AgweekTV Full Show: Border closures ease, Grand Farm grant, therapy dog, insecticide ban lawsuit

By AgweekTV

February 19, 2022 at 5:30 AM

This week on AgweekTV, Canadian border closures ease but ag trade disruptions with the U.S. may continue. The Grand Farm gets a $10 million boost from the state and federal government. We'll tell you about Hillsboro High School's agriculture education program and their therapy dog. And farm groups sue EPA to reverse a ban on an important insecticide.

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WELCOME TO AGWEEK TV, I'M MICHELLE ROOK.

THE SUPPLY CHAIN SITUATION TOOK ANOTHER HIT THIS WEEK AS BAYER CROP SCIENCE SENT A NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS THAT IT WAS INVOKING FORCE MAJEURE AS IT WOULD BE UNABLE TO FULFILL PURCHASE ORDERS FOR GLYPHOSATE.

ONE OF THE COMPANY'S KEY RAW MATERIAL SUPPLIERS SUFFERED A MECHANICAL FAILURE, LIMITING SUPPLIES FOR THREE MONTHS. A STATEMENT PROVIDED BY BAYER INDICATES THIS MAY HAVE A SHORT-TERM IMPACT ON PRODUCTION BUT THEIR SUPPLIER IS ON TRACK TO RESTORE OPERATIONS. THE COMPANY ALSO SAYS THEY'VE SOURCED ADDITIONAL MATERIALS SO THEY EXPECT ANY IMPACT ON ANNUAL GLYPHOSATE PRODUCTION TO BE MARGINAL.

HOWEVER, THAT MAY BE A HEAVY LIFT IN THE NORTHERN CORN BELT.

Paul Johnson: The thing we've got to really worry about in this north part of the U.S. is everybody else uses it first and we come to it at the end.

JOHNSON SAYS THIS IS GOING TO MAKE PRE-EMERGENT WEED CONTROL EVEN MORE IMPORTANT.

Getting a good pre on so if the shortage really does happen and I can't get the product when I need it I've got my crop in good enough shape that it isn't going to be a major loss.

HE ALSO RECOMMENDS FARMERS SECURE PRODUCT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE THIS SPRING.

TWENTY AG GROUPS ARE SUING EPA FOR THEIR BAN ON THE COMMONLY USED INSECTICIDE CHLORPYRIFOS.

THE GROUPS ARE SEEKING AN INJUNCTION OF THE RULE THAT WILL TAKE EFFECT ON FEBRUARY 28TH, REVOKING ALL TOLERANCES TO THE PRODUCT. ULTIMATELY, GROUPS WANT EPA TO VACATE THE PART OF THE RULE THAT CONFLICTS WITH THE 11 USES OF PESTICIDE THAT EPA PREVIOUSLY FOUND SAFE BY THEIR OWN SCIENCE.

Kevin Scott: We're fighting that, ASA is fighting that right now with EPA and we're hoping to get stay in place that will allow us to keep using that.

CHLORPRYIFOS IS AN IMPORTANT TOOL USED BY FARMERS TO MANAGE VARIOUS PESTS IN CORN AND SOYBEANS.

IT IS ALSO USED TO CONTROL SUGARBEET ROOT MAGGOTS, AND IN SOME CASES, IT'S THE ONLY OPTION AVAILABLE. LAST FALL THE GROUPS ALSO FILED FORMAL OBJECTIONS TO EPA'S RULE.

THE CANADIAN BORDER CLOSURES AND TRUCKERS STRIKE HAVE EASED BUT THE CONFLICT BROUGHT TO LIGHT THE SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR MONTHS AND THEIR IMPACT ON TRADE.

