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

Nebraska Crop Progress & Condition Statistics - July 05

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

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

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



Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

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

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

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

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

Pasture condition rated 73 percent good to excellent.

USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report

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

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

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

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

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

-----
 

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

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

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

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

See map on soybeangallmidge.org

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



Soil Health Assessment Training Set for Aug. 20

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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



2026 Farmland Leasing Arrangements Meetings Offered Across Iowa

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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




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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

Nebraska Farmers Union Commemorates America’s 250th Birthday

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



Iowa Drivers Embrace E15 

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



USDA Dairy Products May 2026 Production Highlights

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nebraska Farmland Values and Cash Rental Rates - 2026 Final Results

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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




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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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



Ambassador Greer Issues Statement on the USMCA Joint Review

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



Statement by Mark McHargue, President, Regarding USMCA Renegotiation

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

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

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



NCGA Emphasizes USMCA Importance to Corn Growers, Calls for Renewal

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

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

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

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



NPPC Statement on USMCA Joint Review

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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



Urea, UAN Fertilizers Lead Majority of Fertilizer Prices Lower

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

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

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

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

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

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



Weekly Ethanol Production for 6/26/2026

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



USDA Announces July 2026 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

Wednesday July 01 Ag News - USDA Acreage and Grain Stocks Reports - E85 Wholesale Prices Remain Low - USDA Updates Crop Reporting - SPUR Program Supports Small Beef Processors - and more!

Corn Planted Acreage Down 3 Percent from 2025
Soybean Acreage Up 5 Percent
All Wheat Acreage Down 6 Percent
All Cotton Acreage Up 6 Percent

Corn planted area for all purposes is estimated at 95.3 million acres, down 3 percent from last year. This represents the fourth highest planted acreage in the United States since 1944. Compared with last year, planted acreage is down or unchanged in 40 of the 48 estimating States. Area harvested for grain, at 87.4 million acres, is down 4 percent from last year.

By State - (1,000 acres     2025      2026)
Nebraska ........:             10,750      10,500      
Iowa ...............:             13,550      13,000      

Soybean planted area for 2026 is estimated at 85.4 million acres, up 5 percent from last year. Compared with last year, planted acreage is up or unchanged in 23 of the 29 estimating States.

By State - (1,000 acres     2025      2026)
Nebraska .........:             4,850      5,100         
Iowa ................:             9,450     10,000       

All wheat planted area for 2026 is estimated at 42.7 million acres, down 6 percent from 2025. The 2026 winter wheat planted area, at 31.5 million acres, is down 5 percent from last year and down 3 percent from the previous estimate. Of this total, about 22.4 million acres are Hard Red Winter, 5.54 million acres are Soft Red Winter, and 3.55 million acres are White Winter. Area planted to other spring wheat for 2026 is estimated at 9.39 million acres, down 6 percent from the 2025 estimate. Of this total, about 8.75 million acres are Hard Red Spring wheat. Durum planted area for 2026 is estimated at 1.83 million acres, down 16 percent from the previous year. 

By State - (1,000 acres     2025      2026)
Nebraska ..............:            950       900

All cotton planted area for 2026 is estimated at 9.85 million acres, up 6 percent from last year. Upland area is estimated at 9.70 million acres, up 6 percent from 2025. American Pima area is estimated at 150,000 acres, up 6 percent from 2025.

Hay Acres
By State - (1,000 acres    2025       2026)
Nebraska .........:             2,300       2,215         
Iowa ................:             1,010       1,060       



Corn Stocks Up 14 Percent from June 2025
Soybean Stocks Up 5 Percent
All Wheat Stocks Up 8 Percent

Corn stocks in all positions on June 1, 2026 totaled 5.29 billion bushels, up 14 percent from June 1, 2025. Of the total stocks, 2.96 billion bushels are stored on farms, up 16 percent from a year earlier. Off-farm stocks, at 2.34 billion bushels, are up 12 percent from a year ago. The March - May 2026 indicated disappearance is 3.74 billion bushels, compared with 3.50 billion bushels during the same period last year.

By State (1,000 bu - on farm - off farm  -  total)
Nebraska ......:         325,000    277,562     602,562 
Iowa .............:         540,000    446,429     986,429 

Soybeans stored in all positions on June 1, 2026 totaled 1.06 billion bushels, up 5 percent from June 1, 2025. On-farm stocks totaled 367 million bushels, down 11 percent from a year ago. Off-farm stocks, at 694 million bushels, are up 16 percent from a year ago. Indicated disappearance for the March - May 2026 quarter totaled 1.06 billion bushels, up 18 percent from the same period a year earlier.

