Wednesday October 22 Ag News - Fischer on Expedited Disaster Relief - Ricketts on NE Beef - Beef Replacement Heifer Economics webinar - NCGA Research Ambassadors - and more!

Fischer Legislation to Expedite Producers’ Access to Federal Disaster Relief Passes Agriculture Committee

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer’s (R-Neb.) legislation, the Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act, was approved Tuesday by the Senate Agriculture Committee.

If signed into law, the Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act would reform the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) to offer producers impacted by disasters the option to receive an increased, up-front cost-share. The bill would also adjust eligibility for relief to include any wildfire caused or spread due to natural causes, as well as wildfires caused by the federal government. A provision was added this Congress that would extend the timeframe for eligible participants to use the rehabilitative funds, allowing more time for work to be completed.

“When disaster strikes, the last thing Nebraskans need is more bureaucratic red tape. Unfortunately, that is the case with the ECP’s current distribution system. By streamlining the recovery process, my bill will ensure that our ag producers have access to the resources they need. I’m grateful the Senate Agriculture Committee approved this important legislation, and I look forward to getting it to the president’s desk to be signed into law,” Fischer said.



Ricketts Issues Statement Supporting Nebraska Beef

U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) released the following statement urging the administration to support the sale of Nebraska beef:

“I’ve been in contact with members of the Trump administration including Ambassador Greer, Secretary Bessent, and Secretary Rollins. I also spoke to President Trump at the White House today with a number of my colleagues. Nebraska ranchers are making money for the first time in years. We must continue to stand with them while we look for ways to lower grocery prices. Our focus should be on market-based solutions. I have advocated to administration officials to invest in more mitigation efforts to be able to normalize trade with our long-time partner Mexico. The New World Screwworm has disrupted beef trade with Mexico this year. We should continue working to address this issue to help stabilize beef prices and normalize trade.”



CAP Webinar: Beef Heifer Replacement Price Forecast 2026
Oct 23, 2025 12:00 PM 
Shannon Sand, Extension Agricultural Economist, UNL
Matt Stockton, Professor of Agricultural Economics, UNL
Randy Saner, Livestock Systems Extension Educator, UNL.

For the last several years, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Extension Beef Economics team has created a short document that forecasts the expected value of replacement heifers for Nebraska producers. These forecasts are intended to be used as a guide in what cow replacement costs might be, given market volatility, futures expectations, costs, etc. and reflect what might happen over the life of purchased animals.

Forecasts such as this one are intended to help individuals create a reference point for their operation and expectations of potential future events and to arrive at what a reasonable value might be for a heifer/cow purchased or retained for replacement given their situation.

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 for this webinar.  



Where will Your workers come from? A review Of The Future Workforce Situation

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team monthly webinar series continues on Tuesday, November 11 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. CST. This program will be presented by Dr. Richard Stup with the Agricultural Workforce Development program at Cornell University.

Developing and retaining a reliable farm workforce has become one of the most limiting factors for dairy farm success. This presentation will explore some of the long-term demographic and economic trends affecting the farm workforce, current trends driving change, and ways that farms are adapting now and for the future. We will also explore workforce programs such as TN visas, the H-2A guestworker program, and how these impact the dairy industry. Finally, Dr. Stup will include with a look at the future farm workforce.

Dr. Richard Stup leads the Agricultural Workforce Development program at Cornell University. He teaches leadership and management plus conducts research into labor challenges facing the industry. His focus is on helping agricultural employers avoid labor risks, create engaged employee teams, and operate profitably. Rich leads a team of eight professionals and staff who focus on helping employers with regulatory compliance, developing managers and supervisors, employee housing management, and developing the future farm workforce.

Before joining Cornell, Rich practiced as an organization development consultant, served as a senior leader in Farm Credit, was an extension associate with Penn State, and worked in the feed industry. He earned his doctorate from Penn State in the field of Workforce Education and Development.

Producers, dairy consultants and industry reps are encouraged to attend the free webinar live from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 11 by registering at least one hour before the webinar at: https://go.iastate.edu/DAIRYWORKERS. 

