Wednesday September 09 Ag News - Weekly Crop Progress Reports - NARD at HHD - NU System Update - USDA Seeks Comments on Beef Grades - 45Z Updates Favor Biofuels - and more!

Nebraska Crop Progress: Corn, Soybean Maturity Trails Average

Nebraska corn continued moving toward maturity during the week ending Sept. 6, but development remained behind the normal pace. Winter wheat planting had yet to begin, also trailing both last year and the five-year average.

Topsoil moisture supplies rated 22% very short, 32% short, 43% adequate and 3% surplus, while subsoil moisture rated 29% very short, 32% short, 38% adequate and 1% surplus. Producers had 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork.

Field Crops Report:

Corn
    Dough: 95% — ahead of 91% last year and equal to the five-year average.
    Dented: 74% — ahead of 68% last year but behind 78% for the five-year average.
    Mature: 14% — behind 22% last year and 25% for the five-year average.
    Condition: 5% very poor, 12% poor, 30% fair, 36% good, 17% excellent.

Soybean
    Dropping leaves: 19% — ahead of 13% last year but behind 26% for the five-year average.
    Condition: 2% very poor, 9% poor, 25% fair, 48% good, 16% excellent.

Winter Wheat
    Planted: 0% — behind 7% last year and 4% for the five-year average.

Sorghum
    Headed: 92% — equal to last year but behind 97% for the five-year average.
    Coloring: 50% — behind 58% last year and 72% for the five-year average.
    Mature: 10% — ahead of 2% last year and the five-year average.
    Condition: 2% very poor, 19% poor, 43% fair, 30% good, 6% excellent.

Oats
    Harvested: 98% — behind 100% last year and the five-year average.

Pasture and Range
    Condition: 37% very poor, 25% poor, 26% fair, 11% good, 1% excellent.

Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency, Nebraska Extension, and other reporters across the state. 



Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

There were 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Sept. 6, 2026. This is 0.4 days less than last year, when there were 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 23 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 24 percent short, 68 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus. 

Ninety-six percent of Iowa’s corn crop has reached the dough stage, which is unchanged from last year. Seventy-nine percent of corn reached the dent stage, which is 1 percentage point ahead of last year. Seventeen percent of corn has reached maturity, which is 7 percentage points behind last year. Corn condition rated 77 percent good to excellent. 

Six percent of soybeans are dropping leaves, which is 4 percentage points behind last year. Soybean condition rated 75 percent good to excellent. 

Oat harvest has largely concluded, which is slightly ahead of last year. 

Pasture condition rated 64 percent good to excellent.



USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report

The U.S. corn harvest kicked off slightly ahead of last year's pace and ahead of the five-year average, according to USDA NASS's weekly Crop Progress report released on Tuesday. The report, which is normally released on Mondays, was delayed this week due to the Labor Day holiday.

CORN
-- Crop development: Corn in the dough stage was estimated at 96%, 2 percentage points ahead of both last year and the five-year average of 94%. Corn dented was estimated at 76%, 4 percentage points ahead of both last year and the five-year average of 72%. Corn mature was pegged at 25%, 1 percentage point ahead of last year's 24% and 2 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 23%.
-- Harvest progress: In its first corn harvest report of the season, NASS estimated that 5% of corn has been harvested nationally, 1 percentage point ahead of last year's 4% and 2 points ahead of the five-year average of 3%.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 56% of the crop was in good-to-excellent condition, 1 percentage point below the previous week and 12 percentage points below last year's 68%. 

SOYBEANS
-- Crop development: Soybeans dropping leaves were pegged at 26%, 6 percentage points ahead of last year's 20% and 6 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 20%.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 58% of soybeans were in good-to-excellent condition, equal to the previous week and 6 percentage points below the previous year's 64%. 

SPRING WHEAT
-- Harvest progress: Spring wheat harvest reached 86% complete as of Sunday. That was 3 percentage points ahead of both last year's pace and the five-year average of 83%.

