Monday July 21 Ag News - Nebraska Research Dollars - Inheriting a Farm webinar - Corn Congress - Barnstorming - and more!

 Fischer Advances $5 Million for Nebraska’s Research Institutions

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced $5 million for Nebraska’s research institutions through the Senate Appropriations Committee to fund bioeconomy, biomedical, and water quality research efforts. The funding was included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations Act, which now awaits consideration on the Senate Floor.

“Nebraska’s research institutions are the backbone of the future bioeconomy, conservation, and biomedical research workforce. This funding not only fuels groundbreaking research – it strengthens local economies by supporting the contractors and businesses that make this work possible. I’m proud to advance this investment in Nebraska’s innovative research ecosystem and ensure that our institutions have the resources they need to succeed,” Fischer said.

Funding projects advanced by Fischer for Nebraska are listed below:

Growing Nebraska’s Bioeconomy
Project Description: Purchase equipment and develop space to design, build, test, model, and validate products that grow Nebraska’s bioeconomy.
Project Location: University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Amount: $1,000,0000
The project will provide resources for a new bio-engineering facility to support applications and solutions in biomedical research, agriculture, and biosecurity. Nebraska’s agriculture leadership uniquely positions the state to lead on these solutions across academia, industry, and government.

Instrumentation for Advanced Water Research
Project Description: Equipment upgrades at the Water Sciences Laboratory and Conservation and Survey Division of the University of Nebraska—Lincoln to support water quality research.
Project Location: University of Nebraska—Lincoln
Amount: $1,000,000
Groundwater as a drinking water source is increasingly impacted by environmental variables and agricultural production. The Water Sciences Laboratory, Conservation and Survey Division, and College of Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln provide quantitative methods for a wide variety of persistent and emerging challenges in water quality.

Scientific Instrumentation for Biomedical Research
Project Description: Modernize and expand comparative biomedical research training at the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK).
Project Location: University of Nebraska—Kearney
Amount: $3,000,000
At UNK, experiential learning is a cornerstone of the undergraduate learning experience with each student required to complete a hands-on learning project. A growing number of UNK students are pursuing health care careers. This funding expands and modernizes the current comparative biomedical research infrastructure to meet the demands of training these students.



CAP Webinar: Now That You've Inherited a Farm…
Jul 24, 2025 12:00 PM 
Anastasia Meyer, Agricultural Economist and Extension Educator, UNL Center for Agricultural Profitability

Inheriting farmland in Nebraska but don’t know where to start? This webinar is designed for non-farming landowners who need help navigating ownership, leasing, and legal responsibilities. Learn how to transfer the title, work with the USDA, understand lease options, and manage taxes and risk. Whether you’re planning to lease the land or simply want to protect your asset, this resource walks you through each critical step. Perfect for anyone looking for clarity, peace of mind, and confidence in managing inherited ag land.

Register for the webinar at https://cap.unl.edu/webinars.  



Colfax County Farm Bureau Meeting
Thursday, July 24, 2025 - 7 p.m.
Farm Bureau Office – Schuyler
1035 Rd E
Schuyler, NE 68661



2025 Nebraska Grazing Conference

Make plans now to attend the 2025 Nebraska Grazing Conference in Kearney at the Younes Conference Center on August 5. The 2025 conference is a single day event. A field tour kicks off the conference on Tuesday, August 5 from 9:00 to 11:30 am. Grazing management and conservation will be the focus of this field activity. There is no fee to attend the field tour.

The conference begins after lunch Tuesday with recognition of the Worth Ranch, the 2024 Nebraska Leopold Conservation Award winner. The afternoon’s keynote speaker will be Dallas Mount with Ranching for Profit (https://ranchingforprofit.com). He will present a session titled “Raising the Bar… becoming a savvy farm and ranch business leader and key tools for improving your economic and financial decision making.” In addition to Dallas Mount, there will be an afternoon rancher panel with past Ranching for Profit participants and presentations by organizations supporting ranchers (Nebraska Grazing Land Coalition, Sandhills Taskforce, Sustainable Ranching Initiative). https://grassland.unl.edu/extension-outreach/nebraska-grazing-conference/

High school and university students are encouraged to attend. Student registration fees are waived for those registering online before July 30.

Following a banquet in the evening, Dallas Mount will host an informal question and answer session or go to: https://grassland.unl.edu/nebraska-grazing-conference-registration/. 



Iowa Corn Farmers Advocate for Policy Priorities at Corn Congress 

Last week, Iowa Corn Growers Association® (ICGA) farmer-leaders attended the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Corn Congress meetings to advocate for key agricultural issues and priorities. 

Throughout their visits, Iowa corn farmers advocated for nationwide, year-round passage of E15, expressed need for increased trade sharing the current economic value the trade of U.S. corn and corn products has within the nation and highlighted concerns around the MAHA movement and its potential impact on pesticide use, a tool farmers need as they continue producing corn that is relied on around the world.  

