Tuesday February 03 Ag News - Hansen-Mueller Bankruptcy Update - New United Soybean Board members - Iowa Pork Regional Conferences - EPA on Right to Repair - and more!

PSC ADVISES AFFECTED NEBRASKA PRODUCERS, LANDOWNERS TO SUBMIT HANSEN-MUELLER BANKRUPTCY CLAIMS BY FEB. 6

A bankruptcy court has granted a motion related to the grain dealer security bond held by the Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) to help compensate grain producers still owed payment by Omaha-based Hansen-Mueller Co.

Such bonds are required under Nebraska law to protect producers when licensed grain dealers fail to meet payment obligations. The grant of the PSC's motion allows the Commission to move forward to determine valid claims from grain producers awaiting payment.

"The Commission's priority remains protecting Nebraska grain producers in accordance with Nebraska law." said PSC Chair Tim Schram, District 3. "This court decision gives us a clear path to use the bond as it was intended."

The PSC has begun notifying parties who previously had claims with Hansen-Mueller. Nebraska producers or landowners who believe they may be owed payment and have not yet been contacted are encouraged to submit a claim by Feb. 6, 2026. Information on submitting claims, including required documentation, is available on the PSC Grain Department homepage: https://psc.nebraska.gov/grain.

PSC staff will review affidavits and supporting grain claim documents submitted by the deadline. The Commission will then decide on further action at an upcoming hearing.

"We urge every Nebraska grain producer or landowner who believes they may have an unpaid claim to file it with the Commission right away so we can move forward efficiently and get assistance to those who need it." said Terri Fritz, director of the PSC's Grain Department. "We'll continue working through the process and keeping everyone who submits a claim informed every step of the way."

Hansen-Mueller filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2025. The company's PSC-issued grain dealer license expired Jan. 1 and was not renewed.

Previously, and in response to complaints received, the PSC:
. opened a formal complaint on Oct. 24, 2025;
. suspended the company's grain dealer license;
. required proof of a line of credit sufficient to cover obligations, which was submitted by the company on Oct. 30, 2025; and
. through a stipulated agreement approved Nov. 4, 2025, required Hansen-Mueller to make payment to Nebraska producers known to be owed at the time.


Statement by Mark McHargue, President, Regarding Legislation to Make Cattle Brand Inspection System Voluntary

“Nebraska Farm Bureau continues to be a strong supporter of the work of the Nebraska Brand Committee, including its important role in mitigating cattle theft in our state. While we have been open to discussions centered around modernization to ensure the current fee system is equitable for program participants, our members have made it clear that they are not supportive of changes that would effectively end the mandatory brand inspection program as it exists today in favor of a voluntary statewide system as proposed in LB 1258, legislation introduced by Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair. Given the volume of questions we’ve received about the legislation, we felt it is important to be clear that Nebraska Farm Bureau is opposed and will actively work to stop any effort to implement a statewide voluntary brand inspection system.” 



USDA Announces Appointments to the United Soybean Board

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the appointment of forty-two members and four alternates to serve on the United Soybean Board. All forty-two members and four alternate members will serve three-year terms beginning immediately.

Newly appointed members are:
    Nebraska – Victor Bohuslavsky, Seward
               Cale Buhr, Inland
    Iowa – Robb Ewoldt, Davenport
    Arkansas – Brad Doyle, Weiner
    Delaware – Tim Rogers, Frankford
    Illinois – David R. Wessel, Chandlerville
               Robert J. Shaffer, El Paso
    Indiana – Don Wyss, Fort Wayne
              Matthew Chapman, Springport
    Kansas – Keith Miller, Great Bend
             Gary Robbins, Emmett
    Kentucky – Barry Alexander, Cadiz
    Louisiana – Joey Boudreaux, Port Barre
    Maryland – Travis Hutchison, Cordova
    Michigan – Edward J. Cagney, Scotts
               Dennis J. Gardner, Croswell
    Minnesota – Tom Frisch, Dumont
                Joel Schreurs, Tyler
    Mississippi – Jerry Slocum, Coldwater
                  Matthew N. Guedon, Natchez
    Missouri – Tim Gottman, Monroe City
               Aaron Porter, Dexter
    New Jersey – Patrick Giberson, Pemberton
    New York – Jason Swede, Piffard
               Todd O. Du Mond, Auburn
    North Carolina – Reginald H. Strickland, Mount Olive
    North Dakota – Matt Gast, Fargo
                   Rob Rose, Wimbledon
    Ohio – Charles William Bayliss, Mansfield
           Jerry Bambauer, Bremen
    Oklahoma – Brent Rendel, Miami
    Pennsylvania – Andrew J. Fabin, Homer City
    South Dakota – Dave Poppens, Lennox
                   Michael McCranie, Claremont
    Tennessee – Ed Sanders, Franklin
                Brad Cochran, Humboldt
    Virginia – Lynn P. Gayle, Onancock
    Wisconsin – Anthony C. Mellenthin, Eau Galle
                Andy Bensend, Dallas
                Danny Brisky, Columbus
    Eastern Region – Nick Kercheval, Harpers Ferry, W.Va.
    Western Region – Ross Watermann, Vona, Colo.

