FIELD TALK FIELD TALK PODCAST Candidates are lining up for numerous local, state and federal elections. Even though the 2022 election is still months away, candidates are working to get voters familiar with their positions. Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Dr. Scott Jensen and his running mate Matt Birk have hit the ground running with stops that included a visit with Lynn Ketelsen.  LISTEN NOW FOLLOW LFN HERE LFN on F A C E B O O K LFN on T W I T T E R LFN on YouTube LFN VIDEOS Commodity groups, farm organizations and agribusinesses everywhere strive to cultivate markets for their products. Since many ag commodities go overseas, what happens halfway across the world can be felt at the farm gate. A regional trade school in Alexandria aimed to drive home the importance of trade.  WATCH NOW Farm News March 16, 2022 MINNESOTANS TAKE PORK LEADERSHIP ROLES Leadership at the National Pork Producer's Council (NPPC) has a decidedly Minnesota flavor. Terry Wolters of Pipestone, Minnesota, was elevated to president of the organization for 2022-2023. Wolters owns Stoney Creek Farms and is a partner in the Pipestone System. He also is a member of Wholestone Farms and is active in the Pipestone County Pork Producers Association, Minnesota Pork Producers Association, and the Minnesota Farm Bureau. Wolters is chairman of NPPC’s Animal Health Food Security Policy Committee. Long time swine industry advocate Lori Stevermer of Easton, Minnesota was elected vice president. Stevermer is co-owner of Trail’s End Farm and has served on the executive board of the Minnesota Pork Producers Association. Steve Malakowsky of Wells, Minnesota, with Compeer Financial, was elected to a two-year term as the allied industry representative.  PORK CHECKOFF REDUCED Delegates to the National Pork Industry Forum approved a change in the mandatory Pork Checkoff rate. The current rate of $0.40/$100 value per live animal will change to $0.35/$100 effective Jan.1, 2023. This represents a 12.5% reduction in the Checkoff rate. MINNESOTA DICAMBA RESTRICTIONS ANNOUNCED The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given approval to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) state-specific use restrictions for three dicamba herbicide products during the 2022 growing season in Minnesota. The restrictions are aimed at curbing off-site movement of the products. Restrictions include an application cutoff date of June 12 south of Interstate 94 and June 30 north of I-94. Application cannot be made if the temperature in the field at the time of application is above 85 degrees or if the National Weather Service forecast high for the nearest available location exceeds 85 degrees.  MDA received more than 300 dicamba drift complaints in 2021. Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner says the restrictions may make it hard for some farmers to use dicamba, but the steps were necessary to keep the product available. Listen COMMODITY CLASSIC WRAP UP Minnesota farmers were well represented at the recently completed Commodity Classic in New Orleans. Caucuses and resolution meetings were held for National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG),  National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and the American Soybean Association (ASA)..  Among the key issues pushed by Minnesota farmers and the NCGA is E15. Pope County farmer and MCGA director Richard Syverson says several resolutions were passed in support of ethanol infrastructure and year-round E!5 use. Listen The 2023 Farm Bill, the Renewable Fuel Standard and right to repair were topics discussed by Minnesota soybean farmers and the ASA during delegate sessions.  WORTH RECOGNIZED BY ASA ASA honored Lake Benton, Minnesota farmer Bob Worth with its Outstanding State Volunteer Award at the ASA annual banquet during the 2022 Commodity Classic in New Orleans.  The Outstanding Volunteer Award recognizes the dedication and exemplary contributions of volunteers with at least three years of volunteer service in any area of their state association operation.  Worth has been a member and volunteer of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association for more than 25 years, serving in various roles, including president, secretary and treasurer. He’s currently vice president of MSGA and chair of their membership team. SOYBEAN FARMER TRAVELS TO THAILAND AND PHILIPPINES Benson farmer Patrick O'Leary recently returned from a trade visit to Thailand and the Philippines, the first such visit for a Minnesota soybean farmer since the COVID outbreak. O'Leary says the thrust of the mission was to re-establish connections with customers and lay the groundwork for possible future trade team visits to support current customers and develop new buyers for Minnesota beans.  TRADE SCHOOL The Minnesota Corn Growers Association, North Dakota Corn Council, U.S. Grains Council and the Northern Crops Institute held a one-day regional trade school in Alexandria March 16 to help farmers better understand the importance of trade and what goes into successful agreements. U.S. Grains Council chair and Kandiyohi County farmer Chad Willis says global events like the Russian invasion of Ukraine underscore how actions around the world can influence market opportunities. Listen AVIAN INFLUENZA THREAT SPREADS Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has now been detected in a poultry flock in Wisconsin. Outbreaks have now been detected all around, but not in Minnesota. MDA Commissioner Thom Peterson says farmers with flocks of all sizes need to stay vigilant. Listen  Upcoming Events CALENDAR OF EVENTS March 17-19:            North American Farm & Power Show, Owatonna March 22:                 National Ag Day March 23-24:           AURI New Uses Forum, Minneapolis Farm Fun Fact March can be a very fickle month. While Minnesota is currently enjoying a mild stretch of weather, March 1965 proved to be the snowiest single month on record with 66 inches recorded at Collegeville, Minnesota.