Thursday July 09 Ag News - Gillespie Soil Health Fund Update - HazMat Night Out - CRP Adds 2.2m Acres - NALC New Board Members, Officers - Audobon Co Cattlemen Summer Social - Pork, Beef Export Strong in May - CHS Q3 Report - and more!

Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund invests in Nebraska’s next generation of soil health leaders

The Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund (DGSHF) continues to strengthen Nebraska agriculture through investments in youth engagement, farmer innovation and hands-on soil health education.

Over the past year, the fund has supported projects advancing regenerative agriculture, water infiltration, soil biology, biodiversity and agricultural education—helping producers, students and communities explore practical solutions that improve soil resilience, water quality and long-term farm sustainability.

Among the fund’s recent investments was support for a student-led soil health research project through Battle Creek FFA. Working alongside sixth-generation farmer Jeremy Grant, students studied the environmental and economic impacts of various farming systems, including no-till and cover cropping practices. Their research revealed dramatically improved water infiltration in soils managed with no-till and cover crops compared to conventional tillage, helping students connect scientific research to real-world agricultural outcomes.

“This project hopes to answer the question of how soil health practices make sense not only environmentally, but economically,” said Grant. “Students are helping put measurable data behind what many producers have observed for years.”

The impact of this project extended far beyond the students involved. In January, Battle Creek FFA members presented their findings at the No-Till on the Plains Conference, sharing their research with soil health leaders and agricultural experts from across the region. The data generated through the Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund-supported project also served as the foundation for their presentation at the Nebraska FFA Agriscience Fair, where the team advanced to the national competition to be held this October.

DGSHF also partnered with Green Cover to support soil health-related projects at the Central Nebraska Science and Engineering Fair, recognizing student research at the middle and high school levels in areas such as no-till farming, water conservation and regenerative agriculture.

In addition to youth research, the Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund continues to support producer-led innovation. A recent grant to southeast Nebraska organic farmer Barry Young is helping evaluate alternative methods of establishing cereal rye cover crops during corn production to improve soil function and cropping outcomes.

“Receiving this grant will ease the burden of daring to be different,” Young said. “Repairing our soil ecosystems requires patience, thought and financial support.”

Thanks to the generosity of individual and corporate donors—including WK Kellogg Co and Cargill—the Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund will increase its maximum grant award to $2,500 for the next two grant cycles, with application deadlines of October 1, 2026, and March 1, 2027. This support enables DGSHF to continue investing in the next generation of soil health leaders while advancing practical, producer-focused solutions that strengthen Nebraska agriculture, communities, and natural resources.

"We’re proud to continue our partnership with the Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund and support its expanded grant program,” said Sarah Ludmer, Chief Wellbeing and Sustainable Business Officer, WK Kellogg Co. “Investing in soil health and agricultural education helps create opportunities for the next generation of agricultural leaders and we're excited to see these grants helping bring new innovative ideas and learning opportunities to life."

For more information about the Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund or to support its mission, visit www.nebcommfound.org/give/dan-gillespie-soil-health-fund. 



Hazmat Night Out

The Elkhorn Local Emergency Mgt Planning Committee is hosting a 2026 HazMat Night Out
Thurs July 9 – 6pm – 8pm
at the CVA 81-20 location – 86524 Hwy 81 – Randolph, NE
Visit with first responders about hazardous materials in the area
Tour CVA’s 81-20 location, with an emphasis on chemicals and emergency response
Wear long pants and close-toed shoes for the tour
Find out about emergency planning activities in your community
Registration is free – but you must register ahead of time at https://forms.office.com/r/xqpwLYFUnQ
Food provided by CVA – the public is invited to attend!



USDA Accepts 2.2 Million Acres Through 2026 Conservation Reserve Program Enrollment to Benefit Natural Resources, Ag Operations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting 2.2 million acres into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for 2026. Through CRP, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers agricultural producers and landowners incentive payments for their conservation efforts while benefiting their agricultural operations and protecting the nation’s natural resources. 

“The Conservation Reserve Program continues to demonstrate the strength of voluntary, producer-led conservation across the country,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. “The success of the 2026 enrollment period reflects USDA’s Farmers First commitment and the dedication of America’s farmers and ranchers to protecting our natural resources.” 

Producers and landowners submitted offers on nearly 2.5 million acres through the General, Grassland and Continuous CRP signups. Because the program’s total acreage is capped at 27 million acres for fiscal year 2026, only 2.2 million acres were available for enrollment, making for a highly competitive process for those who submitted offers for CRP.   

Of the nearly 1.5 million acres set to expire on Sept. 30, producers submitted re-enrollment offers for just over 982,000 acres. Additionally, producers submitted offers to enroll 1.5 million acres of new land.   

Nebraska, Colorado, and South Dakota hold the top three slots for accepted acres for all 2026 CRP enrollment opportunities.   



New Board Members and Officers Begin Service with Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council

The Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council (NALC), the governing board of the Nebraska LEAD Program, welcomed new members and officers as the organization’s new fiscal year began on July 1. While the individuals were elected during the NALC Annual Meeting on March 13, 2026, their terms officially began July 1. 

Three individuals have been elected to serve three-year terms on the NALC Board of Directors: 
    Andy Chvatal, Lincoln – Executive Director of the Nebraska Soybean Board 
    Kristen Hassebrook, Lincoln – Partner with Mueller Robak, Schaefer, Hruza & Hassebrook 
    Andy Jobman, Gothenburg – Farmer and graduate of Nebraska LEAD Class 35 

In addition, Kerry Glandt, a graduate of Nebraska LEAD Class 14 and current president of the Nebraska LEAD Alumni Association, joined the board as the association’s representative. 

The council also reelected Scot Blehm, Chris Roth and Matt Dolch to second three-year terms on the board. 

The Nebraska LEAD Program and NALC also recognized three outgoing board members whose terms concluded June 30: Mary Eisenzimmer, Jessica Groskopf and Bobbie Kriz-Wickham. Their leadership and service have played an important role in advancing the mission of the Nebraska LEAD Program. 

Following the annual meeting in March, the NALC Board also elected its officers for the 2026–27 fiscal year. Effective July 1, the officers are: 
    Matt Dolch, Chair 
    Tracy Behnken, Vice Chair 
    Stephanie Schuler, Secretary 
    Scot Blehm, Treasurer 

“We’re thrilled to welcome these outstanding leaders to the NALC Board,” said Kurtis Harms, director of the Nebraska LEAD Program. “Each brings a deep understanding of Nebraska agriculture and a strong commitment to developing future leaders. We’re also incredibly grateful to our outgoing board members, whose service and insight have helped strengthen the Nebraska LEAD Program and position it for continued success.” 



Audubon County Cattlemen's Summer Social

The third annual Audubon County Cattlemen's Summer Social will offer an evening of networking and learning from keynote speaker Joe Goggins of Billings, MT. Joe and his family are heavily involved in the cattle industry, and he is currently serving as president of the Livestock Marketing Association. Luke Frantz of Kapco Futures will also be presenting current industry trends in the cattle markets. Proceeds will be used to promote beef and support local beef exhibitors at the Audubon County Fair. The event will be held on Saturday July 11 from 5pm-9pm at the Exira Event Center, 106 N. Jefferson, Exira, IA.  $20 per person.  RSVP's are appreciated to Clara Lauritsen at 712.304.4451.



Naig Opens Sign-Up for Annual Cover Crop Cost-Share Program

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today encouraged Iowa farmers and landowners who are planning to seed cover crops this fall to enroll in the state's annual Cover Crop Cost-Share Program. This program is open to first-time and returning cover crop users in all 99 counties and offers cost-share assistance on up to 160 acres per participant.

“More Iowa farmers are choosing to plant cover crops because they've seen the benefits in their own fields, while also delivering cleaner water for Iowans downstream. Cover crops prevent runoff, hold nutrients in place, improve soil health, reduce weed pressure and can provide forage for livestock, making them one of the most effective tools we have to protect Iowa’s water quality,” said Secretary Naig. “Cover Crop Cost-Share has become one of our most popular conservation programs and has helped drive record adoption of cover crops in recent years. I encourage farmers and landowners to visit their local USDA Service Center or cleanwateriowa.org to explore the conservation programs available and sign up early because demand continues to build each year."

Cover Crop Cost-Share
    Farmers planting cover crops for the first time are eligible for $30 per acre.
    Farmers who have previously planted cover crops are eligible for $20 per acre.
    Cost-share funding through the statewide program is limited to 160 acres per participant.

Additional Cost-Share Assistance for First-Time Users
    Farmers transitioning acres to no-till or strip-till are eligible for $10 per acre.
    Farmers can receive $3 per acre for utilizing a nitrogen inhibitor when applying fall fertilizer.
    Cost-share funding through these programs is limited to 160 acres per participant.

The statewide program complements the Department's recent conservation announcements including expanded incentives for cover crops and streamside buffers in the Greater Des Moines Watershed.

Additional Opportunity for Farmers and Landowners in the Greater Des Moines Watershed
Farmers and landowners located within the 22-county Greater Des Moines Watershed may be eligible for additional cost-share incentives. The Greater Des Moines watershed cover crop program provides $25 per acre on up to 500 acres to accelerate adoption of cover crops. Together, those programs offer eligible farmers the opportunity to receive state cost-share assistance on up to 660 acres of cover crops, subject to the requirements of each program.

Applications are now being accepted through county Soil and Water Conservation District offices located within each county USDA Service Center and costshare.iowaagriculture.gov. Funding is limited and demand for the program remains strong each year. Farmers and landowners are encouraged to enroll in the statewide cost-share program as soon as possible.



Offal Restrictions Impact May Pork Exports; Beef Export Value Above Year-Ago

Although May exports of U.S. pork were higher year-over-year, volumes were significantly diminished by Mexico’s restrictions on pork offal items, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). May beef exports were below last year’s volume but edged higher in value.

May pork exports to Japan, Colombia, Central America offset lower totals for Mexico
Pork exports totaled 245,874 metric tons (mt) in May, up 10% from a year ago, with value up 8% to $701 million. But exports in May 2025 were unusually low due to heightened trade tensions with China, which temporarily pushed China’s tariff rate on U.S. pork as high as 172%. This impasse heavily impacted exports of pork variety meat, which totaled just over 30,000 mt in May 2025. While pork variety meat exports exceeded 40,000 mt in May 2026, this was easily the lowest total of the year as January-April shipments averaged nearly 49,000 mt. May variety meat exports to Mexico were just 3,157 mt, down 80% from a year ago, due to restrictions imposed after the April 30 detection of pseudorabies virus (PRV) antibodies in five boars in Iowa. May bright spots for U.S. pork included the largest shipments to Japan since 2021, an outstanding performance from Colombia and strong growth in Central America. Export value per head slaughtered topped $71.

For January through May, pork and pork variety meat exports totaled 1.28 million mt, up 5% from a year ago, while value was also up 5% to $3.59 billion. In both volume and value, pork exports are less than 1% below the record pace established in 2024.

“While U.S. pork exports are posting a strong performance in 2026, the May results underscore the urgent need for Mexico to fully remove its PRV-related restrictions on pork offal and other products,” USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom explained. “This situation is costing the U.S. industry millions of dollars per week and severely impacting customers in Mexico, who are scrambling to find alternative products and suppliers.”

Although Mexico modified its restrictions in early June to allow pork offal shipments from states other than Iowa and Texas, source verification requirements, and the importance of Iowa as the leading hog-producing state, continue to pose significant obstacles for exporters.

May beef export highlights led by value growth in Taiwan, Japan, Latin America
May beef exports totaled 91,925 mt, down 5% from a year ago. But value increased 2% to $818.1 million, bolstered by value increases in Taiwan, Japan, the ASEAN region, Central and South America and Egypt. Export value per head of fed slaughter soared to $468 in May, the highest in nearly four years. Despite China’s mid-May renewal of expired U.S. beef plant registrations, May exports to China remained minimal as technical obstacles are yet to be resolved.

For January through May, beef exports were 10% below last year’s pace at 457,063 mt, while value fell 5% to $3.95 billion. But when excluding China from these results, January-May beef exports were down less than 1% in volume and were 6% higher in value.

