BIOFUELS: 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)
AG VOICES HEARD
SURVEY: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “Farmer’s Keeper asked nearly 4,000 of its customers in 27 states the following question: ‘Since fertilizer prices have risen, how have your corn acres changed?’”
“A private survey conducted by grain merchandiser Farmer’s Keeper shows a sizable cut in corn acres since USDA’s March Prospective Planting report. Remember, the USDA survey was fielded in early March before the full impact of the war in Iran was felt. Since then the fertilizer supply crunch and price spike might have forced some farmers to move away from corn last minute.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QzsIut
TOWN HALL: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “With a goal of giving people an opportunity to say what’s on their minds, the Minnesota Farmers Union hosted 12 town hall meetings across the state in the last few months. The final was held in Willmar on Thursday, April 16 . . . There was a lot on the minds of the 70 or so attendees, with most saying they want to see changes. They had the ears of the MFU president, along with Elizabeth Odette, anti-trust lead for the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office; Andrea Vaubel, deputy commissioner, Minnesota Department of Agriculture; and about mid-way through the meeting, Attorney General Keith Ellison. Representatives Kristin Christenson with U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, and David Ladd with U.S. Representative Michelle Fischbach, R-Minnesota, also attended.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tWrY0O
FARM BILL: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “Speaking during the Minnesota Corn Growers Association Shop Talks in northwest Minnesota, former House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson said reliance on short-term payments has replaced the stability farmers once had under multi-year legislation.” PETERSON: “You can’t plan anything, bankers can’t count on it, and the farmers can’t count on it.” Peterson added the farm safety net is outdated, noting, “we actually need a 10-year bill, based on what’s actually going on because the safety net payments are based on what we did 20 years ago.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mGGAyZ
(DISCLOSURE: Minnesota Corn is a Fluence sponsor)
LAB MEAT: Via Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Senate today passed the Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development omnibus bill, Senate File 4561, which includes Senator Rich Draheim’s (R–Madison Lake) provision requiring clear and prominent labeling for cell-cultured (lab-grown) meat, poultry, and other food products. The provision, originally introduced as Senate File 239, also requires restaurants to clearly identify any menu items made with cell-cultured ingredients.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cnusja
PLANTING: Via farm management analyst Kent Thiesse, VERBATIM: “Like the start of a big NASCAR race or the beginning of a Championship game, farmers in portions of the Upper Midwest began full-scale field work during the week of April 13-19. Farm operators in many portions of the western Corn Belt have reported almost ideal soil conditions for planting; however, rainfall and wet soil conditions during the first half of April has delayed the initiation of major fieldwork in some areas of Iowa and Southern Minnesota. It appears that the 2026 planting season may be similar to last year in much of the Upper Midwest, with fairly favorable corn and soybean planting conditions in the last half of April. Having favorable weather and planting conditions in April is important for getting the corn and soybean crop off to a good start.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sGUiTV
CHINA: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “China’s Ag Ministry says it plans to import fewer soybeans, pork, beef and dairy products in the next decade. Naomi Blohm with Total Farm Marketing says that sends a clear message.” BLOHM: “They don’t have to do as much negotiations potentially with the United States in the future. I think it’s a little bit of a warning shot.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4czOmq1
SMITH: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Senator Tina Smith was in Wheaton on Friday, hosting a farm roundtable discussion.” QUOTE: “Something that comes up over and over again is discussion over the modernization of rules and regulations that farmers have to deal with, and it could be loan limits that have to be updated because they haven’t been modernized in decades or the way USDA updates its programs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QwvDUL
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)
ADVICE & RESOURCES
