BACTERIA: From Minnesota Corn via Facebook, VERBATIM: “Goss’s Wilt costs farmers millions of bushels every year—and there hasn’t been a solid treatment. But thanks to checkoff-funded research, Dr. Mikael Elias at the U of M is working on a natural fix that blocks the bacteria from ‘talking’ to each other, so they can’t turn harmful. No chemicals needed.” POST: https://fluence-media.co/4k3zNgA (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
On Saturday we launched our first premium publication. The Fluence Brief, they will be released 3-4 times a month and dive deeper into the business, economic and political dynamics of the Midwest. First one is gratis, but then we’ll have a fee. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cQw43r
All Fluence Media tip sheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
FARM BILL: Via Austin American-Statesman, VERBATIM: “The clock is ticking once again as the extended 2018 Farm Bill approaches its latest deadline. Originally set to expire in 2023, the bill — typically renewed every five years — has been extended twice, with the current extension set to end on Sept. 30, 2025. Now, with less than five months remaining, the traditionally bipartisan legislation remains gridlocked.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lWFaQg
MORE: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Southwest Minnesota corn and soybean grower Bryan Biegler says he’s frustrated it’s taking so long.” BIEGLER: “Talk about trying to something done there for quite some time, they keep talking about it (and) hopefully they can get something figured out soon. Just certainly to give a guy peace of mind, kind of easier to plan for things knowing where things are at.” He tells Brownfield the tariff talk can also be discouraging. “I’ve almost kind of quit listening to them, just seems like it’s kind of driving you nuts after awhile. It’s on one day, off one day. Then raising the percentages, then down the next day. So I guess not much you can do about it.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/44TrJdH
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
MNLEG: Via KNSI-Radio, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Senate passed a bipartisan Agriculture budget bill late Wednesday afternoon with a vote of 43-23. The legislation, authored by Aric Putnam (DFL-St. Cloud), addresses challenges facing the agricultural community through investments in food security, farm health, and avian influenza response.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3EQnPaY
MORE: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Senate Ag Committee chair Aric Putnam tells Brownfield there was bipartisan support in his chamber for the legislation.” PUTNAM: “But not as enthusiastic as the bill actually deserved. Unfortunately, a bunch of the minority just weren’t on the floor, and all of them voted against the bill which was too bad. But we still did get 44 votes total, so it’s successful, it’s done (and) looking pretty good.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4jYIhFv
MORE: Agriculture committee Ranking Minority Member Senator Gene Dornink (R-Brownsdale) wrote about the bill in the Owatonna People’s Press, QUOTE: “A highlight of this legislation is the long-overdue reform of Minnesota’s cottage food laws. These changes will benefit more than 10,000 small food businesses by allowing direct shipping, raising the sales cap, and lowering registration fees. These updates will open the door for more local entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and reach new customers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lZI07c
JET FUEL: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The Trump administration now refers to sustainable aviation fuel as synthetic aviation fuel. Renewable Fuels Association CEO Geoff Cooper suggests the terminology change probably doesn’t mean that much.” COOPER: “I don’t know that it matters all that much what you call it. I think the aviation fuel market is global in scope, so whatever you call it we don’t really care. We know there are standards and specifications in place, you’ve got to have a 50 percent greenhouse gas reduction.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3YreDjY
USDA: Via USDA news release, from Secretary Brooke Rollins, QUOTE: “Lower federal spending combined with the largest tax cuts in the history of our country, strong deregulatory actions, and tariff & trade realignment will set the stage for the next generation of American greatness. At USDA we have already started by eliminating wasteful spending, reprioritizing our services to put farmers first, and cutting red tape.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/44kuVPx
DROUGHT: The new Drought Monitor was released Thursday and, for the first time in a long while, it shows significant improvement – though a fifth of the state is still considered in drought. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3zN8TDo
COUNTY FAIRS: Via news release from Compeer, VERBATIM: “For the eighth year, Compeer Financial is helping county fairs across the Upper Midwest improve facilities and attendee experiences through its Fund for Rural America, the Farm Credit cooperative's giving program. In Minnesota, 20 fair organizations will each receive up to $4,000 to support their fairground projects.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jvck7Y
(DISCLOSURE: Compeer is a Fluence Media sponsor)
LAND O’LAKES: From Rep. Angie Craig via X, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s own Land O’Lakes is an example of the power of farm cooperatives – and a reminder that we go further when we work together. It was great join the Land O’ Lakes Board of Directors yesterday to discuss how we can deliver the bipartisan farm bill our farmers want and need.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/44l5gpL
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)
THIS MONTH: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time for us to acknowledge the historic and ongoing #AAPI contributions to agriculture in Minnesota and throughout the USA. Their impact on the history, culture, and achievements of our country are irreplaceable.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/3EOBTC0
MAY 17: Via Farm Progress, VERBATIM: “The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota in downtown Mankato will be the spot for a free day of hands-on learning and exploration during Ag Education Day, presented by Central Farm Service and Central Advantage. This immersive event brings agriculture to life through interactive stations, real farm equipment and engaging exhibits.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cYhJSJ
UOFM ALUM: Via Minnesota Daily, VERBATIM: “Mohammed Sadiki has dedicated his life to create a more sustainable environment through his work in agriculture and public service. Last month, Sadiki received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the University of Minnesota for all of his contributions to creating a more sustainable environment.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GDQH6R
LAND: Via Farm Progress, VERBATIM: “The past month has shown, once again, that land values throughout Minnesota have held steady for the most part, despite coming off a less-than-profitable crop year marked by lower commodity prices and difficult weather events.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YPRvfp
ROBOTS: Via Ag Update, VERBATIM: “North Dakota State University (NDSU) and University of Minnesota students have entered their agricultural robots into the 2025 Farm Robotics Challenge. Not only U.S. colleges may enter, but international universities can enter, as well. The objective of the robotics challenge is to be able to identify and solve real world ag challenges using cutting-edge robotic technology.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jCUVKH
DRONES: From UofM Extension via Farm Forum, VERBATIM: “Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, are changing the way pesticide applicators work in field crops. Using UAVs for pesticide spraying allows applicators to make more precise applications and reduce input costs. Private applicators can now get an endorsement to use Restricted Use Pesticides with an aerial application (fixed-wing, rotor, or drone) in an on-farm operation.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4k0v3YQ
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
TRADE AWARDS: From MDA via X, sharing a Tweet from DEED, VERBATIM: “Any Minnesota-based company that exports agricultural commodities/processed food is eligible for the 40th Annual Governor's International Trade Awards.” TWEETS: https://fluence-media.co/43eFPoI
FFA: Via Worthington Globe, VERBATIM: “McKade Tewes, of the Jackson County Central (JCC) FFA Chapter, was named Minnesota Star Farmer earlier this week during the Minnesota FFA Convention. On the path to winning the top state award, Tewes earned first place in beef production entrepreneurship, which is his Supervised Agricultural Experience project.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3SgnRMi
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