DC: From Brooke S. Appleton via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Our persistent advocacy work led to a recent decision by an international dispute panel that ruled that Mexico violated its obligations under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement by blocking genetically modified corn imports. That outcome is a clear sign that advocacy is effective and will only increase our leverage moving ahead. The decision – which was a big win for farmers, as Mexico is our largest market – would not have happened if not for the monumental advocacy efforts by state and national corn grower leaders who pushed the Biden administration to act. Indeed, as I think about it, at least four specific tactics helped us achieve this win.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4afKqJn (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
LAWSUIT: Via news release from the Attorney General, VERBATIM: “Today, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, alongside Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and the Federal Trade Commission, sued agricultural equipment manufacturer Deere & Company (Deere), also known as John Deere, over its use of unfair practices that have driven up equipment repair costs for farmers while also depriving farmers of the ability to make timely repairs on critical farming equipment, including tractors. The complaint alleges that, for decades, Deere’s unlawful practices have limited the ability of farmers and independent repair providers to repair Deere equipment, forcing farmers to instead rely on Deere’s network of authorized dealers for necessary repairs. This unfair steering practice has boosted Deere’s multi-billion-dollar profits on agricultural equipment and parts, growing its repair parts business while burdening farmers with higher repair costs, the complaint alleges.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40lfgvs
E15: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The lead Democrat on the Senate Ag Committee will be pushing for year-round E15 this year. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota tells Brownfield language allowing nationwide sales of fuel blended with 15 percent ethanol all year nearly made it across the finish line at the end of 2024. ‘We were so close to getting year-round E15, I’ve lead that bill for years, in that end-of-the-year deal that fell apart for reasons unrelated to that.’ She suggests progress made in the last Congress bodes well for passing year-round E15 legislation in 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3WmB0WR
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
UOFM: Via University of Minnesota, VERBATIM: “Through its Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), the US Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded the University of Minnesota $10 million for the Oilseed Crops to Sustain the Environment and Meet Energy Demand (OILSEED) project. OILSEED was selected as one of six projects working to ‘advance the production of low carbon intensity, purpose-grown energy crops critical to accelerating a clean energy bioeconomy.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3E89eH5
WATER: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has published an updated map that will help farmers across the state comply with the Groundwater Protection Rule. The rule restricts fall application of nitrogen fertilizer in areas vulnerable to groundwater contamination, and it outlines steps to reduce the severity of contamination in areas where nitrate is already elevated in public water supply wells.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40lcvup MAP: https://fluence-media.co/2DfkXVj
SUMMIT: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “At the 42nd Annual Red River Basin Land & Water International Summit in Grand Forks, N.D. this morning, Commissioner @thommypetersen spoke about our numerous water quality projects in the Red River Valley and statewide.” PHOTO: https://fluence-media.co/40lqPCS
PLAQUE: From MN Soybean Research & Promotion Council via X, VERBATIM: “Thanks to @MNagriculture Commissioner @ThommyPetersen for braving the cold today in Gary, MN, to visit & present Director Corey Hanson with his MN Ag Water Quality Certification Program plaque.” PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4jfSr5c
NEXT WEEK: Via Morning Ag Clips, VERBATIM: “Step out of Mother Nature’s glitchy winter and level up at MN Ag Expo, Minnesota’s marquee winter agriculture gathering, Jan. 22-23 at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center during the annual conference and trade show hosted by the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) and Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jm3PfZ
(DISCLOSURE: MCGA is a sponsor of Fluence Media)
2025: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A central Minnesota farmer is optimistic about 2025 despite what he calls a ‘pretty challenging year’ in 2024. Roy Schneider, who farms about 400 acres and raises poultry and cattle near Foley, says last spring was so wet he had several drowned outs. ‘I had several thoughts of going back and replanting it, and each time I didn’t quite get to it because it didn’t quite get ready, and then followed up with a 3-inch rain. So after three of those events I just gave up on those acres, and those are expensive acres. Zeroes are expensive numbers to plug into your bottom line.’ He tells Brownfield the rest of the growing season was much better, and he’s staying positive about the year ahead.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4jelypt
REFORMS: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the third installment in a series of regulatory reforms under the Packers and Stockyards Act that, in combination with other updates finalized under the Biden-Harris Administration, is intended to level the playing field for farmers who raise chicken, turkeys, hogs, cattle, and sheep under contract or for sale to meat and poultry processing companies. Specifically, the rule announced today will give chicken farmers better insight into companies’ payment rates for their birds, will institute stability and fairness in what is commonly known as the ‘tournament system,’ will provide farmers with key information on capital improvements the companies require farmers to make in order to keep or renew contracts, and give farmers stronger leverage when companies do not adhere to the rules.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hgTZtE
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.-Elect Kari Rehauer
Rep.-Elect Wayne Johnson
Rep. Elect Julie Greene
Rep. Elect Keith Allen
Rep. Elect Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
CABINET: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A confirmation hearing for President-elect Trump’s nominee for EPA administrator takes place this week. Former Congressman Lee Zeldin will appear before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Thursday. U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley tells Brownfield he’s encouraged by a recent meeting with Zeldin.” GRASSLEY: “I think he’s had enough contact with Trump to know that Trump is pro-ethanol, and he’ll carry out (Trump’s agenda). One of the things I impressed upon him, and I hope we’ll get it, is meeting deadlines on time for RVO’s.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3PBYFP9
GUIDELINES: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the publication of an interim rule on Technical Guidelines for Climate-Smart Agriculture Crops Used as Biofuel Feedstocks. The interim rule establishes guidelines for quantifying, reporting, and verifying the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the production of biofuel feedstock commodity crops grown in the United States. These guidelines will facilitate the recognition of climate-smart agriculture within clean transportation fuel programs, creating new market opportunities for biofuel feedstock producers while enhancing climate benefits.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gTUiuZ
GREENHOUSE: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “University of Minnesota Extension is working with several farms across the state to increase the scale and effectiveness of deep winter greenhouses. Greg Schweser with the university’s regional sustainable development partnerships says the project brings together small and medium-sized fruit and vegetable growers.” SCHWESER: “We had people interested in developing these passive solar greenhouses they could use to grow crops in the wintertime without having to rely on delivered heat (like) propane or fossil fuel heat or any kind of heat. People are trying to reduce the amount of energy it takes to grow crops in the winter.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Wm7Irk
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
CONES: From the Minnesota DNR via Facebook, VERBATIM: “The State Forest Nursery needs people in the NORTHEAST and NORTHWEST to harvest black spruce and jack pine cones. While this isn’t an easy task, you will play a vital role in helping achieve Minnesota’s reforestation goals – and earn a little extra money while you’re at it!” POST: https://fluence-media.co/3C0UfhM MORE: https://fluence-media.co/42fmdRr
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