PLASTICS: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Corn-derived plastics called PLA polymers are helping drive growth in the biodegradable plastics industry and creating potential new uses for corn beyond food and fuel markets. The challenge is balancing performance and biodegradability. Consumers want products that are durable and reliable during use, but capable of breaking down naturally after disposal.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aacwHh (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
BY THE NUMBERS
POT: Via Office of Cannabis Management, planting numbers since last fall:
REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/4fVEwlF
MORE: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s burgeoning legal marijuana industry reported $17.6 million in retail sales in May, a near doubling since the first non-tribal shops began opening last fall. Yes, but: That pace is still well behind one cannabis law firm’s prediction of $550 million in Minnesota’s first full year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4w3Cbda
DROUGHT: It rained, but still things got worse. The latest Drought Monitor, reflecting data as of Tuesday, shows 78% of the state is abnormally dry with 38% in formal drought. An area of southwest Minnesota remains in extreme drought. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3PP2Kzy
MORE: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “‘We have two things going on in the state. We have a short term and a long-term drought,’ says State Climatologist Pete Boulay. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report is kind of a combination of both.” QUOTE: “We’ve had lots of wonderful rain this week, and it kind of created a green veneer out there,” says Boulay. “But deep down in a few places, especially like the Mississippi headwaters, and far southwest Minnesota, we’re still behind.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4oB3oBk
OPPOSITE PROBLEM: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “For Scott Burger, this growing season feels like a race he can’t win. Each time his fields get dry enough to sidedress nitrogen or spray with herbicides, another band of rain rolls through. Overnight, on Tuesday, it happened again. Burger, who farms in northeast Iowa, says his fields caught between 2” and 2.5” of rain in just a few hours — dumped on top of already saturated soils.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eloe4b
WX EXTREMES: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “NDSU Extension Cropping Systems Specialist Jeff Stachler says this season’s weather has created challenges for several crops.” STACHLER: “Twisted whorl corn syndrome is something that happens when we have rapid growth followed by cold weather, which is what we’ve had.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aXD92g
MN CROPS: Via Successful Farming, VERBATIM: “Conditions vary across Minnesota, however. Jeff Vetsch, a soil scientist with the University of Minnesota’s Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca, said crops in south-central and southeastern Minnesota look very good, particularly corn. Most corn in those regions is at the V7—V8 growth stage and growing rapidly, while soil moisture levels are near ideal, he said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gx3KXz
PROUD TO CHAMPION ATHLETES EVERYWHERE: Minnesota’s 24,000 family corn farmers may come from different fields than the athletes participating in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, which are set for June 20-26 in Minnesota. But they share the same values, including dedication, hard work, and perseverance. This summer, Minnesota Corn salutes the talented athletes participating in the games. We’ll be cheering them on from our fields as they shine in yours. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn)
OUTSIDE IMPACTS
WAR: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The U.S. and Iran have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to end the war, and an ag economist says the ripple effects are impacting the ag sector. Frayne Olson with North Dakota State University Extension says there’s frustration among some farmers, because grain futures have moved lower. He says grain futures are connected to the energy complex.” QUOTE: “In my opinion, we’re still going to have uncertainty and volatility in the markets simply because we don’t know how geopolitically this is going to turn out and a lot of things can still happen,” says Olson. “We’re very hopeful. We’re optimistic that yes, we have some stability, but that’s not a guarantee.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4oB8nBY
INPUTS: From the Farm Bureau’s new Market Intel report, VERBATIM: “USDA’s updated cost of production estimates raised fertilizer expense projections for every major field crop for the 2026 growing season, but see relief in fuel and fertilizer prices in 2027. Higher production costs in 2027 are expected to be driven by higher prices for seed, chemicals, repairs, labor, machinery, and cash rents. Preliminary 2027 projections suggest fertilizer costs will remain elevated despite expectations for improved global supply chains. With farmers continuing to face tight margins, the persistence of high input costs reinforces the need for congressional action, including authorizing year-round E15, providing additional market assistance and passing a modernized five-year farm bill.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4acV5Wu
