Wednesday July 23 Ag News - NE County Corn/Soy Prod - Ag Land Mgt Wksps - Milk Prod Report - USTR's Indonesia Trade Deal - and more!

County Crop Production . . .
NeFB Newsletter 

The 2025 growing season is well under way and harvest is just 2-3 months away, still it’s not too late to take a deeper look at last year’s corn and soybean production. Nebraska’s corn production last year, 1.80 billion bushels, was up 4% compared to 2023 and was the third-largest on record. Soybean production, 301.3 million bushels, was also larger, up 13%. County-level production for last year is shown on the maps in Figures 1 and 2. Data was not reported for counties colored grey. The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reports corn production for 60 counties, accounting for 72% of state production, and soybean production for 50 counties comprising 66% of production.

York County was the top corn-producing county last year with production of 48.8 million bushels. Custer County, 48.2  million bushels, and Hamilton County, 45.6 million bushels, followed. Last year’s production pattern was similar to those seen historically. Corn production has been centered in counties along Interstate 80 and the Platte River, ranging from York and Fillmore Counties in the east to Dawson and Phelps Counties in the west. Custer County is the only county outside this corridor which consistently shows up as a top corn producing county.

Figure 1. 2024 Corn Production (million bushels)
Cuming County 30.7 mil. bu.  -  Burt County 23.7 mil. bu  - Washington County 13.5 mil. bu.  -  Colfax County 21.6 mil. bu.  -  Platte County 37.2 mil. bu.  -  Stanton County 18.8 mil. bu.  -  Wayne County 23.7 mil. bu.  - Pierce County 27.3 mil. bu.  -  Cedar County 32.2 mil. bu.    
Source: Rolling Prairie Economics graphic based on data from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service 

Fillmore and Antelope Counties were the leading soybean producing counties at 8.16 and 7.56 million bushels, respectively. Gage County followed with production of 7.40 million bushels. In the past, Saunders County was regularly the state’s top soybean producing county. This changed in 2023 when it was surpassed by Gage County. Data was not reported for Saunders County last year. Soybean production, like in the past, was centered in eastern third of the state.

Figure 2. 2024 Soybean Production (million bushels)
Cuming Co. 7.15 mil. bu.  -  Burt Co. 6.54 mil. bu.  -  Washington Co. 3.91 mil. bu.  -  Colfax Co. 4.67 mil. bu.  -  Stanton Co. 4.08 mil. bu.  -  Wayne Co. 6.29 mil. bu.  -  Pierce Co. 5.89 mil. bu.  
Source: Rolling Prairie Economics graphic based on data from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service 



Extension ag land management workshops to cover flex leasing, latest strategies for landowners and tenants

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability will present a series of 2025 landlord/tenant cash rent workshops at locations in central and eastern Nebraska between Aug. 19 and Sept. 4.

The workshop will cover current Nebraska cash rental rates and land values, best practices for agricultural leases, and other contract considerations. The meeting will also include discussions on flex leases and crop shares, providing attendees with an opportunity to have their leasing questions answered.

Nebraska Extension agricultural economists Anastasia Meyer and Jim Jansen will lead the presentation. Both are with the Center for Agricultural Profitability.

The meetings are free to attend and will include refreshments or a meal. Registration is required with the host location.

Dates and Locations:
Aug. 19 in Grand Island: 10:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m., at the office of Nebraska Extension in Hall County, College Park, 3180 U.S. 34. Register by Aug. 18 at 308-385-5088. Sponsored by Peoples Company.

Aug. 20 in Beatrice: 1-4 p.m., at the office of Nebraska Extension in Gage County, 1115 W. Scott. Register by Aug. 19 at 402-223-1384. Sponsored by Peoples Company.

Aug. 21 in Columbus: 1-4 p.m., at the office of Nebraska Extension in Platte County, 2715 13th St. Register by Aug. 20 at 402-563-4901. Sponsored by Peoples Company.

Aug. 26 in Fremont: 1-4 p.m., at the office of Nebraska Extension in Dodge County, 1206 W 23rd St. Register by Aug. 25 at 402-727-2775. Sponsored by Peoples Company.

Aug. 28 in Lincoln: 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at the office of Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County, 444 Cherrycreek Road, Suite A. Register by Aug. 27 at 402-441-7180. Sponsored by Peoples Company.

Sept. 4 in Omaha: 1-4 p.m., at the office of Nebraska Extension in Douglas County, 8015 West Center Road. Register by Sept. 3 at 402-444-7804. Sponsored by Peoples Company.

More information about cash rental rates, leasing and farm and ranch transition can be found on the Center for Agricultural Profitability’s website, https://cap.unl.edu.



