News

BISMARCK, N.D. – The confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in 56 hunter-harvested wild waterfowl as part of the United States Department of Agriculture’s ongoing surveillance program in North and South Carolina over the past two weeks is a reminder to poultry owners to increase biosecurity. The strain, a Eurasian H5N1 HPAI, is related to the strain of HPAI that Europe and the Middle East have been fighting in recent months and had not been detected in a wild bird in the United States since 2016.

BISMARCK – Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring has asked the Biden administration to drop its vaccine mandate for truckers coming to the United States from Canada, which began Jan. 22. Truckers had previously been exempted under essential worker status.

BISMARCK – The Tormaschy Dairy Farm of Richardton received the 2021 Commissioner’s Award of Dairy Excellence during the 2022 North Dakota Dairy Convention, held recently in Bismarck.

BISMARCK – Late last year, Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring awarded 51 grants totaling over $7 million to promote the development, cultivation, production and sales of specialty crops in North Dakota. The announcement was delayed due to USDA staffing changes and a postponement of the federal notice.

BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Doug Burgum and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring today announced emergency measures designed to ease a shortage of truck drivers in the milk distribution industry that has affected schools, businesses and other customers.

BISMARCK – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced it is accepting applications from motor carriers for the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot program. Under the program, certain 18-, 19-, and 20-year-old drivers may operate commercial vehicles in interstate commerce. Previously, drivers under 21 years of age could not cross state lines while operating commercial vehicles. The program was signed into law Nov. 15 as part of the infrastructure bill.

BISMARCK – Students at Fargo Public Schools will be dining on North Dakota raised and processed beef tomorrow after a coordinated effort between the Independent Beef Association of North Dakota (I-BAND), the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) and the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) through the state’s Farm to School program.

BISMARCK – Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring has named Rick Schmidt as the recipient of the 2022 Weed Control Partner Award.

BISMARCK – The longtime director of the Administrative Services Division of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, Ken Junkert, is retiring effective Jan. 31, 2022.

BISMARCK – Agricultural-related recovery efforts are underway in Kentucky after devastating tornadoes hit the state Dec. 10-11.