Tuesday September 01 Ag News - Weekly Crop Progress Report - UNL ARD Announces Acting Assoc. Deans - NE Corn Board Internships - Edge Dairy Coop Adds Western Territory Mgr - Reaction to EAP RINS Reallocation - and more!

Nebraska Crop Progress: Soybean Near Seasonal Pace, Corn Maturity Lags

Nebraska corn and soybean continued advancing toward maturity last week, although corn maturity remains behind its typical late-August pace. Soybean development is tracking closer to average, while crop conditions remain generally favorable for both crops.

Meanwhile, soil moisture continued to decline across the state, and pasture and range conditions remain strained heading into September. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 19% very short, 30% short, 47% adequate and 4% surplus, while subsoil moisture rated 27% very short, 32% short, 40% adequate and 1% surplus. 

Producers had ample opportunity for fieldwork during the week ending Aug. 30, with 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork.

Field Crops Report:

Corn
    Dough: 92% — ahead of 87% last year and 91% for the five-year average.
    Dented: 63% — ahead of 58% last year but behind 65% for the five-year average.
    Mature: 4% — behind 12% last year and 14% for the five-year average.
    Condition: 6% very poor, 11% poor, 25% fair, 42% good, 16% excellent.

Soybean
    Setting Pods: 95% — ahead of 92% last year but behind 96% for the five-year average.
    Dropping Leaves: 11% — ahead of 4% last year but behind 12% for the five-year average.
    Condition: 3% very poor, 8% poor, 24% fair, 50% good, 15% excellent.

Sorghum
    Headed: 87% — behind 88% last year and 94% for the five-year average.
    Coloring: 43% — ahead of 41% last year but behind 51% for the five-year average.
    Mature: 3% — ahead of 2% last year and the five-year average.
    Condition: 5% very poor, 20% poor, 38% fair, 33% good, 4% excellent.

Oats
    Harvested: 95% — behind 97% last year and 99% for the five-year average.

Pasture and Range
    Condition: 33% very poor, 28% poor, 28% fair, 10% good, 1% excellent.

Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency, Nebraska Extension, and other reporters across the state. 



Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

There were 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Aug. 30, 2026. This is 0.2 days less than last year, when there were 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 24 percent short, 67 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 22 percent short, 67 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus. 

Ninety-four percent of Iowa’s corn crop has reached the dough stage, which is 3 percentage points ahead of last year. Sixty-eight percent of corn reached the dent stage, which is 8 percentage points ahead of last year. Six percent of corn has reached maturity, which is 2 percentage points behind last year. Corn condition rated 77 percent good to excellent. 

Soybeans setting pods reached 93 percent, which is 1 percentage point behind last year. One percent of soybeans are dropping leaves, which is 2 percentage points behind last year. Soybean condition rated 77 percent good to excellent. 

Ninety-eight percent of oats have been harvested, which is 1 percentage point behind last year. 

Pasture condition rated 65 percent good to excellent.



USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report

Corn good-to-excellent ratings held steady last week, while soybean ratings declined, according to USDA NASS's weekly Crop Progress report released Monday.

CORN
-- Crop development: Corn in the dough stage was estimated at 92%, 3 percentage points ahead of both last year and the five-year average of 89%. Corn dented was estimated at 62%, 6 percentage points ahead of both last year and the five-year average of 56%. Corn mature was pegged at 13%, 1 percentage point behind last year's 14% and steady with the five-year average.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 57% of the crop was in good-to-excellent condition, steady with the previous week and 12 percentage points below last year's 69%. Seventeen percent of the crop was rated very poor to poor, steady with the previous week and 8 percentage points above the previous year's 9%. 

SOYBEANS
-- Crop development: Soybeans setting pods were estimated at 95%, 2 percentage points ahead of both last year and the five-year average of 93%. Soybean dropping leaves were pegged at 13%, 3 percentage points ahead of last year's 10% and 4 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 9%.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 58% of soybeans were in good-to-excellent condition, 2 percentage points below the previous week's 60% and 7 percentage points below the previous year's 65%. 

SPRING WHEAT
-- Harvest progress: Spring wheat harvest moved ahead 15 percentage points last week to reach 77% complete as of Sunday. That was 8 percentage points ahead of last year's pace of 69% and 9 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 68%. 



ARD names three acting associate deans

The Agricultural Research Division at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has announced the appointment of three acting associate deans who will help guide the division in the months ahead.  

The new acting associate deans are:   
    Dr. Nicole Buan, Department of Biochemistry, who will lead efforts to advance innovation and growth in Nebraska's bioeconomy. 
    Dr. Amanda Ramer-Tait, Department of Food Science and Technology, who will focus on precision nutrition and rural health while expanding partnerships with UNMC and other strategic collaborators. 
    Dr. Brian Wardlow, School of Natural Resources, who will focus on spatial sciences and their integration with the bioeconomy, digital agriculture, natural resources, human health and prosperity, and artificial intelligence. 

Together, they will help advance key strategic priorities, leverage existing strengths, and strengthen collaboration across IANR, the University of Nebraska System, and external partners. In addition to advancing strategic initiatives, the Acting Associate Deans will support ARD's operational priorities. Each dean will serve in a 0.3 FTE capacity.  

“I’m thrilled to work alongside these three talented leaders as we continue advancing ARD’s work across IANR and throughout Nebraska,” said interim ARD Dean Tala Awada. “Each brings distinctive strengths, deep expertise and a strong commitment to our land-grant mission. I’m grateful for their willingness to serve in these roles and help guide ARD’s next chapter.” 



Nebraska Corn Board Now Accepting 2027 Internship Applications

Six paid internship opportunities are now open for application through the Nebraska Corn Board (NCB), placing students in Lincoln, St. Louis, Washington, D.C. and Denver starting in May 2027. Each position pairs a student directly with NCB or one of its cooperator partner organizations for hands-on, real-world work across the corn and red meat industry.

Four internships run for the summer with partner organizations based outside Nebraska. The remaining two are yearlong positions hosted directly by Nebraska Corn in Lincoln.

2027-2028 Internship Opportunities:

Communications and Event Management Internship
Host: Nebraska Corn
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Duration: Summer 2027 and/or 2027-2028 School Year

Research and Demand Internship
Host: Nebraska Corn Board
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Duration: Summer 2027 and/or 2027-2028 School Year
 
Communications Internship
Host: National Corn Growers Association
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Duration: Summer 2027

Public Policy and Analysis Internship
Host: National Corn Growers Association
Location: Washington, D.C.
Duration: Summer 2027

Event Management Internship
Host: U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council
Location: Washington, D.C.
Duration: Summer 2027

Promotion and International Relations Internship
Host: U.S. Meat Export Federation
Location: Denver, Colorado
Duration: Summer 2027

“These internships give students real experience across the corn industry, from communications and policy to trade and international relations. Every year we see interns come in eager to learn and leave with a genuine understanding of what this industry does for Nebraska,” said Andy Groskopf, chairman of NCB. “We're glad to keep offering these opportunities, and we look forward to meeting the next group of successful interns.”

Internships are open to all college students, with preference given to those enrolled in Nebraska colleges or universities. Apply online at nebraskacorn.gov/internships by Friday, October 9, 2026.



Wheeler joins Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative as Territory Manager – West

Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, one of the largest dairy cooperatives in the country based on milk volume, today announced the appointment of Lynne Wheeler to the newly defined role of Territory Manager – West.

In this role, Wheeler will work directly with members to provide support and services needed to meet policy, regulation and sustainability challenges in South and North Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa. She will support the development and execution of territory-specific strategies that expand organizational reach, increase member engagement, develop state and regional policy and regulatory priorities and advance the mission of the Voice of Milk organizations.

“As our western territory continues to grow, we’re expanding our team in order to enhance the level of services we provide to our members,” Tim Trotter, Edge CEO, said. “Lynne brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership expertise in the dairy industry. We’re confident that she’ll be a valuable asset to the team, and we look forward to what is ahead.”

Wheeler has over 14 years of leadership experience in dairy operations, genetics and dairy advocacy. She has been a managing partner on her family’s farm, Coldstream Farm in Deming, Wash., since 2011 and currently resides in South Dakota.

“I am committed to advancing the dairy industry through engaging with farmers and advocacy efforts, which starts with building strong relationships and understanding their needs,” Wheeler said. “I look forward to supporting our members and ensuring they have the services needed to tackle the challenges they’re facing today.”



ISA Responds to EPA Refinery Waivers and RIN Reallocation

Iowa Soybean Association President Tom Adam offers the following statement on Monday’s announcement regarding Small Refinery Exemptions and supplemental rulemaking to reallocate record Renewable Identification Numbers.

“The Iowa Soybean Association welcomes EPA’s notice of supplemental rulemaking and their proposal to reallocate all Renewable Identification Numbers associated with newly expanded small refinery exemptions. Complete reallocation of all lost RINs from these newly exempt volumes is the only acceptable solution. Let us be clear, these new waivers will not lower gas prices, and any deviation from EPA’s proposal to completely reallocate is destruction of domestic markets critical to the bottom line of Iowa soybean farmers.

“Protecting domestic demand for soybeans is essential to Iowa farmers and the future of our industry. We appreciate the USDA and Iowa's congressional delegation for their steadfast advocacy on behalf of farmers. EPA must now immediately get to work to ensure their proposal to reallocate 100% of lost volumes is realized.

“ISA joins the American Soybean Association in urging EPA to move forward with supplemental rulemaking and ensure any additional small refinery exemptions for 2025–2027 are fully accounted for in renewable fuel obligations. Any attempt to delay reallocation until 2028 or reallocate less than 100 percent of the lost volumes can only be viewed as a broken promise to farmers. Maintaining a strong Renewable Fuel Standard is critical to protecting domestic markets Iowa farmers depend upon.

“Today’s action by the administration makes it even more urgent that the Senate pass the farm bill, including the E15 provision. Doing so will eliminate future administrations’ ability to use this small refinery mechanism to pull the rug out from underneath farmers and the biofuel industry.”

Biomass-based diesel represents a critical market for Iowa-grown soybeans, supporting soybean prices, farm income and economic vitality in our rural communities. Iowa is the nation’s leading producer of biodiesel and soybean oil. Iowa processes approximately 85% of our soybean crop locally into meal and oil, with most of the soybean oil used in the production of biomass-based diesel.



