Thursday October 02 Ag News - Meis in Young Leader Program - Engler Scholarships - Nominations for outstanding Ag Teachers - SCN Action Month - USDA During Gov't Shutdown - and more!

Nebraska Soybean Grower Selected for the 2026 Corteva Agriscience Young Leaders Program 
 
The Nebraska Soybean Association announces Jonathon Meis of Elgin as Nebraska’s participant for the American Soybean Association/Corteva Agriscience Young Leader Program. Jonathon will represent NSA in the two-part program. “For over 40 years the Young Leader program has helped identify and train soybean farmers to be leaders in the industry,” said NSA president Kent Grotelueschen. “The program has had a significant impact on our soybean advocacy; five current NSA directors are graduates of the program.“
 
Jonathon Meis raises soybeans, corn, cattle, and alfalfa with his family near Elgin. He is a graduate of Northeast Community College where he studied agronomy and diesel technology. During college he competed on the crops judging team and was a member of the Collegiate Farm Bureau and Ag Club at NECC. Jonathon believes in natural resources stewardship though practicing no-till, soil sampling and increasing cover crops on the family operation. 

ASA’s longest-running leadership program, Young Leaders was founded in 1984 and continues to set the bar for leadership training in agriculture, identifying and training new, innovative and engaged growers to serve as the voice of the American farmer. Participants commit to attend two training sessions, the second of which is held in conjunction with the annual Commodity Classic trade show.



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 2026-2027 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, 2025. 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 



Nebraska Soybean Board: See for Yourself Program

The See for Yourself program is focused on cultivating a generation of leaders who are passionate about advancing Nebraska's soybean industry. 

This program equips local leaders with the knowledge, skills and connections needed to positively impact agricutlure while preparing them to serve as advocates and potential future members of the Nebraska Soybean Board or take on other leadership roles across the industry.

Participants will gain industry awareness, networking opportunities, personal and professional growth and access to new knowledge of the Nebraska ag industry with a soybean focus. 
 
Who can join the See for Yourself Program?
Candidates for this program should be:
    A Nebraska farmer or industry representative (ag lender, agronomist, etc.)
    Over the age of 21
    Interested in learning more abou the Nebraska soybean industry 

Each class size is limited to 6 participants. Applicants should have a willingness to learn, actively participate in all aspects of the program and show an interest in personal growth.
 
Program Overview
Participants selected for the See for Yourself Program will commit to a 1-year term consisting of: 
    3 in-person learning sessions
    2 online learning sessions
    1 national learning mission

Each session immerses participants in key soybean industry topics. 

To apply, submit an application here https://nebraskasoybeans.org/programs/see-for-yourself. Application deadline is October 24, 2025. Contact sophia@nebraskasoybeans.org with any questions. 



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 2025-2026 Ag Educator of the Year. 

Nationwide and its state partners recently recognized 96 exceptional agricultural teachers as 2024-2025 Golden Owl Award® finalists and then honored 13 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 2025-2026 Golden Owl Award from October 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025.  

“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 12-31-25, 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 2025-2026 Ag Educator of the Year title for Nebraska and receiving the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy and an additional $3,000 to help fund future educational efforts. 

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 GoldenOwlAward.com. 



Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association Launches New Website and Brand Refresh 
October 1

The Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association (INEDA) is proud to announce the launch of its newly redesigned website, ineda.com, on October 1, 2025, alongside an updated logo and refreshed Visual Brand Guidelines. These updates reflect INEDA’s new tagline, “Representing Dealers. Advancing Innovation.”, underscoring the Association’s mission to serve members with trusted advocacy, resources, and industry leadership while embracing the future of agriculture and equipment.

The redesigned site and brand refresh feature:
• Updated INEDA logo and visual brand guidelines ensuring a modern, consistent identity across all communications.
• Streamlined navigation highlighting INEDA’s core focus areas: Legislative Advocacy, Workforce Development, Education & Training, and Regulatory Compliance.
• Modern visuals and functionality that reflect INEDA’s commitment to innovation and industry leadership.
• Enhanced resources for members with easier access to news, events, publications, and dealer tools.
• Mobile-first design, ensuring seamless access across devices.

“INEDA is proud to unveil a refreshed website and brand that better serve our dealer members, sponsors, and partners,” said Mark Hennessey, President & CEO of INEDA. “This redesign makes our resources easier to find while showcasing the strength, innovation, and future of the industry we represent.”

For more information, visit ineda.com starting October 1, 2025.



IRFA Calls for Full Reallocation of Refinery Exemptions at EPA RFS Hearing

Wednesday the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) participated in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) public hearing on the proposed Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) blending rule for 2026-2027. As part of that rule, the EPA is evaluating whether to reallocate 100% or 50% of refinery exemptions granted for 2023 and 2024, as well as those anticipated for 2025.  

During his remarks at the hearing, IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw strongly urged the EPA to finalize its proposal to reallocate 100% of the 2023-2025 refinery exemptions. “The law requires EPA’s prime directive to be ensuring RFS blending levels are met,” said Shaw. “Only full reallocation will maintain the integrity to the RFS and deliver meaningful benefits to rural America.” 

Shaw noted that while the delays and backlogs of processing the refinery exemption requests were inherited by the current EPA, it is their duty to fully implement the RFS.  

“IRFA strongly believes EPA should finalize its proposal to reallocate 100% of the exemptions over 2026-2027. We are concerned by reports that a 50% reallocation scheme is gaining steam. If EPA ultimately determines that 100% reallocation over 2026-2027 is not possible, the agency should not undermine the RFS with 50% reallocation. Instead, as an alternative, the EPA should reallocate 100% of the 2023-2025 exemptions over four years. This approach would have the same market impact in the short term as 50% reallocation but would still provide lasting support for American farmers and the biofuels industry.” 

Shaw also commended the EPA for proposing strong RFS blending levels, stating, "The originally proposed blending levels for 2026 and 2027 were robust and appreciated. While we disagree with the metrics used to grant recent refinery exemptions, IRFA appreciates the agency’s responsible handling of refinery exemptions granted from 2016 to 2022 and its commitment to prospectively reallocate future exemptions beginning in 2026.” 



Weekly Ethanol Production for 9/26/2025

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending September 26, ethanol production declined 2.8% to 1.00 million b/d, equivalent to 41.79 million gallons daily and a 20-week low. Output was 2.0% lower than the same week last year but 2.5% above the three-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate decreased 1.9% to 1.05 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.06 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks tightened 3.0% to 22.8 million barrels. Stocks were 3.0% less than the same week last year but 1.9% above the three-year average. Inventories thinned across all regions except the Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, dropped 4.9% to 8.52 million b/d (130.94 bg annualized). Demand was effectively even with a year ago but 1.7% below the three-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol climbed 0.6% to 905,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.91 bg annualized. Net inputs were 0.3% less than year-ago levels but 0.7% above the three-year average.

Ethanol exports slowed 21.4% to an estimated 88,000 b/d (3.7 million gallons/day), an 18-week low. It has been more than a year since EIA indicated ethanol was imported.



Once Again DAP Leads Fertilizer Prices Higher

Retail fertilizer prices continue to be mostly higher for the fourth week of September 2025, according to sellers tracked by DTN. Five fertilizers were higher compared to the prior month while the other three were slightly lower. For the fourth week in a row, just one fertilizer had a sizeable move. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

DAP was 6% more expensive compared with last month. The phosphorous fertilizer has an average price of $904/ton. Four other fertilizers had slightly higher prices. MAP had an average price of $922/ton, potash $486/ton, anhydrous $780/ton and UAN28 $420/ton.

Three fertilizers were slightly lower looking back to the prior month. Urea had an average price of $619/ton, 10-34-0 $666/ton and UAN32 $474/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.67/lb.N, anhydrous $0.48/lb.N, UAN28 $0.75/lb.N and UAN32 $0.74/lb.N.

All eight fertilizers are now higher in price compared to one year earlier. The last holdout, potash, is now 6% higher. 10-34-0 is 12% more expensive, MAP is 13% higher, anhydrous is 14% more expensive, DAP is 22% higher, urea is 28% more expensive, UAN28 is 31% higher and UAN32 is 35% more expensive looking back to last year.



SCN Action Month returns: BASF and The SCN Coalition champion SCN education and management

For the fifth year, BASF Agricultural Solutions and The SCN Coalition are partnering for SCN Action Month. Throughout October, the organizations will provide farmers with the latest insights, tools and resources to effectively manage soybean cyst nematodes (SCN) and protect soybean yield potential heading into the 2026 growing season. 

SCN remains the leading cause of soybean yield loss in North America. It is present in most soybean-producing regions and continues to spread. Recent field data show that 50-65% of acres tested are experiencing elevated SCN levels. Left unmanaged, SCN can silently reduce yields and increase plant vulnerability to costly diseases such as sudden death syndrome (SDS) and red crown rot. In the U.S. alone, SCN contributes to more than $1.5 billion in annual yield losses1. 

“SCN is one of the most persistent challenges farmers face because it reduces yield without showing clear symptoms above ground,” says Jeremiah Mullock, BASF Seed Treatment Product Manager. “Often referred to as a silent yield robber, SCN is easy to overlook, and many farmers may not realize they have it or may underestimate its impact.”  

Soil testing is the first step in uncovering the problem. According to Dylan Mangel, Plant Pathologist at The University of Nebraska-Lincoln, “After harvest is the most common and often convenient time to test soil for SCN, but you can pull a soil sample any time of the year. If the nematodes are there, you’re likely to find them.”  

Identifying SCN in a field is only the first step. Long-term management depends on regular monitoring. Mangel notes, “If you want to know whether your SCN management is working, be consistent about when you sample year after year. BASF and The SCN Coalition recommend that farmers collect soil samples after harvest to check population levels and plan strategies for the season ahead. Sampling is simple and sending them to a diagnostic lab will confirm the presence and severity of SCN.” 

In 2024, BASF analyzed 6,000 soil samples from across the United States. More than 80% tested positive for SCN, and more than half showed damaging levels. The data underscores both the widespread nature of SCN and the urgent need for farmers to implement effective prevention and management strategies. 

Several proven practices can help farmers manage SCN, including: 
    Collecting soil samples at the same time each year to identify SCN presence and levels 
    Rotating crops to disrupt SCN lifecycles 
    Planting SCN-resistant soybean varieties 
    Using effective seed treatments for added protection  

ILEVO® seed treatment remains a trusted solution, offering protection against both SCN and SDS. By reducing stress from SCN feeding and safeguarding against SDS, ILEVO seed treatment helps support healthier roots, stronger stands and more resilient soybean crops. 

BASF invests more than $1 billion annually in agricultural research and innovation, with more than 250,000 acres dedicated to research plots in 2025 alone. The company’s participation in SCN Action Month reflects an ongoing commitment to supporting farmers who are doing the Biggest Job on Earth.

