Ag budget clears Minnesota Senate

The Senate passed the agriculture budget bill with a 43-23 margin. Agriculture Committee Chair Aric Putnam said this budget invests in emergency preparedness, mental health, meat and dairy inspection and wolf and elk depredation. The bill differs from the House version. “I’m not a partisan guy, but we acted like grown-ups, and the House did not,” Putnam said. “My budget target was negative, so I had to cut some stuff and move some stuff around to put more money in different places. You’ll see a big difference with the House target, which was an additional $17 million in brand-new spending. I don’t know where they got it from, but we tried to do as best as we could while trying to be fiscally responsible.” Putnam was asked how those differences could be resolved in the conference committee. “I have no idea, man,” was the response. “It’s going to be a mess.”

Trump budget recommendations released

The White House has released its budget recommendations for fiscal year 2026. For the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Trump administration cuts $754 million in discretionary funding for conservation technical assistance through the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The budget calls for $358 million in cuts to Farm Service Agency salaries and expenses. The budget document said the FSA is “staff-heavy” and leased premises are underutilized. More focus will be on improving online services for farmers. The proposal eliminates the McGovern-Dole Food for Education Program that buys commodities from U.S. farmers for foreign food donations. USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and National Agricultural Statistics Service budgets would be trimmed by nearly $160 million. The budget plan said it reduces funding for agricultural research projects that have gone beyond their ideal lifespan or are not a national priority. USDA Rural Development funds for broadband expansion are also eliminated.

IDFA pledges to eliminate artificial dyes

The International Dairy Foods Association has pledged to eliminate artificial colors from the National School Lunch Program. This voluntary pledge includes Red 3, Red 40, Green 3, Blue 1, Blue 2, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 in milk, cheese and yogurt products sold to K-12 schools, beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. “While I look forward to getting whole milk back into our schools, this announcement shows how the dairy industry is voluntarily driving change and giving consumers what they want without government mandates,” said Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.

Trade representative’s office challenges common names

The U.S. Trade Representative’s Office called out the European Union and its campaign to restrict common food names, such as parmesan and feta. The U.S. Dairy Export Council, National Milk Producers Federation and the Consortium for Common Food Names praised the annual USTR report. USDEC President/CEO Krysta Harden said Europe’s use of geographical indicators “is nothing more than a trade barrier dressed up as intellectual property protection.”

More cheese heading south of the border

Mexico is expected to become the top destination for U.S. agricultural exports this year. Food and ag exports south of the border rose 65% in the past four years. A report from the CoBank Knowledge Exchange said Mexico’s economy is growing, and the appetite for meat and dairy products is following suit. U.S. dairy exports are enjoying noticeable growth, with the total U.S. dairy export value increasing 76% since 2020.

India signs memorandum of understanding

NMPF and USDEC have signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce. The MOU is a framework for working together to increase dairy trade and boost public nutrition.

Dairy outlook released

The monthly Dairy Market Report from the NMPF and Dairy Management Incorporated said rising milk production and general economic uncertainty are pressuring milk prices. Dairy product prices were lower in March, which sent Class III prices down as well. Looking ahead, the average all-milk price forecast for 2025 was lowered.

Minnesota prices updated

According to USDA, the average price for milk in Minnesota was $21.80 per hundredweight in March. That’s $2.10 below the February price, but $2.30 above the March 2024 price. Prices received for dairy herd replacements averaged $2,810 on April 1; that’s $220 per head more than February and $660 more than March of last year. The March 2025 alfalfa hay price was $109 per ton, $6 below the previous month and $43 below March of 2024.

Food costs rise

Global food prices rose last month, with higher prices for meat, dairy and sugar products shouldering the blame. The food price index from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization indicates meat prices are up more than 4% since the beginning of the year. Dairy prices are up as much as 23%, with international butter prices at a new all-time high.

Pizza Hut sales drop

In the first quarter, Pizza Hut saw same-store U.S. sales decline 5%. To gain market share moving forward, company officials said they’d focus on value offerings and menu innovations.

Blomgren appointed

USDA has announced the latest slate of presidential appointments for FSA and Rural Development state directors. The new state executive director for Minnesota FSA is Butterfield farmer Kurt Blomgren. The Minnesota Rural Development state director was not announced. David Ladd has been nominated for the post.

Addington to lead Minnesota FFA

Minnesota’s new state FFA president is taking on a familiar role. Cameron Addington’s mother, Leah (Schliep) Addington, served as president 27 years ago. Addington is from the Cannon Falls FFA Chapter. The officer team includes Vice President Paisley Von Berge of Hutchinson, Secretary Dessa Terning of Dassel-Cokato and Treasurer Hailey Chambers of Medford. The reporter is Keeley Runge of St. James, and the new sentinel is Lauren Hunt of Willmar.

Hall of fame honors

Seven new individuals have been inducted into the Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame. That list includes Sarah Kuschel from Sebeka; Kuschel is a regional coordinator for Minnesota Ag in the Classroom and a volunteer advisor for the Sebeka FFA Chapter. The other inductees include lobbyist A.J. Duerr, Linder Farm Network President Lynn Ketelsen, longtime Grand Rapids ag teacher Shawn Linder, University of Minnesota Associate Professor Amy Smith, retired Foley ag instructor Al Stemper and Iowa State University Endowed Chair Curtis Youngs.

Trivia challenge

Harvestore is the iconic blue siloes that dot the countryside. That answers our last trivia question. For this week’s trivia, how much milk does the average American consume per year? We’ll have the answer in our next edition of the Dairy Star.

Don Wick is owner/broadcaster for the Red River Farm Network of Grand Forks, North Dakota. Wick has been recognized as the National Farm Broadcaster of the Year and served as president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. Don and his wife, Kolleen, have two sons, Tony and Sam, and five grandchildren, Aiden, Piper, Adrienne, Aurora and Sterling.