WINTER WHEAT
-- Planting progress: NASS reported early progress on winter planting at 2% nationally, 2 percentage points behind last year's 4% and 3 percentage points behind the five-year average of 5%.



Husker Harvest Days includes Free Trees and Water Testing

Questions about trees, soil health, water quality or cost-share programs? Stop in to visit Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts during Husker Harvest Days Sept. 15-17, 2026.

“This is a great opportunity for producers to meet with conservation agencies all in one place and learn more about cost-share programs that can benefit their operation and Nebraska’s natural resources,” said Ryan Reuter, president of the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD).

Located in the Natural Resources Hub (39E), Nebraska’s NRDs are stationed with various organizations that offer conservation assistance, cost-share opportunities and producer programs. Attendees can visit with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS); USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA); Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment; ONE RED; Rainwater Basin Joint Venture; Platte River Recovery Implementation Program; The Nature Conservancy; and Central Platte NRD’s Native Prairie and Pollination Awareness Program.

The Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment staff will be on site to provide free water testing and screen for nitrates in minutes. Private well owners should bring a cup-size sample of water in a clean container.

In addition, the Natural Resources Districts will announce three individuals to be inducted into the NRD Hall of Fame during a press conference at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, on the Hospitality Tent Stage (SE Quadrant, #33). These Hall of Fame inductees have made significant contributions to protect our state’s natural resources through the NRDs. Hall of Fame categories include:
    Natural Resources District Board Member 
    Natural Resources District Employee 
    Natural Resources District Supporter

During the three-day event, Husker Harvest attendees also will receive a free blue spruce tree seedling from the NRD Conservation Tree Program. All 23 Nebraska NRDs administer tree planting programs to provide trees and shrubs for local landowners. Each district varies, but possible services include: planting, weed barrier installation or weed control, and drip irrigation. Free prairie grass seed will also be available as part of the Native Prairie and Pollinator Awareness Project.

For more information on the Conservation Tree Program and other conservation resources, visit www.nrdnet.org.



NU System sees growth in first-time freshmen

Enrollment among first-time freshmen is up across the University of Nebraska System for the 2026-27 academic year, according to data collected on the sixth day of classes across the NU System.  

According to the data, collected annually as part of the university's six-day census, enrollment of first-time freshman across the NU System was 7,987 as the fall 2026 semester began, from 7,824 in 2025 – an increase of 163 students. 

Across the system, enrollment was down from 49,638 in 2025 to 48,948 in 2026. Strong recent graduation rates, pathways for early graduation and a nationwide decrease in international students contributed to lower enrollment overall, as have decreasing birth rates, both in Nebraska and throughout much of the United States.    

Across the NU System, international student enrollment was at 2,569, down 11% since last year. Graduate enrollment was also down, to 8,979 from 9,509 in 2025, mirroring national trends of reductions in federal research funding. At the same time, total student credit hours were strong, with students across the NU System enrolled in 602,106 credit hours, indicating that students are taking more courses and accelerating their pathway to degree completion and graduation.

“Our overall enrollment reflects national trends and an important inflection point for Nebraska,” said NU President Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. “Students are taking advantage of programs that allow them to move through college faster, and more quickly entering the workforce. Across the NU System, more new students are choosing to pursue an undergraduate degree. These are positive developments that we should celebrate and encourage.”

The graduating class size continues to grow as well. Since 2018, the university has graduated approximately 11,000 students each year, peaking at 11,654 in 2021. 

The University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis also saw an increase in enrollment, the latter by 11.3% to 237 students this fall, in part because of a popular online veterinary technology program launched in 2025.  

In recent years, the NU System has launched several programs intended to expand access to higher education and keep top Nebraska students in-state for college. Across the system, more than 7,500 Nebraska students are attending college through the Nebraska Promise, which waives tuition for students whose families make less than $65,000 annually. In addition, more than 80 students currently enrolled across the NU system are taking part in the Presidential Scholars Program, which provides a full-ride scholarship plus a $5,000 annual stipend to any student who graduates from a Nebraska high school and receives a perfect 36 on the ACT.

