Mobile Irrigation Testing Lab creates informed irrigation decisions with farmers
The Irrigation Water Management Lab at the West Central Research, Extension and Education Center is helping western Nebraska farmers make more informed irrigation decisions through on-farm testing of emerging technology. Its Mobile Irrigation Testing (MIT) Lab works directly with producers to evaluate tools such as soil moisture sensors, satellite-based crop monitoring and irrigation scheduling platforms under real-world field conditions.
With support from Nebraska Extension, the Twin Platte Natural Resources District and irrigation technology companies, the lab helps farmers determine when to irrigate based on data from technology rather than guesswork. Participating farmers have reduced irrigation frequency while maintaining productivity, saving approximately 2.5 inches of water during the growing season through more efficient irrigation management.
Nebraska producers have access to the Ogallala Aquifer, one of the nation's most important groundwater resources, allowing them to irrigate crops when needed. However, as groundwater supplies face increasing challenges in states such as Texas and Kansas, Nebraska producers have an opportunity to demonstrate proactive management of their water resources.
“Seeing the decline in other states emphasizes the importance of being good stewards of our own groundwater resources as we irrigate our crops,” said Abia Katimbo, Nebraska Extension irrigation specialist and Irrigation Water Management Lab lead.
The MIT Lab serves as a next step for farmers wanting to strengthen their irrigation practices. The mobile, on-farm Extension program brings irrigation technology directly to producers in the field while focusing on return on investment and providing a hands-on, real-world learning experience.
One challenge producers face is determining when to irrigate their crops. Traditional methods producers have used have included assessments of the weather, experiences from past growing seasons, and producer intuition.
However, those methods often lack the data now available through technology, including soil moisture measurements, crop temperature data, evapotranspiration (ET)-based water-use estimates and crop stress monitoring.
“Farmers are not always ready to invest in and implement technology on their operations,” said Katimbo. “They need to see the numbers and data behind why it would work for them.”
By collaborating with the MIT lab and having access to this information, irrigators can replace the guesswork with measurable data and improve irrigation timing and efficiency.
Participation in the MIT Lab begins with an initial field visit and consultation to assess a producer's needs and preferences for data collection. Following the consultation, the technology is installed in the field with assistance from the MIT Lab team.
The lab continues to support producers through field check-ins, technology troubleshooting and data interpretation assistance.
Data collected through the technology can help determine how much water the crop has used, the amount of moisture available in the soil, the risk of nitrate leaching, and crop water stress.
By understanding what is happening in their fields, farmers can have more confidence when they schedule their next irrigation event and be a better steward of the groundwater resources available to them.
“The data is essential to helping farmers become more efficient irrigators in the way they use groundwater,” Katimbo said.
With current drought challenges and groundwater concerns in other states, Nebraska benefits from the vast resource provided by the Ogallala Aquifer. However, long-term sustainability depends on strategic irrigation decisions today.
The Mobile Irrigation Testing Lab bridges the gap between research and current irrigation management practices with the goal of making data-driven irrigation the future standard to support stewardship of the state’s groundwater resources.
“You do not have to be an expert in irrigation,” Katimbo said, “but the data helps you become one.”
To participate in this program, contact Abia Katimbo at abia.katimbo@unl.edu to start the field-based consultation process and technology selection and installation.
NEBRASKA GRAZING CONFERENCE SET FOR AUG. 4-5 IN KEARNEY
Ranchers, land managers, educators and students from across the Cornhusker State are invited to attend the 2026 Nebraska Grazing Conference Aug. 4-5 at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney.
This year’s theme, “Celebrating Grazing on Nebraska’s Grasslands,” aligns with the 2026 International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, recognizing the role of grazing systems in environmental stewardship, agricultural productivity and rural communities.
The conference will be preceded by a Grassland Alliance meeting from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 4. Conference programming will begin at 3:30 p.m. with trade show and educational sessions focused on grazing management innovations, including virtual fencing. An evening celebration will follow, recognizing the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists.
A full day of programming on Aug. 5 will begin at 8:30 a.m. and feature expert speakers covering regenerative grazing management, cropland grazing, small ruminant systems, grazing practices, stockmanship, carbon market opportunities and producer experiences using virtual fencing.
Keynote speakers include Gail Fuller, a Kansas farmer and regenerative agriculture advocate, who will present on regenerative grazing practices, and Dr. Tom Noffsinger, a veterinarian and teacher of stockmanship from Benkelman, Nebraska, who will discuss the role of stockmanship in effective grazing management.
Registration fees for high school and university students will be waived for those who register online by July 31. Registration is open on the Nebraska Grazing Conference website https://grassland.unl.edu/nebraska-grazing-conference-registration/.
For more information, contact Mitch Stephenson at mstephenson@unl.edu or Kacie McCarthy at kacie.mccarthy@unl.edu.
2026 Nebraska Beef Ambassador Contest Winners
Nebraska Cattlemen’s NCW - Consumer Education and Promotion Committee is pleased to announce the results of the 2026 Nebraska Beef Ambassador Contest.
2026 Nebraska Beef Ambassador Contest Results
Collegiate Winners
First Place - Parker Walahoski, Overton
Second Place - Emily Van Meter, Bennet
Third Place - Meredith Ruda, Ames, IA
Senior Winners
First Place – Taylyn Maas, West Point
The Nebraska Beef Ambassador Contest and Beef Advocacy Training provides an opportunity for future beef industry leaders, ages fourteen to twenty-four years old, to sharpen their advocacy skills and strengthen their knowledge of the key issues facing the number one industry in Nebraska.
The Nebraska Beef Ambassador Contest requires participants to address current issues facing the beef industry with both a written response and a mock media interview. The contest is separated into two divisions, senior and collegiate. Cash prizes are awarded, and the two first-place division winners receive a belt buckle. The first-place junior and collegiate winners become official Nebraska Beef Ambassadors for a full year. They will work to educate consumers and students on the importance of beef. At the end of their one-year term, the collegiate Nebraska Beef Ambassador will be awarded a scholarship on behalf of the Nebraska Cattlemen Research and Education Foundation.
The 2026 Nebraska Beef Ambassador Contest and Advocacy Training was held on June 11, in Lexington, Nebraska. The contest is sponsored by Farm Credit Services of America and Purina Animal Health.
Stockton, energetic in practical research for Nebraska ag producers, retires
Matt Stockton, professor of agricultural economics long active in providing research-based solutions on a range of issues for producers, has retired after more than two decades of dedicated service to the University of Nebraska and the agricultural community.
Since joining the West Central Research, Extension and Education Center in 2005, Stockton has been a trusted educator, researcher and Extension specialist whose work has made a lasting impact on Nebraska's farmers, ranchers, agricultural professionals and rural communities. His expertise in farm and ranch management, beef cattle systems, cropping systems, risk management and agricultural economics helped producers make informed decisions and improve the sustainability and profitability of their operations.
Throughout his career, Stockton has been committed to developing practical, research-based solutions for producers, including innovative online decision aids and educational programs focused on beef cattle management, crop and pasture management, and water resource management. His extensive research and publications contributed valuable knowledge to the agricultural industry and strengthened the connection between university research and real-world application.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Stockton has been a valued colleague, mentor and friend, the department said in announcing his retirement. His willingness to share his knowledge, support others and serve the agricultural community exemplifies the mission of Extension and the University of Nebraska.
“On behalf of our department, colleagues, students, stakeholders, and the many producers whose lives and businesses have benefited from his work, we extend our deepest gratitude to Matt for his years of service, leadership, and dedication,” the department stated.
“His contributions to our department, the University, and Nebraska agriculture will have a lasting legacy for years to come.”
I-29 Moo University Beef On Dairy Dialogue Webinar On July 16 To Focus on BXD Market Outlook
The I-29 Moo University Beef On Dairy Dialogue Webinar Series continues Thursday, July 16 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. CDT. Dr. Peel, with Oklahoma State University, will cover the current cattle supply and demand fundamentals and expectations for prices, production and cattle inventories for 2026 and beyond with a special focus on the BXD aspect of the market.
Derrell Peel is the Charles Breedlove Professor of Agribusiness in the Department of Agricultural Economics. He has served as the Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist since he came to Oklahoma State University in 1989. He has B.S. and M.S. degrees from Montana State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. He previously served as the Superintendent of the Southeastern Colorado Range Research Station in Springfield Colorado. His main program areas at Oklahoma State University include livestock market outlook and marketing/risk management education for livestock producers.
Derrell also works in the area of international livestock and meat trade with particular focus on Mexico and Canada and the North American livestock and meat industry. He lived in Mexico on sabbatical in 2001 and has developed an extensive knowledge of the Mexican cattle and beef industry and the economics of cattle and beef trade between the U.S. and Mexico.
There is no fee to participate in the webinar; however, registration is required at least one hour prior to the webinar. Register online at: https://go.iastate.edu/VDNNYU
For more information; in Iowa contact, Fred M. Hall, 712-737-4230; in Minnesota contact, Jim Salfer, 320-203-6093; in Nebraska contact Kortney Harpestad at 402-472-3571; or in South Dakota contact, Warren Rusche, 605-688-5452.
