RELIEF: From Minnesota Corn via Instagram, VERBATIM: “ICYMI: MCGA appreciates the tireless work of congressional agriculture committee leadership and members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation to ensure the economic and disaster relief was maintained in the continuing resolution.” POST: https://fluence-media.co/3BVcrsT (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
CRAIG: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The next Ranking Member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee says completing a new farm bill is her number one priority. Minnesota Democrat Angie Craig tells Brownfield she’s disappointed that didn’t happen during the last Congress.” QUOTE: “This is fair warning though to everybody, unless my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are going to sit down and negotiate a bipartisan farm bill, my concern is we’re going to be at a disadvantage and not able to get one in the next Congress.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/40juxya
FEEDLOTS: From Nathan Bowe via Detroit Lakes Tribune, VERBATIM: “After hearing from farmers and environmentalists, the Becker County Board approved a new feedlot ordinance at a special meeting on Tuesday. The new feedlot ordinance is short, but does include the requirement for at least one monitoring well per site to check for water contamination, as recommended by the Becker County Planning Commission.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gzO4jA
TAX CREDIT: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Rural Finance Authority (RFA) is now accepting applications for the 2025 Beginning Farmer Tax Credit, an annual program available to landlords and sellers (asset owners) who rent or sell farmland, equipment, livestock, and other agricultural assets to beginning farmers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fL2g8n
EPA: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The biofuels industry is preparing for new leadership at EPA. American Coalition for Ethanol CEO Brian Jennings says the nomination of former New York Congressman Lee Zeldin raises some concerns.” JENNINGS: “Look, as a congressman from Long Island Lee Zeldin had a really bad record on ethanol. He cosponsored bills that would repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard and prohibit E15. As administrator of EPA, he’s in charge of the Renewable Fuel Standard and E15.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4h1krHW
BIRD FLU: From Brooks Johnson via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Federal officials are cracking down on poultry operations looking for taxpayer relief from bird flu losses and will now require a biosecurity audit before insuring birds against future avian influenza outbreaks. The new requirement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture is an effort to stamp out the nearly three-year-old outbreak that has claimed 128 million birds nationwide. Infections continue in Minnesota and elsewhere, driving up the cost of eggs and meat.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fEM885
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
MNLEG: Via Minnesota Farm Bureau, VERBATIM: “MFBF priority issues for 2025 include:
Generational Farming - Support and champion those interested in entering and transitioning farms generationally.
Environmental Stewardship - Implement practical and scientific conservation policies using resource management, funding and voluntary practices.
Research & Innovation - Shape tomorrow’s agriculture with smart ideas, education, and forward-looking solutions.
Economic & Rural Prosperity - Create a successful environment that expands opportunities and resources to strengthen rural communities and the agriculture industry.
Animal Emergency Preparedness - Ensure that Minnesota is well-positioned to respond to and prevent crises affecting farmers and their livestock.
MFBF will have a staff presence daily at the Capitol throughout the session. Members are encouraged to join MFBF in its annual Day on the Hill on Tuesday, March 18 (National Ag Day), bringing agriculture’s message to legislators.”
FUEL: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Demand for biodiesel and renewable diesel surged higher in 2024. Jeff Earl with Clean Fuels Alliance America says states continue to prioritize renewable fuel policies to help grow clean fuel use. ‘We saw Nebraska become the fourth state to pass a low-carbon fuel standard, which is a significant win for our industry. We also saw several other states either expand upon or see the results of their policies that they’ve passed previously to really show that renewable fuels are growing in their states.’ He tells Brownfield the U.S. is on pace to surpass five billion gallons of biodiesel and renewable diesel consumption for the first time.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4h0Gq1k
LEGISLATION: Via farm management analyst Kent Thiesse, VERBATIM: “On December 20, both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate passed a ‘Continuing Resolution’ (CR), which provided needed funding to avoid a federal government shutdown. The CR legislation that was passed and signed into law also extended the current Farm Bill for one additional year through September 30, 2025. This means that the current farm program and crop insurance provisions will remain in place through the 2025 crop year. In addition, the CR legislation also included $110 billion in disaster assistance, of which $21 billion is designated toward aide for farmers with losses from natural disasters in 2023 and 2024, along with $10 billion in farm economic assistance to offset low commodity prices. The proposal to implement year-round E-15 ethanol blended gasoline across the U.S. was not included in the final CR bill that was passed.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40hr0jX
MORE: From Evan Berg via KIMT-TV, VERBATIM: “As part of a continuing resolution passed on Saturday, Dec. 21, the 2018 Farm Bill has been renewed by congress for another year. Jason Keck, an Owatonna farmer on the Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Committee says the bureau remains committed to pushing for a new farm bill in the new year, but seeing an extension of the previous one is a relief.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4h3dx4D
