PHOTO SHOOT: From Minnesota Corn via Facebook, VERBATIM: “Earlier this summer, Minnesota Corn worked with AgriLife Studios on a photoshoot at the family farm of Todd Wentzel in Murdock, Minnesota. A member of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) Board of Directors since 2020, Todd farms with his wife, Shari, and his brother Craig and sister-in-law Bonnie. His nephew Adam is also part of the operation.” POST: https://fluence-media.co/3HN3zbJ (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
All Fluence Media tip sheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
FAIR LIFE: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Sarah Schmidt grew up a Minnesota farm kid in McLeod County, working her family’s dairy operation with her three siblings. There were chores at night and long days on weekends — and she loved it. When she married, she hoped her kids would embrace those same rhythms of rural life, including raising animals and showing them at the Minnesota State Fair. She didn’t need to worry. Her daughters Aubree, Kate and Britta needed no coaxing in the wee hours Wednesday as they helped load up two prized pigs and headed out for a trip to the State Fair a bit after Midnight. Sunrise was hours away, but family energy filled the barn as they set out for the fairgrounds and the 13 days they look forward to each year.” LISTEN/PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/47fOutO
BEEF SHOW: Via UofM Extension, VERBATIM: “There were a total of 584 beef cattle shown at the 2025 Minnesota 4-H Beef Show. The 4-H Beef show was held August 21st-23rd at the Minnesota State Fair. The beef show judge was Joel Cowley from Alberta, Canada. The dairy steer and dairy steer showmanship judge was Matt Smoker of Wanatah, Indiana.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3HOewd2
VISITOR: From MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen via X, VERBATIM: “Honored to have my colleague Brian Baldridge Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture join us today at Minnesota State Fair Beef Championship show!” PHOTO: https://fluence-media.co/3UMbIQO
BUTTER: Via KRWC-Radio, VERBATIM: “The new Princess Kay of the Milky Way, Malorie Thorson of Waverly sat for a butter sculpture of her likeness Thursday as one of her first duties at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. Malorie sat in the 40-degree ‘butter booth’ in the dairy building for her traditional sculpting session.” READ/PHOTO: https://fluence-media.co/47emYwD
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
BLACK FARMERS: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “Frog Tree Farm’s story is unique, yet it resonates with broader themes among Black farmers in Minnesota. Because so few exist, those who step into farming often become both groundbreakers and community-builders. Frog Tree Farm not only produces seasonal products such as Christmas wreaths and holiday décor, but also serves as a hub for community healing and education — hosting workshops, retreats, and initiatives focused on violence prevention and agricultural literacy. This combination of cultural production and social impact illustrates how Black farmers in Minnesota are redefining what it means to steward the land today.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4myQvGh
CATTLE: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The USDA says 1.598 million cattle were placed into U.S. feedlots during July 2025. That was 6% below July 2024, reflecting tighter available supplies, partially because the U.S. border with Mexico remains closed to feeder cattle imports due to New World screwworm concerns. That was towards the high end of pre-report estimates and included a significant number of cattle weighing less than 700 pounds.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fWtKJV
AUCTION: Via UofM Extension, VERBATIM: “Quality animals, quality kids, and quality buyers made the 46th 4-H Purple Ribbon Auction, the annual parade of champion beef, lambs, goats, swine and poultry set 8 new record prices. This year the 4-H Purple Ribbon Auction went over $1,300,000 in additional premium dollars from 115 head for Minnesota 4-H youth and Animal Science programs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41oTgkS
SCREWWORM: Via CBS News, VERBATIM: “The first case of a New World Screwworm infestation in a human was confirmed in the U.S., according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Travel-associated New World Screwworm was detected in a patient who returned to the U.S. from El Salvador, and was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Aug. 4, HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said in a statement to CBS News on Monday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47ePfmK
CUTS: Via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Kanko Akakpovi and Sharmyn Phipps helped transform a vacant lot into the Butterfly Grove Garden in a project funded by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through the University of Minnesota Extension . . . The garden is one of two started by Phipps and Kanko in Minneapolis. It has generated jobs for youth, allowed residents to start gardening and grow their own food, and hosted multiple community events. Started in collaboration with multiple community stakeholders including the Expanded Food and Nutrition Program (EFNEP), the garden will remain, but Akakpovi, the health and wellness regional director, and Phipps, the health and wellness community facilitator, lost their jobs on Friday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mJ7sgY