Finally, more than 250 first-year students are attending college as part of the NexGen Scholars program, which provides a full-ride scholarship to any resident student who graduates from a Nebraska high school and receives a 33-35 composite score on the ACT.

Details on the University of Nebraska System's fall 2026 enrollment are below. 
System-wide enrollment totals 
    University of Nebraska System total headcount: 48,948 (1.4% decrease)
    First-time freshmen: 7,987
    Undergraduate students: 36,265 (0.1% decrease)
    Graduate students: 8,979 (0.06% decrease)
    Professional students: 3,704 (1.1% increase)
    Resident students: 37,670 (0.8% decrease)
    Nonresident students: 11,278 (3.5% decrease)
    Full-time student enrollment: 40,013 (0.6% decrease)
    Student credit hours: 602,106 (0.7% decrease)

Campus enrollment totals
    University of Nebraska (UNL and UNMC as jointly accredited campuses): 28,424 (1.2% decrease)
        University of Nebraska-Lincoln: 23,577 (1.6% decrease)
        University of Nebraska Medical Center: 4,847 (0.6% increase)
    University of Nebraska at Kearney: 5,477 (3.9% decrease)
    University of Nebraska at Omaha: 14,810 (1% decrease)
    Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture: 237 (11.3% increase)

“As Nebraska’s only public university system, serving the people and communities of our state is central to our mission,” said Dr. Gold. “While I’m encouraged by our graduation rates and increasing numbers of first-time freshman, we must continue our work to grow new programs that will support Nebraska’s workforce needs.” 



IFBF names Naig, Hinson as a 'Friend of Agriculture'

The Iowa Farm Bureau Political Action Committee (PAC) has designated Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and U.S. Senate candidate Ashley Hinson as a "Friend of Agriculture" for the 2026 general election on Nov. 3.

Guided by grassroots input from all 100 county Farm Bureaus in the state, Naig and Hinson were selected based on support of Farm Bureau policies and commitment to Iowa’s farm families and agricultural economy. Candidates earn the Friend of Agriculture designation by supporting issues that directly impact Iowa’s agricultural economy, farm families and their communities. 

Naig and Hinson have a proven track record of leading the way on issues that matter to Farm Bureau members. They each understand and have demonstrated that agriculture, including livestock, crops and niche markets, are key to growing a more prosperous Iowa.
“Our PAC takes great care evaluating candidates based on voting records, past support and grassroots input from every county Farm Bureau in the state,” said Tim Diamond, Iowa Farm Bureau PAC chair and Grundy County farmer.  “Our process is grounded in support for Farm Bureau policies, and we are proud to stand behind candidates who have earned our endorsement and will continue to be champions for agriculture and Iowa’s hard-working farm families.”

For information on how to cast your ballot in this year’s general election, go online to IowaFarmBureau.com/FarmersVote.



USDA Requests Comments on Beef Grade Standards 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking input from the public and industry stakeholders on how the U.S. beef grade standards could be updated to better serve the needs of beef producers, packers, wholesalers, volume food buyers, retailers, and consumers. AMS was asked by the American Wagyu Association to review the grade standards and explore potential revisions.

On July 8, 2026, AMS published a Request for Information (RFI) in the Federal Register seeking comments on the beef grade standards with a 60-day comment period that ends on September 8, 2026.  AMS received an industry request to extend the comment period by an additional 90 days. AMS is honoring this request, so comments can now be submitted through December 7, 2026. The Beef Standards Notice Comment Extension is available here: Federal Register - United States Standards for Grades of Carcass Beef (Extension of Comment Period)

AMS develops and maintains official USDA beef grade standards for beef carcasses, which measure factors such as meat yield, fat covering, ribeye area, degrees of marbling and carcass defects such as dark cutting beef. The standards are applied to determine the quality of the product, and are not a reflection of wholesomeness, which is determined by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) prior to the grading process.

For more information, contact Chad Nelson at chad.nelson2@usda.gov or at 402-281-4704.



