Tuesday September 15 Ag News - Weekly Crop Progress Report - NE FFA Foundation Grants - Papio NRD '27 Budget - AFBF Ag Innoation Challenge Finalist - CHS to Build a Soy Crush Plant in Wisconsin - and more!

Nebraska Crop Progress: Corn Harvest Begins

Nebraska corn harvest began last week, with 3% of the crop harvested, although maturity remained behind its typical pace and winter wheat planting also trailed the five-year average. Dry conditions continued to strain the state: Half of topsoil and 61% of subsoil were rated short or very short, while 59% of pasture and range was in poor or very poor condition. Producers had 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Sept. 13.

Topsoil moisture supplies rated 19% very short, 31% short, 48% adequate and 2% surplus, while subsoil moisture rated 28% very short, 33% short, 37% adequate and 2% surplus. 

Field Crops Report:

Corn
    Dented: 85% — ahead of 80% last year but behind 88% for the five-year average.
    Mature: 29% — behind 33% last year and 40% for the five-year average.
    Harvested: 3% — equal to last year and the five-year average. 
    Condition: 5% very poor, 10% poor, 30% fair, 38% good, 17% excellent.

Soybean
    Dropping leaves: 37% — ahead of 35% last year but behind 47% for the five-year average.
    Harvested: 0% — equal to last year but behind 1% for the five-year average. 
    Condition: 2% very poor, 6% poor, 28% fair, 48% good, 16% excellent.

Winter Wheat
    Planted: 5% — behind 16% last year and 15% for the five-year average.

Sorghum
    Headed: 97% — ahead of 96% last year but behind 99% for the five-year average.
    Coloring: 56% — behind 73% last year and 86% for the five-year average.
    Mature: 16% — ahead of 8% last year but behind 17% for the five-year average.
    Harvested: 1% — equal to last year and the five-year average. 
    Condition: 2% very poor, 17% poor, 40% fair, 36% good, 5% excellent.

Pasture and Range
    Condition: 32% very poor, 27% poor, 28% fair, 13% good, 0% excellent.

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



Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

There were 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Sept. 13, 2026. This is 2.0 days less than last year, when there were 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 12 percent short, 80 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 19 percent short, 73 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. 

Eighty-nine percent of corn reached the dent stage, which is on par with last year. Thirty-eight percent of corn has reached maturity, which is 7 percentage points behind last year. Two percent of corn has been harvested, which is 1 percentage point behind last year. Corn condition rated 76 percent good to excellent. 

Twenty-two percent of soybeans are dropping leaves, which is 10 percentage points behind last year. Soybean condition rated 74 percent good to excellent. 

Pasture condition rated 64 percent good to excellent.



USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report

The U.S. soybean harvest kicked off ahead of both last year's and the five-year-average pace, while the nation's corn harvest also continued slightly ahead of normal, according to USDA NASS's weekly Crop Progress report released on Monday.

CORN
-- Crop development: Corn dented was estimated at 86%, 3 percentage points ahead of last year's 83% and 2 points ahead of the five-year average of 84%. Corn mature was pegged at 42%, 3 percentage points ahead of last year's 39% and 4 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 38%.
-- Harvest progress: NASS estimated that 8% of corn has been harvested nationally, 1 percentage point ahead of last year's 7% and 2 points ahead of the five-year average of 6%.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 57% of the crop was in good-to-excellent condition, up 1 percentage point from the previous week but 10 percentage points below last year's 67%. Seventeen percent of the crop was rated very poor to poor, equal to the previous week and 8 percentage points above the previous year's 9%. 

SOYBEANS
-- Crop development: Soybeans dropping leaves were pegged at 44%, 6 percentage points ahead of last year's 38% and 7 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 37%.
-- Harvest progress: In its first soybean harvest report of the season, NASS estimated that 6% of soybeans had been harvested as of Sunday, 1 point ahead of last year's 5% and 3 points ahead of the five-year average of 3%
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 58% of soybeans were in good-to-excellent condition, unchanged from the previous week but 5 percentage points below the previous year's 63%. 

WINTER WHEAT
-- Planting progress: Winter wheat planting was estimated at 8% complete nationally, 2 percentage points behind last year's 10% and 4 percentage points behind the five-year average of 12%.

SPRING WHEAT
-- Harvest progress: Spring wheat harvest reached 93% complete as of Sunday. That was equal to last year's pace but 1 point ahead of the five-year average of 92%. 



Nebraska FFA Foundation Announces 2026 Grant Recipients

A total of 42 projects at 35 Nebraska schools are set to receive funding through the Nebraska FFA Foundation grant program, with just over $648,600 awarded in total across the state of Nebraska.
 
This year, the applicants had the option of four grant types, including a Matching Grant funded by the Nebraska FFA Foundation general fund, Non-Matching Grant funded by industry partners and legacy gifts, Large Project Matching Grant funded by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, and the Governor’s Award of Excellence Grant funded by NIFA.
 
“The Nebraska FFA Foundation has been committed for nearly a decade in addressing local FFA chapter and agricultural education classroom needs,” says Nebraska FFA Foundation Executive Director Stacey Agnew. “Funding these needs are critical to building FFA members’ career-ready skills in agriculture, food and natural resources. These projects are making a powerful difference in the lives of Nebraska FFA members today and for years to come.” 

Below is a list of recipient schools and/or FFA chapters. Many of the grant recipients and their impactful stories will be featured on the Nebraska FFA Foundation website and social media channels over the next several months.

Allen FFA - Agricultural Science Lab Safety & Storage Enhancement Project
Aquinas - Welding Lab
Blue Hill - Blue Hill Shop HVAC System & New Booths
Bruning-Davenport FFA - Growing Opportunities: Plant Science Pathway Expansion
Central City - Welding Equipment Upgrade
East Butler - Vet Science 4-D Vision Anatomy Reusable Kits
East Butler FFA - Small Town Food Security
Elgin - Growing FFA Member Success Through Floral Education
Elkhorn Valley - Greenhouse
Freeman - Get Outside! Educational Equipment for Freeman High School
Fullerton FFA - Greenhouse
Fullerton FFA - Plant Project
Garden County FFA - Greenhouse Update & Repair
Gothenburg - Gothenburg Greenhouse Revitalization Project
Gothenburg Ag Ed - From Classroom to Clinic
Gothenburg FFA - Little Farmers Adventures Backpacks
Johnson County Central FFA - Teaching Greenhouse for Hands-On Learning
Kearney Ag Ed & FFA - Wildlife Management Fishing Experience
Kenesaw - Meat Science
Laurel-Concord-Coleridge - Ernie’s Greenhouse
Lindsay Academy FFA - Raising & Processing Chickens
Lutheran High Northeast - Greenhouse to Cafeteria Project
McCool Junction - Upcycled Arrangements
Newman Grove FFA - Food Science Innovation Lab
Norfolk FFA - Northern Hills Child Care Raised Beds
Norris - Manufacturing Career Success Through Fabrication
Norris - Greenhouse Cooling Modernization
Norris - Agriculture Literacy Backpack Program
Oakland-Craig - Animal Health & Veterinary Skill Development
Osmond FFA - 3D Laser Printer
Osmond FFA - Agricultural Education Flashcard Sets
Palmer Ag Ed - Raised Garden Beds
Plainview - Welding Laboratory Equipment
Pleasanton - Agricultural Design & Fabrication Lab 
Scribner-Snyder - Small Animal Facilities Upgrade
Silver Lake - Silver Lake Freeze Dried Goods
Sutton FFA - Blue & Gold Laser Works
Syracuse FFA - Food Science Class
Wallace FFA - Alternative Strawberry Production & Food Preservation
Winside FFA - Winside Ag Ed Greenhouse
Wood River - 3D Meat Cut Models
Wayne - RC Tractor Pullin

The grant program, in its ninth year, supports Nebraska agricultural education classrooms, FFA programs, and school-based enterprises. The selection process is centered on an application that requires a clearly defined financial need to help start a new project or continue an existing project, along with an outlined budget, timeline, and other criteria. 



Papio NRD Board Approves Proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Budget

At its September 10th meeting, the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District (Papio NRD) Board of Directors voted to approve the Fiscal Year 2027 general operating budget of $118.8 million. The approved budget reflects $9 million in spending cuts, focusing District resources on high-priority flood mitigation, watershed management, and public safety infrastructure across its six-county service area.

“Responsible fiscal stewardship is about maintaining what you own, prioritizing what you build, and managing every dollar wisely,” said Tim McCormick, chairperson of the Papio NRD Board of Directors. “This budget ensures our reservoirs, levees, dams, and public safety infrastructure remain strong and reliable while holding tax growth below the real cost of inflation.”

“Our goal with this budget was straightforward: maintain critical flood protection, water-resource management, conservation programs, and other services our citizens expect,” said Papio NRD General Manager John Winkler. “It takes careful prioritization and a willingness to say no to non-essential spending.”

The $118.8 million total budget anticipates $36.4 million in property tax revenue across Douglas, Sarpy, Washington, and Dakota counties, as well as portions of Burt and Thurston counties.

Based on an estimated 5.72% average increase in property values across the District, the Board approved a reduced mill levy of 0.030288 per $100 of assessed valuation, down from last year’s rate of 0.030352.

For homeowners in the District, the annual property tax impact to support Papio NRD projects, programs, and services includes:
· $100,000 Home: $30.29 per year ($2.52 per month)
· $200,000 Home: $60.58 per year ($5.05 per month)

Based on the property tax request and changes in other revenue, the total operating budget of the Papio NRD will increase from last year's budget by a minimal 1.78%. 



Midwest Producers, Students Invited to Share Views on AI in Agriculture
Jean Claude Niyomugabo - UNL Graduate Research Assistant

From identifying crop problems to turning years of field data into management guidance, artificial intelligence is moving closer to the decisions producers make every day. University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) researchers want to know how producers and future agricultural professionals view this changing role.

Midwest corn and soybean producers and agriculture students are invited to participate in a new survey examining their perceptions of, trust in and readiness to use AI-enabled agricultural tools. These may include yield prediction systems, variable-rate input applications, irrigation decision tools, pest and disease detection platforms, remote sensing tools and AI-based advisory systems.

Researchers hope to better understand the factors that may encourage or limit adoption of these technologies among current producers and the next generation of agricultural professionals.

The survey is open to people age 19 or older who are either:
    Farmers or agricultural producers involved in Midwest corn and soybean production systems; or 
    University students enrolled in agriculture-related academic programs in the Midwest. 

