Thursday April 03 Ag News

 FFA Members Practice “Living to Serve” During State Convention

As part of the 97th Nebraska FFA State Convention, over 800 FFA members will make a positive impact on the Lincoln community and beyond while putting their leadership into action.

In partnership with Farm Credit Services of America, Tallgrass, ADM, and Meals from the Heartland, FFA members will provide direct community service engagement by packaging thousands of meals that will be delivered to the Food Bank of Lincoln. During last year’s Living to Serve portion of the convention, over 110,000 meals were packaged, and plans are in the works to exceed that number this year.

The last line of the FFA motto is “Living to Serve” which signifies the vital role service plays in our organization. Members impact their local communities across Nebraska through service engagement, community service, and service learning. Students leverage their creative thinking and problem-solving skills to create local solutions to meet the community needs.

More than 8,000 FFA members, advisors, and guests come to Lincoln to celebrate the Nebraska State FFA Convention.



Six Nebraska Agricultural Teachers Named Finalists for Golden Owl Award

Educators devote limitless time, and often their own resources, to helping students pursue their passions. To recognize the contributions of Nebraska’s leading agricultural teachers, the Nebraska FFA Foundation, Nebraska Agricultural Education Association (NAEA) and Nationwide are honoring six exceptional teachers as finalists for the Golden Owl Award.

From October 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024, nominations were collected for the state’s top agricultural teachers from local students, parents, fellow teachers and community members across Nebraska.

Nebraska’s 2024-2025 Golden Owl Award finalists are:
● Ellen Tranhan, Ag Teacher and FFA Advisor at Keya Paha
● David Ference, Ag Teacher and FFA Advisor at Ord
● Amy Kohtz, Ag Teacher and FFA Advisor at EMF
● Joel Miller, Ag Teacher and FFA Advisor at Hampton
● Kathleen Craig, Ag Teacher and FFA Advisor at North Platte
● Cole Blomendahl, Ag Teacher and FFA Advisor at Mead

Each finalist was presented with an individualized plaque in front of fellow teachers and students and received a $500 check to support future educational efforts. Next, they’ll be entered into a final selection stage for the chance to be crowned as Nebraska’s Ag Educator of the Year, earning an additional $3,000 Nationwide-funded check and the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy.

Nationwide supports the future of the agriculture community through meaningful sponsorships of national and local organizations. In conjunction with the Golden Owl Award, Nationwide is donating $5,000 to the Nebraska FFA Foundation to further support the personal and professional growth of students, teachers, and advisors alike.

“As the need grows for more ag educators across the nation, we are proud to thank and honor these hardworking agricultural teachers for their dedication,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “These educators play a crucial role in preparing students for successful careers in the industry.”



NOFRN 2024 Research Results Book Now Available

The Nebraska On-Farm Research Network is placing research results into producers’ hands through its 2024 Research Results book – a publication that highlights findings from approximately 93 on-farm research studies conducted in Nebraska during the 2024 growing season.

Studies in the 2024 Research Results book cover various topics, including crop production, fertility and soil management, non-traditional products, cover crops, crop protection and equipment. The 2024 publication, along with publications from previous years, is now available on the NOFRN’s website.
 
Click Here to Download Your Copy!
https://on-farm-research.unl.edu/research-results/result-publications/

Interested in On-Farm Research? It is not too late to set up a study! The On-Farm Research Team is here to help you set up your trial and collect data! We will work with you to create a personalized plan for your operation.

Get in touch with them at onfarm@unl.edu



Proactive Weed Control in Pastures: Tips for Early Season Success
Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator

Noxious and invasive weeds are easier to control when you properly identify weeds, use timely controls, and understand the life cycle of different weeds. (Photo credit: Troy Walz)

Managing weeds in pastures and rangelands is an ongoing challenge for livestock producers. Weeds compete with desirable forage species for nutrients, moisture, and sunlight, reducing overall pasture productivity. A successful weed management strategy involves a combination of monitoring, proper identification, and implementing timely control measures. Understanding the life cycle of weeds and their response to different control methods is critical for making informed management decisions.