New Cyclone Cattle Feeder Days series set for Aug. 24-27
Iowa cattle feeders are invited to attend one of the new Cyclone Cattle Feeder Days programs, scheduled for Aug. 24–27 in Carroll, Monticello, Osage and Orange City. Current topics in feedlot production, research updates, new technologies and a market outlook will be featured at each location. Iowa Beef Center director Aimee Wertz-Lutz said her team is excited to bring Cyclone Cattle Feeder Days to multiple regions of the state and meet cattle feeders where they are.
“With the high cost of cattle placements, it is important to use data to drive decisions regarding the feedlot enterprise,” Wertz-Lutz, said. “This program is intended to look at a strategic approach to integrating technology and electronic data capture into feedlot production.”
Each location will feature the same program agenda and speakers, and all will start at 10 a.m. and conclude at 3 p.m. Topics and presenters are:
Market outlook and risk management, Balance4Ward
Optimizing manure value across systems, Dan Andersen, associate professor and extension agriculture engineering specialist at Iowa State
Opportunities to incorporate new and current technologies, Wertz-Lutz
Research update: Dietary and management strategies to help feedlot cattle be more resilient to stress, feedlot researchers from the animal science department at Iowa State
Incorporating new technologies into the feedyard, David Trowbridge with Gregory Feedyards
Event dates and locations
Monday, Aug. 24 – Swan Lake Education Center, 22676 Swan Lake Trail Drive, Carroll
Tuesday, Aug. 25 – ISU Extension and Outreach Jones County Youth Development Center, 800 N. Maple Street, Monticello
Wednesday, Aug. 26 – Public Safety Center, 432 Main Street, Osage
Thursday, Aug. 27 – ISU Extension and Outreach Sioux County Office, 400 Central Avenue NW, Suite 700, Orange City
Registration
Registration is $20 per person and is due by Aug. 17 through the hosting county extension office. See details and registration information on the IBC program web page https://www.iowabeefcenter.org/events/CycloneCattleFeeders2026.html.
Each program will include a complimentary meal and time to interact with speakers and program sponsors: Balance4Ward, C-Lock, Elanco Animal Health, Iowa Beef Checkoff, Performance Livestock Analytics and the Carroll, Jones, Mitchell and Sioux County Cattlemen’s Associations.
For more information, contact Wertz-Lutz at aimeewl@iastate.edu, ISU extension livestock specialist Russ Euken at reuken@iastate.edu or ISU extension beef specialist Denise Schwab at dschwab@iastate.edu.
ASA Farmer Forum to Deliver Practical Insights on Conservation Programs & Profitability
The American Soybean Association (ASA) will once again bring farmers together for a valuable opportunity to collaborate, connect, and learn at the 2026 ASA Farmer Forum: Building Your Conservation Program and Profit Potential. Registration is now open for this free event, taking place Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny, Iowa—just one day ahead of the annual Farm Progress Show.
The half-day forum is designed to help soybean farmers better understand and evaluate conservation incentive programs while connecting directly with organizations and companies offering these opportunities. Attendees will gain practical, farm-focused insights into conservation program offerings, current issues impacting agriculture, and real-world decision-making strategies.
Educational sessions will run from 1:00–5:30 p.m., followed by a networking reception from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Farmers who attend the full event will receive a complimentary ticket to the Farm Progress Show in nearby Boone, Iowa. The Farm Progress Show, Sept. 1–3, is one of the nation’s largest outdoor farm events, featuring more than 600 exhibitors, live field demonstrations, and the latest in agricultural technology. It draws attendees from more than 30 countries each year.
"Every farm is different, and there's no one-size-fits-all approach to conservation," said Scott Metzger, president of the American Soybean Association and a soybean farmer from Ohio. "The ASA Farmer Forum gives farmers the opportunity to hear directly from experts and fellow producers, ask questions, and explore practical solutions they can adapt to their own operations. It's about leaving with ideas, connections, and confidence to make decisions that strengthen both their farms and the future of agriculture."
Building on the success of previous forums, this year’s event will feature expert-led panels, opportunities to engage with industry leaders, and direct access to conservation professionals. Attendees will be able to speak directly with technicians and crop advisors to identify programs that align with their operational goals.
Throughout the event, farmers have the opportunity to network with peers and industry leaders, explore conservation opportunities, and discuss how current issues are shaping on-farm decision-making. During the afternoon break and evening reception, attendees engage in informal discussions with conservation experts while enjoying refreshments.
ASA appreciates the continued support of ADM and the Soy Checkoff, lead sponsors of the ASA Farmer Forum.
For more information, including the event agenda and registration details, click here https://soy.swoogo.com/ASAFarmerForum2026.
Jace Thompson Wins World Livestock Auctioneer Championship
When Jace Thompson first began his auctioneering career, he quietly set a lofty goal. He didn’t publicize it, but he wanted to prove to himself that he could stick to something, refine his craft and ultimately become the best in the world.
By June 20, that silent ambition became a historic reality as the 23-year-old from Billings, Mont., was named the 2026 World Livestock Auctioneer Champion. With his victory, Jace and his father, Ty Thompson — the 2009 champion — became the first father-son duo to ever win the prestigious title.
A third-generation cattleman and auctioneer, Jace grew up completely immersed in the industry. His grandfather built a livestock marketing business from scratch in Wyoming, and his father later moved to Montana to do the same, also adding a couple of feedyards to the mix. Though Jace explored other interests after high school, including real estate, the pull of the family business was inevitable. Five years ago, he decided to take auctioneering seriously, selling six days a week across three states, adding 9,200 miles to the odometer each month as he honed his skills.
Now, as the reigning World Livestock Auctioneer Champion, Jace is prepared to put that dedication to work on an international scale. He will spend the next year driving the custom-wrapped World Livestock Auctioneer Championship pickup truck across the U.S. and Canada, serving as an advocate for the Livestock Marketing Association and the industry as a whole.
“I want to do my No. 1 job, which is be a spokesperson and be an ambassador for the auction method of selling livestock,” Thompson said, noting his excitement to also share LMA’s resources and regulatory updates with market owners.
For aspiring auctioneers looking to achieve the same success, Thompson stresses the value of grit and someone to look up to.
“Find a proven mentor,” he said. “One who is successful and is willing to help, because it’s very hard to get good at this without a mentor.”
Thompson also noted the importance of treating every opportunity with equal respect, whether it is a major market or a local volunteer fire department pie auction.
“As long as you’re humble enough and willing enough to learn, you can grow more than you could ever imagine from every sale,” he added.
In addition to the one-year use of the world champion truck, Thompson took home $10,000 in cash, a Gist belt buckle, a hand-tooled leather briefcase, a bronze sculpture, a world champion ring, a custom-engraved Henry Original rifle, a golden gavel and a sterling silver money clip.
Joining him in the winner’s circle was Reserve Champion Troy Robinett, Decatur, Texas, and Runner Up Barrett Simon, Rosalia, Kan., who was also recognized for achieving the highest score in the interview portion of the contest. Austin Schaben, Dunlap, Iowa, was named the Audrey K. Banks Rookie of the Year. Rounding out the top 10, in contest order, were: Ryan Konynenbelt, Fort MacLeod, Alberta; Josh Jasper, Nicholasville, Ky.; Jerran Miller, Chouteau, Okla.; Leon Caselman, Long Lane, Mo.; Andrew Sylvester, Westmoreland, Kan.; and Garrett Nunn, Laramie, Wyo.
Entry for the 2027 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship qualifying events is now open with events building up to the 2027 Championship to be held next June in South Lake Tahoe, Nev., and Galt, Calif.
Iowa Corn Farmers Thank President Trump for Consistent Support of Year-Round E15
Wednesday, the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) thanked President Donald Trump for once again championing authorization of permanent nationwide, year-round E15.
“We have said it before and we will say it again, E15 is a win for both farmers and consumers alike,” said Mark Mueller, ICGA President and farmer from Waverly, Iowa. “ICGA thanks President Trump for continually championing E15 and promising to sign it into law once it reaches his desk. We appreciate his tireless dedication to providing a market for the American farmer while providing a domestic energy source, that is low-cost and cleaner burning to the consumer.”
The ask comes from Russel Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget for the Trump Administration, in a supplemental funding request. The request states E15 is “a fix that codifies the permanent, year-round sale of E15, an urgent and needed policy change that would expand consumer choice, support domestic fuel production, and provide additional flexibility in fuel markets.”
NCGA Applauds Trump Administration’s Continued Support of E15
The Trump Administration sent a supplemental budget request to Congress today. The request included an appeal to codify the permanent, year-round sale of E15 and to appropriate $10 billion in economic assistance for farmers. In response to this development, Ohio farmer and National Corn Growers Association President Jed Bower released the following statement:
“President Trump and his administration have repeatedly and continuously demonstrated their support for Congressional approval of year-round E15. We appreciate the commitment from the administration, as well as the members of the U.S. House of Representatives who advocated for this legislation and ultimately secured its bipartisan passage.
“We urge the Senate to take up this matter as quickly as possible to settle this issue once and for all, for the benefit of America’s farmers and fuel consumers alike.”
