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FIELD TALK

FIELD TALK PODCAST


Programs designed to pay farmers to sequester carbon have proliferated in recent years. Each program has its own features. A unique program called the Soil and Water Outcomes fund operates in several states. Adam Kiel with AgOutcomes explains the program in this Field Talk podcast.   
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Farm News

March 30, 2022
AVIAN INFLUENZA DISCOVERED IN MINNESOTA
H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed in poultry flocks in five Minnesota counties. Minnesota Board of Animal Health Executive Director Dr. Beth Thompson says Minnesota's poultry industry has a robust bird health surveillance system. All turkeys headed to processing are tested prior to being moved. 

Because HPAI is a foreign animal disease, flocks found to be infected are depopulated. Dr. Thompson says because avian influenza is so lethal, flocks are depopulated to try to eliminate the virus, but also to prevent birds from suffering. 
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Avian influenza typically moves with wild bird migrations. So far, nearly 80 flocks in 18 states have been affected. Dr. Thompson reiterates that turkey entering the food supply is safe because sick birds do not enter the system. As will all foods, proper coooking and handling is required. 

EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM DEPLOYED
Governor Tim Walz this week announced the activation of a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) emergency response team in Minnesota to support the state's disease control and containment efforts of H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). HPAI has been confirmed in three poultry flocks in Minnesota.

The USDA emergency team will support the state's Agricultural Incident Management Team that includes experts from the Minnesota Board of Animal Health and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. The team will work alongside animal health officials and producers to respond to the incident, including quarantining the infected flocks, supporting infected-site response activities, engaging in disease surveillance, and coordinating state and federal logistics and finances. The USDA team is expected to be deployed for at least three weeks.

REG UNVEILS BRANDED FUELS
Renewable Energy Group, Inc.  a leading bio-based diesel producer in North America, has introduced a line of branded fuel solutions, EnDura Fuels™. This branded product launch supports Renewable Energy Group’s  efforts to help the transport industry meet its sustainability and business growth objectives. The EnDura Fuels™ line consists of five bio-based diesel fuels including Renewable Energy Group’s newest product, PuriD™, a next-generation biodiesel. In late February, Chevron announced it would purchase REG for $3.15 billion. 
SUPREME COURT TO HEAR PROPOSITION 12 CHALLENGE
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) to California’s Proposition 12, an amendment that bans the sale of pork, eggs, and veal if the animals were bred in conditions that don’t meet the state’s minimum space requirements. The NPPC and AFBF argue Proposition 12 is an unconstitutional state regulation of out-of-state farmers.

Terry Wolters, NPPC president and farmer from Pipestone says he's excited the challenge has reached the Supreme Court level. He says the California measure not only impacts farmers in other states, it affects trade with Canada and Mexico. Listen

Amber Glaeser, public policy director for the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation says it's an incredibly high bar to reach to even get the Supreme Court to hear a case. She says less than one percent of cases actually get heard by the Supreme Court. Glaeser doesn't expect a quick resolution to the case. Listen

PLANTING INTENTIONS REPORT
USDA's estimates of planting intentions for 2022 will be released Thursday, March 31. At the Annual Ag Outlook Forum in late February, USDA released early planting estimates of 92.0 million acres for corn, 88.0 million acres for soybeans and 48.0 million acres for wheat. Sue Martin with Ag and Investment Services in Clarion, Iowa, says grain prices spiked after last year's report. Given the current high prices and global events, she doesn't expect the same thing to happen this year.

ENLIST PRODUCTS REINSTATED
Enlist One and Enlist Duo herbicides are once again legal to use in 2022 in 134 U.S. counties, including 6 in Minnesota, where the products had been banned by EPA. The Enlist products were banned in those counties because of what the agency said were risks to endangered species. Bob Worth, a farmer from Lake Benton and chair of the Minnesota Soybean Drift Task Force applauds the move and also credits the Minnesota Department of Agriculture with going to bat for farmers.  Listen

LFN TOUR DEADLINE APRIL 1
Signup deadline for the Linder Farm Network listener tour to Northern California is April 1. The tour runs June 19-26. Don't miss out, visit Holidayvacations.com.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
April 1:                    Signup deadline for LFN Holiday Vacations tour to Northern California
April 29:                 MARL Program application deadline

Farm Fun Fact

With Major League Baseball's opening day just around the corner, MLB has ranked the most popular foods eaten at ball games. Coming in at number one is soft-serve in a commemorative plastic helmet, followed by pretzels, hot dogs, peanuts and chicken fingers.