Friday August 15 Ag News - Pillen on Gov Summit - Prep for Corn Silage - Ag Land update - Iowa Environmental Leaders recognized - Red Meat and Obesity - and More!

 Gov. Pillen Hosts ‘Growing Nebraska’ Summit, Inaugural Youth Summit in Kearney

Governor Jim Pillen welcomed more than 900 participants to Kearney this week for the 2025 Governor’s Summit: Growing Nebraska and the first-ever Governor’s Youth Summit.

The annual Governor’s Summit, co-hosted by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA), convenes the state’s economic development community to discuss shared strategies to grow Nebraska. This year’s event featured breakout tracks on manufacturing, workforce development, agriculture and the emerging bioeconomy.

The inaugural Youth Summit facilitated one-on-one interactions between high school students and business, college, and military leaders. Throughout the day, employers and educators presented student attendees with internship, scholarship, and job offers in Nebraska.

“Our state’s family farms and multi-generational manufacturers can compete with anybody, anywhere,” said Gov. Pillen. “Today was all about connecting youth to the great careers being created by our homegrown businesses. The message to our kids is clear: you can achieve your dreams here in the Good Life.”

Husker football coach Matt Rhule kicked off Thursday’s activities with keynote remarks. He was then joined by current Cornhuskers—and Nebraska natives—Derek Branch (Lincoln), Heinrich Haarberg (Kearney), Carter Nelson (Ainsworth), and Luke Lindenmeyer (Papillion) for a special session of the Youth Summit. Speaking to student attendees, the Husker players shared why they’ve chosen to spend their college careers in Nebraska.

Gov. Pillen moderated a lunchtime panel of state agency directors. The panelists spotlighted system improvements within state government that are resulting in better outcomes and savings for Nebraskans. The lunch session also featured guest speaker Stephen Vaden, deputy secretary of USDA. He provided an update on the Trump Administration’s work to advance American agriculture and grow the ag economy.

The Governor’s Summit concluded with an afternoon plenary session headlined by Eric Gehringer, Executive VP of Operations for Union Pacific (UP). He highlighted the company’s work to become America’s first transcontinental railroad and detailed UP’s commitment to Nebraska, which dates back more than 160 years.

At the conclusion of the event, CareerPathway.com, primary sponsor of the Governor’s Youth Summit, reported metrics from the inaugural event. During Thursday, students made 918 connections with employers/educators and submitted more than 250 scholarship, internship, and job applications.



 NEBRASKA VETERINARY DIAGNOSTIC CENTER RECEIVES GOVERNOR’S AWARD

The Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center has received the Governor’s Excellence in Ag Partnership Award for its scientific excellence and support of Nebraska agricultural stakeholders. Gov. Jim Pillen presented the award at the 2025 Governor’s Summit in Kearney on Aug. 13.

“Family farm security equals food security, which equals national security. Having the ability to detect, research and address animal disease is paramount,” Pillen said. “The Veterinary Diagnostic Center at UNL is critical to that work, and it’s a privilege to highlight the role it plays in keeping our food supply safe.”

Part of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, the diagnostic center provides “a scientific and technical anchor” for the university’s veterinary education and disease diagnostics, as well as research support.

The center also supports all Nebraska citizens by enhancing the supply of available safe and secure food, and by improving the health of people and animals, said Scott McVey, professor and director of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

At 65,000 square feet, the laboratory annually analyzes 300,000 samples to monitor for common animal diseases, as well as high-consequence threats such as avian influenza. The lab’s work also supports high-level veterinary and disease research.

“The laboratory provides daily support for practicing veterinarians and the many clients it serves,” McVey said.

Through diagnostic testing and case summaries, the center provides prompt and expert reports for Nebraska veterinarians and helps them connect with resources for disease response and future prevention.

Through the work of faculty and staff, the diagnostic center is a central resource for the university’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and “has provided excellent and efficient service for the state and veterinarians,” McVey said.

“It is especially noteworthy that the laboratory is a critical resource for Nebraska in managing emerging diseases of agricultural and public health significance,” he said.

The laboratory’s diagnostic testing has proved vital in detection of animal diseases including avian influenza and rabies.

Providing timely test results within hours to veterinarians and other stakeholders is a priority.

“For a lot of these diseases, every hour is an opportunity for it to spread or for more mortality to occur,” said Dustin Loy, the center’s director and professor of veterinary microbiology.

The center honed that capacity during the COVID crisis of 2020-21, when the facility scaled up to handle the heavy volume of campus community samples to test for SARS-COV-2 and deliver results promptly.

The lab’s continuing partnerships with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Animal Health Laboratory Network enable scientists and technicians to receive the highest levels of training in cutting-edge diagnostic techniques to rapidly deliver results so that outbreaks can be rapidly controlled and markets restored.

“Minimizing that delay is something we work on, so we do a lot of drills,” Loy said. “We want to make sure we’re constantly ready.”

The facility is Nebraska's only veterinary diagnostic lab accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians. The USDA leverages many of the lab’s services through the diagnostic center’s partnership as a Level 1 National Animal Health Laboratory Network member. Scientists working in the lab have expertise in disciplines including bacteriology, histology and immunohistochemistry, pathology, molecular diagnostics, serology and virology.

“We would like to thank Gov. Jim Pillen and the State of Nebraska for this award,” McVey said. “It truly recognizes the outstanding dedicated staff and faculty that deliver excellent diagnostic service and work daily to ensure the health and safety of Nebraska’s food, animals and people.”



Inoculants for Corn Silage
Ben Beckman, NE Extension Educator 

Corn silage harvest success rests on proper harvest, packing, and storage practices. When we need a boost, adding an inoculant at harvest time can help improve fermentation and storage, but we need to know what products to use to get the best result.

Silage inoculants are simply bacterial cultures that help manage pH in the pile by converting sugars to acids which reduce molds, fungi, and unwanted bacteria such as clostridia.

When selecting an inoculant, the first step is deciding if up-front fermentation or pile stability are needed, or maybe both. Up front fermentation helps if most of our issues center around harvest and packing. If problems are more centered on storage and feed out, stability is where we should spend our money. Sometimes, a mix of both is needed.

Inoculants primarily reduce storage losses. Silages that contain homolactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus plantarum help fermentation start and end quicker by dropping the pH fast. This allows more silage to remain for feeding. Other inoculants, like heterolactic acid bacteria Lactobacillius buchneri, can improve aerobic stability by reducing spoilage losses when silage is re-exposed to air. These bacteria are especially useful at reducing spoilage on the face of bunker silos if the face is too wide to keep fresh or if producers take out several days’ worth of feed from the pile at one time.

The purpose of inoculants is not to fix a train wreck or improve a perfect silage year, but they can help when things aren’t ideal. Inoculants can be used as an insurance policy to reduce the risk of spoilage and maintain quality.



Agriculture Land Market Remains Resilient Amid Economic Uncertainty
 
Despite ongoing challenges in commodity markets and uncertain farm profitability, agricultural land values have remained remarkably stable through mid-2025, according to Farmers National Company. This resilience is mainly driven by the basic economic principle of supply and demand; there are simply more motivated buyers than willing sellers. 
 
While producers remain the main buyers of ag land, interest from individual and institutional investors cannot be ignored, Farmers National Company noted. As land values stabilize after reaching peaks within the past five years, investors are increasingly attracted by both annual returns and long-term appreciation. According to Farm Credit Services of America, benchmark Midwest farmland values have increased 56.9% over the past five years and 38.3% over the past decade, reinforcing land’s appeal as a long-term asset. 
 
Inventory remains limited, with listings down 20–25 percent from the peak in 2020–2021. Many long-term landowners are choosing to hold onto their properties, recognizing the stability and value appreciation land offers compared to more volatile investments. 
 
According to Paul Schadegg, Senior Vice President of Real Estate at Farmers National Company, farm profitability will be a key factor affecting land values in the future.  
 
“The USDA forecasts 2025 net farm income to be the lowest since 2020. This will likely influence producer purchasing power and investor returns, especially as input costs, commodity prices, and interest rates fluctuate,” says Schadegg. “While balance sheets generally remain strong, any negative movements in the ag economy could quickly impact the land market.” 
 
Geopolitical developments also influence the market. Trade policies, tariffs, and global unrest create uncertainty, impacting both domestic and international markets. While renegotiated trade agreements may present future opportunities, current tariffs could decrease demand for U.S. agricultural exports as other countries expand their production and infrastructure. 

Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa - Chanda Scheuring, Area Sales Manager
Land values in Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa have stayed fairly steady over the past couple of years, despite challenges from lower commodity prices and rising input costs. But the big question on everyone’s mind is whether this market can be sustained.

As the agricultural economy has less readily available cash than in previous years, some farmers are or already have started to feel pressure from their financial lenders. Discussions about tightening budgets and even selling a quarter of their land have been topics some local loan officers have suggested to a few of their clients.

Still, some top producers want to, and have the financial ability to, expand their operations over the coming year by buying more farmland. But that pool of buyers is shrinking. 

With the changing market, it’s important to partner with a local real estate professional to not only understand the current value of your farm property but also the best way to market it in a shifting economy. 
 
Looking into the second half of 2025, those with solid financial positions—both producers and investors—will be best equipped to pursue land purchase opportunities. During periods of volatility, Farmers National Company sees strong demand for real estate and management services as landowners seek answers in today’s market.    
 
Farmers National Company has successfully marketed more than $450 million in land value in the first half of 2025.  
 
“We have had a strong start to the year and will continue to adapt to the global elements that impact the land value market,” Schadegg says. 



Seven Farmer-Leaders Elected to Iowa Soybean Association Board of Directors

Seven farmers, including two incumbents, have been elected to the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) board of directors. The association’s 22 volunteer farmer directors represent the state’s nine crop reporting districts in overseeing the management and allocation of soybean checkoff and non-checkoff resources.

Newly elected farmers who will serve three-year terms on the board were: Josh Schoulte, Farmersburg (District 3); Joe Sperfslage, Coggon (District 6); Summer Ory, Earlham (District 8); Brian Fuller, Osceola (District 8); and Neil Krummen, Linn Grove (At-Large).

Re-elected to three-year terms on the board were: Marty Danzer, Carroll (District 4) and Dave Struthers, Collins (District 5).

“Whether as a voter, candidate or both, we thank Iowa soybean farmers for engaging in this important process,” said Brent Swart, ISA president and soybean farmer from Spencer. “As a farmer-led association, their participation contributes to the success and longevity of ISA and our industry.”

Directors are elected by Iowa soybean farmers in July and take office in September. Members vote for two farmers from their crop reporting district and vote for four at-large directors. The seven directors elected join 14 full-time soybean farmers in developing ISA’s policies and programs each year.