By State (1,000 bu - on farm - off farm  -  total)
Nebraska ......:         18,000     76,636      94,636 
Iowa .............:         56,000    121,736     177,736 

Old crop all wheat stored in all positions on June 1, 2026 totaled 920 million bushels, up 8 percent from a year ago. On-farm stocks are estimated at 177 million bushels, down 4 percent from last year. Off-farm stocks, at 743 million bushels, are up 11 percent from a year ago. The March - May 2026 indicated disappearance is 383 million bushels, up slightly from the same period a year earlier.

By State  (1,000 bu - on farm - off farm  -  total)
Nebraska ......:           1,300     27,138      28,438  

Grain sorghum stored in all positions on June 1, 2026 totaled 66.7 million bushels, down 33 percent from a year ago. On-farm stocks, at 8.61 million bushels, are up 25 percent from last year. Off-farm stocks, at 58.1 million bushels, are down 37 percent from June 1, 2025. The March - May 2026 indicated disappearance from all positions is 105 million bushels, up 107 percent from the same period last year.



E85 Wholesale Prices Remain as Low as 10 to 30 Cents per Gallon Across Iowa

According to public data, the price difference between wholesale and retail E85 prices remains historically wide. E85 is available on the wholesale market for as little as 10 cents per gallon while retail prices for motors are usually well over $2 higher.

“Last night President Trump urged fuel retailers to ‘get their prices down,’” stated Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw. “As a trade association, we never tell anyone how to price a product at any point in the supply chain but in 27 years I’ve never seen the wholesale-to-retail price spread as large as it is for E85 in Iowa right now. A reasonable person would assume that with E85 at 10 cents wholesale, the retail prices would be the best fuel bargain ever. But we’re not seeing that with a few, very rare exceptions.”

E85 can be used in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs). FFVs are designed to run on any fuel blend from no ethanol up to E85, which contains up to 85 percent ethanol. Wholesale prices do not include federal and state taxes, transportation costs, and markups for things like credit card fees, depreciation and retailer margins.

“With Independence Day coming up, it’d be great to see America’s homegrown E85 fuel providing relief to Iowans,” added Shaw.



USDA Modernizes Crop Reporting to Save Farmers Time and Reduce Paperwork

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced an acreage reporting modernization pilot program that is a foundational part of the administration’s One Farmer, One File effort. FSA is focused on creating a more efficient, consistent, and customer-focused acreage reporting experience for producers and FSA employees. After spring planting is complete, agricultural producers should make an appointment with their FSA county office to complete crop acreage reports before the applicable deadline. July 15 is a major deadline for most crops, but acreage reporting deadlines may vary by county and by crop.      

“Acreage reporting is a major task that producers complete each year, and we owe it to the producers we serve to make it as painless and seamless as possible,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. “Our goal is to move away from paper maps to an electronic interface that simplifies the process for producers and saves time for county office staff, which increases operational efficiencies across the board. I encourage producers who have acreage located in these pilot counties to be patient with their local FSA office as they learn the system and solicit meaningful feedback from producers based on their experience with the simplified reporting process.” 

Pilot Program 
The following counties are participating in the acreage reporting pilot program. Producers with acreage in these counties will use the streamlined acreage reporting process for spring planted crops ahead of the major July 15, 2026, reporting deadline:  
    Georgia                       Tift County  
    Kentucky                    Union County  
    Maryland                    All Counties   
    Michigan                     Van Buren County  
    Minnesota                  Lac Qui Parle County  
    Missouri                      Harrison County  
    Nebraska                     Seward County  
    North Dakota            All Counties   
    Oklahoma                   Canadian County  
    Pennsylvania             Lancaster County  
    Texas                              Fisher County  

Producers with acreage located outside of the pilot program counties will complete their crop acreage reports as usual.  

How to File a Report    
To file a crop acreage report, producers need to provide:    
    Crop and crop type or variety    
    Intended crop use    
    Number of crop acres    
    Map with approximate crop boundaries    
    Planting date(s)    
    Planting pattern, when applicable    
    Producer share(s)    
    Irrigation practice(s)    
    Acreage prevented from planting, when applicable 
    Faile acres, if applicable    
    Other required information    
    
Acreage Reporting Details    
The following exceptions apply to acreage reporting dates:    
    If the crop has not been planted by the acreage reporting deadline, then the acreage must be reported no later than 15 calendar days after planting is completed.    
    If a producer acquires additional acreage after the acreage reporting deadline, then the acreage must be reported no later than 30 calendar days after purchase or acquiring the lease. Appropriate documentation must be provided to the county office.    

