NEXT YEAR: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Registration is open for this winter’s edition of MN Ag Expo, the annual event hosted by the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) and Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA). This year’s event is set for Jan. 20-21 at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center in Mankato.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hWiu0M (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
All Fluence Media tip sheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
CHALLENGES
HEMP: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Minnesota hemp business leaders say their industry will shutter if Congress passes a proposed deal to reopen the government. That’s because a federal ban on hemp-derived cannabinoid products has made its way into negotiations to end the federal government shutdown. The deal introduces a cap of 0.4 milligrams of THC per container for hemp products, which local hemp producers say will decimate their businesses.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3XqPYLq
BIRD FLU: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Instances of highly pathogenic avian influenza are on the rise in the nation’s largest turkey-producing state. Minnesota Turkey Growers Association executive director Ashley Kohls says cases this fall have climbed into the upper teens.” KOHLS: “But unfortunately also that’s a pretty high percentage of nationwide cases with Minnesota being number one in turkey (and) having the most turkey farms and flocks currently being grown. We are going to see a disproportionate high percentage of the national caseload here in this state.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/49hGTvE
MORE: Via USDA, updated poultry outbreak numbers including state-level data. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4p1oury
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
TRADE
NEXT WEEK: Via news release from Minnesota Soy, VERBATIM: “Looking ahead to 2026, Minnesota Soybean is seeking to grow demand within one of the largest markets for U.S. soybeans, the European Union. In his first international trade mission as president of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA), Darin Johnson will join Gov. Tim Walz, Ag Commissioner Thom Petersen and commodity group leaders on a tour of Switzerland and Germany Nov. 15-21, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47CSSmf
CHINA: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “An extension grain market economist expects the trade deal with China to influence 2026 planting intentions in the U.S. Ed Usset with the University of Minnesota says the price outlook for soybeans improves dramatically with the Chinese reentering the market.” USSET: “Seeing this change over the last couple of weeks, we’ve had a nice rally going. And I’ve got to believe this is going to change the outlook, and more favorable toward soybean plantings next year.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/48aO73x
SHUTDOWN
CSP: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “Vance Johnson farms corn, soybeans, wheat and sugarbeets in Breckenridge, on the Minnesota border where the Bois de Sioux and Otter Tail rivers meet to create the Red River of the North. Over the last ten years he’s transitioned to growing cover crops and using only no-till and minimal-till practices. Johnson is among those waiting on payments from the USDA’s Conservation Stewardship Program as the federal government shutdown delayed processing.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oCMhy8
FOOD HELP: Via Worthington Globe, VERBATIM: “As federal SNAP and WIC benefits stall due to the government shutdown , farmers across southern Minnesota are stepping up to help bridge the gap for families struggling to access food. In West Concord, announced this week that its self-service farm store is stocked with dry goods, meals Gochnauer Farms and snacks available at no cost to anyone in need.” QUOTE: “Our hearts hurt for the families feeling the strain,” co-owner Megan Gochnauer said in a message to the community. “We want to do our part to help.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3XcFpf7
FARM LOGISTICS
NOV 25: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “Paid Leave is coming to MN - is your ag business ready? @mndeed is hosting an engagement session to help employers prepare to meet their responsibilities under the new program. Learn what Paid Leave means for your ag business.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4p8R8XT
SOCIAL MEDIA: Via Forum, VERBATIM: “When the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered farmers markets across Minnesota, Sazzy Calhoun saw an opportunity to keep local food moving. ‘I founded Farm Direct Minnesota during COVID, when everything closed down,’ Calhoun said of the Facebook group where farmers can market their products directly. ‘You had a lot of produce and other things just going to waste.’ After reading about a farmer who opened his fields for people to take potatoes that would otherwise rot, Calhoun was inspired to start a Facebook group where farmers could connect directly with customers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47O2Eko
