Monday November 03 Ag News - National FFA Officer from NE - NE Trade Mission to Israel - NeFB Meets with Iraqi Ambassador - Hay as Fertilizer - Crop Ins Harvest Prices - and more!

2025-26 National FFA Officer Team Elected During 98th National FFA Convention & Expo

The 2025-26 National FFA Officer Team was elected Saturday during the final session of the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. 

Members from Delaware, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon and Tennessee were elected by the National FFA Delegates to serve as the 2025-26 National FFA Officers. They will lead the organization for the next year. 

The members were selected from 37 candidates vying for the honor. Candidates participated in an extensive interview process with the National FFA Officer Nominating Committee before the selection. 

Trey Myers of Oklahoma was elected national president. He is a former member of the Perkins Tryon FFA Chapter.

Lilly Nyland of Michigan was elected national secretary. She is a former member of the Careerline Tech Center FFA Chapter.

Joey Nowotny of Delaware was elected eastern region vice president. He is a former member of the Laurel FFA Chapter.

Jael Cruikshank of Oregon was elected western region vice president. She is a former member of the Bend FFA Chapter.

T. Wayne Williams of Tennessee was elected southern region vice president. He is a former member of the Woodbury FFA Chapter. 

Claire Woeppel of Nebraska was elected central region vice president. She is a former member of the Chambers FFA Chapter. 

Each year, during the National FFA Convention & Expo, six student members are elected by delegates to represent the organization as national officers. Delegates elect a president, secretary and vice presidents representing the country's central, southern, eastern and western regions.

National FFA also revealed a record-breaking attendance of 73,379 members, advisors, and guests during this week’s convention in Indianapolis, including many of whom stayed through the final session to watch the National Officer announcement. 

Throughout their year of service to the National FFA Organization, the officers will interact with business and industry leaders, thousands of FFA members and teachers, corporate partners, government and education officials, state FFA leaders, the general public, and more. The team will lead personal growth and leadership training conferences for FFA members nationwide and help establish policies to guide the future of FFA and the next generation of leaders.



National FFA Alumni and Supporters Honor Outstanding Individuals 

National FFA Alumni and Supporters recognized three people from across the country by honoring them with the Outstanding Achievement Award during the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo. This is the highest award presented to an individual by the National FFA Alumni and Supporters, a prestigious honor given to no more than three individuals per year at the national level. Its purpose is to recognize individual FFA Alumni members for their outstanding leadership and service to agricultural education, FFA and FFA Alumni and Supporters.

“We’re honored to recognize these three exceptional alumni whose dedication, leadership and service are creating a lasting impact,” said Allie Tucek, National FFA Director of Alumni and Supporters. “Their contributions continue to inspire the next generation of leaders, and we’re proud to celebrate their meaningful efforts.”

Outstanding Achievement Award: Dr. Matt Kreifels, Lincoln, Nebraska
Dr. Matt Kreifels, with over two decades of agricultural education experience, began as a student teacher in Ord, Nebraska, in 2000, teaching diverse courses and advising the FFA chapter. From 2001 to 2010, he served as an agriculture instructor and FFA Advisor at Blair Community Schools, growing the FFA chapter from 11 to 78 members and achieving 16 State FFA Degrees and 11 American Degrees. Since 2010, as an Associate Professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he has led initiatives like establishing the UNL Transitional Certification Program and co-creating the Nebraska Launch! program for student-led enterprises. Kreifels has helped secure over $1.66 million in grants, revitalized Nebraska’s Career Development Events for 4,500 students, and facilitated 81 new secondary agricultural education programs. He revitalized the Syracuse FFA Alumni chapter in 2023, earning the Al Sick, Jr. Distinguished Service Award. His extensive network includes leadership roles in national and state agricultural education associations. He has also authored, co-authored, and contributed to 20 curricula, including the National SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience) for All Teacher Education Curriculum.

Others recognized:
Outstanding Achievement Award: Larry Barry, Taylorville, Illinois 
Outstanding Achievement Award: Joe Linthicum, Union Bridge, Maryland



Pillen Wraps Up Successful Trade and Solidarity Mission to Israel

On Thursday, Governor Jim Pillen concluded a four-day trade and solidarity mission to Israel. The state’s delegation promoted Nebraska’s unique beef exports to Israel, advocated for Nebraska-built defense technologies, initiated strategic partnerships between Nebraska and Israeli institutions and engaged with a number of companies already doing business in Nebraska. The delegation also saw firsthand how America’s alliance with Israel was critical in the latter’s defensive fights against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran since the barbaric attacks of October 7, 2023.