“Despite significant headwinds, we are seeing some encouraging trends on the beef side,” Halstrom said. “Many facilities remain suspended and unable to export to China, while exporters overall remain reluctant to ship until technical obstacles are resolved and China agrees to meet its Phase One Agreement commitments. But Taiwan has been a major bright spot this year and while exports to South Korea have trended lower, we expect an uptick in Korea’s demand when a higher tariff rate on Australian beef is triggered later this month.”

By mid-July, Korea’s imports of Australian beef are expected to exceed the safeguard threshold established in the Korea-Australia FTA. Through the end of the year, Korea’s tariff rate on Australian beef will increase from 5.3% to 24%. U.S. beef enters Korea at zero duty under the Korea-U.S. FTA. Australia triggered its beef safeguard for China on June 18, and has since faced a 55% tariff for exports entering that market.

Lamb exports continue downward trend
Exports of U.S. lamb muscle cuts totaled 215 mt in May, down 41% from a year ago, valued at $1.3 million (down 28%). After a strong start to the year, January-May exports slipped 8% below a year ago in volume (1,257 mt) and 5% lower in value ($7 million). Larger exports to the Caribbean and Central America have been offset by lower shipments to Mexico and no exports to Canada have been reported in 2026. 



NCGA Report: U.S. Farmers Pay Substantially More for Inputs than Brazilian Counterparts

A new report released by the National Corn Growers Association today details the price premiums U.S. farmers pay for their inputs compared to Brazilian farmers, their largest global competitor. The premiums are, in some cases, more than double the costs paid by farmers in South America. The study was conducted by Kynetec in partnership with NCGA.

“I think there has long been a belief among U.S. farmers that we pay more for the same products compared to our international counterparts,” said Matt Frostic, Michigan farmer and NCGA first vice president. “This work confirms our fears: we are paying substantially more for our inputs. But the price gouging that is happening for U.S. farmers is even worse than many of us suspected.”

The findings include:
    Across all corn seed comparisons, U.S. prices were considerably higher, averaging a 68% premium over Brazil from 2023–2025.
    Fungicides show some of the largest price differences, with some comparisons showing U.S. prices more than double Brazilian levels depending on the crop, product category, active ingredient and year. 
    Across corn and soybeans, U.S. herbicide prices were higher than Brazilian prices, with many comparisons showing U.S. prices near double Brazil’s levels.
    Insecticide gaps varied by crop but often favored Brazil: U.S. corn insecticide prices were materially higher, averaging 87% higher from 2023 to 2025.

The report is the culmination of months of work by NCGA’s Inputs Task Force, chaired by Frostic and formed to identify the factors contributing to sustained record or near-record input cost highs facing farmers in recent years. The task force identified the research to understand U.S. costs vs. those of their South American counterparts as a foundational piece of work for understanding how input costs affect global competitiveness.

“In recent years, rising input costs have put intense pressure on corn farmers,” said Krista Swanson, NCGA chief economist. “It’s easy to focus on corn prices when talking about the farm economy, but that misses a big part of the story. The other side of the equation is what farmers are paying to put a crop in the ground, and those costs have kept climbing to levels that are becoming unsustainable.”

NCGA has been raising concern about and acting on rising input costs for years. Beyond seed and pesticide products, phosphate prices spiked in 2021 following a successful petition by the Mosaic Company, and later, J.R. Simplot, to add countervailing duties to imported phosphate. Corn growers forcefully opposed that petition and called on Mosaic to withdraw its petition. Corteva Agriscience followed suit several years later, with a successful petition to impose duties on 2,4-D supplies; and, just last week, Bayer filed a similar petition to impose duties on imported supplies of glyphosate.

“Corn farmers are on track to lose money for a fourth consecutive year,” said Frostic. “We certainly want to see higher prices for our corn – and NCGA works every day on building demand – but we can’t ignore the prices we’re paying for inputs right now. On top of the premiums we’re paying, companies are now using trade remedy laws to consolidate their market share and increase prices even further. If this trend continues, input providers will force their own customers out of business.”

NCGA is calling for increased transparency from input providers and for pricing to better reflect the realities of the current economic environment. It is also pursuing policy initiatives that will make U.S. farmers more globally competitive, calling out how Brazil imposed tariffs and trade barriers on U.S. ethanol, while at the same time enjoying lower input prices. NCGA is also pursuing legislative reform to the countervailing duty process that will require the interests of the public to be considered before duties on agricultural products are imposed by the Department of Commerce and International Trade Commission.



USDA Introduces More Crop Insurance Options for Forage Producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expanding coverage options to add revenue protection for forage producers in 12 states, part of the Department’s efforts to put Farmers First through improved crop insurance. Implemented by USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA), the new coverage options guard against both yield losses and decline in price due to market changes.  

“We closely collaborated with forage producers and industry stakeholders to develop this expanded policy to provide these coverage options in the areas where it is needed the most,” said RMA Administrator Pat Swanson. “We are dedicated to delivering risk management tools that are responsive to the needs of American farmers and ranchers, and offering this enhanced product to forage producers only strengthens that commitment and continues to put Farmers First.”  

This insurance policy will be structured similarly to other Federal crop insurance revenue programs, replacing Actual Production History (APH) coverage for forage production in select counties located in California, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin beginning with the 2027 crop year.  

Forage producers in eligible areas will have three plan options under this change:  
    Yield Protection (YP): Provides coverage against loss in yield.  
    Revenue Protection (RP): Provides coverage against loss in revenue due to a yield loss, price decline, or yield loss at higher prices.  
    Revenue Protection with Harvest Price Exclusions (RP-HPE): Provides coverage against loss in revenue due to a yield loss, decrease in the harvest price below the projected price, or both.  

Interested producers in eligible areas should contact a crop insurance agent to enroll before the sales closing date of Sept. 30, 2026. The existing APH-based Forage Production insurance program will continue to be available to producers in all other states where the program is currently offered.  



CHS reports third quarter fiscal year 2026 earnings

CHS Inc., a global agribusiness and the nation’s leading cooperative, today released results for its third quarter of fiscal year 2026. The company reported net income of $267.4 million attributable to CHS and revenues of $11.6 billion for the quarter that ended May 31, 2026, compared to net income of $232.2 million and revenues of $9.8 billion in the third quarter of fiscal year 2025.

Key highlights for third quarter fiscal year 2026 financial results:
    Our energy segment benefited from strong refining margins, driven by global market dynamics, which were mostly offset by record-high expenses for renewable energy credits (RINs). 
    Grains performance was driven by continued global headwinds affecting grain margins, partially offset by strong oilseed crush margins.
    Continued strong performance by our CF Nitrogen equity method investment was partially offset by lower sales volumes of agronomy products, due to high prices and ongoing weakness in the U.S. farm economy. 

“The diversity of our ag and energy businesses continues to be a key strength for CHS, as shifting policy and market conditions create both headwinds and tailwinds,” said Jay Debertin, president and CEO of CHS. “We saw strong operational execution during the busy spring planting season, but we also recognize that ongoing market volatility continues to create a challenging environment for farmers and member cooperatives. We remain focused on operating efficiently and managing costs as we provide the products and services farmers need, while working every day to create additional value for our owners.”

Energy 
This segment includes our refined fuels, propane and lubricants product lines. Energy reported pretax earnings of $10.1 million for the third quarter of fiscal year 2026, which represents a $66.6 million increase versus the prior year period and reflects: 
    Improved margins driven by higher refining margins resulting from global conditions and increased U.S. energy exports, as well as strong operational execution from CHS refineries. 
    Robust seasonal sales volumes of diesel fuel, partially offset by softer consumer demand for gasoline.  
    These favorable results were mostly offset by record-high RIN costs.  

Grains
The grains segment primarily includes our corn, oilseeds, wheat and specialty grains product lines. The pretax loss of $33.6 million represents a $0.7 million decrease versus the prior year period and reflects:
    Reduced global grain margins and increased transportation costs, partially offset by strong corn export volumes.
    Strong oilseed volumes and increased oilseed crush margins in response to U.S. biofuels policy enhancements and the resulting impact on biofuels feedstock markets.

Agronomy
This segment includes crop nutrients, crop protection and CF Nitrogen. Pretax earnings of $275.0 million represent a $27.6 million increase versus the prior year period and reflect:
    Strong performance for our CF Nitrogen equity method investment due to favorable market conditions for urea and UAN, which was partially offset by reduced fertilizer sales volumes in response to the weak U.S. farm economy.

Corporate and Services
This segment includes CHS Capital and CHS Hedging, as well as our Ardent Mills and Ventura Foods joint ventures. Pretax earnings of $30.6 million represent a $70.2 million decrease versus the prior year period. The previous year's results included gain on sale of a business by Ventura Foods in 2025, which did not reoccur in the current year. 



Six Fertilizers Lead Retail Fertilizer Prices Lower for Third Consecutive Week

Retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN for the week of the last few days of June and first few days of July 2026 were mostly lower compared to a month earlier. Mostly lower prices have now been present for a full month, according to DTN price data. For the third consecutive week, six of the eight major retail fertilizers were lower compared to last month while the remaining two were slightly higher. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

Four of the six fertilizers with lower prices had significant price declines. Leading all nutrients lower was urea, which was 12% less expensive with an average price of $718/ton. UAN32 was 9% lower compared to last month at an average price of $533/ton, anhydrous was 7% less expensive at an average price of $1,036/ton, and UAN28 was 6% lower at an average price of $504/ton. The remaining two fertilizers with lower prices were just slightly less expensive compared to a month ago. MAP had an average price of $953/ton and 10-34-0 had an average price of $725/ton.

Two fertilizers were slightly more expensive compared to last month. DAP had an average price of $910/ton and potash had an average price of $494/ton.

On a price-per-pound-of-nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.78/lb.N, anhydrous was $0.63/lb.N, UAN28 was $0.90/lb.N and UAN32 was $0.83/lb.N.

Looking back one year, all eight fertilizers are now higher in price compared to a year earlier. Potash is 3% higher, UAN32 is 6% more expensive, 10-34-0 is 8% higher, urea is 9% more expensive, DAP is 12% higher, MAP is 13% more expensive, UAN28 is 20% higher and anhydrous is 35% more expensive compared to one year ago.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 7/3/2026

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending July 3, ethanol production pared back 2.1% to 1.09 million b/d, equivalent to 45.91 million gallons daily. Yet, output was 0.7% higher than the same week last year and 4.8% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate decreased 0.4% to 1.10 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.91 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks dropped 3.1% to 23.9 million barrels, the lowest weekly volume since the start of 2026. Stocks were 0.1% less than the same week last year but 4.1% above the five-year average. Inventories thinned across all regions except the Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, slid 3.1% to 8.85 million b/d (135.97 bg annualized). Demand was 3.4% less than a year ago and 1.0% below the five-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol followed, down 2.2% to a 5-week low of 901,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.85 bg annualized. Net inputs were 0.1% less than year-ago levels and 0.3% below the five-year average.

Ethanol exports vaulted 58.7% to 200,000 b/d (8.4 million gallons/day), a 13-week high. It has been more than two years since EIA indicated ethanol was imported.



U.S. Ethanol and DDGS Exports Improve in May

U.S. ethanol exports totaled 189.7 million gallons (mg) in May, rebounding 11% from April's sharp downturn as shipments strengthened across most major markets. Canada remained the leading destination for denatured fuel ethanol, with exports climbing 18% to a six-month high of 76.3 mg. Exports to the European Union, led by the Netherlands, increased 15% to 39.1 mg, continuing to underpin demand for undenatured ethanol. Together, Canada and the EU accounted for 61% of total May exports. Nigeria imported 12.7 mg—its largest monthly volume of U.S. ethanol since December 2021—while exports to Colombia surged 72% to 10.9 mg. In contrast, shipments to South Korea fell 38% to 10.1 mg, and exports to the United Kingdom slipped 4% to 9.9 mg. Exports to Vietnam more than quadrupled to 7.7 mg, while exports to the Philippines declined 34% to 7.3 mg. Notably, exports to both Brazil and India remained essentially zero. Year-to-date U.S. ethanol exports reached 1.00 billion gallons, running 11% ahead of the same period last year.

U.S. fuel ethanol imports totaled 256,801 gallons in May, with Brazil supplying 70% and Canada accounting for the remaining 30%. Imports reached their highest monthly volume since March 2025. Still, through the first five months of 2026, total fuel ethanol imports stood at just 462,120 gallons.

