NITROGEN: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “In recent years, the ratio of nitrogen fertilizer price to corn price has been approximately 0.10, which is the equivalent of $0.40 per lb. nitrogen and $4.00 per bushel corn. Currently it’s running as high as $0.80 cents per pound with corn still at $4.00 dollars—a 0.20 ratio. One place to turn, according to Brad Carlson, a fertilizer expert with University of Minnesota Extension, is the University of Minnesota nitrogen rate recommendations, geared to the economics of both corn and fertilizer, to find the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lHsZXX (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
A NEW SEASON
FARM MATH: Via USA Today, VERBATIM: “On Erica and Eric Sawatzke’s Minnesota farm, the math of farming has grown increasingly unforgiving. Even with strong yields, the numbers often don’t add up. A new round of federal aid announced in late 2025, while welcome, underscores how far the gap has grown between what it costs to produce crops and what farmers earn selling them. To help them do better financial planning, they turn to expert advice, online tools and loan programs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47a1eRU
TOWN HALL: Via New Ulm Journal, VERBATIM: “Trade policy and rising input costs were among concerns often mentioned by agriculture leaders and farmers at a Minnesota Farmers Union People’s Town Hall at Sleepy Eye Brewing Wednesday. Rising fuel costs got lots of attention. ‘Rising input costs are killing farmers. High fuel costs, especially diesel fuel, are coming at a terrible time. They’ll affect consumers too,’ said Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. He said Minnesota has the most E15 (15 percent ethanol, 85 percent gasoline) pumps, but it can only be used from Oct. 1 to April 1 unless year-round ethanol legislation is passed.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47c9sc2
GRAIN MARKETS: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “Grains are mostly lower early Friday seeing some profit taking heading into the weekend, especially in corn with a new high close for the move on Thursday and with funds recently establishing a long position. Mike Minor with Professional Ag Marketing says,” MINOR: “Yeah, these weekends have been pretty wild, Michelle. Sunday nights included going into Monday. Last Monday, we saw a limit lower move on the first couple months on soybeans. So definitely some position taking going into this weekend, Michelle, just based on risk tolerance here.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bKW93Y
SOYBEANS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Recent strength in soybean prices has sparked some farmer selling. Brad Kluver farms near Northfield in southern Minnesota and tells Brownfield marketing has been tricky since harvest. ‘We probably stored more than we wanted to at times, and not enough at other times. But it’s been very challenging.’ He says there have been opportunities to lock in better prices.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3NBENOD
CRITICAL MARKETS FOR MINNESOTA: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s 24,000 family corn farmers export hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of corn, ethanol, and dried distillers grains (DDG) to Canada and Mexico each year. Those exports support consumers in those countries and account for thousands of Minnesota jobs and over $1 billion in economic activity. That’s why the Minnesota Corn Growers Association supports a full renewal of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the landmark trade agreement that modernized North American agricultural trade.” LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4dqEqB1 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn)
WEATHER
WINTER WHEAT: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “While winter wheat is a crop that seems to have nine lives, the dramatic weather extremes are taking a toll on the crop. Winter wheat may have already been damaged in January and February due to extreme cold and the lack of snow cover in many areas. Throw on top of that freezing temperatures at the start of the week and now heat and continued dry conditions, which are stressing the crop.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bmC8l9
DROUGHT: The latest Drought Monitor reflecting data as of Tuesday shows little change from a week earlier – 66% of Minnesota remains abnormally dry with 34% in formal drought status. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3PP2Kzy
HISTORY: Via Farm Progress, VERBATIM: “As we enter April with lingering signs of drought in portions of Minnesota, I thought it would be a good distraction to remember the state’s wettest April, which occurred 130 years ago. It was a month for the record books in terms of precipitation (both rain and snow) and the record-setter for 35 of Minnesota’s 87 counties.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lDSvx0
WEATHER PATTERN: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for the likelihood of near- or above-normal temperatures and near- or below-normal precipitation across much of the country. Colder-than-normal conditions will be confined to an area stretching from northeastern North Dakota into the Northeast.” MAPS: https://fluence-media.co/4bWwNRG
