Growing Harvest Ag Network

Twenty four leaders and producers of beef, pork, corn, and soybean organizations from across the U.S. visited Japan as part of the U.S. Meat Export Federation's Heartland Team, including Travis Maddock of the North Dakota Beef Commission. Source: USMEF See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This NDSU Ag Minute features Angie Johnson, NDSU Extension Farm and Ranch Safety Specialist. Johnson explains the importance of farm safety, not only during harvest season, but all year long. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ethanol is a major topic of discussion right now as Guatemala prepares to launch its E10 program. The country imported 100,000 gallons of ethanol just last year, totaling more than 13 million gallons before the program's official launch. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trump administration says allowing tariff-free beef imports could help lower consumer prices, but the National Cattlemen's Beef Association is questioning whether the move will actually make a difference. NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus says much of the imported product won't even end up in grocery store meat cases. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Farm Talk segment is brought to you by North Dakota Corn. We visited with Jason Strand at Big Iron about the benefits of E15 has to offer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brazil is becoming less of a player in the global corn market as ethanol plant construction continues to expand across that country. Crossroads Co-op Regional Manager Brian Irey says China is driving that shift. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent advancements in the Christmas Tree industry are providing producers with more diverse product and consumers with greater choice during the holiday season. Rod Bain with USDA has the story, USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As borrowing costs rise, what does increased reliance on credit say about the overall health of the farm economy? American Farm Bureau Economist Faith Parum breaks it down. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heath Perrine of the U.S. Forest Service explains the process to choose the 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farm Production and Conservation Under Secretary Richard Fordyce discusses the development of a modernized crop acreage reporting system from a pilot phase to implementation across the country. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA Undersecretary Richard Fordyce says one long-term solution to rebuilding the nation's beef herd may be shifting more cattle production into regions with more dependable forage supplies. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Sunflower Association has some advice to help reduce combine fires. Sunflower is an oil-based crop, and fine fibers from sunflower seeds pose a constant fire hazard. To help reduce the risk this harvest season, be sure to keep a clean work area when harvesting sunflower. Blow the combine and grain dryer setup with an air hose daily. Also, try nighttime harvesting, when humidity levels are higher and keep a small pressure sprayer filled with water on hand in the combine. National Sunflower Association See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rising commodity prices are offering farmers a brighter revenue outlook for 2026 and ‘27, but escalating input costs continue to tighten margins. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds and Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar have introduced the bipartisan Rebuilding America's National Cow Herd, or RANCH, Act. It would create a voluntary grassland restoration program and make up to 20 million additional acres available for grazing. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says a mixture of temperatures and near to above normal precipitation is forecasted for the period of September 15 - 21. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U.S. grain exporters have started the 2026-27 marketing year with corn accounting for the largest share of export inspections, although early corn and soybean totals remain behind last year's pace. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rusty Halvorson and Sarah Heinrich share some of the week's top stories in agriculture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China's soybean processors are facing higher costs and tightening supplies ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's expected U.S. visit, potentially putting American soybean purchases back in the spotlight. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers across the country are reporting difficulty obtaining federal conservation assistance following substantial staffing reductions at USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service. NRCS lost nearly one-quarter of its workforce nationally during 2025, according to reporting by Investigate Midwest and Harvest Public Media. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The value of exports of U.S. beef climbed in July. U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom has the details. Source: USMEFSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Farm Talk segment features Paul Thomas, North Dakota Senator and North Dakota Corn Growers Association Board member. Thomas discusses the recent special session. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey gives national soybean crop progress figures for the period ending September 6. USDA Radio Newsline See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The North Dakota Auctioneers Association is inviting FFA members from across the state to learn the art of the chant at its first-ever Fall Bid-Calling Camp, set for Wednesday, September 16, at Steffes Auctioneers in West Fargo. The one-day camp builds toward a live student auctioneering contest at 3:45 p.m. that afternoon - held at the Big Iron Farm and Construction Show in West Fargo. Rusty Halvorson visited with Ben Stiegelmeier, on behalf of the NDAA.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Onida, SD grower Ryan Olson says his sunflowers are ahead of normal. Petals are off and heads are pointed down. He expects below average yields. National Sunflower AssociationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Corn and soybean producers are turning their attention to USDA's September World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates as questions increase about the size of this year's crops. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Department of Agriculture released updated farm income numbers this week, and the outlook is still bleak. Faith Parum, an economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, says the adjustment recalibrates numbers USDA released in February. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This NDSU Ag Minute features Miranda Meehan, NDSU Extension Livestock Environmental Stewardship Specialist. Meehan has some advice for ranchers who have water quality concerns. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The American Sheep Industry Association and the ASI Wool Council have launched the 2026 Reimagine Wool Digital Poster Contest, inviting creative thinkers, students, designers, and industry professionals to develop new ideas for expanding the use of American wool. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Preventing disruptions before they happen on the farm or ranch is part of the “predict-and-prevent” approach at Nationwide Insurance. Devin Fuhrman, the chief agriculture and sponsor relations officer at Nationwide, talks about the importance of farmers’ and ranchers’ focus on prevention. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Ernie Goss, regional economist at Creighton University, says there’s not much happy news for agriculture at the moment. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are some tips farmers should consider to assure farm safety as they prepare to harvest the fields? Rod Bain with USDA has the story. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Langemeier of Purdue University said farmers are more optimistic, but still not as willing to invest in their operations right now. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2026 National Cover Crop Report indicates growing interest in cover crops among farmers. The survey found cover crop users planted an average of nearly 398 acres in 2026 and expect to exceed 400 acres next year. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As families and friends prepare Labor Day weekend cookouts, picnics, and tailgating events, food safety experts are reminding consumers to take simple precautions to help prevent foodborne illness. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says above normal temperatures and a combination of precipitation totals for the period of September 8 to 14. USDA's Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rusty Halvorson and Sarah Heinrich share some of the week's top stories in agriculture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taking your tailgate party food from home to the field or a friend's house? Keep in mind some time in transit when factoring in food safety. Rod Bain with USDA has the story. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you are a tailgate party food coach, keeping track of food safety time periods and knowing when and how to chill food are important parts of the food safety playbook. Rod Bain with USDA has the story. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U.S. dairy producers are stepping up efforts to increase the protein content of milk as changing market incentives and global demand reshape the industry, according to a new report from CoBank. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA's July index for crop and livestock production prices received by ag producers indicate declines in some categories from the prior month. Rod Bain has the story. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Farm Talk segment is brought to you by North Dakota Corn. Amber Wood with the North Dakota Livestock Alliance highlights upcoming events to visit with producers about livestock development in the state of North Dakota. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Rural Mainstreet Index edged back above growth-neutral in August, but the latest survey still shows significant financial pressure across farm country. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.