SPRAY SEASON: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Fungal infection can steal a few bushels of corn, but left uncontrolled it can take half the crop. This time of year, farmers and ag workers get out to spray fungicide from high clearance vehicles, drones and airplanes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fCZjZl (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
MONDAY AG FEED
NEXT WEEK: Minnesota Farmfest begins Tuesday in Redwood County. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/459I3FR
MORE: Via Ag Update, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council will continue its hockey theme from MN Ag Expo, this time bringing it outdoors to Farmfest in booth 620.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vWRx2p
MORE: Via Ag Update, VERBATIM: “Families and growers from across Minnesota will be represented as the University of Minnesota honors them in the 2026 Farm Family of the Year ceremony at 1:15 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at the annual Minnesota Farmfest near Redwood Falls.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bezihA
NEXT MONTH: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is reminding agricultural producers impacted by increased input costs and natural disasters that the deadlines to apply for safety net and disaster assistance programs designed to protect their financial security are coming soon.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RvfrnN
HARVEST: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “Small grain harvest is getting underway in Minnesota, with early reports from southern parts of the state showing better-than-expected yields and good grain quality.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45pJqAD
HEAT: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Up until about one week ago, the outlook for this year’s crops seemed fantastic, says Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen.” PETERSEN: “Minnesota was kind of the garden spot for the whole United States,” he says. “But with the heat that we’ve had, we are really worried that we’re going to start to see some distress.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3RktlJo
EQUIPMENT: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “There are whispers that corn prices might be on the move, and if history is any guide, the ag equipment market won’t be far behind. Machinery Pete sees early signs of a familiar cycle taking shape — one that could put pressure on both equipment availability and prices before many farmers are ready.” QUOTE: “Auction prices will be the highest you’ve ever seen, which in my 36, almost 37, years, the last high point happened at the end of 2022,” says Machinery Pete. “If you’re late, you won’t get that new piece of equipment. It just won’t be there.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wsNCvy
FARM BILL: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives says Senate Ag Committee leaders are optimistic about marking up a bipartisan farm bill before the August recess. Duane Simpson says U.S. Senators John Boozman from Arkansas and Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota believe they are very close to a bipartisan deal.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TXAMH3
DC + AG
GRAIN MARKETS: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “Another ceasefire between the United States and Iran sent crude oil prices lower. According to Ag Bull Trading President Tommy Grisafi, the cost of energy is just one of many factors sending grain markets significantly lower overnight.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44O9a9R
CATTLE: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “The Agriculture Department is lifting a more than yearlong ban on Mexican cattle imports, a move that could ease soaring beef prices. The U.S. plans to resume importing Mexican cattle at the port of entry in Douglas, Ariz., in 30 days and eventually open two additional ports of entry in New Mexico. Mexico typically sends about a million calves across the border each year, accounting for roughly 5% of the cattle processed in the U.S. Cattle imports had been cut off since last year to stem the spread of the flesh-eating New World screwworm.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wrlSqY
MORE: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “[Joe] Kooima says this does matter to the market because Texas feedlots have been struggling for the last 19 months without the close source of feeders from Mexico. However, there may not be as many head that coming into the U.S. because they have ramped up their feeding and processing capacity in Mexico over time.” KOOIMA: “We’ve basically given Mexico a quick lesson on how to grow fat cattle down there and then they can ship us the beef down there. But Texas cattle feeders have made their voice known the last six, eight, nine months.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4fXAbOd
PROP 12: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The president of the National Pork Producers Council says he’s optimistic a fix for Proposition 12 can still be included in the Senate’s version of the farm bill. ‘Every indication I’ve got is they are still going to do their best to get it in there,’ Rob Brenneman told Brownfield on Monday. He says the Save Our Bacon Act, which was included in the farm bill that passed out of the U.S. House in late April, aims to override or sharply limit state-level animal welfare laws like Prop 12 in California.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4yI5Iel
AG HEADLINES
TRADE: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “As the U.S., Mexico, Canada trade negotiations are underway, agriculture groups are united around one priority: protect the integrated North American market that has become critical for U.S. producers. But those close to the Trump administration say it’s not so simple. Former U.S. Trade Representative Bob Lighthizer says Mexico will likely be the biggest challenge in the talks, not Canada, pointing to the current trade deficit with Mexico as the major reason why.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wBMWnq
GRANTS: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will open applications on Aug. 3 for the next round of Soil Health Financial Assistance Program Grants, which help producers and partners purchase or retrofit equipment that supports soil‑building practices. This is the fifth round of grants, which offers up to 50% cost‑share, with awards ranging from $500 to $45,000. A total of $5 million is available statewide through funding from the 2025 Minnesota Legislature and the EPA.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pFxdkK
FERTILIZER: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “If you apply fertilizer for hire in Minnesota, you must be licensed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Review the requirements before heading out this summer.” TWEET/LINKS: https://fluence-media.co/4fWmKxY
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
THIS WEEK: Via Minnetonka-based Pivot Bio, VERBATIM: “Following a successful national kickoff in Missouri and Iowa, Pivot Bio’s Year of One Million Thanks Buddy Seat Tour is heading to the Great Plains region for a week of conversations celebrating the people, partnerships and innovations driving the future of agriculture. The tour, spanning more than 1,500 miles across America, brings together farmers, researchers, entrepreneurs, policymakers and industry innovators with Pivot Bio leaders to elevate farmer voices and encourage greater investment in one of America’s most important industries. During the week of July 27, the tour will stop at Elevate: AI in Agriculture Summit, Grand Farm Field Day, and Ag PhD Field Day.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pHipCd
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