CHOICE: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Today, a group of Democratic and Republican members of Congress introduced the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025. The bill would allow for nationwide, permanent year-round sales of fuel with up to 15% ethanol by volume. The fuel blend is known as E15, a nod to its 15% ethanol concentration, and/or Unleaded 88 in reference to its 88 octane rating.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aXN32X (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
TARIFFS: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “President Donald Trump on Thursday rolled out his plan to increase U.S. tariffs to match the tax rates that other countries charge on imports, possibly triggering a broader economic confrontation with allies and rivals alike as he hopes to eliminate any trade imbalances. ‘I’ve decided for purposes of fairness that I will charge a reciprocal tariff,’ Trump said in the Oval Office at the proclamation signing. ‘It’s fair to all. No other country can complain.’ Trump’s Republican administration has insisted that its new tariffs would equalize the ability of U.S. and foreign manufacturers to compete, though under current law these new taxes would likely be paid by American consumers and businesses either directly or in the form of higher prices.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CMSrcx
MORE: From Mark Freie via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Impending tariffs have farmers bracing for what could be a bumpy road as they prepare for the spring planting season. Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen tells WCCO Radio's The Morning News with Vineeta Sawkar that tariffs involving Canada could hurt Minnesota farmers.” QUOTE: "You take Canada, for example, that's $2 billion a year in agricultural products that flow back and forth across the border," Petersen says. "We're very integrated in a lot of cases with Canada, and that's a concern. So those Mexican and Canadian tariffs are paused until March 1st, but that's like two weeks away. So, you know, coming fast." LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/412hPDj
EXPORTS: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “U.S. pork demand continues to be boosted by exports. National Pork Board senior vice president of market growth David Newman tells Brownfield 2024 was another banner year for pork exports. ‘And again, we continue to be the shining star globally on both volume and value of exports. So that’s roughly 30 percent of our production, so critically important to our business.’ He says Mexico remains a massive market for U.S. pork.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3X4DF7Y
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
BIRD FLU: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Avian flu has been confirmed at a farm in Crow Wing County. Officially named highly pathogenic avian influenza, and more commonly known as bird flu, it was found in poultry at a Fort Ripley farm.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/412dz6N
COLD: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Livestock producers in the Upper Midwest are dealing with temperatures well below freezing. Rachel Gray and her family operate a heifer development program near Blackduck in northern Minnesota where temps have recently been more than 30 degrees below zero.” GRAY: “We have been doing well, we’re very very fortunate in that we have really good winter waterers. So our winter watering system is very good, we have not struggled with frozen water, which is definitely a concern in this weather.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3EE1mO0
DROUGHT: The latest Drought Monitor reflecting data as of Tuesday shows no improvement over the previous week – 63% of the state continues to be in some level of drought. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3PP2Kzy
From morning take…
USDA: via The Hill, VERBATIM: “The Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly confirmed Brooke Rollins to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as the chamber kept up its intense pace to confirm President Donald Trump’s choices to head his administration. Senators voted 72-28 on her bid to lead the USDA. … [Rollins] received wide backing from major farm organizations. Although she does not have a background in agriculture, Rollins headed the Domestic Policy Council under Trump’s first term and was part of the Office of American Innovation [and] the America First Policy Institute.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gIgKpY
MORE: via a Rep. Brad Finstad statement, FINSTAD: “Congratulations to Brooke Rollins on becoming Secretary of the USDA. Over the last several years, our farmers have been facing unprecedented challenges that threaten the survival of their businesses. With her deep roots in a generational farming family and leadership expertise, Secretary Rollins will put American farmers first. I look forward to working with Secretary Rollins to address the needs of the agricultural industry and champion policies that support farm country.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3EvYUJd
Sign up for morning take…
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.-Elect Kari Rehauer
Rep.-Elect Wayne Johnson
Rep. Elect Julie Greene
Rep. Elect Keith Allen
Rep. Elect Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
RESEARCH: Via Minnesota Senate DFL, VERBATIM: “In Wednesday’s Agricultural, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee Senator Rob Kupec presented two bills to increase state funding for agriculture research in Minnesota. This funding would support research into critical issues like avian influenza, emerging crops, and topics like rural mental health and farm transition.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4k0CvnO
PORK: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The senior vice president of producer and state engagement with the National Pork Board is hearing about common challenges throughout the swine industry. Brett Kaysen attended Minnesota Pork Congress this week and says as he’s traveled the country this winter, three general themes keep getting brought up.” KAYSEN: “Number one is labor, labor, and labor. There continues to be this churn, this ask, this desire, what can we do to recruit more people from a farm-level labor source? And when I say labor, they’re talking about the total talent pipeline, but they’re really focused on that in barn slat-level labor.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4b0kfql
MORE: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “Stewartville, Minnesota pig farmer Myrna Welter spends much of her time advocating on behalf of pork producers throughout the state. That work was recognized at the Minnesota Pork Congress with her recognition as the Pork Promoter of the Year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41guDqO
PESTS: From Teagan King via St. Cloud Times, VERBATIM: “With the arrival of colder winter temperatures, small animals like mice and rats often look for warm places to hide. Often, they find small cubbies in barns and farm equipment. These rodents can spell disaster for Minnesota farmers. The small rodents often chew through wiring of cars and farm equipment, including tractors. They also can eat animal feed meant for livestock, creating expensive damage to farmers. About $2 billion in feed is destroyed by rodents each year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with additional expenses incurred from their damage to other farm equipment.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41kEScH
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
WATER: From Mike Bunge via KIMT-TV, VERBATIM: “Three more farms in 2024 were certified through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP), a voluntary opportunity for conservation-minded farmers and ag landowners. The Mower Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) says that makes 24 farms since 2016 and counting another 10 farmers who have crop acres in the county but are not based there, Mower County has 18,992 acres certified through MAWQCP.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41fI5uY
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