Iowa farmer-leaders met with each member of the Iowa Congressional Delegation’s office including Senators Ernst and Grassley and Representatives Feenstra, Hinson, Miller-Meeks and Nunn. In addition to the Iowa offices, farmers met with congressional offices from across the country who do not have an established corn grower organization they can connect with to share how corn and ethanol impact their state and our country. 

“Even though the Iowa Corn Growers Association is a state organization, it is still imperative that we take the issues we are facing on our farms in Iowa to our legislators on Capitol Hill,” said Stu Swanson, ICGA President and farmer from Galt, Iowa. “Corn farmers from other parts of the U.S. are facing the same issues we face, so when we can come together and collectively advocate for issues like passage of nationwide E15, increased market access, an updated farm bill, etc., we amplify our voices. While in DC, we’re not only meeting with the Iowa delegation but also with legislators and staff from across the U.S. who may not be aware of the challenges agriculture is currently facing. The opportunity to meet with these individuals one-on-one allows us to share our stories and enact real changes that impact all corn farmers.” 

Corn Congress attendees also met with the White House, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and the Department of Justice (DOJ). NCGA’s ‘Not a Latte’ event was held on Capitol Hill for Members of Congress and their staff to hear more about the use of pesticides from the farmers who use them. The event was well attended, highlighting that farmers use less than 16 oz of pesticides – less than a morning latte – per acre (roughly the size of a football field) on their fields. 

Additionally, Iowa farmers met with other state and national farmer leaders to discuss policies they would like to see NCGA implement and establish at the federal level. For more information on ICGA’s policy priorities, visit iowacorn.org.    



IRFA Champions Clean Fuels During RAGBRAI 2025 

As thousands of cyclists and their support teams gear up for this week's 2025 Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI), the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) is proud to support the event by encouraging all support vehicles to fuel up with E15 or B20. IRFA also provides “Riding to a Greener Future” jerseys to members of the renewable fuels community riding during the weeklong event.  

“RAGBRAI is a celebration of Iowa’s communities, landscapes, and people- including our farmers,” said IRFA Marketing Director Lisa Coffelt. “By choosing E15 or B20, support drivers can help power the ride with homegrown fuels that support Iowa agriculture, improve air quality for riders, and save money at the pump. Anyone with questions about renewable fuels should just ask the riders wearing IRFA jerseys.”  

Why E15 and B20?  
    Support Iowa Farmers: E15 (15% ethanol, 85% gasoline) and B20 (20% biodiesel, 80% diesel) can be made from corn and soybeans grown right here in Iowa. Every gallon used helps strengthen the state’s agricultural economy.  
    Protect Rider Health: Cleaner-burning biofuels reduce harmful tailpipe emissions, improving air quality for cyclists and spectators along the route.  
    Save Money: E15 and B20 are often priced lower than regular gasoline and diesel, offering cost savings for support teams traveling across the state.  



Iowa Barnstorming Adventure - September 13-14

If you are looking for something different to do on a September weekend, consider taking a self-guided tour of Iowa’s historic barns.

The Iowa Barn Foundation is holding its 25th Annual All-State Barn Tour on Saturday and Sunday, September 13-14, featuring over 100 barns across the state that will be available for visiting inside and out from 9-5 both days. Iowa is proud to host the largest barn tour in the country!

The fall tour highlights barns that have received a restoration grant from the foundation and those that have received an Award of Distinction or Preservation Award for restoration funded by the owner. Many of the owners will be on hand to share their memories and regard for the structures and answer your questions.

This year’s tour has a record 103 stops, including 16 barns on the tour for the first time. If you have only seen barns from the road, you are missing out on the true beauty which lies within. That is where you will see the true craftsmanship that went into the construction of these “cathedrals on the prairie.” The tour includes 11 round barns, which are some of the most rare and unique barns in the state. Tour participants won’t be limited to just seeing barns. They will also see corn cribs, a wood silo, a poultry house, and a couple of agriculture museums. This is great multi-generation weekend activity for the whole family to experience history “in the real.”

Stops in Western Iowa
Belfrage Barn - Sergeant Bluff, Woodbury County
Conover Barn - Holstein, Ida County 
Heflin Barn - Harlan, Shelby County 
Taylor County Round Barn - Bedford, Taylor County

The self-guided fall tour is free and open to the public, made possible by member donors. An interactive online tour guide can be found at iowabarnfoundation.org/barn-tours. Member donors receive the foundation’s spring and fall magazines in their mailboxes filled with barn photos and stories as well as a printed tour guide and map. Learn more about membership at iowabarnfoundation.org/product/membership. Questions can be emailed to iowabarnfoundation@gmail.com.

As a volunteer-led non-profit, the Iowa Barn Foundation’s goal is to maximize member donations to provide restoration grants to save the state’s historic barns. Since being founded in 1997, the foundation has given out $2.4 million dollars in grants to help save over 300 barns. Member donors receive our spring and fall magazines in their mailboxes filled with barn photos and stories as well as a printed guide to our spring and fall barn tours.