MANKATO: From Central Farm Service via Facebook, VERBATIM: “CFS welcomed Congressman Brad Finstad to our Mankato location for an important conversation about the issues facing agriculture and opportunities for the future . . . The conversation brought together leaders from CFS and organizations including the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Farmers Union, Minnesota Farm Bureau, Minnesota Corn Growers Association, Minnesota Soybean Growers Association, Land O’Lakes, and Blue Earth Light & Water.” POST: https://fluence-media.co/4imXkv2 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
WHERE’S THE BEEF?
DISASTERS: New today, news of disaster declarations in Iowa and Wisconsin that also cover areas in Minnesota – Nobles and Rock counties fall under the Iowa declaration – Houston, Wabasha, and Winona counties fall under the Wisconsin declaration. READ: USDA IOWA | FEMA WISCONSIN
BEEF: Via Politico, VERBATIM: “President Donald Trump on Friday morning said he would exempt from tariffs 300,000 metric tons of imported ground beef, the administration’s latest bid to lower prices ahead of midterm elections in which voters appear set to punish the GOP for the rising cost of living.” QUOTE: “This deal will reduce prices for Americans while giving space for our Great American Beef Herd to grow again,” he wrote on Truth Social. The administration had secured a commitment, he said, “that this beef will be sold at 25 percent below current market prices.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xZNdkJ
MORE: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “Live and feeder cattle futures gapped lower on the open Friday in response to President Trump’s post on Truth Social that he was allowing 300,000 MT of beef imports to enter the U.S. duty free over the next 90 days to lower beef prices. Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says the news is enraging cattle producers he works with.” VARILEK: “So the announcement is 300,000 million metric tons of ground beef that he wants to bring in quota-free, tariff-free, so he can lower the prices of beef, you know, and help us ranchers. That part in there is the part that really frustrates everybody.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4cvG9DW
MORE: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Ethan Lane, senior vice president of government affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says the group is disappointed.” LANE: “Continuing to undercut US ranchers by flooding the market with additional imports or attempting to, does absolutely nothing to help consumer prices and it destroys confidence at the ranch gate for producers across the country.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4zvdEjt
DROUGHT: The new Drought Monitor out this week shows little change. One exception: an area in northwest Minnesota that slipped into extreme drought. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3zN8TDo
IMPACT: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “It’s been hot in Hubbard County, and farmer Joe Morgan has noticed. ‘It was relentless,’ he said. ‘It was like three weeks of being in the 90s, and that puts a lot of stress on the plants.’ The northwestern Minnesota county has been in a severe drought since June, and it’s affected Morgan’s business, Midheaven Garden. Last week, he showed up to the Red River Market in Fargo without any lettuce, since it was too hot to plant them in the ground. That’s despite his farm being covered in ways to fight against rapid shifts in the weather.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3U0P5uO
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)
MARKETS
TRADE POLICY: Via North Dakota Monitor, VERBATIM: “North Dakota farm group representatives called for more certainty in U.S. ag trade policy, while U.S. Rep. Julie Fedorchak and a U.S. trade representative said tariffs and tough trade negotiations will pay off in the long run. U.S. Chief Agricultural Negotiator Julie Callahan fielded questions about Trump administration trade policies on beef, soybeans, sugar, and other commodities Wednesday at an ag roundtable in Grand Forks hosted by Fedorchak, R-N.D.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Uaj9nM
MORE: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “North Dakota soybean growers want more details on China’s pledge to buy 25 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans. ‘The 25 million metric ton guarantee is a step in the right direction,’ said Brent Kohls, a North Dakota Soybean Growers Association board member. Kohls represented NDSGA at the farmer roundtable event with Trade Ambassador Julie Callahan.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wCvoqN
FARMER NEEDS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A U.S. Representative says farmers need stable policies and expanded domestic demand. Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach says biofuels are critical to the success of agriculture.” FISCHBACH: “It’s the strongest domestic demand driver our corn growers have, and when biofuels succeed growers have a stable floor under their prices. Rural processing plants thrive, and rural main streets expand.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4xUfdpI
CHINA: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The president of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association is cautiously optimistic China will continue buying U.S. soybeans. Ryan Mackenthun farms near Brownton and says China has been an active buyer despite ongoing trade disruptions.” MACKENTHUN: “With the Section 301 tariffs, I just heard they bought (more) cargo loads. So they’re still buying so that makes me a little bit more happier that they’re still buying, but it’s definitely a concern.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4i5UNFN
