GRANTS: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the 2026 round of the AGRI Biofuels Infrastructure Grant Program, making up to $4.7 million available to help fuel retailers upgrade their equipment to offer E15 (Unleaded 88) and higher ethanol blends. The AGRI Biofuels Infrastructure Program, funded through appropriations by the Minnesota Legislature, has been a proven tool for expanding consumer access to Unleaded 88, the cleaner-burning, lower-cost fuel that benefits both drivers and corn farmers. To date, MDA has awarded grants to 80 projects across Minnesota, and this round is expected to fund an additional 20 to 30 stations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vHJubc (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
A BUSY FRIDAY
FIRST: Via CNBC, a story to watch over the weekend – one with big implications for Minnesota farmers, VERBATIM: “Iran on Friday declared the Strait of Hormuz is open to commercial ships during the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, but confusion quickly emerged about whether the sea lane was really open without conditions.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cF97AK
HEMP: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “Those wanting to grow and process hemp this year must apply for a license with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) by April 30. Each license is valid through Dec. 31 of the year it is issued. Licensees must reapply annually to remain in the program. A license from the MDA is required for individuals and businesses. To date, about 30 people have applied for a 2026 MDA license, down from 84 applicants last year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sJ3B66
STATE FAIR: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The 2026 crop art season for the Minnesota State Fair competition has begun. This week, the fair announced new rules for the crop art competition, and the artist community is buzzing . . . Many say the most significant change is that quinoa will be banned from the fair competition beginning in 2027. At the heart of crop art is a celebration of Minnesota agriculture, and because Minnesota farmers don’t grow quinoa as a crop, the seed has been banned.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3OPlodL
FARM BILL: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “Nearly 340 major agriculture groups at the state and national level have signed a joint letter to House leadership, asking for swift action on Farm Bill 2.0. The letter said these groups recognize key provisions have passed in other bills that support agriculture, but they ‘remain committed to a full, comprehensive Farm Bill.’” LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/3QsIvv6
RELIEF: Via NSAC, VERBATIM: “Today, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), National Farmers Union, American Farmland Trust, and National Association of State Departments of Agriculture led an agricultural coalition letter urging Congress to include funding for local and regional procurement of domestically produced agricultural products in any upcoming farmer economic relief package.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cOItXc LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/4cRF0He
STATE HELP: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The commissioner of agriculture in Minnesota is urging state lawmakers to support legislation that can help farmers through difficult financial times. Thom Petersen says the Rural Finance Authority allows the Department of Agriculture to make loans to farmers.” PETERSEN: “We need some more okay on our authority, so we’re seeking $50 million to get that done. And hopefully that gets through, and that’s something we’ve had since the 80’s, We have a great track record, we work with local banks. And that’s needed right now.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4sZWy9j
PRODUCTIVE FARMS, STEWARDSHIP GO HAND IN HAND. via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Corn farmers are demonstrating that productive agriculture and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. Through widespread adoption of practices such as reduced tillage, cover crops, crop rotations, and targeted nutrient management, farmers have improved soil health, reduced erosion, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and protected water quality across millions of acres in Minnesota. That’s all while implementing advances in seed genetics, fertility management, and precision technology that have improved on-farm productivity.” LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4stHjG5 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn)
MARKETS
US TRADE REP: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Lawmakers pressed the U.S. Trade Representative this week over policies they say are hurting American farmers during a U.S. House Appropriations Committee hearing. Indiana Democrat Frank Mrvan confronted Ambassador Jaimeson Greer repeatably about lost soybean exports to China and questionable financial support to Argentina.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tMqFlg
FERTILIZER: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “In an appearance before a House appropriations subcommittee, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said America needs to invest in fertilizer infrastructure.” ROLLINS: “The good news is, and Secretary Lutnik has mentioned this over and over, we have a pot of funding through the tariffs and through the trade renegotiations of tens and tens and tens of billions of dollars.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cArjLK
