Wednesday June 25 Ag News

Smith, Daines Support Trump Administration's Engagement on Agricultural Trade Priorities

Tuesday Representative Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) led 54 of their colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick.The letter commends the Trump administration for ongoing efforts in trade negotiations and advocates for robust market access on behalf of American farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers.

In the letter, the members wrote:
We write to you to express our strong support for ongoing trade negotiations to level the playing field for American producers and manufacturers. President Trump’s decision to pause the implementation of certain reciprocal tariffs creates momentum to secure meaningful and enforceable agreements for U.S. agricultural producers, energy producers, and manufacturers.

…Certain barriers may require long-term negotiations. However, we are confident in your ability to utilize this 90-day pause to come to agreements that can benefit all American industries while providing opportunity for continued dialogue. There are pressing trade issues, including digital services taxes, import quotas, and tariff reduction, which we cannot delay addressing.

American manufacturers, producers, and consumers are eager for the long-term certainty trade agreements provide. This certainty could prevent the decline of commodity prices, recover global market share, and unleash American industry to counter global competitors. Further, bilateral agreements which address both tariff and non-tariff barriers provide opportunities to strengthen supply chains, drive innovation, and increase international collaboration, all of which would reassert the United States’ global leadership and combat China’s malign influence.

Representatives who joined Smith and Daines in sending the letter include: Max Miller (R-OH), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), Mike Bost (R-IL), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Don Bacon (R-NE), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Frank Lucas (R-OK), Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Marianette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Derek Schmidt (R-KS), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), Mike Carey (R-OH), Ann Wagner (R-MO), Ron Estes (R-KS), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Tracey Mann (R-KS), Sam Graves (R-MO), James Baird (R-IN), Mark Alford (R-MO), Julie Fedorchak (R-ND), Brad Finstad (R-MN), Troy Downing (R-MT), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), David Kustoff (R-TN), Rudy Yakym (R-IN), Keith Self (R-TX), Jefferson Shreve (R-IN), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), James Comer (R-KY), Mike Flood (R-NE), Eric Crawford (R-AR), Nicholas Langworthy (R-NY), Mark Messmer (R-IN), Greg Murphy (R-NC), Zach Nunn (R-IA), Addison McDowell (R-NC), Tony Wied (R-WI), Robert Latta (R-OH), Stephanie Bice (R-OK), Darin LaHood (R-IL), and French Hill (R-AR).

Senators who joined Smith and Daines in sending the letter include: Deb Fischer (R-NE), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ted Budd (R-NC), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Jim Risch (R-ID), John Kennedy (R-LA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Todd Young (R-IN). 



SUMMER ANNUAL GRASSES IN ALFALFA 
- Ben Beckman, NE Extension Educator 

By mid-summer, summer annual grasses like foxtail, sandbur, and crabgrass are already up and growing—and they’re starting to cause issues in perennial hay or pasture fields.

At this point in the season, pre-emergent herbicides are no longer an effective control option for already growing summer annual wees. Our best bet is to focus on post-emergent control and timely harvest management. In Roundup Ready® alfalfa, a labeled glyphosate product is a solid option—just be sure to treat while weeds are still small and before the alfalfa canopy blocks spray coverage.

In conventional alfalfa, grass-selective herbicides like Select®, Assure®, or Poast® can still work on smaller grasses. Follow the label closely for height limits and grazing or harvest restrictions.

If weeds are already well established, burn-down products like Gramoxone® may be your best shot. Apply immediately after cutting—before much alfalfa regrowth occurs—to knock back annual grasses with limited damage to the stand.

In mixed alfalfa-grass fields, your herbicide options are even more limited.  The only post emergent product we might consider is Pursuit®, which may stunt perennial grasses.  This doesn’t disqualify it as an option, but be aware it may open the door for more weed pressure.

This late in the season, cultural controls like adjusting harvest timing and maintaining a dense, vigorous stand may do more for long-term control than a spray pass. And remember—no herbicide will make up for poor timing.

Summer grasses are a challenge, but with a sharp eye and well-timed management, you can still limit their impact and protect your hay quality.



