Friday December 05 Ag News - Feeding the Cow Series for Jan - Rural Poll: Biosecurity and the Bioeconomy - T&L Irrigation Introduce Span Disconnects - 2026 ISU Crop Advantage Meetings - and more!

 Fundamentals of Feeding the Cow webinar series returns in January

Nebraska Extension will again offer its popular Fundamentals of Feeding the Cow webinar series this January, providing cattle producers with practical tools to understand and meet the nutrient requirements of their herds.

The four-session program will run Jan. 19, 22, 26 and 29 from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. CT. Registration is $65 per participant and includes a notebook of Extension resources. Attendance is limited to 24 participants, and registration is due by Jan. 5 to ensure timely delivery of materials. Registration is available at https://go.unl.edu/feedingthecow.

“This series gives cattle producers straightforward, real-world strategies for feeding management throughout the year,” said Erin Laborie, Nebraska Extension educator.

“Participants value the flexibility of a Zoom-based course and the opportunity to apply what they learn directly to their own operations.”

More than 165 producers have previously completed the course, consistently rating it among the best educational opportunities available. One participant noted, “I really liked that it is Zoom based. It’s hard to get away to attend conferences. I appreciated the ‘real life’ examples discussed. It made the material easier to apply to our own scenarios.”

Sessions will cover:
    How nutrient requirements shift throughout the cow’s production cycle.
    Reading and interpreting feed test analyses and feed tags.
    Comparing feed options and determining the best buy.
    Developing cost-effective, year-round feeding plans.

For more information, contact Laborie at 308-268-3105 or erin.laborie@unl.edu.



RURAL NEBRASKANS CONCERNED ABOUT BIOSECURITY, HOPEFUL FOR BIOECONOMY, POLL SHOWS

Rural Nebraskans are familiar with the need to protect the health of their land, food and communities. According to the 2025 Nebraska Rural Poll, most are familiar with the idea of biosecurity, and many are concerned about threats from contaminated water and invasive species, cyberattacks and natural disasters. The new report highlights Nebraskans’ opinions on these risks, whom they trust for information and how they see the state’s bioeconomy shaping the future.

Biosecurity
Biosecurity refers to actions taken to protect animal health, farm productivity, export markets and rural livelihoods. Forty-nine percent of rural Nebraskans surveyed say they are somewhat familiar with the topic of biosecurity and 10% are very familiar. Twenty-one percent say they are not at all familiar with the topic.

When asked about specific biosecurity threats, most respondents are concerned or very concerned with the following:
> Contamination of food or water supplies (67%)
> Cybersecurity attacks by foreign entities (65%)
> Natural disasters, including severe droughts and fires (63%)
> Intentional release of biological agents or materials (59%)
> Cybersecurity attacks by U.S. entities (56%)
> Introduction of invasive species (53%)

Less than half of respondents are concerned or very concerned about the spread of infectious human and animal diseases or plant insects and pathogens.

“It’s no surprise that biosecurity concerns are highest around issues people see and experience firsthand, such as drought, wildfires and the safety of their food and water,” said Becky Vogt, Rural Poll survey manager. “These perceptions reflect how closely biosecurity is tied to everyday rural life — from the stability of local agriculture to the health of our communities.”

Though rural Nebraskans are concerned about the possibility of biosecurity threats, only 15% of respondents have heard of incidents or concerns in their community. Seventy-six percent have not heard of any incidents or concerns, and 9% are unsure.

In a similar vein, many respondents are not sure if threats are getting worse:
> 37% are unsure if threats are increasing or decreasing
> 32% say threats are staying the same
> 27% say threats are increasing

Many rural Nebraskans surveyed are confident in the ability of local and regional authorities to respond to biosecurity threats, but slightly fewer have confidence in national authorities. Forty-one percent of respondents are somewhat or extremely confident in local and regional authorities, and 35% are confident in national authorities.

In addition, most respondents agree that both individuals and government regulations are needed to contribute to biosecurity. Most agree or strongly agree that individuals have a responsibility to contribute to biosecurity (71%) and that government regulations are necessary to ensure biosecurity (67%).

However, opinions are mixed on whether information about biosecurity is readily available to the public. Twenty-three percent agree that such information is available, while 31% disagree. About 45% are uncertain.

When looking specifically at the biosecurity information sources they use, most rural Nebraskans trust health care professionals, scientists, university Extension, state and local news media, and government agencies for biosecurity information.

More than half of rural Nebraskans surveyed trust the following some or a lot:
> University Extension (86%)
> Health care professionals (80%)
> Scientists (79%)
> State government agencies (69%)
> Local government agencies (67%)
> State news media (54%)
> Local news media (53%)
> Federal government agencies (51%)

“Even though most rural Nebraskans haven’t seen biosecurity incidents in their own communities, they still recognize the importance of being prepared,” said Heather Akin, associate professor in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication. “But what stands out is how much people trust their local sources — extension educators, health care professionals and local agencies. That trust is a real strength for rural communities and can make all the difference when it comes to sharing clear information and keeping people and resources safe.”

Bioeconomy
The Rural Poll also asked about the bioeconomy — using renewable biological resources to sustainably produce food, energy and bio-based materials. Most respondents think it would be good for Nebraska to develop its bioeconomy. Seventy-six percent believe it would be somewhat or definitely good to develop the state’s bioeconomy, while only 5 percent think it would be bad.

When thinking about the specific impacts of growing the bioeconomy, at least half of rural Nebraskans surveyed believe there would be a positive impact from growing the bioeconomy on the following:
> Jobs and the economy (72%)
> The environment (64%)
> Technology and innovation (61%)
> Local communities (61%)
> Global competitiveness (50%)

“Rural Nebraskans see the bioeconomy as a chance to build on the strengths that already exist in their communities,” said Brad Lubben, associate professor of agricultural economics. “They recognize that using renewable resources to produce food, energy and materials can create local jobs, support family businesses and keep Nebraska competitive while still protecting our environment.”

The “Biosecurity and Bioeconomy” report and its implications for rural Nebraska will be highlighted during a Rural Poll webinar at noon Dec. 11. Vogt will lead the discussion with special guest Meghan Jackson, director for food, agriculture and environment security at the National Strategic Research Institute. The webinar will include a Q&A session with the audience. Register here.

The 2025 Nebraska Rural Poll marks the 30th year of tracking rural Nebraskans’ perceptions about policy and quality of life, making it the largest and longest-running poll of its kind. This summer, questionnaires were mailed to more than 6,700 Nebraska households, with 943 households from 86 of the state’s 93 counties responding. The poll carries a margin of error of plus-or-minus 3%. Conducted by Rural Prosperity Nebraska with funding from Nebraska Extension, the Rural Poll provides three decades of data on the voices of rural Nebraskans. Current and past reports are available at https://ruralpoll.unl.edu. 



Span Disconnect Redesign Results in Lower Cost, Easier Operation

T-L Irrigation is introducing a new version of its Span Disconnect for linear systems and center pivots that is lower in cost and easier to operate than the current version.

The redesigned Span Disconnect utilizes two on-board hydraulic cylinders to raise and lower the span off the ball connect and to draw it in and out. Instead of a permanent structure in the field to park the stationary spans, this new design includes a leg set that is attached to the first span being disconnected.

“The newly resigned Span Disconnect is another example of our ongoing commitment to develop innovations that provide our customers more convenience, cost-effectiveness and superior performance,” said John Thom, T-L Irrigation vice president. “Our T-L engineers saw a need and have created a redesign that directly benefits farmers today, from the standpoint of lower costs and ease of operation.”

T-L linear systems and center pivot irrigation are recognized for simplicity, safety and reliability. Featuring the latest technology for convenience and superior performance, the irrigation systems are designed to provide farmers with results and value that last, season after season.

The redesigned Span Disconnect is available for retrofitting on existing T-L irrigation systems and pivots and on new units. 



2026 Crop Advantage Series Meetings to Be Held at 12 Locations in January

The 2026 Crop Advantage Series will take place at 12 locations across the state Jan. 6–29. Each meeting will feature tailored topics selected based on local growing conditions and challenges, presented by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach specialists.

The meetings are designed to provide farmers and crop production professionals across the state with the latest research-based information to help them make informed decisions for the upcoming growing season. Topics on this year’s agendas include crop market and climate outlooks for 2026, nitrates and drinking water, profitable nutrient management, southern rust, transition planning, robots and drones and more.

Dates and locations for the 2026 Crop Advantage Series include:
    Jan. 22 – Atlantic - Cass County Community Building - 8:30am - 5:00pm      
    Jan. 28 – Le Mars - LeMars Convention Center - 9:30am - 4:30pm    
    Jan. 29 – Carroll - Swan Lake Educational Center - 7:30am - 5:00pm 

“Our goal is always to prepare producers to manage potential issues when they arise, or even before they arise, by sharing the most up-to-date scientific knowledge from Iowa State University researchers,” said Josh Michel, field agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Each location’s program is unique as content is driven by local needs and production issues.”

Early-bird registration pricing is $75 until the week before each meeting. Late or on-site registration is $100. Registration includes refreshments and lunch, certified crop advisor credits and access to resources. Private pesticide applicator recertification will also be available at each location for a separate fee of $30, which will be collected on-site.

Registration and additional information is available on the Crop Advantage Series registration site https://go.iastate.edu/cropadvantage.



Commercial Manure Applicator Training Scheduled for Jan. 8

Commercial manure applicators can attend annual training to meet commercial manure applicator certification requirements on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will conduct Commercial Manure Applicator Certification training from 9 a.m. to noon at 72 locations across Iowa.

There is no fee for the workshop; however, pre-registration is required and walk-ins are not allowed. Applicators must register by Dec. 30, 2025, with the ISU Extension and Outreach County office where they plan to attend. A complete list of workshop locations can be found online. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m.

Live workshop trainings
Eight locations will host live workshops for Commercial Manure Applicator Certification as part of the Confinement Site Manure Applicator Training. Those seeking the Confinement Site certification will be excused after the two-hour session. To obtain the Commercial certification, participants must remain for the additional hour to fulfill the three-hour training requirement.

