TAX CREDIT: From Minnesota Corn via X, VERBATIM: “Great testimony by MCGA's @ajbilek today in support of SF1312, legislation that would increase funding for Minnesota's SAF tax credit!” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4h4H1Px (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
UNCERTAINTY: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Farmers are concerned about uncertainties at the federal level. Minnesota Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Andrea Vaubel says recent layoffs at USDA and questions about the farm bill and tax policies are causing stress on the farm.” VAUBEL: “There’s question around just the availability of some of these current programs and what farmers can rely on as far as thinking through their operation for the year. So I think that’s been kind of the first and foremost conversations I’ve had with farmers.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/43eyRR5
USAID: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Cuts at USAID will end thousands of humanitarian programs abroad. But Minnesota farmers will also see financial impacts. The United States Agency for International Development was the world’s largest provider of foreign food aid. Farmers contract with the federal government to send corn, wheat and soy abroad to people in need. MPR News host Tom Crann spoke with Gary Wertish, president of the [Minnesota Farmers Union]. Wertish and his family farm in Renville County.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4kkIkwo
BIRD FLU: Via NASDA, VERBATIM: “Today at the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture 2025 Winter Policy Conference, NASDA members amended the organization’s policy to support the implementation of a robust national action plan for the detection, surveillance, response and containment of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41AbFvj
MORE: Via CBS News, VERBATIM: “U.S. Department of Agriculture officials said Wednesday that there are ‘no anticipated changes’ to the current federal policy requiring poultry to be culled in response to bird flu outbreaks, which have driven up egg prices to record highs in recent months. The decision marks a rebuke of an idea floated by Trump administration officials in recent weeks to change the policy.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41COwIX
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
CHINA: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A former trade official is calling on Congress to employ a comprehensive trade enforcement agenda with China. Jeffrey Gerrish served as Deputy U.S. Trade Representative during President Trump’s first term and told a U.S. House Ways and Means subcommittee Tuesday Chinese ambitions pose an existential threat to the United States.” GERRISH: “Failing to address China’s economic aggression will bring enormous long-term costs in the continued offshoring of jobs and industries, the loss of our technological and military superiority, and economic dependence on China.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3XoH3ui
CYBERSECURITY: Via news release from Congressman Brad Finstad, VERBATIM: “U.S. Representatives Brad Finstad (MN-01), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Don Bacon (NE-02), and Sharice Davids (KS-03) reintroduced the Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act, legislation that would protect America’s food supply chain by identifying cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the agricultural sector and improving protective measures of government and private entities against cyber threats. Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) have introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iimF6b
NEXT MONTH: From UMN Nutrient Management via X, VERBATIM: “Join us March 13 in Rochester. Topics include: - How N behaves in the environment and how it gets into water - The dynamics of groundwater recharge in SE MN - BMPs for both commercial fertilizer and manure, based on local research - On-farm N mgmt research results in SE MN” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4ilIvpk
HEALTHCARE: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The director of the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation at Iowa State University warns farm families about a potentially harmful change to federal health insurance. Kristine Tidgren says a premium tax credit that covers a large portion of the cost is set to expire at the end of the year.” TIDGREN: “So if Congress does not change the law, people who make more than 400 percent of the federal poverty limit, which is not an extraordinary amount of money, they would be ineligible for a premium tax credit if they go to buy insurance on the healthcare marketplace.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4kiTm5o
GRAIN: Via Minnesota Senate DFL, VERBATIM: “Legislation chief authored by Senator Rob Kupec (DFL-Moorhead) that will reduce costs for Minnesota grain buyers passed unanimously off the Senate Floor Thursday. The bill, SF 1552, will help lower the cost of doing business for small grain elevators and farmers throughout Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DeiU2Y
DROUGHT: The new Drought Monitor reflecting data as of Tuesday shows a worsening situation – 67% of the state is now in drought, up from 63% a week earlier. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3zN8TDo
WORKFORCE: From Currey McCullough via RFD-TV, VERBATIM: “Pork producers want action on labor. Industry leaders told Minnesota state ag lawmakers that they need help. ‘When you think about the labor that’s necessary for providing care to the animals in our barns, it takes a skilled workforce. When you think about the available skilled labor resources and the geographic proximity of the barns, the reality is that there’s just a gap in there. As far as the people that are here and able to provide some of the labor, there’s just a shortage,’ said Daryl Timmerman.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3XpBT1f
MORE: Via NASDA, VERBATIM: “Today at the 2025 Winter Policy Conference, members of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture called on the Congress to develop strategies to address agricultural labor stability challenges along with border security. The new policy item states comprehensive agricultural labor reform is needed to allow access to the H-2A program for year-round agriculture industries, create a pathway to legal status for agriculture and agri-business workers who are employed and provide greater border security.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41zuIpE
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)
DISEASES: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Livestock diseases are a concern for Minnesota’s Ag Commissioner. Thom Petersen tells Brownfield while much attention is deservedly given to highly pathogenic avian flu, swine producers are facing several threats too. ‘We talk about PRRS, PEDv, but also African swine fever. We’ve got to keep the ball up in the air on that too because it would be devastating, it’s on island nations near us, one hurricane or whatever somehow getting that to us (is concerning).’ He says Canada has done a good job preventing PEDv, a virus that continues to cause problems in the U.S.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4i1SWPo
USDA: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today announced Tom Schultz will serve as the 21st chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43bPInM
AG ECONOMY: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Has the farm economy bottomed out? Iowa State University Extension and Outreach vice president Jason Henderson tells Brownfield it’s close.” HENDERSON: “I think right now we’re really close to a bottom in the farm economy. It’s gone from about $200 billion on a real basis down to about $130 to $140 billion. We’ve seen corn prices come up a little bit recently, a good time to price markets given some of the disruptions we’ve had in Brazil.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/41d5AUc
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
GRANT: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the 2025 Produce Safety Mini-Grant. This funding opportunity helps reimburse produce growers for expenses that improve on-farm food safety systems. The MDA anticipates awarding approximately $42,400. Awardees will receive reimbursement up to $800 per farm. No matching funds are required.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3HGZgJU
DAIRY: From Jared White via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A young Wisconsin dairy farmer says perseverance is paying off. Evan Schrauth from Cloven View Holsteins in Fond du Lac County says he’s always wanted to be a dairyman. ‘My dad had his own herd of cows and at about two years old I was determined that I was going to farm already.’ He says, ‘Dad actually sold his cows when I was four and went to work for a large dairy, so that’s kind of where I grew up.’ Schrauth drained his savings to start his own farm with 40 cows right out of college.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4kdmlaC
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