CANADA IS A TOP TRADING PARTNER WITH THE U.S. AND SO ANY IMPEDIMENTS TO PRODUCT MOVEMENT CAN HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER. THE CANADIAN BROADCASTING COMPANY REPORTED THAT PROTESTERS ALLOWED TRUCKS HAULING LIVESTOCK THROUGH BUT OTHERS WERE PULLED OFF THE ROADS. THE BLOCKADE STOPPED TRAFFIC AT THE BORDER WHICH ADDS TIME AND MONEY.

THERE WAS ALREADY A TRUCKER SHORTAGE PRIOR TO THE STRIKE BUT THE COVID-19 VACCINATION MANDATE HAS MADE THAT SITUATION WORSE. THE GOVERNMENT IS DROPPING THAT REQUIREMENT ON MARCH 1

A NOVEL NEW CONSERVATION-RELATED PROGRAM FOR CROP INSURANCE WILL BE AVAILABLE IN SOME COUNTIES IN THE DAKOTAS AND MINNESOTA THIS YEAR.

IT'S A PILOT PROGRAM CALLED PACE – POST APPLICATION COVERAGE ENDORSEMENT. IT'S AN OPTION THAT APPLIES TO FARMERS IN CERTAIN COUNTIES WHO APPLY NITROGEN TO NON-IRRIGATED CORN IN SPLIT APPLICATIONS IN THE GROWING SEASON, INSTEAD OF ALL AT ONCE.

THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO TAKE SOME OF THE RISK OUT OF USING PRACTICES THAT REDUCE NITROGEN RUNOFF INTO GROUNDWATER.

CROP INSURANCE SPECIALIST CURTIS KAUFMAN DOESN'T KNOW HOW POPULAR THE PROGRAM WILL BE AT FIRST, BECAUSE OF TIMING FOR THIS YEAR'S CROP. HE ESTIMATES ABOUT HALF HIS COMPANY'S GROWERS ARE ALREADY TRYING THE PRACTICE.

Curtis Kaufman: A LOT OF OUR PRODUCERS ARE DOING IT AS A CONSERVATION EFFORT, TO CONTROL THE AMOUNT OF RUNOFF, OBVIOUSLY, THAT MIGHT BE AFFECTING GROUNDWATER. A LOT OF THEM ARE DOING IT FOR ECONOMIC REASONS.

PRODUCERS HAVE UNTIL MARCH 15TH TO SIGN UP.

NORTH DAKOTA IS PUTTING UP $10 MILLION TO BUILD AN "INNOVATION FACILITY" AT THE GRAND FARM SOUTH OF FARGO. IT WILL BE MATCHED AND USED BY AG RESEARCHERS AND DEVELOPERS -- TO ADVANCE AUTONOMOUS AGRICULTURE--THINGS LIKE DRIVERLESS TRACTORS. MIKKEL PATES WAS AT GOVERNOR DOUG BURGUM'S ANNOUNCEMENT THIS WEEK.

Mikkel Pates: MICHELLE, THE BEGINNING OF A NEW CHAPTER FOR THE GRAND FARM PROJECT IN NORTH DAKOTA.

Gov. Doug Burgum: NONE OF THIS HAPPENS IN OUR STATE WITHOUT ENTREPRENEURS AND RISK TAKERS. I MEAN, WE'RE STANDING ON MORE THAN A HUNDRED YEARS OF INNOVATION IN AGRICULTURE DRIVEN BY FARMERS HARD, SCRABBLE, OFTENTIMES FARMERS AND RANCHERS, THAT SAID "I SEE A PROBLEM AND I THINK I KNOW A WAY TO FIX IT."

THE GRAND FARM WAS STARTED IN 2019 ON A FORTY ACRE "TEST SITE" NEAR HORACE, NORTH DAKOTA. IT'S MISSION IS TO FOCUS ON AG TECHNOLOGY, LIKE AUTONOMOUS EQUIPMENT.

Brian Carroll: WE WANT TO HAVE FACILITIES, PERMANENT FACILITIES, IN WHICH PEOPLE CAN COME TOGETHER AND INNOVATE AND COLLABORATE AND THINK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF AG TECH.

