The presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris introduced her vice-presidential pick at their first campaign stop. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz referenced his 12 years in Congress in his speech. “I worked across the aisle on veteran’s issues, agriculture and ways to grow rural economies; I learned the value of compromise without compromising my values.” Walz represented Minnesota’s First Congressional District in southern Minnesota and was a member of the House Agriculture Committee. Walz is now in his second term as governor. “Minnesota’s strength comes from our values, our commitment to working together, to see past our differences, always to be willing to lend a helping hand,” Walz said. “Those are the same values I learned on the family farm.”
Minnesota Farmers Union welcomes Walz pick
Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish believes the selection of Governor Tim Walz for the Democratic vice-presidential role is good for the state and for agriculture. “When’s the last time we had someone on a national ticket that served on the House Agriculture Committee,” Wertish said. “Governor Walz has done that. As governor, he’s done a good job. He’s been thrown a few curveballs with COVID and the unrest. He’s seen challenging times, but overall has done well.”
Timing becomes a farm bill hurdle
Howard Olson, the senior vice president of policy and public affairs at AgCountry Farm Credit Services, met with lawmakers at Farmfest. That follows a trip to Washington D.C. the previous week for the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives meeting. The biggest farm bill hurdle appears to be finding a way to pay for the various priorities. “No one seems to be able to see how we’re going to unlock that and where can we come together on that.” Timing is another problem. Even if the farm bill was passed today, it wouldn’t take effect until the 2025 crop year. “Farmers won’t see the benefit of new reference prices until the fall of 2026.” A vote during the lame-duck session or another farm bill extension are both possible.
Klobuchar: farm policy has seen much a larger divide
The current farm bill expires at the end of September. Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar said common sense must prevail so Congress can finalize the farm bill. “We must get it done,” Klobuchar said. “We’ve already seen the effect on prices with corn prices alone down 33% since last summer. Right now, we’ve got different versions, but the policies aren’t that different. We’ve had much wider divides in the past when it comes to ag policy.”
H5N1 testing to expand
USDA officials are emphasizing beef and dairy products are safe, but testing for avian influenza is being expanded. Beginning in mid-September, USDA will test culled dairy cattle. Meat coming from dairy cattle will not enter the food supply until test results are known. Nearly 200 dairy herds in 13 states have been confirmed to have H5N1 since March.
National Milk Producers Federation, U.S. Dairy Export Council challenge Colombia trade allegations
According to the NMPF and USDEC, Colombia’s decision to initiate countervailing duties on U.S. milk powder exports is not warranted. A preliminary decision on this trade challenge is expected this fall. Meanwhile, the dairy groups are asking the U.S. government to “leverage all available tools” to prevent this allegation from setting a precedent.
More farmer engagement urged
To reduce nitrate contamination, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is proposing changes to its feedlot permits. “Farmers are going to be hit with a lot of different regulations and we haven’t seen a lot of farmer engagement, which is pretty surprising because this could be some pretty big changes as far as manure transfer and some of the other things farmers are doing, especially in cold weather temps that could change things drastically in a big swath of the state,” said Joe Smentek, Executive Director, Minnesota Soybean Growers Association. The public comment period has been extended to Sept. 3. “Whether they think it is good or think it is bad, let PCA know.”
Loan volume totals for young, beginning and small farmers
At its monthly meeting, the Farm Credit Administration board reviewed its work with young, beginning and small farmers. Twenty-three percent of the Farm Credit System’s total loan volume went to this category in 2023. By loan count, this group represents 53% of all Farm Credit System loans.
Class III milk price projections updated
In its August supply and demand report, USDA lowered its milk production forecast for 2024 and 2025 from last month. The prices forecast for 2024 cheese, nonfat dry milk and whey were raised from July while the butter price was lowered. For 2024, the projected Class III milk price is now at $18.40 per hundredweight. It is $18.65 per cwt for 2025.
Spot milk supplies: tight to nonexistent
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Dairy Market News, cheesemakers in the Upper Midwest are saying spot milk supplies are tight to nonexistent. Dairy processors are reportedly contacting nearby dairy plants and seeking out extra milk, but there is none to offer. The report said some farmers in the region are voicing concerns about forage availability and quality. Hay supplies are tight in some portions of the Midwest, but sufficient elsewhere.
Brown is on the job with Minnesota FFA
The Minnesota FFA Association has named Dr. Thomas Brown Jr. as its new executive director. Brown has nearly 20 years of experience in agricultural education and is an agribusiness instructor and former department chair at South Central College in North Mankato.
A promotion for Dauer
The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation has promoted Loren Dauer to public policy director. Dauer has been a public policy specialist since February. Before that, Dauer was a district outreach representative for Minnesota Representative Brad Finstad.
Trivia challenge
McDonald’s sells more cheeseburgers than any other fast-food restaurant. Wendy’s is ranked second. That answers our last trivia question. For this week’s trivia, what is the most popular milkshake flavor in the U.S.? We’ll have the answer in our next edition of Dairy Star.
Don Wick is owner/broadcaster for the Red River Farm Network of Grand Forks, North Dakota. Wick has been recognized as the National Farm Broadcaster of the Year and served as president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. Don and his wife, Kolleen, have two sons, Tony and Sam, and five grandchildren, Aiden, Piper, Adrienne, Aurora and Sterling.
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