Monday March 10 Ag News

 DAWN Dashboard: A Decision Support Tool for the Corn Belt

The Nebraska Digital Ag Survey conducted by Nebraska Extension indicats that digital dashboards have been adopted by three out of 10 farmers. Digital dashboards are considered decision support tools that can guide farmers in the decision-making process in their operations with the goal of increasing efficiency, productivity and sustainability of their farms. Data-driven decisions are a key goal for digital agriculture. In response to this information, the Dashboard for Agricultural Water and Nutrient Management (DAWN) was developed by a team of universities as part of a USDA NIFA grant.

The DAWN Dashboard https://dawn.umd.edu/ applies an innovative forecasting and risk analysis system to provide farmers and water managers across the Corn Belt with the most relevant and reliable information for farm-level decision-making. DAWN is an online toolkit for Corn Belt row crop producers that’s designed to support – and better inform – common water- and nutrient-management decisions. Driven by a state-of-the-art regional forecast system, DAWN empowers farmers to make decisions based on accurate seasonal forecasts rather than historical trends.

Why Use DAWN?
-    Driven by global forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Corn Belt-specific Climate-Weather Research Forecasting (DAWN-CWRF) forecast model.
-    Seasonal forecasts (one- to six-month outlooks) for strategic planning decisions
-    Interactive and customizable.
-    All data is fully secure and confidential.
-    Cost-free, no ads.

Available Tools
-    Data viewer: Gives farmers predicted ranges and associated likelihoods for average monthly temperature and precipitation outlooks.
-    Growing Degree Tool: Gives farmers estimates for predicted maturity dates comparing to previous years based on your location, planting dates and relative maturity values.
-    Crop Progress Tool: Gives farmers predicted dates for important crop growth stages based on your location, planting dates and relative maturity values.
-    Dry Down Calculator: Predicts when your corn will reach a target grain moisture date based on starting moisture and observed maturity date (black layer, R6).

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is involved in this project and contributes to the development of a new irrigation scheduling tool and with extension efforts to advocate for the use of the dashboard across Nebraska.



Nebraska-based DARO brings cutting-edge disease detection to livestock industry

Kristen Bernhard, founder and CEO of DARO, is pioneering a new approach to pathogen surveillance for Nebraska’s swine industry. Drawing from her experience in disease surveillance at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Bernhard leads a multidisciplinary team developing cutting-edge molecular analysis tools to detect and prevent livestock disease outbreaks.

Disease prevention for Nebraska swine herds — exceeding 3.7 million pigs — is set to take a major step forward this year thanks to innovative science from DARO, a private-sector ag tech startup at Nebraska Innovation Campus. DARO’s pathogen surveillance approach leverages expertise from diverse scientific disciplines, translating advancements in molecular biology into practical tools for livestock health.

DARO’s approach, in contrast to conventional monitoring involving blood testing or oral fluids, provides whole-herd disease surveillance and uses molecular analysis to ensure accuracy. A key focus is monitoring for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), which annually costs the U.S. swine industry more than $1.2 billion.

Nebraska’s swine sector generates $6 billion annually and ranks sixth in pork production nationally.

“The pathogen surveillance we’ve developed gives us the ability to take certain sample types for livestock, specifically swine, and understand if there's PRRS or other pathogens present for an early detection method,” said Josh DeMers, DARO’s chief operating officer.

“Our goal is to make pathogen data available and accessible just like people interact with weather reports and forecasts,” said Kristen Bernhard, DARO founder and CEO. “We want it early and accurate.”

The current avian influenza illustrates the ag industry’s need for robust pathogen monitoring. In the pork sector, producers are particularly worried about African Swine Fever, an exceptionally destructive viral threat that isn’t yet in the U.S. but is present in the Caribbean.

DARO aims to head off disease outbreaks through early detection via analysis of livestock samples. Prevention at present is the only defense against African swine fever, for example, since no treatment or vaccine against it is currently available.

Bernhard draws upon her experience at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where she worked with teams on disease surveillance programs across the globe. She managed UNMC’s Pathogens Genomics laboratory, and the wastewater surveillance methodology her lab piloted became a key analytical tool during the COVID outbreak.

After making its technology available to swine producers later this year, DARO has plans for additional products and for extending its service to other livestock sectors.

DARO provides an example of multiple University of Nebraska supports for economic development. DARO is a Nebraska-based private-sector company that has benefited from resources available in the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, including The Combine and Biotech Connector lab facility on Nebraska Innovation Campus. However, the company’s pathogen surveillance technology is independently developed and fully proprietary to DARO.

Bernhard’s background in population genetics informed DARO’s approach. The company developed its proprietary technology to address livestock health challenges. To bring together the needed scientific and business talent at DARO, Bernhard has assembled what she terms a multidisciplinary “dream team.”