Summer Grazing Field Day: Strategies to Beat the Slump

When cool-season pastures slow down in the heat of summer, it can put pressure on pasture and cattle performance. This field day is all about helping producers get more out of summer grazing. Join Nebraska Extension for a hands-on event focused on strategies to beat the summer slump using warm-season annuals and virtual fencing.

The event will be held on Thursday July 24th, 8:30am to 2:00pm at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center (ENREEC) near Mead, NE.

What You’ll See and Learn
Sudangrass and Sudangrass–Sunnhemp Mix
Learn how different grazing strategies affect carrying capacity and cattle performance. We’ll share results from two years of grazing trials with cow/calf pairs and stocker calves—and you’ll see this year’s forage in action. We’ll focus on how to manage for maximum return and whether adding sunnhemp pays off.

New Prussic Acid-Free Sorghum-Sudangrass
View a new forage variety bred to eliminate prussic acid risk, currently being grazed by stockers. We’ll discuss how this option fits into summer grazing systems and what to consider before adoption.

Virtual Fencing for Cow/Calf Grazing
See how virtual fencing is being used for intensive rotational grazing of cow/calf pairs on bromegrass. Learn how it can reduce labor, increase flexibility, and improve pasture utilization.

Agenda Overview
8:30 – 9:00 AM |Registration
9:00 – 9:15 AM | Welcome and Overview (ENREEC Headquarters)

Field Tours
9:15 – 9:50 AM | Stop #1 – Sudangrass vs. Sunnhemp Mix
10:00 – 10:40 AM | Stop #2 – Prussic Acid-Free Sorghum-Sudangrass
10:50 – 11:30 AM | Stop #3 – Virtual Fencing on Bromegrass
11:30 – 11:40 AM | Return to ENREEC Building

11:45 – 12:30 PM | Lunch Served ($20 registration includes meal)

Educational Sessions
12:30 – 1:10 PM | Warm-Season Annuals: Getting the Most Out of Summer Grazing
• Performance and forage yield data from two years
• Economic comparison of systems with and without sunnhemp
• Management tips to maximize cattle gains and carrying capacity
1:10 – 1:45 PM | Virtual Fencing: Is It a Fit for Your Operation?
• Cost structures of different systems
• Ways VF can improve grazing efficiency and reduce labor
• Information to help you evaluate if VF fits your goals
1:45 – 2:00 PM | Wrap-Up
• Discussion of key takeaways from the day 

Registration: $20 (includes lunch and materials). RSVP Requested (for lunch count). Please RSVP by July 18 to help us plan for lunch. Register at https://go.unl.edu/summergraze. Walk-ins are welcome, but we can’t guarantee a meal without pre-registration. Payment will be collected at the door (cash or check only).



CLAAS Marks 10,000th LEXION Combine Built in U.S.

CLAAS marked a manufacturing milestone this spring, rolling the 10,000th LEXION combine off the production line in its U.S. headquarters, where it has consistently assembled durable, reliable combines in Omaha since 1997.   

“The LEXION stands in a class of its own because at CLAAS, we are constantly innovating and bringing new technology to our equipment lineup,” says Matthias Ristow, President and Managing Director Business Administration at CLAAS Omaha Inc. “With the ability to handle more acres, more bushels and more hours, the LEXION is made for more.”  

About the LEXION Combine 
When the first LEXION 400-series combines rolled off the line in Omaha nearly three decades ago, North American farmers knew they were dealing with something different. The LEXION 400-series combine came with a first-of-its-kind Accelerated Pre-Separation (APS) Hybrid System, which independently controlled threshing and separation. Its TERRA TRAC undercarriage reduced compaction decades before competitors offered tracks.   

Many years and innovations later, today's LEXION models take innovation to the next level. Autonomous systems like the CEMOS operator assistance system senses crop conditions and machine capacity, automatically adjusting settings to optimize throughput and maximize grain retention. This, coupled with other driver-assist technologies, allows a range of experience levels to operate the LEXION combine at maximum performance.  