The dates, counties, workshop locations and phone numbers for the locations hosting a Livemanure application Commercial Manure Applicator Workshop are provided below:
    Jan. 15, Johnson County, 9:30 a.m. Johnson County Extension Office, Iowa City; 319-337-2145.
    Jan. 20, Osceola County, 1:30 p.m., Willow Creek County Recreation, 5945 Hwy 9, Ocheyedan; 712-754-3648.
    Jan. 26, Davis County, 1:30 p.m., Davis County Extension office, Bloomfield; 641-664-2730.
    Jan. 28, Wayne County, 1:30 p.m., Wayne County Extension Office, Corydon; 641-872-1755.
    Feb. 11, Kossuth County, 1:30 p.m., Kossuth County Extension Office, Algona; 515-295-2469.
    Feb. 12, Ida County, 1:30 p.m., Holstein Community Center, Holstein; 712-364-3003.
    Feb. 17, Story County, 1:30 p.m., Story County Extension Office, Ames; 525-337-1601.
    Feb. 23, Clay County, 1:30 p.m., Clay County Extension Office, Spencer; 712-262-2264.

Three live workshop locations are available for Commercial Manure Applicator Certification only:
    Jan. 6, Washington County, 1 p.m., Washington County Extension Office, Washington; 319-653-4811.
    Jan. 8, Sioux County, 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.,  Sioux County Extension Office, Orange City; 712-737-4230.
    Feb. 17, Carroll County, 1 p.m., Carroll County Extension Office, Carroll; 712-792-2364

Commercial manure applicators who need to recertify and those seeking certification for the first time should attend the statewide showing or one of the live workshops in their area. All certified commercial manure applicator licenses will expire on March 1, 2026. To avoid paying late fees, individuals wishing to renew must complete the required training and submit the necessary forms and fees to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources by March 1. The law requires all commercial manure applicators to attend three hours of training annually to meet certification requirements.

Businesses that primarily truck or haul manure of any type or from any source are also required to meet certification requirements.

Those unable to attend the program on Jan. 8 or one of the eight live workshop locations above need to schedule time with their ISU Extension and Outreach county office to watch the training videos. Due to scheduling conflicts, extension offices will no longer accept walk-in appointments to watch these videos, but do offer scheduled dates and times to provide this training.

If applicators cannot attend training during one of the scheduled reshow dates at their county extension office, they will be charged a $10 fee to view the training at their convenience. If attending the workshops or watching the three-hour video is not convenient, commercial applicators may contact their local DNR field office to schedule an appointment to take the certification exam. In addition to scheduling an appointment to take the exam, applicators must bring a pencil and a photo ID and should plan to bring a calculator.

Another option for commercial manure applicators is to take their training online at the Iowa DNR MAC Workday site (see “Manure Applicators Certification” > “Certification” > “Online”). Applicators will need to sign in and register for a Workday account.

In addition to the Commercial Manure Applicator training offered on Jan. 8, ISU Extension and Outreach will also offer five dry/solid manure workshops for commercial manure applicators in February 2026. Information regarding these workshops and locations is available on the online brochure. Program requirements are the same as the regular commercial training program, but this training program is geared toward dry/solid manure issues. 



Strasser Joins Iowa Soybean Association Board of Directors

Eastern Iowa farmer Brian Strasser will serve as district 6 director for the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA). His appointment was made by the ISA Board of Directors during a November meeting.

Strasser’s appointment to the board follows a seat vacancy in district 6, which includes Benton, Cedar, Clinton, Iowa, Linn, Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Muscatine and Scott counties. He will complete the remainder of a two-year term and is eligible to serve three consecutive three-year terms following.

“We are pleased to welcome Brian to our board,” says ISA President Tom Adam of Harper. “He’s committed to our mission of serving Iowa soybean farmers and working for the long-term success of the soybean industry.”

Brian and his wife Vicki are the fifth generation to live and farm the family farm. They grow soybean and corn in a no-till system and own a custom hog finishing facility.

Strasser has been a strong advocate for the soybean checkoff and long-time participant in ISA programming, including ISA’s Soy Leaders Network, Grassroots Fellowship and Experience Class. He is vice president of the Iowa County Farm Bureau and has been involved in his local church. Strasser earned a degree in computer science from Indian Hills Community College and works for Advanced Agrilytics.

“It’s an honor to represent Iowa’s soybean farmers in this role,” says Strasser. “In the next decade, soybean farmers need the strongest leadership we can provide. My basis in agronomy promotes the future of combining conservation agronomy, carbon programs, emerging markets and the fundamentals of farming for a profit.”

ISA is governed by a board of 22 volunteer farmer-directors who meet throughout the year to develop the association’s policies and programs. Directors are elected by Iowa soybean farmers in July and take office in September. Members vote for two farmers from their crop reporting district and vote for four at-large directors.



2025 U.S. Corn Crop Largest On Record With Lowest BCFM In At Least 15 Years

According to the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council’s (USGBC’s) 2025/2026 Corn Harvest Quality Report, the 15th such annual survey published globally this week, the 2025 U.S. corn crop is projected to be the largest on record, coming in a 425.53 million metric tons (16,752 bushels). The crop is also highlighted by the lowest rate of broken corn and foreign material (BCFM) in the report’s history, a remarkable accomplishment for the entire U.S. corn value chain.

Generally favorable growing season conditions contributed to the highest projected average yield on record, 11.67 metric tons per hectare (186 bushels per acre), and promoted good grain quality.

The 2025 growing season was marked by warm, dry conditions after planting, wetter conditions during pollination and progressively cooler and drier weather during early grain-fill.

This year’s crop, on average, is entering the market channel with characteristics that met or exceeded each grade factor’s numerical requirements for U.S. No. 1 grade corn. The report showed 87.1 percent of the samples met all grade factor requirements for U.S. No. 1 grade, and 97.8 percent met the grade factor requirements for U.S. No. 2 grade corn.

“The Council’s annual quality reports are held in high esteem in the international agricultural sector, and it’s used by purchasers and end-users around the world to identify the best options for their operations,” said Mark Wilson, USGBC chairman.

“U.S. farmers will account for an estimated 38.4 percent of global corn exports this marketing year, showing the outstanding production practices of U.S. growers and the strong reputation U.S. corn has with global customer bases.”

The report is based on 621 yellow corn samples taken from defined areas within 12 of the top corn-producing and exporting states. Inbound samples were collected from local grain elevators to measure and analyze quality at the point of origin and provide representative information about the variability of the quality characteristics across the diverse geographic regions.

Average U.S. aggregate BCFM in 2025 (0.3%) was half the level of 2024 and the lowest in the 15-year history of the quality report This year’s corn protein concentration registered at 8.4 percent.

The chemical composition of the crop remained in a healthy range, as 100 percent of the samples tested below the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) action level for both aflatoxins.

The Council will present its findings to buyers around the world in a series of roll-out events throughout the first quarter of 2026 in China, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Taiwan, offering participants clear expectations regarding the quality of corn for this marketing year. During these initiatives, crop quality information is accompanied by updates on U.S. corn grading and handling, that provides importers and end-users with a better understanding of how U.S. corn is moved and controlled through export channels.

A second Council-produced study, the 2025/2026 Corn Export Cargo Quality Report, will measure corn quality at export terminals at the point of loading and will be available in early 2026.



Liquid Fuels Groups Announce Progress on E15, Small Refinery Exemption Reform

Growth Energy Thursday joined organizations representing ethanol producers, oil refiners, fuel marketers, travel plazas, truck stops and convenience store retailers to express the need for long-term policy certainty across the transportation fuel sector. In a letter to President Donald Trump, the organizations urged policymakers to advance legislation in support of a stable, efficient fuels marketplace.

"Legislation allowing the year-round, nationwide sale of E15 would improve fungibility and substantially reduce many of the complexities that arise for our industries as we operate in a national marketplace," the organizations wrote. 

The letter urges the White House to support legislative action providing lasting certainty to this issue and reforming the Small Refinery Exemption (SRE) program.

"The current SRE structure has encouraged a system of winners and losers that distorts the marketplace, creates instability, and ultimately, hurts consumers," the organizations wrote. "A more consistent and narrowly applied SRE structure would create a far more predictable regulatory environment."

Other signatories on the letter included the American Petroleum Institute, National Association of Convenience Stores, NATSO, Representing America's Travel Centers and Truck Stops, Renewable Fuels Association, and SIGMA: America's Leading Fuel Marketers.



Multi-Sector Coalition Addresses New World Screwworm Threat Through One Health Approach

The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) will host a webinar, "New World Screwworm: A One-Health Perspective," on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. CST, addressing a parasite outbreak that has spread from Panama through Central America and reached Mexico—now 370 miles from the U.S. border.

The webinar is a collaborative effort with the Animal Health Institute (AHI), the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), and the National Pork Board.

The New World Screwworm breakthrough represents the first major threat to U.S. livestock since the USDA eradicated the parasite in 1966. A 1976 outbreak in Texas caused $732 million in losses to livestock producers and $1.8 billion to the state's economy (in 2024 dollars). APHIS estimates its barrier programs have saved the U.S. cattle industry $2.3 billion annually. The parasite infests wounds in warm-blooded animals, including livestock, wildlife, pets, and humans. Left untreated, affected animals may die within 1-2 weeks.

After maintaining Panama's Darien Gap barrier for decades, screwworm breached containment in 2021. Cases in Panama surged from around 25 in 2023 to more than 6,500, spreading north through Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, and El Salvador. In July 2025, Mexico confirmed a case in Veracruz, 370 miles south of the U.S. border. USDA allocated $165 million in emergency funding in December 2024 and is dispersing 100 million sterile insects per week in Mexico.

A One Health Perspective
The webinar demonstrates the One Health approach in action, featuring experts from animal health, public health, and agricultural sectors. Participants will learn how farmers, ranchers, pet owners, veterinarians, and regulators must work together to protect animals and the industry.

Featured Speakers:
    Phil Kaufman, Ph.D. – Texas A&M University (Introduction)
    Julia Herman – National Cattlemen's Beef Association (Moderator)
    Megin Nichols – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    Lynne Acebey, D.V.M. – American Veterinary Medical Association
    Michael Schmoyer – USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

The program will cover:
    Current medication approaches, including medicines with larvicidal activity, systemic anti-parasite drugs, and antibacterial/anti-inflammatory drugs
    Integrated prevention strategies: wound care, surveillance, insect/pesticide control, and sterile insect technologies
    Regulatory tools for rapid emergency response: Conditional Approval, Emergency Use Authorization, and Emergency Exemptions
    Protocols for importation of cattle, bison, and horses into the United States from countries where screwworm is present
    Species-specific systemic medication with larvicidal activity for pets
    Quarantine and treatment requirements for infested animals

Who Should Attend:
This webinar is essential for livestock producers, veterinarians, animal health professionals, pet owners in affected regions, regulatory officials, and anyone involved in animal agriculture or animal health policy.