Those continuing their service as directors are: Paul Kassel, Spencer (District 1); Brent Swart, Spencer (District 1); Sam Showalter, Hampton (District 2); Mike Yegge, Lake Mills (District 2); Amanda Tupper, Ionia (District 3); Jeff Frank, Lake View (District 4); and Corey Goodhue, Carlisle (District 5).

Also: Matt Willimack, De Witt (District 6); Scot Bailey, Anita (District 7); Lee Brooke, Clarinda (District 7); Jeff Ellis, Donnellson (District 9); Tom Adam, Harper (District 9); Aimee Bissell, Bedford (At-Large); Jack Boyer, Reinbeck (At-Large); and Sharon Chism, Huxley (At-Large).



Iowa Soybean Assoc. hosts Summer Soy Series

The Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) invites you to join fellow farmers, industry experts and association leadership at ISA’s Summer Soy Series coming to a community near you!

The "Farm Futures" panel will explore key policy and trade issues shaping the future of Iowa soybean farming. Topics include global trade challenges, biofuels , state and federal policy developments and other timely challenges and opportunities facing growers.

Join us for expert insights and practical discussion on how these issues impact your operation. Scott Shellady, host of The Cow Guy Close on RFD-TV, will be joining and will serve as both keynote speaker and panelist at these events.

Register by August 15, 2025 to be entered for a chance to win one of five ISA branded coolers. Meeting attendees will be entered to win a selection of door prizes at each location.  Stops include:

Wednesday, August 27
Holstein: Cobblestone Inn & Suites (2011 Indorf Ave, Holstein, IA 51025)
10 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Atlantic: Cass County Community Building (805 W 10th St, Atlantic, IA 50022)
5:30 - 8:05 p.m.

This meeting is valued at $125. Registration is available to soybean farmers at no additional cost courtesy of their soybean checkoff. Registration cost for industry members to attend is $40. Register here:  https://www.iasoybeans.com/programs/summer-soy-series. 

For additional information or assistance, contact Bre Wagner at 515-669-7963 or bwagner@iasoybeans.com.



Monthly Dairy Webinar On September 12 To Focus on Immigration Enforcement For Iowa Livestock and Dairy Producers

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team monthly webinar series continues on Friday, September 12 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. CDT. This program will be presented by Kristiana Coutu who will review common reasons federal immigration officials may contact an employer or arrive at the farm.

Kristiana Coutu is an attorney and CPA with the Center for Agricultural Taxation at Iowa State University. Agricultural employers are increasingly concerned about immigration enforcement and have questions about how it may directly impact their farm. This webinar will cover common reasons federal immigration officials may contact an employer or arrive at the farm, along with key compliance areas every agricultural employer should understand and have in place. The goal of this webinar is to provide practical, educational information to help producers know what to expect and how to prepare for potential interactions with immigration enforcement officials.

Kristiana focuses her work at the Center for Agricultural Taxation on researching and educating on current legal and tax issues impacting agriculture.  As director of the Beginning Farmer Center, Kristiana brings her passion and commitment to supporting new farmers and providing resources for farm succession planning. Kristiana enjoys interacting with producers and agricultural organizations across the country.  Before joining Iowa State University, Kristiana was a practicing agricultural attorney. She is also a fourth-generation dairy farmer and farmed full-time for many years. 

Producers, dairy consultants and industry reps are encouraged to attend the free webinar live from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 12 by registering at least one hour before the webinar at: https://go.iastate.edu/IMMIGRATIONISSUES

For more information contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Dairy Field Specialist in your area: in Northwest Iowa, Fred M. Hall, 712-737-4230 or fredhall@iastate.edu; in Northeast Iowa, Jennifer Bentley, 563-382-2949 or jbentley@iastate.edu; in East Central Iowa, Larry Tranel, 563-583-6496 or tranel@iastate.edu. 




Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards Presented to 40 Farm Families at the 2025 Iowa State Fair

Gov. Kim Reynolds, Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, and Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon today recognized 40 Iowa farm families with Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards at the 2025 Iowa State Fair. The award recognizes farmers and farm families who go above and beyond to take voluntary actions to improve and protect our state’s natural resources, including our soil and water, while serving as leaders within their communities.

These farm families implement practices like cover crops, wetlands, bioreactors, saturated buffers, grass waterways, buffer strips, terraces, no till and many other proven conservation practices that improve water quality, enhance soil health and support the goals of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. These worthy recipients recognize that the benefits of conservation practices extend beyond their farms, and their leadership encourages others to adopt similar conservation practices.

"Here in Iowa, we know that agriculture and conservation go hand in hand," said Gov. Reynolds. "Our farmers feed and fuel the world - and they also lead the way in protecting soil, improving our water quality, and adopting innovative practices that will keep our state striving for generations to come."

"Iowa’s farm families continue to be the driving force behind building a lasting culture of conservation within our state. Farmers are voluntarily adopting practices like cover crops, no till, buffer strips, wetlands, bioreactors and many more, and are helping us set conservation adoption records year after year,” said Secretary Naig. “The Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award winners are shining examples of community leaders who are taking action on their own land and inspiring others to do the same. This creates a ripple effect and helps drive conservation progress across Iowa."

"We take great pride in recognizing these leaders in our farming communities throughout our state who put sound conservation practices at the forefront of their operations,” said Director Lyon. “Their conservation practices are leading the change and setting an example for future generations and other farmers."   

The winners were chosen by a committee representing conservation and agricultural groups. A total of 861 Iowa farm families have been recognized since the creation of the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award in 2012. 

The 2025 award recipients include:
Ross Havens, Nichols Farms, Adair County
James and Jenny Adams, Buena Vista County
Ryan Bowman, Ryan and Kelsey Bowman Family, Carroll County
Bruce Husman and Cindy Husman, Husman Farms, Cherokee County
Chris Lee, Ida County
Terry Gleaves, Pottawattamie County
Wesley Henry, Pottawattamie County
Tom and Kaitlin Geake and John and Cathy Geake, Sac County

A list of previous recipients is available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website. High-resolution photos will be available within one month of the ceremony on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Flickr page. 



New Research Finds Unprocessed Red Meat Has No Effect on Obesity and Related Diseases 

Recent Beef Checkoff-funded research adds to a growing body of evidence reinforcing the important role fresh beef plays in a healthy, sustainable diet. Animal-sourced foods, such as red meat, are often assumed to be associated with obesity risk. However, Texas Tech University researchers conducted a comprehensive analysis of available research on the relationship between unprocessed red meat intake and obesity, finding no significant effect of such intake on weight gain or related metabolic issues in adults.

“Beef contains high-quality protein and other essential nutrients, and people enjoy this key source of nourishment – yet they’re often discouraged to consume red meat based on recommendations primarily driven by observational evidence,” noted the lead researcher, Nikhil V. Dhurandhar, PhD, chair of the Department of Nutritional Sciences and associate dean for innovation for the College of Health & Human Sciences. “Our study is the first to fully review the totality of causative evidence, which shows no protective or adverse effect of unprocessed red meat intake on obesity.”

Dhurandhar explains that previous related studies are based primarily on observational data, which often rely on self-reported dietary and lifestyle information that can be inaccurate and confound study results and conclusions. Instead, the researchers used rigorous research methods by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of 19 human clinical trials. They focused solely on studies that determined the effect of direct feeding of unprocessed red meat to participants rather than studies that used self-reported data. The result is the most comprehensive evaluation of red meat intake and obesity to date, according to Dhurandhar.

“Protein-rich foods, such as beef, may improve satiety and fullness, which can help support lifestyle and dietary behaviors that promote weight loss and healthy weight maintenance,” Dhurandhar added. “However, the stigma surrounding unprocessed red meat’s role in obesity may keep many from consuming red meat, thus missing out on key benefits which may be important for weight loss and management. This study offers a complete view of the research, so clinicians and consumers can make informed decisions about the role of unprocessed beef in healthy lifestyles.”

This research was funded by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Texas Beef Council (TBC), contractors to the Beef Checkoff. NCBA and TBC were not involved in the study design, data collection and analysis or publication of the findings.

For more about the latest Beef Checkoff efforts, visit BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com. 



NGFA launches 2025 Harvest Safety Week: “Safety First. Harvest Ready.”

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) will host its sixth annual Harvest Safety Week on Aug. 18-22, with the 2025 theme, “Safety First. Harvest Ready.” The week will feature new recorded presentations and materials designed to help grain, feed, and processing facilities, and their farmer customers, prepare for a safe and productive harvest season.

“Safety is one of our cornerstones, and we have always worked to ensure that it remains a primary area of effort as we strive to cultivate healthy workplaces in agriculture,” said Jess McCluer, NGFA Senior Vice President, Safety and Regulatory. “Each year, we dedicate a week to sharing safety resources, and NGFA’s sixth-annual Harvest Safety Week is Aug. 18 through the 22.”

The 2025 program will include four recorded presentations led by industry safety experts:
    Safety Around Ground Storage Piles: Key practices for vehicle traffic control, machine guarding, fall protection, and electrical safety.
    Safety Around Moving Vehicles: Best practices for truck receiving areas, traffic control plans, and mobile equipment operation.
    Hazardous Weather Conditions – Extreme Heat & Cold: How to prevent heat and cold stress and dress appropriately for changing harvest weather.
    Preventing Worker Fatigue During Harvest: Strategies for recognizing and reducing fatigue, plus effective sleep practices. 

The Association encourages anyone in the industry to sign up for Harvest Safety Week emails at www.ngfa.org/safety, share the resources on social media using #HSW25, and tag NGFA.

“The goal of Harvest Safety Week – like our other safety-related content – is to make agriculture a safer industry,” McCluer said. “We’re committed to doing whatever we can to boost effective safety awareness and practices. That’s why our theme is ‘Safety First. Harvest Ready.’”

Many of the materials will remain available year-round, thanks to the support of the National Grain and Feed Foundation.

“The more we can boost our awareness and encourage the use of safety best practices, the more our workers will arrive home safely at the end of the day,” McCluer concluded. “And that has always been our industry’s top priority.”



New CLAAS JAGUAR 1000 Series Forage Harvesters Offer Unmatched Throughput, Efficiency 

CLAAS just unveiled the new JAGUAR 1000 series forage harvester to a select audience of dealers, producers and members of the media gathered in California dairy country near Visalia. The new self-propelled forage harvester line features greater throughput, power and operator comfort. Four best-in-class models — the JAGUAR 1080, 1090, 1100 and 1200 — range from 850 to 1,110 hp with throughput rates of up to 500 tons per hour.  