Midwest Roots  
CLAAS has been a part of Omaha for more than 25 years. Its 200,000+ square foot manufacturing facility opened its doors in 2001, replacing a temporary facility used since 1997. Originally a joint venture between CLAAS and Caterpillar, the building was used to assemble LEXION combines sporting the Caterpillar logo and branded in yellow and black colors. In 2002, CLAAS took full ownership of the facility as CAT got out of the combine business. 

The facility has since grown in size and sophistication to make way for more comprehensive manufacturing techniques and sub-assemblies, employing about 200 people. Today, the manufacturing plant sources over one-third of its components locally – up from a small fraction when it first opened – increasing the economic made on the US economy. 

From serving as a polling place for elections, a gathering place for local events and a destination for many tour groups, the facility is a community staple. CLAAS recently added the 20,000 square foot CLAAS Academy and Apprentice Lab to house the company’s unique training facility for their dealers and innovative apprentice programs. 

Going the Distance  
The milestone of 10,000 LEXION combines is more than just a number. It’s a commitment from CLAAS to North American farmers that they have the option of best-in-class, German engineering built stateside by American workers. 

But the numbers are still impressive. If you lined up the 10,000 machines produced in Omaha end-to-end, they would stretch out over 90 miles, or about the distance between Omaha, Nebraska and Sioux City, Iowa.  

“This milestone supports CLAAS’s dedication to rural areas throughout North America,” says Ristow. “While we’re proud to have manufactured 10,000 LEXION combines, we’re just as proud to be an economic generator in Omaha and across the United States.”   



Forage Field Day in Western Iowa to focus on Summer Annuals

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, in partnership with I-29 Moo University and the Northern Plains Forage Association, invites producers, agronomists and forage enthusiasts to attend the 2025 Forage Field Day on July 31 at the Western Research and Demonstration Farm near Castana, Iowa.

This all-day event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and feature field demonstrations, expert talks and hands-on learning opportunities. Forage topics will focus on summer annuals for silage, baleage and grazing, interseeding strategies, as well as pasture management.

Attendees will hear from leading Iowa State University researchers and industry professionals on topics such as the agronomics of grazing summer annuals, sorghum breeding objectives, interseeding summer annuals into alfalfa and heifer grazing economics.

Highlights from the day will include:
    Field demonstrations of forage sorghum for silage, summer annual grazing systems,  and nitrate and prussic acid testing.
    Live nitrate and prussic acid testing demos to enhance in-season decision-making
    Interactive forage and weed ID competition with prizes
    Expert insights on topics ranging from grazing economics to breeding priorities for sorghum and strategies to extend alfalfa stand life

“This field day is a great opportunity to see the versatility of summer annuals in action—whether for silage, grazing or interseeding,” said Shelby Gruss, extension forage specialist with ISU. “These crops offer flexible options to fill forage gaps, extend alfalfa stands and improve both productivity and profitability across diverse forage systems.”

The cost to attend the field day is $20 for individuals or $50 for farms and family groups up to 5 people. All participants are asked to register online https://iastate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cCTkav86bgsSOge by July 21 to be eligible for a door prize. Members of the Northern Plains Forage Association may attend for free, but must register in advance for an accurate food count.

A complimentary lunch will be provided under the hoop barn, where participants can test their forage ID skills and network with speakers and fellow attendees.

The Western Research and Demonstration Farm is located at 36515 Hwy E34, Castana, IA 51010.

For more information, contact Gail Carpenter at ajcarpen@iastate.edu.

I-29 Moo University is a consortium of Extension dairy specialists from the land-grant universities in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota. The I-29 Moo University is a multi-state learning collaboration and connects extension dairy staff with the dairy community to share research, information and management practices through workshops, webinars, e-newsletters, podcasts, and on-farm tours.  For more information about the I-29 Moo University Collaboration and programs visit www.i-29moou.com. 



Hoover Building is the New Home of the IDALS

As of July 1, 2025, The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will call the Hoover State Office Building home. After more than four decades in the Henry A. Wallace State Office Building, the Department will depart the building at the end of June. The Department is the last remaining tenant of the Wallace Building.

The Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will now welcome constituents and guests to the fifth floor of the Hoover Building. The Hoover Building is part of the Iowa Capitol Complex, located southeast of the Iowa Capitol and northeast of the Iowa Supreme Court Building near the intersection of E.14th St. and Court Ave.

"The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is excited to embark on a new era to continue serving Iowans in the Hoover Building beginning on July 1,” said Secretary Naig. “We look forward to welcoming constituents and visitors to our new space, where we will continue to serve Iowa’s vibrant agricultural community. Please use our new address and updated contact information to reach us so that we can ensure we remain accessible and responsive to the needs of Iowans."

The Department’s new address, main phone number, and fax number are as follows:
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Hoover State Office Building
1305 E. Walnut St.
Des Moines, IA 50319
Main Phone Number: (515) 281-5321
Fax Number: (515) 281-4282
Website E-mail Form: https://iowaagriculture.gov/contact

The public may also connect with the Department via its website www.IowaAgriculture.gov and social media channels, including Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram. 



Applications Now Open for the 2026 ASA - Corteva Agriscience Young Leader Program

If you are passionate about farming, ready to connect with agricultural industry leaders and grow your leadership skills, the Young Leader Program is for you!

Program sponsors American Soybean Association and Corteva are seeking farmers to apply for the 2026 ASA Corteva Agriscience Young Leader Program.

Phase I of the 2025-26 Young Leader program will take place Dec. 1-4 at Corteva’s Global Business Center in Johnston, Iowa. It continues Feb. 24-Feb. 27, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas, in conjunction with the annual Commodity Classic Convention and Trade Show.

“The Young Leader program has had a tremendous impact on the soybean industry by helping identify, train and prepare farmers who are interested in leadership and advocacy,” said Kentucky soybean grower and ASA President Caleb Ragland. “Through top-notch training, the Young Leader program has elevated industry success by providing us with strong, informed and connected soy leaders. Numerous past graduates of the program can be found in leadership positions throughout the industry, including members of ASA’s Executive Committee. We are grateful to Corteva for continually supporting this program for more than 40 years.”

Soybean growers—both individuals and couples—are encouraged to apply for the program, which focuses on leadership and communication, agriculture trends and information, and the development of a strong and connected network. The program is designed for growers who are young in leadership, not age. Interested spouses/partners are encouraged to attend and will be active participants in all aspects of the program, even if not employed full-time on the farm.

“Corteva is proud to support this longstanding and impactful program to help develop the next generation of grower leaders,” said U.S. Industry Affairs Leader for Corteva Agriscience Matt Rekeweg. “Not only will participants come away with new skills to increase their impact on local, state and federal policy, they’ll have the opportunity to forge meaningful connections with other current and emerging industry leaders to help unlock new opportunities and set them up for future success.”

ASA and Corteva will work with the 26 state affiliates and the Grain Farmers of Ontario to identify the top producers to represent their states as part of this program.

Learn more about the program and how to apply here https://soygrowers.com/education-resources/grower-education/leadership-development-programs/young-leader-program/. 



Cost of Summer Cookout Nearly Unchanged from 2024

Families celebrating the Fourth of July holiday continue to find high prices at the grocery store, based on the 2025 American Farm Bureau Federation annual marketbasket survey. An Independence Day cookout will cost $70.92 for 10 guests this year.

This is down only 30 cents from last year’s record-high cost. At $7.09 per person, 2025 will be the second-highest cost since Farm Bureau began the survey in 2013. The cookout favorites include cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, pork chops, homemade potato salad, strawberries and ice cream, among other products. While the survey does not include an exhaustive list of Fourth of July options, it serves as a snapshot of prices families are facing this summer.

“Inflation and lower availability of some food items continue to keep prices stubbornly high for America’s families,” said AFBF Associate Economist Samantha Ayoub. “High prices don’t mean more money for farmers, however. Farmers are price takers, not price makers. Their share of the food retail dollar is just 15%. The cost of running their farm is up, from labor and transportation, to taxes.”

The marketbasket survey shows an increase in the cost of beef, potato salad and canned pork and beans, while there are drops in the cost of pork chops, chips and hamburger buns.