Registration: https://streamyard.com/watch/kr9TJwpmwepn. 



FDA Approves of Topical Treatment to Combat New World Screwworm and Cattle Fever Tick

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller Thursday praised the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for granting conditional approval of Exzolt Cattle-CA1, the first topical drug ever approved in the United States to treat and control both New World screwworm and Cattle Fever Tick in cattle. Miller called the decision a landmark achievement for livestock health and a major victory for the nation’s cattle industry.

“The threat posed to our cattle industry by these dangerous pests is substantial. The New World screwworm can destroy an animal in a matter of days, and the Cattle Fever Tick once brought the Texas cattle industry to its knees,” Commissioner Miller said. “This treatment gives our producers the modern, science-backed tools they need to keep herds safe and will help safeguard everything from small family herds to the nation’s major beef operations.”

Commissioner Miller continued: “President Trump has restored a culture of accountability and action in Washington, D.C. Because of his leadership, federal agencies are responding to agricultural threats quickly and decisively. At the same time, Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy understands that livestock health is tied directly to food security and national security. His support for timely review and approval of critical tools like Exzolt Cattle is exactly the kind of results-driven action that rural America has been praying for.”

The FDA’s decision comes at a crucial time. In recent months, New World screwworm has been detected in northern Mexico, including within 120 miles of the U.S. border. Meanwhile, the Cattle Fever Tick quarantine zone along the Rio Grande continues to experience heavy pressure due to wildlife movement, climate conditions, and cross-border livestock transport.

Exzolt Cattle-CA1 represents a significant scientific advancement. The treatment uses a topical formulation that absorbs through the skin and targets both external parasites and systemic infections, reducing stress on animals and improving usability for ranchers. The product is approved for cattle of different ages and production cycles, including calves, replacement heifers, bulls, and lactating cows.



U.S. Soy Begins Market Engagement in Syria

The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) has announced its commitment to reinstate efforts in Syria, following the removal of certain sanctions and broadening market access for U.S. Soy in international markets.  

Syria and U.S. Soy’s partnership dates to 1995, when initial work began and continued till 2010. During this time, USSEC empowered Syria’s poultry and edible oilseeds industries with technical trainings, knowledge-sharing, and capacity-building programs.   

Commenting on USSEC’s expanding footprint in the Middle East, Jim Sutter, USSEC CEO, said, “As we seek to diversify global markets for U.S. Soy, Syria has great potential, and we look forward to getting our feet on the ground and building partnerships with the industry once again.”  

With a population of 23 million and a projected increase of 60% to 37 million by 2050, U.S. Soy can help fulfill the rising demand for protein.   

Commenting on how he sees the future of U.S. Soy in the market unfold,  Ammar Bardan, Chairman of Bardan Import and Export Commodity Trading, Syria, said “With the anticipated growth and revitalization of the Syrian economy, and given that U.S. soybeans and soybean meal are widely recognized for their quality and performance in both the feed and oil industries, we foresee a significant increase in the demand for soy products in the Syrian market in the coming period.”   

Together, U.S. Soy and Syria’s poultry industry are poised to build a resilient, reliable protein value chain that supports food security for the people of Syria. 

Thursday December 04 Ag News - Hansen-Mueller Asset Sale this Month - 3 State Beef Conference in Jan - USMCA Testimonty - Fertilizer Prices Mixed - Ethanol Production Hits Record - NWS Case in N. Mexico - and more!

Applications for 2026 Nebraska Dairy Ambassador Program Extended to Dec 15

Students with a strong interest in promoting dairy can now apply to be a dairy ambassador in one of five states across the Midwest, including Nebraska. The Dairy Ambassador program is a unique educational and leadership opportunity that allows students to connect with consumers to share about dairy, represent Nebraska’s dairy farmers, and gain valuable network experience with peers and dairy industry professionals.

The Nebraska Dairy Ambassador Program offers selected students the chance to engage in a variety of activities, such as representing the dairy industry at the Nebraska State Fair and agricultural literacy festivals, partnering with organizations to promote dairy at key events, and participating in dairy industry meetings and leadership opportunities designed to develop communications and advocacy skills.

To be eligible in Nebraska, applicants must be enrolled full-time as an undergraduate or graduate in a Nebraska post-secondary school or a Nebraska high school senior (12th grade), and 18 years of age by January 1 during the current program year. In addition, applicants may be accepted into the program for up to two years.

Applicants are not required to have an agriculture background but must have a strong interest in dairy and the resources to communicate effectively through email, text messaging, and in-person.
This is a one-year program, running from January through December 2026 and up to seven students will be selected as Nebraska Dairy Ambassadors. Ambassadors will receive a $100 stipend for each Midwest Dairy-approved event they attend, and travel expenses related to participation will be covered. Upon successfully completing the program, ambassadors will be eligible for an educational scholarship of up to $1,000.

Eligible students can apply online at www.MidwestDairy.com, by navigating to the “Young Dairy Leaders” section and selecting “Ambassador Program”. Scroll to the bottom of the page to find the “Dairy Ambassador Application”. Be sure to select Nebraska under “Select State”. Applications are now due December 15, 2025. Selected ambassadors will be notified by January 10, 2026.

For more information or questions, contact Tracy J. Behnken - Manager, Farmer Relations at tbehnken@midwestdairy.com or 531-207-4291.



Hansen-Mueller Asset Sale in December

A U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Nebraska will allow the sale of Hansen-Mueller Co. assets to take place in December after the unsecured creditors committee told the court on Tuesday that it was satisfied with the bidding process put forward.

The committee originally objected that the speed with which the sale could occur would not maximize value for all parties in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Attorneys for Hansen-Mueller and the unsecured creditors committee told Chief Judge Thomas L. Saladino during a hearing that all sides were satisfied with the sale taking place in the coming weeks. In a proposed bidding process filed in court, the company wants to set an asset-bidding deadline of Dec. 12, 2025, with an auction to be held Dec. 16, 2025, if necessary.

The parties told the court on Tuesday that Hansen-Mueller has been marketing its assets for about two months leading up to the bankruptcy filing and both sides were confident the proposed sale schedule was appropriate. As a result, the court also scheduled a sale hearing on Dec. 22, 2025.

The assets would include the company's Toledo, Ohio, facility -- both its operations and its inventory.

Also included in the sale would be a lease of the real property at Superior, Wisconsin, and Duluth, Minnesota, as well as the leases at Sioux City, Iowa; Council Bluffs, Iowa; and Grand Forks, North Dakota.

In addition, Hansen-Mueller would be selling grain inventory and forward contracts that would relate to company facilities in Toledo; Superior; Duluth; Sioux City; Council Bluffs; Grand Forks; Kansas City, Missouri; and Kansas City, Kansas.



2026 Three-State Beef Conference: What producers need to know to stay ahead in today’s beef industry

The Three-State Beef Conference provides beef cattle producers and others in the beef industry with a regular update on current cow-calf and stocker topics. Iowa State University extension beef specialists Erika Lundy-Woolfolk and Chris Clark are Iowa organizers of the annual event, and say each year's content is based on prior attendee feedback and current industry economic conditions. The 2026 event is set for Jan. 13-15, at locations in Missouri, Iowa, and Nebraska, respectively.

“Emerging threats to cow herd health, new technologies like virtual fencing and herd surveillance systems that hitting the market, and pressing questions from an economic perspective are at the forefront of cattlemen’s minds,” Lundy-Woolfolk said. "These topics and more will be addressed at this year’s program with the goal of helping producers stay ahead in today’s beef industry."

This marks the 41st anniversary of the Three-State Beef Conference and its track record of providing important timely information to cattle producers. Lundy-Woolfolk said since the conference's Iowa location was moved to Greenfield in 2019, more than 250 producers have attended.

“Program evaluations have listed appreciation of the practicality of meeting topics and the sharing of info related to current and ongoing challenges in the industry,” she said. “Last year’s program was really popular, and participants estimated value of knowledge gained at $20 per cow.”

The Iowa location is the second in the series and will be held Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the Warren Cultural Center, at 154 Public Square, Greenfield. The first session of the 2026 conference will be held in Maryville, Missouri, at the Agricultural Learning Center, 22893 US Hwy 71, on Tuesday, Jan. 13, and the third session is on Thursday, Jan. 15, at the Nebraska Cattlemen office, 4611 Cattle Dr, Lincoln, Nebraska. All locations follow the same schedule, with registration beginning at 5:30 p.m. and the program at 6 p.m.

Topics, speakers, and their affiliations are as follows:
    Emerging Parasitic Threats to the Cow Herd – Dr. Craig Payne, Extension Veterinarian, University of Missouri
    Livestock Technology Trends: Tools or Troubles? – Dr. Yijie Xiong, Precision Livestock Technology Extension Specialist, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
    How Global Meat Markets Shape the U.S. Cattle Supply - Dr. Elliott Dennis, Extension Livestock Economist, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

The three-state meeting series is sponsored by Livestock Risk Partners – Wyatt Mohr and Medgene, with the Adair County Cattlemen as an additional sponsor for the Iowa location at Greenfield. 

The registration fee is $30 per person, which includes a meal catered by the Chuckwagon Restaurant and copy of the conference proceedings. Preregistration by Friday, Jan. 10, is requested for all sites to help with meal plans and in keeping costs down. Iowa producers should contact the Adair County Extension office at 641-743-8412 or email ag and outreach coordinator Terri Raasch to register.

For the Jan. 13, Maryville, Missouri, location contact MU extension livestock field specialist Amie Schleicher at 660-744-6231 or schleichera@missouri.edu. For the Jan. 15, Lincoln, Nebraska, location contact Barry Weber, University of Nebraska–Lincoln livestock systems extension educator at 402-335-3669 or s-bweber12@unl.edu.



AFBF Pays Tribute to Wayne Pryor and the Late Bill Northey

Former Virginia Farm Bureau Federation President Wayne Pryor will receive the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2026 Farm Bureau Founders Award. Bill Northey, longtime agricultural leader from Iowa, will be honored posthumously with AFBF’s 2026 Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award.

