CAMP: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Every farmer thinks in acres. It’s second nature. But what do students know about acres? Mountain Lake farmer Brandon Fast asked a group of student visitors to estimate the measure of an acre. ‘It’s about the size of a football field,’ he told them. Suddenly, the immensity of a farmer’s task, growing crops on hundreds or thousands of acres, becomes more comprehensible. He further demystified modern farming by having the kids climb into a sprayer, a planter and a combine, to check out the controls and the monitors. Technology resonates with kids practically born with smartphones in their hands.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3HsLpM2 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
All Fluence Media tip sheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
SUGAR BEETS: Via Successful Farming, VERBATIM: “Sugar beet farmer Tim Deal wants consumers and legislators to know sugar is an all-natural product, denouncing statements from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., that, ‘sugar is poison.’” DEAL: "Sugar beet and sugar cane farmers always have and always will support food and ag policies grounded in strong science. It’s an unwelcome shock for any farmer to hear our crops compared to poison and illegal drugs. I don’t know of anyone who would find that to be a fair or evidence-based statement. So, I think there is concern about how Secretary Kennedy will act on that view going forward and how rhetoric on health and agriculture will impact growers in the real world during an already difficult and challenging time.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43ywZm6
PROGRESS: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “During this week’s Crop Watch stop near Ada, Minnesota, American Sugarbeet Growers Association President Neil Rockstad said planting wrapped up in late April, and crop development is on track.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Zq1pod
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
PROCESSOR: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “About two dozen employees from a meat-processing plant in central Minnesota were transported to the hospital after a chemical spill Friday morning. Cold Spring/Richmond police and Cold Spring Fire and Rescue responded to Pilgrim’s Pride just after 8 a.m. Friday on reports that a container of peracetic acid was spilled, according to Cold Spring Police Chief Jason Blum. The spill was contained inside the facility. When officers arrived on scene, the buildings had already been evacuated.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l25K9A
CROP PROGRESS: Via Successful Farming, VERBATIM: “The corn and soybean planting season is wrapping up across many of the top-growing states, according to USDA’s first June Crop Progress report . . . Corn planting is virtually complete in Minnesota as well. USDA said 87% of the crop had emerged . . . Statewide, USDA reported 73% of soybeans have emerged. This is 14 percentage points ahead of the five-year average.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZnJ0sd
MORE: Via USDA, the report. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4kVlydZ
MASTER FARMERS: Via Farm Progress, VERBATIM: “Have you mastered the world of agriculture? Falling in step with other Farm Progress publications, The Farmer magazine is initiating a Master Farmers program, and we are looking for Minnesota producers who personify what it means to be a master. Although being successful on the farm is important, a true master offers their talents beyond the farmgate. Our Master Farmer program looks to honor farmers and farm families who have made their farm, their families and their communities better.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kyfQPr
EUROPE: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A science professor and air quality specialist is concerned European influence could eventually result in further restrictions for U.S. livestock producers. Dr. Frank Mitloehner with the University of California Davis says Europe is beginning to look at reactive nitrogen emissions in the form of urine excreted by animals.” MITLOEHNER: “And what it refers to is that urea nitrogen can become a whole number of environmental pollutants that can effect ground water, that would be nitrate. Or air quality, that would be ammonia. Or the climate, that would be nitrous oxide.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4kxoGwO
ITALY: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins concluded her trade delegation visit to Rome, Italy. Secretary Rollins reinforced the Trump Administration’s expectations for improved agricultural market access to our ally Italy and encouraged opportunities to expand the reach of the American agricultural industry across the European Union.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jFIs80
PORK: Via farm management analyst Kent Thiesse, VERBATIM: “Over the years, the swine industry has long been a source of farm income stability for many farmers and in many rural communities; however, in recent years profitability in hog production has been much more mixed and has been negative for many producers. The swine industry was hit hard by the U.S. trade war with China in 2018 and 2019 and then by the Covid pandemic in 2020. In recent years, producers have dealt with higher input costs and interest rates, disease pressure that has reduced production levels, and market prices that have struggled to stay at profitable levels for long periods. In addition, they have dealt with the domestic pork sales problems caused by the implementation of the Proposition 12 legislation in California, as well as another looming trade war with China, Mexico, and other countries. These issues have especially impacted modest sized swine farrowing and finishing operations in the Midwest.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mO1Z9b
MORE: Via Farm Progress, VERBATIM: “While the futures markets of late allow pig farmers the opportunity to price some profits, the caveat remains that producers need to keep their herd healthy to get hogs to market. Although many issues of the day were open for discussion during the annual World Pork Expo in early June in Des Moines, Iowa, a lot centered on disease concerns — new and old. Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome continues to plague the U.S. pig farmer, costing the industry more than $1 billion in lost production each year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3SG5fG3
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)
THIS MONTH: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “Minnesota loves its turkey, and June is #TurkeyLoversMonth! Nobody raises more turkeys, with almost 40 million birds raised here per year. And no matter how you enjoy your turkey, we all appreciate that it adds 26,000 jobs to our state and $1 billion in economic activity.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4mUIhst
NEXT MONTH: Via KSJB-Radio, VERBATIM: “The Passport to Agriculture event will be held on Thursday, July 31, 2025, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Rice County Fairgrounds in Faribault, Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jG4QOQ
VETERANS: Via Forum, VERBATIM: “Local veterans are finding a new path to wellness through a unique farm-based program. ‘That's the Dream’ farm in Glyndon launched its Veterans Fridays initiative on Friday, June 6, in partnership with the Fargo VA. The farm will now host monthly wellness events for veterans, offering nature-based activities designed to support both physical and mental health.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/43C5pEG
NEXTGEN: Via WJON-Radio, VERBATIM: “The state of Minnesota has started a new program for workforce training. Governor Tim Walz has announced the $2.4 million Growing Careers Program to develop and implement agricultural-focused workforce training. The program will award grants up to $500,000 for businesses and organizations to develop training programs that will help more people enter agricultural careers. It aims to increase the amount of new and emerging farmers and farm businesses, create a pipeline of trained workers, and increase the number of new entrants into ag pathways.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZZil51
MORE: Via KNSI-Radio, VERBATIM: “According to the Department of Economic Development’s Minnesota Occupations in Demand tool, demand for many farming-related careers is projected to grow at an above-average rate over the next 10 years.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kV5tou
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
WINE: From MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen via X, VERBATIM: “This afternoon joined Kanabec County Farmers Union for tour of the Ann Lake Winery one of Minnesota’s 70+ farm wineries! If you’re ever in the area, stop and check it out!” PHOTO: https://fluence-media.co/3ThoBBm
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