Secretary Naig Issues Statement on EPA’s RFS Small Refinery Exemption Announcement

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig Monday issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) small refinery exemptions and 2026 and 2027 obligations:

“The use of more biofuels strengthens markets for farmers, bolsters American energy security and, at a time when affordability is top of mind, unquestionably helps to save drivers money. EPA’s decision to grant this level of small refinery exemptions today is unfortunate, and unjustified. However, I am encouraged that the proposed reallocation of the waived gallons into the 2026 and 2027 renewable fuel obligations can help minimize the impact. EPA must now follow through on its commitment for full reallocation – and do so quickly – to uphold the integrity of the RFS.”



IRFA Urges EPA to Account for Any Changes to 2026-2027 Refinery Exemptions

Monday the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted 29 refinery exemptions (SREs) to Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) blending levels for the 2025 compliance year. The total number of RFS compliance credits, known as RINs, swelled to 1.76 billion, compared to an earlier projection of 990 million. The EPA further stated that by the end of October, the agency will propose to reallocate 100 percent of the difference between projected and actual exempted volumes for 2025 SREs into the 2026 and 2027 RFS blending requirements.

“Every day that passes while these new refinery exemptions are final but the reallocation is hypothetical leaves renewable fuels producers and farmers in the lurch,” said Monte Shaw, Executive Director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. “The EPA must act expeditiously to propose and finalize a rule that reallocates 100 percent of the new refinery exemptions. Nearly a billion gallons of renewable fuels demand hangs in the balance.”

President Trump garnered much praise from the agriculture community in March by finalizing the most robust RFS blending levels in history for 2026 and 2027, called the Set 2 rule.

“Since President Trump put the RFS back on track in March, it has been doing exactly what it was supposed to – driving demand for biofuels,” stated Shaw. “In Iowa, we had biodiesel plants that were shuttered or running at very reduced rates. Today they are producing at full capacity, buying soybean oil from our farmers, and hiring back workers that had been let go. It is almost unimaginable to pull the rug out from under this success story by granting what we believe are unjustifiable refinery exemptions. Exemptions should be extremely rare and only granted when a refiner experiences economic hardship due to the RFS. That’s just not happening. While we are disappointed by the exemptions, a swift and full reallocation can preserve every gallon of renewable fuels demand under the RFS.”

The March RFS rule also prospectively reallocated projected refinery exemptions for 2026-2027, similar to the 2025 projections. While EPA has not announced its intentions, if the agency granted similar refinery exemptions in 2026 and 2027 as it did in 2025, an additional 1.6 billion gallons of renewable fuels demand would be in jeopardy.

“The EPA should also make clear the agency will take steps to protect the historic RFS blending levels finalized in March,” stated Shaw. “Reallocating the new 2025 exemptions is important, but so is preventing any backsliding on 2026-2027 blending levels. The market needs certainty. The record-breaking RFS levels don’t mean a thing if they are undermined through unjustified refinery exemptions. IRFA members urge EPA to commit to full reallocation of any 2026-2027 refinery exemptions in excess of the projections formalized in the Set 2 rule.”

Shaw concluded: “We want to thank the Iowa delegation and all the renewable fuel champions for speaking up loudly when exemption rumors first surfaced. While we may disagree with the exemptions, our united voices ensured that 100 percent reallocation was part of the decision. Now we’ll stand united to ensure 100 percent reallocation is expeditiously implemented.”



NCGA Responds to EPA Decision on Biofuel Credits 

The Environmental Protection Agency Monday issued Small Refinery Exemptions equating to almost 1.8 billion credits known as Renewable Identification Numbers, or RINs, to small petroleum refineries. Today’s decision exempts a swath of refineries from blending renewable fuels as required by the Renewable Fuels Standard. EPA will propose to reallocate 100% of the difference between projected and actual exempted volumes for 2025 SREs into the 2026 and 2027 Renewable Volume Obligations before the end of October.
 
In response, National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Jed Bower released the following statement: 
 
"While we are disheartened by the high number of SREs that are being granted to exempt small refineries from meeting federal blending requirements, we are thankful that the Trump administration is taking action to offset this development by pledging to reallocate these RINs. Reallocation is essential for protecting farmers, biofuel producers and consumers alike.”  

“We need vibrant markets for our products, particularly when it comes to corn ethanol, and the nation's drivers need affordable fuel. Biofuels are a homegrown solution for increasing our country’s energy supply and reducing fuel costs. Recent history has shown that issuing SREs at this volume does nothing to reduce the price of gas.  
 
“We are appreciative of the White House and our advocates on Capitol Hill for hearing our concerns and acting. We will work closely with EPA and administration officials to ensure our growers' interests are protected as these specific announcements are implemented and as other decisions affecting the biofuels market are being made." 



ASA Statement on Small Refinery Exemptions & RIN Reallocation

The American Soybean Association Monday responded to the administration’s actions on 2025 small refinery exemption (SRE) petitions, which remove approximately 1.8 billion Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) from Renewable Fuel Standard compliance for small refiners but propose to reallocate 100% of those RINs to larger refiners in the current 2026-2027 period, thereby assuring no loss in biofuel demand. Without 100% reallocation in the current period covered by EPA’s Set 2 Rule, ASA had estimated that biomass-based diesel demand would drop by 500 million gallons and soybean farmers would suffer almost a $1 billion loss in revenue.

ASA appreciates the intervention of President Trump, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and members of Congress, who highlighted the threat of SRE actions to biofuel feedstock producers and identified solutions to protect domestic soybean markets ahead of harvest. ASA also thanks the EPA for outlining the timeline to move forward with supplemental rulemaking before the end of October to hold soybean farmers and biofuel demand harmless by ensuring additional impacted volumes are 100% reallocated back into the historic renewable volume obligations finalized by the Trump administration in April.

“Soybean farmers greatly appreciate President Trump, Senator Grassley along with other biofuel champions in Congress, and USDA officials for sounding the alarm and working around the clock to ensure that soybean farmers and producers of homegrown biofuels are not negatively impacted by today’s SRE announcement,” said Dave Walton, ASA vice president and Iowa soybean farmer. “We appreciate the administration’s commitment to reallocating 100% of these additional exemptions and their intention to enter into supplemental rulemaking soon, but timing is critical. Any delay in reallocation risks undermining the domestic market demand that soybean farmers urgently need as we enter harvest season. EPA must move quickly to fully reallocate these RINs and ensure soybean farmers are held harmless.”

ASA also urges EPA to include 100% reallocation of updated expected SRE levels for 2026 and 2027. EPA proactively accounted for expected exemptions in setting those volumes, but SRE levels are now expected to be higher if new assessment methodology does not change. Addressing updated 2025–2027 SRE levels together would protect the integrity of the RFS and avoid the need for annual supplemental rulemakings.



NFU Statement on Small Refinery Exemptions

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew Monday shared the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency's announcement on 2025 Renewable Fuel Standard Small Refinery Exemptions: 

"We appreciate the administration's decision to fully reallocate the renewable identification numbers affected by these exemptions, protecting a stable market for family farmers. Farmers spoke out about the harm they'd face without full reallocation, and we appreciate EPA listening to those concerns. The uncertainty around potential changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard has not been helpful at a time when farm country needs predictability. We're glad to see the integrity of the program upheld and continued demand for what our farmers grow." 



Farm Rescue Encourages Referrals for Farm Families in Need of Harvest Assistance

As harvest begins across the country, Farm Rescue is reminding rural communities that help is available for farm families facing an unexpected crisis. When illness, injury or natural disaster strikes, the work on the farm doesn’t stop. Crops still need to come out of the field, and for a family already navigating a difficult season, harvest can quickly become an overwhelming challenge.

Farm Rescue provides free harvest assistance to farm families in crisis, bringing together equipment, volunteers and support to help families get their crops safely out of the field. This harvest season, Farm Rescue is asking farmers, neighbors, agricultural professionals, healthcare providers, community organizations, friends and family members to help identify those who may need assistance.

If you know a farm family facing a crisis this harvest season, refer them to Farm Rescue. Families can also apply directly for assistance at Farmrescue.org/need-help. Farm Rescue harvest assistance is available in: Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Montana, and Kentucky.

“Farm families are strong and resilient, but when an unexpected injury, illness or natural disaster occurs, it can be a challenge to navigate on top of the needs of the farm,” said Shari Rogge-Fidler, Executive Director of Farm Rescue. “In rural communities, neighbors have always looked out for one another, but during harvest, those same neighbors are often working long days to bring in their own crops. That’s where Farm Rescue can step in. We’re here to help carry the load so families facing a crisis can focus on what matters most: their family and recovery.”



Rollins Announces Ranchers First Initiatives to Rebuild the Great American Beef Herd

Monday, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the Ranchers First Initiative, a sweeping package of actions to continue rebuilding the Great American Beef Herd and put America’s ranchers back at the center of our nation’s food supply. Building on USDA’s October 2025 Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry, the Trump Administration is delivering again. 

American ranchers embody the independent spirit that drove the founding of America, 250 years ago. For more than two centuries, their independence, resiliency, and committed stewardship have provided American consumers with the safest and highest-quality beef and lamb in the world, and they remain foundational to America’s national security and to the strength and vitality of rural communities. Yet today the nation’s cattle herd sits at a 75-year low, with ranchers forced out of business by burdensome regulations and an outright war on beef waged at the altar of Green New Deal climate extremism. 

“Until President Trump took office, America’s ranchers were treated as a problem with policy geared toward their eventual extinction. The consequences were devastating: a war on beef, a cattle herd at a 75-year low, and the loss of tens of thousands of family operations,” said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “President Trump promised to put the American ranchers first, and the Ranchers First Initiative delivers on that promise. We are investing real dollars to rebuild the Great American Beef Herd, giving producers the risk management tools they need, cutting the red tape that has squeezed small and independent operators, and demanding transparency in a marketplace that has been consolidated and foreign-owned for far too long. President Trump will make certain the men and women who raise our cattle can hand their operations to the next generation, and that American families can put safe, high-quality, American-raised beef on the table.” 

Ranchers First Initiative Actions

New Tools to Support Heifer Retention
USDA is going to secure tomorrow's herd through the new Beef Retention and National Development (BRAND) endorsement for Livestock Risk Protection (LRP). The BRAND endorsement will allow producers to insure the economic value of retaining a heifer for breeding over a two-year period. The endorsement would establish a protected value based on the expected slaughter value of the heifer at the time of enrollment. If, at any time during the endorsement period, the heifer’s projected or realized slaughter value exceeds the economic value of retaining her as breeding stock, the policy would provide for the difference.    