THE NEW INNOVATION FACILITY EVENTUALLY WILL GROW TO MORE THAN 160 ACRES. IT WILL BE EITHER NEAR KINDRED OR CASSELTON. A BUILDING WILL INCLUDE SPACES FOR TEACHING, DEVELOPING AND DEMONSTRATING AG TECH. THERE WILL ALSO BE INNOVATION PLOTS FOR RESEARCH PROJECTS. THE TEN MILLION DOLLARS COMES FROM CONGRESS IN THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT -- OR COVID RESCUE FUNDS. IT WAS AUTHORIZED FOR THIS PROJECT DURING A SPECIAL SESSION OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE IN NOVEMBER 2021. IT MUST BE MATCHED BY MONEY FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

Greg Tehven: WE'RE ALSO EXCITED TO ENGAGE STARTUPS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY, CORPORATIONS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, PARTNER WITH ACADEMIA, VENTURE CAPITALISTS, TO REALLY BUILD AN ECOSYSTEM OF FOCUS, AROUND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY IN AGRICULTURE.

SO WITH THIS NEW HELP FROM FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS, GRAND FARM HOPES TO NOT ONLY SEE THE FUTURE, BUT HELP SHAPE IT. FOR AGWEEK, THIS IS MIKKEL PATES IN FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA.

A FULL-SCALE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO RAISE THE MATCHING TEN MILLION DOLLARS WILL START BY THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2022.

MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON IS PARTNERING WITH MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION IN THEIR EFFORT FOR STRICTER ANTITRUST ENFORCEMENT AS PART OF THEIR FAIRNESS FOR FARMERS CAMPAIGN.

ELLISON SAYS THEY'VE INCREASED STAFFING TO STEP UP INVESTIGATIONS AND LITIGATION. THEY'RE ALSO PUSHING LEGISLATION TO PROMOTE COMPETITION AND WORKING WITH OTHER STATES ON FEDERAL ANTITRUST EFFORTS.

Keith Ellison: My office also led on a, co-authored a letter of 16 Attorneys General, both Republicans and Democrats that we sent to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to improve competition in the meat processing industry.

HE SAYS THIS RESULTED IN PRESIDENT BIDEN'S PRESIDENTIAL EXECUTIVE ORDER.

ELLISON BELIEVES THE LEVEL OF CONCENTRATION IN THE MEATPACKING INDUSTRY MAY BE WORSE THAN IT WAS 100 YEARS AGO, DUE TO THE LACK OF ENFORCEMENT OF ANTITRUST LAWS. HOWEVER, HE THINKS THERE IS A POLITICAL WILL TO UNWIND IT.

COMING UP ON AGWEEK TV, WE'LL TAKE YOU TO A UNIQUE SOUTHERN MINNESOTA POULTRY OPERATION.

THE AGWEEK LIVESTOCK TOUR IS SPONSORED BY 701x,TRANS OVA AND FARMERS MUTUAL OF NEBRASKA

A SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA WOMAN IS COMBINING HER PASSION FOR FOOD, ANIMALS AND THE LAND WHERE SHE GREW UP.

IN THIS WEEK'S AGWEEK COVER STORY, NOAH FISH TAKES US TO THE GRAISE FARM. AS OUR LIVESTOCK TOUR CONTINUES.

Tiffany Tripp: OUR FAMILY STARTED HERE IN 1944.

TIFFANY TRIPP'S GRANDPARENTS AND THEN HER PARENTS RAN THIS AS A DAIRY FARM. THEN IT SAT EMPTY FOR ABOUT FIFTEEN YEARS BEFORE TIFFANY AND HER HUSBAND ANDY OLSON DECIDED TO GIVE FARMING A TRY IN 2015.

Tiffany Tripp: WE REALLY STARTED FARMING BECAUSE WE WERE INTERESTED IN RAISING MORE OF OUR OWN FOOD, BECOMING MORE SELF-RELIANT.