Ambassador Greer Issues Statement on President Trump’s Response to Canada’s Continued Retaliation Against the United States

Tuesday, Ambassador Jamieson Greer issued a statement after President Trump exercised his authority under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to ban certain Canadian products from entering the U.S. market and modify the scope of the July 20 actions to effectively offset the burden or disadvantage to U.S. commerce by Canada’s discriminatory measures.

“After weeks of good faith and intensive efforts between U.S. and Canadian negotiators, Canada walked away from a near-final trade deal that offered better treatment than any other trading partner, and instead Canada chose to embark on senseless retaliation against the United States,” said Ambassador Greer. “Today’s action, combining targeted import bans as authorized by Section 338 and a calibration of the underlying Section 338 tariffs, is a natural consequence of Canada’s continued discriminatory treatment of crucial American exports, ranging from alcoholic beverages to dairy products to motor vehicles. President Trump will continue to leverage the tools at his disposal to defend the interests of American workers and exporters, and restore reciprocity in our bilateral trade relationships.”

Additionally, the President has directed USTR (Office of the United States Trade Representative) and GSA (General Services Administration) to remove $50 billion dollars’ worth of Canadian-origin products from GSA’s Multiple Award Schedules.



Growth Energy Applauds IRS Guidance and DOE GREET Model Update to Maximize Value of 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit

Growth Energy, the nation's largest biofuel trade association, commended the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the guidance it released today in conjunction with the related 45Z CF GREET Model update that clears a path for farmers and biofuel producers to further enhance the value of the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit. 

Specifically, the guidance stipulates that qualifying low-carbon agricultural practices consistent with the technical guidelines released earlier this year by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) can be used in the calculation of the 45Z credit. The guidance also provides transition rules for applying changes made to 45Z by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), including a requirement that emissions rates exclude emissions attributable to flawed, outdated, and inaccurate indirect land use change (ILUC) calculations. 

"Farmers and biofuel producers asked and the Trump administration has delivered," said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. "The 45Z tax credit is already driving significant investments in rural communities across the U.S., but this guidance is the key to ensuring farmers reap the benefits of the credit. 

“We thank USDA, DOE, and the Treasury Department for decisively tying qualifying farm practices to 45Z and providing important clarification on ILUC. We can’t wait to see how this new guidance accelerates the credit’s impact across rural America,” she added. 



New Study: Ethanol Holding Down Gasoline Prices During Iran Conflict

Blending ethanol into the nation’s fuel supply has helped to substantially lower gasoline prices during the ongoing Iran conflict, a new study for the Renewable Fuels Association shows. Prepared by George Hoekstra, a 35-year veteran of the petroleum refining industry, the study concludes that the average E10 cost-savings advantage has been 38 cents per gallon since the Iran conflict began.

“It’s common knowledge that blending ethanol saves drivers money—consumers see evidence of that every time they pull up to the pump. But this new study carefully quantifies the economic benefits of using ethanol during a period of high crude prices and geopolitical instability,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “As global petroleum stocks continue to tighten, American-made ethanol is extending domestic fuel supplies by more than 1 million barrels per day and significantly lowering prices at the pump for consumers. This report should serve as a compelling reminder to policymakers that the fastest way to lower fuel prices is to blend more—not less—ethanol into our gasoline. The findings underscore the urgent need for Congress to pass legislation allowing nationwide, year-round E15 as quickly as possible.”

The Hoekstra report shows that E15’s economic benefit during the Iran conflict has been even greater, offering a lower cost of 57 cents per gallon. The study looks at three economically distinct sources of ethanol value: The value of replacing gasoline volume with lower-cost ethanol, the octane value of ethanol, and the value of Renewable Fuel Standard compliance credits called RINs. However, even when one leaves out the impact of RFS blending obligations and RINs, E10 still offered a 17.5 cents per gallon cost advantage compared to regular gasoline, showing that ethanol has substantial economic value even before counting the RIN credit value. Hoekstra also estimates that for the full year through early August, the non-RIN portion equated to overall savings of $18.7 billion.