MAHA: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “The Make America Healthy Again Commission recently released a set of much-anticipated policy recommendations for addressing childhood chronic disease. The recommendations specific to crop protection tools are an improvement over an earlier version of the report that had zeroed in on key pesticides that have been shown to be safe for their intended uses through federal review and approval processes.” QUOTE: “This outcome is a testament to the power of corn grower advocacy,” said Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) President Jim Kanten. “Growers have been working aggressively to ensure the recommendations are science-based and not an ill-conceived attempt to ban our tools.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mc0Gzt (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
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BIRD FLU: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “After four straight months of testing raw milk samples from Minnesota cow dairy farms for the avian influenza A (H5N1) virus without any detections, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has changed Minnesota’s status from Affected to Unaffected in their National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS). That means that the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will reduce how frequently it tests milk samples from once a month to approximately once every two months. Federal restrictions on animal movement between states remain in effect.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46lrqYr
RIVER: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Mike Steenhoek, director of the Soy Transportation Coalition, thought the Mississippi could avoid a fourth consecutive year of low water levels. More than half of American soybeans depend on the Mississippi River as an export channel. But no significant rainfall is forecast for the lower half of the Mississippi, which could hinder the transport of goods, like soybeans.” STEENHOEK: “A lot of the Midwest has received a pretty substantial amount of rainfall, particularly in spring, and really through the middle part of August, drought conditions have reversed considerably,” he said. “But yet we find ourselves in some low water conditions on the lower part of the river.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pjl9VQ
FARM BILL: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee says passing a skinny farm bill before the end of the year is a priority. Minnesota Republican Brad Finstad tells Brownfield about 70 percent of legislation that makes up the farm bill was included in this summer’s reconciliation package.” FINSTAD: “We accomplished quite a bit in the reconciliation bill, but there is still around 30 percent that has to be done. So getting back here (to Washington, D.C.) this fall and finishing some very crucial things that need to be finishing (is a priority).” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4mRWOEV
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
FORESTS: Via House Agriculture Committee Democrats, VERBATIM: “Today, House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (MN-02) delivered the following opening statement at a Forestry and Horticulture Subcommittee hearing titled ‘Promoting Forest Health and Resiliency Through Improved Active Management.’” CRAIG: “I cannot overstate my concern over the hollowing out of the Forest Service in recent months. We have lost countless dedicated public servants, many of whom held wildfire certifications, served on the line during fire season and played essential support roles for the Agency’s core functions. In total, the Agency has lost more than 5,000 employees, amounting to nearly 15 percent of the total workforce. I hope our witnesses will speak to the effect this downsizing is having or may have on the Forest Service’s ability to fulfill its critical mission.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mgopyt WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4maJhqS
STORM DAMAGE: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Salvage timber harvests are underway on state-managed lands in the Bemidji area. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said the harvests are being used to promote forest recovery, after major storms in late June damaged more than 1,100 acres of DNR-managed forests.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pc75xb
APPLES: Via KTTC-TV, VERBATIM: “It’s apple harvesting season in Minnesota, and a local grower is ensuring that his apples are crispier than ever. Dane Diede, the owner of Blossom Hill Orchard and Farm in Preston, located just off Highway 52, has owned the farm for over 10 years. KTTC’s Aaliyah Demry visited the orchard to see how it’s keeping its apples safe and ready to eat despite hungry animals and the challenging weather.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/47DdiMu
MORE: Via Star Tribune, a list of orchards welcoming visitors. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/46lqWBB
LAND O’LAKES: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “One of the nation’s largest agricultural cooperatives is launching an investment platform to support new ag technologies. Chief strategy officer Jason Trusley says Land O’Lakes and a coalition of retailer-owners will help find, fund, and scale up ag tech innovations through a new initiative called AgRogue Growth Partners.” TRUSLEY: “Which is now going into our first investment, and beginning to really think about how do we scale this platform as a true way to drive scaled innovation through the farming system.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4nnf8FA
