NEXT WEEK: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Corn will once again have an active presence at Farmfest, the annual farm show and agriculture celebration at Gilfillan Estate near Morgan. This year’s show will run next Tuesday through Thursday, Aug. 5-7. Join Minnesota Corn in Tent 702 at the corner of Seventh Street and Seed Row to learn about how the organization is creating opportunities for growers and enhancing quality of life for agricultural communities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oiDmT2 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
All Fluence Media tip sheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
STORMS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A line of thunderstorms damaged crops and property across the Upper Midwest Monday night. Denton Bruening with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture says strong winds were the primary culprit.” BRUENING: “It was really site-specific. It looked like there were a couple areas maybe down towards that Sioux Falls area and very southwest Minnesota, and then it also looked to be highlighted about between the Wilmar area and up there (where) some heavy winds came through and the corn might’ve been lodging.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4lfaLva
MORE: Also via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A farm family is contemplating next steps after severe storms ripped through west-central Minnesota Monday night. Tiffany Kobberman farms with her husband near Hancock and says the devastation is widespread.” KOBBERMAN: “We received more than four minutes of hail, which really stripped a lot of it. So most of our corn is just stalks, the soybeans are completely flattened. It’s hard to see that it was soybeans.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4o9Iglf
USDA: Via RFD-TV, VERBATIM: “The Senate Ag Committee’s hearing to review USDA’s reorganization plan is underway. In his opening remarks, Ranking Member John Boozman said he supports the goals of streamlining the agency, saying the stakes are high for those who rely on USDA every day . . . Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden is in the hot seat, fielding questions from the Committee. Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar questioned him on the Agency’s reorganization plan and its impact on research operations.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3U1CHHH
MORE: Via Senate Ag Committee, today’s opening statement from Senator Boozman. READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4kXxkUJ
MORE: Via Oklahoma Farm Report, Senator Klobuchar’s opening statement. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Jc0geo
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
TUESDAY: Via Second Harvest Heartland, VERBATIM: “Representatives from Second Harvest Heartland (Brooklyn Park) and Channel One Regional Food Bank (Rochester) will hold media availability directly following the ‘Developing a Reliable Ag Policy Safety Net’ forum on Tuesday, August 5, at the Wick Buildings’ Farmfest Center. With the recent cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), leaders from two of Minnesota’s largest food banks will be discussing why partnerships with ag producers will be more important than ever in the fight to end hunger.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mkQ55N
FARM BILL: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley is becoming less optimistic a new farm bill gets done in 2025. The Iowa Republican tells Brownfield lawmakers will be focused on nominations ahead of the August recess, then there are week-long breaks on the legislative calendar in September and October. ‘Then you have a week off the same week that Veteran’s Day is, then a week off for Thanksgiving. And then ten days at Christmas (so) there’s not a whole lot of time left.’ He says it’s more likely the farm bill is completed in early 2026.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4795MbH
CAMERAS: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “More cattle producers are keeping a closer eye on their cattle without having to be on the farm. A company that has been providing security camera and alarm options for many years out of Brainerd, Minnesota, is now expanding its offerings on the farm as producers seek to use remote surveillance. Technology like cameras connected to the internet allows producers to keep an eye on calving cows, feed stations, water tanks and anything else that might otherwise require daily visits. They can check in on their operation live from their phone. It’s not a new technology, but it’s one that is gaining steam for livestock owners who also have off-farm jobs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3IQvGal
DTN: Via news release from Minneapolis-based DTN, VERBATIM: “DTN, the global leader in operational decisioning for energy, agriculture, and weather-driven industries, today announced the acquisition of Grain Discovery. The Canadian agtech company’s platform enables seamless grain transactions, CRM-style tools for managing grower relationships, farm-level sustainability data capture, and end-to-end traceability, providing a complete digital workflow for grain buyers, advisors and producers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l1SUHK
PRICES: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Strong U.S. crop condition ratings are putting pressure on commodity prices. Iowa State University Extension economist Chad Hart says the market is treading water with corn and soybean ratings above average.” HART: “And typically that means trendline yields or better, which means I’m looking at the possibility of a record corn crop and basically a soybean crop that’s just as big as last year’s crop despite planting several million acres less.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/40KU43f
TRADE: Via Farm Bureau, VERBATIM: “A series of new trade deals between the United States and countries around the world will directly benefit America’s farmers and ranchers. American Farm Bureau economists analyzed the importance of trade for rural America in the latest Market Intel.” QUOTE: “Trade is essential to the success of America’s farmers and ranchers,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Strong and enduring agreements help connect U.S. farmers to global markets and Farm Bureau has long been a strong advocate for leveling the playing field for American-grown products. We appreciate that the administration is making agriculture a priority in ongoing trade discussions.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mnxFkN
