COUNTY ASSOCIATIONS: From Minnesota Corn via Instagram, VERBATIM: “Our county corn grower associations are off to a great start in 2026 with many holding events this month. That includes the small grains update meetings in Northwestern MN that kicked off today. Thanks to our county organizations for their efforts!” PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4qSEhd4 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
NEW TODAY
TODAY: Via Minnesota Senate, VERBATIM: “Senators Aric Putnam and Rob Kupec, Minnesota Farmers Union, and other state officials will host a press conference to discuss the impact that ICE activity is having on agriculture, farmers, rural communities, and all of Minnesota.”
NO RULING: Via Reuters, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Supreme Court issued three decisions on Wednesday but did not decide the closely watched dispute over the legality of President Donald Trump’s global tariffs. The court did not announce the next date when it will issue rulings. It does not announce in advance which rulings will be released on a given date. The challenge to Trump’s tariffs marks a major test of presidential powers as well as of the court’s willingness to check some of the Republican president’s far-reaching assertions of authority since he returned to office in January 2025. The outcome will impact the global economy.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YEKdus
MARKETS: Via AGWEB, VERBATIM: “Corn futures were slightly higher to start Wednesday in tandem with soybeans. Vince Boddicker with Farmers Trading Company says some of this is short covering or corrective buying as the market was oversold following two days of fund selling. So has the market fully digested the bearish news from Monday’s USDA reports? He says [it’s] too early to tell but at least the lower prices stimulated some export demand as South Korea bought 5.35 million bu. of soybeans on a flash sale this morning.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4jLSHJY
2026 SESSION: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The president of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association anticipates a challenging state legislative session. Darin Johnson farms near Wells. ‘It’s going to be kind of interesting given the political landscape as far as the state of Minnesota goes. It’s going to be rather difficult for us to get things done legislatively.’ He tells Brownfield one of Minnesota Soybean’s goals this session is to play strong defense to make sure crop farmers don’t lose tools they need now or in the future.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4sDsqBk
SNAP: Via Minnesota House, VERBATIM: “Last week, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins posted on social media announcing that the U.S. Department of Agriculture would be suspending ‘all active awards and any future awards from USDA to the state of Minnesota.’” QUOTE: “The cutting of USDA funding is just another example of President Trump seeking ‘reckoning and retribution’ against Minnesotans who have rejected him three times at the ballot box,” said Rep. [Rick Hansen], DFL Chair of the House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee. “When families cannot feed their children, and the barns go quiet with avian influenza, the silence of my Republican colleagues in standing up to this federal revenge crisis will be deafening.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45ehSyJ
NEXT WEEK: Via Voice of Alexandria, VERBATIM: “Rep. Jeff Backer (R-Browns Valley) will be joining local Minnesota farmers, stakeholders, and commissioners at the Agriculture Summit on Jan. 22, 2026 . . . He will be joined by Agriculture Commissioner [Thom Petersen], DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen, MPCA Commissioner Katrina Kessler, several legislators, local stakeholders, and livestock and crop farmers from Minnesota.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3LLAUWw
AG INNOVATION
NEXT WEEK: Via Ag Management Solutions, VERBATIM: “Walking into the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center can mean seeing your favorite music act, attending a wedding or cheering on the Minnesota State University, Mankato hockey team. But on Jan. 20-21, stepping into the arena means attending MN Ag Expo – the state’s marquee winter agriculture trade show . . . The show brings together a wide range of agriculture experts, industry professionals and legislative leaders. With the addition of the large equipment room, a first since MN Ag Expo has been at this location, there are more than 100 exhibitors from across agriculture to meet and learn from.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4jQj6pR
NEXT MONTH: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that registration is now open for the 102nd Agricultural Outlook Forum.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jJzoAS
STUDY: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Fertilizers help farmers grow healthy plants. According to new research from the University of Minnesota, the chemicals also boost the land’s ability to store carbon. The findings are the result of a 40-year study by ecology professor Eric Seabloom. His team analyzed the effects of fertilizer on soil plots at the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve in East Bethel. The 5,400-acre reserve contains fenced grasslands, savannah, and other habitats.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4qTz6K2
BUSINESS OF AG
ETHANOL: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “U.S. ethanol production has reached record levels for the first time in 2026. This is the fourth month in a row with an all-time high for ethanol production as the industry absorbs a record corn crop and tries to meet demand expectations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sFmp7h
ALBERT LEA: From MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen via X, VERBATIM: “First stop today touring the Green Acres Milling facility in Albert Lea which is a new farmer-owned oat processing facility being built in Albert Lea, MN with 120 farmer investors. Thanks Landon Plagge & team for tour!” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/49mYvpF
DAIRY: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “Yesterday at the 107th American Farm Bureau Federation Convention, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced expanded enrollment for 2026 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program and new Section 32 commodity purchases that will result in more healthy, U.S. grown food in the hands of Americans.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qRNEtB
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)
PERSONNEL
NEXTGEN: Via Minnesota Farm Bureau, VERBATIM: “Hannah Molitor of Stearns County finished in the Top 10 of the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Excellence in Ag competition, announced at the closing general session of the AFBF Annual Convention on Jan. 12 in Anaheim.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sFiSpx
USDA: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced important leadership changes within the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Dr. Michael Watson, APHIS Administrator, will retire at the end of January after decades of distinguished service, and Dr. Rosemary Sifford, Deputy Administrator for Veterinary Services and U.S. Chief Veterinary Officer, has recently retired from federal service after a similarly notable career. Beginning on February 1, 2026, Ms. Kelly Moore will serve as Acting Administrator and effective immediately, Dr. Alan Huddleston will serve as the Acting U.S. Chief Veterinary Officer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45cmwNG
ADVOCATING FOR AG
PORK: Via Farm Progress, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Pork Producers Association advocates on behalf of Minnesota’s family pig farmers on local, state and federal policy and regulatory issues. Funded through voluntary contributions from pig farmers and allied industry partners, the MPPA works to protect farmers’ interests, strengthen agriculture’s voice in public policy and support the development of current and future farmer leaders. Here is a look at some of the organization’s activities and achievements from 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qiZ3Tj
LAND: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Ad hoc government assistance is helping support farmland values in southern Minnesota. Kristina McVicker with South Central College in Mankato says ECAP payments, disaster aid, and soon the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, are providing farmers with additional working capital.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qTAhcs
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
NEW NAME: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance is now the U.S. Identity Preserved Alliance. Chair Bryan Severs, who farms in east-central Illinois, says the name change aligns with their product labeling.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4sACbQN
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