Monday December 22 Ag News - LENRD Water Use Amounts Madison/Wayne Counties - Women in Ag in Feb - UP/Norfolk Southern merger - Cost of Labeling Requirements - and more!

Lower Elkhorn NRD Directors Set 2026 Water Use Amounts for Quantity Management Subarea

At the December 18th Board Meeting, Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District Directors set the 2026 Water Use Amounts for Irrigation Wells in the Quantity Management Subareas. The 2026 water use allocation amounts for these areas will remain unchanged from their creation in 2013:

Eastern Madison County Quantity Management Subarea
    Gravity/Flood Irrigation – 18 Acre Inches/Acre
    Subsurface Drip Irrigation – 13 Acre Inches/Acre
    All other systems (center pivots) – 14 Acre Inches/Acre

Wayne County Quantity Management Subarea
    Gravity/Flood Irrigation – 17 Acre Inches/Acre
    Subsurface Drip Irrigation – 12 Acre Inches/Acre
    All other systems (center pivots) – 13 Acre Inches/Acre 

Directors also heard and accepted the Fiscal Year 2025 Audit Report from Donita Pokorny with Dana F. Cole. They also accepted the low bid of $6,161.42 for two new 80-gallon water heaters in the shower house at Maple Creek Recreation Area. Hamernik Plumbing and Well Drilling out of Leigh will be hired for the project.

To learn more about the 12 responsibilities of Nebraska’s NRDs and how your local District can work with you and your community to protect your natural resources, visit www.lenrd.org and sign up for our monthly emails. The next board of directors meeting will be Thursday, January 22, 2026, at the LENRD office in Norfolk at 7:30 p.m. and on Facebook Live. 



CAP Webinar: 2026 Nebraska Crop Production Cost Estimates and Planning Tools
Jan 8, 2026 12:00 PM 
Glennis McClure, NE Extension Farm and Ranch Management Analyst
 
During this CAP webinar, an overview of the 2026 Nebraska Crop Budgets and current cost of production estimates will be provided. We’ll look at the key input cost figures used in the 2026 budgets, along with changes or trends over the last several years. With the 2026 Nebraska Crop Budgets available to download into the Agricultural Budget Calculator (ABC) program user accounts, the enterprise budgets can be modified for individual farms and fields. We’ll take a brief look at the analysis features built into the ABC program to assist in decision-making.
 
Find Nebraska Crop Budgets at cap.unl.edu/cropbudgets.

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 the webinar. 



CFRA to host Grazing Webinar

The Center for Rural Affairs will be hosting a number of events and webinars covering a variety of topics, including tax preparation, construction, conservation, and more.  Some are focused in agriculture, and others are intended for audiences in small towns and rural areas in general.

One specific webinar will highlight conservation on working agriculture lands.  

Nebraska Conservation Mentorship Network: Grazing Webinar
Monday, Jan. 26
1p.m. to 2 p.m 
Hear from farmers and ranchers who have firsthand experience in rotational grazing and have prioritized grassland habitat and conservation on their operations. This online panel discussion features Nebraska farmers Ron Bolz of Chadron, Homer Buell of Bassett, Dan Stelling of Pierce, and Chris Trumler of Rockville. Learn about the ins and outs of their grazing practices, and join in a Q & A session. For more information, contact Andrew Tonnies at andrewt@cfra.org or 402.590.7096.

Registration at cfra.org/events is required in advance.



Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference Registration Opens January 6

The 41st Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference will be held Feb. 25–27, 2026, at the Younes Conference Center South, 416 Talmadge St., in Kearney.

The event will kick off with a preconference session, “Leveraging Livestock Insurance for Stability and Success.” The in-depth session will begin at 1 p.m. on Wednesday and will help livestock producers gain a deeper understanding of Livestock Risk Protection, Livestock Gross Margin and Weaned Calf Revenue Protection.

During the main event on Thursday and Friday, attendees will hear from keynote speakers Sarah Morton, Zoe Kent, Halie Groth and Virginia Fay.

In addition to the keynote sessions, participants may choose from more than 20 workshops covering the five areas of agricultural risk management: production, marketing, financial, human and legal. Select workshops will offer continuing education credits for certified crop advisors.

“We are thrilled to present such a diverse and inspiring lineup of speakers at this year’s conference,” said Jessica Groskopf, director of the Nebraska Women in Agriculture program. “The experts, innovators and leaders joining us are truly exceptional, and their insights will provide invaluable knowledge for everyone involved in agriculture. This is an opportunity you won’t want to miss.”

Registration opens Jan. 6, 2026. Two-day registration is $150 for participants who register on or before Feb. 15 and increases to $175 beginning Feb. 16. One-day registration is available for $90. The preconference workshop has an additional $25 registration fee.