Husker Harvest Days to feature Ag PhD session with Brian and Darren Hefty

Husker Harvest Days, the Western Corn Belt’s leading crop and cattle event, will feature Brian and Darren Hefty of Ag PhD on the Husker Stage at the Sept. 9-11, 2025, show in Grand Island, Nebraska. 

The Hefty brothers, widely recognized for their expertise in agronomy and farming innovation, will host an exclusive session, sponsored by Spraytec, on Tuesday, Sept. 9, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., on the Husker Stage in the Hospitality Tent. Attendees can expect actionable advice and forward-thinking strategies designed to help farmers improve their operations and stay ahead in the industry. 

“We’re delighted to have Brian and Darren Hefty join us at Husker Harvest Days,” said Matt Jungmann, senior national events director. “Their deep knowledge and engaging approach will provide invaluable insights for farmers looking to elevate their practices.” 

2025 Programming Highlights
Husker Harvest Days will offer a dynamic schedule of events on the Husker Stage, including: 
    Farm Futures Market Outlook: Gain expert insights into market trends and strategies for navigating volatility.
    FP Next Podcast with Farm Progress’ Andy Castillo: Explore the future of agriculture through thought-provoking discussions on new technologies.
    Policy Panel with Farm Progress’ Josh Baethge: Understand the latest policies and their impact on farming practices.
    Women in the Field Programming: Connect with inspiring women leaders and explore networking opportunities in agriculture.
    NE Farmer Hour: Hear from Gov. Jim Pillen and other influential voices shaping Nebraska’s agricultural future.

The full event schedule, including dates and times, can be viewed here... www.HuskerHarvestDays.com.  

Registration is now open at www.HuskerHarvestDays.com for complimentary three-day passes to experience cattle, crops and community. The show will take place at its permanent site in Grand Island, Nebraska, from Sept. 9-11, 2025. Gates will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.



USDA April-June Milk Production up 2.4 Percent

Milk production in the United States during the April - June quarter totaled 58.7 billion pounds, up 2.4 percent from the April - June quarter last year.  The average number of milk cows in the United States during the quarter was 9.46 million head, 56,000 head more than the January - March quarter, and 127,000 head more than the same period last year.

3Q Milk Prod. by State - million lbs  -  % of 3Q '24
Nebraska ..............:          312.0       -        -0.6     
Iowa .....................:        1,532.0     -        +0.8     


 
New Iowa Beef Center director excited to expand her connection to Iowa’s beef cattle industry

When Aimee Wertz-Lutz was working as a post-doctoral research associate in ruminant nutrition and nutritional physiology at Iowa State University, she likely didn’t see ISU as part of her professional career. After all, she would soon be headed to South Dakota State University as a faculty member in the animal and range sciences department, then to ADM Animal Nutrition as a manager of ruminant nutrition research, followed by serving as ruminant nutritionist for Devenish Nutrition (North America.)

Yet, on July 1 of this year, she returned to ISU as Iowa Beef Center director and extension feedlot specialist. And she’s truly excited to be back.

“I have always had a tremendous amount of respect for Iowa State University, the heritage of Iowa cattle production, and the producers that make that happen,” she said. “My academic side loves questioning ‘what if’ and seeking the answers that propel our industry forward, and my industry side is rooted in assessing what is the best technology available to date to address a problem and then making a decision that balances the optimal path for production and economic soundness.”

While buzzwords really aren’t her thing, she said the beef industry needs to identify production factors that are fiscally sustainable, and resource and waste management practices that are efficient and sustainable. Generational sustainability will require a focus on the emerging generations of animal science students without an agricultural or farming background.

As a nutritionist by training, Wertz-Lutz is drawn to impacts of nutrition from calf to packer.

“I’m interested in how in-utero and early life calf nutrition impacts feeder calf growth, efficiency, and health, and how producers capture value through the production segments,” she said. “What is the best genetic x nutrition program for cattle being fed to heavier weights? Where do optimum growth, efficiency, and carcass merit intersect to yield fiscal sustainability? Are we making the best use of input resources and then finding ways to use waste streams?”

The beef industry has more information at its disposal than ever before, she said, and the greatest value the IBC can have is to translate this information into tools that can advance beef production and address the challenges faced by the industry.

“In agriculture and through Iowa State University, we are fortunate to have the land-grant system in place with a structure to seek solutions, convey solutions to producers, and communicate with the public the impact of these solutions,” she said. “The value the Iowa Beef Center brings is from being presented with a newly emerging challenge and using our skill to identify solutions, convey those to producers, and make the impact known to consumers. It’s also important for the Iowa Beef Center to remain an objective source of information and maintain relationships so that objective information can be shared with regulatory bodies and policymakers.”

