FIELD TALK FIELD TALK PODCAST Minnesota is one of the nation's leaders in the development and usage of biodiesel. What began as a farmer-led effort to use excess soybean oil has grown into a sustainable industry with expanding potential. Minnesota Soybean's Mike Youngerberg has been a key figure in the growth and development of biodiesel in Minnesota and beyond. He joins us in thie episode to talk about the history and the future of biodiesel.   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 GreenSeam's State of Ag report examines challenges and opportunities in the food and ag sectors. Lynn Ketelsen has more on what's in this year's report.  WATCH NOW Farm News March 23, 2022 DROUGHT BILL MOVES AHEAD The Minnesota Senate Finance Committee approved a drought relieve package that targets $5.5 million to support livestock farmers and $1.5 million for livestock and specialty crop producers. The Minnesota House passed its version earlier this month. Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Peterson says the measure could be on the Senate floor by Thursday and into conference committee next week. Listen MISSISSIPPI RIVER SHIPPING SEASON BEGINS The Motor Vessel W. Red Harris became the first boat to navigate through Lake Pepin to kick off the unofficial start of the 2022 navigation season on the Upper Mississippi River, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Lake Pepin is the last major barrier for vessels reaching the head of the navigation channel in St. Paul. In the last 30 years, the average opening date of the navigation season has been March 20. According to the Army Corps of Engineers, agricultural producers save around $1 per bushel on corn and soybeans by using the river to ship their commodities rather than other transportation methods. The commercial navigation industry estimates an annual average savings of nearly $400 million by using the inland waterways instead of overland shipping methods.  AURI NEW USES FORUM The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) is holding its annual New Uses Forum this week. AURI Executive Director Shannon Schlecht says the event helps bring together people from across the value chain including producers and businesses to showcase innovation in agriculture. It's also an opportunity to connect innovators with sources of capital needed to bring new concepts forward. Schlecht says this year's forum has a focus on sustainability. He says an important outcome of the New Uses Forum is to make connections. Listen RAIN AND SNOW BRING NEEDED MOISTURE Rainfall totals of more than in inch in some areas along with snowfall that topped 8 inches in parts of Minnesota this week brought some needed moisture to dry soils. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, about 34% of the state is abnormally dry, 13% is in moderate drought and almost 6% is in severe drought. Minnesota State Climatologist Pete Boulay says portions of the state remain dry, but the situation is better heading into the 2022 growing season than at the same time last year. Listen WOMEN IN AG DAY U.S. Senators Joni Ernst from Iowa and Tina Smith from Minnesota, both members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, have call for March 24 to be designated as “National Women in Agriculture Day,” honoring the countless women who help agriculture prosper both at home and abroad.  GREENSEAM RELEASES STATE OF AG REPORT GreenSeam has compiled its annual State of Agriculture report based on survey responses and focus group feedback from individuals and ag businesses  across Minnesota. Among the top threats to business growth in the food and ag sector were logistics and transportation issues as well as policy and regulations. Workforce and talent availability were also concerns. Meanwhile, 60 percent of businesses that responded expect growth in 2022 while a third of respondents plan to launch or expand their business.  Workforce challenges remain a concern with employers becoming more creative in how they attract and retain employees. GreenSeam executive director Sam Ziegler says there are increased efforts across Minnesota to train workers for the wide range of opportunities in ag. Listen The full State of Agriculture report is available at GreenSeam.org.  GLOBAL IMPACTS FROM WAR IN UKRAINE The Russian invasion of Ukraine is affecting global markets and food supplies. Ukraine is a large agriculture producer, supplying corn, wheat and sunflower oil to western Europe and India. International ag trade consultant John Baize says most Ukrainian shipping ports are closed and there is uncertainty about whether or not farmers there will be able to plant their crops for the coming year. Listen Ron McDaniel with Abbott Futures says there is evidence hog producers in Italy and Spain are beginning to cull hogs over feed supply concerns. Listen FARM GROUPS RELEASE FEEDING THE ECONOMY REPORT U.S. food and agriculture groups  released the sixth annual Feeding the Economy report which shows that seven percent of the nation's economy and 29 percent of American jobs are linked to the food and agriculture sectors. Amidst the global supply chain and inflation crises, these sectors also exported $182.91 billion worth of goods, helping the U.S. maintain its position as a leading player in global agriculture. In 2021 these sectors contributed a total of $3 trillion to the U.S. economy. The report shows the total food and industry economic impact at $7.43 trillion.  FARM SHARE OF U.S. FOOD DOLLAR ROSE ONE CENT IN 2020 The farm share of the food dollar increased one cent in 2020, according to data from USDA's Economic Research Service. On average, U.S. farmers received 16 cents for farm commodity sales from each consumer dollar spent on domestically produced food in 2020, up from a revised 15 cents in 2019. The one-cent rise is the largest increase in nearly a decade.  PLANTING INTENTIONS REPORT USDA will release its prospective planting report next week. Input costs, fertilizer availability and fallout from the conflict in Ukraine has some farm experts speculating there will be a shift in what crops U.S. farmers plant in 2022. USDA will provide its report on March 31.  Upcoming Events CALENDAR OF EVENTS March 23-24:           AURI New Uses Forum, Minneapolis April 29:                   MARL Program application deadline Farm Fun Fact In honor of March Madness, the New Mexico State Aggies made the men's NCAA basketball tournament in 2022. New Mexico State is one of  five Division I schools to use the Aggies nickname, which is a nod to the school's agricutural roots.