Wednesday August 13 Ag News - PVC outlook meeting - Ag @ NE State Fair - AG supports domestic beef producers - AFBF on EPA DEF Updates - and more!

 Know Your Numbers, Know Your Options

Know Your Numbers, Know Your Options is a self-paced, 12-hour program designed to help farmers and ranchers strengthen their financial and operational management skills. 

Register here... https://advance.nebraska.edu/browse/unl/courses/know-your-numbers-know-your-options-update

The curriculum covers topics like goal setting, risk management and financial planning. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to set specific farming or ranching goals, understand key financial documents and use them to make sound business decisions. Participants have six months to complete the course and receive a certificate of completion.

The program is available through NU Advance, the university’s course delivery platform for online non-credit and professional development offerings. Jessica Groskopf, a Nebraska Extension educator and course instructor, said the dynamic learning experience works on desktop and mobile devices, making course content like videos, discussion boards and activities more accessible for enrolled participants.

“We’ve redesigned this course to meet producers where they are, both in terms of their time and their financial knowledge, while updating it with the latest information and strategies” said Jessica Groskopf, Nebraska Extension agricultural economist and course instructor. “Whether someone is just getting started or wants to sharpen their skills, this course offers a flexible, practical way to build confidence in managing the business side of the operation.”

After completing this course, participants will be able to define specific goals for their farming or ranching operations and outline a plan for achieving these goals, supported by present and projected cash flow budgets. They will also be prepared to establish and maintain a financial management information system, utilizing tools such as income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow budgets to guide their decisions.

The course includes four modules of interactive content that guide participants through critical aspects of agricultural business management:

    Module 1 – Goal Setting & Record Keeping: Participants learn effective goal-setting techniques and explore key accounting concepts, such as cash vs. accrual accounting, and record reconciliation.
     
    Module 2 – Balance Sheet Construction and Analysis: This module focuses on building and analyzing balance sheets, with an emphasis on financial ratios like working capital and debt-to-asset ratios.
     
    Module 3 – Cash Flow & Income Statements: Participants gain insight into cash flow management, budgeting, and income statement development, including accrual adjustments.
     
    Module 4 – Taxes: This session introduces farm taxation basics.

The course fee is $160 per person. The sixth month window to complete the course begins when you receive your login credentials after you register. 



Ag Experiences take center stage at the 2025 Nebraska State Fair

From thrilling rodeos and llama shows to milking demos and mac & cheese contests, the 2025 Nebraska State Fair offers an unforgettable lineup of agriculture-centered experiences that celebrate Nebraska’s heritage while inspiring the next generation.

“I have to laugh when folks say that state fairs shouldn’t spend so much time focusing on agriculture,” said Kourtney Lingeman, Competitive Exhibits Manager. ”Agriculture is the largest industry in our state — it’s the entirety of what state fairs were built on. A major portion of our jobs here in Nebraska revolve around ag. The food we eat, the household products we use.”

Lingeman said the Nebraska State Fair is about recognizing the hard work of county fairs, while providing opportunities for competition and showmanship on — how many refer to the State Fair — ‘the big stage.’ 

“So many families have exhibited here for generations,” said Lingeman. “What we do in all of our barns and buildings is honor that legacy while also creating new opportunities for today’s youth, their families and all of our guests to engage in meaningful ways with Nebraska agriculture.”

Noteworthy in 2025
    PRCA Ranch Rodeo: Making its debut as a nationally sanctioned event, this high-stakes competition highlights the skills real ranch teams use every day.
    Remarkable Rodeo: On Friday, August 29, youth 18 and under with mental or physical exceptionalities are invited to participate in simulated rodeo events — walkers and wheelchairs welcome.
    Branded Bonanza: See adopted wild horses compete in in-hand events; some may even be available for adoption.
    Hands-On Llama Show: Ever wanted to show a llama? Now’s your chance — no experience necessary.
    Live Foods Contests: Watch mac & cheese, smoothies, and King Arthur Flour creations judged live in the Foods Department.

Fan Favorites Return
    Avenue of Breeds and the Birthing Pavilion offer daily opportunities to meet animals up close, with early-morning Birthing Pavilion Before Hours experiences available on select days.
    Highland cattle, llama & alpaca costume contests, and the Calling All Male Cooks competition are longtime crowd-pleasers.
    Cattle Dog Trials return to the Thompson Foods Indoor Arena on Friday and Saturday, August 29-30.
    High School Rodeo, 4-H & FFA Fieldhouse demos, and the art-meets-faith performance God’s Gallery add to the daily mix.