Monitoring and Identifying Weed Issues
Early and accurate identification of pasture weeds is the first step in maintaining a healthy pasture. Control techniques vary depending on whether the species is a winter annual, summer annual, biennial, or perennial. If you're uncertain about a particular plant in your pasture, consult your local extension office for assistance with identification.

Weeds often establish themselves in stressed areas of the pasture. Overgrazed areas, flood-prone sites, high-traffic zones, and drought-stressed pastures are prime locations to monitor. Another area to check is where hay was fed over the winter, especially if bales were purchased from outside your operation. Imported hay may introduce new weed seeds that can become problematic under Nebraska conditions. Cattle can also spread weed seeds through manure, so managing feeding locations and movement can help reduce weed spread.

Integrating Livestock for Weed Management
In some cases, weeds may not be a problem but an opportunity. Some livestock species, such as goats and sheep, prefer browsing on broadleaf plants and shrubs, which cattle might avoid. Incorporating multi-species grazing can help control certain weeds naturally while diversifying farm income. This approach can reduce reliance on herbicides and promote a healthier pasture ecosystem.

Herbicide Considerations
Producers planning to use herbicides should reference Extension Circular 130, 2025 Guide for Weed, Disease, and Insect Management in Nebraska, available online or at local extension offices. Always follow label directions and consider timing, application rates, and environmental conditions for the best results.

Early Spring Weed Control Strategies
For producers looking to get ahead of weed issues in the spring, early action is key. Focus on the following strategies:
    Scout Pastures Early – As soon as temperatures begin to rise, check fields for emerging weeds, especially in areas prone to stress or disturbance. Pay special attention to rosettes of winter annuals and biennials.  These can be easily missed, and control is more effective before they begin bolting.
    Target Winter Annuals – Species like Downy Brome and Shepherd’s Purse complete their life cycle early in the season, so herbicide applications should occur before flowering and seed production.
    Use Timely Grazing or Mowing – Grazing livestock or mowing can suppress early-growing weeds before they become competitive with desirable forages.  This can be a stand-alone control strategy or used to delay growth for later herbicide applications.
    Soil Fertility and Overseeding – Fertilizing appropriately and overseeding thin pastures can improve forage competition and reduce opportunities for weed establishment.

Drought Considerations
Drought will often open opportunities for weeds to get a foothold by weakening desirable forages. Many of these will be annual weeds that appear in the first few years following drought. Through careful grazing management, some of these weeds will disappear on their own as rangeland and pasture conditions improve and desirable forages are able to outcompete weedy species. Control options can be used if weeds are persistent; however, if rangeland or pasture health is not good, other weedy species may grow rather than desirable forages. In this case, overseeding may be advisable.

Conclusion
Weed management in pastures and rangelands requires a proactive approach. Regular monitoring, maintaining healthy pastures, and using a combination of grazing management, mechanical control, and herbicides, when necessary, can help keep weed pressure low. By staying vigilant and adapting management practices, producers can ensure productive pastures that support healthy livestock and sustainable operations.



Sorghum Board seeks applicants for open seat

The Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board invites applications to fill an at-large directorship. This is a valuable opportunity to help shape the future of Nebraska’s grain sorghum industry. The filing deadline is 5 p.m. CT on Friday, May 30, 2025.

"Serving on the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board is a unique opportunity to advocate for sorghum growers and contribute to the future of agriculture in our state," said Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board Chair Scott Nelson, a farmer from Axtell, Neb. "We encourage growers passionate about our industry to step forward and help shape its direction."

Sorghum growers interested in this leadership role must submit the following:
    A completed application for gubernatorial appointment
    A letter of interest explaining why they wish to serve on the board
    Two letters of endorsement from fellow grain sorghum growers
    Proof of qualification (e.g., sales receipts, warehouse receipts, government loan documents, or acreage certifications)

Qualified candidates must be Nebraska citizens, at least 21 years old, and derive part of their income from growing grain sorghum.

