STARTUP: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Låkril Technologies has appointed Justin Brown as Chief Executive Officer to position the company to win licensing agreements within the global chemical industry. Supported in part by Minesota Corn, Låkril offers a groundbreaking process to produce bio-based acrylic acid, a key monomer used in such products as paints, coatings, adhesives, and superabsorbent polymers (diapers). This $12 billion industrial space could be a major new market for American corn.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46WzfVA (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
HEADWINDS
FINANCIAL STRESS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Leaders of the U.S. Senate Ag Committee say they’re concerned about the financial stress facing farmers . . . Ranking member Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota, said authorizing a federal E15 bill and boosting domestic production of sustainable aviation fuel would provide some relief.” KLOBUCHAR: “These opportunities provide farmers with innovative sources of revenue amidst a difficult farm economy,” Klobuchar said. “The chaos caused by our tariff and trade policy is causing many, many issues.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bCPYzP
E15: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “MDA Deputy Commissioner @afvaubel and Assistant Commissioner Peder Kjeseth joined @GovTimWalz in meeting w/ @mncorn representatives at the State Capitol. They discussed expansion of E15 & Sustainable Aviation Fuel, as well as rising diesel & fertilizer costs this spring.” PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4rmCJbn
(DISCLOSURE: Minnesota Corn is a Fluence sponsor)
FERTILIZER: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is urging the Trump administration to take immediate action to stabilize fertilizer supply chains as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East send shockwaves through global input markets just as U.S. farmers begin spring planting. But with farmers already dealing with high fertilizer prices, even before the conflict in Iran, farmers are searching for a longer-term solution. Fertilizer market analysts warn while there are several options longer-term, there is no single fix for high fertilizer prices, only a mix of short-term policy responses and long-term investments that could gradually stabilize supply.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ruJB6y
MORE: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Dan Glessing is the president of the Minnesota Farm Bureau and a farmer in Waverly, Minnesota, about an hour west of the Twin Cities.” GLESSING: “So typically, this time of year, you’re looking at your inputs for growing your crop in the upcoming year. And in my case, I buy from a local cooperative that buys from a bigger cooperative. And we get it on our fields and to help feed and feed the planet, really. And so the fact that there’s a concern of fertilizer availability, it does have an effect on the price here. Now, the Middle East fertilizer typically doesn’t make its way to the United States. There is some, but we rely heavily on Canada. But when there’s a drain on the supply globally, that obviously affects our prices because it is a global economy.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4rtkxwJ
FARM BILL: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A farm bill of missed opportunities. Illinois Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, a Democratic member of the House Ag Committee, says there were several reasons she voted against the Farm Bill 2.0 proposal that recently passed out of committee.” BUDZINSKI: “We’re hearing indications that the Senate might be looking to take out some of the more poison pills on it.” She says, “I think they went way too far on pesticides. The fact that they completely ignored any of the cuts to SNAP. There were a lot of missed opportunities.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3OZnsQh
REGULATIONS
GROUNDWATER: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The state’s Groundwater Protection Rule regulates some fertilizer application practices. Recent changes in the rule ban using certain fertilizers in the fall and on frozen soils in some areas of the state where the terrain makes it easy for nitrates to seep into groundwater. Joy Anderson, an attorney for the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, said these practices weren’t recommended or popular anyway, so they won’t go a long way toward keeping nitrates out of the water.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40XWf2S
DAIRY: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “A Minnesota-based nonprofit that promotes sustainable agriculture is sounding the alarm over the proposed expansion of a dairy operation in Morris. The Land Stewardship Project is calling for a thorough environmental review of proposed plans by West River Dairy, which is looking to expand its capacity and facilities from 7,855 dairy cows to 18,855 dairy cows, an increase of 140%. Additionally, it is asking for that review to be done before the project permit is approved.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Nyc2Cz
WILDLIFE DAMAGE: Via Mesabi Tribune, VERBATIM: “Farmers whose livestock is killed by wolves or whose crops and fences are damaged by elk would see continuing help from the state under a bill debated by a Minnesota House committee during the third week of the legislative session. The bill proposes an increase of $125,000 to funds that distribute compensation to farmers for damage caused by the wild animals. Individual farmers can receive payments of up to $20,000 per year once damage is proven.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sffIbt
ETHANOL: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Ethanol production rose last week, and demand signals were mostly bullish. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says ethanol production averaged 1.126 million barrels per day, the highest in two months, up 31,000 on the week and 64,000 on the year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4s70IfP
TRU SHRIMP: Via Marshall Independent, VERBATIM: “A company that announced plans to build a shrimp production company in Madison, South Dakota, in 2019 is going through insolvency proceedings in Lyon County District Court. According to Lyon County court records, documents for the assignment for benefit of creditors of Iterro, Inc., were filed in November. The documents were filed around the same time that Iterro Life Sciences President and CEO Brian Knochenmus confirmed to the Independent that Iterro was closing down its facility in Balaton.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rpfMUE
OUTSIDE IMPACTS
MOTH: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and partner organizations are proposing to aerially manage spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) infestations this summer in nine counties across eastern Minnesota. Spongy moth is an invasive leaf-eating insect that is among America’s most destructive tree pests. It has caused millions of dollars in damage to forests across the United States. This pest is found in most of Wisconsin and is spreading in northeastern and southeastern Minnesota . . . Residents in proposed management areas and the public are invited to attend an informational meeting to learn more about the insect and the management method.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4b1YiJi
MOISTURE: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “There are few mistakes that you can’t overcome, given enough time. But problems at planting time set the stage for an entire season’s worth of trouble. Many, if not most, planting problems result from failing to adjust practices and equipment to fit soil and weather conditions, says Farm Journal Field Agronomist Ken Ferrie. Since you can’t know what the weather will do, you have to plan for various scenarios.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4b3jcb0
DRAINAGE: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Most crops grown in Minnesota don’t do well under excessively wet conditions. That’s especially true with heavy clay soils that don’t drain well. Many farmers install underground drainage pipes, also called tile, to drain excess water. It allows for earlier planting and can improve plant health . . . However, there are some unintended consequences of drainage.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4boa9jS
MARKETS: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced it has awarded over $26.8 million to grant projects through the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP). The program helps local and regional food entities develop, coordinate, and expand producer-to-consumer marketing, local and regional food markets, and local food enterprises.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bkQyRx
CROP INSURANCE: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “There are days left before the March 15 deadline for sign up for federal crop insurance for spring planted crops. And while the deadline may seem like an annual event, the opportunity for farmers this year is unlike any other. ‘For the first time, we can talk about better coverage and lower premiums. It’s the year to capture it,’ says Ben Rand with Blue Line Ag Hedge. All federal crop insurance plans, rates and rules are set by the government, with the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill in 2025 ‘flipped things on its head,’ as said by Jerrod Creed with JC Marketing Services.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dfd9Bp
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
NEXT WEEKEND: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “Beginning farmers from across the Midwest will gather in southeastern Minnesota later this month for a training focused on the often overlooked business side of agriculture. The two-day New Farmer U retreat is scheduled for March 21-22 in Lanesboro and is designed to help producers build financial and management skills needed to run a successful farm.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lp84J3
EXHIBIT: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “The interactive We Are Water MN exhibit is now open at Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo through 4/20, then at the Capitol Region Watershed District (St. Paul), Itasca State Park (Grand Rapids), Great River Arts (Little Falls), & Northtown Library (Blaine).” PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4rudK5Q
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