Tuesday July 01 Ag News - Crop Progress - Planted Acreage - Quarterly Stocks - and more!

 USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report

The condition of the U.S. corn crop increased slightly while soybean conditions remained steady last week, USDA NASS reported in its weekly Crop Progress report on Monday.

CORN
-- Crop development: Corn silking was pegged at 8%, 2 percentage points behind of last year's 10% but 2 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 6%.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 73% of the crop was in good-to-excellent condition, up 3 points from 70% the previous week and 6 points ahead of last year's 67%. Five percent of the crop was rated very poor to poor, down 1 point from 6% the previous week and lower than 9% last year. 

SOYBEANS
-- Crop development: 94% of soybeans had emerged as of Sunday, consistent with last year but 1 point behind of the five-year average of 95%. Soybeans blooming was pegged at 17%, 1 point behind of last year's 18% but 1 point ahead of the five-year average of 16%. Soybeans setting pods was estimated at 3%, also equal to last year and up 1 point from the five-year average of 2%.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 66% of soybeans were in good-to-excellent condition, unchanged from the previous week and 1 point below 67% last year. Seven percent of soybeans were rated very poor to poor, unchanged from the previous week and 1 point below last year's 8%.

WINTER WHEAT
-- Harvest progress: Harvest maintained a steady pace last week, moving ahead 18 percentage points to reach 37% complete nationwide Sunday. That was 15 points behind of last year's 52% and 5 points behind of the five-year average pace of 42%. 
-- Crop condition: 48% of the crop remaining in fields was rated in good-to-excellent condition, down 1 point from 49% the previous week and 3 points below from 51% a year ago, according to NASS.

SPRING WHEAT
-- Crop development: 96% of spring wheat has emerged, 4 points behind 100% from last year and the five-year average. 38% of the crop was headed, which is 3 points ahead of last year's 35% and 1 point ahead of the five-year average of 37%.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 53% of the crop was in good-to-excellent condition nationwide, down 1 point from 54% the previous week and 19 points down from 72% last year. 



Nebraska Crop Progress and Condition Report

Topsoil Moisture - 7% surplus - 61% adequate - 27% short - 5% very short
Subsoil Moisture - 4% surplus - 44% adequate - 41% short - 11% very short
Corn Silking - 2% - LW 1% - 5YA 1%
Corn Condition 77% good to excellent
Soybeans in bloom - 4% - LW 1% - 5YA 22%
Soybean Condition - 68% good to excellent
Winter Wheat Harvested - 4% - 5YA 6% 
Pasture & Range Condition - 37% good to excellent



Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

Precipitation, heavy in some parts of Iowa, reduced days suitable for fieldwork to just 2.7 during the week ending June 29, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. While beneficial, the wet conditions limited field activities throughout much of the State.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 69 percent adequate and 21 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 15 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 13 percent surplus.

Reports of corn starting to silk were received, reaching 3 percent. Corn condition rated 0 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 13 percent fair, 63 percent good and 22 percent excellent. 

Soybeans blooming reached 22 percent, 3 days ahead of last year and 2 days ahead of normal. There were a few reports of soybeans setting pods. 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 90 percent headed with 39 percent turning color. There were scattered reports of oats starting to be harvested. Oat condition rated 0 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 15 percent fair, 68 percent good and 15 percent excellent.

First cutting of alfalfa hay is mostly complete, while the second cutting reached 30 percent complete. Hay condition rated 81 percent good to excellent. 

Pasture condition rated 73 percent good to excellent. No unusual livestock conditions were reported.



USDA Planted Acreage Report - June 30 2025 

Corn planted area for all purposes in 2025 is estimated at 95.2 million acres, up 5 percent or 4.61 million acres from last year. This represents the third highest planted acreage in the United States since 1944. Compared with last year, planted acreage is expected to be up or unchanged in 41 of the 48 estimating States. Area harvested for grain, at 86.8 million acres, is up 5 percent from last year.
Nebraska - 10.3 mil acres
Iowa - 13.5 mill acres

Soybean planted area for 2025 is estimated at 83.4 million acres, down 4 percent from last year. Compared with last year, planted acreage is down or unchanged in 25 of the 29 estimating States.
Nebraska - 5 mil acres
Iowa = 9.5 mil acres

