STEWARD: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Environmental impact might be the public’s greatest concern with agriculture. People may be surprised when they discover the environment also tops the list for many farmers, too. In his nine years on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA), Bryan Biegler helped to make stewardship of natural resources a front-and-center issue for Minnesota’s largest commodity group. After three 3-year terms on the MCGA Board of Directors, including a year as president, Biegler brought his tenure to a close in January at the Minnesota Corn Growers Association annual meeting.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lNiWk8 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
A BUSY WEEK FOR AG
TOMORROW: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “Don’t miss our virtual info meeting on proposed summer spongy moth management in northern MN at 6 p.m. Tuesday, 3/24/26. The meeting will offer an overview of aerial treatment w/ an EPA-certified organic product that disrupts spongy moth mating habits.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4rSDJUW
THURSDAY: Via The Bemidji Pioneer, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Farm to School Roadshow will set up shop in Bagley from 2 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, at Bagley High School, 1130 Main Ave. N.” QUOTE: “Are you a Minnesota farmer or producer who is looking to expand your market opportunities? Are you a school or early care provider who would like to incorporate more locally grown food in your meal program?” a release stated. “(The roadshow) will bring together producers, school nutrition professionals and early care providers to make new connections and learn how to build successful relationships.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4c0Vc8G
FRIDAY: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “American Coalition for Ethanol members flew to Washington D.C. this week to meet with federal officials as part of its annual fly-in. ACE CEO Brian Jennings tells Brownfield the EPA did not confirm Renewable Volume Obligations for 2026 and 2027 would be included in the White House celebration of agriculture scheduled for March 27th.” JENNINGS: “I’m not sure I am as confident after EPA told us (Wednesday) that when CBS reported about that March 27th event that that was news to EPA, that they weren’t aware that was an event that was happening.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/47kj3h1
MEATPACKING: Via Meat + Poultry, VERBATIM: “The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) announced its support for legislation in Minnesota and Iowa that looks to change vertical integration in the meatpacking industry. Minnesota State Representative Rick Hansen recently introduced HF 4080, which would prohibit large retailers from owning an interest in meatpacking companies. The bill was heard during Minnesota’s Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee on March 18. A companion piece of legislation was also introduced in the Minnesota State Senate by Senator Aric Putnam.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4spFARX
CHAVEZ: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Minnesota lawmakers are seeking to repeal a state holiday honoring the late labor leader Cesar Chavez after a recent New York Times investigation alleged he had sexually abused young girls and women for years. In 2014, Minnesota legislators passed a law designating March 31 — Chavez’s birthday — as a commemorative holiday to honor the farmworker activist who co-founded United Farm Workers of America.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bQJ21c
MARKETS: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says the financial markets are up and crude oil is down following President Trump’s post this morning that the U.S. is postponing a strike on Iran power plants and energy infrastructure for 5-days, signaling a de-escalation of the war. The cattle market has been ebbing and flowing with the S&P and crude oil so the positive move gives traders some confidence that consumer demand for beef will hold . . . Lean hog futures are up with cattle and the stock market Monday . . . Grains futures were slightly lower early Monday in tandem with the correction in the crude oil market.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4szjz3i
SALES: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A southwest Minnesota farmer has taken advantage of recent strength in the grain markets. Bryan Biegler grows corn and soybeans near Lake Wilson. ‘We’ve been making some sales here with this move up.’ He tells Brownfield risk management is key.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/41sPNRG
CRITICAL MARKETS FOR MINNESOTA: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s 24,000 family corn farmers export hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of corn, ethanol, and dried distillers grains (DDG) to Canada and Mexico each year. Those exports support consumers in those countries and account for thousands of Minnesota jobs and over $1 billion in economic activity. That’s why the Minnesota Corn Growers Association supports a full renewal of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the landmark trade agreement that modernized North American agricultural trade.” LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4dqEqB1 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn)
DC + AG
