Wednesday August 06 Ag News - North Platte hosts National cattle symposium - FB Innovation Challenge include NE, IA finalists - Ethanol Exports Strong - and more!

 Nebraska Beef Council's Airport Advertising Soars to New Heights

The Nebraska Beef Council’s long-running airport advertising campaign continues to be an effective way to reach a captive, targeted audience of consumers travelling to and from Nebraska. This effort showcases the state’s high-quality beef production and encourages visitors to enjoy a great beef meal during their stay.

Now in it's fourth year, the campaign includes large-format banners at Nebraska’s two largest airports: Omaha’s Eppley Airfield and the Lincoln Airport. These placements strategically coincide with peak travel times to maximize visibility and impact among out-of-state visitors.

In June, banners welcomed over 100,000 College World Series attendees arriving in Omaha. The College World Series is one of the state's largest annual events, drawing fans from across the country to Omaha each summer.

Starting in August, banners will also be featured in the Lincoln Airport during the Husker football and volleyball seasons. These fall events bring thousands of fans into the capital city, providing an ideal opportunity to reinforce Nebraska’s reputation as a premier beef-producing state.

“Use of the billboards is a great strategy because the timing and locations coincide with thousands of consumers passing through,” said Rosemary Anderson-Vinton, member of the Nebraska Beef Council Board of Directors. “I love the idea of beef being one of the first things a visitor, or a person coming home, sees when they arrive in Nebraska. It’s a great example of how our staff gets the most ‘bang for the buck’ to inspire travelers to enjoy beef.”

As travel to Nebraska continues to grow, so does the opportunity to connect with hungry consumers. In 2024, Eppley Airfield set a new annual record with 5,277,326 travelers, according to the Omaha Airport Authority. The Nebraska Beef Council is leveraging this rise in passenger traffic by continuing its strategic airport advertising campaign. These ads not only showcase Nebraska pride and the state’s reputation for high-quality beef, but also serve as a timely reminder for travelers to enjoy a delicious beef meal during their visit.

“Our goal is to ensure Nebraska remains recognized as a leader in quality beef production,” said Adam Wegner, Director of Marketing for the Nebraska Beef Council. “Our airport banners allow us to convey that message in an effective way."

By placing these messages in front of a captive audience during high-traffic times, the Nebraska Beef Council is maximizing its investment in consumer advertising and extending its reach beyond traditional media channels.



Applications open for the 2026 Young Leader Program

Applications are being accepted for the 2026 ASA/Corteva Agriscience Young Leader Program. Individuals or couples who are passionate about the future of agriculture should apply for this two-phase leadership training program.  

PHASE I: December 1 - December 4, 2025, Corteva Global Business Center in Johnston, Iowa 
PHASE II: February 24 – February 27, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas, in conjunction with Commodity Classic 

For application & details visit: www.soygrowers.com & click on the Education Resources tab or contact the Nebraska Soybean Association at 402-441-3239. 

Application deadline: September 19, 2025



NORTH PLATTE TO HOST NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON CATTLE REPRODUCTIVE STRATEGIES

Beef industry professionals from across the country will gather in North Platte this fall for the 2025 Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle symposium, the premier national event focused on beef cattle reproductive management.

The event is Sept. 17-18 at the D&N Event Center, 501 E. Walker Road. A pre-conference program — including a seedstock panel discussion at TD Angus and a guided tour of the Sustainable Beef Packing Plant, a new beef processing facility in North Platte — is Sept. 16.

The symposium provides a unique opportunity for producers, researchers and industry professionals to engage with leading experts on current and emerging reproductive technologies, genetic selection and herd health practices.

Rick Funston, professor and reproductive physiologist with Nebraska Extension, said the event provides practical, science-based information producers can apply to their operations.

“Our goal is to equip producers with the tools they need to make informed, cost-effective decisions that improve reproductive performance and long-term sustainability,” Funston said.

The symposium will feature presentations and panel discussions with nationally recognized experts. Topics will include estrous synchronization protocols and AI techniques; the use of sexed semen and embryo transfer; bull fertility, biosecurity and herd health; genetic selection for fertility and longevity; and the future of reproductive technologies.