CONSUMER PRODUCTS
KERNZA: Via news release from General Mills, VERBATIM: “General Mills (NYSE: GIS) is accelerating the Kernza market for U.S. organic farmers by quadrupling its use of the grain with the introduction of four Cascadian Farm cereals. Kernza, a grain that grows back each year without replanting, has unique roots that grow up to ten feet deep into the soil, helping to improve soil health, sequester carbon, enhance water quality and resilience, and give wildlife a place to thrive.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nQ7fbG
FUEL: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The Renewable Fuels Association is alarmed by the growing number of small refinery exemptions being processed by the EPA. CEO Geoff Cooper tells Brownfield the agency has granted a massive amount of waivers the past two months.” COOPER: “So we’re now around 160 exemptions dating all the way back to 2016, and this is cause for concern for the industry because EPA is essentially going to be returning RIN credits to some of these refineries for some of these exemptions.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3LWQmic
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)
CROP HEALTH
CORN: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Southern rust came as an unwelcome surprise to many corn growers in the Upper Midwest this year. University of Minnesota Extension agronomist Jeff Coulter says the disease was unexpected.” COULTER: “We don’t see that in such large pressure very frequently. A big driver on that is what are the genetics, what are the resistance levels that the hybrids have?” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3LAd4N4
OAK: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “Researchers with the University of Minnesota recently made an unfortunate discovery: A water mold that has devastated forests along the West Coast has made its way to Minnesota. The U of M revealed Tuesday that the sudden oak death pathogen was detected for the first time in Minnesota back in July at a Hennepin County nursery. Two months later, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) confirmed the sample was Phytophthora ramorum — the sudden oak death pathogen.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3JzZSr0
MORE: Via University of Minnesota, VERBATIM: “The researchers will continue their statewide monitoring of nurseries and Christmas tree farms for the sudden oak death pathogen and other diseases before they cause significant damage across the state. ‘We are very fortunate here in Minnesota to have nursery owners who are interested in keeping new diseases out and allow us to survey and sample their plants to detect new pathogens and prevent them from being established,’ said Robert Blanchette, a professor in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, who leads the project.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3WOHTjw
PEOPLE
KLOBUCHAR: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “Senator Amy Klobuchar concluded her annual 87-county tour of Minnesota with a visit to the Olson farm near Thief River Falls, where healthcare costs were part of the conversation.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3JStM9N
MAWG: Via news release from Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers, VERBATIM: “This year, there’s one seat on the MAWG board of directors up for election: an at-large position currently held by Treasurer Tate Petry . . . Elected by fellow farmers, the at-large position will be voted on Dec. 10 at MAWG’s Annual Meeting during the Prairie Grains Conference. While Petry will be seeking reelection, other growers are also welcome to run for the board seat. If you or someone you know is interested in running for the seat, please fill out a nomination form by Dec. 10.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4oHGdoc
NEXTGEN: Via KFGO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Andrew Mages is far from the loudest person in the room, but don’t mistake his soft-spoken voice for shyness. The 44-year-old soybean and corn farmer from Moorhead, Minn., has shown an eagerness to socialize, network and learn from his mentors during his journey into agriculture leadership. Now, he seeks to take the next step as a farmer advocate by participating in the 2025-26 class of the American Soybean Association Corteva Agriscience Young Leader Program.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qQvTeZ
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
NEXT WEEK: Via Minnesota’s New Country, VERBATIM: “Friday, November 21st, and Saturday, November 22nd, from 10 am to 4 pm, stop by the Pop-Up Christmas Shop at 7165 156th Ave NW, Pennock, MN. Check out the workshop, buy Christmas decor, and get great one-of-a-kind gifts. Perhaps you grew up on a farm somewhere here in Minnesota. Meet artist Heather Coleman, who finds barns in Minnesota that have fallen, are falling apart, or are no longer in use. Once she finds them, she gathers wood from these old masterpieces, brings it back to her shop, and begins creating beautiful works of art that can bring a smile to people’s faces for many years to come.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3XqP6Xa
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