E15: From Minnesota Corn via Instagram, VERBATIM: “MCGA President Wes Beck testified in support of HF 4085, a bipartisan bill that would create a biofuel sales volume incentive program in Minnesota. Beginning in 2028, the program would provide fuel stations that start offering E15 (Unleaded 88) with a 5-cent-per-gallon incentive payment.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4s1LWWW (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
DC + AG
BIOFUELS: Via The Hill, VERBATIM: “The White House announced a series of steps Friday, including a boost for ethanol, aimed at bringing relief to the agriculture industry amid supply chain issues caused by the war in Iran. The administration is increasing the volumes of biofuels like ethanol that are required to be blended into other fuels like gasoline for 2026 and 2027. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing what it described as ‘the highest levels in program history.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47u5QCq
MORE: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “To meet the 2026 and 2027 volume levels, EPA estimates biodiesel and renewable diesel production and use will need to increase by more than 60% versus 2025 volumes. With the benefits Set 2 will bring to America’s farmers, EPA estimates the rule will generate more than $10 billion for rural economies and create more than 100,000 new jobs in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4s9Jde8
MORE: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “@GovTimWalz applauded approval of a temporary federal fuel waiver, allowing nationwide sales of E15 & removing all federal restrictions on E10 sales this summer. Walz & a coalition of Midwest governors requested due to the ongoing fuel supply shortage.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4bSvAda
MORE: Via Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, from Executive Director Brian Werner, QUOTE: “The emergency waiver for the year-round sale of E15 in 2026 is great news for Minnesota ethanol producers and consumers across the country. E15 delivers real savings at the pump, and expanding access will help relieve the strain on family budgets as gas prices continue to rise. While year-round access to E15 helps immediately, the reality is that emergency waivers are temporary and Congress must resolve this annual uncertainty by making year-round E15 permanent.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3O8d2xv
DIESEL: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Fuel costs are a concern for farmers with spring fieldwork right around the corner. George Goblish grows corn and soybeans near Vesta in southwest Minnesota.” GOBLISH: “I don’t think a lot of farmers have pre-paid for their diesel fuel for this coming year. I know I’ve got some in the tank, which is great. But not enough to cover all of spring and fall, that’s for sure.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4uWXfSC
MEXICO: Via States Newsroom, VERBATIM: “A bipartisan pair of U.S. senators from the Midwest on Thursday asked the Commerce Department to investigate major agricultural machinery manufacturers, saying they paid shareholders handsomely while offshoring jobs. Sens. Tammy Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat, and Bernie Moreno, an Ohio Republican, asked Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to open an investigation under a law that allows tariffs to be used for national security purposes. John Deere, Caterpillar and the Wisconsin-based Case New Holland had all laid off U.S. workers in recent years while moving manufacturing jobs to Mexico.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4v0U8cI
CRITICAL MARKETS FOR MINNESOTA: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s 24,000 family corn farmers export hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of corn, ethanol, and dried distillers grains (DDG) to Canada and Mexico each year. Those exports support consumers in those countries and account for thousands of Minnesota jobs and over $1 billion in economic activity. That’s why the Minnesota Corn Growers Association supports a full renewal of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the landmark trade agreement that modernized North American agricultural trade.” LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4dqEqB1 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn)
AG HEADLINES
FERTILIZER: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Lawmakers are taking steps to address the price and availability of fertilizer. Senate Ag Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar tells Brownfield rising fertilizer costs and low commodity prices continue to erode profitability for farmers.” KLOBUCHAR: “We have seen, even before the war in Iran, fertilizers like potash that farmers need were up 20 percent in 2025 alone. That’s tariffs and other things. Then you head into this war and now it’s getting even worse.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4v0VJPK
FINE: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “A Long Prairie rendering facility has been fined $3 million for air quality violations and has agreed to spend more than $4 million to improve its wastewater treatment. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency officials said in a press release that Central Bi-Products emitted higher levels of hydrogen sulfide than is allowed, causing odor complaints in the community of Long Prairie and resulting in the $3 million fine.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/48fo0YP
CATTLE FUTURES: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “Live and especially feeder cattle futures are seeing follow through buying and a strong rally despite lower equity markets and higher energy prices, which are usually negative for the market. Joe Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek says the ability of the cattle market to divorce itself from the outside markets the last two sessions has been very impressive.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4v0Vi84
LAB MEAT: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “Companion bills moving through the Minnesota Legislature hope to make it clear for consumers if they are buying food that contains cell-cultured or what some call lab-grown meat. Senate File 239 is a bill that seeks to define cell-cultured meat and poultry, or other cell-cultured food products and requiring food labels that identify a product that contains such cell-cultured product.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3O30gjS
MAC & CHEESE: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “Today Commissioner @thommypetersen joined the @Vikings as Land O’Lakes donated 40,000 lbs of mac and cheese to @2Harvest. The donation fulfills a Land O’Lakes pledge to donate 1 ton of food for every point the Vikings scored during their game vs. the Green Bay Packers on 1/4/26.” PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4rZEStM
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
DROUGHT: The latest drought monitor reflecting data as of Tuesday shows no change from a week earlier – 66% of the state remains abnormally dry with 34% in formal drought status. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3PP2Kzy
CLIMATE CHANGE: Via KNOX-Radio, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Farmers Union Foundation launched a grant program in 2023 to help new cooperatives pursuing climate resiliency. Co-ops are owned and controlled by their members, who share resources to meet economic and social needs. The foundation’s new findings show positive movement for emerging ventures led by farmers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lVCEKx
INVASIVE: Via Successful Farming, VERBATIM: “Waterhemp resistance is expanding across the Midwest, with control slipping across multiple herbicide groups and now, one of the last effective postemergence tools is at risk. Glufosinate-resistant waterhemp has been confirmed in Minnesota, adding to growing concerns about how long current herbicide programs will remain effective.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4c9NWHE
STUDY: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Preliminary research at Michigan State University had found a low risk of forever chemicals in agricultural soils. MSU AgBioResearch PFAS Outreach Specialist Katie King says samples last year from 17 fields were tested to help set a baseline for PFAS chemicals.” KING: “They’ve had regular fertilizer and pesticide usage, but there is no reason to believe there would be like an elevated risk of contamination from like a contaminated biosolids or septage or paper pulp application.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rY4BTm
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
AG PEOPLE
NEXTGEN: Via Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, VERBATIM: “Fourteen students from Blooming Prairie High School’s Ag Science class toured Al-Corn Clean Fuel today to learn firsthand about ethanol production. During the visit, the students explored each stage of the ethanol production process, including grain grading and handling, fermentation, grain and ethanol storage, shipment, and dried distillers grains production. They also gained insight into the important role Minnesota’s ethanol industry plays in the state’s economy and energy future.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3O6Yluy
4-H: Via Ag Update, VERBATIM: “More than 16,500 young people in the University of Minnesota Extension 4-H Youth Development program are involved in 4-H animal science projects. Those projects teach animal handling and life skills, but for many, they will also translate into future careers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sKfvxq
MFU: Via Farm Progress, VERBATIM: “A Redwood County farmer was recently honored for his contributions to the Minnesota Farmers Union during the 124th anniversary National Farmers Union Convention held in New Orleans in early March. Paul Sobocinski received the Bruce Miller award, given in memory of the late Bruce Miller, who served on the MFU staff. The award recognizes individuals who display a passion for family farming and rural America while promoting the work of the Farmers Union.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47uhIEx
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