ECP and Grassland CRP Maximization
USDA will allow producers to use the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) on Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres to speed recovery after wildfires and other natural disasters.  This flexibility is a direct investment in rebuilding the Great American Beef Herd by providing ranchers the ability to rebuild critical infrastructure quickly and minimize long-term losses from disaster events. 

Continuing to Revitalize American Local Processing
Following up on the successful Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers (SPUR) program to support small and regional beef slaughter facilities, USDA is creating a SPUR Guaranteed Loan Program to help support regional processing, including establishing processor co-ops, expanding small business footprints, and increasing the variety of animal proteins being processed.  

USDA will also establish a Regional Processor Continuity Effort designed to strengthen regional processing capacity and improve business resilience across the agricultural supply chain. With recent processing closure announcements, nearly 20% of beef processing capacity will be available as the herd grows. This is a tremendous opportunity to shift this capacity toward American-owned independent small, mid-size, and new co-ops and keep our critical meat supply out of the hands of foreign control. 

Prioritizing American Beef in Federal Spending
USDA will prioritize federal procurement of locally processed American beef by encouraging purchasing across federal and state institutions—including prisons, hospitals, and related facilities. By strengthening locally processed domestic sourcing requirements, USDA aims to bolster demand for American‑raised beef, support U.S. ranchers, and reinforce integrity and transparency within federal food purchasing programs. This builds on last week's Harvest to Hallways announcement advancing healthy food for schools, and will allow USDA to work with not just Health and Human Services, but also the Department of Justice, Veterans Affairs, and the Department of War in what food they purchase.  

Supporting New Farmers and Ranchers
Under the Working Families Tax Cuts, USDA was able to expand support for beginning farmers and ranchers for the first decade of operations and increase premium assistance during that entire time frame. New ranchers can also access specialized Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans to buy land, livestock, and equipment, receive free conservation and grazing management support through NRCS, gain risk management protection through livestock insurance programs, and connect with state coordinators.   

To help build on these programs, USDA will be establishing an initiative focused on Beginning and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Affairs. USDA will also be working with the Department of War and the Department of Veterans Affairs, to leverage programs like Department of War’s (DOW) SkillBridge program, to recruit servicemembers departing military service into ranching and farming careers. 

Monday August 31 Ag News - Wisner Farmer/Feeder Appointed to NE Brand Committee - NeExt Rainfall, Soil Moisture Decision Tool - New Grain Marketing Series Launches Sept 1 - Sasse to Keynote Gov's Summit - US Dairy Responds to Protein Demand - and more!

Pillen Appoints New Members to Nebraska Brand Committee

Governor Jim Pillen has appointed new members to Nebraska’s Brand Committee in compliance with this year’s passage of LB 1187. Central to the new law is the formation of a new committee consisting of seven representatives. Previously, the Brand Committee had five members.

Among the appointments announced Friday was one representative from northeast Nebraska. Representing District 5 will be Jordan Feller from Wisner in Cuming County.  Feller will represent district 5, which includes 43 counties in eastern Nebraska in the non-inspection area.  In general, district 1 covers the panhandle to Cherry County, district 2 is southwest Nebraska, district 3 is north-central Nebraska, and district 4 is south-central Nebraska. 

The group now includes five cattle producers, plus the owner or operator of a feedlot and the owner of a livestock auction market. The secretary of state as well as the director of agriculture serve as ex-officio members.
  
Governor’s appointments and initial terms:
District 1 - Ben Holliday, 2-year term
District 2 - Jed Connealy,  3-year term
District 3 - Kraig Freeman,  4-year term 
District 4 - Dr. Kip Lukasiewicz, 4-year term 
District 5 - Jordan Feller, 2-year term
Registered Feedlot Owner - Larry (Doug) Sheppard, 3-year term
Livestock Auction Owner - Todd Eberle, 4-year term

The new membership requirements and the Governor’s appointments are effective as of today. The term of appointment for new Brand Committee members will be staggered starting out. Following those initial appointments, members will each serve a four-year term.  Any appointments to the committee are subject to legislative confirmation.

The purpose of the Brand Committee is to protect Nebraska brand and livestock owners from the theft of livestock through established brand recording, brand inspection and livestock theft investigation.



New Nebraska Extension Resource Brings Rainfall, Soil Moisture Data Together for Farm Decisions

How much rain fell on a field — and how much moisture remains in the soil — can influence some of the most important management decisions producers make during the growing season.

Making those decisions requires timely information about field conditions, including soil water content and fertility. When soil water is limited, for example, producers may need to consider irrigation where it is available. Estimating soil water content requires information about recent rainfall and how much water a crop, such as corn or soybean, is using at its current growth stage.

To assist this decision-making process, Nebraska Extension Agricultural Climatologist Steve Hu and Nebraska Extension Irrigated Cropping Systems Extension Educator Steve Melvin have developed a new web resource for producers: Weather and Climate Information for Agricultural Decision-Making (AgWeather.unl.edu). The site provides accumulated precipitation (rainfall and snow) estimates for the previous 24, 48 and 72 hours at a resolution — or level of geographic detail — of 4 kilometers (2.48 miles). While the 4-kilometer resolution is less detailed than the ideal resolution of less than a mile, it provides producers with information they can use to estimate recent rainfall on their crops. Some historical rainfall maps of previous years are also available. In addition, the site provides examples of how to estimate rainfall totals at any location across Nebraska. 

Alongside rainfall, the site has a page displaying calculated soil moisture for the previous day and previous month. The calculated soil moisture represents the amount of water in the crop rooting zone, expressed in millimeters, either for the previous day or as an average for the previous month. The maps also show how current soil moisture compares with the recent 30-year average (1991–2020), helping producers identify areas that are wetter or drier than normal.

One limitation of the soil map is its lower resolution; it describes the average soil moisture over about 30 mile distance. Understandably, soil moisture can vary substantially over short distances due to rainfall variability, topography, soil type and crop or vegetation cover. Nonetheless, the calculated soil moisture provides an indication of background soil water conditions which can be used to estimate the soil moisture at specific farm locations. This background soil moisture conditions can guide decisions for dryland crops and pasture/rangeland.

In addition, the site provides the net gain or loss of soil water at locations over the past week or month. There will be a net loss of soil water if surface evaporation (E) is greater than the rainfall received (P) over a period. The value is calculated by subtracting precipitation from surface evaporation, resulting in a positive number during a drying period (more soil water is lost, shown in yellow-orange on the map). When E is less than P (a negative number in the map), more rainwater is added to the soil than is lost through evaporation, so soil moisture content increases (highlighted in green on the map).

Combined with current soil moisture information, these data can help producers understand whether soil water conditions are improving or declining — an essential element in making management decisions throughout the growing season. 

Unlike many online weather data sources, this resource is supported by Nebraska Extension faculty who can help producers interpret the information and apply it to various landscapes and cropping systems. The site will continue to be updated and improved based on producer needs, with the goal of helping users build confidence in applying weather and climate information to management decisions on their operations. Producers are encouraged to use the contact information below to suggest additional features or information that would make the site more useful to them.



New Grain Marketing Webinar Series Launches September 1

A new live webinar series from the Center for Agricultural Profitability and the Nebraska's Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) program aims to help Nebraska producers stay on top of grain markets. 

"Marketing Tips for Corn and Soybeans" is planned to every other week at noon Central time in September and October 2026. Each edition will offer updates on where prices stand and what's driving them, along with marketing tips and strategies to help producers make the most of their plans.

Each session will include a market update on corn and soybeans, then dig into a different marketing topic, from reading balance sheets and stocks-to-use to chart analysis, crop progress data, or basis and cash sale timing. The rotating format aims to help producers build a more complete toolkit for making marketing decisions over the course of the season.

Jeff Peterson, assistant professor of practice in agricultural economics at Nebraska, leads each session.

Schedule and Registration
Subject to change
Registration is only required once. When that's submitted, you will be registered for each webinar in this series and receive reminder emails prior to each session.
    Tuesday, Sept. 1, noon CT 
    Thursday, Sept. 17, noon CT
    Tuesday, Sept. 29, noon CT
    Tuesday, Oct. 13, noon CT
    Tuesday, Oct. 27, noon CT

Register for the Free Marketing Tips Webinar Series - https://unl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tsDIUGCrQheLtLyrGwZJVA

Grain marketing resources developed for the TAPS program, but relevant for all producers, are available at https://cap.unl.edu/tapsmarketing.



Nebraska Farm Bureau Joins Agricultural Advisory Group

Nebraska Farm Bureau has accepted an invitation to join a newly formed agricultural advisory group convened by The Nature Conservancy in Nebraska. The group brings together representatives from agriculture and conservation to help inform the organization's work across the state.

According to The Nature Conservancy, the advisory group is intended to ensure the organization's agricultural initiatives are well-informed by the people actually farming and ranching the land, to identify opportunities for applied research, and to build partnerships that can expand the reach of conservation and stewardship programs for producers.

For Nebraska agriculture, having a seat at this table means Farm Bureau members' perspectives are represented as conservation-focused programs and research priorities take shape, rather than being developed without agricultural input. This includes areas such as soil health, water stewardship, and emerging land-use topics affecting Nebraska farms and ranches.

Nebraska Farm Bureau has not taken a position on any specific initiative through this group. Participation reflects the organization's ongoing effort to stay engaged wherever decisions affecting Nebraska producers are being made. Members can expect updates as the group's work develops.



Senator Ben Sasse to Keynote Governor’s Summit in September

Governor Jim Pillen announced that Ben Sasse, who served Nebraska as a U.S. senator from 2015-2023, will headline the 2026 Governor’s Summit on September 29, 2026 in Kearney.

“Ben Sasse is a model of courage in the face of adversity,” said Gov. Pillen. "He has served our state admirably, and he has inspired millions of people through his faith and grit. I’m incredibly grateful for his willingness to keynote this year’s Summit.”

“I love Nebraska—this incredible state and these big-hearted neighbors mean the world to me and my family,” said Ben Sasse. “I’m grateful for Governor Pillen’s invitation and eager to spend some time with the next generation of Nebraska leaders.”

A Nebraska native, Senator Sasse is a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), where his work focuses on higher education, innovation, technology, American history and culture, and national security. Before joining AEI, he was the president of the University of Florida, a U.S. senator, the president of Midland University, an assistant professor at the University of Texas at Austin, and an assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He also spent more than a decade advising corporate leadership teams on strategic issues.

Sen. Sasse is the author of national bestselling books Them: Why We Hate Each Other—and How to Heal (2018) and The Vanishing American Adult: Our Coming-of-Age Crisis—and How to Rebuild a Culture of Self-Reliance (2017). He holds a PhD and two master’s degrees from Yale University; a master’s degree from St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland; and a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University.