May U.S. exports of dried distillers grains (DDGS), the animal feed coproduct generated by dry-mill ethanol plants, increased 6% to 1.08 million metric tons (mt), reflecting higher shipments across most major export markets. Shipments to Mexico climbed 2% to 210,925 mt, while exports to South Korea advanced 14% to 138,272 mt. Exports to Indonesia slipped 2% to 136,543 mt, and shipments to Vietnam eased 1% to 113,288 mt. Meanwhile, exports to the European Union surged 64% to 102,872 mt. Collectively, these five markets accounted for roughly two-thirds of all DDGS exports in May, with nearly 30 additional destinations making up the remainder. Through the first five months of 2026, cumulative DDGS exports reached 5.06 million mt, up 14% from the same period in 2025. 



USDA Requests Comments on Beef Grade Standards
 
The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced Wednesday that it is seeking input from the public and stakeholders on how the U.S. Standards for Grades of Carcass Beef may be updated to better serve the needs of industry, large volume food buyers and modern consumers. Since the last update to the Beef Grading Standards have been implemented beef production and quality assessment methods have changed significantly, as have consumer preferences.

As such, USDA requests comments including data, recommendations, and other information from stakeholders so that the Beef Grading Standards can incorporate necessary updates to maintain relevance and meet consumer needs. The official Request for Information is available here: Federal Register - United States Standards for Grades of Carcass Beef https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/08/2026-13761/united-states-standards-for-grades-of-carcass-beef.  

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

Beef producers, packers, wholesalers, food manufacturers, food service operators, food retailers, and consumers rely on USDA’s voluntary beef grading services to ensure that requirements are met for quality and other factors. USDA grading offers an independent third-party opinion on product quality based on the USDA requirements to help producers market their products and assures buyers that the quality meets or exceeds those standards.



NMPF - May DMC Margin Gains Eight Cents Over April

The May margin under USDA’s Margin Coverage Program was $10.62/cwt, $0.08/cwt higher than the month before and marking the third consecutive month this year for which the program generated no payment at any coverage level.

The higher margin was driven by a $0.50/cwt increase in the all-milk price from April, to $21.30/cwt, which was mostly offset by a rise of $0.42/cwt of milk in the May DMC feed cost formula, driven by increases equivalent in the formula to $0.18/cwt of milk in both the corn and the premium alfalfa prices and $0.06/cwt of milk in the soybean meal price.

At the end of June, the DMC Decision Tool on the USDA website projected no other DMC payments this year, other than a possible small one for August. The forecast continues to show a somewhat unusual two-peaked structure for the monthly DMC margins for the remaining seven months of the year, hitting peaks of $11.51/cwt in June, November and December, with an interim trough of $9.75/cwt in August, while averaging $10.25/cwt for the year.



High input-cost concerns continue to weigh on farmer sentiment

Producers continued to express concern about farm finances as the June Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer recorded a 6-point decline in farmer sentiment to 113. The Current Conditions Index fell to an 18-month low of 102, and the Future Expectations Index dropped 7 points. High input costs remained producers’ top concern, with 47% identifying them as the biggest challenge facing their operation, followed by low crop and livestock prices at 23%. A related question revealed that 42% of respondents feel high input costs are limiting improvements in their financial position this year. The survey was conducted among 400 farmers across the nation from June 15-19.

Additional survey results illustrated the financial challenges facing producers. Just 12% of respondents said their farms were better off financially than a year ago, while only 22% expected their operations to improve over the next 12 months. Reflecting that cautious outlook, the Farm Capital Investment Index has continued its fall from the March 2026 survey to 40, its lowest level since September 2024.

When asked what was limiting improvement in their farm’s financial situation, 42% of respondents cited high input costs, while low output prices, at 17%, ranked second among responses. Weather risk (14%), policy uncertainty (11%), labor and equipment concerns (9%), and debt or financial pressure (8%) rounded out the remaining responses.

“While high input costs remain the primary constraint on farm financial performance, producers are continuing to make decisions in a broader environment shaped by technology adoption, trade expectations and long-term land value outlook,” said Michael Langemeier, the barometer’s principal investigator and director of Purdue’s Center for Commercial Agriculture.

This month’s survey included two questions on the use of AI and other data-driven tools in agriculture. When asked about potential benefits, 23% of respondents cited increased production as the primary advantage, 14% cited reduced labor needs, and 11% cited reduced risk or uncertainty. However, a majority of respondents (52%) said they did not see a meaningful benefit from these tools.

Respondents also expressed skepticism about the practical use of data-driven tools. Approximately 63% said AI-generated recommendations would be sometimes difficult to follow, while 22% said they would often be difficult to follow.

Producers expressed generally positive expectations for agricultural exports over the next five years and showed strong support for free trade. While 9% of respondents expected agricultural exports to decline, 43% expected exports to increase over the next five years. Eighty-five percent agreed or strongly agreed with the statement that free trade benefits agriculture and most other American industries.

Beyond trade expectations, longer-term outlooks for the farm sector weakened compared with a year ago. The percentage of respondents expecting “good times” over the next five years fell to 32% in June, 17 percentage points lower than in the June 2025 survey. Expectations also continued to vary notably by sector, with 25% of respondents expecting good times for crop producers compared with 68% for livestock producers.

Short-term farmland value expectations declined in June, with the index falling from 130 in May to 124. In contrast, long-term expectations remained strong, rising to 166 and tying the record high. Respondents cited alternative investments, net farm income and inflation as the factors with the greatest influence on farmland values.

Since July 2025, producers have been asked whether they think the U.S. is headed in the “right direction” or on the “wrong track.” After averaging 71% during the final six months of 2025, the percentage of producers reporting the U.S. is headed in the “right direction” was 52% in May and 53% in June.



John Deere Reinforces Commitment to Diagnostic and Repair Tools for Farmers Under Agreement with FTC and States

An agreement announced today by John Deere, the Federal Trade Commission, and five states ensures farmers and ranchers will have access to the diagnostic and repair tools that help them and independent service technicians maintain and repair their current and future John Deere equipment.

“This is good news for our customers and for the future of how Deere equipment is supported,” said Denver Caldwell, vice president of aftermarket and customer support. “Producers and equipment operators demand flexible and world class capabilities enabling the maintenance and repair of their machines; we are and will continue to deliver on that expectation.”

This agreement reinforces Deere’s continued innovation toward more flexible repair options, emphasizing increased access and transparency for customers. It formalizes Deere’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to diagnostic and repair tools—helping customers and independent service providers maintain and repair equipment with greater choice and control—while providing the FTC and states with the ability to verify that Deere is meeting this commitment now and into the future.

“We’ve said from the beginning that our focus is on helping customers keep their machines running when and how they need them,” said Caldwell. “This agreement bolsters that commitment, and we’re confident it will make a real difference for the people who depend on our equipment every day. We share the Administration’s and the states’ desire to put farmers first while preserving Deere’s ability to support American agricultural productivity, equipment safety   and innovation.”

The agreement brings to a close the matter filed by the FTC and states in early 2025 and allows the company to move forward with a continued focus on supporting its customers. Recent settlements and related agreements in this space have similarly emphasized increased access and transparency for customers, reinforcing Deere’s continued innovation toward more flexible repair options.

John Deere will continue to invest in tools, technology, and services that give customers more ways to care for their equipment, whether they choose to do the work themselves or through a repair provider they trust. The company remains committed to delivering reliable equipment, strong dealer support, and practical solutions that help customers stay productive in the field.



Farmers Win in FTC Settlement with John Deere

National Farmers Union (NFU) celebrates the settlement announced Wednesday by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and attorneys general in Illinois, Arizona, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin, resolving a lawsuit against Deere & Company over restrictions on farm equipment repair. 

"Farmers Union championed this win from the beginning, and we are happy to see the settlement provide farmers with what they should have had all along: the right to repair their own equipment," said NFU President Rob Larew. “Today’s action didn't happen by accident. Farmers across the country refused to stay quiet about this injustice. This settlement belongs to them."

NFU filed a formal complaint with the FTC in 2022 and has long been at the forefront of the fight for farmers’ right to repair.

The settlement requires Deere, for the next 10 years and under the supervision of the FTC and the participating states, to provide farmers and independent repair providers with the same repair resources currently available only to Deere's authorized dealers. Deere is also barred from discriminating or retaliating against customers who choose to repair their own equipment.

“Every farmer, no matter what state they farm in or what equipment they run, deserves this same right. We will keep fighting for a permanent, nationwide right-to-repair law that guarantees farmers fair and lasting access to the tools, parts and information we need to keep our operations running,” added Larew.



NFU Urges USDA to Reverse Course on Packers and Stockyards Act Rollback

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew shared the following statement after the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposed to rescind three regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act.

“We are deeply concerned by USDA's proposal to rescind rules that protect family farmers and ranchers from retaliation, discrimination and unfair treatment by powerful meatpackers and processors.

"The Trump administration has rightly pointed to consolidation and monopoly power as a driver of higher consumer prices and tighter margins for farmers and ranchers. But that acknowledgement must be reinforced by strong rules to protect farmers and increase fairness and competition in livestock and poultry markets. We hope the administration stands up for family farmers by strengthening these protections, not rolling them back.

"NFU will keep fighting to ensure these common-sense protections, pursued by family farmers for generations, stay in place, and we urge USDA to reverse course."

Tuesday July 07 Ag News - Weekly Crop Progress Report - Soybean Gall Midge Update - Soybean Herbicide Restrictions - ISU Farmland Lease Meetings - and more!

Nebraska Crop Progress & Condition Statistics - July 05

                               Very Short     Short    Adequate     Surplus
Topsoil Moisture .......:    15          34            45              06    
Subsoil Moisture .......:    26          36            34              04    

                                       Last year   Last week   This week   5YrAve
Corn Silking...................:     09            03              10              09
Corn in Dough................:     01            na              --                --
Soybeans in bloom.........:     13            26             49               33
Soybeans setting pods....:      --            --               06               02
Sorghum headed ............:     04           04              05               04    
Winter Wheat Harvested:     19           05              25               17

                                              VP       Poor       Fair        Good       Excellent    
Corn Condition Rating ...:     02          04         32           48             14
Soybean Condition Rating    01          04          29          52             14
Winter Wheat Condition .:    61          32          05          02               -     
Pasture Conditions ..........:    32          32          29           6                1    



Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

Farmers had 4.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 5, 2026. This is 0.6 days less than last year, when there were 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 10 percent short, 71 percent adequate, and 18 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 16 percent short, 65 percent adequate, and 16 percent surplus. 

Corn silking in Iowa reached 8 percent, which is 5 percentage points behind last year. Corn condition rated 78 percent good to excellent. 

Soybeans blooming reached 37 percent, which is 3 percentage points ahead of last year. Soybeans setting pods reached 3 percent, which is 5 percentage points behind last year. Soybean condition rated 74 percent good to excellent. 

Oats headed reached 96 percent, which is 3 percentage points ahead of last year. Oats condition rated 82 percent good to excellent. 

Pasture condition rated 73 percent good to excellent.

USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report

U.S. corn good-to-excellent condition ratings were unchanged while soybean good-to-excellent condition ratings declined from the previous week, according to USDA NASS's weekly Crop Progress report released Monday.

CORN
-- Crop development: Corn silking was pegged at 16%, 1 percentage point behind last year's 17% and 2 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 14%. Corn in the dough stage was estimated at 3%, steady with last year and slightly ahead of the five-year average of 2%.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 67% of the crop was in good-to-excellent condition, steady with the previous week and 7 points below last year's 74%. Eight percent of the crop was rated very poor to poor, steady with the previous week and 3 points above the previous year's 5%. 

SOYBEANS
-- Crop development: Soybeans blooming was pegged at 34%, 4 points ahead of last year's 30% and 6 points ahead of the five-year average of 28%. Soybeans setting pods were estimated at 9%, 2 points ahead of last year's 7% and 3 points ahead of the five-year average of 6%.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 64% of soybeans that had emerged were in good-to-excellent condition, 1 point below the previous week of 65% and 2 points below the previous year of 66%. 