All wheat planted area for 2025 is estimated at 45.5 million acres, down 1 percent from 2024. The 2025 winter wheat planted area, at 33.3 million acres, is down less than 1 percent from last year but up slightly from the previous estimate. Of this total, about 23.6 million acres are Hard Red Winter, 6.10 million acres are Soft Red Winter, and 3.67 million acres are White Winter. Area planted to other spring wheat for 2025 is estimated at 10.0 million acres, down 5 percent from the 2024 estimate. Of this total, about 9.44 million acres are Hard Red Spring wheat. Durum planted area for 2025 is estimated at 2.11 million acres, up 2 percent from the previous year. 
Nebraska - 960,000 acres



USDA Quarterly Grain Stocks Report - June 30 2025

Corn stocks in all positions on June 1, 2025 totaled 4.64 billion bushels, down 7 percent from June 1, 2024. Of the total stocks, 2.56 billion bushels are stored on farms, down 16 percent from a year earlier. Off-farm stocks, at 2.09 billion bushels, are up 6 percent from a year ago. The March - May 2025 indicated disappearance is 3.50 billion bushels, compared with 3.36 billion bushels during the same period last year.
Nebraska - On farm 275 mil bu - off farm 261.7 mil bu - total stocks 536.7 mil bu
Iowa - on farm 495 mil bu - off farm 408 mil bu - total stocks 903 mil bu

Soybeans stored in all positions on June 1, 2025 totaled 1.01 billion bushels, up 4 percent from June 1, 2024. On-farm stocks totaled 412 million bushels, down 12 percent from a year ago. Off-farm stocks, at 596 million bushels, are up 18 percent from a year ago. Indicated disappearance for the March - May 2025 quarter totaled 903 million bushels, up 3 percent from the same period a year earlier.
Nebraska - on farm 23 mil bu - off farm 53.9 mil bu - total stocks 76.9 mil bu 
Iowa - on farm 73 mil bu - off farm 110 mil bu - total stocks 183.1 mil bu 

Old crop all wheat stored in all positions on June 1, 2025 totaled 851 million bushels, up 22 percent from a year ago. On-farm stocks are estimated at 184 million bushels, up 32 percent from last year. Off-farm stocks, at 667 million bushels, are up 20 percent from a year ago. The March - May 2025 indicated disappearance is 386 million bushels, down 2 percent from the same period a year earlier.
Nebraska - on farm 1.2 mil bu - off farm - 19.9 mil bu - total stocks 21 mil bu



Summer Cow-Calf Association Tour

The Cuming County Cow-Calf Association is inviting you to an educational event on Tuesday, July 15. This event is open to cattle producers in Cuming and surrounding counties.

We will travel to the UNL Eastern Nebraska Research Extension and Education Center (ENREEC) at 1071 County Road G, Ithaca, NE 68033-2234. Please meet north of the Cuming County Courthouse at 10:15 a.m. to carpool. We will have lunch in Wahoo (TBD).

This is an opportunity to tour the new feedlot facilities after a year of operation. We will do the beef cattle feedlot tour at 1:00 p.m. followed by a tour of the cow-calf and forage area at 3:00 p.m.

Please RSVP by calling University of Nebraska Extension in Cuming County at 402-372-6006 or email mlueckenhoff1@unl.edu by July 11th.



Regen Ag Field Day to Demonstrate Cover Crops, Regenerative Strips

Bazile Groundwater Management Area Project and Bow Creek Watershed Project are teaming up with Junior Pfanstiel to host a Regenerative Ag Field Day on Tuesday, July 8th! The project involves planting green 4 rows of corn 10 ft wide and leaving 10 ft of cover crops (regen strips) throughout the field. The regen strips will then be roller crimped in the whole field. This process will provide weed control and fertility to the corn. A warm season diverse cover mix will then be drilled into the regen strips. Later in the season, a cool season diverse cover mix will be established. Strips will be rotationally grazed down to 50% before moving to the next one.