DAIRY: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “A powerful March blizzard brought parts of Wisconsin to a standstill, blanketing roads, cutting off access, and forcing one dairy farm into an extraordinary decision. Even as the storm shut down everything around one dairy farmer, it couldn’t stop the work, or the heart, of this farm family in Manawa, Wisconsin . . . Snow drifts reached five to fifteen feet high, and roads were impassable for roughly 36 hours. Milk trucks couldn’t get through, and employees couldn’t reach the farm, leaving the Henschel family to run everything on their own.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41mNRtW
ASSISTANCE: Via Farms.com, VERBATIM: “Dairy producers in Minnesota impacted by the winter storm and blizzard conditions beginning March 14 are strongly encouraged to report crop, livestock and infrastructure related losses to the local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) and inquire about available disaster recovery assistance. Winter storms and blizzard conditions create serious challenges for dairy producers, affecting livestock health, feed supplies, transportation and daily milk production.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4smhQhv
DEADLINE: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “Good news, Minnesota dairy farmers! The deadline to apply for the DAIRI Program has been extended to April 9. If you produced less than 160,000 cwt of milk in 2022 and are enrolled in DMC coverage, you may be eligible.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4bBSLbc
THE BUSINESS OF AG
RETAIL: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “Vertical integration is the practice of combining more than one stage of production under one company. That can be looked at as efficiency, or, as a bill passing through the Minnesota Legislature looks at it, as a tool to remove competition and assert control over an industry. A grocer union, a beef producer and a meat processor all offered testimony in support of that bill meant to bring back competition in the meat industry. No one from the public testified in opposition. The bill authored by Rep. Rick Hansen, DFL-South St. Paul, was heard Wednesday, March 18, by the House Agriculture and Finance Committee.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40JuoUg
RAIL MERGER: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A farm organization is opposing the planned merger between the Union Pacific and Norfolk and Southern railroads because of rural service and cost concerns. American Farm Bureau Federation economist Danny Munch says, ‘The decisions that are made by the companies are going to be in repsponse to profitability metrics.’ Munch tells Brownfield they are also concerned about service reliability issues, accountability, and market access for farmers.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/41iajEE
AI: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “For California farmer Joe Del Bosque artificial intelligence was once a foreign concept. Today, he uses AI for autonomous weed control and water management. According to McKinsey & Company analysis, AI can create economic value by improving labor and input costs as well as yield to the tune of $100 billion and by increasing sales and productivity by as much as $150 billion across the agriculture industry. However, most farmers continue to approach AI with a mixture of cautious optimism and skepticism.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bmCwjB
NEXTGEN: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Planning for the next generation to take on the family farm can be a huge stressor on farmers. According to a recent analysis by Farm Journal, nearly 15 percent of American cropland is projected to change hands by 2030. Yet, many producers have no formal succession plans in place. Over the winter, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture along with University of Minnesota Extension and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, are helping farmers with that transition through retreats.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4bVD1kN
DICAMBA: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “MN applicators: 2026 OTT dicamba training is required. If you plan to apply over-the-top dicamba this year, you must complete manufacturer-provided online training before making any applications.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4bx3RhS
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
WOMEN: Via House Ag Democrats, VERBATIM: “Yesterday, House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (D-MN-02) and fellow Agriculture Committee member Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL-03) introduced a bipartisan, bicameral resolution designating March 21 as ‘National Women in Agriculture Day.’ Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) lead the Senate resolution.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40Fi8Eh
ROCK CREEK: From MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen Via X, VERBATIM: “Great to join my local Snake River Cattlemen & Rep Nathan Nelson last night for their meeting at Rock Creek sales barn & talk wolves, trade, leg session, screwworm, grants and more.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4bWLOTu
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