 For more information contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Dairy Field Specialist in your area: in Northwest Iowa, Fred M. Hall, 712-737-4230 or fredhall@iastate.edu; in Northeast Iowa, Jennifer Bentley, 563-382-2949 or jbentley@iastate.edu; in East Central Iowa, Larry Tranel, 563-583-6496 or tranel@iastate.edu. 



NGFA applauds Senate Agriculture Committee for advancing U.S. Grain Standards Act Reauthorization

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) today applauded the Senate Agriculture Committee for marking up and advancing legislation to reauthorize the U.S. Grain Standards Act (USGSA). This action demonstrates strong bipartisan recognition of the essential role that official grain inspection and weighing play in supporting U.S. agriculture, trade, and food security.

“This is a pivotal moment for the grain value chain,” said NGFA President and CEO Mike Seyfert. “By moving this bill forward, the Senate Agriculture Committee is helping to ensure continuity, reliability and innovation in the grain inspection system that underpins the competitiveness of U.S. grain in global markets.”

NGFA also extended its appreciation to Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) for their leadership in securing a markup that reflects the needs of the industry. Their commitment to shepherding the legislation through committee highlights the bipartisan nature of this effort and the critical importance of USGSA reauthorization.

Key provisions of the legislation under consideration align with NGFA priorities, including:
    Renewing vital inspection and weighing authorities scheduled to expire
    Strengthening transparency and accountability at the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS)
    Leveraging modern technology to enhance efficiency and reduce burdens
    Adjusting the scope of user fee caps to broaden resource capacity for essential services

“Modernization, efficiency and stability are nonnegotiables for the participants across the supply chain — from producers, elevators and processors to exporters,” Seyfert added. “This markup is a strong step forward, and we urge the full Senate to act swiftly to pass the reauthorization so it can reach President Trump's desk.”

NGFA looks forward to continuing to work with Senate leaders, committee members, and staff to finalize and secure passage of the United States Grain Standards Act reauthorization. 



Applications Open for 2026 NCGA Research Ambassadors Program

Applications are now open for the 2026 NCGA Research Ambassadors Program, which connects graduate students in corn-related research with growers, industry leaders and policymakers shaping the future of U.S. agriculture.

Funded again for 2026, the program strengthens the bridge between academic research and real-world farming, ensuring discoveries in the lab translate into real solutions that work in the field. Selected ambassadors will receive travel support, mentorship from NCGA staff and members, and opportunities to engage directly with farmers at NCGA meetings, field days and national events.

Benefits for Growers and Researchers
For corn farmers and research students alike, the payoff is practical and long-term. Ambassadors gain firsthand insight into the challenges and priorities that drive grower decisions, helping align research with what truly matters in the field. In return, growers gain allies who carry their perspective into universities, industry, corporate and policy arenas.

Key outcomes from past participants include:
    Bridging research and growers: Ambassadors gain a clearer sense of how their work supports grower priorities.
    Professional growth: Networking with farmers, educators, policymakers and industry leaders expands their reach.
    Policy perspective: Experiencing how NCGA policy is shaped deepens appreciation for grower-led decision-making.
    High satisfaction: More than half of former ambassadors still engage with their NCGA cohorts and recommend the program to peers.

A Researcher’s Perspective
Dr. Kirsten Hein, now a Postdoctoral Associate for the Topp Lab at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, participated as a past research ambassador and valued the connection she had with real farmers.

“My PhD project was in maize genetics, and I wanted to find better ways to bridge theory with application. Reading papers only takes you so far. It’s easy to get narrowed in on what exists in the literature and not what exists in practice. The ambassador program gave me that interface.”

It also helped her connect with other research colleagues.

“My cohort was amazing. We still talk and meet at conferences. And we’ve also kept in touch with NCGA to keep those connections going.”

Investing in the Future of Corn
Each year, the program builds a pipeline of scientists who understand the data and dirt —researchers whose work drives meaningful outcomes for growers and the industry.

“Growers are already doing science every day — testing, improving, innovating,” said Hein.  “But the best part of being a research ambassador was finding and bridging those disconnects between our two perspectives so we can make a difference.”

For more information about the program or to apply to be an ambassador, interested researchers can visit ncga.com/researchambassadors to apply today! Applications for 2026 NCGA Research Ambassadors will close on November 14, 2025 at 11:59pm ET.



