MNLEG: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “The regular session of the Minnesota Legislature adjourned before the deadline . . . with much work left to be done during a special session . . . One of the budget bills that was able to be completed was the Agriculture Finance and Policy bill. The conference committee charged with resolving differences between the House and Senate was given a $9 million budget target from leadership. Going into conference committee the House passed an agriculture budget with $17 million in new funding while the Senate had a $330,000 budget reduction from base. The agriculture budget includes funding for the MN Department of Agriculture, the Board of Animal Health, the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute and the Office of Broadband. Included in the final agriculture were several priority areas for MCGA.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4kbYffT (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
We recently launched our first premium publication. The Fluence Brief will be released 3-4 times a month and dive deeper into the business, economic and political dynamics of the Midwest. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cQw43r
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WIND DAMAGE: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s corn crop is off to a good start. USDA’s latest weekly crop progress report shows 69 percent rated in good to excellent condition, with planting 97-percent complete. South-central Minnesota farmer Tim Waibel tells Brownfield recent strong winds impacted emerged corn.” WAIBEL: “Did get tore up a little bit in certain areas, not everywhere. But generally speaking it’s come back out of it, the leaves are a little tore up yet. But generally speaking everything looks pretty good.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3HcLkvM
MAHA: Via Politico, VERBATIM: “Trump allies on Capitol Hill and in the agriculture industry are divided over a much-anticipated report released Thursday by the White House’s Make America Healthy Again Commission. Farmers, ag lobbyists and farm state Republicans lobbied furiously behind the scenes ahead of last week to ask HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other MAHA leaders to tone down rhetoric that targets use of pesticides and some food ingredients. That pressure paid off to some extent, with the report avoiding some of the language Kennedy has used in the past to argue that pesticides and other agricultural chemicals are ‘poisoning’ consumers. Not everyone representing farmers is relieved.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43y4XWJ
MORE: Via Farm Bureau, from president Zippy Duvall, QUOTE: “Farmers are identified as ‘critical partners,’ yet were excluded from development of the report, despite many requests for a seat at the table. The report also expresses a desire to ensure farmers continue to thrive, but undermining confidence in our food system directly contradicts that noble goal. The report spotlights outlier studies and presents unproven theories that feed a false narrative and only then does it acknowledge a mountain of evidence about the safety of our food system.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mzJ3ej
MORE: Via Iowa Corn Growers, QUOTE: “Crop protection tools, like pesticides, are essential for farmers working to provide affordable, high-quality food to those around the world. Farmers should not have to defend themselves against misinformation when decades of scientific research prove these tools are not only safe but essential.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kmKNGs
MORE: Via USDA, from Secretary Brooke Rollins, QUOTE: “We must do more to improve the health outcomes of our kids and families, and President Trump knows agriculture is at the heart of the solution. America’s farmers and ranchers dedicate their lives to the noble cause of feeding their country and the world, and in doing so have created the safest and most abundant and affordable food supply in the world. We are working to make sure our kids and families are consuming the healthiest food we produce,” said Secretary Rollins. “I look forward to continuing to work with Secretary Kennedy and other members of the MAHA Commission to improve our nation’s health.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Z6x5yN
FARM ECONOMY: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “An ag lending specialist is somewhat pessimistic about the farm economy the remainder of this year. Ashley Arrington with Ag Resource Management says this is not the time to take chances.” ARRINGTON: “I don’t think it’s all doom and gloom, but I would not be so optimistic to go out and make purchases that you wouldn’t have otherwise done. Or go out on a ledge to try something different, off the wall, or anything like that.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4jsVAxt
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
STATE FAIR: Via Minnesota State Fair, VERBATIM: “Heads up, beef and dairy cattle exhibitors! The Minnesota Board of Animal Health has updated its cattle identification rules. As of November 2024, all new ID tags must be both visually and electronically readable. Make sure you’re prepared - click the link below to get the full details.” LINK: https://fluence-media.co/43hwb4V
