ECONOMICS: From Minnesota Corn via Facebook, VERBATIM: “What’s the real cost of growing corn in 2026?” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4jvV3Lc (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
MONDAY AG NEWS FEED
WEST NILE: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “The first confirmed case of the West Nile Virus in Minnesota was reported in Polk County on Friday. An unvaccinated horse is the state’s first victim, according to Alex Carlson with the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4qsdFks
MORE: Via KMSP-TV, QUOTE: “Late summer is the typical highpoint of WNV season in Minnesota,” said Dr. Heather Damico, senior veterinarian leading the Board’s equine program. “Birds carry the disease and mosquitos can contract it from birds and spread it to horses. Unfortunately, almost all cases of WNV we’ve seen in Minnesota affect unvaccinated or under-vaccinated horses.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/45wBFco
CATTLE: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The cattle industry continues to digest the news that Tyson has shuttered additional beef processing plants. Illinois Beef Association Executive Vice President Josh St. Peters says the abrupt closure of Tyson’s Joslin, Illinois facility is problematic.” ST. PETERS: “When they closed facilities in Nebraska, they were given a couple months notice. When they closed facilities in Texas, they were given a couple months notice so the market could absorb that news and so that farmers had an opportunity to work with other processors and packers in the supply chain to find a place to move those finished animals.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4wCUPbI
SUGARBEETS: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “The American Crystal Sugar Company pre-pile harvest has begun. Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association Executive Director Harrison Weber says the growing season began wet in the northern Valley before conditions turned dry across much of the region.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xo98Ch
PLC/ARC-CO: From farm management analyst Kent Thiesse, VERBATIM: “For the 2025 crop year only, eligible producers will get the higher of the calculated 2025 PLC or ARC-CO payments for corn, soybeans, wheat, and other program crops. This provision means that it is likely that all eligible base acres of corn, soybean, wheat, and many other crops are likely to receive either a PLC or ARC-CO payment for the 2025 crop year. The 2025 PLC or ARC-CO payments for all farm program crops will be paid in October, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xK7MkM
TRADE: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The US Trade Representative says expanding export opportunities for US agriculture remains a top priority for the Trump administration. Ambassador Jamieson Greer says previous trade policies focused too heavily on imports.” GREER: “Including from adversaries like China,” he said. “President Trump has focused on reversing that. For the past year and a half, we’ve been really busy using tariffs where we need to and negotiating deals where we can.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4xJgWy3
MORE LEADERS. MORE IDEAS. COMPLIMENTARY REGISTRATION. You are invited to attend Compeer Financial’s complimentary Rooted & Rising: Rural Forum this September 14-16 as leaders from across rural communities come together to strengthen the towns we call home. The event brings together community champions, local officials, nonprofit partners and business leaders to explore strategies that strengthen rural economies and expand opportunities. You’ll join more than 30 speakers and fellow leaders for practical ideas, inspiring stories and meaningful connections focused on economic development, workforce, housing, entrepreneurship and community leadership. We encourage you to invite a colleague, community partner or fellow rural changemaker to join you. Registration will remain open as space allows. Secure your seat at no cost today at www.Compeer.com/RuralForum. (SPONSORED: Compeer Financial)
FARM UPDATES
THIS WEEK: Farm Journal TV’s 2026 Crop Tour begins today. Ag Web has a preview. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xKlgNq
DRY: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “Crops in west-central Minnesota are hanging on, but another rain is needed to finish the season. Wilkin County farmer Galen Affield says conditions are particularly dry around Fergus Falls, although some areas north of Breckenridge have held up better.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RUncnw
MORE: Via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “At All Good Organics in Lino Lakes, Minnesota, Butch Cardinal and his family have tended to the fields for generations. But this year has him keeping a closer eye on his crops and the sky above him.” CARDINAL: “This part right here is too dry; I can barely get any moisture out of that to plant anything in there,” Cardinal said. “Compared to droughts I’ve seen in my 63 years, this is probably in the top five of worst. If we don’t get any more rain, it’s going to move up.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4g3SWji
GRAZING: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Drought is taking a toll on hay and forages in the Northern Plains. Kevin Deinert grows, corn, soybeans, and forage crops for their family cow-calf and feedlot operation near Mitchell in south-central South Dakota.” DEINERT: “Pastures are going backwards fast, a lot of cattle coming off of grass early or having to be fed early. So that’s going to be an issue here in the Dakotas.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/464sT5x
NOTE: The next Drought Monitor is due out Thursday. Watch for it in lunch take that day and in this newsletter on Friday.