The Founders Award and DSA are the highest honors presented by AFBF. Pryor and Northey will be recognized during AFBF’s 107th Convention in Anaheim, California, Jan. 9-14.

First presented in January 2017, AFBF’s Founders Award for exemplary leadership, service or contributions to Farm Bureau is presented in recognition of outstanding achievements and work in the interest of Farm Bureau. AFBF established the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award in 1928 to honor individuals who have devoted their careers to serving the national interest of American agriculture.

The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation nominated Pryor for the Founders Award. The Iowa Farm Bureau nominated Northey for the DSA. A national Farm Bureau committee selected each of the honorees.

Pryor Honored with Farm Bureau Founders Award

Pryor served on VFBF’s board for more than three decades in multiple capacities, eventually serving as president of the organization from 2006 until he completed his final term in December 2024. He was known for his bold leadership and for helping to keep forestry and agriculture as the top industry in Virginia.

“Wayne has championed state and national policies that have enabled agriculture and forestry to continue as Virginia’s No. 1 industry,” said VFBF President Scott Sink. “During my 12 years serving as his vice president, I witnessed and learned from his thoughtful and steady leadership of the organization. His dedication to Farm Bureau has been an inspiration to the next generation of leaders.”

Under Pryor’s leadership, Virginia Farm Bureau was victorious in advocating for broadband connectivity statewide, land use taxation and funding for the implementation of agricultural best management practices to protect water quality. Pryor also helped to ensure the State Fair of Virginia was saved from a bankruptcy threat in 2012. He helped to implement a solution that kept the agricultural character of the fair and youth scholarship program intact. VFBF continues to own and operate the fair.

“Wayne Pryor exemplifies what it means to lead with integrity and vision in agriculture,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Through decades of leadership with Virginia Farm Bureau, Wayne worked tirelessly to advance policies that supported farmers and rural communities. His commitment to grassroots advocacy and building strong relationships made a profound difference. His influence will continue to shape Farm Bureau for generations to come.”

Northey Honored Posthumously with Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award

Northey was an avid supporter of agriculture for decades, working for farmers and ranchers across Iowa and the country. He was elected as the Iowa secretary of agriculture three times – in 2006, 2010 and 2014 – before being tapped by President Donald Trump to be under secretary for farm production and conservation at USDA. He held that post until 2021, became the CEO of the Agribusiness Association of Iowa in May 2022 and passed away in February 2024 at the age of 64.

Following his passing, Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson commented on Northey’s life.

“It is impossible to completely describe Bill’s impact on agriculture,” said Johnson. “It didn’t matter if we were talking about the latest heavy-hitting agriculture issue or tractors or family; Bill was always an intensive listener, and I never saw him distracted by what was happening in the background or who walked into the room. When talking with Bill, Bill was talking with you.”

Duvall also reflected on Northey. “Bill Northey demonstrated true leadership through his character and forward-thinking approach to agriculture,” he said. “From his years as Iowa’s secretary of agriculture to his service at USDA, Bill championed conservation and innovation while never losing sight of farmers’ needs. His lifelong dedication strengthened the foundation of American agriculture and the Farm Bureau family. We are proud to honor his legacy and lasting impact..



SA Urges Full USMCA Renewal in USTR Testimony

American Soybean Association Secretary and Iowa soybean farmer Dave Walton testified before the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) during a public hearing today as part of the mandated six-year review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Walton emphasized the need for a full 16-year extension of the agreement and highlighted its critical role in providing stability and predictability for U.S. soybean farmers.

Walton noted that soybeans remain the nation’s largest agricultural export and that Canada and Mexico together purchased more than $4 billion in U.S. soybean and soy product exports last marketing year. He stressed that duty-free access to these markets is essential to the competitiveness of U.S. soy.

“USMCA has delivered stability, predictability, and modernized trade rules that are indispensable for agriculture,” Walton said during his testimony.

He further emphasized, “Soybean farmers are facing the most challenging landscape in a generation. Failure to renew USMCA would be catastrophic.”
    
During his testimony, Walton outlined several key priorities:
    Support for a full 16-year renewal of USMCA, including duty-free market access, the WTO-plus sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) chapter, and an effective dispute settlement mechanism.
    Recognition of USMCA as the “gold standard” of agricultural trade due to its biotechnology and SPS provisions that prevent non-science-based trade barriers.
    Avoidance of new tariffs or retaliatory actions among the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, which could further harm soybean farmers already facing challenges in other global markets.
    Opportunities for targeted improvements, such as aligning pesticide maximum residue limits (MRLs) with Codex standards, provided these do not delay or jeopardize renewal of the agreement.

“ASA strongly supports a full 16-year renewal of USMCA without delay, and our industry looks forward to working alongside USTR to accomplish this goal,” Walton concluded.



NCGA Calls for USMCA Renewal

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement has made U.S. corn growers more globally competitive and should be extended for 16 years, according to testimony today from the president of the National Corn Growers Association before U.S. trade officials.
 
“The United States exports nearly five and a half billion dollars’ worth of corn to Mexico,” said Ohio farmer and NCGA President Jed Bower. “This is about 40 percent of total corn exports. And, the United States exports almost one and a half billion dollars’ worth of ethanol to Canada, which is 35 percent of ethanol exports. The strength of these export markets is all because of the USMCA.”
 
Bower’s testimony was delivered to officials in the Office of the United States Trade Representative, which is the executive agency responsible for developing and promoting U.S. trade policies.
 
USMCA, which entered into force on July 1, 2020, was designed to streamline and enhance trade between the three North American countries. The agreement includes a 16-year term and a mandatory joint review between the countries every six years. The United States, Mexico and Canada must commence the first review of the agreement by July 2026.
 
American corn growers have benefited by the safeguards that are included in USMCA. 

In 2023, at NCGA’s urging, the United States called for a dispute panel under USMCA after Mexico banned genetically modified corn. The final panel report was a clear and resounding decision that determined Mexico’s actions were not based on science and violated the trade agreement. Mexico complied with the panel report and withdrew the decree.  
 
Bower pointed to that decision in his testimony as an important reason to renew the agreement. 

“This proved – without a doubt – that USMCA’s dispute settlement chapter worked for the U.S. corn industry,” Bower said. “If Mexico’s presidential decree was allowed to remain, other countries around the world could follow suit, imposing their own policies, not based on science, which would discriminate against U.S. corn.”



NGFA urges strong, long-term renewal of USMCA, highlights key opportunities to strengthen cross-border grain trade

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) today emphasized the critical importance of the U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) to the North American grain, feed, and oilseed supply chain. It urged the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to pursue a full 16-year renewal of the agreement with no changes to its underlying terms. The comments were delivered during NGFA President and CEO Mike Seyfert's testimony at USTR’s public hearing on the operation of USMCA.

Seyfert noted the profound economic importance of seamless North American agricultural trade, underscoring that Mexico and Canada remain two of the most vital markets for U.S. corn, soybeans, wheat, and related products: “The economic health of North American agriculture, and the communities we support, depends on an open, predictable, rules-based trading system,” Seyfert testified.  

In his testimony, Seyfert outlined several areas that USMCA could be strengthened during the renewal process, including harmonizing grain inspection procedures to eliminate costly, duplicative reinspection requirements in Mexico and advancing long-delayed processes to manage low-level presence of biotechnology traits. He also commended USTR’s dispute settlement action regarding Mexico’s biotech corn restrictions, calling the panel’s decision essential to maintaining science-based trade.

Seyfert stressed that the NGFA looks forward to working closely with USTR, USDA, and industry partners throughout the renewal process to ensure that USMCA continues to deliver broad economic benefits for farmers, grain handlers, feed manufacturers, processors, exporters, and the transportation system that links them.



Fertilizer Prices Mixed on the Month

Average retail fertilizer prices continued to be mostly higher during the fourth week of November 2025, according to sellers surveyed by DTN. Average retail prices for five fertilizers of the eight major fertilizers were higher once again, while prices for the remaining three were slightly lower. No fertilizer had a significant price move, which DTN designates as anything 5% or more.

The five nutrients with higher prices were potash, which had an average price of $489 per ton, 10-34-0 $667/ton, anhydrous $865/ton, UAN28 $417/ton and UAN32 $466/ton.

The three fertilizers with slightly lower prices from last month were DAP with an average price of $925/ton, MAP $923/ton and urea $590/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.64/lb.N, anhydrous $0.53/lb.N, UAN28 $0.75/lb.N and UAN32 $0.73/lb.N.

All eight fertilizers are now higher in price compared to one year earlier: 10-34-0 by 9%, potash 11%, MAP 14%, urea 19%, anhydrous 21%, DAP 25%, UAN32 28% and UAN28 29%.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 11/28/2025

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending November 28, ethanol production expanded 1.2% to a record high of 1.13 million b/d, equivalent to 47.29 million gallons daily. Output was 4.9% higher than the same week last year and 4.7% above the three-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate ticked up 0.1% to 1.10 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.94 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks grew 2.5% to 22.5 million barrels. Yet, stocks were 2.1% less than the same week last year and 0.2% below the three-year average. Inventories built across all regions except the Gulf Coast (PADD 3) and West Coast (PADD 5).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, slid 4.6% to a 26-week low 8.33 million b/d (127.99 bg annualized). Demand was 4.7% less than a year ago and 2.3% below the three-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol dropped 3.2% to a 40-week low of 857,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.17 bg annualized. Net inputs were 1.8% less than year-ago levels and 0.5% below the three-year average.

Ethanol exports ramped up by 39.3% to an estimated 170,000 b/d (7.1 million gallons/day). It has been more than a year since EIA indicated ethanol was imported.



New World Screwworm Detection in Northern Mexico
 
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has detected a new case of the New World screwworm (NWS) in Montemorelos, Nuevo León, Mexico, approximately 120 miles south of the Texas border. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the case in a 22-month-old bovine transported from Veracruz to a feedlot in Nuevo León.

This detection marks the northernmost active case currently found in Mexico. It is also the second detection at the same Nuevo León feedlot since October. No additional cases were linked to the October detection, and both events appear tied to livestock movements from southern Mexico.

“The New World screwworm is one of the most devastating livestock pests ever encountered in North America,” Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said. “We have beaten it before with resolve and science, and we’ll do it again, but Texas must stay vigilant.”