GENYOUth Forming Alliance With Action for Healthy Kids

As part of the dairy checkoff’s evolving youth strategy, GENYOUth announced that it is forming a strategic affiliation with Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK), creating the nation’s largest in-school wellness organization.

DMI will conclude its funding and operational support for GENYOUth by the end of this year. GENYOUth and AFHK will continue to operate as independent 501(c)(3) nonprofits, maintaining their individual IRS statuses, Charity Navigator profiles and boards, while adopting an interconnected governance model.

Launched in 2011 by America’s dairy farmers and the NFL, GENYOUth has provided resources to more than 77,000 schools. AFHK, founded in 2002, has impacted 20 million children in 55,000 schools through its school-family partnerships.

“For over 15 years, GENYOUth has played a pivotal role in driving dairy’s youth-focused mission, powered by the strong partnership between dairy farmers and the NFL,” said Barbara O’Brien, president and CEO of Dairy Management Inc. (DMI). “Through this collaboration, farmers have invested more than $30 million, helping deliver grants, equipment and programs that have touched the lives of millions of students nationwide.

“We are proud of this legacy – and now, we take the next strategic step forward.”

O’Brien said the checkoff’s evolved strategy moves emphasis from broad in-school branded programming and activations to a tightly focused model that leverages local and national resources to protect, maintain and modernize dairy’s nutritional role in school meals. She also noted the increasing importance of engaging youth out of school within digital and gaming platforms to ensure dairy’s relevance.

DMI and state and regional checkoff teams will prioritize strategies where the checkoff can deliver unique impact. Efforts will emphasize promoting the nutrition science behind dairy’s role in dietary guidance, maintaining and modernizing dairy’s place in school meals via the new Smart Swaps program and supporting local programs tied to curriculum and youth sports.

Beyond the school setting, new and existing programs will engage youth through relevant platforms such as gaming and social media. Data shows that young people spend more than half of their waking hours consuming media. In addition, their go-to sources for health and wellness information include family, friends, digital platforms and influencers. The checkoff also will build outreach with parents to inform them about the various ways dairy foods contribute to their children’s health and well-being.

“Dairy farmers remain deeply committed to youth,” O’Brien said. “This is not a retreat from our mission, but a bold step to amplify it. By evolving the checkoff’s strategy in and out of schools, we will accelerate dairy’s relevance with youth and create meaningful, lasting change.”

Over the years, GENYOUth built strong private-public partnerships – including with Fortune 500 companies – and provided grants that increased access to healthy school meals, including dairy, for food-insecure students. As a part of the alliance with AFHK, GENYOUth’s people and programs will continue to ensure that every child – in every school – is nourished, active and supported. 

“GENYOUth made a powerful impact in our nation’s schools and by aligning with Action for Healthy Kids, they are combining complementary strengths, creating a more unified platform capable of accelerating progress in youth wellness across the country,” said Pennsylvania dairy farmer Marilyn Hershey, who serves as chair of DMI.



Global Ethanol Summit Continues With Panels On Ethanol’s Compatibility

The Global Ethanol Summit (GES) continues Tuesday emphasizing the theme “ethanol is compatible” with three panels and three flash talk sessions on biofuel uses including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), sustainable maritime fuel and other emerging markets.

Ernest Moniz, founder and CEO of the EFI Foundation and former U.S. Secretary of Energy opened the day by presenting on marine ethanol and other emerging markets.

“There is no way that we will reach a low carbon future without low carbon fuel, and that is where ethanol comes in,” Moniz said. “Ethanol is the pathway now toward a low carbon future and the key to energy transition. If you look at low-carbon, scalable, affordable fuels, ethanol is the only game in town.”

The morning continued with flash talks on innovation in emerging markets with ethanol. Dr. Steffen Mueller, principal economist at the Energy Resources Center at the University of Illinois-Chicago moderated the conversations and was joined by speakers Dr. Leena Hilakivi-Clarke, professor at The Hormel Institute; Sophie Odupoy, director of public affairs at KOKO Networks; Mohammed Uhuru Kadhi, general manager - green value chain at Farmerco Industries Limited; Mark Heckman, vice president of sales at Edeniq; and James Glueck, executive director at the Plant Based Products Council.

