FEES: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency notified agriculture groups that application fees for air and water permits would be abruptly increased. Effective today, application fees for those permits have increased either 48% or 56%. For a general feedlot permit—which is needed for livestock operations—the application fee increased 56% from $620 to $970. The Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) is disappointed in the increase in application fees, which will negatively impact family farmers at a time of rising costs and tight margins.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lh6M15 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
All Fluence Media tip sheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
TOMORROW: In Redwood County, Minnesota Farmfest begins. SCHEDULE: https://fluence-media.co/41cs6xF
MORE: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “There are several forums ranging from artificial intelligence and agriculture to the recently passed reconciliation bill and more. Kent Thiesse, coordinator for Farmfest Forums, said there’s a good mix of topics that are relevant in the agriculture industry right now.” QUOTE: “Who would’ve thought we’d be talking about artificial intelligence as it related to agriculture 20 years ago?” Thiesse said. “But, here we are. I think you try to keep it interesting, but I think part of Farmfest — the reason people keep coming back, besides to see the equipment and maybe listen to forums, is just the networking. I think a lot of folks like to come and visit with people they maybe don’t see as often. Other colleagues in agriculture. Farmers talking to farmers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/459okG8
MORE: Via Farmfest Forum coordinator Kent Thiesse, a schedule of Forums with updated lists of speakers. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3Uxf8Xz
WEDNESDAY: Via Ag Update, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Governor’s Task Force on Broadband will host a listening session during Farmfest’s second day, Wednesday, Aug. 6, bringing a multi-stakeholder group face-to-face with the very people most affected by poor rural connectivity. The task force includes representatives from agriculture, education, health care, small business and broadband providers. They advise the governor’s office on how to close the state’s digital divide. At Farmfest, they’re looking to hear from farmers and rural residents themselves.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ISXY43
PERMIT FEES: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “As of Friday, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency increased its feedlot permit application fees by 48 percent and 56 percent. That announcement was made less than 24 hours before taking effect. Minnesota AgriGrowth Council Executive Director Darin Broten is disappointed in the lack of communication from the agency.” BROTEN: “The MPCA held more than a dozen feedlot meetings during the month of June on their rulemaking and that would have been a great opportunity to communicate that the agency was considering the raising of these fees.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fmdkKt
MORE: Via Minnesota Senate DFL, from Senator Aric Putnam, chair of the Senate Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee, PUTNAM: “I’ve talked to hundreds of farmers, and most aren’t opposed to updates to feedlot permitting. But they are rightly concerned about being shut out of the process – and that’s what happened today.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lTaKxU
MORE: Via Minnesota House, from Rep. Paul Anderson, chair of the House Agriculture Committee, ANDERSON: “The Aug. 1 rollout feels arbitrary and could’ve easily been delayed to give farmers more time to prepare. On top of that, the DNR just raised water appropriation permit fees, making irrigation even more expensive. Our state government is hitting agriculture hard at a time when farmers are already struggling.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3IXUw83
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
TRADE: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins tells Brownfield recently announced trade frameworks will benefit American agriculture. ‘Whether it’s Japan, whether it’s Korea, whether it’s the Philippines, whether it’s Cambodia, it’s just one win after another and the country that’s winning is America,’ she says. ‘We’ll see a lot more in the coming weeks.’ She says President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs went into effect on Friday and she hopes this create additional opportunities for trade agreements.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4mkF7x0
CONFIRMATION: Via Feedstuffs, VERBATIM: “The Senate voted by a strong majority to confirm Luke J. Lindberg as under secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs on Aug. 2, 2025. This position is responsible for promoting and expanding access for U.S. food and agricultural products in export markets and also plays a role in administering international food assistance programs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3U932DJ
MORE: Via NCBA, VERBATIM: “National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane issued a statement on the confirmation of Luke Lindberg to serve as Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).” LANE: “Trade has been front and center in this administration, and with the sheer volume of deals in progress, it's critical to have a Senate confirmed official leading trade and foreign agricultural affairs for USDA. NCBA is thrilled to see Luke Lindberg confirmed to this post. Lindberg has spent his career expanding trade opportunities for American businesses and fixing unfair trade deals. We look forward to working with him to secure even more trade wins for America’s cattle farmers and ranchers.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3UJGmKl
CROP CONDITIONS: Via farm management analyst Kent Thiesse, VERBATIM: “In the national agriculture news we continue to hear about the excellent crop conditions in many portions of the Corn Belt and Plains States, with the potential for record corn and soybean yields. In the Upper Midwest, crop conditions in most areas this year have been much more favorable than a year ago; however, there were areas that incurred severe storms and heavy rainfall events during late July. There are very minimal areas of drought concerns this year in either the Midwest or the Plains States, which is a sharp contrast from a few years ago. Even though many farmers are quite optimistic about the 2025 corn and soybean yield prospects, they realize that there are still a couple months remaining in the growing season and that a lot can change.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4m3jYrB