MORE: Also via Farm Bureau, from an analysis of the impact of trade:
SEE: https://fluence-media.co/476GniU
CROP PROGRESS: Via Marshall Independent, VERBATIM: “Bolstered by the most July rainfall in years, corn and soybean farmers are optimistic about their crops this year. More than 6 inches of rain fell in and around New Ulm in July, according to a weather observer. Average July rainfall is three to four inches. Marshall and other parts of southwest Minnesota recently saw up to 8 inches of rain and flash flooding around the area on July 18, with more rainfall that occurred over Sunday and Monday this week. According to the National Weather Service, Marshall experienced another 1.06 inch of rain over the course of an hour during a thunderstorm Monday night. ‘We got quite a bit of July moisture which we haven’t had in a couple years. It’s keeping our chances for a good corn crop going. They may be some reduced yields in wet spots, but maybe it can be made up in other areas,’ said Brown County farmer Justin Remus.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45sIn3N
SOYBEANS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A southwest Minnesota farmer says his soybeans are coming along nicely. Bob Worth of Lake Benton tells Brownfield his crop has canopied. ‘They’re beautiful, on 30 inch rows. So yeah, they’re good.’ USDA’s latest weekly crop report says 36 percent of soybeans in the state are setting pods, compared to the five-year average of 45 percent.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3UHm8Rm
FARMFEST: Via Farmfest, VERBATIM: “Congratulations to the top five finalists for the Farmfest Woman Farmer of the Year award. Read on for more details on these five amazing women!” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46vCF2d
RETREAT: Via The Worthington Globe, VERBATIM: “Annie’s Project, a transformative weekend retreat, is being offered Oct. 3-5 at Lakeside Camp near Cambridge. The event is for farmers and ranchers who want to foster connections, share knowledge and empower individuals passionate about agriculture.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45sQGfZ
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)
NEXT MONTH: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “Farmers, landowners, and conservation partners are invited to attend the annual Rosholt Research Farm Field Day, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 21 at the Rosholt Research Farm, 910 Old Highway 28 in Westport. This hands-on, educational event will feature cutting-edge research and demonstrations focused on improving soil health and nutrient management strategies.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41gxBet
NEXT MONTH: Via Lake Minnetonka Magazine, VERBATIM: “Drop-in between 10 a.m.–2 p.m. on August 23, to learn more about canning at the Farm at the Arb. Did you know Minnesota is third in dry edible bean production? Come to the Navy Bean Field to learn from Minnesota producers, then taste them in the Myers Center Kitchen along with tomato tastings in the Summer Kitchen and play lawn games.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/479RSpR
CD1: Via The Worthington Globe, VERBATIM: “The Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Minnesota’s 1st District made a stop this month at a farm group’s meeting in southern Minnesota. Jake Johnson, who is running for the seat currently held by Brad Finstad, made an appearance at the Goodhue County Farmers Union meeting on July 16. Linda Larson, a member of the Minnesota Farmers Union Executive Committee and president of the Dakota County Minnesota Farmers Union chapter, said it’s common for political candidates to come to county meetings.” LARSON: “We are really active in trying to inform the lawmakers about what the needs are and the policies for our family farmers and for the rural communities,” Larson said. “We try to engage the political candidates and the lawmakers at the county and the state and the federal level.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lUbAdZ
NEXT WEEK: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “Minnesotans are invited to celebrate the bounty of the harvest season during National Farmers Market Week Aug. 3 – 9. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is partnering with Minnesota Grown, Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association, Minnesota Farmers Union, and Land Stewardship Project to recognize the week with events at nine farmers markets across the state.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/3P3Rj4m
ROUNDABOUT: Via Grand Forks Herald, VERBATIM: “What's now a roundabout in Le Sauk Township used be where a large family and five roads came together. The roundabout, where CSAH 4 and County Road 133 meet at the edge of Le Sauk Township, was a five-road intersection with the name Five Points. The intersection is 4 miles west of Sartell, Minnesota. The unincorporated community Five Points is still on the map, but like so many other small towns, much of its history — and the ‘five points’ that gave it its name — is lost to time. But no matter the roads, the Heim family remembers. In 1873, George Heim founded Century Farm around the intersection. The 320-acre dairy farm was passed down through the Heim family, according to Allen Heim, George's great-great-grandson.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UAMSmD
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
MFBF: Via Morning Ag Clips, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) is pleased to announce the hiring of Alison Murrell as its new communications specialist.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l88wJH
FARM FAMILY: Via Explore Okoboji, VERBATIM: “A Jackson county farm family is receiving some special recognition. Jeff and Jen Tewes (tay’-viss) and their children, Cade and Meta, have been named 2025 Farm Family of The Year by the University of Minnesota Extension Service. Jen Tewes (tay’-viss) says they’re humbled by the honor.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4m4z8MY
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