“We also appreciate the administration’s recognition that, while we pursue new market expansion opportunities like E15, farmers are facing economic hardship now, and we welcome the economic assistance included in the request.”
ASA Statement on President Trump's Supplemental Funding Request
The American Soybean Association Wednesday released the following statement regarding President Trump’s supplemental funding request to Congress today.
“ASA appreciates President Trump for his request to address the economic headwinds facing U.S. soybean farmers and the agriculture industry at large. It is no secret that farm country is struggling, and this temporary economic support will go a long way to provide farmers with economic stability as we look forward to the harvest season,” said Scott Metzger, ASA President and farmer from Williamsport, OH. “In addition to much-needed economic support, the President has also acknowledged the need for legislation to codify permanent, year-round sales of E15. Year-round E15 is a win for soybean and corn farmers alike, and ASA supports pursuing legislation that will boost ethanol sales while continuing to support the biomass-based diesel industry and its use of soybean oil.”
Urea, UAN32 Leads Majority of Fertilizers' Prices Lower
Retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN for the third week of June 2026 show most nutrients are lower than last month. This is the second week in a row this has happened.
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 UAN32. Urea was 12% less expensive with an average price of $731/ton while UAN32 was 7% lower compared to last month and had an average price of $544/ton. The remaining four fertilizers were just slightly less expensive than a month ago. MAP had an average price of $910/ton, 10-34-0 $723/ton, anhydrous $1,091/ton and UAN28 $511/ton.
Two fertilizers were slightly more expensive compared to last month: DAP had an average price of $955/ton while potash is $494/ton.
On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.79/lb.N, anhydrous $0.67/lb.N, UAN28 $0.91/lb.N and UAN32 $0.85/lb.N.
All eight fertilizers are now higher in price compared to one year earlier: Potash by 4%, 10-34-0 8%, UAN32 10%, urea 12%, DAP 13%, MAP 15%; UAN28 23% and anhydrous by 41%.
Weekly Ethanol Production for 6/19/2026
According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending June 19, ethanol production dipped 1.1% to a 4-week low of 1.09 million b/d, equivalent to 45.78 million gallons daily. Yet, output was 0.8% higher than the same week last year and 3.1% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate was unchanged at 1.10 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.94 billion gallons (bg).
Ethanol stocks inched 0.5% higher to 24.6 million barrels. Stocks were 0.7% more than the same week last year and 6.8% above the five-year average. Inventories built in the Midwest (PADD 2) and Gulf Coast (PADD 3) but thinned across the other regions.
The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, retreated 4.7% to 8.78 million b/d (134.89 bg annualized). Demand was 9.4% less than a year ago and 4.7% below the five-year average.
Conversely, refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol ticked up 0.3% to a 4-week high of 923,000 b/d, equivalent to 14.19 bg annualized. Net inputs were 1.1% more than year-ago levels and 0.7% above the five-year average.
Ethanol exports declined 4.0% to 121,000 b/d (5.1 million gallons/day). It has been more than two years since EIA indicated ethanol was imported.
Welcome to the KTIC Agriculture Information blog!!! Check back here for the latest in ag news and information, from local events to international happenings and government reports that affect your operation. Please email with suggestions! -Chad Moyer, Farm Director, KTIC Radio
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Thursday June 25 Ag News - NE Grazing Conf Aug 4-5 - NE Beef Ambassadors Announced - UNL Ag Econ Prof Stockton Retires - I-29 MooU BxD Market Outlook - Ag Thanks Trump for E-15 Support - Fertilizer Prices Ease - and more!
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Wednesday June 24 Ag News - NC Scholarships Announced - Mighty Giant Updates Tub Grinders - RegenAg Field Day July 17 - Senate Farm Bill Framework Introduced - Fischer's Wildfire Disaster Bill Headed to Pres - and more!
Albion Native the 2026 Nebraska Cattlemen Beef State Scholar
The Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation (NCF) is pleased to announce Mr. Gavin Dozler as the 2026 Nebraska Cattlemen Beef State Scholar.
Gavin, son of Ron and Jennifer Dozler of Albion, Nebraska, is a veterinary student in the University of Nebraska–Iowa State University Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine (PPVM). Raised on his family’s commercial cow/calf operation, Dozler developed a passion for livestock production and the beef industry at a young age. He earned a degree in Animal Science from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and currently continues his veterinary education through the PPVM program. Committed to the future of Nebraska agriculture, Dozler plans to pursue a career as a predominantly large-animal veterinarian serving cattle producers in rural Nebraska communities. In addition to his veterinary career, he hopes to eventually take over and continue growing his family’s commercial cow/calf operation.
Dozler stated, “Growing up in production agriculture instilled in me a deep passion for the beef industry, and I am honored to represent the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation as this year’s Beef State Scholar.”
Malina Lindstrom, President of the NCF stated, "It is our honor to present Gavin Dozler as this year's Beef State Scholar. His well-rounded industry experience, unwavering passion for the beef industry, exceptional work ethic, and dedication to serving producers as a large-animal veterinarian are preparing him to lead and strengthen the industry for years to come."
Including the Beef State Scholarship, the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation awarded over $104,800 awarded to 81 students furthering their education in the 2026-2027 academic year.
To donate or for more information concerning the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation, contact Ashley McClinton, Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Secretary at (402) 475-2333 or Jana Jensen, Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Fundraising Coordinator at (308) 588-6299.
Established in 2014, the Nebraska Cattlemen Beef State Scholarship is the premier Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation scholarship providing a $10,000 award to an outstanding junior, senior, or graduate level Nebraska resident student enrolled in a Nebraska college or university pursuing a beef industry related degree.
Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Awards $104,800 in Scholarships
The Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation (NCF) awarded over $104,800 awarded to 81 students to grow the next generation of the cattle industry in their academic pursuits. This is the largest amount of scholarships awarded in the foundation's history.
President of the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation, Malina Lindstrom stated, "We truly believe these deserving scholarship recipients represent the future of Nebraska's beef industry. We are grateful for the generous support of our donors, whose contributions allow us to recognize and invest in the next generation of leaders and cattlemen across our state."
To donate or for more information concerning the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation, contact Ashley McClinton, Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Secretary at (402) 475-2333 or Jana Jensen, Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Fundraising Coordinator at (308) 588-6299.
2026 Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Scholars
Alliance
Gavin Bell - $1,200 Western Nebraska Agriculture Scholarship
Ryggin Meyer - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Josie Sanders - $1,200 Bill Heller Memorial Scholarship
Rozlyn Wills - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Amherst
Breanna Bosshamer - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Joshua Pierce - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Ayr
Carter Auten - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Bancroft
Noah Brichacek - $1,200 Ron & Shirley Huss Scholarship
Beemer
Josie Ritter - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Belvidere
JessaLynn Hudson - $1,200 Bill Pullen Scholarship
Bennet
Emily Van Meter - $1,200 Bill Briggs Family Memorial Scholarship
Berwyn
Alex Berghorst - $1,200 Col. Melvin Huss Memorial Scholarship
Big Springs
Claudia Rhoades - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Bridgewater, SD
Hannah Hoffman - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Broken Bow
Keelyn Shea - $1,200 West Central Affiliate Scholarship
Bruno
Marissa Miratsky - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Callaway
Kaygan Witthuhn - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Campbell
Carter Trambly - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Chambers
Clair Krysl - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Columbus
Adyson Groteluschen - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Kurt Schneider - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Cozad
Carson Reiman - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Craig
Madeline Pearson - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Fairbury
Molly Hansmire - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Fordyce
Graham Potts - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Gothenburg
Lexi Johnson - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Harrisburg
Isaac Olsen - $1,200 Martin Viersen Range Management & Conservation Memorial Scholarship
Hartington
Anna Steffen - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Hastings
Emily Greenquist - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Hershey
Peyton Fisher - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Humphrey
Rachel Martensen - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Indianola
Nathan Rippe - $5,000 2026 Beef State Finalist Scholarship
Johnstown
Hannah Beel - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Kennard
Lydia Schaapveld - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Leigh
Kaegan Held - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Lexington
Jaelin Wolfinger - $1,200 Robert F. Lute, II Memorial Scholarship
Lincoln
Reagan Rippy - $1,200 Todd Ricenbaw Memorial Scholarship
Manning, ND
Shay Burian - $1,200 Jim & Helen Gran Scholarship
Maxwell
Dallas Grunden - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Milford
Conner Kohout - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Minden
Alizabeth Nielsen - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Mitchell
Jackson Allen - $1,200 Shari Flaming Memorial Scholarship
Newcastle
Ava Stewart - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
North Platte
Kason Bruns - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Brylie Robinson - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Oakland
Bailey Denton - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Orchard
Karter Otte - $1,200 Donovan Yoachim Memorial Scholarship
Ord
Adam Knapp - $1,200 Clarence & Lois Jean Hartmann Scholarship
Colton Thompson - $1,200 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Overton
Spencer Walahoski - $2,500 Merck Animal Health Cartridges for Cash Scholarship
Palmyra
Jacob Wood - $1,200 Frank & Shirley Sibert Scholarship
Paxton
Ainsley McConnell - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Pilger
Jase Alexander - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Ravenna
Mason Janda - $1,200 Dr. Jeff Fox Memorial Scholarship
Justine Pope - $1,000 Lower Loup Affiliate Scholarship
Richland
Gunnar Wolfe - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Roseland
Beau Bonifas - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Royal
Christen Curtis - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Saint Libory
Kylie Caspersen - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Scribner
Jake Larson - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Grace Schlueter - $1,200 Nebraska Cattlemen Beef Pit Scholarship
Seward
Kathryn Naber - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
St. Paul
Abby Hirschman - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Zachary Hirschman - $1,000 Lower Loup Affiliate Scholarship
Staplehurst
Jacob Warm - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Stapleton
Kelsey Amos - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Lance Jones - $5,000 2026 Beef State Finalist Scholarship
Crew Witthuhn - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Steinauer
Leah Christen - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Sumner
Preston Beattie - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Sutton
Laurel Moore - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Valentine
Ella Brennemann - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Wakefield
Ashlyn Boeckenhauer - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Wauneta
Jayme Gittlein - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
West Point
Sydney Hutchinson - $2,500 Merck Animal Health Cartridges for Cash Scholarship
Cooper Kreikemeier - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Wilber
Elsie Woerner - $1,200 Vance Uden Memorial Scholarship
Wisner
Hayden Schroeder - $1,200 Cattlemen's Open Scholarship
Austin Hatterman - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Wolbach
Katlyn Oakley - $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Established in 1968, the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation’s mission is to advance the future of Nebraska’s Beef industry by investing in research and education programs. The Foundation’s success and its ability to endow scholarships, sponsor leadership and education programs, and assist with research and infrastructure projects has been possible only because of the support from the Nebraska cattle producers and allied industries. As the Foundation grows, expands, and moves forward in its mission to raise funds for educational and scientific activities that benefit the state’s beef producers – the board asks you to consider investing in your industry through the Foundation.
