*|MC:SUBJECT|*

FIELD TALK

Best wishes for a safe and prosperous New Year!

LFN FIELD TALK PODCAST

The University of Minnesota is kicking off a series of webinars in 2023 as part of their Strategic Farming program. The first session will feature weather and economic forecasts for 2023. Extension Educator Liz Stahl joins the LFN Field Talk podcast to highlight the Strategic Farming program.

LISTEN NOW

LFN VIDEO

December is wrapping up on a mild weather note across much of Minnesota. However, the month included several large snowstorms and a blast of wintry weather. Lynn Ketelsen has more on how this could affect soil moisture and what to expect in the months ahead.

WATCH NOW

Farm News

December 28, 2022

OMNIBUS BILL SIGNED
President Biden has signed the $1.7 trillion omnibus appropriations package passed by Congress. The bill included numerous ag-related components, including the revised Growing Climate Solutions Act which establishes a U.S. Department of Agriculture technical assistance and registration program to assist farmers seeking to take part in voluntary carbon markets.

Also included, the Sponsoring USDA Sustainability Targets in Agriculture to Incentivize Natural Solutions Act, or SUSTAINS Act. The measure also reauthorizes of the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act, or PRIA, which imposes fees for maintenance and registration of active ingredients. The bill provided emergency funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to make necessary repairs and navigation improvements following extreme weather events, including the ongoing issues with low water on the Mississippi River.
The package also includes funding for ag disaster aid, agricultural research and funding for rural broadband.

Roger Bernard, senior policy analyst for IHS Markit says several key pieces of legislation were not in the final version, including year-round E15 and the Farm Worker Modernization Act, which deals with temporary ag worker visas. Listen

KEY TRADE POSITIONS FILLED
Doug McKalip, President Biden’s nominee to serve as Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, has been confirmed to the post. Alexis Taylor has been confirmed as USDA’s Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.

CONGRESS TO RECONVENE
The U.S. Congress will also reconvene January 3 with a host of new members on the agriculture committees. Minnesota Farmers President Gary Wertish says the amount of new members means education will be a priority. Listen

MN SESSION BEGINS JAN. 3
Lawmakers return to St. Paul next week to begin work on the next Minnesota legislative session. The Minnesota House, Senate and the Governor's office are all under Democratic control. The session will be wide ranging, with key issues including decisions on how to handle an estimated $17 billion dollar surplus.

Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation President Dan Glessing says rural vitality and the beginning and emerging farmer tax credits are priority issues for the organization. Listen

ARC/PLC SIGNUP
Farmers have until March to sign up for the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, but Minnesota Farm Service Agency Executive Director Whitney Place encourages farmers to be thinking about which program makes the most sense for their operations. Place says there are resources available to help farmers decide. Listen

ON THE LOOKOUT FOR HPAI
Cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza have continued into the colder winter months in Minnesota. Dr. Erik Jopp with the Minnesota Board of Animal Health says cases of the disease have occurred in December in both farmed flocks and wild populations. Dr. Jopp says it wouldn't be surprising to have additional cases pop up through the winter months. Listen

PROP 12 ENFORCEMENT DELAYED
Enforcement of California's Proposition 12 has been delayed until July 1, 2023, which will give the Supreme Court more time to consider the controversial animal welfare law. Arguments on the case were heard at the Supreme Court in October, but the justices have yet to rule on the constitutionality of Prop 12, which seeks to dictate how animals must be raised in order for their products to be sold into California. National Pork Producers Council President and Pipestone, Minnesota farmer Terry Wolters says that's good news for livestock producers as they await the high court ruling. Listen

RESLER REFLECTS ON FIRST
SIX MONTHS
After more than 13 years with the organization, Jill Resler was named CEO of Minnesota Pork in June. Resler says she remains humbled by the confidence the state's pork producers have placed in her to lead the organization. Listen

NCGA CEO DEPARTING
Long time National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) CEO Jon Doggett is stepping away from the role after a 35-year career as a lobbyist and chief executive for the organization. He will leave the NCGA at the end of December.

“Anyone who knows anything about agriculture and Washington knows that Jon is one of the best lobbyists and leaders in the city,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “He has left his mark through tremendous policy accomplishments, such as the passage of the Renewable Fuels Standard and through his mentorship of up-and-coming lobbyists and leaders in Washington.”

LAND VALUES STAY STRONG
Chuck Wingert with Hertz Farm Management in Mankato says farmland values remain strong across the region. Sale prices for quality farmland continue to average between $10,500 and $12.500 per acre. Wingert says it remains to be seen how higher input costs and rising interest rates impact future land sales. Listen

RENTAL WORKSHOPS CONTINUE
Farmland rental rate workshops will continue at several locations and online in the new year. The sessions are designed to help farmers and landowners better understand what makes a fair rental rate. Dave Bau, University of MInnesota Extension Farm Business Management instructor says there is a range of rental rates across Minnesota. Listen

Information on future on-site and virtual workshops is available here.

WARM END TO 2022
Mild temperatures are expected to last through the remainder of 2022 with high temperatures primarily reaching the mid-20s to mid-30s. A storm system early next week could cool things off, but DTN Meteorologist John Baranick expects mild conditions to prevail through early 2023.
Listen

FFA GROWTH
Minnesota FFA is experiencing unprecedented growth in the number of schools offering Ag, Food and Natural Resources and FFA programs to their students. Twenty new programs have been added in the past three years, bringing the number of Minnesota schools that offer AFNR/FFA programs to more than 210. More than a dozen schools are working to add an AFNR/FFA program for the upcoming school year. FFA Foundation Executive Director Val Aarsvold says more than 40,000 students now take part in FFA programs. Listen

Upcoming Events

Jan. 3 Minnesota Legislative Session begins, St. Paul

Jan. 6-11 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Jan. 11 UMN Strategic Farming Webinar

Jan. 18-19 MN Ag Expo, Mankat0

Feb. 7 Nitrogen Conference, Mankato

Farm Fun Fact

New Year's traditions take many forms around the world, some include agriculture. In Spain, you'll have good luck for the year ahead if you eat 12 grapes at midnight, one for each stroke of the clock.