Friday January 30 Ag News - CFRA Workshop on Veterans & Agrotourism - ISA Innovation 2 Profit Meetings - SHIC H5N1 Risk Call for Proposals - USTR Signs Trade Agreement with El Salvador - and more!

Workshop series for veterans highlights agritourism 

Military veterans interested in agriculture are invited to attend a series of on-farm and virtual workshops focusing on farm stays and outdoor experiences. This course is free for active military service members and military veterans.

Hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs, the 11-session series, “Serving the Land: A Veteran’s Guide to Farm Stays and Outdoor Experiences,” starts in March and runs through August 2026. The workshops will rotate between online classroom sessions and on-farm sessions with an online option.

“During our classroom sessions, participants will learn directly from farmers and agritourism leaders about the business of hosting guests on working farms,” said Kirstin Bailey, senior project manager with the Center. “They will also receive practical tools, examples, and worksheets to help prepare them for launching or expanding guest-based agritourism enterprises.” 

Participants will also visit and tour Nebraska operations.

“Experiencing operations within the state gives veterans and service members the chance to see firsthand how producers design guest activities, manage visitor flow, and build safe and welcoming spaces for recreation,” Bailey said.

Registration is required by March 16. To register, visit cfra.org/AgVets2026.

Participant stipends are available to cover approved expenses such as travel, meals, and child care. Individuals are welcome to attend with family members. For on-farm events, physical accommodations may be made upon request.

For more information, contact Bailey at 402.367.8989 or kirstinb@cfra.org.



Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board to Meet in Grand Island

The Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board scheduled a meeting for Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at the Grand Island Public Library – Digital Media Lab located at 1124 W 2nd Street. The meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m.

In addition to regular business, the Board will receive program updates. The meeting is open to the public, and time will be provided at the beginning of the meeting for public comment to offer input on Board programs. A copy of the agenda is available by emailing the board at: sorghum.board@nebraska.gov or by calling the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board at 402-471-4276.



I2P meetings connect research, ROI and conservation

As winter meetings continue across Iowa, the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) is bringing farmers together to focus on a question that matters every year: how research translates into real-world profitability.

ISA is hosting two Innovation to Profit (I2P) meetings next month, an I2P: Building for Profit in Williamsburg on Feb. 12 at Kinze Manufacturing in Williamsburg and I2P: Innovation on Tap in Templeton on Feb. 19 at the Templeton Center in Templeton.

Through its I2P series, ISA connects on-farm research, agronomic insight and conservation tools with decisions farmers are making now. The goal, says ISA research agronomy lead Alex Schaffer, is to ensure farmers see a return on the soybean checkoff investments they help fund.

“The farmers who are paying and investing in the soybean checkoff have already paid for this research,” Schaffer says. “So, it’s important that we get out and talk about the research we do, not only with the participants, but with the farming public at large.”

This year’s I2P discussions will center on return on investment, highlighting results from 2025 trials and offering a preview of what is ahead in 2026.

“In 2025, we looked at inputs like fungicide, insecticide and sulfur on soybeans,” Schaffer says. “Those will be some of the main projects we talk about regarding return on investment. That’s the importance of the soybean checkoff, doing these trials, understanding the return on different practices and products and maintaining profitability.”

In addition to sharing research results, the RCFI team will host a farmer panel designed to encourage peer-to-peer learning.

“The panel will be valuable for farmer-to-farmer information sharing, talking about what works and what doesn’t,” Schaffer says. “We’re bringing together a diverse group of people who offer different perspectives, along with farmers who are really in tune with everything ISA offers. Hopefully, we can elevate those voices and highlight the different opportunities and learning experiences available through ISA.”

ISA’s conservation team will also play a key role in the meetings, connecting research outcomes to practical conservation tools that fit within modern farming systems.

Todd Sutphin, ISA conservation services and program lead, says the events provide an opportunity to help farmers navigate conservation programs alongside production decisions.

“We’ll share information on what programs are available, what’s changing for the upcoming crop year and how and where farmers can take advantage of new opportunities,” Sutphin says.

That includes both in-field and edge-of-field options, with an emphasis on matching practices to individual farm goals.

“We’ll talk about cost-share options for in-field practices like cover crops, reduced tillage and nutrient management, as well as edge-of-field projects such as bioreactors, saturated buffers and oxbows,” he says. “It’s about helping farmers match the right practices and programs to their goals, whether they’re focused on soil health, water quality or return on investment.”