Simply put, the JAGUAR 1000 series forage harvesters are the most capable in the market. CLAAS designed the machines in partnership with North American growers to deliver top-tier chop quality and unbeatable efficiency.   

“We didn't just tweak the old platform — we reimagined everything,” said Matt Jaynes, Product Manager at CLAAS of America. “These machines feature a truly ground-up engineering approach, with wider crop flow, a more intelligent drive system, and significant advancements in chop quality and cab comfort.” 

Widening the Gap 
The JAGUAR 1000 series machines feature the widest crop flow channel on the market. Its new pre-compression system and four pre-compression rollers guarantee uniform feeding of the V-FLEX knife drum for maximum throughput with consistent chop quality and optimum overall machine efficiency.   

The nearly 36 in (910 mm) wide V-FLEX knife drum is wider than previous models, offering more space and inertia for maximum throughput. Growers can fit the knife drum with various knives for a wide range of cutting lengths.  

At the heart of the JAGUAR 1000 series is a transversely mounted 24-liter V12 MAN engine, delivering immense torque and reliable power across all harvesting conditions. With intelligent engine load management via CEMOS AUTO PERFORMANCE and all-wheel drive, the machine adapts in real time to changing field demands. 

The JAGUAR 1000 also features the new MULTI CROP CRACKER XL, a 12.2 in (310 mm) diameter roller conditioning system that ensures optimal grain and stover processing, even at high throughput rates. It’s available in both CLASSIC and SHREDLAGE® configurations, which respectively add 40% and 50% faster processing speeds. Operators can verify processing levels instantly using the new CLAAS connect Chop Quality Analysis feature, which uses artificial intelligence to deliver Corn Silage Processing Score (CSPS) feedback directly to a smartphone. 

These core upgrades allow for faster processing, more uniform feeding, consistent chopping, and reduced wear over time, especially in thick swaths or corn silage.

According to Jaynes, customer trials showed a 20% increase in daily capacity compared to previous models, even when horsepower remains the same.  

“With this machine, everything is designed to move more crop, more efficiently, front to back, start to finish. Our belt-driven system keeps losses around 1%, giving operators more usable power where it counts — at the drum,” he says. 

Next-Level Attachments 
The new line of forage harvesters comes with new attachments, including the PICK UP 3800 and 4500 heads for grass and hay, and ORBIS 9000 and 10500 heads for corn.  

CLAAS integrated independent variable drives for both PICK UP and ORBIS headers, which enables fine-tuned header speeds based on crop and conditions. This system eliminates the need for traditional chain drives and clutches, reducing maintenance demands, increasing reliability and maximizing uptime in the field. 

Operator Comfort and Convenience 
The JAGUAR 1000 series extends its technology and efficiency to the cab, which is custom-made for forage harvesting. A premium leather seat with heating, cooling and rotation comes standard, along with joystick steering option for fingertip control during tight headland turns. Enhanced visibility, intuitive controls, sound reduction, and intelligent features like AUTO FILL and CEMOS AUTO PERFORMANCE further reduce operator fatigue and increase daily productivity. 

The JAGUAR 1000 series features the latest generation of NUTRIMETER with advanced NIR sensor technology. Growers can use this to measure dry matter content in real time and adjust cut length based on crop conditions. The result is optimal feed quality and silage compaction, plus precise yield mapping and area-specific data collection. 

Large tire options, differential locks, and tire pressure control systems ensure traction and reduced soil compaction, even on slopes and in mud.  

Real Results, Backed by Real Listening 
The JAGUAR 1000 series is truly inspired by the best, delivering feedback from forage harvester customers around the world who rely on high-performing equipment to drive their bottom line. Jaynes emphasizes that this machine wasn’t just built for specs — it was built from farmer feedback.  

“We asked our customers what they needed, and they told us: more capacity, less downtime, better spout flexibility and less maintenance,” Jaynes says. “This is a system where every component was engineered to work in sync — not just to perform, but to outperform.” 

JAGUAR Heritage 
More than 50 years of experience in the development and construction of forage harvesters and global market leadership for more than 25 years: The JAGUAR from CLAAS is synonymous with performance, efficiency and reliability among customers all over the world. With the new JAGUAR 1000 series, CLAAS is continuing this success story and adding a new chapter. "Inspired by the best" not only stands for throughput capacity, chopping quality, comfort and efficiency, it also stands for the valuable, thousand-fold feedback from forage harvester customers all over the world, whose demanding requirements for top-class forage harvesters played a key role in the development process. 

Thursday August 14 Ag News - Managing Stock Tank Algae - Fall Armyworm Potential - SDS and Suthern Rust in IA - and more!

 What does it take?
Alfredo DiCostanzo, NE Extension Beef Systems Educator

The 103rd edition of the Cuming County Fair closed Sunday under a sunny sky with temperatures in the 80’s. If you would ask anyone, fairgoer, exhibit participant, vendor, volunteer, or organizer, how they think the fair went, I believe the answer would be a resounding “darn good” to “extremely well.”

Might there have been glitches, setbacks, failures, etc.? Of course, the answer is yes. There always are.

Yet, despite this, everyone was in a good mood, likely tired but extremely satisfied with their role in it.

From any angle you look at it, the Cuming County Fair is every bit like the most successful state fairs, yet it is scaled to the size and reach of a county of only 9,000 people. Though statistics are not in for 2025, the Cuming County Fair regularly sees 30,000 people come through its entrance. In a short four days, the population of the county increases more than three times.

So, the question is: what does it take to have a successful county fair?

The simple answer is an unimaginable amount of love. Because it is love for many things, including family, neighbors, and the place we call home that drives everything.

The proof is in the dedication, effort, and hard work children and their families have done for nearly a year preparing their 4-H exhibit. It is also evident in the organization and work fair board members and other volunteers do before, during and after the fair.

If anyone wishes to see evidence of this, I ask them to think for a minute how it is possible that a 1,300-lb steer is led by a 75-lb 4-H exhibitor in front of a large and loud crowd, and yet, this young person manages to keep their animal on task and tend to the judge’s evaluation during shows that might extend over hours.

Who is not wowed by watching shows where young people compete by demonstrating skills, they trained their horses or dogs? It does not take much to recognize the time and effort it took these young people to get these animals to respond to their commands.

These children could not have done all of this by themselves. Their parents, siblings and extended family, their club volunteers and even neighbors and friends all have supported this endeavor in one way or another. A minute at the fair watching their support network brings a smile and the satisfaction that life is as it should be.

Beyond the shows, volunteers keep the fair running smoothly and on time. Without their dedication and hard work, concerts, rodeo, tractor pull, turtle races, polka dance, 4-H shows, 4-H Country Kitchen, fair events, vendor sales or parade would not take place.

Volunteers give their time for the whole Cuming County Fair to exist.

So, I am not sure what other response to give to what it takes to run a successful County Fair other than love. For only from love we can draw the dedication and devote time to making the Fair a gem of Cuming County.



Stock Tank Algae
Ben Beckman, NE Extension Educator

Keeping clean water in front of animals during the summer is important. However, sunlight and warm temperatures can often lead to stock tanks overrun by algae. Let’s look at how we can address these issues.

The first step to stopping algae growth in a tank is preventing a habitat algae will love. Keep animals from getting into larger tanks to limit unwanted nutrient loading. When possible, keep water from becoming warm and stagnant by matching tank size to herd demands. Finally, shade the tank to reduce sunlight, which algae needs to grow.

One control method that often gets lumped in with options that kill algae is barley straw. While studies have shown barley straw does not kill algae, 0.75 oz of straw per square yard of tank area submerged in a loose bag or container should be enough to limit growth up to 6 months.

Sometimes, algae growth can still become an issue despite our best efforts. If your tank is small enough, regular scrubbing can keep algae at bay. For larger tanks, commercial algicides, most using copper sulfate, can be effective. Just follow instructions carefully, especially when sheep are involved which are sensitive to copper.

Other often cited control options are goldfish and bleach. North Carolina State researchers recommend up to 2 oz of bleach per 50 gallons of water mixed well. Keep animals away while mixing to ensure no concentrated areas remain. Or you can try 4-6 goldfish per 100 gallons of water – just provide them with cover and cool water.

Clean water is vital for animal health, especially during summer. Prevent algae growth through proper tank placement, cleaning, and options like barley straw. If needed, consider copper sulfate, bleach, or goldfish.



Fall Armyworm Awareness
Samantha Daniel, NE Extension Educator

In previous years, portions of eastern Nebraska have seen significant numbers of fall armyworm caterpillars feeding on alfalfa, brome regrowth in pastures, and newly seeded small

grain crops such as wheat, triticale, and rye. While reports of armyworm damage have not been received so far this year, it is a good idea to keep an eye out for this insect.

Fall armyworm caterpillars can be distinguished from other Lepidopterans by markings on the head that resemble an inverted “Y” and four spots on the last abdominal segment that form a square. This insect does not overwinter in Nebraska, but rather migrates north from Texas, Florida, and Mexico when populations build up in late summer. Once caterpillars are ¾ inch, they can do considerable damage in a few days. Because of this, it is important to scout fields and pastures in the early morning and late afternoon, when caterpillars are most active, to spot them when they are small.

A reasonable treatment threshold is finding 3 or more caterpillars per square foot within a field or pasture. The application of a pyrethroid insecticide, given the larvae are smaller than ¾ inch, will provide adequate control. For forage crops be sure to check the grazing restriction and post-harvest interval. Keep in mind, caterpillars ¾ inch or longer are close to maturity and can be harder to control with an insecticide.

Fall armyworm feeding declines with cooler temperatures and the adult moths eventually migrate south. In the meantime, plan to keep an eye on your pastures and newly seeded fields for any sign of infestation.



Sudden Death Syndrome Showing Up Across Iowa
Daren S Mueller, ISU Extension Plant Pathologist 

We are seeing sudden death syndrome (SDS) in soybean fields across Iowa. Caused by the soilborne fungus Fusarium virguliforme, SDS is among the most destructive soybean diseases in the state. There are no in-season management options, but documenting where the disease occurs and noting how different cultivars perform will be valuable for making future management decisions.

It’s important to confirm that symptoms are SDS and not a look-alike disease such as brown stem rot(BSR) or red crown rot (RCR).
    BSR can look similar to SDS from above, but splitting stems will reveal a brown discoloration in the pith, which does not occur with SDS.
    RCR causes reddish discoloration at the crown and small red structures (perithecia) on the lower stem.

Important: Red crown rot has not been identified in Iowa. If you suspect RCR, please contact Daren Mueller at dsmuelle@iastate.edu and/or send a plant sample to the ISU Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic for confirmation.