Applications for appointment can be obtained from the Governor’s Office by contacting:
Pat Selk, Administrative Assistant to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor
Nebraska Governor’s Office
State Capitol, Box 94848
Lincoln, NE 68509-4848
Phone: 402-471-2256

Applications are also available from:
Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board
P.O. Box 94982
Lincoln, NE 68509
Phone: 402-471-4276
Email: sorghum.board@nebraska.gov

Applications may also be submitted online at governor.nebraska.gov/board-comm-req.

This is your chance to step into a leadership role and make a meaningful impact on Nebraska’s agricultural future. Apply by May 30 to help guide the industry forward.



Statement by Mark McHargue, President, Regarding Legislative Bill to Change Fees of the Nebraska Brand Act

“Nebraska Farm Bureau appreciates the Legislature’s thoughtful consideration of our members’ concerns about the proposed changes to the Nebraska Brand Committee’s fee structure called for in Sen. Teresa Ibach’s LB646 and her subsequent amendments.

Our organization stood in opposition to both the original bill which would have allowed feedlots to be exempt from the Livestock Brand Act, and a subsequent amendment adopted by the body which modifies the brand fee structure. While the advancement of the bill to Select File is not what we had hoped for, we remain optimistic that a reasonable solution can be reached to protect the integrity of the state’s cattle industry and the work of the Nebraska Brand Committee.

We thank Senator Tanya Storer for her leadership opposing LB646 and for standing with beef producers who believe in the need for sound Nebraska brand laws. We appreciate Senator Ibach’s recognition that changes need to be made to her proposal before it can come back for debate, and her commitment to work with Senator Storer to find a fair and balanced agreement.

We are eager to continue the dialogue to ensure that brand laws in Nebraska are both fair and effective for all producers.”



Smith Statement on President Trump's Implementation of Reciprocal Tariffs

Wednesday, Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Adrian Smith (R-NE) released the following statement after he joined President Donald Trump at the White House, where the president declared a national emergency caused by unfair foreign trade and economic practices and announced implementation of a comprehensive reciprocal tariff regime.

"Reducing trade barriers is necessary to ensuring American farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, small businesses, and innovators can sell their products in other markets. President Trump has made it clear other countries can avoid tariffs by reducing or eliminating their existing barriers to U.S. products. Engagement on trade is vital to our economy and opportunity for U.S. workers.

"In his first term, President Trump proved robust engagement can be productive as he moved the ball down the field on several agreements with our top trade partners. To achieve economic stability, we must continue to fight to give our producers the chance to compete in a global marketplace."



Ricketts Issues Statement Following Trump Administration Tariffs Announcement

U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), issued the following statement after the Trump Administration signed an executive order instituting reciprocal tariffs on foreign nations that conduct trade with the United States:

“President Trump is delivering on his campaign promises to level the playing field and stand up for the American people. Reciprocal tariffs will ensure equal treatment for American businesses. The President is working to reshore jobs lost overseas and secure our supply chains. He is working to open new markets for our nation’s agriculture products. He is demonstrating to foreign adversaries like China that we will no longer be taken advantage of.”



NCBA Statement on White House Reciprocal Tariff Announcement

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane issued a statement after attending President Donald J. Trump’s reciprocal tariff announcement at the White House:

“For too long, America’s family farmers and ranchers have been mistreated by certain trading partners around the world. President Trump is taking action to address numerous trade barriers that prevent consumers overseas from enjoying high-quality, wholesome American beef. NCBA will continue engaging with the White House to ensure fair treatment for America’s cattle producers around the world and optimize opportunities for exports abroad.”