THEY STARTED WITH A FEW CHICKENS, AND A FEW YEARS LATER THEY ADDED DUCKS.

Tiffany Tripp: WE STARTED WITH THIRTY DUCKS THE FIRST YEAR AND TODAY WE HAVE RAISE ABOUT 450.

GRAISE FARM DUCKS ARE FREE RANGE AND ARE FED CERTIFIED ORGANIC GRAINS. THEY SAY IT'S BEEN KIND OF A LEARNING CURVE, FOR EXAMPLE, DISCOVERING THAT DUCKS LAY VERY FEW EGGS IN THE WINTER. BUT IT'S NOT DAMPENING THEIR ENTHUSIASM.

THEY ALSO RAISE PASTURE PORK FARROW TO FINISH. THE PIGS EAT CERTIFIED ORGANIC, AND THEY USE THE PIGS TO KEEP THE LAND CLEANED UP.

Andy Olsen: THEY GO IN, THEY GET RID OF THE BUCKTHORN, THEY GET RID OF THE SUMAC, THEY TAKE DOWN SAPLINGS THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN DOWN.

OLSEN AND TRIPP SUBSCRIBE TO THE THEORY THAT GOOD PORK IS BASED ON WHAT IT EATS, HOW IT'S RAISED AND HOW IT'S TREATED. AND THAT'S GOOD FOR THE LAND, AS WELL.

Andy Olsen: WE SUBSCRIBE TO THE BELIEF THAT WITH ANIMALS ON THE LAND, WE CAN LEAVE MORE BIOLOGY BEHIND AND ACTUALLY MAYBE REGENERATE SOIL GROWTH BIOLOGY, INSTEAD OF JUST TAKE, TAKE, TAKE. THAT WAS LIFE CHANGING.

THEY SELL THEIR PRODUCTS STRAIGHT TO CONSUMERS, LARGELY THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA, AT FOOD COOPS AROUND THE MIDWEST, OR AT LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS.

Tiffany Tripp: IT'S BEEN A REALLY EXCITING ADVENTURE I WOULD SAY.

NEAR FARIBAULT, MINNESOTA, THIS IS NOAH FISH ON THE AGWEEK LIVESTOCK TOUR.

YOU CAN READ MORE IN THE NEXT AGWEEK MAGAZINE, OR AT AGWEEK.COM .

SOUTH DAKOTA SOYBEAN PROCESSORS HAS ANNOUNCED PLANS FOR A THIRD PROCESSING PLANT IN THE STATE.

THEY ALREADY HAVE PLANTS IN VOLGA AND MILLER AND ARE ADDING A 35 MILLION BUSHEL FACILITY LOCATED JUST SOUTH OF MITCHELL, SOUTH DAKOTA. SDSP CHOSE THE SITE BECAUSE OF THE LARGE LIVESTOCK OPERATIONS IN THE AREA THAT WILL UTILIZE THE MEAL. PLUS, THEY CAN DRAW BOTH SOYBEANS AND SUNFLOWERS TO USE IN THIS "SWITCH PLANT" THAT CAN CRUSH BOTH OILSEED CROPS. THE OIL WILL BE USED FOR THE FOOD MARKET AS WELL AS RENEWABLE DIESEL. THEY PLAN TO BE OPERATIONAL BY FALL OF 2024 OR SPRING 2025.

AN EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA SEED DEALER KNOWN FOR SELLING "TRAITED" CORN AND SOYBEANS IS RE-ENTERING THE IDENTITY-PRESERVED MARKET FOR FOOD GRADE CONVENTIONAL SOYBEANS.

PETERSON FARMS SEED IS THE LARGEST INDEPENDENT CORN AND SOYBEAN COMPANY IN THE DAKOTAS AND MINNESOTA.

THE COMPANY WAS IN THE I-P MARKET FOR SOYBEANS FROM 2000 TO 2010, BUT GOT OUT OF IT PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF FREIGHT PROBLEMS.