Correct diagnosis is essential for tracking disease distribution and making future management decisions.



Southern rust continues to develop across Iowa
Alison Robertson, ISU Extension Field Crops Pathologist 

Southern rust has continued to spread across Iowa and increase in severity since the disease was first reported in mid-July. This is not surprising considering the weather we have been having. July was warm and extremely wet across the state, and the precipitation has continued through this first 10 days of August.

Southern rust thrives in warm (77-82°F), wet (dew, rain) conditions. At least 6 hours of leaf wetness is required for infection to occur. Under these conditions, the time between a spore infecting a leaf to the production of a pustule filled with new spores is 7 to 10 days. Compare this to tar spot (14-21 days) and gray leaf spot (14 days).  Consequently, southern rust epidemics can develop very quickly. Once we get into the cooler days of fall, southern rust development should slow.

Is it too late to apply a fungicide? 
According to this resource from the Crop Protection Network, applying a fungicide through R3 (milk) is likely to be beneficial. Only with severe disease pressure would a fungicide application be recommended at R4 (dough). I would consider severe southern rust disease pressure to be southern rust present on the ear leaf or in the upper canopy on most plants in the field at approximately 1% disease severity.  I’ve heard lots of chatter that southern rust is severe in the lower canopy.  Remember that the ear leaf and canopy above are filling grain. These are the leaves we need to apply a fungicide to and protect yield.

For folks who have already applied a fungicide, a second application is likely unnecessary. Your decision should depend on the product you used, the amount of disease in the upper canopy and the growth stage of your crop.  It goes without saying that at today’s grain prices, a second application of fungicide input is unlikely to result in an output (ROI).

How effective are fungicides against southern rust?
Fungicides vary in their efficacy against southern rust based on observations from corn pathologists across the U.S. Newer products, with VG-E efficacy, will protect leaves from new infections for 35-42 days, based on my experience. Older products and generics are likely protecting the leaves for 21 days.

Is southern rust going to be another disease we need to manage every year?
The southern rust pathogen is different from the pathogens that cause tar spot, gray leaf spot and northern corn leaf blight in that it will not survive the winter in Iowa.  All rust pathogens are obligate parasites, which means they can only survive on a living host. Rusts are, in a way, “snowbirds”. They survive on living hosts in Central America during our winter. Then each growing season, their spores are blown up to Iowa on southerly winds. Consequently, each new growing season starts with a clean slate when it comes to southern rust.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 8/8/2025

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending August 8, ethanol production picked up 1.1% to 1.09 million b/d, equivalent to 45.91 million gallons daily. Output was 2.0% higher than the same week last year and 5.0% above the three-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate ticked up 0.1% to 1.09 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.71 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks retreated 4.7% to 22.6 million barrels, the lowest volume since mid-December 2024. Stocks were 3.0% less than the same week last year and 3.3% below the three-year average. Inventories thinned across all regions except the Rocky Mountains (PADD 4), which remained even with the prior week.

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, ebbed 0.4% to 9.00 million b/d (138.35 bg annualized). Demand was 0.5% less than a year ago and 0.9% below the three-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol climbed 0.8% to an 11-week high of 929,000 b/d, equivalent to 14.28 bg annualized. Still, net inputs were 0.3% less than year-ago levels and even with the three-year average.

Ethanol exports expanded 6.0% to an estimated 123,000 b/d (5.2 million gallons/day). It has been more than a year since EIA indicated ethanol was imported.



Fertilizer Prices Continue Mixed

Retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN for the first week of August 2025 were mixed. No fertilizer price was substantially higher or lower than a month ago for the ninth week in a row. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

Four fertilizers had slightly higher prices. DAP had an average price of $822/ton, MAP $892/ton, potash $484/ton and UAN28 $421/ton. 

Four fertilizers were slightly lower looking back to the prior month. Urea had an average price of $646/ton, 10-34-0 $669/ton, anhydrous $765/ton and UAN32 $498/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.70/lb.N, anhydrous $0.47/lb.N, UAN28 $0.75/lb.N and UAN32 $0.78/lb.N.

Seven fertilizers are now higher in price compared to one year earlier. 10-34-0 is 5% higher, MAP is 9% more expensive, DAP is 11% higher, anhydrous is 13% more expensive, UAN28 is 25% higher, urea is 28% higher and UAN32 is 32% more expensive looking back to last year. 

The remaining fertilizer price continues to be lower. Potash is 4% lower compared to last year.



BASF, Corteva Agriscience and M.S. Technologies, L.L.C. sign agreement to bring industry-first soybean trait stack to market 

BASF, Corteva Agriscience and M.S. Technologies, L.L.C. today announced that they have entered into a trait licensing agreement to bring BASF’s novel nematode resistant soybean (NRS) trait with Enlist E3® soybeans and Conkesta E3® soybeans to farmers in Brazil. The NRS trait offers the first ever biotech solution for effectively managing root lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus brachyurus) and soybean cyst nematodes – difficult-to-control microscopic pests that damage soybeans and threaten yields. 

“This novel trait has demonstrated more than 90% control of root lesion nematodes in more than 160 field trials over the past seven years,” said Adolfo Vitorio Ulbrich, Regional R&D Seeds Director at BASF Agricultural Solutions in Latin America. “We are excited to cooperate with Corteva and M.S. Technologies, L.L.C. to bring to Brazilian farmers the first commercially available biotechnology trait for soybeans to provide a critical management tool against nematodes.” 

The Enlist® weed control system is a U.S. industry-leading system for soybeans, corn, and cotton. Enlist E3 soybeans are tolerant to 2,4-D choline, glyphosate and glufosinate herbicides, giving growers additional herbicide options to manage resistant and hard-to-control weeds. Conkesta E3 soybeans additionally incorporate two Bt proteins (Cry1F and Cry1Ac) for the management of the main caterpillar pests in soybean crops, a tailored option for farmers in Latin America.  

“We’re pleased about the opportunity to combine our Enlist E3 and Conkesta E3 soybean technology with the nematode resistant soybean (NRS) trait from BASF to offer growers across Brazil a critical new tool to help protect against Pratylenchus brachyurus and soybean cyst nematode,” said Christian Pflug, Licensing Director, Brazil and Paraguay, Corteva. 

The transgenic soybean event in Enlist E3 soybeans and Conkesta E3 soybeans is jointly developed and owned by Corteva and M.S. Technologies, L.L.C. 

“Since the beginning, M.S. Technologies, L.L.C. has been focused on developing the industry’s highest-performing soybean genetics,” said Joe Merschman, president of M.S. Technologies, L.L.C. “Pairing Enlist E3 and Conkesta E3 genetics from M.S. Technologies, L.L.C. with this new NRS trait developed by BASF represents a step change in value protection for soybean growers in South America.” 

BASF, Corteva, and M.S. Technologies, L.L.C. anticipate commercial varieties containing BASF’s innovative NRS trait in Enlist E3 soybeans and Conkesta E3 soybeans will be available to farmers in Brazil by the end of the decade or early next decade, pending applicable regulatory reviews and completion of field testing. Additional countries remain a possibility. 

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. 

Wednesday August 13 Ag News - PVC outlook meeting - Ag @ NE State Fair - AG supports domestic beef producers - AFBF on EPA DEF Updates - and more!

 Know Your Numbers, Know Your Options

Know Your Numbers, Know Your Options is a self-paced, 12-hour program designed to help farmers and ranchers strengthen their financial and operational management skills. 

Register here... https://advance.nebraska.edu/browse/unl/courses/know-your-numbers-know-your-options-update

The curriculum covers topics like goal setting, risk management and financial planning. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to set specific farming or ranching goals, understand key financial documents and use them to make sound business decisions. Participants have six months to complete the course and receive a certificate of completion.

The program is available through NU Advance, the university’s course delivery platform for online non-credit and professional development offerings. Jessica Groskopf, a Nebraska Extension educator and course instructor, said the dynamic learning experience works on desktop and mobile devices, making course content like videos, discussion boards and activities more accessible for enrolled participants.

“We’ve redesigned this course to meet producers where they are, both in terms of their time and their financial knowledge, while updating it with the latest information and strategies” said Jessica Groskopf, Nebraska Extension agricultural economist and course instructor. “Whether someone is just getting started or wants to sharpen their skills, this course offers a flexible, practical way to build confidence in managing the business side of the operation.”

After completing this course, participants will be able to define specific goals for their farming or ranching operations and outline a plan for achieving these goals, supported by present and projected cash flow budgets. They will also be prepared to establish and maintain a financial management information system, utilizing tools such as income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow budgets to guide their decisions.

The course includes four modules of interactive content that guide participants through critical aspects of agricultural business management:

    Module 1 – Goal Setting & Record Keeping: Participants learn effective goal-setting techniques and explore key accounting concepts, such as cash vs. accrual accounting, and record reconciliation.
     
    Module 2 – Balance Sheet Construction and Analysis: This module focuses on building and analyzing balance sheets, with an emphasis on financial ratios like working capital and debt-to-asset ratios.
     
    Module 3 – Cash Flow & Income Statements: Participants gain insight into cash flow management, budgeting, and income statement development, including accrual adjustments.
     
    Module 4 – Taxes: This session introduces farm taxation basics.

The course fee is $160 per person. The sixth month window to complete the course begins when you receive your login credentials after you register. 



Ag Experiences take center stage at the 2025 Nebraska State Fair

From thrilling rodeos and llama shows to milking demos and mac & cheese contests, the 2025 Nebraska State Fair offers an unforgettable lineup of agriculture-centered experiences that celebrate Nebraska’s heritage while inspiring the next generation.

“I have to laugh when folks say that state fairs shouldn’t spend so much time focusing on agriculture,” said Kourtney Lingeman, Competitive Exhibits Manager. ”Agriculture is the largest industry in our state — it’s the entirety of what state fairs were built on. A major portion of our jobs here in Nebraska revolve around ag. The food we eat, the household products we use.”

Lingeman said the Nebraska State Fair is about recognizing the hard work of county fairs, while providing opportunities for competition and showmanship on — how many refer to the State Fair — ‘the big stage.’ 

“So many families have exhibited here for generations,” said Lingeman. “What we do in all of our barns and buildings is honor that legacy while also creating new opportunities for today’s youth, their families and all of our guests to engage in meaningful ways with Nebraska agriculture.”

