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May 14, 2024
In this Edition

Minnesota Statehood Day, May 11, 2024

Executive Director's Report

Capitol Corner- State
  • MPCR Legislative Update 

Capitol Corner - Federal
  • Federal Farm Bill Update 

Industry Related News
  • In Winona County, Tension between Ag and Water Quality gets Personal
  •  Genetics vs. Management: Which Adds More Yield? 
  • Will Aerial Spray Drones ever Replace Ground Rigs? 
  • What Does The Future of Ag Retail Look Like? 
  • Fast or Slow: Which Adoption Path Will AI Follow in Agriculture? 
  • Commerce: Lower Duties for Fertilizer from Russia, Higher for Morocco
  •  Nitrogen and Sulfur: In-season Application, Nutrient Interactions, Precision Tech & More 

Partner News/Announcements  
  • Minnesota Office of Soil Health   
  • Just a Few Days Left to Register for ASTA Leadership Summit Early Rates! 
  • Webinar: The Need for Partnerships: Standardizing Nationwide Biostimulant Labeling Legislation/Regulation (Free) 
  • WEBINAR - The Deal With Dicamba: Overview of Recent Legal Developments 
  • EPA Holds Virtual Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee Meeting
Minnesota Statehood Day, May 11, 2024 
Photo Credit: ALEX KORMANN, ASSOCIATED PRESS 

Grounds supervisor Charlie Krueger raises the new Minnesota state flag for the first time at sunrise atop the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul on Saturday, May 11, 2024. 

Executive Directors Report 
Regional State Executives Summit 
MCPR Executive Director Lee Helgen joined a group of Midwest Agri-business Association leaders for two days of meetings and workshops in Madison, Wisconsin. The opening session included a welcome by Maggie Gau, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers' chief of staff. The State Executives Summit provided attendees with opportunities to discuss legislative issues and share advocacy strategies. The group also discussed several operational topics and shared best practices. It was a great opportunity to network with peer organization leaders and learn more about how other similar organizations are addressing some common concerns. 
The Wisconsin Agri-Business Association hosted a group of Agribusiness Executive Directors at the Wisconsin State Capitol.  
Capitol Corner
STATE
MPCR Legislative Update 
The Minnesota legislative session is reaching its final phase, with the deadline for adjournment set for May 20. The omnibus bills are now undergoing the conference committee process, a significant part of which is happening behind closed doors. As the session nears its end, we anticipate a limited number of public meetings where the conference committees will formally adopt agreed-upon positions. 

MCPR is actively engaging with key legislators, expressing our concerns, and advocating for our positions. We are committed to maintaining this dialogue until the end of the session, ensuring that our voice is heard and our interests are represented. 

A few of our key issues include: 
  • Renewal of the Agriculture Fertilizer Research and Education Council (AFREC). We firmly support the Senate's position to extend AFREC for ten years and retain the current $.40 per ton fee that funds statewide research efforts. We are concerned about the House's proposal to sunset the program in a year and redirect fertilizer fee revenue to a new drinking water assistance program. 
  • The House Ag bill includes a provision requiring the MDA to convene expert panels for experimental uses of pesticides, and within 30 days of submitting an emergency pesticide registration exemption application to the EPA. Both provisions are problematic and may cause delays in getting products into the field. 
  • The House positions include several definitions for nitrogen fertilizer that are unnecessary and would make the annual fertilizer tonnage reporting more complex.  
  • The House Environment bill adds definitions for pesticide treated seed and systemic pesticide that are unnecessary. These provisions were not heard by the committees with jurisdiction over agriculture in either the House or Senate.  
  • The House Environment bill also includes a provision that prohibits a person, beginning January 1, 2026, from advertising, selling, or offering for sale any vegetable seed, flower seed, wildflower seed, grass seed, shrub seed, tree seed, or other seed that is not advertised, sold, or offered for sale as agricultural seed, if the seed is treated with a neonicotinoid pesticide.  

MCPR and our ag community allies are continuing to address these and other concerns. Below is some additional information about the key bills of interest. 

House Omnibus Agriculture, Commerce, and Energy Bill HF4975/SF4942 
The bill was debated on Thursday, May 9 and passed by the House. Several amendments were discussed, including those listed below. The next step is to appoint a House and Senate Conference Committee to work out the differences in the bills.  

Anderson, P. H. moves to amend. Amendment coded S4942A42 - amendment was not adopted 
  • Amendment to renew AFREC for 10 years and maintain the dedicated research funding.  

Nelson, N. moves to amend. Amendment coded S4942A45 - amendment was not adopted 
  • Amendment to allow for soil health equipment rentals using ISU custom rate survey. 

Nelson, N. moves to amend. Amendment coded S4942A47 - amendment was not adopted 
  • Amendment would address concerns with the sale of used equipment. 

  • “Last year, we had a surplus of $17.5 billion,” said Rep. Paul Anderson (R-Starbuck). “And yet we are taking money away from a farmer-funded program to go to another program directed by the Department of Ag. I think this is just plain wrong.” 