I2P: Innovation on Tap in Templeton
Date and time: February 19, 2026, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Templeton Center, 230 S. 5th Ave., Templeton, IA 51463

Topics include:
    Soybean trials that work, featuring results from sulfur, fungicide and insecticide trials
    Cover crops that pay, with cost-share options and strategies for profitability
    Conservation without the hassle, focusing on practical edge-of-field solutions

Bonus: Raise a glass to ROI with a post-event tour and tasting at the Templeton Whiskey Distillery.

If you have any questions, e-mail Emma Harper at 641-344-7577 or eharper@iasoybeans.com.



SHIC, FFAR, and Pork Checkoff Issue Second H5N1 Risk to Swine Request for Proposals

The Swine Health Information Center, in collaboration with the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research and the Pork Checkoff, announced funding of 10 projects addressing research priorities and topics within its H5N1 Risk to Swine Research Program in July 2025. The research awards were part of a $4 million program to enhance prevention, preparedness, mitigation, and response capabilities for H5N1 influenza in the US swine herd. Today, SHIC, FFAR, and NPB are inviting a second round of proposal submissions from qualified researchers for funding consideration to address H5N1 Risk to Swine research priorities not yet adequately addressed. Described in the detailed Request for Research Proposals (RFP), topic areas include 1) surveillance, 2) introduction risks, 3) caretakers, 4) biosecurity, 5) pork safety, 6) production impact, and 7) business continuity.

Total funding available for the SHIC/FFAR/NPB H5N1 Risk to Swine Research Priorities included in this RFP is $1.8M. Individual awards are capped at $250,000, however, proposals may exceed cap if sufficient justification is provided. Matching funds are encouraged but not required; the $250K cap applies to only those funds requested from SHIC/FFAR/NPB. All projects should strive to have a high impact, show value to pork producers, and have pork industry-wide benefit.

The deadline for proposal submission is 5:00 pm CT on March 24, 2026. The proposal template and instructions for completion and submission can be found here. For questions, please contact Dr. Megan Niederwerder at mniederwerder@swinehealth.org or (785)452-8270 or Dr. Lisa Becton at lbecton@swinehealth.org or (515)724-9491.

Proposals should clearly state which SHIC/FFAR/NPB H5N1 Risk to Swine Research Priorities will be addressed through the project. Projects proposing to expand previously funded work from the first RFP that align with the research priorities of this solicitation will also be considered for funding.

Collaborative projects including relevant pork industry, allied industry, dairy or poultry industries, academic institutions, and/or public/private partnerships, as applicable,  are highly encouraged. For multi-species projects, proposals should demonstrate adequate scientific and/or industry representation for each species included to ensure meaningful and effective collaboration. Projects demonstrating the most urgency and timeliness of completion, provide the greatest value to pork producers, and show efficient use of funds will be prioritized for funding. Projects are requested to be completed within a 12 to 18 month period with sufficient justification required for extended project duration.

Outcomes from the funded projects will provide critical information producers, veterinarians, and industry stakeholders can use to better prevent incursion and develop preparedness plans if H5N1 is identified in US commercial swine herds.



Council Responds to Agreement with El Salvador

According to a press release issued by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the United States has signed another agreement on reciprocal trade, this one with El Salvador.

USTR Jamieson Greer and El Salvador’s Minister of Economy Maria Luisa Hayem signed the agreement that, according to a USTR fact sheet, commits El Salvador to addressing and preventing barriers to U.S. agricultural products in its market, including fumigation requirements, facility registration, product registration and acceptance of currently agreed certificates issued by U.S. regulatory authorities. 

In response, Ryan LeGrand, U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council president & CEO, said:

“The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council is pleased to see the first agreement on reciprocal trade in the Western Hemisphere. U.S. corn and distiller’s dried grains with solubles exports to El Salvador are up 124 and 98 percent, respectively, in the first quarter of the 2025/2026 marketing year, and with the agreement signed today, we hope we will continue to see a rise in trade for those products and others the Council represents.”

“Our thanks to Trade Representative Greer, the USTR and the Administration for continuing to make trade easier for the U.S. in El Salvador and around the world.”



November U.S. Ethanol Exports Were Second Highest on Record, DDGS Shipments Declined

U.S. ethanol exports were the second highest on record in November, strengthening 14% to 211.3 million gallons (mg). It marked just the second time monthly exports have exceeded 200 mg, trailing only the March 2018 level. The gain was driven by record-high shipments of both denatured fuel ethanol and undenatured industrial ethanol.