Noteworthy in 2025
    PRCA Ranch Rodeo: Making its debut as a nationally sanctioned event, this high-stakes competition highlights the skills real ranch teams use every day.
    Remarkable Rodeo: On Friday, August 29, youth 18 and under with mental or physical exceptionalities are invited to participate in simulated rodeo events — walkers and wheelchairs welcome.
    Branded Bonanza: See adopted wild horses compete in in-hand events; some may even be available for adoption.
    Hands-On Llama Show: Ever wanted to show a llama? Now’s your chance — no experience necessary.
    Live Foods Contests: Watch mac & cheese, smoothies, and King Arthur Flour creations judged live in the Foods Department.

Fan Favorites Return
    Avenue of Breeds and the Birthing Pavilion offer daily opportunities to meet animals up close, with early-morning Birthing Pavilion Before Hours experiences available on select days.
    Highland cattle, llama & alpaca costume contests, and the Calling All Male Cooks competition are longtime crowd-pleasers.
    Cattle Dog Trials return to the Thompson Foods Indoor Arena on Friday and Saturday, August 29-30.
    High School Rodeo, 4-H & FFA Fieldhouse demos, and the art-meets-faith performance God’s Gallery add to the daily mix.

“People come out year after year for the tractors, the rodeos, the livestock shows,” said Lingeman. “It’s about tradition. It’s about nostalgia. For so many of us, the Fair was something our whole extended family did together — and still does.”

Don’t Miss These Ag Highlights
(A small sampling—visit StateFair.org for a full schedule)
    Llama Yoga: Back by popular demand — $30 includes a commemorative yoga mat
    Case IH Combine Rides: Daily rides around the track in a Grand Island-made combine
    Moo-U Livestock Tours: Free guided barn tours, fun and educational for all ages
    Milking Parlor Demonstrations: Multiple times daily — see where milk really comes from
    Antique Tractor Games and Tractor Displays: Get your fill of vintage horsepower
    Draft Horse Pull, Extreme Trail Challenge, and Team Roping: Action-packed events that showcase grit, grace, and good horses

The 2025 Nebraska State Fair offers all fairgoers the chance to Showcase Your Fair Face, August 22 through September 1 at Fonner Park in Grand Island. The fair has drawn more than 4 million visitors to its home in Grand Island since 2010. More information about agricultural events and competitions, carnival entertainment, and other musical performances is available at www.StateFair.org.



Platte Valley Cattlemen Outlook Meeting

The annual Platte Valley Cattlemen outlook meeting is set for Monday August 18th at the Doernemann Barn near Clarkson.  Social Hour is at 6pm, and the meal will be served at 7pm.  Guest Speakers from Tredas will talk about the situation in the markets today and the outlook into next year and beyond.  Thanks to Pinnacle Bank for sponsoring the meal and Tredas for sponsoring the social hour.  They look forward to seeing you Monday evening.  


AG Hilgers Joins Amicus Beef Supporting American Cattle Ranchers

Attorney General Mike Hilgers joined a bipartisan coalition of 11 Attorneys General in filing an amicus brief that supports cattle ranchers against manufacturers who are selling foreign-sourced beef products under a “Product of USA” label. South Dakota ranchers sued when manufacturers wrongly used the “Product of USA” label on its foreign-sourced beef products. The district court ruled for the ranchers, and the case is now on appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.  

“Our office is committed to ensuring that Nebraskans can purchase and consume accurately labeled beef products. The Cornhusker State is a proud producer of beef, and we are joining our sister states to protect American ranchers and their businesses,” stated Attorney General Mike Hilgers.  

In the South Dakota–led brief, the Attorneys General point out that the Department of Agriculture now acknowledges that the use of the label for foreign-sourced beef products conflicts with federal requirements. They ask the court to order the manufacturers to stop falsely labeling their beef as a “Product of USA.”

The Attorneys General of Colorado, Kansas, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming joined in supporting American ranchers and consumers.



USDA Forecasts U.S. Corn Production Up and Soybean Production Down from 2024

The Crop Production report issued Tuesday by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) forecasted corn production up from 2024 and soybean production down from last year. Corn production is up 13% from last year, forecast at 16.7 billion bushels; soybean growers are expected to decrease their production 2% from 2024, forecast at 4.29 billion bushels.

Average corn yield is forecast at a record high 188.8 bushels per acre, up 9.5 bushels from last year. NASS also forecasts record high yields in Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin. As of Aug. 3, 73% of this year’s corn crop was reported in good or excellent condition, 6 percentage points above the same time last year.

Soybean yields are expected to average a record high 53.6 bushels per acre, up 2.9 bushels from 2024. If realized, the forecasted yields in Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, and Virginia will be record highs.

All wheat production is forecast at 1.93 billion bushels, down 2% from 2024. Growers are expected to produce 1.36 billion bushels of winter wheat this year, up 1% from the previous forecast and up less than 1% from last year. Durum wheat production is forecast at 87.4 million bushels, up 9% from 2024. All other spring wheat production is forecast at 484 million bushels, down 11% from last year. Based on Aug. 1 conditions, the U.S. all wheat yield is forecast at 52.7 bushels per acre, up 1.5 bushels from 2024.

Today’s report also included the first NASS production forecast of the season for U.S. cotton. NASS forecasts all cotton production at 13.2 million 480-pound bales, down 8% from last year. Yield is expected to average 862 pounds per harvested acre, down 24 pounds from 2024. Forecasts for apple, cranberry, grape, peach, pear and other crops are also included in the report.

NASS interviewed approximately 14,900 producers across the country in preparation for this report. NASS is now gearing up to conduct its September Agricultural Survey, which will collect final acreage, yield, and production information for wheat, barley, oats, and rye as well as grains and oilseeds stored on farms across the nation. That survey will take place during the first two weeks of September.



As USDA Reports Record Corn Crop, Growers Call for Immediate Action to Increase Markets

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is intensifying its call for action from Congress and the administration after the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest World Agriculture and Supply and Demand Estimates report projected a record 16.7-billion-bushel corn crop this year, further threatening the livelihood of farmers already facing record-low corn prices.

“Corn growers are already marketing their corn for extremely low corn prices, and this massive projected corn supply without market-based solutions to increasing corn demand is already causing corn prices to fall further,” said Illinois farmer and NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr. “Because we need markets fast for this supply, we are redoubling and intensifying our call for Congress to pass pending E15 legislation that will allow for year-round consumer access to higher blends of ethanol and for the Trump administration to quickly broker deals that will open new foreign markets for corn.”

Today’s WASDE report projects average corn yields of 188.8 bushels per acre for 2025, for an overall crop of 16.7 billion bushels. If the projections prove accurate, this year’s crop will be the largest on record by far: 1.4 billion bushels above the current production record set in 2023, a 9.1% increase.

An immediate boost to demand would be the passage of legislation authorizing year-round consumer access to 15% ethanol blend, or E15. This solution comes at no cost to consumers, requires no additional infrastructure developments and would generate demand for an additional 457 million bushels of corn, according to NCGA estimates.   

NCGA is also pushing the administration to quickly broker additional deals with other countries and finalize details on deals already announced. For example, India, Vietnam and Kenya are all strategically important markets to U.S. corn growers.

“My family survived the 1980s farm crisis,” said Hartman. “I don’t want my daughter to be talking about the 2020’s farm crisis in 40 years. The situation is dire, and new market demand is the only way we are going to dig out of this.”



Farmers Applaud Common-Sense Approach to Diesel Engines

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement that it will revise Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) guidelines for manufacturers of heavy trucks and off-road equipment. Manufacturers will be directed to update software in equipment that uses DEF to prevent them from losing power.

“Farm Bureau thanks the EPA and Administrator Zeldin for their common-sense approach to heavy trucks and off-road equipment that use Diesel Exhaust Fluid. When a vehicle runs out of DEF or there is an error in the software, it loses power, causing delays that could be the difference between getting a crop harvested or animals to their destination.

“EPA’s decision to grant a grace period to make repairs or refill DEF is the right thing to do. It keeps commerce moving and farmers in the field.”



Crop Insurance Deadline Nears for Fall Planted Crops

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds agricultural producers that the final date to apply for or make changes to their existing crop insurance coverage is quickly approaching for fall planted crops. Sales closing dates vary by crop and location, but the next major sales closing dates are Sept. 1 and Sept. 30.   

Producers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2026 crop year. Crop insurance coverage decisions must be made on or before the applicable sales closing date.  The USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) lists sales closing dates in the Actuarial Information Browser, under the “Dates” tab.   

Producers can also access the RMA Map Viewer tool to visualize the insurance program date choices for acreage reporting, cancellation, contract change, earliest planting, end of insurance, end of late planting period, final planting, premium billing, production reporting, sales closing, and termination dates, when applicable, per commodity, insurance plan, type, and practice. Additionally, producers can access the RMA Information Reporting System tool to specifically identify applicable dates for their operation, using the “Insurance Offer Reports” application.   

Federal crop insurance is critical to the farm safety net. It helps producers and owners manage revenue risks and strengthens the rural economy. Producers may select from several coverage options, including yield coverage, revenue protection, and area risk plans of insurance. 

Crop insurance options include Whole-Farm Revenue Protection and Micro Farm. Whole-Farm Revenue Protection provides a risk management safety net for all commodities on the farm under one insurance policy and is available in all counties nationwide. Micro Farm aims to help direct market and small-scale producers that may sell locally, and this policy simplifies record keeping and covers post-production costs such as washing and value-added products.   

Tuesday August 12 USDA Crop Production Estimate and WASDE Update

Crop Production 
August 12, 2025
National Agricultural Statistics Service 
United States Department of Agriculture

Corn Production Up 13 Percent from 2024
Soybean Production Down 2 Percent from 2024
Winter Wheat Production Up 1 Percent from July Forecast 

Corn production for grain is forecast at 16.7 billion bushels, up 13 percent from 2024, which if realized would be the highest production for grain on record for the United States. Based on conditions as of August 1, the yield is forecast at a record high 188.8 bushels per acre, up 9.5 bushels from last year's 179.3 bushels. Total planted area, at 97.3 million acres, is up 2 percent from the previous estimate and up 7 percent from the previous year. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 88.7 million acres, up 2 percent from the previous forecast and up 7 percent from the previous year.

Nebraska - Yield 192 bu/acre ('24 - 188) - total production 1.93 bil bu.
Iowa - Yield 222 bu/acre ('24 - 211)- total production 2.87 bil bu.

Soybean production for beans is forecast at 4.29 billion bushels, down 2 percent from 2024. Based on conditions as of August 1, yields are expected to average a record high 53.6 bushels per acre, up 2.9 bushels from 2024. Area harvested for beans in the United States is forecast at 
80.1 million acres, down 3 percent from the previous forecast and down 7 percent from 2024.

