Tuesday March 04 Ag News

 NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending March 2, 2025, topsoil moisture supplies rated 27% very short, 44% short, 29% adequate, and 0% surplus, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 33% very short, 43% short, 24% adequate, and 0% surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Winter wheat condition rated 19% very poor, 19% poor, 39% fair, 22% good, and 1% excellent.

The next report will be issued March 31, 2025.



Farm Bankruptcies on the Rise . . .
NeFB newsletter

Chapter 12 bankruptcies provide farmers and ranchers with increased flexibility for paying off debt, and is generally used when all other options to resolve financial difficulties have been exhausted. Changes in bankruptcy filings can be a gauge of the underlying health of the farm economy. As such, the lastest figures from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court is another indicator the farm economy is softening. Chapter 12 bankruptcies in Nebraska more than doubled last year, rising to 15 filings from seven in 2023. However, on a positive note, even though filings more than doubled, they remained below the annual average of 20 filings since 2001. Also, 2024 saw the third-lowest number of filings since 2016.

Nebraska trailed only California (17) and Arkansas (16) in the number of farm bankrupticies filed last year. In the midwest, only Kansas joined Nebraska in double figures with 10 filings. Iowa had seven filings in 2024. Smantha Ayoub, an economist with Amercian Farm Bureau Federation, says farm bankruptcy filings in the U.S. equaled 216 last year, up 55% from 2023, but still much lower than the all-time high of 599 filings in 2019. Twenty-eight states saw an increase in filings in 2024, nine more than last year, and 10 states saw a decrease in filings.



Burkey named interim dean of UNL’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

Tom Burkey, professor of non-ruminant nutrition at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has been named interim dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. His appointment will take effect June 1.  

He succeeds Tiffany Heng-Moss, who in January was named interim NU vice president and Harlan Vice Chancellor for UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Her appointment also is effective June 1. Heng-Moss was named interim vice chancellor after current IANR Vice President and Vice Chancellor Mike Boehm announced in January he would return to the faculty. Boehm has served as NU vice president and Harlan Vice Chancellor for IANR since 2017.  

A Lincoln native, Burkey joined the faculty in the animal science department in 2006 and currently serves as a professor, as well as CASNR’s associate dean for graduate education. In these roles, Burkey has advanced strategic initiatives that enhance graduate education, workforce preparedness, and student success. His efforts, including the co-creation of the Leadership Accelerator program and the development of the Graduate & Professional Student Community Resource Fair in collaboration with faculty, staff, and graduate/professional students, reflect his commitment to equipping students with the skills needed for success in academia and industry. From December 2022 until July 2023, he served as the interim head of UNL’s Animal Science Department.  

Burkey is internationally recognized for his research in swine gut health, contributing to patented probiotics and co-founding Synbiotic Health. As President of Digestive Physiology of Pigs-North America and a member of the International Steering Committee, he plays a key role in shaping scientific advancements in animal health and nutrition. His leadership extends beyond research, integrating evidence-based decision-making into curriculum development, faculty mentorship, and institutional growth.  

“Dr. Burkey is an incredibly collaborative and innovative leader who has demonstrated a deep commitment to student success and research excellence during his nearly two decades in Nebraska,” said Boehm. “I am looking forward to seeing CASNR’s great trajectory continue under his leadership.”   

CASNR provides hands-on learning experiences that prepare students to tackle real-world challenges in food, energy, water, health and communities. The college offers a wide range of degree programs, including 26 bachelor's, 15 master's, 12 Ph.D. programs, as well as a veterinary medicine program in partnership with Iowa State University. Together, these programs serve more than 3,000 students from nearly every Nebraska county, 47 states and more than 60 countries. In Fall 2024, the college welcomed its second-largest incoming class, with 640 first-time freshmen and transfer students.

“It is an incredible honor to be named the interim CASNR dean,” Burkey said. “CASNR is leading the way in so many areas, including experiential education, pathway programs with K-12 schools, partnerships with industry, and so much more, and it is truly thrilling to be part of this inspiring and innovative community.”  



Ernst Works to Promote Fair Trade and Remove Barriers for Iowa Agricultural Exports

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, is working to promote fair markets and protect American agricultural exports by bridging the gap between the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

She introduced the Prioritizing Offensive Agricultural Disputes and Enforcement Act to establish a joint task force between the USTR and the USDA focused on identifying trade barriers to agricultural exports and developing strategies for enforcing violations of trade agreements. The bill will also require the task force to report recommendations to Congress to address unfair practices or subsidies they identify.

