RELIEF: From Minnesota Corn via Instagram, VERBATIM: “ICYMI: MCGA appreciates the tireless work of congressional agriculture committee leadership and members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation to ensure the economic and disaster relief was maintained in the continuing resolution.” POST: https://fluence-media.co/3BVcrsT (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
SUPPLY CHAIN: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has partnered with Minnesota to award $9.5 million through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain and strengthen local and regional food systems. Through this program, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will fund 11 Infrastructure Grant projects to support middle of the supply chain infrastructure.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4a583nO
DC: Via Politico, VERBATIM: “After passing a farm bill extension in a stopgap funding deal in December, lawmakers will have to get back to the bargaining table this year to hammer out a farm bill reauthorization as other policy fights are brewing. Republican leaders Senate Ag Chair John Boozman (R-Ark.) and House Ag Chair G.T. Thompson (R-Pa.) said last summer that they were hopeful that GOP election victories would boost their chances of pushing through major Republican priorities in the next farm bill.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4h3we8n
MORE: From Chris Clayton via DTN, VERBATIM: “Reporting from Harrisburg, Pa., Kim de Bourbon, editor for the Hagstrom Report, detailed a listening session at the Pennsylvania Farm Show on Saturday with House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-Pa., and Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., the new committee ranking member . . . In answering questions and responding to comments from some of the more than 100 people attending, the panel emphasized the Ag Committee's ability to work in a harmonious manner.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/424b3iy
BIRD FLU: Via University of Minnesota, VERBATIM: “With $1.267 million in funding approved by Governor Tim Walz on Jan. 3, researchers from the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine will lead a collaborative effort to address highly pathogenic avian influenza and its emerging threat to Minnesota wildlife. For two years, highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known as ‘bird flu’ or HPAI, has made headlines for its devastating impact on free-ranging birds, free-ranging mammals and the poultry industry. More information is emerging about its spread to cows and humans, yet little is known about its impact on wild animals.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gF2G1l
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
BIOFUELS: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A biofuel advocacy group is looking to maintain momentum for biodiesel and renewable diesel demand. Jeff Earl with Clean Fuels Alliance America says 2024 was a record year for the industry, and the groundwork is laid for future success.” EARL: “We’ve got some new states that are going to look at some renewable fuel policies, Wisconsin, Kansas, possibly even Virginia, are some of those. And a lot of these are conversations (and) relationships we’ve had for many years and folks are like ‘hey, why don’t we try something here.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4fGnWlS
GRAIN MARKETS: Via AgweekTV, VERBATIM: “2024 was a down year in the grain markets, with big supplies inhibiting prices from gaining much ground. Now that the calendar has flipped, what should farmers be watching? Allison Thompson of The Money Farm talks to Jenny Schlecht about what she's watching in the markets in 2025: grain supply, trade policy and weather.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4gI24b8
WORK SAFETY: From William Bornhoft via Patch, VERBATIM: “A total of 70 fatal work-injuries were recorded in Minnesota in 2023, down 10 from the 80 fatal work-injuries in 2022, according to data from the U.S. Department of Labor. Minnesota's 2023 fatal-injury rate is 2.5 fatalities per 100,000 full-time-equivalent workers, which dropped from the 2022 rate of 2.8, according to federal data.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42lQPRx
SUMMIT: From Minnesota Department of Agriculture via X, VERBATIM: “MDAs @bjredlin is back from the State Ag & Rural Leaders Annual Legislative Ag Chairs Summit in Des Moines where he spoke about the MN Ag Water Quality Certification Program. Rep Jacob (MAWQCP certified), Redlin, Sen @RobKupec, @reprickhansen
& Rep Anderson (MAWQCP certified).” PHOTO: https://fluence-media.co/3W5NcLe
AG EQUIPMENT: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Ag equipment dealers are bracing for another challenging year. Kim Schmidt with Ag Equipment Intelligence says issues that weighed heavily on the industry in 2024 like high interest rates, high inventories, and low farmer sentiment persist.” SCHMIDT: “Dealers are definitely looking for new equipment revenue to be down versus this year, which was a down year. Same goes on the used equipment side.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3DIXvid
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.-Elect Kari Rehauer
Rep.-Elect Wayne Johnson
Rep. Elect Julie Greene
Rep. Elect Keith Allen
Rep. Elect Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
LOANS: Via farm management analyst Kent Thiesse, VERBATIM: “As we head into 2025, many farm operations are coming off a relatively poor profit year in 2024; with some farmers having very small profit levels last year, while others had extremely poor results in 2024. In all cases, all farm operators continue to face very tight profit margins for crop production in 2025, as compared to a few years ago. During these challenging farm financial times, it is good to plan ahead before meeting with an ag lender for renewal of a farm operating line of credit or for an annual review of the farm financial portfolio.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3BT0aW1
DROUGHT: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The senior agronomist for Nutrien Ag Solutions suggests there could be a silver lining for areas that suffered from drought in 2024. Mike Howell tells Brownfield. ‘There were some areas that were hit by drought pretty hard this year, if you were in a drought-prone area and didn’t get the yield you were expecting you could have a good bit of nutrients left over.’ He recommends a soil test to get a baseline for the growing season.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Pqf3SG
NEXTGEN: From JP Cola via Lakeland Media, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Legislature recently passed a House resolution commending Ridgewater and its award-winning Meat Cutting program for demonstrating educational innovation and excellence.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4j1HdkH
THIS MONTH: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “Greg Peterson — better known as Machinery Pete — will be the keynote speaker at Bean Day 2025. Northarvest Bean Growers Association's annual Bean Day will be at the Holiday Inn of Fargo on Jan. 17, 2025. The annual event is the largest gathering of bean growers in the nation and offers opportunities to learn about current bean market news and research, meet fellow growers, connect with dealers and buyers, and talk to industry exhibitors about ways to enhance farming operations and improve the bottom line.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40nBhLB
THIS MONTH: Via Worthington Globe, VERBATIM: “University of Minnesota Extension will present a webinar from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 about agritourism. Participants will learn what an agritourism business is — the intersection of farming and tourism. Participants will learn the steps to writing a useful and effective business plan and will learn how using AgPlan, an online business planning software that can give tips and examples to make the writing process easier.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3W8eEIh
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
NEXT MONTH: Via Morning Ag Clips, VERBATIM: “University of Minnesota Extension in Fillmore, Houston and Olmsted counties is excited to bring Annie’s Project to local farm and ranch women. Annie’s Project is a series of workshops for women in management and decision-making roles in the complex, dynamic world of agriculture. Annie’s Project is designed to empower farm women to be better business partners.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jjpsh1
NEXT MONTH: Via West Central Tribune, VERBATIM: “‘Farming Your Way, Creating Balance’ is the theme for the 2025 Extension Women in Ag Conference, hosted by the University of Minnesota Women in Ag Network, in partnership with the Minnesota Farm Service Agency.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iWZeR0
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