Tuesday October 21 Ag News - IANR Generates @$850m Economic Activity - NE Mesonet Expands - NE Cattlemen, Fischer on Trump's Beef Plan - Philippine Trade Team in NE - and more!

Report Shows IANR Delivers $849 Million Annual Economic and Public Value, Strongly Supporting Nebraska’s No. 1 Industry

A new preliminary economic impact analysis by national consulting firm Tripp Umbach finds that the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln generated an estimated $849.3 million in statewide economic and public value in 2024 — underscoring the power of Nebraska’s agriculture and natural resources industries and IANR’s essential role in advancing it through research, teaching and Extension.

"For more than 50 years, the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources has been dedicated to supporting Nebraska’s No. 1 industry — agriculture and natural resources," said Tiffany Heng-Moss, interim NU vice president and Harlan vice chancellor for IANR. "We are proud to help sustain this critical industry through our teaching, research and Extension programs, which reach Nebraskans in each of our 93 counties, grow the next generation of professionals, leaders and change-makers, and help shape the future of agriculture and natural resources in Nebraska and beyond."

The analysis, commissioned by IANR and conducted by Tripp Umbach, measures IANR’s broad contributions to the state’s economy. A full report will be released later this fall.

The early findings paint a clear picture: IANR is a valuable support to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industry and provides a clear statewide economic benefit across Nebraska. In 2024, the institute’s teaching, research and Extension programming generated a total of $849.3 million in statewide economic benefit. That includes more than $258 million in direct economic activity — such as salaries, research spending and operational expenditures — and nearly $591 million in indirect and induced effects that ripple through local businesses, farms and ranches, and communities across Nebraska.

For every $1 publicly invested by the State of Nebraska, IANR contributes $8.49 to the state’s economy. This strong return reflects the institute’s reach into every corner of Nebraska.

IANR’s work sustains a significant share of Nebraska’s workforce, supporting an estimated 4,499 jobs statewide — 2,495 directly within IANR’s operations and another 2,004 created indirectly through related business and economic activity.

Beyond employment, IANR’s activities generate $23.2 million in state and local tax revenue each year, helping strengthen the fiscal foundation of Nebraska’s cities, counties, and schools. The institute’s research alone delivers an even greater multiplier effect — each $1 invested in IANR research contributes an estimated $20 to Nebraska’s economy, a reflection of how innovation and discovery translate into real-world value for Nebraska families and businesses.

"IANR’s work demonstrates how a land-grant university can deliver measurable, statewide public value," said Paul Umbach, founder and president of Tripp Umbach. "Its research, teaching and Extension programs create tangible returns on public investment for Nebraska’s economy, workforce and communities. The numbers clearly show that IANR is not only supporting the state’s agriculture and natural resources industries, but also strengthening the overall prosperity and resilience of the state."

Agriculture and natural resources remains Nebraska’s largest and most influential industry, driving the state’s economy and shaping its communities. According to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, one in four Nebraska jobs is connected to agriculture. In 2023, Nebraska’s farms and ranches made up nearly 90% of Nebraska’s land area and generated $31.6 billion in agricultural cash receipts, ranking among the nation’s leaders in cattle, corn, soybeans and hogs.





Funding allows expansion of Nebraska Mesonet

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln added 21 weather stations to the Nebraska Mesonet network this year through $1.48 million in funding from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency and Lower Loup and Upper Elkhorn Natural Resources Districts.  

The added stations will bring the state's total to 94, said Ruben Behnke, manager of the Nebraska Mesonet, and he would like to increase that to 200 in the next few years.

"To properly cover the state, you need a relatively dense network," he said. "Otherwise, you're providing data that's not appropriate to people who are trying to put water on their crops. Even more financially important is applying for financial disaster relief through the Farm Service Agency for drought, flood, hail or other disasters."

The Army Corps of Engineers has offered funding of $900,000 to the Nebraska Mesonet in 2026. Behnke said he is searching for additional funds for upgrades and expansions.

Farmers are the primary users of the Nebraska Mesonet, using data from the weather stations to decide when and how much to irrigate and when to plant, spray and harvest. They can learn current conditions and fill out a form to request data. Besides measuring weather and climate factors such as temperature, precipitation, humidity, solar radiation and wind speed, the stations have buried sensors that measure soil temperature and moisture.

Governmental agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers, Farm Service Agency, USDA, Nebraska Forest Service, Nebraska Natural Resources Districts and Nebraska Emergency Management Agency use Nebraska Mesonet data in making decisions. For example, the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency may use the data to predict flooding or drought or may use the historical data to verify landowner claims of damage from weather.