SOYBEANS: Via Bar Chart, VERBATIM: “Soybeans closed the Thursday session mixed, with contracts down 1 ½ to 2 ½ cents lower across the board. The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price was up 3/4 cents at $11.99 3/4. Soymeal futures were back down 70 cents to $3.20, as Soy Oil posted 48 to 141 point gains.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4im410n
CORN: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “An ag economist says he’s optimistic that some commodity prices could continue to push higher. Guy Allen with Kansas State University says corn futures moved above $5 for the first time in 18 months on Thursday.” ALLEN: “What’s really driving the corn fundamentals, we have really good animal protein demand particularly in the beef sector, but for pork and poultry. We’ve had record U.S. corn exports last year and would anticipate that for this coming year as well.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4wIrVa3
DC + AG
FARM BILL: Via Dakota News Now, VERBATIM: “South Dakota’s congressional delegation was once again in Mitchell for Dakota Fest, talking all things agriculture, including the future of the farm bill, what will be in it, and when we can expect it to pass. Three years overdue, the farm bill is not only a debate between Republicans and Democrats, but also between the House and Senate, Ag states and non-Ag states, with everybody hoping to get something for their constituents.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4x6U4IS
MORE: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “Senate Majority Leader John Thune says a one-year delay in new SNAP cost-sharing rules could help move the farm bill forward. During Farmfest, Thune said Democrats opposed the bill despite the compromise.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wGkv7e
STRESS WORKSHOPS: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and partners in the Minnesota Farm Suicide Prevention Campaign are offering free mental health and suicide-prevention trainings in communities across Minnesota this fall. The workshops will teach people who live and work in agricultural communities how to recognize when someone may be struggling and help connect them with support.” SCHEDULE: https://fluence-media.co/4c1AVzA
FLOWERS: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “Meet Chris and Sarah Klawitter of Kountry Korner Floral in Polk County, Minnesota. The Klawitters began planting perennials in their yard to enjoy during the warmer months. What started as a passion project eventually became a business plan in January 2023, when the winter weather inspired Sarah’s idea to raise and sell annual cut flowers. They hit the ground running that year, planting 4,000 annual seedlings and 1,200 perennials. Since then, the operation has blossomed, increasing their production area to half an acre.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qEF82f
STATE FAIR: Via Herald Review, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s state grain will once again take center stage at the Minnesota State Fair, where fairgoers can learn about cultivated wild rice, sample recipes and purchase the grain during the fair’s 12-day run. The Minnesota Cultivated Wild Rice Council will operate its annual booth in the Dairy Building, across from the Haunted House, offering cooking demonstrations and educational exhibits highlighting cultivated wild rice grown in Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xSZneU
IN THE FIELDS
SUGARBEETS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Early harvest activities are underway for a sugarbeet grower in west-central Minnesota. Harmon Wilts farms in eastern Swift County. ‘We just started this week with the pre-lift at Southern Minnesota Sugarbeet Cooperative.’ He tells Brownfield weeds have been a problem this year.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4xV3ffy
CORN: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “From the road, much of the corn across Iowa and Minnesota looks like a crop worth bragging about. Step out of the pickup, however, and the story grows more complicated: fewer ears, shorter grain length and signs of pollination stress are showing up in fields that otherwise look solid. That’s the tension Pro Farmer Crop Tour scouts encountered Thursday as they worked through two of the Corn Belt’s key corn and soybean states. In both Minnesota and Iowa, scouts found fields offering deep kernels and big ears capable of pushing yields higher, while other fields revealed just how much early-season stress can hide inside a good-looking crop.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4zD15mz
DISEASE RISK: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “An extension plant pathologist says while corn disease risk is lessening growers should keep their guard up. Dean Malvick with the University of Minnesota tells Brownfield.” MAVERICK: “We do (need to keep our guard up) in the sense that we still want to know where it’s developing and how much. Although in many places now we are far enough along in corn maturity that the risk is getting very low.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4c6vCiu
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
FIELD TRIP: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “A busload of folks from the Twin Cities got up with the chickens to take a Sunday drive and learn first hand where their breakfast comes from. As part of a unique field trip, they boarded a chartered bus at 6:00 a.m. in Minneapolis. As the sun climbed, they traveled two and a half hours to their destination: the Schmidt family farm near Starbuck in rural west central Minnesota.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4gL23FK
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