Newly appointed alternates are:
    Delaware – Bob Willoughby, Jr, Middletown
    New Jersey – Murn Myers, Delanco
    Eastern Region – Mark H. Kable, Charles Town, W.Va.
    Western Region – Rod Hahn, Yuma, Colo.

The United Soybean Board has 77 members representing 29 states and the Eastern and Western regions. Each year, the Secretary of Agriculture appoints approximately one-third of all board members for 3-year terms.  Nominees must be nominated by a Qualified State Soybean Board.

More information about the board is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) webpage at https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/research-promotion/soybean and on the United Soybean Board website, https://unitedsoybean.org/.

Since 1966, Congress has authorized the development of industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool their resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight of twenty-two boards, paid for by industry assessments, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.



Iowa Pork Producers Association Announces 2026 Regional Conferences
    
The Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) is pleased to announce the 2026 Iowa Pork Regional Conferences, a series of one-day educational events designed to deliver timely research, practical tools and industry insights directly to pork producers and stakeholders across Iowa.

The 2026 Iowa Pork Regional Conferences are designed for pork producers and owners/operators, contract growers, production employees, veterinarians, allied industry professionals, and other swine industry stakeholders. These conferences provide valuable, science-based information on swine production, herd health, facility management and emerging issues impacting pork operations of all sizes. Each conference is hosted in partnership with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Pork Industry Center.

2026 Regional Conference Dates & Locations:
    Monday, February 23 – Algona, Iowa Lakes Community College – Tietz Entrepreneurial Center, 2111 Hwy. 169 N
    Tuesday, February 24 – Orange City, Sioux County Extension Office, 400 Central Ave. N.W., Suite 700
    Wednesday, February 25 – Independence, Heartland Acres Event Center, 2600 Swan Lake Blvd. A
    Thursday, February 26 – Washington, Washington County Extension Office, 2223 250th St. 

Each conference will run 12:30 – 4:30 p.m., beginning with lunch served at 12:30 p.m.

Conference Highlights & Topics:
Attendees will benefit from a range of presentations focused on production-relevant research and practical management strategies, including:

Your Waterlines Could be Impacting Growth Performance
Dr. Gabi Doughan – Swine Medicine Education Center at Iowa State University
Dr. Doughan will discuss how water quality, biofilm buildup and mineral deposits can influence pig health, medication effectiveness and overall growth performance — plus practical steps to monitor and maintain water systems.

Values of Hog Facilities and Trends for the Future
Ben Isaacson – Growthland
Ben Isaacson, with Growthland, will explore current drivers of hog facility values and broader trends shaping the future of pork infrastructure and operations.

It’s Still Peacetime, But Are You Prepared for a Foreign Animal Disease?
Representatives of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS)
IDALS experts will share critical insights on preparedness planning for foreign animal diseases like African swine fever and foot-and-mouth disease, including producer roles and available resources.

Hot Topics in Swine Health
Dr. Chris Rademacher – Swine Extension Veterinarian and Clinical Professor
Dr. Rademacher will review the latest in disease surveillance tools, updates on PRRS, PED, E. coli and other emerging health concerns for swine herds.

More Tools for Your Toolbox
Area Extension Swine Specialist(s) – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
Regional extension specialists will offer practical, decision-ready tools and solutions to support efficient pork production and help solve common production challenges.

Registration & Participation:
Pre-registration is encouraged to ensure adequate materials and seating. Attendees may register online https://www.iowapork.org/producers/resources/regional-conferences/register, by phone at (515) 225-7675 or (800) 372-7675, or by emailing info@iowapork.org.