BASF and The SCN Coalition encourage farmers to take action this October by collecting soil samples, sending them to a lab for testing and consulting BASF field representatives about SCN management strategies. To learn more, visit SCNActionMonth.com or SCNFields.com. 



Ohio Farmer Begins Term as President of the National Corn Growers Association

Jed Bower, a fifth-generation corn and soybean farmer from Washington Court House, Ohio, began his term today as president of the National Corn Growers Association saying the challenging rural economy will be his top priority in the year ahead.

“We need new markets to help alleviate the economic crisis that is threatening the survival of countless family farms across the country,” Bower said. “That’s why we will continue to encourage Congress to act immediately to pass legislation that expands consumer access to higher blends of ethanol year-round and urge the Trump administration to move quickly to develop new foreign markets.”

Bower brings extensive advocacy and leadership experience to the the role. He has served the last year as the vice president of the organization’s board while contributing as a member to several key NCGA committees, including the finance committee. Bower is also a board member for the Ohio Corn Marketing Program and a former president of the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association.

Bower, who farms with his wife Emily and children Ethan and Emma, begins his presidency as corn growers face the largest three-year decline in net cash receipts in history because of declining crop farm profitability associated with lower prices and elevated input costs.

Grower leaders have ramped up pressure on Congress to pass the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025, which would eliminate a dated clause in the Clean Air Act that prevents the sale of fuel with 15% ethanol blends, often called E15, during the summer months. Growers argue that the change will provide more predictability and boost demand for corn.

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.



OVERVIEW OF FEDERAL SHUTDOWN PROTOCOLS RELATED TO USDA
**Please note this information may be subject to change**
 
Agricultural Marketing Service
    Beef Quality and Yield Grading: Beef grading will continue uninterrupted as this activity is funded by user-fees.
    Cattle Contract Library Pilot Program: Updates to the Cattle Contract Library will continue.
    Livestock Mandatory Reporting (LMR)/Mandatory Price Reporting: Market news information, as required for commodities and agricultural markets, will continue.
    Research and Promotion Oversight (Checkoff): Checkoff programming will continue uninterrupted as appropriated dollars are not used in their implementation.
    Packers & Stockyards Division: Will cease operations during a lapse.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
    General: Many APHIS activities are funded fully by annual appropriations and will halt during the shutdown. That includes sections of the cattle health program (ex. animal disease traceability), chronic wasting disease activities, and the ongoing review and approval of biologics at USDA APHIS Center for Veterinary Biologics.
    New World Screwworm: Emergency efforts to combat the New World screwworm outbreak in Mexico will continue uninterrupted.
    Animal Diseases: Emergency efforts to combat HPAI, African swine fever, and bovine TB will continue uninterrupted.
    Inspections: Import/export processes, animal quarantine inspections, and phytosanitary certifications are all funded by user fees and will continue uninterrupted.
    Cooperative Agreements: USDA APHIS guidance states that reimbursable agreements with states and other cooperators will continue, funded by user fees.
    Wildlife Services: Wildlife Services is not specifically named in USDA’s updated shutdown guidance. Based on other portions of the document, it is possible that any wildlife damage management projects that are conducted as reimbursable cooperative agreements will continue uninterrupted. Beyond that, we must assume that agency activities will halt. Producers should take extra care to thoroughly document, with writing/photos/videos, any depredation losses in case investigations are interrupted or delayed.

Farm Service Agency
    Staffing: On day 1-10 of a shutdown, the only FSA staff on call will be minimal regional leadership and headquarters staff, in case of a natural disaster. From day 10 onwards, if the shutdown continues, each FSA service center will be required to have one farm loan employee and/or one county office farm program employee on call to complete certain loan processing items to protect the security interest of the government and to prevent the loss of security or loss of value to security for the borrower.
    Loan Actions That Will Continue: From day 10 onwards, staff will be able to continue liens, process protective advances, and review a borrower’s account to gather the necessary information to respond to a bankruptcy notification.
    Loan Actions That Will Halt: Accepting and processing farm and commodity loans (even if harvest-related), advancing funds on approved loans, obligating loans previously approved, loan closings and issuing guarantee loan conditional commitments, issuing direct loan approval notification letters, and processing any new applications will halt during the shutdown.
    Disaster Assistance: Implementation and processing of weather-related disaster assistance payments – including any remaining Supplemental Disaster Assistance programs like ELRP 2023 and 2024 for Flood and Wildfire – will halt during a shutdown.
    Land Management/Conservation: Processing of annual CRP contract payments will halt during a shutdown, as well as any technical assistance and cost-sharing related to rehabilitating agricultural land after a natural disaster.
    ARC/PLC: Implementation of the adjustment to ARC/PLC base acres authorized by H.R. 1 will halt during a shutdown.

Food Safety and Inspection Service
    Processing Plants: All statutorily required inspections in meat processing plants will continue uninterrupted during a shutdown. That includes inspections of beef for domestic consumption, for export, and ongoing testing/surveillance programs for foodborne pathogens.
    Food Safety: FSIS will also continue uninterrupted with activities necessary to protect the public from foodborne illness, including epidemiological investigations, related lab work, and recalls.
    State MPIs: FSIS currently shares costs with 29 states for their State Meat and Poultry Inspection programs. While federal FSIS inspectors will continue their work in plants, it is not clear whether the agency will continue providing funding to the State MPIs during a shutdown. It is possible that some state inspection activities may be interrupted if states do not cover their full program costs.
        Nebraska does not have a state meat and poultry inspection program. No FSIS inspectors are funded by state dollars and therefore inspection activities will not be interrupted. 

Agricultural Research Service
    US Meat Animal Research Center: Any work needed to protect animal life, “provide animal care,” complete the collection/preservation/analysis of time-sensitive data related to animal research, and prevent harmful or unnecessarily long experimental protocols related to animal research will continue uninterrupted during a shutdown. That applies to USDA staff as well as contractors, provided contractors are directly implementing/addressing one of the goals above.
    NBAF: The “continuous stand-up" to achieve full functionality/readiness at NBAF will continue uninterrupted during a shutdown.
    Animal Diseases: Current research related to New World screwworm and HPAI will continue uninterrupted during a shutdown.



American Farm Bureau Convention Registration Open

The American Farm Bureau Federation announced the opening of general registration today for the 2026 American Farm Bureau Convention. The convention will be held Jan. 9-14, 2026, in Anaheim, California.

The theme of the 107th consecutive American Farm Bureau Convention is “Imagine. Grow. Lead.” It will empower attendees with forward-thinking perspectives and policy insights to navigate the future of agriculture.

Tim Tebow — two-time national champion, Heisman Trophy winner, College Football Hall of Fame inductee, first-round NFL draft pick and former professional baseball player — will address attendees as closing general session keynote speaker on Monday, Jan. 12.

“Farmers and ranchers are always focused on the future — whether it’s driving innovation, improving efficiency or strengthening our communities,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “The 2026 American Farm Bureau Convention will celebrate that forward-looking spirit across agriculture and the Farm Bureau family as we imagine, grow and lead together. I look forward to welcoming you to Anaheim in January as we kick off another year of feeding, clothing and fueling our great nation.”

Duvall will give his annual address to Farm Bureau members during the convention’s opening general session on Sunday morning, Jan. 11.

A full lineup of engaging workshops will be available at convention. Workshops will be offered in four tracks – public policy, rural development, member engagement and consumer engagement. Topics will include the economic outlook for agriculture, hot public policy issues, regenerative ag in the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) era, mental health initiatives and growth strategies for beginning farmers.

The trade show will feature a dynamic array of exhibitors presenting the latest innovations in agricultural technology, tools and services — sure to capture the attention of attendees.

In addition, several optional farm- and ag-related day tours are available for attendees who wish to explore the Golden State. These include an olive oil ranch, a winery, avocado grove and produce farms. Attendees can also sign up to visit the Getty Museum, Santa Monica Pier, Gene Autry Museum and Dodger Stadium. Details about additional tours will be posted when available.

View the high-level American Farm Bureau Convention agenda here https://annualconvention.fb.org/schedule-of-events. Members may register for the convention and tours through their state Farm Bureau. Registration is also available through AFBF. The official event hashtag is #AFBF26 and the event website is https://annualconvention.fb.org/.

Wednesday October 01 Ag New - USDA Stocks Report and Small Grain Summary - Hunting Rights and Land Leases - N Rate Risk Protection Program - and more!

 US corn ending stocks down 13% from last year, soybean ending stocks down 8%

Old crop corn stocks on hand as of Sept. 1, 2025, totaled 1.53 billion bushels, down 13% from Sept. 1, 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Grain Stocks report released Tuesday. Old crop soybeans stored in all positions were down 8% from Sept. 1, 2024, and all wheat stocks were up 6% from a year earlier.

Of the total corn stocks, 643 million bushels were stored on farms, down 18% from last year. Off-farm stocks, at 888 million bushels, were down 10% from a year ago. The June-August 2025 indicated disappearance was 3.11 billion bushels, compared with 3.23 billion bushels during the same period a year earlier.

Old crop soybeans stored in all positions on Sept. 1, 2025, totaled 316 million bushels, down 8% from Sept. 1, 2024. Soybean stocks stored on farms totaled 91.5 million bushels, down 18% from a year ago. Off-farm stocks, at 225 million bushels, were down 3% from last September. Indicated disappearance for June-August 2025 totaled 691 million bushels, up 10% from the same period a year earlier.

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 2024 corn and soybeans were each revised up slightly from the previous estimate.

All wheat stored in all positions on Sept. 1, 2025, totaled 2.12 billion bushels, up 6% from a year ago. On-farm stocks were estimated at 692 million bushels, up 4% from last September. Off-farm stocks, at 1.43 billion bushels, were up 7% from a year ago. The June-August 2025 indicated disappearance was 715 million bushels, up 5% from the same period last year.

Durum wheat stocks in all positions on Sept. 1, 2025, totaled 71.1 million bushels, up 6% from a year ago. On-farm stocks, at 51.5 million bushels, were up 9% from Sept. 1, 2024. Off-farm stocks totaled 19.6 million bushels, down 3% from a year ago. The June-August 2025 indicated disappearance of 43.0 million bushels was up 27% from the same period last year.

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 1.98 billion bushels in 2025, up less than 1 percent from the revised 2024 total.
    Area harvested for grain totaled 37.2 million acres, down 4% from 2024.
    The U.S. yield was estimated at 53.3 bushels per acre, up 4% from 2024.

The levels of production and changes from 2024 to 2025 by type were:
    Winter wheat, 1.40 billion bushels, up 3%.
    Other spring wheat, 497 million bushels, down 9%.
    Durum wheat, 86.2 million bushels, up 8%.

