Agriculture

Minnesota cattle producers to vote on proposed increase in beef checkoff fees
The Minnesota Beef Council has proposed a 50-cent increase to the $1 fee charged to cattle producers on every head of cattle sold. The checkoff fee hasn’t been raised in nearly 40 years, but to make it more palatable to members, the fee would be refundable for those who want to opt out of the program.
 USDA data casts doubt on China's soybean purchase promises touted by Trump
New data the Agriculture Department released Friday created serious doubts about whether China will really buy millions of bushels of American soybeans like the Trump administration touted last month.
Some Minnesota farmers could feel the government shutdown well after it ends
The government shutdown halted payments to farmers who participated in conservation programs. Even though the government has reopened, farmers may still face delays in receiving their funds.
Farmers' Almanac says it will cease publication after 208 years, citing financial challenges
Farmers’ Almanac said Thursday that its 2026 edition will be its last, citing the growing financial challenges of producing and distributing the book in today’s “chaotic media environment.”
Some Midwest soybeans are headed to China. But farmers still need other buyers
Some Midwestern soybean farmers are selling their beans to be crushed and turned into soybean meal and oil. But economists say domestic processing won’t be enough to offset the drop in Chinese demand.