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FIELD TALK

FIELD TALK PODCAST


Soybeans are one of Minnesota's most important crops. Used for everything from livestock feed and biodiesel to food and even tires, global demand is strong. Farm leaders, researchers and industry representatives will gather next week for the Future of Soybeans event designed to identify future needs and to consider the next big thing for soybeans. 
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LFN VIDEO


Checkoff investment has led to the development of new soybean uses and the establishment of global markets. In order to keep building demand and to see identify future opportunities, Minnesota soybean industry leaders will be holding the Future of Soybeans event. Find out more about this event in this week's Linder Farm Network video. 
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Farm News

July 13, 2022
DROUGHT RELIEF APPLICATION
Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Commissioner Thom Peterson says the MDA has received about 3,000 applications for drought relief through the 2021 Agricultural Drought Relief Program (ADRoP). The Minnesota Legislature appropriated $8.1 million for ADRoP, which will reimburse farm operators for drought-related expenses incurred after June 1, 2021, and before May 23, 2022. Minnesota livestock farmers and specialty crop producers could apply for up to $7,500 per farm. Due to the number of applications and the amount of money allocated, the amount of relief offered to each farm will be revised as there were applications for more relief than had been allocated. Listen


CROP CONDITIONS STEADY
Minnesota's crop conditions stayed mostly steady from a week ago, according to the USDA. 66% of Minnesota's corn crop is in good to excellent condition with 2% silking. Soybeans are estimated at 63% good to excellent with 27% of the crop blooming. Approximately 34% of the state's spring wheat crop has headed. 

PORK INDUSTRY IMPACT
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) released an economic report highlighting how America’s pig farmers are significant contributors to the United States’ agricultural and overall economy. The report highlights pork industry value chain contributions and growth over the past five years.

Holly Cook, NPPC staff economist said that from farm to fork, the combined economic contribution from hog production and pork processing supports more than 600,000 American jobs and generates $178 billion of direct, indirect and induced sales that equate to $57 billion in value-added gross domestic product. 

The pork industry supports 613,823 direct and indirect jobs in the United States. In 2021, more than 66,000 pig farms sold more than 140 million hogs worth over $28 billion in gross cash receipts. The number of U.S. pig farms has grown since 2012.

Farming and processing sectors are responsible for supporting more than $35 billion in personal income and boosts economic activity in related services such as trucking, grain elevators, insurance and other rural-based businesses. In 2021, approximately 25% of U.S. pork was exported abroad, which equates to 7 billion pounds of pork valued at $8 billion. In addition, exports added more than $62 per head in value to each pig marketed in 2021.

“It’s vital to share this economic snapshot as America’s pork producers continue to engage with regulators and policymakers, food companies and others to convey how our businesses directly and indirectly impact the larger economy,” said Terry Wolters, NPPC president and hog farmer from Pipestorne. “As a producer, this analysis makes me proud to see the impact I have being part of the thriving U.S. pork industry.”
NEW LABOR NORMAL?
It's no surprise that many sectors of the U.S. economy face a shortage of workers. That's especially apparent in agriculture and ag processing. As more older workers retire, there are fewer younger workers available to take their place. University of Minnesota Extension Educator Jim Salfer says that phenomena is not just happening to U.S. born workers, but it's also a trend among workers from outside the U.S., including Mexico and Central America. As a result, Salfer says, labor challenges are likely here to stay for a while.  Listen

MSRPC PROMOTES BIN SAFETY
Grain bin entrapments remain an all too common emergency situation on Minnesota farms. The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) has joined Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety advocacy efforts and is unveiling a nomination process for community members to recommend Minnesota first responders to receive an aluminum rescue tube and auger, accompanied by hands-on training at their respective location by experts at the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS).
The nomination window is open from July 11 through Aug. 26. The form can be accessed here. Five grain entrapment rescue tubes and five augers will be donated, courtesy of the Minnesota soybean checkoff. 

Franklin, Minnesota farmer Pat Sullivan is an MSR&PC director and also a first responder. He says the goal of the effort is to make rural Minnesota more safe. Listen

COVER CROPS
In partnership with ADM and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has announced $2.6 million in grant awards to help farmers plant cover crops across several states, including Minnesota. Awarded under NFWF’s Midwest Cover Crop Initiative, these five grants will support implementation cover crops on 500,000 acres.

NFWF administers the Midwest Cover Crop Initiative to support large-scale, voluntary adoption of cover crops in corn, soybean and wheat systems across the Midwest. Cover crops can help enhance soil health, reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases, improve water resources, and support wildlife while providing economic benefits to participating farmers.

Grant recipients include American Farmland Trust, Ducks Unlimited, the Minnesota Soil Health Coalition. These organizations will provide farmers with technical assistance to help navigate the various agronomic and social factors that can pose barriers to cover crop adoption.

COMPEER GRANTS
 The Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America, the Farm Credit cooperative’s giving program, awarded a total of $229,852 through the Agriculture Education and Classroom Equipment Grant Program this year. Sixty-five high schools in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin located across Compeer Financial’s territory will be receiving grants of up to $4,000 each funding a variety of hands-on learning tools and new technologies for agriculture education classrooms. Grants were awarded to 19 Minnesota schools. 

Upcoming Events


July 20:                U of M crops and soils field day, NWROC, Crookston
July 20-21:          U of M Field School for Ag Professionals, St. Paul campus
July 26-28:          North Star Ag Expo, Owatonna
Aug. 2-4:              Farmfest, Redwood Falls
Aug. 25-Sept. 5   Minnesota State Fair
 

Farm Fun Fact

According to TripTrivia.com, the Texas State Fair is the largest state fair in the U.S., with about 2.25 million visitors each year. The Minnesota State Fair is the second largest with just over 2 million visitors per year. However, the Great Minnesota Get Together draws that crowd in 12 days, versus 24 days for the Texas State Fair. 

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