Tuesday October 06 Ag News - Weekly Crop Progress Report - Farm Bill Expired on Sept 30 - Trump's Executive Order to Lower Diesel Prices - USDA Cheese Output Up 1.5% in August - Pig Livability Project Sees Expanded Funding - and more!

Nebraska Crop Progress - Week Ending October 4

The rain improved topsoil moisture, though deeper soils remained dry in parts of the state. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 07% very short, 16% short, 58% adequate and 19% surplus, while subsoil moisture rated 12% very short, 20% short, 55% adequate and 13% surplus.

Field Crops Report

Corn
Mature: 85% — ahead of 8the five-year average of 84%.
Harvested: 15% — 5behind the five-year average of 24%.

Soybean
Dropping leaves: 90% — 9behind the five-year average of 94%.
Harvested: 9% — behind the five-year average of 34%.

Winter Wheat
Planted: 62% — behind 76% for the five-year average.
Emerged: 38% — behind 40% for the five-year average.

Sorghum
Coloring: 93% — behind the five-year average of 99%.
Mature: 65% — behind the the five-year average of 72%. 
Harvested: 9% — behind the 17% for the five-year average.

Pasture and Range
Condition: 28% very poor, 17% poor, 29% fair, 25% good and 1% excellent.



Iowa Weekly Crop Progress and Condition Report

There were 1.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Oct. 4, 2026. Topsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent short, 54 percent adequate, and 45 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent short, 61 percent adequate, and 34 percent surplus. 

Eighty-five percent of corn has reached maturity, which is 3 percentage points behind the five-year average. Seven percent of corn has been harvested, which is 13 percentage points behind the five-year average. Corn condition rated 72 percent good to excellent. 

Eighty-one percent of soybeans are dropping leaves, which is 9 percentage points behind the five-year average. Five percent of soybeans have been harvested, which is 33 percentage points behind the five-year average. Soybean condition rated 70 percent good to excellent. 

Pasture condition rated 69 percent good to excellent.



USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report

The nation's corn and soybean harvests are both running behind the five-year average, according to USDA NASS's weekly Crop Progress report released Monday.

CORN
-- Crop development: Corn mature was pegged at 83%, consistent with the five-year average.
-- Harvest progress: NASS estimated that 23% of corn had been harvested nationally as of Oct. 4, 4 percentage points behind the five-year average of 27%. 
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 54% of the crop remaining in fields was in good-to-excellent condition, 3 percentage points lower than the previous week's 57%. Eighteen percent of the crop was rated very poor to poor, 1 percentage point above the previous week's 17%. 

SOYBEANS
-- Crop development: Soybeans dropping leaves were pegged at 85%, 2 percentage points behind the five-year average of 87%.
-- Harvest progress: NASS estimated that 25% of soybeans had been harvested as of Sunday, 8 percentage points behind the five-year average of 33%. 
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 57% of soybeans were in good-to-excellent condition, 1 percentage point lower than the previous week's 58%. 

WINTER WHEAT
-- Planting progress: Winter wheat planting was estimated at 36% complete nationally, 10 percentage points behind the five-year average of 46%. 
-- Crop development: Winter wheat emerged was estimated at 16%, 4 percentage points behind the five-year average 20%.



Farm Bill Expires at End of Fiscal Year

The latest extension of the 2018 Farm Bill expired September 30. Many Farm Bill provisions were addressed during last year’s budget reconciliation bill (OBBBA), so those remain unaffected, including crop insurance and SNAP.

Additionally, programs such as ones included in the Commodity title and dairy won’t expire until December 31. However, uncertainty remains for programs such as conservation and rural development unless an agreement is passed. 

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman said producers should not expect an immediate disruption. He said the U.S. Department of Agriculture can take administrative steps to keep programs operating through the end of the year while Congress continues negotiations. That flexibility gives lawmakers additional time, but it does not eliminate the need for Congress to pass a new bill. Producers, lenders and rural communities still need certainty about the programs that will govern the next growing season.

Boozman is hopeful that (Farm Bill) talks will take place over the break that begins later this week and runs through the first week of November. GOP aides from the Senate and House have already started discussions, and bipartisan negotiations should follow, he says.



Pillen Thanks Trump for Presidential Executive Order to Lower Diesel Prices

Governor Jim Pillen is thanking President Donald Trump for taking action to ensure that heartland farmers receive even more relief at the pumps. The President signed an executive order at his much-anticipated rally in Grand Island tonight to further address rising diesel prices and assist farmers during their busy fall harvest.

The order clears the path for the temporary use of red dye diesel for highway use and defers the applicable federal excise tax.
“This action expands on state efforts I enacted by executive order just a few weeks ago. This will greatly assist farmers who are dealing with extraordinarily high diesel prices, impacting everything they do – from field operations to transportation of their products and livestock.

I appreciate that President Trump signed his order today in Nebraska. Agriculture is the tip of the spear in our great state, and we need to continue to do all that we can to feed the world and save the planet. President Trump knows that and we appreciate his support.”

Late last month Gov. Pillen issued a pair of executive orders – one to increase the load capacity of trucks hauling seasonably produced products and livestock. The second order authorizes the use of red dye diesel and provides a state tax refund for using clear diesel in ag operations and vehicles.



Rollins on Trump's Dyed-Diesel EO Signing

Monday, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins issued a statement on President Trump’s new executive order to provide relief for our farmers and ranchers by lifting taxes on dyed-diesel. Today’s action expected to represent approximately $640 million in combined federal and state savings across about 224.6 million harvested acres.

“President Trump is the most pro ranching and farming president in our lifetime. Energy dominance is at the core of putting farmers and ranchers first. This administration has unleashed American energy dominance, and we are now the largest energy producer in the world as a result. While the Administration has structurally changed the energy sector to secure the long-term future of agriculture, we are now taking steps to deal with short term pressures impacting our American farmers. Thank you, President Trump for signing today’s Executive Order enacting enforcement discretion on on-road use of dyed diesel, which will better enable our farmers to deliver America’s harvest during this critical time. And I want to thank Vice President Vance for his help shepherding it to the end.”



Farmers Grateful for Diesel Tax Relief 

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall tonight applauded the executive order signed by President Trump to ease limits on the use of tax-exempt dyed diesel fuel to give farmers a break.

"We thank President Trump for recognizing that what happens at the fuel pump directly affects what happens on the farm and therefore at dinner tables across America. Allowing dyed diesel fuel to be used over-the-road will bring welcome relief for farmers because every cent per gallon matters when you're running a fleet of grain trucks or hauling cattle hundreds of miles.

“As we detailed in a letter to the president last week, this effort will bring much needed price relief for farmers as they work to complete harvest across the U.S. The federal highway diesel tax is currently more than 24-cents per gallon, so it’s a big deal to farmers to be able to use tax exempt diesel more broadly to get their harvest to market. We appreciate that the president listened to farmers and responded.”



USDA Dairy Products August 2026 Production Highlights

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 1.25 billion pounds, 1.4 percent above August 2025 but 1.4 percent below July 2026. Italian type cheese production totaled 541 million pounds, 3.7 percent above August 2025 but 1.7 percent below July 2026. American type cheese production totaled 477 million pounds, 0.9 percent below August 2025 and 0.6 percent below July 2026. Butter production was 187 million pounds, 6.3 percent above August 2025 but 0.9 percent below July 2026.

Dry milk products (comparisons in percentage with August 2025)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 132 million pounds, up 9.6 percent.
Skim milk powder - 28.9 million pounds, down 33.1 percent.

Whey products (comparisons in percentage with August 2025)
Dry whey, total - 75.1 million pounds, up 8.2 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 94.9 million pounds, down 1.3 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 42.8 million pounds, up 4.6 percent.

Frozen products (comparisons in percentage with August 2025)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 64.9 million gallons, down 2.3 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 36.7 million gallons, up 9.8 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 1.52 million gallons, down 11.8 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 2.68 million gallons, down 5.2 percent.



FFAR Invests To Reduce Swine Mortality

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR), the Pork Checkoff and industry stakeholders are investing $1,643,357 in the Pig Livability Project. The Pork Checkoff and other industry stakeholders are providing an additional $893,357 on top of FFAR’s $750,000 contribution. Led by Iowa State University (ISU) in collaboration with Kansas State University (K-State), the project seeks practical ways to reduce pig deaths in the U.S. pork industry.

Reducing pig mortality is a complex challenge influenced by animal health, management, environment and other factors throughout production. Identifying practical ways to address those factors can improve pig welfare while helping producers protect herd health and productivity.

“FFAR’s continued partnership with the Pork Checkoff, the swine industry and leading swine researchers is generating the science needed to better understand swine mortality and develop practical, cost-effective solutions for U.S. pork producers,” said Dr. Jasmine Bruno, FFAR scientific program director. “With margins under pressure, every pig matters.”

This collaborative project combines research, education and Extension at ISU and K-State. To complement that work and address key questions about pig deaths, the project also issued a competitive call for research. Today, the Improving Pig Livability Project announced $250,000 in funding for seven projects selected through that process: 
    Dr. Alyssa Betlach, Swine Vet Center: Association of periodic whole-herd antimicrobial administration and risk and time to sow mortality, removal, and clinical treatment events
    Dr. Katelyn Gaffield, K-State: Can a simplified, fiber-rich transition diet reduce stillborns and improve pre-weaning livability?
    Dr. Jordan Gebhardt, K-State: Barn Sanitation to Enhance Pig Livability: What do we know and what are we doing?
    Dr. Chris Puls, United Animal Health: Effects of sow and piglet blood hemoglobin and anemia levels on sow and pig performance
    Haley Schwecke and Dr. Alyssa Betlach, Swine Vet Center: Determinants of transport-related mortality in swine production: A multi-system meta-analysis of health, management, and transport-associated risk factors
    Dr. Eric Weaver, South Dakota State University (SDSU): Evaluation of Piglet Skeletal Development in Response to Late-Gestation Maternal Nutrition
    Dr. Eric Weaver, SDSU: Improving Sow and Piglet Resilience Through Multi-Cycle, Biomarker-Guided Optimization of Late-Gestation Nutrition

“The industry aims to improve the lives of our pigs and our people through this practical, collaborative effort to reduce pig mortality," said Dr. Chris Hostetler, Pork Checkoff director of animal science. “A 1% improvement in pig survival rates would add an estimated 1.2 million pigs each year to U.S. pork supply. Marketing these additional pigs could reduce the breeding herd by approximately 46,000 sows, allowing the industry to produce more with fewer environmental resources and less long-term feed and veterinary care.”

