FARM FINANCES: From Minnesota Corn via Facebook, VERBATIM: “What’s the real cost of growing corn in 2026?” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4jvV3Lc (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
AG HEADLINES
WATERSKIING: KARE-TV reports on a waterskiing spot in Wisconsin. It’s a brand-new lake, dug in the middle of a corn field. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3SKAfYS
E15: Via WDAY-Radio, VERBATIM: “Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) convened a roundtable discussion at John Deere’s Power Electronic Systems facility today alongside North Dakota State University economist David Ripplinger, farmers, fuel retailers, and agricultural industry representatives to discuss the economic impact of year-round E15 and biofuels policy on state agriculture. The event focused on data demonstrating the role of North Dakota’s corn and ethanol sectors and the potential effects of nationwide, year-round E15 fuel sales. A joint study from the biofuels and corn industry estimates that year-round E15 availability will add $25.8 billion to the U.S. economy and create 128,000 jobs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qn6VE9
FARM BILL: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “An American Farm Bureau economist is eyeing a small window for Congress to provide certainty for agriculture. John Newton tells Brownfield the clock is ticking once the August Recess concludes.” NEWTON: “And I think folks in farm country need to talk to their members of Congress while they’re back home this August. When they come back in September, we’ve got three weeks to get a farm bill done, get additional economic aid done, and then they adjourn for all of October for the election in November. They come back for a few weeks before Thanksgiving.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4ggI0gV
MFU: Via Marshall Radio, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Farmers Union is making conservation funding a top priority as work continues on the next farm bill. MFU Vice President Anne Schwagerl says members will continue pressing lawmakers during the August recess to protect funding for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, or EQIP.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cugICG
FERTILIZER: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “A new CoBank report says Middle East instability, tight supplies and limited phosphate availability are keeping fertilizer costs elevated. The region accounts for more than 30 percent of global urea exports, with significant fertilizer supplies moving through the Strait of Hormuz. CoBank economist Jacqui Fatka said farmers are responding with more soil testing, variable-rate applications and precision nutrient management.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gF1n4K
NEXT MONTH: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s fall nitrogen fertilizer restrictions in vulnerable groundwater areas take effect Sept. 1. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is reminding producers to confirm whether their fields fall within restricted zones and to monitor soil temperatures closely where fall application is allowed.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hJTaNF
FORESTS: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “Today, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the U.S. Forest Service has filed a proposed rule to rescind in its entirety the national 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, a one-size-fits-all restriction that has frustrated land managers and served as a barrier to wildfire risk reduction work across large swaths of America’s national forests.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wDdBQg
NOTE: More on the decision to rescind the Roadless Rule – including how it could impact Minnesota forestland – in today’s lunch take. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qqMwhr
MORE LEADERS. MORE IDEAS. COMPLIMENTARY REGISTRATION. You are invited to attend Compeer Financial’s complimentary Rooted & Rising: Rural Forum this September 14-16 as leaders from across rural communities come together to strengthen the towns we call home. The event brings together community champions, local officials, nonprofit partners and business leaders to explore strategies that strengthen rural economies and expand opportunities. You’ll join more than 30 speakers and fellow leaders for practical ideas, inspiring stories and meaningful connections focused on economic development, workforce, housing, entrepreneurship and community leadership. We encourage you to invite a colleague, community partner or fellow rural changemaker to join you. Registration will remain open as space allows. Secure your seat at no cost today at www.Compeer.com/RuralForum. (SPONSORED: Compeer Financial)
HOW’S THE CROP?
CORN: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “The Pro Farmer Crop Tour identified significant variability in the eastern Corn Belt, with crop maturity emerging as a major concern. U.S. Farm Report host Tyne Morgan participated in the eastern leg of the tour and said corn development is notably behind in parts of Indiana and Ohio.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4x9pEph
MORE: More Pro Farmer Crop Tour coverage is available HERE: https://fluence-media.co/3Som3on
SOYBEANS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The agronomy education lead with Beck’s Hybrids says more soybean fields across the Midwest are being impacted by red crown rot. Matt Montgomery tells Brownfield some infections were discovered three weeks earlier this year than in the past.” MONTGOMERY: “It’s now in southeast Minnesota, out into Ohio, more counties in Missouri that are showing up with red crown rot. Confirmations now in Iowa this year.” He says, “So, I think it has definitely expanded its footprint, and also people are just thinking about it more.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3U9PJWL
IMSET: Via Minnesota Farmers Union, VERBATIM: “Farmers are facing another difficult stretch of high production costs, low commodity prices and tightening margins. As policymakers consider how to strengthen the farm safety net, the National Farmers Union (NFU) released a proposal in May 2026 advocating for a new federal program called the Inventory Management Soil Enhancement Tool (IMSET). IMSET is intended to provide farmers with a flexible, voluntary tool to help manage financial risk during periods of low commodity prices.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iiBxET
LIVESTOCK
DAIRY: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports Rockville’s Stickney Hill Dairy bought two related Wisconsin companies that specialize in cheese. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3SmnELf
PROCESSOR: Via KAXE-Radio, VERBATIM: “Farmers in north-central Minnesota now have a closer option for getting their livestock processed. Officials from both parties and all levels of government attended a ribbon cutting Tuesday, Aug. 18, for the Minnesota Farmers Union’s new slaughter and processing facility. The plant is just minutes from Central Lakes College’s Staples campus, home of one of the two meat-cutting programs in the state.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hJeenr
MORE: From MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen via X, VERBATIM: “Honored to attend ribbon cutting & grand opening today of @MNFarmersUnion new Meat Processing Plant in Staples with Sens. Klobuchar & Smith. Project will also partner with Central Lakes college on butcher classes. Good stuff!” PHOTO: https://fluence-media.co/4qsQOVF
CARGILL: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A monthslong worker lockout at one of Cargill’s largest meatpacking facilities will end after union workers Monday ratified a new contract that will increase wages. The Minnetonka-based company stopped operations at its Fort Morgan, Colo., facility in May after pay negotiations between the global food company and Teamsters members reached an impasse.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45Bj4fq
UNCERTAINTY: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The president of a crop insurance company is concerned as farmers face mounting uncertainty. Dalynn Hoch with RCIS says interest rates highlight the risk of farming.” HOCH: “Most of us get our paycheck, we pay our expenses and we continue through life. As a farmer, we have to pay for all of our expenses upfront, before we even put a seed into the ground.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4xPVuHN
INNOVATION & RESEARCH
TESTING: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “Residents in and around Sherburne County can get their private well water tested for nitrate at no cost during upcoming clinics hosted by the Sherburne Soil and Water Conservation District in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.” SCHEDULE: https://fluence-media.co/3SgBMWy
RESEARCH: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Researchers at the University of Minnesota are studying how certain cover crops could play a role in pest management. Extension entomologist Bob Koch says cover crop adoption has been largely attributed to reducing erosion, minimizing leaching, and helping pollinators.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4qutXJt
FARM STAND: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “Deputy Commissioner Andrea Vaubel attended a ribbon cutting for a solar-powered farm stand prototype, a project that was funded through a 2024 Specialty Crop Block Grant to @RSDPMN & @UMNExt.” PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4wHEiTZ
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
SUPPLY CHAIN: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced $7.5 million in grant funding available through the Cold Chain Grants for Emergency Food Assistance Program (CCG). The Program will fund projects to support cold chain equipment investments that help food assistance entities temporarily store, effectively package, and distribute fresh, frozen, and minimally processed foods.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4zwQ7io
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