Tuesday May 06 Ag News w/ Weekly Crop Progress Report

 NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending May 4, 2025, there were 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 27% very short, 38% short, 35% adequate, and 0% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 32% very short, 38% short, 30% adequate, and 0% surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Corn planted was 50%, well ahead of 30% last year, and ahead of 44% for the five-year average. Emerged was 8%, near 6% both last year and average.

Soybeans planted was 34%, ahead of 17% last year and 26% average. Emerged was 2%, near 1% both last year and average.

Winter wheat condition rated 21% very poor, 16% poor, 30% fair, 29% good, and 4% excellent.

Sorghum planted was 3%, near 2% last year, and equal to average.

Oats condition rated 4% very poor, 6% poor, 49% fair, 39% good, and 2% excellent. Oats planted was 88%, near 89% both last year and average. Emerged was 67%, equal to last year, and ahead of 62% average.

Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 15% very poor, 15% poor, 45% fair, 24% good, and 1% excellent.



Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

While some producers were able to get into their fields, precipitation continued to delay planting in many parts of the State, allowing only 3.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 4, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 9 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 12 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 18 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 7 percent surplus.

Corn planted reached 49 percent, 3 days ahead of last year but 2 days behind the 5-year average. Corn emerged reached 10 percent, 2 days ahead of last year’s pace and 3 days ahead of normal.

Thirty-eight percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, one week ahead of last year and 2 days ahead of the 5-year average.  Soybeans emerged reached 5 percent.

Oats seeding reached 91 percent complete. Fifty-eight percent of the expected oat acreage has emerged, 4 days behind last year but 3 days ahead of normal. The first oat condition rating of the season was 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 18 percent fair, 66 percent good and 13 percent excellent.

Pasture condition rated 60 percent good to excellent. No livestock issues were reported.



USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report

U.S. corn planting moved ahead last year's pace and the five-year average last week, according to USDA NASS' weekly Crop Progress report released on Monday. Winter wheat conditions increased slightly last week by 2 points, NASS reported.

CORN
-- Planting progress: 40% of corn was planted nationwide as of Sunday, 5 points ahead of 35% last year and 1 point ahead of the five-year average of 39%.
-- Crop development: 11% of corn was emerged as of Sunday, which is consistent with last year but 2 points ahead of the five-year average.

SOYBEANS
-- Planting progress: An estimated 30% of intended soybean acreage was planted as of Sunday, 6 points ahead of last year's 24% at this time and 7 points ahead of the five-year average of 23%.
-- Crop development: 7% of soybeans had emerged as of Sunday, 1 point behind last year but 2 points ahead of the five-year average of 5%.

WINTER WHEAT
-- Crop condition: An estimated 51% of winter wheat was rated good to excellent as of May 4, up 2 points from 49% the previous week and 1 point ahead at the same time last year of 50%, according to NASS.
-- Crop development: 39% of winter wheat was headed nationwide as of Sunday. That's 2 percentage points behind last year's 41% but 6 points ahead of the five-year average.

SPRING WHEAT
-- Planting progress: 44% of the crop was planted nationwide as of May 4, 1 point behind of last year's 45% and 10 points ahead of 34% for the five-year average.
-- Crop development: 13% of spring wheat was emerged as of Sunday, 2 points ahead to last year and 4 points ahead of the five-year average.



Ag land management webinar to offer the latest on cash rents, changing commodity prices

The latest trends in 2025 Nebraska cash rental rates and land values will be covered during the next Land Management Quarterly webinar, hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability, at noon Central time on May 19.

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 May webinar will examine the latest average cash rental rates in the state, as reported in the recently released Nebraska Farm Real Estate Report, and offer insight on adjusting rental rates considering current commodity prices this year. It will also cover best practices for communication between landlords, tenants and family members and offer advice on short- and long-term decision-making for agricultural land.

Viewers will have the opportunity to submit land management questions for the presenters to answer during the presentation.

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.

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 at https://cap.unl.edu/landmanagement.



Iowa Corn Partners with Hy-Vee, Growth Energy on Unleaded 88 Branding

Iowa Corn and Growth Energy announced that they have partnered with Hy-Vee to update the branding for Unleaded 88 at Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh convenience stores across the Midwest.

Unleaded 88 is a fuel blend made with 15% ethanol that can be used in 96% of cars and trucks on the road today. As more and more stores across the nation offer this fuel option, Hy-Vee is addressing the growing need to create brand uniformity to give consumers consistent fuel choices. Updating signage and pump labels with Unleaded 88 will help increase sales of higher blends of ethanol that will support corn farmers in Iowa and across the country.

“We are consistently striving to promote the value of ethanol, as a cheaper, cleaner and homegrown fuel for drivers to have access to,” said Dan Keitzer, a farmer from Mediapolis, Iowa and Chair of the Iowa Corn Industrial Usage and Production Committee. “Iowa Corn invests in opportunities to build demand for corn in all forms. Ethanol is a top market for Iowa’s corn farmers, and it provides many benefits for drivers and our state. With this partnership with Hy-Vee and Growth Energy, our goal is to simplify the choice at the pump and positively highlight Unleaded 88 as a great choice for any driver with a car 2001 and newer.”

“One of Growth Energy’s primary goals is to expand access to biofuel blends across the US, and this effort is part of that mission,” said Growth Energy’s Vice President of Market Development Jake Comer. “Unleaded 88 gives American drivers an engine-smart, low-cost option at the pump and as more drivers seek to take advantage of its benefits, this effort comes at a perfect time.”

Hy-Vee currently has more than 50 locations across the Midwest that offer Unleaded 88 and plans to add the fuel grade to more locations in the future.