The anonymous survey https://unlcorexmuw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_77MO3ukHAMK21KK takes approximately 10–12 minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary, and participants may skip any question they do not wish to answer.

Complete the AI-enabled agricultural tools survey by Sunday, Dec. 20, 2026.



USDA Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service Team Up for Husker Harvest Days

Leadership of the Nebraska USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Nebraska USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) invite farmers, ranchers and rural residents who are planning to attend Husker Harvest Days to visit the USDA booth space with questions on available federal farm programs.

Husker Harvest Days (HHD) runs Sept. 15-17 on the HHD grounds near Wood River, Nebraska. Nebraska FSA and NRCS booth space is in the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts building, located in the southeast quadrant of the grounds at lot 39E. Look for the blue building.

“We are excited to connect with producers and share information about our full portfolio of commodity, disaster, conservation, and loan or financing assistance programs,” said Nebraska FSA State Executive Director Hilary Maricle.

“This is a great event where our employees visit with producers about natural resource issues on their farming or ranching operations and share information about the planning assistance available through our conservation programs,” said Nebraska NRCS State Conservationist Rob Lawson.

Maricle said USDA staff are excited to be present at Husker Harvest Days to answer producers’ questions and provide program information and updates.

“USDA has been busy with initiatives addressing its Farmers First and Ranchers First focus,” Maricle said. “FSA and NRCS staff are excited to be on the Husker Harvest Days grounds to visit one-on-one with producers.”

In addition to being present in booth space at lot 39E, FSA and NRCS staff will participate in a presentation at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, at the HHD Hospitality Tent stage. The panel discussion, “Beginning Farmer Network: Get Your Start with Us!” will cover resources available through organizations within Nebraska’s Beginning Farmer Network, including FSA and others. 



ACE Welcomes Ben Rhodes as Chief Marketing Officer, Names Ron Lamberty Chief Strategy Officer

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) announced that Ben Rhodes, executive director of the Nebraska Ethanol Board (NEB), will serve as ACE’s chief marketing officer (CMO) beginning September 28. Rhodes will join ACE’s Ron Lamberty to intensify the organization’s efforts to develop new domestic and international markets for ethanol. Lamberty will take on the new title of chief strategy officer.

“We enthusiastically welcome Ben Rhodes to our team to help expand markets for ethanol,” said Brian Jennings, ACE CEO. “The combination of Ben Rhodes and Ron Lamberty solidifies and strengthens ACE’s unparalleled reputation of working with wholesalers and retailers to increase sales of ethanol-blended fuel just as access to key E15 markets is poised to be unlocked”

Since April 2025, Rhodes has served as the executive director of the Nebraska Ethanol Board. In that role, he has led the organization’s operations, personnel and projects, including stewardship of the NEB’s groundbreaking E30 fuel demonstration in non-flex fuel vehicles. Rhodes spent almost four years in total on the NEB staff after previous career stops in pharmaceuticals and communications. A west Omaha, NE, native, Rhodes holds a BA and an MBA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

“I’m excited to be joining ACE at such a transformative time in the ethanol industry,” Rhodes said. “With so many new and expanded markets on the imminent horizon, my vision as CMO is to help lead those conversations moving forward. I’ve long respected the great work ACE does to deliver results for ethanol producers and add value to agriculture. I want to thank Brian, Ron, and the ACE Board of Directors for this opportunity, and I can’t wait to get started.”

“Ethanol’s value versus gasoline in today's marketplace, coupled with the daily mention of E15 in fuel industry news and record E85 sales, is driving increasing interest in higher ethanol blends,” said Lamberty. “Ben's addition to the ACE team gives us the ability to reach more prospective fuel retailers at this critical time and help them ‘do the math’ confirming the profit opportunity E15 and flex fuels provide, turning interest into new gallons. And as oil and electricity continue to increase in cost, Ben's experience with E30 and helping expand E85 use while at NEB will help ACE maintain ethanol’s place in the low-carbon fuels discussion.”

“During the last twenty-six years, Lamberty has led ACE’s unique and highly successful approach to developing new ethanol markets while providing me and the entire organization with strategic guidance and leadership on a wide range of issues,” said Jennings. “Fittingly, Lamberty will now assume the role of chief strategy officer to better describe his work.



Finalists Advance in Ag Innovation Challenge for Chance at $100,000

Four start-up companies offering agricultural innovations have advanced to compete for a top prize of $100,000 in the 2027 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, continues to elevate the importance of entrepreneurship in agriculture through the contest.

“The future of agriculture is being shaped by innovators like these four finalists,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “They are transforming bold ideas into practical tools and technologies that will help farmers and ranchers thrive while continuing to provide the food, fuel and fiber we all rely on.”

This is the 13th year of the Ag Innovation Challenge, which was the first national business competition focused exclusively on rural entrepreneurs launching agriculture- and food-related businesses. Farm Bureau is offering $145,000 in start-up funds throughout the course of the competition.

Ten semi-finalist teams participated in a virtual pitch round with three judges representing various sectors of the agricultural supply chain. The four finalist teams advancing to the final round each received an initial prize of $10,000 and are listed below.

Seismi, Nebraska
Seismi's IoT devices are the first layer of a larger vision: collecting the world's most comprehensive proprietary dataset of animal health, from which we will train AI models that predict disease, forecast outcomes, and ultimately produce digital twins of individual animals tracked across their entire lives.

Nave Analytics, Nebraska
Nave Analytics leverages cutting-edge satellite data fusion, weather modeling, and advanced modeling techniques to deliver sensor-free, near real-time root zone soil moisture insights for precision irrigation management. Nave seamlessly integrates into agronomic platforms, irrigation management systems, and B2B applications, making precision water management accessible, cost-effective, and scalable for farmers, agronomists, and ag-tech companies worldwide. 

Swinergy, Minnesota
Swinergy converts biomass waste into renewable natural gas, providing cleaner air and water for communities and a resilient energy future. Their Rapid Anaerobic Modular System™ (RAMS) compresses time and maximizes biogas production through advanced multi-stage thermophilic digestion.

Good Agriculture, Georgia
Good Agriculture makes farm bookkeeping and tax filing simple: they handle the bookkeeping inside your accounting software... they organize income, expenses, accounts, and transactions... they track cash flow and profit/loss across the farm... they send monthly reports so you can see where your farm stands... they help keep the numbers ready for taxes, funding, and big decisions...

The finalist teams will compete at the AFBF Convention on Sunday, Jan. 10, in front of a live audience of Farm Bureau members, investors and industry representatives, competing for top titles and prizes:
    Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge Winner, total of $100,000
    Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge Runner-up, total of $25,000

Farm Bureau recognizes and supports these rural businesses with generous funding provided by sponsors Farm Credit, Bayer Crop Science, John Deere, Farm Bureau Bank, Farm Bureau Financial Services, Google, T-Mobile and ClearPath.

To learn more about the Challenge visit fb.org/challenge.



Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series is a Win for All Iowans

On Saturday, over 1,500 Iowa Corn farmers and their families gathered in Iowa City, Iowa, to kick off the 2026-27 Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series. The series began in 2004 and is a tribute to the hardworking student athletes who inspire us with their work on and off the field, just like the Iowa corn farmers who produce the more than 4,000 everyday products made from corn.

Iowa Corn is honored to partner with Learfield on behalf of the University of Iowa and Iowa State University Athletic Departments for the title sponsorship of the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series. The series is a year-long competition and tracks the head-to-head matchups in each sport with each victory earning points toward the overall series championship.   

“If Iowans are passionate about anything, it’s that we have the best corn in the nation and the best college football rivalry,” said Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) President Paul Gieselman, who farms in Louisa County. “But this series isn’t about bragging rights; it’s about bringing all Iowans together to celebrate the pride we all feel when our teams walk on that field for the biggest match up of the year. Corn is in every part of game day, whether that be the Unleaded 88 that spectators fueled up with on their way to the game, or the corn-fed foods they enjoyed at the tailgate; corn is grown for more, and highlighting the farmers that grow it is what today is all about.” 

The Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series engages over 70% of Iowans who tune in to the football game every year, and ICPB is proud to continue highlighting the stories of Iowa corn farmers to viewers.  

To view current standings for the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series, visit https://www.iowacorn.org/iowa-corn-events/iowa-corn-cy-hawk-series/.  



United Soybean Board Opens Nominations for Tom Oswald Legacy Award, Industry Excellence Award

Do you know an individual, organization or group that has profoundly influenced the soybean industry and the Soy CheckoffSM? The United Soybean Board (USB) is now accepting nominations for two annual honors recognizing outstanding contributions to U.S. Soy: the Tom Oswald Legacy Award and the Industry Excellence Award. Nominations close Oct. 31, 2026.

"Tom Oswald taught us that great leadership means asking hard questions and always looking for a better way forward, and our industry continues to be shaped by people who share that same drive," said Brent Gatton, USB chair and Kentucky farmer. "As we open nominations for the Tom Oswald Legacy Award and the Industry Excellence Award, I encourage everyone in the soy community to help us recognize the individuals and organizations making a difference for U.S. Soy."

Tom Oswald Legacy Award
This annual award honors the late Tom Oswald, who will always be remembered as a passionate farmer-leader and dedicated volunteer. The award recognizes someone who went above and beyond to advance research and move Soy Checkoff investments forward in unconventional ways.

An Iowa soybean and corn farmer, Oswald served eight years as a USB director and three years on the USB executive committee. He frequently posed the question, "How do we make it better-er?" That question captured what he valued most: the extra steps, thoughts and efforts it takes to go beyond expectations and deliver the best possible outcome.

Since the award was established in 2023, recipients have included inaugural honoree Ken Bader, recognized for his role envisioning and helping create the Soy Checkoff; Ed Anderson, honored in 2024 for his leadership in improving soybean genetics and agronomic production; Mike Steenhoek, honored in 2025 for his work advancing soybean transportation and export infrastructure, and Sandy Ludeman in 2026 for helping draft the legislation, build consensus among industry partners, and guide the national Soy Checkoff through its first farmer referendum.

Industry Excellence Award
The Industry Excellence Award is an annual recognition honoring an individual, organization or group that has made a significant and lasting impact on the growth and advancement of the U.S. Soy industry. Recipients are selected based on their demonstrated success in expanding markets, developing new applications for U.S. Soy, strengthening the value chain or driving commercial innovation that benefits U.S. Soy farmers. The program is in its second year and the inaugural recipient was Jim Sutter.