During this event, we plan to have the following discussions:
    Junior Pfanstiel, Outside the Box Agronomy, LLC, will talk about his objective and thought process in the planning, the why, and just what his expectations are. Nathan Choat of Green Cover Crops will speak directly on the planned mixes that were chosen.
    Ben Beckman, UNL Livestock Extension Educator, will talk about the mixes and what each mix brings to the prescribed grazing and their benefits.
    Caro Cordova, Statewide Soil Health Specialist and UNL Assistant Professor, will talk about the benefits and soil health implementations, discuss the root pit and what it means, and will have the biomass analysis available to discuss how it ties into the entire soil health complex.
    Amy Timmerman, UNL Cropping Extension Educator, will be on hand to demonstrate a water infiltration kit and how it impacts your soil health and potential plant yield.

For the established cover crops, we will have a root pit opened to see just how far down the roots were established prior to being crimped! We will also be showcasing Junior’s equipment (crimper, drill and inter-seeder highboy).

Register at: https://forms.gle/8BkwAsCDn1q7TEFCA 

This field day is sponsored and produced by Outside the Box Agronomy, UNL Extension, Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE), Nebraska Department of Water, Environment, & Energy, and the Lewis & Clark NRD, the Lower Elkhorn NRD, the Lower Niobrara NRD, and the Upper Elkhorn NRD.

Directions to Field: Due North on 552 Ave from Hwy 20 (West of McLean Turn) Time: Join us from 10:00 am ‘til Noon – Lunch will be available after we finish up - at the newly opened restaurant ‘The Breakroom’ in Randolph, NE (6 miles east of the field location), where the food is ALL locally grown!



Bacon to Retire at End of 119th Congress

Monday, Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee’s (HASC) Cyber, Information Technologies and Innovation Subcommittee (CITI), announced he will not seek reelection in 2026 and will retire at the end of the 119th Congress. 

“After consultation with my family and much prayer, I have decided not to seek reelection in 2026 and will fulfill my term in the 119th Congress through January 2, 2027. After three decades in the Air Force and now going on one decade in Congress, I look forward to coming home in the evenings and being with my wife and seeing more of our adult children and eight grandchildren, who all live near my home. I’ve been married for 41 years, and I’d like to dedicate more time to my family, my church, and the Omaha community. I also want to continue advocating for a strong national security strategy and a strong alliance system with countries that share our love of democracy, free markets and the rule of law. 

“During the remainder of the 119th Congress, we will be focused on finishing the job. Providing top-notch constituent services in the district, for which we were recognized in 2021 with the Congressional Management Foundation’s Democracy Awards for Constituent Services in 2021, will be a priority as it always has been.  

“To date, we have processed close to 8,500 casework/requests for assistance; we have helped people who were wrongly marked as deceased,  helped citizens in distress around the world return home; helped people devasted by disasters such as flood and tornadoes, literally climb out of the ruble and connect them with resources; we have solved problems with Medicare, Social Security and IRS problems, passports and immigration, and so much more. Our team has worked diligently every day to advocate for and deliver on behalf of our constituents. 

“Legislatively, I aim to work to get five agricultural bills passed that were included as part of the Farm Bill, including the increase of defenses for our nation’s food supply chain and removing barriers for the next generation of farmers seeking to establish their operations. I will continue my work on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and lay the groundwork for a new VA hospital in Omaha.  

“My service to our great nation started in the Air Force, where I served sixteen assignments, five commands and four deployments and will continue in Congress until the end of the 119th Congress. I’d like to find new ways to serve our great country.  I have a love for national security, and I’ll always be a proponent for old-fashioned Ronald Reagan Conservative values.  It has been an honor to serve the 2nd District of Nebraska and the nation, and I thank our constituents for trusting me to represent them. I am proud of the work we have done and will continue to do until the lights in the office are turned off for the last time. Thank you, and God bless America.” 



Statement by Mark McHargue, President, Regarding Rep. Don Bacon’s Retirement from Congress

"Congressman Bacon has proven throughout his career in Congress to be a man of faith, a leader with integrity, and a steadfast supporter of Nebraska’s farm and ranch families. His service on the House Agriculture Committee has provided a valuable voice for Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers on multiple farm bills and a multitude of issues that impact our nation’s food, fuel, and fiber supply. While we certainly greeted the congressman’s retirement announcement with mixed feelings, we want to wish Don and Angie the best as they embark on this next adventure. The lives of all Nebraskans have been made better due to Congressman Bacon and his tireless work fighting on our behalf. Congratulations, may God continue to bless you, and thank you for your lifetime of selfless service.”