“People come out year after year for the tractors, the rodeos, the livestock shows,” said Lingeman. “It’s about tradition. It’s about nostalgia. For so many of us, the Fair was something our whole extended family did together — and still does.”

Don’t Miss These Ag Highlights
(A small sampling—visit StateFair.org for a full schedule)
    Llama Yoga: Back by popular demand — $30 includes a commemorative yoga mat
    Case IH Combine Rides: Daily rides around the track in a Grand Island-made combine
    Moo-U Livestock Tours: Free guided barn tours, fun and educational for all ages
    Milking Parlor Demonstrations: Multiple times daily — see where milk really comes from
    Antique Tractor Games and Tractor Displays: Get your fill of vintage horsepower
    Draft Horse Pull, Extreme Trail Challenge, and Team Roping: Action-packed events that showcase grit, grace, and good horses

The 2025 Nebraska State Fair offers all fairgoers the chance to Showcase Your Fair Face, August 22 through September 1 at Fonner Park in Grand Island. The fair has drawn more than 4 million visitors to its home in Grand Island since 2010. More information about agricultural events and competitions, carnival entertainment, and other musical performances is available at www.StateFair.org.



Platte Valley Cattlemen Outlook Meeting

The annual Platte Valley Cattlemen outlook meeting is set for Monday August 18th at the Doernemann Barn near Clarkson.  Social Hour is at 6pm, and the meal will be served at 7pm.  Guest Speakers from Tredas will talk about the situation in the markets today and the outlook into next year and beyond.  Thanks to Pinnacle Bank for sponsoring the meal and Tredas for sponsoring the social hour.  They look forward to seeing you Monday evening.  


AG Hilgers Joins Amicus Beef Supporting American Cattle Ranchers

Attorney General Mike Hilgers joined a bipartisan coalition of 11 Attorneys General in filing an amicus brief that supports cattle ranchers against manufacturers who are selling foreign-sourced beef products under a “Product of USA” label. South Dakota ranchers sued when manufacturers wrongly used the “Product of USA” label on its foreign-sourced beef products. The district court ruled for the ranchers, and the case is now on appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.  

“Our office is committed to ensuring that Nebraskans can purchase and consume accurately labeled beef products. The Cornhusker State is a proud producer of beef, and we are joining our sister states to protect American ranchers and their businesses,” stated Attorney General Mike Hilgers.  

In the South Dakota–led brief, the Attorneys General point out that the Department of Agriculture now acknowledges that the use of the label for foreign-sourced beef products conflicts with federal requirements. They ask the court to order the manufacturers to stop falsely labeling their beef as a “Product of USA.”

The Attorneys General of Colorado, Kansas, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming joined in supporting American ranchers and consumers.



USDA Forecasts U.S. Corn Production Up and Soybean Production Down from 2024

The Crop Production report issued Tuesday by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) forecasted corn production up from 2024 and soybean production down from last year. Corn production is up 13% from last year, forecast at 16.7 billion bushels; soybean growers are expected to decrease their production 2% from 2024, forecast at 4.29 billion bushels.

Average corn yield is forecast at a record high 188.8 bushels per acre, up 9.5 bushels from last year. NASS also forecasts record high yields in Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin. As of Aug. 3, 73% of this year’s corn crop was reported in good or excellent condition, 6 percentage points above the same time last year.

Soybean yields are expected to average a record high 53.6 bushels per acre, up 2.9 bushels from 2024. If realized, the forecasted yields in Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, and Virginia will be record highs.

All wheat production is forecast at 1.93 billion bushels, down 2% from 2024. Growers are expected to produce 1.36 billion bushels of winter wheat this year, up 1% from the previous forecast and up less than 1% from last year. Durum wheat production is forecast at 87.4 million bushels, up 9% from 2024. All other spring wheat production is forecast at 484 million bushels, down 11% from last year. Based on Aug. 1 conditions, the U.S. all wheat yield is forecast at 52.7 bushels per acre, up 1.5 bushels from 2024.

