Monday February 24 Ag News w/ Feb 21 Cattle on Feed report

 NEBRASKA CATTLE ON FEED UP 2%

Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.59 million cattle on feed on February 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This inventory was up 2% from last year. Placements during January totaled 535,000 head, up 6% from 2024. Fed cattle marketings for the month of January totaled 510,000 head, up 4% from last year. Other disappearance during January totaled 15,000 head, down 10,000 head from last year.



IOWA CATTLE ON FEED UP 5%

Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 670,000 head on February 1, 2025, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Cattle on Feed report. This was up 3 percent from January and up 5 percent from February 1, 2024. Iowa feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head had 570,000 head on feed, up 2 percent from last month and up 6 percent from last year. Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in all Iowa feedlots totaled 1,240,000 head, up 2 percent from last month and up 5 percent from last year.

Placements of cattle and calves in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during January 2025 totaled 115,000 head, up 26 percent from December but unchanged from January 2024. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head placed 90,000 head, up 32 percent from December and up 53 percent from January 2024. Placements for all feedlots in Iowa totaled 205,000 head, up 29 percent from December and up 18 percent from January 2024.

Marketings of fed cattle from Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during January 2025 totaled 94,000 head, down 6 percent from December and down 9 percent from January 2024. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head marketed 72,000 head, up 31 percent from December and up 13 percent from January 2024. Marketings for all feedlots in Iowa were 166,000 head, up 7 percent from December but down 1 percent from January 2024. Other disappearance from all feedlots in Iowa totaled 9,000 head.



United States Cattle on Feed Down 1 Percent
    
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.7 million head on February 1, 2025. The inventory was 1 percent below February 1, 2024.

Placements in feedlots during January totaled 1.82 million head, 2 percent above 2024. Net placements were 1.76 million head. During January, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 365,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 395,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 505,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 382,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 105,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 70,000 head.

Marketings of fed cattle during January totaled 1.87 million head, 1 percent above 2024. Other disappearance totaled 60,000 head during January, 26 percent below 2024.

Cattle on Feed and Annual Size Group Estimates
Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head represented 82.7 percent of all cattle and calves on feed in the United States on January 1, 2025. This is comparable to the 82.7 percent on January 1, 2024.

Marketings of fed cattle for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head during 2024 represented 87.2 percent of total cattle marketed from all feedlots in the United States, down slightly from 87.3 percent during 2023.



Expert Insights on Ag Industry Advancements at 2025 Spring Seminar Series

The spring Agronomy and Horticulture seminar series is underway https://agronomy.unl.edu/news-events/seminars/, with the next seminar by Thomas Clemente, professor and director of the UNL Plant Transformation Core Research Facility, scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 27.

Clemente’s presentation, “Agriculture Biotechnology — A Tool for Functional Genomics and Complementing Plant Breeding Programs” will explore how biotechnology is revolutionizing traditional plant breeding programs to create more resilient, high-yield crops. By integrating cutting-edge techniques such as genetic engineering, marker-assisted selection, and gene editing, researchers are accelerating the development of crops with improved disease resistance, environmental adaptability and nutritional value. Clemente will review key benefits, challenges and future potential of complementing conventional breeding with biotechnological advancements to address global food security and climate change.

All seminars are free and open to the public, beginning at 11 a.m. CST/CDT on Thursdays in Room 150 of Keim Hall, 1825 N. 38th St., Lincoln, Nebraska. Refreshments will be served at 10:30 a.m.

The seminars are also streamed live and recorded unless otherwise noted.

Dates and topics for the spring series are as follows, with recordings of the Feb. 13 and 20 seminars to post to the seminar site soon for on-demand viewing:

    Feb. 13: “Metamitron, Six Years in the Making: Palmer Amaranth Control in Sugar Beet,” Nevin Lawrence, extension weed management specialist, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
    Feb. 20: “Designing Nitrogen-Use Efficient Maize Using a Population Genomics Approach,” Jinliang Yang, associate professor and Charles O. Gardner Professorship of Agronomy, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
    Feb. 27: “Agriculture Biotechnology — A Tool for Functional Genomics and Complementing Plant Breeding Programs,” Thomas Clemente, Eugene W. Price Distinguished Professor of Biotechnology, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
    March 6: “The Role of Conservation Management in Nitrogen Balance: Findings from the UNL-NRCS Collaboration,” Adewole Adetunji, postdoctoral research associate, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
    March 13: “What We Learned From Three Years of Growing Tye, Vetch and Mixture in Eastern Nebraska Under Variable Precipitation Seasons,” Tauana Ferriera De Almeida, postdoctoral research associate, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
    March 27: “Water or Wisdom? Tackling Agriculture Sustainability in Türkiye,” Denize Istipliler, assistant professor, Department of Field Crops, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey.
    April 3: “Ecometabolomics and Plant Response to Climate Change,” Noure Benkeblia, professor of crop science, director of the Laboratory of Crop Science, Department of Life Sciences, Caribbean Centre for Research in Bioscience, the University of the West Indies at Mona, Jamaica.
    April 10: “Effects of High Temperature on Rice Grain Development and Quality Formation Based on Comparative Genotype Analysis,” Julie Thomas, research scientist, director of the Experiment Station, Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, University of Arkansas.
    April 17: “Herbicide Resistance,” Peter Sikkema, professor emeritus, Field Crop Weed Management, University of Guelph, Canada.