Nebraska Extension to Host Summer Pasture Walk Near Verdigre

Nebraska Extension, in collaboration with Nebraska Game & Parks, Lewis and Clark NRD, and USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, invites livestock producers and land managers to attend a Summer Pasture Walk on Monday, July 14, 2025, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Trent Arens Farm, located at 88184 528 Ave, Verdigre, NE.

This free event provides a hands-on opportunity to observe and discuss pasture management strategies in a working livestock system. Attendees will engage with Extension educators, partner representatives, and fellow producers on topics including forage production, grazing management, and pasture improvement.

No registration is required. For more information, contact your local Nebraska Extension 402-254-6821.



New Study Shows Corn Farming is a Major Engine for U.S. Economy

The United States is the world’s largest producer and exporter of corn, and corn farmers are bolstering the U.S. economy and building strong communities, according to a new study released by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). Corn grower leaders say they could make an even bigger contribution to the U.S. economy through increased sales of ethanol and the cultivation of new foreign markets.

The study, entitled The Economic Value of Corn Farming in the United States for 2024, noted the contribution of corn farming and its upstream linkages extended across 506 different industry sectors in all 50 states, generating an estimated $123 billion in total economic output in 2024. The report also shows that corn farming supported over 440,000 jobs and provided $29 billion in wages, strengthening communities in rural America and across the entire nation.

“These findings show that the corn industry is an essential contributor to the nation’s agricultural and economic value chains,” said NCGA Chief Economist Krista Swanson. “The study demonstrates the positive ripple effect of corn production, vital to a healthy U.S. economy.”

NCGA said that given the chance, corn growers could contribute even more to the U.S. economy.

“Corn growers and farmers across the country are clearly helping to propel the U.S. economy,” said Illinois farmer and NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr. “Corn farming’s economic value could be even greater if corn growers were able to fully contribute to the domestic fuel supply via increased ethanol blends and access to additional export markets.”

Corn grower leaders have been advocating for Congress to pass legislation that would allow for the nationwide, year-round sale of fuel with a 15% ethanol blend. They have also worked to make an aviation fuel tax credit accessible so that ethanol and other biofuels could be used in the aviation sector. And NCGA has called on the administration and Congress to aggressively pursue new and expanded foreign markets for American corn exporters.  

NCGA and state corn grower groups will visit Capitol Hill officers in early July to continue their advocacy efforts on these key priorities.



USDA Announces the Phased Reopening of Southern Ports for Livestock Trade

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins Monday announced risk-based port re-openings for cattle, bison, and equines from Mexico beginning as early as July 7, 2025. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), following extensive collaboration between USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) experts and their counterparts in Mexico to increase New World Screwworm (NWS) surveillance, detection, and eradication efforts, are set to begin a phased reopening of the southern ports starting with Douglas, Arizona.

Progress has been made in several critical areas since the ports were closed on May 11th, including: resolution of challenges with conducting flights in Mexico that has allowed our team to consistently conduct sterile NWS fly dispersal 7 days each week and dispersal of more than 100 million flies each week. We also sent five teams of APHIS staff to visit/observe and gain a deeper understanding of Mexico’s NWS response and allow us the opportunity to share our feedback. We have not seen a notable increase in reported NWS cases in Mexico, nor any northward movement of NWS over the past eight weeks.

“At USDA we are focused on fighting the New World Screwworm’s advancement in Mexico. We have made good progress with our counterparts in Mexico to increase vital pest surveillance efforts and have boosted sterile fly dispersal efforts. These quick actions by the Trump Administration have improved the conditions to allow the phased reopening of select ports on the Southern Border to livestock trade,” said Secretary Rollins. “We are continuing our posture of increased vigilance and will not rest until we are sure this devastating pest will not harm American ranchers.”