The Pig Livability Project initially received $2 million from FFAR and the Pork Checkoff, with each contributing $1 million, to fund swine livability research from 2019 to 2024. The research identified practical strategies to reduce pig mortality, including earlier treatment of sow lameness and improvements in nutrition, feeding and enrichment. It also produced the first free, publicly available tools that use farm-specific data to estimate mortality costs and the financial benefits of prevention strategies. In one trial, early assessment and treatment reduced mortality by 4.9% at a 4,800-sow farm — an improvement the project’s new economic assessment tool estimated could be worth $240,000.

The projects announced today build on these initial findings and focus on solutions producers and veterinarians can use.

“After working as a producer and seeing firsthand the impact of this project, I am now honored to help carry it forward from academia,” said Dr. David Rosero, assistant professor at ISU‘s Department of Animal Science and the Pig Livability Project’s principal investigator. “This project and collaboration are a unique effort that brings multiple organizations together around a shared critical goal of improving pig and sow livability. I believe that this is also a valuable opportunity for experts and producers to work together on research with meaningful impact.”

FFAR is investing in research to reduce swine mortality to improve animal welfare and increase producer profits, which complements the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Research and Development Priority of Increasing Profitability of Farmers and Ranchers.



Increased Beef Imports Have Not Lowered Consumer Beef Prices
Bernt Nelson, Economist, American Farm Bureau Federation

In late August, President Trump issued a proclamation to temporarily expand the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for lean beef trimmings by 300,000 metric tons for a period of three months. Beef began entering the U.S. under the lower tariff rate on Sept. 1, 2026. The proclamation “encourages” grocery stores to sell the beef at a 25% discount, without any retailer commitments or enforcement mechanism.

The Aug. 31, 2026, edition of In the Cattle Markets (ITCM) estimated some potential price impacts from the proclamation. These early estimates indicated a drop in prices for fed cattle between 1.5 and 3%, and a drop in cull cow prices from 5 to 10%.

Building on these estimates, data indicate losses for feeder cattle ranging from 300-900 pounds, averaged about 15%, or $300-$400 per head, across the country from June through September. Prices for fed cattle also fell during that period, with the five-area weekly direct slaughter price for all steers and heifers falling about $576 per head or about 14.5%.  

As indicated by Dr. Andrew Anderson’s Aug. 31 ITCM article, there is no clear way to measure how much of the imported beef will enter the supply chain during the 90-day window included in the proclamation. There is also no mechanism requiring retailers to sell beef discounted at 25%.

Imported beef moves through a lengthy supply chain that includes foreign processing and booking, transportation to the U.S., customs clearance, USDA inspections, and distribution to processors for blending. In addition, grocery stores and restaurants typically lock in pricing and promotions months before the product physically arrives. There is no mechanism enforcing who receives the tariff savings from this imported product. This means there is no guarantee the savings will be passed on to the consumer.

American Farm Bureau Federation tracked daily prices of 80% lean ground beef at 41 grocery stores in 22 states starting Sept. 2, the day after the proclamation went into effect. We selected a variety of chain grocery stores and independent grocers across America, in major cities to rural areas, to see how ground beef prices reacted to the additional supply of beef.

Across our sample, the average price of ground beef barely moved, going from $7.29 a pound on Sept. 2 to $7.16 a pound on Oct. 5 – a reduction of 13 cents or 1.8%. The chart above tracks the lowest, highest, and average price across all stores each day. The average line stayed nearly flat for three weeks, never rising above $7.38 or falling below $7.13, even as lower-tariff beef entered the country. Prices ranged from $3.99 to $11.99 per pound with the typical store charging $7.16 per pound.

Conclusion
The data suggests that increased beef imports have not delivered meaningful savings to consumers. While cattle producers experienced significant price declines, retail ground beef prices remained largely unchanged, highlighting that lower import costs do not necessarily translate into lower prices at the grocery store.

Monday October 05 Ag News - Rain Impact on Soybean Quality - Neligh Couple Chosen for Young Leader Program - Ag Ed Instructors Receive Teacher Retention Awards - Hilgers on Corteva Case - E15 Sales Rise in Iowa - and more!

Late Season Rain Impacts to Soybean Seed Quality
Dylan Mangel - NE Extension Plant Pathologist

Excessive rainfall on mature crops can lead to harvest complications and reduced seed quality. In soybeans, these problems can include lodging, shattering, purple seed stain and even seed decay. Once fields dry out, harvest as soon as conditions allow and monitor seed quality closely. Before hauling, check for sprouting, disease, splits and foreign material that could result in discounts at the elevator.

Pod Shattering
Pre-harvest pod shattering can occur when dry pods are rewetted. Harvest pod shattering occurs when grain moisture content is less than 13%. As soybean moisture decreases, shatter and harvest losses increase. 

When assessing harvest shatter losses, approximately four soybean seeds per square foot equal one bushel per acre of loss.

Plant Lodging
Excessive moisture can support saprophytic fungi that break down plant tissue. Under these conditions, fungal activity can contribute. In low areas of fields and along waterways, lodging can occur when water rapidly enters and leaves the field. Lodged plants in contact with the soil or covered with mud, silt and debris are more likely to experience seed deterioration and reduced seed quality.

Sprouting in the Pod
In-pod sprouting occurs in a two-step process. First, seeds swell to a size large enough to break open the pod. This is observed when the pods mature but frequent rains, continuous drizzle or foggy days cause water to be soaked up by the pod wall, wetting the seed. The seed then swells and breaks open the pod. Once pods are opened, more water can reach the seed. If air temperatures are above 50°F and seed moisture increases above 50%, germination will start. 

Purple Seed Stain
Infected seeds may appear healthy or have pink to purple spots that range in size from specks to large blotches extending from the hilum and may cover the entire surface. Yield is not affected by the seed phase of the disease, but crop value could be decreased if the seed is downgraded because of discoloration. Seeds with a very high percentage of discoloration have lower oil content and higher protein content compared with healthy seed. Germination and seedling emergence are lower in purple seed stain-infected seeds than in healthy seeds. However, this disease is primarily an issue in food-grade soybean or soybean grown for seed.

Diaporthe Seed Decay
Affected seeds are cracked, shriveled and often associated with fungal mycelium (white cottony filamentous growth) in the pod. Seeds may appear to be covered in a chalky, white mold as well. If planted, infected seeds may fail to emerge due to seedling blight caused by this fungus. Fields with excessive moisture are most likely to have pods containing fungal growth (Figure 4).
Dried seed pods, one closed and one open, revealing a shriveled seed inside on a dark surface.

Virus Infected Seed
You may see other seed symptoms that resemble purple seed stain but are not caused by fungi or exacerbated by moisture. These include viruses such as Soybean Mosaic Virus (Figure 5) and Bean Pod Mottle Virus. These were not common issues in Nebraska in 2026.
Round seeds with beige and black patterns, scattered on a dark textured surface.

What Elevators are Looking For
Elevators may use different evaluation methods depending on their location, standards and procedures, so it is important to check with your local elevator. In general, elevators will be watching for split seeds and may apply discounts if they are over a certain percentage in a load. Since splitting can be associated with in-pod sprouting, be sure to check fields before harvest for this issue. 

Foreign material is another concern that elevators may evaluate in each load. Depending on the amount present, foreign material may also result in discounts. Foreign material can include stems, leaves and other plant debris. If sclerotia are present in the sample, they may also contribute to the percentage of foreign material in the load. 

Purple seed stain is generally not a major issue, but if a truckload contains a high percentage of seeds affected by this disease, there is a chance the load could be rejected. 

Before sending soybean to the elevator, take time to know what is in the trailer and call your local elevator to ask what it will be looking for when evaluating seed quality. This is especially important when hauling soybean from fields where wet conditions have delayed harvest or where sprouting, disease or lodging may have affected seed quality. 



Nebraska couple chosen for 2027 Corteva AgriScience Young Leader Program
 
The Nebraska Soybean Association has selected Ethan and Bailey Mosel to represent Nebraska in the American Soybean Association/Corteva AgriScience Young Leader Program. The Mosel’s will participate in the program’s two-part training. “For more than 40 years, the Young Leader program has identified and prepared soybean farmers to lead the industry,” said NSA President and former Young Leader Lucas Miller. “The program has significantly strengthened our soybean advocacy, and several current NSA directors are graduates.”
 
Ethan and Bailey farm organic corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa near Neligh, Nebraska, with their young daughter and extended family. Ethan earned a degree in Mechanized Systems Management from the University of Nebraska. Bailey earned a Nursing degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and is employed at the local critical access hospital. Both are associate members on the county fair board. They hope to carry their family farming legacy forward for their children.
 
Founded in 1984, the Young Leader Program is the American Soybean Association’s longest-running leadership initiative. It prepares innovative, engaged growers to lead in agriculture and represent the voice of American farmers. Participants attend two training sessions, with the second held in conjunction with the annual Commodity Classic trade show.



Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation Awards $23,500 Through Blezek Teacher Retention Award

Twenty early-career agricultural education teachers will receive a combined $23,500 from the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation to support their continued work in classrooms and FFA programs across Nebraska. The funding is provided through the Dr. Allen G. and Kay L. Blezek Teacher Retention Award, which supports agricultural educators during their first five years in the profession.

“Early-career teachers are doing much more than teaching classes. They’re building FFA programs, developing relationships with families and communities, and helping students see a future for themselves in agriculture,” said Megahn Schafer, executive director of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation. “We want talented educators to see a future for themselves here, too. This award helps ease some of the financial pressure that can come with those first years in the profession while recognizing the impact they’re already making.”