Nebraska Women in Agriculture also invites college students to apply for leadership roles as event ambassadors. Applications are due by Feb. 1.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for organizations interested in supporting and being featured at the conference. More information is available on the Nebraska Women in Agriculture website.

About the speakers
Sarah Morton is a third-generation farmer in central Virginia who works alongside her siblings to steward land, support food equity, and strengthen agricultural workforce development. She founded initiatives supporting 4-H, STEM education, and small producers, including Growing 4-H Science and the Lulu Food Hub. Sarah is an American Farmland Trust “Women in the Land” Award recipient and serves as Regional Workforce Executive Director with Virginia Career Works – Piedmont and on the University of Virginia’s President’s Council.

Zoe Kent is an eighth-generation Ohio farmer who manages her family’s corn and soybean operation. After earning her degree from The Ohio State University, she returned home to farm with her father before taking over the operation in 2021. Zoe also shares the realities of modern farming on her online platform, @farmwithzoe, to connect agriculture and the public through transparency and storytelling.

Halie Groth is a Nebraska native and passionate advocate for agriculture and women in the industry. As a Crop Protection Territory Manager for Corteva Agriscience and a former Nebraska State FFA Officer, she partners with growers and retailers using a people-first approach to support sustainable success. Halie is driven by a desire to uplift others and inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Virginia Fay holds degrees in home economics education and education and spent 37 years teaching in Nebraska, including at Palmer and Omaha Northwest High School. She now owns and manages a row-crop and pastureland farming operation near Bradshaw, with land that has been in her family for over 100 years. Virginia remains active in her community through volunteering, gardening as a Master Gardener, and her love of travel and meeting new people.

For additional details and registration information, visit wia.unl.edu.

This work is supported by the North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center, project award No. 2024-70027-42470, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. All attendees are welcome to participate regardless of race, gender or any other protected status.



Fischer Leads Nebraska Delegation in Support of America’s First Transcontinental Railroad

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) Friday led the entire Nebraska congressional delegation in a letter to the Surface Transportation Board, urging approval of the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern in order to create the nation’s first transcontinental railroad.

In the letter, the lawmakers underscore the merger’s widespread support among labor unions and rail customers across key industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, and energy. Due to Nebraska’s central location, the state serves as a vital freight-rail corridor and ranks among the top five in the nation for freight-rail employment. Since 1862, Union Pacific has been headquartered in Omaha and currently employs more than 5,000 individuals across the state, contributing millions of dollars to Nebraska’s economy each year.



Pillen Supports Union Pacific Transcontinental Railroad Merger
 
Governor Jim Pillen released the following statement signaling the state of Nebraska’s support for Union Pacific’s merger with Norfolk Southern. The statement followed an announcement from Union Pacific that the two companies filed an application with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) for approval. According to Union Pacific’s submission to the federal government, it expects over 500 new managerial employees at their Omaha headquarters. 
 
“With continued investment in its Omaha-based headquarters and the people of this great state, we are proud to support Union Pacific’s efforts to create the nation’s first transcontinental railroad. A Nebraska-born and grown business, UP helps our farming and ranching families feed the world and transports the materials that are building the future of our country. Nebraska — a friend to business and perfectly located to serve as a nationwide transportation hub — is proud to be home of UP’s past and future successes.”
 
In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln created Union Pacific after signing the Pacific Railway Act. Union Pacific laid its first track in Omaha three years later in 1865. Since that time, Union Pacific has called Nebraska home. 
 
Once approved, our country’s first transcontinental railroad will transform “10,000 existing lanes from interline service into faster, more efficient single-line service – eliminating time-consuming handoffs between railroads.”



Iowa Forage and Grasslands Council annual conference set for Feb. 4 in West Des Moines

The 2026 Iowa Forage and Grassland Council Annual Conference date, place, and schedule are set! Join us Feb. 4 in West Des Moines for a day of learning, networking, and continuing to strive for improved forage management across Iowa.

Registration opens at 9:30 a.m., with educational sessions kicking off at 10 a.m. and concluding at 3 p.m. First, a session titled “Grazing for the Birds” from the Iowa DNR and Audubon Conservation Ranching will feature benefits of grazing public lands and using grazing as a beneficial conservation tool.

Dr. Shelby Gruss, Iowa State University extension forage specialist and Iowa Forage and Grassland Council board member, will partner with ISU plant pathologist Dr. Alison Robertson to discuss rust and other emerging diseases in forage crops, focusing on both the plant and animal impacts. The third session will follow a similar tag-teamed approach with ISU entomologist Dr. Erin Hodgson discussing common pests and insects to watch in alfalfa, silage, and other forages, and Dr. Gruss addressing the subsequent feed value impacts.

During lunch, attendees will have the opportunity to view and network with various forage research poster presenters and representatives from tradeshow vendor booths. The IFGC will also conduct its annual business meeting, confirm officers for the 2026 year, and hold elections for new board members.

