Committee moves to protect grain indemnity account balance after processor bankruptcy claims Chair Anderson sponsored a bill to restrict withdrawals from the grain indemnity fund and limit uses until the account reaches a $15 million target; members discussed assessment mechanics and accountability for bankrupt elevators. The committee laid the bill over for further review.

Minnesota's grain indemnity fund faces scrutiny after a processor's bankruptcy has left producers seeking $800,000 in claims, prompting a bill to safeguard the account's balance and restrict withdrawals.

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Bill would create joint task force to study regulatory stress in agriculture House Bill 2619 establishes a joint legislative task force (12 members) to review regulations that contribute to producer stress—covering land use, water stewardship, grazing and pesticides—and report recommendations by November 2028; sponsors framed the measure as a response to high suicide rates in agriculture.

A new bill aims to tackle the stressors in agriculture linked to regulatory burdens, with a task force set to recommend life-saving changes by 2028.

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USDA Wildlife Services outlines voluntary farm biosecurity assessments and sampling program Wildlife Services briefed the board on a national Wildlife Biosecurity Assessment (WBA) project offering free farm assessments, wildlife surveys and direct control; Minnesota work began in 2023 and has assisted 83 premises with 148 assessments to date.

USDA Wildlife Services is rolling out a free national Wildlife Biosecurity Assessment that could transform your farm's safety protocols!

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