The retail price for 2 pounds of ground beef increased 4.4% to $13.33. Pork and beans will cost $2.69, up 20 cents from 2024. Potato salad is up 6.6% to $3.54. Several factors influence these increases, reflecting the sort of challenges farmers regularly face. Fewer cattle are available for processing, which is affecting supplies. Steel and aluminum tariffs mean increased prices on canned goods. The cost of eggs - used in potato salad - is still elevated, although they are much lower than record highs earlier this year as egg-laying chicken populations are recovering from avian influenza.

Our survey found a reduction in cost for six cookout staples. Among them is a 3-pound package of pork chops, which is down 8.8% from last year, at $14.13. Chips average $4.80 a bag, a dime less than 2024. Hamburger buns are 2.6% less expensive, at $2.35. The amount of pork available to stores is up, which is pushing prices down. The demand for potatoes has eased, helping bring down the cost of chips. Wheat prices are still much lower than record highs of three years ago, contributing to the slight decrease in the cost of buns.

Although the $7.09 per-person cost is near a historic high, when put in a global context, people in the U.S. spend a smaller percentage of their expenditures on food than in any other country.

AFBF President Zippy Duvall said, “We can celebrate America’s independence every year in part because of the hard work of the farmers and ranchers who contribute to the nation’s food independence. Farmers are dedicated to doing the right thing, and their commitment to sustainable and innovative farming practices ensures a safe and abundant food supply for every family in America.

“Farmers and ranchers achieve this, in part, through research, conservation and farm safety net programs that are made possible through a strong farm bill. We urge members of Congress to return from their holiday break and pass a new, modernized five-year farm bill. We appreciate efforts during the reconciliation process to address some issues facing agriculture, but only a new farm bill will bring the certainty farmers need to continue leading the world in agriculture.”

The federal government’s broader Consumer Price Index report for food at home shows an overall increase of 2.2% compared to a year ago. Farm Bureau’s informal marketbasket survey examines only those foods commonly associated with summer cookouts.

Individual Prices, AFBF 2025 Summer Cookout
    2 pounds of ground beef, $13.33 (+4.4%)
    2 pounds of chicken breasts, $7.79 (-0.5%)
    3 pounds of pork chops, $14.13 (-8.8%)
    1 pound of cheese, $3.54 (-0.9%)
    1 package of hamburger buns, $2.35 (-2.6%)
    2 ½ pounds of homemade potato salad, $3.54 (+6.6%)
    32 ounces of pork and beans, $2.69 (+8.2%)
    16-ounce bag of potato chips, $4.80 (-2.1%)
    13-ounce package of chocolate chip cookies, $4.00 (+0.3%)
    ½ gallon of ice cream, $5.69 (+0.7%)
    2 pints of strawberries, $4.69 (+1.7%)
    2 ½ quarts of lemonade, $4.37 (+4.2%)

The July Fourth cookout survey is part of the Farm Bureau marketbasket series, which also includes the popular annual Thanksgiving dinner cost survey of common food staples Americans use to prepare a holiday meal at home.

Volunteer shoppers across the country, including Farm Bureau members and others, collected data from stores in every state and Puerto Rico.



Texas Becomes Seventh State to Ban Lab-Grown Meat

Texas is now the seventh U.S. state to ban lab-grown meat. Last week, Gov. Greg Abbott signed SB261, which will go into effect in September. 

Texas joins Indiana, Nebraska, Montana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida in enacting a ban.

“The lab-grown meat sector will continue to face headwinds as consumers and lawmakers learn more about the the lack of long-term health studies and use of ‘immortalized cells’" said Jack Hubbard, executive director of the Center for the Environment and Welfare (CEW), one of the leading critics of lab-grown meat. “We are seeing a bipartisan consumer movement against the experimental product that is gaining more and more momentum.”

CEW launched a public education campaign in 2023 to help consumers and lawmakers get the facts about the emerging industry. For example, supporters often claim that lab-grown meat is more sustainable than traditional, farm-raised meat products. However, researchers at UC Davis believe lab-grown meat could have 25 times the environmental impact of farm-raised meat.