WINTER WHEAT
-- Harvest progress: Harvest moved ahead 11 percentage points last week to reach 59% complete nationwide as of Sunday. That was 8 points ahead of last year and the five-year average of 51%. 
-- Crop condition: An estimated 26% of winter wheat was rated good to excellent as of July 5, steady with the previous week and 22 points below 48% a year ago, according to NASS.

SPRING WHEAT
-- Crop development: Fifty-four percent of spring wheat was headed, 4 points behind last year's pace of 58% and steady with the five-year average.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 57% of the crop was in good-to-excellent condition nationwide, down 2 points from 59% the previous week.

-----
 

Soybean Gall Midge Alert: July 6th, 2026
Nebraska Extension

Soybean gall midge activity continues to increase in parts of the monitoring network.

In Nebraska, first-generation adults (current year’s soybean) have begun emerging almost all monitoring sites, indicating the next generation is underway. Wilting and dead soybean plants are now present at all monitored locations, with infestations ranging from 10–90% of plants along field borders depending on the site.

Minnesota has now documented soybean gall midge larvae, with 40–50% of plants infested along the field border at a monitoring site in Rock County, MN. Wilting and dead soybean plants have also been observed at the same site. 

See map on soybeangallmidge.org

Producers should continue scouting soybean fields, especially field edges adjacent to last year's soybean fields. Once significant larval infestations are present, insecticide applications are not recommended because larvae are protected within the stem, making it difficult for insecticides to reach them effectively.



Soil Health Assessment Training Set for Aug. 20

Healthy soils start with knowing what is happening below the surface. Producers, agronomists and ag professionals can sharpen their observation, measurement and management skills this August during a hands-on soil health assessment training. 

The UNL Soil Health team is hosting “From Field Sampling to Soil Health Scores,” a hands-on soil health assessment training followed by a cover crop demo tour, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20 at Rogers Memorial Farm. This in-person training is designed for producers with or without an RCPP/RPP contract, agronomists, Certified Crop Advisors, and other agricultural professionals seeking practical soil health assessment skills. 

Participants will work through the full soil health assessment process, from sampling design to interpreting soil health scores for management decisions using real field conditions.

During this training, participants will learn how to:
    Design efficient soil sampling plans by identifying representative sampling locations (by soil type, management and resource concern).
    Conduct on-site soil health assessments and soil sampling following nationwide guidelines (e.g., NRCS CEMA 216 and Technical Note 450).
    Record and organize field data and prepare soil samples for lab analysis.
    Calculate and interpret soil health indicators and connect field observations.
    Apply results to inform conservation planning and management decisions.

The day includes instruction, demonstration, and small-group field practice. Participants will collect and assess soil samples, compare observations across sites, discuss how field and lab data align, and use soil health framework scoring frameworks, such as SHAPE, to guide practical next steps for improving and maintaining soil health.

Registration is free, with participants encouraged to sign up by Monday, Aug. 10 https://unlcorexmuw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a2BE9XiSESVztPw.  Attendance is limited to 25 participants to ensure an interactive experience. 

Lunch and a soil health kit valued at $100 will be provided to all participants.

This workshop offers a valuable opportunity to build hands-on skills, connect data to decision-making, and support farmers in developing resilient, healthy soils.

For questions or more information, contact Miranda Mueller, Soil Health Program coordinator, 402-472-4067, or Caro Córdova, soil health specialist, 402-472-6229.

This event is offered at no cost thanks to sponsorship from the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment, Nebraska Soybean Board and the UNL Soil Health Program.

Rogers Memorial Farm is located at 18600 Adam St., Lincoln, NE 68527. 



Soybean Herbicide Application Restrictions by Growth Stage and Pre-Harvest Interval
Amit Jhala - Professor and Associate Department Head, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture

Early-season weed control is crucial to prevent crop-weed competition and potential yield loss, especially in soybean, where effective post-emergence herbicides are limited. When adequate soil moisture and warm temperatures promote rapid weed germination and growth, soybean fields can quickly develop dense weed infestations (Figure 1) that require timely post-emergence herbicide application for effective control in no-till soybean production system.

When applying post-emergence herbicides, it is essential to consider the soybean growth stage or pre-harvest interval to avoid soybean injury and herbicide residue in the seeds. Herbicide labels specify the maximum soybean growth stage at which broadcast herbicide applications can be made (see Table 1), and these guidelines should be followed closely. When using a mixture of herbicides, always adhere to the most restrictive label instructions among all products included.

How to Determine Soybean Growth Stage
    Restrictions on postemergence herbicide applications in soybean are based on the growth stage or the pre-harvest interval (PHI).
    These restrictions are typically expressed as a specific soybean growth stage or PHI, and sometimes both are provided. When both are listed, follow the most restrictive requirement.
    After the emergence of the first pair of unifoliolate (single) leaves, all subsequent leaves are trifoliate leaves (compound leaves with three leaflets). Vegetative (V) growth stages are determined by counting the number of fully developed trifoliate leaves on the main stem, not on branches.
    The V1 stage occurs when the first trifoliate has fully unrolled and the leaf edges no longer touch. New trifoliates typically emerge every three to five days through the V5 stage. For example, a plant with five fully developed trifoliates is at V5. Beyond V5, trifoliates may emerge more rapidly, approximately every two to three days, under favorable growing conditions.
    The R1 (beginning bloom) stage is defined by the appearance of at least one open flower at any node on the main stem. This typically corresponds to plants in the V6 to V8 range and approximately 15–18 inches tall. The R2 (full bloom) stage occurs when open flowers are present at one of the top two nodes of the main stem with a fully developed leaf.
    When the first pod on one of the four upper nodes reaches 3/16-inch long, the plant is at the R3 stage. Most post-emergence soybean herbicides have restrictions up to the R3 growth stage. Certain herbicides can be applied later in the season when the restriction is based on pre-harvest interval. For example, Select MAX can be applied as long as you can maintain 60 days of pre-harvest interval.
    At the R4 stage, the soybean plant reaches the full pod stage.
    Before applying, ensure the trait package in the soybean variety matches the herbicides.

When using herbicide mixtures, always follow the most restrictive label directions among of the products being used in the mixture.

Use labeled adjuvants with post-emergence application of herbicides. Refer to page 71 in the Nebraska Extension NebGuide EC130, “Guide for Weed, Disease, and Insect Management in Nebraska”, link is here: https://marketplace.unl.edu/extension/2026-guide-to-weed-management-18555.html.   



2026 Farmland Leasing Arrangements Meetings Offered Across Iowa

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will offer a series of farmland leasing arrangements meetings across the state in late July and August, as well as a statewide virtual webinar on Aug. 19. The annual meetings are designed to address questions that landowners, tenants, agribusiness professionals and those involved in farmland ownership have about leasing farmland.

Workshop topics will cover land values, market outlook and cash rent trends, costs of production, methods for determining a fair rental rate, legal updates regarding leases and strategies for effective communication with tenants or landowners. ISU Extension and Outreach farm management field specialists will also address common questions regarding leases affected by a farm estate or succession plan.

According to Ann Johanns, program specialist for Ag Decision Maker at ISU Extension and Outreach, the 2026 annual survey of cash rental rates for Iowa farmland showed little change overall, with the state average rate decreasing by 0.4% in 2026 to $270 per acre. This is the second decline in cash rents since 2019, after a peak of $279 per acre in 2023 and 2024. 

“While the trend in rental rates is fairly flat, every lease agreement is unique, and attending a workshop is a great way to learn more or ask questions on specific aspects of farm lease arrangements,” said Johanns. “More than half of Iowa’s farmland is rented, and strong landowner/tenant relationships are important for the long-term viability of Iowa’s valuable farmland.”

Attendees often participate in this meeting series annually, each with different goals. In post-session evaluations in 2025, 100% of respondents reported satisfaction with the program’s ability to meet their needs. Past participants shared that they attended to deepen their understanding of factors affecting farmland leases. After attending, many made improvements to their own lease agreements or reported that the session confirmed their current leases aligned with all parties’ needs.

Attend a local meeting
Registration for local county farmland leasing meetings is $25 per person, which includes workshop materials. Pre-registration is encouraged, as an additional fee may be added if registering less than two calendar days before the meeting date. To register, call the hosting ISU Extension and Outreach county office.

Meetings include:
Monday, August 10, 2026 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Sac County Extension, 620 Park Ave Sac City, IA 50583
Contact Lauri Niehaus (712) 662-7131 

Monday, August 10, 2026 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Ida County Extension, 209 1/2 Moorehead Avenue Ida Grove, IA 51445
Contact Krista Lukins (712) 364-3003 

Tursday, August 20, 2026 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Carroll County Extension Office, 1205 West US Hwy 30, Suite G Carroll, IA 51401
Contact Julee Grell (712) 792-2364 

Attend the statewide webinar
If you are unable to attend an in-person meeting, a statewide virtual webinar will take place on Aug. 19 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Online registration is required https://go.iastate.edu/FLA4WEB, and the registration fee is $25 per individual.

For more information, contact your farm management specialist or county office.




USDA Launches New Online Scheduling Tool to Better Serve Farmers and Ranchers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is putting farmers first by offering them a new option to schedule appointments online with their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. Following a successful pilot program, FSA is now using a digital appointment platform across the agency to allow producers to make farm program or farm loan appointments online at their convenience. 

“Farmers and ranchers work around the clock and should be able to schedule appointments with their local offices at their convenience,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. “This new online scheduling option gives producers another way to connect with their local FSA office to access the programs and services they depend on. It's one more step in our commitment to putting farmers first.”

Producers can schedule appointments through FSA’s digital platform, Microsoft Bookings, using a mobile device, tablet, laptop or desktop computer. To assist producers in finding their local FSA office to make an appointment, FSA has also launched a new FSA County Office locator that is searchable by state and by county. Each county office contact page has a unique link for producers to make an appointment online and shows contact information for the local FSA office and the farm loan team. Appointments may be in-person or virtual with the local FSA office depending on producer preference.   

Producers can conveniently schedule appointments for a variety of services with both farm program and farm loan staff. The Bookings-based system will automatically send a confirmation email to the producer along with reminder emails for upcoming appointments. Producers still have the option to call or visit their local FSA office in person to make an appointment.   

For more information, producers can contact their local FSA office.  



Growth Energy Backs U.S. Penalties Against Brazil for Unfair Trade Practices

Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, testified Monday in favor of proposed penalties for Brazil’s unfair restrictions on imports of U.S. ethanol. The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is hosting a hearing on the issue following a year-long investigation into Brazil’s trade practices. Growth Energy also filed written comments earlier this month, welcoming USTR’s proposal to impose tariffs of 25 percent on all goods from Brazil and calling for additional actions to repair the harm Brazil has caused U.S. farmers and ethanol producers.

“Brazil has been systematically working to undermine the U.S. bioeconomy since 2017, all while enjoying complete and unfettered access to American markets,” explained Growth Energy’s Chris Bliley, Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs in written testimony. “We support the administration’s efforts to restore balance to our trade relationship with Brazil. To that end, we’re encouraging USTR to go beyond the proposed tariff, and take additional actions to end deceptive practices designed to disguise illegal deforestation by Brazilian producers and block U.S. products from participating in clean fuel markets.”

Among other remedies, Growth Energy is calling on USTR to work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to remove Brazilian ethanol’s ability to generate credits under the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Currently, RenovaBio, Brazil’s renewable fuel program, effectively blocks U.S. biofuels, even as Brazilian ethanol receives favorable treatment under the U.S. program.

"Brazil continues to stoke unfounded claims about land use change attributed to U.S. ethanol—yet the land use change and deforestation continue in Brazil. And remarkably, we are charged a land use change penalty by regulators both here and abroad for things that are occurring in Brazil," Bliley will say in his verbal testimony. "These unfounded penalties directly harm our ethanol exports to the United Kingdom, Japan, and the European Union and are inherent barriers to the use of U.S. ethanol as a marine or sustainable aviation fuel. All while Brazil continues to seek a free pass for its own producers. It makes no sense." 



RFA Supports Trump Administration Response to Brazil’s Unfair Trade Practices

In testimony Monday at the U.S. International Trade Commission, the Renewable Fuels Association expressed its gratitude to the Trump administration for its “steadfast commitment to removing unfair barriers to U.S. ethanol exports shipped to Brazil and around the globe” and noted it “strongly supports” the reciprocal tariff applied to imports from Brazil.

