CONGRESS: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “As the dust settles from the 2024 elections and Congress returns to complete action on must-pass legislation, emergency assistance for America’s farm families must be on that list, including for enormous economic and production losses resulting from depressed prices and natural disasters. Minnesota farm families had a spotty production year, but even if yields had exceeded the average, the revenues from production would still be well below the costs of producing that crop. Without accounting for basis, we are looking at a loss of more than $80 per acre on corn and over $67 on soybeans. Factoring in basis, losses could range anywhere from $117 to $160 per acre on corn and between $82 and $93 per acre on soybeans.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UHXLnc (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
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LOSSES: From Chris Clayton via DTN, VERBATIM: “The typical commercial corn and soybean farm in the upper Midwest will likely show financial losses for both 2024 and 2025, based on reports from roughly 3,100 farms. The Center for Farm Financial Management at the University of Minnesota highlighted the state of farm finances Tuesday as the American Bankers Association kicked off its annual Agricultural Bankers Conference. Reports from the center's database of finances for more than 3,100 farms – ‘FINBIN’ -- projects the typical commercial crop farm in the upper Midwest with -$24,000 net average net farm income for 2024 and looking ahead projects -$12,000 for 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4etHfON
FARM BILL: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The president of Minnesota Farm Bureau isn’t sure what to think of a lame duck farm bill.” QUOTE: “I’ve been all over the board, and you talk to so-called experts and they’re all over the board.” Dan Glessing, who farms near Waverly in central Minnesota, tells Brownfield Farm Bureau continues to advocate for a farm bill this year. “Quite honestly when you look at how old this farm bill is, and then obviously we had the extension last year, boy it’s a pre-COVID farm bill. And you think COVID has been a while already, and the farm bill was created before that.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YLuEAA
WAGE THEFT: From Max Nesterak via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “It was the biggest wage theft case the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office ever brought. More than $3 million in wages allegedly stolen from hundreds of mostly undocumented immigrants working across a sprawling dairy operation with more than a dozen farms in central Minnesota. But after the state settled the lawsuit against Evergreen Acres Dairy and its related businesses for just $250,000 last month, workers say they’re feeling shortchanged, again, and worried about the message it sends to other dairy farms that fleece workers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YQkmiy
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GREENWAY: Via The Farmer, VERBATIM: “Chad Greenway’s story is one of hard work, perseverance and community — a narrative that stretches from the farmlands of South Dakota to National Football League stadiums, and now back to his agricultural roots. Minnesota Pork has partnered with Greenway, where he draws from his farm upbringing and athletic career to advocate for the benefits of pork, particularly as a lean protein source.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hLGymC
CARGILL: From Cargill via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “Cargill RegenConnect has surpassed one million enrolled acres for the 2025 U.S. planting season, a milestone that underscores Cargill’s ongoing efforts to support farmers in adopting regenerative agriculture practices. Through partnerships with farmers across the United States and beyond, Cargill is helping to transform agricultural systems for a more sustainable, food secure world.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40JBWr4
THIS MONTH: From Julie Buntjer via Worthington Globe, VERBATIM: “From the vantage point of Jesse and Andrea Walker’s rural Rushmore acreage, visitors can see thousands of pine trees, each planted by hand in neat rows and looking like the budding Christmas tree farm it is positioned to be. The Walkers will open Juno’s Tree Farm to the public on Nov. 23 for the first of three weekends of Christmas tree sales.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Z2PFYY
HARVEST: Via Successful Farming, VERBATIM: “According to the USDA Crop Progress report for the week ending Nov. 10, the country’s corn harvest progress reached 95% across top growing states. That’s 11 percentage points ahead of the five-year average. With only 5% of the crop unharvested, farmers in the top 18 states have just 3.9 million more acres of corn to harvest.” READ/MAP: https://fluence-media.co/4fG69vm
PAYMENTS: Via farm management analyst Kent Thiesse, VERBATIM: “With the advent of much lower corn and soybean market prices during 2024, together with reduced corn and soybean yields in some areas, many farmers and ag lenders are now wondering what the impact might be on potential farm program payments for corn and soybeans for the 2024 crop year. These payments would not be made until after October 1, 2025; however, it may be beneficial for 2025 cash flow planning purposes to make estimates regarding the potential 2024 farm program payments. Many crop producers in the Midwest were enrolled in the Ag Risk Coverage (ARC-CO) farm program choice on their corn and soybean base acres for the 2024 crop year. There will likely be a wide variation in the potential for 2024 ARC-CO payments from county-to-county, depending on where final 2024 county average yields for corn and soybeans end up.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Z2xFhj
WEEDS: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “MDA staff are gathered at @UMISC2024, a three day conference collaborating and learning from invasive species experts from across the country. Emilie Jensen shared the success of the MDA’s Weed of the Month articles with conference attendees.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4hM9Dyo
MARKETPLACE: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “The FEAST Local Foods Network's annual marketplace succeeded for the 11th year in a row at raising excitement around local food businesses. The popular food and beverage event and tradeshow that goes along with it was founded over a decade ago by two nonprofits — Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) and Renewing the Countryside.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48Qu7ln
NEXT MONTH: Via Worthington Globe, VERBATIM: “Is planning for the transition of your farm weighing on your mind? Need a path forward to help you think about the options? University of Minnesota Extension will provide a free workshop on farm transition and estate planning from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 4, in Pipestone.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40L9mFP
AWARDS: Via University of Minnesota, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Climate Adaptation Awards, presented annually since 2014, recognize exceptional achievements in climate resilience or climate justice through the development, advancement, or implementation of climate adaptation strategies. We know that celebrating success and showcasing the actions and leadership of our peers can help to accelerate adaptation across Minnesota, and beyond. Recipients have developed cutting-edge adaptation plans for their communities, supported project-specific implementation of adaptation investments, and served as leaders championing adaptation across their organizations.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4fMek9K
WATER QUALITY: Via Brainerd Dispatch, VERBATIM: “Lance and Robyn Bragstad, owners of the Brakstad Family Farm, have recently become water quality certified under the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program. To date, there are over 1,400 certified producers and one million certified acres throughout the state taking the lead in implementing conservation-minded practices to protect water quality.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48KIvM9
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
TURKEYS: From Evan Berg via KIMT-TV, VERBATIM: “John Zimmerman, chairman of the National Turkey Federation says it has been an honor to raise the National Thanksgiving Turkey flock on his family farm ahead of President Joe Biden's 2024 Thanksgiving pardon. The flock of 44 birds has been narrowed down to 29 potential candidates, only two of which will be selected for the holiday tradition based on how they can handle crowds and the media attention required.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/40IbTk3
THANKSGIVING: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “Turkey is the most popular dish during Thanksgiving celebrations, yet there are many inexperienced cooks who will be in the kitchen. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is encouraging consumers to practice food safety throughout the entire Thanksgiving process, from the grocery store to the dining table.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Z4LjAu
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