AGRICULTURE

Statement by the Sugar Industry Biotech Council on the Supreme Court Biotech Alfalfa Decision

June 21, 2010

The U.S. Supreme Court, in its first decision involving biotech crops, overturned a lower court’s order that has prohibited farmers from planting biotech alfalfa in a 7-1 vote. This ruling could allow the U.S. Department of Agriculture to permit interim planting of the crop while it completes an environmental study.

We are pleased with this significant ruling and how it might inform the biotech sugar beet process as we prepare for the next phase of the biotech sugar beet court proceedings. The biotech alfalfa ruling focuses on and clarifies the process of biotech approvals. Importantly, the Supreme Court’s ruling on biotech alfalfa does not presume that an injunction on planting biotech crops would be automatically issued if a biotech approval is challenged.

The next biotech sugar beet hearing is scheduled for August 13, 2010.

June 22, 2010: The Board of Directors approved a contest for MDFC growers and their employees starting with the 2010 harvest. The scope of the contest is to share ideas on how to reduce tare (dirt/mud).

You can download a copy of the form below or contact your Agriculturist for hard copies of the form. The application listed below is three pages. If you print it out make sure you get all three pages.

The following is from  MDFC Operations:

Agricultural Lime from Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative Farmers and businesses can pick up agricultural lime from Minn-Dak farmers cooperative. There is no cost for the lime but starting August 1, 2009 there will be a $1.00 per ton handling/loading fee. Anyone wanting to obtain lime must first fill out an Agricultural Lime Procurement Form (ALP), which can be obtained by contacting Pete Jensen ((701) 671-1376), Ron Ehlert ((701) 671-1382) or the Factory Office ((701) 671-1338).

This form along with Minn-Dak’s current Agricultural Liming Material Label and a typical nutrient/trace element analysis will be sent back. Once the ALP Form has been filled out and returned a farmer or business can pick up the lime. The ALP form is kept on file so if a farmer or business has picked up lime in previous years it is not necessary to fill out another form.

Please contact Ron Ehlert or the Factory office for loading locations and times. Typical summer hours for loading will be from 7:00 am until 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. Saturday loading may be initiated if warranted. Weather events will interrupt loading so be sure to call before coming.

December 15 , 2006:

Everyone,

Attached is a revised (December 15, 2006) worksheet I put together this afternoon in response to requests from growers on what a reasonable crop share percentage is.

Allen Larson

Click on this link for questions regarding purchasing of sugar/ sugar products (United Sugars)