Monday November 17 Ag News - USDA Crop Production Estimate - Upcoming Grazing and Organic conferences - IA Cattle Convention - USMEF Recap - Lvst Disaster '23-'24 - Fertilizer Tariff action - and more!

Corn Production Down Less Than 1 Percent from September Forecast
Soybean Production Down 1 Percent
 
Corn production for grain is forecast at 16.8 billion bushels, down less than 1 percent from the previous forecast but up 12 percent from 2024. If realized, this would be the highest grain production on record for the United States. Based on conditions as of November 1, yields are expected to average a record high 186.0 bushels per acre, down 0.7 bushel from the previous forecast but up 6.7 bushels from last year. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 90.0 million acres, unchanged from the previous forecast but up 8 percent from the previous year. 

Nebraska: 10.3 mil acres harvested - 191 bu/acre - 1.967 bil bu total production
Iowa: 13 million acres harvested - 216 bu/acre - 2.8 bil bu total production 

Soybean production for beans is forecast at 4.25 billion bushels, down 1 percent from the previous forecast and down 3 percent from 2024. Based on conditions as of November 1, yields are expected to average a record high 53.0 bushels per acre, down 0.5 bushel from the previous forecast but up 2.3 bushels from 2024. Area harvested for beans in the United States is forecast at 80.3 million acres, unchanged from the previous forecast but down 7 percent from 2024. 

Nebraska: 4.8 mil acres harvested - 64 bu/acre - 307 mil bu total production 
Iowa: 9.38 mil acres harvested - 65 bu/acre - 609.7 mil bu total production 



Cover Crop Grazing Conference set for Nov. 21 in Clay Center

Nebraska beef producers and corn growers can gain practical insights to strengthen their operations at the 2025 Cover Crop Grazing Conference, scheduled for Friday, Nov. 21, at the Clay County Fairgrounds in Clay Center.

The conference runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 701 N. Martin and is designed for both first-time and experienced farmers interested in improving their cover crop grazing management and exploring alternative forage systems. Nebraska Extension will bring together University of Nebraska–Lincoln experts, industry professionals and producers for a full day of research-based information, hands-on tools and peer-to-peer learning.

The event begins with registration, refreshments and a trade show at 8:30 a.m., followed by welcome remarks from Nebraska Extension educator Connor Biehler.

Mary Drewnoski, beef systems specialist with Nebraska Extension, will lead the opening session at 9:10 a.m. on managing nitrates and prussic acid in forages. Drewnoski will discuss how to identify risks and use proven grazing and cattle management strategies to protect herd health while maximizing forage use.

At 10 a.m., UNL assistant professor Yijie Xiong will present “Virtual Fencing: Bringing Grazing into the Digital Age.” Xiong will explain how virtual fencing systems work, how to train cattle to the technology, and how producers can use digital tools to improve grazing flexibility and pasture efficiency.

A producer panel from 10:45 a.m. to noon will feature farmers and ranchers who have integrated cattle into cover crop systems. Panelists will share successes, challenges and lessons learned, offering candid, practical advice that producers can take home and apply.

Lunch, a trade show and a student poster session will take place from noon to 1 p.m., showcasing applied research from University of Nebraska–Lincoln students working on grazing, annual forages and integrated systems. Featured projects include evaluating virtual fence accuracy, performance gains from sunnhemp, biomass estimation tools and nutritional value of stockpiled forage seeds.

The conference will conclude with a 1:30 p.m. tour of the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center led by Lance Schutte, range and forage production manager. Participants will see winter grazing practices in action and learn how USMARC integrates cover crops and annual forages to support one of the nation’s largest integrated beef research herds.

“Nebraska Extension is uniquely positioned to bring producers the latest unbiased, research-based information,” organizers said. “This conference provides practical strategies producers can use immediately to improve forage utilization, manage risk and strengthen the resilience of their operations.”

Registration is $40, payable by cash or check at the conference. The fee includes lunch and refreshments. Checks should be made payable to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

More information is available at https://enreec.unl.edu/CoverCropGrazingConference/ 



PUBLIC INVITED TO FOOD PROCESSING CENTER OPEN HOUSE ON NOV. 20

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Food Processing Center, 1901 N. 21st St., will host an open house from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 20. The event is free and open to the public.

