CHALLENGE: Via Minnesota Corn, from National Corn Growers Association vice president of public policy Lesly Weber McNitt, QUOTE: “Some advocates in Washington view the current political environment only in terms of the challenges it presents or with concerns about the speed with which the administration is making changes. But as the new head of the Washington office for the National Corn Growers Association, my team and I will challenge ourselves to look for opportunities instead of handwringing.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3EbUoA3 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
All Fluence Media tip sheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
THIS WEEK: Via KFGO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Passing a two-year state budget and a bonding bill are among the top priorities for the legislature. The House Ways and Means Committee is scheduled to take up the $172 million agriculture finance bill Monday afternoon.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lM2kJg
E15: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Nebraska Congressman Adrian Smith says one of his priorities when Congress returns from recess is getting year-round E15 legislation across the finish line. ‘Ultimately, I sense an expanding group of supporters here in the House and Senate. I’m anxious to keep working on this.’ He tells Brownfield Congress is looking for a vehicle to pass the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iuA22S
MORE: Via NACS, VERBATIM: “In a letter to EPA this week, a group of seven Midwestern state governors requested that if emergency RVP waivers are granted for E15 gasoline this summer, the waivers should also apply to E10 in their states. In past years, emergency RVP waivers only addressed E15 because the Clean Air Act contains a permanent RVP waiver for E10. But earlier this year, in an effort to spur the sale of E15 and support local biofuel production, the Midwestern states were allowed to opt out of the permanent E10 waiver. NACS, in support of the request, joined a coalition letter to EPA yesterday, reiterating the need for nationwide emergency RVP waivers this summer and supporting the inclusion of E10 for the Midwestern states in addition to E15 nationally.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YEC0Xe
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
KLOBUCHAR: Via Faribault County Register, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar paid a visit to Faribault County on Thursday of last week, as part of her annual visit to each one of Minnesota’s 84 counties. Klobuchar visited the Johnson Farms south of Wells, specifically to discuss agriculture issues. The farm’s owner, Darin Johnson, is the president of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA). Also present during Klobuchar’s visit was Joe Smentek, MSGA’s executive director, who is also an environmental lawyer and policy expert, as well as Drew Lyon, MSGA’s senior manager of communications.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iodukk
MAYO: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “A group of first-year medical students at the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine in Rochester has been learning directly from Minnesota Farm Bureau members about how to connect with and meet the needs of people living in rural communities. The education around rural healthcare, called the Rural Medicine Initiative, is offered through the medical school in partnership with the Minnesota Foundation for Agriculture and the Zumbro Valley Medical Society. The partnership comes at a time when the U.S. is facing a critical shortage of primary care physicians in rural areas.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iuIa3f
FIELD WORK: Via farm management analyst Kent Thiesse, VERBATIM: “Like the start of a big NASCAR race or the beginning of a Championship game, many farmers in Southern Minnesota and Iowa began full-scale field work during the week of April 13-19. Farm operators in many portions of the western Corn Belt have reported almost ideal soil conditions; however, rainfall and wet soil conditions during the first half of April have delayed the initiation of major fieldwork in much of the eastern Corn Belt. It appears that the 2025 planting season may be similar to last year in much of the Upper Midwest, with fairly favorable corn and soybean planting conditions in the last half of April. Having favorable weather and planting conditions in April is always a big plus for getting the corn and soybean crop off to a good start.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42GNSt9
WEATHER: Via KIMT-TV, VERBATIM: “With widespread rainfall now tapered, some impressive totals have been submitted. Over the last 24 hours, regionwide accumulations are anywhere from 0.63" in Albert Lea, MN to 2.75" in Decorah, IA. This significant moisture will soak into our dry soils to help us return to normal saturation levels as planting season gets underway.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42SOQUh
MORE: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “An ag meteorologist says there’s a high risk for severe weather across the U.S. Corn Belt as the planting season continues. Drew Lerner with World Weather Incorporated tells Brownfield ‘that’s the next issue – how much hail will we see and the risk of tornadoes, that kind of thing.’ He says the severe weather risk will come and go frequently in the next few weeks.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3EkzZsC
NITROGEN: Via The Bemidji Pioneer, VERBATIM: “A gathering of people from various backgrounds and expertise converged on the banks of the Mississippi River on Tuesday, April 15, to talk about nitrogen trends and reduction strategies. The meeting was the fifth annual Ag-Urban Partnership Forum put together by the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, the Minnesota Department of Health, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, along with the cooperation of agriculture, community and water partners. This year's theme was nitrogen and brought together members of science, health, geology, hydrology, rural water, municipalities, education and policy. And among the about 60 in attendance were two or three farmers, including father and son, David and Mark Legvold, of Northfield, Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lNbu8j
DRONES: From University of Minnesota Extension via Precision Farming Dealer, VERBATIM: “Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, are changing how pesticide applicators work in field crops. Using UAVs for pesticide spraying allows applicators to make more precise applications and reduce input costs. However, before you can use a UAV for pesticide application, you’ll need to meet several important license or certification related requirements. Here’s what you need to know.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42lsrPp
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)
LOANS: From Community Development of Morrison County via X, VERBATIM: “The
@MNagriculture's Rural Finance Authority (#RFA) supports farmers with low-interest loans for land, improvements, equipment, and more!” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4cF3G46
CHALLENGES: Via Successful Farming, VERBATIM: “From unfavorable weather to weed resistance, where others may see a defeating circumstance, Tim Dahl sees a problem to solve. An agronomic service representative for Syngenta Crop Protection in southern Minnesota, Dahl is one of the contributing agronomists for Successful Farming’s coverage of the USDA’s Crop Progress report. He’s worked in the agricultural industry for more than 35 years. The Minnesota native spoke with us about growing up in the seed business and the biggest challenges confronting growers this season.” Q&A: https://fluence-media.co/4jBuu7G
JULY: Via Worthington Globe, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Soil Health Coalition will host its premier Soil Health School July 29-30, at Grant and Dawn Breitkreutz's farm at 38270 Kenwood Ave., Redwood Falls. The two-day, education event represents a significant opportunity for ag producers across the state to learn from some of the industry’s soil health experts. The program will feature comprehensive education on soil testing, nutrient cycling, biomimicry, epigenetics and building resilience into farming operations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iodr88
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
BULLFIGHTERS: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “For most people, looking a mad bull straight in the eyes doesn’t sound like a fun way to spend an evening. However, for professional bull fighters Luke Heninger and Riley Schott it’s just another day on the job, fighting bulls and keeping cowboys safe. This year, they were the bullfighters for the Jackrabbit Stampede Rodeo in Brookings, South Dakota, April 11 and 12.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jlh7cc
Copyright © 2025 Fluence Media, All rights reserved.
As someone who subscribed, or as a member of the Minnesota AgriGrowth Council you are receiving this email.
Our mailing address is:
Fluence Media
PO Box 270031
Golden Valley, MN 55427