Nebraska first installed five Mesonet stations in 1981, and those offer the oldest data. Each station can gather weather and climate data for up to 20 kilometers around it. To gather data from all parts of the state and be relevant to all users, more stations are needed.

In the future, cameras on the Mesonet stations could serve as an early warning system for wildfires, aiding in wildfire management and community safety, he said.

Other station networks across the state, such as those at airports and volunteer weather observation stations, have limited coverage and observation capabilities. Mesonet stations provide a wider range of data, including soil observations and solar radiation, and take images of the weather. This allows the Nebraska Mesonet to develop data tools specific to user needs.



Building Nebraska’s digital ag future: Networking events set for Nov. 4 and Dec. 8

The University of Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Digital Agriculture Task Force invites university faculty, students and staff to join two upcoming engagement events designed to connect a growing community around digital agriculture

The University of Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Digital Agriculture Task Force invites university faculty, students and staff to join two upcoming engagement events designed to connect a growing community around digital agriculture.

Guillermo Balboa, a member of the task force and event coordinator, said the Digital Agriculture Networking and Awareness Series marks the next step toward building the Nebraska Digital Agriculture Hub, following the success of the initial IANR Digital Ag survey distributed throughout IANR this fall.

The task force encourages participants to share ideas, meet collaborators across research, teaching and extension, and help shape the future of digital agriculture at Nebraska.

“There’s incredible work in digital agriculture happening all across IANR,” said Balboa, a research assistant professor in agronomy and horticulture. “Our goal is to bring these efforts together, learn from each other and explore how we can build something bigger as a community. The first step is connecting the dots — understanding who’s doing what and where collaboration can grow.”

Why attend
    Network with colleagues from all mission areas who are exploring digital innovations in agriculture.
    Share your story during the Rapid Flash Talks — a fun five-minute showcase of success and creativity.
    Contribute your voice to roundtable discussions on opportunities, challenges and goals for the Nebraska Digital Agriculture Hub.
    Enjoy food and conversation during the networking lunch.

Event dates
    Tuesday, Nov. 4, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Nebraska East Union, Great Plains Room B
    Monday, Dec. 8, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Nebraska East Union, Great Plains Room A

Go here for event details, the agenda and to register now https://digitalag.unl.edu/digital-ag-networking-awareness-series/.

The IANR Digital Agriculture Task Force is hosting the series as part of the Digital Ag Hub initiative. Future engagement opportunities will welcome stakeholders across the agricultural community, including farmers, industry professionals, nonprofit partners and government agencies.

Questions? Contact Guillermo Balboa at gbalboa7@unl.edu.

The IANR Digital Agriculture Task Force includes faculty representing research, teaching and extension units across IANR including Balboa, Joe Luck, Martha Mamo, Taro Mieno, Santosh Pitla, Mark Stone and Daniel Uden.



NEBRASKA CATTLEMEN: FOREIGN BEEF IMPORTS NOT THE SOLUTION

The Nebraska Cattlemen Board of Directors released the following statement in response to President Donald J. Trump’s remarks suggesting Argentinian beef imports could bring down beef prices for U.S. consumers:

"One of our core principles is to protect the free enterprise system for the beef cattle industry. Nebraska Cattlemen opposes government interference in the cattle market.

Introducing unnecessary price volatility into the cattle and beef marketing chain and fostering uncertainty during the time of year when many producers are making heifer retention and herd expansion decisions risks a negative impact on the one true long-term solution for currently elevated beef prices – expansion of the U.S. beef cattle herd. The U.S. cattle and beef market is doing its job by replenishing cow numbers, and it will complete that job if allowed to do so in an uninhibited manner.

Further, we produce a nutrient dense, safe, and delicious product, which is why consumer demand for beef remains strong. We urge President Trump and members of Congress to put American beef producers first and avoid hindering the cattle market's ability to respond to fundamental cyclical factors."



Fischer Urges Trump Admin. to Prioritize America’s Ranchers

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) released the following statement urging President Trump to prioritize America’s ranchers over importing foreign beef:

“Since hearing the president’s comments suggesting the U.S. would buy beef from Argentina, I’ve been in touch with his administration and my colleagues to seek clarity and express my deep concerns. I’ve also been sounding the alarm on the bleak state of our ag economy and the negative impacts facing Nebraska’s ag industry—the economic driver of our state. Bottom line: if the goal is addressing beef prices at the grocery store, this isn’t the way. Right now, government intervention in the beef market will hurt our cattle ranchers. The U.S. has safe, reliable beef, and it is the one bright spot in our struggling ag economy. Nebraska’s ranchers cannot afford to have the rug pulled out from under them when they’re just getting ahead or simply breaking even. I strongly encourage the Trump administration to focus on trade deals that benefit our ag producers—not imports that will do more harm than good.”