HEIFER RETENTION: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “Herd rebuilding by way of heifer retention under the current strong cattle market has become much like a good steak — rare. Sam Schneider, manager of Pipestone Livestock Auction in Pipestone, Minnesota, said if you were to call 10 livestock sale barns across the region, nine would say heifer retention is not happening. But in small pockets of his territory in southwest Minnesota, heifer retention seems to remain a part of doing business. The reason behind many producers not holding onto heifers is higher prices, which make it easier to sell cattle at unheard-of prices when they don’t quite meet a producer’s high standards. Perhaps even more so, it’s made easier in the face of adverse weather conditions, impacting pasture and feed options.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gctMh1
WILD RICE: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota DNR is reminding harvesters that even though Aug. 15 is the earliest wild ricing date, it is illegal to harvest rice stands until they are fully ripe. Trying to harvest rice before it is ripe can damage the plants not only for this year, but for years to come.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/45wBk9K
MORE: Via DNR, wild rice regulations. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4gfxypT
SOYBEANS: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “Soybean aphid numbers are increasing in North Dakota and west central Minnesota. NDSU says aphids were found in 57 percent of soybean fields checked last week, up from 27 percent the previous week.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45BVMpA
INPUTS & OUTPUTS
RAIL MERGER: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The vice president elect with the National Corn Growers Association says the proposed merger of two major rail companies is another example of consolidation impacting agriculture. ‘When the Surface Transportation Board started with this, there were 30 class one railroads and we’re down to six.’ Bill Leigh, who farms in north-central Illinois, says he’s worried about what the proposals to combine Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern will do to transportation costs.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4gDaaE8
FERTILIZER: Via Ag Web, VERBATIM: “A vessel carrying approximately 54,000 metric tons of Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) has arrived at the Port of New Orleans, marking the return of Moroccan phosphate fertilizer to the U.S. market following temporary relief from countervailing duties (CVD), OCP North America announced. StoneX Vice President of Fertilizer Josh Linville says the significance is straightforward.” LINVILLE: “Because we haven’t seen Morocco since 2021.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4zp40Py
FUNDING: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has awarded more than $1.6 million through its Nitrogen Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer Discount program to expand the use of nitrogen‑saving fertilizer technologies on farms across Minnesota. The investment supports farmers in improving nutrient use efficiency, protecting water resources, and advancing climate‑smart agricultural practices statewide.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4x41e0l
EXPORTS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Corn export inspections remain on pace to meet USDA’s estimate for the current marketing year. The USDA says the top destinations for U.S. corn during the week ending August 13th were key trading partners Mexico and Japan, both of which import primarily for livestock feed usage. While sorghum and soybeans were both down on the week and year, they also topped the respective needed levels, while wheat fell short. The USDA’s next round of supply and demand numbers is out September 11th.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Sidz1T
NEW RULES
EGGS: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Brooklyn Park food bank Second Harvest Heartland’s egg supply is set increase. A new law now allows retailers and distributors to donate eggs to food shelves that are up to 30 days past their sell-by date. The law passed unanimously in the state legislature. Local leaders say it’s a big victory for state unity and food availability. They met up at ICA Food Shelf in Minnetonka to celebrate the wins.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3RRH3DS
RIGHT-TO-REPAIR: Via The Cool Down, VERBATIM: “John Deere owners who have had to depend on authorized dealers for critical repairs may get more room to fix their own equipment. That possibility comes through a proposed $99 million agreement with the Federal Trade Commission and five state attorneys general, which would push Deere to make key repair software and tools more available — if the company follows through . . . Deere reached the proposed deal on July 8 with the Federal Trade Commission and the attorneys general of Illinois, Minnesota, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Michigan.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hFqFRd
NEXTGEN: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is seeking 11 members to serve two-year terms on the Emerging Farmers’ Working Group (EFWG). Minnesotans interested in enhancing opportunities for new and emerging farmers to start or sustain an agricultural business are encouraged to apply by Monday, Sept. 14.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3JHDuHL
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
BROOKLYN PARK: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “After a one-year hiatus, a family-friendly activity in the northwest metro is making its big return just in time for fall. The Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze is back for the season, welcoming families to a brand-new home near the intersection of Highway 169 and 101st Avenue North in Brooklyn Park.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3U52MZx
NEXT WEEK: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “Fairgoers of all ages can connect agriculture to their daily lives with educational, engaging, and interactive activities and games at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) exhibit at the Minnesota State Fair.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wpXXaz
PATRONAGE: Via Compeer, VERBATIM: “Compeer Financial is returning $100 million in cash patronage to eligible member-owners this August, continuing its commitment to sharing the cooperative’s success with the farmers, agribusinesses and rural homeowners it serves. Combined with the $52 million in allocated equities distributed earlier this year, Compeer will return a total of $152 million in patronage in 2026.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4qkclzM
(DISCLOSURE: Compeer is a Fluence sponsor)
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