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MCPR is hiring!
Recently, MCPR received a grant from the USDA-NRCS to help us advance our 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification program, grow and retain Certified Crop Advisors, and conduct a survey of ag retailers to gather data on various farming and conservation practices in Minnesota.
We are looking for someone with an ag background who can help provide the leadership and organizational capacity to advance these programs.
Ag Management Solutions seeks a dedicated and knowledgeable Agronomic Program Manager to support our client, MN Crop Production Retailers, by administrating their 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program, coordinating annual ag retailer surveys, and supporting the Certified Crop Advisors program. The ideal candidate will play a crucial role in the program administration by identifying and recruiting agricultural coops, agricultural retailers, and industry professionals and providing expertise and assistance to program participants. This position requires strong communication skills, a deep understanding of nutrient stewardship practices, professional development, and working collaboratively with various stakeholders.
View the job posting here.
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Crop Update: Mother Nature assisting growers as harvest accelerates
Excellent drying weather has set fall harvest into full swing around most of Minnesota the week of Sept. 23, and the extended forecast is showing favorable conditions for combining.
“Silage corn is wrapping up and some producers began with soybean harvest late last week, but I expect everyone to be going by this weekend, and I believe we’ll see some corn coming off by this weekend as well,” said Justin Schroeder, treasurer of the Minnesota Crop Production Retailers (MCPR).
Full story.
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MCPR connecting peers through special interest groups
It’s about who you know, not what you know – at least to an extent.
To build a stronger industry and facilitate networking, the Minnesota Crop Production Retailers (MCPR) is hosting special interest groups (SIG) during the 2024 CPM Short Course and MCPR Trade Show.
“The real value of any of these ag conferences is the networking and so we’re trying to create some additional networking opportunities,” MCPR Executive Director Lee Helgen said.
The purpose of SIGs is to allow people to connect with colleagues from different agriculture retailers and share experiences. With four SIGs to select from – Women in Ag, Emerging Leaders, Sales Agronomists and Conservation Programs – there is an option for everyone. And MCPR is open to additional SIG topics; if you have topic suggestions, please contact Helgen at lee@mcpr-cca.org. Each SIG will be led by an experienced professional, who will facilitate conversation and connections.
Full story.
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Scholarship applications due Nov. 1
The MCPR Board of Directors will award their annual scholarship at the CPM Short Course and MCPR Trade Show Dec. 10-12. Applicants must be Minnesota residents and entering their second, third, or fourth year of a four-year institution of higher learning or, the second year of a two-year institution of higher learning. Completed 2024 applications must be postmarked by Nov. 1, 2024.
View the application here.
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Federal Reserve cuts key rate by sizable half-point, signaling end to its inflation fight
From Minnesota Star Tribune
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday cut its benchmark interest rate by an unusually large half-point, a dramatic shift after more than two years of high rates that helped tame inflation but also made borrowing painfully expensive for American consumers.
The rate cut, the Fed's first in more than four years, reflects its new focus on bolstering the job market, which has shown clear signs of slowing. Coming just weeks before the presidential election, the Fed's move also has the potential to scramble the economic landscape just as Americans prepare to vote.
Full story.
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Where do Harris and Trump stand on ag policy issues?
From The Daily Scoop
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) released the unedited responses from Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump to its questionnaire on federal agricultural policy. This initiative allows Farm Bureau members to directly compare each candidate’s platform.
AFBF has been collecting and sharing responses from presidential candidates across parties for over 40 years to provide transparency on key agricultural issues.
Full story.
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The agricultural platforms of the candidates for President of the United States
From Farm Foundation
The September Farm Foundation® Forum: The Agricultural Platforms of the Candidates for President of the United States examined farm policies and positions from the presidential campaigns of former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Topics covered included the farm bill, agricultural trade, and environmental policy, among others.
Watch the Forum Recording.
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Lawmakers consider temporary aid until new farm bill passed
From Brownfield
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran says lawmakers are considering temporary relief that could be worked through the ag appropriations committees and the appropriations process, or any vehicle Congress might be able to pass this year.
Full story.
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2025 predictions in agriculture: Farm for value, not just volume
From CropLife
Farming has always been a challenging profession, but today’s farmers face a unique set of pressures that demand a shift in thinking. Gone are the days when simply maximizing crop volume was enough to ensure success. A new imperative is clear: farm for value, not just volume.
Full story.
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Drones vs. sprayers: Which one will prevail?
From FarmProgress
Drones are finding their footing in the agriculture industry, claiming a permanent spot at field days, farm shows and some cooperatives. However, their capabilities may not outweigh new sprayer technology.
Full story.