“In Iowa, trade directly impacts the everyday lives of our hardworking farmers and is critical to the success of our entire state,” said Senator Ernst. “Establishing a clearer channel of communication and breaking down the bureaucratic barriers between the USDA and USTR will help ensure Iowa farmers are on a level playing field when engaging with global markets.”




Ernst Works to Bolster Local Meat Processing Capacity, Support Small Producers

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, is working to remove regulatory roadblocks and increase meat processing capacity by allowing livestock auction market owners to invest in small and regional packing facilities.

Ernst recently introduced the Expanding Local Meat Processing Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would amend the Packers and Stockyards Act to allow livestock auction market owners to hold ownership in, finance, or participate in the management or operation of a meat packing entity. This cap would exclude investment in the top 10 meat packers.

“Removing outdated regulations that hinder the livestock industry should be a no-brainer,” said Ernst. “Allowing livestock auction markets to invest in small meat processing facilities will reduce market consolidation, decrease reliance on federal funding, and provide small producers with much-needed processing options. I’m proud to strengthen local food systems, increase competition, and ultimately lower meat costs for consumers through this effort.”



Farm Bureau Urges Quick Resolution to Tariffs

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on President Trump’s decision to impose increased tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China.

“Farmers support the goals of ensuring security and fair trade with other nations, but additional tariffs, along with expected retaliatory tariffs, will take a toll on rural America.

“Farmers and ranchers are concerned with the decision to impose increased tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China - our top trading partners. Last year, the U.S. exported more than $83 billion in agricultural products to the three countries.

“Approximately 85% of our total potash supply – a key ingredient in fertilizer – is imported from Canada. For the third straight year, farmers are losing money on almost every major crop planted. Adding even more costs and reducing markets for American agricultural goods could create an economic burden some farmers may not be able to bear.

“We ask the president to continue working with our international partners to find ways to resolve disagreements quickly, so farmers can focus on feeding families in America and abroad.”



USSEC Seats Newly Elected Board of Directors, Leaders Primed to Focus on International Relationships

Members of the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) elected the 2025-26 Board of Directors Saturday, March 1, during the organization’s annual meeting prior to Commodity Classic in Denver, Colo.   

USSEC’s board comprises 16 members representing various stakeholders from the U.S. Soy industry. Four seats represent the American Soybean Association (ASA), four seats represent the United Soybean Board (USB), and eight seats represent trade, industry and state organizations.

“U.S. Soy is America’s No. 1 agricultural export, which contributed $31.2 billion to the U.S. economy during the last marketing year,” shared Jim Sutter, USSEC Chief Executive Officer. “Our board leaders are key to guiding growth and important contributors to U.S. Soy’s mission of differentiating and elevating a preference for U.S. Soy and attaining market access.”

Janna Fritz, an ASA director and farmer from Bad Axe, Mich., was elected as Chair for a 12-month term.

“It’s truly an honor to serve as USSEC Board Chair,” said Fritz, during her acceptance remarks following elections. “I look forward to working closely with my peers and colleagues across the industry and customers in international markets to ensure U.S. Soy continues to be recognized as the gold standard when it comes to providing protein, be it for feed rations for animals or human nutrition.”

Fritz and her husband, Joel, operate their sixth-generation family farm producing soybeans, corn, wheat, triticale and dry edible beans on approximately 1,200 acres. They have two sons, Wesley and Zachary. Fritz also serves as the president of DF Seeds, where she is only the third brand president in the company’s history.

USSEC’s 2025-26 Board of Directors
(* indicates new to the board)

Executive Committee
    Chair – Janna Fritz, Bad Axe., Mich.
    Vice Chair – Mike McCranie, Claremont, S.D.  
    Second Vice Chair – Roberta Simpson-Dolbeare, Nebo, Ill.
    Secretary – Scott Gaffner, Illinois Soybean Association, Greenville, Ill.
    Treasurer – Craig Pietig, Ag Processing, Inc.

Allied Sub-Class
    Joe Dierickx*, Iowa Farm Bureau, DeWitt, Iowa
    Scott Gaffner*, Illinois Soybean Association, Greenville, Ill.
    Joel Schreurs, Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Tyler, Minn.

