Wednesday April 1 Ag News - USDA Prospective Plantings and Grain Stocks summaries - Wildfire Recovery - 2026 NE Youth Summit - Iowa E15 Sales up 60% - Iowa Drone Workshop in May - and more!

US farmers expect to plant less corn and more soybean acres

Producers surveyed across the United States intend to plant 95.3 million acres of corn in 2026, down 3% from last year, according to the Prospective Plantings report released today by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

Planted acreage intentions for corn are down in 37 of the 48 estimating states. Acreage decreases of 300,000 acres or more from last year are expected in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. If realized, the area of corn planted in Nevada and Washington will be the largest on record, while Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island will be the smallest on record. 

Soybean growers intend to plant 84.7 million acres in 2026, up 4% from last year. Acreage increases from last year of 300,000 or more are expected in Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Record high acreage is expected in Wisconsin.

The Prospective Plantings report provides the first official, survey-based estimates of U.S. farmers’ 2026 planting intentions. NASS acreage estimates are based on surveys conducted during the first two weeks of March from a sample of nearly 74,000 farm operators across the nation. Other key findings in the report are:
    All wheat planted area for 2026 is estimated at 43.8 million acres, down 3% from 2025.
    Winter wheat planted area, at 32.4 million acres, is down 2% from both the previous estimate and from last year.
    Area planted to other spring wheat for 2026 is expected to total 9.42 million acres, down 6% from 2025.
    Durum wheat planted is expected to total 1.95 million acres for 2026, down 11% from last year.
    All cotton planted area for 2026 is expected to total 9.64 million acres, up 4% compared to last year.

2026 By State            (1,000 acres  -  % of '25)
Nebraska Corn...........:      10,300       96       
Nebraska Soybeans...:       5,200       107        
Nebraska Hay............:       2,250        98        
Nebraska Wheat........:         900        95        
Nebraska Sorghum....:         250       100        
Nebraska Oats...........:         125       100        
Iowa Corn ................:      13,100        97        
Iowa Soybeans.........:       9,900       105        
Iowa Hay..................:       1,060       105        
Iowa Oats.................:          130       108        

Today, NASS also released the quarterly Grain Stocks report to provide estimates of on-farm and off-farm stocks as of March 1. Key findings in that report include:
    Corn stocks totaled 9.02 billion bushels, up 11% from the same time last year. On-farm corn stocks were up 21% from a year ago, while off-farm stocks were down 2%.
    Soybeans stored totaled 2.10 billion bushels, up 10% from March 1, 2025. On-farm soybean stocks were up 3% from a year ago, while off-farm stocks were up 16%.
    All wheat stored totaled 1.30 billion bushels, up 5% from a year ago. On-farm all wheat stocks were down 3% from last year, while off-farm stocks were up 8%.
    Durum wheat stored totaled 46.5 million bushels, up 21% from March 1, 2025. On-farm Durum stocks were up 40% from a year ago, while off-farm stocks of Durum wheat were down 4%.

By State (1,000 bu -'25 on farm-'25 off farm-'25 total - '26 on farm-'26 off farm-'26 total)
Nebraska Corn.........:   500,000    441,845     941,845       620,000     409,658   1,029,658 
Nebraska Soybeans..:    39,500     105,905    145,405        48,000      126,632     174,632 
Nebraska Wheat.......:      1,950     31,575       33,525          2,200       31,103       33,303 
Iowa Corn................:   790,000     681,769   1,471,769     980,000     598,826   1,578,826 
Iowa Soybeans.........:   160,000    199,894     359,894       155,000     203,351     358,351 



NRCS Offers Disaster Assistance to Agricultural Producers in Nebraska Impacted by Wildfire

Agricultural operations in Nebraska were significantly impacted by recent wildfires. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover from adverse natural disaster events. Impacted producers should contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure, and livestock losses and damages.

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is available to provide technical assistance during the recovery process through planning and implementation of conservation practices on farms, ranches and working forests impacted by natural disasters. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) can also provide financial assistance to help producers implement conservation practices on land impacted by natural disasters. A special emergency sign-up is open for EQIP for those impacted by the wildfires across the state of Nebraska beginning March 25, 2026. The core conservation practices offered include: Grazing Management, Cover Crops, Fencing, Mulching, Annual Forages for Grazing Systems, and Emergency Animal Mortality Management. A ranking threshold of 10 or greater must be met for eligible applicants. Impacted producers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center for program applications and practice requirements. 



