Entries by Red River Farm Network

Bronaugh to Leave USDA

January 27, 2023 in /by

Deputy Agriculture Secretary Jewell Bronaugh is leaving USDA. Bronaugh released a statement, saying she is stepping away from this role in the coming weeks to spend more time with her family. Bronaugh previously served as Virginia’s agriculture commissioner, as the Farm Service Agency state director and the Dean of the Virginia State University College of […]

Controlling Weeds in Beans

January 27, 2023 in /by

NDSU Extension Weed Specialist Joe Ikley spoke at Northarvest’s Bean Day where he highlighted dry bean weed research. “We looked at registered chemicals in dry beans to control Waterhemp and Palmer Amaranth.” Ikley’s conducted three separate trials with over 16 different treatment options for pre-and post-emergence. Ikley says research shows pre-plant treatments help control weeds […]

Droplet Size is the Missing Piece of the Puzzle

January 27, 2023 in /by

NDSU Extension Plant Pathologist Michael Wunsch says irrigated fields had the most problems with white mold last year. “In my geography, a lot of the dryland producers didn’t seem to have that many problems, but the irrigated producers had a bad year.” The temperature swings that led to 70-degree weather mid-summer boosted white mold growth. […]

MDA Budget Addresses Ag Needs

January 27, 2023 in /by

The governor’s budget includes an additional $117 million over the next four years for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. This proposal includes $4 million for a soil health financial assistance program and $4 million in revolving loans to improve water quality. Deputy Commissioner Andrea Vaubel said additional dollars are being sought to address agricultural emergencies, […]

Fertilizer Fee Increase Proposed

January 27, 2023 in /by

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is seeking an increase in the fertilizer tonnage fee to fund inspections, permitting and nitrogen point source evaluations. The fee would increase from 39 cents per ton to 64 cents. State Representative Bobbie Harder questioned that move. “It can be a struggle to be a farmer with the uncertain times and […]

Fertilizer Price Outlook

January 21, 2023 in /by

A new report from S and P Commodity Insights suggests fertilizer prices will likely remain steady going into the spring season. After a disappointing fall application season, there is more than adequate supplies of phosphate and potash for this spring. Winter-fill programs for ammonia fertilizers were announced and prices reset lower at the end of […]

Farm Lending Rebound

January 21, 2023 in /by

The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City is reporting a gradual increase in farm lending activity. The average size of non-real estate farm loans in the fourth quarter was 20 percent higher than one year ago. Interest rates on non-real estate loans increased an average of 125 basis points from the previous quarter. The report […]

Burgum Disappointed in WOTUS Decision

January 21, 2023 in /by

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum is calling on the Biden administration to withdraw its final Water of the U.S. Rule, warning that the Obama-era regulations will result in more confusion and red tape. North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring concurred, saying the WOTUS rule “will infringe on our state’s sovereignty and will federalize almost all […]