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Agribusiness

More farmers to receive more disaster relief

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced it is extending the deadline for producers to return the pre-filled applications for the first phase of the Emergency Relief Program. A new deadline will be announced after the last Phase One applications are mailed and provide at least 30 more days. Continuing to build on the initial mailing of pre-filled applications in May, the department will continue using existing information in USDA and crop insurance files to send additional pre-filled applications starting this week for potentially eligible Noninsured ...

State of Ag in SW Minn.: ‘It’s been a crazy last 18 months’

MARSHALL — There are still a variety of challenges ahead for farmers in southwest Minnesota, area agriculture leaders said Tuesday at the fifth annual State of Agriculture panel held at the Lyon County Fairgrounds. Panelists weighed in on topics ranging from the economy to the future of ag education. State Sen. Gary Dahms said he thought there was a recession coming. “I think some facets of agriculture are going to get hit pretty hard,” Dahms said. If consumers make different purchasing decisions to save money, the shift will also affect producers, he said. Ralco Nutrition ...

Congress members urge increase in biodiesel production

WASHINGTON — In a letter to Environmental Protection Agency, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators urged the Biden administration to increase the proposed biodiesel volumes to provide certainty to farmers and producers. The senators highlighted how American biodiesel moderates fuel prices and benefits the economy and environment. “We strongly encourage EPA to utilize the upcoming RVOs for 2023 and 2024 to continue to increase volumes of biomass-based diesel,” the senators wrote to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan. “The production and use of ...

Yellow soybeans being found in some farm fields

Yellow soybeans have been spotted in fields throughout western Minnesota this year. Several Extension staff members, including nutrient management specialist Dan Kaiser, soybean specialist Seth Naeve and educators Angie Peltier and Anthony Hanson explained the issue of yellowing, an iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC), during a recent Strategic Farming program. IDC does not occur due to a deficiency of iron in the soil. It is caused by the inability of some plant species to extract iron from the soil in a plant available form. This results in the yellowing, or chlorosis, of leaves ...

Albert Lea Seed House Announces Acquisition of Blue River Organic Seed

ALBERT LEA — Albert Lea Seed House, owner of Viking Corn & Soybeans and one of the largest suppliers of organic field seed in the U.S., today announced it has acquired Blue River Organic Seed, the nation’s longest-established organic seed corn brand from the Farmers Business Network (FBN). Founded in 2005 and based in Ames, Iowa, Blue River’s product line includes organic corn, silage, soybean, alfalfa, forages and sorghum. Albert Lea Seed is headquartered in Albert Lea, Minn. In addition to organic seeds, its product line also includes small grains, cover crops, wildflowers and ...

Meat market named best beef backer

MAPLE PLAIN, Minn. — The Minnesota Beef Council has named Dehmer’s Meat Market of St. Michael the 2022 Minnesota Retail Beef Backer. Dehmer’s Meat Market is a third-generation, old-fashioned, full-service meat market offering a wide variety of home smoked meats, as well as fresh cuts, fresh ground beef, seafood, and a full deli. It also offers graduation party packs, party platters and does wild game processing. “We are very honored to receive this award and be among some of the finest meat markets in our state,” said Tony Dehmer, meat market owner. “We take pride in our ...