LETTER: From Minnesota Corn via X, VERBATIM: “Join us in signing a letter by @NationalCorn urging congressional leaders to pass legislation that would remove the outdated summertime E15 sales restriction.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/3Duhd1k LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/3DvqGp5 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
COSTS: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Ag input uncertainties are causing stress on many farms. Central Iowa farmer Aaron Lehman says commodity and fertilizer markets are volatile.” LEHMAN: “Farmers are meeting with their lenders right now to finalize their financing and their credit for the coming year, and there’s a huge question mark about what the expense is going to be for fertilizer.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Ds9Jfm
FUNDING: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Farmers and ranchers are accustomed to occasional drought. They try to hang on until the rains return. Since the Trump administration took over in Washington on Jan. 20, however, farmers who participate in some projects that benefit the environment are facing another type of possible drought — the drying up of federal funding. Federal grants have long been a major source of money that helps farmers install conservation projects and practices. Now they are uncertain as the U.S. Department of Agriculture has ‘paused’ some disbursements.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Fdyht8
MORE: Via NPR, VERBATIM: “[Wisconsin dairy farmer Tammy Fritsch] says using the milk from her Guernsey cows — which is easier for some people to digest — she now wants to make and sell ice cream. Last year, she won just under $100,000 through a Dairy Business Innovation grant. DBI, as it's known, was created under the Farm Bill Trump signed in 2018 during his first term. Like the grant requires, Fritsch invested in her farm first. She bought equipment, and got a bank loan to afford it. She started hiring a couple employees. Then, in late February, Fritsch got the word that the U.S. Department of Agriculture halted the funding that she and other innovation grant winners are counting on to be paid back the money they spent on their farms.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hnCtne
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
IMMIGRATION: Via Center for Rural Policy and Development, VERBATIM: “The Center for Rural Policy and Development has released a new report, ‘Time to Work Together: Our Roles in Keeping and Attracting Residents,’ which sheds light on Minnesota’s shifting population trends and the increasing importance of migration in sustaining the state’s workforce and economy. The report underscores a crucial finding: birth rates are no longer keeping pace with death rates, making migration the key driver of Minnesota’s future population growth. According to the Minnesota State Demographic Center, by the late 2040s, any population growth the state experiences will be due to migration rather than natural increase.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kFoo7s
MORE: From the report:
REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/4bGsMit
(DISCLOSURE: Center for Rural Policy and Development is a Fluence client)
TARIFFS: Via Bloomberg, VERBATIM: “Donald Trump’s trade war is causing chaos for farmers and food producers on both sides of the US-Canada border, as businesses grapple with how to disentangle supply chains that have been interconnected for decades. The US president slapped 25% tariffs on most Canadian and Mexican goods on Tuesday, prompting Canada to respond with its own 25% levies on C$30 billion ($20.9 billion) worth of products, including on orange juice, coffee and fruit. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also threatened to expand that to cover an additional C$125 billion in goods next month, including US beef, pork and more fresh produce.
While Trump delayed the new duties on many products on Thursday, there’s still the specter they will return in April — along with, perhaps, sweeping ‘reciprocal tariffs’ and other levies on agriculture that he has previously talked about. North America’s food industry now faces the overwhelming task of adapting to a turbulent situation of ever-changing rules.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FehTsn
MORE: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “The whiplash over tariffs sent markets up and down this past week. Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish emphasized these issues impact agriculture significantly.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ifBOWd
MORE: Also via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “Trade policies and the stalled farm bill are major concerns at the National Farmers Union Convention. Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish highlighted the lasting impact of past trade wars, emphasizing that soybean exports to China have yet to recover.” WERTISH: “They’re finding other markets and it’s incentivized Argentina, Brazil farmers to raise more.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41SVCcd
DIVERSIFICATION: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Some farmers are looking to diversify their operation because of low commodity prices.