Teachers are eligible for increasing award amounts as they progress through their first five years of teaching. The funds can help recipients continue their education, address outstanding student loans, and meet other needs as they establish their careers in agricultural education.

The 2026 recipients are Che Balcom, Banner County; Danie Brandl, Platte County; Erica Brown, Banner County; Kiley Codner, Hall County; Jadyn Fleischman, Washington County; Kate Holcomb, Custer County; Toriann Holly, Jefferson County; Emily Kammerer, Lincoln County; Kylie Kinley, Nuckolls County; Jenna Knake, Otoe County; Rylie Krause, York County; Trevor Mann, Lincoln County; Lexi Meister, Cuming County; Erin Oldemeyer, Lancaster County; Mai Lee Olsen, Banner County; Anna Ready, Colfax County; Megan Skibinski, Valley County; Andra Smith, Blaine County; Kelsey Steinkraus, Chase County; and Payden Woodruff, Hall County.

The teacher retention award is a longtime program of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation and was renamed in recognition of an estate gift from Dr. Allen Blezek. Blezek spent his career advancing agricultural education in Nebraska. He was an agricultural education teacher, served as the first director of the Nebraska LEAD program, and was a founding member of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation board of directors.



Nebraska, FTC Secure Pesticide Price Protections in Corteva Antitrust Case

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers settled crop protection litigation against Corteva, Inc. for $35 million. Nebraska, in partnership with the Federal Trade Commission and 11 other attorneys general, sued Corteva in 2022, alleging its crop protection loyalty programs violated federal and state antitrust law by blocking farmer access to cheaper generics and increasing the price farmers paid for crop protection products containing acetochlor, oxamyl, and rimsulfuron as the active ingredient. 

Under the terms of the settlement, Corteva Inc. will dismantle these programs for 10 years and:
    Prohibits Corteva from implementing any loyalty programs that condition loyalty payments on distributors purchasing greater than 50% of the distributor’s crop protection requirements for any active ingredient where Corteva’s patent has expired.
    Requires Corteva to provide the Federal Trade Commission and States with annual reports showing their compliance with the settlement for 10 years. 
    Requires Corteva to design and maintain an antitrust compliance program for 10 years. 

“This week’s settlement reflects my office’s ongoing commitment to tackling affordability for Nebraskans. Lowering the costs of stable crop protection products and increasing generic entry means farmers and consumers will benefit from competitive pricing and will keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets,” said Attorney General Mike Hilgers. “We are pleased to settle this litigation with Corteva and look forward to seeing the benefits that only robust and fair competition can provide.” 

Nebraska expects to receive over $10 million of the $35 million settlement.  

The settlement resolves the litigation against Corteva, Inc. The Federal Trade Commission, Nebraska, and the 11 other attorneys general continue to litigate against Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Syngenta Corporation, and Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, for similar allegations. 



Free Farm and Ag Law Clinics Set for Fall 2026

Free legal and financial clinics are being offered for farmers and ranchers across the state this fall. The clinics are one-on-one in-person meetings with an agricultural law attorney and an agricultural financial counselor. These are not group sessions, and they are confidential.

The attorney and financial advisor specialize in legal and financial issues related to farming and ranching, including financial and business planning, transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, debt structure and cash flow, agricultural disaster programs, and other relevant matters. Here is an opportunity to obtain an independent, outside perspective on issues that may be affecting your farm or ranch.

Clinic Dates
    Wednesday, Oct. 14 — Valentine
    Tuesday, Oct. 20 — North Platte
    Tuesday, Oct. 27 — Norfolk

    Tuesday, Nov. 3 — Fairbury
    Tuesday, Nov. 10 — Ord
    Tuesday, Nov. 17 — Mullen

To sign up for a free clinic or to get more information, call the Nebraska Rural Response Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.

Funding for this work is provided by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and Legal Aid of Nebraska.



United Farm and Ranch Management (UFARM) Rebrands as Peoples Company

United Farm and Ranch Management (UFARM), a nearly 100-year-old name in farmland and ranch management, has rebranded as Peoples Company effective October 2, 2026. The transition from UFARM to Peoples Company follows Iowa-based Peoples Company’s acquisition of UFARM in January 2025.

Headquartered in Lincoln with offices in Kearney and Norfolk, UFARM added 15 team members and more than 90,000 acres of farm and ranch land under management to Peoples Company when the two firms joined forces. The team specializes in the management of farmland, ranches, and recreational properties, along with real estate and appraisal services, and manages land across five states: Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and South Dakota. Under the Peoples Company brand, that same team will continue serving landowners throughout the region.

“The integration with Peoples Company has been seamless, and our team has fully embraced the opportunities that come with it,” said Chris Scow, Managing Broker at Peoples Company and formerly Managing Broker and Operations Manager of UFARM. “Bringing UFARM fully under the Peoples Company name is a natural next step in a partnership that was built to provide continuity for our clients and our people. Our clients are already seeing the benefits, and I could not be more excited about what the future holds for this team.”

“The marketing Peoples Company brings to the table is innovative and cutting-edge — unlike anything I had seen before I joined this team,” said Mike Waller, Senior Land Manager at Peoples Company. “Having those tools and that reach behind us allows me and the rest of the team to serve our clients at an even higher level than we could before.”

Peoples Company is an industry leader in integrated land management, brokerage, appraisal, capital markets, and energy solutions with offices across the nation. The acquisition and rebrand of UFARM strengthened the company’s land management footprint across the Great Plains, building on its 2025 acquisition of farm management accounts from Midwest Land Company in Wayne, Neb., the 2024 purchase of Lallman, Paulson & Brettmann, Inc. in Fremont, Neb., and its 2020 acquisition of Omaha-based Mid-Continent Properties, Inc.

“For nearly 100 years, landowners have trusted the UFARM team to improve farm productivity and increase the value of their land, and that legacy of stewardship and trusted advisement carries forward under the Peoples Company name,” said Steve Bruere, President of Peoples Company. “Chris, Mike, and the entire team have set the standard for client-focused land management in the region. We’re proud to carry their legacy forward while expanding the opportunities available to their clients across the country.”



NEBFARMPAC & NFU PAC Endorses Denise Powell for CD2

NEBFARMPAC, Nebraska Farmers Union’s PAC, and NFU PAC, National Farmers Union’s PAC announced their enthusiastic and unanimous endorsement of Denise Powell for Congress in the Second Congressional District in the General Election. Nebraska Congressional District 2 encompasses Douglas and Saunders counties as well as portions of western Sarpy County. 

NEBFARMPAC Secretary and NFU PAC Board Member President John Hansen said “Denise Powell will bring new energy, ideas, and a commitment to stand up for the quality of life, health care needs, and economic well-being of all Nebraska families, urban and rural alike.” 

NEBFARMPAC President Vern Jantzen of Plymouth said, “My farm in Jefferson County is just a few miles from the Homestead Monument northwest of Beatrice. That monument reminds us to appreciate the courage it took for struggling families to pursue new and better opportunities for themselves and their children. It took courage to load up your family and a few of your possessions into wagons pulled by horses or oxen and follow the Oregon and Mormon Trails westward through our state. Some of those pioneer families saw the potential in Nebraska soils and water, put down roots, homesteaded, and grew our diverse agriculture into the largest single industry in the state and the third largest agriculture producing state in the nation. Despite our proud history and the size of our family-owned businesses, too many farm and ranch families today like many of their city cousins are struggling to pay their bills, raise their children, cover ever rising health care costs, and put food on the table. Rural and urban voters alike need to vote with their pocketbook interests and vote for change. We believe Denise Powell represents that badly needed change.” 

“Farmers Union’s PACs at the state and national levels support candidates that support family farm and ranch agriculture. When agriculture does better, we all do better. Our organizations put building blocks in place that build better futures. Our organization has organized far more cooperatives than any other organization in the nation, and Nebraska. We deeply believe in the importance of working together with your neighbors, treating people with dignity and respect, economic fairness, and protecting our soil and water resources for future generations. When Congress cannot pass an updated and improved Farm Bill for three years in the middle of the worst farm crisis since the 1980s, they are simply not doing their job. They failed our farmers, ranchers, rural communities, nation, and our future. It is time for a change. We ask voters to join us in supporting Denise Powell for Congress in CD2,” said John Hansen, NEBFARMPAC Secretary and NFU PAC Board Member.



E15 Sales Keep Climbing in Iowa

Iowa fuel terminals distributed a record amount of E15 in September, more than 47 million gallons, according to monthly fuel tax data from the Iowa Department of Revenue. E15 sales are on track to overtake E10 as Iowa’s top-selling fuel in 2026 according to Iowa Renewable Fuels Association projections.

“September was another record month for E15, and Iowa drivers are making their preference clear,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw. “More than 47 million gallons in one month shows what happens when drivers have access to E15. They choose it.”

E15 typically saves consumers 15 cents or more per gallon compared to E10 while supporting demand for Iowa-grown corn and strengthening America’s domestic fuel supply.

“Iowa is setting the pace for E15, and the rest of the country should take notice,” Shaw said. “The demand is here, the fuel is here and consumers are ready for it. Now we need to make sure every driver who wants E15 has the opportunity to choose it.”

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association will continue advocating for year-round, nationwide E15 access so drivers across the country can benefit from greater fuel choice, savings at the pump and increased demand for American-grown renewable fuels.



CME GROUP PROPOSES CHANGE TO LIVE CATTLE / FEEDER CATTLE FUTURES PRICE LIMITS CALCULATIONS

CME Group issued a Special Executive Report on Wednesday, September 30 that, pending CFTC approval, will lead to a change in the calculation of daily price limits for CME Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle futures.

The proposed changes would implement a bi-annual reset of CME Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle futures daily price limits, replacing the current annual re-set.  Updated price limits would take effect on the first trading day of June and the first trading day of December each year.  

The process used to set daily trading limits would involve collecting daily settlement prices for the nearest June/December CME Live Cattle contract over 45 consecutive trading days before and including the last trading day in April/November, calculating an average price, and then multiplying the average price by 3.0% (instead of the current 3.5%).  

