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REGISTER TODAY! MCPR Day on the Hill - March 11, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.
We are excited to host our MCPR Day on the Hill. We have booked the 5th Floor Conference Room of the Veterans Building, conveniently located on the Capitol Complex with a great view overlooking the State Capitol Building.
A bipartisan group of key legislators from both the House and Senate are scheduled to join to provide updates and discuss MCPR’s priorities. We also encourage attendees to schedule individual meetings with their representatives.
Please register using the link provided below or send a note to Lee Helgen at lee@mcpr-cca.org. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Register.
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MCPR members join Agricultural Retailers Association Legislative Fly-in
MCPR members joined the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) in Washington, D.C. for the annual Legislative Fly-in and Congressional visits Feb. 24-25. The ARA team did a fantastic job of preparing individuals from across the country to make visits with over 130 visits to Congressional offices. The Minnesota delegation met in-person with Rep. Fischbach, Rep. Finstad, and Rep. Craig, Ranking Member of the House Ag Committee. The group also met with key Congressional staff from offices of Sen. Klobuchar, Ranking Member of the Senate Ag Committee, and Sen. Smith, as well as the offices of Rep. Emmer, Rep. Stauber and Rep McCollum.
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ARA Legislator of the Year Award: Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson
From the Scoop
For his support of ag retailers, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pa.) has received one of ARA’s annual Legislator of the Year awards.
“Rep. Thompson’s leadership has promoted policies that help to protect ARA member companies’ freedom to operate profitably as they deliver essential services and products to their farmer customers when they need it,” says ARA president & CEO Daren Coppock.
Full story.
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GOP budget adopted in House after late arm-twisting
From Roll Call
House Republican leaders rammed through their framework for a “big, beautiful” budget package Tuesday night after they initially couldn’t muster the votes, only to pull a last-minute switcheroo and start the roll call as Democrats who’d already started leaving the Capitol cried foul.
It was a major victory for Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who’s struggled to unite the conservative and centrist factions of his conference to rally around a budget reconciliation process that could deliver much of President Donald Trump’s agenda without the risk of a Senate Democratic filibuster.
Full story.
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Trump plans tariffs on Mexico and Canada for Tuesday, while doubling existing 10% tariffs on China
From AP
President Donald Trump plans to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting Tuesday, in addition to doubling the 10% universal tariff charged on imports from China.
In a Truth Social post Thursday, Trump said illicit drugs such as fentanyl are being smuggled into the United States at “unacceptable levels” and that import taxes would force other countries to crack down on the trafficking.
Full story.
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Farm groups appeal to Senators for H-2A relief
From Successful Farming
Farm groups appealed to the Senate Agriculture Committee on Wednesday for reforms to the H-2A visa program, which allows agricultural employers to hire foreign workers to fill temporary jobs.
“We are desperate for relief,” said Anna Rhinewalt, a sweet potato farmer and council member of the Mississippi Farm Bureau, during a hearing on the farm economy.
Full story.
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Trump Administration announces $1 billion to combat Avian Flu and soaring egg prices
From Farm Journal
The Trump administration is investing up to $1 billion in new funding to combat impacts of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and soaring egg prices.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins in the Wall Street Journal said, “There’s no silver bullet to eradicating avian flu.” She laid out a five-point plan to address the situation.
Full story.
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USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins provides timing update on $10 billion in emergency relief payments
From The Scoop
Time is running out for USDA to issue the nearly $10 billion of economic relief payments to farmers. Congress approved a 90-day window to release those payments, and in an exclusive interview with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins Thursday morning, we asked when exactly those payments will be released. Rollins confirmed to Farm Journal that those payments will be released before the current deadline.
Full story.
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Ranking Members calling for more support for rural America
From Brownfield
Two Minnesota Democratic members of Congress are concerned about how farmers can navigate the current ag economy without a bipartisan farm bill.
Angie Craig is the Ranking Member of the House Ag Committee.
