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Minnesota Ag Commissioner on what’s stressing farmers

Minnesota Ag Commissioner Thom Petersen says farmers have plenty to feel stressed about right now.

“Prices and inputs right now, and the weather.”

Speaking to Brownfield at last week’s Farmfest, he said parts of Minnesota are teetering on drought.

“Kind of like last year, not as bad. But if we get those nice shots of rains the crop can finish off and everything. But it’s starting to really dry out quite a bit, especially here in the central part of the state.”

Petersen says farmers are wondering about the price and availability of fall fertilizer.

“What’s the price of diesel going to be like this fall? People are trying to lock in (prices).”

And he says supply chain issues have not gone away with some farmers wondering if harvest equipment will arrive on time.