Friday June 06 Ag News

 Registration open for the 2025 Governor’s Summit and First-Ever Youth Summit
 
Governor Jim Pillen, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED), and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) encourage Nebraskans to register for the 2025 Governor’s Summit: Growing Nebraska. This year’s event will take place Aug. 13-14, 2025, at the Younes Conference Center North in Kearney.
 
Registration for the Summit is now open at govsummit.nebraska.gov.
 
“Our state’s incredible economy is driven by two main engines—agriculture and manufacturing,” said Gov. Pillen. “In Nebraska, we grow things and make things that are in demand worldwide, and we do it better than any place else in the world. At this summer’s Summit, we’ll explore how to generate even more value by uniting our strengths in ag and manufacturing to lead the nation’s new bioeconomy.”
 
The annual Governor’s Summit convenes economic developers and industry leaders in agriculture and business to discuss how to best grow Nebraska. The 2025 Governor’s Summit will focus on three pillars: manufacturing, the emerging bioeconomy, and workforce development.  
 
This year’s conference will also feature the first-ever Governor’s Youth Summit, which will be integrated into the main event on Thursday, Aug. 14. High school and college students are invited to attend free of charge. Attendees of the Youth Summit will participate in career clusters to explore post-high school pathways. They will connect one-on-one with business and college leaders, gaining privileged access to internship, apprenticeship, and career opportunities
 
“We’re inviting Nebraska’s youth to join us for the Governor’s Summit in 2025,” said Gov. Pillen. “We want Nebraska stakeholders to come meet our kids, develop a relationship with them and create opportunities for them and for your farms and businesses. Our kids are our future, and they’re ready to embark on the great careers we’re creating. All they need to succeed is opportunity—and someone to show them the way.”
 
To sign up for the Youth Summit, go to https://govsummit.nebraska.gov/youth/.
 
The 2025 Governor’s Summit officially kicks off on Wednesday night, Aug. 13, with a reception and banquet hosted by the Nebraska Diplomats. The evening event includes an awards ceremony to honor leaders, businesses, and communities who have made key contributions to the state’s economic success over the previous year.
 
Thursday, Aug. 14, is the primary day of the Governor’s Summit. It features remarks from Gov. Pillen, a keynote address, a full slate of breakout sessions, and the inaugural Youth Summit.
 
To register for the Diplomats Banquet and Governor’s Summit, visit govsummit.nebraska.gov. Students may sign up for the Youth Summit at https://govsummit.nebraska.gov/youth/. Full agendas are also available through the respective websites.




Tiffany Heng-Moss begins role as Interim NU vice president and Harlan Vice Chancellor for IANR

Dr. Tiffany Heng-Moss has officially begun her tenure as Interim Harlan Vice Chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and as Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources for the University of Nebraska system. Her appointment, which was announced in January and took effect June 1, follows the leadership of Dr. Mike Boehm, who served as IANR vice chancellor for more than eight years.

A proud Nebraskan and alumna of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR), Heng-Moss brings more than two decades of experience advancing the university’s land-grant mission across teaching, research and Extension. Her career has been driven by a passion for education and research and a deep commitment to serving Nebraska’s people and communities.

“I’m honored to begin this new role and continue serving IANR, the university, and the state I call home,” said Heng-Moss. “IANR is a powerful engine for progress in Nebraska, and I’m excited to help grow our impact—locally, nationally, and globally.”

Heng-Moss joined the UNL faculty in 2001, holding appointments in teaching, research, and Extension. Her teaching portfolio included undergraduate and graduate courses in introductory entomology, pest management, plant resistance to insects, and the undergraduate capstone experience. She has mentored dozens of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, many of whom have gone on to lead in academia, industry and public service.

Her research has focused on developing crops with resistance to insect pests and understanding plant defense mechanisms, with applications across several of Nebraska’s major cropping systems. She has authored or co-authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and served as principal or co-investigator on over $70 million in teaching and engagement grants and $8 million in research funding.