Visit either of these sites to submit a nomination - the Tom Oswald Legacy Award or the Industry Excellence Award https://unitedsoybean.org/award-nominations/. Both awards will be presented at Commodity Classic, March 2-5, 2027, in New Orleans. 



CHS to build soybean processing facility in Wisconsin

CHS, a global agribusiness and the nation’s largest farmer-owned cooperative, today announced plans to construct a soybean processing facility near Evansville, Wisconsin, representing an investment of approximately $700 million. The facility will have the capacity to process 80 million bushels of U.S.-grown soybeans annually, expanding the cooperative’s oilseed processing capabilities and creating new market opportunities for owners.

Construction is expected to begin in the coming weeks, with completion targeted for fall 2028.

“Investments like this help CHS create additional value for our owners and customers by expanding market access, strengthening our processing network and creating new demand opportunities for U.S.-grown soybeans,” said John Griffith, executive vice president of agriculture business and CHS Hedging. “Strong demand across food, feed and renewable fuel markets, coupled with policies that encourage domestic processing, manufacturing and energy production, reinforce the need for additional soybean processing capacity in the United States. This facility positions CHS to support farmers and customers for years to come.”

The Evansville facility will increase soybean processing capacity in southern Wisconsin, a region with strong soybean production and significant demand for soybean meal from livestock producers. When operational, the facility is expected to employ approximately 80 people and produce approximately 1 billion pounds of oil and 2 million tons of meal annually. Evansville’s proximity to soybean production, rail service and major transportation corridors makes it well positioned to support the movement of soybean meal and oil to domestic and global markets.

“Wisconsin’s agriculture and food processing sectors are an essential part of our state’s past and present, and they will continue to be critical for our future,” said Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers. “That’s why I am proud to support and have a partner in CHS as they work to expand soybean processing right here in Wisconsin. Whether it’s creating permanent jobs for families or ensuring our farmers and producers have the tools and support they need to get their products to market across the globe, today’s announcement of a new facility is a win-win for our farmers and our state.”

The investment is expected to generate significant economic activity through construction employment, permanent jobs, increased demand for locally produced soybeans and expanded market opportunities for regional farmers. During construction, the project is expected to support hundreds of contractor and skilled trade positions.

“CHS is committed to being a long-term partner in the communities where we operate,” said Griffith. “This investment supports rural economic development, creates jobs and strengthens the agricultural supply chain for producers, customers and communities across the region.”

“For Wisconsin soybean farmers, this investment represents something we have been working toward for years: stronger demand for the crop we grow right here at home,” said Wisconsin Soybean Association President Doug Rebout. “Additional processing capacity gives growers another reliable market close to the farm and helps create long-term opportunities for Wisconsin soybeans in both meal and oil markets.”

The new facility will complement the company’s existing oilseed processing operations. In Hallock, Minnesota, CHS processes 525,000 metric tons of canola seed annually. In Fairmont and Mankato, Minnesota, CHS processes approximately 119 million bushels of soybeans, and when the Evansville facility becomes operational, the company’s soybean processing capacity will increase by more than two-thirds.

Monday September 14 Ag News - North American Manure Expo Recap - Rural Poll on Community Pride - Northeast Community College Fall Farm Fest - Grain Production Update in WASDE - Fed Up Fertilizer Hearing - and more!

North American Manure Expo a Tremendous Success
Leslie Johnson, Nebraska Extension Educator
 
The 2026 North American Manure Expo, held July 28-30 at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Wayne, Nebraska, was a tremendous success! Bringing together manure applicators, farmers, industry professionals, Extension/University professionals, researchers, and advocates from across North America, the Expo offered something for everyone interested in the future of manure management.
It takes a talented and dedicated team to pull off an event of this magnitude. While the University of Nebraska Animal Manure Management Team may have served as the "official" hosts, we certainly cannot take credit for the success of the 2026 Manure Expo alone.

The North American Manure Expo is overseen by a board that includes Extension personnel, manure applicators, manure manufacturing partners, and Annex Business Media (Canadian based business-to-business marketing firm and publisher of Manure Manager magazine). And each year’s event is managed and executed by countless individuals and organizations working together across the United States and Canada.

While it would be impossible to recognize everyone individually, and we apologize to anyone we may inadvertently overlook, we are incredibly grateful to all who contributed to this year’s event in ways both large and small. The team behind this event included:
    numerous Nebraska Extension professionals representing a wide range of disciplines and focus areas,
    USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) personnel,
    local producers and community members,
    colleagues from educational and research institutions throughout the United States and Canada, and
    Nebraska custom manure applicators.

Every contribution played an important role in making the 2026 Expo a success. We extend our sincere gratitude to anyone who shared their expertise and vision, volunteered their time, provided resources, offered guidance, or supported the event in any capacity.
Northeast Nebraska was an ideal location for hosting the Expo due to the high concentration of livestock operations in the area and the availability of tour opportunities. The Wayne County Fairgrounds were selected for their outstanding facilities, access to nearby farmland for demonstrations, and proximity to MPM Farms, which graciously agreed to host the agitation demonstrations. The Wayne County Fair Board was exceptional to work with, consistently going above and beyond.

The weather did as the weather is accustomed to do in Nebraska in July, but even with the scorching heat experienced Tuesday and Wednesday and deluge of rain on Thursday (a welcome sight for area farmers), we estimate over 800 people from 29 states and provinces in the US and Canada attended, including livestock producers, crop farmers, custom manure applicators, ag businesses, Extension/University personnel, NRCS, ARS, and others. Known international reach included Brazil, Poland, United Kingdom, Serbia, Holland, and Germany.

Attendees were able to explore 71 vendor exhibits, participate in one of four different tours, experience side-by-side equipment , and attend numerous educational sessions and panel discussions. One such panel inspired a follow-up webinar through the Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Community.

A month has now passed since the Expo, and we remain grateful to all the people who attended and helped make it such a successful event. It couldn’t have happened without the presence of such an awesome and collaboratively-minded community. And for those that we’re unable to attend and wish you could have, we hope you have the opportunity to attend the 2027 North American Manure Expo in Guelph, Ontario, and North Carolina in 2028. We’re hopeful that in the future, after some time to reflect and recharge, the North American Manure Expo will return to Nebraska, bigger and better than ever. The University of Nebraska Animal Manure Management Team looks forward to leveraging the newly established collaborations and innovative ideas generated at this year’s expo for years to come.



COMMUNITY PRIDE IS STRONG IN RURAL NEBRASKA, POLL SHOWS

Most rural Nebraskans continue to think positively about their communities, according to the 2026 Nebraska Rural Poll.

Many respondents to the poll — conducted annually by Rural Prosperity Nebraska with funding from Nebraska Extension — say it would be difficult to leave and most have a positive attachment to where they live, saying they have a good bond with others and feel a sense of connectedness and belonging.

In addition, rural Nebraskans are generally positive about recent changes in their communities as well as the future. This year, more respondents believe their community has changed for the better (31%) than for the worse (26%), similar to the past two years. However, when asked what they expect 10 years from now, 25% believe their community will be a worse place to live, compared to 22% who believe it will be better and 53% who think it will be about the same.

“Nebraska communities have a valuable foundation: people who care about where they live and feel connected to,” said Mary Emery, director of Rural Prosperity Nebraska. “Understanding that foundation is important for communities as they think about their future. While there’s some uncertainty about what the future will bring, there’s also a great deal of optimism and attachment. The choices communities make today can help shape whether that sense of belonging continues to be a defining part of rural Nebraska.”

Most rural Nebraskans surveyed have a positive attachment to their community, said Becky Vogt, poll manager. Most agree that they have a good bond with others in their community (65%), they belong there (62%), they can get what they need there (61%), they feel like a member of their community (61%), people there are good at influencing each other (56%), they feel connected to where they live (54%) and the community helps them fulfill their needs (53%).

Residents’ feelings and attachment to their communities were also related to community size. Respondents living in or near larger communities, over 5,000 residents, are more likely to say their community has changed for the better during the past year. However, those living in or near smaller communities (under 1,000 residents) are more likely to say they feel connected to where they live.

Most rural Nebraskans surveyed see their communities as capable of defining their future. Sixty-three percent strongly disagree or disagree that their community is powerless to control its own future. In addition, half of respondents say it would be difficult to leave their community, while 36% indicate it would be easy to leave.

“Clearly rural Nebraskans have a strong sense of identity and belonging to their communities,” said L.J. McElravy, associate professor of agricultural leadership, education and communication at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. “These residents aren’t simply living in these communities — many feel they’re part of them and that they have a role in shaping what happens next. That sense of connection, combined with the belief that they have a say in their community’s future, speaks to the commitment people have to the places they call home.”

Except for some services that are largely unavailable in rural communities — such as retail shopping, entertainment and recycling — rural Nebraskans are generally satisfied with basic community services and amenities. They report being either “very satisfied” or “somewhat satisfied” with fire protection (87%), parks and recreation (77%), library services (75%), cellphone service (73%), internet service (73%), law enforcement (69%), religious organizations (65%), medical care services (64%) and sewage/waste disposal (63%).

“These results show an encouraging picture of the quality of life in rural Nebraska,” Vogt said. “When residents are satisfied with the services they use every day, it suggests that many rural communities are providing a strong foundation of living. Of course, there are areas where rural communities face challenges, but the services and amenities that are available are making a positive difference in people’s lives.”

The “Community” report and its implications for rural Nebraska will be highlighted during a Rural Poll webinar at noon CDT Sept. 16. The full report can be found on the Nebraska Rural Poll website.

The 2026 Nebraska Rural Poll marks the 31st year of tracking rural Nebraskans’ perceptions about policy and quality of life. It is the largest and longest-running poll of its kind. This April and May, questionnaires were mailed to nearly 6,900 Nebraska households, with 881 households from 86 of the state’s 93 counties responding. The poll carries a margin of error of plus-or-minus 3%. Current and past reports are available at https://ruralpoll.unl.edu.



Northeast Community College Students Build Hands-On Connections to Agriculture During Fall Farm Fest

Understanding where food, fiber, and energy come from helps build confident and aware consumers. Nebraska Farm Bureau’s (NEFB) Promotion and Engagement (P&E) Committee connected with students at Northeast Community College (NECC) to help these “first-time” grocery shoppers explore agriculture at the first Fall Farm Fest.