Commissioner Miller emphasized that Texas remains free from detection, but that state officials and agriculture leaders cannot be complacent.

“Texas ranchers are the backbone of American agriculture. Our cattle herds help feed the nation and the world and are just too important to risk,” Miller said. “We will keep working shoulder to shoulder with USDA, Mexican animal health authorities, and our own state agency partners to defend our border and Texans from this dangerous threat. We will protect our livestock, safeguard our economy, and do everything possible to keep the New World screwworm at bay.”

Commissioner Miller also encourages Texas producers to remain watchful for suspicious wounds, unhealed tissue, or maggot activity in livestock, wildlife, and pets, particularly in locations near the border. Producers who suspect NWS should immediately contact their local veterinarian and state authorities. Early detection, strict livestock movement controls, screwworm fly suppression, and rapid response are the best tools to combat this serious threat.

For more information from USDA, visit Screwworm.gov.

Wednesday December 03 Ag News - Webinar on Tyson Closing in Lex - NE Corn Board seeks Candidates - NSGA Honors Drudik - Breed Back Better Program scheduled in Dunlap - and more!

CAP Webinar: Understanding the Tyson Plant Closure: Market Implications for the Beef Industry
Dec 4, 2025 12:00 PM
with Elliott Dennis, Livestock & Meat Economist, UNL Center for Agricultural Profitability
and Jessica Groskopf, Extension Agricultural Economist, UNL Center for Agricultural Profitability

Tyson's announcement to permanently close its 5,000-head-per-day plant in Lexington, Neb., sent cattle futures limit down and raises critical questions for producers in Nebraska and beyond. Join us as we break down the market implications, compare this closure to past events like Holcomb and Plainview, and discuss what the latest economic research says about price markdowns and capacity constraints. We'll also cover new processing capacity coming online and key factors to watch as you make marketing decisions.

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. You can also register for this webinar by using this link.  



Nebraska Corn Board Seeks Candidates for Vacancies

Notice is hereby given that the terms for three members of the Nebraska Corn Development, Utilization and Marketing Board (Nebraska Corn Board) will expire June 30, 2026, and Nebraska’s corn checkoff program is seeking candidates to petition for those districts. The open positions represent Districts 2, 3 and the Board’s at-large director.
    District 2 - Includes the counties of Thayer, Fillmore, Clay, Nuckolls, Webster, Franklin, and Adams (Note: Matt Sullivan, the current District 2 director, has indicated he will pursue reappointment).
    District 3 - Includes the counties of York, Polk, Hamilton, and Merrick (Note: Brandon Hunnicutt, the current District 3 director, has indicated he will pursue reappointment).
    At-Large – The at-large director represents all counties in Nebraska (Note: Jay Reiners, the current at-large director, has indicated he will not pursue reappointment).

Appointments to the board for Districts 2 and 3 are made by the Governor of Nebraska. The at-large director is appointed by the board. Any candidate seeking appointment may place his or her name on the candidacy list by filing a petition with the Nebraska Corn Board. Qualified candidates include those individuals who are citizens of Nebraska, reside in an open district, are at least 21 years old, have been actively engaged in growing corn in Nebraska for a period of five years and derive a substantial portion of their income from growing corn. Board members who currently represent these districts are also eligible to re-petition. 

Petitions may be obtained by writing the Nebraska Corn Board (245 Fallbrook Blvd. Suite 204, Lincoln, NE 68521), by calling 402-471-2676 or emailing ncb.info@nebraska.gov. A candidacy petition must carry the signatures of at least 50 corn producers from that district. The at-large position must have 50 signatures from farmers throughout the state of Nebraska. All petitions must be received by the Nebraska Corn Board no later than 5:00 p.m. central time on Friday, May 15, 2026. Faxed copies do not qualify.

The Nebraska Corn Board is funded through a producer checkoff investment of one-cent-per-bushel on all corn marketed in the state and is managed by nine farmer directors. The mission of the Nebraska Corn Board to increase the value and sustainability of Nebraska corn through promotion, market development and research.



Five Students Take State in Conservation Poster Contest

Animal habitats were artfully crafted by young Nebraskans throughout the year turning blank paper into award-winning posters.

Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) recognize students from kindergarten to 12th grade, who competed in the annual “Home is Where the Habit is” Conservation Poster Contest. Students winning in the state competition include:
    K-1: Sawyer Suckstorf, Norfolk, Nebraska (Lower Elkhorn NRD)
    2-3: Gemma Mueller, Norfolk, Nebraska (Lower Elkhorn NRD)
    4-6: Clara Steffen, Fordyce, Nebraska (Lewis & Clark NRD)
    7-9: Kiersten Hans, Wynot, Nebraska (Lewis & Clark NRD)
    10-12: Ember Chavez, Purdum, Nebraska (Upper Loup NRD)

Each NRD selects a winner from their district contest to compete in the state competition. The state winners take home a $25 prize and will go on to compete in the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) poster contest for a chance to win $200. National winners are selected at the NACD annual conference in February.

Typically, NRDs notify area teachers about the contest and allow them to introduce it in the classroom. Individual students can participate outside of the classroom by submitting their artwork to their local Natural Resources District. The 2026 poster theme will be “Soil. Where it all begins.” For more information on the poster contest, visit the NARD website https://www.nrdnet.org/programs/education. 



Tom Drudik Honored with the 2025 Ted and Alice Doane Service Award

The Nebraska Sheep and Goat Association is proud to announce that Tom Drudik of Grand Island, Nebraska, has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Ted and Alice Doane Service Award, recognizing his decades of service, leadership and dedication to the state’s sheep and goat industries.

Raised near Nelson, Nebraska, Drudik began his lifelong connection to agriculture and livestock as a member of FFA, where he raised sheep as a youth project. His early passion for the industry led him to earn his State Farmer Degree and continue his education at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) to major in agriculture.

While at UNL, Drudik was a member of Dr. Ted Doane’s wool judging team, competing at major contests in Denver and Kansas City and performing exceptionally well at the American Royal. He was also a member of the 1965 livestock judging team before he graduated from the university in1966.

Drudik began his career in education, teaching high school agriculture in North Bend, Nebraska, while also raising sheep and working toward his master’s degree. His commitment to agricultural education and producer development continued when he joined Nebraska Extension in Hall County in 1973, a position he held for 33 years until his retirement in 2010.

In 1980, Drudik and his late wife, Betty, purchased an acreage south of Grand Island, where they raised their two children, Doug and Dennise who were both active in Hall County 4-H. Drudik often said, “If you are going to promote the sheep industry and teach it, you probably need to raise sheep.” He lived out this philosophy every day.

Throughout his career, Drudik’s primary goal was to help producers improve their flocks and adopt better management practices. He was an early advocate for genetic testing to prevent scrapie, promoting the use of RR rams and helping clarify misconceptions about the disease and its prevention. His educational outreach in this area significantly benefited Nebraska sheep flocks and helped modernize genetic selection practices statewide.

Always forward-thinking, Drudik also recognized the value of technology for outreach. With help from his son Doug, he launched the Nebraska Sheep Producers website, which became a leading source for marketing updates and management information. He continued managing the site until his retirement.

Drudik’s leadership also shaped the exhibition side of the industry. He was instrumental in starting the meat goat show at both the Nebraska State Fair and the Aksarben Stock Show. Over the years, he served as 4-H sheep superintendent in both Lincoln and Grand Island and co-supervised the open class sheep shows alongside longtime colleague Jim Mueller.

Through decades of education, leadership and hands-on involvement, Drudik and his late wife, Betty, have left a lasting legacy on Nebraska’s sheep and goat community. Their dedication to youth and adult programming has inspired generations of producers and contributed significantly to the growth and success of the industry.

The Nebraska Sheep and Goat Association congratulate Tom Drudik on this well-deserved recognition and thanks him for his many years of service to Nebraska agriculture.

The Ted and Alice Doane Service Award honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Nebraska sheep and goat industries through leadership, education and service. Named after longtime educators and industry supporters Ted and Alice Doane, the award reflects a tradition of excellence and commitment to advancing small ruminant agriculture in Nebraska. 



HPAI Detected in Hamilton County, IA Turkey Flock

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have detected a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1 HPAI) in a commercial turkey flock in Hamilton County, Iowa. This is Iowa’s ninth detection of H5N1 HPAI within domestic birds in 2025.

As H5N1 HPAI detections are confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, those cases are added to tracking websites located on the USDA APHIS website.



Breed Back Better workshops planned for January 2026

Amidst volatile markets, historic low herd numbers indicate an imminent cow-herd expansion. During this expansion, reproductive efficiency, intentional record keeping and sound financial management will set apart industry leaders that expand successfully without compromising quality.

Iowa Beef Center has planned six workshops across Iowa to help producers learn about proactively planning to take advantage of market conditions and animal reproductive efficiency. The Breed Back Better workshops will run from Jan. 8-29, in different Iowa locations.

“Each part of this program has been designed to incorporate interactive learning," said ISU cow-calf specialist, Randie Culbertson. “From a reproductive technology session that uses a beef breeding model, like the popular calving model, to a session challenging producers to put a pencil to paper to effectively use depreciation as a financial management tool, this will be a great program.”

Northeast Iowa extension beef specialist Denise Schwab said using benchmarks can be helpful in tracking their animals.

“There are some key measures producers can use to benchmark their herd’s calving season results against industry standards as well as the herd’s own history," she said. "We’ll work through calculating those, because most producers already have the records to do it.”

All workshops will begin with a light meal, and a brief market update from an Ever.Ag livestock economist. Registration for these workshops is $20 and will be made payable to the host county extension office.

Locations, dates and specific session details follow.
    Creston: Jan. 8, 5:30 to 9 p.m., SWCC Ag Site, 1545 W. Green Valley Road. Register by Jan. 6 by calling the Union County Extension Office at 641-782-8426.
    Centerville: Jan. 26, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Indian Hills Community College, 721 N 1st St. Register by Jan. 24 by calling the Appanoose County Extension Office at 641-856-3885 or by email lfirkins@iastate.edu.
    Fairfield: Jan. 27, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Cambridge Building, 2606 W Burlington Ave. Register by Jan. 25 by calling the Jefferson County Extension at 641-472-4166.
    Dunlap: Jan. 28,12:30 to 4 p.m. at the County Fairgrounds, 405 N 10th Street. Register by Jan. 26 by calling the Harrison County Extension Office at 712-644-2105.
    Hampton: Jan. 29, noon to 3:30 p.m. at the Franklin County Fairgrounds Convention Center, 1008 Central Ave. W. Register by Jan. 27 by calling the Franklin County Extension Office at 641-456-4811 or or email xfranklin@iastate.edu.
    Calmar: Jan. 29, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., Northeast Iowa Community College, Room 115 in the Dairy Center building. Register by Jan. 27 by calling the Winneshiek County Extension Office at 563-382-2949.