In her Extension work, Heng-Moss has connected directly with producers across the state, translating research into practical, real-world solutions. She also partnered with K–12 schools to support food, energy, and water systems education and inspire young Nebraskans to pursue careers in agriculture and natural resources.

From 2017 to 2025, she served as dean of CASNR, where she provided visionary leadership in advancing academic innovation, workforce development, and student success. She led the development and implementation of interdisciplinary academic credentials, a graduate education framework, Nebraska’s first education compact, articulation pathways, and a comprehensive student success roadmap. 

During her tenure, CASNR welcomed more than 3,500 new undergraduates, including the largest incoming class in the college’s history. The college conferred over 6,000 degrees, increased its 4-year graduation rate by 10 percentage points, and achieved the highest 6-year graduation rate on record.

Looking ahead, Heng-Moss said her focus is on listening, learning, and maintaining momentum in key strategic areas.

“Every day across Nebraska, IANR is driving innovation and making a difference—from advancing precision and digital agriculture, preserving our natural resources for future generations, and fueling the bioeconomy, to linking food systems to health outcomes, fostering rural economic prosperity, and preparing the next generation of change-makers,” she said. “We are at the intersection of some of the world’s most pressing challenges and exciting opportunities, and I’m proud to work alongside the incredible people of IANR to shape what’s next.”



Steffen saluted for major contributions to beef genetic science

David Steffen, a specialist in beef genetics with the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center, has been named a recipient of the Beef Improvement Federations’s Pioneer Award for 2025. 

Steffen has provided top-quality services to researchers on campus as well as clients statewide. He currently serves as a faculty section head for quality assurances and accreditation in the diagnostic center. He is a national resource for investigating genetic and congenital disorders in cattle. His research contributes to understanding over 65% of the genetic disorders tested in commercial cattle. 

The Pioneer Award recognizes individuals who have made lasting contributions to the genetic improvement of beef cattle. The award honors those who have had a major role in the acceptance of performance reporting and documentation with the main goal to make genetic change in beef cattle. 

Steffen has made significant contributions to the livestock industry in his many years of involvement in the beef industry. He will be recognized at the Beef Improvement Federation Symposium on June 12 in Amarillo, Texas. 



Ricketts Introduces the AFIDA Improvements Act

Thursday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure (AFIDA) Improvements Act. The bill will codify legislative oversight recommendations to update the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978. The AFIDA Improvements Act will equip the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to combat foreign adversaries’ ownership of American agricultural land. Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Roger Wicker (R-MS), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Katie Britt (R-AL) are original co-sponsors of this legislation in the Senate. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) is leading companion legislation in the House.

“Agriculture is the heart and soul of Nebraska and of America,” said Ricketts. ”American farmland should remain in the hands of American farmers and ranchers, not foreign adversaries. Food security is national security.”

“Over the past several decades, China has been buying up American farmland in an attempt to infiltrate our agriculture supply chains. Food security is national security, and we cannot give the CCP a foothold. Thankfully, President Trump and Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins are working to make American Farmland American Again. I’m proud to join this legislation with Senator Ricketts to update our reporting requirements for foreign purchases of our farmland for the first time in nearly 50 years. As Alabama’s voice on the Senate Ag Committee, I will always support our great farmers and work to protect them from bad actors like China,” said Sen. Tuberville.

“We come together on this legislation to address the national security concerns stemming from the growing purchases of farmland by the Chinese Communist Party,” said Rep. Bacon. “Having actual processes in place will strengthen the security of our nation in the event nefarious foreign agents, such as the CCP, try to purchase agricultural lands within our nation. These lands must be protected as they are essential to feeding our country and other parts of the world, feeding livestock, fueling vehicles, and other uses.”

“Foreign entities purchasing American farmland opens the door to serious national security threats from countries like China that aim to undermine the United States, and we’ve already seen nefarious attempts by the Chinese Communist Party to acquire farmland near U.S. military bases in Texas,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This legislation would enhance existing measures by strengthening enforcement and promoting data sharing so that we can more easily identify foreign adversaries purchasing U.S. farmland with malicious intent.”