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

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

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

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

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

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



Rollins Announces Program to Support Small- and Mid-Size Beef Processors

Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers (SPUR) Program that will provide temporary support for eligible beef processing establishments. Under SPUR, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide up to $500 million in payments to eligible entities to support stronger and more stable market opportunities for American ranchers.

“America’s ranchers deserve a strong, competitive marketplace that rewards their hard work and preserves opportunity for generations to come,” said Secretary Brooke L. Rollins. “Today, historically tight cattle supplies, the Biden administration’s anti-cattle focus, consolidation in and foreign ownership of meat packing and the reemergence of New World Screwworm have created extraordinary market conditions that are placing significant pressure on our independent and regional beef processors. Through the Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers (SPUR) Program, USDA is taking targeted action to preserve the independent processing capacity that ranchers rely on, strengthen competition across the American beef supply chain, and support rural communities across the country. This is another important step in our Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry by strengthening domestically owned processing capacity and ensuring America’s cattle producers continue to have strong market opportunities and meet America’s historically high beef demand. As we Make America Healthy Again, we are working to ensure American families have continued access to nutritious, high-quality American beef while promoting greater competition, a more resilient food supply chain, and long-term affordability at the grocery store.”

“Small and mid-size beef processors are essential to maintain the diversity of America’s food system,” said Under Secretary for Food Safety Mindy Brashears. “Supporting this processing capacity helps preserve market options for our United States ranchers, strengthens regional supply chains and ensures American families continue to have access to safe, high-quality beef produced here at home.”

“Competitive supply chains help ensure American ranchers have reliable markets for their cattle,” said Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce. “Through the SPUR Program, USDA is bolstering market opportunities for ranchers and supporting a resilient beef industry.”

These payments are authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and are administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Payments are intended to provide financial support to eligible beef processors who have faced increased costs of acquiring cattle for processing due to the abnormally low number of cattle being raised in the U.S at this time and other conditions currently impacting the cattle market. Additional information, including applications, will be provided to eligible entities using contact information that is currently on file with the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Entities eligible to receive funding under SPUR must be beef processing establishments under Federal inspection, as well as beef processing establishments inspected under the Talmadge-Aiken Cooperative Inspection Program and the Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program (CIS). Further, eligible entities must be U.S. owned and cannot be nationally dominant in beef processing (or owned by an entity that is). For purposes of SPUR, nationally dominant will be defined as an entity holding a market share greater than or equal to the entity holding the fourth-largest share of the beef processing market.

For decades, the beef processing industry in the U.S. has been heavily concentrated and today just four companies control nearly 85% of the beef processing market, including two foreign owned companies. Ensuring domestic processors can continue operating during this period where the U.S. cattle herd is at a 75-year low is critical to national security and will ensure a strong supply chain once the herd is rebuilt.

This new program also directly supports the USDA Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry and the USDA Small Processors Action Plan by ensuring American ranchers have access to regional processing capacity they rely on to support branded and value-added beef programs, such as the Product of USA label that USDA started promoting earlier this year.

Maintaining this regional processing capacity is also a key part of the Make America Healthy Again movement by ensuring access to high-quality protein in alignment with the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans.



Farm Bureau Strongly Supports the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act

America’s farmers are facing a labor crisis. Continued agriculture workforce shortages threaten farmers’ ability to grow the food families rely on. Many labor challenges are addressed in new legislation introduced by House Agriculture Committee Chair G.T. Thompson. The Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act of 2026 builds on recommendations of the bipartisan Agricultural Labor Working Group and modernizes the H-2A visa program by expanding access to a year-round workforce and eliminating unpredictable swings in wage rates, among other changes.

“The lack of available labor is among the largest limiting factors of American agriculture,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Most Americans don’t want to work on farms. In fact, only 182 domestic applications were submitted for nearly 415,000 advertised positions in 2025. If Americans won’t apply for these jobs, we have no other choice but to depend on the H-2A program. Unfortunately, the current guest worker program is inadequate to meet the demands on farms across the country.