On the business side, DeMers, former program manager of The Combine, provides wide-ranging knowledge of startup needs. Rick Knudston, an active angel investor who co-founded the website hosting company Flywheel and internal communications platform Workshop, brings real-world understanding of tech entrepreneurship.

Bailey Barcal, director of laboratory operations, has wide-ranging experience in clinical and research molecular testing. She formerly was a medical laboratory scientist for UNMC’s Nebraska Emerging Pathogens Diagnostic Acceleration Program.

DARO’s lead scientist for genomics research is Alison Neujahr, who received her doctorate in University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Complex Biosystems Ph.D. program in 2024.

Neujahr’s Ph.D. research focused on understanding the animal microbiome, its role in disease and health, and using that knowledge to monitor animal health and develop novel biological treatments to improve animal health.



Analyzing the Profitability of Stacked Extended Crop Rotations for Soil Health using the Agricultural Budget Calculator Program
Mar 13, 2025 12:00 PM
Glennis McClure, Extension Educator and Farm and Ranch Management Analyst, UNL
Jeff Steffen, Producer and Ag Budget Calculator Program User

Glennis McClure, an extension farm and ranch management analyst, will discuss strategies with a producer and Agricultural Budget Calculator program user to offer insight on how to use the program to better achieve profitability.

Jeff Steffen is a Crofton, Nebraska, area producer operating an integrated crop and livestock farm. During the webinar, Jeff will provide an overview of their operation that focuses on stacked extended crop rotations and integrating cow herd grazing on mixed cover crops. Jeff has used the Agricultural Budget Calculator (ABC) program to analyze cropping scenarios over the last few years. He enters their actual figures into the projected budgets to track what profitability resulted. Overall, he’s been able to estimate enterprise and whole farm profitability with fewer inputs and increased revenue.
 
Jeff is a member of the Nebraska Natural Resource Commission Board, and the Lewis & Clark Natural Resource District Board, and serves as a technical advisor for the Bow Creek Watershed Project.  

Miss the live webinar or want to review it again? Recordings are available — typically within 24 hours of the live webinar — in the archive section of the Center for Agricultural Profitability's webinar page, https://cap.unl.edu/webinars. Registration can also be found at that website.



RFA Congratulates Elite Octane on Billion-Gallon Milestone
    
The Renewable Fuels Association today congratulated member company Elite Octane, based in Atlantic, Iowa, for reaching the milestone of producing its billionth gallon of ethanol.

“We congratulate the investors and staff at Elite Octane on this terrific milestone, and doing so in such a relatively short time in operation,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Over the past seven years, they have worked tirelessly to support the local economy in Iowa, providing cleaner, lower-cost fuel ethanol and other coproducts. We are proud of their success and their impact on the American ethanol industry.”

Led by President and CEO Nick Bowdish, who also sits on the RFA Board of Directors, Elite Octane began its operations on July 1, 2018, and now employs over 50 people at a plant that has the capacity to produce 150 million gallons of ethanol each year. Since its beginning, the plant has paid more than $1.6 billion to local corn farmers since commencing operations and nearly all this money was received within 60 miles of the plant. Altogether, the biorefinery processed 333 million bushels of corn to produce the billion gallons, as well as more than two million tons of distillers grains and 355 million pounds of corn oil.



16 Ag and Oil States Attorneys General Push for Year-Round E15 in Upcoming Congressional Funding Package

Late last week, a coalition of Attorneys General representing 16 agriculture and oil producing states joined together to push for year-round E15 in the upcoming Congressional funding package, known as a continuing resolution (CR). The letter asking Congress to include E15 in the upcoming CR, led by Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, answers the call to use national assets like biofuels in fulfilling President Trump’s vision for America’s energy-independent future. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw made the following statement:

“We stand with these attorneys general to say the time has come to settle year-round E15 once and for all. Congress must put E15 in the upcoming CR. This multi-state effort representing both agriculture and oil producing states is a huge testament to the widespread support behind unleashing year-round E15 nationwide. Consumers in all 50 states deserve to save 15 to 20 cents a gallon with E15. Corn farmers deserve a growing market during these difficult times. And we can accomplish those things without requiring oil refiners to comply on a state-by-state basis. But that takes action from Congress. IRFA members thank Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird for her leadership in bringing this coalition together to pursue a common solution. Now, let’s see this over the finish line.”



Iowa Corn Farmers Thank Attorney General Bird for Support of Year-Round E15

Access to nationwide year-round E15 is a win for both consumers and farmers. That is why the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) thanks Attorney General Brenna Bird for urging Congress to pass a bipartisan bill that will grant nationwide access to E15.