Argentinian Beef Import Plan Harms U.S. Cattle Producers

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) responded to comments from President Donald J. Trump that suggested importing Argentinian beef as a solution to lower beef prices. NCBA’s family farmers and ranchers are concerned that rewarding Argentina with this expanded access to the U.S. market harms American cattlemen and women, while also interfering with the free market.

“NCBA’s family farmers and ranchers have numerous concerns with importing more Argentinian beef to lower prices for consumers. This plan only creates chaos at a critical time of the year for American cattle producers, while doing nothing to lower grocery store prices,” said NCBA CEO Colin Woodall. “Additionally, Argentina has a deeply unbalanced trade relationship with the U.S. In the past five years Argentina has sold more than $801 million of beef into the U.S. market. By comparison, the U.S. has sold just over $7 million worth of American beef to Argentina. Argentina also has a history of foot-and-mouth disease, which if brought to the United States, could decimate our domestic livestock production.”
 
Although beef prices have increased, consumer demand for beef remains strong because of the work American cattle producers have done to improve the quality and safety of U.S. beef. We call on President Trump and members of Congress to let the market work, rather than intervening in ways that do nothing but harm rural America. 



Farm Bureau Urges Restraint on Beef Imports

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented on President Trump’s plans to reduce beef prices through increased beef imports from Argentina.

“We know America's families face challenges when food prices rise, but it's important for President Trump to remember that farmers are facing an economic storm as well, and a vibrant U.S. cattle herd is at stake. Many of America’s beef farmers have operated in the red for several years. Adverse weather and low prices drove cattle herds down to levels not seen in decades. Weakened cattle prices are the last thing needed in farm country, where farmers are being paid historically low prices for crops across the board while expenses remain high.

“We urge the administration to carefully consider the damage importing more beef and cattle from other countries will have as cattle farmers decide whether to invest in rebuilding America's herds. Just the mention of beef imports created more instability and uncertainty for America’s farmers. Flooding markets with foreign-grown beef could affect our nation’s ability to be food independent in the long-term. We look forward to learning more about the president’s plan, and we stand ready to work with him to ensure farmers and ranchers can survive this economic storm.” 



NFU Responds to Government Efforts to Lower Beef Prices 

Following President Trump’s comments about importing beef from Argentina to lower prices for American consumers, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew reaffirmed the need to strengthen fairness and competition within the U.S. beef industry rather than rely on imported products.

“Lowering beef prices for consumers starts with restoring fairness in the marketplace, not by importing beef from Argentina and undercutting American ranchers,” said Larew. “Years of drought, depressed cattle prices, and unchecked corporate consolidation have already pushed many family farmers and ranchers to the brink, all while consumers pay more at the grocery store. 

“The White House recently bailed out Argentina with $40 billion in U.S. taxpayer-backed aid, and Argentina’s response was to strike new deals selling soybeans to China—deals that hurt American crop farmers. The last thing we need is to reward them by importing more of their beef. 

“In times of extreme uncertainty in the farm economy, we should be doubling down on our efforts to support family farmers and ranchers here at home. The answer isn’t foreign beef; it’s rebuilding herds to meet domestic demand, restoring competition in meatpacking, enacting mandatory country-of-origin labeling so consumers know where their beef comes from, and creating a fair marketplace that works for both farmers and consumers.

“History shows that when competition disappears, ranchers receive less for their cattle even as grocery store prices climb, eroding fairness across the entire supply chain. Now more than ever, we hope the administration brings family farmers and ranchers to the table to consider solutions that put all American families first.” 



Estrus synch planner now available in online/phone format

The popular estrus synchronization planner for beef cattle is now available in an online/phone application format. First available years ago through the Beef Reproduction Task Force as a for-purchase tool, the planner and its multigroup version have been offered at no charge via the Iowa Beef Center website since 2011. In 2025 alone, the regular ES tool has been downloaded more than 1860 times to date.

IBC research scientist Garland Dalhke is a member of the task force, and developed and maintains the spreadsheets. Now he's created an online version also available at no charge.

"This version can be used on computer or phone or other device directly from the site. Inputs are the same as the previous versions and both a screen and calendar printout are possible,"  he said. "Access this app from the link below."