“In addition to supporting Iowa farmers, our partnership with Growth Energy and Iowa Corn will help us enhance the fueling experience at the pump, making it easier for our customers to identify Unleaded 88 from other fuel grades,” said Lucas Glasgow, Hy-Vee’s senior vice president of merchandising. “This summer, customers will also see us hosting special events to help educate drivers about the benefits behind this fuel option.”

To find a Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh location that offers Unleaded 88, approved by the EPA for use in all passenger vehicles released after 2001, visit https://www.hy-veefastandfresh.com/find-a-store/.

 

Nomination Deadline for the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award Extended to May 19

Iowans seeking to nominate individuals or families who are conservation leaders in their community for the 2025 Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award now have two additional weeks to complete and submit the application.

The nomination deadline for the prestigious annual award has been extended through May 19, 2025.

The Iowa Farm Environmental Leader 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. Since the creation of the award in 2012, 821 farm families have been recognized.

The award recipients will be honored during a ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, at the Iowa State Fair. Gov. Reynolds, Lt. Gov. Cournoyer, Secretary Naig and Director Lyon will present each awardee with an Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award sign and certificate.

The nomination form https://data.iowaagriculture.gov/ifela/ can be found on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website.



National Farmers Union Kicks Off Week of Action

National Farmers Union (NFU) today launched a Week of Action in Washington and across the country to tell Congress it must take quick and decisive legislative action to pass a comprehensive farm bill that supports family farmers, ranchers and consumers.

“Family farmers are on edge, and the farm economy is faltering. Without the certainty of a strong, five-year farm bill, farmers are left exposed to mounting risks and instability,” said NFU President Rob Larew. “This week, farmers and ranchers across the country are raising their voices to urge Congress to act—for farmers’ sake. Their stories make clear what’s at stake, not just for agriculture, but for the rural communities that depend on it.”

Hundreds of farmers and ranchers from across the country will be advocating from their farms and Washington, D.C. Together, they’ll highlight policy priorities recently approved during NFU’s 123rd Anniversary Convention in March, where family farmers and ranchers shaped NFU’s grassroots policy platform. Members will urge Congress to pass a strong, bipartisan five-year farm bill that:
·    Strengthens the farm safety net
·    Builds upon voluntary conservation programs
·    Fosters fairness and opportunity in the marketplace
·    Delivers fast and reliable risk management programs
·    Garners broad support from both farmers and consumers

Farmers Union’s Week of Action will also push advocacy efforts at the state and local level. Many farmers will be participating in the Week of Action from their hometowns and state capitals as the spring planting season is underway across the country.

For more details on the Week of Action, visit nfu.org/forfarmerssake.



Pasture and Range Conditions Off to a Mediocre Start
Will Secor, Extension Livestock Economist, University of Georgia

The USDA’s first report of pasture and range conditions came out today. They showed 35 percent of pasture and rangeland were in good or excellent condition. This compares to 19 percent at the end of October (last reporting week) and 46 percent this time last year. This indicates that while conditions have improved compared to last fall, we are in a worse position compared to last year.

In a similar view, the U.S. Drought Monitor from late April indicated that 31 percent of cattle inventory were in locations experiencing drought conditions. Approximately 56 percent of cattle were in locations experiencing abnormally dry conditions or drought. This was a slight improvement compared to the previous week.

Compared to last year, however, these drought indicators are up considerably. At the end of April 2024, only 17 percent of the nation’s cattle inventory were experiencing drought conditions, and 37 percent were experiencing abnormally dry conditions or drought. This year’s figures indicate that cattle inventory are in places that are experiencing much less favorable conditions compared to last year.

NOAA’s seasonal drought outlook through the end of July suggests that there could be drought improvement in the Southern Plains, Southeast, and Mid-Atlantic. In some cases, drought conditions may be fully alleviated. However, drought is expected to remain in Northern Plains and potentially expand in the Upper Midwest.

Combined these indicators suggest that it may be difficult for the cattle herd to start its rebuild in earnest. Despite market signals that may seek to incentivize expansion, if forage resources are not available, producers cannot expand. This will be an important area to watch in the months ahead as producers continue to decide on heifer retention for the year to come.



New Study Shows Clean Fuels Industry Contributes $42.4 Billion to U.S. Economy

A new study commissioned by Clean Fuels Alliance America shows the U.S. biomass-based diesel industry generated $42.4 billion in economic activity in 2024, supported 107,400 jobs and paid $6 billion in annual wages.

The study, “Economic Impact of Biodiesel on the U.S. Economy 2024,” was conducted by GlobalData using actual 2024 data, including 5 billion gallons of domestic production. It evaluates direct, indirect and induced economic impacts and jobs across the entire value chain, from raw-material production, collection and processing to fuel production and distribution.

According to the report, nearly half of the total economic impact—$19.9 billion and 41,500 jobs—came from fuel production, while oilseed production supported 30,600 jobs and generated $15.3 billion in economic activity, delivering major benefits to soybean-growing states. Significant employment was also reported in oilseed processing (8,600 jobs) and rendering (12,700 jobs).

“The numbers don’t lie; 2024 was a record-setting year for clean fuels, and the benefits reached deep into rural America,” said Donnell Rehagen, CEO of Clean Fuels. “This study proves that biodiesel and renewable diesel not only lower carbon emissions but deliver real income and jobs, especially for soybean producers and the broader agricultural economy.”

Looking ahead, the industry’s continued growth could bring even greater returns to farmers, feedstock producers and fuel producers. The study also analyzes a near-future capacity scenario of 7.4 billion gallons, based on publicly announced investments in new or expanded facilities. At that level, the industry could support 145,700 jobs and contribute $60.25 billion annually to the U.S. economy, according to GlobalData.