“216 farms filed for Chapter 12 bankruptcy last year, that a 55% increase,” she says. “The uncertainty that we’re experiencing in America right now and in ag country is leading to additional challenges.”
Full story.
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MCPR 4R bill introduced in MN House and Senate
The MCPR 4R bill was introduced in the Minnesota House of Representatives by Rep. Harder-R, Rep. Paul Anderson - R, Rep. Burkel - R and by Sen. Kupec – D, Sen. Putnam – D in the Senate. The bill provides an incentive structure for ag retailers to become 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certified and continue to advance 4R nutrient management practices. It is anticipated that an initial committee hearing on the bill will be scheduled in the coming weeks.
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H. F. 1524,| S.F. No. 1840 A bill for an act relating to agriculture; establishing a grant program to promote certain nutrient management practices; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 17.
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Importance of working with a crop nutrition expert
From Brownfield Ag News
In challenging economic times, basing fertilizer decisions off a current soil test is even more important. In this episode, Stephanie Zelinko, national agronomist with AgroLiquid shares why working with a crop nutrition expert can help farmers spend fertilizer dollars efficiently.
Listen here.
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Fertilizer mixing and blending: Demand for greater precision and efficiency highlight advancements in today's systems
From CropLife
Mixing and blending systems are important for growers. But they’re critical tools for retailers looking to maximize the company’s success.
“The ag retail community is easily the largest user of mixing and blending systems in the marketplace,” says Nate Wittmaack, President and Chief Operating Officer, Ranco Fertiservice, Inc. “Ag retail drives 75% to 90% of demand in this segment.”
Full story.
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Interoperability Is key to future developments in ag technology
From CropLife
On February 4, Topcon Positioning Group held a roundtable discussion on the topic of precision agriculture. This included several individuals from the company and Curt Blades, Senior Vice President of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).
According to Douglas Schmuland, Senior Director – Global OEM Coordinator for Topcon, better communication is the key for “smart” ag technology systems going forward.
Full story.
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CoBank projecting large increase in U.S. corn acreage
From Brownfield Ag News
A recent survey shows U.S. farmers are projected to increase the amount of corn acreage planted this spring.
CoBank grains and oilseeds economist Tanner Ehmke tells Brownfield there are several trends favoring corn.
Full story.
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John Deere details model year 2026 updates, new machine capabilities and technology features
From Farm Journal
John Deere announces a suite of equipment and technology upgrades and new features across its portfolio of machines. Some of the updates are exclusive to model year 2026 machines, and some are available as retrofit options or upgrades for new and/or older John Deere machines.
Full story.
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ARA updates the model fertilizer contract to address any Trump tariffs
To get ahead of any price volatility in fertilizer markets that may result from tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on imported fertilizer from certain countries, ARA released an updated Model Fertilizer Contract to offer ag retailers maximum flexibility with their buyer customers after the signing of the fertilizer contract between the buyer and seller.
ARA developed and updated the Model Fertilizer Contract with ARA member Faegre Drinker to empower the ag retail industry to better manage risk, collect e-signatures, and outline consistent terms and conditions for dealing with fertilizer suppliers or customers. The modified language is under the Price Exclusions section.
Download the public, non-customizable version here.
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ARA Resource Library
Browse the ARA Resource Library below to find helpful guides, safety tips, model contracts and other industry-relevant information to increase your company's competitive edge.
To access the full ARA Member Resource Library, join today! Already a member? Log in to access the full ARA Member Resource Library.
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ARA updates the model fertilizer contract to address any Trump tariffs
From The Fertilizer Institute
The 4R Advocate Program has recognized agricultural producers and retailers, 120 farmers and agricultural retailers who manage over 290,000 acres in 25 states. These forward-thinking individuals champion sound nutrient stewardship to their fellow growers, policymakers and the media.
Apply to become a 4R Advocate by March 17 to join the movement for sustainable agriculture.
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