FARGO, N.D.- Agiron is an auction for big farm equipment held three times every year. “We have consignors, farmers; dealers bring in their equipment here to be sold at public auction. We compromise in area of about 8 states and Canada,” says Brad Olstad, an Auctioneer at Steffes Group Inc. There is no shortage of items that you will be…
WHEATLAND, N.D. – “Nobody made money raising beets this year. Regardless if you’re on the insurance side, or if you raised and delivered a crop, everybody lost money.” said one sugar beet farmer in attendance. The sugar beet industry is facing a unique and devastating set of circumstances, as a wet fall and early winter storm have made harvesting their…
BISMARCK, N.D. — A North Dakota grain trader accused of running his business like a Ponzi scheme has been sentenced to 8 years in prison. The judge has also ordered 22-year-old Hunter Hanson of Leeds to pay over $11 million in restitution. He will also have to forfeit property. Hanson pleaded guilty in July to charges of wire fraud and…
MINNEAPOLIS–A top Democrat says President Donald Trump’s $16 billion bailout for farmers hurt by the trade war with China unfairly picks winners and losers, pitting the South against the North and small farms against wealthy producers. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, of Michigan, is the top Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee. She says Trump’s trade agenda has irreparably harmed farmers. She…
ARGUSVILLE, N.D. — USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue approved disaster relief for 47 counties in North Dakota. USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey joined both of North Dakota’s Senators and Governor Burgum to talk with local producers in Argusville. “You don’t need to drive too far from the scene to see wheat fields still out in the…
MOORHEAD, Minn. — The USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation next stopped in Moorhead to meet with growers. Minnesota Congressman Collin Peterson hosted a town hall meeting. The questions ranged from topics like crop insurance, yield prices and the USMCA. The purpose of the town hall was to encourage farmers to voice their concerns and for their representatives…
BISMARCK, N.D.–North Dakota will receive federal help for farmers and ranchers who struggled with an early blizzard and wet harvest conditions. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the secretarial disaster designation on Friday. Gov. Doug Burgum requested the help last week to help make federal loans available to farmers and ranchers. To qualify for a secretarial designation, a county…
JAMESTOWN, N.D.–The North Dakota Farmers Union called for acceleration of Market Facilitation Program payments to farmers impacted by the trade war with China on Wednesday. In August, farmers who enrolled in MFP received 50 percent of a calculated payment for crops covered under Title 1 of the Farm Bill. The USDA has said a second payment of 25 percent would…
FARGO, N.D.- The recent snow storm has taken a toll on many farmers across North Dakota and Minnesota. Whether it’s because of shame or pride, many farmers decide not to reach out for help when they’re feeling stressed or in a bad place. Area farmers have been dealing with a lot of stress due to weather, low commodity prices and…
EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. — Taking innovative ideas from rural communities in Minnesota and incorporating them at the federal level. Senator Tina Smith says that’s what can really help some change places across the country need. She announced she is starting a bipartisan Senate “Rural Economic Working Group.” And she’s doing it alongside Republican South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds. “Our…