MIGHTY GIANT UPDATES DESIGN ON PTO MODELS
Jones Manufacturing, manufacturer of the Mighty Giant tub grinders, is excited to announce the release of the redesigned PTO tub grinders, replacing the 1015 and 2015 models are the new 1050 and 2050 models. Innovative design changes were implemented for enhanced user experience and improved grinder performance.
The Mighty Giant model 1050 and model 2050 overall weights were reduced to decrease standard wear and tear on equipment parts and increase operational speed. Our remote control was redesigned to be more ergonomical; but still includes the standard features of start/stop, elevator raise/lower, elevator fold/unfold, the 2050 model remote operations also includes tub raise/lower and elevator swing right/left. The overrun clutch to power down the tub grinder safely without damaging the tractor PTO was previously an add-on option but is now included with the standards features for the model 1050 tub grinder. Redesigned take-up bearing adjusters, which are more user-friendly, were added to the elevator along with a temperature control cooling fan to regulate fluid temperatures, delivering consistent air flow to prevent overheating.
Durable, extended wear double laid out screens are standard, allowing the grinder operator to easily change screens without needing to determine the front or back edge of the screen; therefore saving time when switching screen sizes. On the 1050 model, the gear pump was replaced with a hydrostatic pump with internal flow controls for precise control of flow and optimum performance despite grinding capacities.
The Mighty Giant model 2050, the largest capacity PTO tub grinder on the market, now has a Transfluid® fluid coupler for easier start/stop operations and added protection for the tractor PTO.
Since 1929 Jones Manufacturing has delivered high capacity, durable and innovative grinders to ag producers and industrial grinding customers across the United States, Panama, Mexico, Canada, Australia, Columbia, Brazil, Puerto Rico, and South America.
Operating our own grinding services gives us daily hands-on experience to gain user insight. This experience in conjunction with maintaining a long-lasting relationship with our customers is the reason Mighty Giant was the first tub grinder manufacturer in the industry to offer a hydraulically opening tub, electronic governor, and the addition of the hydrafork, a heavy-duty grapple, to our trailer mount and truck mount units.
Bazile Groundwater Management Area to Host Regenerative Ag Field Day on July 17th
The Bazile Groundwater Management Area is hosting a Regenerative Ag Field Day on Friday, July 17th from 10am-Noon. The site is located near McLean - three miles west of the Highway 81/20 junction and a quarter mile north of 552nd Road.
This field day is the perfect opportunity for producers in northeast Nebraska to see regenerative ag in action and connect with like-minded producers. Explore a field where corn is planted with alfalfa. Learn real world strategies from regional experts on topics such as how to boost soil health, improve nutrient cycling, reduce inputs, and how to adapt when circumstances change.
Featured speakers include Junior Pfanstiel, Outside the Box Agronomy, who will discuss the theory, process, and goals of converting to regenerative agriculture practices. Pfanstiel will be joined by Zack Smith, The Stock Cropper, who will discuss converting sunlight to dollars and increasing ROI with putting livestock back on the landscape.
A free lunch, optional, will be provided after the event at The Breakroom in Randolph, NE. Limited spots are available! The deadline to register is Monday, July 6th. Producers interested in attending can find the registration link at https://bit.ly/BGMAFieldDay26 , on the QR Code attached, or by calling Marcus, BGMA Coordinator, 402-371-7313.
This field day is sponsored and produced by Outside the Box Agronomy; Center of Rural Affairs; UNL Extension; Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE); Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment; and the Lewis & Clark NRD; Lower Elkhorn NRD; Lower Niobrara NRD; and the Upper Elkhorn NRD.
USDA Extends Application Deadline for Emergency Conservation Program Assistance in Several Wildfire-Impacted Counties
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) has extended the application period for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) in several Nebraska counties impacted by March wildfires.
ECP is being implemented in these counties to address damages from these wildfires:
Morrill Fire: Arthur, Garden, Grant, Keith and Morrill
Cottonwood Fire: Dawson and Lincoln
Road 203 Fire: Blaine, Thomas
Anderson Bridge Fire: Cherry
Ashby and Minor Fires: Grant, Garden
ECP provides cost-share and technical assistance to producers to restore farm and ranch land to pre-disaster conditions following a qualifying natural disaster. ECP signup in the above-listed counties began on Monday, April 27, 2026. With the extension, the deadline to apply for assistance is now Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026.
“We want to ensure all qualified producers who had impacts from the March historic wildfires have the opportunity to apply for and receive assistance through this program,” said Hilary Maricle, FSA State Executive Director for Nebraska. “If you have a need for cost-share assistance associated with debris removal, fence repair or replacement, water structure repair or replacement, or other restoration needs, please call your county office about ECP.”
Approved ECP applicants can receive up to 75% of the allowable cost of the approved restoration activity, with a maximum cost share of $500,000 per natural disaster event.
Fischer Secures Key Farm Bill Wins
Tuesday, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) issued the following statement after the release of Farm Bill legislative text, which includes several of her priorities, by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry:
“Producers in Nebraska and across the country are working under an outdated Farm Bill,” Fischer said. “We got a large portion of it done in the Working Families Tax Cuts, but we need to finish the job. I thank Chairman Boozman for his leadership and working with me to secure some real victories for our farmers and ranchers.”
The Farm Bill legislative text contains several of Fischer’s top priorities including:
PRECISE Act
The Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation Incentives and Solutions for the Environment (PRECISE) Act provides a suite of financial tools to help farmers and ranchers of all sizes increase their adoption of precision ag technologies through existing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation programs. Read more.
PAL Act
The Precision Agriculture Loan (PAL) Act creates a program within USDA to provide loan financing to farmers and ranchers interested in purchasing precision agriculture equipment. Read more.
LAST ACRE Act
The Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments (LAST ACRE) Act creates a new Last Acre Program at USDA Office of Rural Development to expand network connectivity across farmland and ranchland. Read more.
Increasing Tribal Input on Nutrition Act
This legislation prevents future food shortages by requiring USDA to incorporate Tribal input in contracting decisions. It also strengthens USDA’s emergency response during disruptions and allows for tribal consultation on nutrition programs in the state. Read more.
FENCE Act
Championed by Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Fischer co-led the Fencing Eligibility for New Conservation Equipment (FENCE) Act to authorize USDA to include virtual fencing as an option for farmers and ranchers under the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). Including virtual fencing in the program provides American farmers and ranchers with greater flexibility to rebuild and recover. Read more.
ASA Encouraged by Senate Farm Bill Framework
The American Soybean Association welcomed the release of a draft farm bill by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman, which includes key priorities for U.S. soybean farmers and makes important investments in the farm safety net, conservation, rural development, research, and market opportunities for soybean farmers.
"Soybean farmers need the certainty and stability that only a five-year farm bill can provide," said ASA President Scott Metzger (OH). "We appreciate Chairman Boozman and the Senate Agriculture Committee for developing a framework that recognizes the challenges facing agriculture and includes several priorities important to U.S. soybean producers. We look forward to reviewing the draft legislation and working with lawmakers as the farm bill process moves forward.”