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



HUNTING RIGHTS AND LAND LEASES 
- Shannon Sand, NE Extension Educator

Amid market volatility, some producers may be exploring additional income opportunities, such as hunting. This often raises the question: who holds the hunting rights when land is leased?

In a written cropland or pasture lease, hunting rights can be specified. If the lease does not explicitly reserve those rights for the landlord, they generally belong to the tenant for the duration of the lease.

For unwritten cropland leases, hunting rights also typically default to the tenant unless both parties agree otherwise. This is because, without specific restrictions, tenants have full rights to use the land excluding others, including the landlord—during the lease term. This can come as a surprise to some landowners who assume they automatically retain those rights.

Verbal grazing and pasture leases are different. Since most end before hunting season, hunting rights usually revert to the landowner once the lease concludes.

To avoid misunderstandings, it’s important to review your written lease and consult Nebraska law regarding verbal cropland and pasture leases.

 

‘DROUGHT DOWNLOAD’ VIDEO SERIES VISUALIZES U.S. DROUGHT MONITOR

A new video series by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln provides an audio-visual recap of weekly U.S. Drought Monitor updates.

The “Drought Download” is released on Thursday afternoons through a collaborative effort among the center’s climatologists and communicators. The project leads are Lindsay Johnson, climatologist, and Emily Case-Buskirk, communications specialist.

“It’s more important than ever to provide timely, accurate and easily accessible information,” Johnson said. “The ‘Drought Download’ is especially valuable because it provides additional visuals to support the Drought Monitor.”

The monitor is produced each Thursday through a partnership between the drought center, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It shows the location and severity of drought across the U.S. and its territories, ranging from normal conditions to exceptional drought.

About 115.5 million Americans currently live in areas affected by drought. As of the Sept. 18 Drought Monitor, 34.21% of the U.S. and Puerto Rico are in moderate drought or worse, an increase from 30.11% the week before.

Drought improved in Nebraska over the summer after the state was completely covered in abnormal dryness or drought in May. As of Sept. 18, Nebraska is 48.04% in abnormal dryness or drought, and 17.31% in moderate drought or worse.

The monitor triggers assistance through the Livestock Forage Disaster Program. Nebraska producers received $9.26 million in such payments from 2012 to 2024, exceeded only by Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas.

Each two-minute video includes an audio recording of the Drought Monitor summary, lightly edited for clarity. The narrative is written by the monitor’s author and describes how drought changed in the U.S. over the previous week. It shares context on how factors including precipitation, temperature and weather events affected drought. The videos also include the Drought Monitor map and a map showing how and where drought changed in the past week. It uses weather maps to illustrate information shared in the narrative.

“This video series is making the Drought Monitor accessible to a wider audience than ever before,” Case-Buskirk said. “We’re helping people connect the dots about where drought is occurring and what is contributing to it.”

Case-Buskirk, an award-winning podcaster, provides the voiceover each week.

For weekly updates, subscribe to https://youtube.com/@DroughtCenter. 



PFI program helps farmers find their optimal nitrogen rate

Midwestern farmers who want to reduce input costs and find their optimal nitrogen rate can now enroll in Practical Farmers of Iowa’s N Rate Risk Protection program.  

“Nitrogen fertilizer is a major cost for farmers, making it a key area for potential savings,” says Chelsea Ferrie, PFI’s senior field crops viability coordinator. “This program helps curious farmers test lower rates and find out what works best for their own farm.”

Farmers in the program get a phone call from a PFI agronomist to talk about their unique situation and what reductions are feasible while maintaining yields.

All acres with a nitrogen reduction will receive a $5/acre payment regardless of the yield outcome. If a yield drop occurs after lowering nitrogen, participants will receive a $30/acre payment.
“Nitrogen is a vital crop nutrient, but excess can leach into waterways when it’s overused – potentially harming wildlife, people and aquatic ecosystems,” says Chelsea.

By making it less financially risky for farmers, the program lets farmers experiment with lower nitrogen rates while helping them save money and increase their farm’s resilience.
To be eligible, farmers must:
    Raise corn in 2026
    Be willing to reduce nitrogen by approximately 20 pounds per acre
    Manage corn conventionally; certified organic acres are not eligible
    Farm in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska or southeastern South Dakota

Both farmers who are new to saving on inputs and farmers who’ve reduced nitrogen rates in recent years are eligible.

Enrollment is now open and will close April 30, 2026. Full details and the application form are available at practicalfarmers.org/n-rate-risk-protection-program.

For questions, to check eligibility or for help getting signed up, contact Chelsea Ferrie at (515) 232-5661 ext. 1040 or farmadmin@practicalfarmers.org.



Finalists for Iowa's Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest Revealed
    
Iowa’s beloved Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich is back in the spotlight as the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) narrows its annual competition from 40 contenders to just five finalists. These restaurants now stand among the best of the best, vying for the coveted title of Iowa’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin.

2025 Finalists (alphabetical order)
    The 1854 – Gilbertville
    Dexfield Diner & Pub - Redfield
    Hometown Heroes – Grinnell
    Sugar’s Lounge & Diner – Council Bluffs
    Walker’s – Salix 

How the Contest Works
The public nominates eligible restaurants. To qualify, restaurants must serve hand-breaded or hand-battered pork tenderloins year-round. Seasonal stands, caterers, and food trucks are not eligible.

From the 40 top-nominated restaurants across IPPA’s eight districts, mystery diners evaluated sandwiches based on pork taste and quality, physical characteristics, presentation, and experience. IPPA’s Restaurant and Foodservice Committee then selected five finalists.

“Our judging process includes a point system with 100 points possible. The area of pork taste and quality is worth 50% of the total where judges are evaluating flavor, freshness, tenderness, moisture and a balance of seasoning,” says Kelsey Sutter of IPPA. “But the first rule I was taught when I took over this contest 14 years ago was there’s no such thing as a 100-point tenderloin!”

Now, a panel of three judges will visit each finalist to determine the first and second place winners. The panel is comprised of a retired chef, a longtime representative of Iowa’s pork industry, and a travel food blogger. 

What’s at Stake
    Winner: $500, a plaque, a banner, statewide publicity, and perhaps most importantly: bragging rights that often send tenderloin sales soaring.
    Runner-up: $250 and a plaque.
    Others in top five: Commemorative plaque.
    Nominators of winning restaurant: Entered into a random drawing for $100. 

The champions will be announced in mid-October, during Porktober—National Pork Month—celebrating all things pork in Iowa.

Past Winners
    2024 – Dairy Sweet, Dunlap
    2023 – Cliff’s Place, Manning
    2022 – Lid’s Bar & Grill, Waukon
    2021 – Victoria Station, Harlan (closed)
    2020 – PrairieMoon On Main, Prairieburg
    2019 – The Pub at the Pinicon, New Hampton

See the full list of past winners since the contest began in 2003 at iowapork.org.



RFA Elects FY 2026 Board and Leadership at Annual Meeting

The Renewable Fuels Association elected officers and its board of directors for the 2026 fiscal year today at its annual membership meeting in Omaha, Neb. Derek Peine, CEO of Western Plains Energy in Oakley, Kan., was elected chairman.

Peine has spent the last 25 years working in production, technical, and management roles within the agricultural processing and renewable fuels sectors. He also serves on the board of directors for the Renew Kansas biofuels association and the Collaborative Sorghum Marketing Transformation Program. 

"I'm honored to serve as chairman of the Renewable Fuels Association and grateful for the trust our members have placed in me," Peine said. "Over the years, we've weathered headwinds, but we've never lost sight of our mission. By staying focused on sound strategy, innovation, and partnerships, we're delivering real results: affordable fuel choices for drivers, stronger rural economies, and a more secure domestic energy supply. Our work, however, is far from done. Continued progress will require genuine collaboration—not only within our own ranks, but with partners in agriculture, petroleum, environmental organizations, and policymakers. I'm excited to work alongside our members and stakeholders to expand biofuels' role in driving economic growth, supporting rural communities, and strengthening America's energy independence. Together, we'll build on the progress we've made to capture the opportunities ahead."

RFA’s board also elected Thomas Harwood, CEO of Al-Corn Clean Fuel in Claremont, Minn., as vice chairman.

“Derek Peine has proven himself as a thoughtful, strategic leader at both the state and national level, and we’re excited to now have him at the helm of the Renewable Fuels Association as board chairman,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “We’re also pleased to welcome Thomas Harwood as our new vice chairman. There is much work to be done in the months ahead, as the industry continues to advocate for year-round E15, defend the RFS, and push to expand markets for ethanol and other bioproducts around the world. We know these two leaders are certainly up to the task and will help our members continue to succeed and prosper.”

Elected to continue in their RFA board leadership roles are Tim Winters, president and CEO of Western New York Energy, as board secretary, and David Zimmerman, CEO of Big River Resources, as board treasurer.

Elected to leadership of the Renewable Fuels Foundation for 2026 were Chairman Neal Kemmet, Ace Ethanol; Vice Chairman Eric Baukol, Redfield Energy; and Treasurer Wayne Garrett, Chief Ethanol Fuels. The foundation is dedicated to meeting the education, research and strategic planning needs of the U.S. fuel ethanol industry.



Zoetis Receives Conditional Approval for Dectomax®-CA1 Injectable for the Prevention and Treatment of New World Screwworm Myiasis in Cattle

Zoetis announced today that Dectomax®-CA1 Injectable is the first and only parasite control product to receive conditional approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the prevention and treatment of infestations caused by larvae of Cochliomyia hominivorax (myiasis), and prevention of reinfestation for 21 days. This conditional approval applies to beef cattle, female dairy cattle less than 20 months of age, pregnant beef cows, newborn calves and bulls.

In the first half of 2026, producers and veterinarians will begin to see the 250-milliliter and 500-milliliter bottles of Dectomax® Injectable with a new label for Dectomax®-CA1 (doramectin injection). Dectomax-CA1 is the same effective doramectin formulation as Dectomax Injectable.

Zoetis is committed to supporting livestock producers with scientific solutions for this economically devastating pest. New World screwworm poses a continuing threat to livestock health, and the financial impacts of the disease to the U.S. agricultural economy are estimated in the billions of dollars.

“New World screwworm has the potential to bring unprecedented economic and animal health harm to livestock producers,” said Mike Lormore, DVM, MS, MBA, Director of Cattle and Pork Technical Services at Zoetis. “Our top priority is to support keeping animals healthy and provide timely, efficacious solutions to our customers and partners. With this conditional approval, Dectomax-CA1 Injectable can now be used as part of safe, effective control measures against New World screwworm.”

Livestock producers are encouraged to work closely with their herd veterinarian to implement strategic prevention and control measures.

