STUDY: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “According to an independent study conducted by the Juday Group and released by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), red meat exports generated substantial returns for corn producers in 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dMKdAJ (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
MORE: Via USMEF, an infographic showing the study results. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4nAzTix
MONDAY AG HEADLINES
POLL: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “Frustrations over the skyrocketing costs of doing business, trade policies and lack of E15 expansion have put producers’ votes – many in competitive political battleground states – in play, according to an exclusive poll of Farm Journal readers . . . Researchers, lobbyists and analysts who reviewed the poll for Farm Journal stress this is not a realignment toward Democrats. Rural America remains Republicans’ home turf. Instead, producers increasingly think neither party knows nor cares to understand them, let alone solve their problems, according to the findings.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eQ6Oxi
MORE: In a separate story, Ag Web digs deeper into the results, VERBATIM: “More than half of the farmers surveyed say federal policies have negatively impacted their operations over the past year. And as input prices, including diesel and fertilizer, continue to climb, one Ohio farmer says these expenses, and the strain they’re shaving on his farm, haven’t been this bad since the 1980s. In the recent poll of nearly 1,000 farmers and ranchers, input costs ranked as the top concern among the farmers surveyed, with fertilizer, fuel and machinery expenses all contributing to tighter margins.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49VXUuJ
MNLEG: From MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen via X, VERBATIM: “The House passed SF3839 133-0 authored by Rep. Andrew Myers known as the [egg] donation bill which allows eggs to be donated past their quality assurance date, the Senate already passed so bill is on the way to Governor Walz for his signature.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4wzGoGm
MORE: ICYMI… morning take had a comprehensive look at what passed and what didn’t ahead of last night’s deadline. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PoFZWK
WEATHER: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “Nutrien Principal Atmospheric Scientist Eric Snodgrass says a developing El Nino pattern could move into unprecedented territory later this year, creating uncertainty for crop production and summer weather patterns.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uVLTgT
DRY & WINDY: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “Heavy wind gusts combined with dry conditions are affecting farmers and their topsoil, right as planting season gets in full swing throughout the Red River Valley. The region’s flat land makes the area especially vulnerable to wind erosion, one of the biggest issues facing area farmers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wCXkfk
CAMELINA: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “While corn and soybeans are the major crops grown on Minnesota farms, a food and agriculture coalition is attempting to elevate the value of lesser-known winter camelina. The oilseed cover crop is the subject of a new report released this month by MBOLD’s Protein Catalyst initiative that was launched in 2025. It receives staff support from Greater MSP, an economic development organization based in St. Paul.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4v1H06l
MORE: Via MBOLD, the report. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dF2w9Y
GLOBAL TRADE BOLSTERS AG ECONOMIES: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Each year, Minnesota’s exports of corn, ethanol, corn-fed meat, and dried distillers grains (DDGS) alone support over 11,500 jobs and add billions to the state’s economy. They also help ensure that consumers around the world have access to affordable protein and dairy products. In May, during World Trade Month, Minnesota Corn celebrates that important role trade plays in all our lives—in the U.S. and abroad. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4dqEqB1 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn)
MARKETS
CHINA: Via The White House, a fact sheet on the results of President Trump’s visit to China. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ufBLQf
SOYBEANS: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “On Friday, during his visit to China, President Donald Trump said he struck a deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping for the foreign country to buy billions of dollars of American soybeans, and that farmers are ‘going to be very happy.’ Joe Smentek, executive director of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association, said it still remains to be seen if the deal will be penned in ink.” SMENTEK: “I remain really optimistically — I hope that they are going to be very happy,” he said. “Hearing it from one side is one thing, but not hearing it from the other coming out of Beijing is, you know, kind of leaving us hoping.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4nCl9zP
MEAT: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The head of the U.S. Meat Export Federation says the U.S. and China have made major progress in expanding market access for American beef. Dan Halstrom says China has granted a five-year registration extension to 425 facilities.” HALSTROM: “This is what we’ve been waiting for really for almost a year now with these plants. This is great news and better news for our customers in China who have been clamoring to regain access to U.S. beef.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RkSYJy
FUTURES: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “Grain and hog futures were sharply higher on Monday morning as the White House released details of the China trade framework on Sunday . . . Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek says the $17 billion dollar of ag products was non-specific. So it is not known which commodities it will cover but he thinks the likelihood is soybeans, feed grains and beef. However, he is less confident about pork purchases.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nHcZGu
RESTAURANTS: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “MDA staff is in Chicago to support seven Minnesota food brands exhibiting in the Taste of the State’s Pavilion at the #2026RestaurantShow!” PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/3Rjj6o7
DC + AG
DIET: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The director of food policy for the National Pork Producers Council says the Trump administration’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans, implemented at the beginning of the year, are benefiting farmers and ranchers. ‘Meat is back,’ Dr. Ashley Johnson said at the NAFB’s 2026 Washington Watch. Johnson tells Brownfield a healthier diet starts with what farmers produce.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dniftO
REPORT: From farm management analyst Kent Thiesse, VERBATIM: “The USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) Report released on May 12 was the first official USDA projected corn and soybean production levels, usage, and ending stocks for the 2026-27 marketing year. The latest WASDE Report also updated supply and demand estimates for corn, soybeans, and wheat for the 2025-26 marketing year, which ends on August 31, 2026 for corn and soybeans, and on May 31, 2026 for wheat and other small grain crops. From a grain marketing standpoint, the initial reaction to the WASDE report was positive for corn, soybeans, and wheat, before markets declined by the end of the week.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RMF2rS
NASA: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “NASA’s Earth Science Division Director says the agency is advancing its soil testing technology to deliver more precise field data. Dr. Karen St. Germain tells Brownfield, ‘We’re building our next-generation sensor, that I hope is really going to give us even more insight into soil health and nutrients.’ She says NASA provides critical research for farmers and ranchers.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/42GMMhC
CWD: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will provide approximately $12 million to support efforts by States and Tribal governments, research institutions, and universities to control and prevent chronic wasting disease (CWD) in wild and farmed cervids (e.g., deer, elk).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nBBrss
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
FEEDBACK: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “The MDA is seeking public comments to assist the agency in determining whether Minnesota’s rules are adequate to protect natural resources. On Jan. 16, 2026, the Ramsey County Second Judicial District Court ordered the MDA to initiate the ‘appropriate administrative proceedings to consider and make findings and an order concerning the adequacy of its rules to protect natural resources from contamination allegedly resulting from the use of neonicotinoid-treated crop seeds.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Rhdnzh
NEXTGEN: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “In between overnight frost adversaries and sunny skies last week, Minnesota West Community & Technical College ag instructors Dusty Neugebauer and Jeff Rogers planted the Worthington ISD 518 Ag Land Lab farm into 68 acres of corn and just over 90 acres of soybeans. Students in the Ag 11 and Ag 12 classes, as well as some freshmen and sophomores in other high school ag-related courses, took part in the hands-on educational training, with Minnesota West ag students helping lead some of the programming.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tDs2Cd
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