Monday October 20 Ag News - Whole Soybeans in Cattle Diets - EPA Takes Comments on Atrazine - County Bridge Match Program - Global Ethanol Summit Begins - and more!

Whole Raw Soybean a Competitive Protein Supplement for Cows and Calves
Aaron Berger - Beef Extension Educator

Current market conditions for raw, whole soybean are making them price competitive in parts of Nebraska with other protein sources, such as distillers grains and alfalfa hay, to be used as a protein supplement for cows, as well as weaned calves.

The following are some principles to remember when feeding raw, whole soybean to cattle.

Soybean is approximately 40% crude protein and 20% fat and should be introduced gradually into the diet. Because high fat levels in cattle diets can negatively impact fiber digestion, they should not be fed at a level higher than needed to meet protein requirements in the diet. 

In growing calves, limit soybeans to 7% of the diet or less, and 5% or less in finishing diets. 

Raw soybean contains a trypsin-inhibiting enzyme important for protein digestion in non-ruminant and monogastric animals. Because of this enzyme, raw soybean should not be fed to nursing calves and calves less than 300 pounds. 

Raw soybeas also should not be fed to animals receiving a diet containing urea. Soybeans contain the enzyme urease, which breaks down urea into ammonia at a very rapid rate. Toxicity occurs when the rate of ammonia entering the bloodstream overrides the liver’s capacity to filter it out.

The protein in soybean is approximately 70% rumen degradable and 30% rumen undegradable. Growing calves being fed corn silage and other feeds that are low in rumen undegradable protein show improved average daily gain performance when protein sources — such as distillers grains that are high in rumen undegradable protein — are utilized to meet protein needs. Feeding raw whole soybean in place of distiller’s grains to meet protein needs in a diet that is predominantly corn silage would result in decreased animal performance.

Raw, whole soybean has a total digestible nutrient value of 91%. While it is a price-competitive protein source at current commodity prices, there are other sources of energy that are more economical. Therefore, they should be used primarily to meet protein requirements.

For mature cows on forage-based diets, soybeans should not be fed at more than 10% of the diet on a dry matter basis. This would be approximately 2-3 pounds per day. Cows needing 0.4-pound of supplemental crude protein per head per day could be fed two pounds every other day and meet their protein requirement.

Raw, whole soybean can be an excellent protein source when utilized as a supplement. Producers looking for an economical protein source for cows to complement low-quality forage should consider the potential of using raw, whole soybean this fall and winter.




EPA Opens Comment Period on Atrazine, Simazine Mitigations with Potential Row Crop Impacts

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is releasing and seeking public comment on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) draft biological opinions (BiOp) for the pesticides atrazine and simazine. Atrazine and simazine are two widely used herbicides in the United States. The FWS draft biological opinions for atrazine and simazine are available on EPA’s Biological Opinions webpage and public comments may be submitted to docket number EPA-HQ-OPP-2020-0514 at  www.regulations.gov. The draft biological opinions will be available for public comment for 60 days, closing on Monday, Dec. 8.

Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), EPA must ensure that its actions, including pesticide registration actions, are not likely to jeopardize federally listed endangered or threatened species, or adversely modify their designated critical habitats. When EPA determines in a biological evaluation that use of a pesticide product may affect listed species or critical habitats, EPA must initiate formal consultation with FWS, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), or both (the Services). In response, the Service(s) may develop a biological opinion for EPA’s consideration that determines whether the pesticide will jeopardize listed species or adversely modify critical habitats. 

EPA initiated formal consultation with the Services upon completing biological evaluations for these pesticides. The draft biological opinions being released for public comment are part of the ongoing formal consultation with FWS.   
FWS Biological Opinions 

During the consultations, EPA, FWS and the atrazine and simazine registrants worked together to identify drift and runoff mitigation options consistent with EPA’s Herbicide Strategy. This mitigation also reflects scientific analyses and subsequent updates contained in the final Insecticide Strategy that are relevant to the Herbicide Strategy (e.g., updated spray drift buffer distances). Having Herbicide Strategy mitigations available for consideration helped facilitate a more efficient consultation, leading FWS to conclude that the proposed actions for atrazine and simazine are not likely to jeopardize or adversely modify the majority of species and critical habitats for which EPA made Likely to Adversely Affect determinations in the 2021 biological evaluations. In addition, implementation of label changes to which the registrants voluntarily committed before the biological evaluations, along with label changes agreed to during the development of the draft BiOps, supported a more efficient consultation.  