Today’s report also included the first NASS production forecast of the season for U.S. cotton. NASS forecasts all cotton production at 13.2 million 480-pound bales, down 8% from last year. Yield is expected to average 862 pounds per harvested acre, down 24 pounds from 2024. Forecasts for apple, cranberry, grape, peach, pear and other crops are also included in the report.

NASS interviewed approximately 14,900 producers across the country in preparation for this report. NASS is now gearing up to conduct its September Agricultural Survey, which will collect final acreage, yield, and production information for wheat, barley, oats, and rye as well as grains and oilseeds stored on farms across the nation. That survey will take place during the first two weeks of September.



As USDA Reports Record Corn Crop, Growers Call for Immediate Action to Increase Markets

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is intensifying its call for action from Congress and the administration after the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest World Agriculture and Supply and Demand Estimates report projected a record 16.7-billion-bushel corn crop this year, further threatening the livelihood of farmers already facing record-low corn prices.

“Corn growers are already marketing their corn for extremely low corn prices, and this massive projected corn supply without market-based solutions to increasing corn demand is already causing corn prices to fall further,” said Illinois farmer and NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr. “Because we need markets fast for this supply, we are redoubling and intensifying our call for Congress to pass pending E15 legislation that will allow for year-round consumer access to higher blends of ethanol and for the Trump administration to quickly broker deals that will open new foreign markets for corn.”

Today’s WASDE report projects average corn yields of 188.8 bushels per acre for 2025, for an overall crop of 16.7 billion bushels. If the projections prove accurate, this year’s crop will be the largest on record by far: 1.4 billion bushels above the current production record set in 2023, a 9.1% increase.

An immediate boost to demand would be the passage of legislation authorizing year-round consumer access to 15% ethanol blend, or E15. This solution comes at no cost to consumers, requires no additional infrastructure developments and would generate demand for an additional 457 million bushels of corn, according to NCGA estimates.   

NCGA is also pushing the administration to quickly broker additional deals with other countries and finalize details on deals already announced. For example, India, Vietnam and Kenya are all strategically important markets to U.S. corn growers.

“My family survived the 1980s farm crisis,” said Hartman. “I don’t want my daughter to be talking about the 2020’s farm crisis in 40 years. The situation is dire, and new market demand is the only way we are going to dig out of this.”



Farmers Applaud Common-Sense Approach to Diesel Engines

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement that it will revise Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) guidelines for manufacturers of heavy trucks and off-road equipment. Manufacturers will be directed to update software in equipment that uses DEF to prevent them from losing power.

“Farm Bureau thanks the EPA and Administrator Zeldin for their common-sense approach to heavy trucks and off-road equipment that use Diesel Exhaust Fluid. When a vehicle runs out of DEF or there is an error in the software, it loses power, causing delays that could be the difference between getting a crop harvested or animals to their destination.

“EPA’s decision to grant a grace period to make repairs or refill DEF is the right thing to do. It keeps commerce moving and farmers in the field.”



Crop Insurance Deadline Nears for Fall Planted Crops

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds agricultural producers that the final date to apply for or make changes to their existing crop insurance coverage is quickly approaching for fall planted crops. Sales closing dates vary by crop and location, but the next major sales closing dates are Sept. 1 and Sept. 30.   

Producers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2026 crop year. Crop insurance coverage decisions must be made on or before the applicable sales closing date.  The USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) lists sales closing dates in the Actuarial Information Browser, under the “Dates” tab.   

Producers can also access the RMA Map Viewer tool to visualize the insurance program date choices for acreage reporting, cancellation, contract change, earliest planting, end of insurance, end of late planting period, final planting, premium billing, production reporting, sales closing, and termination dates, when applicable, per commodity, insurance plan, type, and practice. Additionally, producers can access the RMA Information Reporting System tool to specifically identify applicable dates for their operation, using the “Insurance Offer Reports” application.   

Federal crop insurance is critical to the farm safety net. It helps producers and owners manage revenue risks and strengthens the rural economy. Producers may select from several coverage options, including yield coverage, revenue protection, and area risk plans of insurance. 

Crop insurance options include Whole-Farm Revenue Protection and Micro Farm. Whole-Farm Revenue Protection provides a risk management safety net for all commodities on the farm under one insurance policy and is available in all counties nationwide. Micro Farm aims to help direct market and small-scale producers that may sell locally, and this policy simplifies record keeping and covers post-production costs such as washing and value-added products.