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The U.S. Senate has passed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which includes domestic energy incentives and other provisions aimed at reducing carbon emissions. The House is expected to take up the bill soon. The bill's full impact is still unknown, but Brian Jennings, CEO of the American Coalition for Ethanol provides some insight on what it could mean for ethanol.
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Proposed changes by the EPA to atrazine's label has many farm groups concerned. Proposed rule changes include prohibiting applications in saturated fields and limiting annual application rates to 2 pounds per acre for field corn growers. EPA also plans lower the acceptable level of atrazine in watersheds. As Lynn Ketelsen reports, farmers contend the restrictions could take away a key weed management tool. 
 
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Farm News

August 10, 2022
SENATE PASSES INFLATION REDUCTION ACT
The U.S. Senate has passed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The bill includes domestic energy incentives and other provisions aimed at reducing carbon emissions. It provides significant investments for agriculture, including over $20 billion in funding to support farmers’ implementation and expansion of voluntary on-farm conservation practices and $500 million to provide greater market access for  biofuels.

American Coalition for Ethanol CEO Brian Jennings says that within the massive bill is funding for equipment for E15 and E85 pumps, tax incentives for carbon capture pipelines, biofuel production tax credits, credit for sustainable aviation fuel and funding for climate smart agriculture practices through USDA. Listen


LAND VALUES STRONG
The avarage value of U.S. farmland has jumped over 12 percent from 2021 accoring to USDA's annual land values report. Minnesota's land values jumped over 17 percent from a year ago. Chuck Wingert with Hertz Farm Managment in Mankato says his company continues to see strong demand for farmland despite higher farm input costs and higher interest rates. He says many investors see farmland as a safe place to put their money. Listen 

WELCOME RAIN FALLS
A soggy weekend over much of Minnesota brought much needed rain to the region. Rainfall totals ranged from several tenths to over 5 inches. Many areas picked up the first substantial rainfall they'd had in weeks. Rain came at a critical time for crop development. Jim Nesseth with Extended Ag Services in Lakefield says crops in many areas were showing signs of stress due to lack of moisture. Listen

CROP DISEASES
Pioneer agronomist Josh Shoffner says crops in Southeastern Minnesota are in good shape as they've received adequate rains through much of the season. However, farmers should be on the lookout for diseases like tar spot in corn and white mold in soybeans. Listen

CROP CONDITIONS VARY
The nation's corn crop is rated at 58 percent good to excellent, down from 61 percent last week according to the latest USDA crop report. Sixty-two percent of Minnesota's corn crop is rated good to excellent and 26 percent has reached the  dough stage. 

The nations' soybean crop is rated 59% good to excellent, down 1 point from a week ago. USDA estimates 61% of the crop is setting pods. Minnesota's soybean crop is rated 63% good to excellent, down slightly from a week ago. Sixty percent of the crop is setting pods compared to the five year average of 77 percent.
WILLIS FINISHES GRAINS COUNCIL CHAIRMANSHIP
Kandiyohi County farmer Chad Willis has completed his term as chairman of the U.S. Grains Council. Willis, who farms near Willmar, was elected to the position in August 2021 and completed his term in 2022. Willis will now serve as past chair on the Grains Council Board.

Willis says the year went by fast, but it allowed him to visit U.S. grain customers around the world, which was an eye opening experience. Listen

GAUGING CONSUMER TASTES
The pandemic pushed more people to cook at home, but even with restaurants back open across the country, the majority of consumers continue to eat a majority of meals at home. Minnesota Beef Council Director of Industry Relations Royalee Rhodes says research shows consumers want convenience, so value-added beef products are increasingly popular. Items that are pre-seasoned, including flavored burgers are popular as consumers want to have a good experience while enjoying convenience. Listen

FROM ETHANOL TO SHIPPING
POET, the world’s largest biofuel producer, has signed a purchase agreement with Savannah Marine Terminal to acquire its rail-to-container transload facility in Savannah, Georgia. The acquisition will include all equipment and real estate to operate the grain transload facility. The Port of Savannah is one of the highest volume container ports in the U.S. It also has closer proximity to several of POET’s key global markets for its animal feed products.

NEW LEADERSHIP AT WCROC
After serving as the director of operations at the University of Minnesota's West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC), Morris, for the last 12 and a half years, Professor Lee Johnston returned fully to his research work in the U of MN's Department of Animal Science, where he has been a faculty member since 1988. Mike Reese, who has served as the center's renewable energy program director since 2001, assumed WCROC's leadership role as the new director of operations this week. 

CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE FOUND AT DEER FARM
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been confirmed in a Winona County white-tailed deer herd. This herd has been officially quarantined since October 2020 and is part of the Board of Animal Health's (Board) investigation into the CWD-positive Beltrami County herd. The Board has been working with the Winona County herd owner to collect samples and test them for CWD. The National Veterinary Services Laboratory confirmed the positive results this week.

Upcoming Events

Aug. 25-Sept. 5   Minnesota State Fair
Sept. 10                Minnesota Gopher Football Celebrate Ag & Food Day

Farm Fun Fact

According to the Beef2Live website, old time ship captains kept pigs on board because they believed that pigs always swam towards the nearest shore. 

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