YIELD EXPECTATIONS: Via farm management analyst Kent Thiesse, VERBATIM: “August is typically the month of the year when we get the first producer survey yield estimates from USDA, as well as yield projections from major private forms. This yield data is gathered in different formats from producer survey and, crop tours. There is not necessarily a method that has proven more accurate than any other, as all methods have some strengths as well as some limitations. As usual, the one consistency being echoed by most crop experts is that the 2025 crop yields are likely to be highly variable and are very difficult to predict.” READ:
LIVESTOCK: Via University of Minnesota Extension, VERBATIM: “The 2025 4-H Breeding Livestock Incentive Program is proud to recognize outstanding youth exhibitors who demonstrated excellence, dedication, and skill in their breeding livestock projects across Minnesota. This year’s program awarded top honors in multiple species, showcasing the passion and hard work of 4-H members from across the state.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oXBFuw
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)
TARIFFS: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall was clear in his message to President Donald Trump when the two met several weeks ago. Duvall told him that farmers like him do not support tariffs. ‘We don't support your tariffs, but we sure hope that your efforts and your direction that you’re taking trade in is successful,’ Duvall recalled saying while talking to crowds at Farmfest on Wednesday, Aug. 6. Trump assured him that these deals would bring people to the table to level the playing field, according to Duvall.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fSaP2F
BRAZIL: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The president of the National Corn Growers Association says Brazil’s 18% tariff on U.S. ethanol imports is unreasonable. Kenneth Hartman Jr. tells Brownfield Brazil was once a top market for U.S. ethanol producers.” HARTMAN: “That (tariff) basically was a freefall of us selling ethanol into the Brazilian market. We’re just frustrated with this because obviously we’ve got a big crop coming on here.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3HvMG5r
GRANTS: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is currently seeking grant applications from gas stations looking to upgrade their infrastructure to offer E15, gasoline blended with 15% ethanol, at the pump. The MDA expects to award approximately $4 million through its Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Biofuels Infrastructure Grant program to help service stations install equipment certified for E25 or higher blends. This year’s legislative session expanded eligibility to service stations with no more than 20 fueling locations, up from 10 in previous grant cycles.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45R0BLg
NEXT MONTH: Via West Central Tribune, VERBATIM: “A ‘For People and Profit’ soil health day will be conducted next month in rural Sacred Heart. Hosted by the Renville Soil and Water Conservation District and its partners, attendees will learn how reducing tillage and using cover crops leads to increased profits while contributing to better human health, according to a news release.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45JKpNn
CORN: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A southeast Minnesota farmer is concerned about lodging as his corn crop matures. Jason Keck says there’s been plenty of moisture in Steele County this summer, which has helped the crop grow but limited root depth.” KECK: “In southern Minnesota we’ve had two big wind events that’ve come through. We’ve seen some standability issues, it was early enough where that corn popped up a little bit. We will see spots in fields that are tangled up a little bit, but I think we’ll be able to get that all picked up.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4n1fbXM
SCHOLARSHIPS: Via UofM Extension, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Livestock Breeders’ Association 4-H Purple Ribbon Auction Scholarship is presented each year to 4-H and FFA youth who are active members and exhibitors during the year of application. The participants are selected based on leadership experience and personal growth achievements. Additionally the scholarship rewards academic excellence and outstanding livestock production.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47Mxhbs
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
FARM FAMILY: Via Brainerd Dispatch, VERBATIM: “University of Minnesota Extension Service recognized Bill and Kristi Haehnel and family as Cass County Farm Family of the Year during the Tuesday, Aug. 19, Cass County Board meeting. Extension committee member Greg Booth recognized the Haehnels and shared background information on the family. Bill and Kristi Haehnel were married in 2000 and began building their farm ‘with determination and grit.’ Bill Haehnel worked full-time as an electrician until 2018, gradually growing their beef herd year after year. Kristi Haehnel worked as a dog groomer until stepping back in 2008 after the birth of their first daughter, Mabel. Since then, she has focused her time on raising their three children — Mabel, Mavis and Eldin — as well as helping to manage the daily demands of the farm.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4muPcrF
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