THE FUTURE: From Minnesota Corn via Instagram, VERBATIM: “Thanks to MCGA board member Angela Guentzel for participating in the Innovation Forum‘s Future of Food and Beverage USA Forum in Minneapolis. Angela talked about farm economics and changes she’d like to see so that farms like hers will be profitable and sustainable for the next generation.” POST: https://fluence-media.co/4ei9QJX (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
MIDWEEK HEADLINES
TAX CREDIT: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “In January, money for a tax credit aimed at helping newer farmers ran out in one day. Around 300 farmers were turned away. However, lawmakers decided to remove the cap on funds for the remainder of 2026, so those farmers and more will be eligible for thousands of dollars in tax credits . . . In 2017, the Minnesota Legislature created the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit to incentivize established farmers to rent or sell equipment, livestock and land to beginning farmers. Beginning farmers are defined as the roughly 25 percent of Minnesota farmers who have been farming for 10 years or fewer.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4vjmX36
PAYMENTS: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “USDA has finalized new payment-limit rules that will give many farm operations organized as LLCs, S corporations and other pass-through entities a clearer path to receiving farm program payments. The final rule went into effect June 2 and will begin with the 2026 crop year. Under the new guidance, each equal owner who is actively engaged in farming may qualify for a separate payment limit, rather than the entity being treated as a single recipient.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vxOvSN
ACRES: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “USDA base acres are expanding for the first time since the 2002 farm bill. According to an analysis from the NDSU Agricultural Risk Policy Center, North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota collectively will get an additional 7.25 million base acres.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dWDp2k
MORE: Via NDSU:
The report also includes county-level maps for corn, soybeans, and wheat. REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/3S2Mjnz
FARM BILL: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “With Minnesota farmers facing tight margins, rising input costs and uncertainty over federal support, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith said completing a long-delayed farm bill remains one of her top priorities before leaving office next year. On a hot day in late May, Smith stood in the front yard of the farm owned by Dodge County farmer and retired Mayo Clinic technologist Jim Checkel, who explained to her his career philosophy after giving a tour of the farm.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PJiQ1s
ALFALFA: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A farmer and custom forage harvester in west central Minnesota says the first cutting of alfalfa is underway. Nathan Collins of Murdock tells Brownfield cool May weather slowed development.” COLLINS: “I was glad we planted our corn a little later, but alfalfa seemed to be slowed up a bit. So we’re actually just starting cutting first cut today.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4e49w0a
DICAMBA: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “As Minnesota approaches the heart of the 2026 growing season, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is reminding licensed and certified applicators that state-specific dicamba restrictions take effect in June for over-the-top (OTT) use on dicamba-tolerant soybeans. These restrictions are designed to reduce off-site movement and protect neighboring crops, vegetation, and sensitive areas.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43Lbiyj
PROUD TO CHAMPION ATHLETES EVERYWHERE: Minnesota’s 24,000 family corn farmers may come from different fields than the athletes participating in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, which are set for June 20-26 in Minnesota. But they share the same values, including dedication, hard work, and perseverance. This summer, Minnesota Corn salutes the talented athletes participating in the games. We’ll be cheering them on from our fields as they shine in yours. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn)
ECONOMICS & TRADE
AG ECONOMY: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “The hardest thing to grow on an American farm right now isn’t corn or soybeans — it’s a profit margin. Between competition from Brazil, Argentina and other countries and the unpredictable nature of trade deals, many U.S. growers are finding survival, much less profitability, an uphill climb in 2026. According to a recent Farm Journal poll, more than 86% of corn and soybean farmers are worried about global competition from countries such as Brazil and Argentina. Economists say that anxiety is well-founded.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4a9m05m
USMCA: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The National Corn Growers Association is emphasizing the importance of the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement ahead of this summer’s review of the trade deal. NCGA director of public policy for trade and biotechnology Nancy Martinez calls this a critical time for the future of the agreement.” MARTINEZ: “This is an unprecedented review, we’ve never had this review before. We have data to show and stories to back it up about how beneficial USMCA has been for the U.S. corn industry.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4vs9l5Q
