WASHINGTON – The Agriculture Department announces a $12 billion short-term plan to help farmers hurt by tariffs. Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue says the plan will help farmers deal with the cost of what he calls “disruptive markets.” It comes as trading partners like China retaliate for President Trump’s tariffs on imports. The plan involves direct payments to farmers, the purchase of…
FERGUS FALLS, Minn. — People in Fergus Falls had the chance to find some healthy snacks and mingle with vendors from the community. For seven years, the Fergus Falls Farmers Market has been a spot where people can socialize and indulge in local goods. Some of the goods for sale were jams, beans, cucumbers, and furnishings like miniature wooden benches. Lynn…
NORTH DAKOTA – North Dakota’s Department of Agriculture is taking a survey of acres affected by Dicamba. It’s a herbicide farmers have been using for the past five decades on corn, small grains and soybeans. In recent years, the herbicide has developed a resistant gene for soybeans. Ag experts say the change may be causing plant damage due to the in-crop…
WEST FARGO, N.D. – Leaders of North Dakota farm organizations and so–called hunger advocates rallied to show support for agriculture amid issues they have with trade and the farm bill. The North Dakota Farmers Union projects farmers will lose 30 percent in income this year. The North Dakota Dairy Coalition’s president says American dairy exports need to be protected since…
WASHINGTON (AP/KVRR) – The Republican-led House has narrowly passed a sweeping farm bill that would toughen work requirements for food stamp recipients. The bill passed 213-211. Every Democratic member of Congress from Minnesota, including the Ranking Member on the House Agriculture Committee Rep. Collin Peterson voted no. North Dakota Rep. Kevin Cramer voted in favor of the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of…
WASHINGTON – The Senate Agriculture Committee releases a bipartisan farm bill proposal. Democratic Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith are both on the Ag Committee. Klobuchar says the bill protects nutrition assistance programs and Smith adds it protects the sugar program. The House Farm Bill failed last month when the conservative members blocked it over an unrelated immigration bill. The…
WASHINGTON, DC – The House fails to pass the Farm Bill as Republicans couldn’t get support from some Freedom Caucus Members. The group threatened to withhold their votes to get their way on an unrelated immigration issue. The measure addressed several issues like conservation, livestock disaster programs and farm loans. The top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee, Minnesota Congressman Collin…
KINDRED, N.D. — Sen. Heidi Heitkamp spent part of the day visiting schools in Kindred and meeting with students. She started the day at Kindred Elementary, where she spoke to third and fifth graders about her career and the importance of public service. She then went to the high school to talk about how her new bill will help young farmers….
FARGO, N.D. — Our region is known for its agricultural contribution to the country. Now NDSU students are dedicating a whole week to celebrating the industry with their Ag Week. Four years ago, NDSU started its Ag Week to educate students and the community about the industry. That includes getting rid of any misconceptions people may have about agriculture. “There’s a…
STEELE COUNTY, N.D. — Randy Richards is one of many farmers thinking that times could become hectic for farmers in North Dakota. On Wednesday, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced a 25 percent tariff on 106 US products, including soybeans. “They’re the hardest on agriculture because agriculture is the only we thing that we export a lot of that balances out…