“Prior to the implementation of punitive trade barriers, Brazil and the United States enjoyed an open and efficient two-way trading relationship in ethanol, which resulted in our two nations experiencing a dramatic increase in bilateral ethanol trade,” said RFA General Counsel and Vice President, Government Affairs Ed Hubbard. “However, beginning in 2017, Brazil unilaterally began abandoning this mutually beneficial approach, instead turning to a pro-tariff policy, clearly erected in an effort to disadvantage U.S. ethanol imports.”

As a result of this newly applied tariff regime, the value of U.S. fuel ethanol exports to Brazil fell to zero in 2023, just $43 million in 2024 and $68 million in 2025, Hubbard added. U.S. ethanol exports to Brazil accounted for just 1.3 percent of total U.S. ethanol exports in 2024 and 1.8 percent of exports in 2025, after accounting for approximately one-third of total U.S. exports as recently as 2018.

Hubbard also pointed to Brazil’s implementation of its “RenovaBio” national biofuels policy, which is designed to reduce the carbon intensity of Brazil’s transportation fuel matrix, as another example of Brazil’s discriminatory trade practices. The RenovaBio program is expected to generate 5 billion gallons of new biofuel demand in Brazil through 2030. However, after five years of implementation, not a single U.S. ethanol plant has received a full certification from the Brazilian government to generate credits under the RenovaBio program.



How Big Will Cattle Get This Year?
Charley Martinez, 
Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics
University of Tennessee

Through the first half of the year, year -to- date cattle slaughter is 8.7% lower than last year, and placements have been higher this year compared to last year. These two stats provide information about current and future beef production. Another insightful/helpful stat is dressed weight. As supplies have become lower in the last 2 years, dressed weights have increased to help offset the lower slaughter amounts. Weights have increased so much; in March we hit a record average dressed weight of 902 pounds across all cattle. But, as we get into the dog days of summer, we can expect annual lows and then an increase the rest of the year, but how high will dressed weights go?

The increased weight pattern in dressed cattle weights remains obvious in 2026, but weights are running well above both the 2020–2024 average and 2025 levels. The five-year average (2020–2024) declined from about 833 pounds in January to a seasonal low of approximately 812 pounds in June, before recovering to approximately 838–839 pounds in November and December. In contrast, 2025 started near 877 pounds in January, slipped to a low of about 865 pounds in June, and then increased steadily through the second half of the year to roughly 895 pounds in December. The 2026 series begin at approximately 896 pounds in January, reached an early peak near 902 pounds in March, and remains near 899 pounds through May. Thus, 2026 weights are currently running about 20–30 pounds heavier than 2025 and roughly 65–85 pounds above the 2020–2024 average during the same months. If the 2026 vs 2025 difference holds, we could see 915-925 average dressed weights at the end of the year.

From a market perspective, these exceptionally heavy carcass weights continue to partially offset the effects of historically tight cattle supplies. With the U.S. cattle inventory remaining constrained, feeders appear to be adding weight to available marketings, likely reflecting strong feeding margins, improved feeding performance, and incentives to maximize beef output per head. The weights also highlight the continued economic value of efficient weight gain, although sustained record-heavy carcasses could eventually pressure grading performance, feeding costs, and optimal market timing if carcass discounts emerge. Overall, the 2026 data indicate that carcass weights remain a key mechanism through which the industry is adapting to the current low-inventory cattle cycle.

Monday July 06 Ag News - Making Better Mineral Decisions - Ultrasound and Marbling Assessment - Acreage Certification Due July 15 - Cheese Production Up 2% in May - and more!

Nebraska Farmers Union Commemorates America’s 250th Birthday

As the United States marks its 250th anniversary this Independence Day, Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) takes this opportunity to celebrate the value of family farm agriculture to our society as a whole, and our shared history. For 250 years, the experiences and lives of family farmers and ranchers have been woven into the fabric of our nation. Family farmers not only helped write the Declaration of Independence, frame our Constitution, and feed our hungry and poor Revolutionary Army, they also helped successfully fight the Revolutionary War.

They did all this knowing that if they failed, they likely would have been hung.  Thomas Jefferson believed that family farmers are critical long-term stakeholders of our nation and democracy. Family farmers not only represent an important component of our diverse nation, they fought for and helped create our nation. Family farmers’ neighbor friendly values help make our nation the good nation it is.

NeFU also reminds us that the building and successful operation of grassroots organizations like Farmers Union and our American democracy are interlinked in many ways. Both depend on:
    Education starting with ourselves first, then neighbors, public officials, and the general public.
    Cooperation. Harnessing the power of organization and learning how to effectively work with others are keys to success.
    Legislation. Both good public policy and cooperatives depend on a fair and level playing field. Both are made better when the public as a whole is the focus rather than using the process to acquire special advantage for individuals or special interests.
    Think and act like an owner. Participate as an owner rather than a passive watcher. Owners take action to leave things better than when they found them, and they want a better future for generations to come. Thinking about it is not the same as doing it. Cooperatives and democracies both die from apathy and lack of participation.
    Take off your “Me” cap. Put on your “We” cap. Put the overall interests of everyone in the first position. It seldom good policy to want something for yourself that you don’t also want for others.
    Civility. Civility requires us to know and do the right thing, even we are mad and might want to do the opposite. Be a person of good will. Practice transparency, patience, tolerance, and inclusion. Be a builder. The Golden Rule works. Treat others as you would want to be treated.  
        · Ask good, thoughtful, respectful questions. Be a good listener.
        · If you want good citizens, partners, neighbors, friends, public officials, or coop members, be one.

NeFU President John Hansen said, “Now that we have reminded ourselves on how to build, operate, and grow our democracy, our cooperatives, and our grassroots organizations, let’s roll up our sleeves and go build something future generations will thank us for.”



Two-Part Webinar Series to Help Cow-Calf Producers Make Better Mineral Decisions

Selecting the right free-choice mineral program is an important part of cow-calf management, but knowing whether a program truly meets cattle needs can be challenging. A two-part webinar series, Making the Most of Your Free-Choice Mineral Program, will help producers better understand mineral supplementation and provide practical tools for evaluating and improving their mineral programs.

The webinars will be held on July 13 and July 20, both starting at 8 p.m. Central Time. Participants are encouraged to attend both sessions, as the second webinar builds on concepts introduced in the first.

Registration is free. Participants can register at https://go.unl.edu/UNLMineralWebinar to receive the link to the webinars.

The series is designed for cow-calf producers, Extension educators, nutrition consultants, and anyone interested in improving mineral decision-making in cow-calf production systems.

The first webinar, Cow-Calf Mineral Basics, will provide the foundation for evaluating and selecting a mineral program. Topics include understanding mineral supplementation, recognizing how subclinical mineral deficiencies can affect cattle performance, identifying which minerals require consistent intake versus those stored in the body, and exploring common mineral challenges in cow-calf operations. Participants will also learn how forage testing can guide mineral decisions and why evaluating mineral interactions is just as important as considering individual mineral concentrations.

The second webinar, Meeting Needs and Managing Intake, will focus on applying mineral knowledge to practical management decisions. Participants will be introduced to a new mineral evaluation calculator that can be used to compare commercial mineral products or develop custom mineral formulations. The session will also include real-world examples and practical strategies for managing mineral intake in cow-calf herds.

Brought to you by University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with funding provided by the North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program and the Iowa Beef Industry Council.



Can updated beef ultrasound improve marbling assessment and USDA grade prediction?

Ultrasound is a technology, and as such, requires continual updating. Iowa State University extension beef specialist Patrick Wall said moving from analog signal to digital machines is a step in the right direction for beef producers. And thanks to a grant funded by the Iowa State Beef Checkoff, he’ll be focusing on how to better use data available from new machines.

“With advancement in accuracy for marbling prediction, and its current value in the market, the industry needs an up-to-date tool that shows correlation of the level of intramuscular fat percentage with USDA Premium Choice and Prime grades,” he said.

Older analog signal machines were not reliable for predicting tenderness in the live animal. And with digital machines currently dominating the industry, it’s important to know whether tenderness prediction is a possibility.

“Carcass ultrasound has been heavily used in seedstock genetic selection programs for twenty-plus years, where relative differences matter most,” Wall said. "Now that the feedlot sector is utilizing ultrasound to sort and target animals to very specific branded programs, this update will offer them a more current – and more accurate – assessment of marbling as it equates to USDA Quality Grade.”

Wall said data will be collected this summer and fall, then analyzed, and findings will be released next summer. Look for results from “Updating the Percent Intramuscular Fat (% IMF) versus USDA Marbling Score Scale & Assessing the Ability of Modern Ultrasound Equipment to Assess Beef Tenderness on the Live Animal” in summer 2027.

This project is one of two ISU proposals approved for funding by the Iowa Beef Industry Council board of directors for this year. Five total projects were approved for a funding total of $237,540.

To date, the Iowa State beef checkoff has funded 36 projects totaling more than $2.3 million.



Iowa Drivers Embrace E15 

Monthly fuel tax data released just this week by the Iowa Department of Revenue showed Iowa drivers purchased 47 million gallons of E15 in May, a new record up from 37 million gallons in April 2026. This puts E15 on track to see a massive boost in sales, from just over 27% of sales in 2025 to around 50% of all gasoline sold in Iowa in 2026. E15 typically saves motorists 15 cents or more per gallon.

“Now that E15 is widely available here, Iowa drivers are choosing the ethanol blend at record levels,” noted Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw. “Two monthly sales records in a row and this data doesn’t even begin to include the busy summer driving season. The rest of the country deserves the same choice to enjoy significant savings with E15.”

E15 helps insulate consumers from international oil shocks and supports American energy independence by using corn grown right here at home. However, without action from the U.S. Senate to pass year-round, nationwide E15 legislation, many Americans remain unable to purchase it for large portions of the year.

“Iowa is lucky to be one of the few states where E15 is available year-round,” added Shaw. “As we head into the Independence Day weekend, it’s a reminder that all Americans deserve the freedom to fuel up with E15. As Iowa shows, when drivers have the choice to save money at the pump, they will do it. IRFA will continue to urge the US Senate to quickly pass nationwide, year-round E15 to deliver fuel freedom to every American.”



USDA Reminds Nebraska Producers to File Crop Acreage Reports, Announces Modernized Pilot Acreage Reporting Process

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced an acreage reporting modernization pilot program that is a foundational part of the administration’s One Farmer, One File effort. FSA is focused on creating a more efficient, consistent, and customer-focused acreage reporting experience for producers and FSA employees.

In Nebraska, Seward County is part of the pilot project, and producers in the county will use the streamlined acreage reporting process for spring-planted crops. After spring planting is complete, agricultural producers in all counties should make an appointment with their FSA county office, if they haven’t done so already, to complete crop acreage reports before the applicable deadline.

“As we move away from paper maps to an electronic interface for acreage reporting, I’m excited that producers in Seward County have the opportunity to participate in this modernization effort,” said Hilary Maricle, State Executive Director in Nebraska. “Please be patient with your local FSA office as we all learn the new system together. Producers with acreage in counties outside of the pilot area will complete their crop acreage reports as usual.”

How to File a Report
A crop acreage report documents a crop grown on a farm or ranch, its intended use and location.  Producers should file an accurate crop acreage report for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage and prevented planted acreage before the applicable deadline.

In Nebraska, the spring acreage certification deadline is July 15, 2026, for all spring-seeded crops, perennial forage and Conservation Reserve Program acres.

To file a crop acreage report, producers need to provide:   
    Crop and crop type or variety   
    Intended crop use   
    Number of crop acres   
    Map with approximate crop boundaries   
    Planting date(s)   
    Planting pattern, when applicable   
    Producer share(s)   
    Irrigation practice(s)   
    Acreage prevented from planting, when applicable 
    Failed acres, if applicable  
    Other required information   

Acreage Reporting Details   
The following exceptions apply to acreage reporting dates:   
    If the crop has not been planted by the acreage reporting deadline, then the acreage must be reported no later than 15 calendar days after planting is completed.   
    If a producer acquires additional acreage after the acreage reporting deadline, then the acreage must be reported no later than 30 calendar days after purchase or acquiring the lease. Appropriate documentation must be provided to the county office.   

Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) policy holders should note that the acreage reporting date for NAP-covered crops is the acreage reporting date or 15 calendar days before grazing or crop harvesting begins, whichever is earlier. Contact FSA to confirm crop-specific deadlines for NAP-covered crops.  

Producers with perennial forage crops should check with their local FSA office to see if their crops are eligible for continuous certification, which rolls the certified acreage forward each year until a change is made.  
   
Prevented Planted Acreage   
Producers should also report the crop acreage they intended to plant but were unable to because of a natural disaster, including drought. Prevented planted acreage must be reported on form CCC-576, Notice of Loss, no later than 15 calendar days after the final planting date as established by FSA and USDA’s Risk Management Agency.    

Farmers.gov Portal   
Producers can continue to access their FSA farm records, maps, and common land units through the farmers.gov customer portal. The portal allows producers to export field boundaries as shapefiles and import and view other shapefiles, such as precision agriculture boundaries within farm records mapping. Producers can view, print and label their maps for acreage reporting purposes. A Login.gov account that is linked to a USDA customer record is required to use the portal.    

Producers can visit farmers.gov/account to create an account. Producers who have the authority to act on behalf of another customer as a grantee via an FSA-211 Power of Attorney form, Business Partner Signature Authority or as a member of a business can access information for the business in the farmers.gov portal.    

Geospatial Acreage Reporting  
Acreage reports using precision agriculture planting boundaries can be filed electronically with an approved insurance provider or an authorized third-party provider, who will then share the file with FSA staff. Producers should notify their local FSA office if they submitted an electronic geospatial acreage report containing precision planting boundaries that they want to use as part of their FSA acreage report.  

More Information   
Producers should contact their local USDA Service Center for questions about acreage reporting.   



USDA Dairy Products May 2026 Production Highlights

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 1.28 billion pounds, 2.0 percent above May 2025 and 1.1 percent above April 2026. Italian type cheese production totaled 560 million pounds, 6.5 percent above May 2025 and 0.7 percent above April 2026. American type cheese production totaled 499 million pounds, 2.6 percent below May 2025 but 1.5 percent above April 2026. Butter production was 224 million pounds, 3.5 percent above May 2025 but slightly below April 2026.

Dry milk products (comparisons in percentage with May 2025)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 173 million pounds, up 10.3 percent.
Skim milk powder - 29.4 million pounds, down 39.7 percent.

Whey products (comparisons in percentage with May 2025)
Dry whey, total - 82.6 million pounds, up 12.2 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 98.3 million pounds, down 0.6 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 43.6 million pounds, up 3.0 percent.

Frozen products (comparisons in percentage with May 2025)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 69.2 million gallons, up 7.1 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 36.4 million gallons, up 1.5 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 1.95 million gallons, up 16.1 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 3.17 million gallons, up 2.7 percent.



Farmers for Free Trade Board Chairman Bob Hemesath Statement on US Decision not to Renew USMCA

Following last week's announcement that the United States did not agree to renew the USMCA in its current form following the Agreement's Joint Review, Farmers for Free Trade Board Chairman Bob Hemesath released the following statement:

“America’s farmers count on strong, reliable trade with Canada and Mexico. Together, these two markets buy roughly a third of everything U.S. agriculture exports, and they are a vital source of the fertilizer and inputs our producers depend on to stay competitive. Getting this relationship right is essential to farm country’s bottom line.

“We understand the goal of strengthening the agreement, and we support taking the time to get the details right — especially on dairy access to Canada and North American supply chains. But farmers have to be part of the conversation as these talks move forward. Their livelihoods ride on the outcome, and their experience should help shape it. That is why Farmers for Free Trade is hosting roundtables in farm communities across the country, so the people who grow our food and rely on these markets are heard throughout this process.” 



California Bureaucracy Turns E15 Win-Win into a Lose-Lose

Nine months ago, October 2, 2025, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law a bill authorizing the sale of E15 in the state. California was the last state to remove state-level restrictions on E15 sales. The bill, AB30, passed the state’s legislature unanimously, which is almost unheard of.

“Nine months ago, California enacted a law to authorize E15 sales, but we’re still waiting,” stated Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw. “The painful irony is that the bill was necessary because the state’s bureaucracy was years behind in approving E15 through their complex regulatory system. When signing the bill, Gov. Newsom touted: ‘we’re cutting red tape to provide consumers with more options.’ Yet not a drop of E15 has been sold to help ease California’s notoriously high fuel prices, nor boost demand for Iowa farmers.”

E15 would add much needed supply to the constrained California fuel market. Combined with the low cost of ethanol, E15 is predicted to provide a 20-cent-per-gallon savings at the pump, or $2.7 billion per year. California also represents a major new market for ethanol use, which in turn boosts corn prices for struggling Midwest farmers. If fully adopted in California, E15 would represent a market for an additional 250 million bushels of corn.

While many California agencies moved quickly to implement AB30, there remains one roadblock: the California Fire Marshal. The Fire Marshal is insisting that E15 cannot be sold until the secondary vapor recovery systems required on California fuel pumps are officially certified for use with E15, a lengthy regulatory process that could take two years. This insistence comes even in the face of manufacturer statements that the systems are compatible with E15 and the fact that all the systems were actually tested on E15 when certified for E10.

“E15 in California should be a win-win, providing Californians with relief at the fuel pump and Iowa farmers a much needed market opportunity,” added Shaw. “We expected E15 sales in California to begin by the end of 2025. Retailers are eager to supply E15 as an affordable option to their customers. Yet we have one bureaucrat standing in the way of California’s governor and entire legislature. IRFA hopes to see emergency action to remove this last, unjustifiable barrier to E15 in California. It’s time for common sense.”

California is the only state still requiring secondary vapor recovery systems. Other states have long abandoned the requirement because modern vehicles include onboard systems to reduce evaporative emissions during fueling. In fact, some research indicates that having a system in the car and on the pump leads to higher emissions as they pull in opposite directions.

Thursday July 02 Ag News - NE Farmland Values '26 Report Finalized - NE Corn Growers on Glyfosate Petition - Webinars on Financial Outlook, Mineral Use - ScanIt Tech Launches SporeWarn - USMCA Not Renewed - and more!

Nebraska Farmland Values and Cash Rental Rates - 2026 Final Results

The market value of agricultural land in Nebraska declined by 1% over the prior year to an average of $3,905 per acre as of Feb. 1, according to the 2026 Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Survey final report updated on June 30th. This marks the second consecutive year that the market value of agricultural land in Nebraska has declined since reaching the record high non-inflation-adjusted statewide land value in 2024. 

2026 Survey Highlights
    The statewide all-land average value for the year ending Feb. 1, 2026, averaged $3,905 per acre, a 1% decrease from the prior year’s value of $3,935 per acre.
    This marks the second consecutive year of declining agricultural land values in Nebraska since the market reached a record non-inflation-adjusted statewide land value of $4,015 per acre in 2024.
    Land industry professionals responding to the survey cited lower crop prices, elevated farm input costs, and prevailing interest rates as the primary factors influencing agricultural land values.
    Lower commodity prices have tightened the financial positions of many crop producers, while interest rates remain above the 10-year average and continue to increase borrowing costs for operating credit and real estate purchases.
    The estimated market value of dryland cropland without irrigation potential decreased 1% statewide compared to the previous year.
    Dryland cropland with irrigation potential declined 2% statewide.
    Center pivot irrigated cropland averaged 2% lower in 2026, with declines in several regions ranging from 4% to 8%.
    Gravity irrigated cropland declined an average of 3% statewide.
    In contrast, grazing land and hayland values increased between 4% and 7%, led by nontillable grazing land, which rose 7% statewide as strong cattle prices increased competition for grazing acres.
    Cash rental rates for dryland and irrigated cropland declined across Nebraska, generally falling between 1% and 9% depending on land type and region.
    Pasture and cow-calf pair rental rates increased about 4% to 5% statewide, reflecting stronger cattle prices and shifts in national livestock inventories.

Northeast Counties: Antelope, Boone, Burt, Cedar, Cuming, Dakota, Dixon, Knox, Madison, Pierce, Stanton, Thurston, Wayne

Average Value of Farmland by Land Type
Land Type                                                     $/Acre   % Change
All Land Average                                            8,185      -1
Center Pivot Irrigated Cropland                    11,735      -2
Gravity Irrigated Cropland                             9,710      -1
Dryland Cropland (Irrigation Potential)         9,185      -3
Dryland Cropland (No Irrigation Potential)    7,670      -1
Grazing Land (Tillable)                                  4,535       3
Grazing Land (Nontillable)                             3,120       5
Hayland                                                          4,145       2
 
Average Cash Rental Rates by Land Type
Land Type                                    $/Acre   % Change
Center Pivot Irrigated Cropland        360       -1
Gravity Irrigated Cropland                320       -2
Dryland Cropland                              245       -2
Pasture                                                 79        3
 
Average Monthly Cash Rental Rates for Pasture - Cow-Calf Pairs - $77.35/month

East Counties: Butler, Cass, Colfax, Dodge, Douglas, Hamilton, Lancaster, Merrick, Nance, Platte, Polk, Sarpy, Saunders, Seward, Washington, York

Average Value of Farmland by Land Type 
Land Type                                                       $/Acre   % Change
All Land Average                                             9,315     -1
Center Pivot Irrigated Cropland                     12,430     -4
Gravity Irrigated Cropland                             11,045     -2
Dryland Cropland (Irrigation Potential)          9,650     -1
Dryland Cropland (No Irrigation Potential)    8,320      2
Grazing Land (Tillable)                                   5,125      4
Grazing Land (Nontillable)                             3,475      2
Hayland                                                           4,630      3

Average Cash Rental Rates by Land Type 
Land Type                                       $/Acre   % Change
Center Pivot Irrigated Cropland        335      -3
Gravity Irrigated Cropland                305      -2
Dryland Cropland                              220      -6
Pasture                                                 68       4

Average Monthly Cash Rental Rates for Pasture - Cow-Calf Pairs    - $69.20/month 

The Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Survey is an annual survey of land professionals, including appraisers, farm and ranch managers and agricultural bankers. It is conducted by the Center for Agricultural Profitability, which is based in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Results from the survey are divided by land class and agricultural statistic district. Land values and rental rates presented in the report are averages of survey participants’ responses by district. Actual land values and rental rates may vary depending upon the quality of the parcel and local market for an area. Preliminary land values and rental rates are subject to change as additional surveys are returned.



Nebraska Corn Growers Association Enraged by Bayer Glyphosate Petition
 
The Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA) is enraged by the recent anti-dumping and countervailing duties petition filed by Monsanto Company and its subsidiary Ruveon LLC on imports of their product, glyphosate.

“Glyphosate is a very important herbicide in operations across the state,” said NeCGA President, Michael Dibbern, a farmer from Cairo, Nebraska. “Bayer filing this petition demonstrates their lack of concern for their customer base, corn farmers.”

Facing a fourth consecutive year of tough financial conditions, Nebraska’s corn growers are reeling from record high input prices and low commodity prices. Bayer’s actions only add another layer of uncertainty to an already unstable ag economy.

“At a time when the agricultural industry needs to work together, Bayer’s petition restricts competition, keeps input prices high and places company profits above their customers,” says Dibbern.

NeCGA has a long history of standing in opposition against input cases that limit accessibility and potential profitability for corn growers. In 2020, NeCGA was active in opposition as Mosaic and J.R Simplot filed a countervailing duties petition on phosphate products and a few years later when CF Industries filed a case on imported urea. Then most recently, Corteva filed a similar petition in 2024 on 2,4-D of which NeCGA opposed. Bayer is the latest company to insist on financial harm from the import of fertilizer and pesticide products.

“As a grassroots organization, state and nationally, we will continue to stand up for our fellow corn growers in Nebraska and oppose anti-dumping and countervailing duties on glyphosate and other input products.”



CAP Webinar: Nebraska Farm Business 2025 Financial Averages & 2026 Outlook
Jul 9, 2026 12:00 PM 

Join Tina Barrett and Flint Corliss, of Nebraska Farm Business, Inc., for an in-depth review of the most recent financial data collected by Nebraska Farm Business, Inc., from farms and ranches across the state. They will present key benchmarks including income, financial ratios, and family living expenses using 2025 year-end data. They will also explore trends from the past decade to help interpret what these numbers could mean for the ag economy in 2026. Use this valuable information to benchmark your own operation and make more informed decisions for the year ahead.