Featured speakers include Funston, Matt Spangler, Jordan Thomas, Mario Binelli, Ky Pohler, Pedro Fontes and others representing universities, AI companies and genetic services. Industry partners such as ABS Global, Select Sires and Genex will also participate in panel discussions.

For registration and sponsorship details, visit https://beefrepro.org/arsbc. Early registration is encouraged.



Free Tropical Leis for First 1,000 Hawaiian Hog Customers at Pork Tent
    
The Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) is turning up the heat and the flavor at this year’s Iowa State Fair with the debut of the Hawaiian Hog, a bold new sandwich that celebrates the versatility of pork and the creativity of Iowa’s pig farmers.

Available exclusively at the iconic Iowa Pork Tent during the fair, August 7–17, the Hawaiian Hog features grilled, thinly sliced pork loin, topped with brown sugar-glazed pineapple, creamy coleslaw, and a sweet chili sauce, all served on a soft bun.

To celebrate the launch, IPPA will give away 1,000 tropical leis to the first 1,000 customers who purchase the Hawaiian Hog.

“The inspiration really came from wanting to show off how versatile pork loin can be,” said Hannah Spurr, IPPA’s director of marketing and programs. “After months of testing and tasting, we landed on a flavor-packed sandwich that we think fairgoers are going to love.”

The Hawaiian Hog has already earned recognition as one of 11 semifinalists in the Iowa State Fair’s New Fair Food Contest.

Fairgoers can find the Hawaiian Hog at the Iowa Pork Tent on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. It joins a lineup of fan favorites including the legendary Pork Chop on a Stick, the Brown Sugar Pork Belly on a Stick, the Iowa Chop, pork burgers and more, all prepared and served by pork producers from across the state.

For more than four decades, the Iowa Pork Tent has been a cornerstone of the Iowa State Fair experience, and in 2025, that tradition continues stronger than ever. Backed by the Iowa Pork Producers Association, the Pork Tent is powered by nearly 900 volunteers each year. These dedicated individuals—primarily pig farmers, county pork groups, and allied industry partners—spend long summer days serving up delicious food and sharing conversations with tens of thousands of visitors.

Whether you're a returning visitor or stopping by for the first time, the Iowa Pork Tent offers something for everyone, and this year, the Hawaiian Hog promises a flavorful new reason to visit.



Furlow Joins Iowa Pork Producers Association as Director of Public Policy
    
The Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) has named Harrison Furlow as its new Director of Public Policy. Furlow began the role on August 4, bringing extensive experience in agricultural policy, strategic communications, and producer-focused advocacy to the organization.

“We are pleased to welcome Harrison to the team,” said Pat McGonegle, CEO of IPPA. “His experience and passion for the swine industry make him a valuable asset in our work to support and represent Iowa’s pork producers at the state and national levels.”

Furlow recently completed the Pork Industry Immersion Program, a two-year leadership initiative led by the National Pork Board (NPB), National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), and affiliated state pork associations. As part of the program, he served as Manager of Pork Industry Relations with NPPC. His experience also includes working with NPPC’s communications team in Washington, D.C., where he supported efforts to advance the pork industry’s priorities on Capitol Hill.

Originally from Bluemont, Virginia, Furlow holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Iowa State University. During his time at ISU, he was active in numerous leadership roles and hands-on agricultural experiences, including competing on the collegiate dairy judging team and working at the university’s beef teaching farm. His roots in agriculture run deep, having grown up in 4-H and livestock judging, while raising pigs, beef cattle, and goats.

“Iowa has felt like home ever since my time at Iowa State University, so joining the Iowa Pork Producers Association is both a professional milestone and a personal return,” said Furlow. “It’s an honor to work on behalf of the state that welcomed me and continues to lead the nation in pork production.”



Farm Bureau Announces Top 10 in Ag Innovation Challenge

Ten innovation-driven enterprises will go head-to-head for the top prize of $100,000 in the 2026 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, continues to encourage agricultural innovation through the Challenge.

