CROP PROGRESS: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “This week much of the corn crop in Minnesota, across 8.5 million acres, will enter its reproductive phase. The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service estimates that 74 percent of the state’s corn crop is in good to excellent condition.” QUOTE: “The crop’s in good shape,” Extension agronomist Jeff Coulter confirmed. Coulter conducts research on corn cropping systems at the University of Minnesota research and outreach centers at Lamberton and Waseca. “Farmers are saying they’ve never seen the corn this green in southern Minnesota before….The crop is very lush.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3IFAhfv (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
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CONDITIONS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A crop protection specialist who covers the Upper Midwest says conditions have been variable this growing season. Ryan Peterson is with WinField United. ‘You go from the northwest part of North Dakota, you’re looking at probably below average wheat yields, below average canola yields. And then you go to the central part of the state and things just get progressively better as you go east and south.’ He tells Brownfield spring wheat development is running close to normal.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4mghcPq
USDA: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Department of Agriculture will move thousands of employees out of the nation's capital in a reorganization the agency says will put them closer to customers while saving money, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said Thursday. Around 2,600 workers — more than half the Washington, D.C. workforce — will be moved to five hubs stretching from North Carolina to Utah, Rollins said. The union representing federal workers immediately criticized the plan as a ploy to cut federal jobs, pointing out that some 95% of the department's employees already work outside Washington.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3H6pDO9
MORE: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “Over the last four years, USDA’s workforce grew by 8%, and employees’ salaries increased by 14.5% - including hiring thousands of employees with no sustainable way to pay them. This all occurred without any tangible increase in service to USDA’s core constituencies across the agricultural sector. USDA’s footprint in the National Capital Region (NCR) is underutilized and redundant, plagued by rampant overspending and decades of mismanagement and costly deferred maintenance. President Trump has made it clear government needs to be scrutinized, and after this thorough review of USDA, the results show a bloated, expensive, and unsustainable organization.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/419iRhr
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
LAND O’LAKES: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Land O’Lakes can’t complain about being best known for its dairy products, since it is the leading butter brand in the country many years running. But the Arden Hills-based ag cooperative also sells food for reindeer. And zebras, kangaroos, polar bears, elephants and all manner of zoo animals. Tucked into the Land O’Lakes animal nutrition business alongside the Purina line of livestock feed is a brand called Mazuri. The nation’s 12 million reptile and bird owners are no doubt familiar with that name, since Mazuri caters to just about every exotic pet one can own.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TYlPBy
WHEAT: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Results from a recent crop tour indicate another bumper U.S. spring wheat crop. Dave Green with the Wheat Quality Council says scouts sampled more than 300 fields across the Dakotas and Minnesota.” GREEN: “The crop is big, it’s much above average for sure. They’ve had two record crops in a row (and) we’re in kind of a wet cycle up there. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of disease pressure, there’s not any insects or leaf diseases to worry about. So the crop is healthy.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3IJgyLL
TREES: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “If you’ve noticed some maple trees turning to fall colors already this summer, you’re not alone. Heavy rainfall and excessive watering are making some maple trees turn early. And that’s not a good thing. Plymouth City Forester Paul Buck said maple trees aren’t supposed to change until mid-September.” QUOTE: “The trees are actually shutting themselves down in an effort to save themselves,” Buck said. “They realize they are not going to make it through this year.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3GV6Y84
NEXT WEEK: Via Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, VERBATIM: “This panel discussion and luncheon will focus on tech trends in government, highlighting how our region's public IT leaders are pioneering innovative solutions for critical functions such as public safety, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and communication.” DETAILS/AGENDA: https://fluence-media.co/4mcibjl
NEXT MONTH: From Minnesota Farmers Union via X, VERBATIM: “The MN Soil Health Financial Assistance grant offers cost-share to invest in equipment that will increase soil health. This webinar will include info from @MNagriculture staff who will review the 2025 application period and answer FAQs.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4mgdmFT