The 2026 Governor’s Summit officially kicks off on Monday afternoon, Sept. 28, with a statewide 6 Regions, One Nebraska update. On Monday evening, the Nebraska Diplomats will host a reception and awards banquet.

Tuesday, Sept. 29, is the primary day of the Governor’s Summit. It features remarks from Gov. Pillen, a morning keynote from Ben Sasse, a full slate of breakout sessions, and the second annual Governor’s Youth Summit.

To register for the Diplomats Banquet and Governor’s Summit, visit govsummit.nebraska.gov. Students may sign up for the Youth Summit at govsummit.nebraska.gov/youth.



NCBA Opposes Any Effort that Weakens Food Safety

National Cattlemen's Beef Association strongly supports increasing competition in the cattle markets and creating more opportunities for small and regional beef processors. We also support eliminating unnecessary regulations that make it harder for those businesses to compete. However, weakening federal meat inspection and food safety standards, as President Trump has suggested, is not the answer.

For generations, cattle producers have invested in building consumer confidence in American beef and creating the gold standard of food safety systems. Putting that trust at risk in pursuit of a short-term political solution would be a serious mistake. Beef sold to American consumers should continue to meet rigorous, science-based food safety and inspection standards, regardless of the size of the processor.

In just the past week, cattle producers have faced government intervention aimed at increasing foreign beef imports at prices below current levels. Now we are faced with another proposal aimed at changing how beef is processed. Constant government interference creates uncertainty for producers making long-term decisions about their businesses and the future of the cattle herd.

If the Administration wants to help cattle producers, it should focus on reducing legitimate regulatory burdens, lowering fuel and fertilizer prices, protecting the U.S. cattle herd from foreign animal disease, and expanding opportunities for mid-size and regional cattle processors.

America’s farmers and ranchers know how to produce safe, high-quality beef. American consumers trust the beef we produce. Washington needs to stop trying to manage the cattle business and let the market work. 



U.S. dairy industry accelerates push to boost milk protein levels 

The U.S. dairy industry is accelerating efforts to increase protein levels in the nation’s milk supply to align with global demand trends and keep pace with key export market competitors. While butterfat levels in U.S. milk have risen sharply over the last decade, gains in protein content have been comparatively modest. However, that dynamic is beginning to change as milk component pricing formulas and other incentives have shifted the economic premium from butterfat to protein.

A new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange shows U.S. milk protein production began outpacing butterfat last August, when protein values surpassed butterfat for the first time in recent years. The report notes that a more balanced composition of butterfat and protein will help keep the U.S. competitive with the world’s other leading dairy exporters in addition to supporting domestic cheesemakers.

“In the U.S., butterfat gains have doubled protein growth over the past decade, driven largely by demand to fill underserved domestic butterfat markets,” said Corey Geiger, lead dairy economist with CoBank. “The dairy industry has successfully met that challenge, and U.S. butter exports are now historically high. At the same time, higher butterfat yields in milk have led to some significant challenges for cheddar and American-style cheesemakers, who rely on a more balanced ratio of butterfat and protein for optimal cheese quality and production yields.” 

Despite recent progress in growing protein content in milk and restoring the ratio preferred by cheesemakers, the U.S. still trails its key export market competitors in overall milk protein levels. The European Union, New Zealand and the U.S. account for two-thirds of global dairy exports, and both the EU and New Zealand have increased protein at a faster pace than butterfat — more closely matching global trends in dairy product and ingredient demand.

Although cheesemaking formulas vary by variety, a protein-to-fat ratio above 0.80 is generally preferred for cheese production. While some cheese types always require added milk protein solids, those additions have become standard for nearly all U.S. cheesemakers as the protein-to-fat ratio tumbled from 0.83 to 0.77 over the past decade.

In contrast, New Zealand and the EU have maintained far more stable ratios. While New Zealand’s ratio has varied slightly, it began and ended the period from 2015 to 2025 at 0.77, and the EU protein-to-fat ratio has held steady between 0.83 and 0.84 over the same period.

For U.S. dairy farmers and processors, butterfat and protein are the most economically important milk components. The solids underpin production of the most widely traded dairy products and ingredients — including cheese, butter, whey and milk powders — and drive farm income, processor yields, domestic sales and global trade.

Protein production is rising, but still catching up
Global demand for protein continues to grow, but increasing protein levels in U.S. milk has proven more challenging than increasing butterfat. Protein gains rely almost entirely on animal genetics, making progress slower. Even so, U.S. dairy farmers have made meaningful strides.

While the U.S. still has a lower protein content than New Zealand and the EU, its growth trajectory has been faster. From 2015 to 2025, American dairy farmers improved protein production by 7.4%, with two-thirds of those gains taking place in the last five years. By comparison, New Zealand and the EU saw slower growth — 2.1% in the first half of the decade and 1.7% and 1.5%, respectively, in the second half.

Abbi Groves, agricultural commodities economist with CoBank, said the renewed emphasis on protein content through pricing formulas and dairy breed association initiatives supports continued momentum, but progress will take time.

“Fully restoring the protein-to-fat ratio of 0.83 from a decade ago will require years of sustained higher protein growth. And until protein production gains catch up to butterfat, the U.S. will need to find more domestic and international outlets for its growing butterfat supply.” 

Friday August 28 Ag News - Gillespie Soil Health Fund Invests in Soil Health Leaders - IRS Relief for Fire, Storm Impacted Residents, Businesses - Rollins to Attend Farm Progress - ISU CALS Dean Search - and more!

Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund invests in Nebraska’s next generation of soil health leaders

The Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund (DGSHF) continues to strengthen Nebraska agriculture through investments in youth engagement, farmer innovation and hands-on soil health education.

Over the past year, the fund has supported projects advancing regenerative agriculture, water infiltration, soil biology, biodiversity and agricultural education—helping producers, students and communities explore practical solutions that improve soil resilience, water quality and long-term farm sustainability.

Among the fund’s recent investments was support for the Grain Place Foundation. Jay Goertzen, Grain Place Foundation director of Outreach and Education stated “I want to extend sincere gratitude for awarding us the Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund Grant. As the head of Outreach and Education here at Grain Place Foundation my goal is to reach interested and curious people. Specifically, those who are interested in farming or growing food in a healthier way that may look different than mainstream agriculture. I have had the opportunity to speak with a bunch of farmers over the past months and a handful of them have become deeper connections as they have begun their journeys of changing mindset and practices towards healthier more sustainable farming practices.

We have also made connections with a few college professors and have had the opportunity to share in a few college level classes about what regenerative organic farming looks like.”

“Grain Place also host high school field trips and a Jr. High age group at the farm to share more hands-on experience about what an organic/regenerative farm looks like. In conjunction with that I have the goal to go host some more on farm trips as well as get into a few high school classrooms this fall and talk a bit more in-depth with FFA and Ag students about what we are doing out here at The Grain Place with regenerative organic farming. But also, more broadly to simply share about the interconnectedness of human health, soil health and global health that how we treat our ecosystem does matter and it affects us all. Whether we directly farm or simply eat the produce/grain/meat that is farmed by others we are all affected by the health of the soils where our food is raised.”

The DGSHF is excited to enable great organizations like Grain Place to expand their outreach efforts. Thanks to the generosity of individual and corporate donors—including WK Kellogg Co and Cargill—the Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund will increase its maximum grant award to $2,500 for the next two grant cycles, with application deadlines of October 1, 2026, and March 1, 2027. This support enables DGSHF to continue investing in the next generation of soil health leaders while advancing practical, producer-focused solutions that strengthen Nebraska agriculture, communities, and natural resources. We look forward to receiving more on-farm, high school and/or college and other soil health organizations grant applications prior to the Oct 1, 2026 deadline.

For more information about the Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund or to support its mission, visit www.nebcommfound.org/give/dan-gillespie-soil-health-fund. 



Pillen Announces IRS Tax Relief for Fire and Storm Impacted Residents/Businesses

Governor Jim Pillen has announced the approved postponement of tax filings and payments for individuals and businesses in parts of Nebraska that were impacted by wildfires and storms beginning on March 12, 2026. The issuance of tax relief by the IRS applies to five separate state disaster declarations. As a result, affected individuals and businesses now have until Feb. 1, 2027 to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during that time.

Gov. Pillen requested tax relief from the IRS under newly passed federal legislation that allows the IRS to grant tax relief based on a governor’s declared disaster or state emergency, rather than waiting for a federal disaster declaration, which can take longer for review and approval. Under the legislation, a qualified state-declared disaster is any natural catastrophe, fire, flood, or explosion that causes damage of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant a request to postpone such federal tax deadlines. This is the first time Nebraska has made and received tax relief from the IRS under the new law.

“When a disaster strikes, surviving the immediate aftermath takes priority. Undoubtedly, this year has weighed heavily on those who experienced losses and or damage resulting from the fires and storms that happened just months ago,” said Gov. Pillen. “This determination from the IRS will hopefully provide a little respite to Nebraskans in those counties who were affected, by allowing them the time to meet their tax obligations without incurring additional penalties.”

The five state-declared disasters and current list of counties include:
March Wildfire Declaration: Morrill, Garden, Arthur, Keith, Grant, Lincoln, Dawson, Frontier, Saunders, Red Willow
Pressey Wildfire: Custer
May Severe Storms: Buffalo, Fillmore, Gage, Howard, Jefferson, Nemaha, Richardson, Thayer, Thurston
May Wildfires: Dawes
June Wildfires: Sioux

Should additional counties be added to the declared disasters above, residents and businesses in those counties will also be eligible to postpone filings and payments until Feb. 1. Additionally, if a resident or business receives a late filing or late payment penalty notice that falls withing the defined postponement period, the taxpayer should call the number on the notice to have the IRS abate the penalty.

The IRS has published additional information pertaining to each of the five declared disasters on its website: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/around-the-nation-nebraska.



Rollins to Attend Farm Progress Show 

The Farm Progress Show is pleased to announce that U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins will attend the 2026 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

Secretary Rollins will address farmers and agricultural professionals at 10:30 a.m. in the Hospitality Tent, Lot #625. Her remarks will be open to all Farm Progress Show attendees. Following her speech, Secretary Rollins will participate in a tour of the show grounds.

"We are honored to welcome Secretary Rollins to the Farm Progress Show," said Matt Jungmann, senior national events director at Farm Progress. "This event has always been the premier location to connect ag producers to the knowledge and policies impacting their operations, and Secretary Rollins' visit underscores the vital role this show plays in advancing American agriculture."