Exporter Sub-Class
    Clayton Charles*, FS Grain LLC
    Bobby Ewalt*, Bunge North America, Inc.
    Tony Hill, Archer Daniels Midland
    Craig Pietig, Ag Processing, Inc.
    Scott Sinner, SB&B Foods LLC

ASA Appointments
    Janna Fritz, Bad Axe, Mich.  
    Mike Koehne, Greensburg, Ind.
    Randy Miller, Lacona, Iowa
    Roberta Simpson-Dolbeare, Nebo, Ill.  

USB Appointments
    Tim Bardole*, Rippey, Iowa
    Mike McCranie, Claremont, S.D.
    Cindy Pulskamp, Hillsboro, N.D.
    Reggie Strickland, Mount Olive, N.C.

The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) focuses on differentiating, elevating preference, and attaining market access for the use of U.S. Soy for human consumption, aquaculture, and livestock feed in 93 countries internationally. USSEC members represent the soy supply chain including U.S. Soy farmers, processors, commodity shippers, merchandisers, allied agribusinesses, and agricultural organizations. USSEC is funded by the soy checkoff, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service matching funds, and industry. Visit ussec.org for the latest information and news about USSEC and U.S. Soy internationally.



Cattlemen Thank Trump Administration for Protecting Small Businesses from Corporate Transparency Act

Monday, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) thanked President Donald Trump and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for suspending enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and limiting the scope of the law to protect family farms and ranches from excessive regulations.

“Family farmers and ranchers across the country are breathing a sigh of relief thanks to President Trump and Secretary Bessent suspending the Corporate Transparency Act reporting requirements for American citizens,” said NCBA President Buck Wehrbein, a Nebraska cattleman. “We appreciate President Trump’s common-sense approach and continued support for rural America and the hard-working cattle producers who feed our nation.”
 
For months, the CTA reporting requirements have been subject to litigation, temporary enforcement pauses, and other changes that have created confusion for small business owners across the country. The announcement from the U.S. Department of the Treasury provides some short-term protection from the CTA’s enforcement penalties while the agency works to craft new regulations that protect U.S. citizens from burdensome reporting requirements.
 
“For over a year, cattle producers have been extremely concerned with the ever-changing direction of the Corporate Transparency Act and the steep punishment associated with non-compliance,” said NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus. “Without President Trump’s intervention, millions of small business owners may have been in violation with the law. We greatly appreciate Treasury developing a new rule that provides certainty for small businesses and protects American agriculture.”
 
NCBA continues to encourage cattle producers to consult with their attorney and/or tax professional about this latest development.



Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production

Total corn consumed for alcohol and other uses was 503 million bushels in January 2025. Total corn consumption was down 5 percent from December 2024 but up 4 percent from January 2024. January 2025 usage included 92.7 percent for alcohol and 7.3 percent for other purposes. Corn consumed for beverage alcohol totaled 2.85 million bushels, down 11 percent from December 2024 and down 29 percent from January 2024. Corn for fuel alcohol, at 457 million bushels, was down 5 percent from December 2024 but up 4 percent from January 2024. Corn consumed in January 2025 for dry milling fuel production and wet milling fuel production was 91.5 percent and 8.5 percent, respectively.

Dry mill co-product production of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was 1.85 million tons during January 2025, down 1 percent from December 2024 but up 5 percent from January 2024. Distillers wet grains (DWG) 65 percent or more moisture was 1.26 million tons in January 2025, down 2 percent from December 2024 and down 3 percent from January 2024.

Wet mill corn gluten feed production was 253,838 tons during January 2025, down 1 percent from December 2024 but up 12 percent from January 2024. Wet corn gluten feed 40 to 60 percent moisture was 204,250 tons in January 2025, up 1 percent from December 2024 and up 2 percent from January 2024.

Fats and Oils: Oilseed Crushings, Production, Consumption and Stocks
Soybeans crushed for crude oil was 6.38 million tons (213 million bushels) in January 2025, compared with 6.53 million tons (218 million bushels) in December 2024 and 5.83 million tons (194 million bushels) in January 2024. Crude oil produced was 2.53 billion pounds, down 2 percent from December 2024 but up 11 percent from January 2024. Soybean once refined oil production at 1.72 billion pounds during January 2025 decreased 10 percent from December 2024 but increased 8 percent from January 2024.



House Budget Resolution Calls for Extending Tax Provisions
NPPC newsletter
 
The House of Representatives approved a fiscal 2025 budget resolution that calls for extending tax provisions included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) passed during President Trump’s first term in the White House. Many of the TCJA tax provisions are set to expire at the end of this year.
 
