Thursday June 12 Ag News

Test, don’t guess: Sampling and testing hay
Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Educator

Accurately sampling and testing hay is the only way to get a real understanding of the nutritive value of feed. Using values from previous years or a “book value” can be costly since a producer may incorrectly develop a ration using values that aren’t representative.

Guidelines for sampling
When sampling hay, getting a representative sample is a critical first step. Samples must accurately represent the entire lot of hay. The UNL NebGuide “Sampling Feeds for Analyses" states that a “lot” of hay should be harvested from the same field consisting of similar types of plants, cutting dates, maturity, variety, weed contamination, type of harvest equipment, curing methods and storage conditions.

Hay samples should be taken using a hay probe or a core sampler. The hay probe should penetrate at least 12-18 inches into the bale and have an internal diameter of at least 3/8 of an inch. Avoid getting hay probes hot when using a drill to drive the probe into the bale since friction from high speeds can heat the probe to a point where it damages the hay sample. To get a representative hay sample from a “lot” of hay, select 15-20 bales in the lot. Once all of the samples for a “lot” have been collected, the samples may need to be sub-sampled to get the feed down to a size that can be sent in for analysis. The UNL NebGuide “Sampling Feeds for Analyses” walks through a step-by-step process to do this.

Once hay samples have been taken, store in a plastic sealed bag in a cool, dry place until the sample is ready to be submitted. Samples that contain over 15 percent moisture should be frozen. Most commercial labs provide an information submittal form that allows producers to select a standard feed test for forages.

Analyze for moisture, protein, and energy
Cattle feeds should be analyzed for moisture, protein, and energy. Producers may also want to have forages tested for key minerals. When developing a ration for cattle or comparing feeds to one another, always utilize the nutrient analysis on a dry-matter basis. After formulating a ration on a dry-matter basis, the values can then be converted to an as-is basis using the moisture content of the feed to determine the actual amount of feed that should be fed to the cattle on an as-is basis.

Analyze forages for nitrates
In addition to moisture, protein, and energy, annual forages harvested for hay, such as foxtail millet, oats, sudan grass, and sorghum-sudan hybrids, should be analyzed for nitrates. The only way to know if high levels of nitrate accumulation have occurred is to test for it. See the UNL NebGuide “Nitrates in Livestock Feeding” for additional information.

Conclusion
Accurately testing hay takes time and money. However, the value of this information is critical in accurately and cost-effectively formulating rations. Don’t let the small investment of time and money discourage you. It may be some of the best time and money you can invest in your operation.



USDA Designates Several Nebraska Counties as Natural Disaster Areas Due to Drought

This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, these counties suffered from a drought intensity value during the growing season of 1) D2 Drought-Severe for 8 or more consecutive weeks or 2) D3 Drought-Extreme or D4 Drought-Exceptional.

TRIGGERING DISASTER DESIGNATION NO. 1 Impacted Area: Nebraska
Triggering Disaster: Drought (Fast Track)
Application Deadline: 01/27/2026
Primary Counties Eligible:
· State: Nebraska: Counties include Antelope, Boone, Holt, Knox, Madison, Pierce and Wheeler
Contiguous Counties Also Eligible:
· State: Nebraska: Counties include Boyd, Cedar, Garfield, Greeley, Keya Paha, Loup, Nance, Platte, Rock, Stanton, Valley and Wayne
· State: South Dakota: Counties include Bon Homme, Charles Mix and Yankton

TRIGGERING DISASTER DESIGNATION NO. 2 Impacted Area: Nebraska
Triggering Disaster: Drought (Fast Track)
Application Deadline: 02/02/2026
Primary Counties Eligible:
· State: Nebraska: Counties include Cheyenne, Custer, Garden, Garfield, Greeley, Loup, Morrill, Sherman, and Valley
Contiguous Counties Also Eligible:
· State: Nebraska: Counties include Arthur, Banner, Blaine, Boone, Box Butte, Brown, Buffalo, Dawson, Deuel, Grant, Holt, Howard, Keith, Kimball, Lincoln, Logan, Nance, Rock, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan and Wheeler
· State: Colorado: Counties include Logan and Sedgwick

To file a Notice of Loss or to ask questions about available programs, contact your local USDA Service Center.



Governor Reynolds’ Veto of HF 639 Prevents Increased Energy Prices for Iowans and Farmers

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds exercised her constitutional authority to veto House File 639. The flawed legislation was widely opposed by farmer organizations, trade unions, energy companies, the American Petroleum Institute, renewable fuels producers, and landowners. If allowed to become law, the bill would have made permitting any and all projects before the Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC) much more difficult and would have required all projects to obtain insurance policies that do not exist anywhere in the world.

