Thursday March 06 Ag News

 Nebraska LEAD Program Introduces Micro-Credential through UNL

The Nebraska LEAD Program is excited to introduce a new micro-credential in partnership with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR). This digital badge will be awarded to Nebraska LEAD Fellows in recognition of their comprehensive exploration of agricultural leadership, communication and global perspectives—essential competencies for advancing agriculture and strengthening rural communities.

This micro-credential can be earned upon successful completion of the two-year Nebraska LEAD Program, which includes 12 intensive seminars across Nebraska, a 10-day national study/travel seminar and a two-week international study/travel seminar. Nebraska LEAD Class 42 will be the first cohort to receive this distinction during their graduation ceremony on March 21.

“The Nebraska LEAD Program has long been recognized for its ability to cultivate informed and engaged leaders in agriculture,” said Kurtis Harms, director of the Nebraska LEAD Program. “This micro-credential offers an exciting new way for our graduates to showcase their leadership development and the skills they’ve gained through our immersive learning experiences.”

The digital badge, administered by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, provides official recognition of the Nebraska LEAD Program’s rigorous curriculum and the professional competencies its graduates develop.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Nebraska LEAD Program to offer this micro-credential,” said Dr. Tiffany Heng-Moss, Dean of UNL’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. “Micro-credentials and digital badges are becoming increasingly valuable in today’s workforce, giving individuals a way to demonstrate their expertise and continuous learning. This initiative highlights the commitment of both CASNR and Nebraska LEAD to equipping agricultural leaders with the tools they need to succeed.”

The Nebraska LEAD Program was established in 1981 with the mission of developing agriculture leaders from Nebraska’s farming, ranching and agribusiness sectors. Over the past four decades, the program has graduated nearly 1,200 fellows who have gone on to serve in leadership roles at the local, state, national and international levels. The two-year program offers participants a unique blend of education, travel and personal development opportunities, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to lead in a rapidly changing world.

For more information, or to request an application for Nebraska LEAD 44 which begins in the fall of 2025, contact the Nebraska LEAD Program online at lead.unl.edu. The application deadline is June 15.



Nebraska Soybean Board to meet

The Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB) will hold its next meeting March 10-11, 2025 at NSB’s office located at 4625 Innovation Drive, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Among conducting regular business, the Board will review FY26 production research proposals and other new opportunities. The meeting is open to the public after lunch on Monday and will provide an opportunity for discussion. The complete agenda for the meeting is available for inspection on the Nebraska Soybean Board website at www.nebraskasoybeans.org

About the Nebraska Soybean Board: The nine-member Nebraska Soybean Board collects and disburses the Nebraska share of funds generated by the one-half of one percent times the net sales price per bushel of soybeans sold. Nebraska soybean checkoff funds are invested in research, education, domestic and foreign markets, including new uses for soybeans and soybean products.



Iowa Corn Farmer-Leaders Attend Commodity Classic

Iowa Corn farmer-leaders traveled west to Denver, Colorado, this week to serve as delegates at the 2025 Commodity Classic. Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) delegates advocated in support of policies and actions on behalf of Iowa farmer members to implement at the federal level with the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA).

“The theme for Commodity Classic this year is ‘Elevating Excellence in Agriculture’ and that is exactly what we came together to work towards this week,” said Stu Swanson, ICGA President and farmer from Galt, Iowa. “Our delegates have voiced the needs of ICGA members and presented resolutions that will allow growers to overcome challenges while advocating for maintaining and building corn demand. The decisions made here today will guide our federal legislative efforts going forward.”

The Iowa resolutions passed by the NCGA delegate body include:
-    We recognize that companies manufacturing pesticides provide valuable tools that are needed by farmers and support the scientific-based approval of such products for use by farmers, however, we do not support blanket immunity from ongoing or potential lawsuits that may emerge in the future should a product be found to be unsafe such as causing cancer or death.
-    We believe the USDA, the Department of Energy, and the Treasury Department should establish an “Office of Ag and Rural Affairs” to support agriculture interests at the Treasury Department.
-    Support research and production of biobased renewable corn products such as fuels, textiles, plastics, and chemicals.

The new NCGA policy document will be posted at iowacorn.org/membership/policy-development when it becomes available. For more information on upcoming policy development meetings in your area, contact the Iowa Corn office at (515) 225-9242 or email at corninfo@iowacorn.org.

