Rising costs and other economic headwinds are sowing uncertainty and stress for Minnesota farmers as planting season begins.

What's happening: The Iran conflict is driving up fuel and fertilizer prices, adding pressure after "several consecutive years of losses," American Farm Bureau Federation economist Faith Parum said on a recent media call.

• At the same time, commodity prices for crops have fallen from pandemic-era highs.

Plus: Tariffs and other impacts of President Trump's trade policies remain a "big problem," especially for soybean farmers, Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen told Axios.

Threat level: Advocates worry the latest setbacks could push more farmers to the brink. Bankruptcies rose nationwide in 2025, a new analysis from the American Farm Bureau Federation shows.

• Mediation cases between farmers and their lenders are also up, per University of Minnesota Extension data.

Between the lines: Rising fertilizer prices have been a problem for years, dating back to the Biden administration, Petersen noted.

• But the recent spike, combined with skyrocketing fuel costs, is hitting those who were already struggling especially hard.

"A lot of farmers were able to pre-buy fuel, but the ones that didn't are in trouble," he said. "Same with fertilizer."

Case in point: "I'm just kicking myself that I didn't price more ahead of time," Megan Horsager, a sugar beet farmer in Montevideo, told MPR News.

• "Usually, June hasn't been a bad time to buy fuel, but you don't plan on the global events."

Adding to the strain: Horsager is "fairly confident" she'll lose money on her crop this year, given sugar beet prices.

• "I'm trying to be optimistic, but it definitely puts a damper on the mood."

The bright spots: Drought conditions have improved, leaving farmers "cautiously optimistic" about this year's crop.

• The workforce shortage feared by many farmers at the height of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown has largely dissipated, Petersen said.
• High beef prices also mean business is good for Minnesota's cattle industry.

What we're watching: U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says the federal government is working on plans to improve fertilizer access and affordability.

• But experts expect that prices will remain elevated through next year.

The bottom line

Calls to Minnesota's farm and rural issues mental health line are climbing.

By the numbers: The helpline logged 314 calls and texts in fiscal year 2025 — the most in five years.

• It's on track to surpass that number again, with 279 requests in the first nine months of the current fiscal year.

☎️ The helpline can be reached by calling 833-600-2670 or texting FARMSTRESS to 898211

Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board officials are weighing whether to close the popular Minnehaha Dog Park amid growing concerns that the area may contain human remains, the Star Tribune reports.

The big picture: The area has long been central to the Dakota people's creation story — but an archaeological assessment last year appears to be changing park officials' plans for the site.

The latest: The report found the site's importance was "significantly greater than originally anticipated" — and the Park Board is refusing to release its contents, citing a law that protects burial sites.

• Since then, park officials have been quietly meeting with Native advisors about closure or relocation options for the dog park, the newspaper reports.

Read the Strib's full story

🚧 Interstate 35W will close between I-494 and the 35E split from late tonight through early Monday. (Info)

💰 The Trump Administration says it will hold back another $91 million in federal Medicaid payments owed to Minnesota over concerns about fraud targeting state-run programs. (Announcement via X/Background via Axios)

🥨 Aki's BreadHaus will be the new food vendor at a retooled Trailhead Café at Theodore Wirth Regional Park starting May 29, The Loppet Foundation announced.

• The restaurant's Northeast Minneapolis neighbors, Broken Clock Brewing and Curioso Coffee, will provide the drinks.

💹 A bill banning most bets on prediction markets cleared the Minnesota Senate with broad bipartisan support. (Background via Axios)

• GOP leaders in the tied House have cast doubt on the legislation's prospects there, saying it missed the deadline to advance this session.

🛒 A new Aldi location could restore full-time grocery service to downtown St. Paul by June, City Council President Rebecca Noecker told Axios ahead of a ceremonial groundbreaking yesterday. (Background via Axios)

If it's possible for a three-time U.S. Olympian to have a "breakout season" playing professional hockey, Kelly Pannek is having one.

Why it matters: The Plymouth native's prolific offensive year is a big reason to believe the Minnesota Frost has the juice to three-peat as Walter Cup champions in the PWHL playoffs that begin tomorrow.

Driving the news: The Frost's offensive machine faces a best-of-five semifinal series against one of the PWHL's stingiest defenses, the Montréal Victoire.

Zoom in: Pannek became the first player in the PWHL's short history to eclipse the 30-point scoring mark — meaning she averaged a goal or an assist per game.

• Teammate Taylor Heise crossed the 30-point threshold shortly after Pannek, and Britta Curl-Salemme finished with 29.

The other side: If there's a goalie who can slow this powerhouse, it's Montréal's Ann-Renée Desbiens, whose .955 save percentage leads the league.

What's next: Puck drop for Game 1 is at 2pm on Fox 9+.

Some playoff bracket intrigue

Jaden McDaniels backed up every word of his big talk, leading the Ant-less Timberwolves to a Game 6 victory that eliminated the Denver Nuggets.

• McDaniels led the Wolves with 32 points.

What's next: A conference semifinals matchup against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.

Relive it

Quinn Hughes slayed the Minnesota Wild's first-round demons last night, propelling the team to its first playoff round victory in 11 years.

• He scored two goals, including an incredible bank shot off a Dallas defender to put the Wild up for good.

What's next: A best-of-seven series against the No. 1 seed Colorado Avalanche.

Highlights

Take a look at what the University of Minnesota's Voyageurs Wolf Project calls their "best trail camera capture yet": three (super photogenic!) cougar kittens.

• Cougars are considered extinct in Minnesota — but this video is the first evidence of them reproducing in the state in more than 100 years, according to the DNR.

Watch the video