The Minnesota Farmers Union calls the recently concluded special session of the state legislature a mixed bag. Farmers Union’s Government Relations Director, Thom Petersen says the ag budget that was worked out included help for an enhanced biofuels program, value added grants and provided $ 250,000 for additional meat inspectors.

Petersen says lawmakers failed to pass any transportation bill or tax relief for farmers and ranchers.

He says the Farmers Union will continue right away to work on taxes and transportation issues.

Petersen says the Governor’s Buffer Zone Compromise was approved during the special session. He says because the implementation is stretched out until 2017 and 2018, there is time to work on any additional needed tweaks.