DRAINAGE: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “In August, the MN Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA) and a coalition of seven environmental groups submitted a rulemaking petition to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) urging the agency to use its statutory authority to create a new regulatory system for public and private drainage projects. Last week, the MPCA denied the MCEA petition, disagreeing with the petitioners that the Agency had the existing statutory authority to regulate drainage projects. The rationale laid out by the MPCA in their letter closely mirrored separate comments submitted by the Minnesota Corn Growers Association to the MPCA.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4o2VrTP (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
All Fluence Media tip sheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
RULEMAKING
SEED RULE: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Grower groups in Minnesota are applauding a ruling by the Pollution Control Agency to withdraw a rulemaking process for pesticide treated seed disposal. Minnesota Corn Growers Association senior public policy director Amanda Bilek says the withdrawal is a positive for corn and soybean farmers.” BILEK: “And our associations had been opposed to this policy proposal since it was first introduced in the legislature about four to six years ago, and then were pretty active during the rulemaking process once it passed in 2023 to raise some of the arguments that are important to our members.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4nHoBYc
MORE: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “Farm groups have argued for years that unused and unsold treated seed does not meet the definition of solid waste and should not be treated as such.” QUOTE: “The withdrawal of the treated seed rulemaking process is a win for the farm groups who have argued against this misguided policy since first proposed at the legislature,” stated Wesley Beck, president of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association. “Treated seed is a vital crop production tool for Minnesota’s corn farmers, who responsibly steward the product and use it judiciously, given its cost.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49GHzuE
(DISCLOSURE: Minnesota Corn is a Fluence sponsor)
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
WEATHER
DROUGHT: The new Drought Monitor reflecting data as of Tuesday shows 22% of the state is in drought, 2% is considered severe. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3PP2Kzy
ALMANAC: Via Farmers’ Almanac, VERBATIM: “It is with a great appreciation and heartfelt emotions that we write to share some sad news. After more than 200 years of sharing a unique blend of weather, wit and wisdom, we’ve made the very difficult decision to write the final chapter of this historical publication. The 2026 Farmers’ Almanac will be our last edition.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43k3TX5
MORE: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “The Maine-based publication, not to be confused with the even older Old Farmer’s Almanac in neighboring New Hampshire, was first printed in 1818. For centuries it’s used a secret formula based on sunspots, planetary positions and lunar cycles to generate long-range weather forecasts. The almanac also contains gardening tips, trivia, jokes and natural remedies, like catnip as a pain reliever or elderberry syrup as an immune booster. But its weather forecasts make the most headlines.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oWG0x3
AG HEADLINES
FARM BILL: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The president of the Iowa Soybean Association remains hopeful Congress can pass a skinny farm bill. Tom Adam, who farms near Keota, says the government shutdown isn’t helping. ‘Certainly something we’re looking forward to getting across the finish line this year if at all possible.’ He tells Brownfield the One Big Beautiful Bill Act covered some major farm bill elements. ‘But particularly a lot of the conservation measures were left out on that.’” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/47G6coI
BIOGAS: Via Ag Update, VERBATIM: “A new report from the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) suggests Minnesota farmers, even smaller operations, could help produce enough renewable natural gas to meet more than 13% of the state’s current demand, and they could do it using resources already on hand. The study, The Biogas Opportunity for Minnesota Farmers: A Business Guide for On-farm Anaerobic Digestion, outlines how livestock producers can turn manure and other organic materials into biogas through anaerobic digestion.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47uF1hP
ETHANOL: Via Hydrocarbon Processing, VERBATIM: “Gevo Inc. has completed the sale transaction of Agri-Energy LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Gevo, to A.E. Innovation LLC. The transaction includes Agri’s 18-MMgpy (gallon per year) ethanol production facility and a portion of the adjacent land, located in Luverne, Minnesota (U.S.).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3LtbiNN
CROPS
YIELDS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A southeast Minnesota farm family is nearing the finish line on harvest. Brennen Toquam of Blooming Prairie says it’s been a good fall. ‘Really good, honestly. We had a few rain delays in there, but got started on time (and) equipment has held together pretty well. And those rain delays are frustrating at times, but nice at times to kind of help you reset and recharge your batteries if you will.’ Speaking to Brownfield while harvesting the last few hundred acres of corn Wednesday, he said yields are good but not great.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4oWAJFL
RESEARCH: Via Farm Progress, VERBATIM: “Just like many other businesses, Minnesota farmers also invest in research and development. Depending on what you grow, you are probably aware of at least one or two of the numerous grain and livestock checkoff programs available to the state’s farmers. These programs support research and development programs specific to the commodity from which the checkoff funds originate.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oxEVfx
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)
TRADE
SOYBEANS: Via Harvest Public Media, VERBATIM: “U.S. soybean farmers this fall had faced the grim reality of losing their largest foreign buyer, until President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping struck a deal last week. Still, many are holding onto their soybeans, waiting for better prices or selling them to be processed domestically.” QUOTE: “China buys, traditionally, about half the soybeans we export, and we can’t replace that amount with domestic usage. It’s impossible,” said Tanner Ehmke, an economist with agricultural lender CoBank. “Even if we did, we would have a tremendous amount of soybean meal that we’d need to find a home for.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49GPiZI
MORE: Via Minnesota Daily, VERBATIM: “Gary Wertish from the Minnesota Farmers Union said the uncertainty from the trade war has caused farmers to sell their soybeans before the deal.” WERTISH: “It’s good news, but at the same time, it’s pretty much exactly what we were doing before the president started this trade war, again,” Wertish said. “It’s not going to help a lot of farmers anymore because they’ve already sold their beans. We need to trade. There’s no doubt about that, but it’s a little bit frustrating.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47Jzva5
CHALLENGES
TAR SPOT: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Tar spot remains a problem for corn growers in southern Minnesota. Rose Karau farms near St. James. ‘We had tar spot come into the area in the last few years and become very prevalent.’ She tells Brownfield fungicide plans changed during the growing season after issues with the sprayer.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4oQCYu8
BIRD FLU: From MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen via X, VERBATIM: “Good to see several Minnesota funded projects on the @USDA $100 million HPAI Poultry Grand Innovation challenge for innovative projects aimed at combating highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/43MEzsY
MORE: Via USDA, funded projects. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4nNYLC2
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
HUNTING: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “MN firearm hunters: As you head out Saturday, remember you can help people in need this season! Our hunter-harvested venison donation program turns your success into needed food for local charities. Many thanks to participating meat processors.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4oWpjlg
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