“We are grateful to Chairman G.T. Thompson for listening to America’s farmers. Farm Bureau members participated in the bipartisan House Agriculture Labor Working Group, and they shared the obstacles to participation in guest worker programs. Their needs are largely addressed in the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act. It delivers meaningful farm labor reform and will provide certainty and fairness to both farmers and their employees as they contribute to a strong and healthy food supply.”

The Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act would:
    Allow temporary workers to remain on the job for up to 350 days, which gives farms like dairies greater access to the H-2A program;
    Limit excessive or irrelevant federal fees to participate in the H-2A program, which will make it more affordable for farmers;
    Codify an improved wage methodology and establish safeguards to prevent unpredictable Adverse Effect Wage Rate fluctuations; and
    Affirm H-2A workers as essential.

Farm Bureau strongly supports the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act and urges Congress to pass it. We are committed to working with lawmakers to ensure farmers have access to an adequate workforce to continue producing healthy and affordable food for America’s families.



NPPC Pleased House Labor Bill Addresses Pork Producers’ Workforce Shortage & Other Priorities
 
The National Pork Producers Council, representing America’s 60,000-plus pork producers, applauds House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson (R-PA) for his introduction of the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act, which incorporates NPPC recommendations that allow producers to utilize the H-2A visa program.
 
“Agriculture needs a strong—and reliable—workforce. For pork producers, one giant step in the right direction means expanding the H-2A visa program to include year-round agricultural industries like ours,” said NPPC President Rob Brenneman, a pork producer from Washington County, Iowa. “Thank you, Chairman Thompson, for listening to our ideas and solutions for rectifying our severe workforce shortage.”
 
Current federal law limits H-2A immigrant farm workers to temporary and seasonal work, excluding pork producers—and other year-round agricultural industries—from using the program.
 
In addition to expanding the H-2A visa program, the bill:
•    Modifies what is considered “agriculture labor or services” to address the needs of the sector, including certain meat processing activities, and transfers the authority to further define this term to the Secretary of Agriculture
•    Codifies Adverse Effect Wage Rate calculations standards to lower costs and provide stability in farmworker pay rates
•    Streamlines the program through the allowance of multi-year housing certifications and lowers costs by allowing maximum daily housing charges that employers can deduct from workers’ wages
•    Establishes one streamlined H-2A application processing system through the creation of an internet-based electronic portal

Despite higher wages and competitive benefits, pork production employment has declined the past five years and is one of the many hurdles producers face when feeding the nation and world.
 
Chairman Thompson’s legislation took recommendations from the bipartisan Agricultural Labor Working Group, with which NPPC has worked closely. NPPC will continue to advocate for solutions for pork producers’ workforce challenges. 



NMPF Praises Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act
President & CEO Gregg Doud

“The Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act represents the most significant reform to the ag workforce we’ve seen in decades. It is particularly critical for dairy farmers, who have been effectively shut out of the nation’s primary legal agricultural guestworker program. 

“First and foremost, this bill finally grants dairy access to H-2A by removing the seasonal requirements of the program and allowing contracts up to 350 days of the year. The bill goes further, streamlining the application process, reducing administrative burdens, and addressing cost concerns that have deterred employers from using H-2A even when eligible.  

“Perhaps the most important provision of the bill for dairy beyond providing access, is the targeted mechanism to provide the current dairy workforce a means to transition to a workable visa program. This will ensure that we don’t face a major workforce disruption as dairy farms transition to H-2A – and that’s critical, because workforce stability underpins animal care, milk quality, and overall farm viability. 

“I applaud Chairman Thompson and the other original co-sponsors for introducing this bill. Chairman Thompson, thank you for leading the way, as you so often have to the most important issues facing agriculture. NMPF will rally its advocates across dairy and all of agriculture to support this bill, and it stands ready to help build momentum in the House, secure a Senate companion bill, and ultimately get this legislation to the president’s desk.”  



ASA Welcomes EPA Approval of New Soybean Crop Protection Tools

The American Soybean Association welcomes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's long-awaited approval of new and innovative crop protection technologies to support soybean production efficiency, providing farmers with additional tools to effectively manage weeds, protect crop yields, and enhance regenerative farming practices.

"We appreciate EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and the agency for advancing registrations for a suite of new crop protection tools to ensure U.S. farmers have access to cutting edge technologies that promote efficient agriculture production," said ASA President Scott Metzger, a soybean farmer from Ohio. "Soybean farmers across the country continue to combat new and mounting challenges related to weeds and other pest diseases. To produce the world’s most environmentally efficient and reliable soybeans, crop protection tools must evolve in alongside modernizing farm practices, making access to these innovative crop protection technologies critical to maintaining the competitive advantage of U.S. soybeans."