Background
Numerous countries impose tariff and non-tariff trade barriers on American beef that inhibit opportunities to export our high-quality product. For example,
    Australia has sold roughly $29 billion of beef to American consumers. Meanwhile, we have not been able to sell $1 of fresh U.S. beef in Australia due to non-scientific barriers.
    Vietnam places a 30% tariff on U.S. beef while Australian beef faces no such tariff.
    Thailand places a 50% tariff on U.S. beef.
    Brazil and Paraguay have a history of dangerous foot-and-mouth disease, but despite overwhelming evidence of their animal health risk, the Biden administration continued to allow U.S. market access to Brazil and Paraguay.
    The European Union places numerous non-scientific “Green Deal” restrictions on American beef, limiting market opportunities.
 
American cattle producers raise the highest-quality and safest beef in the world and NCBA continues to push for more opportunities for U.S. producers to sell their beef abroad, increasing profitability.



Additional Tariffs will Take Toll on America’s Farmers

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on President Trump’s announcement that the United States will impose reciprocal tariffs on trading partners.

“Trade is critical to the success of farmers and ranchers across the country. We share the administration’s goal of leveling the playing field with our international partners, but increased tariffs threaten the economic sustainability of farmers who have lost money on most major crops for the past three years.

“More than 20% of farm income comes from exports, and farmers rely on imports for crucial supplies like fertilizer and specialized tools. Tariffs will drive up the cost of critical supplies, and retaliatory tariffs will make American-grown products more expensive globally. The combination not only threatens farmers’ competitiveness in the short-term, but it may cause long-term damage by leading to losses in market share.

“We encourage the administration to work toward a swift resolution to trade disagreements to avoid tariffs that put farmers and ranchers in the crosshairs of retaliation, and to pursue strategies that expand market opportunities for the men and women who grow the food every family in America relies on.”



Farmers and Ranchers Will Bear the Brunt of a Global Trade War

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew released the following statement today after the White House reciprocal tariff announcement.

“One thing is certain: American family farmers and ranchers will bear the brunt of this global trade war. The economic strain and uncertainty that farmers face have reached a breaking point. Without meaningful support and a commitment to fair trade policies, we will lose even more family farms, weaken rural economies, and ultimately drive up costs and limit choices for consumers at the grocery store.

“Farmers Union has always fought for fair trading relationships with other countries. We rely on stable markets and fair competition to thrive, but the administration's actions today create instability at the expense of our family farmers.

“Policymakers must recognize that the consequences of these decisions extend far beyond the farm—our entire food system and the communities it sustains are at stake.

“Farmers Union members came together at our national convention to share their collective concerns and urge the administration and Congress to de-escalate trade tensions. Our trade policy must support the needs of family farmers and ranchers, not put them at further risk.”

President Trump announced on Wednesday a new 10% across-the-board tariff in addition to reciprocal duties that will apply to specific trade partners, including China, the European Union, India, Japan and South Korea. This is in addition to the tariffs currently in place on Mexico and Canada.

In anticipation of the announcement, NFU and 17 other agricultural organizations sent a letter to the administration on Tuesday urging a trade approach that strengthens American agriculture rather than destabilizing it.



Terraform Tillage Receives Patent for SmartProbe System

Terraform Tillage today announced it has received a U.S. patent (U.S. Patent No. 12,216,096) for its SmartProbe System, a technology that helps measure and map yield-robbing soil compaction.

The SmartProbe System features the SmartProbe app and a mounting kit that attaches a smartphone to a soil penetrometer, a tool that identifies soil compaction by measuring the force required to push a probe into the soil. The SmartProbe System allows farmers or service providers an easier way to record penetrometer readings and create real-time maps showing soil compaction at different depths in the field. This allows sub-surface tillage to be focused on areas of the field that need it—increasing yields, reducing costs and improving soil health.

“Soil compaction isn’t uniform across a field,” says Josh Jeske, founder of Terraform Tillage and developer of the SmartProbe System. “The SmartProbe System allows growers to focus subsoiling on areas that will provide an economic return.”