Early detection of New World screwworm and rapid response are critical to protecting the health of animals and the livestock industry. Producers are encouraged to immediately report any suspicious wounds, maggots, or infestations to their local accredited veterinarian, state animal health official or the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. USDA APHIS animal health contacts can be found at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/contact/animal-health.

For more information on the New World screwworm and the conditional approval for Dectomax-CA1 Injectable, visit zoetisus.com/NewWorldscrewworm

Dectomax-CA1 is conditionally approved by FDA pending a full demonstration of effectiveness under NADA 141-616.

Dectomax and Dectomax-CA1 Injectable for use in cattle have a 35-day pre-slaughter withdrawal period. Do not use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older. Do not use in calves to be processed for veal. Use of Dectomax or Dectomax-CA1 in dogs may result in fatalities. Consult your veterinarian for assistance in the diagnosis, treatment, and control of parasitism.

Tuesday September 30 Ag News - Weekly Harvest Progress report - Cuming Co Extension Board Nominations - 50 years of Soy Checkoff in NE - NPPC on China's Pork Import Restrictions - and more!

 Nebraska Crop Progress & Condition Report

Topsoil Moisture 10% surplus, 63% adequate, 23% short, 4% very short 
Subsoil Moisture 8% surplus, 63% adequate, 24% short, 5% very short 

Corn Dent 92% - 88% LW - 98% 5YA 
Corn Mature 64% - 46% LW - 78% 5YA
Corn Harvested 11% - 05% LW - 17% 5YA
Corn Condition 22% excellent, 55% good, 19% fair, 3% poor, 1% very poor 

Soybeans Dropping Leaves - 85% - 60% LW - 89% 5YA
Soybeans Harvested 11% - 02% LW - 24% 5YA
Soybean Condition 22% excellent, 55% good, 20% fair, 2% poor, 1% very poor 

Winter Wheat Planted - 57% - 35% LW - 64% 5YA
Winter Wheat Emerged - 32% - 05% LW - 21% 5YA

Pasture Condition 14% excellent, 29% good, 36% fair, 17% poor, 4% very poor 



Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

Dry conditions allowed 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending September 28, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. The warm temperatures also quickly advanced crop maturity. Fieldwork included harvesting corn and soybeans.  

Topsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 22 percent short, 65 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition was 3 percent very short, 20 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 7 percent surplus.  

Nearly all the corn was dented or beyond. Eighty percent of corn has matured, 4 days ahead of last year and 1 day ahead of the five-year average. The corn for grain harvest was 15 percent complete, 4 days ahead of last year and 3 days ahead of average. Moisture content of field corn being harvested for grain was 20 percent. Corn condition was rated 1 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 53 percent good and 18 percent excellent. 

Soybeans coloring was nearly complete at 95 percent. Eighty-three percent of soybeans were dropping leaves, 3 days ahead of last year and 2 days ahead of average. Soybean harvest was 17 percent complete, 3 days behind last year and the average.  Soybean condition rated 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 55 percent good and 18 percent excellent.  

Pasture condition rated 53 percent good to excellent.   



USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report

Despite scattered rain across parts of the country last week, corn and soybean harvests continued to advance. This week's warm, dry conditions are expected to keep fieldwork moving, including progress on winter wheat planting, according to USDA NASS's weekly Crop Progress report released on Monday.

Both corn and soybean harvests remain slightly behind their five-year averages.

CORN
-- Crop development: Corn dented was estimated at 95%, equal to last year's pace, but 1 point behind the five-year average of 96%. Corn mature was pegged at 71%, 2 points behind last year's 73% and 3 points behind the five-year average of 74%.
-- Harvest progress: The pace of corn harvest picked up slightly last week, moving ahead 7 percentage points to reach 18% complete as of Sunday. That is 2 points behind last year's 20% and 1 point behind the five-year average of 19%. 
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 66% of the crop was in good-to-excellent condition nationwide, unchanged from the previous week. Ten percent of the crop was rated very poor to poor, also unchanged from the previous week but 2 points below 12% from last year. 

SOYBEANS
-- Crop development: Soybeans dropping leaves were pegged at 79%, equal to last year but 2 points ahead of the five-year average of 77%.
-- Harvest progress: Soybean harvest gained momentum last week, moving ahead 10 percentage points last week to reach 19% complete as of Sunday, 5 points behind last year's 24% and 1 point behind the five-year average of 20%. 
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 62% of soybeans still in fields were in good-to-excellent condition, up 1 point from 61% the previous week and below last year's rating of 64%. 

WINTER WHEAT
-- Planting progress: Winter wheat planting jumped ahead 14 points last week to reach 34% nationwide as of Sunday, 3 points behind last year's 37% and 2 points behind the five-year average of 36%. 
-- Crop development: An estimated 13% of winter wheat had emerged as of Sunday, equal to last year but 1 point ahead of the five-year average of 12%.

------

Cuming County Board of Supervisors Seeking Extension Board Nominations
Alfredo DiCostanzo, NE Extension Beef Educator 

The Cuming County Board of Supervisors is seeking nominations for individuals interested in serving a three-year term on the Cuming County Extension Board. The Board of Supervisors appoints Extension Board members. Extension Board district lines are defined according to the Cuming County Board of Supervisor districts.

Two positions on the Cuming County Extension Board are open for appointments. Nominees are needed for District II (Supervisor District served by Maynard Munderloh) and District IV (Supervisor District served by Mark Schweers). Marty Smith has served as District II representative to the Extension Board for two, 3-year terms and is ineligible to run again. The same is true for Kristie Borgelt, District IV.

A nominating committee is seeking nominations from interested individuals. A nomination committee will prepare a slate of potential candidates to be submitted to the Cuming County Board of Supervisors for consideration. If you are interested in being a candidate, please feel free to contact Cuming County Extension at 402/372-6006 on or before October 27.

According to Extension Educator Alfredo DiCostanzo, the operation of the Cuming County Extension Board should be given thoughtful consideration by all county residents. Extension programs focus on priority needs and issues facing people of Cuming County.

Potential candidates are encouraged to contact the Extension Office or the Cuming County Clerk, Addisen Johnson, if you have questions on which supervisor district you reside in.



Celebrating 50 Years of Soybean Checkoff Work in Nebraska

This year marks 50 years since Nebraska’s soybean checkoff was established and 30 years since the Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB) began leading those efforts on behalf of farmers across the state.

In that time, soybeans have grown from a smaller part of Nebraska agriculture into one of its most significant crops. Throughout the decades, NSB has stayed focused on one thing: serving the farmers who grow them.

"The Nebraska Soybean Board was created for farmers, and it’s still led by farmers today," said Andy Chvatal, executive director of the Nebraska Soybean Board. "That farmer leadership has guided every decision we’ve made, and it keeps us grounded in what really matters."

The Nebraska soybean checkoff officially began in 1975, when the Nebraska Legislature passed LB 74. It created a half- cent per bushel assessment on all soybeans sold in the state, managed by the Nebraska Soybean Development, Utilization and Marketing Board under the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. This allowed Nebraska farmers to invest in their crop and its future.

In 1995, just four years after the national soybean checkoff was established in 1991, NSB adopted its Articles of Incorporation and became certified as a Qualified State Soybean Board. With the launch of the national checkoff, farmers began investing 0.5% of the market price per bushel sold. That investment is split evenly: half stays in Nebraska to be directed by NSB, while the other half goes to the United Soybean Board to support national and international efforts.

Early on, NSB focused on strengthening the crop through university research, growing demand for biodiesel and expanding market opportunities around the world. In 1999, Soybean Management Field Days launched to bring research- based insights directly to growers. Free soil testing for soybean cyst nematode began in the early 2000s, helping farmers detect a serious threat to yields and profitability.

Over time, NSB has continued to listen to farmers and respond to new challenges and opportunities.

"We’ve tried to stay flexible and forward- thinking," Chvatal said. "As the industry has changed, we’ve adapted, but we’ve always stayed true to the goal of making sure every checkoff dollar goes to work for Nebraska farmers."

Partnerships have been a key part of that progress. In 2013, NSB helped fund the Nebraska Soybean Producers Presidential Chair in Soybean Breeding at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Around the same time, the board started a cost-share program to install biodiesel blender pumps across the state, helping fuel retailers offer higher blends of clean-burning biodiesel.

While NSB’s work has a global reach, its roots are planted firmly in Nebraska. Programs like the Ag Sack Lunch have helped thousands of fourth graders understand where their food comes from. The See For Yourself program has given farmers the chance to witness firsthand how their checkoff investment makes a difference at home and abroad.

Today, Nebraska soybeans are a part of a global supply chain. More than half of U.S. soybeans are exported, and Nebraska farmers planted a record 5.75 million acres in 2022.

In 2025, NSB opened its new office at 4625 Innovation Drive in Lincoln. The new space reflects how far the organization has come and its continued commitment to working alongside the farmers it serves.

"We’re proud of where we've been, but we’re even more excited about where we’re headed," Chvatal said. "With farmers representing eight districts and one at-large seat, our board brings together voices from across the state. The challenges on the farm keep changing, and it’s important to have people at the table who live it every day and want to make a difference."

After five decades, the Nebraska soybean checkoff is still focused on building markets, supporting innovation and funding research that keeps the state’s soybean farmers moving forward.

"We want to be a partner in the success of every soybean farmer in Nebraska," said Chvatal. "That’s what this board was created to do, and that’s what we’ll continue doing together."

Through successes big and small, from cutting-edge research to hands-on education, the checkoff has had a lasting impact across Nebraska and far beyond. Regional, national and international partnerships have allowed NSB to stay connected with organizations and talented individuals who work for the benefit of Nebraska soybean farmers. At every step, NSB has remained focused on its mission: "Growing value for Nebraska farmers by maximizing their checkoff investments."



USDA to Host Data Users’ Meeting to Gather Public Input on Statistical Programs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will hold its biannual Data Users’ Meeting in West Des Moines, Iowa, on October 21, starting at 1 p.m. CT. The free and open-to-the-public event will also have a virtual attendance option. For both methods, registration is required.

The Data Users’ Meeting is held to share recent and pending statistical program changes with the public and to solicit input on these and other programs important to agriculture. This year, the meeting will be held at the Iowa Farm Bureau Facility located at 5400 University Ave, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266. The event is organized by NASS in cooperation with the World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB), Farm Service Agency (FSA), Economic Research Service (ERS), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and U.S. Census Bureau. Representatives from the Risk Management Agency (RMA) and the U.S. Energy Information Administration will also be on hand to assist with topics as needed.

“The Data Users’ Meeting is a unique opportunity for data users to be informed and involved in guiding the agricultural information USDA produces now and into the future,” said Agricultural Statistics Board Chair Lance Honig. “This venue allows for opinion, discussion, and coordination of agricultural data products that both expands knowledge and creates a cooperative environment to the benefit of all who attend. Working together, we ensure that NASS and other USDA data-producing organizations provide timely, accurate and useful statistics in service to U.S. Agriculture.”