TRADE: Via Reuters, VERBATIM: “U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that the United States would do better without the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement on trade and that he would prefer not to have a new one, but added that he was open to doing it . . . The three countries need to approve a renewal of their existing agreement by July 1 or signal their intention to exit the pact, a process that would take 10 years and would buy time for alterations. The U.S. Trade Representative’s Office is holding talks with Mexico this week in Washington focused on agriculture and ‘a level playing field,’ with a third set of talks in Mexico City scheduled for the week of July 20.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3SB1WTw
AFRICA: Via Insight News, VERBATIM: “Fresh off an annual gala that raised more than $51,000 for its community development programs, Minnesota Africans United (MAU) is launching a summer of agribusiness and trade initiatives aimed at connecting African diaspora farmers, entrepreneurs and investors with Minnesota’s agricultural economy and with markets across the continent. The through-line is access: making diaspora-owned farms and food businesses visible to buyers, and helping their owners navigate the cross-cultural barriers that keep promising operations on the margins. MAU is anchoring the season around three engagements.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xG4WhB
INDIA: From MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen via X, VERBATIM: “Tonight honored to meet with a delegation from India @mncorn office in Burnsville to discuss US ethanol and dried distiller grains (DDGs) as a feed ingredient for their poultry farms to feed their growing nation.” PHOTO: https://fluence-media.co/43LRXxg
(DISCLOSURE: Minnesota Corn is a Fluence sponsor)
MARKETS: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “Grain markets were all lower on Thursday seeing some profit taking after Wednesday’s rally and with a risk off tone to the market place. Mark Schultz of Northstar Commodity says grain markets also saw some position squaring by traders heading into a three-day weekend as the markets are closed on Friday for Juneteenth.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4eucj2L
ETHANOL: From Chippewa Valley Ethanol via Facebook, VERBATIM: “What an incredible day yesterday celebrating 30 years of Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company! We want to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who joined us for our open house yesterday. For three decades, CVEC has been built on the support of our community and the dedication of the people who believe in our mission.” POST: https://fluence-media.co/4vpzt1E
PEOPLE + AG
WORKFORCE: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Department of Agriculture today welcomed new guidance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of Labor clarifying that dairy operations may use the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program when they can demonstrate a qualifying temporary or seasonal labor need under existing law.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eiTzVg
SUMMIT: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Livestock producers and processors are gathering in central Iowa to discuss how to work together better. Practical Farmers of Iowa livestock systems manager Margaret Chamas says the Midwest Meat Summit in Ankeny is one of several events happening across the Midwest.” CHAMAS: “Just to bring together the entire value and supply chain in the meat industry, so everything from the farmers raising the animals to the people distributing, processing, butchering, moving them along. Because every part of this supply chain tends to be so isolated from each other.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4eGT4n0
URBAN AG: Via Mankato Free Press, VERBATIM: “City leaders are set to decide Monday whether backyard chickens will be welcome in Mankato for the first time. The topic was a major source of controversy in City Hall in 2009-10, when chicken lovers and chicken haters clashed over the course of multiple meetings. But based on discussions a month ago, the current City Council appears unanimously comfortable with hens joining humans within city limits.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4acFbeH
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
NEXTGEN: Via MAELC, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council (MAELC) is pleased to announce the selection of six students for the 2026 Agricultural Education Internship. These aspiring educators, currently pursuing degrees in Agricultural Education, have been matched with experienced high school agriculture teachers across the state to gain hands-on classroom and community experience over the summer.” QUOTE: “This program is crucial for securing a strong future for agricultural education in our state,” stated MAELC Executive Director Sarah Dornink. “Through mentorship and on-the-job experience, we are actively shaping the path for Minnesota’s future agriculture teachers and leaders.”
TEACHERS: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “While students enjoy their summer break, Minnesota teachers are getting their hands dirty. Between two events in July, K-12 educators will have the opportunity to participate in a unique continuing education experience through Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3SRys3P
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