MFB: Via Morning Ag Clips, VERBATIM: “Members and leaders of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) traveled to Washington, D.C., March 16-19 to elevate Minnesota’s agricultural voices on national policy issues and strengthen relationships with key decision makers as they work on policies impacting the future of agriculture. During the four-day visit, the delegation met with both Minnesota senators and representatives from eight congressional offices. Sharing firsthand stories from their farms, they ensured the voices of Minnesota agriculture were heard by federal policymakers. Discussions focused on the Farm Bill, year-round E15, trade and high input prices.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lS7jZm
FERTILIZER: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The Fertilizer Transparency Act, sponsored by U.S. Senators John Thune from South Dakota and Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota, creates a mandatory price reporting system for fertilizer markets, with a goal to improve price transparency. The bill requires USDA to produce a report on the fertilizer industry looking at price trends and cost drivers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lNbMfx
2026 INCOME: Via farm management analyst Kent Thiesse, VERBATIM: “In February, USDA released the latest ‘USDA Farm Income Forecast’, which appears to show some concern regarding prospects for 2026 U.S. farm income. As you “drill deeper” into the latest USDA data, there are some reasons for even greater concern in certain segments of the agriculture economy. USDA latest update reduced the estimated 2025 U.S. net farm income by $25 billion from the farm income estimate in September, 2025, and projected an even lower net farm income for 2026. The USDA report also highlighted the continued increase in production expenses in agriculture, and the relatively high level of government payments. In should be noted that this report was released prior to the added farm economic concerns related to current war in Iran.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uLOPxt
CORN & SOYBEANS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The co-founder of AgMarket.net says U.S. farmers are likely preparing to plant a record number of corn and soybean acres. Ahead of next week’s USDA Prospective Plantings Report, Matt Bennett says the company estimates farmers will plant 94.4 million acres of corn and 86.1 million acres of soybeans in 2026.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4bvGDtG
INFO FOR FARMERS
CORN: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “Farmers who leaned hard on anhydrous ammonia last fall could be in for an unwelcome surprise this spring. Despite having enough N on the books, many fields of corn across the Midwest are likely to struggle soon after planting—thanks not to how much nitrogen was applied, but where it is located now in soils. Ferrie says the current situation came about as a result of prices and product choices that drove many growers to change their N programs last fall.” QUOTE: “Due to price, some guys cut out or pulled back on their MAP and DAP and AMS,” he says. “Many farmers put on their N—all their N—as anhydrous ammonia last fall due to that price difference between liquid and smoke.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bu88nB
INPUTS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A southwest Minnesota farmer is relieved he doesn’t need to pay for anymore fertilizer for his 2026 crop. George Goblish grows corn and soybeans near Vesta.” GOBLISH: “With fertilizer prices, I’m sure glad I put everything on last fall and paid for it last fall. Because boy if I had to go to the coop now, it would be a tough conversation if I wanted to plant corn.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4lJzXeS
TRACKING TOOL: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “With fertilizer prices high and nutrient regulations tightening, Minnesota officials have rolled out a new online tool designed to help farmers better track manure nutrients and plan field applications. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency recently introduced its Nutrient Management Tool, a web-based system that allows livestock producers to map fields, plan manure applications and maintain records required for feedlot permits.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47jgUSQ
NEONICOTINOIDS: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “If you’re planting or handling seeds treated with neonicotinoids — please follow best management practices this season. These steps help protect pollinators and other wildlife that are vital to Minnesota’s ecosystems.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4m6flOp MORE: https://fluence-media.co/47k09qJ
SOYBEANS: Via University of Minnesota, VERBATIM: “Soybeans and soy products are helping move agriculture into the future — feeding the world, providing sustainable alternatives to multiple industries, and improving environmental, human, plant and animal health. In the past 80 years, hundreds of soybean varieties have been developed by the University of Minnesota, from special, high-oil-content soybeans for oil markets and biodiesel, to varieties with desirable profiles for products like soy milk, natto and tofu.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bJMR8k
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
NOMINATE: Via Farmfest, VERBATIM: “The Farmfest Woman Farmer of the Year Award is back for 2026! This award was created to honor hard-working female farmers across Minnesota who selflessly give their time to growing crops and raising livestock on the farm. We need your nominations!” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sB1T7A
NAIMA DHORE: Via Farm Forum, VERBATIM: “In honor of the International Year of the Woman Farmer, Extension spotlights Naima Dhore, the founder of the Somali American Farmers Association, a 2025 Bush Fellow, owner/operator of Naima’s Farm, LLC, and a community advocate.” Q&A: https://fluence-media.co/47gzVoV
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