During the mission, Gov. Pillen had fruitful conversations with senior members of the Israeli government, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog. The Governor’s team also met with Mike Huckabee, U.S. Ambassador to Israel. In all of these discussions, the Governor reaffirmed Nebraska’s resolute support of Israel, solidarity with the Jewish people and his desire to build on the already impressive business relationships between Nebraska and Israel.

Boosting Nebraska’s Beef Exports
The Governor had multiple opportunities to champion the state’s high-quality beef while in Israel. Nebraska supplies more than 99% of U.S. beef exports to Israel that Israel imports. Fischel Ziegelheim, owner of WR Reserve Protein Group in Hastings, was a core member of the state’s trade delegation. WR Reserve is a leading processor of Angus beef, and its plant in Hastings is one of the only U.S. facilities authorized to export kosher beef to Israel. 

The company played a key role in reopening the Israeli market to U.S. beef in 2016, making the first shipment to Israel after the country lifted a longstanding import ban on American beef. WR Reserve operates under strict USDA and Israeli veterinary supervision, with on-site rabbinical teams ensuring full compliance with kosher standards. The business is currently expanding in Hastings, supported by a $1 million Community Development Block Grant award administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.

“When we met with Ambassador Mike Huckabee, he was impressed about Nebraska being the number one cattle producer in the United States,” said Gov. Pillen. “We’re excited that the WR Reserve plant is doubling in size and getting commitments from producers to meet kosher standards. It’s been great to have the Ziegelheims with us for the whole trip to make sure more Nebraska beef comes to Israel.”



NeFB Meets with Iraqi Ambassador on Ag Trade Opportunities

Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) joined other agricultural organizations recently to meet with the Ambassador of Iraq to the United States, Nazar Al Khirullah, to discuss ways to strengthen agricultural trade between Nebraska and Iraq.

The meeting focused on exploring trade opportunities for Nebraska-grown popcorn, wheat, soybeans, corn, and ethanol byproducts used for livestock feed. Discussions centered on how Nebraska’s high-quality commodities and value-added agricultural products can meet Iraq’s growing demand for reliable food and energy sources.

In addition to trade, the conversation highlighted opportunities to enhance cooperation in sustainable agriculture and modern technologies, including innovation in irrigation, precision agriculture, and environmentally responsible production practices.  

Growing international markets for Nebraska’s agricultural products is a policy priority for NEFB. With Iraq continuing to rebuild and invest in its agricultural and energy sectors, Nebraska is well-positioned to be a trusted partner in providing food, feed, and fuel.

“Trade relationships like this are vital to the success of Nebraska agriculture,” said Mark McHargue, Nebraska Farm Bureau President. “We’re proud to represent Nebraska farm and ranch families in these discussions and to explore new opportunities that benefit Nebraska’s economy.”

The meeting served as another step toward strengthening Nebraska’s global agricultural partnerships and reinforcing the role of farmers and ranchers in feeding and fueling the world.



The Value of Hay as Fertilizer
Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Educator

Have you ever stopped to think about what the dollar value of the nutrients in hay is worth as fertilizer once they have been processed by the cow?

Mature cows at maintenance should excrete 100% of the nutrients they consume in terms of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. 

For example, 100 cows are being fed 30 pounds per head per day on a dry matter basis of 17% protein alfalfa hay that is .3% phosphorus and 2.4% potassium.  What is the value of the nutrients available to the pasture or field where the manure is being deposited?

3000 lbs. of dry matter alfalfa hay X .17 crude protein = 510 lbs. of protein. Nitrogen X 6.25 = crude protein. By taking 510 lbs. of crude protein and dividing by 6.25 = 81.6 pounds of nitrogen in the fed hay.  Only about 25% of the nitrogen in manure and urine is typically available to be used by the soil for plant growth.  The balance is lost to volatilization as ammonia.  

Using 81.6 pounds of nitrogen X .25 = 24.48 pounds of nitrogen into the ground from the fed alfalfa hay. The availability of phosphorus and potassium in manure and urine from feed consumed is 100%. To find the value of phosphorus and potassium in the fed alfalfa take 3000 lbs. X .003 = 9 lbs. of phosphorus and 3000 lbs. x .024 = 72 lbs. of potassium.

There is approximately $60 worth of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur in the hay that is being fed to and excreted by those 100 cows every day!