“With the world around us changing at a rapid pace, there’s a near-constant need for folks to innovate in the agriculture space. Farmers and ranchers are no stranger to the need to roll up our sleeves and lean into this entrepreneurial spirit,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Farm Bureau is proud to offer innovators an opportunity to present new businesses and technology that have the potential to bring forth a better tomorrow for agriculture.”

The Challenge is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to present to a panel of judges their emerging ideas and businesses in the agricultural industry, with a chance to earn $100,000 in startup funds. Farm Bureau is offering a total of $145,000 in funding throughout the course of the competition.

The 10 semi-finalist teams, who will participate in a virtual pitch first round, represent a variety of states and facets of agriculture. The semi-finalist teams are:

KinnanFAB, Nebraska
KinnanFAB is an agricultural-based fabrication business.  We offer a variety of stalk rollers, with a handful of other designs and products in the works. Current products include planter stalk rollers, tractor stalk rollers, strip till stalk rollers, and platner gauge wheel hubs.  Justin and Sheena Kinnan are owners of KinnanFAB.  Justin is a 5th generation farmer near Cozad growing primarily corn, soybeans, and alfalfa in the Cozad, Nebraska area. In addition to farming, Justin pursued his interest in agricultural fabrication, which led us to starting KinnanFAB. 

Renner Ag Solutions, Iowa
Renner Ag Solutions is an Ag Safety company that is developing a replacement for bin sweeps that saves farmers lives and limbs. The net automatically unloads a bin and the farmer no longer is required to enter during the load out process. The concept is currently under development through an engineering firm and is patent pending. Founder, Caleb Renner, is also looking towards the future in developing more ag safety products that center around grain storage and grain handling.  

Terraform Tillage, Iowa
Josh Jeske of Eldora, Iowa founded Terraform Tillage in 2020 while participating in the Iowa State CYstarters entrepreneurial program. His patent-pending SmartProbe technology makes traditional soil penetrometer mapping more efficient and effective. He says their value comes from reducing tillage in field areas that don’t need it – and focusing tillage on areas that do. 

Other finalists include: 
    Agriwater, Illinois
    CryoBio, Inc, New York
    FarmSmarter.ai, Louisiana
    Gather Agriculture, Inc, California
    KiposTech, Pennsylvania
    Verility, Inc, Indiana
    Vivid Machines, Washington

The four teams advancing to the final round will each receive $10,000 and will be announced on Sept. 10. The four teams will compete on Monday, Jan. 12 at the AFBF Convention in front of a live audience of Farm Bureau members, investors and industry representatives. Top titles and prizes will be awarded as follows:
    Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge Winner, total of $100,000
    Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge Runner-Up, total of $25,000

This will be the 12th year the competition has run. The Ag Innovation Challenge was the first national business competition of its kind to cater to rural entrepreneurs launching agricultural and food businesses.

Farm Bureau recognizes and supports these rural businesses with generous funding provided by sponsors Farm Credit, Bayer, John Deere, Farm Bureau Bank, Farm Bureau Financial Services and T-Mobile.

To learn more about the Challenge visit: fb.org/challenge



Dairy Products June 2025 Production Highlights

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 1.20 billion pounds, 4.2 percent above June 2024 but 3.9 percent below May 2025. Italian type cheese production totaled 509 million pounds, 5.0 percent above June 2024 but 2.5 percent below May 2025. American type cheese production totaled 473 million pounds, 4.8 percent above June 2024 but 7.1 percent below May 2025. Butter production was 185 million pounds, 10.4 percent above June 2024 but 12.5 percent below May 2025.

Dry milk products (comparisons in percentage with June 2024)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 140 million pounds, up 9.6 percent.
Skim milk powder - 53.9 million pounds, down 21.7 percent.

Whey products (comparisons in percentage with June 2024)
Dry whey, total - 73.6 million pounds, up 0.7 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 95.9 million pounds, up 1.9 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 42.9 million pounds, up 4.8 percent.

Frozen products (comparisons in percentage with June 2024)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 64.9 million gallons, down 3.9 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 38.7 million gallons, down 2.1 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 1.88 million gallons, up 6.8 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 3.52 million gallons, down 0.8 percent.