For producers unable to attend in person, the Thursday session will be recorded and made available online soon after the event. 



Fats and Oils: Oilseed Crushings, Production, Consumption and Stocks

Soybeans crushed for crude oil was 6.90 million tons (230 million bushels) in December 2025, compared with 6.62 million tons (221 million bushels) in November 2025 and 6.53 million tons (218 million bushels) in December 2024. Crude oil produced was 2.66 billion pounds, up 5 percent from November 2025 and up 3 percent from December 2024. Soybean once refined oil production at 1.91 billion pounds during December 2025 increased 5 percent from November 2025 but down 1 percent from December 2024.

Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production
Total corn consumed for alcohol and other uses was 534 million bushels in December 2025. Total corn consumption was up 5 percent from November 2025 and up 1 percent from December 2024. December 2025 usage included 93.3 percent for alcohol and 6.7 percent for other purposes. Corn consumed for beverage alcohol totaled 2.93 million bushels, down 15 percent from November 2025 and down 8 percent from December 2024. Corn for fuel alcohol, at 488 million bushels, was up 5 percent from November 2025 and up 2 percent from December 2024. Corn consumed in December 2025 for dry milling fuel production and wet milling fuel production was 92.0 percent and 8.0 percent, respectively.

Dry mill co-product production of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was 1.95 million tons during December 2025, up 11 percent from November 2025 and up 4 percent from December 2024. Distillers wet grains (DWG) 65 percent or more moisture was 1.32 million tons in December 2025, up 5 percent from November 2025 and up 3 percent from December 2024.

Wet mill corn gluten feed production was 265,310 tons during December 2025, up 6 percent from November 2025 and up 3 percent from December 2024. Wet corn gluten feed 40 to 60 percent moisture was 188,185 tons in December 2025, up 1 percent from November 2025 but down 7 percent from December 2024.

Flour Milling Products 
All wheat ground for flour during the fourth quarter 2025 was 228 million bushels, down 2 percent from the third quarter 2025 grind of 231 million bushels and down 1 percent from the fourth quarter 2024 grind of 231 million bushels. Fourth quarter 2025 total flour production was 105 million hundredweight, down 1 percent from the third quarter 2025 and down 2 percent from the fourth quarter 2024. Whole wheat flour production at 4.40 million hundredweight during the fourth quarter 2025 accounted for 4 percent of the total flour production. Millfeed production from wheat in the fourth quarter 2025 was 1.62 million tons. The daily 24-hour milling capacity of wheat flour during the fourth quarter 2025 was 1.60 million hundredweight.



EPA Advances Farmers’ Right to Repair Their Own Equipment, Saving Repair Costs and Productivity

Monday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advanced American farmers and equipment owners’ lawful right to repair their farm and other nonroad diesel equipment. EPA’s guidance to manufacturers clarifies that the Clean Air Act (CAA) supports, rather than restricts, Americans’ ability to make repairs on their own, and makes clear manufacturers can no longer use the CAA to justify limiting access to repair tools or software. For America’s farmers, timely and affordable repairs are essential to planting, harvesting, and keeping operations running.

“EPA is proud to set the record straight and protect farmers. For far too long, manufacturers have wrongly used the Clean Air Act to monopolize the repair markets, hurting our farmers,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “Common sense is following the law as it is written, and that is what the Trump EPA is committed to doing. By protecting every American’s right to repair, we’re not just fixing devices, we’re securing a stronger, more independent future for our country.”

For years, prominent equipment manufacturers have interpreted the CAA’s emission control anti-tampering provisions as preventing them from making essential repair tools available to all Americans. This has forced farmers to take their equipment exclusively to manufacturer-authorized dealers to be fixed, even though the repair could have been made in the field or at a nearby independent repair shop. Not only has this made repairs more costly, but it has also caused many farmers to opt for older agricultural equipment that lack modern emission controls simply because they can fix that equipment themselves.

EPA’s guidance does not change the law, weaken emission standards, or reduce compliance obligations. Rather, it clarifies what the CAA already states, that temporary overrides of emission control systems are allowed when it is for the “purpose of repair” to that equipment to obtain proper functionality. This clarification applies to all nonroad diesel engines equipped with advanced emission control technologies including selective catalytic reduction and inducement systems as well as Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) system repairs. Importantly, farmers and equipment owners are not required to rely on authorized dealers exclusively to fix equipment. This makes clear that the law should not serve as a barrier to timely, affordable maintenance of agricultural equipment.