Canada remained the top destination, even as U.S. shipments declined 14% to 77.7 mg. However, larger exports to other top destinations more than made up for the reduction. Shipments to the European Union (predominantly the Netherlands) rose 7% to 45.6 mg. Exports to India quadrupled to 31.8 mg, consisting almost entirely of undenatured industrial ethanol, which set a record. Shipments to the United Kingdom climbed 30% to 17.1 mg, while exports to Colombia jumped 84% to 12.9 mg. Rounding out the top ten markets were Nigeria (6.6 mg, up from zero in October), Peru (6.1 mg, up sevenfold), the Philippines (tripling to 5.3 mg), South Korea (2.8 mg, down 70%) and Mexico (2.5 mg, down 67%). Through November, U.S. ethanol exports totaled 1.96 billion gallons, already surpassing the record total for all of 2024, and 13% ahead of the same period that year.

The U.S. imported a negligible amount of fuel and industrial ethanol in November. Year-to-date ethanol imports stand at 3.7 mg.

U.S. exports of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS)—the high-protein coproduct of dry-mill ethanol plants—declined 13% in November to 933,557 metric tons (mt). Mexico remained the largest destination, though U.S. shipments edged down 1% to 188,335 mt. Among other top destinations, exports rose to Vietnam (115,603 mt, +17%), Indonesia (105,354 mt, +10%), and Colombia (43,584 mt, +6%). However this was more than offset by significant decreases to other key countries, including South Korea (118,456 mt, -18%), Turkey (79,304 mt, -33%), Canada (53,790 mt, -10%), New Zealand (40,158 mt, -33%), the European Union (32,405 mt, -45%), and the United Kingdom (17,885 mt, -63%). Year-to-date DDGS exports totaled 10.70 million mt, trailing 2024 by 3%.

The U.S. Census Bureau will be releasing December trade data on February 19.



2025 Ethanol Exports Set a Second Consecutive Annual Record in Just 11 Months

According to data released Thursday by the Census Bureau, 2025 U.S. ethanol exports through November totaled 1.96 billion gallons, already surpassing annual shipments of 1.94 billion gallons in 2024, which had smashed the previous record. With one month of data to go, calendar year 2025 exports were on pace to exceed 2 billion gallons for the first time, which would represent 13 percent of U.S. ethanol production, also a record.

“Continued expansion in the export market provided a tremendous lift for the U.S. ethanol industry in 2025,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Record exports not only highlight the growing global demand for affordable energy solutions, but also underscore the vital role trade plays in strengthening the American energy sector, driving innovation, and supporting economic growth. One out of every eight gallons of ethanol produced in the United States is being exported, providing savings at the pump and cleaner air for drivers in dozens of countries across the globe.”

As in 2024, the new record was achieved even as some key ethanol markets—notably Brazil and China—maintain punitive trade barriers against U.S. ethanol. “We appreciate the Trump administration’s efforts last year to open markets and ensure a level playing field for American ethanol and for coproducts like distillers grains. We are hopeful these barriers will start coming down in 2026, and we are optimistic as other countries increasingly turn to ethanol as a key component of their fuel supplies,” Cooper said. “RFA will continue to work with the U.S. government and our partners to expand markets.”

Canada remained by far the top destination for ethanol, accounting for over one-third of total exports. Through November, 726 million gallons of ethanol had been shipped to this vitally important market, which also was already a new annual record. Notably, exports to the European Union were on pace to roughly double from 2024, making it our second-largest market. Other top destinations included India, the United Kingdom, and Colombia.



CoBank data reveals farmers were aggressive sellers of soybeans in fall 2025 

U.S. farmers were aggressive sellers of soybeans last fall as prices climbed after trade relations eased between the U.S. and China. With higher prices and a swifter pace of sales, commercial ownership of soybeans rose sharply while use of delayed pricing programs and basis contracts fell. Meanwhile, corn and wheat markets saw the opposite trend amid depressed prices. Farmers increased their use of DP programs and basis contracts for corn and wheat, leaving pricing open in hopes of future market recoveries.

According to a new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, off-farm grain storage hit record levels last fall with farmers shifting more soybeans and wheat to commercial storage to free up on-farm space for the record corn harvest. The report draws on CoBank’s proprietary data set, which includes grain companies from around the U.S. that provide monthly borrowing base position reports. The surveys do not include farmers’ marketing positions for commodities stored on farm.

“CoBank’s data reveals that farmers have been patient sellers of corn and wheat,” said Tanner Ehmke, lead grains and oilseeds economist with CoBank. “Any material increase in corn and wheat prices will likely be met with heavier selling pressure compared to soybeans, which already experienced a higher level of farmer selling last fall. The increase in on-farm storage for corn implies there is more corn in the countryside also waiting to be priced, which will pressure both flat price and basis.”