AG BILL: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has signed the Ag Omnibus Bill into law. The legislation funds the Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, and the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute. Minnesota Farmers Union vice president Anne Schwagerl says legislators were able to come together during a unique session . . . Minnesota Farm Bureau director of public policy Loren Dauer tells Brownfield the organization has been focused on a strong, robust ag budget.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Z2hn7L
MORE: Via MDA, QUOTE: “We worked closely with lawmakers throughout the session to craft a bill that invests in Minnesota agriculture and our farmers and ranchers,” said Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. “The bill also provides food to those in need, supports mental health and farm safety resources, and protects our natural resources. It is a major win for our ag community and sets us all up for success now and into the future.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mQ7HHV
SNAP: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins signed waivers to amend the statutory definition of food for purchase for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP) in Indiana and Iowa, each commencing in 2026 . . . Prior to these waivers, SNAP recipients could buy anything except alcohol, tobacco, hot foods, and personal care products. This historic action expands the list of products excluded from SNAP purchases in Indiana and Iowa. Indiana’s waiver excludes soft drinks and candy, and it will take effect January 1, 2026. The waiver for Iowa excludes any food item eligible for sales tax including sweetened beverages, snacks, and candy, and this waiver will take effect January 1, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FegqTf
INCOME: Via farm management analyst Kent Thiesse, VERBATIM: “The University of Minnesota and the Southern MN Agricultural Center of Excellence released the 2024 Farm Business Management (FBM) Summary for Southern Minnesota earlier this Spring. The Summary showed that the average net farm income of $37,849 in 2024, which was a 50 percent decline from 2023. This was significantly below the 2022 average net farm income of $311,240, which was the highest average net farm income ever recorded in the FBM Summary. The 2024 average net farm income was at the lowest level since 2018, and followed several years of very strong net farm income levels in the region.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jnSTNx
WC MN: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Recent rains have boosted the outlook for crops in west-central Minnesota. Wheaton area farmer Jamie Beyer says the spring has gone well.” BEYER: “This year we got off to a nice early start, we had early heat. Maybe just a tad bit too much wind, and then now we’ve had four or five days of kind of those soaker rains. So we’re pretty happy with what’s going on.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/45sW1nR
NOTE: The new Drought Monitor is due out Thursday morning. You can find it in that day’s lunch take as well as Friday’s ag take.
MEXICO: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today provided an update on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) ongoing partnership with Mexico to combat the New World Screwworm (NWS). This afternoon, Secretary Rollins held a call with her counterpart in Mexico, Secretary Berdegue, to discuss the ongoing threat of NWS and actions being taken by both countries to contain the threat south of the U.S. border. USDA is working daily with Mexico to make sure the resources, tactics, and tools are in place to effectively eradicate NWS. Additionally, Secretary Rollins announced today the USDA is investing $21 million to renovate an existing fruit fly production facility in Metapa, Mexico to further the long-term goal of eradicating this insect. When operational, this facility will produce 60-100 million additional sterile NWS flies weekly to push the population further south in Mexico. Given the geographic spread of NWS, this additional production capacity will be critical to our response.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Z3aCCL
TURKEYS: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “There’s a new virus wiping out Minnesota turkey flocks, and unlike with bird flu the federal government doesn’t cover producers for losses. Last year, Minnesota growers lost an estimated 2.2 million turkeys to avian metapneumovirus (aMPV), according to a study prepared for the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association. That amounted to $112 million in lost sales for turkey farms. ‘The emergence of aMPV in turkey flocks poses significant challenges to producers, exacerbating the existing pressures on the industry,’ the study said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kCGYMK
MORE: Via Brownfield, an interview with Minnesota Turkey Growers Association executive director Ashley Kohls. KOHLS: “This study is Minnesota specific, and I think it behooves us to mention that it’s only for avian metapneumovirus, not combined with high-path avian influenza. Which is another disease that typically steals headlines, but our turkey growers are also dealing with.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4jjTekb
