FIRST PITCH: From Media Bridge Advertising via Instagram, VERBATIM: “Now that is how you start a game! Local farmer Jonathan Tate took the mound at Target Field to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, representing the Minnesota Corn Growers Association. There is nothing quite like the rush of standing on a Major League mound, and Jonathan absolutely crushed it.” PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4c3UIyk (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
SHEEP + DONKEY = ELECTRICITY
SHERBURNE CTY: Via The Cool Down, VERBATIM: “A giant solar farm in Minnesota ran into an unexpected maintenance problem: Vegetation planted to help restore the land began growing tall enough to interfere with the panels. Rather than sending in louder, more polluting equipment, operators turned to 2,000 sheep and a surprising security recruit: a donkey. The issue emerged at the Sherco Solar facility in Becker, Minnesota, where overgrowth along the array began shading the lowest row of panels. That lowered electricity production and even led to inverter shutoffs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4giytHl
FARM BILL: Via Politico, VERBATIM: “Senate Agriculture Committee Democrats rejected a GOP-led farm bill Thursday in a vote that highlights deep partisan divisions over nutrition aid cuts and leaves Congress without a clear path toward reauthorizing the long-overdue bill. Chair John Boozman recessed the panel indefinitely after the 10-11 vote, meaning that he can call members back to revisit the bill at any point, including in September after the chamber’s August break.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wKPTCe
MORE: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “But while the farm bill stalled, senators did approve several key amendments. One of the biggest developments came on beef policy. The committee voted 17-6 to add an amendment from Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., that would establish a pathway to reinstate mandatory country-of-origin labeling, or MCOOL, for beef. Every Democrat on the committee supported the amendment, along with six Republicans.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xsVI7u
REACTION: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “The vote against the Agriculture Act of 2026 is a missed opportunity for family farmers who are struggling with high input costs, depressed commodity prices, and incredible market and weather volatility . . . Despite this vote, we remain hopeful the Senate can finish the job and deliver a Farm Bill 2.0 that will provide meaningful relief and opportunity for our farm families.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45aoXjt
(DISCLOSURE: Minnesota Corn is a Fluence sponsor)
REACTION: Via WCCO-Radio, Minnesota Farm Bureau president Dan Glessing talks about the status of the bill. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3RCLVwx
REACTION: From Senator Tina Smith, QUOTE: “I’m glad that several of my provisions are included in this bill. However, it is not possible to pass a Farm Bill that fails to fix the deep cuts to SNAP that are taking food off the table for millions of Americans, including at least 1.5 million children. Democrats have offered a commonsense solution that would delay the giant cost shift to county taxpayers, which would end up costing Minnesota taxpayers $140 million, for two years.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bAoM4z
TICKS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The Kansas Livestock Association says a bill recently introduced in the U.S. Senate could strengthen the fight at against tick-related diseases in cattle. CEO Matt Teagarden says the Asian Longhorn Tick and theilieria orientalis continue to create mortality and morbidity issues.” TEAGARDEN: “In Kansas and across the country, they are struggling with what to do and feeling helpless in that. This bill that focuses some resources towards important research is really important.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4hr2rdv
2027 SESSION: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is gathering ideas as the agency considers the state’s next biennial budget. Farmers, businesses, and others impacted by food and agriculture systems are all invited to share policy, funding, and program suggestions. The MDA is hosting two virtual public input sessions where people can share their ideas directly. This is in addition to an online form for written submissions which opens August 10 and runs through September 18.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QV8YN9
MORE LEADERS. MORE IDEAS. COMPLIMENTARY REGISTRATION. You are invited to attend Compeer Financial’s complimentary Rooted & Rising: Rural Forum this September 14-16 as leaders from across rural communities come together to strengthen the towns we call home. The event brings together community champions, local officials, nonprofit partners and business leaders to explore strategies that strengthen rural economies and expand opportunities. You’ll join more than 30 speakers and fellow leaders for practical ideas, inspiring stories and meaningful connections focused on economic development, workforce, housing, entrepreneurship and community leadership. We encourage you to invite a colleague, community partner or fellow rural changemaker to join you. Registration will remain open as space allows. Secure your seat at no cost today at www.Compeer.com/RuralForum. (SPONSORED: Compeer Financial)
FROM FARMFEST
WFOY: Via Minnesota Farm Bureau, VERBATIM: “Le Sueur County Farm Bureau member Meg Stuedemann was named the 2026 Farmfest Woman Farmer of the Year during a special recognition ceremony at Farmfest on August 6. The award recognizes Minnesota women who demonstrate exceptional commitment to agriculture and positively impact their communities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TZVSVm
MORE: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “Studemann said that it was overwhelming just to be nominated and to make the top five finalists. ‘I learned about the other women finalists and really saw the caliber of people that were in this pool with me and thought ‘this is absolutely enough for me, I’m fine with this’. And so then this morning when the Woman Farmer of the Year was named and they called my name, there was a little bit of disbelief,’ Studemann said. Studemann and her husband, Kevin, operate Derrydale Farm, an organic dairy operation near Belle Plaine, Minnesota. In addition to farming, she also works for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, where she works on the department’s farm stress programs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gmpunF
