CONGRESS: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “As the dust settles from the 2024 elections and Congress returns to complete action on must-pass legislation, emergency assistance for America’s farm families must be on that list, including for enormous economic and production losses resulting from depressed prices and natural disasters. Minnesota farm families had a spotty production year, but even if yields had exceeded the average, the revenues from production would still be well below the costs of producing that crop. Without accounting for basis, we are looking at a loss of more than $80 per acre on corn and over $67 on soybeans. Factoring in basis, losses could range anywhere from $117 to $160 per acre on corn and between $82 and $93 per acre on soybeans.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UHXLnc (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
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TARIFFS: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The return of Donald Trump to the White House has some in agriculture concerned tariffs will be a part of the incoming administration’s trade approach. Compeer Financial vice president of legislative affairs Perry Aasness says President Trump has a track record of using tariffs, but it’s unclear if that tactic will be used again.” AASNESS: “He’s made the point that tariffs can be a great negotiating tool for trade agreements. If that’s the approach, if that’s the ultimate goal, great. If we’re looking at a situation where massive tariffs are going to be placed on the economy, we know from historical past that oftentimes agriculture is the one that gets the brunt of it in the U.S.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/40FJGui
(DISCLOSURE: Compeer is a sponsor of Fluence Media)
AMENDMENT: From Mike Moen via Public News Service, VERBATIM: “Minnesota voters this week signed off on giving a longer shelf life to a funding tool helping protect the state's natural resources and its backers see more room for making farmland climate resilient. Nearly 78% of Minnesota voters said yes to Amendment 1, a 25-year extension of a constitutional amendment dedicating 40% of lottery proceeds to the Environment and Natural Resources Fund. Theresa Keaveny, Minnesota state policy lead for the group Climate Land Leaders, said the program has already helped spur adoption of practices such as managed grazing of farm animals to help restore the health of some landscapes. She argued smaller family farms need more support to embrace conservation.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YF8nV8
HEMP: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “Online applications are now open for anyone wanting to grow or process hemp in Minnesota in 2025. A license from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is required for individuals and businesses. Applications must be submitted by April 30, 2025, and a license is valid for the 2025 calendar year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40zcHb2
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NEXT MONTH: Via Ag Update, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association (MSCA) is hosting the Minnesota Cattle Industry Convention at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud on Dec. 6-7. This year’s theme is Stronger Together.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YDw4gp
NEXT MONTH: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “Connect with colleagues from different ag retailers & share experiences during the Special Interest Groups at the Minnesota Crop Production Retailers Short Course and Trade Show December 10-12! MDA staff will host the Women in Ag group.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/3ULhFh7 MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3UKpDqG
FARM BILL: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “North Iowa farmer Brent Renner tells Brownfield he’s more optimistic about the farm bill getting done during the lame duck session of Congress. ‘But I’ll say that with the caveat that I hope they don’t just get it done to get it done. I hope it’s the right farm bill. That concerns me a little bit.’ The Klemme corn, soybean, and livestock producer says the farm bill needs to be a long-term solution since it’s written every five years.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3AzryYj
HARVEST: From Noah Rohlfing via Successful Farming, VERBATIM: “The first state to complete the 2024 soybean harvest was a surprise: Minnesota has finished harvest, the USDA said in the latest Crop Progress Report, released Nov. 4. The state was 5 percentage points ahead of its five-year average for Nov. 3. This is a change from 2023, when Louisiana was the first state to get all of its soybeans in the bin.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YInehC
DROUGHT: The new Drought Monitor reflecting data as of Tuesday shows only slight improvement – 84% of the state remains in drought – 46% severe. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3zN8TDo
BIOFUELS: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “2024 has been a strong year for the ethanol industry. Minnesota Biofuels Association executive director Brian Werner says ethanol stakeholders are in a position of strength. ‘We’ve seen great production numbers, we’ve seen great exports. Exports to Canada and other places around the world have really been strong, so I think overall it’s been a great year.’ He tells Brownfield a concern for ethanol plants in Minnesota going into next year is low corn yields.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4fBOiFT
AG SUMMIT: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “Wells Fargo Chief Agricultural Economist Michael Swanson compared Minnesota with other Midwestern states during his AgriGrowth presentation. Swanson said Minnesota would benefit if it leaned into specific segments of animal agriculture, especially the poultry and swine industries. To grow the livestock and poultry sector, Swanson advocates for a consistent environmental regulatory framework.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fvapxU
MORE: Also via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “University of Minnesota President Dr. Rebecca Cunningham made an appearance at the Minnesota Ag and Food Summit. The new university leader said the state is unique because it has five institutions that all provide a degree from the University of Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hGHrNl
BIRD FLU: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Federal health officials on Thursday called for more testing of employees on farms with bird flu after a new study showed that some dairy workers had signs of infection, even when they didn’t report feeling sick. Farmworkers in close contact with infected animals should be tested and offered treatment even if they show no symptoms, said Dr. Nirav Shah, principal director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The new guidance comes after blood tests for 115 farmworkers in Michigan and Colorado showed that eight workers — or 7% — had antibodies that indicated previous infection with the virus known as Type A H5N1 influenza.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48LVsFp
MORE: From Noah Fish via Agweek, VERBATIM: “Dairy and poultry farmers in three southeast Minnesota counties can get free seasonal flu shots on their farm thanks to a new public health initiative to remove vaccination barriers. The initiative is made possible through a $5 million plan announced this summer by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide seasonal flu shots this fall to about 200,000 livestock workers in states impacted the most by the bird flu outbreak.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ekKyHV
AGRIBANK: From AgriBank via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “Today, St. Paul-based AgriBank announced financial results for the third quarter of 2024, with strong profitability, credit quality, and liquidity and capital.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Ao4wUr
COOPERATIVE: From Brooks Johnson via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A Minnesota cooperative is considering a new acquisition offer ahead of voting on a $200 million takeover bid from CHS. North Dakota-based Arthur Cos. is offering $250 million for West Central Ag Services, headquartered in Ulen, Minn. The private company recently publicized its pitch to the cooperative online with what it calls a ‘superior’ deal. West Central Ag Services patrons (a group of customers and members) were scheduled to vote Thursday on the CHS merger proposal. On Wednesday, the co-op pushed the vote to Nov. 26.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UM51i2
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DONKEYS: From John Lauritsen via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Did you know that donkeys are fast, smart and can build life-long bonds with other animals and people? A visit to Brett and Kelley MacNally's farm, Hee-Haw Hollow in New Germany, is like a visit to a zoo. There are pigs, sheep, goats, cats, and if you want to talk to the MacNallys, you have to get past the Highland cattle. As social as these guys are, the farm really belongs to one animal. The MacNallys traded city life for country living a couple of years ago, in part because they wanted to find a place to raise both mammoth donkeys and mini donkeys.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3UJUeVD
AWARD: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota AgriGrowth Council presented its Distinguished Service Award to Minnesota Soybean Senior Director of Product Development Mike Youngerberg.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hFjtSE
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