The Calmar location will also include a discussion on late gestation nutrition. Additional support for these programs has been provided by the Iowa Beef Checkoff, ABS Global, Inc., Ever.Ag and multiple local sponsors. Email the Iowa Beef Center with additional questions at beefcenter@iastate.edu.



Iowa Pork, Fareway Serve Up Bacon and Hope on Giving Tuesday
    
Community leaders, Fareway Stores, and the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) joined Central Iowa Shelter & Services (CISS) today for the ninth annual Giving Tuesday breakfast, preparing and serving hundreds of warm meals to individuals experiencing homelessness across three Iowa communities.

The early-morning event brought volunteers to CISS in Des Moines, while additional meals were distributed at The Bridge Home in Ames and the Empowerment Command Center in Grinnell.

IPPA also provided hundreds of backpacks filled with stocking hats, socks, and pork sticks.

"Food insecurity and homelessness remain real challenges for too many Iowans," said Chris Bellcock, regional director for the Iowa Pork Producers Association. "Giving Tuesday allows us to demonstrate through actions, not just words, how much Iowa's pig farmers care about their communities."

Fareway contributed a full breakfast spread, including 1,200 slices of bacon, 50 pounds of sausage patties, 132 pounds of eggs, 1,050 pancakes, fresh fruit, milk, juice, coffee, and more.

“Giving Tuesday is a powerful reminder of the impact we can make when we come together as a community. Fareway is proud to partner with the Iowa Pork Producers and Central Iowa Shelter & Services for this annual breakfast event, serving individuals with gratitude who rely on the shelter during the cold season,” said Reynolds Cramer, CEO of Fareway Stores, Inc. “It’s an honor to stand alongside these organizations in providing warmth, nourishment, and hope.”

CISS CEO Melissa O’Neil said the partnership demonstrates the heart of Iowa’s agricultural and business community. “This is by far our favorite event of the entire year,” she said. “It's our opportunity to really challenge that servant heart with our elected officials, and the Iowa Pork Producers and Fareway really stepping up and leading the way in that effort. Nothing better than waking up to a fresh pot of coffee and some aromatherapy with bacon on the table.”

IPPA staff and volunteers joined members of the Des Moines Police Department, Des Moines Fire Department, and city council in serving the meals to attendees at Central Iowa Shelter & Services.



Fleischer to Deliver Keynote at 2026 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit

The 2026 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit will feature a unique perspective from former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer, who served during one of the most pivotal moments in modern history. As the nation marks the 25th anniversary of September 11th in 2026, Fleisher will reflect on what he witnessed that day and discuss where America stands today, as well as his insights on what to expect next from Washington, DC. 

“Ari’s experience inside the Bush Administration during 9/11 and now as a Fox News contributor will allow our audience a very interesting range of perspectives,” said IRFA Marketing Director Lisa Coffelt. “From behind-the-scenes stories to expert observations on current events, Ari will empower Summit attendees with lessons learned and what to expect in the coming year. The format will allow ample opportunity for audience members to ask questions of a true D.C. insider.” 

The 2026 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit is taking place on February 5, 2026, and will be at the Prairie Meadows Event Center. The Summit is free and open to the public, but registration is required.  To register and learn more about the Summit, please visit IowaRenewableFuelsSummit.org. 

 Ari Fleischer was the primary spokesperson for President George W. Bush and delivered the daily White House press briefings from 2001 to 2003. In his almost four years working for President Bush, Ari served as spokesperson during the historic presidential recount, September 11th, two wars, and the anthrax attack.  

Prior to joining the Bush campaign, Fleischer was the national spokesperson and communications director for Elizabeth Dole's presidential campaign. He has also worked on Capitol Hill as a press secretary to three Congressmen and one U.S. Senator. Air is also a contributor for Fox News.



2025 U.S. Corn Crop Largest On Record With Lowest BCFM In At Least 15 Years

According to the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council’s (USGBC’s) 2025/2026 Corn Harvest Quality Report, the 15th such annual survey published globally this week, the 2025 U.S. corn crop is projected to be the largest on record, coming in a 425.53 million metric tons (16,752 bushels). The crop is also highlighted by the lowest rate of broken corn and foreign material (BCFM) in the report’s history, a remarkable accomplishment for the entire U.S. corn value chain.

Generally favorable growing season conditions contributed to the highest projected average yield on record, 11.67 metric tons per hectare (186 bushels per acre), and promoted good grain quality.

The 2025 growing season was marked by warm, dry conditions after planting, wetter conditions during pollination and progressively cooler and drier weather during early grain-fill.

This year’s crop, on average, is entering the market channel with characteristics that met or exceeded each grade factor’s numerical requirements for U.S. No. 1 grade corn. The report showed 87.1 percent of the samples met all grade factor requirements for U.S. No. 1 grade, and 97.8 percent met the grade factor requirements for U.S. No. 2 grade corn.

“The Council’s annual quality reports are held in high esteem in the international agricultural sector, and it’s used by purchasers and end-users around the world to identify the best options for their operations,” said Mark Wilson, USGBC chairman.

“U.S. farmers will account for an estimated 38.4 percent of global corn exports this marketing year, showing the outstanding production practices of U.S. growers and the strong reputation U.S. corn has with global customer bases.”

The report is based on 621 yellow corn samples taken from defined areas within 12 of the top corn-producing and exporting states. Inbound samples were collected from local grain elevators to measure and analyze quality at the point of origin and provide representative information about the variability of the quality characteristics across the diverse geographic regions.

Average U.S. aggregate BCFM in 2025 (0.3%) was half the level of 2024 and the lowest in the 15-year history of the quality report. This year’s corn protein concentration registered at 8.4 percent.

The chemical composition of the crop remained in a healthy range, as 100 percent of the samples tested below the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) action level for both aflatoxins.

The Council will present its findings to buyers in a series of roll-out events throughout the first quarter of 2026, including customers in Japan, Latin America, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Asia, South Korea and Taiwan, offering participants clear expectations regarding the quality of corn for this marketing year. During these initiatives, crop quality information is accompanied by updates on U.S. corn grading and handling, that provides importers and end-users with a better understanding of how U.S. corn is moved and controlled through export channels.



NMPF Calls Out Foreign Suppliers’ Anticompetitive Trade Practices

NMPF submitted final joint written comments with the U.S. Dairy Export Council on Nov. 17 to the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) as part of the agency’s Section 332 investigation into the United States’ global nonfat milk solids competitiveness.

The organizations in their comments highlight how Canada continues to distort global nonfat milk solids markets through its new Class 4a pricing system that enables the production of low-priced dairy proteins destined for export. Clear production shifts following USMCA’s implementation indicate a deliberate attempt by Canada to circumvent the trade deal’s export disciplines established for dairy proteins, consequently undercutting U.S. producers at home and abroad. As the United States begins the mandated USMCA 2026 Joint Review, the USITC report will be a significant resource in ensuring that the agreement works as U.S. negotiators intended.

The submission also underscores the long-term competitive imbalance created by the European Union’s historic subsidies for casein and caseinate production, noting that more than four decades of financial support allowed European processors to build a dominant global position that persists today. Although the subsidy scheme ended in 2013, its legacy remains evident in the scale, infrastructure, and export strength of EU manufacturers, particularly in Ireland, France, and the Netherlands. NMPF’s filing urges the USITC to recognize the cumulative effect of these foreign policies on U.S. dairy competitiveness and to reflect these realities in its final report.

The filing complemented an earlier submission on July 16 and joint NMPF and U.S. Dairy Export Council testimony by Jaime Castaneda and William Loux at a July 28 hearing. The investigation follows persistent NMPF advocacy for the U.S. government to address Canadian attempts to evade their USMCA dairy commitments in a manner that disadvantages U.S. producers.

Tuesday December 02 Ag News - UNL @ AFA Conf - NeExt Calving College Retuns - INEDA's Startup Showcase - Commercial Red Meat Production Drops - Forage Webinars - Hefty Seed Co Mtgs - and more!

UNL ranks in top five nationally at 2025 AFA Leaders Conference
 
Thirty-seven students from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources attended the 2025 Agriculture Future of America Leaders Conference in Kansas City, Missouri. UNL ranked fifth out of 108 institutions represented at the national event.

Thirty-seven students from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources were selected to participate in the 2025 Agriculture Future of America (AFA) Leaders Conference, held Nov. 6–8 in Kansas City, Missouri. UNL ranked among the top five universities represented at the event, placing fifth out of 108 participating institutions.

The AFA Leaders Conference is a four-day professional development experience designed to help college students in agriculture build leadership and career skills. Delegates participated in workshops focused on six core competency areas: relationship development, collaboration, career management, cultural emotional intelligence, interpersonal intelligence and systems thinking. Attendees also explored internships and job opportunities, learned about graduate programs and networked with industry professionals.

Two CASNR students served in national leadership roles at this year’s conference:
    Lexi Bodlak, a senior Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Communication major from Thurston, served on the 2025 AFA Student Advisory Team.
    Caleb Burnside, a junior Agribusiness major from Stapleton, was selected as a 2025 AFA Ambassador.

Supporting the UNL contingent was CASNR’s AFA Champion, Meg Klosterman Kester, strategic initiatives and alumni engagement, who assists students with the application process and promotes the conference experience within the college.

“The AFA Leaders Conference provides an unmatched opportunity for students to develop leadership capabilities and connect with peers and industry professionals,” Klosterman Kester said. “It’s exciting to see 37 of our students earn a spot through this competitive process.”

Students accepted into the conference applied through AFA’s national review process. The high number of UNL participants and the university’s top-five ranking reflect strong student engagement and the institution’s commitment to cultivating leadership in agriculture.

More information about the AFA Leaders Conference is available at agfuture.org/experiences/leaders-conference/overview.