Visitors can enjoy guided tours of the laboratories, offered every 15 minutes, where they can explore how the center’s faculty, staff and students support research, product development and business growth across the food industry. Tour guides will share how the center partners with companies and entrepreneurs across Nebraska on projects ranging from shelf-life and microbial studies to product development, labeling compliance and sensory analysis.

Guests can meet the people behind Nebraska’s food innovation engine; enjoy coffee, tea, hot chocolate and baked treats; and learn about the center’s equipment rental, consulting and testing services.



Nebraska Corn Board to Meet

The Nebraska Corn Board will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at The Cornhusker Marriott (333 South 13th Street) in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The meeting is open to the public, providing the opportunity for public comment. The board will conduct regular board business.

A copy of the agenda is available by writing to the Nebraska Corn Board, 245 Fallbrook Blvd. Suite 204, Lincoln, NE 68521, sending an email to NCB.info@nebraska.gov or by calling 402-471-2676.

The Nebraska Corn Board is funded through a producer checkoff investment of a one-cent-per-bushel checkoff on all corn marketed in the state and is managed by nine farmer directors. The mission of the Nebraska Corn Board to increase the value and sustainability of Nebraska corn through promotion, market development and research.




Organic Grain Production Topic of Dec. 2 Conference

An upcoming organic farming conference will assist growers thinking about transitioning to organic farming and those that are newly certified organic farmers. This one-day conference will focus on the certification process, crop management, and marketing for organic grain farms. Panel discussions with organic producers are included in the program.

The event will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at the University of Nebraska Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center near Mead, Nebraska from 9 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. 

University of Nebraska Statewide Soil Health Extension Educator, Katja Koehler-Cole says, “Interest in organic farming is growing. Successful implementation involves careful planning, thorough recordkeeping, and certification. Through this event, we aim to provide helpful information on the process of attaining organic farm certification. We hope that this gathering will foster connections and community among both novice and veteran farmers, alongside agricultural professionals and researchers.” 

Registration, coffee, and vendor exhibits are open from 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. followed by the welcome with Katja Koehler-Cole. The first speaker is Karlin Warner with OneCert speaking on organic certification. Other topics include no-till organic corn production using a living mulch system with Ben Miller, Clear Frontier and a farmer panel featuring Nebraska farmers who will be sharing experiences from the transitional to the long-term organic farmer

Group discussions will allow participants to select what interests them most.  The topics will be repeated allowing participants to choose two from: Co-ops in the organic sectors; No-till agronomic management; Help NRCS and FSA help you!; and Marketing organic grains. 

The event will also include time for networking, vendor exhibits, and coffee at the end of the day.

There is no fee to attend, but please preregister by Nov. 25 for meal planning purposes (including lunch with locally sourced ingredients) and to ensure resource materials are available. Seating is limited.  Registration and more information available at: https://enreec.unl.edu/2025-transition-to-organic-farming-conference/.

Please direct questions to Katja Koehler-Cole at kkoehlercole2@unl.edu or (402)624-8042

For those interested in participating as an exhibitor at the conference, a link is available on the web page for reserving a table by Nov. 25.

Sponsored by Nebraska Extension and the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service - National Organic Program - Transition to Organic Partnership Program. 



2025 IOWA CATTLE INDUSTRY CONVENTION TO BE HELD DECEMBER 16 IN ALTOONA

The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA), the leading grassroots organization supporting Iowa’s beef cattle industry, invites cattle producers and industry supporters to attend the 2025 Iowa Cattle Industry Convention being held December 16 at the Meadows Event Center in Altoona, Iowa.

The Iowa Cattle Industry Convention is where innovators meet and businesses grow! The event offers an excellent opportunity for both those just starting out and those with years of experience to come together, network, and learn.

Following a successful event last year, ICA is excited to continue that momentum and has added significantly to the educational value of this year’s event. Beyond the keynote, participants will have more than nine sessions to choose from, allowing them to customize their learning experience to best fit their needs.

This year, ICA looks forward to welcoming Kevin Good with CattleFax to provide the keynote, Industry Situation Update and Outlook, where he’ll bring his more than 30 years of experience with CattleFax to share insights on the ever-changing global marketplace of the beef cattle industry.

Additionally, we have added Classrooms to Cattle, an opportunity for the next generation of our industry to get involved in the Iowa Cattle Industry Convention. Juniors, seniors, and college students interested in the cattle industry can attend a special educational track designed to help those getting their start in the industry. Students can attend complementary, thanks to support from the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation and Farm Credit Services. Space is limited.

