems that can spray ‘green on brown,’ or distinguish a weed and spray it, have existed since the 1990s,” says Rodrigo Werle, Extension weed scientist at the University of Wisconsin. “Now we have ‘green on green’ spraying, with cameras trained to trigger spraying only weeds.”
Over a dozen companies offer or are developing targeted spraying technologies. Here, companies, researchers and farmers discuss potential herbicide savings for three systems: Weed-It, a green-on-green technology; John Deere See & Spray; and One Smart Spray, under development by BASF and Bosch.
Full story.
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Longshoremen accept new contract
From Brownfield Ag News
A new longshoremen’s union contract ensures imports and exports will move through U.S. ports for the next six years.
More than 99% of the 24-thousand east coast and gulf shore International Longshoreman’s Union members voted to approve the pact covering fourteen ports last week. The approval vote gives union members a 62% pay raise over the six years of the contract, accelerated raises and improved benefits. Terminal operators and ocean carriers can also introduce limited container handling automation equipment with conditions that protect union jobs.
Full story.
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New ag insights survey: U.S. farmers and the general public support protecting farmers' access to crop protection tools
From Modern Ag Alliance
A new national and state-level AG INSIGHTS SURVEY from the Modern Ag Alliance confirms that U.S. farmers and the broader public strongly support maintaining access to essential crop protection tools—a view on which majorities of Republicans and Democrats agree. These results come as legislation is being considered by lawmakers across the country to avert a crisis in U.S. agriculture due to relentless litigation targeting these products. Additional key findings include extremely low levels of trust in trial lawyers and opposition to litigation that threatens U.S. agriculture, food prices, and food security.
Full story.
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Cultivating tomorrow: Delivering value to accelerate AgTech innovations at scale
From CropLife
There are many uncertainties in agriculture. And yet, technology solutions remain key to delivering for growers. As AgTech innovation evolves, startups often face the temptation to solve every problem for every customer. However, at PowerPollen, we’ve discovered that true success lies in a more focused approach. By leveraging key data insights, we select acres where we can offer the best return on investment (ROI), we’re not just chasing revenue – we’re cultivating sustainable growth, and delivering tangible and consistent value to our customers.
Full story.
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New Holland joins the smart sprayer revolution with IntelliSense automation
From Farm Journal
New Holland is releasing its own spin on selective spraying technology, IntelliSense Sprayer Automation.
The manufacturer claims it is the most comprehensive application automation solution on the market. The technology will hit the market first as a factory offering for new Model Year 2026 Guardian series front boom sprayers.
Full story.
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Syngenta receives EPA approval for new corn trait stack for corn rootworm protection
From CropLife
Durastak, Syngenta’s latest innovative corn trait stack for corn rootworm protection, has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and will be available in hybrids from both the Golden Harvest and NK brands, and through independent seed companies for the 2027 season.
Full story.
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BASF showcases success of fungicides
From Brownfield Ag News
During The Science Behind the Future of Fungicides media event held Saturday, BASF scientists along with farmers discussed the impact of fluctuating weather and disease pressures and how tailored fungicide solutions are driving consistent performance and profitability in farm fields.
Scott Kay, Vice President of U.S. Ag Solutions with BASF told Brownfield for twenty years they’ve been demonstrating the value of fungicides to farmers. He said BASF has protected thirty billion bushels of farmers’ yields and two-hundred and sixty million acres. He tells Brownfield BASF invests eleven cents of every dollar earned into research and development. Over the next five years, BASF will launch twenty new crop protection products and a host of seed products.
Full story.
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Can you save money deep-banding P and K?
From FarmProgress
Does placement of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer matter? Some people say deep-banding pays if soil test levels are low, or if you are strip-tilling or no-tilling. Others say it cuts down on P fixation and K tie-up in very high pH or certain clay soils. Still others say this practice increases yields or allows you to cut rates or both.
What do researchers say? Jeffrey Vetsch at the University of Minnesota Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca took a closer look, reviewing existing work and heading up research in Minnesota.
Full story.
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U of MN Extension - Minnesota Crop News
Video recordings of 2025 Nitrogen and Nutrient Management Conference presentations now available.
Watch here.
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ARA model fertilizer contract updated
To help ARA members get ahead of any fertilizer price volatility resulting from tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, ARA released an updated Model Fertilizer Contract with modified language under the Price Exclusions section offering ag retailers maximum flexibility with their buyer customers after the signing of fertilizer contracts between the buyer and seller.
ARA developed and updated the Model Fertilizer Contract with ARA member Faegre Drinker to empower our industry to better manage risk, collect e-signatures, and outline consistent terms and conditions.
Download the public, non-customizable version below.
ARA Model Fertilizer Contract.
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On-demand webinars offer CCAs another opportunity to earn critical CEUs
From CropLife
CropLife hosts dozens of webinars each year. While many viewers are able to join the live presentation of these events, it’s not always convenient for some — especially during the busy spring season.
That’s why we also offer our webinars on demand, providing the necessary flexibility to allow viewers to access the content at any time, anywhere. Not only that, the CEUs that were offered for attending the live webinar remain available for any Certified Crop Advisor who views the recorded session.
Full story.
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Transportation Go!
Transportation Go! is the premier conference for soybean and grain transportation and trade issues in the Midwest. This event brings in the industry’s top stakeholders, from boots-on-the-ground commodity growers and organizations to traders and shippers of specialty crops.
Register.
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Over-the-top dicamba products are not available for use in Minnesota in 2025
From MDA
On February 6, 2024, the U.S. District Court of Arizona vacated the 2020 federal registrations of three over-the-top (OTT) dicamba products for soybeans, XtendiMax® (EPA Reg. No. 264-1210), Engenia® (EPA Reg. No. 7969-472), and Tavium® (EPA Reg. No. 100-1623), making their sale or distribution illegal in the United States after June 12, 2024.
As a result of the court decision, XtendiMax®, Engenia®, and Tavium® products are no longer registered for use in Minnesota in 2025. Minnesota's Pesticide Control Law prohibits the sale, distribution, or use of unregistered pesticides in the state. Violations may result in enforcement actions, including fines and penalties.
Full story.
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