“IRFA is deeply grateful for Governor Reynolds’ veto of HF639,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw. “This is a classic example of why our system of government has checks and balances. Any thoughtful review of this bill would determine that it would lead to higher energy prices for Iowans, hamper future economic development, hold back job creation, and stifle new markets for Iowa farmers. IRFA thanks Gov. Reynolds for listening to Iowans, studying the actual legislation, and ignoring the rhetoric that was as inaccurate as it was loud.”

In addition to opening up all projects subject to an IUC permit to “death by lawsuit” and untenable insurance requirements, HF 639 also would have effectively banned carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects in the state – even those not exercising eminent domain. CCS is key to unlocking huge new markets around the world that demand ultra-low carbon ethanol. CCS is a key part of President Trump’s energy dominance agenda and has been highlighted by White House statements and Presidential comments to Congress.

“After enduring the largest two-year income drop in history, farmers are desperate to find new markets,” said Shaw. “CCS, the key to unlocking massive new demand for ethanol and corn around the world, is moving forward in several states and around the world. The question is not whether CCS will happen, but rather whether Iowa will be left behind. For 25 years Iowa has benefited greatly from being the most profitable place in the world to convert corn into ethanol. Once the Tallgrass CCS pipeline in Nebraska begins operations later this year, that will no longer be the case. Thanks to today’s veto, we hope that is a short-lived situation. Otherwise, there will be very real, very severe economic consequences for Iowa.”

The debate over CCS will undoubtedly continue in Iowa. For three years, IRFA attempted to work with parties on legislation to strengthen property rights, improve the IUC permitting process, and allow a path forward for CCS. All attempts to find a middle ground were rejected by state legislators seeking only to kill CCS projects.

“Despite rhetoric from supporters of the bill, it failed to enhance property owner rights and simply sought to kill all CCS projects,” said Shaw. “The legislation does nothing to enhance support for land restoration, soil compaction remediation, tile replacement, or lost yields. It did nothing to make the IUC process more flexible to avoid the use of eminent domain. Hopefully today sends a message that those interested in progress, not posturing, should work towards a middle ground approach that enhances landowner rights and protections but would allow CCS projects a path forward. IRFA stands ready.”

CCS, a proven technology used around the world for over four decades, is the most cost-effective and impactful tool to unlock new markets that demand ultra-low carbon ethanol, such as heavy-duty engines, ocean-going vessels, rail and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Estimates for SAF alone are pegged at 100 billion gallons annually worldwide, potentially increasing corn grind by billions of bushels.



IOWA CATTLEMEN REMAIN COMMITTED TO PROPERTY RIGHTS

On Wednesday, Gov. Reynolds vetoed House File 639, which included provisions addressing the use of eminent domain. This was a complicated bill encompassing multiple chapters of Iowa Code. The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association appreciates the work and consideration of our elected officials on this legislation, and remains fundamentally opposed to the use of eminent domain for private entities.

“The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association will always vigorously fight for our rights as landowners,” stated Rob Medberry, ICA President. “We appreciate the Legislature’s work to support private property rights, and share the Governor’s goal to protect landowners. We look forward to continued work on this issue.”

Iowa cattlemen support federal and state legislation that prevents government entities from taking private property through the eminent domain process for the purpose of conveying that property to other private individuals or entities. The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association is committed to working with the Governor and Legislature to strengthen eminent domain laws. We will relentlessly advocate on our members' behalf for their rights as private property owners. 



Growth Energy Hails Iowa Gov. Reynolds for Protecting Carbon Capture Investments

Growth Energy, the nation’s leading biofuel trade association, praised Governor Kim Reynolds (R-Iowa) for her veto of legislation imposing onerous new regulations on carbon capture investments. The bill, House File 639, would make it nearly impossible to build new carbon storage and transport infrastructure in Iowa, ultimately denying ethanol producers and their farm partners access to new energy markets.  

“We’re deeply grateful to Governor Reynolds for having the conviction to stand up for rural jobs and preserve opportunities for future generations of Iowa farmers,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Carbon capture allows farmers and producers to accelerate investment in U.S. energy innovation and tap into growing markets around the world. These projects add value to every bushel of corn and provide a vital lifeline to our farmers in uncertain times. We look forward to working with our elected leaders to find a balanced policy solution that allows our industry to remain competitive and protects the billions of additional dollars these projects could deliver for farmers in Iowa and across the heartland.”  



