Emily Beal, Agweek Journalist Profile

Articles

North Dakota aerial application business is employee-owned and busy

5 days ago | agweek.com | Emily Beal

WAHPETON, N.D. — Employees of Wilbur-Ellis in Wahpeton, North Dakota, bought the company in spring 2023 and renamed it Dakota Air Spray. The move to an employee-owned business included several locations across North Dakota and South Dakota. Besides switching to an employee-owned business model, Eric Klindt, Dakota Air Spray chief pilot, said not all that much has changed. “I don't think a lot of things have changed.
U.S. grain markets not as volatile as predicted

2 weeks ago | agweek.com | Emily Beal

The May WASDE report had some surprises that many analysts and traders did not expect, according to North Dakota State University Extension crops economist, Frayne Olson. Among those surprises was a lack of downgrade or some reduction in the forecast for exports levels, as May is the first month of the year where the USDA releases forecasts for the new crop year. For old corn crop, USDA increased the amount of export sales on corn.
Sugarbeet planting wraps up for Minnesota farmer

2 weeks ago | agweek.com | Emily Beal

MOORHEAD, Minn. — Standing in the middle of his emerging sugarbeet field in the sweltering sun, James Nelson couldn’t help but note the unseasonably warm weather the Red River Valley had been experiencing for mid-May, the temperature reaching over 90 the previous three days. But as a third-generation farmer, he knows all too well the gambling that takes place in farming. “You know, we're worried all the time, but that's farming,” Nelson said.
Sugarbeet planting wraps up for Minnesota farmer

2 weeks ago | winchesteragservice.com | Emily Beal

MOORHEAD, Minn. — Standing in the middle of his emerging sugarbeet field in the sweltering sun, James Nelson couldn’t help but note the unseasonably warm weather the Red River Valley had been experiencing for mid-May, the temperature reaching over 90 the previous three days. But as a third-generation farmer, he knows all too well the gambling that takes place in farming. “You know, we're worried all the time, but that's farming,” Nelson said.
Great Plains Food Bank loses $1.3 million in funding through federal cuts

4 weeks ago | inforum.com | Emily Beal

FARGO, N.D. — The Great Plains Food Bank has continued to help more and more people each year combat hunger, specifically those in the state of North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota. The food bank now faces adversity, as they have been directly impacted by federal cuts. The Emergency Food Assistance Program was a program that received federal cuts. The Great Plains Food Bank lost $300,000 in funding for their summer deliveries from this program.
North Dakota farmer joins United Soybean Board

1 month ago | inforum.com | Emily Beal

KATHRYN, N.D. — Matt Gast farms in Kathryn, south of Valley City, where he raises corn, soybeans, and, most recently, has added canola into his rotation. Of all three commodities, soybeans take up most of his time, but perhaps not in the way some would think. Gast serves as treasurer for the United Soybean Board, a role he was elected into last December.
2025 forage outlook hazy for North Dakota

1 month ago | agweek.com | Emily Beal

The forage outlook for 2025 appears to be dim for ranchers in North Dakota, especially those in the western part of the state. The drought that began last fall and is impacting nearly 60% of the state could reduce forage by 10-20%.
Researchers and honey industry investigate the deaths of over half the nation's honeybee colonies

1 month ago | inforum.com | Emily Beal

After hearing whispering and outcries from commercial beekeepers about their colonies dying sporadically and mysteriously, Project Apis m. — a leading organization in the world of honeybees — conducted a large-scale survey. Nearly 850 beekeepers responded to the survey, representing about 72% of the nation’s bee colonies. The results were staggering.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar talks tariffs' impacts to ag and small businesses at Moorhead brewery

1 month ago | agweek.com | Emily Beal

MOORHEAD, Minn. — U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn, spoke at Swing Barrel Brewing Co. in Moorhead, Minnesota, on Friday, April 11, about the current happenings in the U.S. government, particularly tariffs and the uncertainty they bring along with them. “Not all tariffs are bad; however, the way this has been handled across the board has been a complete jolt to our economy, and particularly in rural America,” Klobuchar said.
Roller Ranch offers customers premium Simmental genetics

2 months ago | agweek.com | Emily Beal

HEWITT, Minn. — Brent and Jenny Roller bought their ranch in Hewitt in 2011, but began their seedstock operation in 2020. They now run around 200 head on their registered Simmental operation, along with some Angus genetics. In addition to their cattle operation, they also raise dark red kidney beans, black turtle beans, corn, soybeans and hay. Roller Ranch has invested in premium genetics in an effort to offer their customers the best cattle they possibly can.