This fall, the Data Users’ Meeting agenda consists of agency updates and a question-and-comment open forum for attendees. A detailed agenda with descriptions and registration information are located at nass.usda.gov/go/data_users. Links to the meeting will be emailed to participants after registration. For more information, contact Sammy Neal at sammy.neal@usda.gov or 202-690-1404.



NPPC Comments on China’s Restrictions on U.S. Pork Exports
 
The National Pork Producers Council submitted to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative comments on China’s trade-limiting measures, which are contrary to international rules and standards. USTR requested the information for a required report to Congress on China’s compliance with its World Trade Organization commitments.
 
NPPC pointed out that, despite better market access to the Asian nation included as part of the 2020 U.S.-China Phase One trade agreement, U.S. pork exports remain restricted because of China’s tariffs, domestic subsidies, and various sanitary and phytosanitary restrictions, which violate WTO rules. Additionally, China recently refused to renew export registrations for about 400 U.S. beef facilities and nine pork plants, meaning they can’t export meat to China.
 
Among other restrictions, NPPC noted China’s requirement that all U.S. pork exports test negative for residues of ractopamine hydrochloride, a feed additive used for growth promotion and feed efficiency in U.S. hog production. Ractopamine has a maximum residue limit set by the U.N.’s Codex Alimentarius Commission that is widely accepted globally.
 
The country also has subjected pork shipments from some U.S. facilities to increased inspections because of alleged detections of animal diseases, such as porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome (PRRS). The United States utilizes vaccines to control the spread of PRRS, which is endemic in China, and certain common testing techniques are known to show false positives when the animals being tested have received vaccinations.
 
China was the No. 3 value market for U.S. pork in 2024, with the pork industry shipping more than $1.1 billion of product, or about 13% of its total exports, to the Asian country. China accounted for 59% of U.S. pork variety meat exports, including feet, heads, stomachs, and hearts. They add value to every pig produced in the United States. There is no alternative market to take the volume and value of U.S. pork variety meat in demand by China.



Additional Cattle Contract Months and Weekly Options
Matthew Diersen, Risk & Business Management Specialist, South Dakota State University

On June 9, 2025, the CME Group began listing additional futures and options contract months for live cattle and feeder cattle. Adding a contract month to live cattle means that it would be more feasible to hedge out an additional two months than before the change. For feeder cattle, adding another contract month would make it more feasible to hedge out an additional one to three months than before the change. Trading volume and open interest tend to be highest in nearby contract months, with both indicators trailing off further into the future one looks. At this time, April 2027 live cattle futures and September 2026 feeder cattle futures have volume and open interest levels like those of the most deferred contracts listed a year ago.

For hedgers, having more contracts listed makes it easier to consider bids and potentially lock in profitable prices without having to use a closer month and then roll positions ahead. Conceptually, the same benefit exists with options. There are positive open interest levels in the most-deferred option months for live cattle and feeder cattle. However, with longer durations, the time value of option premiums increases and often hurts the cost-effectiveness compared to using futures. Options would now be listed much further out than Livestock Risk Protection (LRP), which is currently limited to 52 weeks of coverage. A hedger could start with deferred futures or options and offset trades before switching to, distinct from rolling to, LRP.

An additional serial or odd-month option month is now also listed for live cattle. Thus, the nearby October futures contract has an option that expires this Friday, the first Friday of the contract month. The November and January options are also listed. The November option is tied to the December futures contract. The January option is tied to the February futures contract. For hedgers who prefer to use options, having more months may make it easier to line up expiration dates closer to when the cattle will be marketed. Until now, buying options for longer durations than needed would cost more initially and use funds until the options were sold with less time value remaining.

On September 22, 2025, the CME Group began listing weekly options on live cattle futures. Weekly options have been popular on corn, soybeans, and many financial futures contracts. For live cattle, the weekly option is designed to trade for a few weeks before expiring on Monday mornings to the nearby futures contract that still has a normal option trading against it. The Monday settlement is designed to align with the release of Cattle on Feed reports, which occurs on the third or fourth Friday of the month after the futures market has stopped trading for the day. Some weekly options have traded a little already. However, the fourth October weekly option, the first with an expiration after a Cattle on Feed report, will not be listed for trading until Tuesday, October 7. Note that it will settle against the December futures contract.

Monday September 29 Ag News - Fire Safety during Harvest - October is Cooperative Month - USDA makes 2nd ECAP payment - NE Farmers help expand Port of Houston - and more!

Fire Safety During Harvest Season: Essential Tips for Farmers
Amy Timmerman - NE Extension Educator

As we enter fall harvest, warm and drier-than-normal conditions are expected to persist through the first half of October, which could intensify drought across the state. With weather conditions ripe for quick-moving fires, the risk is heightened by modern farming equipment, which has become larger and more complex over the years. Today's combines — often made with synthetic materials — can easily catch fire, especially when hydraulic leaks or fuel spills come into contact with smoldering crop residue.

Recent studies have shown that most combine fires begin in the engine area, with 76.7% of incidents stemming from contact between crop residue and hot components like exhaust manifolds or turbochargers. When a fire ignites, it can spread rapidly, especially if fuel lines or hydraulic hoses rupture.

Fortunately, advancements in equipment design have improved fire safety features. For instance, newer combines have more powerful radiator fans and strategically placed air intakes to minimize the risk of flammable materials entering critical areas.

Preventing Combine Fires: Key Strategies
    Keep Equipment Clean: Regularly clean your combine, especially around the engine and exhaust areas. Use battery-powered leaf blowers or air compressors to clear debris. Power washing can also remove grease and oil that may accelerate a fire.
    Park Smart: Allow combines to cool down before parking them in sheds. If parking in the field, choose fire-resistant surfaces and consider creating firebreaks by disking areas around parked equipment.
    Monitor Engine Load: Excessive stress on engines can increase fire risk. Be aware that newer engines generate higher temperatures due to emissions standards.
    Check Bearings: Overheating bearings can cause fires. Use an infrared thermometer to monitor bearing temperatures and shut down the machine if temperatures exceed safe levels.
    Harvest Responsibly: Avoid harvesting during extreme fire weather. Be particularly cautious between 2 and 4 p.m., when conditions are often the most dangerous.

Preparation is Key
    Start harvesting from the downwind side of fields to minimize fire spread risk.
    Keep a cell phone handy for emergencies.
    Carry a 10 lb ABC fire extinguisher in the combine cab, and remember the PASS technique: Pull the pin, Aim the nozzle, Squeeze the trigger, and Sweep across the base of the fire.
    Ensure all extinguishers are regularly checked and maintained.

What to Do if a Fire Occurs
    Move the Machine: If safe, pull the combine into areas that have already been harvested.
    Turn Off the Engine: This prevents the air intake from feeding the fire.
    Call for Help: Dial 911 as soon as possible, providing clear directions for emergency services.
    Contain the Fire: If the fire is beyond control, focus on preventing it from spreading to nearby vegetation.

Final Thoughts
While proper maintenance and awareness can significantly reduce fire risks, it’s crucial to remember that fires can still occur. Stay vigilant this harvest season:
    Clean combines regularly.
    Monitor engine temperatures and bearing conditions.
    Ensure effective communication among crew members.
    Prioritize safety over equipment — no piece of machinery is worth risking a life.

By taking these precautions, we can help protect our farms, our communities, and ourselves during this critical time. Stay safe out there!



Governor Signs Proclamation for Cooperative Month

A proclamation recognizing October 2025 as Cooperative Month was signed by Governor Jim Pillen. This coincides with the annual recognition of October as National Cooperative Month by the United States Department of Agriculture. This year's national theme is "Cooperatives Build a Better World."

The proclamation signed by the Governor recognizes Nebraska's farmer-owned cooperatives and rural electric and telephone cooperatives for the important role that they play in Nebraska's economy and the necessity of cooperatives in building a better Nebraska.

Rural agricultural cooperatives serve the needs of 54,665 producer-owners. With an annual payroll of nearly $400 million, cooperatives directly employ over 5,000 Nebraskans in 372 communities across the state. They also create 12,218 jobs annually through their operations, member payments, and investments.

Last year, Nebraska's agricultural cooperatives made cash patronage and equity redemption payments totaling nearly $100 million to their members and reinvested nearly $300 million in property, plant, and equipment to serve members' needs.

Nebraska's rural electric cooperatives serve over 7,000 rural farmers and ranchers with a combined service territory of over 12,000 square miles. Rural telephone cooperatives in Nebraska serve over 9,000 telephone, television and broadband users in Nebraska.

The economic impact of cooperatives benefit all Nebraskans. Nebraska communities were supported by over $21.9 million of property tax paid by agricultural cooperatives. Nebraska's farmer-owned cooperatives, governed by their farmer owners, contributed $2.8 million to local fire departments, local school and youth organizations, local and statewide FFA and 4-H chapters, and provided numerous scholarships to help Nebraska students continue their education.

Rocky Weber, President and General Counsel to the Nebraska Cooperative Council, stated: “‘Cooperatives Build a Better World’ is an appropriate theme for Cooperative Month in 2025. Nebraska’s agricultural cooperatives build generational assets across the state to serve their farmer-owners. These investments, employment payrolls, charitable contributions and taxes all support the rural communities that Nebraska’s agricultural cooperatives serve. The $3.1 billion in economic impact cooperatives have on Nebraska is vital to building a strong, prosperous economy. Governor Pillen’s proclamation of October 2025 as Cooperative Month is a welcome acknowledgment of how vital cooperatives are in building a better Nebraska.”



Smith Hosts Ag Trade Under Secretary, Visits with Producers about USMCA

Last Wednesday Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) hosted U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg during a visit to Nebraska. The officials toured the Preferred Popcorn headquarters in Chapman, NE, the Mars Petcare production facility in Aurora, and held a listening session on the 2026 Joint Review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement with local agriculture producers and manufacturers at Central Valley Ag in York.

"Mexico and Canada are Nebraska’s most significant agriculture export markets, and USMCA plays a vital role, ensuring our farmers and ranchers have a level playing field," said Rep. Smith. "As the Trump administration gathers stakeholder feedback, input from our producers is critical to ensure a successful review process. I thank Under Secretary Lindberg, who has been a fierce advocate for American agriculture both at home and abroad, for taking the time to hear from Nebraskans."

"Nebraska is an agricultural powerhouse, and their products are in high demand around the world," said Under Sec. Lindberg. "I’d like to thank Chairman Smith, Governor Pillen, and Director Vinton for hosting me today and showcasing some of the incredible agricultural products being made, grown, and raised in Nebraska and delivered around the globe."