The resolution, approved on a 217-215 vote, requests extension of, among other provisions:
    Bonus depreciation, which allows the cost of qualified property to be deducted in the year it is placed into service, rather than depreciated over several years. The TCJA increased the amount that can be deducted to 100% of the cost. It is set to phase out to zero by 2027.
    Estate tax exemption, which increased to $11.2 million per individual (indexed for inflation). The value of estates that exceed that amount are subject to a 40% tax when passed to an heir. The amount will revert to $5.49 million at the end of 2025.
    Qualified business income deduction (Section 199A), which allows a 20% reduction in certain business income for determining federal tax liability. It will expire at the end of 2025.

The Senate must approve its own budget measure, and the two chambers will need to reconcile expected differences between the bills.



U.S. Agricultural Exports in Fiscal Year 2025 Forecast at $170.5 Billion; Imports at $219.5 Billion
USDA Economic Research Service

U.S. agricultural exports in fiscal year (FY) 2025 are projected at $170.5 billion, up $500 million from the November forecast, as higher grain and feed exports offset reductions to the oilseed outlook. Grain and feed exports are projected at $37.7 billion, up $1.2 billion from November, led by higher corn exports, which increased $1.4 billion on higher volumes and unit values.

Along with higher feed and fodder exports, these increases more than offset moderately lower wheat, sorghum, and rice exports. Oilseed and product exports are forecast at $32.4 billion, a $1.1-billion reduction from the previous quarter, primarily due to lower soybean unit values resulting from strong South American competition. Cotton exports are forecast down $200 million to $4.1 billion on lower volumes. Exports of livestock, poultry, and dairy are forecast up $400 million to $39.7 billion on increases to beef and dairy products. Horticultural product exports are unchanged at $41.7 billion. Ethanol exports are forecast at $4.2 billion, unchanged from the November outlook, as higher volumes offset lower export unit values.

Mexico is forecast to remain the largest market for U.S. agricultural exports at a record $30.2 billion, a $300-million increase from the previous forecast based on strong sales of dairy, wheat, and other products during the first quarter. Exports to Canada are forecast down $800 million to $28.4 billion due to weaker-than-expected shipments to date. Exports to China are cut by $1.3 billion to $22.0 billion, largely due to reduced prospects for U.S. soybeans, grains, and cotton.

U.S. agricultural imports in FY 2025 are forecast at $219.5 billion, an increase of $4.0 billion from the November projection that is largely driven by higher import values of horticultural products as well as sugar and tropical products.



The United Soybean Board honors Mike Steenhoek with the 2025 Tom Oswald Legacy Award

Since about 60% of U.S. Soy is exported, predictability of delivery to international customers remains top on the list. To maintain our competitive advantage, U.S. agriculture relies on dependable bridges, open highways, accessible railroads and usable waterways. Receiving this year’s Tom Oswald Legacy Award is Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition (STC). He’s spent nearly 20 years improving the integrity of America’s infrastructure, ensuring U.S. soybean farmers can drive demand in the international marketplace.  

The Tom Oswald Legacy Award, honoring the late Tom Oswald who was a soy checkoff farmer-leader, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the soybean industry. Mike Steenhoek knew Tom personally through the Iowa Soybean Association, and Tom played an active role in checkoff investments to build a reliable transportation system connecting soybeans to buyers. Through Steenhoek’s career-long dedication, he’s elevated U.S. soybean farmers to a global leadership position. It’s not only brought value to the soybean industry but benefitted the transport of all U.S. commodities and agricultural inputs.

"I am truly honored to receive this recognition, and I believe this is a testament to the collective efforts of the Soy Transportation Coalition, our partners, and all those committed to improving our road, rail, and river systems to advance the soybean industry,” said Steenhoek. “There’s so much passion in agriculture to innovate, and it’s a real pleasure working alongside so many dedicated farmers focused on meeting the growing demands of U.S. Soy across the globe.”

As STC’s executive director, Steenhoek leads a joint initiative of the United Soybean Board, the American Soybean Association and 14 state soybean boards, in addition to collaboration with other commodities over the years. His work has included key projects such as the Lower Mississippi Dredging Project, which saves farmers an estimated 13 cents per bushel of freight and increases load by 500,000 bushels per ocean vessel. He also played a significant role in increasing soybean meal exports from the Port of Grays Harbor to reach Southeast Asian markets, and modernizing the lock and dam system to increase capacity and efficiency.