The Farm Progress Show, taking place September 1-3, 2026, in Boone, Iowa, is the nation's largest outdoor agricultural tradeshow, featuring hundreds of exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge farming innovations, equipment, and technology.

General admission tickets are available at a discounted rate of $15 plus fees through Aug. 28, after which full-price admission ($30 plus fees) will apply.




CALS dean search launches with selection of committee, timeline

Iowa State has launched the search for the next endowed dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and director of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station.

"Leadership of Iowa State agriculture and life sciences programs is one of the most critical roles at Iowa State and also helps to ensure the vitality of Iowa’s agriculture economy," senior vice president and provost Jason Keith said. "We’re looking for a transformative leader who will grow the college, extend the pipeline of graduates and scholarship to Iowa communities, and be a trusted partner to commodity groups and industry."

Committee members reflect CALS broad scope and impact. Raj Agnihotri, Raisbeck Endowed Dean of the Ivy College of Business, and Surya Mallapragada, associate vice president for research, will co-chair the search. Joining them on the search committee are:

    Emily Anderson, student services specialist
    Amy Burgin, professor and chair of ecology, evolution, and organismal biology
    Michael Castellano, professor of agronomy
    Brian Feldpausch, vice president, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation
    Dean Frazer, president, Iowa Pork Producers Association
    Adam Janke, associate professor of natural resource ecology and management
    Kendall Lamkey, associate dean for facilities and operations
    Kirk Leeds, CEO, Iowa Soybean Association
    Steven Lonergan, Morrill Professor of animal science
    Katie Mahlmeister, graduate student, natural resource ecology and management, and interim president, Graduate and Professional Student Senate
    Ajay Nair, professor and chair of horticulture
    David Peters, professor of sociology and criminal justice, and CALS Faculty Senate caucus chair
    Brinae Rice, undergraduate student, agriculture and rural policy studies, and Student Government senator
    Joe Roberts, president, Iowa Corn
    Shelley Taylor, director of global programs
    Roger Underwood, CALS alumnus and agriculture technology innovator and investor
    Bryan Whaley, CEO, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association
    Wendy White, associate professor of food science and human nutrition
    Sally Worley, executive director, Practical Farmers of Iowa

Megan Peterson from the provost’s office will provide administrative support to the committee. Additional information on the search is available on the CALS dean search webpage https://www.provost.iastate.edu/about/search-cals.

The process will begin with the nomination of high-quality candidates followed by a review of applications and interviews of semifinalists and finalists. The Buffkin/Baker search firm will assist the search committee throughout the process. Nominations of qualified candidates may be sent to Agnihotri and Mallapragada at any time. The next dean will succeed Dan Robison, who served in the roles from 2019 to July 2026, and current interim dean Ruth MacDonald.



E15 Savings Show Value of Strong RFS to American Drivers

A recent report published by the Department of Energy found that E15 has been selling recently for $0.47 per gallon less than standard E10 gasoline on average, an 11.5 percent discount. The DOE report, which is based on actual pricing data collected from the marketplace, also showed E15 costs 8 percent less at the pump on an energy basis—meaning drivers choosing E15 pay less per mile traveled than drivers choosing E10. 

The Renewable Fuels Association said the DOE report further underscores the fact that expanded ethanol consumption, driven by the Renewable Fuel Standard and its RIN market mechanism, is leading to lower prices at the pump for American consumers 

“While a handful of stubborn oil refining companies continue to suggest that the RFS somehow leads to higher prices at the pump, this new data from DOE proves that the exact opposite is true,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “After the Trump administration finalized the highest-ever RFS volumes back in March, the marketplace responded by expanding the supply of lower-cost E15. As this report shows, American drivers who have access to E15 are saving real money with each fill-up, and those savings are being enabled by the RFS and RIN values. Undermining the RFS with small refinery exemptions, as is reportedly being considered, would reverse this progress and lead to higher prices at the pump. Granting massive SREs would do nothing at all to lower pump prices and, in fact, would have the opposite effect.”

The DOE report, released in July, shows that the average E15 price in April was $3.62 per gallon compared to an average E10 price of $4.09 per gallon. The data also show that regular gasoline prices jumped by $1.20 per gallon, or 42 percent, between January and April as global oil supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz caused retail prices to spike. The July release was the first time DOE’s quarterly report included E15 prices.



FFAR Research Explores Novel Approach to Protect Livestock from New World Screwworm 

As the Southern U.S. continues to navigate cases of New World screwworm, the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and the ​University of Notre Dame​ are investing $140,389 in a Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research (ROAR) grant to evaluate whether an existing drug can be repurposed to kill screwworm larvae.  

The reemergence of New World screwworm ​is now threatening ​U.S. livestock production, wildlife and agricultural trade. Reports of reduced effectiveness of some commonly used treatments in South America, combined with the limited number of approved control options, underscore the need to evaluate new approaches. This urgently needed research could provide producers and veterinarians with an additional tool to protect livestock and strengthen U.S. preparedness.  

"New World screwworm is a significant and urgent threat to animal health, U.S. producers’ profitability, competitiveness and the food supply chain," said Dr. Jasmine Bruno, FFAR scientific program director. "This research could expand the limited options available for controlling New World screwworm. By evaluating a drug already approved for human use, the project could accelerate the path toward veterinary applications by building on existing safety data."  

Led by ​Dr. Lee Haines​, associate research professor ​of biological sciences ​at the University of Notre Dame, and Dr. Álvaro Acosta-Serrano, professor of biological science at the University of Notre Dame, a team of researchers are evaluating whether nitisinone, a U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug with an established safety profile in humans, can effectively kill screwworm-related blowfly larvae. Research breakthroughs over the last five years have shown that nitisinone also kills several blood-feeding ​arthropods (including mosquitoes, ticks, kissing bugs, ​bed bugs, ​tsetse flies and stable flies) by blocking a key enzyme they need to digest blood, which is also found in screwworms.  

Using the closely related secondary screwworm as a model, the team is testing nitisinone’s ability to kill screwworm larvae and adults, with a primary focus on larval toxicity and the drug’s potential to target screwworms in the wound environment. Researchers are also establishing methods to assess how nitisinone affects fly growth, reproduction and survival. The results will provide critical data to establish the dosing and additional parameters needed to guide future primary screwworm trials.  

​​"We've already demonstrated nitisinone’s transformative ability to kill other blood-feeding insects, and applying this knowledge to screwworms opens up a timely new frontier in livestock protection," Dr. Haines said. "Growing up on a farm, I watched our animals suffer from other blood-sucking insect pests every summer, and that experience taught me early on just how much these tiny predators can wear an animal (and the farmer) down. We are eager to build on our recent breakthroughs in vector-borne diseases to develop a much-needed and complementary tool for protecting U.S. livestock and producers from the screwworm populations expanding across the country."​  

FFAR is investing in this research to evaluate a novel treatment strategy for New World screwworm, providing the scientific foundation for new tools to improve producer preparedness, animal health and response efforts. The ROAR grant provides rapid-response funding for a pilot study to establish and refine research methods and determine nitisinone's toxicity to secondary screwworm, with a particular focus on larvae and its potential use to treat the wound environment. The findings and methodologies developed through this project will provide a foundation for subsequent research at a larger scale, including studies of additional applications of nitisinone and its effectiveness against adult flies. This research supports USDA's research priority on Protecting the Integrity of American Agriculture from Invasive Species.  

FFAR's ROAR program rapidly funds research and outreach in response to emerging or unanticipated threats to the U.S. food supply or agricultural systems.  

  

Thursday August 27 Ag News - Groups Urge Trump to Reconsider Ground Beef Imports - Dairy Production Expands on Protein Demand - US/Canadian Cattle, Hog Inventories Expand - Fertilizer Prices Decline - Fertilizer Expansion Project Announced - and more!

Smith Urges Admin to Support America's Ranchers

Wednesday, Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE), a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Trade, released the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s move to increase foreign beef imports:

“As Nebraska’s ranchers continue to recover from the historic wildfires this spring—amid an ongoing drought—they need market certainty. With cattle inventory at 75-year lows, we must focus on policies which empower ranchers to rebuild our domestic herd.

While I acknowledge the administration’s efforts to address consumers’ concerns, providing certainty for America’s hardworking ranchers is essential. Moving forward, I will continue to encourage the administration to pursue policies that give America’s ranchers the assurance they need to make long-term decisions for their operations.”   



AFBF, LMA, NCBA and USCA Urge President to Reverse Proposed Beef Import Plan

Four of the nation's leading livestock and agricultural organizations have joined together to urge President Trump to reverse a proposed 90-day import plan they believe would weaken the long-term stability of the U.S. cattle industry.

In a letter sent today, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), Livestock Marketing Association (LMA), National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), and United States Cattlemen's Association (USCA) called on the Administration to work with industry stakeholders on solutions that keep food affordable while protecting producers, consumers, and strengthening the nation's ability to produce its own food.

The full text of the letter is below:

The Honorable Donald J. Trump

On behalf of America’s cattle producers and the broader livestock industry, we write to express our deep concern with your announced plan to import up to 300,000 metric tons of beef over the next 90-days. The stated purpose of driving down beef prices and the commitment to sell it at a price that undercuts domestic supply send a disheartening message to farmers and ranchers across the country.

We share your goal of keeping groceries affordable for American families. However, flooding the market with discounted foreign beef is not the way to rebuild the American cattle herd, strengthen food security, or lower grocery bills in a lasting way. This announcement has already driven cattle markets sharply lower and undermines producers at a critical time of year when they are marketing cattle and making herd-building decisions.

Beef prices are in line with other consumer prices and reflect the inflated cost of raising cattle, grain, and forage. Ranchers and farmers are finally experiencing the strong beef demand needed to invest in their operations after years of drought, high input costs, processing plant disruptions, and other challenges that have reduced cattle numbers. This announcement will discourage investment in the U.S. cow herd and undo the progress producers have made.

We are deeply concerned that this import strategy sacrifices long-term food security for a short-term solution. Americans deserve safe and wholesome beef free from any market distorting actions. There is nothing more American than beef, and we look to your leadership to ensure resilience for our farmers and ranchers, which is the only long-term way to prevent higher grocery costs and maintain control over our food supply.

American cattle producers are asking you for a fair and competitive market, honest price signals, and policies that put U.S. farmers, ranchers, and consumers first. We urge you to reverse course on this 90-day import plan and work with us instead on solutions that strengthen, rather than weaken, America’s capacity to feed itself. We stand ready to work with you on policies that keep food affordable, protect producers and consumers, and preserve a viable future for the U.S. cattle industry.