The framework includes several ASA-supported provisions, including legislation to advance plant biostimulants, expand conservation technical assistance, improve fertilizer research, strengthen rural broadband deployment, increase access to technical service providers and support precision agriculture technologies.
The farm bill draft also pursues advancements in market development and rural economic growth through the reauthorization of international food assistance programs, including McGovern-Dole, expanded access to guaranteed loans, additional flexibility within farm storage loan programs, eligibility for precision agriculture equipment under the Conservation Loan and Loan Guarantee Program, reauthorization of the Conservation Reserve Program, and the codification of the ReConnect Rural Broadband Program.
In addition, the proposal includes several priorities that support growing domestic markets for soy through new uses, including increased funding for the Biobased Markets (BioPreferred) Program, improvements to the Biorefinery Assistance Program and the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), and a directive for USDA to establish a department-wide sustainable aviation fuel strategy.
ASA is hopeful this discussion draft will facilitate bipartisan negotiations to secure a pathway toward final passage in the Senate.
Corn Growers Weigh In on Senate's Farm Bill Draft
Chairman John Boozman (R-Ark.) of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry released a farm bill discussion draft today. Ohio farmer and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Jed Bower issued the following statement in response:
“We appreciate Chairman Boozman’s effort to advance farm bill legislation in the U.S. Senate. Corn growers continue to call for this effort to be bipartisan and to ensure USDA programs become more effective, efficient and responsive through long-lasting policy enhancements.
“NCGA and our affiliated state associations are actively reviewing the documents released today, and we look forward to providing input. As the process moves forward in the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, NCGA will continue to advocate for policies that reflect corn growers’ priorities.
“While this Congress has few legislative days left, there is still a lengthy to-do list for agriculture, including action on the farm bill, securing Senate passage of year-round E15 and the renewal of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Corn growers from across the country will be in Washington, D.C., the week of July 13 to advocate directly with members of Congress on these priorities.”
NPPC Leads 330 Groups in Asking for Prop. 12 Fix as Senate Farm Bill Discussion Draft is Released
The National Pork Producers Council, which represents America’s 60,000-plus pork producers, led a coalition representing millions of agriculture producers in calling on Senate Agriculture Committee leaders to include in the final 2026 Farm Bill a solution for California Proposition 12 and the impossible patchwork of state laws it promotes.
Shortly after, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) released a farm bill discussion draft that includes several NPPC priorities—including funding for the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan—but minus a Prop. 12 fix.
“While there is certainly room for improvement, we appreciate the Chairman putting forward a discussion draft to guide a path forward. He is spot on when he says, ‘it’s the Senate’s turn to deliver’ on a farm bill for all of rural America,” said National Pork Producers Council President Rob Brenneman, a pork producer from Washington County, Iowa. “America’s pork producers will continue to advocate for a Prop. 12 fix in the formal farm bill like our livelihood depends on it—because it does.”
In a last-ditch effort, activists launched a $30 million ad campaign to intimidate lawmakers, twist facts and science, and discredit years of hard work real pig farmers have put in to fix Prop. 12.
“Prop. 12 is creating an unpredictable, unavoidable wave of conflicting state laws and uncertainty — and farmers are the ones left to drown in its wake. We don’t have millions of dollars to spend on political advertising fighting these senseless ads aimed at intimidating our congressional leaders.” said Brenneman. “We need those leaders to hear what we are asking over baseless ad campaigns because we still have to raise our pigs, pay our bills, and compete in a marketplace increasingly shaped by mandates coming from states with very few pig farmers.”
Without Prop. 12 relief in the final farm bill, pork producers face a patchwork of state animal housing laws that hurts small farmers the hardest, takes away veterinarians’ choices, increases the cost of food, and undermines states’ rights.
Fixing Prop. 12 has broad bipartisan support, as evidenced in the U.S. House of Representatives’ successful 2026 Farm Bill vote.
NPPC thanks its Senate champions for continuing to fight for U.S. pork producers’ freedom to farm: Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Ted Budd (R-NC), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Thom Tillis (R-NC), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Mike Rounds (R-SD).
NMPF Statement on Senate Farm Bill Proposal
President & CEO Gregg Doud
“NMPF thanks Chairman Boozman, Senate Agriculture Committee members, and their staffs for working to put together a farm bill that will bring greater certainty to producers. Dairy farmers look forward to working with senators to get this legislation passed and into conference with the already passed House bill, where lawmakers can craft the best legislation possible.”
Some key dairy highlights of the bill include:
Authorizing mandatory cost and yield surveys to ensure future changes to the Federal Milk Marketing Orders reflect the most current market conditions, building off funding in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA);
Extending the Dairy Indemnity Program and the Dairy Promotion and Research Program and making permanent the Dairy Forward Pricing Program;
Supporting voluntary, producer-led conservation programs, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), with a continued designation of conservation funds for livestock producers;
Streamlining the process for conservation Technical Service Provider certification to ensure producers have access to qualified individuals to help fill the gaps in needed technical assistance;
Establishing a long-term policy directive for the U.S. government to proactively negotiate protections for common cheese names like “parmesan” and “feta,” as championed by NMPF;
Reassigning export promotion funding initially included in the OBBBA into existing Farm Bill programs like the Market Access Program to make it easier to use by USDA’s international promotion partners, including the U.S. Dairy Export Council;
Establishing the Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program and allowing additional milk, yogurt, and cheese products to be eligible;
Expanding the REAP Program to include farmer-owned cooperatives;
Modernizing FDA’s regulatory framework for approving animal feed ingredients to put American farmers on a level playing field with the rest of the world on innovative technologies in the feed industry;
Expanding opportunities for animal health programs to receive additional funding through annual appropriations;
Clarifying that whole milk may be served in the school breakfast program;
Increasing the authorization of funding for Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives that support the development, production, marketing and distribution of dairy products;
Expanding economic opportunities for farmers to partner with local food distribution organizations to provide fresh, locally grown foods, including milk and other dairy products, to eligible community institutions; and
Making improvements to the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network and increasing funding through annual appropriations.
Farm Bureau Urges Senate Passage of Farm Bill
American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall commented on the Senate farm bill discussion draft released today by Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
“Farm Bureau appreciates Sen. Boozman’s work to move a farm bill forward in the Senate. The bill text provides important support for farm families. The benefits include improved access to credit, expanded investments in specialty crops, increased transparency in fertilizer markets, and enhanced research and conservation programs. The discussion draft is a good first step and provides a solid foundation that Farm Bureau will work to improve upon as the Senate moves toward markup.
“In October 2025, Farm Bureau sent letters to President Trump and congressional leaders emphasizing the severe economic pressures facing America’s farmers and ranchers and highlighting actions that should be taken to improve economic conditions in rural America. While we have seen meaningful progress, more action is needed from Congress to ensure farmers can continue to supply dinner for families across America.
“We look forward to working with the chairman and members of Congress to address three top priorities not included in this farm bill draft, which are needed to help farmers through the current multiyear downturn in the farm economy. They include providing economic aid to help farmers struggling with historic inflation, protecting interstate commerce from a patchwork of state laws, and approving the sale of E15 blended fuel year-round, which would be a win-win for farmers and consumers.
“Farmers appreciate President Trump’s call for congressional action on E15 and economic aid and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins repeatedly highlighting the need to protect interstate commerce, in addition to the need for aid and E15. We urge the Senate to quickly pass a bipartisan farm bill, and with the same sense of urgency, Congress must work together to address these additional priorities. It’s time to deliver solutions to America’s farmers and ranchers.”
NFU Calls on Senate to Go Further for Family Farmers
National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew issued the following statement reacting to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry's discussion draft of the farm bill.
"We appreciate Chairman Boozman and the committee for their commitment to a bipartisan farm bill and their openness to continued negotiations. While the bill includes meaningful improvements, it needs to go further to meet the scale of the crisis facing family farmers and ranchers across this country.
"What we need is a true safety net that moves away from ad hoc assistance, keeps pace with rising production costs and delivers real stability in the marketplace. That means strengthening and modernizing core farm programs to reflect today's economic realities and withstand tomorrow's shocks. It means building a dedicated structure and funding stream for disaster assistance that is fast, consistent and doesn't require farmers to wait on Congress to act. These reforms would give farmers more predictable risk management tools, reduce uncertainty and end the cycle of repeated emergency interventions.
“We urge the committee to go further on priorities that matter to farmers and consumers: mandatory country-of-origin labeling for meat and poultry, year-round nationwide E15, local food procurement funding, and stronger Packers and Stockyards Act enforcement.
"If we don't take decisive action now, we risk losing the next generation of farmers and ranchers. NFU will continue working with the committee and the full Congress to fight for the long-term, structural changes farm country deserves."
NFU last month sent a letter to the Senate Agriculture Committee and congressional leadership outlining what's at stake for family farmers and ranchers if Congress fails to reform the farm safety net.
Fischer Bill to Expedite Wildfire Disaster Relief
The U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday passed Senator Deb Fischer’s (R-NE) Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act to expedite ag producers’ access to federal disaster relief under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP).
This legislation passed the Senate on March 24, 2026, and will now be sent to the president’s desk to be signed into law.
