Monday February 17 Ag News

 Importance of Grain Bin Management
Nicole Luhr, Water and Cropping Systems Educator - Dixon, Wayne, Cedar, and Knox Counties

Today I’d like to remind you about the importance of grain bin management. Proper grain bin management is essential for preserving grain quality, reducing losses, and maximizing profitability. Effective management ensures that grain remains safe and marketable, while using energy efficiently throughout the storage period.

Proper management prevents spoilage and maintains grain quality. There are a few measures that can help. The first is by controlling moisture levels to minimize mold, fungal growth, and spoilage. Temperature regulation is another preventative measure and can avoid grain deterioration due to overheating. Monitoring and proper aeration minimizes infestation risk of insects and rodents.

Financial losses can be reduced when grain quality is maintained, thus increasing potential profitability. With good management, shrinkage and spoilage losses are minimized. Well-stored grain also optimizes grain marketability. When grain starts deteriorating, emergency sales may need to be made quickly when crop prices are low.

Grain bin management is also important in reducing costs and enhancing energy efficiency. Fan usage is optimized when unnecessary energy consumption is prevented. Fuel and electricity overuse is also prevented with efficient drying practices. Automated monitoring of grain aids in labor cost reduction by enabling remote grain checks.

Safety and compliance are also ensured when the grain is managed properly. Bin hazards are reduced, industry standards are met at the time of delivery, and grain rejections can be avoided. Poor management can lead to grain bin entrapment. Compliance with storage regulations and grain quality standards improves selling opportunities.

Grain bin management is critical for farmers, grain handlers, and commercial storage facilities. Investing in smart monitoring, aeration control, and proper maintenance ensures grain remains safe, high-quality, and marketable. If you’d like more information, please go to cropwatch.unl.edu and search for Grain Storage Management or contact me at 402-584-3853.



Nebraska Farm Bureau Takes Neutral Stance on LB525, Calls for In-Depth Analysis

Nebraska Farm Bureau testified in a neutral position on LB525, the Agricultural Data Privacy Act, during a recent hearing before the Banking, Commerce, and Insurance Committee. While supporting the need to protect proprietary agricultural data, Farm Bureau emphasized that the current proposal requires more time and careful evaluation before being enacted into law.

Bruce Rieker, senior director of state legislative affairs with the Nebraska Farm Bureau, spoke on behalf of the Farm Bureau and the Nebraska Ag Leaders Working Group. This coalition represents major agricultural organizations.

Rieker acknowledged the importance of LB525, introduced by Senator Jacobson at the request of the Governor, noting the risks posed by unprotected agricultural data. With farms increasingly reliant on data-driven technologies and artificial intelligence, the potential misuse of this information is a critical concern. However, he cautioned against rushing into legislation without fully addressing the complexities of data privacy. Rieker highlighted several concerns, including the need for flexibility in data privacy agreements, ensuring farmers retain access to their own data, and preventing restrictions that could hinder machine functionality or competitiveness.

One major point raised was the importance of transparency and standardized protocols. Farmers and ranchers must know how their data is collected, stored, and used. Additionally, legislation should allow producers to remove their data from company databases and revoke its use if desired.

The testimony also called attention to the intersection of agriculture and artificial intelligence. While AI holds promise for enhancing efficiency through precision agriculture, it also introduces new risks and regulatory challenges. Rieker urged lawmakers to develop frameworks that promote fair practices, prevent monopolies, and hold developers accountable for any misuse of AI-driven systems.

Protecting proprietary data from Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests was another key concern. Safeguards like encryption must be implemented to secure sensitive information. At the same time, farmers must retain access to their data, even if it has been shared with a third party.

The Farm Bureau also stressed the need for government and agricultural technology providers to assume liability for data breaches, ensuring that producers are not left vulnerable in the event of a security failure.

Ultimately, Farm Bureau recommended an interim study to thoroughly evaluate the issue before passing legislation.  



USDA TO SURVEY FARMERS’ PLANTING INTENTIONS FOR 2025

As the 2025 crop production season begins, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will contact producers nationwide to determine their plans for the upcoming growing season.

“Each year, the agriculture industry eagerly awaits USDA’s Prospective Plantings report, which provides the first survey-based estimates of U.S. farmers’ planting intentions for the year,” said NASS’ Northern Plains Regional Director, Nicholas Streff. “The March Agricultural Survey provides the factual data that underpins these projections, making it one of the most important surveys we conduct each year.”

NASS will mail the survey questionnaire on February 18, asking producers to provide information about the types of crops they intend to plant in 2025, how many acres they intend to plant, and the amounts of grain and oilseed stored on their farms. NASS encourages producers to respond online or by mail. Those producers who do not respond by February 27 may be contacted for a telephone interview.

NASS safeguards the privacy of all respondents and publishes only aggregate data, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified. Survey results will be published in the Prospective Plantings and quarterly Grain Stocks reports to be released on March 31, 2025. These and all NASS reports are available online at www.nass.usda.gov/Publications. For more information call the NASS Nebraska Field Office at (800) 582-6443.