Presenters: Tina Barrett, director, Nebraska Farm Business, Inc.; and Flint Corliss, associate farm financial consultant, Nebraska Farm Business, Inc.

Nebraska Farm Business, Inc., was founded in 1976 as part of Nebraska Extension and today works with producers from across the state to provide financial and management assistance. 

Register and get more information at their website https://cap.unl.edu/webinars. 




July 13 & 20 Webinars- Making the Most of Your Free-Choice Mineral Program

Free-choice mineral is a common part of cow-calf management, but is your program meeting the needs of your cattle?

This two-part webinar series will help producers understand the key decisions behind mineral supplementation and then apply those decisions using a new mineral evaluation calculator.

Participants are encouraged to attend both sessions. The first session explains the concepts needed to make sound mineral decisions, while the second session shows how to apply those concepts when selecting a mineral and managing a mineral program.

This series is designed for cow-calf producers, Extension educators, nutrition consultants, and others interested in improving mineral decision-making in cow-calf production systems.

Webinar 1: Cow-Calf Mineral Basics (July 13, 8 pm CT)
This session will provide the foundation for evaluating and selecting a mineral program. We will discuss mineral as a form of insurance, why subclinical deficiencies can limit performance, and which minerals are stored in the body and which require more consistent intake. We will also cover common mineral challenges in cow-calf systems, how forage testing can help guide mineral decisions and why you  have to look at more than just the amount of one mineral to understand what the animal can actually use.

Webinar 2: Meeting Needs and Managing Intake (July 20, 8 pm CT)
Building on the foundation from Session 1, this session will focus on applying mineral knowledge to real-world decisions. We will demonstrate a new calculator tool to help evaluate mineral products or formulate a custom mineral. We will work through real-world scenarios and cover practical strategies for managing mineral intake.

Register here https://ssp.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ea29FAfuVQesc2W.

Funded By
North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
Iowa Beef Industry Council



Scanit Technologies Launches Iowa SporeWarn™ Network, Giving Growers Advance Notice on Airborne Crop Disease

Airborne crop disease starts as a microscopic threat. It builds in the air long before it shows up in the canopy, sometimes weeks before symptoms of infection are spotted in the crop, leaving growers and agronomists with an incomplete picture of potential disease risk. Scanit Technologies has launched the Iowa SporeWarn™ Network to shed light on key disease pathogens in local fields, allowing any user to track the underlying, unseen pests behind yield robbers like corn tar spot and soybean white mold.

At the heart of the network is SporeCam™, Scanit’s AI-enabled, autonomous airborne pathogen-detection platform. Deployed in fields throughout central Iowa, each SporeCam sensor acts like a smoke alarm for disease — sampling the air around the clock and catching the invisible spores that signal a building risk of outbreak. Weather-based models can tell growers when conditions might favor disease, but not if the pathogen is actually present or how fast pressure is climbing.

The SporeWarn Network closes that gap by measuring the pathogens themselves, in local fields, in real time — showing where pressure is rising across the area so growers know where to focus first. This can turn the season’s biggest spray decision into an informed one: focus scouting and treat where pressure is climbing toward high risk, or hold off when it stays low and potentially save a pass.

Iowa SporeWarn Network subscribers can access reports refreshed daily through an online portal that features summarized pathogen pressure data for each disease, a rolling 7-day history, risk and trend analysis, and heat maps to visualize pressure across the area. There is also a daily morning report delivered by text message that provides a quick read on changes in pathogen presence and disease risk.

Altogether, the service includes access to area-wide monitoring for five corn and soybean diseases of concern to central Iowa growers — tar spot, gray leaf spot, Northern corn leaf blight, and Southern rust in corn; white mold in soybeans — across roughly 500,000 acres of corn and soybean plantings in Story, Marshall, Polk, and Hardin counties. Because airborne disease pressure is constantly shifting across the region, growers in and around these counties can use the network’s daily readings to understand what could be present or moving into their fields.

MaxAg, an innovative, independent ag services provider based in Maxwell, Iowa, has partnered with Scanit to deploy the Iowa SporeWarn Network across its service area in central Iowa — selecting monitoring locations, maintaining the network, and sharing agronomic insights.

“Scanit’s technology could completely change how agronomists scout for disease and help our customers be proactive with treatment,” said Patrick Sheets, Agronomist at MaxAg.
    
“Charts on a screen only go so far for a grower’s understanding,” said Ryan French, Market Development & Sales Lead at Scanit Technologies. “Having a partner like MaxAg, with their agronomists who know these fields and walk them often, is what transforms pathogen readings into supportive advice for their customers. The ground-level insight they provide adds valuable context to the SporeWarn Network data.

Because pathogen pressure is a new kind of data for most growers, the SporeWarn Network service is built to make it usable from day one — with plain-language reports, local context from the field, and blog articles that explain what the numbers mean for spray and scouting decisions.

Access to the Iowa SporeWarn Network is available now for the 2026 growing season. Through July 15, growers can subscribe for season-long access for only $60 — half the regular $120 price — by entering code IOWA26 at signup. This is a one-time fee with no recurring charges. Growers can preview the network and sign up at www.scanittech.com/sporewarn.

Scanit also offers a SporeWarn Business Tier for agribusinesses, retailers, NGOs, drone operators, and other organizations seeking network-scale pathogen intelligence for the growers they serve. As the industry leans harder on forecasting tools to anticipate disease risk, SporeWarn data complements existing crop-disease models and internal tools by measuring the actual airborne pathogens in the field — not just the conditions that favor them.

"We’ve monitored challenging disease environments all over the globe, including millions of corn and soybean acres, and each season we are listening to growers, agronomists, and university experts to understand their needs from an airborne pathogen monitoring service. The Iowa SporeWarn Network is us putting that knowledge to work,” said Jaydeep Rane, CEO and Co-Founder of Scanit Technologies.

“Central Iowa is a great place for us to introduce a publicly available, accessible pathogen monitoring service to a wider audience of growers and industry stakeholders, so they can sign up and see what disease pressure is around their fields in a few clicks. This is just the start, and we’re already exploring expanding access to cover more acres in more regions." 



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

Soybeans crushed for crude oil was 6.39 million tons (213 million bushels) in May 2026, compared with 6.53 million tons (218 million bushels) in April 2026 and 6.11 million tons (204 million bushels) in May 2025. Crude oil produced was 2.47 billion pounds, down 2 percent from April 2026 but up 2 percent from May 2025. Soybean once refined oil production at 1.92 billion pounds during May 2026 decreased 1 percent from April 2026 but increased slightly from May 2025.

Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production
Total corn consumed for alcohol and other uses was 524 million bushels in May 2026. Total corn consumption was up 9 percent from April 2026 and up 5 percent from May 2025. May 2026 usage included 92.0 percent for alcohol and 8.0 percent for other purposes. Corn consumed for beverage alcohol totaled 3.98 million bushels, down 7 percent from April 2026 but up 5 percent from May 2025. Corn for fuel alcohol, at 472 million bushels, was up 10 percent from April 2026 and up 6 percent from May 2025. Corn consumed in May 2026 for dry milling fuel production and wet milling fuel production was 92.0 percent and 8.0 percent, respectively.

Dry mill co-product production of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was 1.77 million tons during May 2026, up 11 percent from April 2026 but down less than 1 percent from May 2025. Distillers wet grains (DWG) 65 percent or more moisture was 1.37 million tons in May 2026, up 6 percent from April 2026 and up 12 percent from May 2025.

Wet mill corn gluten feed production was 292,461 tons during May 2026, up 20 percent from April 2026 and up 10 percent from May 2025. Wet corn gluten feed 40 to 60 percent moisture was 190,178 tons in May 2026, up 1 percent from April 2026 but down 5 percent from May 2025.



NCGA Releases Demand Strategy for U.S. Corn’s Next 250 Years

The National Corn Growers Association today released a new report outlining a strategy to secure new demand for American corn. As farmers face a projected fourth consecutive year of losses in 2026, NCGA is setting a course toward markets that could collectively unlock demand for billions of additional bushels of corn annually.
 
The report identifies three new high-growth sectors where NCGA looks to compete: 
    Maritime Fuels: Securing 10% of the global maritime fuel market fueled by corn-based ethanol would equate to 3 billion bushels of annual new demand. 
    Sustainable Aviation Fuel: Securing 10% of the global SAF market fueled by ethanol-to-jet technologies would represent 1.7 billion bushels of annual demand. 
    Biobased Products and Biomanufacturing: Securing 10% of the global biochemical and biobased product market, with corn-based feedstocks capable of replacing the petroleum in 10% of the world's plastics would total 6.6 billion bushels of potential demand. 

"U.S. corn farmers are the most productive and innovative farmers in the world, and the crop they grow deserves markets that match their potential," said Jed Bower, Ohio farmer and president of the National Corn Growers Association. "This report is about building the next chapter for corn – not just defending what we have but opening doors to industries that can fuel our energy security, reduce carbon emissions and create lasting demand for America's crop.”  
 
The report comes as U.S. corn farmers produced a record crop of 17 billion bushels in 2025.  
 
A Strategy for New Demand
NCGA has set its sights on capturing 10% of three key markets that are largely untapped for corn growers right now; each market presents significant, long-lasting demand opportunities. With anticipated continued production growth thanks to ongoing advancements in genetics, management practices, and equipment innovations, U.S. corn farmers can meet the moment by providing a consistent, domestically produced, renewable feedstock for each of the target markets.  
 
The maritime sector represents one of the largest untapped opportunities for corn-based ethanol. Early vessel testing has demonstrated that ethanol can operate effectively in methanol-designed engines.  

For the aviation industry, ethanol presents one of the most immediately scalable domestic feedstocks for sustainable aviation fuel production.  
 
In biobased products and biomanufacturing, NCGA sees corn as the plant-based solution to replace petroleum-derived chemicals and plastics.  
 
Building on Existing Priorities
The report also reinforces NCGA's ongoing commitment to on-road biofuels and export market growth. Year-round, nationwide access to E15 remains the association's top near-term legislative priority. On trade, NCGA is urging the renewal of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, plus a renewed focus on new market access negotiations.  
 
"Corn is America's crop," Bower said. "And with the right opportunities – in the skies, on the seas, and in the everyday products Americans use – it can be an integral part of America's future."



Ambassador Greer Issues Statement on the USMCA Joint Review

The Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada (USMCA or “Agreement”) requires the USMCA Free Trade Commission, composed of government representatives of each Party, to conduct a joint review of the Agreement on July 1, 2026. In accordance with the Agreement, the United States, Mexico, and Canada met virtually today to discuss the operation of the USMCA. The United States did not agree to renew the USMCA in its current form. As a result, the USMCA is not renewed. The United States will continue to engage with Mexico and Canada to address the Agreement’s shortcomings and our trade deficits with these countries. However, the Agreement remains in force pending resolution of these issues or until the Agreement’s termination. As previously announced, the United States will meet with Mexico the week of July 20 for a third round of bilateral negotiations related to the USMCA joint review. 



Statement by Mark McHargue, President, Regarding USMCA Renegotiation

"Nebraska's trading relationship between Mexico and Canada represents a combined $3.5 billion in exports, making them our top two trading partners. Today, the governments of the United States, Mexico, and Canada met to review the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), one of the most important trade agreements to Nebraska farmers and ranchers.

Canada and Mexico remain top markets for Nebraska corn, beef, and soybeans, accounting for nearly half of Nebraska's total exports. While no trade agreement is ever perfect, USMCA is vital to the economic future of our state and our state's farm and ranch families. Nebraska Farm Bureau and our nearly 55,000 member families call upon all three governments to improve what needs to be improved and ultimately renew USMCA to help solidify this trade agreement.

USMCA stands as one of the most successful free trade agreements in the world. At a time when our state and nation's food producers face severe economic strain, now is simply not the time to harm our trading relationship with these two crucial markets."



NCGA Emphasizes USMCA Importance to Corn Growers, Calls for Renewal

The U.S. Trade Representative released a statement today saying officials from the United States, Mexico and Canada met to review the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, and that the United States did not agree to renew the agreement in its current form. The agreement will remain in force as negotiations continue.

