Agriculture

Hemp ban in federal funding bill could end Minnesota’s THC edibles and drinks industry

ST. PAUL, Minn. (Minnesota Reformer) — A provision in the federal government’s shutdown-ending spending package would be a massive setback to Minnesota’s hemp-derived THC industry if it were to pass. Although the federal government isn’t likely to start kicking down doors seizing low-dose THC edibles and drinks, a new federal law against hemp-derived THC products would create new logistical hurdles for…

Sky is done falling,’ North Dakota rancher says of dropping cattle prices

Cattle made their way around the show ring at the Kist Livestock Auction in Mandan on Nov. 5, 2025. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — North Dakota rancher August Heupel has yet to sell any of the beef calves he has raised this year, so far avoiding the recent drop in prices that was fueled…

No deer for Gov. Tim Walz during firearms deer hunting opener in Minnesota

GOODHUE CO., Minn. (KVRR) — Traditions continue during this opening weekend of the firearms deer hunting season in Minnesota and North Dakota. Nearly 400 thousand hunters take part in the season each year across Minnesota. Gov. Tim Walz celebrated the opening weekend on private land near Cannon Falls, Minnesota. He spent the morning enjoying the woods but did not harvest…

Trump administration demands states ‘undo’ full SNAP payouts as states warn of ‘catastrophic impact’

President Donald Trump’s administration is demanding states “undo” full SNAP benefits paid out under judges’ orders last week, now that the U.S. Supreme Court has stayed those rulings, marking the latest swing in a seesawing legal battle over the anti-hunger program used by 42 million Americans. The demand from the U.S. Department of Agriculture came as more than two dozen states warned…

Applications for Automation Tax Credits Re-Opened

The North Dakota Department of Commerce will help businesses looking to invest in automation if the business can prove it will be beneficial.

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) – Businesses in North Dakota that are looking to invest in automation now have the ability to receive assistance from the state’s Department of Commerce. The NDDoC has announced that the Automation Tax Credit (ATC) Program Portal is now open for applications. Applicants must be a primary sector business and must demonstrate that investing in automation would…

Federal judge orders full November SNAP payments

(CNN) — A federal judge in Rhode Island rules that the Trump administration must fully cover food stamp benefits for tens of millions of Americans in November. US District Judge John McConnell said, “People have gone without for too long and not making payments to them for even another day is simply unacceptable.” Nearly 42 million Americans receive food stamps….

Polk County Sheriff’s Office warns of fake business website

POLK COUNTY, Minn. (KVRR) — Polk County Sheriff’s Office is warning people of a fake business website selling farm and construction equipment. It’s called Erdmann Equip Group. They’ve received numerous complaints of this company using a Polk County address. People from multiple states say they’ve been scammed from this website. The sheriff’s office says they are actively trying to get…

Bank of North Dakota planning debt refinancing program to help ag producers

Farm workers load beans into a grain truck Sept. 28, 2025, in Wells County, N.D. (Photo by Lora Wobbema/For the North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The Bank of North Dakota is developing a disaster relief program to help agricultural producers in the state survive the current crisis in the industry. The program will work with local banks…

International commission to review North Dakota dairy projects

Riverview’s Campbell Dairy in Wilkin County, Minnesota, on July 10, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)FARGO (North Dakota Monitor) — An international organization that seeks to protect water quality in the Red River will conduct a review of two large dairy projects underway in North Dakota. The provincial government of Manitoba announced in a news release that the International…

Gov. Walz says he won’t “Bend The Knee” to federal funding cuts, talks shutdown impact on producers

ST. PAUL (KVRR) — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says he won’t submit to the Trump administration as the White House blocks funding for Democratic-led states during the federal government shutdown. In an attempt to put pressure on Democrats and end the stalemate, the Trump administration cut funding to Democratic-led states. That included $8 billion in climate funding for states including…