Tuesday June 24 Ag News - Crop Progress - Tar Spot found in Northeast NE - and more

 USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report
 
The condition of the U.S. corn crop decreased slightly while soybean conditions were unchanged, according to USDA NASS's weekly Crop Progress report released on Monday.

Despite strong winds that flattened some corn fields last week, the combination of widespread rainfall and current warm temperatures should generally support crop development across most areas with adequate soil moisture.

CORN
-- Crop development: 97% of corn had emerged as of Sunday, 1 point ahead of last year's 96% but 1 point behind of the five-year average of 98%. Corn silking was pegged at 4%, consistent with last year and 1 percentage point ahead of the five-year average of 3%.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 70% of the crop was in good-to-excellent condition, down 2 points from 72% the previous week and 1 point ahead of last year's 69%. 

SOYBEANS
-- Planting progress: Soybean planting moved ahead 3 points to reach 96% complete as of Sunday. That is consistent with last year and 1 point behind of the five-year average of 97%.
-- Crop development: 90% of soybeans had emerged as of Sunday, 1 point ahead of last year's 89% and consistent with the five-year average. Soybeans blooming were pegged at 8%, 1 point ahead of last year's and the five-year average of 7%.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 66% of soybeans that had emerged were in good-to-excellent condition, unchanged from the previous week and 1 point below 67% last year. 

WINTER WHEAT
-- Crop development: 96% of winter wheat was headed nationwide as of Sunday. That was 1 point behind of 97% at this time last year and consistent with the five-year average.
-- Harvest progress: Harvest moved ahead 9 percentage point last week to reach 19% complete nationwide as of Sunday. That was 19 points behind last year's 38% and 9 points behind the five-year average pace of 28%. 
-- Crop condition: 49% of the crop remaining in fields was rated in good-to-excellent condition, down 3 points from 52% the previous week and year.

SPRING WHEAT
-- Crop development: 93% of spring wheat has emerged, 6 points behind 99% last year and 4 points behind the five-year average of 97%. 17% of the crop was headed, which is 1 point ahead of last year's 16%, but 1 point behind the five-year average of 18%.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 54% of the crop was in good-to-excellent condition nationwide, down 3 points from 57% the previous week and 17 points down from 71% last year.



Nebraska Crop Progress Report - Week of June 22

Topsoil Moisture: 1% surplus - 52% adequate - 34% short - 13% very short
Subsoil Moisture: 2% surplus - 38% adequate - 44% short - 16% very short  
Corn Emerged: 100% - LW 97% - 5YA 99% 
Corn Silking: 1% - LW none - 5YA none
Corn Condition: 11% excellent - 59% good - 26% fair - 3% poor - 1% very poor 
Soybeans Emerged: 96% - LW 92% - 5YA 96% 
Soybeans Blooming: 1% - LY none - 5YA 8% 
Soybean Condition: 7% excellent - 58% good - 30% fair - 4% poor - 1% very poor 
Winter Wheat Headed: 99% - LW 94% - 5YA 97%
Winter Wheat Harvest: none - 5YA 1% 
Pasture & Range Condition: 27% good - 42% fair - 23% poor - 8% very poor 



Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

Spotty precipitation, heavy in some areas, limited Iowa farmers to 4.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 22, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field work included cutting hay and spraying. Above average temperatures spurred crop growth.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 16 percent short, 73 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 6 percent very short, 21 percent short, 65 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus.

Virtually all of Iowa’s corn crop has emerged, and there were scattered reports of corn silking. Corn condition rated 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 14 percent fair, 62 percent good and 21 percent excellent. 

Nearly all of the soybean crop has emerged. Soybeans blooming reached 13 percent, 5 days ahead of both last year and the five-year average. Soybean condition rated 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 61 percent good and 16 percent excellent. 

Iowa’s oat crop reached 81 percent headed with 27 percent turning color. Oat condition rated 0 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 13 percent fair, 67 percent good and 18 percent excellent.

At 94 percent, the first cutting of alfalfa hay was nearly complete. The second cutting reached 24 percent complete. Hay condition rated 80 percent good to excellent. 

Pasture condition rated 72 percent good to excellent. Some heat stress was reported in livestock.



Early Tar Spot Detected in Nebraska Corn 
Tamra Jackson-Ziems - NE Extension Plant Pathologist

Tar spot was confirmed in V6-V9 corn in several Nebraska counties (and other states) throughout the week of June 15, 2025. It may seem early for tar spot development, but early season development has been common in other states where the fungus has existed for a few years. Scouting efforts should be intensified in fields with a history of the disease or at higher risk, such as pivot-irrigated corn.  