July 1 is the deadline for all three countries to indicate the path forward on USMCA. If no agreement is reached, officials from all three countries will be required to discuss the agreement each year until it automatically expires in 2036.
 
In response to this development, Jed Bower, an Ohio farmer and president of the National Corn Growers Association, released the following statement:

“USMCA is the single most important trade agreement to the corn industry, with Mexico serving as the largest purchaser of corn and Canada serving as our largest ethanol market. Additionally, the dispute settlement mechanism in the agreement has been critical for corn growers challenging harmful policies impacting biotechnology access.

“Right now, we need the long-term certainty that USMCA gives us. We encourage the three countries to make progress on the agreement, and work to complete targeted improvements over the coming year.”  



NPPC Statement on USMCA Joint Review

The National Pork Producers Council, which represents the interests of America’s 60,000-plus pork producers, released the following statement in response to the decision not to renew the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement in its current state. 

“Amidst the many uncertainties that come with pork production, trade has remained a bright spot for U.S. pork producers, whose neighbors to the north and south represent a third of all U.S. pork exports.

“Ensuring USMCA remains intact is vital to continuing the mutually beneficial trading relationships U.S. pork enjoys with both Canada and Mexico.

“While we would have liked to have seen immediate renewal of the USMCA, U.S. pork producers appreciate Ambassador Greer’s commitment to staying at the negotiating table with Mexico and Canada to make sure U.S. pork’s market access is preserved.

“U.S. pork exports account for more than $66 of value for each hog marketed and sustain more than 155,000 American jobs. In 2025, Mexico and Canada were the No. 1 export and No. 4 export markets, respectively, for U.S. pork. USMCA provides certainty in those markets and ensures the value of pork exports remains strong.”



NMPF and USDEC Statement on the First USMCA Joint Review
NMPF and USDEC Executive Vice President Shawna Morris

"As the United States, Mexico, and Canada launch the first Joint Review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), we commend the ongoing efforts to resolve outstanding issues and work toward a renewal of this vital agreement. Getting USMCA right matters enormously to our industry, which ships more than 40 percent of all U.S. dairy exports by value to Mexico and Canada.

"Mexico is our most important trading partner, and our dairy industries are deeply integrated. It is critical that a renewed USMCA fully protect the free trade of common name products, particularly against any EU-imposed geographical indication restrictions. Protecting the ability of both U.S. and Mexican producers to use common names is essential to preserving the integrated market we've built together.

"On the Canada side, USMCA was designed to deliver two key reforms: targeted new tariff-rate quotas and real disciplines on Canada's ability to distort global dairy markets through unlimited exports of artificially underpriced dairy proteins. Canada has flagrantly disregarded both commitments, underscoring exactly why this Review is such an important tool. A renewed agreement must fix what isn’t working.

"We strongly support the U.S. government’s efforts to address these challenges and urge focused, intensive work by our trading partners to resolve them. A stronger, durable, renewed USMCA is key to the long-term prosperity of dairy producers and exporters across North America."



Urea, UAN Fertilizers Lead Majority of Fertilizer Prices Lower

Retail fertilizer prices continue to move generally lower, according to sellers tracked by DTN for the last week of June 2026. This is the third consecutive week of mostly lower prices.

Six fertilizers were lower compared to last month, while the remaining two were slightly higher. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

Leading the nutrients lower were urea and the UAN fertilizers. Urea was 13% less expensive with an average price of $720/ton. UAN32 was 9% lower compared to last month and had an average price of $534/ton, while UAN28 was 5% less expensive with an average price of $506/ton. The remaining three fertilizers were just slightly less expensive looking back a month. DAP had an average price of $910/ton, potash $494/ton and anhydrous $1,076/ton.

Two fertilizers were slightly more expensive compared to last month. MAP had an average price of $954/ton, while 10-34-0 is $725/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.78/lb.N, anhydrous $0.66/lb.N, UAN28 $0.90/lb.N and UAN32 $0.83/lb.N.

All eight fertilizers are now higher in price compared to one year earlier. Potash is 3% higher, UAN32 is 7% more expensive, 10-34-0 is 8% higher, urea is 10% more expensive, DAP is 12% higher, MAP is 13% more expensive, UAN28 is 23% higher and anhydrous is 40% more expensive, looking back to last year.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 6/26/2026

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending June 26, ethanol production expanded 2.5% to an 11-week high of 1.12 million b/d, equivalent to 46.91 million gallons daily. Output was 3.8% higher than the same week last year and 5.2% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate increased 0.2% to 1.10 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.97 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks inched up 0.4% to 24.7 million barrels, a 5-week high. Stocks were 2.4% more than the same week last year and 7.7% above the five-year average. Inventories built in the Midwest (PADD 2) and West Coast (PADD 5) but thinned across the other regions.

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, leapt 4.1% to 9.13 million b/d (140.36 bg annualized). Demand was 5.7% more than a year ago but 3.1% below the five-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol ticked down 0.2% to 921,000 b/d, equivalent to 14.16 bg annualized. Net inputs were 0.4% less than year-ago levels and 0.5% below the five-year average.

Ethanol exports rose 4.1% to 126,000 b/d (5.3 million gallons/day). It has been more than two years since EIA indicated ethanol was imported.



Rollins Announces $500 Million for Fertilizer Investment & Expansion Program to Strengthen America’s Fertilizer Supply Chain

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins Wednesday announced the launch of the $500 million Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-Term Domestic Supply (FIELDS) Program, a new initiative administered through USDA Rural Development to expand domestic fertilizer manufacturing, strengthen America’s fertilizer supply chain, and improve long-term affordability for American farmers.

Utilizing the authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), USDA will make $500 million available through the FIELDS Program to support construction and expansion of domestic fertilizer production facilities. The program prioritizes shovel-ready, financially viable projects capable of increasing production of critical crop nutrients.

"For decades, American farmers were forced to rely on unstable foreign suppliers for one of the most important inputs needed to feed our nation. Today we are announcing a plan to end this consolidation and bring competition back to the American fertilizer industry," said Secretary Brooke L. Rollins."Under President Trump's leadership, USDA is rebuilding America's fertilizer manufacturing base, strengthening supply chains, and ensuring our producers have reliable and affordable access to the fertilizer they need to remain competitive. The previous administration chose to prioritize their radical climate agenda when searching for fertilizer projects, and as result let this problem exacerbate by not getting shovels in the ground and only building 6% of their stated goal. The Trump Administration’s FIELDS program is solely focused on producing fertilizer leading to lower costs for American farmers and consumers, as well as restoring a critical supply chain for our country. Farm security is national security.”

“American natural resource extraction is the safest and most environmentally friendly in the world. It makes zero sense to import fertilizer from foreign competitors when we can make it right here while fueling our economy and protecting human health and the environment,” said Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin. “This is an obvious win-win for Americans farmers, families, and businesses. The Trump EPA stands ready to help rebuild this vital arm of American manufacturing while ensuring each facility adheres to the strict environmental standards required by law.”

“President Trump's promise to restore commonsense to America's energy and climate policy continues to deliver. While past leaders harmed America’s agriculture industry with anti-hydrocarbon policies that drove up the cost of our food, the Trump administration will continue to take actions across the federal government to make fertilizer more accessible and affordable,” said Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “I’m proud to be working hand-in-hand with Secretary Rollins on these important initiatives."

FIELDS builds upon USDA’s review of more than 120 fertilizer projects inherited from the previous Administration. The Department worked alongside project developers, lenders, farmers, and federal partners to identify barriers to construction and financing, using those lessons to develop a program focused on implementation-ready projects capable of delivering measurable production increases.

Administered by USDA Rural Development’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service, the program will support projects that expand domestic production of nitrogen, phosphate, potash, sulfur, and other critical crop nutrients, strengthen competition, improve supply chain resilience, and increase fertilizer availability for American farmers. Unlike previous fertilizer funding efforts, FIELDS emphasizes project readiness, financial strength, realistic construction timelines, and measurable production outcomes.

The FIELDS Program complements the Administration’s broader fertilizer strategy to lower input costs and strengthen domestic production. In recent months, President Trump suspended countervailing duties on phosphate fertilizer imports to improve fertilizer availability and lower costs for farmers, designated phosphate and potash as Critical Minerals, established a USDA-Department of Justice Memorandum of Understanding to address anti-competitive practices affecting agricultural input markets, improved fertilizer transportation flexibility during supply disruptions, and created USDA’s first dedicated Agricultural Economist focused on fertilizer markets and crop inputs.

The FIELDS Program is designed to support projects that are:
    Made in America
    Independent and Competitive
    Farmer Focused
    Innovative
    Energy Dominant and Secure
    Capable of Delivering Measurable Production Increases

“Food security is national security,” Rollins added. “A strong domestic fertilizer industry is essential to a strong agricultural economy. This investment will help ensure American farmers have access to a secure, reliable, and domestically produced fertilizer supply for generations to come.”

Individual awards will range from $15 million to $150 million, with funding focused on projects that strengthen domestic fertilizer manufacturing and deliver meaningful benefits to American agriculture.

Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. on August 15th, 2026. Additional information, including eligibility requirements and application materials, is available through USDA Rural Development at www.rd.usda.gov and on Grants.gov.



USDA Announces July 2026 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers

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

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

Interest rates for Operating and Ownership loans for July 2026 are as follows:       
    Farm Operating Loans (Direct): 5.125%  
    Farm Ownership Loans (Direct): 6.000%  
    Farm Ownership Loans (Direct, Joint Financing): 4.000%  
    Farm Ownership Loans (Down Payment): 2.000%
    Emergency Loan (Amount of Actual Loss): 3.750%     

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

Commodity and Storage Facility Loans      
Additionally, FSA provides low-interest financing to producers to build or upgrade on-farm storage facilities and purchase handling equipment and loans that provide interim financing to help producers meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are low.  Funds for these loans are provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and are administered by FSA.    
    Commodity Loans (less than one year disbursed): 4.875%       
    Farm Storage Facility Loans:  
        Three-year loan terms: 4.125%  
        Five-year loan terms: 4.250%  
        Seven-year loan terms: 4.375%  
        Ten-year loan terms: 4.500% 
        Twelve-year loan terms: 4.625%  
    Sugar Storage Facility Loans (15 years): 4.875% 

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



E15 Offers $21 Million in Fuel Savings During the July 4th Holiday

American drivers could collectively save more than $21 million this Independence Day weekend if they fill up with E15— a more affordable fuel option made with 15% ethanol. The analysis is based on AAA projections that 61.4 million people will drive at least 50 miles from home over the July 4th holiday. E15, also sold as Unleaded 88, can save consumers 30 cents per gallon on average.
 
“Ethanol producers, farmers, and retailers are proud to celebrate the holiday by holding down fuel prices for Fourth of July travelers,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Despite arbitrary federal restrictions, E15 is used by millions of American drivers, approved for more than 96% of cars on the road, and offered at thousands of fuel stations across the country. Now it’s up to Congress to ensure that more American families have the freedom to choose lower-cost fuel all year long.”

Skor’s message echoes those of Senate champions working with Majority Leader John Thune to secure a path forward for a permanent, nationwide legislative fix offering consumers year-round access to lower-cost E15. Retailers are also calling for Congressional action to finally secure a regulatory fix that allows them to sell this more affordable fuel all year round.

“As retailers, our priority is to deliver affordable, reliable access to the fuel options our consumers need and desire,” said Steve Walk, COO of Protec Fuel. “Providing fuel choices to consumers on price, performance or both. Congressional action on year-round E15 is vital to that mission.”

E15 can be found at over 5,100 gas stations in 35 states and is legal for sale in every state, although sales are restricted over the summer due to outdated federal regulations drafted for a previous generation of fuels. However, this cleaner, more-affordable fuel choice remains available this summer thanks to a waiver issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The temporary waiver ensures that retailers, refiners, and biofuel producers have the certainty they need to keep E15 on the market for the time being, but it falls short of the permanent fix retailers need to bring lower-cost E15 to more fueling locations.   
 
Travelers can plan their road trip and locate gas stations selling Unleaded 88 and other higher ethanol blends using the Get Biofuel Fuel Finder https://getbiofuel.com/#find-unleaded-88.