Grain company ownership of soybeans in commercial storage jumped to 73.6% as of Nov. 30, up from 66.3% the year prior as farmers sold soybeans at a faster pace. The share of soybean bushels in commercial storage that were enrolled in DP programs and basis contracts also fell last fall as farmers priced soybeans during the market rally following the partial trade truce between the U.S. and China.

Under a DP program, the farmer transfers title to the elevator with the option for the farmer to set futures and basis later while paying the elevator a monthly service fee. In a basis contract, the farmer locks in local basis when the contract is signed but leaves the futures price open to be set later.

“Participation in DP and basis contracts in soybeans also fell as a result of farmers’ concerns about market uncertainty ahead of the trade truce on Oct. 30,” said Ehmke. “Elevators also limited DP programs due to the risk of owning unpriced bushels in a carry market.”

Grain company ownership of corn in commercial storage fell to 73% as of Nov. 30, down from 77% the previous year. Company ownership of wheat in storage fell to 72%, down from 75% last year. The use of DP and basis contracts increased for both corn and wheat as farmers left prices open in hopes of future recoveries in price.

“Lack of farmer selling of corn and wheat has supported cash basis in some regions, but the increase in the amount of bushels waiting to be priced implies greater selling pressure lies ahead for corn and wheat,” said Ehmke.

Total U.S. corn stocks on Dec. 1 reached a record high at 13.3 billion bushels, up 10% year-over-year, according to USDA. The share of corn stored off-farm fell to 34.5%, down from 37% the year prior. Off-farm corn stocks were tallied at 4.58 million bushels, a 3.9% increase year-over-year and the highest level in seven years while on-farm storage increased 13.5% to reach 8.699 billion bushels.

U.S. wheat stocks on Dec. 1 were tallied at 1.675 billion bushels, up 6.5% year-over-year and the highest in six years. Off-farm storage accounted for 73.4% of the crop, rising from 70.3% last year and the highest level in four years. U.S. soybean stocks rose to 3.29 billion bushels, up 6.1% year-over-year to reach the highest level in seven years with off-farm stocks tallied at 1.71 billion bushels, an increase of 9.9% over last year. 



ACE Board Elects 2026 Officers

During its first quarter meeting, the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Board of Directors elected its 2026 officers who also comprise the organization’s Executive Committee.

Those elected to serve as officers in new Executive Committee positions in 2026 are:
    Troy Knecht, President – South Dakota farmer, representing Redfield Energy, a 63 million-gallon-per-year (MGY) ethanol producer in Redfield, South Dakota. Troy formerly served as Vice President.
    Chris Studer, Vice President – Chief Member and Public Relations Officer for East River Electric Power Cooperative, which is a founding member of ACE dating back to 1987.
    Dave Sovereign – Chairman of Golden Grain Energy’s Board, which oversees a locally owned 125 MGY ethanol plant in Mason City, Iowa. Sovereign also serves on the Absolute Energy board, a locally owned 130 MGY ethanol producer in St. Ansgar, Iowa. Dave formerly served as President.

"It's humbling to be the incoming President of ACE. I'm thinking of so many industry giants and leaders who currently serve on the board or have in the past,” said Troy Knecht. “I look forward to carrying on their legacy and the mission of ACE. Our grassroots efforts to support the ethanol industry and rural America are more important than ever right now, and I don't take that lightly."

“We are enormously grateful for the leadership and dedication Dave Sovereign has demonstrated during his five years as ACE board president,” said Brian Jennings, ACE CEO. “Fortunately, Dave will continue serving on the board, where his experience and insight will remain a valuable asset to ACE and the industry. Further, Troy Knecht will be an outstanding president. We are excited he is stepping into the role and look forward to a strong year ahead for ACE and the ethanol industry.”

Re-elected to serve as officers on the 2026 Executive Committee are:
    Ron Alverson, Secretary – Ron farms part-time with his son and serves as an expert resource on the GREET model and lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, he represents Dakota Ethanol on the ACE Board, which owns a 100 MGY plant in Wentworth, South Dakota.
    John Christianson, Treasurer – John serves as the President of software company Beyond Agribusiness Solutions and Christianson Benchmarking, LLC. He retired at the end of 2024 from Christianson PLLP, the accounting and business consulting firm of which he is a founding partner.
    Bill Dartt – Bill is the Chief Financial Officer for Cardinal Ethanol, a 138 MGY ethanol plant in Union City, Indiana.