Nebraska - Yield 57 bu/acre ('24 - 57.5) - total production 270.7 mil bu
Iowa - Yield 63 bu/acre ('24 - 60) - total production 587.7 mil bu 

All wheat production for grain is forecast at 1.93 billion bushels, down slightly from the previous forecast and down 2 percent from 2024. Based on August 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 52.7 bushels per harvested acre, up 0.1 bushel from the previous forecast and up 1.5 bushels from 2024. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 36.6 million acres, down less than 1 percent from the previous forecast and down 5 percent from 2024.

Winter wheat production is forecast at 1.36 billion bushels, up 1 percent from the July 1 forecast and up less than 1 percent from 2024. As of August 1, the United States yield is forecast at 54.8 bushels per acre, up 0.6 bushel from last month and up 3.1 bushels from last year's average yield of 51.7 bushels per acre. Area expected to be harvested for grain or seed totals 24.7 million acres, down less than 1 percent from the Acreage report and down 5 percent from 2024.

Nebraska - Yield 40 bu/acre ('24 - 37) - Total production 32.4 mil bu

Hard Red Winter production, at 769 million bushels, is up 2 percent from last month. Soft Red Winter, at 339 million bushels, is up 1 percent from the July forecast. White Winter, at 247 million bushels, is down 3 percent from last month. Of the White Winter production, 20.5 million bushels are Hard White and 226 million bushels are Soft White. 

Durum wheat production is forecast at 87.4 million bushels, up 10 percent from the previous forecast and up 9 percent from 2024. Based on August 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 40.9 bushels per harvested acre, up 2.2 bushels from the previous forecast and up 1.6 bushels from 2024. A record high yield is forecast for North Dakota. Area expected to be harvested for grain or seed totals 2.14 million acres, up 4 percent from the Acreage report and up 5 percent from 2024.

Other spring wheat production for grain is forecast at 484 million bushels, down 4 percent from the previous forecast and down 11 percent from last year. Based on August 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 50.0 bushels per harvested acre, down 1.7 bushels from the previous forecast and down 2.5 bushels from 2024. Area harvested for grain or seed is expected to total 9.69 million acres, down 1 percent from the Acreage report, and down 6 percent from 2024. Of the total production, 449 million bushels are Hard Red Spring wheat, down 4 percent from the July forecast.This report was approved on August 12, 2025.



World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates
USDA - Aug 12, 2025

COARSE GRAINS: This month’s 2025/26 U.S. corn outlook is for sharply higher supplies, greater domestic use and exports, and larger ending stocks. Projected beginning stocks for 2025/26 are 35 million bushels lower based on a slightly higher use forecast for 2024/25. For 2024/25, larger corn exports are partly offset by reductions in corn used for ethanol and glucose and dextrose. Corn production for 2025/26 is forecast at a record 16.7 billion bushels, up 1.0 billion from last month with a 1.9-million acre increase in harvested area and higher yield. If realized, this total would be 1.4 billion bushels more than the prior record set in 2023/24. The season’s first survey-based corn yield forecast, at a record 188.8 bushels per acre, is 7.8 bushels higher than last month’s projection. Sorghum production is forecast up 24 million bushels to 391 million. The yield is forecast at 69.0 bushels per acre, slightly above last month’s projection while harvested area is up 0.4-million acres. 

Total U.S. corn use for 2025/26 is forecast 545 million bushels higher to 16.0 billion. Feed and residual use is raised 250 million bushels to 6.1 billion based on a larger crop and lower expected prices. Corn used for glucose and dextrose is projected lower based on observed use during 2024/25. Corn used for ethanol for 2025/26 is raised 100 million bushels to 5.6 billion. Exports are raised 200 million bushels to a record 2.9 billion reflecting U.S. export competitiveness and expectations of relatively low world market prices. With supply rising more than use, ending stocks are up 457 million bushels to 2.1 billion and if realized would be the highest in absolute terms since 2018/19. The season-average corn price received by producers is lowered 30 cents $3.90 per bushel. 

Global coarse grain production for 2025/26 is forecast 24.9 million tons higher to 1.572 billion. This month’s 2025/26 foreign coarse grain outlook is for lower production, trade, and ending stocks relative to last month. Foreign corn production is down reflecting cuts to the EU and Serbia that are partially offset by increases for Ukraine and Canada. For the EU and Serbia extreme heat and dryness in southeastern Europe during the month of July reduces yield prospects. Area is also lowered for the EU. Ukraine production is raised on greater area. Canada is higher reflecting an increase in yield expectations. Foreign barley production for 2025/26 is reduced with a decline for Uruguay.

Major global coarse grain trade changes for 2025/26 include higher corn exports for the United States and Ukraine but reductions for Serbia and the EU. Corn imports are raised for Mexico, the EU, Egypt, Colombia, and Turkey but lowered for Canada. Foreign corn ending stocks are down, reflecting declines for China, Indonesia, and the EU that are partly offset by increases for Ukraine and Egypt. Global corn stocks, at 282.6 million tons, are up 10.4 million.

OILSEEDS: The 2025/26 outlook for U.S. soybeans includes lower beginning stocks, production, and ending stocks. Beginning stocks are lowered 20 million bushels on an increase to crush and exports in the prior marketing year. Soybean production for 2025/26 is forecast at 4.3 billion bushels, down 43 million on a lower area partly offset by a higher yield. Harvested area is forecast at 80.1 million acres, down 2.4 million from July. The first survey-based soybean yield forecast of 53.6 bushels per acre is up 1.1 bushels from last month. With lower supply and the slow pace of export sales to date, exports are reduced 40 million bushels. Crush is unchanged at 2.54 billion bushels. U.S. ending stocks are forecast at 290 million bushels, down 20 million from last month. 

The U.S. season-average soybean price for 2025/26 is forecast unchanged at $10.10 per bushel. The soybean meal price is forecast at $280 per short ton, down 10 dollars. The soybean oil price forecast is unchanged at 53 cents per pound.

Global 2025/26 oilseed production is lowered 3.3 million tons to 690.1 million mainly on lower soybean, sunflowerseed, and cottonseed production. Global sunflowerseed production is lowered 1.2 million tons to 55.1 million on hot and dry weather conditions leading to lower yields for the EU, Ukraine, Turkey, and Serbia. 

Global soybean supply and demand forecasts for 2025/26 include lower production, exports, and ending stocks. Global production for 2025/26 is lowered mainly on lower production for the United States and Serbia. Exports are reduced for the United States but raised for Argentina and Uruguay. Imports are reduced for the EU, Iran, and Vietnam. Global ending stocks are reduced 1.2 million tons to 124.9 million on lower stocks for Argentina, the EU, Iran, Vietnam, and the United States. 

WHEAT: The outlook for 2025/26 U.S. wheat is for slightly tighter supplies, reduced domestic use, higher exports, and smaller ending stocks. Supplies are reduced on lower production, down 2 million bushels to 1,927 million on smaller harvested area only partly offset by a higher yield. The all wheat yield is raised 0.1 bushels per acre to 52.7. Production forecasts are decreased for Hard Red Spring and White, but increased for Hard Red Winter, Durum, and Soft Red Winter. Domestic use is lowered 5 million bushels on reduced food use, based primarily on the latest NASS Flour Millings Products report. Exports are raised 25 million bushels to 875 million on the continued strong early pace of sales and shipments, particularly for Hard Red Winter. Projected ending stocks are reduced by 21 million bushels to 869 million. The 2025/26 season-average farm price is reduced by $0.10 per bushel to $5.30 on a lower projected U.S. corn price and price expectation for wheat the remainder of the marketing year. 

The global wheat outlook for 2025/26 is for lower supplies, reduced consumption, higher trade, and smaller ending stocks. Supplies are projected to drop 2.5 million tons to 1,069.6 million primarily on lower production for China, Brazil, and Argentina that is only partly offset by a larger forecast for the EU. In addition, smaller beginning stocks are forecast for several countries including Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, and the Philippines. Production in China is lowered 2.0 million tons to 140.0 million on National Bureau of Statistics data indicating smaller-than-expected yields. EU production is raised 1.0 million tons to 138.3 million, which would be the highest since 2021/22; several months of favorable weather conditions have improved quality and yield prospects primarily in Romania and Slovakia. Global consumption is lowered 1.1 million tons to 809.5 million, mainly on reduced feed and residual use for China, Indonesia, and the Philippines that is only partly offset by larger use in the EU. World trade is increased 0.5 million tons to 213.5 million primarily on increased exports by the United States. Projected 2025/26 global ending stocks are lowered 1.4 million tons to 260.1 million, the lowest since 2015/16.

LIVESTOCK, POULTRY, AND DAIRY: The forecast for 2025 red meat and poultry production is reduced from last month. Beef production is lowered on reduced fed and non-fed cattle slaughter and lighter dressed weights. Pork production is reduced reflecting official data reported through the first half of the year, as well as a slower slaughter rate and reduced dressed weights in the third and fourth quarters. Broiler production is raised reflecting recent production and hatchery data. Turkey production is reduced on recent hatchery data indicating lower production in the fourth quarter of the year. Egg production is lowered on reported data through June and slower growth expected in the second half of the year based on recent hatchery data.

For 2026, beef production is lowered due to reduced expected placements in the second half of 2025, as well as reduced cow slaughter in 2026. Pork production is lowered on reduced slaughter and lighter dressed weights carrying into 2026. Broiler and turkey production are raised for the year on lower feed costs and supportive demand due to tighter red meat supplies. Egg production forecasts are unchanged from last month.

Beef imports for 2025 are lowered to reflect reported trade data through the first half of the year, as well as reduced shipments due to higher tariff rates, particularly from Brazil. The reduction is carried into beef imports for 2026. The beef export forecast is reduced for 2025, reflecting tighter domestic supplies. The reduction is carried into lower exports for the first half of 2026. The pork export forecast for 2025 is raised based on official data reported through June and no changes are made to 2026 pork exports. The broiler export forecast is also raised for 2025 based on data through June and is unchanged for 2026. The turkey export forecast for 2025 is raised on data through June and higher exports for the third quarter. The 2026 turkey export forecast is unchanged.

Cattle price forecasts for 2025 are raised for both the third and fourth quarters based on recent price strength and resilient demand for beef. The higher cattle price forecasts are carried into 2026. The 2025 hog price forecast is raised based on recent prices, with increases continuing into 2026 on tighter pork supplies. Broiler price forecasts for 2025 are reduced for the second half of the year based on recent price declines through early August, with reduced prices carrying into next year. Turkey prices are raised for the second half of 2025 and 2026 based on recent price strength and support from tight supplies of red meat. The egg price forecast for 2025 is reduced on lower fourth-quarter prices reflecting recent prices and improved shell egg inventories. The egg price forecast in 2026 is unchanged.