June DMC Margin Rises $0.70/cwt
NMPF 

The June margin for the Dairy Margin Coverage Program was $11.10/cwt in June, an increase of $0.70/cwt from May. The June all-milk price was unchanged from May at $21.30/cwt, while the June DMC feed cost formula dropped by $0.70/cwt for the month, as the prices of all three formula feed components decreased, particularly that for premium alfalfa hay.

The forecasts maintained by DMC Decision Tool on the USDA website at the end of July showed the DMC margin topping out $13.20/cwt in November and averaging $12.11/cwt for the year.



FDA Proposal Eliminates 18 Dairy Standards; NMPF Seeks input

The Food and Drug Administration proposed July 16 to revoke 18 standards of identity (SOIs) for dairy products, concluding that these standards are no longer necessary to promote honesty and fair dealing in the interest of consumers. NMPF finds several of the changes problematic and is seeking member input on what to do next.

FDA in its action said it wants to get rid of three categories within the standards of identity rules: Products no longer on the market, foods covered by different regulations, and combination foods. NMPF believes FDA’s analysis is wrong in some cases about products they claim are not in the marketplace. This is the list of products...

B. Summary of the Major Provisions of the Proposed Rule
This action proposes to remove the following food standard regulations: 
Part 131—Milk and Cream
131.111 Acidified milk
131.162 Acidified sour cream

Part 133—Cheeses and Related Cheese Products
133.111 Caciocavallo siciliano cheese
133.116 Low sodium cheddar cheese
133.121 Low sodium colby cheese
133.125 Cold-pack cheese food with fruits, vegetables, or meats
133.127 Cook cheese, koch kaese
133.134 Cream cheese with other foods
133.140 Gammelost cheese
133.154 High-moisture jack cheese
133.164 Nuworld cheese
133.168 Pasteurized blended cheese with fruits, vegetables, or meats
133.170 Pasteurized process cheese with fruits, vegetables, or meats
133.174 Pasteurized process cheese food with fruits, vegetables, or meats
133.185 Samsoe cheese
133.186 Sap sago cheese

Part 135: Frozen Desserts
135.115 Goat's Milk Ice Cream
135.130 Mellorine

More details here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/17/2025-13424/proposal-to-revoke-18-standards-of-identity-for-dairy-products.

“If these products are still being made and FDA takes them off the Standards of Identity list, then those foods can be made any way anyone wants and they will be able to be called that food. That’s going to wind up with consumers getting things with no idea fo what they’re getting,” Senior Vice President of Regulatory & Environmental Affairs Clay Detlefsen said.

NMPF is asking its members to notify Detlefsen at cdetlefsen@nmpf.org whether their co-op still produces any of the products on FDA’s list and if losing the Standard of Identity will negatively affect their business. Based on that feedback, NMPF will determine whether to request a formal administrative hearing in addition to its written comments submitted by the Sept. 15 deadline for the proposed rule.



June U.S. Ethanol and Distillers Grains Exports Remain Strong Despite Market Fluctuations
Ann Lewis, Renewable Fuels Association

U.S. ethanol exports totaled 173.7 million gallons (mg) in June, down 6% from May amid volatility in key markets but still 30% higher than year-ago levels. Canada remained the top destination, increasing 6% to a six-month high of 64.9 mg. Exports to India surged 158% to 24.2 mg, the largest volume in five months. The European Union imported 20.3 mg, driven primarily by the Netherlands, though volumes were one-third lower than May. Ten additional markets made up the balance of U.S. ethanol exports in June, with notable shipments to South Korea (12.6 mg, up 16%), the Philippines (12.0 mg, up 5%), the United Kingdom (11.0 mg, down 64%), and Colombia (10.8 mg, down 17%). Notably, Brazil remained absent for the second consecutive month. Through the first half of 2025, U.S. ethanol exports totaled 1.06 billion gallons, a 13% increase over the same period in 2024.

The U.S. imported just 21,696 gallons of undenatured fuel ethanol from Canada in June, bringing year-to-date imports to 3.4 mg.

