AGP Executive Report
Last update: an hour agoAg Markets & Weather: Upper Midwest crop conditions are mixed as late-April gains met May rain delays, wind/dust storms, and pockets of drought stress, with some areas still far below normal rainfall. Fertilizer Logistics: A new FMCSA Hours-of-Service waiver lets fertilizer haulers drive up to 16 hours in 24 across 34 states, aiming to ease supply pressure. Local Ag Sales: Northern Plains farmers report a spring flurry of grain sales, helped by strong basis at new crush capacity in Mitchell, even as new-crop margins stay tight. Rail & Freight: The STB paused the Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger review and is asking for more detail on competition and truck-to-rail impacts as opposition grows, including South Dakota in a coalition of AGs. Road & Construction: SDDOT schedules shoulder chip seal work on U.S. 16 and 385 in Custer/Pennington starting June 3, plus Sioux Falls ramp and street closures for June milling/overlay and utility repairs. Retail & Jobs: Cato continues store closures, with the Sioux Falls location still open for now. Education & Workforce: A $1M gift expands a Sioux Falls after-high-school advising program to all four public high schools. Energy Costs & Policy: EV insurance is still far pricier than gas, while electricity price spikes are hitting some states hard—raising pressure on household budgets. Wildlife Conservation: USDA unveiled a migratory big game framework for 17 states, designed to align federal and state efforts while keeping working lands working.
Note: AI summary from news headlines; neutral sources weighted more to help reduce bias in the result. Feedback is welcome. Please let us know if you have any comments or suggestions about the AGP Executive Report.