Monday February 10 Ag News

 New NebGuide: In-Season Nitrogen Management for Irrigated Corn

With developments in sensor technologies and fertilizer application systems over the past 10 years, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln recommends that irrigated corn growers adopt sensor-based in-season nitrogen (N) management. This approach offers clear advantages in profitability and N use efficiency compared to traditional N management approaches.  

A new NebGuide from Nebraska Extension, “In-Season Nitrogen Management for Irrigated Corn” (G2365), publication briefly reviews the history of N management research and fertilizer recommendations for corn in Nebraska, and the need for improved approaches for N management to increase profitability and reduce environmental impacts of fertilizer use. Based on research over the past 20 years in Nebraska, it describes approaches for using crop canopy sensor information to manage N during the growing season, rather than pre-season application, for irrigated corn production.

NebGuide G2365 is free and available online in PDF format https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/g2365/in-season-nitrogen-management-for-irrigated-corn.



CAP webinar: Building a Resilient Ag Workforce: Enhancing Retention for Agricultural Employees and H-2A Workers — The Basics
Feb 13 - 12 noon,
Shannon Sand, Extension Agricultural Economist, UNL Center for Agricultural Profitability

Building a strong workforce for agriculture is imperative to food security in the U.S. Part of that is increasing retention which, many agricultural companies have been focusing on in the last few years. Good employee retention strategies can help reduce turnover, increase productivity, and improve workplace morale.

With the changing ag workforce, H2A workers have become of more interest to many producers in Nebraska. This webinar will cover the basics of what is an H2A worker, and what the basic steps are when trying to hire H2A workers.

Miss the live webinar or want to review it again? Recordings are available — typically within 24 hours of the live webinar — in the archive section of the Center for Agricultural Profitability's webinar page, https://cap.unl.edu/webinars.



Ag Land Management Webinar to Offer Updates on Cash Rents, Leasing for 2025

The first Land Management Quarterly webinar of 2025 will examine methods for setting cash rents, flex lease alternatives and considerations for updating agricultural rental arrangements for the year.

The Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will cover the latest trends in Nebraska cash rental rates, new leasing considerations and more during its next Land Management Quarterly webinar at noon Central on Monday, Feb. 17.

Each quarter, the webinars address common management issues for Nebraska landowners, agricultural operators and related stakeholders interested in the latest insight on trends in real estate, managing agricultural land and solutions for addressing challenges in the upcoming growing season.

The February webinar will examine methods for setting cash rents, flex lease alternatives and considerations for updating agricultural rental arrangements for 2025. It will include an “Ask the Experts” session, allowing participants to get answers to their land or lease questions.

The webinar will be led by Jim Jansen and Anastasia Meyer, both in the Department of Agricultural Economics. Jansen focuses on agricultural finance, land economics and the direction of the annual Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Survey and Report. Meyer is an agricultural economist focusing on rental negotiations and leasing arrangements.

“This webinar will help anyone with a vested interest in land to better understand the financial and human forces reshaping the rural agricultural landscape,” Jansen said.

The webinar is free and will be recorded. Past recordings can be viewed the day after each session, along with recordings from the entire series.

Registration is free online https://cap.unl.edu/landmanagement.



Free Farm and Ag Law Clinics Set for February

Three clinics in February will provide confidential, one-on-one advice for farmers and ranchers on legal and financial issues, including estate planning and farm loans.

Free legal and financial clinics are being offered for farmers and ranchers across the state in February. The clinics are one-on-one in-person meetings with an agricultural law attorney and an agricultural financial counselor. These are not group sessions, and they are confidential.

The attorney and financial advisor specialize in legal and financial issues related to farming and ranching, including financial and business planning, transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, debt structure and cash flow, agricultural disaster programs, and other relevant matters. Here is an opportunity to obtain an independent, outside perspective on issues that may be affecting your farm or ranch.

Clinic Dates
    Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 — Norfolk
    Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 — Fairbury
    Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 — Norfolk

To sign up for a free clinic or to get more information, call the Nebraska Farm Hotline at 1-800-464-0258. Funding for this work is provided by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and Legal Aid of Nebraska.



NEBRASKA 4-H MONTH RECOGNIZES PROGRAM’S IMPACT ON YOUTHS

The impacts of Nebraska 4-H are being celebrated in February following a proclamation by Gov. Jim Pillen.

Surrounded by 4-H members and Nebraska Extension professionals, Pillen declared February as Nebraska 4-H Month in a Feb. 4 ceremony at the State Capitol. During the proclamation signing, Pillen recognized the program’s positive influence on youth development, leadership and community engagement statewide.