Connection is key, and ICA has worked in a variety of networking opportunities. Guests will not want to miss out on our beef pairing experience, industry social, and entertainment. We are nearing a sold-out tradeshow and will have more than 30 industry partners on-site to share their products and services. For entertainment, we are bringing back the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation Auction. There will be many great items to choose from, with all proceeds supporting youth and other programs offered by the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation. Plan to stick around afterwards for live entertainment from Neil Hewitt.

ICA will host their Annual Meeting during the Iowa Cattle Industry Convention. Most of the policy development work was completed during the ICA Policy Summit this past September, which created time for additional educational opportunities at this year’s Convention. However, during the annual meeting, we will be voting and ratifying the policy recommendations from the Policy Summit.

“I want to encourage all members and those considering membership with the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association to attend this year’s Iowa Cattle Industry Convention to get a firsthand look at the value of our association,” said Bryan Whaley, ICA CEO. “We know this is a busy time of year, but your investment of time at the Convention will be well spent. Not only does this event provide educational sessions that offer something for everyone, but the industry connections are key. We are excited about the enhanced learning opportunities at this year’s event and building on the success of last year.” Registration and additional event details can be found at https://www.iacattlemen.org/events-meetings/iowa-cattle-industry-convention. ICA would like to thank our gracious sponsors (listed on the event webpage) for helping make this event successful.



USMEF Elects New Officers, Examines Reciprocal Trade Opportunities and USMCA Review

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) concluded its Strategic Planning Conference Friday with election of its new officers. Chairing USMEF for the 2025-26 term is Jay Theiler, executive vice president of corporate affairs for Agri Beef Company, based in Boise, Idaho.

Theiler recalled his early days with Agri Beef, when the company came to realize that it could not maximize the value of each head of livestock processed by selling product only in the Pacific Northwest, or even in the entire United States.

“To get maximum value, we had to go to the international markets and include them in our sales,” Theiler said. “I did a lot of overseas trips in the early 2000s and many subsequent trips that laid the foundation for our success. When we traveled to Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan and Southeast Asia, we would meet with USMEF staff, who would paint a landscape of the distributors in the market and help us set up appointments and meetings. USMEF was really an integral part of our company story and our brand story. And I tell you this today because it may serve as an inspiration for others on how to grow your business and how USMEF can help.”

Looking forward, Theiler said differentiating the quality of U.S. red meat is essential to continued expansion of the global customer base.

“The world doesn’t just buy U.S. meat because it’s available – they buy it because it’s exceptional,” he said. “Our U.S. red meat brand means something – it is the gold standard for quality, taste, safety, sustainability and reliability. Our beef, pork and lamb is sought out as incomes around the world grow. But we can’t take this for granted and we must continue to invest in international marketing, especially as our global competitors increase their quality and aim to compete with us.”

While emphasizing the need to diversify export destinations, Theiler also noted the importance of defending hard-earned market share with established trading partners.

“We cannot take our long-standing partners for granted,” Theiler said. “Markets like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Mexico are vital and have been reliable trading partners for decades. We must continue to protect and strengthen those relationships, and we must keep earning their confidence and trust.”

Theiler succeeds Steve Hanson, a rancher and cattle feeder from southwestern Nebraska, as USMEF chair. The USMEF chair-elect for the coming year is Dave Bruntz, who raises corn and soybeans and feeds cattle in southeastern Nebraska. Bruntz is a past president of the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Cattlemen. The USMEF vice chair is Darin Parker, director of Salt Lake City-based exporter/distributor PMI Foods. The newest USMEF officer is Secretary-Treasurer Ross Havens, a cattle producer who serves as marketing coordinator for Nichols Farms in Bridgewater, Iowa.

Friday’s closing business session at the USMEF conference also included a staff panel discussion of opportunities that could emerge as a result of reciprocal trade agreements and frameworks announced by the Trump administration. The session focused mainly on two critical regions ‒ Europe and Southeast Asia (ASEAN). USMEF Vice President of Economic Analysis Erin Borror moderated the panel, which included Jihae Yang, vice president of Asia Pacific, Director of Export and Technical Services Courtney Heller and Jim Remcheck, director of export services.

Borror kicked off the discussion by sharing USMEF estimates of substantial additional export opportunities in the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom (UK) and several ASEAN countries if trade barriers ‒ tariff and non-tariff ‒ are addressed. From there, Borror and the panelists walked the audience through an array of trade barriers that continue to prevent the red meat industry from reaching its trade potential in specific markets within those regions.

