2026 SESSION: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “The gavel officially fell on the 94th Legislature over the weekend. It was a historic session, maybe not for all that was accomplished – which was more than most capitol observers expected- but for all that transpired over the course of the biennium.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4v68jfP (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
AG NUMBERS
SURVEY: Via Minneapolis Fed, VERBATIM: “Farm incomes and spending decreased over the first three months of this year, according to agricultural lenders responding to the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis’ Ag Credit Survey conducted in April and covering first-quarter activity. Interest rates on most categories of farm loans increased slightly, while demand for credit increased. Loan renewals and extensions also increased on balance, while rates of loan repayment declined.”
“More than 75 percent of district agricultural lenders indicated that incomes decreased in the first three months of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier. Despite strong harvests in much of the district and relatively stable or somewhat improving crop prices at the end of 2025, incomes fell again in the recent quarter.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4usSuzK
NAT DISASTERS: Via Trace One, VERBATIM: “The increased frequency of natural hazards has created a challenging environment for farmers. However, the effects of climate- and weather-related disasters are not uniform, varying greatly depending on location.”
“To pinpoint where these events are having the greatest impact on farmers and the nation’s food supply, researchers at Trace One—a company specializing in product lifecycle management (PLM) and regulatory compliance software for the food and beverage industry—conducted an in-depth analysis of the latest data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3POQrqC
FERTILIZER: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “The Trump administration is moving to expand domestic fertilizer production and reduce U.S. dependence on foreign suppliers. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said USDA is restructuring fertilizer expansion projects inherited from the previous administration after finding major delays and management issues.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dU8tkm
HERBICIDES: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “Soybean growers across the upper Midwest may be running low on reliable post-emergence herbicide options, and the window to act is narrowing, according to experts across the region. The warning comes from University of Minnesota Extension, in guidance released as planting began statewide in late April , University of Minnesota Extension crops educators Eric Yu and David Nicolai and weed scientist Debalin Sarangi said the spread of resistance — now spanning glyphosate, ALS-inhibitors, PPO-inhibitors and glufosinate — has made post-only programs increasingly unreliable.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uk1Eyn
GLOBAL TRADE BOLSTERS AG ECONOMIES: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Each year, Minnesota’s exports of corn, ethanol, corn-fed meat, and dried distillers grains (DDGS) alone support over 11,500 jobs and add billions to the state’s economy. They also help ensure that consumers around the world have access to affordable protein and dairy products. In May, during World Trade Month, Minnesota Corn celebrates that important role trade plays in all our lives—in the U.S. and abroad. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4dqEqB1 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn)
EXTERNAL PRESSURES
CHINA TRADE: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “Corn and soybeans saw early pressure with doubts about the trade deal with China casting a shadow over prices. In a statement Wednesday, China’s Ministry of Commerce confirmed there had been a ‘guiding target’ set between the two countries with the goal of ‘expanding two-way agricultural trade,’ but made no mention of the U.S. government’s claimed $17 billion number for U.S. ag product purchases from China.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nEQVfB
MORE: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The deal comes after China failed to follow through on purchasing $200 billion in American exports after a deal made during Trump’s first term in 2020. CoBank’s lead economist for grains and oilseeds, Tanner Ehmke, said commodity traders were hoping for the meetings to produce ‘actual purchases, not just pledges of potential purchases.’” QUOTE: “Leading into this, there was hope that something would be inked and finalized,” Ehmke said. “Unfortunately, we haven’t seen anything from that from that vantage point yet.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eZRL4b
MORE: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “China and the United States continue discussing tariff reductions and expanded agricultural trade following recent negotiations between the two countries. China has resumed registration of hundreds of U.S. beef processing facilities and plans to restart poultry imports from states free of avian influenza.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uk5SGf
FARM BILL: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee is optimistic the Senate will maintain momentum on the farm bill. Randy Feenstra of Iowa tells Brownfield the Senate Ag Committee could mark up its version within a month.” FEENSTRA: “That’s a big deal, and if they do a markup (and) pass a farm bill and then it goes to conference and we can work out a solution. But I’m really bullish on a farm bill right now (and) getting it passed.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4eYU3ka
SENATE: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “Mark York hit 281 bushels per acre on his 80-acre corn field last year. His mother had died around planting time. Some of those bushels are still in the bin. The proceeds, York said, are helping fund his U.S. Senate campaign. A seventh-generation farmer from Lake Wilson, York is seeking the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Tina Smith. His campaign says he would be the first farmer to represent Minnesota in the U.S. Senate in roughly a century.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dyk7Aa
CHECKOFF: Via MPR, more context for a vote first reported in morning take, VERBATIM: “On Tuesday, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture announced that the statewide referendum failed, falling three votes short of passage. Since 1986, cattle producers in the state have been paying a $1 beef checkoff fee for each head of cattle sold. A proposed fee increase would’ve raised that amount to $1.50, with the option to request a $0.50 refund per head. According to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, a total of 3,477 ballots were mailed to producers. Out of eligible ballots submitted, 380 ballots were submitted in opposition and 377 votes were in favor.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nGNkxl
MORE: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The beef checkoff has been at $1.00 per head at the time of sale for four decades and [Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association executive director Kaitlyn Root] tells Brownfield next steps are unclear.” ROOT: “I think that is something that the Beef Council definitely will need to discuss. They have their next quarterly meeting in July, and the Cattlemen we have our quarterly meeting in July. So those conversations will be had.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4uujmj0
GRANT: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the 2026 Electric Farm Equipment Grant (EFEG) program. This new program helps Minnesota farmers purchase electric farm equipment to reduce air pollution.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wFEqV7
PLANNING AHEAD
THIS WEEK: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “It’s Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Awareness Week! EAB continues to threaten Minnesota’s nearly 1 billion ash trees; it has been confirmed in 60 counties. Our trees need your help to slow its spread. Together, we can protect our forests & communities.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4uGuqcZ
THIS SUMMER: Via Morning Ag Clips, VERBATIM: “Registration is open for Minnesota Farmers Union’s Summer Camps. Held at Sibley State Park near New London, the multi-day overnight camps provide opportunities for youth ages 8 to 18 to discover new passions, step away from screens and build skills that last a lifetime.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uXO9Em
CROP PROGRESS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A central Minnesota farmer says crops are coming along nicely after an early planting season. Nathan Serbus grows corn and soybeans in Renville County and tells Brownfield he finished planting April 23rd.” SERBUS: “Everything is coming along really good, we have some corn, a bunch of it, starting to emerge or just poking up. And I grow some sweet corn too, and that stuff I planted really early and it’s amazing how big that is already.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4uXyMMh
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
TEACHER: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “Marie Kruse keeps a stuffed cow in her classroom. When a new calf is born on a local dairy farm each year, she stages a gender reveal, complete with confetti, pink helium balloons and all, for her five-year-old students . . . It’s a small ritual that captures the intent behind everything Kruse does in her southeast Minnesota classroom to connect young children to agriculture before they’re old enough to take it for granted. That approach not only earned Kruse the 2026 Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom Outstanding Teacher Award, but one of six national Excellence in Teaching About Agriculture awards from the National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization. She will receive a $500 stipend and travel expenses to attend the national conference in Providence, Rhode Island, this June.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uUPHit
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