Farm News
November 16, 2022
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ASSESSING ELECTION IMPACTS
More than a week after election day, not all races for Congress or the U.S. Senate have been decided. However, agriculture groups are in the process of assessing likely changes the leadership and the makeup of important committees. With new faces in important places, groups will be working to connect with current and new lawmakers, especially as discussions on a 2023 Farm Bill ramp up.
Compeer Financial Vice President of Legislative Affairs Perry Aasness for says access to capital for farmers and rural communities will be among the issues Compeer will be tracking. Listen
MINNESOTA SESSION INSIGHTS
Democrats now have the majority in the Minnesota House and Senate heading into the 93rd Minnesota Legislative Session. Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen says agriculture committees in the state have had a long history of bipartisanship, which he expects to continue. However, there will be no shortage of issues to address when the session begins in January. Listen
KLOBUCHAR IDENDTIFIES PRIORITIES
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar has outlined her priority issues for the coming year. Sen. Klobuchar was guest speaker at the Ag & Food Summit. She says the Farm Bill, infrastructure and broadband access, trade opportunities, rising costs, and access to housing, child care and workforce development in rural areas top her agenda. Sen. Klobuchar says she hopes to keep what's good in the current Farm Bill in place in any new legislation while adding more to combat animal diseases. Listen
POSSIBLE RAIL STRIKE DELAYED
The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division, the third largest rail union in the country, announced the extension of its status quo period during which the union wants to continue negotiations with the freight rail carriers. The BMWED pushed its cooling off period from Nov. 19 to Dec. 4, the same date on which the Brotherhood of Signalmen Union (BRS) — the other rail union to reject the proposed deal with railroad management recommended by the Biden administration — status quo period ends. Meanwhile, two major rail unions are set to vote on ratifying the deal on Nov. 21: The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the Smart Transportation Division.
The extended status quo period means any stoppage of hazardous material shipments (like fertilizer) will be delayed until the end of the month, and Congress has more time to prepare for possible intervention after returning from the election recess. Many U.S. agriculture groups are urging Congress and the Biden administration to act to prevent a strike because of potentially damaging ramifications.
ETHANOL INDUSTRY WATCHING RAIL SITUATION CLOSELY
Many people in the ethanol industry are monitoring the potential rail strike closely. Geoff Cooper, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association says more than 70% of the nation's ethanol supply is shipped by rail. He says most ethanol plants have 7-10 days of storage. If a rail strike disrupts the ability for plants to ship product, Cooper says it would have potentially devastating effects on the ethanol industry. Listen
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MEXICO GMO BAN A PRIORITY ISSUE FOR CORN INDUSTRY
Mexico's pending ban on GMO corn is a primary concern for the nation's corn farmers. Mexico, one of the top importers of U.S. corn, will no longer import GMO corn in 2024. National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President and Eden Valley, Minnesota farmer Tom Haag says addressing the possible ban is a priority issue for the NCGA. Listen
FARMLAND RENT WORKSHOPS
Even with rising fertilizer prices, land rent remains the highest input cost for many farmers. The University of Minnesota Extension is holding a series of workshops from now through February, both in-person and virtually to help farmers and landowners determine a fair rental rate. Information on the dates and locations of these workshops is available here.
RURAL FORUM SET
The 39th annual GreenSeam Rural Forum is scheduled for Thursday, December 1, 2022 at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center in Mankato. This event connects public leaders and a wide range of attendees from the agricultural sector, such as producers, manufacturers, educators, researchers, and more, according to GreenSeam Executive Director Sam Ziegler. Listen
More information on the Rural Forum is available here.
SPRONK USMEF CHAIR-ELECT
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Strategic Planning Conference wrapped up last week in Oklahoma City with the election of a new officer team. Dean Meyer, a corn, soybean and livestock producer from Rock Rapids, Iowa, is the new USMEF chair. Minnesota pork producer Randy Spronk will serve as USMEF chair-elect. .
SCHLOSSER NEW MARL EXEC
Brad Schloesser has been named the next Executive Director of the Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership Program (MARL) at Southwest Minnesota State University. Schloesser had served as Dean of Agriculture at South Central College in North Mankato & Faribault as well as the first director of the Minnesota State Southern Agricultural Center of Excellence. Schloesser taught post-secondary agriculture for two decades as is an alumnus of the MARL program..
MSRPC DONATES BIN RESCUE EQUIPMENT
The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSRPC) has donated aluminum grain bin rescue tubes and augers to five first responder groups across Minnesota. More than 50 groups were nominated to receive the equipment which is designed to help extract individuals who may become trapped by grain. The MSRPC awarded the equipment to first responders in Ghent, Lewisville, Currie, St. Martin and Hallock. MSRPC chair Joe Serbus says the equipment is intended to help buy time for first responders. Listen
LFN LISTENER TOUR
The Linder Farm Network is once again partnering with Holiday Vacations to offer an exciting trip to the Pacific Northwest and the Canadian Rockies. Join Dan Lemke and his wife Jackie on this once in a lifetime excursion July 15-24. Click on the photo below for more information.
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Upcoming Events
Nov. 17-19 Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting, Bloomington
Nov. 18-20 Minnesota Farmers Union State Convention, Minneapolis
Dec. 1 GreenSeam Rural Forum, Mankato
Dec. 9-10 Minnesota Cattle Industry Convention, Willmar
Dec. 15-16 Soil Management Summit, St. Cloud
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Americans are projected to spend $1.1 billion on turkey for Thanksgiving dinner in 2022, with the USDA estimating 46 million birds will be consumed. An estimated 293 million Americans will have turkey on the menu Thanksgiving Day.
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