SUGAR: Via KFGO-Radio, VERBATIM: “U.S. sugar producers are raising alarms over a surge of subsidized foreign sugar imports that they say is threatening the domestic industry. The American Sugar Alliance, representing more than 11,000 sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers, recently urged the U.S. Trade Representative to take action under Section 301 to address what it calls unfair global trade practices.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mF5f7h
SUGARBEETS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Tight margins could squeeze some sugarbeet growers out of planting all their acres this year. Kristina McVicker with South Central College in Mankato, Minnesota says she’s hearing of banks leery of financing.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ckgXkk
CATTLE: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “Cattle futures were slightly higher early on Friday in tandem with the stock market soaring into record territory and plunging crude oil futures with word the Strait of Hormuz has been reopened. Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says that provided and early bounce for cattle after two down days tied to profit taking but then the market crashed.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4cwapOh
ST PAUL: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “Today, MDA Commissioner @thommypetersen and staff attended the MN Cattlemen’s Day on the Hill, complete with grilled steak bites on a stick for everyone. There are roughly 18,000 beef farms in Minnesota, 97% of which are family-owned and operated.” PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4ciFGoZ
ETHANOL: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The CEO of an ethanol plant in southern Minnesota anticipates Congress passing year-round nationwide E15 legislation this year. Brian Kletscher with Highwater Ethanol in Lamberton says lawmakers are working hard to get E15 across the finish line.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3O7L8lu
MN AG HEADLINES
DROUGHT: The latest Drought Monitor, reflecting data as of Tuesday, shows 54% of the state abnormally dry, down from 58% a week earlier. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3PP2Kzy
IRRIGATION: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “Minnesota farmers sent a clear message during signup for this year’s Minnesota Irrigation Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP): Protecting groundwater and improving irrigation efficiency are priorities they are ready to lead on. Enrollment drew 141 applications across 25 eligible counties, representing $13.4 million in requested conservation investments.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sKGrfF
CAMELINA: From MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen via X, VERBATIM: “This morning standing out in the middle of a field in Elk River to hear about farmer experiences growing camelina. Thx Beech Family Farms, Centrasota Coop, Cargill and others for partnering to help foster growth of crop in Minnesota.” PHOTO: https://fluence-media.co/42dFW2y
SCREWWORM: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and Lieutenant General William H. ‘Butch’ Graham, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) commanding general, led the groundbreaking for the new sterile fly production facility at Moore Air Base in Edinburg, Texas. USDA is partnering with USACE to construct this facility, which is a cornerstone of Secretary Rollins’ five-pronged strategy to combat New World Screwworm (NWS), expanding the nation’s domestic capacity to protect livestock, wildlife, and public health from this serious pest.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/489Otaj
AI: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “For Rachael Sharp, dry weather hasn’t made planting go any easier in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. And when a planter went down, the first thing she did was pull up Chat GPT. ‘I pulled up the part number, and I saw that I’d actually entered in there last year. So it told me the date I changed it, and that was helpful, because I was trying to figure out why is this wearing out so quickly?’ she says. ‘We’re in desperate need of rain, and we’re pulling in some pretty hard non-irrigated land right now. I logged that we changed the bearing again, and so next time, knock on wood, it hopefully doesn’t go out again, but if it does I can look and see I changed it twice in the last year.’ That’s just one of many examples of how Sharp is using ChatGPT to manage equipment, her time, and the farm business. She and her father, Don, are featured in an OpenAI commercial, which premiered during the Super Bowl.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OKePcs
ELECTED: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Sunflower Council re-elected Thomas Dowdle and Tom Smude to three-year terms.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QsHGT2
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
COW CUDDLES: Via KMSP-TV, VERBATIM: “A Minnesota dairy farm is inviting people to experience the viral trend of cow cuddling, giving city dwellers and animal lovers a chance to connect with agriculture in a whole new way.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4vDrDSx
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