BROWN COUNTY — With cooperating weather, the fall harvest continues to move along, with farm implements often seen on local highways. “The year was dry but yields are pretty good. I’ve heard some high 50s for beans. Corn is getting ready to harvest really quick,” said Wayne Schoper, ...
ST. PAUL — State funding for ways to improve the quality, quantity, or value of Minnesota’s $9.3 billion agricultural crop industry is being offered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Applications for the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Program crop research grants are being accepted though Nov. 30. MDA anticipates awarding about $1 million in grants. Minnesota-based organizations with agricultural research capabilities may apply for the funding. Grants reimburse up to $250,000 of the cost of an applied research project that will provide results ...
ST. PAUL — Japanese apple rust, a disease affecting apples, crabapples and junipers, has been confirmed in Minnesota for the first time. The disease is caused by the fungal plant pathogen gymnosporangium yamadae. MDA staff recently discovered the fungus through surveys and routine inspections at several orchards and nurseries in Dakota, Rice and Scott counties. Survey efforts will continue to help officials better understand the distribution of Japanese apple rust in the state. Although new to Minnesota, this rust has been in the northeastern U.S. for 10 years or more. It was found ...
ST. PAUL — A tax credit to beginning farmers for the sale or lease of land, equipment, machinery, and livestock is still available through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Rural Finance Authority. Qualifying applicants can include individuals, trusts or qualified pass-through entities renting or selling land, livestock, facilities, buildings or machinery used for farming in Minnesota to a beginning farmer. A beginning farmer is defined as a Minnesota resident with the desire to start farming or who began farming in Minnesota within the past 10 years, can provide positive ...
ST. LOUIS — The Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program announced it will award Farmers for Soil Health a $95 million grant to launch a program to advance the adoption of cover crops and conservation tillage in 20 states that produce over 85% of the nation’s corn and soybeans. The funding is intended to facilitate major progress toward FSH’s goal of doubling cover crop acres in the U.S. to 30 million acres by 2030. “Cover crops improve soil structure, help recycle nutrients, reduce soil erosion, increase the soil’s water holding capacity and sequester carbon. ...
ST. PAUL — Gov. Tim Walz met with members of Taiwan’s agriculture industry Thursday to strengthen trade partnerships between Taiwan and Minnesota. Members of the Taiwanese agriculture industry and Minnesota corn and soybean association representatives signed letters of intent outlining Taiwan’s intended purchases of corn and soybean products from Minnesota suppliers. The value of these purchases is estimated to be $2.7 billion. “Taiwan is a key trading partner with Minnesota, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to build on our relationship,” Walz said. “Strong trade ...