Pillen Announces Date of 2nd Annual Youth Summit, Invites Students to Register

Tuesday, Governor Jim Pillen announced that the 2026 Governor’s Youth Summit will take place in Kearney, Nebraska at the Younes Conference Center North on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. The Youth Summit will coincide with the annual Governor’s Summit. This year marks the second Youth Summit; the inaugural event was held in August 2025.

“All of us in Nebraska agree, our kids are our future,” said Gov. Pillen. “Following the giant success of the first-ever Youth Summit, it was a no brainer to expand this year’s event. Participating students can make incredible connections with local businesses to jumpstart their journey to a dream career right here in Nebraska.”

The Youth Summit is tailored to juniors and seniors in high school and freshmen and sophomores in college. There is no cost to attend. However, the event is expected to reach full capacity quickly, so interested students are encouraged to sign up now.

The Governor’s Youth Summit is not a traditional career fair—it is a relational experience to match Nebraska’s most promising young talent and most influential industry leaders.

Prior to the event, students create a profile on CareerPathway.com. Based on their career aspirations, they are matched with available internships, apprenticeships, scholarships, or jobs. Then, during the Youth Summit, they meet in-person with business or college leaders to explore these career opportunities. Additionally, students at the Youth Summit learn from educators, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs about how to set themselves up for career success as they approach graduation.

For more information about the Governor’s Youth Summit, go to govsummit.nebraska.gov/youth. 



Iowa Reports E15 Sales Up 60%, Becoming the “New Normal” Fuel

Tuesday, the Iowa Department of Revenue released the 2025 Retailers Motor Fuel Gallons Annual Report, showing E15 sales increased 60% in only one year to over 410 million gallons sold. At the end of 2025, almost half of Iowa fuel stations offered E15, with the blend accounting for 27% of gasoline sales.

“The massive growth in E15 sales reflects the success of Governor Reynolds’s E15 Access Standard,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw. “With Iowa drivers saving an average of 15 cents per gallon by choosing E15, the cost savings equal an estimated $61.5 million. E15 is well on its way to becoming the new normal fuel in Iowa.” 

The report also showed that almost 51 million gallons of biodiesel were sold in various blends during 2025. This is down from about 82 million gallons of biodiesel sold in all blends during 2024. 

“2025 was the predictable result of being completely unsettled by federal policy,” commented Shaw. “Low RFS blend levels for 2025, combined with no guidance on federal tax credits during the same period, disrupted the biodiesel market. Iowa biodiesel took a big hit but can weather the storm and rebound quickly with the right policies put in place.” 

The Iowa Department of Revenue identified retailers for the report using information from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s motor fuel license database and from internal records. 



Prepare for Federal Aviation Administration Part 107 Certification with May Drone Workshop

Iowa State University’s Digital Ag Innovation team, in partnership with Terraplex Ag, will host a two-day Drone Workshop designed to prepare participants for the Federal Aviation Administration Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification exam. The workshop will take place May 27–28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, at the Alliant Energy Agriculture Innovation Lab, located at 3800 University Blvd., Ames.

The workshop is geared toward agricultural professionals, drone operators and others interested in using unmanned aerial systems commercially. Participants will receive in-depth instruction on FAA regulations and operations, including Part 107 rules and limitations, airspace classifications and requirements and key concepts needed to successfully pass the Part 107 exam.

The course will include hands-on review sessions, group discussions, FAA-style practice tests and time for a Q&A session. Study materials, including practice exams, are included with registration, and lunch will be provided both days. In-class instruction will also guide participants through the process of registering for the FAA Part 107 exam at an FAA-designated testing center. The FAA exam fee is not included in the workshop registration cost.

The workshop will be led by Sam Welton, director of compliance at Terraplex Ag. Welton brings six years of military experience flying the U.S. Army’s RQ-7B Shadow unmanned aircraft system, five years of operating agricultural spray drones and extensive experience assisting operators with FAA certifications and licensing.

Registration is required. Early registration is $449 by May 1, increasing to $500 after. Registration closes on May 22. Enrollment is limited to a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 30 participants.

To register, visit  FAA Part 107 Test Prep Course, Terraplex Ag https://terraplexag.com/compliance/test-prep.

For more information, contact Doug Houser, digital agriculture extension specialist at Iowa State, at dhouser@iastate.edu.




American Sheep Industry Names Mike Michener as Executive Director

The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Michener as its new Executive Director. Michener brings more than 35 years of leadership across agriculture, food systems, and public policy, with a proven track record of strengthening markets, advancing industry priorities, and leading complex organizations.