Calving College Series Returns in 2026 With Expanded Webinar and Hands-On Learning Opportunities

Following an overwhelmingly positive response last year, Nebraska Extension is bringing back its Calving College series for 2026. The three-part webinar series, Fundamental Knowledge for Successful Calving Season, will run Jan. 19, Jan. 26 and Feb. 2 from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. CT, and will again be paired with hands-on, in-person workshops offered at four locations across Nebraska and South Dakota, Feb. 9–12.

Designed for farmers, ranchers and veterinary professionals, Calving College provides practical, research-based guidance to support successful calving outcomes. Each session is co-led by Dr. Becky Funk, DVM, Animal Health Teaching and Nebraska Extension Specialist, and Dr. Lindsay Waechter-Mead, DVM, Nebraska Extension Livestock Educator, giving participants the chance to learn directly from experts and ask questions in real time.

Webinar Series Topics
    Jan. 19 — Understanding Normal: Stages of labor; what happens to the cow and calf during delivery; recognizing and managing abnormal presentations; when and how to assist.
    Jan. 26 — First 24 Hours: Post-calving care; normal vitals for cows and newborn calves; recognizing complications; colostrum management; neonatal resuscitation techniques.
    Feb. 2 — 48 Hours and Beyond: Nutrition requirements; common calf health concerns; managing environmental stress during the first two months; managing orphan calves.

New for 2026: Participants will now be eligible for Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) continuing education credits.

In-Person Workshops
The series culminates in a hands-on workshop that allows participants to practice calving skills using a life-sized cow and calf model. Workshops will be held at 6 p.m. CST/CT at the following locations:
    Feb. 9: Cherry County Extension, Valentine, Neb.
    Feb. 10: Tripp County 4-H Center, Winner, S.D.
    Feb. 11: West Holt FFA Shop, Atkinson, Neb.
    Feb. 12: Northeast Community College, Norfolk, Neb.

Registration Details
    Fee: $80 includes the three-part webinar series and one in-person workshop
    Register: https://cvent.me/GOYAra
    Registration deadline: Jan. 12, 2026, to ensure participants receive materials on time
    Resources: Webinar participants receive a notebook of Nebraska Extension materials and access to recorded sessions for later viewing
    Technology needed: Computer and internet connection for webinar participation

For additional information, contact Dr. Lindsay Waechter-Mead at 402-746-3417 or lindsay.waechter-mead@unl.edu.



INEDA Hosts Startup Showcase During NE Ag Expo

The Nebraska Ag Expo, a trailblazer in advancing agricultural innovation and host of Innovation Hub – a dynamic center for groundbreaking technologies and forward-thinking ag solutions – has invited 6 companies to compete for cash prizes during the Startup Showcase at Innovation After Hours.

Innovation After Hours is an exclusive event showcasing an evening of innovation, and technology entrepreneurs with venture capitalists. Attendees will connect with start-ups, investors, and executives from innovative ag companies and partners from across the country and beyond.

Company (Headquarters) – Description (website)
    AgZen (MA) – Revolutionize farming practices by providing real-time insights into droplet behavior. (com)
    ALA Engineering (NE) – Cutting-edge intelligence behind feedlot operations, combining advanced software, sensors, and computing power to autonomously feed cattle with precision and efficiency. (engineering)
    Bio-Agtive Emissions Farming (CAN) – Rapidly builds soil organic matter, but it also empowers you to gain free nitrogen for your farm to eliminate costly inputs, notably synthetic nitrogen. (com)
    Grain Weevil (NE) – Grain bin safety and management robot that directly engages the surface of the grain. Grain bins are dirty, dangerous workplaces. (com)
    PathoScan (CAN) – Enables farmers to perform pathogen test for any crop, anywhere, without any technical background. (com)
    RhizeBio (NC) – Creators of a unique metagenomic method, coupled with machine learning and biostatistics, to test raw soil DNA sequencing data into user-friendly and informative soil health reports. (com)

Innovation After Hours is presented by Farm Credit Services of America, Iowa Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association, Invest Nebraska, The Combine, and Nebraska Innovation Campus.

The Nebraska Ag Expo is December 09-11, 2025, at the Sandhills Global Event Center in Lincoln, NE. Hours are 9:00am-4:00pm Tuesday and Wednesday and 9:00am-3:00pm Thursday. Regular admission is $10 at the door, and visitors can purchase tickets in advance online to save $5 per ticket. Children under 14 years old, as well as students with a valid student ID (high school or college) are free.

In addition to the hundreds of companies and exhibitors with cutting edge solutions at the Nebraska Ag Expo, the Innovation Hub hosts transformative ideas from 70+ ag start-ups and pioneering companies who demonstrate their exceptional ingenuity. This dedicated space offers an immersive experience where the latest innovations converge, spotlighting trailblazers redefining agriculture. The Hub is a combined vision of the Nebraska Ag Expo, Visit Lincoln, the University of Nebraska, and various venture capitalists, and is a catalyst for ag start-ups and entrepreneurs.

The Nebraska Ag Expo, owned and managed by the Iowa Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association (INEDA), recognizes that innovation knows no boundaries.

For more details about the Nebraska Ag Expo visit: https://nebraskaagexpo.com. 



October Commercial Red Meat Production Down 3 Percent from Last Year

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.89 billion pounds in October, down 3 percent from the 5.02 billion pounds produced in October 2024.

Beef production, at 2.33 billion pounds, was 6 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.63 million head, down 8 percent from October 2024. The average live weight was up 30 pounds from the previous year, at 1,448 pounds.

Veal production totaled 2.0 million pounds, 39 percent below October a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 9,600 head, down 44 percent from October 2024. The average live weight was up 29 pounds from last year, at 358 pounds.

Pork production totaled 2.55 billion pounds, up slightly from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 11.8 million head, down 1 percent from October 2024. The average live weight was up 3 pounds from the previous year, at 290 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 10.7 million pounds, was down 8 percent from October 2024. Sheep slaughter totaled 193,500 head, 1 percent below last year. The average live weight was 109 pounds, down 9 pounds from October a year ago.

By State                 (million lbs.  -  % Oct '24)
Nebraska .........:        727.0             95       
Iowa ...............:          837.6            102       
Kansas ............:          497.0             96       

January to October 2025 commercial red meat production was 44.6 billion pounds, down 3 percent from 2024. Accumulated beef production was down 4 percent from last year, veal was down 38 percent, pork was down 1 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 1 percent. 



Forage Webinar Series Continues December 4

The I-29 Moo University and the Northern Plains Forage Association Forage Webinar Series continue on Thursday, December 4 from 7 to 8:30 pm CST with a variety of forage topics including an overview methods to determine hay supply needs, the decision process to decide if you should quit making hay and a market outlook.

Presenters this month include:
Denise Schwab has spent the past 42 years working for Iowa State University Extension, most of that as a beef specialist based in eastern Iowa. She earned her Bachelors degree in Animals Science at Iowa State University as well as her Masters. She will discuss calculating your forage needs considering intake factors, species and body weights.

Carson Roberts is an Assistant Professor and State Extension Specialist for Forage Agronomy at the University of Missouri. Roberts holds a Ph.D. in Plant and Soil Science from Mississippi State University. He leads an applied research program on forage-livestock systems to support one of the largest beef herds in the U.S. He has a particular interest in regenerative systems that improve drought resiliency. His presentation will suggest four alternatives that could be more economical than growing hay for your animals.

Josh Bendorf is a Climate Outreach Specialist with the Wisconsin State Climatology Office, based at UW-Madison. He has held this position since March 2025. Prior to his time at the SCO, Josh worked for Pheasants Forever and the USDA Midwest Climate Hub. Josh holds a BS degree from UW-Madison and MS degree from Iowa State University. Josh's interest in weather and climate comes from his upbringing on a small dairy and cash crop farm in southwestern Wisconsin. He will offer his insights on the 2025 growing season with an early look at 2026 weather.

There is no fee to participate in the webinar; however, registration is required at least one hour prior to the webinar. Register online at: https://go.iastate.edu/FORAGEDEC2025. 

 For more information contact: in Iowa, Fred M. Hall, 712-737-4230; in Minnesota, Jim Salfer, 320-203-6093; or in South Dakota, Sara Bauder, 605-995-7378; or in Nebraska Ben Beckman, 402-254-6821.



Hefty Seed - West Point Winter Meeting

Tuesday, December 16th
Nielsen Community Center
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Join Hefty Seed Co. on Tuesday, December 16th for a value-packed meeting designed to help boost performance and profitability heading into the 2026 season.  They will cover things like...
    Cutting input costs without hurting yield
    Optimized fertility recommendations
    Strategies for controlling resistant weeds
    0% financing opportuinites
    Achieving great success with early planting
    Effective disease & insect control approaches

Click the RSVP button here https://heftyseed.com/storemeetings or call the office at 402-372-9900



Ethanol to Sustainable Aviation Fuel: Advances in Renewable Fuels Innovation

Iowa-based America’s Cultivation Corridor will host a webinar on Thursday Dec 4th featuring leading experts on future of renewable fuels.
 
Nearly 50 years ago, Iowa’s farmers, researchers, business leaders and policymakers were pioneers in developing ethanol and biodiesel industries. Today, Iowa continues to be the leading producer of both fuels and is breaking new ground to develop the next generation of technologies, markets, and diverse feedstocks to meet global demand for renewable fuels in a sustainable way. 
 
A panel of experts will discuss:
    Cutting-edge technologies to produce next generation lower-carbon fuels from renewable feedstocks
    Opportunities to produce ethanol and biodiesel more efficiently while also developing the new generation of products including sustainable aviation fuels 
    Research and development of new genetics and cropping systems to sustainably meet growing demand for renewable fuels
    World class bioprocessing research and scaleup resources at Iowa State University
When: Thursday, December 4, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. central standard time
Where: Webinar. Click here to register https://www.cultivationcorridor.org/news-events/events/detail/registration.
 
