MARK WATNE

USDA Moves Up Date For Haying & Grazing Prevented Plant Acres

23 North Dakota counties are eligible

WASHINGTON, D.C. — USDA is moving up the date for the haying and grazing of cover crops to September 1st in 23 North Dakota counties with a significant number of prevented plant acres. The counties cover the majority of the eastern half of the state and include Cass & Grand Forks. Eligible counties include: Barnes, Benson, Bottineau, Cass, Dickey, Eddy,…

North Dakota Farmers Union Calls for Acceleration of MFP Payments

The NDFU President Mark Watne says farm families need the payments now.

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…

President Trump Signs Massive Nearly $900 Billion Farm Bill

Senator John Hoeven says the bill maintains strong crop and sugar policies

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Trump was joined by the vice president and congressional leaders, including Congressman Collin Peterson, as he signed the new farm bill. The nearly $900 billion bill will fund key farm safety net programs for the next five years without making significant changes to the SNAP program which serves nearly 40 million low-income Americans. Senator John Hoeven says…

Farmers And Ranchers Head To D.C. To Push For Action On New Farm Bill

National Farmers Union's Legislative Fly-In, September 12-14

BISMARCK, N.D. — More than 100 North Dakotans will be in Washington, D.C., this week to draw attention to the farm bill. The delegation is part of 350 family farmers and ranchers from across the country that will be participating in National Farmers Union’s Legislative Fly-In, September 12-14. They will meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill and Trump administration officials talk…