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Agribusiness

Motorists, harvesters need to safely share road: MnDOT

MANKATO, Minn. — Motorists traveling on Minnesota roads this fall should be aware of large farm equipment transporting crops to markets, grain elevators and processing plants, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. “Harvest season is ramping up across Minnesota and farmers need the highways to access their fields and deliver crops to market,” said Scott Thompson, traffic engineer. “Motorists need to be prepared to encounter slow-moving farm vehicles, especially on rural, two-lane roadways, now through November. Farm equipment is large and heavy, making it ...

11 turkey farm workers charged with cruelty caught on video

By Michael Rubinkam Associated Press Eleven people working for one of the nation’s leading turkey producers have been charged with animal cruelty in Pennsylvania after state police said they were caught on video kicking, stomping and beating turkeys at several farms. The workers were responsible for capturing and crating turkeys destined for slaughter, Pennsylvania State Police said Thursday. Police launched the probe in August 2021 in response to a complaint from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. The animal rights group said it sent an undercover investigator to ...

Biden initiative boosts soy products

Earlier this month, President Biden signed an executive order launching a national biotechnology and biomanufacturing initiative that contains many provisions important to U.S. soybean farmers, including actions that will support improved markets for biobased products, create greater access to biotechnology, and encourage research and development supporting the “bioeconomy,” or economic activity derived from biotechnology and biomanufacturing. There are nearly 1,000 soy biobased products available in today’s industrial and consumer markets, but soy growers have the capacity to ...

Ghent inventor named Innovation Challenge semi-finalist

WASHINGTON — Brad Hennen of Ghent has been named one of the semi-finalists in the 2022 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. Hennen, creator of the Hennen Pig Chute, developed the product to help improve the accuracy of the swine vaccination process. He will receive $10,000 for advancing as a semi-finalist and have the opportunity to travel and pitch his product at the annual American Farm Bureau Federation Convention, held Jan. 6-9, 2023 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He will also participate in pitch training and mentorship from Cornell University’s Johnson College of Business ...

Organic certification rebates available to farms and handlers

ST. PAUL — Minnesota organic farmers and processors can apply for a rebate of up to half the cost of their organic certification. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for its Organic Certification Cost Share Program from now until Nov. 1. Organic certification is a third-party verification system which assures consumers the organic products they buy are produced in accordance with federal organic regulations. Organic operations must follow National Organic Standards and are monitored through review of their records and on-site inspections at least once ...

Meat, poultry, dairy processing grants available

ST. PAUL — Livestock product processors seeking to start up, modernize or expand their businesses are encouraged to apply for the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation Meat, Poultry, Egg, and Milk Processing Grant program. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture anticipates awarding up to $1.4 million using a competitive review process. The maximum equipment award is $150,000, and the minimum award is $1,000. The intent of the program is to increase sales of Minnesota-raised livestock products by investing in equipment and physical improvements that support processing, ...