"Mike Steenhoek has been a steadfast leader for the transportation sector that efficiently moves our soybeans from the farm to over 80 markets,” said Philip Good, Chair of the United Soybean Board and Mississippi farmer. “He’s been pivotal in major improvements to our inland waterways and ports, served as the voice for farmers nationwide, and bridged the gaps between growers, processors, and the broader agricultural and transportation sectors.”

Like Tom Oswald, Steenhoek’s work exemplifies his relentless pursuit of improvement, innovating to enhance our infrastructure system. His commitment benefits U.S. soybean farmers and sets a standard of continuous growth and forward-thinking that drives value for U.S. Soy well into the future. To learn more about Oswald and the Tom Oswald Legacy Award, visit Remembering “No-Till Tom.”



Secretary Rollins Delivers Remarks at Commodity Classic, Announces Next Steps for Economic Disaster Relief

This week, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins delivered remarks at Commodity Classic, where she announced the Department’s plan to distribute the economic and disaster aid passed by Congress late last year. She also walked the trade floor and met with leaders of the four primary commodities represented at the event: corn, soybean, wheat, and sorghum.

“The state of the Ag economy—especially for row crop producers—is perhaps the worst it’s been in one hundred years,” said Secretary Rollins. “Fortunately, the era of economic malaise and decision paralysis ended the day President Trump took the oath of office. Working alongside each of you, we are going to chart a new course for American agriculture.”

During her remarks, Secretary Rollins provided an update on the ongoing review of IRA and IIJA funds and also announced the next steps for distributing the $30 billion in economic and disaster relief that Congress passed late last year.

On the ongoing review of IRA and IIJA funds, Secretary Rollins said: “Today, I am happy to share we have completed our review and have released funds for the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). We are still reviewing other programs to make sure they are focused on making American Ag the most competitive in the world.”

Additional announcements will be forthcoming soon.

On the $10 billion in economic assistance passed by Congress, Secretary Rollins said, “My team has been working around the clock to stand up this process. Today, I am proud to announce that the economic assistance program will be called the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program, or E-CAP. Congress gave us 90 days to start distributing the first $10 billion in economic assistance—and we are on track to begin applications on or before March 20.

“I have asked my team to think creatively about how to develop a streamlined application process. We don’t want to be your bottleneck. In cases where we have information already on file, a pre-filled application will be sent to you. FSA will use the 2024 acreage reporting data you previously filed to initiate the application process. There will also be an opportunity for you to provide this information if you missed the window. You will be asked to review the information, sign, and return the completed application back to your local FSA service center. We are also developing tools to provide fair and transparent standards for calculating payments.”

On the $20 billion in disaster relief, Secretary Rollins said, “We are simultaneously working on rapid implementation of the $20 billion in disaster assistance due to weather conditions outside your control. Unlike the previous administration, we are not going to delay for an entire year—and gone are the days of progressive factoring. No longer will you be required to hand in your tax returns.”

Prior to her remarks, Secretary Rollins participated in a roundtable discussion with industry leaders representing corn, soybean, wheat, and sorghum production. She also engaged with farmers and agriculture stakeholders on the trade show floor after speaking with media about economic relief, trade policy, and USDA’s recently released response plan to address avian flu and ultimately lower egg prices.



NAWG Celebrates 75 Years of Wheat Advocacy at 2025 Commodity Classic

Monday, the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) held a press conference at the 2025 Commodity Classic to celebrate the organization's 75th anniversary. The event brought together current and past leaders of the organization to reflect on the organization's accomplishments and discuss the future of the wheat industry. The group discussed the future of wheat advocacy, including continued efforts to get a long-term farm bill signed into law that meets the needs of today and makes a meaningful investment in the farm safety net.

"This event recognizes the hard work of those who have been part of NAWG's history and reaffirms our ongoing commitment to ensuring that wheat growers and rural America can continue to thrive for generations to come. I am confident NAWG has a bright future ahead of us," said Chandler Goule, NAWG CEO.

"As we look back at these past 75 years, it is amazing to see all that NAWG has accomplished. Our work is more important than ever, and the next 75 years will be vital as we continue to move the industry forward. It's been an honor to serve as NAWG's President," said Keeff Felty, NAWG President.

