FUEL: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “To maintain the integrity of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must fully reallocate the 2023-25 renewable fuel volumes it waived this summer through small refinery exemptions (SREs). That was the message the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) and Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MBA) delivered to the agency in a joint letter last week.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43S88t2 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
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AG ECONOMY
HEMP: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “Anyone wanting to grow or process hemp in Minnesota in 2026 can now apply online for a license from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). Both individuals and businesses are required to complete the application process. Along with the online application form, first-time applicants and authorized representatives need to submit fingerprints and pass a criminal background check. Applications must be submitted by April 30, 2026. Licenses are valid for the 2026 calendar year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3LpUOWD
CHS: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The nation’s largest ag co-operative sees another down year on the horizon as American tariffs reshape global trade. Inver Grove Heights-based CHS warns of ‘a weak export market for U.S.-sourced agricultural products’ amid a glut of cheap grain from other countries, according to the annual report released Wednesday. For CHS, that means another year of hard-won profits.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4os9Mdn
EXPORTS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Soybean export activity is expected to pick up in the Upper Midwest with the U.S. and China coming to terms on a trade deal. Ryan Mackenthun farms near Brownton in central Minnesota and says a lot of soybeans in the region used to get shipped to Asia. ‘We have the ability to put it on a rail up to the PNW (Pacific Northwest) rail up north out the state of Washington and to those Asian markets. But the last two years we’ve been in a truck, pretty much been all going by semi, to crush facilities.’ He tells Brownfield the lack of rail business puts a financial strain on many grain elevators that often gets passed to the farmer.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3JvoNMj
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
SHUTDOWN
SNAP: via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCFY) commissioner spoke to reporters virtually on Tuesday as guidance from federal courts regarding SNAP benefits continues to come out. … DCFY Commissioner Tikki Brown [said] the USDA’s guidance indicates that households receiving SNAP benefits will see a minimum 50% reduction in benefits this month, with an additional 30% reduction if one member of the household is employed. … Brown added that Minnesota’s EBT vendor, which manages benefits in 40 other states, has stopped issuing benefits, despite the USDA indicating the benefits would be paid. The vendor stated that USDA guidance is unclear and cited concerns that they will not be reimbursed by the federal government, Brown said.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4qIM3qP
RESPONSE: via Rep. Brad Finstad news release, VERBATIM: “Today, House Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee Chairman Brad Finstad [and others] released a statement on how continued Democrat obstruction in reopening the federal government has denied full, uninterrupted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to vulnerable Americans.” STATEMENT: “For the first time in the history of the program, SNAP funding has lapsed — leaving those who depend on this lifeline at risk of going hungry. This outcome was entirely avoidable. … Democrats are acting as if contingency funds are an acceptable substitute for full benefits. They aren’t.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43gvOHn
BIRD FLU: Via NPR, VERBATIM: “Cases of bird flu have been reported in farm animals across the country. While there are no human cases, some are concerned the shutdown and cuts to federal resources have us flying in the dark.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/47BrdAR
HELP FOR FARMERS
GRANTS: Via DEED, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) today awarded $2.4 million to seven local partners to develop and implement agriculture-focused workforce training programs for the Growing Careers initiative.” QUOTE: “Minnesota farms are facing new challenges because of policies coming out of the federal government,” said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. “DEED’s seven Growing Careers partners will not only alleviate some of that pressure by establishing career pipelines for new entrants into agriculture-related fields, but they will also create opportunities for Minnesotans to overcome barriers to full-time employment through specialized training in a growing industry.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3LqSxKM
MORE: Via KTTC-TV, VERBATIM: “Workforce Development Inc. will receive $500,000 from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). According to state officials, the grants are part of a $2.4 million initiative to develop training programs to help more Minnesotans enter agricultural careers. With this grant, Workforce Development Inc. will create a ‘Growing Opportunity’ program in Southeast Minnesota.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4qIW737