Counties confirmed in Nebraska include:
Pierce, Antelope, Saunders, Seward, Polk, and Clay

Fungicide applications are not recommended at this time for tar spot management. Multi-state fungicide research (led by Purdue University) results show that applications made for tar spot management are most effective and economical when made between R2-R3, even when disease developed during early vegetative stages. 

Favorable Conditions for Tar Spot Development:
    Moderate temperatures (optimally 60-70°F)
    Relative humidity greater than 75%
    More than seven hours of leaf wetness
    10-plus foggy days per month
    6.0 or more inches of monthly precipitation

Irrigation Impacts Foliar Corn Disease
The microclimate changes caused by overhead irrigation can create more favorable conditions for disease development. In addition to changes in microclimate, pathogens can be spread by splash effects from irrigation droplets. 

To investigate these effects during 2024, disease severity was estimated in 25 center pivot irrigated corn fields. Disease severity was visually estimated as the percent of leaf area covered by tar spot in three field regions: second span, outermost span, and rainfed corner (Figure 4): 
-    Inner spans averaged 3.5% tar spot severity and 5.4% southern rust severity.
-    Outermost spans averaged 3.3% and 4.8% severity for tar spot and southern rust, respectively.
-    Rainfed corners recorded levels of 1.6% and 1.9% of tar spot and southern rust.

Conclusion
In conclusion, results from research conducted during 2023-2024 on microclimate and disease development showed a strong relationship between irrigation and increased levels of foliar diseases in Nebraska. Results suggest that this may be caused by irrigation decreasing temperature, while increasing relative humidity and/or leaf wetness. More research is needed before changes in irrigation management are recommended. 

UNL researchers are also currently exploring potential adaptations to irrigation systems and the efficacy of fungicide chemigation. However, when scouting for early disease development, it is recommended to focus scouting efforts in the innermost pivot spans.



Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation Continues to Invest in the Future of Agriculture by Awarding Scholarships to Future Agricultural Educators

The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation awarded 11 scholarships to students enrolled in the Agricultural Education Teaching Program at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL).

“The future of agriculture education is bright with these recipients at the helm,” said Megahn Schafer, executive director of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation. “Their passion and commitment to serving communities and connecting your people to the vast opportunities in agriculture is evident. It’s an honor to support these future teachers who will develop strong leaders who will push Nebraska agriculture forward.”

Each recipient will receive a $1,500 scholarship during his or her student teaching semester at the university. Applicants shared why they wanted to be an agricultural education teacher, professional goals for the future, and what the scholarship would mean to them.

“With 218 schools offering high school agricultural education programs and FFA chapters, demand for teachers has never been stronger,” said Dr. Matt Kreifels, professor of practice in agricultural education at UNL. “These teachers serve a vital role in agriculture by introducing and recruiting talented students to the industry. We thank the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation for supporting these future teachers.  Through this scholarship program, and with Farm Bureau helping to promote the profession of agricultural education, UNL has seen an increase in the number of students entering this profession. Nebraska Farm Bureau, its members, and the Foundation are supporting the future of Nebraska agriculture by investing in these young teachers.”

The 11 recipients of the scholarships are 
Kiley Codner, Hall County; Kinsley Kugel, Thayer County; Chelsa Reardon, Platte County; Erin Oldemeyer, Lancaster County; Rayne Jespersen, Box Butte; Erica Brown, Madison County; Lydia Fitzke, Clay County; Emily Samuelson, Merrick County; Isela Terecero, Custer County; Jenna Knake, Otoe County; and Allison Engelman, Jefferson County.



CAP Webinar: Nebraska Farm Business 2024 Financial Averages & 2025 Outlook
Jun 26, 2025 12:00 PM 
Tina Barrett, Director, Nebraska Farm Business, Inc.

Join Tina Barrett for an in-depth review of the most recent financial data collected by Nebraska Farm Business, Inc., from farms and ranches across the state. Barrett will present key benchmarks including income, financial ratios, and family living expenses using 2024 year-end data. She will also explore trends from the past decade to help interpret what these numbers could mean for the ag economy in 2025.

Use this valuable information to benchmark your own operation and make more informed decisions for the year ahead.

You can register for the webinar at the Center for Agricultural Profitability's webinar page, https://cap.unl.edu/webinars. 



