Thursday November 06 Ag News - Nebraska Ag Expo Preview '25 - Upcoming BQA and BQAT Sessions - Record Ethanol Production - Fertilizer Prices Rise - and more!

 Nebraska Ag Expo Returns to Lincoln, Bringing Farmers and Ranchers the Future of Agriculture

Get ready for one of the largest agricultural events in the U.S., as the Nebraska Ag Expo returns to the Sandhills Global Event Center in Lincoln, NE, from December 9-11, 2025. This must-attend event brings together 1,700 ag industry experts from 26 states and 6 Canadian provinces, along with thousands of farmers and ranchers from Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, South Dakota, and beyond, all under one roof.

As the second largest indoor farm show in the country, the Nebraska Ag Expo offers a unique, three-day opportunity to explore the latest advancements in agriculture—from big iron machinery to precision ag, soil health solutions, irrigation innovations, and cutting-edge livestock production technologies. Attendees can discover the latest tools and technologies designed to optimize farming operations, improve yields, and drive sustainability

Expo Highlights:
· Innovation Hub: Back by popular demand, the Innovation Hub will spotlight 70 trailblazing companies in the LivestockMarket Pavilion, offering a glimpse into the future of ag tech and solutions that are changing the game in agriculture.
· ExpoEDU Speaker Series: Attendees can sharpen their knowledge with ExpoEDU, a curated series of educational sessions offering expert insights on key agricultural topics, also held in the LivestockMarket Pavilion.
· 125 NEW exhibitors addressing the needs of farmers

“This year’s Expo promises to be bigger and better than ever, empowering farmers and ranchers to take their operations to the next level,” said Expo Director Tom Junge. “From state-of-the-art machinery to emerging tech and industry trends, the Nebraska Ag Expo is the place to be for anyone looking to stay ahead in agriculture.”

The Sandhills Global Event Center, located at 4100 N 85th Street in Lincoln, NE, will once again play host to this ag powerhouse event. Parking is free, and show hours are 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, and 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on Thursday. General admission is $10 at the door, but attendees can save $5 by purchasing tickets online in advance. Students (with a valid high school or college ID) and children under 14 attend free of charge.



Nebraska Ag Expo Hosts Innovation Hub in 2025

The Nebraska Ag Expo, a trailblazer in advancing agricultural innovation and host of Innovation Hub – a dynamic center for groundbreaking technologies and forward-thinking ag solutions – has invited 6 companies to compete for cash prizes during the Startup Showcase at Innovation After Hours.

Innovation After Hours is an exclusive evening event showcasing talented innovation and technology entrepreneurs for venture capitalists. Attendees will connect with start-ups, investors, and executives from innovative ag companies, as well as partners from across the country and beyond.

Company (Headquarters) – Description (website)
· Agriwater (Tennessee) – Agriwater transforms livestock, dairy, hog, and feedlot manure into profit with a patent-pending mobile water treatment system. (agriwater.tech)

· DARO (Nebraska) – DARO provides whole-herd, non-invasive molecular pathogen and genomic strain surveillance, enabling early disease detection and outbreak prevention in livestock. (usedaro.com)

· Landoption (Nebraska) – Landoption makes land recruitment more efficient for conservation, renewable energy, and agricultural programs by leveraging trusted networks, reducing costs and time, and ultimately enabling more competitive offers to landowners. (landoption.com)

· Oaken (Indiana) – Oaken is a cloud-based software platform that streamlines farmland lease management and landowner relationships for agribusinesses. (oaken.ag)

· Picketa Systems (Canada) – Picketa Systems offers real-time plant analysis for precision nutrient management. (picketa.com)

· Senseen (California) – Senseen builds real-time, in-field diagnostic tools to help farmers make better decisions. (senseen.us)

Innovation After Hours is presented by Farm Credit Services of America, Iowa Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association, Grit Road Partners, Invest Nebraska, The Combine, and Nebraska Innovation Campus.

The Nebraska Ag Expo is December 9-11, 2025, at the Sandhills Global Event Center in Lincoln, NE. Hours are 9:00am-4:00pm Tuesday and Wednesday and 9:00am-3:00pm Thursday. Regular admission is $10 at the door, and visitors can purchase tickets in advance online to save $5 per ticket. Children under 14 years old, as well as students with a valid student ID (high school or college) are free. 



2026 NE Sorghum Symposium & Annual Banquet

Mark your calendars for the 2026 Nebraska Sorghum Symposium, happening Thursday, March 12, 2026, at the Raising Nebraska Building in Grand Island.

The annual event brings together producers, industry leaders and policymakers to discuss the latest developments in sorghum and the opportunities shaping Nebraska agriculture. Topics will include new food uses for sorghum, livestock feed applications and market development.

