MCGA BOARD: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Adam Jones, 45, of Lake Crystal, joined the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) Board of Directors, following elections at the annual meeting during MN Ag Expo in Mankato. He farms with his cousin Aaron. Adam’s father, Dave, and his uncle Dan remain active in the operation that raises corn and soybeans and provides facilities for contract hog finishing operations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3O4VpOO (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
IMPORTS & EXPORTS
TRADE: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture says the Trump administration needs to prioritize maintaining current and finalizing new trade deals. Ted McKinney, the former Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the USDA, says the path to fair trade has been a bumpy ride.” MCKINNEY: “We’re in that deep and sometimes very difficult negotiation phase,” he says. “Let’s make the fixes on both sides. This is not just a U.S. deal. There may be painful problems that exist in another country, so we should be dealing with it both ways.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4rAkC1T
BEEF: Via Fox Business, VERBATIM: “President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order temporarily expanding the amount of beef the U.S. can import from Argentina, a move the White House says is aimed at lowering prices but that the nation’s largest cattle industry group disputes. The proclamation increases the in-quota tariff-rate quota for lean beef trimmings by 80,000 metric tons for calendar year 2026. The additional imports will be allocated entirely to Argentina and released in four quarterly tranches beginning Feb. 13.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4trEBBG
MORE: Via CBS News, VERBATIM: “The main group representing American cattle ranchers has said the increase in imports is a ‘misguided effort’ and will damage the ‘livelihoods of American cattlemen and women, while doing little to impact the price consumers are paying at the grocery store.’ In a statement in October, when plans for expanding imports were first reported, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association said it ‘cannot stand behind the President while he undercuts the future of family farmers and ranchers by importing Argentinian beef in an attempt to influence prices.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rFm5E7
CORN: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Planting delays are anticipated for Brazil’s second crop corn. Michael Cordonnier with Soybean and Corn Advisor says about 15 percent of the safrinha crop has been planted.” CORDONNIER: “The big state is Mato Grosso, and it’s estimated that about 25 percent of the safrinha corn is going to be planted after the ideal window closes. Which is about the third week of February.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4ksrL2a
DC + AG
ROUNDTABLE: Via KTTC-TV, VERBATIM: “Several southeast and south-central Minnesota farmers held a roundtable with Sen. Amy Klobuchar Saturday morning, discussing the current state of agriculture in the North Star State. The state’s senior senator, who is in her fourth term in Washington, met with representatives from the Minnesota Corn Growers Association, Minnesota Farm Bureau, Minnesota Farmers Union and Minnesota Soybean Growers among various organizations.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4aFofxZ
(DISCLOSURE: Minnesota Corn is a Fluence sponsor)
FED PAYMENTS: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Department of Agriculture will be sending $11 billion to farmers by the end of the month. However, some growers have said the money won’t be enough to make them whole. The payments are part of the USDA’s $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance program, which aims to help farmers cover part of the losses they incurred in 2025. Specialty crop producers will receive the remaining $1 billion, though details on those payments have not yet been released.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4thz9RQ
WORKFORCE: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “An ag economist says nationwide H-2A guest worker program increases indicate growing labor shortages in all sectors of agriculture. American Farm Bureau Federation’s Samantha Ayoub tells Brownfield, ‘We have just continued to see H-2A break its own records.’” AYOUB: “H-2A use has grown 185 percent in the last 10 years, and it’s really a benchmark year because in fiscal year 2025, U.S. farmers demanded over 400,000 positions.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/46pFMaY
FARMER RESOURCES
NEXT MONTH: Via MLBA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Livestock Breeders’ Association (MLBA) will hold its 129th Annual Meeting on March 19, 2026, at the DoubleTree Hotel, welcoming livestock enthusiasts from across the state for a day of connection, recognition, and industry leadership.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rFhhPi
INSURANCE QUESTIONS: From farm management analyst Kent Thiesse, VERBATIM: “The so-called ‘One Big Beautiful Act’ (OBBA) that was passed by Congress in 2025 made some important changes to provisions that could affect 2026 farm program and crop insurance decisions. This includes the implementation of higher reference prices for all Title I crops beginning for the 2025 and 2026 crop years, improved farm program guarantees, and increased federal subsidies for crop insurance premiums. These enhancements have raised some questions for farmers as they analyze their options for 2026 crop insurance coverage, as well as with their choice of the PLC and ARC-CO farm program option.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bEoRF8
BEEF: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “The $1 per head beef checkoff investment does not go as far as it did 40 years ago when it was established. In Minnesota, a vote will be held this spring to increase the state checkoff rate. Minnesota Beef Council Executive Director Kelly Schmidt says it is important for beef producers to be certified for this referendum vote.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3MqlQhg
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
GRANTS: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the Beginning Farmer Equipment and Infrastructure Grant. The program was established by the Minnesota Legislature and supports farmers by helping them access essential equipment and invest in on-farm infrastructure needed to support the future of their farm businesses.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aFOh44
Copyright © 2026 Fluence Media, All rights reserved.
As someone who subscribed, or as a member of the Minnesota AgriGrowth Council you are receiving this email.
Our mailing address is:
Fluence Media
PO Box 270031
Golden Valley, MN 55427