Nebraska Corn and Soybean Associations Announce 2025 Collegiate Scholarship Recipients

Each year, the Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA) and the Nebraska Soybean Association (NSA) offer a one-year learning and scholarship program for college students eager to expand their knowledge of the agricultural industry and advocacy.

The 2025 program cohort includes seven students from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, each pursuing a degree in an agricultural discipline:
    Alexa Cunningham
    Madison Hirschman
    Crayton Koranda
    Isaac Stromberg
    Morgan Bonifas
    Addy Donelson
    Ashley Bonifas

Throughout the year, these students will participate in three seminars and a summer tour, gaining firsthand experience in key areas such as agricultural policy, checkoff programs, commodity promotion, manufacturing, and leadership development.

Additionally, they will have the opportunity to connect with grower-leaders across Nebraska by attending major industry events, including NeCGA and NSA annual board meetings, Husker Harvest Days, and Soybean Field Management Days.

This program continues to foster the next generation of agricultural advocates, equipping students with the knowledge and connections to support and strengthen the industry.



NEBRASKA FARM NUMBERS LOWER

Nebraska's number of farms and ranches declined during 2024, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The number of farms and ranches in the state, at 44,300, was down 100 farms from 2023. Numbers of farms and ranches in Nebraska with less than $100,000 in agricultural sales decreased 400 farms from a year earlier while operations with agricultural sales of $100,000 or more increased 300 farms.

Land in farms and ranches in Nebraska totaled 44.0 million acres, unchanged from 2023. The average size of operation, at 993 acres, was up 2 acres from a year earlier.

Iowa Farm Numbers
Total number of farms in Iowa in 2024 was 86,700 which is 100 less than in 2023.  Total land in farms remained unchanged from 2023 to 2024 at 30.0 million acres.  The average farm size was also unchanged from 2023 to 2024 at 346 acres/farm.  

Farms and Land in Farms Highlights
The number of farms in the United States for 2024 is estimated at 1,880,000, down 14,950 farms from 2023. The number of farms decreased in all sales classes except the $1,000,000 or more sales class. In 2024, 48.1 percent of all farms had less than $10,000 in sales and 78.9 percent of all farms had less than $100,000 in sales. In 2024, 9.8 percent of all farms had sales of $500,000 or more.
 
Total land in farms, at 876,460,000 acres, decreased 2,100,000 acres from 2023. The biggest change for 2024 is that producers in Sales Class $1,000,000 or more operated 1,490,000 more acres than in 2023. In 2024, 25.9 percent of all farmland was operated by farms with less than $100,000 in sales, while 50.0 percent of all farmland was operated by farms with sales of $500,000 or more.

The average farm size for 2024 is 466 acres, up from 464 acres the previous year.




NeCGA Strengthens Advocacy Through Washington, D.C. Leadership Mission

For over 30 years, the Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA) has championed grassroots advocacy through its annual D.C. Leadership Mission. This year, a group of emerging leaders, longtime members, and NeCGA staff traveled to the nation’s capital to engage directly with lawmakers and industry leaders on pressing agricultural issues.

This year’s leadership class included Allan and Vanessa Steinkraus, Garrett Koepp, Savannah Gerlach and Evan Peterson.

Ahead of their meetings, participants received a policy briefing from National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) staff, covering the shifting political landscape under the new administration and key topics such as trade, rising input costs and the Farm Bill. With a solid grasp on current issues, the group met with Nebraska’s congressional delegation, including Representatives Adrian Smith and Mike Flood, as well as Senator Pete Ricketts. These discussions allowed growers to share firsthand experiences, reinforcing the real-world impact of federal policy on Nebraska agriculture.

In addition to advocating on Capitol Hill, the delegation met with officials from the Mexican Embassy to discuss trade and market access concerns—critical topics for Nebraska’s corn industry. The group also engaged with PepsiCo representatives, strengthening industry connections and exploring opportunities for collaboration.

NeCGA remains dedicated to amplifying the voices of Nebraska’s corn farmers, ensuring that policymakers and industry leaders understand the challenges and opportunities facing the agricultural sector.



Council's IMC, Annual Meeting Concludes With Board Of Delegates Meeting

Members of the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) wrapped up the Council’s 22nd International Marketing Conference and 65th Annual Membership Meeting, held Feb. 12-14, in Austin, Texas, with its board of delegates meeting and speakers highlighting Chairwoman Verity Ulibarri's theme to Cultivate the Future.

Ulibarri moderated the day’s agenda, which included a summary of the conference’s highlights thus far and administrative and financial reporting on the Council’s activities to promote transparency and organizational health well into the future.

USGC Director in Mexico Heidi Bringenberg then moderated a panel featuring Ken Ericksen, senior leader and strategic advisor to commodities, supply chain logistics and transportation for Polaris Analytics and Consulting and Eugenio Leal, director of marketing and sales in the Mexico market for Union Pacific Railroad. The panel discussed transportation and railway operations in Mexico.

"Port Laredo is our top key gateway for USGC products, corn, sorghum, barley and co-products including ethanol, and it has grown 8-9% in one year," Bringenberg said. "El Paso, Eagle Pass, Brownsville, Nogales and Mexicali are also showing significant growth, with Eagle Pass exhibiting a 70% growth in the past year.

