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FIELD TALK

FIELD TALK PODCAST


Since the 1980s, the Minnesota Farm Advocate program has provided one-on-one assistance to farmers facing crisis from either economic conditions or natural disaster. On this week's podcast, we talk with Farm Advocate Steve Zenk to learn more about the program and how it helps Minnesota farm families through challenging circumstances. 
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LFN VIDEO


Farmers are accustomed to dealing with variables outside of their control. From weather to markets, there's not much growers can do to control some of the factors that influence their operations the most. Policy decisions also affect farmers on many levels. Lynn Ketelsen has more in this week's Linder Farm Network video. 
 
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Farm News

August 24, 2022
CROP ACREAGE RELEASED
U.S. farmers have planted 86.7 million acres of corn, 86.4 million acres of soybeans, 47.4 million acres of wheat, and 1.1 million acres of sugarbeets, according to USDA. 

Minnesota farmers planted 7.9 million acres of corn and 7.3 million acres of soybeans, along with 1.2 million acres of wheat and 434,000 acres of sugarbeets.

USDA also reports about 6.3 million acres of prevented planting across the U.S. with 2.3 million acres in North Dakota, 733,000 in South Dakota and 495,000 acres in Minnesota.

Ron McDaniel with Abbott Futures says the prevent plan acreage has an impact on multiple commodities. Listen

CROP PROGRESS
USDA's latest crop progress report rates 67% of Minnesota's corn crop as good to excellent with 12% dented. Minnesota's soybeans are also rated 67% good to excellent with 88% setting pods. 

PRO FARMER CROP TOUR
The annual Pro Farmer crop tour is underway as more than 2,000 fields in seven states, including Minnesota, will be scouted to gather information on estimated crop yield potential. 

Pro Farmer operates an eastern tour that travels through Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and parts of Iowa. Pro Farmer's Brian Grete says the crop tour is a fact-finding mission to identify what's really happening in farm fields across the Corn Belt. Listen

The western branch travels through Nebraska, South Dakota, parts of Iowa and Minnesota. Chip Flory expects to see drought damage in this leg of the tour, but the extent is uncertain. Listen

Daily updates can be heard on the Linder Farm Network. The tour wraps up on Thursday with an event in Rochester. 

GROUND BROKEN ON N.D. SOY CRUSH PLANT
A ground-breaking ceremony was held this morning for the soybean crushing facility under construction near Casselton, North Dakota. North Dakota Soybean Processors is a joint venture of Minnesota Soybean Processors, based in Brewster, Minnesota, and Louisiana-based CGB Enterprises. The $400 million project will process an estimated 42.5 million bushels of soybeans annually, likely drawing soybeans from North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. NDSP leaders are aiming for an 18-month construction phase, which means they could start purchasing soybeans by late 2023. 
 
DROUGHT RELIEF ON THE WAY
Checks to Minnesota livestock farmers and specialty crop producers who applied for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) 2021 Agricultural Drought Relief Program (ADRoP) will begin to be mailed this week.

A total of 2,922 out of 3,000 received applications were approved, totaling $18.9 million in eligible requests. The total request was more than double the $8.1 million appropriated by the Legislature his spring. Because the legislation stipulated that all qualifying applicants must receive a payment, checks will be pro-rated to 41.9% of the amount farmers were eligible to receive. While the legislation permitted up to $7,500 per eligible farmer, the maximum payment per farmer will be $3,143.

FARM BILL IMPACT?
The recent signing of the Inflation Reduction Act could have an impact on the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill negotiations. Compeer Financial Vice President of Legislative Affairs Perry Aasness says because there is money in the Inflation Reduction Act for conservation, that could take the pressure off trying to fund those activities through the new farm bill. Listen


FERTILIZER PRICES STABILIZE
Prices for most fertilizer products have stabilized a bit and have come off of their highest prices from several months ago. However, prices remain well above historical averages. University of Minnesota Extension Educator David Bau says the cost difference will vary depending upon how farmers procured their fertilizer. Listen

USED EQUIPMENT STAYS HOT
Prices for used farm equipment remains high. "Machinery Pete" Greg Peterson says prices for items like skid steers, tractors and other equipment in the 10 to 20 year range is the highest he's seen. The situation remains a matter of supply and demand. Listen

DROUGHT CONCERNS IN PARTS OF MINNESOTA
August rains have helped to take the edge off the drought conditions in many areas of Minnesota. Assistant State Climatologist Pete Boulay says there are pockets of the state that have received sufficient moisture over the last 90 days, but there are also areas that remain abnormally dry.  Listen

STATE FAIR BEGINS
The Minnesota State Fair begins this week, starting it's annual 12-day run in Falcon Heights. The State Fair started in 1859, but has been cancelled 6 times, including in 202o. The State Fair runs through Labor Day. 

Upcoming Events

Aug. 22-25           Pro Farmer Crop Tour
Aug. 25-Sept. 5   Minnesota State Fair
Aug. 31                 U of M Corn & Soybean Pest Management Field Day, Lamberton
Sept. 1                   U of M Corn & Soybean Pest Management Field Day, Rosemount
Sept. 10                Minnesota Gopher Football Celebrate Ag & Food Day

Farm Fun Fact

The Minnesota State Fair kicks off this week with strong crowds expected. The largest single day attendance at the State Fair occurred September 1, 2018, when 270,426 people rubbed elbows at the Great Minnesota Get Together. 

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