The EPA approval of new crop protection tools follows President Trump’s signing of an Executive Order to promote regenerative agriculture and support farm resilience, which directed EPA to ensure access to modern farming products through timely review and approval of registrations. ASA appreciates President Trump for prioritizing timely, science-based regulatory decisions through his Executive Order, which recognizes that crop protection tools are essential to adopting regenerative agriculture practices, including planting cover crops to improve soil health.

Today's approvals are an important step forward, and ASA encourages EPA to continue building on this momentum by advancing additional science-based registrations that provide soybean farmers with the innovative tools they need to remain productive, competitive, and sustainable.



Farmers Appreciate EPA Approval of New Tools

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalizing the registrations of new pesticide products that provide farmers with additional tools to protect their crops.

“We appreciate EPA’s rigorous review process and ultimate approval of new products that will help farmers grow crops for food, fiber and renewable fuel while also contributing to sustainability goals. Administrator Lee Zeldin promised comprehensive vetting, which we welcome. Farmers are dedicated to caring for our land and natural resources, so new tools that help us do that are important.

“Pesticides undergo years of rigorous testing, with very few making it through the approval process. Farmers trust and rely on EPA’s science- and risk-based regulatory process. These new products, backed by the best available science, will enable farmers to do more with less and provide more tools in the toolbox to help ensure an abundant and safe food supply for America’s families.”



NCGA Condemns Bayer Glyphosate Petition

The Monsanto Company and its subsidiary Ruveon LLC, filed a petition today with the International Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Commerce calling for anti-dumping and countervailing duties on imports of glyphosate. Bayer is the parent company of Monsanto.
 
As glyphosate is one of the most used herbicides in corn production annually, this development is highly concerning for America’s corn farmers.  
 
“Agricultural companies like to position themselves as a partner to American farmers,” said Jed Bower, Ohio farmer and president of the National Corn Growers Association. “This is no act of partnership. They are taking this step purely for benefit of the company and its shareholders, once again at the expense of the American farmer and at a time when the ag economy is facing one of its most difficult periods in decades.”  
 
Bayer is the latest input provider to claim financial harm from imported fertilizers and pesticides. In the filed petition, Bayer alleges glyphosate sales of less than fair market value occurred from China into the United States.  
 
The petition comes a day after President Trump signed an executive order suspending countervailing duties on phosphate fertilizer imports. Those duties were implemented at the behest of the Mosaic Company and J.R. Simplot, working against the best interests of their customers. Record high prices of phosphate quickly followed.  
 
Corteva Agriscience, in 2024, similarly petitioned the ITC for countervailing duties on imported supplies of 2,4-D, despite a lack of adequate domestic production capacity to fulfill the needs of American farmers. NCGA readily engaged in the process with the ITC and repeatedly voiced concerns that this action would increase costs for farmers already bearing the burden of record high input costs. The ITC ruled in favor of Corteva, proving that the impact to U.S. consumers is not a relevant factor in their deliberations.  
 
“What we are seeing is an increasing trend of companies abusing trade remedy laws to box out competition and corner more of the U.S. market, at great expense to their customers - the American farmer,” said Bower. “These industries are already highly concentrated, and CVD actions further threaten the availability of inputs and keep prices inflated."
 
NCGA has a long history of supporting grower access to crop protection tools, including glyphosate. Earlier this year, corn growers joined other ag trade associations to publicly state their concern about glyphosate access in an amicus brief submitted to the Supreme Court in the Monsanto v. Durnell case, which ultimately ended in a favorable outcome for Bayer. Previously, NCGA was a plaintiff in a legal challenge to California’s decision to label glyphosate as a known carcinogen under Prop 65. In 2023, a federal court ruling prevented the state from labeling the product as a carcinogen.  
 
“The American corn grower has shown up repeatedly to defend access to important tools in our toolbox,” said Bower. “Unfortunately, we are being forced to defend our access to these tools again, but now we’re doing so thanks to the actions of companies we’ve previously partnered with. Disappointment doesn’t begin to cover how this news feels to American farmers.”



ASA Strongly Criticizes Glyphosate Trade Petition

The American Soybean Association strongly opposes action taken by Monsanto Company and its subsidiary, Ruveon LLC, to file a petition with the U.S. Department of Commerce seeking antidumping and countervailing duties on glyphosate imports from the People’s Republic of China – the world’s largest producer and exporter of glyphosate. Bayer – the parent company of Monsanto – is the only domestic manufacturer and supplier of glyphosate.