“Attorney General Bird has been a long-time advocate and supporter of year-round E15, and we appreciate her continued leadership in this fight,” said Stu Swanson, ICGA President and farmer from Galt, Iowa. “Passage of year-round E15 will provide consumers access to a cleaner burning, cheaper option at the pump, while putting dollars back in the pockets of American farmers through increased corn demand. Iowa corn farmers are ready to provide homegrown, more affordable energy solutions to all Americans.”

In additional support, nearly 9,000 corn growers and advocates from 47 states have signed their name to a letter from the National Corn Gowers Association which was submitted to House and Senate leadership in support of removing barriers for E15 to be sold year-round. The sheer number of signatures in the letter is testament to the strong sentiment about increased ethanol demand among farmers, especially as commodity prices drop and input costs increase.  
 
“A legislative solution for consumers to access year-round E15 comes at no cost yet would provide critical support to our nation’s energy sector, overdue relief to American families, and provide necessary economic security to rural communities,” the letter said.



Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in a Mixed Species Backyard Flock in Dallas County

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have detected a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1 HPAI) in a mixed species backyard flock in Dallas County, Iowa. This is Iowa’s fifth detection of H5N1 HPAI within domestic birds in 2025.



NFU Honors Senator Tom Harkin with the Award for Meritorious Service to American Agriculture

National Farmers Union (NFU) honored former U.S. Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa with the 2025 Award for Meritorious Service to American Agriculture, its highest distinction, at the opening banquet of the 123rd Anniversary Convention.

“Senator Tom Harkin was steadfastly committed to American family farmers throughout his life and 40-year career in the U.S. Congress,” said NFU President Rob Larew. “NFU is proud to honor him with the 2025 Award for Meritorious Service to American agriculture, recognizing his dedication to family farmers and our communities. He’s been a friend and a staunch ally to Farmers Union for decades. We congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition.”

Harkin made agriculture a top priority during his time in the U.S. Congress. serving on the House Agriculture Committee during his 10-year stint in the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa’s 5th Congressional District. Harkin then served five consecutive terms in the U.S. Senate, including serving as chair on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

During his tenure in Congress, Harkin always served in the best interests of his family farmer constituents. Notably, Harkin co-authored the Biofuels Security Act of 2006 to promote renewable fuels and energy security. Harkin also held assignments on the Subcommittee on Hunger, Nutrition and Family Farms, the Subcommittee on Rural Revitalization, Conservation, Forestry and Credit, and was co-chair of the Senate Rural Health Caucus, where he advocated for more robust health care policy. He helmed the Senate Agriculture Committee during the negotiation and passage of the 2008 Farm Bill.

In his early life, Harkin spent time working on farms in the Des Moines, Iowa, area, which instilled in him from a young age the importance of family-based agriculture. Since retiring from the Senate in 2014, Harkin has continued his service to American agriculture by founding The Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement at Drake University, with a goal to connect people with policy.



National Farmers Union Announces Launch of $25 Million Farmers Capital Fund to Drive Agricultural Innovation

National Farmers Union today announced the launch of the Farmers Capital Fund, a $25 million investment initiative dedicated to supporting early- and growth-stage companies that accelerate agricultural productivity while advancing the economic success of family farmers and ranchers.

By investing in innovative, economically sustainable solutions, the Farmers Capital Fund will promote cutting-edge technologies, operational efficiencies and market expansion opportunities that enhance farm profitability. The fund is strategically aligned with National Farmers Union’s mission of fostering a fair and resilient food system that benefits both producers and rural communities.

"Family farmers and ranchers are the backbone of rural America, and their ability to thrive depends on access to innovation and opportunity," said Rob Larew, president of National Farmers Union. "The Farmers Capital Fund is a crucial step toward ensuring that emerging technologies and new business models work for independent producers—not against them. By prioritizing economic sustainability, productivity and profitability, this fund will help shape a stronger, more equitable future for agriculture."

Administered in partnership with Open Prairie, a recognized leader in agricultural investment, the Farmers Capital Fund will focus on sectors ranging from ag-tech and automation to conservation, efficiency and value-added food production. Investments will be guided by three core principles: economic sustainability, productivity and profitability, with an emphasis on solutions that reduce input costs, improve resource efficiency, and expand market access for farmers.

Open Prairie CEO and Managing Partner Jim Schultz noted: “The partnership with National Farmers Union and Open Prairie has been long standing.  We are honored to expand our relationship with their farmer and rancher members to develop new investments that impact the farmgate and ranch gate.”

Learn more about Farmers Capital Fund at nfu.org/farmerscapitalfund.



January Beef Exports Above Year-Ago; Pork Trends Modestly Lower

Exports of U.S. beef trended higher than a year ago in January, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Pork exports were slightly below last January’s large totals, despite another outstanding performance in Mexico and Central America.