PRESIDENT CARL PETERSON SAYS HE THINKS THE I-P BUSINESS WILL INCREASE, WITH THE POPULARITY OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS, AND FOODS WITH SPECIAL QUALITIES LIKE HIGHER PROTEIN. SO HE THINKS IT'S A GOOD TIME TO REENTER THE NICHE MARKET.

Carl Peterson: WE THINK WE WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THOSE NICHES AND WE THINK THERE'S A BENEFIT TO FARMERS TO DO SO. THEY CAN BE MORE PROFITABLE, IF THEY'RE WILLING TO TAKE THE STEPS REQUIRED TO MEET THOSE SPECIFICATIONS.

PETERSON IS OFFERING A $3 PER BUSHEL PREMIUM, AND "TAKE-ALL" CONTRACTS FOR ALL BUSHELS BINNED. THOSE WILL TOTAL ABOUT 20,000 ACRES IN 2022, AND HE HOPES TO EXPAND IN THE FUTURE.

Katie Pinke: COMING UP ON AGWEEK TV, WE CELEBRATE FFA WEEK BY VISITING HILLLSBORO HIGH SCHOOL, AND THEIR THERAPY DOG.

THE MOST RECENT DROUGHT MONITORS CONTINUE TO SHOW SOME AREAS OF CONCERN IN OUR REGION. WILL THAT CHANGE ANYTIME SOON?

HERE'S JOHN WITH OUR AGRI-WEATHER OUTLOOK.

THEY SAY DOGS ARE MAN'S BEST FRIEND, BUT ONE LUCKY DOG HAS HUNDREDS OF FRIENDS, AND A VERY IMPORTANT JOB.

MAURA IS A GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUPPY, AND SHE HAS A COUPLE OF ROLES AT HILLSBORO, NORTH DAKOTA HIGH SCHOOL.

THIS IS NATIONAL FFA WEEK, SO KATIE PINKE THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD TIME TO VISIT THIS SPECIAL DOG.

Katie Pinke: IN FEBRUARY OF 2020, THE SMALL ANIMAL CARE CLASS IN MR. REESE'S CLASS AT HILLSBORO CREATED A PROPOSAL FOR A THERAPY DOG. THIS SCHOOL YEAR IT'S COMING TO FRUITION.

Levi Reese: SO IT BRINGS ON THAT HANDS ON EXPERIENCE THAT THEY'RE NORMALLY NOT GOING TO GET. YOU CAN BRING A DOG IN FOR A DAY OR TWO, BUT THIS IS EVERY DAY. MOST DAYS THEY GET TO TRAIN THE DOG AND THEY GET TO SEE THE PROGRESS FROM DAY ONE TO THE END OF THE PROJECT.

Katie Pinke: JUST SX STUDENTS ARE IN THE SMALL ANIMAL CARE CLASS, AND THEY'RE ALREADY LEARNING THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE IN THEIR LIVES.

FERNANDO: WE'RE LEARNING HOW TO TRAIN A DOG, OF COURSE.

Now try to get her to sit. good girl, Maura.

LAST SEMESTER WE LEARNED A DOG'S ANATOMY, WE LEARNED HOW TO PROPERLY GROOM A DOG, HOW TO DO VET CHECKS, LIKE GIVE SHOTS.

Katie Pinke: THE THERAPY DOG PROPOSAL HAD THREE KEY OBJECTIVES -- TO PROVIDE HANDS ON LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR VETERINARY SCIENCE AND SMALL ANIMAL CARE CLASSES, TO PROVIDE COMFORT AND SUPPORT TO THE STUDENTS AND STAFF AT HILLSBORO PUBLIC SCHOOL...

Levi Reese: HAVING HER HERE HAS CHANGED MY OUTLOOK ON TEACHING AND WHAT I DO AND EVEN MY BUSINESS MANAGER SAID TODAY, SHE SAID YOU'RE IN A MUCH BETTER MOOD THAN YOU WERE EARLIER.