CME Feeder Cattle futures daily price limits would also reset on the first trading day of June and first trading day of December at a level equal to 1.25 times the daily price limit for CME Live Cattle futures. 



USTR Seeks Public Comment on the 2027 Joint Review of USMCA

Friday, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced a public consultation process in advance of the 2027 joint review of the Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada (USMCA). As directed by Congress, USTR is seeking public comments on the operation of the USMCA. In addition, USTR will convene a public hearing. Details regarding the date and location of the public hearing will be published to USTR’s website (www.ustr.gov).

The deadline for submission of comments is January 12, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Friday October 02 Ag News - Managing Mud in the Feedyard - Engler Scholarships - Iowa's Top 5 Breaded Pork Tenderloins Announced - Corn, Soybean Crush Slightly Lower in August - USDA Recognizes October Cooperative Month - and more!

Managing Mud in the Feedyard: Focusing on What Matters Most
Connor Biehler, Nebraska Extension Educator

When feedyard profitability is discussed, attention is often focused on feed costs, cattle prices, and animal health. While these are all important, some of the most valuable investments a feedyard can make are not found in the ration or processing barn. Facility improvements that enhance pen conditions, cattle comfort, and labor efficiency can have lasting impacts on performance and cost of gain. 

Poor pen conditions can quietly erode feed efficiency, increase maintenance requirements, and drive up cost of gain throughout the feeding period. While the weather cannot be controlled, feedyard design and maintenance decisions can help to minimize the impact of mud and protect profitability. After all, the greatest returns often come from investments that improve conditions for the cattle. 
Start with Drainage 

If the water cannot leave the pen, other improvements can be made less effective. Poor drainage leads to mud accumulation which can reduce cattle comfort, increase energy for maintenance requirements, and increase labor demands. 

Producers should periodically evaluate the following questions: 
    Does water leave the pen quickly following a rainfall event? 
    Are there low spots where water consistently pools? 
    Are the drainage channels remaining open and functional? 
    Is runoff from roads, fields, or neighboring pens entering cattle pens? 

Practical steps to improve drainage include: 
    Leveling pens to eliminate low areas that collect water. 
    Maintaining proper pen slope towards drainage channels. 
    Cleaning ditches and drainage ways regularly. 
    Diverting runoff from adjacent areas away from cattle pens. 
    Regularly removing manure accumulations that restrict water movement. 
    Repairing high-traffic areas where heavy cattle activity has altered drainage patterns. 

Maintain Effective Pen Mounds 
Even in well-drained pens, cattle benefit from having access to a dry resting area. Pen mounds provide cattle with an elevated location that remains drier than the surrounding pen surface during muddy times.  

To maximize effectiveness, producers should consider: 
    Maintaining adequate mound height, generally 5 feet tall. 
    Providing at least 25 square feet per head of mound space. 
    Repair erosion and loss of shape over time. 
    Positioning mounds so water drains away from the resting area. 

Signs that mounds may need maintenance include: 
    Flattened mound profiles. 
    Standing water near the base of the mound. 
    Excessive manure accumulation. 
    Cattle crowding onto a small portion of the mound. 

Take-Home Message 
Effective mud management starts long before wet conditions develop. The best strategy for managing mud is mitigating it before it becomes a problem. Feedyards that prioritize drainage and maintain functional pen mounds are often better equipped to minimize mud, improve cattle comfort, and protect performance during wet conditions. For more information on managing mud in the feedyard, please contact Connor at 402-624-8007 or cbiehler2@unl.edu. 



Scholarship Opportunity Available for Aspiring Entrepreneurs at The Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program

The Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln is seeking students with a passion for entrepreneurship and a drive to turn their purpose into action. Scholarship applications for the 2027-2028 academic year are now being accepted, welcoming both incoming and current students of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources who have prior experience in FFA or 4-H. Applications are due by midnight on December 15, 2026. Applications can be found on the Engler website at https://englerjourney.com.

Since 2012 over $2 million has been invested in empowering future entrepreneurs and innovators through this program. The Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program is designed to empower enterprise builders. Participation in the program is not restricted to scholarship recipients.  

The Engler program began in 2010 with a $20 million gift from the Paul F. and Virginia J. Engler Foundation. The mission of the program is to embolden people on the courageous pursuit of their purpose through the art and practice of entrepreneurship. The program offers an academic minor while serving as an intersection in which students from a diverse array of majors and business interests can come together in pursuit of the American Dream.

For more information, visit https://englerjourney.com or contact: Halle Ramsey at hramsey2@unl.edu, or Tom Field at field2@unl.edu. 


Nebraska Cattlemen Applauds Nomination of Ibach for Under Secretary of Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs

Nebraska Cattlemen released the following statement in response to President Donald J. Trump’s nomination of Nebraska native Greg Ibach to serve as Under Secretary of Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“Nebraska Cattlemen applauds the nomination of Greg Ibach to serve as Under Secretary of Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Greg is a longtime friend and champion of Nebraska’s cattle industry. His decades of experience and dedication to agriculture make him well suited for this important role. We look forward to continuing our strong working relationship with Greg and urge the U.S. Senate to move swiftly in confirming his nomination.”



USMEF Statement on Nomination of Greg Ibach for USDA Under Secretary for Trade

President Trump has nominated Greg Ibach to serve as USDA under secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs. Ibach is a former director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and was USDA under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs during the first Trump administration.

U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued this statement:

USMEF has been honored to work closely with Greg Ibach for many years, when he was a true champion for agricultural trade at both the state and federal levels. He has seen firsthand the returns that exports deliver for the U.S. ag economy and understands the importance of expanding global demand for U.S. products. To the extent possible, USMEF encourages the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry to expedite the scheduling of Ibach’s confirmation hearing and to advance his nomination to the full Senate. He is tremendously well-qualified for this appointment and we expect his nomination to receive strong bipartisan support.

Ibach was the 2018 recipient of USMEF’s most prestigious honor, the Michael J. Mansfield Award. 



Nebraska Farmers Union PAC Announces General Election Endorsements

NEBFARMPAC, the political action committee of Nebraska Farmers Union, Nebraska’s second largest general farm organization announced its general election endorsements today for Congress, the Legislature, Governor, Public Power Districts, Natural Resource Districts, and other statewide and district races.

Based on their position on family farm and ranch issues along with returned candidate surveys for Legislature candidates along with input from county and district officers, the NEBFARMPAC Board of Directors announced the following endorsements: (* = Incumbents)      

Federal
Congress First District: Chris Backemeyer
Congress Second District: Denise Powell
Congress Third District: Mark Cohen
U.S. Senate: Dan Osborn

State
Governor: Lynne Walz
Attorney General: Jocelyn Brasher
Secretary of State: Sarah Slattery
Auditor of Public Accounts: Mike Foley*

Legislature
LD2:    Caitlin Knutson
LD4:    Cindy Maxwell-Ostdiek
LD6:    Patrick Leahy
LD8:    Erin Feichtinger
LD10: Cindy Johnson
LD12:  Christy Knorr
LB14:  SuAnn Witt
LD16:  Cindy Chatt
LD18: Jess Goldoni    
LD20: John Fredrickson*
LD24: Jana Hughes*
LD26:  George Dungan*
LD30:  Janet Bock
LD32: Mark Schoenrock & Shay Smith
LD34:  Ben Blodgett
LD36: Darin Tompkins
LD38: Janell Anderson Ehrke
LD41: Jeremy Heneger & Joe Johnson
LD46:  Danielle Conrad*
 
Public Service Commission: Wendy DeBoer

Public Power Districts
Subdivision 1: Mary Harding*
Subdivision 2: Bill Tielke
Subdivision 7: Wayne Williams*
Subdivision 9: Jerry Chlopek*

Omaha Public Power District
Subdivision 1: Sara Kohen
Subdivision 2: Mark Gudgel
Subdivision 3: Carol Blood

Board of Regents
District 1: Brent Comstock
District 2: Elizabeth Butler

State Board of Education
District 5: Michaela Conway
District 6: Grady Erickson
District 8: Sherrye Hutcherson 
 
Natural Resource Districts
Lower Elkhorn NRD: Graham Christensen
Lower Big Blue NRD: Anne DeVries*
Lower Platte North NRD:
Subdistrict 8: Jerry Johnson*
Subdistrict 9: Larissa Schultz*
At Large: Thomas McKnight*
Lower Platte South NRD
Subdistrict 3: Melissa Baker*
Subdistrict 8: Tom Green*
 
County Commissioner
Lancaster Subdistrict 1: Sean Flowerday*
Lancaster Subdistrict 3:  Bryan Seck
Lancaster Subdistrict 5: Rick Vest*
 
NEBFARMPAC is the political action committee of the Nebraska Farmers Union, which is a non-partisan, not-for-profit general farm organization founded in 1913 with a mission to protect and enhance the quality of life and economic well-being of family farmers and ranchers and their rural communities.  NeFU is the respected voice of family farm and ranch agriculture with nearly 4,000 family memberships.



Top 5 Contenders for Iowa's Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Revealed
    
Iowa’s iconic breaded pork tenderloin sandwich is back in the spotlight. After diners evaluated restaurants across the state, the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) has narrowed its 2026 contest to five contenders, in alphabetical order:
    Friends Hide-A-Way — Underwood
    Wasted Grain — Carroll 
    Landmark Grill & Grind — Williamsburg
    Sasquatch Jacks Hideaway Barroom & Grill — Waverly
    Tin Roost — North Liberty

For these restaurants, a place on the list brings more than bragging rights. Past finalists have reported substantial increases in customers and pork tenderloin sales as Iowans and enthusiasts across the Midwest travel to try the sandwiches for themselves.

“Every restaurant on this list has earned its place, but judging a great tenderloin comes down to more than size,” said Greg Carlson, a contest judge and retired pork producer. “We look for pork that’s tender and flavorful, with breading that complements it. As a former producer, it’s rewarding to see restaurants put so much care into a sandwich Iowans love.”

How the contest works
The public nominates restaurants that serve a hand-breaded or hand-battered pork tenderloin sandwich on their regular menu. Restaurants must keep year-round, regular hours; food trucks, concession stands, seasonal establishments and caterers are ineligible. Judges then evaluate qualifying restaurants, with a final panel selecting the winner and runner-up.