FOOD: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) intent to purchase up to $67 million in fresh seafood, fruits, and vegetables from domestic producers to distribute to food banks and nutrition assistance programs across the country. These purchases are being made through Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935 and will assist producers and communities in need.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43fPXhd
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)
JET FUEL: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Interest in sustainable aviation fuel is soaring in Asia. Minnesota Soybean Growers executive director Joe Smentek recently traveled to Hong Kong as part of a USDA trade mission and says there were discussions about the carbon scores of SAF feedstocks.” SMENTEK: “Hong Kong is really interested in sustainable aviation fuel, so it’s really important to be here to kind of try to downplay some of the myths that get involved and brought up when you’re dealing with U.S. feedstocks.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4jt1tdX
FSA: Via Radio Mankato, VERBATIM: “The Trump Administration recently appointed Kurt Blomgren as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Minnesota. Blomgren joined the Minnesota FSA team on May 5, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4k9oF1W
MORE: Via Farm Progress, VERBATIM: “In 1999, the fourth-generation farmer started the first of his three three-year terms on the FSA committee for Watonwan County. ‘I learned a great deal about the process there,’ Blomgren says. He then got involved with Minnesota Farm Bureau and other farm organizations, including a local pork producers group. Blomgren calls those experiences influential, but he credits participation in the inaugural class of the Minnesota Agriculture & Rural Leadership program in 2000-02 to opening his eyes to the greater world of agriculture.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kwvDxG
AWARDS: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Minnesota Grown Cream of the Crop Awards for Farm to School and Early Care. This new contest recognizes K-12 school districts, early care centers, and family day cares that go above and beyond to promote and serve foods grown and raised by Minnesota farmers and producers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jixwx3
PROCESSOR: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Workers at the JBS pork plant in Worthington, Minn., bargained for access to pensions, raises and increased safety protections as part of a national contract the union reached with the world’s largest meat producer this week. The deal, which covers 26,000 workers at 14 plants belonging to the U.S. subsidiary of Brazil-based JBS, creates the first pension a meatpacking employer has offered since 1986.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mvcQEY
ETHANOL: Via news release from Colorado-based Gevo, VERBATIM: “Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Agri-Energy, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Gevo, to A.E. Innovation, LLC for $7 million. The transaction includes Agri’s 18-million-gallon-per-year ethanol-production facility located in Luverne, Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dBWgPN
INSPECTIONS: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced today she will exercise the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) authority to provide a much-needed funding increase of $14.5 million in reimbursements to states for meat and poultry inspection programs. Without this funding, States may not have the resources to continue their own inspection programs which ensure products are safe.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dLukZJ
NEXTGEN: From Central Lakes College via X, information about free tuition available for those studying meat cutting and butchery or sausage smoking and curing. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4kfzMGR
PROP 12: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A congressional solution for Proposition 12 remains in limbo. Compeer Financial vice president of legislative affairs Perry Aasness says the House-passed reconciliation bill does not include language addressing California’s livestock confinement law.” AASNESS: “The Prop 12 fix is a great example of those sorts of provisions that would normally be part of a farm bill that aren’t eligible for inclusion in budget reconciliation because it doesn’t deal with budget impacts.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4dyBRuJ
(DISCLOSURE: Compeer is a Fluence sponsor)
AGRITOURISM: Via Morning Ag Clips, VERBATIM: “Summer is a great time to make memories with friends and family outdoors, whether it’s picking berries, horseback riding, eating dinner on a pizza farm or attending a barn wedding. These and other on-farm activities are part of the growing agritourism industry. Extension Educator DeeDee LeMier answers questions about the state of agritourism in Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kCricv
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
TEACHER: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) is proud to announce Nathan Lund of Glacial Hills Elementary in Starbuck, MN as the recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award. This honor recognizes K-12 educators in Minnesota who creatively integrate agriculture concepts into their classrooms.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mBfxoi
MORE: From MDA via X, photos of Lund teaching. PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4dBuUJj
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