"We want to be sure to focus our experts on how we are gearing to prepare for this growth, what kind of challenges are we seeing in this system and what can we do to advocate to continue these flows."

A follow-up panel, moderated by Ulibarri included discussions by USGC overseas directors on unique programs, opportunities and developments from USGC Regional Director in South Asia Reece Cannady, USGC Regional Director in Europe, the Middle East and Africa Ramy Taieb and USGC Regional Director for Southeast Asia and Oceania Caleb Wurth.

“It takes a lot of legwork to create and maintain markets for U.S. corn, sorghum, barley, ethanol and DDGS overseas, and we have boots on the ground around the world to help ensure our markets continue to grow,” Ulibarri said. “We thought it was appropriate to give an update on some of the more recent actions the Council has taken in pursuit of our mission to develop markets, enable trade and improve lives around the world.”

Council delegates reviewed the proposed bylaw changes proposal and recognized members and staff who recently reached milestones of service to the organization for their accomplishments. Additionally, the Council’s Advisory Teams (A-Teams) presented the results of their discussions at the meeting and USGC President and CEO Ryan LeGrand closed the meeting.

The U.S. Grains Council will gather in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for the 65th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting from July 30 to August 1. More from the 22nd International Marketing Conference And 65th Annual Membership Meeting is available on social media using the hashtag #Grains25 or through the website.



NCGA to Farmers: Join Movement, Demand Year-Round Access to E15

Illinois farmer and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Kenneth Hartman Jr. sent a message today to farmers asking them to add their voice in  support of legislation allowing the sale of year-round E15.

Farmers can add their signature to a letter that urges Congress to quickly take up the issue to eliminate an obsolete policy that prevents the sale of fuel with 15% ethanol blends, often referred to as E15.

“As traction continues to build on this issue, it is critical that corn growers make their voices heard, encouraging Congress to approve legislation to unlock access to E15 year-round,” Hartman said.

The call to action comes a day after the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act was re-introduced in the House and Senate. The legislation would lift the ban on summer sales of E15.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued waivers allowing the sale of E15 during the summer months over the last few years. But growers and many Midwest governors have called for a permanent fix to the problem. The legislation under consideration would offer that solution at no cost to the government and provide certainty to farmers and consumers at the pump.

In his message to farmers, Hartman said that the time is ripe for action and that Trump administration officials have been supportive of the legislation.

“On his first day in office, President Trump signed an executive order addressing the need for a pathway to year-round E15 access,” Hartman said. “We are excited that this is a priority for the administration, but we need a legislative fix to provide a concrete resolution to year-round E15.”

Growers came close to a win on the issue in December when language eliminating the ban was included in a continuing resolution to fund the government. But disappointment soon followed when the language was struck during negotiations.

Hartman believes many signatures from farmers will further underscore for Congress the desire to fix this issue among farmers and rural America.



Rollins Takes Bold Action on Day One

On her first full day in office, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins took bold action to advance President Trump’s agenda and ensure that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) better serves American farmers, ranchers, loggers and the agriculture community.

Here are seven key actions Secretary Rollins took on Day One.
    Issued a memorandum to rescind all Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) programs and celebrations. Instead, USDA will reprioritize unity, equality, meritocracy, and color-blind policies. As Secretary Rollins said in her opening remarks this morning at the Department, “We will neither commemorate nor celebrate our immutable characteristics, neither among ourselves nor among Americans at large. We will instead celebrate the things that make us American: merit, faith, and liberty first among them. All Americans deserve equal dignity, and at this Department they will receive it. On this precipice of the 250th anniversary of our Revolution, we will rededicate ourselves to ‘the proposition that all men are created equal.’”
    Sent a letter to the nation’s governors (PDF, 88.8 KB), outlining her vision for the Department and inviting them to participate in a new “laboratories for innovation” initiative to create bold solutions to long-ignored challenges.
    Sent a notice to state leaders encouraging them to participate in pilot programs to reform the food stamp program (SNAP). In particular, she outlined principles of reform, such as establishing more robust work requirements.
    Convened a briefing on avian flu and reviewed options for a comprehensive strategy to combat Avian flu and lower the price of eggs. Secretary Rollins plans to finalize and implement this strategy in short order.
    Delivered a video message and a letter of gratitude (PDF, 35.7 KB) to U.S. Forest Service firefighters for their recent heroic actions to save lives and curb the devastating wildfires in California.
    Reviewed and implemented findings from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to optimize the USDA workforce and stop wasteful spending. Already, USDA has identified more than $132 million in excess spending. USDA has terminated 78 contracts, totaling more than $132 million. Additionally, more than 1,000 contracts are currently under review. USDA has also identified and canceled 948 employee trainings, 758 of which focused on DEI alone. See full details on the USDA website.
    Held a media availability at the White House, where she discussed key priorities for American farmers and ranchers, addressing food prices due to the failed policies of the Biden administration, food stamp reform, working with DOGE to optimize the Department.