Two panels closed out the morning general sessions with the first panel featuring moderator Reid Wagner, technical director of market development for Growth Energy and speakers Tom Leone, principal engineer at Southwest Research Institute; Dr. Robert McCormick, senior research fellow at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Juha Honkasalo, head of industry relations at eFlexFuel; Nancy Tsou, chief strategy officer at Sanyang Motor Co, Ltd; and Randy Gard, COO at Bosselman Enterprises. The panel discussed advanced vehicle compatibility and infrastructure requirements.

The second panel covered ethanol applications in marine fuel – policy, technology and feasibility - and was hosted by Clarence Woo, managing director for the Global Centre for Green Fuels. Panel expert speakers included Zoltan Szabo, secretary general for the Climate Ethanol Alliance; Lucas Correa, general manager of decarbonization services – Americas at Wärtsilä; Donald Brown, senior vice president of maritime policy at Cruise Lines International Association; and Volkmar Galke, executive sales director at WinGD Ltd.

“There are more than 100 million tons of ethanol produced every year, and maritime will double or triple that need in the future,” Szabo said. “Maritime needs fuels that are low carbon, available, scalable and low cost – ethanol ticks all of those boxes.”

The afternoon began with flash talks from experts about scaling proven SAF solutions through ethanol-to-jet pathways. Moderator Louise Burke, strategic business development North American renewables and global head of aviation for Argus Media led the group that featured presentations from Dr. Jennifer Aurandt-Pilgrim, vice president of Marquis R&D Energy; Angela Foster-Rice, vice president of government and regulatory affairs at LanzaJet; Stephen McLellan, general manager of new business development and corporate planning at Taiyo Oil Company; David Schwalje, vice president of emerging market development at Axens; Lindsay Fitzgerald, chief advocacy and communications officer at Gevo.

The conference continued with a panel discussion featuring airline experts speaking to the industry collaboration around SAF. Mark Ingebretson, ethanol consultant for USGBC hosted the panel of airline representatives that featured Jason Heron, head of clean fuels, U.S. SAF ambassador for Airbus Americas, Inc.; Sean Newsum, managing director for environmental affairs at Airlines for America; Joanna Chavez, SAF program manager at Delta Air Lines; and Tom Michels, director of government affairs at United Airlines.

“SAF is a market opportunity for the agriculture sector,” Michels said. “The U.S. uses about 22 billion gallons of jet fuel a year, and right now, less than 1% of that is SAF. Every bit of that 22 billion gallons is something that the ethanol industry could eventually serve.”

Tuesday concluded with flash talks about scalable feedstocks for a global bioeconomy moderated by Fred Ghatala, president of Advanced Biofuels Canada. The panel speakers included Keith Kline, distinguished scientist in the environmental sciences division at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory; John Duff, strategy consultant for the National Sorghum Producers; Stefan Schreiber, board member of Verbio; and Rennatto Tible, head legal counsel and biofuel affairs officer at Grupo Pantaleon.

GES ends Wednesday with two general sessions highlighting the theme “ethanol is affordable.” More information about the conference is available on social media using the hashtag #GES25



API Urges Congress to Rethink E15 Legislation Amid Shifting Market Realities

The American Petroleum Institute (API) today urged Congressional leadership to adopt a more balanced and up-to-date approach to E15 legislation, warning the current proposal no longer reflects today's fuel market realities.

In a letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, API President and CEO Mike Sommers said sweeping changes to federal biofuel policy, state volatility mandates, and market conditions have upended the fuels landscape, prompting API to oppose the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025 in its current form. 

"Refiners are now navigating shifting federal compliance structures, a patchwork of state mandates, and a biofuels marketplace that is uncertain," said Sommers. "Any legislative consideration of year-round E15 should reflect today's realities and not those of the past. Congress must take a fresh look at how to promote fuel choice without undermining investment certainty or market stability."

The letter details how recent changes to federal tax rules, EPA decisions, and state-level policy reversals have imposed new costs on refiners and disrupted the fuels marketplace. Sommers urged lawmakers to pursue a holistic and balanced approach to E15 that supports consumer choice while maintaining reliable, affordable fuel supply.



Certified Angus Beef celebrates 47 years with more than 1.235 billion pounds sold.