U.S. exports of dried distillers grains (DDGS), the animal feed co-product generated by dry-mill ethanol plants, slipped fractionally in June to 917,307 metric tons (mt), reflecting mixed performance across major markets. Shipments to top customer Mexico declined 11% to 184,379 mt, while South Korea increased its purchases by 18% to 112,890 mt. Exports to Vietnam edged down 1% to 87,729 mt, whereas Colombia rebounded sharply, rising 167% to 80,015 mt. Indonesia imported 73,298 mt, a 19% decline, while Canada boosted imports by 11% to 50,726 mt. Turkey took in 50,630 mt, down 10% from May, and the European Union reduced its imports by 33% to 47,206 mt. These eight markets accounted for three-quarters of total DDGS exports in June. Among other notable destinations, Morocco increased imports 174% to 31,740 mt, and Taiwan jumped 55% to 30,604 mt, marking an eight-year high. Total U.S. DDGS exports for the first half of 2025 reached 5.42 million mt, down 8% from the same period in 2024.



Farmer sentiment weakens, but farmers believe U.S. policy headed in right direction

Farmer sentiment continues to weaken, as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer declined again in July. The barometer fell 11 points to 135 from June, a reading that resulted from U.S. farmers’ weaker perceptions of both current conditions and future expectations. The July Current Conditions Index dropped 17 points to 127 from last month, while the Future Expectations Index posted a smaller decline of 7 points to 139. Driving the weaker income prospects for 2025 were farmers’ assessment of current conditions. Despite lower scores on the three principal farmer sentiment indices, sentiment remains notably higher than at the same time a year ago. Almost three-fourths of July’s survey respondents reported that U.S. policy is headed “in the right direction.” This month’s barometer survey took place from July 7-11.

The Farm Financial Performance Index reflected concerns about weak income prospects for 2025, falling 14 points from June to 90. This decline indicates that more farmers expect less income in 2025 compared to 2024. Weakening crop prices are eroding prospective income. The eastern Corn Belt, for example, has seen July bids for the fall harvest delivery of corn and soybeans fall 7% and 3%, respectively, compared to a month earlier. The decline in farmers’ income prospects contributed to a 7-point drop in July’s Farm Capital Investment Index to a reading of 53.

The Short-Term Farmland Value Expectations Index also softened in the wake of the weaker income outlook for next year, dropping 5 points from June. The latest reading of 115 also leaves the index 3 points lower than last year and 10 points below two years ago. The weakness in the farmland index stemmed from a small shift among respondents expecting rising instead of weakening values during the coming year. The percentage who expected values to hold steady, meanwhile, rose 1 point to 57%.

The July survey coincided with next year’s farmland leasing discussions between farms and landowners. A question regarding crop producers’ expectations for farmland cash rental rates revealed crop producers’ expectations for 2026 rates. Even with weakening crop income prospects, 73% of respondents said they expect cash rental rates to remain mostly unchanged. Only 11% of crop producers indicated that they foresee a rental-rate decline.

Producers’ expectations of the farm income safety net provided by U.S. farm programs may have helped support both farmland values and farmland cash rental rates. In the July survey, 31% of respondents said they expected a stronger safety net in the 2025 farm bill than the one in 2024.

More optimism prevailed among U.S. farmers about future agricultural trade prospects than in June. In July, 43% of respondents reported expectations for an increase in agricultural exports in the next five years, 2 points higher than the previous month. Similarly, fewer producers said they look for declining exports, dropping to 13% from 16%. Of those responding to a related question in July, 64% said they considered it likely that the next five years would open new foreign export markets to American agricultural goods.

Another question that gauged U.S. farmers’ outlook regarding trade and policy asked, “Would you say things in the U.S. today are generally headed in the right direction or on the wrong track?” The U.S. is “headed in the right direction,” according to 74% of respondents.

“Producers held dim views of current conditions and future expectations, which weakened the sentiment of U.S. farmers in July,” said Michael Langemeier, the barometer’s principal investigator and director of Purdue’s Center for Commercial Agriculture. “Still, producers showed somewhat more optimism about U.S. agricultural trade prospects in July, with the majority assessing that the U.S. policy is heading in the right direction.”