MEDIA: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “In Washington, D.C., the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) and its congressional champions continue the push to ensure lawmakers act on a proposal to ensure permanent, year-round E15. Back at home, that effort is gaining notice in local and regional media.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rveFmU (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
MARKETS & MONEY
SOYBEANS: Via Reuters, VERBATIM: “China is considering buying more U.S.-farmed soybeans, President Donald Trump said after ‘very positive; talks with President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, even as Beijing warned Washington about arms sales to Taiwan. In a goodwill gesture two months before Trump’s expected visit to Beijing, Trump said Xi would consider hiking soybean purchases from the U.S. to 20 million tons in the current season, up from 12 million tons previously. Soybean futures rallied sharply.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4af4mwn
MORE: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The soybean markets moved higher after President Trump posted on social media China might more buy more ag products, including 20 million tons of soybeans in the current marketing year. Arlan Suderman with StoneX Group says while China might buy more soybeans, it’s a difficult road to climb to do that, and this could be a one-and-done move higher for the markets.” SUDERMAN: “I would certainly say, watch your downside risk. If you do some pricing, use some tools that allow you to recapture if the rally continues.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3ZiqtNm
TAXES: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “On Feb. 3, the Treasury Department confirmed farmers will have a seat at the table to benefit from 45Z tax credits with its release of a 170-page document stating its proposed rule.” QUOTE: “They made a bunch of clarifications for the biofuel producers today — who qualifies, what qualifies, how to calculate and how to register,” says Mitchell Hora, an Iowa farmer and founder of Continuum Ag. “It says farmers are going to a have a seat at the table, too, which is what we’ve been advocating for this whole time.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZPTyjn
AG ECONOMY: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “An ag economist says a weakening ag economy led to a decline in this month’s Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. Michael Langemeier, director of Purdue’s Center for Commercial Agriculture, says more than 30 percent of producers anticipate lower financial performance in 2026.” LANGEMEIER: “The January WASDE report was somewhat negative, particularly for corn,” he says. “The industry was expecting U.S. corn yields to decline, but they actually increased by half a bushel. There’s a little bit less optimism.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Zirq8o
GRANT: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the Produce Safety Mini-Grant. This funding opportunity helps reimburse produce growers for expenses that improve on-farm food safety systems. The MDA anticipates awarding approximately $30,400. Awardees will receive reimbursement of up to $800 per farm. No matching funds are required.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/469kq1F
HEADWINDS
WOLVES: Via Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, VERBATIM: “The 2025 Minnesota Wolf Conflict Management Report shows that wolf-related conflicts continue to affect rural communities across northern and central Minnesota. In 2025, 185 wolf-related complaints were reported statewide, with 102 verified incidents involving livestock, pets, or public safety concerns. Of those, 93 cases involved livestock or poultry, primarily cattle.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rwQaG7
MORE: From the USDA report:
FULL REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/4rykfFf
ETHANOL: Via DTN, VERBATIM: “Ethanol production in the United States averaged 956,000 barrels per day (bpd) in the week ended Jan. 30, down 158,000 bpd week-on-week and 151,000 bpd, or 13.6%, lower than in the same week last year, the Energy Information Administration reported Wednesday. Four-week average output at 1.119 million bpd was 26,000 bpd above the same four weeks last year. Midwest ethanol production averaged 902,000 bpd, down 153,000 bpd week-on-week and 143,000 bpd, or 13.7%, lower than in the same week last year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ax1En6
WORKFORCE: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “The head of the Minnesota Farmers Union says the ice crackdown could have a devastating impact on farmers. Gary Wertish says they often rely on immigrant labor for planting and harvesting. With the current situation as is, he says many could decide it’s not worth the risk.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4asOnMt
INNOVATIONS & RESOURCES
NEW OAT: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “In the 1960s, Minnesota planted millions of acres of oats on average each year. But now, oats account for only about 200,000 planted acres in the state, says Kevin Smith, an oat breeder in the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics at the University of Minnesota . . . Smith kept the food industry top of mind when researching and breeding his newest oat variety: MN-Amber.” QUOTE: “We want to develop characteristics the food industry is interested in,” Smith explains to TCB. “That includes a higher grain protein for farmers to grow, a higher yield and test weight, and an improved plumpness of the kernels, which is important for millers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3O6SXHs
MORE: Via UofM, VERBATIM: “MN-Amber is substantially higher for yield, test weight, and grain protein compared to MN-Pearl. It is also shorter and has slightly better straw strength - traits that are important to producers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aiNeGd
FARM SHOW: Via WJON-Radio, VERBATIM: “The 59th annual Central Minnesota Farm Show is coming up later this month. The St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the event at the River’s Edge Convention Center on Tuesday, February 24th, and Wednesday, February 25th. Director of Marketing and Communications Emily Bertram says, besides being open to the general public, they also bring in students from area high schools to interact with the exhibitors.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZUPm1K
INPUTS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “An extension soil specialist says farmers are inquiring about phosphorous management in relation to high fertilizer prices. Dan Kaiser with the University of Minnesota says growers are concerned about the return on their fertilizer dollars.” KAIZER: “You get kind of their attitudes towards their fertilizer is that phosphorous is kind of one of the top (priorities) when it comes to ensuring that there’s fertilizer out there. And I think there are some circumstances where some other things are getting undercut.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4t8SlBc
WEEDS: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “Mother Nature has a way of balancing the scales, and for farmers looking to manage persistent weed pressure, biological control—or biocontrol—is one testament to that. Unlike making a traditional herbicide pass with your sprayer, biocontrol isn’t about fast or even total eradication. Instead, it’s usually a long-term strategy designed to tip the scales in your favor, using living organisms to keep weed populations at a ‘manageable level,’ according to William Curran, Penn State emeritus weed scientist.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3MpTHaf
PASTURELAND: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A real estate appraiser says lower interest rates could spark more demand for pastureland in 2026. Bonnie Downing with Agri Affiliates says the majority of her clients had to use a significant amount of cash on hand in 2025. ‘They didn’t want to borrow that kind of money. They take that into their cost of production. The interest is a large player in trying to make ends meet.’ She tells Brownfield the combination of rate cuts from the Federal Reserve and high cattle prices have producers well positioned this year.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4qSxfFG
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
AG PEOPLE
MN GROWN: Via Morning Ag Clips, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Grown Promotion Group (MGPG) has elected new officers to its Board of Directors who will help guide the organization’s work supporting Minnesota farmers and food businesses marketing their products as Minnesota Grown.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/3LNdaBB
WOMEN IN AG: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “Our Rural Finance Authority team had a great day at the Women in Agriculture Conference today, connecting with women farmers who are building strong businesses, scaling thoughtfully, and shaping the future of Minnesota agriculture.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/46qvxD9
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