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)
All Fluence Media tip sheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
NEXT WEEK: Minnesota Farmfest begins next Tuesday in Redwood County. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/459I3FR
MORE: From Farmfest Forum Coordinator Kent Thiesse, VERBATIM: “Many times people wonder about the history of the educational forums at Farmfest. Actually, 2025 will mark the thirty-eighth anniversary of educational forums at Farmfest. The forums actually started in 1988, when Farmfest was held near Lake Crystal, which was a year of a major drought in Minnesota and the Midwest. Current Farmfest Forum Coordinator Kent Thiesse worked with the late Marlyn Buss, former owner and manager of Farmfest, to bring in crop and weather specialists from the University of Minnesota, as well as other crop consultants and grain marketing specialists, to discuss various topics related to the drought that year. After a successful first year, the forums have continued in every year since 1988, including for five years at Austin, MN (1990-1994) and at the current site near Redwood Falls, MN from 1995 until the present time.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kX6H2t FORUM SCHEDULE: https://fluence-media.co/457bHeH LIVESTOCK TENT SCHEDULE: https://fluence-media.co/4l2pj14
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
TRADE DEAL: Via World-Grain, VERBATIM: “A tentative trade deal between the United States and the European Union announced just days before significant tariff hikes were set to take effect has received an early upbeat reaction from US agriculture groups. US President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the agreement July 27, revealing a 15% tariff on most European goods entering the United States, including automobiles, chemicals and electronics.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46xCzqU
MORE: Via Feedstuffs, VERBATIM: “Reports indicate the U.S. and EU will have zero-for-zero tariffs on some agricultural products, CoBank reported. The U.S. and EU are the global leaders in agricultural trade, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service. The EU is the number-three agricultural exporter to the U.S., averaging $32.9 billion in sales in 2020-24. In 2024, the U.S. was the EU's second-largest export destination for agricultural products (€30.1 billion) and the fourth-largest importer of EU agricultural products (€12.0 billion), according to Eurostat data.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4og9Q0e
FRIDAY: Via Mshale, VERBATIM: “Entrepreneurs, business owners and corporate leaders looking to amass beneficial information on doing business with Africa will come together next week on Aug. 1 for the U.S.-Africa trade and investment summit in St. Paul. The half day event is being organized by the Minnesota-based nonprofit Minnesota Africans United (MAU), a coalition of African immigrant communities in the state.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l0jhh8
DC: Via Marshall Independent, VERBATIM: “A group of farm leaders from the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) and American Soybean Association (ASA) took a trip to Capitol Hill last week to discuss farm-related policy priorities. Among the leaders was Lake Benton farmer Bob Worth, ASA director and MSGA past president, and Vesta farmer George Goblish, another ASA director. Both noted the trip was successful with productive conversation, and a heavy topic was the need for a new Farm Bill.” QUOTE: “We had numerous things we wanted to talk about, but the main thing was the Farm Bill. We need the farm bill done now,” Worth said. “A lot of the stuff can’t be put in place until the bill is all done, so we really did push for that.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40E3ZaG
MINNESOTA LAKE: Via Swineweb, VERBATIM: “Farming with multiple generations comes with its challenges, but the Drager family of Minnesota Lake, Minnesota, has turned it into one of their greatest strengths. Through decades of hard work, smart decisions, and a shared vision for the future, they’ve built a pig business that grows stronger with each generation.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46BpfBT
ORCHARD: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “One of Minnesota’s earliest COVID patients, Frank Weigel, spent most of March 2020 in the hospital. His blood oxygen level was dangerously low, his organs were failing, and doctors induced a coma to help him survive the virus’ assault. During the 30 days Frank lay unconscious, his wife, Esther Weigel, dwelled on their choices as a couple, on their hopes not realized. In their first conversation after Frank woke up, Esther asked, ‘If you could do anything, what would you do?’ Frank answered, ‘I want to have an orchard.’ A few months later, an orchard seven minutes from their Mound home went on the market.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Uy8Tm5
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)
WEDNESDAY: Via West Central Tribune, VERBATIM: “A free, hands-on soil health event later this month will feature exhibits, demonstrations and activities for all ages. The family-friendly Healthy Roots & Clean Boots event will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, at Walsh Farms, 1015 70th Ave. S.E. in rural Murdock.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kYbK2s
FUNGICIDE: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The decision to apply fungicide is complicated for many growers because of tight margins. Iowa State University Extension agronomist Angie Rieck-Hinz suggests a wait and see approach. ‘I would guess based on crop prices alone, a lot of people seem like they’re holding off on fungicide applications to see what might develop. Or maybe try to not spray a fungicide at all.’ She tells Brownfield despite favorable conditions for disease development, pressure in northern Iowa has been minor.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3H6J4GI
RETAIL: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Grown and the Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA) are once again inviting grocery and liquor retailers across the state to support farmers and show off their local pride by entering the 2025–2026 Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year contest, now open for entries through October 10, 2025 at 4 p.m.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UzmTvS
THE HERD: Via Morning Ag Clips, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) is excited to announce the third class of its ‘The Herd’ program. The Herd is for members aged 18-23 who enjoy social media and want to share their passion for agriculture on those platforms. Members gain valuable skills in agriculture communication by learning from industry professionals and through hands-on networking and educational experiences. Program members were selected in the summer and will participate in the program for one year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l0fXCG
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
FARM FAMILY: Via Fairmont Sentinel, VERBATIM: “The Abel Family Farm has been selected by the University of Minnesota as Martin County’s Farm Family of the Year for 2025. The farm is run by Doug and his wife, Joan Abel. They cycle through around 12 different people, including their sons Tadd and Matt Abel, to help cultivate the 15 acres they currently use.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4meZImr
FARM FAMILY: Via Kanabec County Times, VERBATIM: “Family is the heart of the Ericksons’ farm, affectionately named Backache Acres. Lynn and Peggy Erickson, recently honored by the University of Minnesota as Kanabec County’s Farm Family of the Year, are pleased to carry on the family’s agricultural tradition.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3U1Rcew
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