Related News: LEGISLATIVE DEADLINE LOOMS - Linder Farm Network 
  • Minnesota lawmakers have until May 20 to get their work done before the session adjourns. A key ag issue still being addressed is the future of the Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council (AFREC). Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation President Dan Glessing says MFBF is advocating for a continuation of the program. Listen 
 
Omnibus Environment Bill HF 3911 / SF3631 – Conference Committee Materials  

House conferees Hansen, R.; Pursell; Finke; Jordan; Heintzeman 

Senate conferees Hawj; McEwen; Morrison; Boldon; Nelson 

Core Documents for the Environment and Natural Resources Conference Committee (Revisor Side by Side, Fiscal Spreadsheet Comparison, Environment Policy Tracking, House and Senate Summaries) have been posted on the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee web page at https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/committees/home/93008 under Committee Documents. 

Legislative Subcommittee on Minnesota Water -- Policy Update - May 9, 2024  
This update is a roundup of Minnesota water news, as well as articles from beyond Minnesota. It also includes summaries of meetings and reports and information about upcoming events. During the Legislative session, updates on water-related legislation and committee activities are added.  

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FEDERAL
Federal Farm Bill Update  
The House and Senate agriculture committees have each released broad overview of their farm bill proposals. While the senate proposal release contained more details, we have been assured by Chairman Thompson’s staff that we will learn much more about their plan in the coming weeks as they prepare for a committee markup prior to the Memorial Day recess. You can find the senate release here (Summary here) and the house release here (Summary here).  
Industry Related News
In Winona County, Tension between Ag and Water Quality gets Personal 
LEWISTON — Richard and Karen Ahrens never meant to become activists. 
For seven decades, the Ahrens have lived on the farm that first belonged to Richard’s grandparents. Here, they raised beef cattle and cultivated crops until they decided to retire and rent the land out to another farmer. 

Although their property is partially on city water, they knew that agricultural practices — coupled with the porous geology of southeast Minnesota — could contaminate their well water, so every few years, they’d send off a sample for testing. 

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Genetics vs. Management: Which Adds More Yield? 
Today’s corn hybrids grow differently and yield more than older hybrids. A new research project explains why. 

How much of today’s extra corn yield compared to what previous generations harvested is due to genetics? How much is due to improved management? A project involving Iowa State University and Bayer was designed to find out. 

“We worked closely with Bayer, and it is a great example of public and private research collaboration,” Sotirios Archontoulis says. The Iowa State agronomist headed up the project, which spanned three years, incorporating numerous research studies plus data on Bayer hybrids stretching from Ohio to Nebraska. Tony Vyn, a Purdue Extension agronomist, helped guide the study. 

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Will Aerial Spray Drones ever Replace Ground Rigs? 
Farmer Iron: Drone advocates agree they will be competitive, with a few caveats. 

Over the last decade, drone spray technology has progressed so much and so fast that it begs the question: Will drones ever replace ground sprayers? 
The answer isn’t black and white. 

While there’s a consensus among aerial drone advocates that, yes, they will change the way farmers manage crops, the verdict is still out about what that change will look like. 

Devin Nohl, owner of Minnesota-based spray drone supplier Tenacity Ag, doubts they’ll ever fully replace ground sprayers for one specific reason. 

“Drones are considered ‘aerial application.’ There’s a multitude of chemicals that don’t have a label for ‘aerial application,’ and probably never will,” he says. “If the chemical says, ‘Apply from the ground only,’ it’s illegal to fly it in a drone. I don’t see that changing.” 

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What Does The Future of Ag Retail Look Like? 
Ask Garrett Asmus about his role at the family owned and led Asmus Farm Supply, Inc. (AFS), and the third generation leader will say, “I’m a fireman. People come to me, and I help fix the problems.” 

The can-do, solutions-oriented attitude is part of what’s shaping the up and coming wave of leaders of ag retail. Simultaneously, as farmer needs are evolving, technology is advancing, and business dynamics change, ag retail businesses and the leaders who are behind them are responding and trying to anticipate what will lead to their future success.   

Recognize the Change 
One front on which ag retail is changing is its scale. For example in 2020, GreenPoint Ag increased its footprint across 10 states. 

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Fast or Slow: Which Adoption Path Will AI Follow in Agriculture? 
The past year or so, one set of initials has dominated much of the technology talk in the agricultural world — AI (artificial intelligence). Since computer systems using AI first became “a thing” a few years ago, there has been a rush across various industries to adopt these technologies for more widespread usage. Examples of this include AI systems being used to mimic celebrity (or politician) voices and ChatGTP authoring articles that have appeared across the internet. 

Agriculture has also jumped onto this AI bandwagon in a few instances. Back in 2022, John Deere introduced a new AI-driven system for its self-propelled sprayers called See & Spray. In operation, See & Spray utilizes targeted spray technology designed by Blue River Technology. This employs cameras and processors mounted on John Deere’s carbon-fiber truss-style boom in combination with computer vision and AI to distinguish weeds from crop plants. Other such systems have also been introduced by such well-known ag technology manufacturers as Raven Industries and BASF Bosch in the interim.
 