While the Douglas, AZ port presents the lowest risk based upon the geography of Sonora and a long history of effective collaboration between APHIS and Sonora on animal health issues, USDA intends to reopen additional ports in New Mexico, and if it is proven safe to do so, in Texas, over the coming weeks. Additional port openings will be based on APHIS’ continuous reevaluation of the number of cases and potential northward movement of NWS, Mexico’s continued efforts to curb illegal animal movements, and implementation of further rigorous inspection and treatment protocols.

Port Reopening Timeline 
*After each reopening USDA will evaluate to ensure no adverse effects arise*
    Douglas, AZ – July 7
    Columbus, NM – July 14
    Santa Teresa, NM – July 21
    Del Rio, TX – August 18
    Laredo, TX – September 15

USDA is working with Mexico’s National Department of Health, Food Safety and Food Quality (SENASICA) on outreach, education, and training efforts to raise awareness and put producers on high alert about NWS, along with utilizing their well-functioning central laboratory for diagnosing cases. While Mexico has made great progress on animal movement controls and surveillance, additional progress will help ensure the remaining U.S. ports reopen. Enhanced animal movement controls to stem illegal animal movements from the south, along with robust surveillance and NWS risk mitigations beyond check points will be critical in pushing back NWS. APHIS technical teams continue to engage with SENASICA to improve the overall NWS posture in Mexico and implement the rigorous steps needed to keep this pest away from our border.

Mexico will also begin renovation of its sterile fruit fly facility in Metapa this week, with renovation expected to be completed by July 2026. Renovation of this facility will allow for production of between 60-100 million sterile NWS flies each week. This is a critical step towards reaching the goal of producing the estimated 400-500 million flies each week needed to re-establish the NWS barrier at the Darien Gap.

To ensure that we safely proceed with allowing for movement of animals across the border, only cattle and bison, born and raised in Sonora or Chihuahua, or that are treated according to cattle and bison NWS protocol when entering these states will be eligible for import. See USDA APHIS | Importing Live Cattle and Bison From Mexico to the United States for more information on cattle and bison import requirements. In addition, reopening the Del Rio (August 18) and Colombia Bridge (September 15) ports will be contingent on Coahuila and Nuevo Leon adopting the same NWS protocols for cattle and bison as those now required of Sonora and Chihuahua for cattle or bison entering those states.

Equines may import from anywhere in Mexico. They require a 7-day quarantine at the port of entry and must import in accordance with the equine NWS protocol and other requirements detailed on USDA APHIS | Import Horses from Mexico webpage. Approved equine facilities are available at the Santa Teresa, NM port and will be available for entry of horses when that port is reopened.

In May 2025, USDA suspended imports of live cattle, bison, and equines from Mexico into the United States due to the continued and rapid northward spread of NWS. During the weeks of June 2 and June 16, teams of APHIS experts conducted robust onsite assessments of Mexico’s NWS response efforts to fully reassess the risk of NWS incursions to the United States posed by importation of Mexican cattle across our southern border.



NCBA Stands with USDA On Measured Plan to Reopen Key Ports of Entry

Monday, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced support for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) plan to strategically reopen key ports of entry to shipments of live cattle, bison, and horses. This decision was made by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins following a New World screwworm assessment by USDA staff in Mexico and ongoing conversations between Secretary Rollins and the Mexican Secretary of Agriculture.

“NCBA and our state affiliates have spent months working with USDA to safeguard the U.S. cattle industry from the threat of New World screwworm. We strongly support USDA’s five-pronged plan to fight the screwworm, which includes bolstering sterile fly production by renovating a facility in Metapa, Mexico and by building a new fly dispersal facility at Moore Air Base in south Texas,” said NCBA CEO Colin Woodall. “Today’s announcement to reopen key ports of entry is a measured, thoughtful approach by Secretary Rollins to allow some trade while also ensuring the American cattle industry is protected from this pest.”
 
NCBA previously supported USDA’s decision to temporarily close the U.S. southern border to shipments of cattle, bison, and horses in May 2025. This temporary measure was intended to give USDA time to assess conditions on the ground in Mexico and to determine the next steps for eradicating this pest. Since that time, USDA has rolled out their five-pronged plan to fight the screwworm, increase surveillance, and stop the spread of the pest in Mexico. USDA also recently sent staff from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to Mexico to gather technical information.  

