COUNTY HIGHLIGHTS: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “It was a busy winter of events and activities for Minnesota Corn and its 52 affiliated county organizations, with many holding annual meetings, meetings with elected officials, and much more.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YxNsnH (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
We recently launched our first premium publication. The Fluence Brief will be released 3-4 times a month and dive deeper into the business, economic and political dynamics of the Midwest. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cQw43r
All Fluence Media tip sheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
SURVEY: Via Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture, results of an April survey that showed increases in its Index of Current Conditions as well as its Index of Future Expectations.
QUOTE: “Somewhat surprisingly, this month’s improvement in farmer sentiment occurred despite ongoing trade disputes with many of U.S. agriculture’s largest trading partners, including Mexico, Canada and China. However, producers responding to the April survey overwhelmingly reported that they expect the increased use of tariffs by the U.S. to prove beneficial to the U.S. agricultural economy in the long run, which was reflected in the Future Expectations Index‘s strengthening.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4k5x2er
MORE: Via Hoosier Ag Today, from an article about the survey results, QUOTE: “Producers seem to be gaining confidence in the ag economy’s longer-term outlook in spite of concerns they have about the impact of tariffs. This month’s results suggest some producers are starting to look beyond near-term uncertainty and focus more on positioning their farms for the future.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iOFKN9
EXPORTS: Via the Philippines-based Inquirer, VERBATIM: “The Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted the temporary ban on imported domestic and wild birds, as well as poultry products from the US state of Minnesota, after it cleared all reported avian flu cases. In a statement on Tuesday, the DA said the Philippines now allows the entry of live poultry, poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen originating from Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44u367k
MORE: Via Daily Tribune, VERBATIM: “The DA initially imposed the import ban as a precautionary measure to protect the country’s poultry industry from the spread of HPAI. The US last year exported 169,226 metric tons of poultry products—excluding eggs—worth $194.1 million, up from $180.5 million in 2023.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kdGI6V
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
DATA: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “Farmers enrolled in the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) saw nearly double the profits of non-certified farms, according to recent data from the Minnesota State Agricultural Centers of Excellence. The 2025 ‘Influence of Intensified Environmental Practices on Farm Profitability’ study examined financial and crop and livestock production information from farmers enrolled in the Minnesota State Farm Business Management education program. The 153 MAWQCP farms in the study saw more gross cash farm income and net farm income in 2024 than non-certified farms.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GICaHf
MORE: Via Minnesota State Northern Agricultural Center of Excellence, from the report, a chart comparing farm income of those participating in the program to the state average:
QUOTE: “2024 was the second straight year of reduced average Net Farm Income for the State FBM (Farm Business Management) Database average, while the Environmental Cohort showed an increase.” FULL REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/4372JgQ
PROFIT: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A Minnesota non-profit is developing new markets to help improve profitability for farmers. Agricultural Utilization Research Institute executive director Shannon Schlecht says their focus is to add value and support the ag economy in the Upper Midwest.” SCHLECHT: “And I think we know a lot of that has to do with market opportunities and just helping drive demand to think about how can we utilize our crops in different ways, or think about new revenue streams that can work their way back to farmgate prices and support our producers.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3YXhQZ1
SNAP: Via Newsweek, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is tightening rules on states reporting SNAP information following an executive order from President Donald Trump . . . According to a press release issued on May 6, the USDA will now require states to ‘make certain all records associated’ with SNAP ‘are shared with the federal government’ . . . No date was given for when the states needed to submit the required information by. States were warned that failure to comply ‘may trigger noncompliance procedures.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/435QQHI
MORE: Via USDA, from Secretary Brooke Rollins, QUOTE: “For years, this program has been on autopilot, with no USDA insight into real-time data. The Department is focused on appropriate and lawful participation in SNAP, and today’s request is one of many steps to ensure SNAP is preserved for only those eligible.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/436FXFM
JET FUEL: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Sustainable aviation fuel is having a moment in Minnesota. Lawmakers are considering a broad expansion of tax credits for producers of the fuels, in hope of positioning Minnesota as a leading manufacturer. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency recently awarded a grant to the University of Minnesota to study a new oil-producing field crop that holds promise as a chief component of the fuel. And last fall, a fuel company announced a $5 billion investment in a production facility in Moorhead that’s expected to go online in 2030.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4d6Woqf