The winner receives $500, a plaque and an outdoor banner. The runner-up receives $250 and a plaque.

The results will be announced in mid-October during National Pork Month, aka Porktober.



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

Soybeans crushed for crude oil was 6.29 million tons (210 million bushels) in August 2026, compared with 6.66 million tons (222 million bushels) in July 2026 and 5.94 million tons (198 million bushels) in August 2025. Crude oil produced was 2.45 billion pounds, down 5 percent from July 2026 but up 4 percent from August 2025. Soybean once refined oil production at 2.00 billion pounds during August 2026 decreased 1 percent from July 2026 but increased 6 percent from August 2025.

Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production
Total corn consumed for alcohol and other uses was 528 million bushels in August 2026. Total corn consumption was down less than 1 percent from July 2026 but up 4 percent from August 2025. August 2026 usage included 92.6 percent for alcohol and 7.4 percent for other purposes. Corn consumed for beverage alcohol totaled 3.31 million bushels, down 11 percent from July 2026 and down 3 percent from August 2025. Corn for fuel alcohol, at 478 million bushels, was up less than 1 percent from July 2026 and up 4 percent from August 2025. Corn consumed in August 2026 for dry milling fuel production and wet milling fuel production was 92.2 percent and 7.8 percent, respectively.

Dry mill co-product production of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was 1.85 million tons during August 2026, down less than 1 percent from July 2026 and down 2 percent from August 2025. Distillers wet grains (DWG) 65 percent or more moisture was 1.28 million tons in August 2026, down 1 percent from July 2026 but up 5 percent from August 2025.

Wet mill corn gluten feed production was 278,611 tons during August 2026, up 11 percent from July 2026 and up 11 percent from August 2025. Wet corn gluten feed 40 to 60 percent moisture was 180,096 tons in August 2026, down 14 percent from July 2026 but up 2 percent from August 2025.



Thompson, Boozman Highlight $13.8 Billion ARC/PLC Support Under Improved Farm Safety Net

House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) and Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) championed vital investments of $13.8 billion in the farm safety net improvements through the Working Families Tax Cuts that are now being administered by the Farm Service Agency. They issued the following statement as farm families are experiencing the benefits delivered with improvements to the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) including increased reference prices, modernized payment limitations, and the allocation of 30 million new base acres.
 
“Farming is an inherently risky business. America’s producers need adequate risk management tools that deliver certainty and predictability to continue growing our food and fiber. After years of operating under an outdated farm safety net, congressional Republicans delivered enhanced policies to protect and manage against market volatility and diminished yields. The ARC and PLC payments farmers are receiving this month are critical to supporting our hardworking farm families, strengthening the stability of the industry and planning for a future in farming.”
 
These updates are the first meaningful investments to the farm safety net since 2002. Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts will provide $13.8 billion in ARC/PLC support, more than double what farmers were expected to receive before these changes.
 
Implementation for improvements to ARC and PLC follows the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s implementation of other Working Families Tax Cuts provisions, including expanded access to and eligibility for standing disaster programs including the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) and Livestock Forage Program (LFP), in addition to making crop insurance more affordable.



Farmers Call on President Trump to Provide Diesel Price Relief

As farmers and ranchers face record-high diesel costs, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall today called on the president to take several steps to lower prices at the pump, including a temporary suspension of the federal highway diesel tax.

“Higher diesel expenses are hitting farmers at one of the most fuel-intensive times of the year – harvest,” wrote Mr. Duvall in a letter to President Trump. “Diesel is essential for the American economy and for farmers. Everything on the farm, from running tractors, combines and irrigation equipment to transporting crops, livestock and inputs requires diesel. Farmers and ranchers cannot postpone harvest or simply stop using diesel when prices rise.”

The national average on-highway diesel price has reached $6.38 per gallon, while farm diesel in the heart of the Corn Belt climbed to nearly $6 per gallon. The federal highway diesel tax is currently more than 24 cents per gallon. Farm Bureau also urged the administration to waive federal penalties for emergency use of dyed diesel on highways. At least 10 states have taken similar actions to combat fuel prices.



USDA Highlights National Cooperative Month

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins today issued a USDA proclamation (PDF, 575 KB) to recognize October 2026 as the Department’s 62nd anniversary of National Cooperative Month.

“Cooperatives are a powerful engine of economic growth for our nation and central to President Trump’s America First agenda to strengthen our economy and empower communities,” said Secretary Rollins. “Today we celebrate our partnerships with these cooperative organizations and reaffirm our commitment to advancing the vital work they do to create jobs, build local prosperity, support critical infrastructure, and expand opportunity for rural America.”

Since the start of the Trump Administration and under the leadership of Secretary Rollins, USDA has invested more than $18.1 billion in loans and grants to support 242 cooperatives to spur economic development, invest in critical electric and broadband infrastructure, and build prosperity through rural cooperatives supported by USDA Rural Development’s programs.

During Cooperative Month, USDA will highlight ways the Department is investing in cooperatives and creating stronger and more resilient communities. Supporting cooperatives strengthens farmer profitability, expands market access, encourages innovation, creates jobs in rural communities, and reinforces the America’s role of leadership in agriculture, food production, and farm security.

This year’s theme for the month-long celebration is “Built for this Moment,” as selected by the National Cooperative Business Association. This theme acknowledges the electric co-ops delivering essential infrastructure to rural America, the food co-ops that support local farmers and agricultural producers, the housing co-ops creating lasting affordability and the worker co-ops preserving local businesses.



USDA Announces October 2026 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers

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

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

Interest rates for Operating and Ownership loans for October 2026 are as follows:        
    Farm Operating Loans (Direct): 5.375%  
    Farm Ownership Loans (Direct): 6.250%  
    Farm Ownership Loans (Direct, Joint Financing): 4.250%  
    Farm Ownership Loans (Down Payment): 2.250%
    Emergency Loan (Amount of Actual Loss): 3.750%    

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

Additionally, FSA provides low-interest financing to producers to build or upgrade on-farm storage facilities and purchase handling equipment. Loans that provide interim financing are also available to help producers meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are low.  Funds for these loans are provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation  and are administered by FSA.   
    Commodity Loans (less than one year disbursed): 5.250%       
    Farm Storage Facility Loans:  
    Three-year loan terms: 4.500%  
    Five-year loan terms: 4.625%  
    Seven-year loan terms: 4.750%  
    Ten-year loan terms: 4.875% 
    Twelve-year loan terms: 5.000%  
    Sugar Storage Facility Loans (15 years): 5.125%       

To learn more about FSA programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. 



Michigan Farmer Matt Frostic Begins Term as NCGA President

Matt Frostic, of Applegate, Mich., began his term today as president of the National Corn Growers Association, a farmer-led trade association with offices in St. Louis and Washington.
 
Frostic, who farms 1,000 acres of corn, soybeans, edible beans and sugar beets, spent his first day in the role outlining his priorities as president. These include securing passage of legislation that allows for the year-round sale of fuels with 15% ethanol blends, passing the farm bill and diversifying demand for corn.
 
“These goals may seem ambitious, but we are going to do everything possible to make them a reality,” Frostic said. “Farmers work day and night, at times through difficult conditions, to produce a crop that feeds and fuels America and the world. We deliver, and we expect our representatives in Washington to work hard and deliver as well.”
 
Frostic brings extensive advocacy experience to his new role. He has spent the last year chairing NCGA’s Input Cost Task Force. In that role, he has worked to identify solutions to bring costs more in line with today’s commodity prices. He has also spent the last year serving as NCGA’s vice president and as chair of the organization’s resolutions committee, and as a member of the finance committee. Frostic is a former president and chair of the Michigan Corn Growers Association.
 
The NCGA board chooses a member from the governing body to serve as president each year. The term begins on October 1, the start of NCGA’s fiscal year.

Thursday October 01 Ag News - Grain Stocks and Small Grain Summary - CVA Partners in Howells Feed Mill - Nominations Open for Golden Owl Award - Fertilizer Prices on the Rise - Opportunities for Meat in China - and more!

US corn ending stocks up 35% from last year, soybean ending stocks down 3%

Old crop corn stocks on hand as of Sept. 1, 2026, totaled 2.10 billion bushels, up 35% from Sept. 1, 2025, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Grain Stocks report released today. Old crop soybeans stored in all positions were down 3% from Sept. 1, 2025, and all wheat stocks were down 13% from a year earlier.

Of the total corn stocks, 787 million bushels were stored on farms, up 22% from last year. Off-farm stocks, at 1.31 billion bushels, were up 44% from a year ago. The June-August 2026 indicated disappearance was 3.20 billion bushels, compared with 3.09 billion bushels during the same period a year earlier.

Old crop soybean stocks in all positions on September 1, 2026 totaled 315 million bushels, down 3 percent from September 1, 2025. Of the total, 90.4 million bushels are stored on-farm and 225 million bushels were stored off-farm. June - August 2026 indicated disappearance is 744 million bushels, compared with 683 million bushels during the same period a year ago.

This report also contains revisions to the previous season’s production for corn and soybeans, which is normal for this time of year since the marketing year is complete. Production for 2025 corn was revised down less than 1 percent and soybean production was revised down slightly from the previous estimates.

All wheat stored in all positions on Sept. 1, 2026, totaled 1.85 billion bushels, down 14% from a year ago. On-farm stocks were estimated at 547 million bushels, down 21% from last September. Off-farm stocks, at 1.30 billion bushels, were down 10% from a year ago. The June-August 2026 indicated disappearance was 608 million bushels, down 14% from the same period last year.