(DISCLOSURE: Minnesota Corn is a Fluence sponsor)
CORN: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A market advisor says dry weather in Brazil hasn’t had a significant impact on the country’s expected record corn crop. ‘It wasn’t a perfect year by any means, but it wasn’t bad,’ she says. Naomi Blohm with Total Farm Marketing says Brazil is entering harvest, which could ramp up global competition for U.S. crops.” BLOHM: “They’re actually just starting to harvest some of that safrinha corn,” she says. “It will be ready to export in August. This is when Brazil typically becomes a larger competitor than the United States. We’ll want to be watching to see if China ramps up purchases of South American corn.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4o4pb46
CATTLE: Via NPR, VERBATIM: “Beef has long been an iconic and beloved staple of the American diet, from barbecue to hamburgers and steaks. Even as retail prices have soared recently, U.S. demand for beef has remained strong. Yet the U.S. cattle herd, including both beef and dairy cattle, is the smallest it has been in three-quarters of a century. Domestic producers had 86.2 million head of cattle on the first day of this year, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data, the lowest number since 1951.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uiPbdJ
ELEVATORS: Via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Following the leak of its plans to close or possibly sell three southern Minnesota grain elevators, CHS, Inc. released a statement confirming its plan ‘to optimize its assets.’ On May 29, CHS Senior Director of Operations Jim Morken notified employees that the cooperative plans to close or possibly sell its grain elevator facilities in Kasson, Ostrander and Wykoff. The elevators will accept grain through the 2026 harvest.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4u7sMjb
THE BUSINESS OF FARMING
SOYBEANS: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “A simple question from a farmer about planter seed plates recently sparked an unexpected lesson on the importance of good soybean singulation. Two of the nation’s best-known yield champions urged growers to rethink how they meter soybean seed — and how many plants they actually need in the field. During a Breaking Barriers with R&D segment, Virginia farmer David Hula and Georgia grower Randy Dowdy explained that the path to a more uniform, productive soybean stand begins with precision singulation.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vpgeEV
GRANTS: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture awarded 166 grants, amounting to $4.7 million, to farms and watersheds across the region this year through its Soil Health Financial Assistance Program. These competitive grants are designed to cover 50% of the cost of soil health equipment, including machinery that promotes regenerative and soil-building practices such as no-till drills, air seeders, cover-crop drones and strip-tillage units. New and used equipment, along with individual machine components, are all eligible for the funding.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43QX2UI
RESEARCH: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A new research partnership aims to help support and expand biogas market opportunities. Shannon Schlecht with the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute in Minnesota says they are partnering with Swedish company BPC Instruments to untap the potential of agricultural residues and organic waste streams for renewable energy.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4fWrcgD
BELGIUM: Via Cargill, VERBATIM: “In a move that underscores Cargill’s commitment to the Belgian market, the company announced two recent expansions at its Izegem edible oils bottling site and its Mouscron gourmet chocolate facility, along with a new extrusion pilot plant at its Vilvoorde Innovation Center. The approximately €56 million total investment enhances the company’s operational and research & innovation capabilities. It also supports Cargill’s ability to serve growing demand for edible oils, premium chocolate products and customer-led innovation.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oa0Xpc
EAB: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has confirmed emerald ash borer (EAB) in a new area of Kandiyohi County. The EAB find requires expanding the current county quarantine boundary to include the entire county. EAB was discovered by a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Forest Health Specialist in the City of Willmar, which is outside the current quarantine area.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QnTTJ3
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
THIS MONTH: From Minnesota Turkey via Facebook, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Turkey is kicking off 12 Games of Turkey with the St. Paul Saints Baseball with a $10,000 donation of Minnesota grown turkey to Second Harvest Heartland!!! We are excited to celebrate June Turkey Lovers month with the Saints all month and could not think of a better way to start the celebration than with a donation to help end hunger in Minnesota.” POST: https://fluence-media.co/4oc73FI
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