Nearly 200 students flocked to the Pohlman Agriculture Complex on NECC’s campus to discover the vastness of agriculture. The goal was simple: have students gain knowledge about how agriculture affects them every day. To accomplish this, students experienced ten stations that focused on different aspects of agriculture. From climbing the career ladder to connect how their future career might connect to agriculture, to cutting playdough to learning how little of the Earth is used for production agriculture, to reading food labels, students were connecting agriculture directly to their daily life.

In a post-event survey, students said they learned things like “there are more cows than people in Nebraska,” and “1/48th of the Earth is used to produce food.” Students were excited to learn, and volunteers loved seeing those “ah-ha” connections be made.

“Fall Farm Fest was a great way to have students from all degree paths engage hands-on with agriculture,” said Dawn Kucera, NEFB Ag Promotion At-Large state board member and P&E committee member from Madison County. “You could see the lightbulb go off for students as they learned that agriculture truly touches every part of their life. It was awesome to see that realization be made while students were having fun!”

More than 25 volunteers from across Farm Bureau programs came together to give students the opportunity to engage with real farmers and ranchers.

“A member-driven event that helps bridge the gap between producers and consumers — what more could you ask for?” said Abby Samuelson, NEFB director of member engagement. “I am so proud of our members for seeing a need to help college students understand where their resources come from and working together to create something great! This is grassroots advocacy in action!”



Nebraska Ethanol Board Sept. 24 Meeting to be Held in Lincoln

The Nebraska Ethanol Board will convene in Lincoln at 9:00 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 24. The meeting will be held at the agency headquarters located at 245 Fallbrook Blvd, Lincoln, Neb., in the lower-level hearing room 031. Agenda highlights include:
    Summit Carbon Solutions Update
    Marketing & Education Programs
    Fuel Retailer Update
    Nebraska Corn Board Update
    Renewable Fuels Nebraska Update
    Technical & Research Updates
    State and Federal Legislation

This agenda contains all items to come before the Board except those items of an emergency nature. Nebraska Ethanol Board meetings are open to the public and also published on the public calendar.

The Nebraska Ethanol Board works to ensure strong public policy and consumer support for biofuels. Since 1971, the independent state agency has designed and managed programs to expand production, market access, worker safety and technology innovation, including recruitment of producers interested in developing conventional ethanol, as well as bio-products from the ethanol platform. For more information, visit www.ethanol.nebraska.gov.



Preview the 2026 Nebraska Water Conference
October 15 and 16, 2026 
East Campus Union, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

The 2026 Nebraska Water Conference will feature news and updates from state agencies, natural resources districts, cities, researchers, and the private sector. Under the theme of The State of Water in Nebraska, the conference will provide an overview of current efforts in Nebraska's water use and management.

Sessions include:
    Data centers and water use
    Groundwater management planning
    Emerging contaminants
    Urban water planing
    Organizations updates from NDWEE, NRCS, the Water Sciences Laboratory
    And more!

Registration is open from now until September 30.
    Regular registration: $375
    Faculty registration: $150
    Student registration: $50

Registration includes all sessions and meals, parking on campus, and the Thursday evening reception.

For more information about the conference, speakers, and registration, visit go.unl.edu/waterconference.

This conference is sponsored by the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, UNL’s Agricultural Research Division, HDR, Central Platte Natural Resources District, Nebraska Corn Board, and UNMC’s Water, Climate and Health Program.



USDA Lowers Corn Yield 2.2 BPA, Slightly Increases Soy Yield

USDA on Friday lowered the projected national corn yield by 2.2 bushels per acre and also lowered projected corn production by 213 million bushels, while bumping up soybean production.

The corn yield was projected at 178.5 bushels per acre (bpa), with production pegged at 15.8 billion bushels.

USDA also raised soybean production slightly to a record 4.535 billion bushels and slightly increased yield by 0.1 bpa to 52.8 bpa.

USDA released its September Crop Production and World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) reports on Friday.

USDA WASDE by State - Harvest Estimates

Corn Production 2026
Nebraska ........:  9,610,000 acres     177.0 bu/acre (194 LY)    1,700,970,000 bu. production
Iowa ...............: 12,800,000 acres     219.0 bu/acre (210 LY)    2,803,200,000 bu. production

Soybeans
Nebraska ........:  5,290,000 acres     60.0 bu/acre (65.5 LY)      317,400,000 bu. production
Iowa ...............:  9,730,000 acres     64.0 bu/acre (63.5 LY)      622,720,000 bu. production



‘Fed Up’ Fertilizer Hearing Amplifies Fertilizer Industry Collusion Practices to USDA Deputy Secretary Vaden

Friday, the "Fed Up: Fertilizer Cartel Profits off Farmers’ Backs" hearing gathered over 170 farmers from 13 states representing various commodities to call out the unfair fertilizer prices that are being forced upon farmers by Mosaic, Nutrien, CF Industries and Koch. American farmers are being bled dry by fertilizer prices that have continued to climb, generating over $20B in profits for fertilizer shareholders within the past five years, while the American farmer has seen the price of fertilizer double, even tripling at times, since 2020. 

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen A. Vaden attended and addressed attendees, highlighting the importance of farmers continuing to keep the pressure on current investigations and the USDA’s commitment to ensuring justice for U.S. farmers. 

“I want to make clear, to each and every one of you in this room, that I'm not here wasting my time in Iowa, just to pretend like I care. I'm here because I care about this issue and we are working to bring actions down the pike that will seek to shine a light on what's been going on in the fertilizer market,” Deputy Secretary Vaden said. “And rectify, not only from the new supply end, but from a justice end, in terms of seeing to it that the antitrust laws are enforced in this country, and we have a free market where you can depend on the price that's quoted is a result of competition instead of collusion.” 

Following the Deputy Secretary’s address, farm organization leaders who attended the hearing responded. 

"The Deputy Secretary’s remarks, engagement and promise to see this issue through were heard by each and every farmer in the room today," Iowa Corn Growers Association President Steve Kuiper said. “We have continued to reiterate that as farmers, we cannot face big fertilizer alone, but that doesn’t mean that we will be quiet and continue to be taken advantage of. It is clear that USDA sees the market collusion, unfairness and lack of transparency taking place in the fertilizer industry, and farmers are committed to continuing to gather evidence and pushing investigations forward until farmers have access to a fair and free market.” 

Following the Deputy Secretary’s keynote, a panel comprised of farmer leaders from around the U.S. shared their firsthand accounts of how consolidation within the fertilizer industry has cost American farm families, causing over 35,000 farms to shutter their doors. 

“We hosted our first ‘Fed Up’ hearing in late May earlier this year, where we heard from farmers about the issues they have seen which garnered us an announcement from the Federal Trade Commission that it opened an investigation into the fertilizer cartels. In Iowa, we shared insight from people who have actually worked within the industry and experienced these malpractices firsthand,” said Iowa corn farmer Lance Lillibridge. “Fertilizer prices are sky-high while farmers are barely breaking even, and we are only just beginning to uncover evidence as we continue to have conversations and shine light on the unjust realities we are all facing.” 

Farmers with evidence against the fertilizer cartel can visit savefamilyfarms.us to submit evidence with confidence that responses will be kept confidential, as promised by the USDA, DOJ and FTC. Firsthand experiences from farmers will be critical as investigations move forward. 

The Iowa Corn Growers Association was proud to host the “Fed Up” fertilizer hearing that was made possible by the Colorado Corn Council, Georgia Corn Growers Association, Illinois Corn, Kansas Corn, Kansas Wheat, Kentucky Corn, Michigan Corn, Minnesota Corn, Missouri Corn, Nebraska Corn Growers Association, North Dakota Corn Growers Association, Ohio Corn & Wheat, South Carolina Corn and Soybean Association, South Dakota Corn Utilization Council, South Dakota Wheat Growers Association, Texas Corn Producers and Wisconsin Corn. 

Friday September 11 Ag News - Successful State Fair - Radicle Corn Challenge Winners - Block & Bridle Steak Fry - ISU Harvest Prep webinar - Ethanol Production Slips 1% - FY'27 Beef Checkoff Plan of Work - and more!

Contrasting two beef-producing regions
Alfredo DiCostanzo, Nebraska Beef Systems Extension Educator

I had the opportunity to guide a group of Argentinians on a tour of beef producers. I spent a bit of time with two of them whom I had the opportunity to interview. A few items we discussed, from which I discovered interesting contrasts that deserve attention.

Farming and ranching are cultural and born from a family business in the US while they are business only in Argentina. This was one of the main differences they pointed out between our two countries. In the US, farmers and ranchers participate

as a family. In Argentina, a young person participates in farming and ranching only if mom or dad own a farm or ranch, which they frequent only sometimes during the month as they live in the city. In Argentina, access to services in rural areas including education, health care, communications, and other infrastructure prevents rural development and forces even families wishing to live on their ranch or farm to remain in the city. This has created a greater divide between agriculture and the consumer than what we see in the US.

Another significant difference we discussed is how business safeguards in the US protect the buying-selling transaction. We had the opportunity to spend time at West Point Livestock. There, they learned that the seller receives payment immediately for cattle they sold. Business in Argentina, on the other hand, takes a bit longer. The same transaction would result in a longer term to cover the check, about 90 days.

We are fortunate to live in this country where the appropriate protections exist so that businesses may thrive. Also, as I have said before, the connection between family and agriculture is key to the future of agriculture in the US. While safeguards keep business moving forward with as few glitches as possible keeps trust in the transactions and protects intentions for agriculture to grow forward.



Fair celebrates another successful year
 
More than 300,000 guests came together during the 11 days of the 2026 Nebraska State Fair, marking another successful year of celebrating Nebraska agriculture, youth, entertainment and tradition.

The Fair experienced one of the warmest 11-day stretches on record, and overall attendance was the 4th highest in the seven fairs since Covid in 2020. Despite the challenging temperatures, nearly every other key measure of the Fair showed strength or growth, including increased guest satisfaction, higher concert attendance, record numbers of livestock and competitive exhibitor entries, strong vendor sales and record-setting participation in signature events.

“The success of the Nebraska State Fair has never been measured by a single number,” said Jaime Parr, Nebraska State Fair Executive Director. “We had 306,351 guests join us for a safe and unforgettable experience and what happened once Fairgoers arrived tells an important story. Guest satisfaction increased, more than 10,000 head of livestock filled the barns (up nearly 800 head year over year), Open Class Livestock alone paid out $108k in premiums, our outdoor concerts were larger than the previous 3 years, and events like demolition derby welcomed record participation as well. We are very proud of the 2026 Nebraska State Fair.”