Larry Buss Inducted into Walter Goeppinger Recruiter Hall of Fame  
As a grassroots organization, the most important work starts with boots on the ground, something Larry Buss, farmer from Logan, Iowa, knows well. Buss has been an active Iowa Corn member for over 13 years and during this time has served as president of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, chair of the Grassroots Network Membership and Checkoff Committee, as a delegate and action team member at NCGA and A-team member at the U.S. Grains Council. During his involvement he has also dedicated countless hours to recruiting new members, recruiting over 928 new ICGA members during this time. This dedication earned him recognition at the 2025 Commodity Classic where he was inducted into the Walter Goeppinger Recruiter Hall of Fame.

“I see recruiting ICGA members as a top responsibility for corn leaders and I have led by example by placing recruiting as a top priority,” said Buss. "I always represent the brand by wearing my Iowa Corn hat and in doing that, people know I believe in the organization’s mission. Some may not know about the opportunities Iowa Corn provides, which is why it’s important to share our stories and ask them to join us.”

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) created the Walter Goeppinger Recruiter Hall of Fame in 2004 to recognize outstanding grower achievement in membership recruitment and retention. Each year, the NCGA identifies potential Hall inductees based on recruitment performance from previous years. To be considered for this award the nominee must be an active member, have been an active recruiter for the past five consecutive years and have recruited over 750 members.



NCBA GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS STAFF VISITS IOWA TO SHARE D.C. PERSPECTIVE WITH CATTLE PRODUCERS

The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA), is excited to welcome the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) back to Iowa. Ethan Lane, NCBA senior vice president of government affairs, and Tanner Beymer, NCBA executive director of government affairs, will join ICA March 12 and 13, 2025, in western Iowa for a series of farm visits, industry partner tours, and two evening producer meetings.

ICA invites cattle producers and industry stakeholders to join in these informational meetings to hear from Lane and Beymer as they share their unique perspectives on the political landscape in Washington, D.C., and discuss the key policy priorities and red flags that have their attention at the national level. From past events, one of the most valuable components of these meetings has been the candid question-and-answer session. From the Farm Bill to animal disease preparedness and everything in between, attendees can ask questions and share their thoughts.

“We are fortunate that NCBA prioritizes visits and engaging with producers across the U.S.,” said Bryan Whaley, ICA CEO. “This is an opportune time for Iowa cattle producers to come out and learn about what is happening at the federal level, but more so, share their perspectives so that our NCBA team can go back and more effectively lobby for us based on firsthand interactions.”

The NCBA team in D.C. has been hard at work, especially a new administration takes office. They use real input from cattle producers across the U.S. to influence and drive their lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill. ICA wants to ensure that Iowa cattle producers’ voices are represented. We encourage cattle producers to join us for one of these producer meetings. They provide an opportunity for us to elevate our issues and create a stronger narrative for NBCA to use in their efforts.

“As a grassroots organization, NCBA is proud to take its marching orders from real cattle producers including members of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association,” said NCBA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “Washington, D.C. is especially busy under the Trump administration, and we look forward to sharing an update on everything happening in our nation’s capital from the new leaders joining President Trump’s cabinet to NCBA’s push for tax relief. I hope you join us for these meetings, and we look forward to hearing from producers on the ground.”

Producer meeting details: Wednesday, March 12 at the Landsmeer Golf Club (902 7th St. NE, Orange City, IA) and Thursday, March 13 at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds (408 W State St, Guthrie Center, IA). Both events will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a social, dinner at 6:00 p.m. Free for ICA members, $20 meal cost for non-members. While an RSVP is not required, it is appreciated. Please RSVP to ICA at 515-296-2266.



ISU Online Program CropsTV Runs through April 15

CropsTV https://www.aep.iastate.edu/cropstv/, powered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, returned in January for its fifth season. This online, self-paced educational program delivers crop production information directly to farmers and agricultural service providers at home, in the office or anywhere there is an internet connection. All episodes are now available for on-demand viewing, providing flexibility for busy viewers.

Season Five of CropsTV features 28 episodes with a variety of crop, pest management, nutrient management, and soil and water management topics. While some topics will be familiar from other programs, most are exclusive to CropsTV, including presentations on getting the most out of sulfur fertilizer, manure variability and valuation, grain marketing strategies, decision-making with agro-climate tools, considerations for applications with spray drones, and strategies to mitigate corn yield drag following cereal rye.

“CropsTV has been a popular online learning opportunity for farmers and agricultural service providers since it launched five years ago,” said Leah Ten Napel, field agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “This season will be full of exclusive episodes only available via CropsTV, all with the same flexibility in selecting interesting topics to watch on a flexible schedule.”