By State    (1,000 bu - On farm  -  off farm  - total stocks)
Nebraska Corn ..........:  105,000   -   143,050  -   248,050 
Iowa Corn .................:  140,000   -   275,547  -   415,547 
Nebraska Soybeans ..:       8,800   -    18,672   -    27,472  
Iowa Soybeans ..........:    11,500   -    39,768   -    51,268  

2025 Production Estimates     Bu/acre     Total Prod (1,000 bu)
Nebraska Corn..........:           194.0          2,015,660     
Iowa Corn.................:           210.0          2,761,500     
Nebraska Soybeans...:            65.5           313,745     
Iowa Soybeans..........:            63.5           595,630     

In preparation for the Grain Stocks report, NASS conducted separate surveys for on-farm and off-farms stocks during the first two weeks of September. NASS also released the Small Grains Annual Summary report today. Key findings from that report include:
    All wheat production totaled 1.53 billion bushels in 2026, down 23% from the revised 2025 total.
    All wheat area harvested for grain totaled 31.9 million acres, down 15% from 2025.
    The U.S. all wheat yield was estimated at 48.1 bushels per acre, down 10% from 2025.

The levels of production and changes from 2025 to 2026 by type were:
    Winter wheat, 1.02 billion bushels, down 27%.
    Other spring wheat, 450 million bushels, down 10%.
    Durum wheat, 64.8 million bushels, down 24%.

The Grain Stocks and Small Grains Annual Summary reports and all other NASS reports are available online at nass.usda.gov/publications.



2026 Nebraska Small Grain Acreage and Production

Winter wheat production is estimated at 17.2 million bushels, down 55% from last year, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The area harvested for grain totaled 520,000 acres, down 35% from 2025. Planted acreage totaled 910,000, down 4% from a year earlier. The yield is 33.0 bushels per acre, down 14 bushels from last year.

Oat production is estimated at 1.5 million bushels, up 51% from 2025. Area harvested for grain, at 29,000 acres, is up 45% from last year. Planted acreage totaled 155,000, up 24% from a year earlier. Average yield is 52.0 bushels per acre, up 2 bushels from 2025.



Central Valley Ag and RJ Feed Milling LLC Partner to Support the Future of Livestock Production

Central Valley Ag (CVA) is pleased to announce a strategic investment in RJ Feed Milling LLC, a feed manufacturing facility located in Howells, Nebraska. The partnership reflects CVA's continued commitment to supporting livestock production, expanding feed manufacturing capabilities, and creating long-term value for producers across the region.

As livestock production continues to grow in Nebraska, the partnership strengthens CVA's ability to serve customers while helping create additional demand for local grain production. By combining resources, expertise, and a shared commitment to operational excellence, CVA and RJ Feed Milling LLC are positioned to support future growth in the livestock industry and meet the evolving needs of producers. This partnership brings together CVA's scale and resources with the strong manufacturing capabilities and customer relationships established by Russ Vering and his team.

“This investment reflects our confidence in the future of livestock and protein production,” said Brent Reichmuth, Senior Vice President of Operations at CVA. “By expanding our feed manufacturing footprint, we are strengthening our ability to serve customers, create value for producers, and help meet the protein needs of future generations.”

“We remain very optimistic about the future of livestock production in Nebraska,” said Kelby Vandenberg, Senior Vice President of Feed at CVA. “This partnership expands our manufacturing capabilities in a key livestock market and positions us to better serve producers as the industry continues to grow. Just as importantly, we are partnering with a team that shares our commitment to operational excellence, customer service, and long-term growth.”

“The feed industry is evolving at a fast pace, and success requires scale, efficiency, and a commitment to continuous improvement,” said Russ Vering. “Partnering with CVA gives us the opportunity to build a premier feed manufacturing business, expand our reach, and create a stronger platform for future growth.”

Effective October 1, 2026, CVA will operate and manage all aspects of the facility's business, while the partnership will be known as Howells Milling LLC.



CAP Webinars

Nebraska Crop-Share Leases: Findings from 92 Lease Arrangements
Oct 1, 2026 12:00 PM  
With Anastasia Meyer, Extension Agricultural Economist, UNL
How are Nebraska landlords and tenants dividing crop inputs, field operations and irrigation responsibilities? This webinar will share findings from 92 crop-share lease arrangements reported through the Nebraska Crop-Share Lease Survey. Participants will learn how common 50/50, 60/40 and other arrangements handle seed, fertilizer, crop-protection products, field operations, irrigation energy and equipment costs. The program will also explain how to use the findings as a benchmark for lease discussions—not as a one-size-fits-all formula—and identify important provisions to address in a written crop-share lease.

Nebraska Ballot Issues: November 2026
Oct 8, 2026 12:00 PM 
Dave Aiken, professor and water law/ agricultural law specialist at Nebraska 
Three issues will be on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot in Nebraska: (1) authorizing online sports betting, (2) prohibiting transgender females from participating on female school sports teams, and (3) making it more difficult for state senators to amend voter-approved laws. 

Register for webinar at the Center for Agricultural Profitability's webinar page, https://cap.unl.edu/webinars. 



Nominate Local Nebraska Teachers for Top Agricultural Educator Award 

Agriculture educators play a vital role within their communities by investing countless hours to prepare and empower students for successful careers in the industry. To honor their contributions and support them with additional resources, Nationwide and the Nebraska FFA Foundation are accepting nominations for Nebraska’s leading agricultural teachers for a chance to be named the 2026-2027 Ag Educator of the Year. 

Nationwide and its state partners recently recognized 107 exceptional agricultural teachers as 2025-2026 Golden Owl Award® finalists and then honored 15 grand prize winners as their state’s Ag Educator of the Year. Every finalist received $500 in funding to help advance their programs and the grand prize winners received an additional $3,000 to boost their efforts and the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy. 

Nominate any Nebraska agriculture educator for the 2026-2027 Golden Owl Award from October 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026 here https://neffafoundation.org/what_we_do/programs/golden-owl-award.html. 

“The Golden Owl Award seeks to thank agricultural teachers for the extraordinary care they bring to their work as they go above and beyond in educating America’s youth and future leaders,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “We encourage students, parents, fellow teachers, and others to nominate their agricultural teachers to acknowledge their hard work.” 

Following the nomination period closing on 12-31-26, a selection committee will evaluate nominations and select six finalists in Nebraska, who will be recognized in front of their peers and students and awarded a personalized plaque and $500. One finalist will then be chosen as the grand prize winner, earning the 2026-2027 Ag Educator of the Year title for Nebraska and receiving the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy and an additional $3,000.

Nationwide supports the future of the ag community through meaningful sponsorships of national and local organizations. In conjunction with the Golden Owl Award, Nationwide is donating $5,000 to each participating state’s FFA, including the Nebraska FFA Foundation, to further support the personal and professional growth of students, teachers, and advisors alike. To nominate a teacher or learn more about the Golden Owl Award, visit Nebraska Golden Owl Award https://neffafoundation.org/what_we_do/programs/golden-owl-award.html.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 9/25/2026
 
According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending September 25, ethanol production contracted 2.0% lower to 1.01 million b/d, equivalent to 42.29 million gallons daily and the lowest weekly volume since the end of January. Yet, output was 1.2% higher than the same week last year and 3.0% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate declined 2.4% to 1.06 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.26 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks dropped 3.3% to 23.9 million barrels, the lowest weekly volume since the start of 2026. Still, stocks were 4.8% more than the same week last year and 8.8% above the five-year average. Inventories thinned across all regions except the West Coast (PADD 5).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, slipped 1.8% to 8.69 million b/d (133.57 bg annualized). Demand was 2.0% more than a year ago but 1.1% below the five-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol climbed 0.8% to a 4-week high of 914,000 b/d, equivalent to 14.05 bg annualized. Net inputs were 1.0% more than year-ago levels and 1.3% above the five-year average.

Ethanol exports expanded 16.4% to 142,000 b/d (6.0 million gallons/day). It has been more than three years since EIA indicated ethanol was imported.



Anhydrous Leads Fertilizer Prices Higher, Up 25% From a Year Ago

For a second consecutive week, most fertilizers were more expensive compared to last month. Six fertilizers were higher compared to a month earlier, while the remaining two nutrients were slightly lower. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

One fertilizer did have a notable price increase. Anhydrous was 6% higher compared to last month and had an average price of $977/ton. Five fertilizers' prices were slightly higher compared to a month ago. DAP had an average price of $926/ton, MAP $970/ton, potash $498/ton, urea $675/ton and UAN32 $479/ton.

The remaining two nutrients were just slightly less expensive looking back a month. 10-34-0 had an average price of $701/ton and UAN28 $423/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.73/lb.N, anhydrous $0.60/lb.N, UAN28 $0.76/lb.N and UAN32 $0.74/lb.N.

All eight fertilizers are now higher in price compared to one year earlier. UAN28 and UAN32 are 1% higher, potash is 2% more expensive, DAP is 3% higher, MAP and 10-34-0 are both 5% more expensive, urea is 9% higher and anhydrous is 25% higher looking back to last year.



USDA Announces $12.65 Million Available to Support Dairy Business Innovation
 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced approximately $12.65 million in funding is available through the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives (DBI). The funding will support regional initiatives that provide technical assistance and subawards to dairy businesses working to develop, produce, market, and distribute dairy products. These initiatives support agricultural businesses that help rural economies thrive and bolster the dairy supply chain, so all Americans have access to quality domestic dairy products.

The FY26 funding opportunity is open to the four existing DBI initiatives: the California State University Fresno Foundation, the University of Tennessee, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, and the University of Wisconsin. These initiatives support dairy businesses through regional technical assistance, market development, product innovation, processing and packaging support, and subawards. USDA strongly encourages DBI Initiatives to prioritize subaward funding for equipment and infrastructure in their proposals for these funds. Equipment and infrastructure investments are critical to strengthening the dairy industry and overall dairy businesses capacity and DBI is currently uniquely positioned to offer such targeted funding opportunities.

Application Information
The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is available on the AMS DBI Webpage https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/dbi. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Dec. 1, 2026. Additional information, application resources, and information about previously funded projects, are also available on the AMS DBI webpage https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/dbi. For program questions, contact IPPGrants@usda.gov.