The AFIDA Improvements Act:
    Will codify recommendations published in January 2024 by the legislative branch’s oversight entity after it conducted a study of AFIDA.
        In this report, it was found that the USDA’s AFIDA process has been ill-equipped to combat the foreign ownership of American agricultural land by foreign adversaries; 
    Will increase information sharing between the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States and USDA;
    Will require updates to the AFIDA handbook and establish a deadline by which USDA must set up an online AFIDA system; and
    Will require AFIDA reporting for foreign persons holding more than one percent interest in American agricultural land. 

BACKGROUND:
Under AFIDA, foreign entities are required to disclose the transactions of American agricultural land to the USDA.

According to USDA, foreign investors own over 40 million acres of agricultural land across the United States. Additionally, between 2010 and 2021, Chinese ownership of American agricultural land increased from 13,720 acres to 383,935 acres.



Iowa Farmers Supply Corn for Return of Yield of Dreams Beer  

Yield of Dreams, a lager brewed with corn from across Iowa, is returning with hopes of making an even bigger splash. For the second consecutive year, the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) has partnered with Confluence Brewing, the Iowa Brewers Guild and Choose Iowa to bring back Yield of Dreams.    

Eighteen farmers from across Iowa, two from each of the Iowa Corn crop reporting districts, supplied the corn that brewed the 2025 Yield of Dreams. Each farmer donated roughly 1.25-1.5 bushels of corn totaling 12 bushels, or nearly 672 pounds of corn.   

“I believe this will open outlets to not only growers but a variety of small businesses as well, and to reflect that we are finding many avenues to open markets for our corn,” said Travis & Erinn Spevacek, Iowa corn farmers from Iowa City, Iowa. “It is always important to be involved when called upon. Anytime the farming community can demonstrate our quality products grown in our great state, you know it will be rewarding to share with others!”   

Yesterday, corn farmers, beer enthusiasts and guests celebrated Yield of Dreams Brew Day at Confluence Brewing in Des Moines. Joined by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, the groups came together to begin the Yield of Dreams fermentation process by combining corn from across the state. Noreen Otto, Iowa Brewers Guild Executive Director, said, "Yield of Dreams both supports and celebrates the Iowa craft brewing community. Coming together with friends and neighbors over a delicious corn lager captures the shared vision of our organizations.”  

The Iowa Brewers Guild is the not-for-profit trade association of professional brewers of beer and cider in Iowa, representing more than 100 member breweries in the state. IBG’s “Brewed in Iowa” campaign celebrates the state’s craft beer industry and its economic impact throughout Iowa.  

“Corn is an incredibly versatile crop, and beer is just one of the over 4,000 products made from Iowa-grown corn,” said Ralph Lents, ICPB President and farmer from Menlo, Iowa. “ICPB continues to invest in partnerships, like Yield of Dreams, to help strengthen corn demand while increasing corn knowledge across the state of Iowa.”   

Yield of Dreams will make its grand return at the 2025 Iowa State Fair on August 7 before venturing to taprooms across Iowa on August 18. To learn more about how Iowa corn is food, feed, fuel and everything in between, visit https://www.iowacorn.org/consumers/. 



USDA Dairy Products April 2025 Production Highlights

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 1.23 billion pounds, 3.1 percent above April 2024 but 0.4 percent below March 2025. Italian type cheese production totaled 517 million pounds, 2.2 percent above April 2024 but 1.2 percent below March 2025. American type cheese production totaled 492 million pounds, 6.1 percent above April 2024 but 1.6 percent below March 2025. Butter production was 216 million pounds, 3.9 percent above April 2024 but 5.8 percent below March 2025.

Dry milk products (comparisons in percentage with April 2024)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 163 million pounds, down 6.1 percent.
Skim milk powder - 35.5 million pounds, down 20.8 percent.