“This is great news for farmers and ranchers in Nebraska who suffered devastating losses from wildfires this spring,” Fischer said. “Producers need this assistance as soon as possible, and we’ve helped make sure bureaucracy doesn’t stand in the way. I thank my colleagues in both chambers of Congress for understanding the urgency of getting this done.”
Background
The Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) were created to help to reduce the burden of natural disasters by providing producers with financial and technical assistance to repair and restore their land.
These programs, however, are often slow to respond to wildfires, floods, and other disasters. This means producers face significant delays and red tape when trying to access financial assistance.
For many producers, that significant time delay forces them to put off needed repair work, or risk beginning the recovery process without a guarantee of federal help.
The Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act addresses these issues by reforming the programs. The bill specifically gives producers impacted by disasters the option to receive an advance on cost-sharing relief that is based on existing USDA estimates.
This expedited option ensures family farmers and ranchers in dire need of help can begin the critical work of restoring their property to productive levels.
The Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act also reframes eligibility for relief from wildfire damage to include any wildfire caused or spread due to natural causes, as well as wildfires caused by the federal government.
This legislation is supported by the Nebraska Cattlemen and the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation.
Craig Uden, President, Nebraska Cattlemen, said, “We cannot overstate the importance of this legislation for cattle producers in the Beef State as we continue recovering from the devastating wildfires our industry has faced. Our livelihoods depend on rebuilding quickly, and we cannot afford delays caused by unnecessary red tape. We thank Senator Fischer for her leadership in ensuring Nebraska’s beef producers have the flexibility needed to move forward with recovery and rebuilding.”
Mark McHargue, President, Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation, said, “For many, federal disaster assistance programs work too slowly and often require farm and ranch families to battle through layers of red tape and bureaucratic hurdles. The passage of Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer's Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act through the House now sends the bill to President Trump's desk to be signed into law. The flexibilities and reforms found in this new bill will ensure farmers and ranchers can receive aid when they need it the most.”
Fischer reintroduced this legislation on February 19, 2025. After returning from Nebraska for visits assessing the Morrill fire damage with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, Fischer successfully passed the bill with a unanimous vote on the Senate floor.
Sizing and Typing Future Dairy Operations for Financial Success Webinar
The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy monthly webinar will feature Larry Tranel on Tuesday, June 30 at 12 noon CDT.
The dairy industry continues to consolidate with fewer but larger farms. The dairy industry is not dying but growing by different means and changing in both size and type. This webinar will look at alternatives and systems for transitioning and future dairy producers to stay in the game or looking to get into the dairy game. This webinar will be led by Larry Tranel, dairy field specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach.
Producers, dairy consultants and industry reps are encouraged to attend the free webinar live from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. by pre registering at least one hour before the webinar at: https://go.iastate.edu/3RAPK4
There is no registration fee to attend the program, but registration is required.
For more information, contact Fred Hall at 712-737-4230 or fredhall@iastate.edu.
May Milk Production in the United States up 2.3 Percent
Milk production in the United States during May totaled 20.6 billion pounds, up 2.3 percent from May 2025.
Production per cow in the United States averaged 2,128 pounds for May, 8 pounds above May 2025.
The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.67 million head, 184,000 head more than May 2025, and 10,000 head more than April 2026.
Iowa milk production in May totaled 531 million pounds, which was a 0.8% increase from May 2025.
Key Trends Reshaping Dairy Today
Dairy producers are growing herd size while keeping cows productive longer, a financial strategy shaped by strong beef cattle markets, fewer replacement needs and rising value per animal, according to benchmark findings by Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica). As the industry celebrates National Dairy Month, these insights highlight how producers are adapting and positioning their operations for long-term success. The insights are drawn from FCSAmerica’s proprietary dairy benchmarking program, which reflects detailed financial and production data across a broad portfolio of operations representing 144 dairy sites in a multi-state region from Minnesota to Texas and from Michigan to California.
Key Trends Emerging from the Data
Dairy herd sizes are growing. Looking at the All Regions / All Breeds data, the herd size story is a gradual and steady increase.
The average cow herd increased from 6,147 head in 2021 to 9,181 head in 2025, with consistent year-over-year growth: 7,766 (2022), 7,947 (2023), and 8,768 (2024). This indicates a sustained expansion trend. The data suggests producers are steadily scaling operations over time, likely driven by long-term efficiency goals, economies of scale, and investments made over multiple years rather than a single-year shift.
At the same time, herd turnover rates have trended downward, declining from 37.6% in 2021 to 32.8% in 2025. This reinforces the idea that producers are focusing more on maximizing the productive life of existing animals rather than rapidly replacing them.
With calves generating significant revenue shortly after birth, producers have a stronger incentive to keep cows in the herd for additional lactation cycles, capturing more value per animal and reducing the need for frequent herd replacement. “Herd turnover rate is declining as operations retain cows in the herd for another lactation, as those females will have another cross-bred calf that is currently worth $1,500/hd or more on day 1,” said Tim Van Hofwegen, agribusiness vice president for FCSAmerica. “Dairy producers are not looking at profitability through milk production alone, but rather a holistic approach in consideration of strong beef cattle markets and thinking about each cow's total lifetime value.”
Strong beef cattle markets have elevated the importance of “other income,” particularly beef cattle sales, as a meaningful contributor to total revenue. At the same time, those same favorable beef prices are helping reduce herd replacement costs, as higher cull cow values offset the cost of raising or acquiring replacement heifers. Together, these trends highlight how interconnected dairy and beef markets are shaping both herd management decisions and overall financial performance, with producers optimizing not just for milk production, but for total animal value across the lifecycle. The industry is not only adapting to market dynamics but actively leveraging them, balancing milk production with total animal value to strengthen financial performance and position operations for long-term resilience in an evolving dairy landscape.
The benchmark reports are developed to provide FCSAmerica’s dairy finance experts with a comprehensive view of performance trends and industry dynamics, which are then translated into meaningful conversations with customers. By bringing this analysis into customer conversations, producers better understand how their operation compares, identify strengths and areas of opportunity, and make more informed, confident management decisions. The result is practical, real-world context that supports stronger performance and long-term success in a changing dairy environment.
USDA Invests up to $310 Million in Partnership Projects to Boost Farm Operations and Conserve Natural Resources
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is putting Farmers First by investing up to $310 million to expand producer conservation activities across the nation through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting RCPP project proposals now through August 24, 2026, to help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners boost their operations and conserve natural resources.
“This significant investment through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program will further enable us to leverage our partnerships as force multipliers in supporting America’s farmers,” said NRCS Chief Colton L. Buckley. “We’re looking forward to seeing the results on the ground while we also work to keep working lands in working hands.”
The Working Families Tax Cuts Act is delivering the largest long-term investment in NRCS conservation programs in decades, including support for RCPP. It will deliver $425 million in fiscal year 2026 and an increase to $450 million from fiscal year 2027 through fiscal year 2031.
RCPP is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. In the past year, NRCS has improved RCPP, through streamlining partnership agreement processes and increasing flexibilities to ensure the program works more effectively for conservation partners and America’s farmers and ranchers. Now, 75% of the funding goes directly to the American farmer or is used to cover the cost of conservation practice implementation.
About the Program
There are two separate funding opportunities:
RCPP Classic: Projects are implemented using NRCS contracts and easements with producers, landowners and communities in collaboration with project partners.
RCPP Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFA): The lead partner works directly with agricultural producers to support the development of innovative conservation approaches that would not otherwise be available under RCPP Classic.
NRCS ranks proposals based on how they address the following priorities:
Addressing soil health, water quality, or wildlife habitat with an aim to improve land health, enhance resource management, and promote sustainable agriculture and long-term protection of agricultural, grassland, and forestland viability.
Soil health projects using practices that focus on minimizing soil disturbance, maximizing soil cover, increasing natural vitality, and maintaining living roots throughout the year.
Leveraging precision agriculture technologies to target conservation efforts based on specific field conditions, potentially reducing costs and improving resource efficiency.
Focusing on Farmers First projects, especially those that provide technical and financial assistance via contributions for planning and practice designs to support producer contracts.
Supporting projects led by Indian Tribes.
More Information
The $310 million is available for both RCPP Classic and AFA projects, including a $30 million set aside for projects with Indian Tribes.
Details about RCPP Classic and RCPP AFAs are available on Grants.gov. Project proposals for RCPP are being accepted through August 24, 2026, on the RCPP portal. For more information about RCPP, visit the RCPP website.
This investment builds on other recent NRCS investments to engage partners to extend the reach of conservation. In late May, NRCS announced its plans to invest $65 million through Conservation Innovation Grants.
For more than 90 years, NRCS has helped farmers, ranchers and forestland owners make investments in their operations and local communities to improve the quality of our air, water, soil, and wildlife habitat. NRCS uses the latest science and technology to help keep working lands working, boost agricultural economies, and increase the competitiveness of American agriculture. NRCS provides one-on-one, personalized advice and financial assistance and works with producers to help them reach their goals through voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs. For more information, visit nrcs.usda.gov.
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Tuesday June 23 Ag News - Weekly Crop Progess Report - NeFBF Ag Educator Scholarships - NBC Hosts Dieticians - ISU Hay Day on July 13 - USMCA Lowers Food Prices - NPB Swine Health Priorities Set - and more!
