Second Tranche of MFP Payments to Begin Next Week

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U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the second tranche of Market Facilitation Program payments will begin the week before Thanksgiving. Farmers with eligible commodities will receive 25% of the total payment expected in addition to the 50% already received. Perdue was meeting with farm broadcasters at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention today in Kansas City as the news was released. Hear from Perdue in this video and read more.

Severe Drought Reported in Northern ND

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Portions of northern North Dakota have moved into the severe drought. This is the first time this year these counties have been in the D2 or severe drought category. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the northern tier of counties is reporting delayed crop growth, poor pasture conditions and an increase in the culling of cattle herds. The northern half of North Dakota and extreme northwest Minnesota are dealing with abnormally dryness and moderate drought.

Dry Beans Included in New MFP Program

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The new round of trade-related assistance totals $16 billion with $14.5 billion going to Market Facilitation Program payments. Rather than different rates for the various commodities, USDA Undersecretary Bill Northey said farmers will now be paid based on a single county rate. “The team has gone through and looked at the trade damage each county is feeling and we then divide that by the acreage planted within the county and will have a single payment, no matter which of the crops you plant.” This relief strategy is still being reviewed by OMB, but payments will be expedited. “The payments will come out in three different times of the year; we’re looking at a first payment coming out in July or August.” The second payment can be expected in November and the third will come in January. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said payments will likely be front-loaded, coming out shortly after the Farm Service Agency acreage reporting is wrapped up in mid-July. The first tranche of payments are the only ones guaranteed. The second and third tranches will be made if market and trade conditions are warranted.

Thrifty Thursday: Memorial Day Slides

Thrifty Thursday: Make Ahead Memorial Day Sides

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Megan Myrdal with Northarvest Bean Growers Association was part of the Thrifty Thursday segment on North Dakota Today. Black Bean Salsa and Beautiful Bean Salsa were showcased as easy, stress-free recipe options. See the segment online here.

Crop Progress – May 6

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North Dakota farmers made planting progress over the last week, with reports of wheat, corn, canola and other crops being planted. Dry bean plantings are reported at one percent, unchanged from the previous week and near two percent average.
 
Just two days were suitable for fieldwork in Minnesota, but farmers across the state made progress with fertilizer application and planting. A few reports of dry beans going into the ground were received.
 
Farmers ranging from the Pacific Northwest to Michigan have begun the 2019 planting season. USDA is reporting 15 percent of the Montana dry bean crop is planted, compared to six percent one week ago. Wyoming dry bean farmers also began planting with one percent complete.
 
Stay up to date on the latest Crop Progress reports by clicking here.

What Are You Craving?

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The Bean Institute is partnering with NDSU Extension to create two new Instant Pot bean recipes. What recipes would you like to see created?

Sound off on social media using #BeanBallot or email megan@northarvestbean.net by March 15 with your recipe suggestions. After a list has been compiled, there will be a vote for the top two recipes.

USDA Market News

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The weekly USDA Dry Bean, Pea and Lentil market news is reporting grower prices in the Northarvest Region remain unchanged from last week. Pinto prices are at $21 to $22. Dark Red Kidney’s at $35 to $36. Blacks are priced from $25 to $26 and Navy’s are priced from $21 to $22 to the grower. Trading activity was slow with very light demand. Contract product is moving steady.