INPUTS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “An ag economist encourages farmers to be mindful of production costs amid continued market volatility. Dr. Megan Roberts with Compeer Financial says many growers are dealing with depressed commodity prices and high input costs. ‘As you are starting this new growing season, making sure that you really have a very keen idea of what your cost of production is as you’re moving into this 2026 season.’ She tells Brownfield some of those inputs are already paid for.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tr8cee
(DISCLOSURE: Compeer is a Fluence sponsor)
SOYBEANS: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “For years, Stephen Butz watched his corn yields climb while his soybeans stalled. The numbers didn’t lie: corn was steadily improving, while soybeans were ‘average at best,’ he recalls, running hot and cold from year to year with no clear pattern. ‘Our soybeans were just plateauing,’ says Butz, who farms near Kankakee, Ill. The turning point for Butz came several years ago on a 120-acre field split between two soybean varieties — 80 acres on the north side and 40 acres on the south. Everything matched: planting date, field conditions, management. The only difference was the variety planted.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cAO6qu
GRAZEHERS: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “GrazeHERS is back for 2026! This hands-on grazing education program supports women at every stage of livestock and pasture management—through webinars and field days across Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OBo2Uq
FFA: Via Farm Progress, VERBATIM: “It takes a long time to build a strong FFA chapter, and some chapters never achieve success. But the Glencoe-Silver Lake (GSL) FFA Chapter has risen from the ashes like a phoenix, so to speak. Six years ago, Rebekka Paskewitz took over the program that ‘boasted’ eight members. She met with them, chose six officers and helped set a course and vision for the chapter. Now, the chapter has 140 members and is the reigning national Model of Excellence chapter, an honor received at last October’s National FFA Convention.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cAP46l
AG PEOPLE
CANDIDATES: Via Farmfest, this year’s Forum schedule:
Tuesday, August 4
10:30-11:45 am --- First & Second District Candidate Forum
1:15-2:30 pm --- Sixth, Seventh & Eighth District Candidate Forum
Wednesday, August 5
10:30-11:45 am --- Minnesota Governor Candidate Forum
1:15-2:30 pm --- U.S. Senate Candidate Forum
APPOINTMENT: From MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen via X, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz has reappointed Watonwan County area farmer Harold Wolle to @MNagriculture Rural Finance Authority Board, congrats Harold and thanks for serving!” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4txY4An
USFS: Via Stateline, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Forest Service’s plan to close scores of research stations could threaten the nation’s wildfire readiness, many foresters fear, and erode decades of work to understand timber production, soil health, pests and diseases, watersheds and wildlife. Late last month, the Forest Service announced plans to close 57 of its 77 research stations, located across 31 states, merging them into a single organization in Fort Collins, Colorado. The agency described the move as a way to consolidate, not cut, the agency’s scientific work, and ‘unify research priorities.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OfQQ4R
EDISON AWARDS: Via Cargill, VERBATIM: “Two Cargill innovations have been named 2026 Edison Award winners in the Consumer Food Innovations and Sustainable Industry Solutions categories, recognizing solutions that improve efficiency, reduce waste and expand consumer options across the food system. This marks the fourth consecutive year the company’s innovations have been named among the winners.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vHisk6
ZIMMERN: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Andrew Zimmern arrived in the Twin Cities nearly 35 years ago, at a moment when Minnesota’s culinary reputation was still largely local. The state had great ingredients, hardworking farmers, and deep food traditions—but little national recognition. Zimmern saw potential long before the rest of the country caught on . . . Long before it was trendy, Zimmern was sourcing poultry directly from Minnesota farmers, collaborating with producers on flavor and quality.” QUOTE: “That’s why our dishes tasted different,” he says. “Because the food started differently.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vFxrLp
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
PEACE: Via The New York Times, VERBATIM: “Elaine Ingham, a soil scientist who got growers to see the earth beneath their feet as a web of life teeming with biological activity, not simply as dirt, influencing farmers and gardeners to sow and protect crops without chemicals, died on Feb. 16 in Fort Mill, S.C. She was 73 . . . Elaine Ruth Stowe was born on June 26, 1952, in St. Paul, Minn., the middle of three daughters of Clarence and Ruth (Sweet) Stowe. Her father was chairman of the department of veterinary science at the University of Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tQhakQ
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