Before the signing, Kathleen Lodl, associate dean of Nebraska Extension and state 4-H program leader, spoke to the audience about 4-H’s impact on Nebraska’s youth. Supported by 13 youth ambassadors, she emphasized that the program offers not only a foundation for leadership development, but educational opportunities that extend beyond traditional agriculture into fields such as engineering and robotics.

“The acknowledgement of Nebraska 4-H Month signifies the importance the state places on young people and their role in becoming leaders,” Lodl said. “We are grateful for this recognition and the ongoing support of the 4-H program.”

The proclamation was drafted by Angela Abts, an Extension educator in Dakota and Dickson counties, and Lori Swanson, an Extension assistant in Phelps and Gosper counties, with input from program leaders across the state. It highlights the nearly third of Nebraska youth in all 93 counties who participate in 4-H.

“Citizenship is one of the projects for 4-H,” Swanson said. “I think this (ceremony) is a great way to show the kids citizenship in action. They’re representing their communities to the whole state, and that’s so important.”

The youth ambassadors who attended the ceremony came from Cass, Douglas, Sarpy and Washington counties, ranging from middle school to high school ages. Many have been 4-H members since they were Clover Kids, a group that starts at 5 years old. For some, visiting the Capitol to meet the governor was a unique outing.

“I never thought I’d have an experience like this,” said Jayden, from the Douglas and Sarpy county area. “I walked in the building, and I was just stunned. It’s so beautiful, and everyone is so nice.”

Regarding the proclamation’s significance, Blake, of Cass County, said, “I just think that’s really important because it spreads the word more about 4-H and gets more people into it.”

Abts said she hopes that having an official 4-H month in Nebraska will open more opportunities for youth and help local chapters. She said the governor’s proclamation might encourage counties or cities to issue their own proclamations in support of 4-H.

The nation’s largest youth development and empowerment organization, 4-H helps young people tackle important issues in their communities. In Nebraska, 4-H is present in each county through clubs, camps, school enrichment, after-school programs and special interest programs. In the United States, 4-H programs empower 6 million young people through 110 land-grant universities and Cooperative Extension in more than 3,000 local offices. Outside the United States, independent, country-led 4-H organizations serve 1 million young people in more than 50 countries. For more information, visit https://4h.unl.edu.



Nebraska Custom Rate Survey for Livestock-Related Services Seeking Participants Now

Many farmers and ranchers inquire about prevailing rates for various custom farm services. In addition to the regular biennial custom rates survey, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability has launched a new survey designed to provide market rate information for the Nebraska livestock industry. Producers and operators that perform and provide custom services for others, or that utilize custom services and pay others, are invited to participate in the survey.

Anyone interested in participating in the livestock-related custom rates survey can go directly to the online survey at:  go.unl.edu/2025livestockcr . All surveys must be submitted by February 28, 2025.

Or if you prefer to complete the survey in print, request a copy at: https://cap.unl.edu/nebraska-livestock-related-custom-rates-survey-sign  Nebraska Extension livestock systems educators or county extension office staff may also assist in obtaining a survey or provide the online link.

Services covered in the survey include charges for pasture maintenance, fencing, and trenching services, livestock processing fees and yardage rates, hauling fees, custom feed preparation, haying services, facility and equipment rental rates, manure pumping, hauling, and application charges.  

Even if only one or just a few custom services are utilized or performed by an individual operation, providing the rate information for services that you utilize or that you charge is important. Individual survey responses are kept anonymous and confidential. Nebraska state ranges and averages will be published.

By completing the survey, you will help ensure that the most accurate information possible is provided to Nebraska livestock producers and those that provide related services. Plans are to make this a biennial survey, alternating years between the traditional, more crop-related, biennial custom rates services survey and report.

If you have questions about the survey, email or call: Glennis McClure, UNL Department of Agricultural Economics, gmcclure3@unl.edu or 402.472.0661.



IA 2025 Renewable Fuels Marketing Awards to Sparky’s One Stop and Pro Cooperative

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig presented the 2025 Renewable Fuels Marketing Awards to two fuel retailers that are leaders in promoting biofuels in Iowa. Al’s Corner Oil, which operates Sparky’s One Stop, a chain of convenience stores in western and northwest Iowa, is the Secretary’s 2025 awardee for ethanol marketing. Pro Cooperative, a farmer-owned cooperative with its headquarters in Pocahontas, has been selected for the Secretary’s biodiesel marketing award.