2025 WINNER: Via Project Optimist, VERBATIM: “Kris Huebsch did not expect to be named Woman Farmer of the Year at last year’s Minnesota Farmfest from a finalist pool of ‘movers and shakers.’ She’s still asking: ‘Did that really happen?’ Huebsch launched and runs a popular strawberry farm in west central Minnesota called Otter Berry Farm. She’s the sixth generation in her family to farm.” HUEBSCH: “There are so many females in agriculture in Minnesota, in all parts of the country, in the world, quite frankly, that do so much. And a lot of it is behind the scenes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fLk1HJ
AG OUTLOOK: Via DTN, VERBATIM: “Many farmers who already refinanced operating loans to get through the 2026 crop year may have few options left if weak commodity prices persist into 2027, leaving agricultural lenders increasingly concerned about borrowers who have already restructured debt once, an ag economist said Wednesday. The Minnesota Farmfest show hosted an outlook forum with farm economists and a commodity analyst looking at finances and market conditions.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wfoxTM
MEDIA: From MN Soybean Research & Promotion Council via Facebook, VERBATIM: “We’re proud to partner with our friends at the Linder Farm Network today at Farmfest as their ‘Farm Broadcaster of the Day’! Council Secretary Pat Sullivan is pulling double duty—giving updates on checkoff projects and interviewing ag leaders, including Ag Commissioner Thom Petersen.” PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4wLY3up
REST: From MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen via X, VERBATIM: “Day #3 of FarmFest, great to have Chair of the Senate Tax Committee Senator Ann Rest here today! She helped secure key updates to the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit and Sustainable Aviation Fuel Credit this year.” PHOTO: https://fluence-media.co/4wGTjpD
IN THE FIELDS
MONDAY: Via Minnesota Soybean, VERBATIM: “On Monday, Aug. 10, in conjunction with the U.S. Soybean Export Council, MSR&PC is welcoming a Taiwanese trade team to visit with [Faribault farmer Matt] Purfeerst, who serves on the board of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association. Purfeerst will give a tour of the crop conditions on his family operation, showing his guests how his sustainable practices produce high-quality soybeans. ‘I’m looking forward to the opportunity to showing our guests how we grow our crops and the technology we’re adopting,’ said Purfeerst, who’s hosted trade teams from China and Korea in recent years.”
DROUGHT: The latest Drought Monitor reflecting data as of Tuesday shows slight improvement – 70% of the state is now in formal drought status, down from 76% a week earlier. A full third of the state is in severe drought. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3zN8TDo
CORN CROP: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The global crop intelligence lead for a remote sensing and analytics company is mostly bullish on the U.S. corn crop. Nick Ohrtman is with EarthDaily.” OHRTMAN: “The way I’d probably sum up the year, especially for the Corn Belt, is that the vast majority of it is off to a very good start and looking quite good. There are some areas obviously are not as good as others, but a lot of that is ‘getting to the average’ if you will.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4z5PgEX
FIELD CHECK: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “For years, you’ve probably dialed in corn planting populations the same way most farmers do — checking yield goals, eyeing soil productivity, and following your seed dealer’s recommendations. Those factors still count, but Iowa field agronomist Jared Bergan says there’s another piece of the puzzle that deserves just as much attention: how well a hybrid captures sunlight. That characteristic, he says, often determines where a hybrid hits its sweet spot for plant population.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bDpOg6
MONEY MATTERS
INPUTS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The president of Minnesota Farm Bureau suggests there’s no quick fixes for high ag input prices. Dan Glessing says he’s hopeful steps taken by the USDA to address fertilizer markets will make a difference.” GLESSING: “They are addressing those issues, but that’s a slow-moving ship. It’s not like a jet ski out on the lake, it’s definitely more of a ship. And trying to turn that, it takes time.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4q5uDVl
MARKETS: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “Cattle and grain markets were higher early Friday with hogs mostly lower.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4bVC1gr
AGRIBANK: Via Stock Titan, VERBATIM: “[St. Paul-based] AgriBank (AGRIP) reported strong first-half 2026 results, with net income of $604.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026, up from $470.0 million a year earlier. Year-to-date ROA was 0.59%, above the 0.50% target. Net interest income rose 22.1% to $670.2 million, driven by funding actions and higher asset pool volumes. Non-interest income increased 38.3% to $76.0 million, helped by a larger AIRAs distribution, higher loan fees and mineral income. Non-interest expense grew 11.3% to $125.6 million, mainly from higher salaries and contractor fees.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bEzzL4
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
USED COMBINES: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A farm equipment specialist says an abundant supply is softening the price of used combines. Jeff Madsen is the remarketing manager for CLAAS of America and tells Brownfield there’s a large inventory available.” MADSEN: “Coming off a number of years where we had very large new sales across the industry, so right now it’s turning into being a great time to buy for farmers because there’s a lot of options.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4wcnXpS
NEW ULM: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “Commissioner @ThommyPetersen stopped by the New Ulm Farmers’ Market today to meet with vendors, thank the volunteers who make the market possible, and celebrate the farmers and producers who help feed their communities.” PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/3U311Ml
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