Meat Institute Issues Statement on Pork & Beef Trade Opportunities with China

Following the announcement that beef and pork were included in the list of goods qualifying for better trade treatment as a result of ongoing negotiations with China, the Meat Institute released the following statement:

“The Meat Institute is appreciative of Ambassador Greer’s ongoing efforts to secure greater access to Chinese markets for US pork and beef,” said Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. “It was great to see the inclusion of beef and pork on the list of non-sensitive goods, which will set the foundation for addressing persistently high retaliatory tariffs and trade-limiting non-tariff barriers on U.S. meat exports. This was one of the Meat Institute’s requests, and we thank the Trump Administration for its dedication to securing more favorable access for our exports. While we know these negotiations take time, we are confident Ambassador Greer and Ambassador Callahan will continue to work on the remaining, highly technical non-tariff barriers which continue to hinder access to China.

“The Chinese market is especially important for the beef supply chain. China is a key market for U.S. beef variety meats and offal – products that find little consumer demand in the U.S. and strong prices in China. These U.S. beef exports to China support higher carcass values and reduce price pressure on domestic cuts, contributing to more stable beef prices for American consumers. Strong export demand drives higher carcass value, which encourages cattle producers in the U.S. to rebuild the herd.

“We are particularly encouraged by the announcement of a technical agricultural working group established under the Board of Trade. We look forward to continuing to work with the Trump Administration to ensure that outstanding issues impeding beef trade to China, including ongoing plant suspensions that violate the spirit of the Phase One Agreement, be addressed when this working group meets later this year.”

Several U.S. beef plants were delisted after first-offense detections of ractopamine or melengestrol acetate (MGA), contrary to the Phase One Agreement. The Meat Institute has called for China to align its ractopamine policy with the Agreement and implement a clear, transparent, and enforceable process to prevent plants suspended for MGA or ractopamine findings from being barred indefinitely.



U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council Reacts To Ibach's Nomination As USDA Under Secretary

This week, former Nebraska Agriculture Director Greg Ibach was nominated to serve as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) next under secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs. U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) President and CEO Ryan LeGrand issued the following statement in support of Ibach’s nomination:

“Greg has vast experience at the state and national levels in advocating for U.S. farmers in the international marketplace and will do a great job in this role,” LeGrand said.

“The Council looks forward to continuing its strong relationship and track record of earning major wins for U.S. agricultural exporters in tandem with its partners at USDA.”



CHS Foundation Funds $1 Million Investment in 4-H to Prepare Future Agriculture Leaders

CHS Foundation and National 4-H Council today announce that CHS is investing $1 million to fund programs that focus on developing future generations of agriculture leaders. The two-year commitment builds on a strong 21-year partnership between the two organizations to help young people thrive and prepare for work and life.  

Funding will support Beyond Ready; a 4-H initiative launched in 2024 to help teens build the confidence, competencies and real-world skills they need to succeed in school, work and life. The investment will also support:  
-    Beyond Ready innovation grants: Grants that support local 4-H programs led by Cooperative Extension. Young people will explore science, technology, and innovation shaping agriculture while building skills they can use throughout their lives. 
-    Youth recognition programs: Programs that elevate young people who are creating positive change in their communities, like 4-H Lead to Change.  
-    Ignite by 4-H: A national youth summit where more than 1,200 teens gain skills through real-world experiences. 
-    Storytelling: Efforts that elevate youth voices and showcase achievements throughout the year, demonstrating how 4-H builds real-world skills, leadership experience, and confidence. 

"The future of agriculture depends on the next generation of leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers. Our continued partnership with 4-H is one of the ways CHS and the CHS Foundation are investing in opportunities that connect young people to agriculture, expand their networks, and prepare them for success in work and life,” said Megan Wolle, President, CHS Foundation. “This investment focuses on bringing hands-on experiences closer to home for students and reflects our commitment to ensuring a strong future for agriculture." 

 After Ignite by 4-H, youth participants applied their skills through 4-H Lead to Change, a program that helps young people identify local challenges, develop solutions, and compete for up to $10,000 to bring their plans to life.  

“Washington 4-H teens are a great example of what young people can accomplish when they have support to bring their ideas to life,” said Heather Elliott, chief development and marketing officer for National 4-H Council. “Through Lead to Change, they received funding for Leaf It Up, a project that helps college students experiencing food insecurity access fresh food through microgreen kits. Their work took them to the national stage at Ignite and shows how an idea can become a solution that makes a difference in local communities.”

Wednesday September 30 Ag News - Incidents of Foreign Objects clicks up in Beef - Proposal to Extend Small Biodiesel Producer Credit - Dairy Producer Margins Tighten - USDA Regenerative Pilot Program - and more!

The Cost of Foreign Object Contamination
Lindsay Waechter-Mead, DVM, Director Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance 

Foreign object contamination is not a new issue in the beef industry; however, we have recently seen a resurgence in detection. With historically low cattle numbers, the impact has magnified. The 2022 National Beef Quality Audit (NBQA) conducted a volunteer study of cull and fed plants. Of the 16 cull plants surveyed, 100% reported finding buckshot and/or birdshot in cow and bull carcasses. 

Additionally, 50% of these plants reported customers finding foreign objects outside of the plant. Twenty-four fed plants were also surveyed in the study with 58.3% reporting “yes” to foreign objects in beef. Contamination included buckshot, wire, needles, and darts. Not only is this a major welfare issue, but it is also costing the industry significant product loss, at a time that we cannot afford to lose it. Let’s break down the effects of one BB: 

-If a pre-harvest foreign object is found in the 2,000-pound trim, the batch before and after the contaminated batch will be discarded and unfit for consumption = 6,000 lbs of trim 

-As a practice, the processor would need to also discard the blended batch prior = 6,000 + 6,000 = 12,000 lbs 

-One 950 lb carcass averages 25% ground beef = 238 lbs. Therefore, 12,000 lbs is the equivalent of 51 head 

-Industry reports an average of 140 foreign object contamination events per facility. 51 head x 140 events = 7,140 head lost each year in a single facility. 

-The NBQA surveyed 45 facilities. 7,140 head x 45 facilities = 321,300 head lost/yr 

- 321,300 head x 238 lbs of ground beef/hd = 76 million lbs of ground beef lost/year 

This is a significant problem for our Nation’s beef industry and Nebraska is not immune to the effects, with birdshot being reported in Nebraska plants. As a cattle producer, it is our obligation to do the right thing, every time to maintain consumer confidence in our product. Shotguns should not be a cattle handling tool. 



IRFA Thanks Bipartisan Senate Effort to Extend Small Biodiesel Producer Credit

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) is thanking Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) for introducing bipartisan legislation to extend the Small Agri-Biodiesel Producer Credit through 2029.

The credit, which is set to expire Dec. 31, 2026, applies to the first 15 million gallons of annual production for small biodiesel producers with a capacity of 60 million gallons or less. It provides a $0.20-per-gallon tax credit for producers using crop oils and animal fats.

“Small biodiesel producers are an important part of Iowa’s rural economy, and they need certainty to keep investing and producing,” said Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. “This extension gives Iowa producers the runway they need to keep turning Iowa-grown feedstocks into homegrown fuel, supporting farmers and strengthening rural communities.”

The extension would provide additional certainty for Iowa’s small biodiesel producers as the industry transitions to the 45Z Clean Fuels Production Credit.

IRFA will continue working with Iowa’s congressional delegation and federal policymakers on policies that support Iowa’s renewable fuels producers, farmers and rural communities.



Iowa Farm Bureau webinar helps farmers protect nutrients leading up to historically strong El Niño

Iowa could experience one of its wettest Septembers on record as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts a greater than 90% chance the current El Niño will become very strong this fall and winter. Wetter conditions and a strong El Niño could affect soil temperatures, timing of nutrient applications and nutrient cycling. To help farmers protect their nutrients and make informed management decisions, Iowa Farm Bureau will host Preparing for Super El Niño: Protecting Water and Your Nutrient Investment on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 11 a.m.Central time.

El Niño occurs when waters in the equatorial Pacific become warmer than average, shifting weather patterns that can influence conditions in other regions. The webinar will explore what this could mean for Iowa soil temperatures, nutrient availability and soil conditions. Experts will also share strategies farmers can use to reduce nutrient loss and protect their investment, including nitrogen soil testing, Iowa State University’s N-FACT to help guide fertilizer decisions, along with practical manure management strategies and nutrient retention practices such as nitrification inhibitors, timing of fertilizer application and cover crops.

Featured speakers include Dr. Justin Glisan, state climatologist of Iowa; Dr. Mike Castellano, Iowa State University professor of agronomy and Iowa Nitrogen Initiative lead; and Dr. Dan Andersen, Iowa State University associate professor of biosystems engineering and Extension manure specialist.

“Farmers want to make responsible nutrient management decisions that are good for their crops and the environment,” said Shawn Richmond, Iowa Farm Bureau environmental policy adviser. “This webinar will offer practical strategies to help farmers protect their nutrient investment, keep valuable nutrients in their fields and reduce the potential for nutrient loss—decisions that benefit both their bottom line and the environment.”

To register, visit iowafarmbureau.com/events. 



Dairy Market Report: Rising Feed and Fuel Costs Tighten Producer Margin
National Milk Producers Federation

Liquid milk production grew 1.7% in July. While the size of the milking herd grew 1.9%, heat stress and wildfire smoke contributed to a slight decrease in milk output per cow. 

Turning toward markets, dairy ingredients are showing signs of strength. Nonfat dry milk prices rose into the $2.10s in late September as domestic use rose and supply remained limited. Dry whey prices are elevated too as more of the whey stream heads into whey protein concentrates. Conversely, even as butter is experiencing healthy domestic demand, growth in production volumes has outpaced domestic use. Cheese prices are also under pressure, feeling the effects of wavering consumer confidence as quick service restaurant foot traffic falls and retail sales ease. Still, exports continue to see double-digit growth, helping maintain some market balance.

For producers, DMC margins declined to $9.93/cwt in July as feed costs rose. Signs of increased economic pressure on producers are growing – feed costs are expected to rise through the end of the year, elevated diesel prices are increasing hauling charges, and borrowing costs are likely to rise due to the increase in bond markets and interest rates.

Read full report here: https://www.nmpf.org/dmr-sept-2026/.  