Today’s action will not only expand consumer choice and provide opportunities for farmers but also encourage the use of newer farm equipment. This underscores the agency’s commitment to both America’s farmers and EPA’s core mission of protecting human health and the environment.



EPA Clarifies Farmers’ Right to Repair Equipment, Cutting Costs and Downtime for Growers

National Sorghum Producers (NSP) welcomed new guidance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency clarifying that federal law supports farmers’ right to repair their own equipment, a move expected to reduce repair costs, limit downtime during critical fieldwork and improve productivity for growers across the country.

The guidance makes clear that the Clean Air Act does not prohibit farmers or independent repair shops from accessing diagnostic tools, software or temporary emission system overrides when repairs are made for the purpose of restoring proper equipment functionality. For years, manufacturers had cited the law to restrict repairs to authorized dealers, often forcing costly delays during planting and harvest.

“This is common-sense clarity that farmers have been asking for,” said NSP Chair Amy France, a farmer from Scott City, Kan. “When equipment goes down, especially during planting or harvest, waiting days for a dealer isn’t just inconvenient, it’s expensive. This guidance affirms that farmers can take action to keep their operations moving without being boxed in by unnecessary restrictions.”

“Farmers are committed to stewardship, efficiency and compliance,” France said. “What they need is flexibility to fix their equipment when it matters most. This guidance respects farmers’ expertise, protects productivity and helps ensure agriculture can continue delivering food, fuel and fiber to the world.”

NSP has long supported efforts that give farmers practical tools, fair access and regulatory clarity while maintaining strong standards.



NCBA Releases 2026 Policy Priorities at CattleCon

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) today announced its 2026 policy priorities following approval by the organization’s Executive Committee at CattleCon 2026. NCBA’s focus centers on policies that directly impact producer profitability, including reducing regulatory costs, defending free markets, expanding trade opportunities, and maintaining strong beef demand.
 
“NCBA focused on practical, workable solutions that produced meaningful policy wins in 2025,” said NCBA President-Elect Gene Copenhaver, a Virginia cattle producer. “NCBA’s efforts resulted in key tax and regulatory improvements, including expanded estate tax exemptions, a new Waters of the U.S. rules, and the rescission of the Bureau of Land Management Public Lands Rule, providing greater certainty and opportunity for cattlemen and cattlewomen.”
 
NCBA leaders noted those achievements provide a strong foundation for the organization’s 2026 policy agenda, which focuses on strengthening producer profitability and addressing emerging challenges across the cattle business. The organization will advance regulatory reform, animal health protections, expanded market access, and workforce solutions that ensure the cattle and beef supply chain can continue meeting strong consumer demand.
 
“Now is the time to continue reforming federal regulations that have hindered conservation efforts for decades, strengthen protections against the northward spread of New World Screwworm, expand foreign market access for U.S. beef, and advance science-based policies that keep beef at the center of the plate.” Copenhaver said.
 
NCBA’s 2026 policy priorities: 
    Continue to press the administration to roll back harmful regulations to keep working lands working.
    Enhance and strengthen U.S. mitigation measures against the incursion of New World Screwworm.
    Protect the U.S. cattle herd from foreign animal diseases and pests through heightened awareness and preparedness actions.
    Expand market access for U.S. beef exports and hold trade partners accountable to ensure equivalent animal health and food safety standards for imported beef.
    Promote scienced-based nutrition policies and sound, fact-based information for consumers.
    Push for further hours-of-service flexibility, increased truck weights, and continue delaying ELD requirements for livestock haulers.
    Safeguard the U.S cattle and beef supply chain by working with the administration to ensure there is a strong workforce to limit processing disruptions for producers.



Cattle Inventory Changes
Matthew Diersen, Risk & Business Management Specialist, South Dakota State University

Some clarity was provided in the Cattle report released last week by USDA-NASS. A handful of analysts were expecting a slight decline in total inventory levels. The all cattle inventory of 86.2 million head was down slightly from a year earlier. The 2025 levels were also revised slightly lower. However, the changes in the different classes or categories give insights into how different sectors are responding to profitability.

The number of beef cows was down slightly compared to last year. In contrast, the number of dairy cows was sharply higher. Consistent with subtle hints of expansion this past year, solid replacement prices and a stable heifer mix on feed, the number of beef replacement heifers is up slightly. On the dairy side, the number of replacements was unchanged. The small number of beef replacements suggests that 2027 would be the next time to have expansion.

