October 14, 2024

Short Course session to focus on retailer’s place in climate-smart ag

As more and more focus shifts to climate-smart agriculture, what does that mean for the ag industry as a whole? The Minnesota Crop Production Retailers (MCPR) hopes to answer some of those questions during a panel session at this year’s CPM Short Course and MCPR Trade Show Dec. 10-12 at the Minneapolis Hilton hotel.

The session called “Soil Health and Climate Smart Ag: What’s in it for me?” will feature a five-member panel made up of experts from both the private and public sector and will be moderated by Peter Mead, agricultural project manager with The Nature Conservancy.

MCPR board director nomination period now open

MCPR is seeking candidates to run for the board of directors.

Serving on the MCPR Board is not just a responsibility, but a rewarding opportunity to advocate on behalf of agriculture and the issues that are important to MCPR members. It's a chance to be part of key discussions about the future of ag retail in Minnesota and to expand your network of professional contacts.

There are five seats up for election in 2025, including District 2 Director, District 4 Director, Custom Applicator, Technology Rep and an at At-large position. Elected leaders would serve a three-year term. If you are interested in a District 2 & 4 seat, view the district map to determine which zone best fits based on your coop’s location.

Interested individuals must complete the candidate questionnaire by Nov. 1: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/23KXDF6

Elections will be completed by electronic voting. Ballots will be emailed to MCPR members on Nov. 15, with ballots due by 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2. The key contacts in our database for each member organization will receive a ballot form they can use to cast their votes. If your coop has multiple locations, each location with a paid membership will be eligible to vote.

Please contact Nominations Committee Chair Arnie Sinclair at arnie.sinclair@titanmachinery.com with questions on running for the board.

Minnesota farmers weigh Harris and Trump on ag policy

From Twin Cities Business

Gov. Tim Walz was picked as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate for many reasons — among them his rural roots, which Democrats hope will help erase a deficit the party has in farm country.

That may or may not occur. The nation’s farmers, many hurt by floods or drought this year, as well as falling prices for their commodities, have steadily leaned toward the Republican Party. An April poll by the Rural Democracy Initiative showed that 46% of rural respondents said they were Republicans, 29% identified as independents and only 25% claimed they were Democrats.

Harris signals fight with Congress over agenda in ’60 Minutes’ interview

From Roll Call

Vice President Kamala Harris expressed confidence in an interview that aired Monday night that she could get her agenda through Congress, though she signaled a fight with lawmakers over how to pay for it.

Klobuchar visits farm of MCGA grower-leader

From Minnesota Corn

On Oct. 7 U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar spent time at the family farm of MCGA board member and Past National Corn Growers Association President Harold Wolle in Madelia. MCGA thanks Senator Klobuchar for her continued support of Minnesota's family corn farmers!

15% of corn, 68% of soybeans harvested in MN

From Brownfield

The warm, dry conditions helped farmers advance corn harvest in Minnesota.

USDA says 15% of the corn has been harvested with moisture at 19% and silage harvest 92% complete. Minnesota’s soybean harvest is 68% complete, ahead of last year and the average.

2025 corn considerations

From Brownfield

Many corn farmers are preparing for tighter balance sheets in 2025.

University of Minnesota Extension agronomist Jeff Coulter says fertilizer and crop protection products should be scrutinized.

“We can think about what are the inputs that are essential and how to make the best of those, and also being timely with our agronomic practices.”

Hurricanes deliver one-two punch to Florida phosphate production

From Brownfield

Hurricanes Helene and Milton have delivered a one-two punch to fertilizer production in the southern U.S.

Stone X vice president of fertilizer Josh Linville says the phosphate market has been hit back-to-back.

Middle East conflict affecting fertilizer markets

From American Ag Network

Farmdoc from the University of Illinois says the ag sector is closely watching the fertilizer markets this week because of the ongoing war in the Middle East. Following months of tight supplies, global nitrogen values started rising last week.

5 ways to prioritize fertilizer dollars

From The Daily Scoop

All substance and no flash might best describe the fertilizer strategy Clark Riemer is banking on to fuel his 2025 corn crop.