AG BILL: Via New Ulm Journal, VERBATIM: “Dist. 15 Sen. Gary Dahms, (R-Redwood Falls) says he feels pretty positive about House passage of the Agriculture budget bill the Minnesota Senate passed 43-23 on April 30.” DAHMS: “I think it’s a good bill. It takes meaningful steps supporting Minnesota farmers, with investments in livestock production, mental health outreach, rural development and agricultural education. I think it will move (through the House). There are differences, but I think they’ll easily be worked out.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4564Tj4
PAID LEAVE: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Six self-described ‘Blue Dog’ Senate Democrats voted with Republicans on Tuesday to weaken the paid sick leave law they supported just two years ago and repeal the benefit for tens of thousands of workers at small farms and micro-businesses. The bill would need to pass the House and win the signature of Gov. Tim Walz — neither assured — before becoming law. Still, the vote marks a significant departure from the past two years, when Senate Democrats voted in lock-step to pass a sweeping pro-labor agenda with a single-seat majority.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4m3UjiM
CROP REPORT: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Planting continues to pace ahead of normal in Minnesota . . . West-central Minnesota farmer and Minnesota Farmers Union president Gary Wertish tells Brownfield his family finished planting over the weekend.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4jNgDf9
MORE: Also via Brownfield, an interview with a northern Iowa farmer who says he’s contending with soil crust. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4m3U0nZ
FOOD BUYERS: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Make it Minnesota Program is supporting thirteen food and beverage brands at the National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show, held annually in the North Hall of McCormick Place, in Chicago, IL. They will exhibit as part of the ‘A Taste of the States’ showcase, organized by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. NRA provides exposure to a regional, national, and international audience of buyers looking for new and better products for their foodservice. The event is touted as the largest annual gathering of foodservice professionals in the Western Hemisphere.” READ/LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4iSzILA
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)
FORESTS: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced $23 million in grants to support transporting hazardous fuels – such as dead or downed trees – from national forests to processing facilities. Through the USDA Forest Service’s Hazardous Fuels Transportation Program, these grants will reduce the hazardous fuels that pose wildfire threats to communities, critical infrastructure and recreation areas.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4d9SzjV
REAP: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senator Tina Smith, D-Minn., Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig, D-Minn., are pressing the Trump Administration about the continued confusion surrounding key clean energy projects that help Minnesota farmers and small businesses lower their costs. Rural Energy for America Program funding is set aside for agricultural producers and rural small businesses to install renewable, clean energy systems, or to make their operations more energy efficient.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42R9VPi
RYE: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “An extension crops educator says cover crops have come on strong this spring in the Upper Midwest. Liz Stahl with the University of Minnesota tells Brownfield a dry fall limited growth.” STAHL: “But then in the spring, you know we have a lot of trials with cereal rye, boy there’s a reason cereal rye is kind of our workhorse cover crop. Came back this year and had some pretty decent growth out there.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3RSYnVd
GRANTS: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for a grant to develop enterprises, supply chains, and markets for continuous living cover crops and cropping systems in the early stages of commercial development. Continuous living cover (CLC) refers to agricultural systems in which there are living plants and roots in the ground throughout the entire year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iRHCF1
MSRPC: Via KFGO-Radio, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council is entering the next chapter of its farmer-led, checkoff-funded research program. The Council is proud to announce that soil scientist Sergio Cabello Leiva has taken the helm as the organization’s new research director.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4m40VO8
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
RAGWEED: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “Sugarbeet farmers should be vigilant during the 2025 growing season about checking their fields for ragweed that appears to be tolerant of glyphosate, said Tom Peters, North Dakota State University and University of Minnesota sugarbeet agronomist and weed control specialist. While glyphosate resistance to water hemp remains the main concern of North Dakota and Minnesota sugarbeet growers — 61% who attended grower meetings said it was their greatest challenge — common ragweed was identified as their biggest challenge on 7% of the farmers’ acres, Peters said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4d9UyET
STATE FAIR: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Ever fancied yourself a crop art maestro? Is your bundt cake the toast of the town? Can you grow a mean Christmas tree? If the answer to those questions is ‘yes,’ ‘yes,’ and ‘don't be ridiculous,’ it's time to start thinking about entering the various competitions on offer at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42MZImR
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