See the new planner here https://beefrepro.org/estrus-synchronization-planner/ and try out the various options to see what works for your farm. The Beef Reproduction Task Force https://beefrepro.org/about/ was formed in 2000 as a multi-disciplinary group of research and extension faculty members from Universities across the U.S. with a focus on beef cattle reproduction, management and reproductive technologies.



Growers Want Congress to See Benefits of California’s E15 Legislation

The National Corn Growers Association is pointing to California as an example of what could be achieved across the country after the state enacted a law extending access to fuels with a 15% ethanol blend, or E15, year-round.  

It is estimated that if consumers would have been able to access E15 in California in 2025, it would have created demand for close to 250 million additional bushels of corn, which would represent 12% of the expected excess corn supply for this year.

“The sheer buying power of the millions of people on the road in California promises to increase demand for corn in ethanol, which is good news for the nation’s corn growers,” said Ohio farmer and NCGA President Jed Bower. “Now we want to see Congress act to extend access to year-round E15 to every state in the country.”  
 
California’s new law comes as Congress considers a similar measure, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025, which would remove a dated provision of the Clean Air Act that bans the sale of E15 during the summer months.  
 
NCGA leaders and other corn grower advocates continue to make the case to Congress that passing the legislation would help the nation’s corn growers, who are trying to navigate a once-in-a-generation economic crisis, while lowering gas prices and helping to secure the nation’s energy security.  
 
“Members of both parties have said repeatedly that they want to help the nation’s farmers during this difficult time,” said Bower. “Well, we see what’s possible with California’s law; it’s time Congress followed suit.” 



Philippine Trade Team Visits Nebraska

Representatives from the Philippines in the U.S. for the Global Ethanol Summit visited Nebraska this past week to see ethanol's role firsthand in expanding global trade.

During their time in Nebraska, these individuals were able to witness corn harvest at NeCGA board president, Michael Dibbern's farm and NCGA board member, Jason Lewis' farm.

Thank you, to both Michael and Jason for taking time out of their busy harvest schedule to showcase their operations and to share the value of Nebraska based ethanol!



U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council’s Global Ethanol Summit Kicks Off With Conversations On Ethanol’s Global Position

Attendees of the Global Ethanol Summit (GES) 2025 settled in for the first full day of programming Monday, which featured three keynote speakers, a panel and two flash talks focused on the day’s theme, “Ethanol is renewable and available.”

U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) Chairman Mark Wilson opened the event and introduced the day’s three keynote speakers: Geoff Cooper, president and CEO of Renewable Fuels Association (RFA); Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy; and Neil Bentley, vice president of market management agricultural solutions for North America at BASF.

“I am excited to take a moment to share that the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council is unveiling a new interactive tool here at the Global Ethanol Summit, developed in partnership with Faro90, that allows users to compare the blending economics and greenhouse gas reduction benefits of ethanol around the world,” Wilson said.

“Designed to support policymakers, industry leaders and researchers alike, this tool showcases the global impact of bioethanol with real world data—and the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council’s commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions through data-driven innovation.”

The conference continued with a panel discussion on ethanol’s role in global commitments and energy security. Dan Pfeffer, senior partner at PAA Advisory moderated the conversation and was joined by panelists Undersecretary of the Department of Energy in the Philippines, Alessandro O. Sales; Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria, Clement Isong; Deputy Director General at the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, Lloyd Day; and CEO of BIOAGRA S.A., Zygmunt Gzyra.

The morning ended with flash talks on scaling global market access with proven models. Moderator Cary Sifferath, USGBC vice president, took to the stage with flash talk speakers including Claudia Bulgheroni, senior project manager and team lead on climate strategy and carbon markets at MEO Carbon Solutions; Dr. Michael Wang, director of the systems assessment center at the Argonne National Laboratory; and Jarad Daniels, CEO of Global CCS Institute.

“The flash talks at GES allow participants to get a quick overview of the companies presenting and their focus areas, which adds depth to the following conversations,” Alicia Koch, USGBC director of global ethanol export development. “The talks also help participants to identify companies or organizations that would be valuable for further connection.”

The afternoon began with a second round of flash talks from experts who offered an overview on leveraging regenerative agriculture for ethanol opportunities. Moderator Jeffrey Carver, head of North American commercial and technical services bioenergy at BASF, headed the group that featured presentations from Robin Vercruse, executive director at Low Carbon Fuels Coalition; Chris Malone, vice president of biofuels and market development at Indigo Ag; Dr. Holly Mayton, research partnerships and science policy lead at John Deere; and Matt Ziegler, director of public policy and renewable fuels at National Corn Growers Association.