...AND TO REDUCE ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION IN HILLSBORO PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS.

Carolyn Hall: WHEN THEY SEE HER AND THEY JUST SMILE. THEY GET DOWN AND PET HER, IT JUST LIKE GIVES THEM A LITTLE BREAK FROM SCHOOL AND THEY FEEL HAPPY IN THAT MOMENT. IT GIVES THEM A LITTLE MOMENT OF HAPPINESS.

Katie Pinke: MR.REESE'S GOAL IS FOR THERAPY DOGS TO GROW AMONG AG CLASS AND FFA CHAPTERS ACROSS THE REGION. FROM HILLSBORO HIGH SCHOOL, THIS IS KATIE PINKE FOR AGWEEK.

WHEN SHE'S NOT WORKING AT SCHOOL, MAURA IS THE REESE FAMILY'S DOG. YOU CAN EVEN FOLLOW HER ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

A MINNESOTA FFA CHAPTER IS HELPING TO FEED THE COMMUNITY. STUDENTS AT WEST CENTRAL AREA HIGH SCHOOL IN BARRETT, MINNESOTA,

ARE LEARNING THE BASICS OF AGRONOMY BY GROWING PRODUCE FOR THE COMMUNITY. THANKS TO A GRANT FROM THE LIONS CLUB, AND COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING, THE SCHOOL IS BUILDING A $350,000 GREENHOUSE TO EXPAND THE PROGRAM.

MEANWHILE, THE SCHOOL IS ALSO PARTNERING WITH NEARBY ASHBY HIGH SCHOOL, HOPING TO BRING A FOOD PREPARATION PROGRAM TO BOTH SCHOOLS, THAT INCLUDES MEAT CUTTING.

TEACHER ERIC SAWATZKE SAYS THEY WOULD BE TRAINING STUDENTS TO FILL A NEED IN THE WORKFORCE.

Eric Sawatzke: WE'RE AT A POINT WHERE WE'RE GOING TO BE READY TO FILL THAT BOTTLENECK VOID UP WITH GOOD CANDIDATES, KIDS THAT ARE GOING TO GET THEIR CHANCE AT TRYING OUT MEAT PROCESSING IN HIGH SCHOOL.

THE STUDENTS WILL BE PROVIDING FOOD TO LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES.

THE FRENCH ARE FAMOUS FOR THEIR PERFUME, BUT HOW ABOUT SMELLING LKE FRENCH FRIES? WE'LL TELL YOU HOW YOU CAN, AFTER THIS.

THE SMELL OF FRENCH FRIES IS IRRESISTIBLE TO MANY, BUT HOW ABOUT AS A PERFUME?

WELL NOW YOU CAN BE SPUD-SCENTED. FRITES BY IDAHO -- IS MADE FROM DISTILLED IDAHO POTATOES AND ESSENTIAL OILS.

THE 1-POINT 7-OUNCE BOTTLE RETAILS FOR A DOLLAR 89. THAT'S ABOUT THE PRICE OF A LARGE ORDER OF FRENCH FRIES AT A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT.

THE LIMITED EDITION FRAGRANCE IS ONLY AVAILABLE ON THE IDAHO POTATO COMMISSION'S WEBSITE.

STORIES YOU'LL ONLY SEE ON AGWEEK.COM AND AGWEEK MAGAZINE THIS WEEK,

A LONGTIME NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION AGENT GETS HONORED BY HER ALMA MATER.

AND A TECHNOLOGY COMPANY WANTS TO CHANGE THE FUTURE OF CATTLE MANAGEMENT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF AG WEEK TV.

REMEMBER, FOR ALL YOUR AG NEWS, GO TO AG WEEK.COM . YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM. HAVE YOURSELF A GREAT AND SAFE WEEK.