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FIELD TALK PODCAST
The farm bill has far reaching impact on farmers because of important titles like crop insurance, nutrition, conservation, marketing and much more. Former Minnesota Congressman Collin Peterson had a hand in crafting numerous farm bills while serving on the House Ag Committee. Peterson joined Lynn Ketelsen to give his insights into factors that could affect the 2023 Farm Bill.
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LFN VIDEO
Crop conditions vary across the U.S. as corn and soybeans reach key development stages. In the coming weeks, the Pro Farmer Crop Tour will traverse seven states, including Minnesota, to gauge the potential for the 2022 crop. Chip Flory is one of the tour's leaders. Lynn Ketelsen has more on how crops are shaping up around the country and the value of the 2022 Pro Farmer Crop Tour.
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NEXT GENERATION FUELS ACT
Corn farmers and ethanol proponents are applauding the introduction of the Next Generation Fuels Act. Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), with the support of Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), introduced the Next Generation Fuels Act was introduced in the U.S. Senate this week.
The bill would establish a clean, high-octane standard for gasoline and require that sources of additional octane result in at least 40% fewer greenhouse gas emissions, allowing automakers to significantly improve vehicle fuel efficiency through advanced engines.
FARM BILL TESTIMONY
Eden Valley farmer and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) First Vice President Tom Haag delivered testimony to a U.S. House Agriculture Committee General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Subcommittee hearing on crop insurance. Haag, who will become the president in October, said that farmers don't farm for crop insurance, but having the safety net protected in the 2023 Farm Bill is a priority issue for the NCGA. Listen
FARM BILL LISTENING SESSIONS
House Ag Subcommittee Chair Cheri Bustos of Illinois and Minnesota Congresswoman Angie Craig took part in a Farm Bill listening session in Northfield this week. Legislative leaders are holding listening sessions across the country to get feedback on what constituents want to see in the 2023 Farm Bill.
POST ELECTION IMPACT
Former U.S. Congressman and House Ag Committee Chairman Collin Peterson helped craft numerous farm bills during his time in Washington. He says that upcoming elections will have a big impact on how the 2023 Farm Bill takes shape. Listen
Peterson says he wouldn't be surprised if the 2018 Farm Bill was extended if lawmakers can't come to agreement on a new bill.
AG LEADERS RETURN FROM PHILIPPINES MISSION
Farm leaders have returned from a trade mission to the Philippines. Minnesota Ag Commissioner Thom Peterson says the mission, organized by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service was a success. The Philippines is the eighth-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports, averaging $3.1 billion annually during the last five years. Peterson says participants were able to visit several agriculture and shipping facilities. The delegation also met with ag leaders from the Philippine government, which included signing a memorandum of understanding with the University of Minnesota to help address African Swine Fever. Listen
FARMFEST NEXT WEEK
Farmfest 2022 near Redwood Falls kicks off next week with a full slate of daily activities including equipment demonstrations, technology displays, educational events and more. Farmfest features several forums including congressional candidates as well as governor candidates. A discussion about "must haves" in the 2023 Farm Bill is also planned. There will also be forums with USDA officials, the Farmfest Women in Agriculture event and the recognition of the University of Minnesota Farm Families of the Year.
The Linder Farm Network Midday Farm Review will broadcast live each day from Farmfest. For a full schedule of events, click here. Farmfest runs August 2-4 at the Gilfillan Estate near Redwood Falls.
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CROP CONDITIONS
The latest USDA weekly crop report has 63% of Minnesota's corn crop rated as good to excellent with 49% of the corn silking. Soybeans are rated as 62% good to excellent with 69% blooming and 18% setting pods. As for wheat, 72% is considered good to excellent with 94% of the crop headed.
PRO FARMER CROP TOUR
AgriTalk host Chip Flory brought his nationally syndicated radio show to the North Star Ag Expo in Owatonna this week. Flory says crops in many areas of the country are lagging behind because of late planting. He says disease and pest pressures are also starting to be a concern. Listen
Flory will be part of the 30th annual Pro Farmer Crop Tour in August. This year's tour will cover 7 states, including Minnesota.
TRANSPORTATION CHALLENGES REMAIN FOR GRAIN AND FEED
Bobby Frederick, Senior Vice President for Legislative Affairs at the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) says currently, the weak link in the nation's transportation system is freight rail. Frederick says precision scheduled railroading, which has been adopted by some Class One railroads, has contributed to less availability and poorer service for customers moving agricultural products. Listen
Frederick says the NGFA is concerned with efforts to potentially breach dams in the lower Snake River in the Pacific Northwest in an attempt to improve salmon populations. He says breaching those dams would greatly affect the ability to move grain to ports.
SPOT MARKET HOG PANDEMIC PAYMENTS INCREASED
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is increasing the amount of funding available for the Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program (SMHPP) and expects to issue approximately $62.8 million in pandemic assistance payments to hog producers starting this week. SMHPP assists eligible producers who sold hogs through a spot market sale from April 16, 2020, through Sept. 1, 2020. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) accepted SMHPP applications through April 29, 2022.
“We appreciate FSA’s commitment to providing assistance to those pork producers hit hard by the economic disruptions caused by the pandemic," said Terry Wolters, National Pork Producers Council president and owner of Stoney Creek Farms in Pipestone. "Producers forced into spot market hog sales are still challenged by the market disruptions of COVID-19, and these funds will contribute to the ongoing recovery of the U.S. pork industry.”
CANADA CUTTING FERTILIZER EMISSIONS
The Canadian federal government is looking to impose a requirement reducing nitrous oxide emissions from fertilizer as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. While government leaders say they only want to reduce emissions, not fertilizer, farmers and ag groups argue the only way to reduce emissions is to cut fertilizer use. Canadian farm broadcaster Harry Siemens says forcing farmers to cut back on fertilizer could be catastrophic for some producers. Listen
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Upcoming Events
July 27-28: North Star Ag Expo, Owatonna
Aug. 2-4: Farmfest, Redwood Falls
Aug. 25-Sept. 5 Minnesota State Fair
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July and August are prime time for sweet corn. According to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, sweet corn is grown in all 50 states. However, Florida, Washington, Georgia, California, New York and Oregon are the largest producers of all types of sweet corn.
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