JET FUEL: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “As demonstrated by ethanol, corn can be a tremendous feedstock for clean fuel production. But currently, it faces several limitations as a feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) . . . But new research at the University of Minnesota funded by the corn checkoff could address both of those barriers, giving corn a more viable pathway for participation in the SAF market. Assistant Professor Allen Lee is attempting to engineer a specialized yeast strain that can convert corn glucose into a precise mixture of lipids and hydrocarbons.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wKPe3x (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
OUTSIDE IMPACTS
HEAT: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “Extreme heat and warm overnight temperatures have stressed crops across the Northern Plains. Sean McCoy of McCoy Seed at Northwood, North Dakota, said the corn didn’t get the nighttime recovery they need.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44Qrwah
FIRES: Via Farms.com, VERBATIM: “Farmers across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ontario and Manitoba are closely monitoring a growing wildfire situation in northern Minnesota after Governor Tim Walz declared a peacetime emergency and mobilized the Minnesota National Guard to assist firefighting efforts. The decision comes as numerous wildfires continue burning in and around Minnesota’s Boundary Waters region near the Canadian border, fueled by hot temperatures, dry conditions, low humidity and strong winds . . . While the fires are not currently causing widespread direct damage to cropland, agricultural experts say smoke, degraded air quality and transportation concerns could have important consequences for farms on both sides of the border.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vBof9w
SMOKE: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Heat may not be the only issue farmers contend with this week. Forecasts show that the smoke could reach parts of central Minnesota. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on Tuesday expanded its air quality alert through Friday morning across much of central Minnesota and into the southeast due to wildfire smoke from northern Minnesota. Matthew Pfarr, a University of Minnesota Extension educator based in Mankato, said he’s been paying attention to the smoke blowing from the wildfires.” PFARR: “With the heat and the smoke. There’s going to be more respiratory distress, and there’s going to be more need for ventilation.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wCuXNw
POLLINATION: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “When the heat index reaches the triple digits, questions arise about the impact on corn. Peterson Corn Product Manager Rick Swenson says most fields are just beginning to tassel, so the crop has not yet reached its most sensitive stage.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RcXGtg
HERBICIDES: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “University of Georgia Extension Weed Scientist Stanley Culpepper has a message for U.S. farmers watching new herbicide technologies move through the regulatory pipeline: be sure to make your voice heard in the process. ‘Anytime there’s a tool that’s important to farmers, they need to be commenting and providing input,’ Culpepper says, referring to the EPA’s public comment periods during the review of crop protection products.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3T3vWI7
FUEL: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The director of public policy in renewable fuels for the National Corn Growers Association says the latest step towards implementing the 45Z clean fuel tax credit is mostly good news for farmers. Matt Ziegler says the USDA’s Regenerative Agricultural Feedstock Rule gives corn farmers a clear path toward participating in the voluntary program.” ZIEGLER: “Some key items pertaining to how on-farm practices will be scored in terms of carbon intensity, much more expanded in terms of how 45Z was originally constructed.” He says, “So yeah, we’re very pleased.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4pmVYSF
RIGHT TO REPAIR: Via KAAL-TV, VERBATIM: “It’s an issue farmers have been fighting for for years: who should have the right to repair expensive farm equipment? That question brought Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan to Rushford Monday, where she spoke with local farmers about their concerns. Currently, when a piece of high-tech equipment breaks down, farmers often are required to wait for a manufacturer-approved technician to fix it instead of making the repair themselves or hiring an independent mechanic.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4gG3qWO
MARKETS
OVERVIEW: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “Wheat futures were up 30 to 35 cents early Wednesday adding risk premium as Russia and Ukraine attacks have escalated. Jamie Gieseke with Paradigm Futures says” GIESEKE: “The region that’s most concerned is in the Sea of Azov. There’s a shipping lane that goes between the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea, and that’s the point of concern right now. Ukraine’s been bombing not necessarily grain ships of Russia, but just Russian ships. And in retaliation, we’re anticipating Russia to be bombing Odessa as well in the Black Sea on the Ukrainian side.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4hfrfVw
GRAIN: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A farm business management instructor says several factors are currently influencing the grain markets. Kristina McVicker is with South Central College in Mankato, Minnesota.” MCVICKER: “Futures are reacting to the national and global picture, with the USDA reports, the I States’ weather, fund buying and selling. That’s been I think a huge factor here lately. Exports, China, South America, and then the biofuel policies.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44yOyCh
UOFM: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “A YouTube video titled ‘Scientists Tested 41 Cover Crop Mixes for 6 Years’ claims a University of Minnesota research team ran a six-season trial and found one three-species cover crop mix that outperformed every other combination by 210%. The 49-minute video, posted May 6 by a channel called Soil & Centuries, says the team tracked nitrogen transfer rates, mycorrhizal network density and weed suppression across hundreds of thousands of data points. None of it happened. The study does not exist. University of Minnesota Extension educators said the video is artificial intelligence ‘slop’ — fabricated content built to draw clicks and advertising revenue.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aV0fH2
TAR SPOT: Via Successful Farming, VERBATIM: “The season’s first cases of tar spot in Minnesota have been confirmed in Cottonwood, Fillmore, Jackson, Murray, and Nobles counties, according to the latest maps published by the Crop Protection Network. The foliar disease was confirmed on July 7.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yvsVAD
AG HEADLINES
REGENERATIVE AG: Via General Mills, VERBATIM: “General Mills, ADM and Walmart today announced a strategic collaboration to accelerate regenerative agriculture across 40,000 Midwest wheat acres. This program focuses on key growing regions where General Mills sources wheat from ADM for products sold through Walmart and Sam’s Club, demonstrating a shared commitment to strengthening supply chain resilience and farming communities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Ti22jh
BEEF: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Cattle producers are wondering when the stretch of high beef prices might come to an end. Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association president Jake Thompson says these are unprecedented times for the cattle market.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/451vYCW
TOUR: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “Today’s Summer Cattlemen’s Tour brought producers together in Lyon and Lincoln counties to showcase the innovation and stewardship keeping Minnesota’s beef industry mooving forward. Thanks to the Southwest Cattlemen’s Assn and Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Assn for hosting!” PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4won26V
BEES & GREENS: Via West Central Tribune, VERBATIM: “Local foods were not yet a thing when Kent Peterson was growing up on a dairy farm south of Benson . . . Today, Peterson is watching what he calls something of a revolution taking place. He’s a part of it as a local foods producer. ‘Lots of little places like us, and bigger, run by a couple of people producing good quality food where the food is needed,’ said Peterson . . . He and his wife, Lori, have been raising an assortment of vegetables and producing honey as ‘Bees & Greens’ since 2018, although their local foods work dates back a much longer ways.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RFvXBw
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
STATE FAIR: Via Ellsworth Creamery, VERBATIM: “Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery is proud to announce that, as part of its sponsorship of the Food Building at the Minnesota State Fair, its famous fresh cheese curds will be available for sale for the first time at the Minnesota State Fair to be held in St. Paul from August 27- September 7.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ppALre
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