Nebraska Crop Progress & Condition Statistics - June 21
Very Short Short Adequate Surplus
Topsoil Moisture .......: 22 24 43 11
Subsoil Moisture .......: 30 29 34 7
..... Last year Last week This week 5YrAve
Corn Emerged ............: 100 97 100 99
Corn Silking................: 1 na - -
Soybeans emerged .....: 95 92 97 95
Soybeans in bloom.....: 01 01 12 04
Sorghum planted ........: 90 84 89 95
Winter Wheat Harvested: 00 00 00 00
VP Poor Fair Good Excellent
Corn Condition Rating ...: 02 05 36 41 16
Soybean Condition Rating 01 06 34 43 16
Winter Wheat Condition .: 57 26 12 05 -
Pasture Conditions ..........: 45 28 21 6 -
Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report
Farmers had 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 21, 2026, which is 0.2 more days than last year. Topsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 16 percent short, 60 percent adequate, and 22 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 21 percent short, 60 percent adequate, and 17 percent surplus.
Corn emerged reached 99 percent, which is unchanged from last year. Corn condition rated 77 percent good to excellent.
Soybeans emerged reached 98 percent, which is 2 percentage points ahead of last year. Soybeans blooming reached 3 percent, which is 9 percentage points behind last year. Soybean condition rated 74 percent good to excellent.
Oats headed reached 87 percent, which is 8 percentage points ahead of last year. Oats condition rated 83 percent good to excellent.
Pasture condition rated 75 percent good to excellent.
USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report
The latest USDA NASS Crop Progress report showed U.S. corn and soybean conditions unchanged from the previous week.
Widespread rainfall has reduced drought and kept soil moisture high across the Corn Belt with generally good crop conditions, though flooding, severe weather, and upcoming heat remain key concerns.
CORN
-- Crop development: 97% of corn had emerged as of Sunday, steady with last year's pace and the five-year average. Corn silking was pegged at 5%, 1 percentage point ahead of last year's 4% and 2 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 3%.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 68% of the crop was in good-to-excellent condition, steady with the previous week and 2 points below last year's 70%. Six percent of the crop was rated very poor to poor, steady with the previous week and previous year.
SOYBEANS
-- Crop development: 93% of soybeans had emerged as of Sunday, 4 points ahead of last year's pace and 3 points ahead of the five-year average of 90%. Soybeans blooming was pegged 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 66% of soybeans that had emerged were in good-to-excellent condition, steady with the previous week and previous year.
WINTER WHEAT
-- Harvest progress: Harvest moved ahead 15 percentage points last week to reach 40% complete nationwide as of Sunday. That was 22 points ahead of last year's 18% and 16 points ahead of the five-year average pace of 24%.
-- Crop condition: An estimated 26% of winter wheat was rated good to excellent as of June 21, down 1 point from 27% the previous week and 23 points below 49% a year ago, according to NASS.
SPRING WHEAT
-- Crop development: Sixteen percent of spring wheat was headed, 1 point ahead of last year's pace of 15% and steady with the five-year average.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 54% of the crop was in good-to-excellent condition nationwide, down 1 point from 55% the previous week.
Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation Invests in Future Agriculture Educators with Seven Scholarships
The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation has awarded seven Nebraska Agriculture Education Student Teaching Scholarships to students preparing for careers as agricultural educators.
The scholarship provides $1,500 to students during the semester of their student teaching experience. Recipients must be enrolled in an agricultural education teacher preparation program at a Nebraska college or university and be members of Nebraska Farm Bureau, either as student members or by belonging to a Nebraska Farm Bureau member family.
"These students have demonstrated a commitment to agriculture, education and serving others," said Megahn Schafer, executive director of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation. "Through this scholarship, we're investing in individuals who will help shape future generations of leaders and strengthen communities across Nebraska. We're proud to support them as they prepare to enter the classroom."
The students awarded the scholarships:
Keetyn Valentine of Butler County
Abigail Hodges of Otoe County
Avery Drohman of Lincoln County
Elizabeth Fetty of Logan County
Megan Kindschuh of Kearney/Franklin Counties
Samuel Dierks of Adams County
Katherine Stephens of Phelps County
"Every agricultural education teacher has the opportunity to influence hundreds of students throughout their career," said Matt Kreifels, Ph.D., professor of practice in agricultural education at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. "Whether students pursue careers in production agriculture, agribusiness, education or another field entirely, these teachers help them discover their strengths and connect them to opportunities. Supporting future educators is an investment in Nebraska's future workforce."
Future registered dietitians experience the beef lifecycle
Each year, Nebraska Beef Council partners with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and University of Nebraska Medical Center dietetic internship programs to provide future Registered Dietitians with a firsthand look at modern beef production. Through visits to Lienetics Ranch, Weber & Sons Co., and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Meat Science Department, students experience the complete beef lifecycle—from cattle production and animal care to harvest, food safety, nutrition, and consumer education. The goal is simple: help future nutrition professionals better understand how beef is raised and produced so they can provide accurate, science-based guidance to patients, clients, and consumers throughout their careers.
One of the most impactful stops of the day was at the UNL Meat Science Department, where students participated in a sensory evaluation exercise commonly used in meat science research. Students sampled four ground beef treatments that varied in lean-to-fat composition and evaluated each sample based on taste preference, enjoyment, and willingness to purchase. The activity demonstrated how factors such as flavor, juiciness, and overall eating experience influence consumer purchasing decisions. It also reinforced an important lesson for future dietitians: nutrition recommendations are most effective when they account for both nutritional value and the real-world preferences that drive food choices.
By connecting classroom nutrition education with real-world agricultural experiences, these tours help bridge the gap between food production and public understanding. As future healthcare professionals, dietitians play an important role in helping consumers navigate nutrition information. Providing them with firsthand exposure to beef production, food safety systems, meat science, and the people who raise cattle helps ensure they are equipped with a broader understanding of the food system and the role beef can play as part of a healthy, balanced diet.
Naig Launches Greater Des Moines Watershed Program, Announces Enhanced Cover Crop Cost-Share in 22 Counties
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced the launch of the Greater Des Moines Watershed Program, a targeted initiative to accelerate and scale up the use of conservation practices across 22 counties upstream from the Des Moines metro. The program was created as part of the Farm to Faucet water quality package signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds on June 1. It will support a series of conservation incentives, cost-share and targeted investments to improve water quality upstream and downstream.
The first phase of the program enhances cover crop incentives for farmers and landowners in the Greater Des Moines watershed, increasing cost-share payments for both new and existing cover crop users to $25 per acre and increasing the maximum eligible acreage to 500 acres per farmer or landowner. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is investing an additional $2.5 million in this program with the goal of doubling cover crop adoption across the watershed. Counties with the expanded cost-share include Audubon, Boone, Buena Vista, Calhoun, Carroll, Clay, Dallas, Dickinson, Emmet, Greene, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hancock, Humboldt, Kossuth, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Polk, Sac, Webster, Winnebago and Wright.
Today's announcement is the first of several conservation initiatives that will be rolled out through the Greater Des Moines Watershed Program in the coming weeks.
“Improving water quality requires a system-wide approach from the farm to the faucet, and farmers continue to step up by implementing proven conservation practices on their farms. Cover crops are one of the most effective tools we have to keep soil and nutrients in the field, improve soil health, and protect water quality. That's why we're increasing incentives and making it easier for farmers and landowners to participate,” said Secretary Naig. “This is the first of several conservation investments that will be announced through the Greater Des Moines Watershed Program in the weeks ahead. These targeted conservation efforts upstream complement the infrastructure investments that are also being made downstream. Farmers and landowners can get signed up now by stopping in their USDA Service Center, or they can learn more at CleanWaterIowa.org.”
As part of the program, both new and existing cover crop users within the eligible counties may receive cost-share assistance of up to $25 per acre and enroll up to 500 acres. Cover crops are one of Iowa’s most effective conservation practices for improving water quality while also delivering agronomic benefits to farmers. They help reduce soil erosion, improve water infiltration, build soil organic matter, suppress weeds, provide livestock forage opportunities, and keep nutrients in the field and out of nearby waterways.
Implementing the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy
Farmers are using proven conservation practices outlined in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, including cover crops and wetlands, to prevent soil erosion, filter nitrates and improve water quality. It is part of their commitment to using responsible farming practices to benefit their communities and the environment. There’s more work to do but Iowa farmers are accelerating the pace at which they’re adopting conservation practices.
The State of Iowa invests nearly $100 million annually towards improving water quality, with an additional $500 million coming from the federal government each year.
In 2024, Iowa farmers planted nearly 4 million acres of cover crops, up from fewer than 400,000 just a decade ago. Farmers are also building more water quality wetlands, which capture water as it leaves the field, reducing nitrate runoff by up to 90 percent. Over 150 wetlands have been constructed statewide, and the pace is accelerating; nearly three times as many wetlands have been built in the past four years compared to the previous two decades.