The day will conclude with a presentation by Iowa Farm Bureau livestock economist Dr. Chris Pudenz, who will address trade, New World Screwworm, and recent developments impacting cattle and forage markets in Iowa and across the country.

The conference is open to the public and will be held in the Iowa Farm Bureau auditorium, 5400 University Ave., West Des Moines. Thanks to sponsorship from Iowa Farm Bureau and Premier 1, conference registration fees are $45 for the day, while IFGC members pay $30. Lunch is included in the registration fee. To register or find more details, visit the IFGC events page.

The Iowa Forage and Grassland Council is led by a board of directors composed of agricultural producers, industry stakeholders and educators to advance forage production in the state. IFGC hosts or supports a variety of forage-focused meetings throughout the year, including its annual meeting generally held in February. Regardless of membership, all who have a vested interest in Iowa’s forage production are invited to attend. Learn more about the Iowa Forage and Grassland Council including how to join the organization, on the IFGC website https://iowaforage.org/.



More Labels, More Dollars
Abygail Streff, NE Farm Bureau Economist and Policy Analyst

New labels or rebrand? Some companies may be coming out with new labels, but it is unlikely these are for a marketing rebrand. Texas and Louisiana have implemented new labeling laws within the rise of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement and pressure for more “transparency” from our food. New labels and state-specific labels are not cheap for either food processors or consumers. The Corn Refiners Association commissioned a report to look at the impact of new labeling laws in Louisiana and Texas. It totaled the cost of these policies to the consumers.  

These new laws require warning labels for 44 ingredients such as food dyes, artificial additives, and other chemicals. This law is currently being challenged by a lawsuit from the food industry stating that this violates the 1st Amendment as well as the Commerce Clause. Louisiana’s law is similar to Texas’s ingredients law but differs slightly by requiring a warning on the label.  

The report used Census data for households in each respective state to determine the cost of these new laws to the 12 million households in Texas and the 2.1 million households in Louisiana. Texas’s incremental social costs were staggering, at an estimated $7,200 annually per household. Louisiana saw an increased cost of around $1,300 annually per household. The total incremental social cost for Texas and Louisiana will be around $64 billion and $12 billion, respectively.  

The immediate out-of-pocket expenses for groceries will increase by $2,200 for Texas households and $900 for Louisiana households. This cost will fall on consumers and put increased pressure on already rising grocery costs. Additionally, more than just cost will be affected. Many companies may refuse to change labeling, which will leave consumers with fewer options and substitutes. If other states follow this lead, consumers will ultimately bear the weight of these new labels. Consumers may find themselves priced out of products and left without a cost-effective substitute as well. For producers, demand may go down on products used to create many food items that utilize any of the ingredients that now require a warning.  



NCBA Congratulates USTR, USDA Officials on Confirmation

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association last week congratulated two Trump administration officials on receiving Senate confirmation, Dr. Julie Callahan to serve as Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and Dr. Mindy Brashears to serve as Under Secretary for Food Safety at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

“NCBA congratulates Dr. Julie Callahan on her confirmation as Chief Agricultural Negotiator,” said NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus. “President Trump has made it a priority to sign new trade deals and open new markets to high-quality American beef. We look forward to working with Ambassador Callahan to make good on those promises and strengthen America’s cattle and beef industry through new trade opportunities.” 

“NCBA welcomes Dr. Mindy Brashears’ return to the U.S. Department of Agriculture as Under Secretary for Food Safety,” said NCBA Senior Director of Government Affairs Sigrid Johannes. “Dr. Brashears brings extensive knowledge of the cattle industry and the beef supply chain, as well as experience from President Trump’s first term. We look forward to working with Under Secretary Brashears to help ensure a safe, wholesome food supply while protecting consumer’s trust in the work of America’s cattle producers.”  



Senate Confirms Callahan as Chief Ag Negotiator

The National Corn Growers Association praised the U.S. Senate today for confirming Dr. Julie Callahan as chief agricultural negotiator at the Office of the United States Trade Representative.
 
The position is responsible for overseeing international trade matters pertaining to agricultural products and commodities.
 
“We are extremely pleased to see that Ambassador Callahan will serve in this role, which is critical to the success of farmers,” said Ohio grower and NCGA President Jed Bower. “We endorsed her nomination early on, because we know she has the extensive experience and know-how to help growers take advantage of opportunities and navigate challenges. We look forward to working with the ambassador to position corn and corn products for successful inclusion in trade deals negotiated by the administration.”

NCGA led a letter earlier this year requesting that this position be promptly filled due to its importance for U.S. agriculture. 

The position Callahan holds has proven vital to America’s corn growers in recent years. Earlier this year, Mexico withdrew a measure banning genetically modified corn imports from the U.S. after USTR successfully filed a dispute settlement against the country over the matter. The chief agricultural negotiator was instrumental throughout the dispute, which allowed the United States to prevail.
 