Respectfully,
Zippy Duvall, President, American Farm Bureau Federation
Joe Goggins, President, Livestock Marketing Association
Gene Copenhaver, President, National Cattlemen's Beef Association
Justin Tupper, President, United States Cattlemen's Association



Milk producers added 52,000 head to the milking herd 

Dairy protein demand has continued to support nonfat dry milk (NFDM) prices at the CME on account of limited supplies. Meanwhile, rising butter production continues to limit price gains, even as demand grows at home and abroad. Domestic demand for cheese remains limited as the decrease in quick service restaurant foot traffic is now being compounded by decelerating retail sales. Record export volumes are helping support cheese, and thus Class III, prices, from sliding further.

DMC margins were $10.88/cwt in June as feed prices and the All-Milk Price both slid. Expectations for the formula to reflect the recent increase in feed prices and a lower All-Milk Price set the stage for a potential DMC margin below the maximum payment threshold in August.
 
Exports are becoming increasingly important for cheese and butter. Strong milk production has increased production for both products beyond incremental increases in domestic consumption, but as U.S. prices sit below EU and New Zealand, international buyers have bridged the gap and lent support to the market, buying an estimated 66% of the “new” cheese produced over the last two years. Cheese exports have risen 24% and butter exports have soared 90% through the first half of 2026, adding stability to these categories as changing consumer behavior and economic pressure reshape retail and food service demand at home.

View Full Report: https://www.nmpf.org/milk-production-climbs-on-protein-demand/.  



Weekly Ethanol Production for 8/21/2026

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending August 21, ethanol production expanded 2.1% to 1.11 million b/d, equivalent to 46.70 million gallons daily. Output was 3.9% higher than the same week last year and 10.7% above the five-year average for the week. Yet, the four-week average ethanol production rate decreased 0.5% to 1.11 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 17.00 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks ticked up 0.3% to a 10-week high of 25.2 million barrels. Stocks were 11.8% more than the same week last year and 12.2% above the five-year average. Inventories built in the Midwest (PADD 2) and West Coast (PADD 5) but thinned across the other regions.

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, improved 4.1% to an 8-week high of 9.04 million b/d (139.01 bg annualized). Still, demand was 2.1% less than a year ago and 1.2% below the five-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol edged down 0.3% to 923,000 b/d, equivalent to 14.19 bg annualized. Net inputs were 1.0% less than year-ago levels and 0.1% above the five-year average.

Ethanol exports rose 25.6% to 162,000 b/d (6.8 million gallons/day). It has been more than two years since EIA indicated ethanol was imported.



United States and Canadian Cattle Inventory Up 1 Percent 

All cattle and calves in the United States and Canada combined totaled 106 million head on July 1, 2026, up 1 percent from the 106 million head on July 1, 2025. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 42.6 million head, were up slightly from a year ago.
                        
All cattle and calves in the United States as of July 1, 2026, totaled 94.2 million head, up slightly from the 94.0 million head on July 1, 2025. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 38.1 million head, were unchanged from a year ago.

All cattle and calves in Canada as of July 1, 2026, totaled 12.1 million head, up 3 percent from the 11.7 million head on July 1, 2025. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 4.49 million head, were up 2 percent from a year ago.

This publication is a result of a joint effort by Statistics Canada and NASS to release the number of cattle and calves by class and calf crop for both countries within one publication. This information was requested by the United States cattle industry to provide producers additional information about potential beef supplies. United States inventory numbers were previously released on July 24, 2026. Canadian inventory numbers were previously released on August 24, 2026.



United States and Canadian Hog Inventory Up Slightly 

United States and Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs for June 2026 was 87.7 million head. This was up slightly from June 2025 but down 1 percent from June 2024. The breeding inventory, at 7.12 million head, was down 1 percent from a year ago and down 2 percent from 2024. Market hog inventory, at 80.5 million head, was up slightly from last year but down 1 percent from 2024. The semi-annual pig crop, at 82.4 million head, was up 1 percent from 2025 and up slightly from 2024. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 6.87 million head, down 1 percent from last year and down 3 percent from 2024.

United States inventory of all hogs and pigs on June 1, 2026 was 73.7 million head. This was down slightly from June 1, 2025 and down slightly from March 1, 2026. The breeding inventory, at 5.88 million head, was down 1 percent from last year and down slightly from the previous quarter. Market hog inventory, at 67.8 million head, was up slightly from last year but down slightly from last quarter. The pig crop, at 33.5 million head, was up slightly from 2025 but down 1 percent from 2024. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 2.82 million head, down 1 percent from 2025 and down 3 percent from 2024.  

Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs on July 1, 2026 was 14.0 million head. This was up 1 percent from July 1, 2025 and up slightly from July 1, 2024. The breeding inventory, at 1.24 million head, was up 1 percent from last year and up 1 percent from 2024. Market hog inventory, at 12.8 million head, was up 1 percent from last year but down slightly from 2024. The semi-annual pig crop, at 15.8 million head, was up 4 percent from 2025 and up 6 percent from 2024. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 1.27 million head, up 2 percent from last year and up 2 percent from 2024. 

This publication is a result of a joint effort by Statistics Canada and NASS to release the total hogs, breeding, market hogs, sows farrowed, and pig crop for both countries within one publication. This information was requested by the United States hog industry to provide producers additional information about potential hog supplies. United States inventory numbers were previously released on June 25, 2026. Canadian inventory numbers were released on August 24, 2026.



Soy Checkoff Invites Farmers to Prove the Quality of Their Crop

United States soybean farmers have a free, straightforward way to prove the quality of their crop to the world. Through the Annual Soybean Quality Survey, funded by the Soy Checkoff, farmers can send in a sample from their 2026 harvest at no cost and receive a personalized report on its quality. Samples are due Oct. 21, 2026, and the effort helps position U.S. soy as the premium choice for customers around the globe.

Since 1986, the Annual Soybean Quality Survey has documented the quality of the U.S. soybean crop, one sample at a time. The survey is led by Dr. Seth Naeve, professor of agronomy and plant genetics at the University of Minnesota. Farmer participation supports the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) in building international marketing programs on behalf of the Soy Checkoff.

“Every sample a farmer sends in makes our picture of U.S. soybean quality more complete,” said Dr. Naeve. “That information travels with our crop to customers around the world and helps them understand the real value of what American farmers grow.”

As the global marketplace grows more competitive, U.S. soy increasingly wins on value and quality rather than price alone. Survey data gives buyers a clear, science-based picture of the protein, oil value and overall composition of the U.S. crop, and it helps ensure every growing region is represented at global buyers’ conferences. When farmers include the seed company and variety with their sample, they also help researchers identify which varieties deliver the most value to international customers.

How to participate
    Request a free sample kit at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdkfTxIvYahxiqlSodvh34zZr5uUwggk2zpmJN-YqNym1zn9w/viewform?usp=dialog or z.umn.edu/soybean-quality. Each kit includes simple instructions and a postage-paid sample bag.
    Scan the QR code on the bag to record your information quickly and accurately.
    Return your sample by Oct. 21, 2026. Samples are accepted through mid-December, but returning early helps ensure your region is represented.
    Receive your personalized results by mid-December.
    View the full survey report in January 2027 at https://z.umn.edu/SoyQualityReports, where past reports are also available.
    All individual results are kept strictly confidential. Only aggregated data appears in the final report. 

“Taking a few minutes to send in a sample is one of the easiest ways to invest in the reputation of U.S. soy,” said Cindy Pulskamp, a USB farmer-leader from North Dakota. “It costs nothing, and it helps every soybean farmer compete in markets here and abroad.”

Farmers can learn more about the Annual Soybean Quality Survey and access past reports at https://z.umn.edu/SoyQualityReports.



UAN28 Leads Fertilizer Price Declines for Fifth Consecutive Week

Retail fertilizer prices remained somewhat varied during the third full week of August 2026, according to retailers surveyed by DTN. For the fifth week in a row, five fertilizers were lower in price compared to last month, while the remaining three were slightly higher. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

Like last week, only one nutrient had a significant price move. UAN28 was 8% less expensive compared to last month, averaging $436 per ton. The average price of all nitrogen fertilizers tracked by DTN was $625/ton. Four other fertilizers were just slightly lower. Urea averaged $664/ton, 10-34-0 $715/ton, anhydrous $943/ton and UAN32 $458/ton.

The remaining three nutrients were just slightly more expensive looking back a month. DAP averaged $916/ton, MAP $959/ton and potash $495/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, urea averaged $0.72/lb.N, anhydrous $0.58/lb.N, UAN28 $0.78/lb.N and UAN32 $0.72/lb.N.

Seven of the eight fertilizers tracked by DTN are higher in price compared to one year ago. Potash is 2% higher, UAN28 is 4% more expensive, urea is 5% higher, MAP is 6% more expensive, 10-34-0 is 7% higher, DAP is 8% more expensive and anhydrous is 24% higher year over year. The one exception is UAN32, which is 5% lower than a year ago.



CHS and OCP North America launch major initiative to strengthen U.S. fertilizer supply

CHS, America’s leading farmer-owned cooperative, and OCP North America, a subsidiary of the OCP Group, are taking a major step to strengthen domestic fertilizer production in the United States. Through a proposed joint venture, the two companies are preparing to build and operate a phosphate fertilizer production facility at the Cornerstone Energy Park located in Waggaman, Louisiana. The new plant is expected to produce over 1 million metric tonnes of phosphate-based fertilizer annually and would be the first of its kind constructed in the United States since 1984. 

American farmers use phosphate fertilizer to grow the crops that fuel and feed the world. However, phosphate reserves in the country are declining and today the U.S. imports approximately 40% of the phosphate-based fertilizer that is used to meet farmer demand. The potential to bring this new capacity online could reduce U.S. dependency on imported phosphate-based fertilizer by more than 48%, significantly strengthening the domestic fertilizer supply chain.     

“This is an exciting moment for American agriculture,” said Jay Debertin, president and CEO of CHS. “As a farmer-owned cooperative, we exist to help farmers succeed. Together with OCP North America, we have the opportunity to build the first phosphate fertilizer plant in the U.S. in more than 40 years. This investment has the potential to create more value for our owners by bringing fertilizer production closer to the American farmer and the cooperative network.”