The milk production forecasts for 2025 and 2026 are raised from last month. The cow inventories are raised for both years based on the most recent data in the Milk Production report. The growth in output per cow is also increased for 2025 and 2026.

Fat basis imports for 2025 are reduced from last month, mainly on butterfat products. Skim-solids basis imports for 2025 are raised on higher milk protein concentrates. For 2026, imports are raised on skim-solids basis reflecting higher imports of milk protein concentrates but are unchanged on a fat basis. The 2025 fat basis export forecast is raised on higher expected shipments of butter and cheese. The skim-solids basis export forecast for 2025 is also raised on more exports of dried skim milk products and whey products. The fat basis export forecast for 2026 is raised on higher exports of cheese. The skim-solids basis export forecast for 2026 is raised primarily on higher shipments of whey products, lactose, and dried skim milk products.

The price forecast for 2025 butter is lowered from the previous month based on recent price weakness. The 2025 price forecasts for cheese and whey are unchanged, while nonfat dry milk (NDM) is raised. The Class III price is unchanged based on cheese and whey prices. The Class IV price is lowered on lower butter more than offsetting higher NDM. The all milk price is unchanged at $22.00 per cwt. For 2026, the price forecasts for butter and NDM are raised based on firm demand from domestic and international markets. Cheese and whey prices are unchanged from last month. As a result, the Class III milk price is unchanged from last month and the Class IV price is increased. The all milk price is also raised to $21.90 per cwt.

Tuesday August 12 Ag News - Weekly Crop Progress - UNL Researchers crack more of Corn's DNA - Beef on Dairy impact to Beef Cow Herd Rebuild - CERCLA/EPCRA exemptions upheld - and more!

NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS REPORT 

Corn development is moving ahead quickly across the country, while here in Nebraska, 93% of corn is silking, a bit behind last year but close to average. Fifty-nine percent is in the dough stage, right in line with normal. Fifteen percent has dented, just above the five-year mark. Condition scores remain strong at 76% good to excellent.

In Nebraska, 88% of soybeans are blooming and 71% are setting pods, both just under the five-year norms but advancing quickly. Condition ratings are solid — 73% good to excellent.

In Nebraska, topsoil moisture is 76% adequate to surplus, up sharply from earlier this summer. Subsoil moisture is 71% adequate to surplus. 

Pasture and range ratings improved as well — now 46% good to excellent, though still with nearly a quarter rated poor or very poor. 



IOWA CROP PROGRESS REPORT

Precipitation, heaviest in the western third of the State, limited producers to 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending August 10, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Some fields started to dry out while low spots still had ponding. Field activities included harvesting oats and hay as conditions allowed.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 0 percent very short, 2 percent short, 68 percent adequate and 30 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 0 percent very short, 3 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 26 percent surplus.

Ninety-six percent of Iowa’s corn has reached the silking stage. Corn in the dough stage was 68 percent, 1 day ahead of both last year’s pace and the 5-year average. Fifteen percent of the corn crop was dented. Corn condition rated 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 11 percent fair, 57 percent good and 29 percent excellent.

Soybeans blooming reached 93 percent. Seventy-five percent of soybeans were setting pods, 2 days ahead of last year, but 3 days behind normal. Soybean condition rated 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 16 percent fair, 60 percent good and 21 percent excellent. 

Eighty-three percent of the oat crop has been harvested for grain, 1 week behind last year and 5 days behind average. 

The second cutting of alfalfa hay neared completion while 50 percent of the third cutting has been completed. Hay condition rated 85 percent good to excellent. 

Pasture condition rated 81 percent good to excellent. Overall, livestock were reported to be in good condition.



USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report

Corn and soybean good-to-excellent condition ratings slightly declined at the national level last week, according to USDA NASS's weekly Crop Progress report released on Monday.

CORN
-- Crop development: Corn silking was pegged at 94%, 1 percentage point ahead of last year's 93% and 1 percentage point below the five-year average of 95%. Corn in the dough stage was estimated at 58%, equal to last year and the five-year average. Corn dented was estimated at 14%, 2 percentage points behind last year's 16% and 1 percentage point ahead of the five-year average of 13%.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 72% of the crop was in good-to-excellent condition, 1 point behind from the previous week and 5 points ahead of last year's 67%. 

SOYBEANS
-- Crop development: Soybeans blooming were pegged at 91%, 1 point ahead of last year's 90% and 1 point below the five-year average of 92%. Soybeans setting pods were estimated at 71%, 1 point ahead of last year's 70% and 1 point behind the five-year average of 72%.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 68% of soybeans were in good-to-excellent condition, down 1 percentage point from 69% the previous week and consistent with last year. Seven percent of soybeans were rated very poor to poor, unchanged from the previous week and 1 percentage point below last year's 8%. 

WINTER WHEAT
-- Harvest progress: Harvest moved ahead another 4 percentage points last week to reach 90% complete nationwide as of Sunday. That was 2 points behind last year's 92% and 1 point behind the five-year average of 91%. 

SPRING WHEAT
-- Harvest progress: Spring wheat harvest jumped ahead 11 percentage points last week to reach 16% complete as of Sunday. That was equal to last year's pace and 6 points behind the five-year average of 22%.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 49% of the crop was in good-to-excellent condition nationwide, up 1 percentage point from 48% the previous week and 23 points below last year's 72% good-to-excellent rating. 



NEBRASKA’S CORN EXPERTISE HELPS CRACK CODE IN JOURNEY TO REVOLUTIONIZE AGRICULTURE

Experts in the heart of Husker Nation are once again helping the world unravel the genetic secrets of corn — a crop that plays a pivotal role in global agriculture.

In the latest published work from the lab of Nebraska’s James Schnable, Vladimir Torres-Rodriguez and Guangchao Sun helped an international team identify a hidden layer of genetic control within the DNA of corn. The findings reveal how small variations in DNA can influence important traits such as drought resistance, plant height and flower time, ultimately leading to more resilient crops. The study is to be published in Nature Genetics.

“The breakthrough we’re working toward is being able to look at maize (corn) DNA and say, ‘These are the parts that determine how genes are expressed — and this is how they shape the plant in the field,’” said Schnable, the Nebraska Corn Checkoff Presidential Chair and professor of agronomy and horticulture. “We’re not quite there yet — we can’t take a gene and just dial it up or down on command. But we’re getting closer.”

Nebraska database unlocks puzzle
The study, led by researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research in Cologne, Germany, and Heinrich-Heine University in Düsseldorf, Germany, identified a series of genetic switches that determine plant traits. The switches — regions of DNA called transcription factor binding sites — act like molecular “dimmer knobs,” turning individual genes in plant genomes up or down in response to environmental and genetic cues.

Overall, the study identified more than 200,000 variations — known as binding-QTLs — that influence how corn genes are expressed.

To verify the findings, the research team turned to Schnable’s group and the world’s largest public datasets of gene expression in corn, which is available through UNL and built on generations of Husker-led research.

Torres-Rodriguez, a research assistant professor in agronomy and horticulture, primarily used a dataset developed by Schnable and Sun, now a professor of corn genetics at Sichuan Agricultural University, in an earlier study that connected genetic differences in maize to the way genes are turned on and off — a type of analysis known as expression QTL, or eQTL, mapping.

By applying that dataset to the new study’s discoveries, Torres-Rodriguez confirmed that many of the genetic variants identified by the German-led team were located near genes and within known regulatory regions — the DNA elements that serve as on-off switches for gene expression. In fact, Torres-Rodriguez found that roughly 27% of these variants were located in such regulatory zones, far more than would be expected by chance.

“I remember running to (Schnable’s) office after seeing the enrichment,” Torres-Rodriguez said. “We had found the signal. He was so happy — it was a breakthrough moment.”

To dig deeper, the team analyzed the genetic variants based on how far they were from the genes they influence, revealing a sharp decline in regulatory power with distance. The closer a variant was to a gene, the more likely it was to affect expression — and ultimately, traits like drought tolerance or yield.

“We’re not in this study by chance — we’re in it because we are experts here at Nebraska,” Torres-Rodriguez said. “We have one of the strongest infrastructures for maize gene expression in the world, right here in Nebraska.”

New method maps regulatory DNA faster than ever
The larger study introduced a new high-throughput method to identify and analyze these elusive regulatory elements. By using hybrids — the result of crossing genetically different varieties of corn — scientists could directly compare how transcription factors bind to maternal and paternal DNA within the same plant.

That innovation enabled the team to pinpoint the more than 200,000 cis-regulatory elements in just 25 hybrid maize lines — a process that would have taken much longer using older techniques. When they focused the method on drought stress, they identified more than 2,000 cis-elements and related genes that specifically respond to dry conditions.

The resulting database confirms a long-held theory: that variation in regulatory regions — more so than in genes themselves — is a major driver of important agricultural traits.

By providing a faster, more precise way to map the genomic “switchboard” that governs plant behavior, the study offers a powerful tool for breeders seeking to develop maize that can thrive in a changing climate, with higher yields and better resistance to stress.

“This discovery doesn’t just push maize genetics forward — it lays the groundwork for developing crops that can better withstand environmental stresses, ensuring food security in a changing climate,” Schnable said. “Nebraska’s position as a leader in maize research means we’re uniquely poised to turn these insights into real-world solutions for farmers here and around the globe.”



Nebraska Farmers Union Announces Dates for Fall District Meetings

At the District Meeting:
    Hear NFU Fly-In reports.
    Elect District President, Vice President, Secretary for one year
    Select one or two candidates to be delegates to NFU Convention, March 7-9, 2026 in New Orleans, LA
    Nominate District Director Candidates in Districts 3 (Darrel Buschkoetter) & District 7 (Art Tanderup)

NeFU District 7 Fall Meeting
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
6:30 pm Supper with Meeting to Follow
Perkins Restaurant
1229 Omaha Avenue, Norfolk, NE 68701
President: Keith Dittrich: (402) 990-7570
Director: Art Tanderup: (402) 278-0942

NeFU District 5 Fall Meeting
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
6:00 Supper with Meeting to Follow
Lee’s Chicken Restaurant
1940 W Van Dorn St
Lincoln, NE 68522
President: Amy Svoboda: (402) 817-9647
Director: Ron Todd Meyer (402) 879-5800

NeFU District 6 Fall Meeting
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
5:30 Supper with Meeting to Follow
Office Bar & Grill Restaurant
121 N Main St, Hooper, NE 68031
President: Paul Poppe (402) 380-4508
Director: Andrew Tonnies (402) 590-7096




New Course “LLCs for Nebraska Farms and Ranches” Launches 

The Nebraska Women in Agriculture program is proud to announce the launch of a new online course, LLCs for Nebraska Farms and Ranches, available from July 1, 2025 to August 31, 2025. This self-paced course will be housed within the program’s online learning community, Agri-Essentials, and is designed specifically for agricultural producers interested in forming or better managing a Limited Liability Company (LLC). 