RECONCILIATION: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The government relations director for Minnesota Farmers Union has some concerns about how Congress handled reconciliation. Stu Lourey says healthcare is a priority for the organization and cuts to Medicaid in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act could be detrimental to rural hospitals.” LOUREY: “And EMS, all these other rural support pieces. It should be obvious to everyone, but we don’t dole out Medicaid dollars, we give them to hospitals when they provide care. And when someone shows up and they need care, they’re obligated to give it to them. So that’s a concern that we’ll continue to work on.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/456NA00
FAIRS: Via KEYC-TV, VERBATIM: “One of the main draws to a county fair are the animals! Thursday morning, Dr. John King inspected the entire fairgrounds to make sure everything was up to code. Dr.King told some kids, ‘Guys, wash your hands after you’re done playing with the chickens.’ Doctor John King’s job with the Minnesota Board of Animal Health is to ensure there is no risk of disease spreading through livestock.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40DvoJU
TRADE: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins issued a statement congratulating President Donald J. Trump on the major trade breakthrough that gives greater access to U.S. beef producers selling to Australia.” ROLLINS: “American farmers and ranchers produce the safest, healthiest beef in the world. It’s absurd that non-scientific trade barriers prevented our beef from being sold to consumers in Australia for the last 20 years. Gone are the days of putting American farmers on the sidelines. This is yet another example of the kind of market access the President negotiates to bring America into a new golden age of prosperity, with American agriculture leading the way.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4542PXd
ARMY WORM: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A forage specialist encourages alfalfa growers to be on the lookout for a couple of pests. Jeff Jackson with CROPLAN says reports of army worm are coming in on social media.” JACKSON: “Or they’re sending me messages saying ‘oh my gosh look at the pressure we have.’ But these army worms are the real deal, and if you aren’t paying attention they can wipe you out quickly. So that’s one (and) the second one would be potato leaf hoppers.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/45amULT
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. Kari Rehrauer
Rep. Wayne Johnson
Rep. Julie Greene
Rep. Keith Allen
Rep. Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
POLICY: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “Today we welcomed an international delegation representing 10 countries to MDA for a discussion about food and ag policy. It was an honor to exchange ideas and share how Minnesota agriculture connects with the world.” PHOTO: https://fluence-media.co/3H4vbsu
FUEL: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A Minnesota farmer who serves on the board for Clean Fuels Alliance America says he’s encouraged by the Renewable Volume Obligation targets proposed by EPA. Chris Hill grows corn and soybeans near Brewster.” HILL: “They have given some very robust numbers in the form of biodiesel, and that’s something that this industry is in definite need of.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/40DsWTI
DAIRY: Via Reuters, VERBATIM: “Two dairy farm cooperatives have agreed to pay a combined $34 million to resolve a proposed class action accusing them of conspiring to fix milk prices in Texas, New Mexico and other parts of the southwestern United States . . . Cooperatives play a central role in the marketing of milk and other dairy products in the United States. Dairy farmers who filed the lawsuit in 2022 said the two cooperatives underpaid them for the production of raw fluid Grade A milk, in violation of U.S. antitrust law.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4537k4r
NEXT MONTH: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “The public is invited to the Hastings Kernza Field Day on Aug. 14 to explore Kernza, a groundbreaking perennial grain that offers a powerful combination of environmental and agricultural benefits. This event will provide a close-up look at how Kernza is transforming farming practices by improving soil health, reducing runoff, and creating new opportunities for sustainable food and forage production.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lPBT4S
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
DROUGHT: The latest Drought Monitor reflecting data as of Tuesday shows 12% of the state is abnormally dry, down from 26% a week earlier. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3zN8TDo
FARM FAMILY: Via Park Rapids Enterprise, VERBATIM: “You might say Rustic River Farms began as a 4-H project. In 2009, Darin and Richelle Kowalke purchased 80 acres, near Nevis, next to his childhood home. Formerly James’ Berry Farm, Darin used to pick pints of strawberries or raspberries as a young boy on the property . . . The Kowalkes will be officially recognized at Minnesota Farmfest, during a special Aug. 7 ceremony.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UiQE4d
FARM FAMILY: Via Mankato Free Press, VERBATIM: “In 2013, Craig and Elizabeth Fischer got married and one of their wedding gifts was a bison . . . The fifth-generation farming family has made a name for themselves, being honored as a Farm Family of the Year in Brown County by the University of Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40YtVhB
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