In connection with the proposed joint venture, the OCP Group will supply phosphoric acid to the facility, drawing on its global phosphate expertise and resources. Finished fertilizer products will be distributed through both OCP North America and CHS, which serves cooperatives, retailers and farmers across the United States through its extensive wholesale and retail crop nutrients network. The new fertilizer plant’s expected location within the Cornerstone Energy Park in Waggaman helps ensure access to raw materials and the ability to transport products via the Mississippi River system.

"This project represents a milestone in OCP North America’s commitment to serving American agriculture,” said Kevin Kimm, CEO of OCP North America. “Together with CHS, we aim to build lasting infrastructure that strengthens U.S. food security and delivers a reliable, domestically produced supply of the crop nutrients American farmers need.” 

Once approved, the project is expected to create approximately 60 permanent, high impact jobs in Jefferson Parish along with 500 construction jobs. The parties estimate that the project will have a total job impact of 924 direct and services-support jobs. This is expected to bring real, positive economic and community impact to the state of Louisiana. Subject to project-related and funding approvals, construction is expected to take up to 24 months.

“This announcement by CHS and OCP North America further solidifies the Cornerstone Energy Park and Jefferson Parish as key economic development locations attracting global industry,” said Matthew Sokol, president and CEO of Cornerstone Chemical Company. “As one of the largest employers in Jefferson Parish supporting hundreds of employees who call South Louisiana home, the Energy Park plays an important role in the area economy and the Greater New Orleans region.”

The project aligns closely with the U.S. government’s priority to expand U.S. fertilizer production capacity to support America’s farmers. Reflecting this, an application has been submitted for potential funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-term Domestic Supply (FIELDS) program.   

In addition to announcing the potential project in Waggaman, CHS and OCP have also committed to charitable giving in the greater New Orleans area. “OCP believes that where we do business, we have a responsibility to invest in the people and communities around us, and we're proud to stand with CHS in making that commitment to greater New Orleans,” stated Kevin Kimm, CEO of OCP North America.

“At CHS, we operate with the value of cooperative spirit, which means we invest in the communities where we live and work,” said Debertin. “We are excited to be joining with OCP to invest in this area as it supports a key role in serving America’s farmers.”  



Stine® HP Corn®: 10 lines for 2027, backed by three decades of high-population research

Stine® Seed Company is bringing growers 10 HP Corn® options for 2027, including two new lines, extending a high-population breeding program the company has led for more than three decades.

Stine HP Corn is the company’s high-population corn program, built around genetics bred and selected to perform when growers tighten spacing and add plants per acre. Crowding is where a corn plant reveals its weaknesses in standability, leaf structure, pollination and ear placement. Since the 1990s, Stine has advanced only the material holding up under those conditions, producing lines that tend to have shorter plant height, strong stalks and plant architecture suited to tighter spacing.

“We didn’t set out to make corn shorter. We set out to build the highest-yielding corn we could find, and this is where the genetics took us,” says Myron Stine, company president. “Every generation we advanced got selected in high populations, where a weak plant shows itself fast. What’s in the bag today is the material that kept making grain every time we crowded it.”

Two new HP lines for 2027
Stine E481-G brand corn is a new version of the widely sold MX481-G brand corn, delivering an additional 4% yield increase along with improved standability. The 97- to 99-day, glyphosate-tolerant line has demonstrated consistent success west to east, performs best at higher planting populations and carries a premium seed treatment. E481-G led Stine’s Mid Elite Yield Trials at over 111%.

Stine E530-0 brand corn is a high-yielding conventional line with excellent moderately tall ear placement that performed at 113% in Stine’s Early-Mid Elite Trials, a separate trial group covering earlier maturities. Its semi-fixed ear allows for increased populations and maximum yield potential, and it features premium seed protection for fast starts and outstanding early-season growth.

Including E481-G and E530-0, the 2027 Stine corn lineup features 10 HP Corn options: 9105-10, 9213-G, 9322-10, 9453-G, 9756-G, 9808E-0, 9808E-G and 9808E-20. Maturities run from 83–85 days to 114–116 days, so growers on short-season northern acres and full-season southern acres alike have an HP Corn option in their zone. All 10 maintain the ear height Stine targets for harvestability.

Built for the populations growers are moving toward
Stine research shows growers can increase populations by up to 12% with HP Corn, and a potential 10% yield boost at higher plant populations when the genetics hold performance under greater density. 

Population is only part of the equation. Narrowing row width moves plants toward the more equal-distance plant spacing that lets a dense stand perform. The goal on fertility is making sure nutrients are available when the plant needs them most, including sulfur in the fertility program. Those practices pay off when the genetics underneath them hold standability and ear quality in a crowded stand.

“Growers ask how far they can push populations without giving up standability or ear quality,” says Brian Hartman, Stine national corn product manager. “That’s the question our program has been answering since the 1990s. We aren’t guessing at what happens when a grower adds plants. We’ve been planting and selecting at those populations for three decades, so a grower can move up and know the genetics have already been through it.”

Plant architecture built for dense stands
HP Corn architecture addresses the challenges of higher plant populations.

More upright leaf structure keeps neighboring plants from shading one another in a dense canopy, so the stand captures sunlight it would otherwise lose. Smaller tassels cast less shade on the leaves below them, and a shorter distance between the tassel and the uppermost ear supports more efficient pollination.

Sturdier stalks and a lower center of gravity hold plants up through wind events, when a crowded stand is most vulnerable. Ear placement has moved up the plant relative to plant height across generations of selection, keeping ear height favorable for excellent harvestability.

Shorter plants also open up management options. Where field conditions and equipment allow, growers can make fungicide and fertilizer applications with ground equipment rather than by air.

Proven in the Elite Yield Trials
Every HP Corn line moves through Stine’s Elite Yield Trials before reaching a grower’s field. E481-G led its Mid Elite Yield Trials group at over 111%, and E530-0 performed at 113% in the Early-Mid Elite Trials.

“These have been tested in real fields, at the populations growers actually plant, generation after generation,” says Hartman. “That’s the difference between a concept and a product growers can plant with confidence.”

The breeding program behind the 2027 HP Corn lineup is the same one Agri Marketing magazine recognized with its 2023 Product of the Year award, an honor whose past recipients include Roundup Ready technology and Bt-traited corn.

Explore Stine’s full 2027 corn lineup in the Stine Corn and Soybean Product Guide on StineSeed.com. Farmers can also contact their local Stine sales rep for more details on HP Corn options for next season. 

Wednesday August 26 Ag News - Corn Silage and Kernal Processing - CAP Land Management Webinar Tomorrow - Landowners & Renewable Energy Leases - RFS Small Refinery Exemptions could top 1.8 billion - and more!

Appraising crops through cattle feeding
Alfredo DiCostanzo, Nebraska Beef Systems Extension Educator

The economic approach to assigning economic value to a crop grown for the feedlot (it could be in association with a family member or another partner unit) is based on a simple principle. Subtract the value of off-farm expenses from the gross return (generally receipts of cattle sold, but manure value as fertilizer should also be included here) and assign the balance to the cropping operation.

From the gross value of the economic return (cattle sales), one subtracts the cost of all other items used in the cattle feeding process including cattle, yardage (which includes labor, fuel and oil, repairs, utilities, facilities depreciation, etc.), veterinary medicine expenses, purchasing and selling costs including trucking, and feed or supplements (distillers grains, micro-ingredients, supplements, additives, etc.) purchased off the farm. The balance is then assigned to the crop operation to pay for feed raised on the farm.

Following this approach, the feedlot activity results in zero return. Therefore, one must calculate an acceptable return to the feedlot activity, generally prime lending rate plus 2 points. Currently, that value is 10% annual return. This return is applied to the feedlot activity using the investment in cattle feeding (using the figures from the feedlot closeout for example) and feeding period say 210 days or 58% of a year, which translates to 5.75%. If feeding a single lot for 210 days results in a 1-million-dollar investment, then a reasonable net profit to the feedlot activity is $57,500.

This return must be subtracted from the balance left over from the calculation of gross return minus off-farm expenses to ascribe a proper feedlot activity return. Once this is accomplished, the balance (positive or negative) belongs to the farming activity.

The next challenge is the proper allocation of value from this balance to each crop using in the feedlot activity. Using the energy contribution of each feed ingredient to the diet, the allocation to each crop raised on the farm is obtained.

The examples I am using included three lots of cattle fed between the fall of 2025 and this summer. Cattle performed well in the feedlot, gaining at 3.7 lb daily for cattle starting at 600 to 700 lb and finishing at around 1,500 lb. As expected, feed conversion was great, under 6.4 lb feed per lb gain.

When assigning economic value to the farming activity after allocating off-farm costs and feedlot profit, corn ranged from $6.50 to $8.90/bushel or between 166% to 224% the value at the local grain market. At an average yield of 200 bushels to the acre and cost of $1,000 per acre, the farming operation received $1,300 to $1,780 per acre and made between $300 and $780 per acre because of the feedlot activity.

Similar values were assigned to high-moisture corn (between 170% and 230% of their market value). Interestingly, both crops used to provide fiber in the diet benefited greatly. Corn silage and hay value were over 216% and 144%, respectively, greater than their market value. This would imply that corn silage was valued at over $80 and hay at over $200 per ton, respectively.

This exercise can be applied to backgrounding or even cow-calf operations. Regardless of application, and despite the poor conversion efficiency (or any other perceived negativity including methane emissions), these are examples of how cattle operations improve the value of land and contribute to economic development.



KERNEL PROCESSING FOR QUALITY CORN SILAGE 
- Ben Beckman, NE Extension Educator 

High value silage depends on maintaining chop quality throughout harvest. Do you know how to reliably monitor your silage quality?

Energy from corn silage comes in a large part from starch in the grain itself. After consuming, the outer seed coat impedes starch digestion.  To counter act this, many modern choppers are fitted with a kernel processor, that physically crushes or damages the grain and stalks, improving digestibility.  Correctly setting these rollers is critical.  Too close and machine wear increases, too far apart and the kernels aren’t broken and digestibility is decreased.  

To achieve high-quality silage, catching any problems with the processor as soon as possible is critical. To do this, grab a 32 oz. cup and at least once an hour during harvest, grab a sample from the pile.  

Next spread the sample out on a flat surface like a card table near the pile and go through the kernels.  Count all the kernels that are ½ or greater in size. You can also put the sample into a bucket of water.  The kernels will sink to the bottom and stalks and leaves will float.  Skim/drain off the top layer and again count any kernels that are ½ or greater in size.

For both methods, the goal is to have 2 or fewer whole or ½ size kernels in your count.  Anything over that and word can be passed to the chopper to adjust the processing.