2025 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo Draws Highest Attendance in 15 Years

The 2025 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo (FEW), held in Omaha, Nebraska, concluded with record-breaking participation and industry engagement, reinforcing its role as the largest and most influential gathering in the global ethanol sector. The event welcomed nearly 2,500 attendees, 370 exhibitors, 150 speakers, and over 575 biofuel producers, representing 94% of U.S. installed ethanol production capacity.

With representation from 45 U.S. states, eight Canadian provinces, and 30 countries, this year’s FEW achieved its highest attendance in 15 years, and the largest share of production capacity ever assembled at the event.

“The turnout, excitement and large number of new technologies at this year’s FEW reflect the ethanol industry’s vital role in advancing U.S. energy policy,” said John Nelson, chief operating officer of BBI International. “The discussions in Omaha underscored how domestic ethanol production continues to support energy independence and strengthen rural economies.”

In addition to the robust main agenda including four program tracks, the 2025 FEW featured two co-located events, the Sustainable Fuels Summit and the Carbon Capture & Storage Summit, which brought even more technical depth and cross-sector engagement to the event.

“We were proud to host an exceptional lineup of speakers this year, including leading ethanol producers, engineers, technology developers and analysts,” said Danielle Piekarski, content and program manager at BBI International. “Our presenters brought deep expertise and timely insight into every major topic facing the industry—from improving plant performance and reducing carbon intensity to navigating new market opportunities and regulatory landscapes. The caliber of speakers at FEW 2025 truly elevated the event.”

The conference’s four-track agenda featured educational sessions, case studies and industry insights, while a sold-out expo hall highlighted innovations in plant technologies, carbon management and operational efficiencies.

Planning is already underway for next year’s event. The 42nd Annual International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo will take place June 2–4, 2026, in St. Louis, Missouri. Visit www.fuelethanolworkshop.com for more information.



ISU Farmland Leasing Workshops Help Build Stronger Farm Agreements

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is set to host its annual Farmland Leasing and Management Workshops across Iowa during July and August 2025.

These sessions are designed to support farmland owners, tenants, and agricultural professionals by offering timely, research-based guidance on managing leasing arrangements.

Each session lasts about 2.5 to 3 hours and is led by ISU Extension’s farm management specialists. Attendees will receive a booklet of reference materials to help navigate leasing decisions.

Topics covered will include:
    Current land values and cash rental rate trends
    Key factors impacting 2025 lease rates in Iowa agriculture
    How leases are affected by farm succession and estate planning

These workshops aim to promote clear communication and stronger relationships between landowners and tenants. By understanding lease structures and legal responsibilities, both parties can work together more effectively and avoid future disputes.

A virtual option will also be available for those who cannot attend in person, making the workshop more accessible to everyone interested in learning about leasing in modern farm operations.

Additional leasing resources and online tools can be accessed on the ISU Ag Decision Maker Leasing webpage, providing year-round support for Iowa's agricultural community.

These workshops reflect Iowa State University Extension’s commitment to empowering rural Iowans with the tools they need to build successful, long-lasting agricultural partnerships.



More U.S. Pork Plants Approved to Export to China
NPPC 
 
China recently approved 23 U.S. pork plants to export product to the Asian nation, following recent trade talks between Washington and Beijing.
 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) have been working with China’s General Administration of Customs to renew the registrations of U.S. meat and poultry plants and facilities that expired earlier this year. The recent renewals, which also included 83 poultry facilities, apply to product produced after June 11. 
 
The latest plant approvals came just a week after the United States and China agreed to move forward on the May trade deal they reached in Geneva, Switzerland. Export registrations for more than 1,000 U.S. meat plants were granted by China under the 2020 Phase 1 trade deal with the United States, but many expired in February and early March. In mid-March, China renewed the registrations of 300-plus U.S. pork facilities, then suspended renewals as it engaged in a weeks-long tariff tiff with the United States.



Brashears Nominated to be USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety
 
What happened: President Trump nominated Mindy Brashears to be Under Secretary for Food Safety in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a post she held for the last 10 months of Trump’s first term in the White House.
 
As under secretary, Brashears would oversee USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), which is responsible for regulatory oversight of meat, poultry, and processed egg products, ensuring they are safe, wholesome, accurately labeled, and correctly packaged. She also would serve as the chairperson of the U.N. Codex Alimentarius Commission’s Policy Committee. Codex is the international food safety standards-setting body.
 
Currently a professor of food safety and public health at Texas Tech University, Brashears holds a bachelor’s degree in food technology from the university and master’s and doctoral degrees in food science from Oklahoma State University.