Wertz-Lutz said her goal for this summer is to get to as many regions of the state and participate in as many ongoing activities as possible.

“As with any new position, I have as much to learn as I have knowledge and experience to share,” she said. “My experience is that new roles always have challenges, but it is amazing to watch the growth that comes from working through a challenge.”

She looks forward to meeting people from all segments of Iowa’s beef industry, and can be reached by email at aimeewl@iastate.edu and by phone at 515-294-1058.



Smith Statement on Trade Deal with Indonesia 

Representative Adrian Smith (R-NE), Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee's Trade Subcommittee, released a statement Tuesday after the Office of the United States Trade Representative announced it had reached a deal with Indonesia to lower tariff and non-tariff trade barriers. 

"This deal is a substantial step toward a level playing field for American industries. Ambassador Greer continues to work diligently to strike meaningful deals, and I look forward to further collaboration with the administration as negotiations progress. Strengthening ties with Indonesia will support economic and regional security in the Indo-Pacific while promoting cooperation in key sectors, such as agriculture, manufacturing, and digital services."  



USMEF Statement on U.S.-Indonesia Trade Framework

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) released a joint statement Tuesday from the U.S. and Indonesian governments on a framework for negotiating an agreement on reciprocal trade. More details are also in this White House fact sheet.

U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued the following statement:
USMEF thanks USTR for its tireless efforts to negotiate a meaningful agreement with Indonesia, tackling many challenging issues. Indonesia is a market with incredible potential, in which the opportunity for U.S. beef is estimated at $250 million annually. But today, exports are minimal due to numerous trade barriers.



Council Reacts To Framework Of Agreement With Indonesia

Tuesday, the Trump Administration announced a framework for an agreement on reciprocal trade with Indonesia. The deal will eliminate 99% of tariff barriers for a full range of U.S. food and ag products, unlocking market access for American farmers and producers.

In a statement, U.S. Grains Council President and CEO Ryan LeGrand said:
“The U.S. Grains Council commends the Trump Administration on its historic trade deal with Indonesia, that will enhance trade for both countries and places a zero tariff on the products the Council represents. In the 2023-24 marketing year, Indonesia was the fourth largest importer for U.S. distillers dried grains with solubles at 1,024,000 metric tons. That translates into a nearly $299 million market, and we hope the deal announced today will not only help see those numbers increase but open doors wider to the full range of products we have to offer.”



SHIC, FFAR, and Pork Checkoff Fund 10 H5N1 Risk to Swine Projects to Address Emerging Disease Threat

The Swine Health Information Center, in collaboration with the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research and the Pork Checkoff, has recently funded 10 projects addressing research priorities and topics within its H5N1 Risk to Swine Research Program. Goals of the program are to enhance prevention, preparedness, mitigation, and response capabilities for H5N1 influenza in the US swine herd. The priority areas addressed through the funded projects include vaccine development and cross-protection, clinical presentation of pigs across different production phases, potential for mammary transmission, diagnostic surveillance, introduction and transmission risks, and biosecurity practices. The 10 new projects were initiated in summer 2025 and are 12 to 18 months in duration. Research outcomes from the funded projects will be shared with producers and veterinarians as soon as they become available.

The SHIC/FFAR/NPB H5N1 Risk to Swine Research Program request for proposals was announced on November 6, 2024, and received 51 proposals from 35 different institutions across six countries by the submission deadline of December 31, 2024. Proposals underwent a competitive review process across the first several months of 2025 by subject matter experts on influenza and the swine industry. Funding awarded across the 10 new projects totals $2.1 million of the $4 million total available for this collaborative research program. Funding timely research is an essential component of SHIC providing project outcomes that drive action for emerging disease prevention, preparedness, mitigation, and response for the US swine industry.

SHIC/FFAR/NPB H5N1 Risk to Swine Research Program projects funded and initiated in response to the RFP include:

