Growing Harvest Ag Network

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

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says above normal temperatures and precipitation across the country are the primary weather trends for the period of August 12 - 18. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Farm Talk segment is brought to you by North Dakota Corn. Ben Bakko farms in the Walcott area and serves on the North Dakota Corn Growers Association's board of directors. Bakko recently traveled to Michigan and shares some of the highlights of the trip. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 40th International Sweetener Symposium recently took place in Michigan. Luther Markwart, Executive Vice President and CEO of the American Sugarbeet Growers Association and the incoming Chairman of the American Sugar Alliance highlighted the importance of the U.S. sugar industry. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The USDA said inspections of corn for overseas delivery fell week-to-week, while soybean and wheat assessments improved. The agency’s weekly report said corn inspections dropped to 1.21 million metric tons in the seven days ending on July 31. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Farmers Market Week is being celebrated August 3-9. North Dakota Ag Commissioner Doug Goehring talks more about the many farmers markets held each week right here in North Dakota. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mother Nature has made it a challenging year to make hay. Severe weather, on and off rain showers and some very humid days have made it hard to make a bale. James Rogers, Forage Crops Production Extension Specialist at the NDSU North Central Research Extension Center near Minot, has some advice for producers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer declined in July as farmer sentiment continued to weaken. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey notes harvest progress of the nation's spring wheat crop for the period ending August 3rd. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What were some of the trends associated with USDA's annual look at honey bee colonies in the U.S.? Rod Bain with USDA has the story. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Make Our Children Health Again Strategy will be released by the MAHA Commission on August 12. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While farm internet use remains steady over a two-year period, how growers use the internet appears to have changed according to a USDA survey. Rod Bain with USDA has the story.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced loan interest rates for August 2025, which are effective Aug. 1, 2025. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Overall U.S. agricultural land values showed a year-over-year increase according to USDA, yet how was that reflected in cropland and pasture values? Rod Bain with USDA has the story. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins applauds the Senate confirmation of Luke J. Lindberg as Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. Luke Lindberg previously served as Chief of Staff and Chief Strategy Officer at the Export-Import Bank of the United States during President Trump’s first term. Most recently, he led South Dakota Trade, a public–private partnership focused on expanding international market access for regional exporters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Four senators introduced the bipartisan “Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, Milk, and Cheese to Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday Act,” or the Dairy Pride Act of 2025. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says near to above normal temperatures and precipitation are expected through much of the nation during the period of August 5 – 11. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, is reaching out to farmers, ranchers, and agricultural landowners to gather in-depth information about the conservation practices they use. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

The Renewable Volume Obligation proposal was good news for the renewable fuel industry. Jacqui Fatka, lead economist for CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange Division, said the RVOs provide demand certainty for the sector. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Farm Talk Segment is brought to you by North Dakota Corn. A Trade Policy Academy is taking place September 17 at the Peltier Complex in Fargo. Heidie Haugo with the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council has the details.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jim Matheson, executive director of the National Bison Association, says he gets questions about what it takes to raise bison as livestock NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The American Lamb Board is looking for new members in 2026. Any U.S. producer, feeder, or first handler who owns or purchases lambs may be considered for nomination. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kennedy, Minnesota grower Tom Dowdle says the weather has been hot, humid and smoky along with several days of fog recently. National Sunflower AssociationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Producers in local Farm Service Agency areas have until August First submit to nominate candidates for upcoming FSA County Committee elections. Rod Bain with USDA has the story. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This NDSU Ag Minute features Chris Schauer, the Director at the Hettinger Research Extension Center. Schauer explains how a communications tower is enhancing the research taking place in Hettinger. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Decreasing responses to USDA’s farmer surveys are beginning to put the integrity of the data at risk. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Annie’s Project Retreat is being offered by the U of M Extension Women in Ag Network Friday-Sunday, October 3-5, 2025, near Cambridge, Minnesota.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It draws a crowd each and every year – North Dakota Farmers Union Camp. More than one thousand campers will attend North Dakota Farmers Union Camps in Jamestown and Heart Butte this summer season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are some things to know regarding food safety and preventing foodborne bacteria contamination when smoking meats? Rod Bain with USDA has the story. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing over the weekend about the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill on all sectors of the U.S. economy, including agriculture. Kevin Kester, past president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, says lowering estate tax exemptions was a huge benefit for farmers and ranchers. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What producers paid for inputs and services in 2024 was slightly down year over year, per USDA’s annual Farm Production Expenditure Report. Rod Bain with USDA has the story. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA’s latest grain export sales report, covering the week through July 17, held mixed but mostly solid results for traders to digest. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Critics are decrying the reorganization plan for USDA announced last week by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to re-register Dicamba herbicide for over-the-top application on cotton and soybeans. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jim Matheson, executive director of the National Bison Association, says bison inventory is low. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a new reorganization plan for the USDA. The plan refocuses its core operations to better align with its founding mission of supporting U.S. farming, ranching, and forestry. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode of the Agri-Biz Show, Rusty Halvorson shares his tales from the trail this past week on the See For Yourself PNW Program with the North Dakota Soybean Council, and Sarah Heinrich shares a Farm Talk segment from ND Corn.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carrie Hammer, Associate Dean of the College of Ag, Food Systems and Natural Resources, discusses a new Master's program available at North Dakota State University.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Farm Talk segment is brought to you by North Dakota Corn. Brian Leier, North Dakota Corn Growers Association President, recently traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with the North Dakota Congressional Delegation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association announced that for the first time in 20 years, Australia will accept shipments of fresh and frozen U.S. beef, ending decades of bureaucratic red tape and prolonged negotiations that have prevented American cattle producers from accessing the Australian market. National Cattlemen's Beef AssociationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

America’s farm and food product exports create value and generate economic activity within and outside of the agricultural sector. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.