HARVEST: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A southwest Minnesota farmer estimates corn and soybean harvest to start in about three weeks. Mark Enninga of Fulda says rains have been timely this summer. ‘It’s almost out of the ordinary to experience that it seems over the last maybe five to eight years.’ He tells Brownfield this year’s crop should be significantly better than a year ago.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4mu5jFn
RESEARCH: Via Seed World, VERBATIM: “University of Minnesota Twin Cities scientists are working with 40 organic vegetable producers to test cover crops in high tunnel systems and improve soil health for long-term productivity. High tunnels are covered structures that extend the growing season. Cover crops, planted in the off-season, can enhance soil quality. In this project, researchers are testing nitrogen-fixing crops such as peas and beans.” QUOTE: “Because there are more crops being planted for longer periods of time [in high tunnels], the soils can degrade more rapidly,” said Julie Grossman, associate dean of undergraduate programs, horticulture professor, and soil scientist at the University of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences in a news release. “We’re trying to find ways to alleviate those negative pressures, and even enhance soil quality … by using cover crops.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4phuL3l
EXPORTS: Via Farm Progress, VERBATIM: “Livestock producers looking for a pot of gold from the export market may have to set their sights a little lower. Compart’s Boar Store Inc. in Nicollet, Minn., has been selling breeding stock from its performance-tested Durocs, Yorkshires and Landrace boars and gilts since the 1970s, adding what Dean Compart calls a little ‘gravy’ to the family’s operation. Comparts have been in the swine breeding stock world for 75 years in the United States, but the export market has been sporadic at best.” QUOTE: “You might have six or eight exports in a year, and then there’s times where it’ll be two years between shipments,” Compart says, who leads the family operation with brothers Jim and Chris. “It’s really nothing you can plan on. It’s kind of a gravy thing.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3VbcpmU
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)
WATER: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A judge ordered Minnesota state agencies overseeing nitrate and water pollution issues to review the effectiveness of their rules as part of a lawsuit by environmental advocates. Ramsey County District Court Judge Mark Ireland last Friday solidified an agreement among advocates and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to review whether their commercial and agricultural standards are effective in reducing nitrates in groundwater. At the same time, Ireland ordered no further legal action from advocates, led by attorneys with the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA), on the state’s feedlot and groundwater protection regulations until the agencies complete their reviews.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gC6bGF
WEEDS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Time is running out for most farmers to take steps to minimize the spread of weeds before harvest. University of Minnesota Extension crops educator Liz Stahl says combines are notorious for spreading weed seed. ‘Especially if you’re dealing with like an introduced weed, or if you’re dealing with herbicide resistance.’ She encourages growers to hand-pull weeds and manage fencerows and field edges.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3IgSvUv
USDA: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A national non-profit with more than 500,000 members is urging the USDA to withdraw its proposed reorganization plan. Karen Perry Stillman with the Union of Concerned Scientists says details so far are vague and poorly defined.” QUOTE: “But as far as we understand it, it looks like what this really is is an effort to drive out more of the dedicated public servants that work at the USDA in all kinds of roles serving the interests of farmers and rural communities and all of us who eat.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/46s6pMR
ACQUISITION: Via Eagan-based Miller, VERBATIM: “Miller Manufacturing Company, a market-leading manufacturer and distributor of farm, ranch, and pet products, is pleased to announce the successful acquisition of Lixit Animal Care Products, a respected innovator in small animal and pet care supplies.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46gfFSU
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
FFA: Via Farm Progress, VERBATIM: “Veteran ag educator Mary Hoffmann brings classroom experience and vision to Minnesota FFA leadership as the organization prepares for potential dramatic membership growth.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nifX2s
THRESHING DAYS: Via West Central Tribune, VERBATIM: “History comes alive each year at Atwater Threshing Days. Engines, tractors and other machinery over 100 years old were up and running on the showgrounds as guests enjoyed the day and learned about the history of farming. According to Atwater Threshers Club member Tony Anderson, before modern farm equipment, threshing would require large groups to come together during harvest season. The Atwater Threshing Days were organized to bring people together, but not for work this time.” READ/PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/3IgaFpu
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