Here is the math that calculates the value per ton of these nutrients. 
    In one ton of alfalfa hay, there are approximately 16 lbs. of nitrogen (N), 6 lbs. of phosphorus (P), 48 lbs. of potassium (K) and 6 lbs. of sulfur (S) that are available to and absorbed by the soil in excreted manure and urine where the hay is fed.  
    The fertilizer nutrient value of these minerals at current market prices is $0.70/lb of N ($11.20), $1.00/lb of P ($6.00), $0.40/lb of K ($19.20) and $0.75/lb of S ($3.75), which would in total equal $40.15 per ton!  
    This value doesn’t include other micronutrients as well as the benefit of organic matter in manure and hay that isn’t consumed and remains on the ground that benefits the soil.

It is common to see weed problems develop on rangeland where cattle are fed during the winter months.  The nutrients from the hay are often concentrated in feed areas and the availability of nitrogen in rangeland situations often encourages weed growth.  When hay is being fed, is there an opportunity to feed cattle on ground where the nutrients can be directly absorbed into the soil and utilized for growing planted perennials or annual forages that would respond to the fertilizer? 

Fertilizer prices are up, and hay and other commodity feed prices are lower than they have been in recent years. Plan now to capture and effectively utilize the nutrients in feed that is fed this fall and winter by delivering it to livestock in places where it can benefit the soil and enhance future forage production. 

For more information on calculating the nutrient value of harvested feeds, visit this University of Missouri Extension article titled, “Calculating Fertilizer Value of Supplemental Feed for Cattle on Pasture” https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g2083.



NU President Gold shares impact of unfunded tuition mandates

University of Nebraska President Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., joined State Sen. Teresa Ibach and leaders from Nebraska’s public higher education institutions Friday in testifying before the Nebraska Legislature’s Appropriations Committee on the growing fiscal impact of unfunded, state-mandated tuition waivers and the need for sustainable solutions that preserve access and affordability for all students.

Senator Ibach, who introduced LR 261, opened the hearing by emphasizing the importance of understanding the long-term costs of unfunded tuition waivers on Nebraska’s colleges and universities. The interim study was designed to bring data and context to the discussion and to ensure the state continues to honor its commitments to veterans, first responders, and other public servants in a fiscally responsible way.

“The University of Nebraska is proud to educate and support veterans, service members, first responders, and their families,” said Dr. Gold. “The question is not whether we support our veterans, first responders, and their families — we do, unequivocally,” Dr. Gold told the Committee. “The question is how we can continue to do so in a way that is financially sustainable, transparent, and equitable to all current and future Nebraska students and families.”

The cost of unfunded tuition waivers at the University has grown rapidly:
    The university waived more than $8.8 million as a result of unfunded, legislatively mandated tuition waivers during the 2024–25 academic year, up nearly 36% since the 2023-24;
    These programs saw 219% cost growth in just six years, the equivalent of over 1% of the university’s total state-aided budget;
    The number of students participating in these waiver programs has more than doubled (+134%) in the same time period.

“Every dollar in remitted tuition is a dollar we must replace through higher tuition, reduced scholarships, or internal cuts,” Dr. Gold said. “In essence, we are forced to make choices between groups of equally deserving Nebraskans.”

Dr. Gold also noted that nearly all other Big Ten sister states fund and administer these programs directly or reimburse universities.

“When a state determines that certain students should not pay tuition, most states also provide the funding to make institutions whole,” he said. “That helps ensure the programs can endure and continue to benefit those who serve.”

Like universities nationwide, the University of Nebraska faces rising costs, inflationary pressures, and uncertainty in federal research support. All campuses — including the University of Nebraska–Lincoln — are currently implementing budget reductions, with UNL also addressing a structural deficit.

“These pressures require careful stewardship and partnership,” Gold said. “We remain committed to affordability, academic excellence, and growing Nebraska’s workforce, but sustainable policy is the key to serving all Nebraskans.”




Harvest Prices for 2025 Crop Insurance

The harvest price for crop insurance fails to offer higher safety net protection than the spring price, with the average for December corn futures closing the month at $4.22 a bushel and November soybeans at $10.36 a bushel despite a price rally this week.

The farmer price protection will use the spring crop insurance guaranteed prices set at the end of February of $4.70 a bushel for corn and $10.54 for soybeans.

The harvest prices are set based on a running average throughout October of the closing price for the November soybean contract and the December corn contract.

This year marks the third straight year corn prices at harvest have come in below the spring guarantee. The 2020, 2021 and 2022 harvest prices for corn each beat out the spring guarantee. In 2021, the harvest price for corn reached $6.86 a bushel, which was the highest level since 2012.

Soybean harvest prices have not beat out the spring price since 2021 when the November futures ended at $12.30 a bushel. The harvest price triggered for soybeans in 2020 as well.

Prior to 2020, the harvest price had not triggered for corn since 2012 or soybeans since 2016, according to an analysis by the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Drought in 2012 led to the highest fall harvest price guarantees on record with $7.50 a bushel for corn and $15.39 a bushel for soybeans.



