KIMT

By Evan Berg 

EYOTA, Minn.- As part of a tour of 13 Minnesota counties to gauge the state of the agricultural industry, Sen. Amy Klobuchar stopped by PACLEAR Farm in Eyota on Wednesday, Sept. 24.

During her visit she spoke with the Pagel family that runs it about the impact foreign tariffs, falling corn and soybean prices, and high input costs were having on southeast Minnesota farms.

Jeff Pagel, the owner of the farm and a board member of the Minnesota Farm Bureau, showed her how his family used new technology to keep track of cattle locations and biometric data using smart technology and ear tags and expressed concerns for a growing need for rural childcare in southeast Minnesota.

"We certainly appreciate the senator taking the time to come and visit our farm. We take time to go visit their offices, so it's important for them to come and see our operations and how policies they put in place affect things out on the farm," Pagel said.

The Pagel family currently farms dairy, corn, alfalfa, soybeans and oats.

Ron Pagel, Jeff's father, says as some crops like corn and soybeans have seen a drop in price, other products like beef and pork have been on the rise this season, but for farmers that don't have a product to fall back on this year finding new markets to sell to is essential.

"We've got a lot of corn and a lot of soybeans in the world and everyone wants to find a home for them. It's a supply and demand type issue," Pagel said.

He says with a lot of uncertainty in the market right now, having a renewed farm bill heading into 2026 will be important.