MPCA reverses fee increase

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency reversed its decision to increase permit application fees. With less than 24 hours’ notice, the MPCA increased these fees by 48% and 56% Aug. 1. Following the feedback received over the past week, the agency stated that it is clear more engagement is needed before proceeding with these permit application fee increases.

Feedback should be heard before agency decisions

The MPCA paused its dramatic permit application fee increase to hear additional feedback. “That really points out the importance of letting your voice be heard,” said House Speaker Lisa Demuth. “That was something that was done in less than 24 hours without an opportunity for people to share their opinions and to see an agency backpedal, which means they heard the people, but what I’d like to do as speaker, though, is to make sure that people’s voices are heard before those decisions are made.”

Mediation notices on the rise

The monthly report on Minnesota’s farmer-lender mediation program is out. Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen says the number of mediation notices is on the rise. “Almost 300 notices went out to farmers. That’s four times what they were in July of 2024; June was six times. We’ve issued almost 600 mediation notices in the last two months, primarily to grain farmers. We know that we have farmers having a hard time.” Petersen said the balance of the farm bill and appropriations bills must pass to help offset the cost of Minnesota’s farmer-lender mediation program.

Ag trade deficit record high

The U.S. agricultural trade deficit for the first six months of this year was a record high at $28.6 billion, up $10 billion from the same period last year. The United States has faced an agricultural trade deficit since 2022; that’s after decades with a trade surplus. The Trump administration’s tariff strategy is designed to address unfair trade practices by other countries.

Walz returns to Farmfest

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz talked trade during his stop at Farmfest. “Make up your mind, implement and show us the result; this uncertainty is no good.” As reciprocal tariffs are implemented, Walz also weighed in on that strategy. “There is a time and a place for tariffs. However, trade needs to be fair to our consumers and our producers. It also needs to be fair to our trading partners.” Walz missed his annual stop at Farmfest a year ago because he was in Pennsylvania, being added to the Democratic presidential ticket as Kamala Harris’ running mate.

Klobuchar: farmers need trade stability

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar is criticizing the administration’s unpredictable trade policies. “One of the things I know hurts farmers is inconsistency, unpredictability,” Klobuchar said. “They got enough problems with weather and input costs, and now, all of a sudden, they are faced with tariffs that have changed over 100 times in the last six months.” Speaking at Farmfest, Klobuchar said the tariff strategy can have a lasting impact on agricultural trade.:“Once they start buying from other countries besides America, we’re not going to get those markets back.”

DMC premiums due

The Farm Service Agency is reportedly sending letters to farmers enrolled in the Dairy Margin Coverage program for 2025. Due to higher margins this year, no DMC payments were issued. Dairy farmers often choose to have their premiums deducted from DMC payments, but those premiums were not collected this year without DMC payments. Those premiums must be paid by Sept. 1 to remain eligible for the DMC program in the future.

Application deadline for profitability enhancement grants

Applications are being accepted now for Minnesota Department of Agriculture Dairy Profitability Enhancement Grants. This money is available to regional and statewide organizations to administer the Dairy Profitability and Enhancement Program. There is $500,000 available per fiscal year in 2026 and 2027. The application deadline is Sept. 24.

SDSU to honor legends, leaders

Six individuals have been selected for the 2025 Class of Distinguished Alumni by the South Dakota State University Alumni Association. Sheryl Meshke is the lone agriculture honoree. Meshke is the president and CEO of Associated Milk Producers Inc. Meshke, who is a 1988 SDSU graduate, is the first female to lead a major U.S. dairy cooperative. The award presentation will be during SDSU Hobo Day Weekend, Oct. 10-11.

USDEC selects COO

Allison Thomas is the new chief operating officer for the U.S. Dairy Export Council. Thomas recently served as deputy administrator for trade policy and geographic affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service.

Hoffmann to take the reins of Minnesota FFA

Effective Aug. 18, Mary Hoffmann will take over as the new executive director of the Minnesota FFA Association. For the past 19 years, Hoffmann has been an agricultural education teacher in Sleepy Eye. She has held leadership positions at the local, regional state and national levels. Hoffmann succeeds Dr. Thomas Brown Jr., who was hired one year ago. Brown will remain in his ag education role at South Central Technical College and will continue to serve as the FFA superintendent at the Minnesota State Fair.

FFA names finalists for ag proficiency awards

The National FFA Organization has announced the national finalists for its agricultural proficiency awards. The Minnesota finalists are Olivia Vorpagel of the Southland FFA Chapter for agricultural communications; Adreanna Kaas of Milaca for agricultural processing; Porter Kuechle of Eden Valley-Watkins for dairy production; and Cameron Addington of Cannon Falls for fruit production.

AGCO-Ralco collaboration

AGCO Corporation and Ralco Agriculture, through its Agnition brand, have formed a strategic partnership that is focusing on hay preservation. The system pairs AGCO’s HayBoss DryMax granular applicator with the BaleMax hay preservative powered by Ralco’s Microbial Catalyst technology. Ralco’s hay preservative has been available for years, but consistent and controlled application was an issue due to limitations with manual application. The HayBoss DryMax is the first fully automatic machine-operated granular application.

Trivia challenge

Louis Pasteur is the scientist credited with developing the process of pasteurization. That answers our last trivia question. McDonald’s sells more cheeseburgers than any other fast-food restaurant. For this week’s trivia, what fast-food chain is second on that list? We’ll have the answer in our next edition of the 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.