In Halloween Comments, IRFA Calls on EPA to End RFS Tricks and Treats by Fully Reallocating Refinery Exemptions

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Friday submitted formal comments to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) supplemental proposed Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) blending rule for 2026-2027. As part of that proposed rule, the EPA is evaluating whether to reallocate 100% or 50% of refinery exemptions granted for 2023 and 2024, as well as those anticipated for 2025.  

In its comments, IRFA strongly supported the EPA’s proposal to reallocate 100% of the 2023-2025 refinery exemptions (SREs) while cautioning that “reallocating the SREs means nothing without finalizing the robust RFS blending levels proposed by the Agency for 2026-2027. Combing these actions will be like giving the renewable fuels market a full-size candy bar on Halloween and not one of those mini versions.” 

Key points from IRFA’s comments include: 

Maintain and Finalize the Robust Blending Level (RVO) Proposal for 2026-2027 
“IRFA strongly supports and urges the EPA to adopt the proposed RFS blending levels in the final rule.” 

SREs Should Be Few and Fully Reallocated 
“IRFA still strongly believes that the best way for the EPA to maintain the integrity of the RFS, to provide market certainty, and to ensure farmers, renewable fuels producers, and obligated parties are treated fairly is to ensure the granted SREs are few and fully reallocated.” 

SRE Tricks Should Not be Rewarded with Treats 
“IRFA strongly echoes the Attorneys General request that EPA not reward these potential tricks with SRE treats, and for EPA to engage with the SEC and all relevant federal agencies to ensure no refiner is misleading either the Agency or public shareholders.” 

EPA Must Fully Reallocate 2023-2025 RFS Exemptions to Prevent Demand Destruction 
“IRFA urges the Agency to finalize the 2026-2027 RFS blending rule with the robust standard volumes as previously proposed combined with additional SRE reallocation volumes designed to account for 100% of the 2023-2025 SREs.” 

50% Reallocation Simply Does Not Make Logical Sense 
“IRFA feels strongly that to suggest – after RFS rules have been proposed – that some of the zombie RINs are needed for RIN flexibility is illogical and would be detrimental to farmers while providing a windfall to refiners.” 

Reallocation Over Two Years is Appropriate, but 100% Reallocation is Paramount 
“As illogical and unsupportable as it would be, if EPA ultimately determines that 100% reallocation over 2026-2027 is not possible, the agency should not undermine the RFS with 50% reallocation. Instead, in that scenario, IRFA urges the EPA to reallocate 100% of the 2023-2025 exemptions over four years.” 

In conclusion, IRFA stated: “By getting the RFS back on track with robust, market-moving RFS blend levels and fully reallocating the 2023-2025 SRE zombie RINs, EPA can take the first step to turn around a struggling farm economy while boosting consumer access to lower-cost, home-grown fuels, and taking another step toward American Energy Dominance.” 



Corn Growers Call on EPA to Reallocate Ethanol Waivers for Small Refineries

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) today called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reallocate 100% of its waivers for small refineries through a supplemental rule-making process.  

“A strong, transparent, and balanced RFS remains a cornerstone of America’s agricultural and energy success,” said NCGA CEO Neil Caskey.  
 
The statement was included in stakeholder comments submitted to EPA at the agency’s request.  
 
Under the Renewable Fuel standard, enacted in 2005, EPA sets the renewable volume obligations each year, specifying the amount of renewable fuel that refiners and importers of petroleum products must blend into the nation’s fuel supply. 

EPA has the authority to issue Small Refinery Exemptions to refiners that can demonstrate “disproportionate economic harm” from compliance.  

NCGA has long argued that a dependable Renewable Fuel Standard is critical to unlocking America’s domestic energy potential, promoting ethanol growth and driving corn demand. The group has also discouraged the overuse of exemptions.  



USMEF Statement on Progress in Trade Negotiations with China

The White House provided more details over the weekend on the measures agreed to in last week’s meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, including progress on agricultural trade barriers imposed by China and suspension of port service fees that raise costs for U.S. exporters.

U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued the following statement:

USMEF is encouraged by the progress being made in trade negotiations with China, and we appreciate the Trump administration’s emphasis on restoring market access for U.S. agricultural exports. If China follows through on its commitment to suspend all retaliatory tariffs announced since March 4, and to suspend or remove all retaliatory non-tariff countermeasures taken since that date, this puts U.S. pork in a much more competitive position in the Chinese market. If the removal of non-tariff barriers means that China will promptly renew the U.S. beef plant and cold storage registrations it has allowed to expire over the past nine months, this will restore access to a critical beef export market. China’s recent delisting of some U.S. beef plants for technical violations is also a retaliatory measure that must be addressed. We are anxious to see further details on these issues.