These draft BiOps do not include any likely jeopardy/adverse modification (J/AM)determinations. There are a limited number of species and critical habitats where FWS has not yet made a J/AM determination (either likely or not) and FWS has identified a need for further consideration of these species prior to making a determination. These species may be exposed to pesticides when visiting or residing on treated agricultural fields or non-agricultural use sites (e.g., residential turf), which are scenarios not addressed by the Herbicide Strategy. As the consultation continues, before finalizing the BiOps, additional information on the remaining species and critical habitats that are under consideration may be collected to determine if atrazine and simazine are likely to jeopardize the continued existence of these species or adversely modify their designated critical habitats and, if so, identify any additional mitigations needed to reduce exposures and avoid J/AM. FWS, EPA, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture will continue to work with the registrants before the BiOps are finalized to identify any remaining mitigation that may be needed to ensure that the uses of atrazine and simazine are not likely to jeopardize listed species or adversely modify designated critical habitats.  

Next Steps  
After the 60-day public comment period, EPA will provide FWS with the comments received for consideration before FWS finalizes the biological opinions. EPA intends to continue working with FWS and the registrants prior to FWS’s final BiOps to ensure that the proposed mitigations are technologically and economically feasible. The final atrazine and simazine BiOps are scheduled to be completed by March 31, 2026, as required by a federal court order. Following completion of the final FWS biological opinions, EPA plans to implement the mitigation measures described in the FWS final biological opinions. The final NMFS biological opinion is scheduled for 2030. 

Furthermore, EPA has completed its obligations for atrazine and simazine under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to evaluate how the pesticides may affect estrogen, androgen, and thyroid systems.    

Once EPA has completed consultation with the Services, the agency will complete final decisions on atrazine and simazine. 



CAP Webinar: 2025 Tax Planning Update for Nebraska Farmers and Ranchers
Oct 30, 2025 12:00 PM 
With Tina Barrett, Director, Nebraska Farm Business, Inc.

Nebraska Farm Business, Inc. Director Tina Barrett will share key tax updates and strategies to help farmers and ranchers prepare for year-end. This session will cover the impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, review rules for deferring income from livestock sales, and outline other timely planning opportunities. Participants will come away with practical guidance to manage their 2025 tax decisions with more confidence.

Miss the live webinar or want to review it again? Recordings are available — typically within 24 hours of the live webinar — in the archive section of the Center for Agricultural Profitability's webinar page, https://cap.unl.edu/webinars. Also, use this link to register.  



County Bridge Match Program (CBMP) 

The Nebraska Department of Transportation is working with counties to improve local infrastructure and improve safety for county and out-of-county residents. The County Bridge Match Program (CBMP) annually awards $4 million to counties beginning every September for the replacement and repair of structurally deficient bridges. CBMP funds 55% of eligible costs, up to $500,000, with counties providing a 45% match. 

 Applications for the 2025 funding round are due every October for bridges that meet the following criteria: 
    In poor condition or with a low rating. 
    Greater than 20 feet long. 
    Located on a roadway classified as a local road or better. 

The application is available at the County Bridge Match Program website through the NDOT at https://dot.nebraska.gov/projects/tia/bridge-match. There is more information on matching grants to county needs at the Nebraska Infrastructure Hub. Nebraska Farm Bureau and NDOT can help you navigate this process.  




JBS USA Breaks Ground on New Perry Facility

JBS USA marked a major milestone with the groundbreaking of its new state-of-the-art sausage production facility in Perry, Iowa on October 14th. The company is investing $135 million in the project, which is expected to create 500 direct jobs. The event was held at the Perry Industrial Park, and featured remarks from JBS USA leadership, photo opportunities and attendance from local officials and community members.