“We trust Secretary Rollins made this decision with the latest information from USDA staff in Mexico, and we know she will continue holding her counterparts in the Mexican government accountable for eradicating screwworm,” Woodall added. “NCBA and our state affiliate partners will continue working with USDA and key members of Congress to protect the United States from New World screwworm.” 



NFU Statement on the Senate Reconciliation Bill  

National Farmers Union President Rob Larew released the following statement today in response to the Senate reconciliation bill:

“Family farmers and ranchers still need a comprehensive, five-year farm bill that reflects the full breadth of agriculture—from producers to consumers—and using reconciliation to move a partial package is a missed opportunity. 

“There are some meaningful provisions in this bill. It strengthens the farm safety net, invests in biofuels and conservation, and extends key tax incentives. But these gains are paired with harmful tradeoffs—most notably, cuts to SNAP and Medicaid and new, broader loopholes in farm program payment limits. 

“We support Senator Grassley’s amendment to close those loopholes and better target support to family farmers and ranchers. These improvements are essential to restore fairness. 

“Farm policy should unite us. We urge lawmakers to redouble their efforts to deliver a farm bill that works for everyone.”



Strong Cash Cattle Markets Take a Breather
Will Secor, Extension Livestock Economist, University of Georgia

Cattle prices remain strong year-over-year, but many areas of the country saw prices slip week-over-week. On the fed cattle side, prices for 5-Area fed steers fell by around 2 percent compared to last week. This price drop also came amid a decline in transactions, which fell by nearly 10 percent. Year-over-year price comparisons remain strong with these fed steer prices up by around 17-18 percent.

Feeder cattle price changes varied across the country. According to auction reports last week, average prices for lighter weight feeder cattle fell for most states east of the Mississippi (roughly even to about 3.5 percent declines). For heavier weight feeder steers, weekly price moves were much wider: increases of over 8 percent to declines of nearly 10 percent. Some western states saw strong price moves higher, such as Nebraska, while many others saw smaller moves either up or down. While week-over-week price movements may have been largely negative for feeder cattle, these prices remain well above year-ago levels.

Wholesale beef prices remain on a tear. The weekly choice cutout value approached nearly $400/cwt. The choice-select spread has been small this year with the most recent week’s spread being 32 percent small than last year. These declines are likely due to overall tight supplies and continued strong demand for beef.

Recent data on retail beef prices saw some month-over-month declines in May. Roast and steak retail prices fell, while ground beef prices increased. Again, like cattle prices, retail prices remain well above year-ago levels.

Lastly, today’s acreage and grain stocks reports appear to have had little impact on grain markets. Data in the reports largely matched pre-report estimates. As such, lower feed prices appear to remain the norm this year. Weather markets and other unexpected events will certainly continue to play a role. However, this generally low feed-price environment supports feeder cattle prices and feeder margins.

Looking ahead, it appears that risks to the cattle complex come from macroeconomic uncertainty that may impact demand (domestic or overseas) and from any disruption that may push feed prices higher. Production risks from screwworm should continue to be watched as well. Otherwise, market fundamentals continue to point to strong prices year-over-year. In the months ahead, look for lighter weight feeder cattle prices to slide as weaned calves hit auction barns this fall. However, given tight supplies, these price declines may be small.



RFA Applauds Inclusion of E15 Funding in Final California Budget

The Renewable Fuels Association today welcomed California’s inclusion of funding for E15 approval in the state’s newly enacted 2025–2026 budget. Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday, the budget allocates dedicated resources to fund the rulemaking process needed to make E15 a legal fuel. E15 is a gasoline blend containing 15 percent ethanol.

The provision ensures that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has the financial support necessary to finalize regulatory work related to E15 and help expand consumer access to the fuel across the state. California remains the only state where E15 is not yet legal for sale, despite its long-standing approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use in vehicles model year 2001 and newer.

“This is a positive step toward expanding access to lower-carbon, lower-cost fuel options in California,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “We applaud Governor Newsom and legislative leaders for recognizing the need to take concrete action to support broader availability of E15. With this funding in place, California will finally be positioned to join the rest of the country in offering drivers a cleaner, more affordable choice at the pump. RFA and our members look forward to working alongside retailers, regulators, and local partners to help bring E15 to more California consumers.”