Featured speakers:
    Secretary Mike Naig, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
    Paul Nees, Global Book Lead, Renewables & Carbon, Chevron Supply & Trading
    Kendall Palmer, Senior Director, Biofuels, Corteva Agriscience
    Ryan Sauer, Vice President – Market Development, Iowa Corn Growers Association
    Lisa Schulte Moore, Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor in Agriculture and Life Sciences and Co-Director, Bioeconomy Institute, Iowa State University
 
More information is available at www.cultivationcorridor.org, 



I-29 Moo University webinar On December 15 To Focus On Positioning 2025 Feed for Success

The I-29 Moo University Dairy Webinar Series continues Monday, December 15 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. CST, focusing on Positioning 2025 feed for Success with Rock River Laboratory Animal Nutrition Technica Services Director Katie Raver.

Want to see how this year's crop stacked up? Join in for a discussion reviewing the 2025 central plains spring and fall forage crops. We know that many factors impact nutrient content and digestibility. This ultimately affects how this crop will feed and its milk production potential. Take a closer look at how this year compared to years previous and what to be on the lookout for as we begin to feed out the 2025 forage crops.

Growing up in rural Illinois, Katie Raver developed a passion for agriculture at a very young age. While attaining her undergraduate degree in animal science at University of Illinois she immersed herself in the dairy industry. After completing her undergraduate degree, she completed a summer internship at Rock River Laboratory and further developed her passion for forage and feed quality. Upon returning to the University of Illinois for her Masters degree in Ruminant Nutrition with Dr. Phil Cardoso, she was able to further explore these interests as her graduate work focused on forage quality and fungal disease. She then moved to Texas after finishing her degree. She has been at Rock River Laboratory for 5 years and in her current role as animal nutrition technical services director she oversees technical support and development. Her interests include forage quality assessment and understanding how environmental and management conditions impact forage quality. She also has a deep seeded interest in exploring ways to improve feed efficiency on farms and how data can be used to maximize the value of feeds on farms.

There is no fee to participate in the webinar; however, registration is required at least one hour prior to the webinar. Register online at: https://go.iastate.edu/2025FEEDFORSUCCESS.  

For more information, contact: in Iowa, Fred M. Hall, 712-737-4230; in Minnesota, Jim Salfer, 320-203-6093; in Nebraska, Kortney Harpestad, 402-472-3571; or in South Dakota, Maristela Rovai, 605-688-5488. 

I-29 Moo University is a consortium of Extension dairy specialists from the land-grant universities in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota. The I-29 Moo University is a multi-state learning collaboration and connects extension dairy staff with the dairy community to share research, information and management practices through workshops, webinars, e-newsletters, podcasts, and on-farm tours. For more information about the I-29 Moo University Collaboration and programs visit www.i-29moou.com.



Secretary Naig Opens Sign-Up Window for Iowa’s Crop Insurance Discount Program

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the sign-up is now open for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s (IDALS) annual Crop Insurance Discount Program. The innovative program offers farmers a $5 per acre premium reduction for fall-planted cover crops.

“This program continues to showcase Iowa's focus and leadership in conservation, and we've made it easy to enroll online,” said Secretary Naig. “If you planted cover crops this fall, get those acres signed up to save money on your 2026 crop insurance premiums. Even in a tough economy, cover crops can be a smart business and environmental decision. It’s a simple way for farmers to keep building momentum with cover crops while saving money.”

The online sign-up is open Dec. 1, 2025, through Jan. 23, 2026. Participants should enroll at apply.cleanwateriowa.org by contacting their crop insurance agent.

The Crop Insurance Discount Program, part of the implementation of Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy, provides a $5 per acre premium reduction for fall-planted cover crops. There is no acreage cap for eligible acres. To qualify, cover crop acres cannot be enrolled in other IDALS or USDA-NRCS cost-share programs. Certain insurance policies, including Whole-Farm Revenue Protection or those covered through written agreements, may be excluded. Farmers should work directly with their crop insurance agencies to maintain eligibility.

The program is jointly administered by IDALS and the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA). Now in its ninth year, the initiative has become a model adopted by several other states and by federal partners. Nearly 2,000 farmers have enrolled more than 1.4 million acres in the program to date.

To learn more about conservation and water quality practices in Iowa, visit CleanWaterIowa.org.



Mixed Pricing Signals
Matthew Diersen, Risk & Business Management Specialist, South Dakota State University

Cattle prices have been quite volatile for several months. Several times this fall, there were anecdotes about large margin calls. From a risk management perspective, that generally meant that producers were hedged, and then prices increased. It also brought a few hints at missing out on higher prices. Here are a few aspects that warrant attention going forward.

The cash market has not been quite as volatile day-to-day as the futures market. A lot of calves have traded at very high prices and thus present a lot of risk to the buyers. The feeder cattle futures board has seen gaps and limit moves during this stretch. Remember that the feeder contracts are cash-settled. The feeder cattle index peaked on October 16, 2025, at 376.61, a couple of weeks ahead of the October contract expiring. The new nearby is the January 2026 contract, which will not expire until the end of January. Last week, that contract briefly traded below $300.00 per cwt. For those trying to hedge feeders in the short run, convergence will need to be considered.
 
Replacements were not immune to high prices. Heifers generally trade at a sharp discount to steers of the same weight in feeder cattle markets, reflecting slower rates of gain and lighter eventual finishing weights. Replacement heifers, however, can break that pattern and be priced at a premium to steers, especially late in a cattle cycle. From late October through much of November of 2025, heifers described as replacements traded at a slight premium to steers across AMS-reported sale locations in South Dakota. The comparison was made when looking at Medium and Large 1 animals weighing 500-600 pounds. Such heifers will not have a marketable calf until 2027, thus reflecting substantial risk as an investment and widespread optimism about continued profitable calf prices. Other heifers traded at a $50.00 per cwt discount to steers during the same span.

Volatility in the market was slow to show up in options, where the implied volatility remained low or quiet until the sharp declines in live and feeder cattle futures prices. The CME Group’s CVOL, which measures the implied volatility of nearby contracts, had a small jump in early September, and then declined until moving sharply higher in November. Now there are lower prices and higher volatility levels, making good floor prices much more difficult to achieve. Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) would be seeing similar effects.

While the federal shutdown has ended, the effects continue to linger. A comparison of beef to other retail prices will have to wait until the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides an update in late December. NASS won’t be releasing cold storage figures until late December. Some agricultural prices are delayed until December 15. There is not a timeline for the USDA baseline estimates nor many of the valuable Economic Research Service publications. Finally, the Commitment of Traders is not slated to be current until late January of 2026.



NMPF Dairy Market Report - NOVEMBER 2025

U.S. fluid milk sales in September were 2.5% higher than a year earlier. Exports during June-August were significantly higher than during the same period a year earlier. 

The recent expansion of U.S. milk production may be cresting; USDA reported October production and dairy cow numbers were up over a year earlier by slightly smaller percentages than during September.

The NDPSR-reported dairy product prices were almost all lower in October than a month earlier, as were all the federal order class prices.

Click here to read the entire report... https://www.nmpf.org/dmr-november-2025/.  



With Key Trade Agreement Ignored, RFA Calls for Reciprocal Duties on Chinese Ag Imports

The Renewable Fuels Association Monday thanked the Trump administration for its efforts to enforce an important 2019 trade agreement with China, noting in comments to the U.S. Trade Representative that China has failed to satisfy commitments to increase trade in ethanol and distillers grains. Accordingly, RFA calls on the United States to implement reciprocal duties on U.S. imports of Chinese ag products.

“On behalf of RFA’s membership, and the U.S. ethanol industry as a whole, we are extremely grateful to President Trump and his Administration for its steadfast commitment to fair and reciprocal trade with China,” wrote RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “We applaud USTR for taking a closer look at China’s failure to deliver on its Phase One commitments, which has resulted in a lost market opportunity for U.S. ethanol producers and farmers and caused significant financial losses.”

Cooper noted that China purchased only 58 percent of the total U.S. goods and services exports in 2020 and 2021 that it had committed to buy under the Phase One Agreement signed in 2019. In fact, China ultimately failed to buy any of the additional $200 billion in goods in 2020-21, instead falling $11.6 billion short of even reaching the baseline level of purchases. 

Specifically, with respect to ethanol, after the signing of the Phase One Agreement, in 2020, China purchased just 31.7 million gallons of ethanol from the U.S. valued at just under $51 million.  Thereafter, in 2021, China purchased just over 100 million gallons of ethanol from the U.S. valued at $162 million. Since 2021, U.S. ethanol imports by China have essentially fallen to near zero and flatlined. A similar trade pattern occurred with respect to distillers grains.

“Today, as our nation’s farmers and rural communities face serious economic challenges, it is critical that our trading partners live up to their commitments and be held accountable for failing to comply with key terms and provisions negotiated in the process,” Cooper concluded. “Moreover, trading partners must act in good faith as we work to negotiate longer-lasting, more resilient trade agreements. It is critical that China work to restore its commitment to agriculture purchases under the Phase One Agreement or otherwise face reciprocal action for its failure and/or refusal to do so.”



Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame Inductees to be Recognized During CattleCon 2026

Kent Bamford with Bamford Feedyard in Haxtun, Colorado, and Bob Foote with Foote Cattle Company in Bucyrus, Kansas, are the 2026 inductees in the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame. Honorees will be recognized at the 17th annual banquet on Feb. 4 during CattleCon 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.

“The cattle-feeding industry has been built by leaders such as Bob Foote and Kent Bamford,” said Dustin Johansen, senior vice president at Farm Journal and Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame board member. “Their legacy is the ongoing success of our industry.”

Bamford Feedyard started as a small yard, growing to 15,000 head capacity and further diversifying into a farming and trucking operation as well as a feed additive company. Foote, who is being inducted posthumously, developed a multi-location family-owned cattle operation with 285,000 head feeding capacity among other businesses across Kansas and Nebraska.

Additional honorees include Greg Henderson of Kansas, who will be recognized posthumously with the Industry Leadership Award for his award-winning journalism and being a revered voice of the beef industry. Rick Hibler with Irsik & Doll Beefland Feedyard in Garden City, Kansas, will receive the Arturo Armendariz Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to improving the cattle-feeding industry. 

Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame banquet attendees are invited to participate in CattleCon 2026, the largest cattle and beef industry event of the year. The annual convention features industry meetings, inspirational speakers, valuable education, entertainment, a massive trade show, producer recognition and much more. 

Established in 2009, the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame honors the exceptional visionary men and women who have made lasting contributions to the cattle-feeding industry. For more information about the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame and 2026 inductees, visit www.cattlefeeders.org. For more information about CattleCon 2026 and to register, visit convention.ncba.org.