BARLEY: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “If Fusarium head blight can be avoided, it will be a good year for barley growers in Minnesota. Kevin Smith, professor in the department of agronomy and plant genetics at the University of Minnesota, oversees the University of Minnesota's Barley Breeding program, which dates back to its first major variety release in 1918. ‘It's been an interesting year for barley,’ Smith said on July 22 in St. Paul, in front of the barley breeding plots at the university. ‘We've definitely had a lot of heat. We've had a lot of precipitation.’ Smith said the year I started off as ‘really good’ in terms of growth.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Hij5fp
COUNSELORS: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) are pleased to welcome two new agricultural mental health providers to serve farmers across Minnesota. The additions come following the retirement of longtime counselor Ted Matthews, who provided trusted support to farmers across the state for more than 30 years. Funded through an appropriation from the Minnesota Legislature to R5DC, this mental health support program offers free, confidential counseling to farmers, farm family members, employees, agricultural workers, and advisors across Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UOnzxq
THIS WEEK: Via KTTC-TV, VERBATIM: “August 3-9 is National Farmers Market Week, highlighting the role local farmers play in the U.S. food system. The Village Agricultural Cooperative, a non-profit organization in Rochester, is making sure immigrants have access to grow and sell traditional plants from their country. There are 18,600 immigrants in Olmsted County. Amanda Nigon-Crowley, the organization’s Executive Director, says many of them come from farming backgrounds.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/452TekX
YESTERDAY: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins officially kicked off the inaugural Great American Farmers Market yesterday on the National Mall with an evening of festivities honoring America’s farmers, freedom, and 250 years of agricultural heritage.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40LNREb
JET FUEL: Via University of Minnesota, VERBATIM: “By tapping into the market for plant-based aviation fuel, University of Minnesota researchers at the Forever Green Initiative are commercializing two oil-producing plants—winter camelina and domesticated pennycress—that can give farmers a payday for planting winter cover crops that hold soil, take up excess nutrients, and help protect the quality of Minnesota’s streams and groundwater. Mitch Hunter, associate director of the University’s Forever Green Initiative, says ‘What we’re trying to do is develop crops that make farmers money, and in the process, provide all those environmental benefits that we’ve been trying to get to for so long with very little success.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4okrPm3
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)
WEEDS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A crop protection specialist wants farmers to begin thinking about fall weed control. Ryan Peterson with WinField United says early seeded crops will start getting harvested in the coming weeks. ‘As those combines are rolling through, just make some mental notes (of) where we have weed pressure, maybe what weed species we have out there. And then with the help of your agronomist, let’s just come up with a plan for effective weed control options.’ He tells Brownfield waterhemp continues to be a problem weed for many growers.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/40NOltr
MOLDS: Via University of Minnesota, VERBATIM: “University of Minnesota researchers found 14 previously unreported species of Phytophthora in the state. These devastating water molds are known for causing extensive damage and economic losses to nurseries, forest stands and landscapes worldwide. The researchers, whose findings were recently published in the Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology, surveyed Minnesota nurseries, forest systems and waterways in order to describe which species are present in Minnesota and where they occur.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3HipM15
RESEARCH: Via Pipestone Star, VERBATIM: “Our state and our world depend on bountiful and safe food sources. At the same time, the nation’s agriculture industry faces unprecedented pressures, from shifting markets to disease concerns for both crops and livestock. Brian Buhr, dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, answers questions about the ag industry and what the University of Minnesota is doing to support agriculture as our state’s only land-grant university and research powerhouse.” Q&A: https://fluence-media.co/41lkLvu
SCHOOL MEALS: Via KTTC-TV, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota School Nutrition Association’s (MSNA) 68th Annual Conference began Sunday at Rochester’s Mayo Civic Center. According to the organization, this is the largest school nutrition event in Minnesota, which will take place until Wednesday.” QUOTE: “The MSNA Annual Conference provides an excellent opportunity for school nutrition professionals to share best practices and connect with industry partners who support our programs,” MSNA President Emily Malone said. “These collaborations are essential as we prepare for the new school year.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/41pKgvJ
USDA: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced today the opening of a 30-day public comment period for stakeholders to provide feedback on the Department’s reorganization plan, as outlined in the Secretary’s memorandum issued on July 24, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fFpM8p
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
FARM FAMILIES: Recent profiles of Farm Family of the Year honorees:
OTTER TAIL: Via Fergus Now, VERBATIM: “The Pesch family of Pelican Rapids has been named Otter Tail County’s ‘2025 Farm Family of the Year’ by the University of Minnesota. Ryan and Maree Pesch, along with families from other counties, will be officially recognized in a ceremony on Thursday, August 7th at the annual Farmfest near Redwood Falls.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3J0u5i7
STEARNS: Via KNSI-Radio, VERBATIM: “The Udermann Family has been named the 2025 Stearns County Dairy Farm Family of the Year by the University of Minnesota Extension for their work to make their farm a model of regenerative agriculture and environmental stewardship. The fifth-generation family farm started working the land in 1911. Today, they operate Meadowbrook Dairy Inc. near Sartell.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mjTyRS
MORE: Via West Central Tribune, honorees in Big Stone, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Meeker, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Swift, and Yellow Medicine counties. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UfdhGB
Copyright © 2025 Fluence Media, All rights reserved.
As someone who subscribed, or as a member of the Minnesota AgriGrowth Council you are receiving this email.
Our mailing address is:
Fluence Media
PO Box 270031
Golden Valley, MN 55427