RESEARCH: From Minnesota Corn via Facebook, VERBATIM: “Each year, Minnesota Corn invests checkoff funds in University of Minnesota research projects that aim to increase the productivity and efficiency of corn farming while developing new markets for corn-based products. Yesterday, we partnered with the university on an event that highlighted these project[s] to state lawmakers.” POST: https://fluence-media.co/3R1cZVR (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
ETHANOL: From Senator Torrey Westrom via Facebook, VERBATIM: “WOWZERS — Homegrown fuel for $1.49/gal! Over the holiday weekend, my family and I fueled up with E85 for only $1.49 per gallon at the Cenex in Alexandria! . . . A special shout-out to our SD12 and state farmers who raise the corn that produces ethanol — processed right here at our two local ethanol plants in Benson and Morris. Homegrown, affordable fuel is possible!” POST: https://fluence-media.co/4wCWvCp
FINANCES: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “Corn is tasseling. Soybeans are rapidly growing. From the road, many fields across the Corn Belt look promising as the growing season reaches its halfway point. But beneath those healthy-looking crops, many farmers say the financial outlook hasn’t improved. ‘It’s gonna be a tough year too for sure,’ says Ohio farmer and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Jed Bower. The concern extends far beyond one growing season. After several years of tight or negative margins, many economists believe row crop agriculture could remain under pressure for years.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wBXkeL
BANKRUPTCIES: The Star Tribune reports seven Minnesota farms have filed for bankruptcy this year, putting the state on pace for the most in five years. VERBATIM: “It’s the latest signal of growing instability for the state’s growers and producers, who serve a central role in the state’s economy and identity. Beyond bankruptcies, the number of farmers defaulting on loans is also trending higher, said Tina LeBrun, the executive director of Minnesota State’s Southern Agricultural Center of Excellence. Conditions feel parallel to those in 2020, when crop prices were also low, she said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pmM5EE
CD1: Via news release from the Johnson campaign, VERBATIM: “On Thursday afternoon, Harold Wolle, former president of the National Corn Growers Association and the Minnesota Corn Growers Association, hosted a roundtable discussion with Jake Johnson and over a dozen area farmers and agricultural leaders. Participants raised topics ranging from the harms caused by tariffs and rising equipment costs, to the cuts to rural healthcare and key USDA programs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vmFWcG
(DISCLOSURE: Minnesota Corn is a Fluence sponsor)
A deep dive into the CD1 race between Rep. Brad Finstad and Jake Johnson for MNSider subscribers. HERE: https://fluence-media.co/49OqNJu
WORKFORCE: Via NPR, VERBATIM: “The Trump administration wants to limit nearly all of the ways that someone can enter the U.S. legally, and that includes worker visas. There’s one type of visa even some Republicans want to expand. Demand for the H-2A visa for seasonal agriculture labor is skyrocketing. Farmers say it’s long overdue for an update.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4poL2nx
LAND: Via Farm Bureau, VERBATIM: “Since 1982, cropland, pastureland and rangeland have declined, while developed land has increased by nearly 48 million acres (66%), roughly the size of Nebraska. Acres moving between cropland, pasture and the Conservation Reserve Program may remain connected to agriculture, while land converted to housing, industrial sites, roads or other built uses is far less likely to return to production. In 2024, more than 2 million landowners rented out 347.8 million acres for agricultural purposes, with non-operating landlords controlling 79% of rented-out acres. More than a third of non-operating landlords are 75 or older, but less than 5% of owned farmland is expected to be sold or gifted in the next five years, leaving trusts, wills, heirs and lease decisions central to who can keep farming.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eX6HQ8
THIS REGION: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “An ag real estate specialist describes the farmland market as durable. But Brent Wiest with Compeer Financial says it’s not uniform across the company’s three-state footprint.” WIEST: “We have not seen a broad correction in land values across Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. In many areas, values have held firm. Some areas, particularly where supply is limited or local demand is strong, values have continued to move higher.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3R0tD81
(DISCLOSURE: Compeer is a Fluence sponsor)
FOOD SAFETY: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin announced an updated Memorandum of Understanding to reaffirm their shared commitment to protecting consumers from heavy metals and other contaminants in food.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vWOFn4
WATER: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “Residents in and around Pope County can get their private well water tested for nitrate at no cost during an upcoming clinic hosted by the Pope Soil and Water Conservation District and the Chippewa River Watershed Association in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3R1oaxN
FROM THE FIELDS
ESTIMATES: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The USDA has raised its 2026 corn and soybean production estimates, while trimming the outlook for wheat. The larger corn and soybean numbers followed the late June acreage adjustments by the department. Corn is now pegged at 16 billion bushels, with soybeans at 4.475 billion bushels. The USDA left yields at 183 and 53 bushels per acre, respectively.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3T9cKZl
PRIORITIES: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “In a season marked by uneven corn development and delayed soybeans, Farm Journal Field Agronomist Ken Ferrie is telling growers to lean on in-season management rather than write fields off. ‘Don’t walk away from a growing crop. Stay the course,’ encourages Ferrie, who’s based in central Illinois. Speaking on his latest Boots In The Field report, Ferrie lays out five priorities for farmers’ consideration now.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yagF8h
DROUGHT: This week’s Drought Monitor reflecting data as of Tuesday, ahead of significant later-in-the-week rains, shows 29% of the state remains in drought, 11% severe. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3zN8TDo
DISASTER HELP: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making significant improvements to its disaster assistance and commodity loan programs as outlined in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act to celebrate the one-year anniversary of President Donald J. Trump signing the Act into law on July 4, 2025. As part of the commitment to put Farmers First, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is strengthening disaster assistance support for livestock producers, orchardists and nursery tree growers, increasing Marketing Assistance Loan rates, and expanding Marketing Assistance Loans to better help cotton and sugar producers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44TTmlJ
RUST: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “Corn Belt farmers are entering fungicide season with fresh memories of last year’s southern rust outbreak — and many have a renewed commitment to protecting corn. But with tighter margins and uneven stands, some are taking a far more selective approach to fungicide applications in soybeans. For those growers who battled southern rust in 2025, the decision on corn is straightforward.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yc3eEU
FARM BUSINESS
DAIRY: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The senior dairy analyst with Terrain says strong U.S. dairy export growth continues to help boost producer profitability. But, Ben Lane says there have been shifts in demand.” LANE: “We had traditionally exported powders and commodities like non-fat dry milk and whey powders,” he says. “Countries are looking for more of those finished consumer products like cheese and butter, so we’ve seen huge growth in those products in terms of what we’re exporting.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4fu0ewb
ACQUISITION: Via Grand Forks Herald, VERBATIM: “A Grand Forks-based John Deere dealer that has grown in recent years throughout North Dakota and Minnesota is likely to be acquired by RDO Equipment, a family-owned agribusiness with headquarters in Fargo. RDO announced on Tuesday, July 7, that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire True North Equipment‘s John Deere agriculture locations in North Dakota and Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wCSNIY
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
SCHOOL FOOD: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “The Farm to School Institute presented the 2026 Cream of the Crop Awards to the winners in Hutchinson, MN. This is a statewide contest to celebrate school districts, early care centers, & family day cares who buy, serve, & promote food from MN Grown farmers and producers.” PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/3RbwPOb
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