Growing Harvest Ag Network

NDSU Extension Entomologist Janet Knodel offers some advice for sunflower growers when out scouting fields. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U.S. farmers continue to grapple with elevated machinery costs despite recent changes in trade policy that have reduced tariffs on some imported equipment. Equipment dealers and farm organizations say prices for tractors, combines and replacement parts remain significantly above pre-pandemic levels due to higher manufacturing costs, supply chain disruptions and increased labor expenses. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Five wheat milling executives from Peru spent the last few days of June in the Pierre, Fort Pierre, and Gettysburg areas of South Dakota touring wheat fields, farms, and grain facilities to see firsthand how wheat is grown in the United States. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says near to above normal temperatures and mixed precipitation is expected across the country for the period of July 28 - August 3. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This NDSU Ag Minute features NDSU Extension Entomologist Janet Knodel. Knodel shares with listeners some of the pests they are finding in North Dakota fields, as well as what producers should be watching for when scouting fields. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lawmakers and farm groups are renewing calls for additional federal assistance as low crop prices and elevated production costs continue to pressure farm incomes across the United States. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A prolonged heat wave across parts of the Midwest and northern Plains is worsening pasture conditions and increasing stress on cattle producers already dealing with drought and historically tight cattle supplies. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers and ranchers are continuing to struggle with a difficult farm economy. Faith Parum, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, says the latest estimates show shortfalls in the billions. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Under Secretary Richard Fordyce explains improved provisions for USDA's Livestock Indemnity Program as part of the Working Families Tax Cut Act. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski goes over USDA's latest look at 2026 and 2027 pork production forecasts. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to Statistics Canada data, Canadian farmers planted 76,500 acres of sunflowers this spring, which is up 1 percent from 2025. Source: National Sunflower AssociationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Higher food prices continue to change the way Americans shop, according to a new report from CoBank's Knowledge Exchange. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Patrick Webb, assistant chief veterinarian with the National Pork Board, said the threat of detecting a foreign and emerging animal disease in the U.S. underscores the importance of ensuring producers have the documentation tools and preparedness plans to prevent, detect, and quickly respond, if needed. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new report finds many U.S. farms are unprepared for growing operational risks ranging from cyberattacks and supply chain disruptions to extreme weather and animal disease. New research from Nationwide finds that 65 percent of U.S. farmers lack a written risk management plan. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The USDA is accepting applications through July 27 for its Agribusiness Trade Mission to Vietnam, scheduled for November 9-12. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Regenerative agriculture continues to gain momentum across the country, with USDA reporting that nearly 40 million acres were managed using USDA-supported regenerative practices in fiscal year 2023. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says a mix of temperatures and above normal precipitation is forecasted for the period of July 21 – 27. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The recent July WASDE Report lowered global wheat production and tightened ending stocks. Rich Nelson, the chief strategist with Allendale, said the market appears to be pricing that into the balance sheet. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brazil, the top global competitor to U.S. corn and soybeans, just wrapped up another huge harvest, but the next crop will be planted against some strong market and weather headwinds. 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.

This NDSU Ag Minute features NDSU Plant Pathologist Andrew Friskop. Friskop visits with listeners about what he's seeing in wheat fields across the state, as well as what corn farmers should be watching for when scouting fields. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Combine sales posted modest gains in June, while tractor sales continued to decline, according to the latest numbers from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. U.S. combine sales increased 3.9 percent from a year ago, while Canadian combine sales jumped 14.2 percent. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce explains the Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers (SPUR) program. Rod Bain with USDA has the story.  USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tightening domestic corn supplies and extreme heat in some European corn producing nations are among the news of note within USDA's latest corn outlook. Rod Bain with USDA has the story.  USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The American Farm Bureau is looking for the next Farm Dog of the Year. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Farm Talk segment features Adam Ladwig. Ladwig serves as Secretary/Treasurer of the North Dakota Corn Growers Association. Ladwig traveled to Washington D.C. this week for Corn Congress. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to the separate and cook aspects of food safety, what are some applicable tips in smoking meats and preventing foodborne bacteria? Rod Bain with USDA has the story. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finding enough large-animal veterinarians is becoming more and more of a challenge across farm country, regardless of state. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

North Dakota State University Extension and the University of Minnesota Extension have partnered with the Livestock Marketing Information Center to provide a sheep and goat market outlook webinar. The webinar begins this evening at 7 p.m. CDT. Source: NDSU Extension See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The USDA’s June Acreage Report showed minor shifts in planting, with fewer corn acres and more soybeans planted. Faith Parum, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said farmers planted less wheat too. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Exports of U.S. beef and pork were held back in May by key access issues, according to U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom, starting with beef plant suspensions in China. Source: U.S. Meat Export FederationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics Scott Hutchins explains the four levels associated with grant funding now available for land grant universities to expand and modernize ag research facilities. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, negotiated during the first Trump administration, has officially entered its six-year renewal period. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The CME Group announced the launch of its global price benchmark, called the Agriculture Index. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U.S. beef has a big opportunity to move more products into South Korea. Source: U.S. Meat Export FederationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This NDSU Ag Minute features NDSU Crops Economist Frayne Olson. Olson has the details on the latest WASDE Report from USDA. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U.S. ethanol exports rebounded in May, climbing 11 percent from April to 189.7 million gallons as demand strengthened across several key international markets. Canada remained the top customer, with imports rising 18 percent to a six-month high of 76.3 million gallons. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some meteorologists are concerned that the El Niño weather pattern now in effect could have some negative long-term results. Jon Porter, Chief meteorologist with AccuWeather, says conditions are ripe for what he calls a “mini Dust Bowl”. 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.

Runoff into the Missouri River Basin remains well below normal, prompting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to shorten this year's navigation season. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This summer, CommonGround ND volunteers will be at farmers markets across the state serving free iced lattes to start conversations about agriculture, crop protection, sustainability, and how farmers make decisions on their farms. The message behind “Not a Latte” is that it doesn’t take a lot to protect our crops. We visited with volunteer Kaysie Wagner about the events. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The USDA has accepted 2.2 million acres into the 2026 Conservation Reserve Program, providing farmers and landowners with conservation payments while protecting soil, water, and wildlife habitat. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new report from the National Corn Growers Association shows U.S. growers often pay more for major seed and crop inputs than their Brazilian competitors, in some cases, double the price. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meteorologist Brad Rippey offers the latest USDA Crop Progress and Condition Report for our country's spring wheat crop. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

America’s corn farmers generated an estimated $142 billion in economic activity in 2025, according to a new study from the National Corn Growers Association. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce discusses aspects of a new Farm Service Agency pilot program focused on modernizing acreage reporting. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Driving pork demand and swine health remain top priorities for newly-elected National Pork Board President Chad Groves. He says the “Taste What Pork Can Do® campaign is helping position pork as a protein of choice for today’s consumers, and acknowledges the industry’s commitment to the turning point in swine health. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA food safety expert Meredith Carothers says a food thermometer, not inner color, is the key to knowing if meat has reached a safe internal temperature during cooking. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pig farmers participating in the Pork Cares Farm Impact Report program securely provide data and receive a personalized on-farm report with in-barn and in-field metrics. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Phase Four of the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program is underway with funding applications being accepted through early August. Rural Business Cooperative Service Acting Administrator Victoria Collin explains the objectives of USDA's Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.