INVESTIGATION: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “The Federal Trade Commission has launched a long-awaited and highly-anticipated investigation into the fertilizer industry’s pricing practices and market concentration, Chairman Andrew Ferguson announced yesterday at a gathering of farmers from across 18 states, including Minnesota, on a North Texas farm.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nYIEDg (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
JUNE BEGINS
STUDY: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Economic growth in poorer countries may be the best way to protect biodiversity, according to a new study led by University of Minnesota researchers recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Cropland expansion is a major environmental issue, causing habitat loss and climate change. That’s part of the reason why debates about the environment and economic growth often pit the two against each other, said lead author Steve Polasky, environmental economist at the University of Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vHgsHV
PLANTING: From farm management analyst Kent Thiesse, VERBATIM: “The Spring planting season of 2026 has been a mixed scenario for farmers across the Upper Midwest. Favorable weather conditions from late April until mid-May allowed for corn and soybean planting to be completed in many areas of the Midwest; however, frequent rainfall events during much of May has slowed planting progress in some portions on the eastern and southern Corn Belt. A cooler than normal weather pattern during the first half of May slowed corn and soybean development in the Upper Midwest. Many areas were also negatively impacted by very strong winds and dust storms in mid-May, as well as some isolated frost damage and severe weather.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dHKZiz
DECISIONS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The decision to replant can often be one of the most difficult for row crop farmers. Stine Seed agronomist Tom Larson calls it an emotional process.” LARSON: “To replant or not to replant? I’ve seen where you’ll throw some flags out there and try to spike in some corn if you feel you have a light spot, and ultimately what happens is you end up with a 2x planting rate in those areas and probably did more damage than if you would’ve just stayed out of that area.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4fjsour
APPLICATIONS: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “Beyond ‘How much do I apply?’ growers need to ask ‘When can my corn actually use it?’ says Connor Sible, a crop physiologist at the University of Illinois. Sible and Fred Below’s research shows dialing in the timing and placement of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) applications can be the difference between a 160-bu. crop and a 230-bu. or even 300-bu. one.” SIBLE: “The key is peak uptake. Your crop doesn’t need the same amount of nutrients every day. There’s a short window when demand spikes, and that’s what really drives yield.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uIcKNM
WORKFORCE: Via news release from Rep. Craig, VERBATIM: “U.S. Representative and Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee Angie Craig (MN-02) joined James Beard Award-winning chef Karyn Tomlinson of Myriel and Minnesota business leaders in a press conference and roundtable to discuss the urgent need for immigration reform in order to support Minnesota businesses and stabilize the food economy. The event marked the launch of the ‘Keep Food on the Table Tour,’ an initiative led by Seat the Table, a nationwide coalition of food, agriculture, and hospitality leaders founded by American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC) Action, The James Beard Foundation and Texas Restaurant Association.”
PROUD TO CHAMPION ATHLETES EVERYWHERE: Minnesota’s 24,000 family corn farmers may come from different fields than the athletes participating in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, which are set for June 20-26 in Minnesota. But they share the same values, including dedication, hard work, and perseverance. This summer, Minnesota Corn salutes the talented athletes participating in the games. We’ll be cheering them on from our fields as they shine in yours. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn)
AG SUPPLY CHAIN
TOMORROW: Via Minnesota Farmers Union, VERBATIM: “Farmers Union Processing + Meats opens for business June 2. The more than 10,000-square-foot meat processing facility slaughters cattle and hogs. The facility is available for custom-exempt processing and is working toward gaining USDA certification in July.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4x3rgRM
ELEVATORS: Via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “CHS, Inc., the largest farmers cooperative in the U.S., told employees on Friday that it plans to close or possibly sell its grain elevators in Kasson, Ostrander and Wykoff, after this season’s harvest . . . The elevators will accept grain through the 2026 harvest. They will close once all the grain has been transferred, estimated to happen in early 2027, according to the announcement. CHS said it will be looking for buyers for the elevators during the wind-down of the operations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vqeGe4
FERTILIZER: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The chief economist with the American Soybean Association says recent surveys show input costs continue to be the largest concern for the organization’s grower members. ‘Whenever our board gets together, that’s the number one topic of conversation is input costs.’ During a recent webinar hosted by the Illinois Soybean Association, Scott Gerlt says escalating fertilizer prices are top of mind, but the government could provide some relief by removing current countervailing duties on Moroccan phosphate imports.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dEtaRq
USDA: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins used her appearance at the Reagan National Economic Forum to outline what she considers the top priority for USDA: bringing more of America’s agricultural supply chain back home.” ROLLINS: “It is about ensuring that every day our farmers and ranchers and our agriculture supply chains are based in America, that they have what they need to continue to produce the best, highest quality, most efficient way to produce it in the world.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fZhBFM
AG MARKETPLACE
THIS MONTH: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “We kicked off #NationalDairyMonth today at our offices in St. Paul with a visit from the 72nd Princess Kay of the Milky Way Malorie Thorson from Waverly. She stopped by to help serve our staff ice cream treats over the lunch hour. Thanks, Malorie!” PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4x36WjG
GRANTS: Via Morning Ag Clips, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota State Fair is pleased to announce the recipients of the Beginning Exhibitor Livestock Learning Experience (BELLE) Grant, a program that awards grants and provides mentors to youth livestock exhibitors who are first-time participants in the Minnesota State Fair. The BELLE Grant is in its fifth year and funded by the Minnesota State Fair Foundation.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4o9utLS
MARKETS: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “Cattle futures are higher to start Monday after lower weekly closes last week. Funds were liquidating and taking profits last week and to end the month especially with news that another New World Screwworm (NWS) case had been detected closer to the U.S. But are the funds done selling?” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4fk5cMG
UNCERTAINTY: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The CEO of CattleFax says today’s cattle market presents both tremendous opportunity and unprecedented uncertainty.” QUOTE: “We’re in a time period of potentiality the greatest risk we’ve ever seen.” Randy Blach says there’s been plenty of opportunity for producers to take advantage of higher prices, but, ‘We are starting to see a little bit of consumer fatigue. We are starting to see some price resistance. I don’t think we should be surprised if these markets flatten out or have some correction over the next several months.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dVzYZA
COCOA: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Cargill’s new chocolate alternative, which avoids cocoa markets that sent the price of candy on a rollercoaster ride in recent years, just tastes chocolaty. Kernels of the grape-seed-derived product called NextCoa, shown off in one of Cargill’s Minnesota corporate kitchens on a recent Friday, elevated fresh-baked cookies to taste like they emerged from a bakery. The sweet chocolate-alternative with vegan and allergen-free ingredients coated pretzels and made for indulgent truffles.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RW7U0R
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
NORTH SHORE: Via KQDS-TV, VERBATIM: “When was the last time you went to the farm itself to pick our fresh produce? Between Duluth and Two Harbors, north of Highway 61, a dozen farmers have banded together once again to help support one another by selling fresh produce. The Clover Valley Farm Trail opened their stands during Memorial Weekend. This year’s spring started rough for local farmers as the season stayed cold longer than expected.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uJa8PJ
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