MCR&PC: From Minnesota Corn via Instagram, VERBATIM: “Today, the Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council is excited to welcome its 2026-27 chair: Jordan Goblish of Vesta. A council member since 2022, Jordan raises corn and soybeans on his fifth-generation family farm with his dad, George.” POST: https://fluence-media.co/4f9YYyd (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
AG HEADLINES
TRADE: Via NBC News, VERBATIM: “Six years to the day after the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement on trade entered into force, the Trump administration announced Wednesday that it plans to pull the plug on a deal widely viewed as a successful and stabilizing force across North America’s three largest economies. Instead of renewing the deal, a senior Trump administration official told reporters the United States will begin of a decade of negotiations on amendments to the deal.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vaDdmL
MORE: Via Oklahoma Farm Report, VERBATIM: “In response to this development, Jed Bower, an Ohio farmer and president of the National Corn Growers Association, released the following statement.” BOWER: “USMCA is the single most important trade agreement to the corn industry, with Mexico serving as the largest purchaser of corn and Canada serving as our largest ethanol market. Additionally, the dispute settlement mechanism in the agreement has been critical for corn growers challenging harmful policies impacting biotechnology access.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4axqsLH
MORE: Via statement from the National Pork Producers Council, QUOTE: “Amidst the many uncertainties that come with pork production, trade has remained a bright spot for U.S. pork producers, whose neighbors to the north and south represent a third of all U.S. pork exports. Ensuring USMCA remains intact is vital to continuing the mutually beneficial trading relationships U.S. pork enjoys with both Canada and Mexico.”
MORE: Via Farm Progress, VERBATIM: “On Monday, the Agriculture Coalition for USMCA sent a letter to President Trump urging renewal of USMCA with ‘targeted improvements.’ The letter, signed by more than 2,300 farmers, ranchers and rural Americans from across the country, highlights key benefits the agreement has produced in its first six years.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oWqySS
EGGS: Via WPR-Radio, VERBATIM: “A multi-state investigation found that three of the country’s largest egg producers allegedly worked together for years to artificially increase the price of eggs. The Wisconsin Department of Justice, along with state attorneys general in 16 other states [including Minnesota], and the U.S. Department of Justice announced a settlement with the egg producers this week.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vJ6m9K
MORE: Via Wisconsin DOJ, VERBATIM: “The coalition’s investigation found that from approximately June 2022 to March 2025, the egg producers allegedly secretly communicated with each other to coordinate their bidding activity and influence the daily egg price quotes published by Urner Barry, a benchmark pricing service widely used in egg supply contracts. For example, in December 2022, Hickman’s CEO allegedly emailed Versova and CalMaine executives urging them to submit ‘strong bids, early and often’ to push prices higher. All three companies then allegedly submitted dozens of bids at higher prices, which led to Urner Barry increasing its price quotes. By allegedly manipulating the Urner Barry benchmark, the companies artificially inflated the price of eggs paid by retailers across the nation.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ghjaiG
POLITICS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The Ranking Member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee suggests the Trump administration is undermining farm families. During a webinar hosted by Angie Craig Tuesday, the Minnesota Democrat said the war in Iran has driven up fertilizer and fuel prices . . . Wisconsin state senator Brad Pfaff also participated in the call and said under Trump, farmers are making less while consumers pay more.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3QuBaMc
FERTILIZER: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “President Trump has signed an executive order to temporarily suspend import tariffs on Moroccan fertilizer. However, StoneX Vice President of Fertilizer Josh Linville says there’s little practical incentive for Morocco to ship phosphate to the U.S. right now.” LINVILLE: “When you look at North America phosphate values versus the rest of the world, we’re already one of the cheapest. That doesn’t mean that the prices are cheap by any means, they’re still incredibly high, but when you look at it, North America’s one of the worst destinations for phosphate.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wfIF8H
DUTIES: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The president of the National Corn Growers Association says Bayer’s move to seek duties on Chinese glyphosate is frustrating for farmers. Jed Bower tells Brownfield” BOWER: “What they are wanting to do is have the government put a tariff on the generic products coming in from China, which in turn obviously will drastically increase the price of products coming in from overseas to the American farmer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QKt2qV
THE BUSINESS OF AG
GRAIN MARKETS: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “Grain markets ended higher on Tuesday after some friendly data in the USDA reports and were extending gains on Wednesday morning. Jon Scheve with Scheve Grain says the grain futures were beat down coming into the reports due to farmer selling head of the end of the month and first notice day on the July contracts. So with that selling pressure out of the way and a new month and quarter starting there is some new money and new buying in the grain markets.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4wpi7lK
HEAT: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Purdue University Extension’s corn agronomist says this week’s extreme heat wave could impact the 2026 corn crop. Dan Quinn says the high temperatures are accelerating plant growth.” QUINN: “It’s really helped get some of that stressed crop, where we’ve had a lot of water, up and moving,” he says. “A lot of the fields that were looking pretty rough, pretty variable, yellow, and just not moving a lot, it’s really starting to turn around in a lot of areas.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4gRSi97
MORE: Also via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A southwest Minnesota farmer anticipates rapid crop growth thanks to this week’s heat-dome smothering much of the Midwest. Carolyn Olson grows organic crops in Lyon County.” OLSON: “The talk in church yesterday was we’ll be able to sit out and watch the corn grow, but I would prefer to sit inside in the air conditioning. It is very warm and humid outside, perfect corn-growing weather.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3SWxweB
NOTE: The new Drought Monitor is expected out tomorrow – watch for it in lunch take.
