PESTICIDES: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has opened a public comment period on the adequacy of the state’s pesticide rules (Chapter 1505). The action is in line with a court-approved stipulation agreement between the plaintiffs (a coalition of environmental groups) and the defendants (Attorney General/MDA and an intervenor coalition of farmer organizations and CropLife America).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4va75A6 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
FRIDAY AG HEADLINES
INVESTIGATION: Via Reuters, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Federal Trade Commission said on Thursday it has been investigating fertilizer prices, which spiked after the start of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. Soaring prices for fertilizer and fuel due to the conflict have pinched farmers as they have planted corn and other crops, and grappled with a resurgent drought in the U.S. Plains. Some growers are facing a fourth straight year of shrinking margins.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RBIiqg
MORE: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “Speaking before farmers gathered on a North Texas farm, FTC chairman Andrew Ferguson announced the commission had already initiated a “major industry-wide investigation” into fertilizer prices, citing USDA data showing fertilizer has delivered the largest increase in production costs for U.S. farmers since 2020 . . . For farmers attending the event, the announcement drew a standing ovation. After years of frustration, congressional testimony and criticism of the fertilizer industry, the FTC’s move marks the first formal federal investigation with subpoena power and the potential for antitrust enforcement if wrongdoing is uncovered.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uEBx5o
OUTLOOK: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Fertilizer supply and pricing concerns are likely to hang on into the fall, with analysts pointing to tight global markets and ongoing geopolitical disruptions. Ben Brown with University of Missouri Extension says phosphate and urea are concerns. ‘Retailers are making decisions for fall. To have fertilizer on hand in the fall, it’s challenging to even source the product.’ Chris DeMoss with MFA Incorporated says it comes down to balancing uncertain demand and planning inventory.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4vlmZYz
E15: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “Looking to expand access to higher ethanol blends like E15 at your fuel station? Reminder that applications for the AGRI Biofuels Infrastructure Program are due Tuesday, June 2 at 4p.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4dFk2fs
GLOBAL TRADE BOLSTERS AG ECONOMIES: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Each year, Minnesota’s exports of corn, ethanol, corn-fed meat, and dried distillers grains (DDGS) alone support over 11,500 jobs and add billions to the state’s economy. They also help ensure that consumers around the world have access to affordable protein and dairy products. In May, during World Trade Month, Minnesota Corn celebrates that important role trade plays in all our lives—in the U.S. and abroad. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4dqEqB1 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn)
THE FARM ECONOMY
CRISIS: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “Beth Ford had worked at six companies spanning five industries, including Pepsi, Mobil and Scholastic, before arriving at Land O’Lakes. As CEO of one of the only cooperatives in the Fortune 500, today she’s answerable not to shareholders or investors but to thousands of decentralized owner-members. Half of the U.S.’s harvested acres flow through the Land O’Lakes network. What does she see from her vantage? A gathering storm in American agriculture. She believes the country isn’t paying enough attention.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tZxtLX
GROCERIES: Via Parade, VERBATIM: “If you’ve never had the chance to pick a fresh fruit or vegetable while visiting your local farm, you’re missing out. These sun-ripened items are usually in perfect condition, and can taste like nothing else you’ve ever had before. But a rise in farm bankruptcies may put an end to that practice in certain areas, as farmers say they are struggling to make money in today’s economy. What’s worse is that the larger implications this has for the rest of the U.S. may mean more than just having to buy fresh food picked before its prime; it may mean Americans will once again face rising grocery prices.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nV6fVz
TOMATOES: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Tomatoes, ubiquitous in everything from fast-food burgers to haute cuisine, are taking on a new role beyond the plate: A nagging reminder of rising costs. Prices for those red orbs have soared more than any other food product over the past year to cement a spot as one of the consumer headaches du jour.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dEhcap
EXPORTS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Old crop wheat export sales fell to a marketing year low during the week ending May 21st. The USDA says old crop sales were a net reduction following big cancelations by several of key buyers, but most of those key buyers also bought new crop U.S. wheat. The next marketing year for wheat begins Monday. Approaching the final quarter of their marketing year, old crop corn and soybean export sales saw week-to-week declines, partially due to price and competition from South America. Pork sales were also down on the week, but beef sales were solid.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uf14kU
CATTLE: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “Live and feeder cattle futures were lower early Friday seeing some following through selling from a lower close Thursday and with sharply lower boxed beef values. However, a case of New World Screwworm (NWS) only 52 miles from Texas was reported by USDA on Thursday making it the closest detection to the U.S. to date. Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek says that was causing additional fund liquidation.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4300e06
2026 GROWING SEASON
PLANTING: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The director of agronomy for Stine Seed describes the spring planting season as highly variable. Tom Larson says some parts of the Midwest experienced very good conditions.” LARSON: “Like most years, there’s areas where it has been kind of that garden environment. And in other areas they have had some challenges to deal with.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4vh1N5I
DROUGHT: The new Drought Monitor reflecting data as of Tuesday shows things getting worse – 61% of the state is now abnormally dry or worse, up from 42% a week earlier. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3PP2Kzy
SCHEDULE: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Brennen Toquam grows corn and soybeans near Blooming Prairie and says he plans to side-dress corn later this month. ‘Via Y-drop, put it on our Hagie sprayer. My goal is to always be done by the 4th of July, doesn’t always happen. But done with bean post, corn post, and Y-dropping by the 4th of July.’ He tells Brownfield pockets of weeds are appearing.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4agHTzE
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
SPECIALTY CROPS: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced payment rates and the enrollment period for the Assistance for Specialty Crops Farmers (ASCF) program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will issue $1.625 billion in payments to eligible specialty crop producers in response to elevated input costs and market disruptions resulting from foreign competitors engaging in unfair trade practices that impeded specialty crop exports.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dCb7LI
COVER CROPS: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is accepting applications for a new round of grants to support the development of enterprises, supply chains, and markets for continuous living cover (CLC) crops and cropping systems in the early stages of commercial development. Continuous living cover refers to agricultural systems that maintain living plants and roots in the soil throughout the entire year. This year-round vegetative cover protects soil, improves nutrient cycling, reduces erosion, and strengthens landscape resilience.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PW9GhU
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