USMEF also appreciates the one-year pause in port service fees and China’s countermeasures imposed on U.S. vessels. While USMEF is supportive of the Trump administration’s efforts to revitalize America’s maritime industry, we encourage an approach that stimulates investment and avoids increasing costs for U.S. exporters and cargo owners. 



Corn Growers Outline Trade Barriers in Comments to USTR

To eliminate trade barriers and open new markets for corn farmers, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) filed comments today with the Office of United States Trade Representative outlining major obstacles corn producers continue to face.  

USTR is a part of the Trump administration, and the submission came at the agency’s request. 

“We are pleased that the Trump administration is listening to corn growers as it addresses trade barriers that have long been unfair to the nation’s farmers,” said Ohio farmer and NCGA President Jed Bower. “We are working with the administration every step of the way to ensure that our farmers have markets for their corn and the trade agreements currently in place are fair and operational.”  

Among the countries and issues identified in the report are Mexico’s treatment of biotechnology, Brazil’s lack of reciprocity on U.S. corn byproducts and China’s high tariffs on corn imports.  
 
The comments are the latest in a months-long campaign by NCGA and corn growers to expand foreign market access as corn growers face harsh economic times with corn prices that are at a near five-year low and high input costs.  



Smithfield Foods Donates $150,000 to Food Banks in 22 States to Fight Hunger

Smithfield Foods donated $150,000 to 30 food banks in its 22-state operational footprint to support neighbors in local communities experiencing food insecurity.

“Smithfield believes in the power of community and the importance of supporting hunger relief,” said Jim Monroe, vice president of corporate affairs for Smithfield Foods. “This donation helps provide critical support to our neighbors facing hunger and reflects our continuing commitment to doing good in the places we call home.”

The recipient food banks include:
    Colorado – Food Bank of the Rockies
    Georgia – Atlanta Community Food Bank
    Illinois – Northern Illinois Food Bank
    Indiana – Gleaners and Food Finders Food Bank
    Iowa – Food Bank of Iowa and River Bend Food Bank
    Kansas – Kansas Food Bank
    Kentucky – God’s Pantry Food Bank
    Maryland – Maryland Food Bank
    Massachusetts – Food Bank of Western Massachusetts
    Minnesota – Second Harvest Heartland
    Missouri – Second Harvest Community Food Bank, Harvesters – The Community Food Network, Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri, and Ozarks Food Harvest
    Nebraska – Food Bank for the Heartland and Food Bank of Lincoln
    North Carolina – Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina and Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina
    Ohio – Freestore Foodbank
    Oklahoma – Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
    Pennsylvania – Westmoreland Food Bank
    South Carolina – Harvest Hope Food Bank
    South Dakota – Feeding South Dakota
    Tennessee –Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee
    Utah – Utah Food Bank
    Virginia – Virginia Peninsula Foodbank and Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore
    Wisconsin – Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin

These donations are part of Smithfield’s long-standing commitment to fighting hunger and strengthening the communities where its employees live, work and raise their families.

Smithfield's hunger relief program, Helping Hungry Homes®, has provided hundreds of millions of servings of protein in all 50 U.S. states since 2008. Smithfield donated more than 25 million servings of protein, valued at nearly $28 million, to food banks, disaster relief efforts and community outreach programs across the U.S. in 2024. 



New Leadership elected to the American Angus Association® Board of Directors

The American Angus Association® 142nd Annual Convention of Delegates gathered November 2 in Kansas City, Missouri. Five members were re-elected to a second term on the board of directors. They are Rob Adams, Union Springs, Alabama; Art Butler, Bliss, Idaho; Alan Mead, Barnett, Missouri; Henry Smith, Russell Springs, Kentucky; and Roger Wann, Poteau, Oklahoma. The delegation also elected new officers; Jim Brinkley, Milan, Missouri, president and chairman of the board and Darrell Stevenson, White Sulphur Springs, Montana, vice president and vice chairman of the board. Smitty Lamb, Tifton, Georgia will serve as the treasurer for the fiscal year 2026.

"It’s encouraging to me that we have new people coming into the breed; that is something we learned in our recent member survey," said Jim Brinkley, president and chairman of the American Angus Association® Board of Directors. "Membership has requests, and we want to make sure we are aligned with what they need, the tools they need, and the tools their commercial customers need.

Directors can serve up to two, three-year terms on the board and, if elected, they serve an
additional one-year term in office as president/chairman and/or vice president/vice chairman.