Soybean Farmers Make Tangible Investment for Tangible Results at Houston Export Terminal

Soybean farmer leaders were in Houston on September 24th in order to present a ceremonial check in the amount of $275,000 to The Andersons, Inc. for their expansion project at the Port of Houston. Once completed in the first quarter of 2026, the expansion will enable the export of soybean meal from the facility.

By investing in this project, soybean farmer leaders are addressing several major priorities of the soybean industry:
• Increasing soybean meal export capacity: One of the significant developments in the U.S. soybean industry continues to be the investment in processing facilities in order to produce more soybean oil for renewable fuels. The additional production of soybean oil will result in an additional production of soybean meal. While much of this additional soybean meal will be consumed by the domestic livestock industry, it is increasingly essential to invest in additional export capacity to connect with international markets.
• Increasing resilience of the supply chain: Given the continued challenges the soybean industry has experienced with low water conditions on the Mississippi River, it is important to promote diversity of the supply chain by “spreading the eggs across more baskets”? The soybean meal that will be shipped to the facility at the Port of Houston will be transported via BNSF Railway or Union Pacific Railroad. It will not utilize the inland waterway system.
• Diversifying international markets: Given the significant challenges confronting soybean exports due to the curtailment of the Chinese market, it is imperative to pursue “base hit” marketing opportunities for soybean meal and soybeans. The identified markets for the Houston export terminal are: Middle East/North Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, and Asia.

In presenting the ceremonial check to officials with The Andersons, Mike Koehne, a farmer from Greensburg, Indiana, and chairman of the Soy Transportation Coalition, explained, “As stewards of the funding through the soybean checkoff program, my fellow soybean farmers and I are constantly exploring any opportunity to increase the profitability of our industry. The Andersons soybean meal and grain export facility at the Port of Houston is excellent example of an investment that will help accomplish many of our major priorities. Most soybean farmers in the U.S. are located hundreds of miles or more from our coastal regions. This geographic distance is a challenge we must overcome if we are to compete in the international marketplace. We would like to express our appreciation to The Andersons and the Port of Houston for investing in the supply chain that allows farmers like me to be successful.”

With storage capacity of 6.3 million bushels, the Houston facility supports the export of more than two million metric tons of grain annually and will include up to 22,000 metric tons for storing soybean meal for export. Additional upgrades will include a new conveyance system to seamlessly transport goods from storage to the ship loaders, as well as a new ship loading tower to increase the efficiency and speed of loading.

The Andersons projects that the primary states that will feed the soybean meal to their facility will be: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska. It is possible other states will feed into the facility as well given the expansion of soybean processing throughout the country.

Because the facility at the Port of Houston will result in greater resiliency of both international marketing and the supply chain, the following soybean farmer organizations contributed a total of $275,000 toward the project:
• United Soybean Board
• Soy Transportation Coalition
• Iowa Soybean Association
• Kansas Soybean Commission
• Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council
• Nebraska Soybean Board

The funding will be used for research, analysis, pre-engineering, and design expenses associated with the facility expansion at the Port of Houston. The Andersons, the owner of the facility, will assume the costs of the actual construction of the project.

The ceremonial $275,000 check was presented to The Andersons by a group of soybean farmer leaders at a luncheon at Port Houston’s headquarters. The group also received a tour of the export terminal and an update on the expansion project.

“We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to work with soybean farmers on this important investment,” said Matt Dvorak, Houston business manager at The Andersons. “As domestic soybean crush increases, we are identifying new opportunities for the export of soybean meal via our Houston facility. We look forward to working with the Soy Transportation Coalition and the broader soybean farmer community on this project, which will help connect U.S. soybean meal with international customers."



USDA Issues Second Economic Assistance Payment to Agricultural Producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing a second Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) payment to eligible producers for the 2024 crop year. Of the authorized $10 billion in ECAP assistance, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has already provided over $8 billion in payments to eligible producers to mitigate the impacts of increased input costs and falling commodity prices. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins made the announcement yesterday at the Ag Outlook Forum in Kansas City.

“Initial ECAP payments were factored by 85% to ensure that total program payments did not exceed $10 billion in available funding. Since additional funds remain, FSA is issuing a second payment,” said Deputy Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Brooke Appleton. “As producers continue to face market volatility, these payments along with the entire suite of supplemental disaster assistance programs, will help producers navigate market uncertainty, pay down debt for the 2024 crop year, and secure financing for the next crop year.”

Payments will automatically be made to eligible producers with approved ECAP applications who received an initial payment. Any application approved after Sept. 25, 2025, will receive one lump sum payment. Authorized by the American Relief Act, 2025, these economic relief payments are based on planted and prevented planted crop acres for eligible commodities for the 2024 crop year.

ECAP Payments
FSA is issuing a second payment ECAP equal to 14% of the gross ECAP payment to eligible producers, making the final payment factor 99%.

ECAP assistance is calculated using a flat payment rate for the eligible commodity multiplied by the eligible reported acres. Payments are based on acreage and not production. For acres reported as prevented planted, ECAP assistance is calculated at 50%.

Additional USDA Supplemental Disaster Assistance
In addition to the over $8 billion in ECAP payments, USDA has issued more than $1 billion in Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) assistance to livestock producers impacted by drought and federally managed lands wildfires in 2023 and 2024 with an additional $1 billion in expected payments for livestock producers impacted by floods and non-federally managed land wildfires in 2023 and 2024 (ELRP 2023/2023 FW). Livestock producers have until Oct. 31, 2025, to apply for (ELRP 2023/2023 FW) assistance. Producers have also received over $5.4 billion through Stage 1 of the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program for indemnified crop losses in 2023 and 2024. SDRP Stage 2 assistance for uncovered, quality, and shallow losses will be announced soon.

USDA’s disaster recovery programs complement recently announced state block grant agreements in Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia totaling $958 million in assistance to help agricultural producers with disaster recovery needs. USDA is working with 14 states on block grant agreements.

More Information
FSA helps America’s farmers, ranchers and forest landowners invest in, improve, protect and expand their agricultural operations through the delivery of agricultural programs for all Americans. FSA implements agricultural policy, administers credit and loan programs, and manages conservation, commodity, disaster recovery and marketing programs through a national network of state and county offices and locally elected county committees. For more information, visit fsa.usda.gov.



USDA Cold Storage August 2025 Highlights

Total red meat supplies in freezers on August 31, 2025 were down 2 percent from the previous month and down 7 percent from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers were down 1 percent from the previous month but up 2 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were down 3 percent from the previous month and down 13 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were down 25 percent from last month and down 8 percent from last year.

Total frozen poultry supplies on August 31, 2025 were down slightly from the previous month and down slightly from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were down 2 percent from the previous month but up 4 percent from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were up 3 percent from last month but down 8 percent from August 31, 2024.

Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on August 31, 2025 were down 1 percent from the previous month but up 2 percent from August 31, 2024. Butter stocks were down 8 percent from last month and down 6 percent from a year ago.

Total frozen fruit stocks on August 31, 2025 were up 3 percent from last month but down 5 percent from a year ago. Total frozen vegetable stocks were up 20 percent from last month but down 2 percent from a year ago.



NFU Statement on USDA and DOJ Action to Support Family Farmers in the Marketplace 

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew today released the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Justice (DOJ) announcing a new initiative to scrutinize competitive conditions in the agricultural marketplace. 

“American agriculture is at a breaking point. Rising input costs are hitting family farmers and ranchers hard, and corporate consolidation is a major cause. When just a handful of companies control the markets for seed, fertilizer and other farm supplies, they can raise prices at will. This leaves farmers squeezed between skyrocketing costs and low prices for their products. That is unsustainable for farm families, rural communities and consumers.

“We commend the USDA and DOJ for hearing NFU’s call to action and stepping up to confront these challenges. We look forward to working together to ease the economic burden in farm country and ensure fairness for our farmers.” 




Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef Launches Position Paper on Beef’s Role in Sustainable, Nutritious Diets

The Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) has released a new comprehensive position paper discussing the role of beef in sustainable, nutritious diets.

Developed through collaboration between GRSB members and independent experts in nutrition, sustainability, and development, the paper positions sustainable beef as a cornerstone of resilient and inclusive food systems by underscoring its role in human nutrition, livelihoods, environmental stewardship, and the economy.

“GRSB was formed to address the sustainability challenges that face the beef sector, whether they are social, environmental or economic. We brought together a diverse group of people to contribute to this paper, as we realised there was a need for a nuanced perspective on the role of beef in sustainable and nutritious diets,” said Ruaraidh Petre, executive director of GRSB.

The release of this position paper is an important milestone for advancing the global conversation on sustainable food systems.

“While there has been a move to consider environmental impact in dietary guidelines, a true systems perspective is too often missed. The interactions between the health of the land we use to produce food on, the people who eat it and the livelihoods of those who produce it are numerous and complex,” Petre said. “Different types of land support various types of food production as well as different habitat that can maintain biodiversity. Finding a balance between these things will enable us to feed a growing population and contribute to the sustainable development goals without unduly prescriptive dietary guidelines.”

The full position paper is available for download here https://indd.adobe.com/view/f99c0c52-f2ca-4fef-a88b-770c69beb592. 



GreenLight Biosciences Launches Norroa, the First RNA-Based Treatment for Varroa Mites, Offering New Hope Amid Record Bee Losses

GreenLight Biosciences ("the Company" or "GreenLight Bio") today announced the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) registration of NorroaTM , the first-ever nature-based treatment specifically designed to combat varroamites, the leading threat to honey bee colonies. This groundbreaking innovation provides beekeepers with a powerful new tool proven to protect these pollinators, which are critical to U.S. agriculture.

The registration comes at a challenging time for pollinators and the broader agricultural ecosystem. Recently analyzed data from the Honey Bee Health Coalition reveals staggering honey bee colony losses, with 1.7 million colonies lost and commercial beekeepers sustaining an average loss of 62% between June 2024 and March 2025. Underscored by USDA researchers, this alarming trend is related to the declining efficacy of existing miticides as varroa mites have developed resistance to chemical treatments once considered reliable. As mites are less controlled, they bring high virus loads into colonies, leading to loss. Experts warn of ripple effects that could disrupt food production, drive up farmer costs, and threaten the survival of commercial beekeeping operations. Entomologists at Washington State University project colony losses could rise to 70% in 2025 without substantive action.

"The EPA registration of Norroa marks a pivotal moment in protecting honey bee colonies that are essential to our food system," said Andrey Zarur, Chief Executive Officer, GreenLight Bio. "We commend Administrator Zeldin and his team for their diligent work in conducting a thorough review of this cutting-edge, American-made technology that brings important innovation to U.S. beekeepers. By harnessing the precision of our proprietary technologies, we're providing beekeepers with an environmentally conscious solution that specifically and effectively targets one of the most devastating threats to honey bee health. Norroa is safe for the bees and preserves the beneficial biodiversity and ecosystem balance of the surrounding area, aligning with sustainable agricultural practices."