Throughout its 75-year history, NAWG has played a pivotal role in advancing wheat production through alliances, advocacy, and innovation. The press conference highlighted key milestones from the past, including being the first trade organization to beat California’s Prop 65. NAWG continues to lead the way in protecting producers' access to crop protection tools, maintaining a robust farm safety net, and ensuring the wheat community can compete globally.



National Sorghum Producers, Ducks Unlimited, Dairy Farmers of America announce landmark water partnership

A new industry collaboration announced at Commodity Classic is set to drive large-scale water conservation efforts across the agricultural landscape. The National Sorghum Producers (NSP), Ducks Unlimited (DU) and Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) have partnered to create an initiative aimed at improving resource efficiency while ensuring economic viability for producers.

The partnership takes a cross-functional approach to conservation, bringing together commodity groups, sustainability leaders and food industry stakeholders to support on-farm practices that enhance long-term water sustainability. The initiative seeks to provide incentives for conservation practices while strengthening rural communities.

“Sorghum has long been recognized as The Resource Conserving Crop®, thriving with less water while delivering strong economic benefits for farmers,” said NSP CEO Tim Lust. “This partnership expands upon work already being done with General Mills. It allows us to take that impact further by collaborating across industries to create meaningful, scalable solutions for water conservation. By working together, we can ensure that farmers have the tools and incentives to drive real change in water sustainability.”

Building on last year’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NSP and DU, this partnership strengthens a shared commitment to sustainable water management, ensuring long-term benefits for both agriculture and waterfowl habitat.

“By collaborating with industry partners, we’re identifying new ways to leverage technology, policy, and incentives—helping more producers implement water-saving strategies that make a real difference,” said DU CEO Adam Putnam. “Sustainable agriculture isn’t just about crops—it’s about ecosystems. Healthy wetlands and working lands go hand in hand, recharging groundwater, reducing flooding, and strengthening biodiversity. The benefits reach beyond the farm gate, supporting rural communities dependent on stable water supplies and healthy landscapes.”

The collaboration underscores a shared vision for sustainability, recognizing that meaningful progress requires engagement across the entire agricultural supply chain.

“Dairy farmers have been caring for their animals and the land for generations, and water conservation is an important part of that, with the average dairy recycling water about four times for different uses on the farm,” says Hansel New, AVP of Sustainability Strategy and Programs at DFA. “Partnerships like this will build upon that foundation and allow our farm families to continue making progress on water resilience.”

As this partnership moves forward, the organizations involved remain committed to driving real-world solutions that protect water resources, enhance waterfowl habitats, support producers and strengthen rural economies.



Adding cull cows to drought contingency plans
Rob Ziegler, Extension Specialist, University of Wyoming

At this time of year, calving season is likely top of mind for many cow-calf producers across the High Plains. This period also offers the first opportunity to add cows to the cull list based on conformation or temperament. Although cull cow marketing may be lower on the priority list right now, capturing seasonal highs in the market can potentially boost revenues.

Market seasonality is evident in most agriculture markets due to production calendars, biology, or increased consumer demand during certain times of the year. The cull cow market is arguably one of the most seasonal markets.

The five-year average price for breaking 75-80% cows in Wyoming shows a steady increase in prices starting in January, peaking in August, and declining through the fall, when most producers are culling open cows. The difference of the five-year average between the low in January and the high in August is $28.10/cwt, or 40%.

In Wyoming, 2023 followed a similar trend to the five-year average with a peak in August followed by a steady decline through the fall. In 2024, the price peaked in June and followed a downward trend similar to the stock market and most classes of cattle. The southern plains region follows a similar historical pattern to Wyoming, with a noticeable peak in August. If 2025 reflects what has happened in the past, we can expect cull cow prices to reach seasonal highs during the summer months in both the northern and southern plains.

Seasonal peaks in the cull cow market coincide with times where destocking pastures can alleviate pressure on drought-stricken rangelands. Drought conditions across the High Plains have persisted through the fall of 2024, with expanding severe drought across the Dakotas. The last USDA Crop Progress report on pasture and range conditions, released on October 28, indicated that pasture in 51% of the contiguous 48 states was rated poor to very poor. An increase of 15% from the previous year. Hopefully spring moisture brings relief, but if drought continues, a list of cull cows ready to market may help reduce stress on pastures and capture some of the historical high points of the cull cow market.

Though cull cow marketing and drought management may not be immediate concerns during calving season, proactive planning can alleviate pasture stress and improve financial outcomes, especially if drought conditions persist.