Registration for CropsTV will remain open until April 1 and viewing will remain open until April 15. Registration for CropsTV is $100 and includes access to 28 pre-recorded episodes, 20 CCA credits, and access to program and reference materials. Learn more and register online. For any CropsTV related inquiries, please email cropstv@iastate.edu.



LMA Applauds the Re-Introduction of the A-PLUS Act

Livestock Marketing Association, or LMA, applauds the reintroduction of the Amplifying Processing of Livestock in the United States, or A-PLUS, Act in the 119th Congress.

Brody Peak, chairman of the association’s government and industry affairs committee, said the bill (SB 782, HR 1648) would remove an outdated restriction prohibiting livestock auction market owners from owning or investing in a small or regional packer or meat marketing business.

“Livestock auction market owners deserve the freedom to operate,” he said. “If they choose to supplement their marketing business by owning a local meat locker or investing in a regional packer, this should be encouraged, not banned.”

Lee Mora, an auction market owner from Fortuna, California, echoed Peak’s sentiment.

“Rural communities are losing agriculture infrastructure that is critical to the ability of ranchers to diversify with value added products,” he said. “Having local processing is vital to keeping these family operations thriving. In many cases, there is little to no outside investment that can be made to keep these plants open.”

“Allowing registered livestock market owners to invest in these smaller plants is essential to keeping local processing plants operating in these rural communities. It allows for competition at the livestock market which helps both entities thrive and ultimately benefits the local ranching community.”

LMA appreciates Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO), Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) for leading this effort.



United States and Canadian Cattle Inventory Down 1 Percent

All cattle and calves in the United States and Canada combined totaled 97.6 million head on January 1, 2025, down 1 percent from the 98.2 million head on January 1, 2024. All cows and heifers that have calved inventory at 41.6 million head, down slightly from a year ago.

All cattle and calves in the United States as of January 1, 2025 totaled 86.7 million head, down 1 percent from the 87.2 million head on January 1, 2024. All cows and heifers that have calved inventory at 37.2 million head, down slightly from a year ago.

All cattle and calves in Canada as of January 1, 2025 totaled 10.9 million head, down 1 percent from the 11.0 million head on January 1, 2024. All cows and heifers that have calved inventory at 4.34 million head, down 1 percent from a year ago.



United States and Canadian Hog Inventory Up Slightly

United States and Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs for December 2024 was 89.7 million head. This was up slightly from December 2023 and up 1 percent from December 2022. The breeding inventory, at 7.22 million head, was down slightly from a year ago, and down 3 percent from 2022. Market hog inventory, at 82.5 million head, was up slightly from last year and up 1 percent from 2022. The semi-annual pig crop, at 85.3 million head, was up 1 percent from 2023 and up 2 percent from 2022. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 7.20 million head, down 1 percent from last year and down 3 percent from 2022.

United States inventory of all hogs and pigs on December 1, 2024 was 75.8 million head. This was up 1 percent from December 1, 2023 but down slightly from September 1, 2024. The breeding inventory, at 6.00 million head, was up slightly from last year, but down 1 percent from the previous quarter. Market hog inventory, at 69.8 million head, was up 1 percent from last year, but down slightly from last quarter. The pig crop, at 35.2 million head, was up 2 percent from 2023 and up 2 percent from 2022. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 2.96 million head, down slightly from 2023 and down 4 percent from 2022.  

Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs on January 1, 2025 was 13.9 million head. This was down 1 percent from January 1, 2024 and slightly down from January 1, 2023. The breeding inventory, at 1.21 million head, was down 2 percent from last year and down 2 percent from 2023. Market hog inventory, at 12.6 million head, was down 1 percent from last year and slightly down from 2023. The semi-annual pig crop, at 14.6 million head, was down 4 percent from 2024, but up slightly from 2023. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 1.22 million head, down 2 percent from last year and down 1 percent from 2023.



United States and Canadian Sheep Inventory Up Slightly

All sheep and lambs in the United States and Canada combined totaled 5.86 million head on January 1, 2025, up slightly from the 5.85 million head on January 1, 2024. Breeding sheep inventory at 4.27 million head, up slightly from a year ago. Market sheep and lambs totaled 1.59 million head, up slightly from last year.

All sheep and lambs in the United States as of January 1, 2025 totaled 5.05 million head, up slightly from the 5.03 million head on January 1, 2024. Breeding sheep inventory at 3.68 million head, up slightly from a year ago. Market sheep and lambs totaled 1.37 million head, up 1 percent from last year.