Norroa's active ingredient, vadescana, leverages RNA interference (RNAi), a natural biological process that precisely targets varroa mites and ultimately stops their

reproduction. It is part of the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee's (IRAC) Group 35, offering beekeepers a brand-new mode of action in the fight against these mites. The nucleic acids in the product are found in nature, and vadescana breaks down quickly in the environment.

"As a fifth-generation beekeeper, I've seen firsthand how varroa mites can devastate colonies and jeopardize livelihoods. It is the number one enemy for all beekeepers," said Jason Miller, President, Miller Honey Farms." Norroa offers a genuinely effective and environmentally responsible option to protect our bees, which is critical for the health of our operations and the future of our nation's food supply."

Rigorous, replicated field trials conducted across multiple U.S. regions demonstrated extended mite control of up to 18 weeks, resulting in improved overall colony health. Researchers confirmed Norroa's performance against varroa mites and its safety for honey bees, humans, other insects, and the environment. As the first truly targeted mite control product ever developed, when Norroa is applied with low mite levels, it maintains them longer than anything else on the market. This results in healthier, stronger bees, and if timed right, can lead to more colonies surviving over the winter, which field data supports.

"Beekeepers have been urgently seeking alternatives as existing miticides lose their potency," said Mark Singleton, Chief Commercial Officer and General Manager at

GreenLight Bio." Norroa represents a breakthrough in honey bee protection from varroa mites, offering beekeepers an effective and easy-to-use tool that keeps mite populations down for up to 18 weeks, which is substantially longer than the existing products on the market. Norroa can be applied at any temperature, provided it's safe to open the hive, and has no negative impacts on brood, workers, or queens. Beekeepers have very few products available to them to control these destructive mites. We are proud to be bringing another tool to the fight against varroa."

Varroa mites, which can double their population every 30 days, have evolved resistance to many chemical treatments, leaving beekeepers with few reliable options and intensifying the search for innovative approaches. Without significant intervention, experts warn of dire consequences for U.S. agriculture, which relies on honey bee pollination for more than 100 crops valued at an estimated $20 billion annually.

Friday September 26 Ag News - US Hog Inventory Down 1% - CVA Celebrates Coop Month - US Red Meat Production Down 10% - Ag Sec Rollins in KC - and more!

 United States Hog Inventory Down 1 Percent 

United States inventory of all hogs and pigs on September 1, 2025 was 74.5 million head. This was down 1 percent fromSeptember 1, 2024, but up 1 percent from June 1, 2025.   

Breeding inventory, at 5.93 million head, was down 2 percent from last year, and down slightly from the previous quarter.

Market hog inventory, at 68.5 million head, was down 1 percent from last year, but up 1 percent from last quarter. 

Hogs and Pigs by State  (1,000 hd  -  % Sept 1 '24) 
Nebraska ..........:                  3,640         101  
Iowa .................:                 25,100       100  
Minnesota ........:                    8,750         96  
North Carolina ..:                     7,800         96  
Illinois ..............:                     5,550        101  

The June-August 2025 pig crop, at 34.1 million head, was down 3 percent from 2024. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 2.88 million head, down 3 percent from 2024. The sows farrowed during this quarter represented 48 percent of the breeding herd. The average pigs saved per litter was 11.82 for the June-August period, compared to 11.72 last year. 

June - Aug 2025 
Nebraska ...:    180,000 sows farrowing - 12.10 pigs per litter -  2,178,000 pig crop (-2% LY)  
Iowa ..........:    450,000 sows farrowing - 11.90 pigs per litter - 5,355,000 pig crip (-3% LY)

United States hog producers intend to have 2.86 million sows farrow during the September-November 2025 quarter, down 2 percent from the actual farrowings during the same period one year earlier, and down 4 percent from the same period two years earlier. Intended farrowings for December 2025-February 2026, at 2.82 million sows, are down slightly from the same period one year earlier, and down 4 percent from the same period two years earlier. 

The total number of hogs under contract owned by operations with over 5,000 head, but raised by contractees, accounted for 52 percent of the total United States hog inventory, down 1 percent from the previous year. 



CVA Celebrates National Co-op Month by Giving Back to Local Communities

October is National Co-op Month, a time to recognize the vital role cooperatives play in strengthening rural communities. Central Valley Ag (CVA) is proud to celebrate this month by honoring our mission to serve and support the communities where we live and work.

CVA is organizing a company-wide food drive throughout the month of October to support local food pantries across our service areas. Many food pantries are in need of restocking as they prepare for the busy colder winter months.

From October 1 through October 31, all CVA locations will be collecting non-perishable food items to donate to their local food pantries. This initiative is not only about giving back but also about coming together as a cooperative to make a difference to those around us.

Each participating location is teaming up with a local food pantry and will be working hard to collect as many donations as possible. CVA would like to continue doing their part to help their communities by making a $250 corporate donation to the location that donates the most to the pantry and their community.

Community members and partners are encouraged to join us in this effort. Whether you are dropping off a few canned goods or helping to spread the word, your support helps make this campaign stronger and more impactful.

“We know that many food pantries are in need, and we want to do our part to support the communities that support us," said Nic McCarthy, CEO of CVA. "Being part of a cooperative means stepping up when our neighbors need help, and this food drive is one small way we can make a big impact."

We believe that cooperatives are built on community. This October, let’s continue to show what that truly  means by working together to give back to those around us. 

To learn more about how you can get involved or where to donate, reach out to your local CVA location.

Together, we can make this Co-op Month a time of action, support, and community



NWB Announces Intern for the 2025-2026 School Year

The Nebraska Wheat Board (NWB) is excited to announce the 2025-2026 Nebraska Wheat Intern.  Abby Hirschman of St. Paul, NE is currently a sophomore at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) pursuing a degree in Agribusiness with minors in Animal Science, the Engler Entrepreneurship Program and the Krutsinger Beef Scholars Program.  Along with her classes, Abby is active in a variety of clubs and organizations at UNL.  She is a member of the UNL Range Management Club, serving as the chapter’s social media specialist.  She is also a member of the Collegiate Farm Bureau, St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center and Young Nebraska Cattlemen Association.  Growing up on a farm that raised livestock and crops, Abby developed a deep passion for the agriculture industry at an early age.  

Throughout her childhood, Abby was heavily involved in her local 4-H organization, taking on a variety of projects that helped cultivate her strong leadership skills. She continued to explore her passion for agriculture and build her skills by being an active member of the St. Paul FFA chapter.  Abby remains an active member of the National FFA Organization, where she plans to pursue her American degree.

With the desire to get more involved in Nebraska’s agriculture industry and expand her knowledge of crops, Abby applied for the Nebraska Wheat Board internship.

“My curiosity about Nebraska’s wheat industry led me to apply for this internship, as I wanted to gain a deeper understanding of this aspect of agriculture,” said Hirschman. “I am excited to get involved this year and work on behalf of Nebraska wheat farmers.”

During this experience, she is most excited for the opportunity to learn directly from producers and industry leaders, while also gaining skills in communication and outreach.

“The best way to grow is to put yourself in places you don’t know much about yet,” said Hirschman, adding that she hopes to walk away from this internship with both a deeper understanding of Nebraska’s wheat industry and valuable skills she can use in her future career.

The NWB Internship Program will run in accordance with the 2025–2026 school year, beginning in August and concluding in May. Throughout the year, the intern will gain hands-on experience in communications and outreach by assisting with social media management, content creation, graphic design, event coordination, and other projects that support the wheat industry. The internship is designed to provide professional development opportunities while allowing the student to tailor the experience to their individual interests and career goals.

The Nebraska Wheat Board administers the check-off of 0.5% of net value of wheat marketed in Nebraska at the point of first sale. The board invests the funds in programs of international and domestic market development and improvement, policy development, research, promotion, and education.



National Corn Growers Association Joins Ag Industry Efforts to Modernize Pesticide Drift Model Used by EPA, Incorporating Mitigation of Drift Reduction Technologies

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has joined the project to modernize the pesticide drift model software AGDISP (Agricultural DISpersion). AGDISP, developed by the U.S. Forest Service in the 1980s, is used by EPA to model the movement of spray in the environment after it has been released from a sprayer. The modernization effort is being carried out by the AGDISP Modernization Project (AMP) whose goal is to update and improve AGDISP.  AMP was established two years ago to rewrite the coding of the AGDISP model using a modern, well-supported computer language.

AMP, established by the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) two years ago, is investing $600,000 over five years to modernize AGDISP. The funding raised to date—$370,000—comes from a generous $35,000 donation from NCGA this week, after last month’s generous $35,000 donation from the Cotton Foundation. Funding also includes a five-year, $250,000 grant from the Centers for Disease Control via the American Mosquito Control Association; and $50,000, to date, from the National Agricultural Aviation Research and Education Foundation.

These improvements to AGDISP are essential to improve accuracy and make the model accessible to other software developers so AGDISP can be further adapted to include modeling of other drift reduction technologies and application conditions to benefit all stakeholders across the pesticide industry, regardless of application type (aerial, ground, unmanned aerial, etc.).

A modernized AGDISP will more accurately estimate off-target spray movement for all types of pesticide applications when EPA conducts ecological, endangered species, and human health risk assessments. It will also allow the drift reduction benefits offered by new application technologies and techniques to be recognized by EPA, which in turn should result in less restrictive and more flexible application requirements on labels. A key feature of the modernized version of AGDISP is that it will continue to be available to the public and an open source. This means the EPA can use it for risk assessments and companies developing new application technologies can incorporate it into their research. 

A modernized AGDRIFT model will also set the stage for real-time, site-specific risk assessments to be conducted in the future. It will result in a professional applicator equipped with modern drift reduction technology, ranging from meteorological evaluation equipment, digital labels, data on adjuvants in the tank, application equipment setup parameters, etc., to be programmed into the GPS calculating a real time risk assessment after it is processed through the updated AGDISP drift model thereby allowing for more label flexibility depending on all the drift reduction technologies used.  

AMP is essential for all growers and pesticide applicators. Without accurate spray drift risk assessments for aerial, ground, and airblast applications, there exists the possibility of losing access to pesticides critical for protecting crops.

Other AMP stakeholders include pesticide manufacturers, grower groups, university scientists, and representatives from multiple federal agencies.

AMP is incredibly grateful to the National Corn Growers Association for the funding. It is NAAA’s hope that other pesticide industry organizations and grower groups will join in supporting the project. A modernized AGDISP will ensure all pesticide application methods can continue to be used to protect crops grown in the U.S.



USDA Livestock Slaughter Aug '25

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.15 billion pounds in August, down 10 percent from the 4.59 billion pounds produced in August 2024.