PORK: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “State livestock confinement laws continue to create uncertainty for the hog industry. National Pork Producers Council president Lori Stevermer says California’s Proposition 12 and Massachusetts’ Question 3 open the door for a patchwork of regulations.” STEVERMER: “So as a producer, how do I go forward with my business? Do I adapt to Prop 12, which doesn’t necessarily guarantee that if another regulation came down the road that was slightly different, that I wouldn’t have to adjust for that?” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3DD41qP
STEWARTVILLE: From Sean Baker via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The state Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has awarded a southeastern Minnesota city a $1 million grant to support the state’s first pig-to-human transplant center. Stewartville will use the funding, announced Monday, to construct streets and public utilities around the Schumann Business Park, the future home of United Therapeutics’ specialized research farm.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4a3wHFk
USDA: Via USDA, news releases since our last ag take…
RUBY MOUNTAINS: “Today, the Biden-Harris administration announced steps to protect Nevada’s Ruby Mountains, one of the state’s most unique landscapes. In response to requests from Tribes, conservationists, sportsman and the local community, the Department of the Interior is initiating consideration of a 20-year withdrawal of the Ruby Mountain area from operation of the public land laws, mining laws, and mineral and geothermal leasing laws, subject to valid existing rights.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DIveIE
BLACK HILLS: “Today, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland has signed Public Land Order 7956, finalizing protections for the Pactola Reservoir–Rapid Creek Watershed on the Black Hills National Forest from the potential effects of mineral exploration and development. This order follows a request from the U.S. Forest Service to close 20,510 acres of National Forest System land to sale or exchange and mineral entry and leasing, for a 20-year period, subject to valid existing rights. Non-federal lands and minerals are not subject to the withdrawal.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3C2L2oU
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.-Elect Kari Rehauer
Rep.-Elect Wayne Johnson
Rep. Elect Julie Greene
Rep. Elect Keith Allen
Rep. Elect Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
SUMMITS: Via Minnesota Farm Bureau, VERBATIM: “Come together with fellow members from your area for our annual District Ag Summits!” SCHEDULE: https://fluence-media.co/40kzI11
WEATHER: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Many farmers will remember 2024 for its wet spring and dry summer. Ron Geis with Corteva Agriscience says those conditions were problematic for weed control. ‘In part, we may have washed away some of our early residual herbicides. And the other thing is not being able to get a timely postemergence application made, especially on corn just because it was wet when it was time to go.’ He tells Brownfield crops were resilient despite a lack of moisture from June through harvest.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4a4fMTa
DRY: The new Drought Monitor reflecting data as of Tuesday shows nearly half of the state is currently in drought. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3zN8TDo
FEED: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “Minnesota is among the first states in which hemp seed meal may be used in certain animal feed, opening new market options for industrial hemp growers. The Association of American Feed Control Officers (AAFCO) earlier this year added hemp seed meal as a tentative ingredient definition for laying hens. Minnesota allows tentative ingredients to be used in animal feed and pet food.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fMoVkx
BEEF: From Angie Wieck via Forum, VERBATIM: “Wagyu beef is known for its marbling, tenderness and taste. It's also known for its price tag. The highest quality Wagyu steak can fetch as much as $200 per pound. But one Minnesota couple is trying to make the meat more affordable, and they will even deliver it to your doorstep. Angie Johnson and her husband, Ken Sizemore, raise Akaushi Wagyu cattle on their ranch near Aitkin. After getting their cows processed at a USDA-approved facility, the couple sells their cuts on their website, angiesacresmn.com, and from a trailer they drive to communities in Minnesota and beyond.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PlfmOD
DAIRY: From Brooks Johnson via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “For the nation’s leading butter brand, consumer demand for all things health-and-wellness has been an unexpected boon for business. ‘There’s certainly been a trend toward more wholesome, natural foods: I can understand the ingredient label, I can pronounce the items on that ingredient label,’ said Heather Anfang, president of dairy foods at Land O’Lakes. ‘And so when you look at butter, I mean, the ingredients are cream and salt.’ Even as Americans drink less milk year after year, demand for dairy is growing — mostly in churned and fermented form.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41ZfQBK
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
4-H: From University of Minnesota Extension via Farm Forum, VERBATIM: “Each year, the Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors select a statewide service theme to engage all Minnesota 4-H youth in learning about a community issue and taking steps to make a positive, collective impact. The 2024-2025 statewide service theme is ‘Mental Health and Wellbeing’ because mental health affects everyone.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41Z4Ow4
HISTORY: Via MFB, VERBATIM: “Applications are now open for the Minnesota Farm Bureau Sesquicentennial Farm program, honoring Minnesota families that have owned their farms for at least 150 years. The deadline to apply is March 3, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3W70zeh
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