The day came to a close with a conversation on agriculture and energy – and how ethanol’s benefits are expanding. Emily Marthaler, director of global policy at Growth Energy, held a fireside chat with Doug Berven, vice president of corporate affairs at POET.

“Bioethanol is a catalyst for successful agriculture,” Berven said. “Successful agriculture is key to solving some of the world’s most pressing issues including climate change, poverty, hunger and disease.”

GES is an education and trade forum, hosted by USGBC, and supported by Growth Energy, RFA, BASF and USGBC members that seeks to elevate bioethanol’s international visibility and ongoing successful initiatives as a viable decarbonization solution within the transportation sector. Over 450 ministerial-level officials and industry leaders, bioethanol producers and refiners from more than 40 countries are attending this year to learn about the numerous economic, environmental and human health benefits of globally expanding the use of biofuels.

At the end of the event, nine groups of participants will travel around the country to view the biofuel value chain firsthand before heading back to their home countries.



Growth Energy CEO Highlights Bioethanol's Ag Benefits in Speech to Global Ethanol Summit

In her keynote address to the U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council's (USGBC) annual Global Ethanol Summit today, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor expressed optimism for the future of bioethanol, while highlighting the positive impact that pro-bioethanol policies have on agriculture.

"Bioethanol’s future has never been clearer… and our outlook has never been more positive," said Skor. "We deliver a more affordable, high-octane fuel choice that can be used in the more than a billion gas-powered cars and trucks on roads around the globe today. We offer a fuel that cuts harmful emissions and supports global agriculture, all while saving drivers money."

"All over the world—from Canada and Brazil, to India and Japan—countries are increasing their commitments to use more bioethanol, at higher blends," she added.

Skor also noted bioethanol's advantages as a tool for other countries to enhance their trade relationship with the U.S. "Our industry has a trade surplus, which hit nearly four billion dollars last year. Any country looking to engage with the current administration on trade right now is doing themselves a disservice if they don’t put bioethanol at the center of their sales pitch," she said. "This administration has demonstrated that they’re willing to talk with any country willing to come to the table, and the successful bilateral negotiations that we’ve already seen have significant upside for bioethanol."

In the U.S., as policymakers look for ways to support American agriculture, Skor ultimately noted how closely connected bioethanol is to the nation's rural communities, and that what benefits bioethanol producers also benefits farmers. "Everyone... understands the central importance of the American farmer," she said. "When we invest in bioethanol, we’re investing in the rural economy, supporting farmers, boosting GDP, and creating a supply chain that starts and stops on domestic soil."



Ethanol’s Future Rooted in Past Successes, RFA’s Cooper Says at Global Summit
    
In a keynote address this morning at the Global Ethanol Summit in Washington, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper offered a look at ethanol’s future by way of its past.

“It’s a real privilege for me to start today’s program by sharing the U.S. ethanol industry’s history, our story, and our experience,” he said. “How did we get here? How did the U.S. become the world leader in ethanol production and consumption? How did ethanol evolve into a crucial driver of energy security and rural prosperity in the United States?”

Cooper emphasized how the drivers of ethanol’s incredible growth trajectory over the past four and a half decades are still vital for the decades ahead: smart public policy, innovation and continuous improvement in the industry itself, and the fact that ethanol is a product with many uses and benefits.

With regard to policy, Cooper stressed the industry’s broad, bipartisan support. “Throughout our industry’s history, we have been fortunate to have legislators—at both the state and federal level—along with presidents and governors, who have clearly understood the many benefits of renewable fuels. We’ve also been lucky to have so many highly effective advocates from our industry and strong partnerships with the nation’s leading farm organizations. … And in every case, the policies that have driven growth in ethanol production and use are policies that were explicitly designed to solve the problems and challenges facing American families across the country.”

Cooper traced the history of ethanol policy, which reached its zenith in the Renewable Fuel Standard. Looking to the future, he said, opportunities abound for nationwide year-round E15; carbon capture, utilization and storage; and the use of renewable fuels like ethanol in aviation and maritime transportation. He concluded:

“Throughout the ethanol industry’s history, our biggest policy wins and successes have come when we join forces to position ethanol and agriculture as a solution to important societal challenges. Ethanol solves problems. Whether it is cleaning up the air, reducing carbon emissions, boosting energy security, lowering costs for consumers, or building new markets for farmers, we must continue to make a credible, compelling, scientific case for the expanded production and use of ethanol—just as we’ve done for the past 45 years.”