Secretary Naig presented the award to Sparky’s One Stop during a visit to their convenience store location near Rockwell City on Friday, Feb. 7. He will present the award to Pro Cooperative at a later date.

“I want to congratulate and thank Sparky’s One Stop and Pro Cooperative for their leadership in promoting biofuels – an industry that does so much to strengthen Iowa,” said Secretary Naig. “Biofuels are a win-win for everyone. Consumers get access to more affordable, cleaner burning fuels. Our farmers have more markets for their crops, and we generate more economic activity in our rural communities. That’s why the State of Iowa is partnering with fuel retailers to expand infrastructure and increase the availability of higher biofuel blends around the state, giving drivers even more homegrown choices at the pump.”

Secretary’s Ethanol Marketing Award – Sparky’s One Stop (Al’s Corner Oil Company)
Al’s Corner Oil Company, with its home office in Carroll, has been a family-owned business since 1934. They operate Sparky’s One Stop, a chain of convenience stores found throughout communities in western and northwest Iowa. Their locations include Arthur, Auburn, Battle Creek, Bayard, Breda, Carroll, Cherokee, Guthrie Center, Harcourt, Jefferson, Lake City, Lake View, Lytton, Mallard, Newell, Onawa, Rippey, Rockwell City, Schaller, Storm Lake, Vail and Westside. Currently, Sparky’s One Stop markets E15 and E85 to their customers at seven locations with plans for significant expansion of these consumer offerings throughout 2025. Al’s Corner Oil also offers farm fuel and propane delivery for both commercial and residential customers. Sparky’s One Stop is a long-time supporter of biofuels and believes in the value that these homegrown products deliver to their local communities and the families that call them home.

Secretary’s Biodiesel Marketing Award – Pro Cooperative
Pro Cooperative is a farmer-owned cooperative that has been supporting farmers and rural communities for more than 115 years. Headquartered in Pocahontas, the organization has locations in Ayrshire, Bradgate, Estherville, Gilmore City, Graettinger, Havelock, Laurens, Manson, Milford, Pioneer, Plover, Rolfe, Ruthven, Rutland, Terril, and Wallingford. The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, Iowa Biodiesel Board and Iowa Soybean Association have partnered with Iowa biodiesel producers to support the On Farm Biodiesel Credit Program. This program provides fuel credits to Iowa farmers filling on-farm bulk tanks with biodiesel blends to be used in agricultural operations. Farmers can earn up to $500 for using biodiesel blends of B11 or higher. For 2024, Pro Cooperative enrolled more farmers in the On Farm Biodiesel Credit Program than any other retailer. Their marketing efforts accounted for approximately 20,000 gallons of biodiesel blended diesel. Most of the farmers were first time biodiesel users, and the feedback was very positive.

E15 Access Standard and Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Fund
Iowa is the first state to enact an E15 Access Standard, which requires most fuel retailers and gas stations to offer E15 by Jan. 1, 2026. The law was passed by the Iowa Legislature and signed by Gov. Reynolds in 2022. For those convenience stores and gas stations that need assistance with getting into compliance, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship administers the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) to provide cost-share funding to help install, replace or convert infrastructure to sell E15. Since the grant program began in 2006, the Department has invested more than $53.5 million toward expanding renewable fuels infrastructure within Iowa. This state funding has been matched with more than $260 million of private investment from Iowa gas stations and fuel retailers. These investments have, to date, helped install 346 E85 dispensers or blenders, 427 biodiesel dispensers or blenders, 177 E15 projects, and 152 biodiesel terminals. Currently, the Department has approximately $21.7 million of RFIP funding available to support infrastructure improvements to comply with the E15 Access Standard. The Department welcomes grant applications for projects, which will be considered by the Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Board at an upcoming quarterly meeting.

Iowa Renewable Fuels Industry
Iowa’s renewable fuels industry continues to enjoy strong momentum. Iowa leads the nation in the production of ethanol and biodiesel. According to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, the industry accounts for nearly $7.2 billion of Iowa GDP, generates $23.5 billion of income for Iowa households, and supports more than 57,000 jobs.



Swine Scholars Auction Raises Record Amount for Iowa Students
    
The 2025 Iowa Pork Congress saw a record-breaking fundraising effort for student scholarships in the pork industry. This year’s Dollars for Swine Scholars Auction raised an impressive $62,511, surpassing the previous record of $61,525 set in 2023.

