The Big ‘O’ signs off for the last time

Farm broadcast legend, Orion Samuelson, has died. Samuelson, who was two weeks away from his 92nd birthday, spent 60 years at WGN Radio in Chicago and was the host for “U.S. Farm Report” and later “This Week in Agribusiness.” In an interview with Samuelson’s broadcast partner for 45 years, Max Armstrong shared his thoughts. “We had a wonderful run for those many years and, goodness gracious, the flood of memories as you can imagine.” Affectionately known as “O,” Samuelson changed the farm media business and also had a pro-found impact on all of agriculture. “Over the past 50 years, this guy probably is at least in the top 10 of the most influential people in American agriculture and maybe in the top five.” Funeral services will be held April 10 in a Chicago suburb.

Trump unveils ag relief plan

President Donald Trump unveiled a sweeping package of farm-focused policies during a White House agriculture event, aiming to ease rising costs tied to the Iran conflict and boost demand for U.S. farm commodities.  Speaking at the “Great American Agriculture Celebration,” Trump highlighted record biofuel mandates and expanded access to E15 fuel. “To help lower gasoline prices for farmers and consumers, this week I issued an emergency order to allow immediate sales of E15, and I’m seeking Congressional action to allow E15 all-year-round.” The administration also announced new guidance to roll back emissions-related equipment rules. Trump said, “Today we’re announcing new guidelines drastically limiting these ridiculous DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) rules, saving farmers and consumers billions and billions of dollars.” Additional loan guarantees and calls for a new farm bill were also emphasized.

Craig calls for action on farm economy

House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig said farmers are facing mounting financial stress as Congress works to finalize a new farm bill. Craig said current aid has fallen short of covering widespread losses across agriculture. “The $12 billion that’s been sent in farm aid really doesn’t cover much of the $40-$45 billion in losses that farmers have faced over the last year.”

DMC payments triggered

Dairy Margin Coverage program payments will be coming to some dairy farmers. The February national average margin was $8.46 per hundredweight. Dairy operations with Tier 1 margin coverage levels of $9.50 will receive a payment of $1.04 per cwt. The $9 coverage is eligible for 54 cents per cwt. and four cents for the $8.50 DMC coverage. The payments were automatically processed at the end of March.

Public comments submitted on Federal Order formula

Under the One Big Beautiful Bill, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service must conduct mandatory surveys regarding cost and yield surveys tied to make allowances in the Federal Milk Marketing Order formula. The American Dairy Coalition sought an extension to the public comment period beyond its tight 30-day window. Despite the re-quest, ADC reports that 76 total comments were submitted, with the majority coming from individual dairy farmers. “Dairy farmer participation is essential, and we are committed to making sure your input helps shape outcomes,” said ADC CEO Laurie Fischer. USDA’s process impacts make allowances and ultimately the revenues received on the farm.

USDA called a ‘bloated’ bureaucracy in Trump budget proposal

The White House is out with its 2027 budget proposal. Congress has the power of the purse, so the final budget will likely look very different. However, it does offer insight into President Trump’s priorities. For USDA, the proposal calls for nearly $21 billion in discretionary authority for 2027, a 19% cut from what was enacted this year. This blueprint calls USDA “a bloated Washington, D.C. bureaucracy” with programs that fail to support an “America First” agenda. The budget request includes an additional $50 million to implement USDA’s reorganization and move USDA employees to regional hubs. Cuts would include the McGovern-Dole Food for Education Program, which is described as “wasteful and inefficient.” AMS would take a $61 million hit by eliminating specific budget carve-outs. The proposal said the food and agriculture industry should use checkoff funds for these types of programs.

Hay price update

According to USDA’s Hay Market Demand and Price Report for the Upper Midwest, prices held steady in March. Prime alfalfa averaged $119 per ton for large squares and $157 per ton for large rounds. Grade 1 hay had an average price of $112 for large squares and $81 per ton for large rounds. The Grade 2 hay averaged $89 per ton for large squares and $74 per ton for large rounds.

Midwest Dairy Releases Annual Report

Midwest Dairy has released its 2025 annual report. With the push for protein, the dairy checkoff has focused on campaigns to amplify that trend. To build trust with consumers, Midwest Dairy connected dairy farmers with consumers and health professionals. The checkoff investment was also put into research and innovation. The Accelerator Program that supports entrepreneurs bringing innovative dairy products to market was given as an example.

Dairy and heart-healthy guidelines

The American Heart Association has updated its Dietary Guidelines to Improve Cardio-vascular Health. AHA said the relationship between the amount of protein consumed and heart disease is still uncertain but recommends a shift from meat to plant-based proteins such as beans and lentils. If red meat is consumed, portions should be limited and lean cuts are preferred. Low-fat and fat-free dairy products are also recommended.

Healthy fluid milk incentive funds awarded

USDA has awarded a $2.9 million grant to expand Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Healthy Fluid Milk Incentives projects across 169 SNAP-authorized retail stores in nine states. This award includes 75 new HFMI locations in Minnesota and three other states. Ninety-four existing sites were renewed in South Dakota and two other states. This program is seen as a way to encourage healthier food choices through the SNAP program.

Patronage returned to Bongards member-owners

At its annual meeting, Bongards Creameries reported 2025 earnings of $60.9 million on sales of $953 million. Patronage earnings of $40.6 million resulted in a 30% cash payment to members of $.676 per cwt. It was also announced that Bongards will revolve 2015 equity and half of 2016 equity in the amount of $14.3 million and members will receive those checks before Aug. 1, 2026.  Bongards’ members heard updates on the performance of plant operations, investments in plant equipment, sales and future opportunities for their co-op.

Holstein USA honoring junior members

Holstein Association USA Inc. has named 11 Distinguished Junior Member semifinalists. There is one Minnesotan on the list: Shelby Swanson of Hutchinson.

‘Believe’

The Minnesota FFA State Convention will be held April 20-21 in the Twin Cities. The theme for this year’s convention is “Believe.” “We’re tracing our roots back to the FFA creed, the phrase that we believe in the future of agriculture,” said Cameron Addington, state FFA president. “Our team felt very strongly about having ‘Believe’ as our theme; we’re excited to showcase that to the members and, not only share what the theme means to us, but have them use that for their own interpretation of what they think the theme means.” Addington expects attendance to top 7,000 people for the Minnesota FFA Convention.

Trivia challenge

A cow has one stomach with four distinct compartments: the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum. That answers our last trivia question. For this week’s trivia, when did the first dairy cows arrive in the United States? 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.