ASA Welcomes Greg Ibach Nomination for USDA Trade Post

The American Soybean Association welcomes President Donald Trump’s nomination of Greg Ibach to serve as USDA under secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs.

“Greg brings a deep understanding of U.S. agriculture and the importance of expanding markets for American farmers,” said ASA CEO Stephen Censky. “As a farmer and rancher himself, he understands firsthand how critical market access and agricultural trade are to producers. His years leading the Nebraska Department of Agriculture also gave him extensive experience promoting U.S. agricultural products in markets around the world.

“I had the great pleasure of working closely with Greg during the first Trump Administration, when he led USDA’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs mission area. He did an outstanding job breaking down sanitary and phytosanitary barriers to U.S. agricultural products, protecting American agriculture from pests and diseases, and strengthening domestic marketing programs. Greg brings tremendous experience and a real passion for making U.S. agriculture successful. ASA supports his nomination and urges the Senate to confirm him as soon as possible.”



USDA Increases Investment in Regenerative Pilot Program 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced increased financial assistance for the Regenerative Pilot Program from $700 million to $1 billion in fiscal year 2027, providing more producers with the opportunity to adopt conservation systems that improve soil health, water quality, and long-term farm resilience. Producers can now apply for assistance with regenerative practices.

Additionally, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is making improvements to the program, including using NRCS’s locally led conservation model to allow State Technical Advisory Committees to add conservation practices that reflect local resource concerns, production systems, and producer needs.

“The American farmers have spoken and we at USDA are responding! Our Regenerative Pilot Program has seen such tremendous enthusiasm that we are now expanding the financial assistance offered to farmers by $1 billion dollars,” said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, “American farmers are the frontlines of our fight to make America healthy again and we will work with them to achieve this goal.”

“Farmers are on the front line of our effort to Make America Healthy Again,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “Under Secretary Rollins’ leadership, USDA is increasing funding for this program to $1 billion to help farmers build soil health, reduce dependence on costly chemical inputs, and adopt regenerative practices.”

“Last fiscal year, NRCS obligated more than 5,100 contracts for more than $851 million to implement whole-farm conservation practices for regenerative agriculture. Through this program, farmers and ranchers continue to make improvements to soil health, water management and natural vitality, and provide consumers with American-grown whole foods,” said NRCS Chief Colton L. Buckley. “We are building on this success by improving flexibility without sacrificing outcomes and strengthening delivery and accountability.”

Also, for fiscal year 2027, the program maintains whole-farm planning while reducing the barrier to entry by lowering the resource concern threshold from 100% to 75% for the Conservation Stewardship Program. This improves flexibility without sacrificing outcomes. The program preserves the core conservation goals and outcome-based approach of the fiscal 2026 pilot while giving producers and staff greater flexibility in how outcomes are measured and achieved. The program also provides multiple monitoring and evaluation options tailored to cropland, grazing lands, and forestry operations.

Other enhancements for fiscal year 2027 include dedicated funding set-asides, improved tracking mechanisms, expanded technical support networks, and enhanced communications that will make the program easier to administer, easier to access, and more transparent for producers and taxpayers alike.

About the Regenerative Pilot Program
The Regenerative Pilot Program delivers a streamlined, outcome-based conservation model—empowering producers to plan and implement whole-farm regenerative practices through a single application. The initiative highlights USDA’s commitment to putting Farmers First and advancing the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda by building a healthier, more resilient food system.

In fiscal year 2027, the Regenerative Pilot Program will continue to focus on whole-farm planning that addresses every major resource concern—soil, water, and natural vitality—under a single conservation framework. USDA is dedicating $650 million through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and $350 million through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) to fund this second year of regenerative agriculture projects.

Producers can bundle multiple regenerative practices into one application, streamlining the process and increasing flexibility for operations. The program is designed for both beginning and advanced producers, ensuring availability for all farmers ready to take the next step in regenerative agriculture.

How to Apply
Farmers and ranchers interested in regenerative agriculture are encouraged to apply through their local NRCS Service Center by their state’s ranking dates for fiscal year 2027 funding consideration. Applications for both EQIP and CSP can be submitted under the single regenerative application process.



Nebraska Feedyard Recognized for Excellence
Beller Feedlot awarded 2026 CAB Feedyard Commitment to Excellence award

Motivation gets a feed truck moving before sunrise, keeps operations steady through adversity and drives pursuit of the next goal. It’s done more than fuel daily routines for Terry Beller, Lindsay, Nebraska. It’s helped build Beller Feedlot into a multi-generational operation known for its customer service and high-quality beef.

Founded in the 1950s by his parents, Jim and Mary Catherine, Beller Feedlot grew steadily through the generations. Today, Terry oversees a 6,200-head-capacity business guided by the same quality focus that shaped its creation.

The family’s dedication was recognized for its decades-long role in supplying the brand this September. Beller Feedlot received the 2026 Feedyard Commitment to Excellence Award at the Certified Angus Beef (CAB) Annual Conference in Marco Island, Florida.

One Pen at a Time
What started as a wedding gift became the foundation. Jim and Mary Catherine received a heifer and a steer, fattened and sold them, and then bought more cattle with the proceeds. The first generation of Beller Feedlot ownership repeated this process until they reached 300 to 400 head in the 1960s. Aiming for a total feeding capacity of 1,500 head, the first feedyard expansion took place in the 1970s.

As it grew, so did Terry and his brother Rick’s interest in cattle feeding. At their dad’s retirement and their own transition into management, numbers grew to 4,500 head and gradually increased since then. The last major expansion, a confinement barn, added 1,200 head to that capacity.

Some expansion stages were like growing pains, the first addition of six pens not leaving enough capital to stock more than half with cattle for the first three years.

Rick passed away in 2004, but Terry has carried on managing the family cattle feeding business.

"My shoulders were pretty heavy for a while," he says, and while noting his dad and brother would be proud of the progress today, none of it would be possible without the family and crew surrounding Terry.

The next generation, sons Riley and Wesley Beller, feature in daily operations. Riley feeds and checks cattle, along with hauling distillers and other corn byproducts for their grain farming enterprise. Wesley is a jack of all trades, assisting with feeding and processing cattle, maintenance and especially cleaning pens. That favorite duty is testament to the feedyard’s commitment to animal health and performance.

"Strong work ethic" is a common core description when speaking of their father. Not just his drive, but attention to detail and peace of mind from knowing nothing was left undone at the end of the day.

"Work hard, no shortcuts, do the right thing and go the extra mile," Wesley sums up.

The Beller Blueprint
The Beller Feedlot team sources high-quality Angus feeder cattle, provides top-tier care, manages nutrition for optimal performance, and builds strong customer relationships.

"We’ve got some great relationships that go back 35 and 40 years," Terry says. "And they don't look elsewhere."  

Most of those longtime, as well as newer sources, are known for Angus calves with performance and feed efficiency, carcass merit and docility. With a goal to produce as many CAB and Certified Angus Beef ® Prime carcasses as possible, Terry has zeroed in on reviewing carcass data from the packer.

In the early 2000s, Beller Feedlot became CAB licensed via a now-shuttered Feedlot Licensing Program, gaining increased access to carcass data from packers where they shipped cattle.

"It was the best move I ever did," Terry says.

At the time, getting a carcass data sheet back from the packer was no easy feat. But Terry pressed on and worked with the CAB team. He had a vision for better genetics and increased profitability—knowing how customer cattle graded, and sharing that with customers was an integral piece.

Despite catching some flak from his father, Terry passed the carcass data he received on to ranchers.

"It's like the Bible," Terry says. "They look at their carcass data and say, ‘That cow's got to go. We’ve got to switch bulls. We’ve got to make some change—we want Terry Beller to be happy with every calf that goes on that load.’"

The Bellers are keenly aware that the ability to grade well starts with high-quality Angus genetics at the ranch and is dependent on their daily management. Combining top-tier care and nutrition, they’ve found their sweet spot in achieving CAB and its Prime level.

Low-stress handling, a stringent fly protocol, shades and twice-daily pen checks—on foot—are the cornerstone of Beller’s animal care. And they still dial in feed rations with the counsel of a nutritionist. Details and doing things right matters.

"I like big numbers. I like producing premium cattle," Terry says. "And then once we close them out, I like to see a positive on the bottom line, of course."

A String of Successes
The Bellers aren’t new to such awards. In 2003, the feedyard was CAB Feedlot Partner of the Year for yards with less than 15,000-head capacity. They are one of only two CAB Gold Award winners among more than 70 previously licensed feedyards. Motivated by customer success, the partner yard regularly entered CAB’s quarterly AngusSource Carcass Contest between 2008 and 2011.

For Terry, it’s not about awards or plaques on the wall. It’s in knowing he and the crew completed another day’s work at the caliber he expects: the animals are well-fed, well taken care of and Terry’s happy with how things look at the sunset night check. Success is in a report from their packer partners showing he’s hit his CAB and Prime goals.

Today, Beller Feedlot markets nearly all cattle on a grid to Cargill or Greater Omaha. Carcass data from the past year for cattle harvested at both highlights the feedyard’s continued motivation and drive to achieve quality-rich outcomes.

Caption: Started by his parents in the 1950s, Terry Beller continues the Beller Feedlot legacy.

Since July 2025, the feedyard has carcass data from Cargill on 4,300 head averaging 24.8% Prime and 40.2% CAB. Another data set, comprising 13 lots of non-hormone treated (NHTC) program cattle sold to Greater Omaha, shows only one group grading below 40% Prime, with the highest reaching 77% Prime.

For Terry, though, a carcass sheet reading 100% CAB or Prime with no outs remains the benchmark. Looking ahead, he has another goal in mind: improving feed efficiency.

"Our ultimate dream is to convert four or five pounds of feed to one pound of beef, versus seven pounds to 1 pound of beef," he says.

For many, the numbers Beller Feedlot is posting today would be reason enough to celebrate. For Terry, they are simply the next benchmark to build upon. Whether the goal is more Prime, more CAB or greater feed efficiency, the approach remains unchanged: do the job right, take care of the cattle and keep looking for ways to improve. That philosophy fueled decades of success and will continue to shape the feedyard's future.