The Fair saw increases of 437 livestock in Open Class, 298 head in 4-H and 37 head in FFA. In addition to increases in the barns, there were also 169 additional quilts over 2025, and Photography, Textile Arts and Visual Arts were all up by more than 100 entries each.

Fair officials say the results are particularly encouraging as the organization continues to use guest feedback to shape programming, entertainment, and the overall Fair experience.

“We spend a great deal of time listening to what our guests tell us,” said Courtney Glock, Nebraksa State Fair Marketing Director. “That feedback helps us determine what is working, where we can improve and where we should invest additional resources. Seeing satisfaction continue to grow tells us those efforts are making a difference and we hope that seeing these improvements reinforces to guests that their input matters and we are absolutely listening.”

Glock said improvements weren’t limited to ARPA paving improvements but also included added seating outside, changes to concert models, new strolling performers and additional emphasis placed on Nebraska-based businesses.

All of the success determined by vendors, concessionaires, exhibitors, staff and guests occurred despite the event taking place during an unusually persistent stretch of hot weather.

Weather data from the National Weather Service shows that Aug. 28 through Sept. 7 was the third warmest occurrence of that specific 11-day period on record, based on average daily temperature. Only 1922 and 1913 were warmer.

The average high during the Fair was 92 degrees, 8.5 degrees above normal, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees or higher on eight of the Fair's 11 days.

The hottest day came on Labor Day, Sept. 7, when the temperature reached 99 degrees and the heat index climbed to 104 degrees, which was 25 degrees warmer than the same day one year prior.

Parr said that attendance is one part of a much larger picture.

“When we look at guest satisfaction and participation as well as partnerships and experiences across the Fair, we see a very successful event and a strong platform established in 2026," she said. "That was seen at each stage show and in the barns as folks from nearly every zip code gathered to experience the Fair.”

More than 300,000 guests chose to make the 11-days of Nebraska State Fair an important part of their summer.

Fair staff are already reviewing guest feedback and building on the successes of 2026 as planning begins for the 2027 Nebraska State Fair.

Guests interested in sharing their feedback can fill out the Nebraska State Fair survey at www.statefair.org. 




Nebraska Block and Bridle Club To Host Annual Steak Fry on September 18

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Block and Bridle Club will host its annual Steak Fry event on Friday, September 18.

The event will be held at the Animal Science Complex on Nebraska's East Campus from 5-7 p.m. Presale meal tickets can be purchased for $12 on UNL Marketplace or can be purchased at the door for $15. The meal consists of steak, cheesy potatoes, beans, chips, and cookies. To-go containers will also be available. The steaks for the meal are provided by Cargill, Incorporated.

The proceeds from the event helps the club pay for educational opportunities such as industry tours, meeting expenses and club awards and also provides the club an opportunity to engage with friends, family, faculty and staff outside of a classroom setting. The club has been hosting the steak fry for over 60 years and it serves as the largest fundraising event put on by the club's beef interest group.

The Block and Bridle Club at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is comprised of students that are interested in animal agriculture. The Nebraska chapter is a charter member of the National Block and Bridle Club, which was established in 1919.



Radicle Growth and U.S. Corn Growers Announce Winners of The Radicle Corn Challenge

Radicle Growth announced Citroniq and Future Origins as the winners of The Radicle Corn Challenge Sponsored by U.S. Corn Farmers during the Bio Innovations North America conference in Omaha, Nebraska on September 9. The global competition, launched in January 2026, was created to identify and support companies developing breakthrough technologies that create significant new demand for corn beyond traditional food, feed and fuel markets. The Challenge attracted applicants from around the world working to transform corn and corn-derived feedstocks into higher-value products across industrial, chemical, materials and emerging bioeconomy applications.

As winners of the Challenge, Citroniq and Future Origins will receive investment from Radicle Growth and the coalition of corn organizations supporting the initiative. Together, the two companies represent compelling opportunities to expand the role of corn as a sustainable feedstock for high-value global industries.

"The quality of innovation we saw throughout this Challenge was exceptional," said Kirk Haney, Managing Partner at Radicle Growth. "Citroniq and Future Origins stood out for their ability to create entirely new demand pathways for corn at a commercial scale. Both companies are addressing highly valuable existing markets with technologies that offer sustainability, supply chain resilience and economic value, which is exactly the type of innovation this Challenge was designed to accelerate."

Citroniq
Citroniq is transforming the plastics industry with the world's largest next-generation, commercial-scale platform for producing 100% bio-based polypropylene using fuel-grade ethanol derived from corn. By combining proven technologies through its proprietary E2O production platform, Citroniq produces carbon-negative resins and olefin intermediates that eliminate dependence on fossil-based hydrocarbons while helping companies reduce their carbon footprint and advance Net Zero objectives.

The company's approach utilizes domestically produced corn ethanol to create sustainable alternatives for one of the world's most widely used plastics, opening a substantial new avenue for corn utilization across packaging, consumer goods, automotive, and industrial applications.

"We're honored to receive the 2026 Radicle Corn Challenge Award," said Kelly Knopp, CEO & Co-Founder of Citroniq. "This recognition is especially meaningful to our team and validates our goal of creating an economic path to sustainable plastics. We're proud to be part of writing the next chapter for U.S. corn demand, to drive a broader shift toward a more sustainable and resilient plastics industry."

Future Origins
Future Origins is commercializing fermentation-based technology to produce sustainable alternatives to ingredients widely used in home and personal care products. The company utilizes renewable feedstocks, including corn-derived dextrose, to create more resilient and traceable supply chains for ingredients traditionally produced from palm oil and fossil-based feedstocks.

Formed in 2022 as a joint venture between Genomatica, Unilever, Kao and L'Oréal, Future Origins has successfully scaled its technology through a large-scale demonstration campaign producing more than ten tons of drop-in product validated by strategic partners. The company is now advancing toward commercial-scale production in the United States using corn-based feedstocks.

"We are thrilled to win the Radicle Corn Challenge," said Priti Pharkya, Chief Business Officer and Founder of Future Origins. "By transforming corn into existing widely used home and personal care ingredients, Future Origins is opening an entirely new high-value use for Midwest corn. It's great to have the growers join us in the journey and build awareness, as the market opportunity here is massive."

The winners were selected following a rigorous evaluation process that included scientific, technical, commercial and market diligence conducted by Radicle Growth and representatives from participating corn organizations, assessing market potential, technology readiness, commercialization pathways and expected impact on future corn demand. The companies were formally recognized during the Bio Innovations North America conference, which brings together leaders across agriculture, biotechnology, energy and advanced materials to explore innovations shaping the future of the bioeconomy.

The Radicle Corn Challenge was established to identify innovations capable of developing durable new markets for corn and corn-derived feedstocks. Sponsored by twelve leading U.S. corn grower organizations, Colorado Corn Promotion Council, Corn Marketing Program of Michigan, Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Iowa Corn Promotion Board, Kansas Corn Commission, Kentucky Corn Promotion Council, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, National Corn Growers Association, Nebraska Corn Board, Ohio Corn Marketing Program, South Dakota Corn Utilization Council and Tennessee Corn Promotion Board, the initiative was created in response to the need for expanded demand opportunities beyond traditional food, feed and fuel applications.

"Research is only as valuable as the markets it leads to," said Rachael Whitehair, Nebraska Corn Board director of innovation & stewardship. "Citroniq and Future Origins show what's possible when new technology meets a reliable, high-quality supply of corn. We congratulate both companies and look forward to seeing these partnerships develop."

The selection of Citroniq and Future Origins reflects the growing opportunity to position U.S. corn as a foundational feedstock for the next generation of sustainable materials and consumer products. By supporting technologies that unlock new, high-value markets for corn, the Radicle Corn Challenge and its sponsoring grower organizations are helping create opportunities for increased demand, new value chains and long-term growth across rural America and the broader bioeconomy.



NU DEAL cohort announced for 2026-28

Sixteen University of Nebraska System colleagues have been selected to participate in a system-wide program that aims to develop the next generation of higher education leaders.

The NU System’s Developing Excellence in Academic Leaders (NU DEAL) program, sponsored by all four campuses with support from the Office of the President, offers an intensive two-year curriculum that helps participants develop their leadership skills, expand their networks and explore key issues and challenges facing the University of Nebraska and higher education.

“I’m delighted to welcome another cohort to the NU DEAL,” said NU System President Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. “This program ensures promising leaders have opportunities to hone the skills that will position the NU System to meet the ever-changing needs of the students we educate and the state we serve. This program, the experiences it provides and the network it fosters, is critical to the long-term sustained success of our institution.” 

The 2026-2028 NU DEAL fellows, selected by their campus leadership, are:

University of Nebraska–Lincoln
    Yusong Li, Ph.D. - associate dean, college of engineering
    Santosh Pitla, Ph.D. - co-director, University of Nebraska Artificial Intelligence Institute
    Jamie Reimer Seaman, D.M.A. – faculty senate president elect
    Joe Luck, Ph.D. - interim department head, biological systems engineering

University of Nebraska Medical Center
    Ann Anderson-Berry, M.D., Ph.D - executive director, Child Health Research Institute; professor, UNMC Division of Neonatology; vice chair of research, department of pediatrics
    Rusty McCulloh, M.D. - associate vice chancellor for clinical research, UNMC; vice president for research, Nebraska Medicine; professor, UNMC Division of Biomedical Informatics and Health Systems
    Sheri Rowland, Ph.D. - assistant dean for evaluation and continuous quality improvement; associate professor, college of nursing
    Meghan Wolever - assistant dean, business and finance

University of Nebraska at Omaha
    Jodi Kreiling, Ph.D. - associate dean, college of arts and sciences; professor, chemistry
    Adam Rosen, Ph.D. - director and professor, school of health and kinesiology
    Erin Pleggenkuhle-Miles – associate dean, college of business administration, professor of management
    Susan Reay, Ed.D. - director and associate professor, Grace Abbott School of Social Work

University of Nebraska at Kearney
    Kristy Kounovsky-Shafer, Ph.D. - associate dean, college of arts and sciences; professor, chemistry
    Joel Berrier, Ph.D. – chair and associate professor, physics and astronomy
    Daniel Chaffin, Ph.D. - associate professor, management
    Bryce Abbey, Ph.D. - co-chair, kinesiology and sport sciences; professor

Over the course of the program, the fellows will hear presentations from University of Nebraska System representatives and members of the NU Board of Regents, visit each NU System campus to engage with senior leaders and discuss timely higher education topics including:
    Strategic planning
    Philanthropy
    Higher education finances
    Facilities and infrastructure
    Opportunities and challenges related to teaching, learning and research
    Academic leadership skills and styles

“NU DEAL is designed to build a cadre of senior leadership with faculty who already have leadership skills to understand how the NU System works at the highest level,” said UNMC Chancellor H. Dele Davies, M.D., who developed the program. “NU DEAL cultivates advanced thinking skills and empowers participants to lead with vision, purpose and lasting impact in today’s changing world, positioning them to step confidently into the next level of leadership.”