Whey products (comparisons in percentage with April 2024)
Dry whey, total - 68.9 million pounds, down 14.9 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 95.4 million pounds, up 4.0 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 42.2 million pounds, up 6.5 percent.

Frozen products (comparisons in percentage with April 2024)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 63.2 million gallons, down 2.2 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 38.0 million gallons, down 1.9 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 1.65 million gallons, down 6.9 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 2.97 million gallons, up 5.5 percent.



April U.S. Ethanol and DDGS Exports Pull Back but Stay Strong

U.S. ethanol exports moderated in April, slipping 12% to 172.3 million gallons (mg) amid varied shifts across key global markets and settling 8% below year-ago levels. Canada remained the top destination despite a 15% drop to 54.9 mg, representing nearly three-quarters of April’s denatured ethanol sales. Exports to the European Union surged 62% to 34.3 mg, driven almost entirely by the Netherlands. India imported 20.1 mg, a 7% increase, while exports to South Korea rose 8% to an 11-month high of 12.7 mg. Ten additional markets accounted for the remainder of April’s exports, with notable shipments to the United Kingdom (10.6 mg, down 65%), Brazil (7.9 mg, up 13%), Colombia (7.7 mg, down 28%), Mexico (6.3 mg, up 8%), and Peru (5.2 mg, down 6%). The Philippines, which imported 10.8 mg in March, was notably absent in April. Year-to-date U.S. ethanol exports reached 704.9 mg, marking a 10% increase over the same period last year.

The U.S. imported a modest 42,417 gallons of undenatured fuel ethanol from Canada in April. Cumulative imports for the first four months of 2025 totaled just 3.4 mg—2.0 mg ahead of last year’s pace.

U.S. exports of dried distillers grains (DDGS), the animal feed co-product generated by dry-mill ethanol plants, also pulled back in April, declining 13% to 894,197 metric tons (mt). Shipments to top customer Mexico fell 19% to 184,210 mt after a strong March showing. South Korea, by contrast, boosted purchases 12% to a 7-month high of 128,911 mt. Exports to Vietnam declined 6% to 78,543 mt, while Indonesia and Colombia each posted 16% declines, importing 78,282 mt and 77,623 mt, respectively. These five countries collectively absorbed nearly two-thirds of total April DDGS exports. Other key markets included the European Union (50,391 mt, up 31%), Canada (40,998 mt, down 18%), Japan (28,680 mt, down 29%), and New Zealand (28,000 mt, up from zero). Through April, total U.S. DDGS exports reached 3.58 million mt, down 7% from the same period in 2024.



ASA Urges Continued Administration Support for IICA

The American Soybean Association and other ag organizations signed a letter this week in support of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the integral role the organization plays in bolstering U.S. agriculture and trade priorities.

IICA is a specialized agency for agriculture that supports the efforts of its members to achieve agricultural development and rural well-being. Its programs specialize in areas like technology and innovation for agriculture; agricultural health; food safety and quality; international agricultural trade; family farming; rural development; natural resource management and the bioeconomy.

In the letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and USTR Ambassador Jamieson Greer, the groups highlighted why IICA is a “highly effective and trusted partner.”

The groups underscored IICA’s critical role in prioritizing U.S. stakeholder engagement and advancing core U.S. policy goals by helping reduce non-scientific trade barriers while strengthening partnerships and technical alignment with key trading partners in international forums; preventing the spread of dangerous diseases that threaten U.S. agriculture; and collaborating closely with the private sector.

“The administration’s leadership in prioritizing international investments that deliver results for U.S. agriculture is essential to maintaining global competitiveness,” the groups wrote. “At a time of rising global competition and growing threats to agricultural trade and biosecurity, continued U.S. support for IICA will strengthen American leadership, expand export opportunities, and reinforce the science-based trade systems that help U.S. farmers and ranchers compete—and win—on a fairer global playing field.”