Dean Edge Wins World Livestock Auctioneer Championship

The week of June 2 was an emotional one for Dean Edge.

On Tuesday, he celebrated the life of Blair Vold, the mentor who gave him one of his first chances to sell. By Saturday night, Edge was named the World Livestock Auctioneer Champion.

Hailing from Rimbey, Alberta, Edge became only the third Canadian to win the contest, which debuted in 1963.

In his acceptance speech and comments after, he was quick to credit the support of his family — wife, Jeanine, and children Erin, Lexie and Lane.

He also shared the spotlight with his fellow competitors.

“This world championship might be connected to my name for the next year, but it’s not mine,” Edge said. “It’s ours. I’m going to be working for us for the next year to the very best of my ability to get out there and promote what we do.”

As the reigning World Livestock Auctioneer Champion, he will spend the next year driving the custom-wrapped World Livestock Auctioneer Championship pickup all over the country to showcase his talents and promote the livestock industry. Edge can’t wait.

“I’ve always loved the travel, and especially the chance to see so many livestock auction markets and learn how they do things,” he said. “While they have a lot of differences, they’re all working hard for producers, providing true price discovery and a reliable, transparent marketing method.”

In addition to the truck, Edge, a 1999 graduate of Western College of Auctioneering, went home with several prizes, including $6,000 in cash and custom items like a belt buckle, champion’s rifle, bronze sculpture, world champion ring, golden gavel and money clip.

Brennin Jack, Virden, Manitoba, was named reserve champion, and Preston Smith, Imperial, Nebraska, was runner up. Steve Goedert, Templeton, California, was recognized for the highest score in the interview portion of the contest.

Other top 10 finalists were: Neil Bouray, Webber, Kansas; Justin Mebane, Bakersfield, California; Jace Thompson, Billings, Montana; Ryan Konynenbelt, Fort Macleod, Alberta; Andrew Sylvester, Westmoreland, Kansas; and Barrett Simon, Rosalia, Kansas.

Tyler Bell, Anderson, Texas, was the Audrey K. Banks Rookie of the Year.

A one-hour highlight show from the 2025 competition will air on RFD-TV July 2. The 2026 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship will be held June 17-20 in St. Onge, South Dakota.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 6/6/2025

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending June 6, ethanol production scaled up 1.4% to a record 1.12 million b/d, equivalent to 47.04 million gallons daily. Output was 9.5% higher than the same week last year and 8.4% above the three-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate expanded 3.0% to 1.08 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.59 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks drew down 2.9% to 23.7 million barrels, marking the smallest weekly reserves this year. Yet, stocks were 2.2% more than the same week last year and 3.7% above the three-year average. Inventories thinned across all regions except the Rocky Mountains (PADD 4).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, rebounded 11.0% to 9.17 million b/d (140.96 bg annualized). Demand was 1.4% more than a year ago and 0.7% above the three-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol inched up 0.3% to 905,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.91 bg annualized. Still, net inputs were 0.8% less than year-ago levels and 0.4% below the three-year average.

Ethanol exports crept 0.7% higher to an estimated 151,000 b/d (6.3 million gallons/day). It has been more than a year since EIA indicated ethanol was imported.



Urea Leads Fertilizer Prices Higher

DTN retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN continued to show the cost of most nutrients was higher than last month during the first week of June 2025. For the fourth week in a row, prices for seven of the eight major fertilizers were higher compared to last month. The price of only one fertilizer saw a significant move, which DTN designates as anything 5% or more.

Leading the way higher once again was urea. The nitrogen fertilizer was up 7% from last month with an average price of $663 per ton. Six other fertilizers had slightly higher prices. DAP had an average price of $802 per ton, MAP $832/ton, potash $475/ton, 10-34-0 $669/ton, UAN28 $419/ton and UAN32 $495/ton. DAP was above the $800/ton price level for the first time since the third week of July 2023. That week, DAP had an average price of $807/ton.

The price of one fertilizer was down slightly from last month. Anhydrous had an average price of $776/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.72/lb.N, anhydrous $0.47/lb.N, UAN28 $0.75/lb.N and UAN32 $0.77/lb.N.



NCBA Backs Cattle Health Provisions in Senate “Big Beautiful Bill”

Wednesday night, the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry released legislative text for the Senate’s version of the “one big beautiful bill.” In response to the text, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced support for the cattle health measures in the legislation, which help protect the livelihoods of family farmers and ranchers.