“In the EU, we're still working on all of the trade issues that fall outside of the hormone ban that really shut things down back in 1989,” said Heller. “As we began working with the Trump administration, we detailed all the extra requirements that need removed to ease the process inside the packing plant, through labeling and putting product in containers to ship to the EU. And this is product that is raised specifically for the EU or the UK. It's highly specialized and costs at least $100 extra per head, or if we're talking about pork, about $60 more. So it's very difficult to send it anywhere else and get the same return on that investment.”

In the ASEAN region, U.S. beef faces tariff disadvantages because Australia and New Zealand, along with some other suppliers, have free trade agreements throughout the region. The U.S. also faces a host of non-tariff barriers.

“We have to chip away and tackle some of these technical market access barriers to trade that are really hindering our opportunities,” said Remcheck. “The single greatest barrier we face is the facility-by-facility approval and registration process. That's sort of an overarching, cross-cutting issue that we see throughout the region, and the primary thing keeping us from reaching our market potential.”

Yang agreed that protectionism is a serious problem in the ASEAN, and shared an example of how import permit processes can be abused to help protect local producers. Yang also highlighted two other aspects that hinder market development efforts in the region ‒ cold chain infrastructure and limited financial capacities of importers.

Yang also detailed U.S. red meat opportunities and several promotional initiatives that are contributing to the industry’s market development progress in the ASEAN region.

“You may remember that we had only two people on staff 25 years ago, and now we have 12 people in the region. That demonstrates how much we are penetrating into the market and developing our own programs to address market needs. Our strategy is supply chain development, not just in the foodservice sector, but also including distributors, retailers and further processors. The demand is there and our staff is there, working to build close working relationships with key trade partners.

Thursday’s general session focused on the upcoming review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the importance of preserving duty-free access for U.S. pork, beef and lamb entering Mexico and Canada.

Kenneth Smith Ramos, a former lead negotiator for the Mexican government who was deeply involved in the negotiation and ratification of USMCA, detailed the mutual benefits USMCA has delivered for the agricultural sectors in both the United States and Mexico. The agreement has enhanced food security in both countries and bolstered the profitability of many agricultural sectors through free trade.

Smith, who is now a partner in the regulatory and trade consulting firm AGON, outlined the possible outcomes of the USMCA review, ranging from a very limited review to the threat of “rupture” if the agreement is reopened and the United States threatens to withdraw. He anticipates something in between, with portions of USMCA – some of which may be contentious – opened up for renegotiation.

“We see a complex USMCA review, but we do not see a scenario where there is an imminent collapse of the agreement,” he explained. “There will be turbulence, but we do not see the plane crashing.”

Smith added that it is critical for the U.S., Mexican and Canadian agricultural sectors to remain vigilant in explaining the benefits of USMCA and the importance of maintaining it as a trilateral pact.

John Masswohl, a veteran of many agricultural trade negotiations during his long career with the Canadian Cattle Association, struck similar themes as he analyzed USMCA from Canada’s perspective. He stressed the efficiencies that duty-free movement of meat and livestock between the U.S. and Canada have fostered and the importance of maintaining this environment.

“You have to ask yourself, if those [Canadian] cattle weren't coming into the U.S., what would the reality be?” Masswohl explained. “Would there really be a need for two major packing plants in the Pacific Northwest? Would there be a need for a packing plant in Utah? In some of these areas, some years, up to 30% of the kill is Canadian cattle. If they don’t have those facilities, are livestock producers prepared to ship their animals many hundreds more miles to be processed?”

Masswohl also questioned whether the U.S. truly has an agricultural trade deficit with Canada, citing per-capita consumption figures. He noted that (based on 2023 data) the average Canadian consumes more than $700 per year in U.S. agricultural goods, while Americans average only $118 in consumption of Canadian ag products.

“That tells me the Canadian market is pretty open, and that Canadians like American agricultural products,” he said. “If you scratch into what we are buying, we’re purchasing a lot of high-value U.S. items.”

Thursday’s program also included the presentation of USMEF’s Michael J. Mansfield Award to Ted McKinney, former USDA under secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs. Dr. Dermot Hayes, who recently retired as an Iowa State University professor and continues to serve as a consulting economist for the pork industry, received the USMEF Distinguished Service Award. 


The next meeting of USMEF members will be at the organization’s Spring Conference in Oklahoma City, May 20-22.