Mexico is the biggest market for American corn growers, and over 90% of American corn is genetically modified.



ASA Welcomes Julie Callahan’s Confirmation

The American Soybean Association applauds the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Dr. Julie Callahan as Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

“Dr. Callahan brings a deep understanding of how critical export markets are to the strength of U.S. agriculture,” said ASA CEO Stephen Censky. “Soybean farmers value her extensive experience at USTR and across the federal government, and they know she will be a strong advocate for agriculture. ASA congratulates Dr. Callahan on her confirmation and looks forward to working closely with her in this role.”



AFBF Congratulates New Chief Agricultural Negotiator

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the confirmation of Dr. Julie Callahan as chief agricultural negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).

“Farm Bureau congratulates Dr. Julie Callahan on her confirmation to be chief agricultural negotiator at USTR. Her experience at USTR, the Foreign Agricultural Service at USDA and at the Food and Drug Administration will serve her well as she works to improve trading relationships with international partners.

“Trade disputes and imbalances have hit farmers hard at a time they were already pummeled by record-high expense costs and low commodity prices. We look forward to working with Dr. Callahan to enforce existing trade agreements while strengthening and building new markets to ensure farmers and ranchers can continue growing food and fiber for families around the world.” 



Callahan Confirmed As USTR Chief Ag Negotiator

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative confirmed Julie Callahan – who has been with the agency since 2016 - as its chief agricultural negotiator.

The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council congratulated Callahan saying:
“The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council is pleased to hear of Julie Callahan’s confirmation. She’s a seasoned professional with years of experience in sensitive trade negotiations and will continue to be a great advocate for U.S. corn, sorghum, barley, ethanol and distiller’s grains in her new role. Callahan is the right choice at the right time, and we commend her for stepping up for U.S. agriculture.”



Dairy Industry Praises Julie Callahan Confirmation as Chief Agricultural Negotiator

The National Milk Producers Federation, U.S. Dairy Export Council and the Consortium for Common Food Names commended the Senate confirmation of Dr. Julie Callahan to serve as Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

“Dr. Callahan will be an incredible Chief Agricultural Negotiator,” Gregg Doud, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation, said. “This is a critical position for U.S. agriculture, and Dr. Callahan is the right person for the job. Her work to open new markets and opportunities for U.S. agricultural producers is second to none. U.S. dairy will be greatly served by her skilled hand and her commitment to delivering meaningful, lasting results.”

“Congratulations to Dr. Julie Callahan on her confirmation as Chief Agricultural Negotiator,” Krysta Harden, president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council, said. “This is an important moment for American agriculture, and her leadership comes at exactly the right time. Dr. Callahan’s deep understanding of global markets and unwavering commitment to America’s farmers and food manufacturers will serve the country well. We look forward to working with her to expand market access, resolve long-standing trade barriers and champion U.S. dairy on the world stage.”

“Dr. Callahan’s confirmation as Chief Agricultural Negotiator marks a truly important moment for American agriculture and for U.S. leadership in global trade,” Jaime Castaneda, executive director of the Consortium for Common Food Names, said. “Few individuals combine the depth of expertise, diplomatic talent, and unshakable commitment to America’s producers that Dr. Callahan brings to this role. She has demonstrated herself as a champion for the rights of American producers to use the common food and beverage terms that global consumers have come to know and love. We look forward to joining her in the fight to preserve and grow global market opportunities for our farmers, ranchers and exporters for generations to come.”



Growth Energy Commends IRS for Finalizing 45Q Safe Harbor

Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, applauded the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) today after the agencies published a notice for taxpayers seeking to claim the 45Q tax credit for carbon sequestration.

American ethanol producers, and Growth Energy’s members in particular, are leaders in the deployment of carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS) technology. Today’s notice provides a safe harbor that allows taxpayers to verify carbon sequestration, making it easier for participating biofuel producers to claim the 45Q tax credit for 2025.

"American ethanol producers have always been on the cutting edge of carbon capture technology,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “This safe harbor affirms the investments our members have made in CCUS today and supports more investment in CCUS in the future. We applaud the IRS and Treasury for working quickly to provide certainty for the 2025 tax year and look forward to working with them to continue supporting innovation and investment in rural communities across the U.S.”

Background 
Earlier this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it would reconsider the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, a part of which companies would use to verify and report their geologic carbon sequestration for the 45Q tax credit. Concerned about the impact of this proposal on those that rely on the program for verification, Growth Energy filed comments with EPA in November urging the agency to “do no harm” until a solution can be put in place by the Department of Treasury. With today’s action, IRS has provided such a solution, giving taxpayers a safe harbor to verify carbon sequestration they can use to claim the credit in 2025.