For the past year, the drumbeat across cattle country has been lower herd numbers, market fluctuations and rising input costs. Total beef supply tightened by 3% and beef retail prices climbed to an average of $8 per pound. Yet consumer demand for beef surged to a 40-year high.

Despite the challenges, Certified Angus Beef (CAB) sales reached 1.235 billion pounds globally, marking it one of the brand’s strongest years in history.

“The brand’s success this year is the direct result of the hard work and innovation across our entire beef community,” says John Stika, CAB president. “It’s their intentional efforts to win with Certified Angus Beef year in and year out that have allowed this brand to thrive over 47 years.”

Today’s market is complex and competitive. Stika says the collective effort of stakeholders across the supply chain well position the brand to meet the record demand for premium beef moving forward.

Supplying the Brand
Amidst the tightest brand supply in five years, the 2025 fiscal year was down 2.9% over last year’s record number of certified carcasses. Still, cattlemen and women produced 5.77 million certified carcasses. Brand acceptance rates hit an annual average of a 37.6% acceptance rate, with 12 weeks reaching record highs of 40% or more throughout the year.

Angus producer’s focus on quality led to more than 783,000 carcasses, a 3.6% growth, qualifying for Certified Angus Beef ® Prime, setting a new benchmark for the brand’s highest quality offering.

“Our brand partners are sending a very loud, economic signal back to cattle country,” Stika says. “And ranchers are more focused on quality than ever before.”

Meeting Consumer Demand
This year marks the brand’s third-best year, with a record-setting month in November and the brand’s all-time best sales month in March. April and May followed with strength heading into grilling season, landing in the brand’s top 10 for monthly sales. Consumer preference for the best beef supported record sales of Certified Angus Beef ® Prime across all segments of the business­—retail, foodservice, international and value-added—collectively increasing 9.7% to 55 million pounds sold.

Diners enjoyed Certified Angus Beef ® brand offerings from fine-dining restaurants to barbecue establishments and burger joints, where foodservice partners sold more than 417 million pounds, marking the second-best year in the brand’s history for foodservice sales. Sales in March recorded a record with 40.3 million pounds sold in a single month. Growth was fueled by middle meat sales increasing 3.3%; end meats increasing 8% and setting a record; and Certified Angus Beef ® Prime up 9%.

In the meat aisle, shoppers reached for premium beef cuts, ground beef and value-added products. Despite higher beef prices, the retail sector sold 525.8 million pounds, with 9 out of the brand’s top 10 retail partners experiencing growth. More retailers offered premium grinds to their shoppers, increasing ground beef sales collectively by 6%. And Certified Angus Beef® Prime grew by 5.6% or 22.3 million pounds.

In retail, international and foodservice, convenient and globally flavored cuts drove a 9.7% growth for Certified Angus Beef ® brand value-added products like deli meats, hot pot beef rolls and shaved steak. This marks the fifth consecutive year of growth in the brand’s value-added sector, illustrating the need for premium, great-tasting products for time-crunched consumers and chefs. New brand research shows that 85% of CAB shoppers are willing to pay more for Certified Angus Beef ® and Certified Angus Beef ® Prime deli meats and 80% would drive farther to purchase them.

Despite international trade dynamics and loss of access in key markets like China, brand partners had record sales in areas like Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Peru and Panama, resulting in 179 million pounds sold across more than 55 countries. Canada, South Korea and Mexico were the brand’s leading international markets for sales. Certified Angus Beef ® Prime was also in high demand, showing a 20.6% increase. Again, proving the commitment to quality is a global movement.

With an expanded portfolio of products, CAB continues to deliver on consumer choice world-wide. While small in scale, Certified Angus Beef ® Grass-Fed; Certified Angus Beef ® Natural; and Certified Angus Beef ® Ranch to Table accounted for more than 3.2 million pounds collectively, reaching consumers looking for great-tasting niche beef products.

“Tight supply will intensify over the next year, and we’ll have to work through those dynamics,” Stika says. “But the value proposition for Certified Angus Beef is strong and only strengthening in the market.”

Signals across the beef industry are clear. Despite anticipated challenges from tight cattle supplies, Angus farmers and ranchers seeking high-quality genetics that deliver premium beef are producing a product in high demand.