USDA Extends Livestock Disaster Recovery Assistance Application Deadline for 2023 and 2024 Flood and Wildfire Losses 

The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced that the deadline for livestock producers to apply for assistance through the Emergency Livestock Relief Program for 2023 and 2024 Flood and Wildfire (ELRP 2023 and 2024 FW) is being extended to Nov. 21, 2025. The program is expected to provide approximately $1 billion in recovery benefits to producers whose livelihoods were adversely impacted by disrupted feed availability and poor forage conditions following catastrophic floods and wildfires in 2023 and 2024.  

“We recognize, while FSA Service Centers were temporarily closed due to the government shutdown, livestock and dairy producers may not have had an opportunity to submit their applications for flood and wildfire recovery assistance,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. “As directed by Secretary Rollins, FSA county offices are now open and staffed five days a week to provide much needed economic support through essential safety-net and disaster assistance programs like the Emergency Livestock Relief Program. We are fully committed to ensuring farmers and ranchers once again have access to core FSA services and programs.”  

Qualifying Disaster Events  
To streamline program delivery, FSA determined eligible counties with qualifying floods and wildfires in 2023 and 2024. For losses in these counties, livestock producers are not required to submit supporting documentation for floods or wildfire. A list of approved counties is available at fsa.usda.gov/elrp.
 
For losses in other counties, livestock producers may still be eligible for ELRP 2023 and 2024 FW but must provide supporting documentation to demonstrate that a qualifying flood or wildfire occurred in the county where the livestock were physically located or would have been physically located if not for the disaster event.  FSA county committees will determine if the disaster event meets program requirements.   

Acceptable documentation includes: 
    Photographs documenting impact to livestock, land, or property
    Insurance documentation
    Emergency declaration reports
    News articles
    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration storm event database records
    Other FSA disaster program participation records
    Other documentation determined acceptable by the FSA county committee  

Livestock and Producer Eligibility
For ELRP 2023 and 2024 FW, FSA is using covered livestock eligibility similar to the criteria for LFP which includes weaned beef cattle, dairy cattle, beefalo, buffalo, bison, alpacas, deer, elk, emus, equine, goats, llamas, ostriches, reindeer, and sheep.   
 
Wildfire assistance is available on non-federally managed land to participants who did not receive assistance through FSA’s Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) and ELRP 2023 and 2024 for drought and wildfire.  
 
Livestock producers can receive assistance for one or both years (2023 and 2024) and for multiple qualifying disaster events, if applicable. However, producers cannot exceed three months of assistance per producer, physical location county, and program year.   

Payment Calculation
Eligible producers can receive up to 60% of one month of calculated feed costs for a qualifying wildfire or three months for a qualifying flood using the same monthly feed cost calculation that is used for LFP.    
 
ELRP 2023 and 2024 for drought and wildfire and ELRP 2023 and 2024 FW have a combined payment limit of $125,000 for each program year. Producers who already received the maximum payment amount from ELRP 2023 and 2024 for drought and wildfire will not be eligible to receive an additional payment under ELRP 2023 and 2024 FW. Eligible producers may submit an FSA-510, Request for an Exception to the $125,000 Payment Limitation for Certain Programs, to be eligible for an increased payment limitation of $250,000, as applicable.    

More Information 
To learn more about FSA programs and schedule an appointment, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. 



ASA Grateful for Executive Order Action to Reduce Fertilizer Costs

The American Soybean Association thanked President Trump for his Executive Order action Friday to amend the scope of reciprocal tariffs, which will remove duties on critical fertilizers used for soybean production. Farm production and input costs continue to strain farm margins and ensuring certain products are not impacted by reciprocal tariffs will reduce the cost of the key fertilizers used by soybean farmers.

Executive Order 14257 amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States by adding diammonia and monoammonia phosphates (DAP and MAP) as well as potassium chloride (potash) to the annex of products not subject to tariff duties.

“Soybean farmers are currently making difficult financial decisions as they plan for next year’s planting after a harvest season full of challenges,” said Caleb Ragland, ASA president and Kentucky soybean farmer. “Today’s action by President Trump will help lower costs for one key component of soybean production. U.S. soybean farmers are grateful that the administration has acted to ensure DAP, MAP, and potash will no longer face import duties.”



