Written by Jonathan Eisenthal
Farmers in West Central, Southwest and Southeastern regions of Minnesota are dealing with various levels of cold and wet that have halted the progress of soybean harvest and pushed corn harvest off for many until at least later this week.
Growing conditions throughout the season have resulted in crops that are slower to mature than in recent years, and grains and oilseeds have a higher moisture content and will require drying for storage.
Representative Erin Murphy with MCGA board member Les Anderson in the first of many visits by gubernatorial candidates
The Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) will be hosting 2018 gubernatorial candidates on family farms throughout Minnesota beginning Friday in an effort to build a greater understanding of modern farm practices and develop relationships with candidates from both political parties.
Through the one-on-one farm experience, growers hope to foster conversation about farmers’ commitment to conservation,
With four years of low commodity prices and no clear sign of a turnaround, University of Minnesota Extension services has started offering one-to-one financial counseling to farmers in financial stress at no cost.
The free service is offered in response to a sharp uptick in requests for Extension to offer financial consulting, according to Kevin Klair, who is an extension professor in the department of applied economics.
Klair said financial stress has increased rapidly since 2013,
The Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) board of directors recently elected Kirby Hettver as its new president for 2017-2018 at its September meeting. Hettver grows corn, soybeans and alfalfa on his farm in DeGraff, Minn.
Hettver is a fifth-generation farmer who has served on the MCGA board of directors since 2014. He has previously served as first vice president and secretary on the board. Hettver’s term began Oct. 1 and lasts one year.
Minnesota Corn Growers Association member Joel Mathiowetz was awarded the Agriculture Future of America “Young Leader in Agriculture” award. The Morgan, Minn., farmer received the award for his longtime contributions to agriculture and youth development.
Mathiowetz, who raises corn, soybean, peas and lambs, is a fifth generation farmer and a member of AFA for more than 20 years. When Mathiowetz first joined AFA it was an opportunity to speak with other farmer leaders during an economic downturn for farmers in 1998.