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Commerce: Lower Duties for Fertilizer from Russia, Higher for Morocco 
Countervailing duties applied to U.S. imports of Russian phosphate fertilizer could soon fall from 28.5% to 18.83% if an April 29 preliminary determination stands in a final verdict due in the fall. Meanwhile, imports from Morocco’s mostly state-owned phosphate mining company could increase from 2.12% to 14.21%, according to a separate preliminary determination.  

Both released on Monday, the Department of Commerce examined subsidies received in 2022 by Russian company, Apatit, and Moroccan company, OCP, and found the companies had benefitted from purchases of natural gas and mining rights priced below market rates, tax perks for mining and export operations, regional development programs, low-interest government loans and exclusions of export revenue from tax obligations.  

Commerce will publish its calculations for the proposed subsidy rates within five days of the preliminary decisions’ publication in the Federal Register. A final determination is expected in October or November of this year, an attorney familiar with the case said. 

The National Corn Growers Association said that Commerce’s plans could reduce the availability of fertilizers and raise prices. 

“The price of corn has dropped, and input costs are already high, so the Commerce Department’s decision is the last thing farmers need,” said NCGA President Harold Wolle, a Minnesota farmer. “If fertilizers continue to go up in price and are hard to secure, farmers will only have Mosaic and the Commerce Department to thank.” 
Nitrogen and Sulfur: In-season Application, Nutrient Interactions, Precision Tech & More 
In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, we’re talking about nitrogen and sulfur application. What does current nitrogen and sulfur research mean for Minnesota growers? What do we know about the relationship between N and S in crops? What, if any considerations, should farmers make when applying S? 

Partner News/
Announcements  
Minnesota Office of Soil Health  
Here is a summary of the MOSH Collaboration Forum on March 28th. It includes links to resources discussed at the Forum and results of the survey sent afterwards. Many thanks to all of you who participated. 

Please continue to send me examples of your soil health work. 

I'd also like to hear: What soil health topics do you want to discuss with people in other sectors? We look forward to facilitating future conversations! 

Sincerely, 
Marcelle 
A. Marcelle Lewandowski 

Senior Research and Extension Coordinator | University of Minnesota Water Resources Center Coordinator | MN Office for Soil Health | mosh.umn.edu 
Just a Few Days Left to Register for ASTA Leadership Summit Early Rates! 
The ASTA Leadership Summit is an annual event that facilitates networking and leadership development for current and future ASTA members and leaders. The Summit offers seed industry professionals the chance to connect and collaborate on the most important and timely issues affecting the seed business, while building their own career skills, to build a better future for themselves and their companies.

Webinar: The Need for Partnerships: Standardizing Nationwide Biostimulant Labeling Legislation/Regulation (Free) 
  • Date(s): May 29, 2024 
  • Venue: Webinar 
  • Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8qp9YzxuR9Kdcf-5XW6CpQ 
  • Description: This webinar will provide an overview of the efforts leading up to the adoption of the AAPFCO beneficial substance model bill (which includes plant biostimulants); the status of adoption across the various state legislatures, and the importance of educating state lawmakers about adopting the definition and label format for uniformity across the country.... 

WEBINAR - The Deal With Dicamba: Overview of Recent Legal Developments 
The next National Agricultural Law Center webinar is on Wed., May 15, from Noon - 12:00 PM CDT. NALC Staff Attorney Brigit Rollins, an expert in environmental law as it intersects with agriculture, will discuss "The Deal with Dicamba." 

The rollercoaster of changing state and federal policies regarding dicamba has kept producers on their toes in recent years. Earlier this year, a federal court in Arizona called into question the future of over-the-top dicamba use for producers. 

“The Feb. 6 decision from the U.S. District Court of Arizona was another major development in the ongoing saga impacting producers’ methods for protecting their crops,” Rollins said. “Pending a possible appeal, producers will not be able to rely on over-the-top dicamba as they may have in the past.” 
A recurring theme in the ongoing saga of dicamba lawsuits is environmental plaintiffs claiming the EPA has violated both the Endangered Species Act, or ESA, and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, known as FIFRA. 

“A large part of why we get these court decisions impacting access to products such as dicamba is due to the EPA’s approach to meeting its ESA responsibilities while carrying out actions under FIFRA,” Rollins said. “The EPA is in the process of developing its new policy for how it meets these responsibilities. Because of this, we are expecting future changes to how producers are able to use pesticide products.” 

Register for the webinar here:  NALC: The Deal with Dicamba Webinar 
EPA Holds Virtual Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee Meeting  
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a virtual public meeting of the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC) on June 5 and June 6, 2024, from 11:00AM – 5:00PM (EDT). The PPDC provides feedback to EPA on pesticide regulatory, policy and program issues and includes representatives from environmental groups, pesticide manufacturers, trade associations, academia and federal and state agencies. 

Register to virtually attend the meeting by May 29, 2024. To provide comments during the meeting, request special accommodations, or receive more information, please contact Jeffrey Chang at Chang.Jeffrey@epa.gov by May 22, 2024. 

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