Randy Duckworth with the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance says interest in growing specialty crops has grown as conventional corn and soybean prices sink. ‘You have a lot more producers who are interested in diversifying and trying to reduce their risk.’ He tells Brownfield it can be reactionary, like when soybean prices fell the first week of March.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4kCRCE8
DROUGHT: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “This weeks heavy snowfall sure wreaked havoc on the roads, but how did it affect drought conditions in the state? To the south, there's still a deficiency says Joe Calderone, Meteorologist with the National Weather Service.” CALDERONE: "A lot of it's still in either abnormally dry or moderate drought." LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4bEbUZL
MORE: A new Drought Monitor will be released Thursday. Last week’s, which reflects data collected before last week’s snow, can be seen HERE: https://fluence-media.co/3zN8TDo
BIRD FLU: Via WDIO-TV, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is already testing hundreds of raw milk samples from farms. Northland farmers are staying vigilant to make sure the disease doesn’t continue to spread. Since march of last year, the USDA has recorded a national total of 978 confirmed cases Avian Flu or H5N1 in dairy herds. Minnesota has confirmed a total of 9 cases on dairy farms. Dr. Nicole Neeser is the Division Director of Dairy and Meat Inspection with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. She says the H5N1 is deadly to chickens and poultry, it can easily be contracted by humans and dairy cows.” NEESER: “We want them to really focus on what we call biosecurity, which is using good practices to prevent the introduction of disease. Most of those birds die, typically, from the flu. Dairy farms, fortunately, it’s a different clinical picture.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/41SWqxL
From morning take…
FARMERS: via Patch News, VERBATIM: “Farmers in Minnesota and across the country are already facing increasing financial strain due to high input costs and low commodity prices. And according to Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish, newly proposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China could further squeeze farmers by raising costs and limiting export opportunities. … The long-term concern, according to Wertish, is that the U.S. may lose its reputation as a reliable trading partner.” WERTISH: “This will drive some farmers off the farm. … With all the uncertainty facing farmers, they don’t need this on their plates. This is farmers’ livelihood, not a game.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43DEqsq
ST CLOUD: via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “People came from across the state March 8 to attend the University of Minnesota Extension's first ‘Ag for All’ conference at the Holiday Inn and Suites in St. Cloud. ‘The face of agriculture in Minnesota is changing, which is a good thing,’ Bev Durgan, the dean of the University of Minnesota Extension, said at the beginning of the conference. ‘Diversity is a good thing.’ … Mental health was a big topic of conversation as both farmers and queer people have higher suicide risks.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bEnXq1
Sign up for morning take…
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)
MARCH: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “@GovTimWalz has proclaimed March Maple Month in MN. It's when sap is running and local sugarmakers boil it down to make maple syrup and other sweet treats. Minnesota is among the top 10 states for maple syrup, with over 100,000 taps annually.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/3Fl58fG
MARKETS: From assistant MDA commissioner Patrice Bailey last week via X, VERBATIM: “The Expowest trade show is busy and vibrant full of lots of intriguing conversation around food. The Make it Minnesota MDA team brought 10 companies. Looking forward to more interactions of other food companies.” PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/41TnsFd
NEXTGEN: Via MAELC, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council (MAELC) is pleased to release its 2030 Minnesota Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (AFNR) Education Blueprint - a statewide strategic plan for promoting, expanding, and improving AFNR education across the state. It was made possible through the combined input and efforts of approximately 200 stakeholders.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hloqyv
MORE: Via The Bemidji Pioneer, VERBATIM: “One thing that can often be said of agriculture is that the work is plentiful but the workers are few. That was made clear at the Central Minnesota Farm Show in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where the more than 150 vendor spots were completely sold out for the two-day show. On dozens of the vendor tables was signage that said simply ‘Ask me about careers in agriculture.’ It was part of the show's volunteer efforts to shed light on ag career exploration.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kCb6sq
NAIMA: Via Minnesota Farm Service Agency, VERBATIM: “This Friday meet Naima Dhore, owner of Naima’s Farm LLC in Dalbo, Minnesota. While her journey into farming was a long one, Naima’s love for the outdoors and family inspired her to chase her dream. She credits cherished childhood memories as a driving force for recognizing the value of local food production. Naima now grows a variety of crops with the help of her husband, Fagas.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hsdW0h
CONFERENCE: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “Organizers of Saturday's Ag for All conference in St. Cloud say they aim to cultivate connections and community among LGBTQ+ farmers and agriculturists in Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QXbMeo
NEXT MONTH: From farm management analyst Kent Thiesse, VERBATIM: “April 15 is the deadline to sign-up for the 2025 farm program at local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices throughout the United States. Eligible producers are able to choose between the price-only ‘Price Loss Coverage’ (PLC) and revenue-based ‘Ag Risk Coverage’ (ARC) program choices. The ARC program choice includes both the county-yield based ARC-CO program choice and the ARC-IC program, which is based on farm-level yields.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FtcX2B
AGRICULT-HER: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “Kristin Duncanson of Highland Farms at Mapleton, Minnesota is our guest for the Agricult-HER series. Kristin began her career on the staff of Minnesota Senator Rudy Boschwitz. She went onto become the first female outside salesperson for Hubbard Feeds. Kristin is the first woman to serve as president of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and the first woman to chair the Minnesota AgriGrowth Council.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FikIsd
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
SERVICE: Via Swineweb, VERBATIM: “Lee Johnston’s unwavering commitment to agriculture, advancing research, and mentoring future leaders has earned him the Minnesota Pork Distinguished Service Award. His journey from a dairy farm in Pennsylvania to becoming a respected expert in the pork industry highlights a career marked by curiosity, commitment, and passion. The Distinguished Service Award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the pork industry in Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ihmQ1U
CERTIFICATION: Via Wadena Pioneer, VERBATIM: “After a year-long evaluation, the R.D. Offutt Wadena Farm earned the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification, joining other growers as a recognized leader in the state for water stewardship. The Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification Program is a voluntary opportunity for farmers and agricultural landowners to take the lead in implementing conservation practices to protect water. Applicants undergo an in-depth examination of fields, characteristics and crop rotation history, nutrient and pesticide management techniques, as well as tillage and irrigation practices.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QV5kEK
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