Held in January at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, the auction was a highlight of the Iowa Pork Congress festivities. Proceeds from the event will support scholarships for incoming freshmen, returning students, graduate fellowships, and interns pursuing careers in the pork industry.

“We are incredibly grateful to the generous individuals and organizations that contributed to this year’s auction,” said Aaron Juergens, president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA). “This event is about investing in the future of the pork industry by supporting the next generation. It was a fantastic night, and we couldn’t be happier with the results.”

One of the most sought-after items was a CINCH World’s Toughest Rodeo package, donated by the Iowa Events Center, which fetched the highest bid of $4,100.

Adding to the excitement, Iowa State Cyclone football players Tyler Moore and Caleb Bacon—both part of the popular “Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon” promotional campaign—were on hand to sign autographs, meet attendees, and help auction their autographed jerseys. Their efforts contributed an additional $3,300 to the scholarship fund.

Other top-selling items included:
·        Gift certificates from Hog Slat
·        A pork-themed t-shirt quilt handcrafted by IPPA Producer Education Director Zoey Dinkla
·        A unique Traeger grill shaped like a pig, generously donated by Kevin and Lisa Rasmussen

The Dollars for Swine Scholars Auction was organized by the Iowa Pork Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting Iowa’s pork producers—particularly by fostering opportunities for young people in the industry.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this auction a record-breaking success! Your support is shaping the future of the pork industry, one scholar at a time.



Soy Growers Urge Climate-Smart Payments to Farmers to Resume

U.S. soybean farmers are urging USDA to resume processing of payments to farmers and grant recipients under contracts made by USDA under the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Program (PCSC). Grant recipients have been notified recently that funds associated with the PCSC program have been paused while the new Trump administration reviews various grant programs.

ASA President Caleb Ragland, soy farmer from Kentucky, said of the freeze, “The American Soybean Association and other agriculture groups think it is important for USDA to honor the contractual commitments made to farmers and recipient organizations who are administering these grants. Under the grants, farmers have implemented practices to make their operations more resilient and improve environmental outcomes. These projects are integral to the continued success of the agriculture industry by advancing efficiencies in our farming practices and tapping potential new markets while also improving environmental outcomes.”

Since the program’s inception in Feb. 2022, USDA has invested $3.1 billion in 141 selected projects. PCSC provides funding to projects that implement resilient farming practices, measure and verify the resulting greenhouse gas benefits, and create market opportunities for climate-smart products. The outcomes of PCSC projects go beyond climate benefits: Over the course of several planting seasons, farmers can see improved soil quality and improvements to overall farming resiliency, which bolsters the productivity of U.S. soybean farmers well into the future.



USDA Global Food Security Programs Continue

The U.S. Department of Agriculture clarified today that the Foreign Agricultural Service is continuing activities for projects funded by the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Childhood Nutrition Program and the Food for Progress Program.

“Projects supported by McGovern-Dole and Food for Progress help feed people around the globe while showcasing the abilities of U.S. farmers and creating demand for U.S. agricultural goods,” said Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitley.



Clean Fuels Thanks Representatives for Urging EPA Administrator Zeldin to Put the RFS Back on Track
 
Friday, Clean Fuels Alliance America thanked 28 Members of Congress who sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, urging him to put the Renewable Fuel Standard back on track and provide a path for growth of the U.S. biofuel industry. The letter specifically requests EPA to set timely, robust volumes for 2026 and beyond in the “Set 2” rule; to reject abuse of small refinery exemptions; and to avoid proposals that retroactively lower set volumes or erode demand.

“Steady growth in U.S. biofuel production means more American fuel in the marketplace and lower prices at the pump for hardworking families who have spent years suffering under high inflation,” write the Congressional Biofuels Caucus members, led by Reps. Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Angie Craig (D-MN). “Moving forward, rural communities are counting on you to maintain this trajectory by providing stable, predictable growth in U.S. biofuel targets and preserving the future integrity of the RFS.”

In December 2024, Clean Fuels filed a lawsuit to compel EPA to establish a timeline for setting the 2026 RFS volumes, which by statute were due in November 2024.

Kurt Kovarik, Clean Fuels Vice President of Federal Affairs, stated, “We appreciate the leadership of Representatives Smith and Craig and the support of the Biofuels Caucus members. U.S. demand for biodiesel and renewable diesel topped 5 billion gallons in 2024. To get the RFS back on track, EPA must set robust and timely advanced and biomass-based diesel volumes that accurately account for domestic production capacity. Domestic production of these clean fuels is essential to meeting America’s energy needs and ensuring farm security and prosperity.”