May 12, 2025

Sen. Ricketts discusses farm bill outlook 

From Brownfield 

A U.S. Senator from Nebraska says farm bill work could get pushed back until after the summer.

Republican Pete Ricketts tells Brownfield the current focus is on the reconciliation process.

Full story.

Klobuchar, Smith, Craig press USDA for answers on frozen REAP projects 

From AgWeek

U.S. Senator Tina Smith, D-Minn., Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig, D-Minn., are pressing the Trump Administration about the continued confusion surrounding key clean energy projects that help Minnesota farmers and small businesses lower their costs.

Full story.

US agriculture secretary defends budget cuts, says won't close offices that serve farmers

From Reuters 

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins at a Senate hearing on Tuesday defended downsizing the USDA and potential cuts to international food aid programs, but said the agency does not plan to close any of its 4,500 offices that serve farmers.



Full story.

MN omnibus ag bill activity

View conference committee activity on HF2446/SF2458 - Omnibus Agriculture, Broadband and Rural Development policy and appropriations here. 

Conservation efforts pay off in higher profits for Minnesota farmers: Six years of data highlight positive return on investment for conservation efforts

Farmers enrolled in the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) saw nearly double the profits of non-certified farms, according to recent data from the Minnesota State Agricultural Centers of Excellence.

Full story.

What’s the bigger question: Can the US reduce its reliance on China or can China survive without the US? 

From The Daily Scoop

Agricultural exports to China have shuttered since this tariff tit-for-tat started in April, and as the reality of the Trade War 2.0 plays out, the latest Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor uncovered the potential impact, both positive and negative.

Full story. 

President Trump says trade agreement with UK is great news for American ag 

From Brownfield

President Trump says the trade deal, announced in the Oval Office, is a huge win for American agriculture. “Dramatically increasing access for American beef, ethanol, and virtually all of the products produced by our great farmers,” he says.



Full story.

Economists fear trade war will push agriculture deeper into a recession 

From AgWeb



Agricultural economists are growing even more pessimistic as the latest Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor shows the majority are concerned President Donald Trump’s tough stance on trade could push agriculture deeper into a recession while also giving Brazil more of a competitive edge.

Full story.

DOGE will now approve larger USDA loans 

From DTN Progressive Farmer

More than one-third of USDA farm-loan dollars to farmers -- at least $1.7 billion, based on recent data -- now will need approval not only from the Farm Service Agency but also the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), according to a Reuters report.

Full story.

Bayer appoints new CFO for Crop Science Division 

From CropLife

Bayer has announced that Guru Ramamurthy will become the new Chief Financial Officer for Bayer’s Crop Science division. He will succeed Oliver Rittgen who has decided to pursue a career opportunity outside of Bayer after 25 years with the company. In his current role, Guru Ramamurthy is serving as CFO of Bayer US. The change will become effective as of July 1, 2025.

Full story.

The hidden factors driving fertilizer prices: Beyond the blame on tariffs 

From The Daily Scoop

Looking at the current super cycle in fertilizer price climbs, Josh Linville, vice president of fertilizer at StoneX says you have to go beyond just the Trump administration’s tariff talk to find the root cause.

The global nature of the fertilizer industry is prime to be disrupted by major shifts in trade. And the tariff developments have dogpiled on other factors.

Full story.

Minnesota farmer dials in crop fertility plan 

From Brownfield 



A southeast Minnesota farmer is dialing in his crop fertility plan. 

Ed McNamara of Goodhue says nitrogen continues to provide a good return on investment.

“Where we’re putting a little bit down pre before we hit it with the field cultivator and then come in with a second shot at you know V5.” 

Full story.

New machinery on display at Commodity Classic 

From Midwest Messenger Kansas

Companies shined up their new equipment and displayed their latest models on the Commodity Classic trade show floor in Denver in March. Read for a snapshot of a few new offerings from Commodity Classic exhibitors.



Full story.

Southeast Minnesota nitrogen meeting presentations now available online



A daylong meeting held in Rochester in March focused on nitrates and water quality in Southeast Minnesota and management that affects it. Over 100 individuals attended this meeting to learn about how nitrate moves to water, the age of water resources being monitored, recommended practices for commercial fertilizer and manure, and University of Minnesota research that has informed those recommendations. 

All of the presentations from that day are available on YouTube at z.umn.edu/nitrogen-SE or this link.

U of MN Extension - Minnesota Crop News 

• Weekly Digest - May 8, 2025

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