Applications for the 2028-30 cohort of the NU Deal fellows will open next spring. 



Farmers Business Network® Announces 2027 Farmer2Farmer VIII Event

Farmers Business Network® (FBN), the leading agriculture marketplace and farmer-to-farmer network, today announced the next edition of its renowned Farmer2Farmer (F2F) Event, taking place from February 9-11, 2027.

This year's conference, Farmer2Farmer VIII, will convene nearly 1,000 farmers from across the U.S. and Canada for several days of programming at the CHI Health Center, in Omaha, Nebraska.

Farmer2Farmer VIII will include more than 30 expert presentations, keynote speakers and producer educational sessions, as well as dozens of trade-show vendors.  Speakers will include farmers, prominent ag & technology innovators, and business, AI, ag policy and leadership experts.  

"Farmer2Farmer brings together hundreds of  farms of all types for honest, direct conversations on the future of ag and how to improve their operations," said Charles Baron, Co-Founder, FBN. "We want FBN members to create deep connections, uncover new ideas from other farmers and partners, and leave F2F with strategies and operating programs in hand for a successful 2027 season."

For more information and to sign up to attend Farmer2Farmer, please visit www.farmer2farmer.ag



2026 Iowa Grain Harvest Webinar 

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering team will hold the 2026 Iowa Grain Harvest webinar Monday, Sept. 21 at noon.  

Planned for grain producers and anyone with an interest in this fall’s grain harvest in Iowa, the webinar will feature segments discussing grain quality concerns and potential issues, harvest losses and equipment set up and planning for successful grain storage. 

“Harvest comes with challenges related to grain quality, harvest equipment and short-and-long-term storage,” said Tony Mensing, field agricultural engineer with ISU Extension and Outreach. “This webinar will feature experts from the Iowa Grain Quality Initiative and the Iowa State University Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex providing commentary and sharing insight on grain harvest 2026.” 

Gretchen Mosher, professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering at Iowa State who leads the Grain Testing Laboratory, will explore grain quality issues and potential concerns as we go into harvest. Dirk Maier, director of the Iowa State University Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex, will share valuable information on the science of grain storage and managing it successfully. Mensing will discuss grain loss during harvest and equipment setup and adjustment. 

The timely topics have a direct impact on the bottom line for growers and the entire grain value chain and aim to help participants understand potential challenges and make the most of what has been produced. 

The webinar is available at no cost to participants, but online registration is required https://go.iastate.edu/FEN88N.

For more information, contact Tony Mensing at tmensing@iastate.edu or 515-290-0952. For registration inquiries, please contact Melissa McEnany at mmcenany@iastate.edu or 515-294-9075. 




Weekly Ethanol Production for 9/4/2026

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending September 4, ethanol production dipped 1.0% to 1.10 million b/d, equivalent to 46.16 million gallons daily. Output was 0.5% lower than the same week last year but 7.2% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate decreased 0.5% to 1.10 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.94 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks edged up 0.6% to 25.2 million barrels. Stocks were 10.3% more than the same week last year and 13.9% above the five-year average. Inventories built in the East Coast (PADD 1) and Midwest (PADD 2) but thinned across the other regions.

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, dropped 4.2% to 8.55 million b/d (131.45 bg annualized)—the lowest weekly volume since the end of February. Still, demand was 0.5% more than a year ago and 0.2% above the five-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol slid 3.4% to an 8-week low of 908,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.96 bg annualized. Yet, net inputs were 3.2% more than year-ago levels and 1.7% above the five-year average.

Ethanol exports scaled up 41.3% to 147,000 b/d (6.2 million gallons/day). It has been more than two years since EIA indicated ethanol was imported.



Beef Promotion Operating Committee Approves Fiscal Year 2027 Checkoff Plan of Work

The Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) will invest approximately $39.5 million into programs of beef promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing, and producer communications during fiscal 2027, subject to USDA approval. 

In action at the end of its September 2-3 meeting in Denver, Colorado, the Beef Promotion Operating Committee (BPOC) approved Checkoff funding for a total of 12 “Authorization Requests” – or grant proposals – for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026. The committee, which includes 10 producers and importers from the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and 10 producers from the Federation of State Beef Councils, also recommended full Cattlemen’s Beef Board approval of a budget amendment to reflect the split of funding between budget categories affected by their decisions.

Nine contractors and four subcontractors brought 13 Authorization Requests worth approximately $49.6 million to the BPOC this week, approximately $10.1 million more than the funds available from the CBB budget.

“Each year, our contractors bring forward strong ideas for reaching consumers, strengthening demand for beef and addressing the issues that matter to our industry,” said Cheryl DeVuyst, chair of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and the Beef Promotion Operating Committee. “With limited Checkoff dollars available, our responsibility is to carefully evaluate those opportunities and invest in the programs we believe can deliver the greatest value for beef producers.

“I’m proud of the thoughtful work this committee put into reviewing the Authorization Requests and making some difficult funding decisions. We had productive discussions about where Checkoff dollars can make the greatest impact, and ultimately, we came together around a budget that supports important work in research, promotion, foreign marketing, industry and consumer information and producer communications. I appreciate the time and commitment of our committee members and contractors, and I’m looking forward to seeing this work come to life in FY27.”

In the end, the BPOC approved proposals from eight national beef organizations for funding through the FY27 Cattlemen’s Beef Board budget, as follows:
    American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture - $750,000
    Cattlemen’s Beef Board - $2,000,000
    Meat Foundation - $750,000
    Meat Import Council of America / Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative - $1,000,000
    Meat Institute/New York Beef Council - $270,000
    National Cattlemen’s Beef Association - $26,050,000
    United States Cattlemen’s Association/Duke University/University of Florida - $598,000
    United States Meat Export Federation - $8,100,000
     
Broken out by budget component – as outlined by the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985 – the FY27 Plan of Work for the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board budget includes:
    $9,270,000 for promotion programs, including beef and veal campaigns focusing on beef’s nutritional value, eating experience, convenience, and production.
    $9,598,000 for research programs focusing on pre- and post-harvest beef safety, scientific affairs, nutrition, sustainability, product quality, culinary technical expertise, and consumer perceptions. 
    $7,850,000 for consumer information programs, including Northeast influencer outreach and public relations initiatives; national consumer public relations, including nutrition-influencer relations and work with primary- and secondary-school curriculum directors nationwide to get accurate information about the beef industry into classrooms of today’s youth. Additional initiatives include outreach and engagement with food, culinary, nutrition and health thought leaders; media and public relations efforts; and supply chain engagement.
    $2,700,000 for industry information programs, including dissemination of accurate information about the beef industry to counter misinformation from other groups, as well as funding for Checkoff participation in the annual national industrywide symposium about antibiotic use. Additional efforts in this program area include beef advocacy training and issues/crisis management and response. 
    $8,100,000 for foreign marketing and education, focusing on 13 regions, representing more than 90 countries around the world. 
    $2,000,000 for producer communications, which includes investor outreach using national communications and direct communications to producers and importers about Checkoff results. Elements of this program include ongoing producer listening and analysis; industry collaboration and outreach; and continued development of a publishing strategy and platform and a state beef council content hub.  
     
The full fiscal 2027 Cattlemen’s Beef Board budget is approximately $43.9 million. Separate from the Authorization Requests, other expenses funded include $332,000 for program evaluation; $833,000 program development; $214,000 for Checkoff education resources; $540,000 for USDA oversight; $230,000 for state services; $200,000 supporting services and litigation; and approximately $2.0 million for CBB administration. The fiscal 2027 program budget represents an increase of  3.4% percent, or $1.5 million, from the $42.4 million FY26 budget.

For more information about the Beef Checkoff and its programs, including promotion, research, foreign marketing, industry information, consumer information and safety, contact the Cattlemen’s Beef Board at 303-220-9890 or visit DrivingDemandForBeef.com. 



Swine Health Information Center to Integrate into National Pork Board by Year’s End

The producer-led boards of the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) and National Pork Board (NPB) have approved an agreement to integrate SHIC into NPB by the end of 2026. For pork producers, the integration is designed to preserve SHIC’s emerging-disease capabilities while connecting them more directly to the industry’s broader swine health priorities. 

SHIC’s established system for identifying and responding to emerging disease threats, from surveillance and monitoring to reporting and research, will continue throughout the transition. Continuity in these services and support to producers, researchers, veterinarians and industry partners is a top priority for both boards.  

“When producers created SHIC, they asked it to watch for emerging disease threats around the world and move quickly when risks appeared,” said Joe Dykhuis, Michigan pork producer and SHIC board president. “SHIC built that capability through disease monitoring, focused research and practical information. This integration sustains that work and positions it to serve producers into the future.” 

Aligning SHIC’s monitoring, research investments and resources with the producer-led National Swine Health Strategy will strengthen coordination, focus producer dollars and help turn science into practical tools and action on farms. 

“Producers benefit when researchers, veterinarians and industry organizations are aligned around shared priorities and focused on outcomes at the farm,” said Chad Groves, National Pork Board president. “Bringing SHIC’s information, expertise, research and producer support into the National Swine Health Strategy strengthens that connection.” 

The National Swine Health Strategy provides a long-term framework for protecting the U.S. swine herd and improving overall herd health. Its priorities include stronger industry coordination and improved prevention, preparedness and response for endemic, emerging and foreign animal diseases. 



Applications Accepted for CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship

Students pursuing careers in the beef industry are encouraged to apply for the 2027 CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship through the National Cattlemen’s Foundation. Ten scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded.
 
Introduced in 1989 and sponsored by CME Group, the scholarship identifies and encourages talented students who play a vital role in the future of food production. Students studying education, communication, production, research or other areas related to the beef industry are eligible to apply for the annual scholarship program.
 
“We are honored to partner with the National Cattlemen’s Foundation and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association to champion the next generation of leaders in the cattle industry,” said John Ricci, CME Group managing director and global head of agricultural products. “By investing in these emerging leaders today, we're helping ensure that tomorrow's cattlemen and cattlewomen have the knowledge, innovation and resilience needed to feed a growing world for generations to come." 
 