MENTAL HEALTH: Via University of Minnesota, VERBATIM: “Income for Minnesota farmers continues to decline, an added challenge on top of unpredictable weather events, tariffs and labor shortages. These stressors can take a toll on people working in the agricultural sector. Extension Educator Emily Krekelberg and Jeff Bender, director of the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH), share what you need to know about farmer mental health.” Q&A: https://fluence-media.co/4nJnvvh
MORE: From UofM Extension via Northfield News, resources for farmers. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3LnbJZW
2025 / 2026
HARVEST: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “Two Minnesota farms had two different approaches to get through the 2025 season. In central Minnesota, Raymond DeMars, who is working to eventually take over the family farm near Swanville, said they finished harvesting soybeans and corn in mid-October. While the corn crop was not as impressive as hoped, he was pleased with a soybean crop yielding around 54 bushels an acre, just a few years into adding the crop to the rotation . . . About 150 miles southeast near Faribault, Minnesota, Gail Donkers was planning to have the corn harvest complete on Friday, Oct. 31. With corn reaching up about 15 feet tall and soybean yield reports of around 85 bushels an acre, harvest was looking spectacular.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47qAq05
EXPENSES: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Many farmers are analyzing their crop fertility programs while preparing for 2026. Mosaic agronomist Kip Jacobs says low commodity prices and high input costs create a challenging financial situation. ‘With the current farm economy forecast looking steady at best, we’re going to continue to need to optimize each acre of land to meet the desires not only of the consumer but to be able to make as much money as possible to be able to farm next year.’ He tells Brownfield it’s human nature for farmers to consider cutting back when fertilizer prices escalate.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3JNfS91
CHECKOFF: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “Minnesota beef producers will have the opportunity to vote on a proposed refundable increase of 50 cents per head to the state’s current beef checkoff. It’s been more than 30 years since the last checkoff increase, when the Federal checkoff was implemented for all U.S. beef producers at $1.00 per head. Currently, producers pay $1.00 per head at the time of sale, with funds split evenly between the Minnesota Beef Council and the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. If the referendum passes, producers will pay $1.50 per head but will be able to request a refund of $0.50 per head if they choose. The proposed increase would fund additional beef production research, promotion, and consumer activities within Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43IGPBu
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)
GROWING
SEED RULE: Via DTN, VERBATIM: “The state of Minnesota this week withdrew a rule that would have regulated the disposal of waste pesticide-treated seed, after an administrative law judge in the state disapproved of the rulemaking in May 2025. On May 12, 2025, the judge rejected the rulemaking because that state failed to meet two requirements.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qKOitI
CORN: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “There are stalk integrity concerns for corn yet to be harvested in Minnesota. Stine Seed agronomist Susan Hart says farmers dealt with disease pressure throughout the growing season.” HART: “Seeing some anthracnose really come in on that crown rot and stem on the anthracnose side, (the corn) is just kind of giving up. And especially with some of these wind events that we’re having, I’m a little nervous about that (because) some of these hybrids just aren’t designed to stand that long out in the field.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/47I5DuM
UPDATES
THIS MONTH: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “November is #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth, a time to celebrate the historic and ongoing contributions of Indigenous cultures in North America, including the agricultural cultivation of native crops upon which much of modern farming is based.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/47FTc2t
MSR&PC: Via Worthington Globe, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council (MSR&PC) has five seats up for election in 2026, spanning almost all districts across the state. MSR&PC seeks diverse viewpoints to help direct checkoff dollar investments into projects that benefit farmers and the state’s soybean industry.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4omjZrz
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
CUDDLING: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Quinci Schmidt is co-owner of a dairy farm in the town of Corcoran, which her grandfather bought in 1958 . . . Schmidt said one doesn’t go into dairy to make money — it’s the lifestyle that one loves. But she and her family still needed to pay the bills; and, in recent years, that was getting harder . . . Last year, while scrolling through Instagram, the family came across a business idea from a farmer in New York. What if they turned their calf nursery into a cow cuddling business?” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/47BmGyl
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