Once operational, the facility will produce 130 million pounds of sausage annually, processing 500,000 sows each year. The plant will launch with one shift and 250 team members, with plans to expand to two shifts and a total of 500 employees.

“Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter—not only for JBS USA, but also for the people of Perry, for Iowa’s pork producers, and for those helping feed America every day,” said Wesley Batista Filho, CEO of JBS USA. “Perry has a proud history of food production, and together, we’re building on that legacy with a facility that will serve generations to come. We look forward to seeing team members walk through the door in 2026.”

Local leaders emphasized the significance of the project for Perry and the surrounding region:

“I’m thrilled to welcome JBS to Perry — especially because JBS is a company that aligns so well with our community’s values and strengths,” said Perry Mayor Dirk Cavanaugh. “Their presence here is not just about replacing jobs — it’s about restoring stability and building a stronger future for Perry and the surrounding area.”

‌“Today’s groundbreaking shows what ‘Perry Strong’ really means. I’m proud of the work we’ve done together and the partnership between JBS, local leaders and a community that never stopped moving forward,” said Rep. Zach Nunn. “This new facility will create hundreds of good-paying jobs, support Iowa pork producers and drive growth across Dallas County. It’s a big win for working families and a model for rural development — led by local leadership, private investment and a shared commitment to community.”

In addition to creating jobs, JBS USA will extend its signature Hometown Strong and Better Futures programs to Perry, offering local investments and free community college tuition for team members and their children.



Global Ethanol Summit 2025 Attendees Gathering In Washington, D.C.

Nearly 450 international buyers and end-users of ethanol and its co-products from more than 40 countries are arriving in Washington, D.C. this week for Global Ethanol Summit 2025 (GES), ready to engage with experts from around the world on global ethanol opportunities while connecting with industry partners.

Hosted by the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC), and supported by Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), and BASF, GES is a premier industry event that features more than 400 policymakers, ministerial level officials and senior industry leaders, researchers, ethanol producers, traders and industry stakeholders.

GES will feature three themed days during the conference: ethanol is renewable and available, ethanol is compatible and ethanol is affordable.

The conference will address emerging markets in on-road and off-road applications, ethanol’s contributions to economic and agricultural development, its impact on reduced carbon emissions, robust environments and improved human health, carbon intensity discussions and implementation measures, removing trade restrictions and ethanol use and technological advancements.

Today participants attended pre-conference ethanol technical workshops that featured two panels with speakers Doug Berven, vice president of corporate affairs at POET; Rowena Torres-Ordonez, ethanol consultant for USGBC; Tad Hepner, vice president of strategy and innovation at RFA; Morten Jacobsen, secretary general of the Global Ethanol Association; Jake Comer, vice president of market development and Kristy Moore, consultant for Growth Energy; Ron Lamberty, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at the American Coalition for Ethanol; and Hagan Rose, international director of sales and marketing at Eco-Energy.

‘We are thrilled to be able to host this third global edition of Global Ethanol Summit," said Alicia Koch, USGBC director of global ethanol export development.

"It is an unparalleled opportunity for decision makers and stakeholders in the ethanol value chain to access experts, resources, and networking in a curated, concentrated forum – not to mention the hands-on experience for all the trade teams that are able to interact directly with American agriculture."

The day ended with a welcome reception and opening of the industry showcase hall where attendees can interact throughout the conference with five businesses and organizations that feature ethanol and biofuel technology.

Before attending GES, the Council organized 12 trade teams to show international buyers and end-users aspects of the U.S. ethanol value chain to strengthen relationships. Three trade teams arrived from the Philippines, Vietnam and South Korea in the U.S. before GES and visited corn-growing states during harvest, explored ethanol and DDGS production at ethanol plants and viewed terminal facilities in Iowa, North Dakota and Nebraska. After the event, the remaining nine trade teams will leave for post-conference tours to visit the ethanol value chain in additional corn-growing states before returning to their home countries.