Eligible applicants must be a graduating high school senior or full-time undergraduate student enrolled at a two- or four-year institution. The application process includes submitting a one-page letter expressing career goals related to the beef industry, a 750-word essay describing an issue in the beef industry and offering solutions to this problem, and two letters of recommendation. The applicant or a family member must be a member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. 
 
The application deadline is Oct. 9, 2026. For more information and to apply, visit www.nationalcattlemensfoundation.org. Scholarship recipients will be recognized during CattleCon 2027, Feb. 2-4, in Nashville, Tennessee. 
 
Organized in 1972, NCF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing charitable, scientific and educational activities to benefit the cattle industry. 

Thursday September 10 Ag News - NE Corn Growers Host 200 5th Graders On Farm - CAP's ABC for Cattle Production - Cover Crops and Field Work Timing - UNL Celebrates Mesonet Expansion - IA Corn Sets Policy - Most Fertilizer Prices Lower - and more!

Northeast Nebraska Fifth Graders Explore Agriculture at Growing Potential Festival

More than 200 fifth graders from five northeast Nebraska schools experienced agriculture beyond the classroom during the annual Growing Potential Agriculture Festival held Sept. 3 at McQuistian Farms near Pender.

The event brought 202 students together with farmers, ranchers, and agricultural professionals to learn more about the industry that provides their food, fiber, and energy. The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation and Northeast Nebraska Corn Growers host the festival each year to promote agricultural literacy and give students an opportunity to experience agriculture firsthand.

Throughout the day, students rotated through nine stations highlighting different aspects of agriculture and the many career opportunities available within the industry. Taylor Nelson, vice president of the Northeast Nebraska Corn Growers Association, said the festival is especially important for students who may not have a direct connection to agriculture.

“There are so many kids today who don’t have the opportunity to be around farms or see all the different opportunities agriculture has to offer,” Nelson said. “We want to expose them to those opportunities at an early age and make a positive impression as they begin thinking about their futures and the careers available to them. I hope students understand that they don’t have to come from a farm to have a future in agriculture. There are many ways to build a career in the industry, return to a small town, and contribute to agriculture.”

Students attending the festival represented Wayne, Wisner-Pilger, West Point-Beemer, Laurel, and Pender schools.

Support from local businesses and agricultural organizations helped ensure the festival remained free for participating students. Sponsors included NEN Aerial Services, Grossenburg Implement, Keiser Irrigation, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Siouxland Ethanol, Michael Foods, Tim and Ashley Mcquistian, and the Hansen family along with gracious support from numerous seed companies.



Free Training Helps Cattle Producers Figure Costs, Returns Amid Market Volatility

Cattle producers can learn to calculate their cost of production and evaluate potential returns during two free virtual trainings this month hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Center for Agricultural Profitability.

The training will show participants how to use the Agricultural Budget Calculator program, or ABC, a free online tool for building and evaluating livestock and crop budgets specific to a producer's own operation. Cattle markets can shift quickly, and knowing the true cost behind those numbers helps producers make more informed management decisions as prices, input costs and market conditions change.

During the session, participants will learn how to:
    Create or update a livestock enterprise budget for their own farm or ranch using ABC.
    Estimate projected cost of production and potential returns, including both cash costs and economic costs.
    Review and interpret ABC reports to understand where costs occur within a cattle enterprise.
    Use budget information to evaluate management decisions as cattle costs, prices and market conditions change.

Two identical sessions are offered so producers can choose the time that works best. They will be held via Zoom on Monday, Sept. 21, at 12:30 p.m. CDT, and Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 6:30 p.m. CDT. A Zoom link and passcode will be emailed to registered participants.

The training is free. Registration is available at https://go.unl.edu/abccattle26.

Producers can find more information on the ABC program at https://cap.unl.edu/abc and view sample Nebraska cattle budgets at https://cap.unl.edu/cattlebudgets.

For more information, contact Glennis McClure, extension educator and farm and ranch management analyst, at gmcclure3@unl.edu or 402-472-0661.



PFI Farmers Test Whether Cover Crops Help Them Get in the Field Sooner

Wet weather can keep farmers out of their fields, putting pressure on already-tight planting and fieldwork windows. Those windows are getting smaller. Since 1964, Iowa has lost about one suitable spring fieldwork day every six years.

“For years, we’ve heard farmers tell us that cover crops are helping them get into their fields earlier in the spring and get through harvest without leaving ruts,” says Stefan Gailans, PFI’s research director. “We wanted to take a closer look and see if the data backs that up.”

In 2025, 38 farmers across Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin tracked whether they could work fields with a history of cover crop use each week from spring through fall. Farmers recorded whether field and weather conditions allowed them to work their fields for most of the day.

PFI compared those observations with USDA estimates, using the same definition of a suitable fieldwork day.

The findings
Overall, PFI farmers reported about the same number of days suitable for fieldwork as the USDA average in 2025.

PFI farmers reported 51 suitable spring fieldwork days, one more than the USDA average. They reported 51 days in summer, matching the USDA average, and 27 days in fall, one fewer than the USDA average. Altogether, farmers reported, on average, 129 suitable fieldwork days, matching the USDA average.

While PFI farmers reported results similar to the USDA average, some fields with long-term cover crop use showed different results.

Margaret Hogan of Earlville, Iowa, reported 157 days when she could work her fields from April through November, compared with 127 days for her USDA district over the same period. In the spring, she reported 67 days suitable for fieldwork, compared with 46 days for the USDA district average. She has used cover crops for more than 10 years.

“The most valuable aspect of conducting this trial for me is being able to show others another reason to use cover crops,” Margaret says.

PFI started the study with 15 farmers in 2024 and grew to 38 farmers in 2025. The study will continue with farmers across the Midwest as PFI gathers more information to see whether the results stay the same from year to year and in different weather conditions.

To explore the full findings, visit practicalfarmers.org/do-cover-crops-increase-the-number-of-days-suitable-for-field-work-2025.

Farmers interested in participating in future trials can contact Stefan Gailans at stefan.gailans@practicalfarmers.org or visit practicalfarmers.org/cooperators-program.



NeFU Will Bring 10 Participants to the NFU Fly-In September 14-16, 2026

Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) President John Hansen and 9 other NeFU Members will join other Farmers Union state organizations participating in the annual National Farmers Union’s Fly-In to focus on the need to pass an updated and improved Farm Bill, and other ag-related issues.

Participating in this year’s Fly-In is Becky Potmesil of Alliance, Bill Armbrust of Elkhorn, Dan and Amber Conway of Red Cloud, Keith Dittrich of Tilden, Don Schuller of Wymore, Willie Cade of Chicago, and Matt Gregory, Kevin Herrold and John Hansen of Lincoln. In addition, Farmers Union Midwest Agency (FUMA) General Manager Rob Fisher of Ozawkie, Kansas will split his time between Nebraska and Kansas appointments. Besides Fisher, Dan and Amber Conway and Kevin Herrold are with FUMA. Willie Cade is a member who also serves as a Right to Repair and Ag Data consultant for Nebraska and several other Farmers Union state organizations.

NeFU President Hansen says “The Senate Ag Committee will reconsider their version of the Farm Bill during our Hill visits, so our Fly-In is very timely. Our message to Congress is they need to pass an updated and improved five-year Farm Bill before the September 30th expiration deadline. Three years in a row, Congress has passed one-year Farm Bill extensions because they failed to do their job and meet the deadline. Financially strapped farmers struggling with the worst farm crisis since the 1980s need more than another extension of an outdated and ineffective Farm Bill that makes the farm crisis worse. Farmers and their bankers need Congress to do their job and pass an improved five-year Farm Bill with a strong income safety net to help them survive today's and tomorrow’s financial crisis.”  

Hansen pointed out that Congress needs to counter Trump Administration actions that undermine both foreign and domestic agricultural markets, create more trade and export volatility from the misuse of tariffs, and increase farm input costs from both tariffs and the ill-considered war with Iran. The unilateral decision to import 300,000 metric tons of hamburger, the radical dismantling of USDA through destructive DOGE cuts that forced a 28% senseless reduction in staffing, and the recent unilateral decision to decentralize and dismantle the remaining Washington, DC-based USDA staff by two thirds are also issues to discuss with Congress.

“Farmers and ranchers need Congress to appreciate the critical economic and social importance of our nation’s traditional system of independently owned and operated family farm and ranch agriculture. Farmers need Congress to step up and help them through this time of great financial stress. When farm and ranch businesses struggle, so do the families that own and operate them. Our nation’s current farm and trade policies need an overhaul, not a tune-up,” said Hansen.



Nebraska Beef Council to Conduct September Board Meeting

The Nebraska Beef Council Board of Directors will conduct their regular board meeting virtually on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. CDT. During the meeting, the board will review & discuss a draft of the FY 2026–2027 marketing plan and receive an update on the 2026 board of director elections.

For more information, please contact the Nebraska Beef Council office at 308-236-7551.



RIBBON CUTTING TO MARK MESONET PROGRESS, SALUTE STAKEHOLDERS

A Sept. 23 ribbon cutting at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln will celebrate the completion of 35 new, state-of-the-art Nebraska Mesonet weather stations funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Supporters of the mesonet will be recognized, and attendees will have the opportunity to see a station up close.

The free public event, 3 to 4 p.m., will be at the East Campus mesonet station — the network’s flagship site, which tests improvements to the network before deployment and is used for educational purposes.

Nebraska’s 104 mesonet stations provide data vital to agriculture, natural resources management, emergency management and fire containment. The stations provide air temperature, rainfall, humidity and other common variables, as well as soil moisture, heat and cold stress, crop water use and wildfire risk data.

During the Sept. 23 event, attendees can view the East Campus mesonet station and learn how the Nebraska Mesonet operates. Mesonet staff will be on hand to answer questions.

“The addition of 35 modern weather and soil observation stations funded by the Army Corps of Engineers filled a significant gap in the Nebraska Mesonet, especially in the Sandhills,” said Ruben Behnke, mesonet director.

That progress “has fueled a renewed interest in modernizing and growing the Nebraska Mesonet into a premier network, as the value of environmental observation data is rapidly increasing in all fields,” he said. “Everyone in the state depends on this data in some form, even if they don’t directly interact with or use the raw observations.”

The mesonet is an invaluable resource for Nebraska’s producers, said Tiffany Heng-Moss, Harlan Vice Chancellor for the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and vice president for the University of Nebraska system.