For questions, contact Tamara “Toma” Sukhova, Agronomy and Horticulture Seminar Committee, Dirac Twidwell or Christian Stephenson, co-chairs of the Agronomy and Horticulture Seminar Committee.



Court Removes Corporate Transparency Act Pause
Nebraska Farm Bureau

A decision from U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas on February 18, 2025, has reinstated the filing requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act. Generally, most businesses subject to the filing requirement will have to file their Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) by March 21, 2025.

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) was included in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act as part of the Anti-Money Laundering Act. A bipartisan amendment with support from both chambers of Congress, the CTA requires companies to report information to the federal government’s FinCEN about the individuals who own or control them.

The final rule implementing the legislation was issued in September 2022, and its original effective date was January 1, 2024, prior to legislation getting caught up in litigation. The Court in January had initially issued a stay against enforcing any of the regulations required to implement the BOI reporting scheme in the case. However, the government appealed the decision and requested a lift of the stay while its appeal was heard. The Court granted the government’s requests.

FinCEN also intends to initiate a process this year to revise the BOI reporting rule to reduce burden for lower-risk entities, including many U.S. small businesses.



2024 Annual Milk Production down 0.2 percent from 2023

The annual production of milk for the United States during 2024 was 226 billion pounds, down 0.2 percent from 2023. Revisions to 2023 production decreased the annual total 53 million pounds. Revised 2024 production was up 14 million pounds from last month's publication. Annual total milk production has increased 8.3 percent from 2015.

Annual Production by State
                       (million lbs.  - % change from '23)
Nebraska ......:      1,247.0          -6.9    
Iowa ............:       6,014.0           1.5    

Production per cow in the United States averaged 24,178 pounds for 2024, 61 pounds above 2023. The average annual rate of milk production per cow has increased 8.1 percent from 2015.

The average number of milk cows on farms in the United States during 2024 was 9.34 million head, down 42,000 head from 2023. The average number of milk cows was revised up 3,000 head for 2024. The average annual number of milk cows has increased 0.2 percent from 2015.



Ahead of Summer Driving Season, EPA Allows Expanded E15 Access to Midwest States Year-Round

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin has announced the agency’s decision to uphold the current April 28, 2025, implementation date to provide parity for E15 and E10 in Midwestern states. This action, requested by the governors of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, provides regulatory certainty for fuel suppliers and expands consumer access to E15 year-round in these states.

“Today’s decision underscores EPA’s commitment to consumer access to E15 while ensuring a smooth transition for fuel suppliers and refiners,” said EPA Administrator Zeldin. “Our approach provides certainty for states that are ready to move forward with year-round E15 while accommodating those that requested additional time. We will continue working with all stakeholders to ensure available and affordable fuel supply.”

At the same time, in recognition of concerns raised by some regarding fuel supply transitions, EPA intends to consider granting requests for a one-year delay for those states seeking additional time for compliance. Such a request has already been made by the State of Ohio. EPA strongly urges any state requesting a one-year delay to inform the agency in writing no later than Wednesday, February 26, 2025.

EPA intends to consider any additional states’ request submitted by February 26 and aims to provide refiners and fuel suppliers with the final opportunity to make necessary adjustments to ensure the long-term success of year-round E15.

A legislative solution before the summer driving season to allow for the permanent, year-round sale of E15 nationwide is an option being negotiated in Congress. In the absence of congressional action, EPA is still considering issuing emergency fuel waivers to allow the year-round sale of E15. EPA is closely monitoring fuel market conditions and considering potential emergency fuel waivers under the Clean Air Act to prevent supply disruptions and protect consumers from price volatility



Pillen Reacts to EPA Confirmation to Keep Date for Implementation of E15 Access

Reassuring news last week for Nebraska motorists and corn growers. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has confirmed its intent to uphold the current April 28, 2025 implementation date for year-round access to E15. Nebraska is among eight states that had long been fighting a summertime ban on the higher ethanol blend. Last year, the EPA issued its  final rule, a significant win for Nebraska and other ethanol-producing states.

“Nebraska is in a leading position to reap the benefits of E-15, both from the production as well as the consumer side. This is a significant step forward in growing our state’s ag and biofuels economy,” said Gov. Pillen.

In a release from the EPA, Administrator Lee Zeldin stated: “Today’s decision underscores EPA’s commitment to consumer access to E15 while ensuring a smooth transition for fuel suppliers and refiners.”



