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LFN FIELD TALK PODCAST
Minnesota soybean farmers contribute to the soybean checkoff, which works to develop markets and support research efforts to enhance soybean productivity and profitability. The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council is made up of elected farmers who direct the investment of those funds. Gail Donkers of Faribault is one of those grower leaders. She joins this Field Talk podcast.
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LFN VIDEO
Electric vehicles are being heavily promoted and developed as the push is on for lower carbon emissions. One of the shortcomings of EVs, especially in cold climates, is battery range. Research at the University of Minnesota and supported by Minnesota corn farmers, is examining how ethanol could be a viable partner to help extend the range of electric vehicles.
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Farm News
February 15, 2023
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TWIST IN MEXICO GMO BAN
Mexico officials issued a new decree on Monday calling for a ban on imports of biotech corn used for certain purposes, effective February 14. The decree also indicated the government would continue to allow imports of biotech corn used as animal feed while exploring substitutes. National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Tom Haag of Eden Valley says Mexico's actions were a surprise and go against the rules of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement and could result in legal challenges. Listen
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador initiated a decree in late 2020 that would ban imports of biotech corn effective January 31, 2024. The Biden administration and Congress have worked closely with Mexican officials over the last several months to head off the ban, which NCGA contends would be catastrophic for American corn growers and the Mexican people, who depend on corn as a major staple of their food supply.
TESTIFYING FOR FUELING INFRASTRUCTURE
Minnesota Corn Growers Association President Richard Syverson testified at a Senate Ag Committee hearing this week on a bill that would allocate funding for ethanol infrastructure. The funds would be used to help fueling stations upgrade their equipment to handle higher blends of ethanol. Syverson says stations that offer higher blends, including E15, get a positive response from their customers. Listen
ETHANOL GAINS MARKET SHARE
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators and representatives is urging the Biden administration to quickly approve a petition from Midwest governors to allow year round sales of E15 in their states. Ron Lamberty with the American Coalition for Ethanol says there is hope lawmakers will approve a year-round bill. In the meantime, Lamberty says that because gas prices have risen again the past months, ethanol is gaining market share.
MN SOYBEAN PROMOTES FUNDING FOR PORT OF DULUTH
The Minnesota Soybean Growers Association is pushing for some of the state's projected budget surplus to be used to make the Port of Duluth a more attractive option for exporting Minnesota soybeans and corn to Europe. MSGA President Bob Worth says the organization is optimistic there could be funds given to the Department of Agriculture to help make that happen. Listen
WEAKENING LA NINA
The La Nina weather pattern is weakening, according to USDA Midwest Climate Hub Director Dr. Dennis Todey. Todey says that means slightly increased chances for precipitation in March, April and May, which would be helpful as most areas of Minnesota need the soil moisture. Listen
USDA SURVEYS OUT THIS WEEK
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service NASS will mail surveys to 3,000 Minnesota producers this week, asking growers to provide information about the types of crops they intend to plant in 2023, how many acres they intend to plant, and the amounts of grain and oilseed they store on their farms. This information will be used as the foundation for USDA’s Prospective Plantings report.
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PORK CONGRESS NEXT WEEK
Minnesota hog farmers and industry representatives will gather in Mankato next week for the 2023 Minnesota Pork Congress. The event will feature a trade show and educational sessions addressing issues like risk management, labor and feral pig management. Minnesota Pork CEO Jill Resler says there will also be a sustainability session that features a panel that includes a farmer and a representative from McDonalds. Listen
Pork Congress will be held at the Mayo Health Systems Event Center in Mankato February 21 and 22.
PORK ECONOMIC UPDATE
The National Pork Producers Council released its quarterly economic update. Holly Cook, a staff economist with the NPPC says the report provides a snapshot of current challenges and opportunities in the pork industry. The report covers several important topics, including consumer demand, pork production, labor market issues, and input costs. Cook says the report also looks at the positive ripple effect that the pork industry has on various sectors of the economy. While demand for pork has been strong, Cook sees challenges ahead. Listen
2022 PORK EXPORTS STRONG
Exports of pork and pork products surpassed $7.6 billion dollars and 2.6 million metric tons last year according to the National Pork Producers Council. Those exports added $61.26 to the value of each hog marketed and represented 27.5% of production.
Pork exports finished 2022 on an upward trajectory. Year-end export data was a decrease compared to 2021, which was a record year, of 8.5% in volume and 5% in value.
U of M RESEARCHERS BATTLE AFRICAN SWINE FEVER
University of Minnesota researchers recently led successful efforts to work on African swine fever virus (ASFV) and developed and validated a surrogate virus for ASFV, a disease that has devastated pig populations and pork production in countries around the world.
The U of M was one of only a handful of facilities in the U.S. to have access to the highly contagious ASFV. The lab’s work represents a major breakthrough in efforts to develop effective mitigation strategies to control ASFV and keep it from entering North America. In addition to working directly on ASFV, a surrogate virus similar to ASFV was proposed and developed. It can safely be used in field studies to help scientists understand more about how the virus is transmitted in real-world conditions, and what strategies are effective to prevent its spread.
USDA AG OUTLOOK FORUM
The 2023 USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum will be held February 23-24. The event is held in-person, but all sessions will be livestreamed on a virtual platform. The event includes a wide range of topics, including USDA’s initial forecast for the agricultural economy, commodity markets, and trade in 2023 and the U.S. farm income situation. Market analyst Dale Durchholz says the initial planting forecast from USDA can't be discounted. Durchholz estimates USDA will put corn acreage for 2023 in the 90 million acre range and soybeans around 88 million acres. Listen
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Upcoming Events
Feb. 16 South Central College Ag Symposium,, North Mankato
Feb. 21-22 Minnesota Pork Congress, Mankato
Feb. 23-24 USDA Ag Outlook Forum
Feb. 27 Soybean Gall Midge Research Update webinar
Mar. 9-11 Commodity Classic, Orlando
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Roses remain a staple gift for Valentine's Day. Approximately 224 million roses are grown just to meet holiday demand. Red roses are the most commonly purchased.
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