“The data this network provides is used in the development of precision ag tools, weather monitoring services, disaster relief programs, preparedness in the event of natural disasters, and a host of other programs,” she said. “We are proud that the Nebraska Mesonet is part of IANR, and we’re incredibly grateful to Ruben Behnke for his dedication to this critical tool, as well as to the partners who have contributed to its success.”

Attendees for the ribbon cutting should enter the university’s East Campus at the second entrance west of 48th and Holdrege streets. Turn right on the East Campus Loop, then right on Fair Street just north of the College of Law complex. Curve right onto a gravel road and find parking near the UNL Pollinator Garden.

Those who plan to attend are asked to RSVP here https://news.unl.edu/article/ribbon-cutting-to-mark-mesonet-progress-salute-stakeholders.

The gathering will include remarks by stakeholders, including Lt. Col. Natalie Mallue, deputy commander of the Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, and representatives from the National Weather Service, Nebraska Forest Service and Nebraska Emergency Management Agency. Refreshments will be provided.

“This event gives us a chance to acknowledge and thank all our supporters as we make progress toward providing mesonet coverage within 12 miles of every Nebraskan,” Behnke said.



Iowa Corn Growers Set Policy Priorities at 2026 Grassroots Policy Summit

Wednesday, the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) held its Annual Grassroots Policy Summit at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny, Iowa. The event gathered more than 130 farmer-member delegates from across the state to discuss and set forth legislative priorities for the upcoming year. 

ICGA delegates tackled critical issues impacting corn growers, including state issues such as conservation and water quality funding, extending Iowa retailer tax credits for E15 and E85, supporting a middle-ground approach to carbon capture projects, protecting landowner rights related to data centers, property tax reform, and more. Federal issues included expanding trade opportunities, securing infrastructure funding for transportation such as locks and dams, advancing biobased product incentives, advocating for a bipartisan Farm Bill, a nationwide E15 fix with key provisions for Iowa farmers and more.  

“The Annual Grassroots Summit is a very important event for Iowa's corn growers and I think that is evident given that farmers from across the state put their harvest prep on pause to come and participate in the discussions that will set ICGA's policy priorities for the following year," said ICGA President Steve Kuiper, a farmer from Knoxville, Iowa. “Our grassroots policy development process starts with a survey of our more than 7,000 farmer members, followed by roundtable discussions in each of Iowa’s nine crop reporting districts before being brought forward and debated at the Summit. National policy priorities are then carried to the Commodity Classic, ensuring Iowa farmers’ voices are heard at the federal level. This process is vital to fulfilling ICGA’s mission and championing the issues that matter most to Iowa’s corn farmers.” 

Throughout the day, many local leaders were also recognized for their engagement in Iowa agriculture and beyond. Larry Buss, farmer from Harrison County, was once again recognized with the Top Recruiter Award for recruiting 186 Iowa Corn members over the past year. Roger Wuthrich, farmer from Davis County, was recognized with the Outstanding Individual Leadership Award for his dedication to Iowa Corn, at both the grassroots level and beyond, and within his local community. The 2026 Iowa Corn Walter Goeppinger Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Julius Schaff, an exemplary leader who has dedicated his career to building relationships and creating new opportunities for Iowa’s corn farmers. 

ICGA will announce its finalized state and federal policy priorities in December, based on ICGA Board discussions and grassroots input gathered during the Summit. The complete 2026-27 policy resolution book will be available online and by request once finalized. To request a copy, please contact corninfo@iowacorn.org or 515-225-9242.



Most Fertilizer Prices Lower

Retail fertilizer prices for the last day of August and first four days of September 2026 show more less expensive fertilizer prices compared to last month. Six fertilizers were lower looking back to last month while the remaining two were slightly higher, marking the second week in row we saw this. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

Just one nutrient led the way lower. UAN28 was 5% less expensive compared to last month. The average price of the nitrogen fertilizer was $423/ton. Five other fertilizers' prices were just slightly lower. Potash had an average price of $493/ton, urea $655/ton, 10-34-0 $717/ton, anhydrous $938/ton and UAN32 $455/ton.

The remaining two nutrients were just slightly more expensive looking back a month. DAP had an average price of $919/ton and MAP $959/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.71/lb.N, anhydrous $0.57/lb.N, UAN28 $0.75/lb.N and UAN32 $0.71/lb.N.

Seven of the eight fertilizers are now higher in price compared to one year earlier. Potash is 1% higher, UAN28 is 2% more expensive, urea is 4% higher, MAP is 5% more expensive, DAP is 7% higher, 10-34-0 is 8% more expensive and anhydrous is 22% higher looking back to last year.

One fertilizer is lower than a year ago. UAN32 is 5% lower than a year earlier.



ASA Welcomes 45Z Updates Supporting U.S. Soybean Farmers, Biofuels

The American Soybean Association welcomed actions this week from the U.S. Department of Energy and Internal Revenue Service that provide greater clarity and usability for the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, an important tool for supporting domestic biofuel production and demand for U.S. soybeans.

DOE updated the 45ZCF-GREET model to incorporate carbon intensity adjustments for certain regenerative agricultural practices, including practices used in soybean production. At the same time, IRS issued a notice that provides updated emissions rate information and allows qualifying agricultural practices to be reflected in calculating the credit.

"ASA appreciates DOE, IRS, USDA and the administration for taking this important step to make the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit usable for biofuel producers," said Dave Walton, ASA vice president and Iowa soybean farmer. "These actions provide greater economic certainty for the biofuels industry, which is a critical source of domestic demand for U.S. soybeans."

As implementation moves forward, ASA will continue advocating for a flexible book-and-claim system that allows all farmers to participate in and receive value from the low-carbon attributes of their soybeans without requiring physical segregation throughout the supply chain. We look forward to continuing to work with the administration as policies are developed to strengthen the U.S. biofuels market and the soybean farmers who help supply it.  



Corn Growers Thank Trump Administration for Crucial Next Steps in 45Z Implementation

The Internal Revenue Service this week released its guidance for farmers looking for clarity on the future of the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit, which was designed to incentivize the production of aviation fuel and other clean fuels.

The guidance, in conjunction with Tuesday’s updated Department of Energy GREET Model, will give safe harbor to previously recognized “on farm” practices in reducing the carbon intensity of qualifying fuels. In response to this development, Ohio corn grower and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Jed Bower released the following statement: 
 
"We are very pleased to see these agencies reaffirm the positive actions from the administration earlier this year, which recognized the importance of existing regenerative practices. We have been encouraged by the strong cooperation and emphasis on how this tax credit will benefit the individual farmer throughout the implementation process."  
 
"This guidance also codifies positive changes to the credit regarding indirect land use change. We look forward to working with the Treasury Department this fall as it looks to issue a final rule by November. NCGA would also like to see 'book and claim' acknowledged as a viable chain of custody methodology in the final rule."  
 
Book and claim allows farmers to sell the environmental value of their low-carbon corn directly to biofuel producers digitally, eliminating the need to physically segregate and transport those crops to a specific facility. 



Pioneer Launches ‘Hats Off to Farmers’ Collaboration With Multiplatinum Country Music Star Chris Janson 

Pioneer is putting its support for farmers into action through a new collaboration with multiplatinum country music star Chris Janson to champion mental health in rural communities. Together, Pioneer and Janson aim to raise awareness of the mental health challenges facing farmers while raising funds through special-edition, co-branded hats benefiting the Deep Roots Mental Wellness Program from Rural Minds, a national nonprofit focused on improving mental health outcomes in rural America. 

This partnership underscores Pioneer’s long-standing dedication to the agriculture community, supporting farmers both in their work and in overcoming the challenges they face beyond the field. By collaborating with Janson and Rural Minds, Pioneer aims to foster more open conversations about mental health in farming communities and take meaningful steps to offer vital resources to those who feed and fuel America. As it wraps up its 100th anniversary celebrations, Pioneer also has committed $100,000 to Rural Minds to provide farmers with a program to help build mental resiliency so they can thrive as they manage new challenges in an ever-changing agricultural landscape.

“Farmers understand better than anyone that success requires resilience, adaptability and a long-term perspective,” said Liz Knutson, Pioneer Agency Marketing Leader. “The Pioneer brand has stood alongside farmers for a century, and we are committed to helping the next generation develop strong roots so they can continue to grow and flourish through whatever seasons lie ahead.

Pioneer has partnered with Janson because of his deep affinity for farmers and America’s rural communities and his connection to the Pioneer® brand. Janson grew up in a rural farming community and has a personal connection to agriculture and the Pioneer brand. A gold and multiplatinum-awarded artist whose songs have amassed billions of streams on listening platforms, Janson has leveraged his success to support philanthropic causes that benefit rural America — especially as an advocate for mental health.

“Pioneer is a brand that I have recognized since I was a child. This is a great way to reach into a community that both Pioneer and I are passionate about,” Janson said. “I’ve been thanking farmers my whole life because I grew up around them and respect them. They are the heartbeat of America. I’m so proud to be part of this collaboration to support our rural communities.”

In addition to the hat collaboration, Pioneer and Janson will raise money for Rural Minds by auctioning a branded guitar autographed and played by Janson during his fall and winter tour. The auction will take place next spring.

All funds raised from the Hats Off to Farmers collaboration will benefit the Deep Roots Mental Wellness Program from Rural Minds, which will provide tools to help farmers develop mental resilience and recognize the signs of mental distress, with guidance on where to access resources for help when it is needed.

Rural Minds is the only national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on improving mental health outcomes of the 46 million people who live and work in rural America. Founded in 2021 by Jeff Winton, a dairy farmer from western New York, the organization’s vision is to remove the suffering, silence and stigma around mental illness in rural America.

“For the last 100 years, Pioneer has provided seed products that helped farmers prosper and evolve into the central source of the global food supply,” Winton said. “We are honored to partner with Pioneer, as it enters its second century of operation, to help young farmers and their families develop the mental resilience skills they will need to weather the volatility inherent in the business of farming and to maintain the quality of life that is such a special part of farm family life.

Support the Hats Off to Farmers collaboration by purchasing a special-edition hat at https://pioneerchrisjansonhats2026.itemorder.com/shop/home/. To learn more about how Rural Minds is helping farmers build mental resilience, visit ruralminds.org/DeepRoots. To find upcoming Janson tour dates near you, visit chrisjanson.com. Follow Pioneer, Chris Janson and Rural Minds on social channels for real-time updates and to learn more about the program.