- A judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota granted a preliminary injunction stopping the Biden administration’s “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule from taking effect in 24 states. Combined with a previous ruling in the Southern District of Texas, 26 states across the country are protected from the Biden WOTUS rule.
- The Propane Education & Research Council is offering double incentives of up to $10,000 toward eligible propane-powered equipment for agricultural operations directly impacted by the Midwest tornado outbreak. From now through December 31, 2023, affected producers who apply for the Propane Farm Incentive Program can earn double the incentive amount for qualifying propane-powered equipment — including irrigation engines, building/water heating systems, power generators, and flame weeding systems.
- To support the next generation of American agriculture, National Farmers Union (NFU) announced the eleven participants selected for its eleventh Beginning Farmer Institute (BFI) cohort. Over the course of nine months, attendees will participate in four sessions focused on technical training, mentorship, and leadership development.
- In 2022, U.S. potato exports reached a record $2.1 billion in sales. Compared to 2021, volume sales declined -4.2% but were higher than 2018 and 2020, according to Potatoes USA. The value of U.S. potato exports rose across all potato types (frozen, fresh, dehydrated, seed, and chips), resulting in an 11% increase from the previous year.
- The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) has named Christopher Pudenz as its economics and research manager. Pudenz begins his Farm Bureau career on April 17, leading the coordination and management of economic research and analysis for Iowa’s largest general farm organization
- Farmers are invited to submit nominations for the 2024 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year contest, which comes with cash prizes and bragging rights. This is the sixth year of the contest, supported by Purina, which celebrates farm dogs and the many ways they support farmers and ranchers in producing nutritious food for families and their pets across America.