ETHANOL: Via DTN, VERBATIM: “Ethanol production in the United States averaged 1.117 million barrels per day (bpd) in the week ended June 26, the Energy Information Administration reported Wednesday. That’s up 27,000 bpd week-on-week and 41,000 bpd, or 3.8%, higher than in the same week last year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vKNDL0
PROCESSORS: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers (SPUR) Program that will provide temporary support for eligible beef processing establishments. Under SPUR, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide up to $500 million in payments to eligible entities to support stronger and more stable market opportunities for American ranchers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ffw5R6
PLANNING AHEAD
THIS MONTH: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is preparing to aerially manage 16 sites in Aitkin, Carlton, Pine, and St. Louis counties to slow the spread of spongy moth. Officials likely will conduct the aerial management activities July 14 - 17, beginning as early as 6:30 a.m. and continuing throughout the day. These dates are dependent on weather conditions in the area.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4feopyB MAPS: https://fluence-media.co/4azbDIl
CORN DISEASE: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “An agronomist is sounding the alarm as environmental conditions favor a foliar disease in corn. Ron Geis with Corteva Agriscience says gray leaf spot thrives in warm, humid, and wet weather.” GEIS: “The inoculum is here, it overwinters. So it’s already in the fields. It just needs that 11, 12 hours of leaf wetness before it really propagates.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3QVcegN
SHEEP: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “When Matti Boomgaarden and Kyle Blume added sheep to their southwest Minnesota operation two years ago, they did it as a dare . . . Two years later, Boomgaarden and Blume — who spoke during a recent University of Minnesota Extension sheep production webinar — are wrapping up their second lambing season, running 65 ewes alongside a Red Angus cow-calf herd and two off-farm jobs, with Boomgaarden’s father doing the same . . . The sheep were supposed to help the couple’s cash flow as they work toward taking over Boomgaarden’s family’s third-generation operation. What they found instead was another full-time job, a steep learning curve but eventually a workable system.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vcTvLZ
ELECTRIC: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The tractor remains a popular symbol for farming but on Minnesota crop fields, other equipment could soon play a larger role, including electric-powered machinery to reduce air pollution and could boost profits. Minnesota farmers have until Aug. 11 to apply for a state grant to help cover the cost of electric equipment. Eric Buchanan, renewable energy program director at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris, is helping lead research in the movement. His team is testing robotic weeding designs which do not rely on fossil fuels.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4axh4HX
COOKOUT COST: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “According to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2026 Summer Cookout Cost Survey, a classic Independence Day meal for 10 people will cost an average of $73.82, or about $7.38 per person. That’s an increase of $2.90, or 4%, from last year. The survey includes holiday favorites such as cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, pork chops, potato chips, pork and beans, potato salad, fresh strawberries, lemonade, chocolate chip cookies and ice cream.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eP5Tvh
COOKOUT SAFETY: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “In preparation for America’s 250th Anniversary on the Fourth of July, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) provides tips for practicing safe food handling when grilling and hosting outdoor gatherings.” TIPS: https://fluence-media.co/44bGQOe
MORE: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “Planning an Independence Day cookout? Or just picking up some chicken to cook for supper? Either way, follow these guidelines to make sure it’s safe to purchase and consume.” INFOGRAPHIC: https://fluence-media.co/3SSJp5h
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
PIVOT BIO: Via Minnetonka-based Pivot Bio, VERBATIM: “Pivot Bio, one of the world’s leading agtech companies, will unveil a special patriotic version of its logo and brand identity in recognition of two significant milestones: the United States’ 250th anniversary and Pivot Bio’s 15th anniversary of advancing agricultural innovation.” READ/SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4ax0mIJ
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