For those who don’t have access to a kernel processer, keeping chop length short can help accomplish similar results.  Shortening chop length to 3/8 inch for machines without a processor will do more kernel damage and maintain similar fiber particle size.  For those whose priority is not particle size, mostly beef producers, dropping down to ½ inch chop length will damage even more kernels and provide the additional benefit of helping get a better pack.



CAP Webinar: Nebraska Cash Rents - Lease Deadlines, Rental Rates, and Fair Agreements
Aug 27, 2026 12:00 PM 

Nebraska landowners and tenants should begin reviewing their lease arrangements before the September 1 deadline for terminating or changing the terms of a verbal agricultural lease. This webinar will explain the deadline, examine the newly released USDA NASS county cash rental rates, identify changes from 2025, and demonstrate practical methods for establishing equitable cash rents for the 2027 growing season.

With Anastasia Meyer and Jim Jansen, Extension Agricultural Economists, UNL Center for Agricultural Profitability.

Register for the live webinar at the Center for Agricultural Profitability's webinar page, https://cap.unl.edu/webinars. 



New resource helps landowners navigate renewable energy lease agreements

Farmers and landowners are increasingly being approached about leasing land for solar, wind, and battery storage projects. According to the Center for Rural Affairs, these agreements can create opportunities to generate long-term, stable income from their property as renewable energy development grows.

A new fact sheet from the Center for Rural Affairs aims to help landowners better understand the leasing process.

“Renewable energy development can be a strong opportunity for rural landowners, but lease agreements are long-term commitments that deserve careful review,” said Laura Priest, policy associate with the Center. “Understanding each step of the process helps landowners protect their interests, set clear expectations, and build a productive relationship with developers.”

The fact sheet provides information on the renewable energy leasing process, from early conversations with a developer to site review, lease negotiations, construction, operation, and eventual decommissioning. 

The process often begins with an initial consultation, when a developer gathers basic information about the property. If the site appears to be a good fit, the developer may then conduct a more detailed evaluation of factors that will impact the success of the development.

“Marginal or lower-producing agricultural land may be especially well suited for some projects, allowing landowners to generate predictable payments over multiple years from acres that are less productive for traditional farming,” Priest said. “Projects can also incorporate dual-use solar practices that keep land in agricultural use through grazing, crop integration, or beekeeping.”

The fact sheet also highlights things to consider before entering into a lease option, notice of intent, or long-term agreement. Landowners are encouraged to ask questions, seek professional guidance, and understand that organizations can support them through the process.

“Clear communication from the beginning is key,” Priest said. “A strong agreement should address not only how the project begins, but how the land will be used, maintained, and restored over time.”

To read and download the fact sheet, visit cfra.org/publications. 



Reported Refinery Exemptions Could Undermine Domestic Soybean Demand

The Iowa Soybean Association is raising serious concerns over reported changes to small refinery exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) that could significantly reduce domestic demand for biofuels made from U.S. soybeans.

Reports indicate exemptions for the 2025 compliance year could exceed 1.8 billion Renewable Identification Number (RIN) credits, nearly twice the level the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency anticipated when establishing current biofuel blending requirements. If approved, the increased exemptions could eliminate an estimated 500 million gallons of biomass-based diesel demand and cost U.S. soybean farmers approximately $1 billion in lost revenue during a period of already tight profit margins.

“The strength of the U.S. soybean industry depends on maintaining and expanding domestic markets for soybeans and soybean oil and reducing our reliance on China,” says ISA President Tom Adam, a soybean farmer from Harper. “Iowa farmers need certainty that policies supporting domestic biofuel demand will be upheld.”

Adam says President Trump made the right call for farmers and rural America when he set the current renewable volume obligations. Backtracking on his commitment to the farmers who supported him would be devastating and felt for months and years to come.

“We urge the administration to maintain a strong RFS and ensure refinery exemptions don’t erode the demand created by increased biofuel volumes.”

For Iowa’s soybean farmers, maintaining strong domestic demand for soybean oil is critical. Biomass-based diesel represents an important market for Iowa-grown soybeans, supporting soybean prices, farm income and economic activity throughout rural communities. Iowa is the nation’s leading producer of biodiesel and soybean oil. In 2025, Iowa used 1.68 billion pounds of soybean oil to produce 224.5 million gallons of biodiesel. This volume is equivalent to nearly 144 million bushels of soybeans, or roughly 24% of the state’s total crop.

ISA urges the administration to reject any attempt to expand the use of small refinery exemptions that would undermine the RFS, reduce biofuel demand and negatively affect soybean farmers.



Massive Refinery Exemptions Would Undo Progress Under Trump’s 2026-2027 RFS Blending Levels

This week biofuels markets have been thrown into chaos over rumors that the EPA may grant nearly double the forecasted amount of refinery exemptions (SREs) from the 2025 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) blending levels. In March, the EPA forecasted less than one billion gallons of exemptions for 2025, but now it now has been reported the agency plans to exempt 1.8 billion gallons. Such an action would undermine the progress made since President Trump finalized record RFS blending levels in March.

“President Trump rightly garnered much praise in March by finalizing the most robust RFS blending levels in history,” said Monte Shaw, Executive Director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. “To reverse course now by granting massive levels of unjustified refinery exemptions would be bad policy, bad economics, and bad for farmers. We are hoping this is just another false rumor floated in the media to roil the markets so some credit trader can try to make a buck. But if there is substance behind the rumors, it is not too late to change course and to commit to a robust RFS – a commitment President Trump made in March, a commitment that is working, and a commitment that EPA should not undermine.”

In March, EPA announced that it would clear a backlog of refinery exemption requests from the previous administration covering the 2023-2025 compliance years. The agency adopted a Dept. of Energy methodology to evaluate the requests. In order to minimize the damage to renewable fuel producers, the EPA agreed to reallocate 70% of the exemptions to the remaining obligated parties. At that time, renewable fuels supporters argued for 100% reallocation and few, if any, refiner exemptions. However, combined with record-breaking RFS blend levels for 2026-2027, most biofuels supporters remained generally positive.

“If a new methodology is adopted that grants nearly all refinery exemption requests for the 2025 compliance year, that would equate to roughly one billion lost biofuel gallons,” said Shaw. “And the damage wouldn’t stop there. Applied to 2026-2027, it would mean nearly a billion lost gallons each year going forward as well. So-called record-breaking RFS levels don’t mean a thing if they are reversed through unjustified refinery exemptions. IRFA members urge President Trump to throw this rumor on the ash heap of history, to stand by his commitment to American farmers, and to order the EPA to deny the baseless claims of economic harm by some refiners at a time of record refinery profits.”

Since the EPA finalized the RFS blending levels for 2026-2027 in March, there has been a strong resurgence of biodiesel production in Iowa and around the country, with record production during the last few months. The strong RFS rule that Trump finalized was having an undeniably positive impact.

“Since President Trump put the RFS back on track in March, it has been doing exactly what it was supposed to – driving demand for biofuels. Both biodiesel and ethanol demand hit records this year. In Iowa, we had biodiesel plants that were shuttered or running at very reduced rates. Today they are producing at full capacity, buying soybean oil from our farmers, and hiring back workers that had been let go. It would be reckless and almost unimaginable to pull the rug out from under this success story at the request of a handful of oil refiners that are certainly not suffering from economic hardship during this time of high oil and fuel prices.”



ASA Sounds Alarm: Soybean Farmers Cannot Afford Another Blow to Domestic Demand

The American Soybean Association is sounding the alarm over reports that small refinery exemptions for the 2025 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) compliance year could far exceed previous government projections, delivering a major blow to domestic biofuel demand when U.S. soybean farmers can least afford it.

Recent reports and analysis indicate small refinery exemptions from RFS compliance year 2025 could total more than 1.8 billion Renewable Identification Number (RIN) credits under a newly revised methodology being developed. Such a massive volume of RFS compliance exemptions would be nearly double what the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had assumed when it published the final 2026-2027 Renewable Volume Obligation Rule. The final biofuel blending rule published earlier this year by the Trump Administration included historic increases in biofuel volumes, boosting domestic demand for biofuels and U.S. soybeans. ASA applauded President Trump and EPA for supporting policies that drive demand, encourage industry investment, and improve local on-farm basis.

If EPA approves small refinery exemption petitions at levels that significantly exceed EPA’s earlier assumptions embodied in current biofuel blending rules, the result will be long-term damage that effectively undercuts the positive actions taken by the Trump Administration. The significant increase in biofuel volumes exempted from the RFS could eliminate around 500 million gallons of biomass-based diesel demand, cost U.S. soybean farmers approximately $1 billion in lost revenue, and put oil refiner interests ahead of farmers, rural communities, and expanded domestic biofuel supplies.

“At a time when soybean farmers are already struggling to support our farms, we cannot afford for the rug to be pulled out from under one of our most important sources of domestic demand,” said ASA Vice President Dave Walton, a soybean farmer from Iowa. “The Trump Administration has been tirelessly supporting policies that expand markets for biofuels made from U.S. soybeans, and we cannot reverse course just as the biofuel industry is beginning to realize the benefits. Domestic biofuel policy succeeds when it supports American farmers producing American energy, not when it gives oil refiners another break at a time when they are experiencing record profits. We hope the President and White House maintain their commitment to U.S. farmers and reject proposed actions that destroy these newly expanded markets in exchange for a giveaway to oil refiners.”

Biomass-based diesel provides a critical and growing domestic market for soybean oil, supporting soybean prices, rural jobs, and economic activity across the country. The reported small refinery exemption actions would run counter to the administration’s stated goals of strengthening American energy dominance, expanding domestic energy production, and supporting rural economies. American-grown biofuels diversify the nation’s fuel supply while creating a reliable domestic market for U.S. agriculture.

ASA has long advocated for the denial of compliance waivers, or small refinery exemptions, which erode the integrity of the RFS by reducing biofuel demand and impacting farmers by lowering the value of soybean crops.

ASA is urging President Trump and officials in the White House to reject any proposal that seeks to broaden the formula used to determine refinery exemptions from biofuel blending requirements in a way that would hurt farmers and erase demand for biofuels. Instead, ASA urges the administration to maintain exemptions no greater than what the EPA estimated using historically backed market data when it published the current biofuel blending rule. 



NFU Urges White House to Reject Small Refinery Exemptions

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew gave the following statement Tuesday regarding reports that the Trump Administration would be issuing Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) exemptions for small refineries.

“Every small refinery bypass is another market stolen from farmers. While oil companies post record profits, family farmers face record losses. The White House needs to reconsider this potential action and choose family farmers over big oil.”