There are fewer other heifers, fewer steers, and fewer calves than a year ago. With a sharply lower on-feed total, the number of feeder cattle outside of feedlots is up slightly. The slight increase has not been enough to dampen prices for calves in recent months. The mix of cattle on feed in large feedlots is up slightly. There was a large increase in cattle grazing wheat pastures, which would result in larger framed feeders entering feedlots and facilitate higher eventual slaughter weights.

The calf crop, at 32.9 million head, is down much more on an absolute level than cow numbers. With high calf prices expected to continue in 2026, the implied calf crop would be expected to be higher than observed last year. That disparity is surprising, but many factors go into the calf crop. Nothing was evident at the state level to potentially explain why either.

At the state level, many changes were concentrated in a few states with large inventory levels. The total was steady in Texas and California. Texas had a large increase in beef replacements, but a relatively smaller calf crop, and a sharply lower number of cattle on feed. Kansas had fewer cattle, fewer beef cows, fewer heifers, and a smaller calf crop. Missouri had fewer beef cows. South Dakota had a lower calf crop. Nebraska had an increase in cattle on feed.



House Agriculture Farm Bill Markup Set for Late February
 
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn "G.T" Thompson (R-PA) told his Republican colleagues he hopes to mark up a farm bill the week of February 23. The five-year blueprint is expected to be similar to the bill approved in May 2024 by the committee during the 118th Congress.
 
That measure, which never was considered by the Senate, included a fix to California's Proposition 12, which bans in that state the sale of pork from hogs born to sows raised in housing that fails to meet California's standards, a major priority for the National Pork Producers Council.
 
Thompson said he's aiming for a vote by the entire House before Congress takes a two week-plus break around Easter. A new farm bill has not been approved since 2018. That one expired September 30, 2023, and has been extended several times
 
NPPC and a nearly 1,000-strong agriculture coalition want a farm bill fix to the impending patchwork of conflicting state laws spurred by Prop. 12, which took effect January 1, 2024. The California law has increased pork operating costs, creating uncertainty for business owners and increasing pork prices for consumers.
 
A recent study found that many farms against fixing Prop. 12 are not affected by the law and are not involved in pork production. 
 
Notwithstanding the long-awaited Prop. 12 fix, NPPC secured all its remaining farm bill asks in the "One Big, Beautiful Bill" Act, which was signed into law in 2025.
 
The five-year farm bill sets farm, conservation, forestry, and nutrition policy and authorizes various agricultural programs, including ones related to foreign animal disease preparation and prevention and export promotion.



USDA Announces February 2026 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for February 2026, which are effective Feb. 1, 2026. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs. 

Operating, Ownership and Emergency Loans       
FSA offers farm operating, ownership and emergency loans with favorable interest rates and terms to help eligible agricultural producers obtain financing needed to start, expand or maintain a family agricultural operation.      

Interest rates for Operating and Ownership loans for February 2026 are as follows:        
    Farm Operating Loans (Direct): 4.625%  
    Farm Ownership Loans (Direct): 5.750%  
    Farm Ownership Loans (Direct, Joint Financing): 3.750%  
    Farm Ownership Loans (Down Payment): 1.750% 
    Emergency Loan (Amount of Actual Loss): 3.750%    

FSA also offers guaranteed loans through commercial lenders at rates set by those lenders. To access an interactive online, step-by-step guide through the farm loan process, visit the Loan Assistance Tool on farmers.gov.        

Commodity and Storage Facility Loans      
Additionally, FSA provides low-interest financing to producers to build or upgrade on-farm storage facilities and purchase handling equipment and loans that provide interim financing to help producers meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are low.  Funds for these loans are provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and are administered by FSA.    
    Commodity Loans (less than one year disbursed): 4.500%       
    Farm Storage Facility Loans:  
       Three-year loan terms: 3.625%  
       Five-year loan terms: 3.750%  
       Seven-year loan terms: 4.000%  
       Ten-year loan terms: 4.125% 
       Twelve-year loan terms: 4.375%  
    Sugar Storage Facility Loans (15 years): 4.625%     

More Information
To learn more about FSA programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. Additionally, producers can use online tools, such as the Loan Assistance Tool and Debt Consolidation Tool to explore loan options.