If a nutrient or supporting input won’t pay its way next season, Riemer has already eliminated it from his budget. The harder decisions, he says, have been around figuring out what the corn crop absolutely has to have nutrient-wise to reach his yield goals with some potential for a return on investment.

U.S. agriculture faces growing trade deficit, USDA projects a record ag trade deficit in 2024

From The Daily Scoop

U.S. agricultural exports were at $13.01 billion in August, essentially unchanged from July, against imports of $17.19 billion, which were down 2% from July, resulting in a monthly trade deficit of $4.18 billion.

So far in fiscal year 2024, exports total $161.3 billion compared to imports of $188.82 billion, creating a cumulative deficit of $27.52 billion. The sector has recorded monthly deficits in 10 out of 11 months in FY 2024, with three months seeing deficits of $4 billion or more and eight months with a deficit of $1 billion or more.

CPDA: What EPA’s final herbicide strategy means for farmers, retailers

From Crop Life

Recently, CropLife® checked in with Scott Rawlins, Director of Government Relations for the Council of Producers and Distributors of Agrochemicals (CPDA), on the EPA’s final Herbicide Strategy.

The Herbicide Strategy is the most significant portion of EPA’s Endangered Species Act (ESA) strategy simply because herbicides represent the bulk of overall pesticide use. A vast majority of farmers use herbicides, so most operations will face ESA-imposed restrictions.

Best nitrogen practices: It depends

From Farm Progress

Right rate and right time are challenging when it comes to nitrogen application. What form and how to apply it also matters.

Even when you do everything “right,” weather conditions can wreak havoc. This past growing season served as a harsh reminder.

In recent years nitrogen practices have come under increased scrutiny, especially in vulnerable groundwater areas. But nitrogen needs to be managed better everywhere it is applied. Losses, whether to the atmosphere or to water, are concerning — and we need to do better.

Aerial WeedScout: The next-generation targeted spray solution overcoming on-machine sensing challenges

From Farm Progress

Farmers today are grappling with rising herbicide costs, mounting regulatory pressures, and the relentless challenge of herbicide resistance. Traditional methods are becoming less viable, amplifying the need for innovative solutions. Our market research shows that 3 out of 4 farmers are interested in targeted spray solutions. However, adoption has been slow due to the significant up-front costs of on-machine sensing solutions, the slow speed of operation, and the inability to fully realize savings without pre-application field insights. Enter Aerial WeedScout—the next-generation targeted spray solution.

MSU Mankato launches new applied ag school, partnership with South Central College

From MPR News

Minnesota State University, Mankato announced the launch of the new School of Applied Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.

MSU Mankato Provost David Hood called it a “a once-in-a-generation development” during Monday’s announcement.

Syngenta group adds cutting-edge GenAI to Cropwise

Syngenta Group, a global leader in agricultural innovation, has announced the launch of Cropwise AI at the World AgriTech Innovation Summit in London.

Cropwise AI is a cutting-edge GenAI system designed to increase the efficiency of agronomic advisors and growers to determine the best crop management practices. Leveraging advanced machine learning algorithms and data analytics, Cropwise AI empowers growers with deep insights and enhanced decision-making capabilities to optimize crop yields, improve sustainability, and drive profitability.

Land O’Lakes brings ‘farmcore’ fashion to the runway in Paris (Wisconsin)

To stand out in the dairy aisle, Land O’Lakes is hitting the runway.

The national butter brand recently staged a fashion show in Paris, Wis., featuring models in field-worn jackets, jeans and overalls — sourced from the cooperative’s farmers — in an ad campaign meant to “bring the farmcore aesthetic to life,” said Chief Marketing Officer Heather Malenshek.

U of MN Extension - Minnesota Crop News

Weekly Digest - October 7, 2024

EPA releases pesticide and endangered species educational resources toolbox

The Pesticide and Endangered Species Educational Resources Toolbox catalogs educational resources including guidance documents, handouts, presentations, informational webinars, and other resources relating to EPA’s endangered species work. EPA developed the materials in this toolbox for a variety of stakeholders who may have differing levels of knowledge about EPA’s efforts to protect listed species. For example, crop consultants, retailers, extension agents, and others, may use these materials to educate growers and applicators on the Endangered Species Act strategies or mitigation measures they may see on product labels.

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