UPPER MISSISSIPPI: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “This summer, Minnesota Corn is recognizing a former farmer-leader for his involvement with a nongovernmental organization that works to improve river and stream fish habitat in the five-state Upper Mississippi River Basin. Steve Sodeman, a Minnesota Corn Growers Association board member from 2004-13, participated in Fishers & Farmers Partnership on behalf of Minnesota Corn for 15 years.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3R8VWku (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
MIDWEEK AG CHECK-IN
COFFEE + FARMERS: Via Albert Lea Tribune, VERBATIM: “In spring 2025, Andrew Phillips started a coffee company with a specific goal in mind. Now, with a little over a year under his belt, Phillips’ business, Farmers Fuel Coffee Co. has seen growth not only in sales and retail partners, but also in skill and product development . . . Growing up, there was an instance when his family could have lost their farm, but fortunately did not . . . This was how he learned about Farm Rescue, a North Dakota-based nonprofit that provides farm and ranch families with the operational support they need in times of crisis, according to the organization’s website, farmrescue.org. Phillips decided to start a coffee company to contribute to this cause, starting right away by learning to roast coffee in his dorm room.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gtnziI
RIGHT TO REPAIR: Via FTC, VERBATIM: “The Federal Trade Commission, along with five states [including Minnesota and Wisconsin], secured an important settlement in an antitrust lawsuit against farm equipment manufacturer Deere & Company that will ensure farmers can enjoy the right to repair their own John Deere tractors and farm equipment. The FTC’s settlement requires Deere—for the next 10 years and under the supervision of the FTC and plaintiff states—to provide farmers and independent repair providers with the same equipment repair resources, including applicable software capabilities, that it currently provides to authorized Deere dealers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fpJI0f
MORE: Via WisPolitics, VERBATIM: “As alleged in the joint lawsuit, Deere makes the only software repair tools capable of performing all electronic repairs on Deere equipment. As further alleged, Deere, however, has previously made such tools available only to its authorized dealers, forcing farmers to rely on authorized dealers for many necessary repairs, according to the lawsuit filed in January 2025. By withholding these repair capabilities, the complaint alleged Deere unlawfully acquired and maintained monopoly power in markets for repair services for Deere farm equipment. Deere’s practices led to service delays and higher costs for farmers, the complaint further alleged.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QKfk7z
MORE: Via news release from the Attorney General’s office, from AG Keith Ellison, ELLISON: “This settlement is a win for the right to repair that farmers and small, independent businesses have fought so hard for and richly deserve. I took on this investigation and lawsuit from the very beginning because unrigging our economy so the rest of us can afford our lives has been and will continue to be my top priority. There’s more to do and we’re going to do it.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vpeonh
CRP: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting more than 70,000 acres in Minnesota into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for 2026. Through CRP, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers agricultural producers and landowners incentive payments for their conservation efforts while benefiting their agricultural operations and protecting the nation’s natural resources.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fnEsdw
STUDY: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “For years, U.S. farmers have argued they face higher production costs than competitors such as Brazil while selling into the same global commodity market. A new analysis released Tuesday by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) suggests those concerns are well founded. The study, conducted by Kynetec for NCGA, found U.S. corn growers consistently paid more than Brazilian farmers for major crop inputs between 2023 and 2025, even after adjusting for taxes, currency differences and purchasing power.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yaPlXr
MORE: Via NCGA, from the study:
READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wBJ2Le
CROP CONDITIONS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A farmer in northwest Minnesota is encouraged by crop conditions. Austen Germolus of Borup says planting went well and rains have been timely.” GERMOLUS: “We had a good stand on corn, wheat is full and looks good. It’s all headed out (and) we got our application of fungicide applied. And the beans are probably looking the best they have in quite a few years for our farm.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4aLBVY6
LOOKING AHEAD
FRIDAY: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “Come meet our outreach veterinarians at the Web Livestock Auction in Benson on Friday, July 10! Stop by their booth from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. to pick up resources on antibiotic stewardship and drug residue prevention.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/44RtGGl
PROCESSOR: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “Belgium-based potato processor Agristo has officially broken ground on its first North American processing facility in Grand Forks. The plant will process one billion pounds of potatoes annually and contract with 40 to 50 regional growers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3SPsh0o
TAX SUBSIDIES: Via Investigate Midwest, VERBATIM: “State and local governments have paid more than half a billion dollars in tax breaks to meat processing companies over nearly 20 years to attract new processing plants, as industry-wide transformation and consolidation have led to plant closures and major restructuring. Just eight companies make up the majority of production in U.S. beef, pork and poultry.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3R92q2O
MARKETS: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “Soybeans futures were higher Wednesday morning after USDA confirmed China soybean purchases and with a huge rally in bean oil as the Iran cease fire is off and crude oil surged higher. Mark Knight of Farmers Keeper Financial says flash sales of 17.3 million bu. were reported with 12.3 million bu. new and 5.0 million bu. old crop.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4ycChkw
MORE: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Weather has been the primary driver as corn and soybean prices climbed to start the week. U.S. Commodities president Don Roose says continued wetness is raising concerns in the Eastern Corn Belt.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4wxRLxY
FARM BUSINESS
CATTLE: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “An ag economist says the strength in the cull cow market is one of the factors contributing to the slow expansion of the cattle herd. Kenny Burdine with the University of Kentucky says producers have to carefully evaluate their options.” BURDINE: “How likely am I to hang on to that cow who was kind of a borderline decision as she’s approaching the end of her productive life,” he says. “I’m going to have to weigh what if we were to the cull cow right now or what is the likelihood she produces me another calf in the coming year?” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4vUZXsf
INSECTICIDES: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “Chlorpyrifos - an active ingredient found in insecticides such as Pilot 4E, Warhawk, and Drexel Chlorpyrifos 4E - has reappeared in several Minnesota rivers and streams after two years with no detections.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/44Rm9au
WEEDING: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “Hlee and Txongpao Lee grow a long list of vegetables on their 30-acre farm about 20 miles south of the Twin Cities. Other than the occasional help they get from their adult children and relatives, it’s their four hands doing all the work. Fortunately, they’ve found the right mechanical tools to rely on, mounted to a pair of International Farmall 140s and John Deere 950s. Two of each so they don’t have to waste time rotating parts . . . The Lee Farm in Farmington hosted one of the five mechanical weed control field days held around the state this summer by University of Minnesota Extension’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships and Agriculture and Natural Resources Department.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wBQMgg
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
GRANTS: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke L. Rollins announced the second cohort of fiscal year (FY) 2026 Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants, completing the largest ever single-year financial investment in the history of the grant program. This year, USDA awarded a total of nearly $20 million to 68 projects that will empower more American farmers, producers, ranchers, and fishers to serve their local foods in school meals, summer meals, and childcare settings.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44Rp4Qv
HORSES: From MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen via X, VERBATIM: “Tonight visiting the 2026 World Percheron Congress Horse at the newly refurbished Minnesota State Fair Coliseum! Honored to have the Congress in Minnesota which attracts horses and exhibitors from all over the US to MN. Runs through the weekend, check it out!” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/44WW5L6
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