“A successful farm or ranch starts with healthy cattle and as cattle producers face increasing risk of a foreign animal disease outbreak, the need for robust cattle health provisions is even more crucial,” said NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Tanner Beymer. “Senate Ag Committee Chairman John Boozman knows how important this issue is and NCBA thanks him for working to protect farmers and ranchers from devastating foreign animal diseases. We urge the Senate to quickly pass these provisions so they can become law.”
 
The Senate legislation advances policy passed in the House version of the “one big beautiful bill,” including support for the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP), the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN), and the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank (NAVVCB). Together, these three programs are priorities for NCBA and safeguard the U.S. cattle industry.  



NPPC Thanks Chairman Boozman for Preserving Animal Health Priorities in Reconciliation Bill
 
National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) President Duane Stateler, a pork producer from McComb, Ohio, released the following statement on the inclusion of NPPC’s animal health priorities in the Senate Agriculture Committee’s reconciliation package.
 
“America’s 60,000+ pork producers thank Chairman Boozman for fighting to include vital animal health legislation in the reconciliation legislation. During these times of wild uncertainty, we strongly urge the Senate to keep these provisions in the final bill.”
 
Specifically, the bill preserves necessary resources to protect the nation’s food supply through foreign animal disease (FAD) prevention, including the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank, the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program, and the National Veterinary Stockpile.
 
NPPC will continue to keep pressure on Congress to pass a five-year farm bill, which includes a fix to California Proposition 12.



NCGA Congratulates Stephen Vaden on USDA Nomination

The U.S. Senate today confirmed the nomination of Stephen Vaden as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In response to this development, Kenneth Hartman Jr, president of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), released the following statement:

“The nation’s corn growers congratulate Stephen Vaden for his confirmation as the new deputy secretary of Agriculture. Deputy Secretary Vaden’s extensive experience supporting America’s farmers, including in his prior roles at USDA, will be an invaluable asset to the work of the department. We look forward to working with Deputy Secretary Vaden on important agriculture policy matters that will strengthen the U.S. corn industry.” 



NMPF Farmers Advocate for Dairy, Approve Trade Initiative at Board Meeting

Dairy farmers from across the nation approved a new initiative to boost dairy exports and welcomed a new cooperative member as well as new farmer-leaders at the National Milk Producers Federation’s Board of Directors meeting, which concluded today.

“If you imagine that on top of that the millions of people who buy something we touch every day with the products, the nutritious products that we produce, not just at dinner, not just at breakfast, but all day long, because of what you can turn dairy into, it's a pretty amazing story, really,” said NMPF Board Chairman Randy Mooney, a farmer from Rogersville, MO, in remarks at the meeting. “We put some of the most nourishing products there are into consumers every day, globally, and that's something that I think we can all be proud of.”

NMPF’s board meeting brought together more than 100 farmers and dairy-cooperative leaders at the nation’s largest dairy farmer trade organization, which serves as the policy voice for milk producers and the cooperatives they own in Washington. 

The meeting was held in conjunction with NMPF’s annual fly-in of its Young Cooperators, who met with members of Congress to discuss pressing dairy concerns and received a U.S. Capitol tour from Rep. Adam Gray, D-CA; it also featured remarks from Reps. Dusty Johnson, R-SD, David Valadao, R-CA, and Tony Wied, R-WI. 

The board voted to implement a new member-funded export assistance program called NEXT, starting July 1.  A majority of the milk supplied to consumers worldwide by NMPF members is supporting the NEXT program with a 2 cent/cwt contribution through 2028. The NEXT program will focus on supporting U.S. dairy exports in key markets around the world, including Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia.

The board also welcomed two new directors and one new cooperative member. Joining as new board members are:
    Corey Gillins, Dairy Farmers of America
    Tim Kuenzi, Darigold
    Brenda Dehart, Foremost Farms

NMPF’s newest member, approved today, is Lanco-Pennland Cooperative, based in Hagerstown, MD. Lanco-Pennland produces roughly 400 million pounds of milk annually and is a leading East Coast milk marketer. 

The Young Cooperators (YC) Dairy Policy and Legislative Forum brought together young dairy leaders from 15 states for two days of education and advocacy on Capitol Hill, discussing key dairy priorities directly with members of Congress and staffs to advocate for the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, agricultural labor reform and strong dairy trade policies.  

Also in conjunction with the meeting, The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program opened nominations for its annual FARM Excellence Awards, which recognizes farmers, cooperatives and processors that provide consumers with safe, wholesome milk with integrity. Nominations may be submitted via an online form by Aug. 4.