All sheep and lambs in Canada as of January 1, 2025 totaled 805,800 head, down 2 percent from last year's number of 822,000 head. Breeding sheep inventory at 587,100 head, down 1 percent from last year. Market sheep and lambs totaled 218,700 head, down 3 percent from a year ago.



Impact of Pork and Beef Exports on Corn and Soybean Industries a Bright Spot for Producers

In the wake of a challenging year for U.S. corn and soybean producers, an updated study shows how exports of pork and beef provide support to their bottom lines. In 2024, U.S. pork and beef exports of $19.1 billion – an increase of $1 billion over 2023 and down just 2% from the 2022 record – had a significant impact on the corn and soybean industries, according to an independent study conducted by the Juday Group and released by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). The study quantified the returns that beef and pork exports brought to U.S. corn and soybean producers.

Nationally, U.S. pork and beef exports accounted for $2.24 billion in market value to corn, $525 million to distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), and $1.12 billion to soybeans in 2024.

“Domestic feed usage is critical to our industries and the continued growth in red meat exports is encouraging. A significant share of the corn and soybeans we grow locally is ultimately exported through pork and beef,” says USMEF Vice Chair Dave Bruntz, who raises corn, soybeans and fed cattle in south-central Nebraska. “This study demonstrates how beef and pork exports drive value directly back to producers.”

Corn and soybean growers support the promotion of U.S. pork, beef and lamb by investing a portion of their checkoff dollars in market development efforts conducted by USMEF.

Key findings from the study, which utilized 2024 statistics provided by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service and calculations by the Juday Group, include:

Exporting corn through U.S. beef and pork
    Beef and pork exports accounted for 525.1 million bushels of U.S. corn usage, which equated to a market value of $2.24 billion (at an average 2024 corn price of $4.27 per bushel).
    Beef and pork exports accounted for 3.04 million tons of DDGS usage, equating to $525 million (at an average 2024 price of $172.56 per ton).
    Beef and pork exports contributed an estimated total economic impact of 14%, or $0.59, of bushel value at an average price of $4.27 per bushel in 2024.

Exporting soybeans through U.S. pork
    Pork exports accounted for 100.7 million bushels of U.S. soybean usage, which equated to a market value of $1.12 billion (at an average 2024 soybean price of $11.11 per bushel).
    Pork exports contributed an estimated total economic impact of 13.2% of bushel value, or $1.46, at an average price of $11.11 per bushel in 2024.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 2/28/2025

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending February 28, ethanol production expanded 1.1% to 1.09 million b/d, equivalent to 45.91 million gallons daily. Output was 3.4% higher than the same week last year and 5.9% above the three-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate decreased 0.5% to 1.09 million b/d, which is equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.68 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks contracted 1.0% to 27.3 million barrels. Yet, stocks were 4.8% more than the same week last year and 6.8% above the three-year average. Inventories thinned across all regions except the Midwest (PADD 2), which reached a record high.

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, bounded 5.0% to a 10-week high of 8.88 million b/d (136.46 bg annualized). Demand was 1.5% less than a year ago but 0.4% above the three-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol followed, up 5.2% to 890,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.68 bg annualized and the largest weekly level since mid-December. Net inputs were 1.8% more than year-ago levels and 1.1% above the three-year average.

Ethanol exports increased 7.0% to an estimated 123,000 b/d (5.2 million gallons/day). It has been more than a year since EIA indicated ethanol was imported.



UAN28, Urea Lead Fertilizer Prices Higher

Retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN for the fourth week of February 2025 show all fertilizers are more expensive compared to last month. For the first time in this recent price move higher, all eight fertilizers are now higher looking back to last month. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

UAN28 was 8% higher compared to last month with an average price of $350/ton. Urea was 6% more expensive with an average price of $546/ton. The remaining six other fertilizers were slightly more expensive looking back a month. DAP had an average price of $764/ton, MAP $810/ton, potash $446/ton, 10-34-0 $642/ton, anhydrous $751/ton and UAN32 $397/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.59/lb.N, anhydrous $0.46/lb.N, UAN28 $0.63/lb.N and UAN32 $0.62/lb.N.

Five fertilizers are now higher in price compared to one year earlier. Both DAP and UAN32 are 1% higher, urea is 2% more expensive, UAN28 is 3% higher and 10-34-0 is 4% more expensive looking back to last year. The remaining three fertilizers are lower. MAP is 1% less expensive, anhydrous is 2% lower and potash is 12% less expensive compared to last year.