Vaccine Development and Cross-Protection
-    Development of a vaccine against highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses for use in pigs
        Principal Investigator: Hiep Vu, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
        Objective: To develop an innovative vaccine strategy for inducing a robust immune response and effectively controlling HPAI H5N1 influenza viruses in pigs.
-    Evaluation of cross-protective N1 swine antibodies against HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b virus 
        Principal Investigator: Juan Mena, University of Minnesota
        Objective: To evaluate whether natural infection with endemic swine influenza A virus strains or immunization with commercial swine IAV vaccines confer immune cross-protection against HPAI H5N1.
-    Role of Prior Immunity to endemic swine viruses on H5N1 infection in pigs
        Principal Investigator: Daniela Rajao, University of Georgia
        Objective: To investigate the effect of IAV vaccination and prior exposure to endemic swine IAV strains on infection susceptibility and transmission of HPAI H5N1 in swine.
- Clinical Presentation and Mammary Transmission in Pigs
    Preparing the US Swine Industry for HPAI H5N1: Quantifying and comparing H5N1 vs H1N1 spreading, shedding, and detection in groups with or without immunity to H1N1.
        Principal Investigator: Luis Gimenez-Lirola, Iowa State University
        Objective: To quantify and compare the transmissibility, shedding, and detection of H5N1 versus H1N1 in swine and evaluate the impact of prior infection with H1N1 on the course of H5N1 infection and spread in pigs. 
-    Pathogenesis and transmission studies in piglets and sows infected with different genotypes of 2.3.4.4b clade H5Nx viruses
        Principal Investigator: Tamiru Alkie, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease
        Objective: To assess the pathogenesis of H5Nx (x denotes N1, N2 or N5) in weaned piglets following different virus exposure routes, as well as intramammary infection of lactating sows and suckling piglets.
-    Evaluating H5N1 risk to swine: mammary transmission and clinical presentation in lactating sows
        Principal Investigator: Cody Warren, The Ohio State University
        Objective: To evaluate the replication potential of diverse H5N1 strains in swine mammary tissue as well as assess clinical signs, shedding and transmission in lactating sows and suckling piglets.
-    Investigation of susceptibility of porcine mammary gland to highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) virus infection and transmission risk of virus from sows to nursing piglets
        Principal Investigator: Yan Zhou, University of Saskatchewan
        Objective: To investigate whether HPAI H5N1 virus can replicate and transmit through the mammary route in pigs as well as examine pathogenesis of H5N1 in farrowing sows.

Diagnostic Surveillance
-    An efficient and rapid automation workflow to detect influenza subtypes using RT-qPCR assay via 96-well Veriflex heat blocks on QuantStudio 7 Pro
        Principal Investigator: Rahul Nelli, Iowa State University
        Objective: To develop and validate the sensitivity of a multiplex PCR assay for IAV and its subtypes including H5N1 as well as establish a rapid workflow for simultaneous detection of IAV, PRRSV and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae using robotic automation. 

Introduction and Transmission Risks/Biosecurity Practices
-    Pathogenesis and interspecies transmission of H5N1 influenza virus in swine
        Principal Investigator: Angela Bosco-Lauth, Colorado State University
        Objective: To characterize the pathogenesis and shedding of poultry and dairy cattle H5N1 strains in infected swine, as well as the potential for interspecies transmission between swine and either birds or rodents.
-    Enhancing Biosecurity in Swine Operations: Investigating Wildlife Interactions on Swine Farms
        Principal Investigator: Igor Paploski, University of Minnesota
        Objective: To characterize wildlife interactions with mortality management structures on swine farms, identify risk factors for wildlife interactions, and develop interventions to mitigate risk of H5N1 through wildlife.

Critical research investments are necessary to understand and prevent H5N1 incursion on swine farms, ensure rapid detection of H5N1 if introduced, protect animal and caretaker health, inform pork industry stakeholder response, mitigate production losses on farm, identify effective control measures, and develop clear messaging to consumers on the safety of pork. Outcomes from the funded projects will provide critical information that producers, veterinarians, and industry stakeholders can use to better prevent incursion and develop preparedness plans if H5N1 is identified in US commercial swine herds.



NFU Celebrates Introduction of the Strengthening Local Food Security Act

National Farmers Union (NFU) proudly supports the Strengthening Local Food Security Act, introduced today by Senators Justice and Reed. This vital legislation establishes a federal program to fund state, tribal and territorial governments to purchase local and regionally produced foods to feed communities and schoolchildren across the United States. 

“For many communities, local food procurement is more than a policy–it’s a lifeline,” said NFU President Rob Larew. “This legislation not only increases access to fresh, nutritious, and locally grown food, but it also uplifts family farmers and strengthens local economies.” 

This proposed program builds on the success of federal and state efforts to strengthen partnerships between local farmers and ranchers, processors, food hubs, food distributors and community-based organizations to deliver fresh, nutritious food to communities across the country. NFU continues to advocate for programs like these and partner with Congress to bring the legislation to fruition.

“We appreciate the leadership from Senators Justice and Reed in championing this cause,” added President Larew. “We urge Congress to work together to deliver this legislation for family farmers, ranchers and our communities.”