Fischer Statement on Emergency Summertime Waivers for E15

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued emergency waivers for the sale of E15 ahead of the 2025 summer driving season.

“I’m glad President Trump is taking further action to ensure E15 is available year-round. As EPA Administrator Zeldin noted, my bipartisan, bicameral legislation with Senator Duckworth, Congressman Smith, and Congresswoman Craig is the only permanent solution. It’s past time for Congress to act and carry out President Trump’s energy agenda.”



Smith Statement on EPA Announcement on Year-Round E15 Access

Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE), a co-chair of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus, released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it would provide a waiver to allow E15 sales this summer in eight midwestern states and expressed its support for the long-term success of year-round E15.

"The Trump administration’s continued support for the long-term success of year-round E15 is welcome news. There has never been a good reason to deny hardworking producers, retailers, and consumers the greater flexibility, choice, productivity, and certainty E15 brings to the U.S. fuel market. This is why my bill with Rep. Craig and Sen. Fischer to permanently authorize year-round E15 is the best way to deliver science-backed policy which is good for our economy and our environment. Our untapped domestic production potential should be reflected in a competitive RFS set and encouraged through timely guidance for relevant programs. I will continue fighting to maximize the benefit of biofuels as part of an all-of-the-above energy agenda."



IRFA Thanks EPA for Standing by Farmers and Consumers, Upholding Access to E15 this Summer.

Friday the Environmental Production Agency (EPA) announced it would not grant a blanket delay on the summertime fix for E15 adopted by 8 Midwestern states. This ensures that consumers in those states will have access to E15 year-round, providing a boost to corn demand and farmers. EPA further noted that a nationwide E15 solution is being negotiated in Congress and that EPA may still grant emergency waivers this summer if justified for the entire country.

IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw made the following statement:

“Even as we continue to work on a preferrable, nationwide solution, today’s EPA announcement means that retailers in the Midwest know they will not have to bag pumps, consumers know they will not have to pay 15-20 cents more per gallon, and farmers know a key growth opportunity for corn demand will not disappear. IRFA is deeply grateful to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin for standing by farmers and consumers to ensure access to E15 this summer.

“But as Administrator Zeldin noted, work is ongoing in Congress for a nationwide solution that would be easier for oil refiners to implement. IRFA’s top goal is to ensure E15 access remains as a year-round fuel option, but we also stand ready to work with President Trump, Zeldin and the refiners to find the easiest route to that end. Congress can make nationwide E15 happen in the next spending bill in March. There is no reason to delay.

“This all started with Iowa Governor Kim Reynold’s leadership, supported by Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and the entire Iowa delegation. We cannot thank them enough. Let’s all work together to get this done.”



Growth Energy Statement on EPA E15 Announcement

Growth Energy, the nation's largest biofuel trade association, responded today to an announcement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) giving midwestern states the option of delaying the implementation date of their petitions to circumvent outdated regulations and allow for the year-round sale of E15.

“We applaud EPA for their support of E15 and for working to find a solution that allows each of the eight opt-out states to determine how to handle their own unique fuel market,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “We appreciate the leadership of the midwestern governors who initiated the effort to secure permanent access to E15 in their states. At the same time, this announcement only further illustrates the need for a nationwide legislative fix for year-round E15. Now that we have bipartisan bills introduced in both the House and the Senate (H.R. 1346/S. 593), it's time for Congress to take action to resolve this issue once and for all, and to finally make year-round E15 the law of the land. We look forward to working with Congress and the White House to deliver economic benefits to consumers and rural communities by expanding access to American ethanol."



RFA Reacts to EPA Announcement on Year-Round E15

Late on Friday, the Environmental Protection Agency announced it would uphold the current April 28, 2025, implementation date for allowing E15 year-round in several Midwestern states. The EPA announcement also noted that important negotiations on a legislative solution permanently allowing year-round E15 nationwide are ongoing in Congress. In response to the news, RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper made the following statement:

“America’s ethanol producers and farmers are grateful to the Midwest governors who took the initiative to create a year-round market for E15 in their states, and it is reassuring that EPA intends to adhere to the law and follow through with implementation. As a nationwide solution has so far remained elusive, we applaud both the governors and EPA Administrator Zeldin for standing firm on this approach. At the same time, Ohio’s request to pull its E15 petition is a troubling sign that underscores the urgency of securing a federal legislative solution as soon as possible. A state-by-state approach would not be necessary if Congress passed the nationwide, year-round E15 legislation recently introduced in both the House and Senate. The bipartisan E15 bills have broad political and stakeholder support and accomplish President Trump’s goal of removing regulatory red tape and opening new markets for America’s farmers and the energy sector. While the legislative solution is strongly preferred by all, we were also encouraged to see EPA is considering issuing emergency waivers to allow the uninterrupted sale of E15 nationwide this summer is Congress fails to act. Let’s hope that won’t be necessary.”