Demand for U.S. beef remains resilient in key markets
January beef exports reached 102,840 metric tons (mt), up 3% year-over-year, while value increased 5% to $804.6 million. Growth was driven in part by larger exports to China and Canada, while exports to South Korea were steady in volume but higher in value. Strong value increases were also achieved in other key markets, including Taiwan, the Caribbean, Central America and the ASEAN. Exports of beef variety meat were the largest in nearly two years, led by larger shipments to Mexico, Egypt, Canada and China/Hong Kong.

“Demand for U.S. beef came on strong in the Asian markets late last year, and that momentum largely continued in January,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “The performance in Korea is especially encouraging, given the country’s political turmoil and slumping currency. It is also gratifying to see exports trending higher to China, though we are concerned about access to the market moving forward, as many U.S. beef and pork plants are awaiting word on their eligibility beyond mid-March.”

Mexico and Central America shine again for pork exports, but shipments decline to Japan, Korea
Pork exports totaled 243,965 mt in January, down 3% from a year ago, while value eased 2% to $668 million. Shipments soared to Central America and were the fourth largest on record to leading market Mexico. Exports also increased year-over-year to China/Hong Kong, the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand, but these results were offset by sharply lower shipments to Japan, Korea and Colombia.

“U.S. pork is coming off a record-breaking year in 2024 and we see opportunities for continued growth this year,” Halstrom said. “Our Western Hemisphere markets are obviously critical to this success, so the White House pausing tariffs on some goods imported from Mexico and Canada is certainly encouraging news. Duty-free access to Mexico, Canada and other free trade agreement partners has definitely underpinned global demand for U.S. red meat and delivered essential returns at every step of the supply chain. The majority of U.S. red meat exports are to countries with which we have trade agreements. Maintaining trust and access to these markets is critical to the continued success of the U.S. industry.”

Lamb exports fairly steady, with growth continuing in Mexico and Caribbean
January exports of U.S. lamb fell 7% from a year ago to 282 mt, while value was down 1% to $1.68 million. But muscle cut exports increased slightly in both volume (255 mt) and value ($1.46 million), led by robust growth in Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago and the Netherlands Antilles. These gains were partially offset by sharply lower shipments to Canada.



Clean Fuels Expresses Disappointment in RFS Delays
 
Friday, Clean Fuels Alliance America expressed frustration over ongoing delays in the Renewable Fuel Standard program. EPA Friday evening finalized a rule to delay compliance with the 2024 RFS standards; the compliance deadline would have fallen on March 31. The rule also updates the definition of “biodiesel” in the program to reference the most recent ASTM quality specifications.

In December, EPA proposed a partial waiver of the 2024 cellulosic biofuel standard, anticipating a shortfall of available cellulosic (D3 or D7) RINs. EPA further proposed to delay compliance until the next quarterly reporting deadline, to give obligated parties an additional 90 days to plan 2024 compliance strategies. EPA today is taking no action on the partial waiver but is deferring the 2024 compliance deadline for an unspecified period until it finalizes a decision on the waiver.

“The biomass-based diesel industry needs policy certainty that supports our continued growth and significant contribution to American energy security,” said Kurt Kovarik, Clean Fuels’ Vice President of Federal Affairs. “In response to the proposed waiver of cellulosic volumes, Clean Fuels asked EPA to make decisions on outstanding small refinery exemptions to assess the potential impact on 2024 RIN availability. It is frustrating that EPA is delaying important program decisions and adding to uncertainty for our industry.”

Last June, Clean Fuels petitioned EPA to reconsider the low volumes for biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuels set for 2024 and 2025, which were set significantly below production capacity and trends. Clean Fuels has also filed a lawsuit over EPA’s failure to meet the November 2024 deadline to set 2026 RFS volumes.



USDA Announces March 2025 Lending Rates  for Agricultural Producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for March 2025, which are effective March 3, 2025. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.               

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

Interest rates for Operating and Ownership loans for March 2025 are as follows:       
    Farm Operating Loans(Direct): 5.500%  
    Farm Ownership Loans (Direct): 5.875%  
    Farm Ownership Loans (Direct, Joint Financing): 3.875%  
    Farm Ownership Loans (Down Payment): 1.875%
    Emergency Loan (Amount of Actual Loss): 3.750%    

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

Commodity and Storage Facility Loans     
Additionally, FSA provides low-interest financing to producers to build or upgrade on-farm storage facilities and purchase handling equipment and loans that provide interim financing to help producers meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are low.  Funds for these loans are provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and are administered by FSA.   
    Commodity Loans(less than one year disbursed): 5.250%  
    Farm Storage Facility Loans:  
    Three-year loan terms: 4.250%
    Five-year loan terms: 4.375%
    Seven-year loan terms: 4.500%
    Ten-year loan terms: 4.500%
    Twelve-year loan terms: 4.625%
    Sugar Storage Facility Loans(15 years): 4.750%