Whether you're exploring LLCs as a new business structure for your farm or ranch or looking to better manage your existing LLC, this course offers practical guidance tailored to the unique needs of Nebraska producers. 

Course participants will learn how to: 
    Decide whether an LLC is the right entity structure for their operation 
    Navigate the steps and costs of forming an LLC in Nebraska 
    Identify and avoid frequent legal and tax missteps through better business management 

The course includes short video interviews with attorneys, accountants, and ag professionals, as well as checklists, worksheets, and links to podcasts and articles that address specialized topics. 

Enrollment in Agri-Essentials is $175 per person and provides access to LLCs for Nebraska Farms and Ranches along with all other content and courses released in the community through February 28, 2026. 

“Agri-Essentials was created to meet producers where they are,” said Jessica Groskopf, Director of the Nebraska Women in Agriculture program. “By offering this LLC course online, we’re making critical business knowledge available across Nebraska.”  

Agri-Essentials is supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2024-70027-42470. All attendees are welcome to participate regardless of race, gender, or any other protected status.  

To enroll, visit: https://go.unl.edu/ae.  



I-29 Moo University Beef On Dairy Dialogue Webinar On August 28 To Focus on BXD Market Outlook: Implications of Herd Rebuilding

The I-29 Moo University Beef On Dairy Dialogue Webinar Series continues Thursday, August 28 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. CDT. Dr. Peel, with Oklahoma State University, will cover the current cattle supply and demand fundamentals and expectations for prices, production and cattle inventories for 2025 and beyond. 

Derrell Peel is the Charles Breedlove Professor of Agribusiness in the Department of Agricultural Economics.  He has served as the Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist since he came to Oklahoma State University in 1989.  He has B.S. and M.S. degrees from Montana State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. He previously served as the Superintendent of the Southeastern Colorado Range Research Station in Springfield Colorado.   His main program areas at Oklahoma State University include livestock market outlook and marketing/risk management education for livestock producers. 

Derrell also works in the area of international livestock and meat trade with particular focus on Mexico and Canada and the North American livestock and meat industry.  He lived in Mexico on sabbatical in 2001 and has developed an extensive knowledge of the Mexican cattle and beef industry and the economics of cattle and beef trade between the U.S. and Mexico.

There is no fee to participate in the webinar; however, registration is required at least one hour prior to the webinar. Register online at: https://go.iastate.edu/HERDREBUILDING

For more information; in Iowa contact, Fred M. Hall, 712-737-4230; in Minnesota contact, Jim Salfer, 320-203-6093; or in South Dakota contact, Madison Kovarna, 605-688-4116.



NCBA Notches Legal Victory Protecting Cattle Producers from Overreaching Emissions Regulations

Last week, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) notched a legal victory in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia affirming protections for cattle farmers and ranchers from onerous and unnecessary air emissions reporting requirements. NCBA, along with a coalition of other livestock and farm groups, has engaged in this litigation for years to ensure that family farmers and ranchers were not forced to file complex, overreaching reports with the federal government about emissions under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). 

“CERCLA and EPCRA were intended to address the worst industrial and toxic chemicals, not govern family farms and ranches. This decision affirms that family cattle producers should not have to file reports for a natural, biological process under a law meant for significant chemical contaminants,” said NCBA Executive Director of Natural Resources Kaitlynn Glover. “NCBA stepped up to protect family farms and ranches through this litigation and we are pleased that the federal district court has brought clarity to this decades-long discussion." 

CERCLA and EPCRA are laws intended to address massive, severe chemical spills and environmental contaminants. Unfortunately, these laws have been weaponized by animal rights activists seeking to target family farms and ranches. The ruling in this case upholds a reporting exemption issued by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2019 that exempted cattle producers from reporting emissions under EPCRA, an exemption that was affirmed through the 2018 Farm Bill. 



U.S. Soy and Vietnam Celebrate 30 Years of Collaboration with Memorandum of Understanding to Strengthen Trade

The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) commemorated three decades of partnership between U.S. Soy and Vietnam with milestones including a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a keystone conference. The events highlighted the strength of the countries’ enduring relationship and its role in supporting Vietnam’s food, feed, and livestock sectors.

The agreement aims to strengthen trade ties, foster industry collaboration, and enhance awareness of U.S. Soy sustainability programs such as the U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP).

The MoU was signed by USSEC and the Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture Development in Vietnam, a unit under Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. U.S. Soy farmers Tim Bardole, USSEC Director from Iowa, and Jim Martin, American Soybean Association Director from Illinois, joined the delegation supporting it.

“Vietnam’s agricultural sector is committed to sustainable development and enhancing the competitiveness of our domestic industries,” said Hoang Trung, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in Vietnam. “This MoU with USSEC underscores our shared determination to build a reliable, transparent, and forward-looking supply chain — one that supports our economic and environmental goals while meeting growing demand for high-quality food and feed ingredients.”

Timothy Loh, USSEC Regional Director – S.E. Asia & Oceania, added, “The MoU marks a pivotal moment in the long-standing relationship between U.S. Soy and Vietnam. Through this collaboration, we look forward to strengthening supply chain connectivity and reinforcing our shared commitment to sustainability.”

This MoU is the latest in a series reaffirming the two countries’ shared commitment to mutually beneficial trade. During a trade mission co-sponsored by USSEC in June, Vietnam’s Minister of Agriculture and Environment, signed MoUs with USSEC members and other companies to purchase more than $1.4 billion in U.S. agricultural products, including soybeans, corn, wheat, meat, distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and timber. 

During the conference, “USSEC 30th Anniversary in Vietnam: Sustainable Solutions with U.S. Soy,” agribusiness leaders, government officials, and sustainability advocates from across Southeast Asia emphasized shared goals in climate-smart agriculture, responsible sourcing, and supply chain resilience.

As Southeast Asia’s third-largest U.S. Soy market, Vietnam imported an estimated 2.2 million metric tons (MMT) of whole soybeans and 5.9 MMT of soybean meal in marketing year 2023/24. U.S. Soy plays a critical role in supporting Vietnam’s pork, poultry, aquaculture, and soybean oil industries, which are modernizing rapidly to meet growing demand from a rising middle class.

The anniversary of U.S. Soy’s partnership with Vietnam aligns with the 30th anniversary of bilateral relations between the two nations. Agricultural trade has been a cornerstone of this broader relationship, advancing food security, sustainability, and economic resilience on both sides.

USSEC remains committed to strengthening supply chain connectivity and delivering sustainable solutions across Vietnam’s agri-food system.



Beef Demand – Key Producer Vitality Driver in 2025
Glynn T. Tonsor, Department of Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University
    
Calendar year 2025 continues to develop as one we are likely to remember for some time. Cattle prices are up substantially, many areas are greener and wetter than in recent years, and yes, we are on the cusp of college football starting (fingers crossed the KC Royals can make a playoff push also!). While good times indeed should be enjoyed, it is prudent to pause and take stock of key fundamentals at play. Here, the outsized role of beef demand is again worth highlighting.

As recently outlined in CBB’s The Drive series (“What’s Demand Got to Do with It?”), producer cattle receipts growing in 2024 were directly the result of higher beef demand. Anytime you can increase volume (carcass weight growth led to small increase in beef production from 2023) AND increase prices per unit we know demand increased – that was precisely the case for beef in 2024.

The Meat Demand Monitor project, beef and pork checkoff supported and based at Kansas State University, since February 2020 has provided timely and novel insights on domestic meat demand that are fully available to all interested parties. Most 2025 base MDM monthly reports have highlighted the direct role of macroeconomics and consumer financial sentiment. Narrowly, households reporting improving finances are much more likely to include meat protein in prior day meals and spend much more on food away-from-home as compared to those reporting stable or deteriorating finances. 

Given ongoing developments in measures of the U.S. macroeconomic situation, using the MDM to connect changes to meat demand relevance and ultimately producer bottom-lines is highly encouraged. Yes, there are many reasons for cattle producers to smile today but astute management starts with taking stock and accurately assessing one’s situation. As summer wraps up, I hope readers can enjoy a beverage of choice, enjoy a beautiful sunset one evening, and meanwhile take note of the clear and critical role consumer demand has in producer economic vitality.



Aerial Applicators Seeding Cover Crops, Nourishing Soil This Late Summer and Early Fall

While farm fields will soon be harvested and the farm season begins to wind down, aerial applicators are still working by seeding cover crops via aircraft. You may continue to hear the hum of an aircraft’s engine this fall. One of the most promising conservation practices aerial applicators can assist farmers with is aerially applying cover crop seeds, which are grasses, legumes, small grains, and other low-maintenance crops planted specifically to improve soil health and biodiversity.

Growing cover crops increases soil carbon sequestration, which involves removing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Aerial applicators seed 3.8 million acres of cover crops annually, which means they are responsible for helping to sequester 1.9 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent annually. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this would be the equivalent of removing approximately 412,000 cars with carbon-combustion engines from the roads each year.

“Fast-growing cover crops help anchor the soil, shielding it from erosion caused by wind, rain and melting snow,” said Andrew D. Moore, chief executive officer of NAAA. “By reducing soil loss and runoff, they contribute to cleaner water by limiting sediment in waterways.”

Cover crops are important to farmlands because they control erosion; nourish, retain and recycle soil nutrients; build organic matter and add hydration to improve soil health; improve water quality; and break disease and insect cycles. The roots of the cover crops improve soil structure by creating passages that allow for increased moisture and aeration. Soil compaction is essentially eliminated when seeding is done aerially due to the application being made above the crop, not in the crop.

In addition, aerial applications enable the spread of cover crop seeds over the existing cash crop without disrupting the standing crop, allowing the cover crop to start growing before the cash crop is harvested. Using a terrestrial vehicle delays the grower from planting until their cash crop is out of the field. Ground seeding may not offer the best timing for establishing a larger, healthy cover crop, which can be less than ideal, especially in the northern regions of the U.S., where early frost can hinder cover crop growth if seeding is delayed. Aerial application can also be used when the soil is wet, allowing for the quick seeding of many acres. Farmers using climate-smart agricultural conservation practices, such as no-till and cover cropping, may be eligible for the USDA’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Conservation Stewardship Program, and Conservation Technical Assistance producer-led grants and cost-share programs.