Protect our water and land

Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen today released the annual list of top Minnesota dairy herds with low somatic cell counts (SCC). Somatic cell count is a key indicator of milk quality – a lower SCC count is better for cheese production and a longer shelf life for bottled milk.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is enlisting the public’s help in the early detection efforts of tree of heaven and spotted lanternfly. Tree of heaven is an invasive weed and preferred host for the spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect.

Minnesota farmers who have chlorpyrifos insecticide products made by two manufacturers can now arrange to return the products. Corteva Agriscience and ADAMA US have been given permission by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take back the chemicals.