Statement on Tariff Rollback on Fertilizers

Farmers for Free Trade Friday released the following statement from Board Chairman Bob Hemesath, a fifth generation Iowa producer with a 2800 acre corn crop, 40,000 head hog operation, on the President's announced rollback on certain fertilizer tariffs. Farmers for Free Trade recently completed a 8,000 mile tour of farm country as part of the Motorcade for Trade. Along the way, the need for a rollback of tariffs on ag inputs, including fertilizers, ag equipment, chemicals and various steel and aluminum products was a common refrain from farmers. Farmers for Free Trade released a report that included the top priorities for farmers from the tour noting the need for reductions on tariffs for ag inputs. 

“We are pleased that President Trump has seen fit to rollback his tariffs on fertilizers. American farmers have been hammered by high input costs which has pushed rural America into a major farm crisis. Farmers also need to see a rollback in tariffs on all farm inputs including farm chemicals, tractor parts, and steel and aluminum used for grain bins, fencing, and farm equipment.”



U.S. Dairy Praises Latin American Trade Frameworks

The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) praised yesterday’s announcement of new trade frameworks with Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador and Guatemala which collectively position U.S. dairy exporters for further gains in the Western Hemisphere. 

“U.S. dairy exports to U.S.-Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement partners have almost doubled over the past five years. The frameworks the administration has negotiated with Guatemala and El Salvador position our exporters to really capitalize on that landscape during the first duty-free year of dairy trade under the CAFTA-DR trade agreement by ensuring that nontariff trade barriers don’t slow our progress,” said Gregg Doud, president and CEO of NMPF. “Non-tariff barriers tend to sprout up like weeds when tariffs disappear, which is why these commitments are so important in this region. The nontariff commitments announced with Argentina and Ecuador also may help resolve multiple long-standing issues in those markets. Dairy farmers look forward to seeing the details on them as well as on the tariff commitments the deals include.”

“The U.S. Dairy Export Council has been keenly focused on maximizing export opportunities into our FTA partner markets so that we make the most of markets where we have a level playing field against other competitors. Central America has been a key part of that strategy of growing our exports of cheese and other dairy products and creating partnerships that have been crucial to the economic wellbeing of our dairy farmers, which is why these frameworks with Guatemala and El Salvador are particularly welcome,” said Krysta Harden, president and CEO of USDEC. “Ecuador has the potential to be a good market, but too often nontariff barriers have impeded access to this and other markets where opportunities exist. The commitments the administration has secured on these topics in Latin America are crucial to avoiding those problems. Dairy exporters and farmers hope that the Argentina and Ecuador deals will deliver predictable access and also include additional market access, especially for dairy ingredients and cheese.”

The U.S.-Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) has delivered important gains for U.S. dairy exporters in Central America. This year marked the point at which all CAFTA-DR dairy tariffs were finally eliminated. Under the frameworks announced today, El Salvador and Guatemala will provide valuable new nontariff commitments to allow U.S. dairy exporters to fully capitalize on those FTA opportunities including expediting product registration requirements for U.S. exports, removing apostille requirements, committing to continue accepting currently-agreed dairy certificate, ensuring that market access for U.S. agricultural exporters will not be restricted due to the mere use of certain cheese terms, and assurances of transparency and fairness regarding geographical indications. 

The framework with Argentina included commitments to not require facility registration for U.S. dairy products, not restrict market access for products that use certain cheese terms, and provide preferential market access for “a wide range of [U.S.] agricultural products”. 

The framework with Ecuador included commitments to reform its import licensing and facility registration systems for food and agricultural products, not restrict market access due to the use of certain cheese terms, and “reduce or eliminate tariffs…[for] certain agricultural products [and] establish tariff-rate quotas on a number of other agricultural goods”. 

U.S. dairy exports last year to Guatemala and El Salvador totaled $127 million and $50 million respectively. U.S. dairy sales to Ecuador and Argentina have to date been much more limited due in key part to the lack of a bilateral trade agreement with either partner; exports amounted to only $6 million and $3 million respectively last year. 




U.S. Wheat Associates Welcomes Trump Administration Efforts to Expand Agricultural Trade with Latin America

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) commends the Trump Administration on the announcement of framework agreements on trade with Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala and Argentina. The deals seek to provide preferential access for some U.S. agricultural products, including wheat, and strengthen cooperation on science-based decision-making and non-tariff trade barriers. 