In addition, farmers have installed nearly 500 nitrate-filtering buffers along field edges, all of which capture and treat water before it reaches streams, and these practices have been installed about five times faster in the past four years than in the previous decade.
ISU to Host Hay Day Educational Event in Boone
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the ISU Digital Ag Innovation Lab will host the ISU Hay Day, an educational event for hay producers, at no cost. The event will take place on Monday, July 13, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Field Extension Education Laboratory in Boone.
The event is designed to help hay producers improve the health of their fields and the reliability of their equipment.
Morning programming will focus on plant health and alfalfa stand management, including how to evaluate stand productivity, assess pest pressures and avoid common planting mistakes. Attendees will also explore the practical use of unmanned aerial vehicles for monitoring field health.
After a provided lunch, presenters will discuss baler maintenance, including a review of UAV imagery collected in the morning, to keep plants and equipment performing at their best.
“Knowing your equipment is invaluable to keeping it running well,” said Luke Fuhrer, precision ag engineer with the ISU Digital Ag Innovation Lab. “When you make hay, this equipment is run multiple times throughout the year — that kind of use demands regular attention and maintenance to avoid costly downtime during the season.”
Walk-ins are welcome, but advance registration is encouraged to assist with lunch planning https://go.iastate.edu/AOPWQ0. There is no cost to attend. For more information, contact Shelby Gruss at sgruss@iastate.edu or 515-294-3832.
Study: USMCA Helped Lower Food Prices
A study commissioned by the Agricultural Coalition for USMCA showed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement – and its predecessor, the North American Free Trade Agreement – helped lower U.S. food prices over the past 20 years and could keep groceries affordable going forward.
Conducted by Purdue University, the study found tariff reductions under NAFTA, then USMCA generated an estimated savings of about $700 a year – in today’s dollars – or 7% of total food expenditures per household.
It also showed how expanded North American trade improved the efficiency and stability of agricultural supply chains and benefited U.S. agricultural sectors that rely on exports, such as pork, and experienced lower domestic prices as trade barriers were lifted.
The three USMCA signatories are in the process of reviewing the trade deal, and by July 1, must agree to renew it for 16 years, terminate it, or let it continue, with annual reviews, until 2036. President Trump has indicated the United States won’t renew the agreement.
The U.S. and Mexico this week held bilateral negotiations on agriculture issues. The two countries will meet again in July in Mexico City.
Swine Health Advisory Committee Sets Five Focus Areas
Pork producers need a swine health strategy that actually works on the farm. The Swine Health advisory committee of the National Pork Board was created to make sure that happens.
For the inaugural meeting in May, the advisory committee’s twenty-seven producers, veterinarians, USDA staff and packers/processors met in Des Moines and left with a clear direction: build on what’s working and accelerate action. The National Swine Health Strategy (NSHS) only succeeds if it reflects producers’ needs, and the advisory committee is responsible for ensuring it delivers.
The advisory committee identified five focus areas to drive measurable progress in swine health.
The Top 5 Focus Areas Driving Progress
Build Industry Buy-In for the NSHS
First, the committee will secure broad industry support for the NSHS. That means engaging state pork associations, industry organizations and producers directly to build support, strengthen participation, and ensure the strategy reflects actual needs on the farm.
Advance PEDV Elimination Framework
Accelerating progress toward a national PEDV elimination framework is a critical step outlined by the advisory committee. The team will identify practical next steps, address industry barriers, and dive deeper into transportation sanitation and the status of PEDV vaccine technology. Economic and feasibility analyses are also being prioritized to help producers weigh adoption decisions.
Advance PRRSV Elimination Framework
The current Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) framework needs an upgrade. The NPB swine health team will collaborate with the American Association of Swine Veterinarians and other organizations to begin modernizing the national PRRSV elimination framework with practical actions producers can implement.
Get Serious about Transportation Biosecurity
The NPB swine health team will define what effective truck wash sanitation looks like, the current adoption of market haul sanitation, and how to scale it across the industry.
Make Site Health Status Data Work Harder for Producers
Producers need health data that works for them, and that starts with more transparency across systems. The team is exploring new functions in AgView® to support site status sharing, while also developing clearer guidance on disease-positive populations, movement decisions, and on-farm biocontainment.
Your Swine Health Team Is Already Delivering
NPB’s swine health team is prioritizing PEDV as a first step in disease elimination efforts. Why start with PEDV? The framework is already well developed, creating an opportunity for the industry to achieve meaningful progress faster.
Additionally, the work, data, and lessons gained through this focus on PEDV will help inform future PRRSV elimination efforts and support better strategies to reduce disease spread across the U.S. swine industry.
Clear Direction and a Sense of Urgency
The May meeting brought candid conversation, strong engagement, and a clear sense of urgency. “The discussion reinforced both the urgency of improving swine health and the opportunity we have to make meaningful progress for U.S. pork producers. The direction is clear and our focus now is turning that direction into action,” said Paul Ayers, Swine Health advisory committee chairman.
Conversations centered on aligning around shared goals for the NSHS and recognizing that broad industry endorsement will ultimately determine its success. Over the course of the year, the committee is responsible for identifying what’s working, where gaps remain, and where the industry should focus next.
“I’m excited to work alongside this group of engaged producers who are stepping up to share their time and expertise to strengthen swine health across the industry,” said Dr. Dusty Oedekoven, NPB Chief Veterinarian.
Turning Strategy into Action
Swine health is not a talking point; it’s producers’ bottom line.
Progress starts on the farm, but lasting change only happens when the entire industry moves together. The Pork Checkoff is committed to giving you the research, tools and support to make that happen.
The committee has set the direction. Now the work shifts to execution. Over the next 90 days, the NPB swine health team is committed to delivering meaningful progress on these focus areas.
NMPF Dairy Market Report - June 2026
U.S. milk production grew 2.9% in April on a component basis, as producers added more cows to the milking herd to take advantage of returns from beef-on-dairy and productivity increased. Strong milk production has translated into ample cheese and butter production, limiting price upside. Solid domestic sales and surging exports for those two product categories have kept prices relatively balanced, despite low consumer confidence.
On the protein side of the question, prices remain historically firm as nonfat dry milk (NFDM) and whey protein concentrate (WPC) supplies remain hard to come by. However, at time of writing, NFDM prices are returning to earth as additional supply and loss of export sales pull U.S. prices back towards parity with Oceania and Europe.
The Dairy Margin Coverage Program Margin for April improved to $10.54/cwt, boosted by an elevated All-Milk Price, reflecting NFDM hitting record highs. Yet the improved margin disguises the increase in input costs, which aren’t built into the feed calculation. High oil prices and inflation also affected producers, with electricity prices climbing 7% and diesel rising 50% over the past year. Although falling NFDM prices may impact the All-Milk Price, easing corn and soybean meal futures are anticipated to keep DMC margins above the $9.50/cwt payment threshold throughout 2026.
View Full Report - https://www.nmpf.org/dairy-demand-resilient-despite-mounting-economic-pressure-on-consumers/
Latest Look from Cattle on Feed, USDA APHIS NW Screwworm Dashboard, and Meat Demand
Glynn T. Tonsor, Department of Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University
Hopefully, this finds readers following a blessed Father’s Day. As 2026 proceeds, there is no shortage of issues to monitor in the broader beef-cattle complex. There are three updates on the broader beef-cattle complex worth noting here.
First, the latest USDA NASS Cattle on Feed report published last week presented a mixed set of signals to the marketplace that likely is net neutral in impact. While May 1st inventories (+2%) are in line with pre-report expectations, placements in May were down 10% (versus an average expected decline of 6%), and marketings in May were down 12% (versus an average expected decline of 11%). On balance, these estimates align with ongoing efforts by feeders to “stretch in-hand cattle” over more days and make use of what are widely regarded as limited placement prospects. This also warrants a prudent reminder that measuring beef production, not just live animal head count, is critical for supply assessment.
Meanwhile, the last official New World Screwworm case reported by USDA APHIS (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animals/animal-health/livestock-and-poultry-disease/current-status/us-confirmed-cases-new-world ) was on June 12th. While this situation is bound to evolve, it is nice to see limited reported cases in recent days. What is perhaps comparatively overlooked, but critically important to appreciate, is the lack of a food safety concern and hence the reasonable expectation that NW Screwworm developments will not directly have an impact on consumer beef demand.
This brings us to the third and perhaps most economically important update – consumer frustrations with their finances continue to grow by a larger subset of the U.S. population. Specifically, the latest Meat Demand Monitor (MDM) base report (https://www.agmanager.info/livestock-meat/meat-demand/monthly-meat-demand-monitor-survey-data/meat-demand-monitor-may-2026) notes 39% of U.S. residents indicate their household finances are worse than in May of 2025 – the highest on record for May since the MDM series launched in 2020. This corresponds with weaker beef demand per the MDM for the month of May and is a cautionary point regarding the broader risk at hand to beef demand’s historically strong run that truly has been the largest economic force underpinning cattle and beef prices.
Indeed, there is no shortage of issues to continue monitoring this summer. Moving past Father’s Day, I hope we can be better at appreciating the special ones in our lives, as well as the myriad of forces that impact the industry’s economic viability.