“The Nebraska Sorghum Symposium continues to be an important opportunity for growers and industry partners to come together, share ideas and look ahead at what’s next for our crop,” said Nebraska Sorghum Executive Director Kristine Dvoracek Jameson. “We’re excited to build on the momentum of recent years and highlight the innovation happening across the sorghum industry.”

Additional details, including registration information and the full agenda, will be announced at a later date. For updates, visit NebraskaSorghum.org or follow Nebraska Sorghum on social media.

Save the date and plan to join us on March 12 for the 2026 Nebraska Sorghum Symposium.

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Kristine Dvoracek Jameson at Sorghum.board@nebraska.gov. 



Two Beef Quality Assurance and BQA Transportation certification sessions set in southwest Iowa

Are you up to date on your Beef Quality Assurance or BQA Transportation certification? Take advantage of one of these opportunities in southwest Iowa to complete your certification now – before you need it later. Iowa State University extension beef specialist Erika Lundy-Woolfolk, said these two locations follow similar schedules.

“BQA begins at 6 p.m., followed by BQAT at 7:30 p.m.,” she said. “There is no charge to attend, although you are asked to RSVP in advance.”

The first location is Nov. 11 at the Oakland Community Center, 614 Dr Van Zee Rd.  Light refreshments will be available. Please contact the East Pottawattamie County Extension Office at 712-482-6449 to RSVP.

The second location is Dec. 9 in Clarinda at Wibholm Hall, 200 S 6th St. Page County Cattlemen will provide a light meal between the sessions at approximately 7 p.m. Please contact the Page County Extension Office at 712-542-5171 to RSVP.

At both locations, participants are welcome to attend either the regular BQA or BQAT session or both sessions, depending on their needs. Please indicate which you will attend when you RSVP.

“In-person trainings like these allow opportunity for producers to interact with each other while becoming current on the best management practices to provide our consumers with a safe, nutritious, high-quality product on the grocery store shelf,” Lundy-Woolfolk said. “For those unable to attend a training in person, BQA and BQAT certifications are available online at www.bqa.org.”

BQA is a nationally coordinated, state-implemented program that raises consumer confidence by offering proper management techniques and a commitment to quality within every segment of the beef industry. The Iowa BQA Program is funded by the Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Beef Checkoff. To learn more about the Iowa BQA Program and other upcoming certification trainings across Iowa, please visit the Iowa Beef Industry Council BQA webpage https://www.iabeef.org/resources/producer-resources/iowa-beef-quality-assurance-program.



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. 



Weekly Ethanol Production for 10/31/2025

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending October 31, ethanol production ramped up 2.9% to a record high of 1.12 million b/d, equivalent to 47.17 million gallons daily. Output was 1.6% higher than the same week last year and 5.3% above the three-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate increased 1.2% to 1.10 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.91 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks grew 1.3% to 22.7 million barrels. Stocks were 2.9% more than the same week last year and 4.2% above the three-year average. Inventories built across all regions except the Rocky Mountains (PADD 4) and West Coast (PADD 5).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, slipped 0.6% to 8.87 million b/d (136.41 bg annualized). Demand was 0.5% more than a year ago but 2.6% below the three-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol followed, down 0.8% to 904,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.90 bg annualized. Net inputs were 1.5% less than year-ago levels but 0.7% above the three-year average.

Ethanol exports scaled back 38.9% to an estimated 107,000 b/d (4.5 million gallons/day). It has been more than a year since EIA indicated ethanol was imported.



Five Retail Fertilizer Prices Higher Compared to Last Month, Led by Anhydrous

Five of eight average fertilizer prices show increases with anhydrous continuing to lead the way upward in the first week of November, according to sellers surveyed by DTN, although there were no significant price increases.

Anhydrous was 4% higher compared to last month at $843 per ton. DTN considers a price increase of 5% or higher as significant. Anhydrous was priced about $30/ton higher compared to one month ago. Prices for four other fertilizers were up slightly from last month. DAP had an average price of $927 per ton, or about 2% higher. MAP was $931/ton, or about $10/ton more expensive compared to last month. The average price of potash was about 1% higher at $487/ton, while UAN32 came in just $1 higher at $466/ton.

Two fertilizers reported average price drops including UAN28 at $412/ton, down $7, and urea fell $11 to $598/ton. One fertilizer, 10-34-0 showed no change at $666/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.65/lb.N, anhydrous $0.51/lb.N, UAN28 $0.74/lb.N and UAN32 $0.73/lb.N.