Beef production, at 2.02 billion pounds, was 12 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.33 million head, down 14 percent from August 2024. The average live weight was up 25 pounds from the previous year, at 1,413 pounds.

Veal production totaled 1.9 million pounds, 38 percent below August a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 9,400 head, down 45 percent from August 2024. The average live weight was up 39 pounds from last year, at 353 pounds.

Pork production totaled 2.12 billion pounds, down 8 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 10.1 million head, down 7 percent from August 2024. The average live weight was down 2 pounds from the previous year, at 280 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 10.0 million pounds, was down 5 percent from August 2024. Sheep slaughter totaled 174,900 head, 1 percent below last year. The average live weight was 112 pounds, down 5 pounds from August a year ago.

By State               (million lbs.  -  % Aug '24) 
Nebraska .........:        594.9             90       
Iowa ................:       680.7             92       
Kansas .............:        430.7             85       

January to August 2025 commercial red meat production was 35.2 billion pounds, down 3 percent from 2024. Accumulated beef production was down 4 percent from last year, veal was down 38 percent, pork was down 2 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 3 percent. 



In Kansas City, Secretary Rollins Speaks on State of Farm Economy, Announces Suite of Actions to Support American Farmers

Thursday, in Kansas City at the Agriculture Outlook Forum, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins spoke on the current state of the farm economy in the United States and addressed the ways President Trump is supporting American agriculture. U.S. farm production inputs are significantly more costly than four years ago, putting pressure on farmers’ bottom line. Between 2020 and now, seed expenses have increased 18%, fuel and oil expenses increased 32%, fertilizer expenses increased 37%, and interest expenses increased by a whopping 73%.

In order to understand why these critical inputs are persistently elevated, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Justice signed a Memorandum of Understanding that represents a joint commitment by both agencies to protect American farmers and ranchers from the burdens imposed by high and volatile input costs —such as feed, fertilizer, fuel, seed, equipment, and other essential goods—while ensuring competitive supply chains, lower consumer prices, and the resilience of U.S. agriculture and the food supply. The Antitrust Division of DOJ will work hand in hand with USDA — effective immediately — to take a hard look and scrutinize competitive conditions in the agricultural marketplace, including antitrust enforcement that promotes free market competition.

Additionally, labor costs increased 47% since 2020. This increase is driven largely by the high cost of utilizing the H-2A program to secure seasonal labor, specifically the artificially inflated Adverse Effect Wage Rates set by the Department of Labor using USDA data. The USDA Farm Labor Survey was never designed to be used for setting government-mandated wage rates and is duplicative of other DOL data sources. USDA has discontinued this survey. USDA is working daily with the Department of Labor and Department of Homeland Security to build out regulatory changes that can make the H-2A program more affordable and more accessible for American agriculture.

“President Trump has made it clear: America’s farmers and ranchers will never be left behind. The success of our farmers is a national security priority, and at USDA we are looking at every option to ensure the future viability of American agriculture. The last Administration’s policies drove up inflation and ignored the needs of farmers and ranchers while not opening new markets abroad. The cost of doing business for farmers and ranchers increased drastically, and commodity prices slumped. The Trump Administration is holding these companies accountable and will investigate why input prices have not come back down,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “Relief is already reaching farms and ranches, but more help is still needed. ECAP payments, combined with our international food assistance purchases, help producers navigate market volatility, pay down debt for the 2024 crop year, and move American grown commodities to people in need in countries around the world. American farmers produce the most nutritious, safe, and high-value food in the world, and USDA is proud to stand with them at home and abroad.”

Expanding Markets
The One Big Beautiful Bill provided an additional $285 million each year in agricultural trade promotion and facilitation to help American agriculture expand markets overseas. While this funding does not kick in until next year, USDA repurposing Biden-era funding to kickstart this program one year early, with $285 million on October 2nd of this year launching the America First Trade Promotion Program to expand market opportunities for American agricultural products.

Emergency Assistance for Farmers
After expediting emergency aid payments of more than $8 billion to over 560,000 farmers since March, Secretary Rollins today released the $2 billion in remaining funding for the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) and announced the purchase of more than 417,000 metric tons of American grown commodities to support international food assistance programs. Together, these actions represent billions in support of American producers, helping them weather economic uncertainty at home while expanding markets for U.S. agriculture abroad.

International Food Assistance Purchases
At the same time, USDA is investing $480 million to purchase commodities from American farmers for international food assistance programs, including McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition and Food for Progress. These purchases will provide critical school meals and nutrition projects in countries such as Benin, Honduras, Mozambique, Pakistan, and Senegal, while also removing trade barriers and ensuring market access for U.S. agricultural exports in countries including Colombia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Vietnam, Nigeria, and Nepal.

USDA is providing $240 million to purchase U.S. commodities for six McGovern-Dole projects, which will utilize 56,170 metric tons of U.S.-grown food — a 50 percent increase from 2024. Food for Progress implementing partners will receive $240 million to sell 361,000 metric tons of U.S. commodities abroad, a 12 percent increase from 2024, with proceeds reinvested to build markets for American agriculture.

USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service will publish details of the fiscal year 2025 McGovern-Dole and Food for Progress funding allocations once all contracts are finalized.

ECAP Payments and Supplemental Disaster Assistance
Of the $10 billion authorized under ECAP, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has already delivered over $8 billion to eligible producers to offset higher input costs and falling commodity prices. Today, USDA is releasing the remaining ECAP funding that will be delivered to approved producers within the week, bringing the final payment factor to 99 percent. ECAP payments are based on planted and prevented planted crop acres for eligible commodities in the 2024 crop year and are issued automatically to producers with approved applications.

In addition to ECAP, USDA has provided more than $2 billion through two rounds of Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) assistance to livestock producers impacted by drought and wildfires, and floods. Producers have also received over $5.5 billion through Stage 1 of the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program, with Stage 2 assistance to be announced in October.



FFAR Develops Decontamination Strategy for HPAI-Infected Milk  

The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus is present in the milk of infected cows, and to limit on-farm spread, requires cost-prohibitive and resource-intensive on-farm pasteurization and heat decontamination treatments. The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and Texas A&M AgriLife Research are investing $300,404 in a Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research (ROAR) grant to develop effective, farmer-friendly decontamination strategies. 

Milk harvested from infected animals is currently recommended for on-farm heat treatment and pasteurization to minimize the spread of the virus to other cows and dairy workers. Yet, this approach is not feasible for individual farmers due to the high cost of the necessary equipment and facilities, and the large volume of milk produced by modern dairy herds.  

“Dairy farmers need tools and strategies to prevent the further spread of avian influenza in their herd once it is detected,” said Dr. Miriam Martin LeValley, FFAR scientific program manager. “Equipping farmers with a cost-effective, on-farm decontamination tool will minimize economic losses and reduce risks for farm workers. FFAR’s rapid funding will help deliver this solution for farmers.” 

Researchers led by Dr. Sushil Paudyal, assistant professor of dairy science at Texas A&M University, are evaluating the effectiveness of chemical controls in decontaminating milk. They are also assessing the health impacts of feeding decontaminated milk to calves. Identifying an effective chemical decontamination strategy will equip dairy farmers with a cost-efficient way to slow the spread of HPAI on their farms and repurpose milk from infected cows. 

 “Our goal is to develop a practical, science-based solution that dairy farmers can implement quickly and affordably,” said Dr. Paudyal. “We are collaborating with the University of Georgia to identify effective on-farm decontamination strategies that help reduce the spread of HPAI and protect both animal and human health.” 

FFAR’s ROAR program rapidly funds research and outreach in response to emerging or unanticipated threats to the U.S. food supply or agricultural systems. 



Soaring demand for dairy foods fueled a US butterfat boom, but cheesemakers need milk protein levels to catch up 

Consumer demand for products like cheese, butter and yogurt that rely on protein and butterfat content continues to drive dairy sales growth in the U.S. and abroad. Over the past decade, milk delivered to U.S. dairy processing plants has become more nutrient-dense with higher levels of the two key components to meet rising demand. However, the pace of growth in butterfat content has far exceeded protein, which creates challenges for U.S. cheddar and American-style cheesemakers that rely on a more balanced ratio of the two.

According to a new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, excessive butterfat levels can impact cheese quality. In the EU and New Zealand, the two largest dairy exporters, the protein-to-fat ratio has remained far steadier, averting the issues U.S. cheese makers are facing.

“U.S. dairy producers did an exceptional job increasing butterfat levels in milk to meet demand,” said Corey Geiger, lead dairy economist at CoBank. “For 10 years, the market couldn’t supply enough of it, and now there’s an oversupply – it’s almost too much of a good thing. Cheesemakers strive for a protein-to-fat ratio near 0.80. Anything significantly lower than that can reduce cheese quality and compromise production yields.”

In recent years, butterfat percentages in U.S. milk have been increasing at twice the pace of protein. From 2000 to 2017, the protein-to-fat ratio held rather constant at 0.82 to 0.84. In the ensuing years, the ratio gradually slipped to 0.77. That is increasingly a concern for cheesemakers as more than one-half of the U.S. milk supply is destined for cheese production.

The disproportionate growth of butterfat in relation to protein in U.S. milk when compared to the EU and New Zealand could put U.S. cheesemakers at a competitive disadvantage. The EU is the world’s largest dairy exporter, followed by New Zealand. The U.S. is the third largest exporter of dairy products and ingredients. Unlike America’s global competitors, domestic cheese processors face added costs for rebalancing their milk supplies, which reduces efficiency and could ultimately impact pricing at the farmgate.

Geiger said U.S. cheddar cheesemakers face a growing need to standardize milk either by adding a source of protein like milk protein concentrate or by pulling excess butterfat out. “If cheddar makers don’t standardize inbound milk, fat levels may climb too high and cheese quality could decline as higher fat generally yields a softer cheese,” said Geiger.

In the U.S., Multiple Component Pricing has incentivized butterfat and protein production. From 2000 to 2014, the protein price exceeded butterfat, resulting in rather equal growth between the two components. However, butterfat pay prices exceeded protein prices in eight of the past 10 years. That fueled the butterfat boom, which producers achieved through animal genetics and feeding strategies. Those practices could be shifted to achieve a greater balance between butterfat and protein if the proper price incentives are in place.

Cheese yield pricing could also give farmers incentives to produce milk with a higher protein-to-fat ratio. Geiger said looking to the future, farmgate milk needs to have a protein-to-fat ratio more in line with how milk is utilized to make the entire industry more efficient.

“Regardless of the current challenges associated with excess butterfat, most signals continue to point upward for milk component demand. That represents an opportunity for dairy farmers to produce more milk components so dairy processors can fulfill demand in both domestic and global markets. And advances in research and efficiency are among several reasons the U.S. dairy industry remains on a strong growth trajectory with $10 billion in dairy plant investment coming online through 2028.”