BIG EXPENSE: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “In the coming year, it is estimated that it will cost an average of $220 to fertilize an acre of corn in Minnesota, based on projected 2026 crop input and overhead costs and historical data from the University of Minnesota’s Center for Farm Financial Management/FINBIN. It’s the single largest expense for many farmers, and it represents a 55% increase over the average cost of fertilizer five years ago. The price farmers receive for a bushel of corn remains what it was five years ago. In recent written testimony submitted to Congress, Mark Mueller, president of Iowa Corn Growers Association, offered a grim assessment.” MUELLER: “The massive increase in the cost of fertilizer is crushing corn growers in Iowa, and they aren’t alone. Growers across the country are facing an impossible decision: buy fertilizer or stay solvent.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43E4hQs (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
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FIRST: Via news release from Farm Aid, VERBATIM: “Following the success of its 40th anniversary music and food festival in Minneapolis, Minn., Farm Aid announced today that it will distribute more than $1.3 million in grant funding this year to support family farmers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3MlsAgh
DC IMPACTS
AID PACKAGE: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “President Donald Trump is planning a $12 billion farm aid package, according to a White House official — a boost to farmers who have struggled to sell their crops while getting hit by rising costs after the president raised tariffs on China as part of a broader trade war. According to the official, who was granted anonymity to speak ahead of a planned announcement, Trump will unveil the plan Monday afternoon at a White House roundtable with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, lawmakers and farmers who grow corn, cotton, sorghum, soybeans, rice, cattle, wheat, and potatoes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3KOR158
MORE: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “In Minnesota, row-crop farmers have seen stubbornly low prices on the state’s biggest commodity crops, corn and soybeans. But a framework announced this fall on a plan for China to begin re-purchasing U.S. soybeans — after a freeze-out in the wake of Trump’s tariffs — has pushed the price of soybeans to stronger territory, around $11 a bushel. Soybeans are perennially one of Minnesota’s largest exports.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48qXEnj
OATS: Via Marketplace, VERBATIM: “Southern Minnesota farmer Shea-Lynn Ramthun has been taking a gamble on diversifying her crop fields the last few years — leveling up on oat planting in addition to the usual corn and soybeans. ‘My grandpa always talked about the importance of diversification and what oats will do for the soil,’ Ramthun said. Federal subsidies and crop insurance incentivize widespread planting of corn and soybeans in middle America. But recently, a group of farmers in Minnesota and Iowa have taken a gamble on oats.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4pqzEH7
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
MORE FROM DC
DISASTER RELIEF: From farm management analyst Kent Thiesse, VERBATIM: “USDA initiated sign-up for ‘Stage 2’ of the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) at local Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices on November 24, with sign-up to continue until April 30, 2026; however, there are still a lot of questions about SDRP Stage 2.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44LllV2
FARM BILL: Via Farm Progress, VERBATIM: “Just like all farmers, hog producers are anxiously awaiting a new farm bill rather than limping along with a mere extension. Those in the industry opposed to California’s Proposition 12 hold out hope that a new farm bill will contain language reversing the production restrictions in place. As a reminder, Prop 12 was approved by California voters in 2018, and it put arbitrary restrictions on how sows/gilts, laying hens and veal were to be housed. Those restrictions stretch beyond that state’s borders, specifying that the animals that provided the pork to be sold in California must be raised in facilities meeting its requirements, regardless of where the animals are raised.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3XJBE0R
HEMP: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “As Minnesota prepares to tighten its rules on hemp-derived THC next month, the state’s already well-regarded hemp framework is drawing renewed national attention — even as a looming federal ban puts it at risk . . . Regulators and businesses in Minnesota, home to one of the country’s most developed THC beverage scenes, are now weighing whether the past few years have been a blueprint for the future or a brief, fragile experiment.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YcfJQ2
CHOICES
CROPS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A farmer and seed retailer in southeast Minnesota does not anticipate a dramatic acreage shift next year. Darin Johnson farms near Wells and says a lot of nitrogen was applied this fall. ‘Those corn acres are locked in. From a seed perspective, we are going to be probably about the same as where we were last year. Not a ton more corn on corn acres.’ He tells Brownfield some farmers want to be flexible going into the spring.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4aBLucA
TREES: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The University of Minnesota Duluth’s Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center held its annual tree cutting event at Bear Paw Trailhead. All visitors had to do was pay a small fee to explore the trails and find the perfect tree to decorate for the holidays. Officials with the learning center said the event is a win-win because tree cutting also helps thin out balsam fir trees, which are considered a fuel tree during forest fires.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oMk5s7
BEEF
Via Brownfield, a trio of related stories:
WHAT: “Market volatility is dampening excitement for high beef prices. Speaking to Brownfield at the 2025 Minnesota Cattle Industry Convention in St. Cloud, Minnesota Friday, Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association president Jake Thompson says the cattle market has experienced some significant swings.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3KQ1pJX
WHY: “The president-elect of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association contends retail beef is appropriately priced. Gene Copenhaver, who operates a stocker operation in southwest Virginia, says supply and demand justifies what consumers are paying for beef.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4iMuQcn
HOWEVER: “The CEO of the Minnesota Beef Council is encouraged by the resiliency of U.S. beef demand. Kelly Schmidt says product interest remains high despite some headwinds.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/48I1Xtt
FRESH15: The latest season of Fresh15 includes interviews with new Minnesota House members. So far, five new members have shared their goals, background and fun facts before they take office in a historic session this January.
Rep. Kari Rehrauer
Rep. Wayne Johnson
Rep. Julie Greene
Rep. Keith Allen
Rep. Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
FARM BUSINESS
CO-OPS: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “The boards of directors of Farmward Cooperative and Ag Plus Cooperative recently announced their intent to unify, following board approval from both organizations, according to a news release from Farmward.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iKeWPT
PARTNERSHIP: Via news release from Winona-based Fastenal, VERBATIM: “Fastenal Company (Nasdaq: FAST) is proud to announce a new corporate partnership with the National FFA Organization, strengthening its long-standing support of agricultural education and youth development. FFA (short for Future Farmers of America) is a nonprofit dedicated to changing the lives of students and furthering their leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3KHooqt
LOOKING AHEAD
NEXT WEEK: Via American Ag Network, VERBATIM: “Nearly 250 FFA members from across Minnesota will converge on St. Cloud State University Monday, December 15, to vie for spots in national competition in Leadership Development Events (LDEs). Team and individual winners in the areas of Prepared and Extemporaneous Public Speaking, Parliamentary Procedure, Ag Issues, Conduct of Chapter Meetings, Employment Skills and FFA Creed will move on to the National FFA Convention held in the fall of 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pW94VR
NEXT WEEK: Via MDA, the Seed Program Advisory Committee meets Tuesday. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4pPWgjU
CHECKOFF: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “Plans for a proposed Minnesota beef checkoff increase were outlined Friday at the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association Convention . . . In addition to the public hearing on Friday, two virtual hearings are scheduled for January.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3KjQA2L
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
CAPITOL: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “An 18-foot balsam fir grown on a family farm in Litchfield will take center stage in the Minnesota State Capitol this holiday season, marking a first-time honor for Turck’s Trees, the longtime State Fair standouts whose tree won the 2025 Minnesota State Fair Grand Champion title.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pZn80Z
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