Glyphosate remains a critical crop protection tool that soybean farmers rely on to produce an efficient and reliable crop. At a time when producers continue to face tight margins and significant economic uncertainty exacerbated by rising costs, it is imperative that farmers have access to an affordable, reliable, and competitive supply of inputs they depend on to remain competitive in the global soybean marketplace. Soybean growers are dependent on a variety of input products to support crop production, and actions to impose import taxes on those products limits market competition, threatens cost spikes, and ultimately hurts U.S. farmers.

ASA has consistently opposed actions taken by input suppliers to restrict imports through countervailing duty and antidumping actions. ASA strongly opposed the countervailing duty petition filed by Mosaic and Simplot to restrict phosphate fertilizer imports. A recent Texas A&M study found that these duties cost growers $6.9 billion from 2021 to 2025. ASA asked the Trump Administration to terminate the duties on imported phosphate fertilizer; ASA cheered President Trump’s recent Executive Order that suspended these duties for eight months and ASA is seeking to fully terminate the duties. Similarly, ASA strongly opposed action taken by Corteva to have countervailing and anti-dumping duties imposed on imports of 2,4-D, another important herbicide used widely by farmers. Last year, ASA argued against duties on 2,4-D at the U.S. Court of International Trade.

ASA is reviewing the petitions and evaluating the potential implications for soybean farmers. As this process moves forward, ASA will advocate for policies that protect farmers' access to essential crop protection tools while maintaining a stable and affordable supply of agricultural inputs.

Soybean farmers rely on science-based regulatory decisions, competitive markets, and a resilient supply chain to remain productive and globally competitive. ASA will continue to engage with policymakers and stakeholders to ensure the interests of America's soybean farmers remain at the forefront throughout this process. 



EPA Announces New Chemical Registrations and Seeks Farmer Input on Desiccation Practices

Tuesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced two separate actions affecting U.S. wheat growers: the final registration of several new and innovative crop protection tools and a forthcoming effort to gather input from farmers and other agricultural stakeholders on registered pre-harvest desiccation uses.

The new registrations will provide wheat growers with additional tools to manage weeds, protect yields, and support the production of safe, nutritious, high-quality wheat.

Separately, EPA announced that it will seek stakeholder input as the agency reviews available data related to registered pre-harvest desiccation uses. That review follows President Trump’s executive order directing the EPA Administrator to ensure those uses remain aligned with applicable safety and environmental standards, including accurate product labeling.

“NAWG commends EPA for completing the registration process for these important crop protection tools,” said Sam Kieffer, CEO of the National Association of Wheat Growers. “Providing farmers with access to new and innovative technologies gives growers greater certainty and more options to responsibly manage weeds, protect their crops, and remain productive and competitive.

“NAWG also welcomes the opportunity to engage with EPA as it conducts its separate review of registered pre-harvest desiccation uses. This process provides an important opportunity to ensure that discussions surrounding wheat production practices are grounded in science and reflect what actually occurs on farms.

“Unfortunately, public discussions sometimes mischaracterize wheat production practices or fail to recognize the significant regional, environmental, and agronomic differences across wheat-growing states. It is essential that EPA hear directly from wheat farmers about how crop protection products are used, which practices are not commonly used, how production systems vary by region, and what practical alternatives may be available.

“NAWG looks forward to working with EPA throughout this process and encourages the agency to continue relying on rigorous, peer-reviewed science to protect farmers, consumers, and the environment.”



Statement of NCFC CEO Duane Simpson on EPA Action on New Crop Protection Products

"EPA's decision to advance several crop protection products toward final approval is welcome news for America's farmers and farmer co-ops. EPA sets the global standard for pesticide safety and environmental review, and when that process moves forward, it delivers better, safer, and more effective tools to the people who grow our food.

“America's farmers are facing significant financial pressure. Access to the newest crop protection technologies helps lower input costs and keeps American producers competitive in global markets—without sacrificing the environmental and human health standards that make U.S. agriculture the envy of the world. These are not competing goals. They reinforce each other.

“For the farmer co-ops and retailers who serve our members, timely approvals matter. Moving these products forward now gives manufacturers and retail partners the lead time to plan production and ensure adequate supply is on the shelf for the 2027 growing season. We commend EPA for acting, and we encourage the agency to maintain this pace."