“We welcome the efforts of the Trump Administration to expand agricultural trade with Latin America,” said Mike Spier, USW president and CEO. “We are particularly heartened by the Trump administration’s assertion that access will be on preferential terms. In particular, we look to our partners in the U.S. government to finalize the details of preferential access for U.S. wheat into Ecuador on a permanent and preferential basis.”

Ecuador represents a growing market with a rapidly rising need for wheat driven by both human consumption and a burgeoning animal feed industry. In the 2024/25 marketing year, Ecuador more than quadrupled imports of U.S. wheat year-over-year to more than 380,000 metric tons (nearly 14 million bushels), including U.S. hard red winter (HRW), soft white (SW) and soft red winter (SRW) wheat. As of September 25, 2025, Ecuador has purchased 357,000 MT (13.1 million bushels) of U.S. wheat. 

El Salvador and Guatemala are also meaningful markets. U.S. wheat is well-positioned to serve these markets due to close proximity, but sales can be limited by aggressive competition from suppliers like Canada and Russia. While these markets are already duty free for all origins, continued cooperation on non-tariff barriers can benefit both U.S. producers and end-use customers who seek high-quality wheat supplies with consistent milling and baking performance.  

“USW remains committed to supporting trade deals structured to provide meaningful and preferential access for U.S. wheat exports,” Spier said. “As we observe the implementation of previous trade deals, market access gains for U.S. agricultural exports have, in certain instances, been followed shortly thereafter with similar access being granted to our competitors - diminishing the full returns realized by U.S. farmers.” 

Argentina is a competing wheat supplier in the global marketplace, accounting for seven percent of world wheat exports in the last marketing year. Still, Argentina is an important partner for defending open markets and international standards at fora like the World Trade Organization, especially on issues related to sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) regulations. 

“While Argentina is our competitor for selling wheat, they are a partner in communicating the importance of upholding farmer access to technological innovations and opposing regulatory barriers lacking sufficient scientific justification,” Spier said. “USW applauds the focus on non-tariff barriers across all four of these markets, including an emphasis on science-based decision-making. We look forward to continued conversations and collaboration with our customers and the U.S. government to lock in sustained market opportunities for U.S. wheat farmers.”  



Record Crowd Attends 98th National FFA Convention & Expo, Celebrating Agricultural Education and Leadership

A record-setting 73,000-plus attendees came to Indianapolis this year from across the country to attend the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo. The event brought together tens of thousands of members, alumni and supporters of the National FFA Organization, a school-based national youth leadership development organization with more than 1,042,245 student members in 9,407 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

FFA transforms the lives of middle and high school students through a combination of hands-on agricultural education, work-based learning, and leadership and life skills development. The annual convention offers attendees the opportunity to explore careers, celebrate their achievements, participate in service projects, and more. 

“Each year, the National FFA Convention & Expo reminds us of the incredible power of young leaders united by purpose, and this year was truly one for the record books,” said Christine White, National FFA Chief Program Officer. “Welcoming more than 73,000 attendees to Indianapolis, we not only celebrated agricultural education but also witnessed members actively living our mission through service, learning and leadership. The energy, commitment and spirit we saw this week will ripple far beyond Indianapolis and last month’s event.”

More than 3,000 FFA members participated in 28 off-site service projects around central Indiana, serving at local nonprofits to give back to the host city of Indianapolis. Many more also participated in an on-site service project in the Expo Hall, braiding more than 70,000 feet of paracord to make 1,541 dog leashes for IndyHumane. 

Also at the Expo Hall, members had the opportunity to meet more than 300 exhibitors representing a wide range of industries, learning about more than 350 careers in agriculture. FFA members also participated in off-site Career Success Tours, where they met community members and learned about their businesses. More than 13,000 students and teachers participated in 141 workshops, comprising 39 teacher workshops and 102 student workshops. 

Two major announcements were made during this year’s event. During the kickoff event, National FFA announced that the National FFA Convention & Expo will continue to be held in Indianapolis through at least 2040, making the conference the furthest-out booked convention in the city. Each year, the National FFA Convention & Expo brings an estimated $40 million in economic impact to Indianapolis. Then, during the final session of the convention, the 2025-26 National FFA Officers were announced. This team of six will lead the organization for the next year:

    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.


Additionally, 5,161 American FFA Degrees and 245 Honorary American FFA Degrees were awarded on stage in Lucas Oil Stadium.

The 99th National Convention & Expo will take place in Indianapolis from Oct. 21-24, 2026. Visit convention.ffa.org for more information.