Prices for all eight fertilizers are now higher compared to one year ago. Potash is now 9% higher, 10-34-0 is 10% more expensive, MAP is 15% higher, anhydrous and urea are both 20% more expensive, DAP is 26% higher, UAN32 is 28% more expensive and UAN28 is 30% higher.



Annual Meeting to Reflect Commitment to Policy, Market Improvements

Members of the National Milk Producers Federation are ready to convene next week to review the past year and strategize dairy’s future in Arlington, TX for the organization’s 2025 Joint Annual Meeting held with the United Dairy Board and United Dairy Industry Association.

This year’s theme for the Nov. 10-12 gathering, “Driving Results for Dairy,” reflects policy and promotion group commitment to deliver tangible results for dairy farmers and their cooperatives across the dairy value chain.

Featured speakers include nutrition policy expert Nina Teicholz, author of “The Big Fat Surprise,” and dairy economist Dr. Oral Capps from Texas A&M University. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has also been invited to speak at the meeting.

Other general sessions will focus on immigration policy and what it will take for the dairy sector to achieve meaningful progress to improve the farm labor situation. Another general session will address the trade policy environment, at a time when shifting trade policies are affecting customer relationships around the world. That session will also provide an update on the start of NMPF’s new NEXT export assistance program. Speakers will explore fresh strategies, technologies, and partnerships that can open new revenue streams on the farm in a final general session.

Attendees may attend up to three of six different breakout session topics, including those examining the checkoff’s work with NMPF to ensure consumer sales and trust and how the groups leverage science strategically to secure positive positioning for dairy with key opinion leaders. NMPF-led breakout sessions will share the latest on dairy’s economic outlook for the coming year, along with a session on how farmers can best deal with immigration enforcement issues. More information can be found at the meeting website.  

NMPF Young Cooperators are also part of the event, with a two-day track of YC events and educational sessions. NMPF’s Board of Directors also will elect a new chairman, as current Chair Randy Mooney will be stepping down from that position after 17 years.

This year’s annual meeting Dairy Bar is in a grand ballroom that allows attendees an opportunity to network, meet with our 2025 exhibitors, and enjoy the milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream donated by our Dairy Bar sponsors. The schedule also includes longer breaks to offer attendees more time to connect with each other at the Dairy Bar between sessions.



New Study Finds California’s Indirect Land Use Change Score for Ethanol Is Obsolete

As the California Air Resources Board (CARB) prepares to hold a Biofuels and Land Use Change Public Forum tomorrow, a comprehensive new report from Life Cycle Associates, Advances in Estimation of Land Use Change Emissions Associated with Ethanol, shows that CARB’s decade-old estimate of hypothetical indirect land use change (ILUC) associated with ethanol is obsolete and should be revised.

California last conducted an analysis of ILUC in 2014 and 2015, when economic models were less refined for the purpose of estimating land use change and limited historical data were available for the period when the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) had been in effect.

According to Life Cycle Associates, “The cumulative effect of methodological improvements has been a steady reduction in estimated GHG emissions from corn ethanol land use change, producing results that are more consistent with observed global market behavior.” After extensively reviewing the evolution of models and emissions factor estimates, they conclude, “These improvements have allowed for a more nuanced and accurate assessment of how modeled biofuel shocks in response to different policies affect land use and associated GHG emissions. A key outcome of these analysis efforts is a reduction in predicted GHG emissions from LUC associated with corn ethanol.”

They also state, “Analysts recommend using the [Global Trade Analysis Project, or GTAP] 2017 model for its latest data and refinements.”

This is more than an academic exercise, noted the Renewable Fuels Association. CARB applies its decade-old ILUC penalties to every gallon of corn- and sorghum-based ethanol sold into California, with no evidence that such land use changes have actually occurred. Importantly, U.S. cropland area has declined since the RFS was expanded in 2007, according to both the USDA Census of Agriculture and the EPA. And, as detailed in RFA comments to CARB earlier this year, the corn area needed to meet California ethanol demand has decreased by more than 700,000 acres—or 20 percent—since the LCFS program began in 2011. Considering this, ILUC scoring artificially affects demand and reduces the market value of ethanol, based purely on flawed, obsolete, and speculative modeling results.

“RFA calls on the California Air Resources Board to fundamentally rethink its outdated, hypothetical ILUC penalties assigned to ethanol, for the reasons substantiated in this study. Real-world experience and empirical data show that the amount of cropland needed to satisfy California ethanol demand continues to trend downward, as crop yields increase and ethanol producers get more renewable fuel from each bushel,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “It is imperative that tomorrow’s CARB forum be the start of a process to comprehensively re-evaluate the agency’s flawed approach to ILUC. Moreover, given the concerning prevalence of forum speakers who have consistently taken anti-biofuel stances, CARB must commit to using the best available science in setting new values.”