“We are excited to announce the hiring of Mike Michener as our new executive director,” said ASI President Ben Lehfeldt. “Peter Orwick helped guide our organization for many years and left us in a great place financially to really build on our organization’s commitment to our producers. We are grateful for all the staff and executive board members that helped during this transition, and we are thrilled to move to this next chapter with Mike at the lead.”

Michener most recently served as Principal Consultant at Michener Strategic Advisory, advising multilateral institutions, international organizations, and U.S.-based initiatives on strategy, governance, and stakeholder engagement across agri-food systems.

His previous leadership roles include serving as Deputy Assistant Administrator in the Bureau for Resilience and Food Security at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), where he oversaw major initiatives in agriculture, nutrition, and global food security, including Feed the Future, as well as Minister Counselor to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations Agencies in Rome, representing U.S. interests in global food and agriculture policy.

Earlier in his career, Michener served as Administrator of the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, where he led a significant organizational turnaround and strengthened U.S. agricultural trade and global market engagement. He also held senior roles with the U.S. Department of State, USAID, and the Department of Homeland Security, and served in the U.S. Army.

A native Iowan, Michener recently returned to the state after working in Ukraine and maintains close ties to agriculture through his family’s multigenerational farm. He holds a Master of Public Administration from Bowie State University and a Bachelor of Arts in East European Studies from the University of Maryland University College. He is fluent in Romanian and has proficiency in several other languages.

“I’m honored to join the American Sheep Industry Association and to work on behalf of sheep producers across the country,” said Michener. “The industry has a strong foundation, and I look forward to working with ASI’s leadership, members, and partners to expand market opportunities, strengthen competitiveness, and advance priorities that support producers and rural communities.”

Michener’s experience across government, international institutions, and industry organizations positions him well to lead ASI into its next chapter.

The American Sheep Industry (ASI) is the national organization representing the interests of U.S. sheep producers, advancing the sheep industry through targeted work in policy, animal health, market development, education, and producer-driven leadership.



Reps. Fischbach, Budzinski Applauded for Legislation that Will Diversify Corn Demand

Reps. Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.) and Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.) introduced H.R. 8137 the Biobased Materials Investment and Production Act to incentivize the production of biobased chemicals and materials, which will create new markets for American farmers..
 
NCGA is working closely with Congress and a coalition of organizations to support and expand the ag bioeconomy. In response to the introduction of the tax legislation, Ohio farmer and National Corn Growers Association President Jed Bower released the following statement: 
 
"Corn growers are very appreciative of Reps. Fischbach and Budzinski for introducing this legislation that will diversify demand for our farmers, strengthen rural economies and support domestic manufacturing. Boosting market opportunities for bioproducts made from agricultural feedstocks creates new revenue streams for growers of many different crops, which is particularly helpful during difficult economic times."  




NAWG Urges ITC to Revoke Duties on Phosphate Fertilizers

Tuesday, the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) urged the United States International Trade Commission to revoke countervailing duty (CVD) orders on phosphate fertilizers from Morocco and Russia, citing significant economic harm to U.S. wheat farmers.

In a letter to Secretary Lisa R. Barton, NAWG emphasized that maintaining these duties would continue to impose unnecessary costs on farmers already facing a challenging economic environment.

“Phosphate fertilizer is a critical and necessary component in growing wheat, and the current countervailing duties have placed an unsustainable financial burden on America’s farmers who raise wheat,” said NAWG CEO Sam Kieffer. “Revoking these orders would provide immediate and meaningful relief to growers and strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. agriculture.”

Fertilizer accounts for roughly 38 percent of wheat operating costs, according to USDA projections. Research from Texas A&M University estimates the duties added $6.9 billion in fertilizer costs for U.S. producers between 2021 and 2025, with wheat farmers bearing nearly $1 billion. NAWG’s analysis estimates wheat farmers alone incurred approximately nearly $1 billion in added costs over that period.

NAWG also noted that the U.S. relies on imports to meet phosphate demand, with domestic supply falling short by about 3 million metric tons annually. Reduced imports following the duties have tightened supply and contributed to higher prices.

“America’s wheat farmers are already facing multiple external pressures outside their control, including geopolitical disruptions that have recently exacerbated fertilizer and shipping costs. The Commission now has an opportunity to remove one cost driver that is within U.S. policy control,” Kieffer added.