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Watch for changes in the way you purchase fertilizer
From AgWeb
As you’ve fine-tuned your operation, you’ve put a significant amount of time and research into learning the ropes of the commodity markets, taking advantage of options and futures to get the most for your crop.
What if you could do the same with your fertilizer needs? Josh Linville, vice president of fertilizer at StoneX, says the fertilizer marketplace might be on the path to increasing accessibility to farmers and opening up the way you approach marketing.
Full story.
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5 ways to maximize fertilizer ROI For 2025
From The Daily Scoop
As farmers begin to rein in production costs, big ticket items such as fertilizer naturally get a lot of scrutiny. Agronomists at this year’s Farm Journal Corn and Soybean College say that’s understandable, and they want to remind growers to make adjustments based on information and not emotion.
Full story.
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China's economic slowdown is leading to a major impact on global ag markets
From The Daily Scoop
China's economic slowdown is leading to a significant impact on global agricultural markets, as the country's grain reserves swell and demand decreases. This is causing concern for farmers worldwide, as China has long been a major customer.
Full story.
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WinField United aims to lead through the tough times
From The Daily Scoop
To help its retail owners and growers through tougher times in the ag cycle, WinField United says it’s focusing on three aspects of its business: products, services and connections to new markets.
“It’s amazing the amount of risk in agriculture along with the complexity and change in the environment now,” says Leah Anderson, Senior Vice President of Land O'Lakes, Inc. and president of WinField United. “The cost of total inputs for the corn acre is up 39% since 2019. It’s up 54% on a soybean acre. And we’ve seen a decline in net farm income over the past two years.”
Full story.
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Mosaic provides updates on potash and phosphate operations
From The Mosaic Company
The Mosaic Company announces Potash and Phosphate operations sustained operational challenges that are expected to reduce production volumes and shipments in the third quarter of 2024.
In Potash, Mosaic has encountered electrical equipment failures and is expected to reduce the third quarter potash production and shipment volumes by 200-300 thousand tons. In Phosphate, production volumes and shipments during the quarter have been negatively impacted by weather events with an estimated aggregate impact of 80-110 thousand tons.
Full story.
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Weeds survive spraying in wacky ways
By FarmProgress
Cut back on any facet of weed control next year to save money and you risk disaster. Bill Johnson, Purdue weed control specialist, wants to make that message crystal clear.
“Don’t leave out residuals, and don’t cut rates — it is that simple,” Johnson says. “If you must trim budgets, cut somewhere else, but not on weed control. Weed control is not the place to try to make up for low-priced corn and soybeans.”
Full story.
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Bayer, AgVend collaborate, aim to improve retailer connectivity to farmers
From The Daily Scoop
Climate FieldView and AgVend are collaborating to simplify data sharing between farmers and agronomic advisers. As Bayer’s flagship digital farming platform, Climate FieldView now offers an option for farmers to share those reports directly to AgVend platforms.
Leaders say the goal is to improve how ag retail teams share agronomic insights, drive strategic recommendations, and help their farmer customers with the management of their operations.
Full story.
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Bayer, others defeat US farmers' chemical price-fixing lawsuit
From Reuters
A U.S. judge has dismissed a lawsuit accusing agriculture giants Bayer, Corteva, Syngenta and others of conspiring with wholesalers and retail outlets to fix prices for seeds and crop protection chemicals, causing farmers to pay higher prices.
St. Louis-based U.S. District Judge Sarah Pitlyk ruled on Friday that farmers and other plaintiffs failed to present sufficient allegations that the companies had violated U.S. antitrust law.
Full story.
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Reminder: Know where and when to apply fall nitrogen fertilizer
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is reminding farmers and commercial applicators that fall nitrogen fertilizer applications are restricted in some areas of the state. Under the MDA’s Groundwater Protection Rule, fall nitrogen fertilizer application is prohibited in vulnerable areas of Minnesota due to environmental concerns or risks. Areas with coarse-textured soils or areas above fractured bedrock or karst geology are the most vulnerable to nitrate-nitrogen loss and groundwater contamination.
Full story.
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MDA now accepting applications for noxious weed and invasive plant grants
MDA is now accepting applications for the fiscal year 2025 (July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025) Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Grant. Counties, municipalities, tribal governments, and weed management entities (including Cooperative Weed Management Areas) may apply for grants to mitigate noxious weeds around the state.
Full story.
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Funding available to assist with sustainable agriculture research
MDA is now accepting applications for grants to support innovative sustainability-focused research or demonstration projects on Minnesota farms.
Full story.
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Minnesota Crop Production Retailers
1020 Innovation Lane, Mankato, MN 56001
(763) 235-6466
mcpr-cca.org
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