 Reduced Costs, Improved Yields
 Jeske says the SmartProbe System allows farmers to reduce sub-surface tillage up to 90%. “Our value comes from reducing tillage in field areas that don’t need it–and focusing tillage on areas that do,” Jeske says. “That’s better for the grower and the environment.”

Free Trial of SmartProbe App
The SmartProbe app is now available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Downloading and use of the app is free through 2025. The mounting kit can be purchased at the Terraform Tillage website.

Compaction Mapping Service
The SmartProbe System is also available as a service in Iowa. Growers can contract Terraform Tillage to map fields for them and offer precise tillage recommendations. The service is available for $5 per acre for one-acre grids with minimum acreage thresholds based on location of the fields being mapped.

To learn more about the Terraform Tillage service, visit https://terraformtillage.com/mapping-service-iowa.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 3/28/2025

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending March 28, ethanol production increased 0.9% to 1.06 million b/d, equivalent to 44.65 million gallons daily. Output was 0.9% lower than the same week last year but 3.6% above the three-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate declined 0.7% to 1.07 million b/d, the lowest level since the end of October 2024 and equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.46 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks tightened by 2.7% to 26.6 million barrels. Yet, stocks were 0.7% more than the same week last year and 3.1% above the three-year average. Inventories thinned across all regions except the Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, slid 1.7% to a five-week low of 8.50 million b/d (130.59 bg annualized). Demand was 8.0% less than a year ago and 5.9% below the three-year average.

Conversely, refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol improved by 2.3% to a 14-week high of 898,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.80 bg annualized. Net inputs were 0.6% more than year-ago levels and 2.1% above the three-year average.

Ethanol exports dropped 62.2% to an estimated 62,000 b/d (2.6 million gallons/day), a 22-week low. It has been more than a year since EIA indicated ethanol was imported.



UAN32 Price Up 6% From Last Month, Leads Higher Prices for All 8 Fertilizers

Average retail prices for all eight major fertilizers tracked by DTN continued to be higher than last month during the last week of March 2025. However, the price of only one fertilizer saw a significant move, which DTN designates as anything 5% or more.

UAN32 was 6% higher compared to last month. The nitrogen fertilizer's average price was $423 per ton, up $26 per ton from $397 during the last week for February. The remaining seven fertilizers had just slightly higher prices. DAP had an average price of $768 per ton, MAP $819/ton, potash $462/ton, urea $565/ton, 10-34-0 $650/ton, anhydrous $770/ton and UAN28 $360/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.61/lb.N, anhydrous $0.47/lb.N, UAN28 $0.64/lb.N and UAN32 $0.66/lb.N.

Three fertilizers are now higher in price compared to one year earlier. UAN28 is 1% higher, 10-34-0 is 3% more expensive and UAN32 is 5% higher looking back to last year. The remaining five fertilizers are lower. Both DAP and MAP are 1% less expensive, urea is 2% lower, anhydrous is 3% less expensive and potash is 10% lower compared to last year.



USDA Announces Agricultural Trade Promotion Programs for 2025

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is launching agricultural trade promotion programs for 2025 and accepting applications for four export market development programs. USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service has opened funding opportunities for the Market Access Program (MAP), Foreign Market Development Program (FMD), Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program (TASC), and Emerging Markets Program (EMP) that will help U.S. agricultural producers promote and sell their goods internationally. This action follows U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins’ Friday announcement detailing six international trade trips in the next six months to promote U.S. agricultural exports. The Secretary will visit Vietnam, Japan, India, Peru, Brazil, and the United Kingdom.

“Our job at USDA is to open new markets for our farmers, ranchers, and producers. The previous administration left agriculture with a $50 billion trade deficit. President Trump and I will not sit idly by - we are actively working to open new markets and remove existing barriers,” said Secretary Rollins. “We are putting farmers first. These programs are a crucial step in sustaining long lasting economic growth in rural America.”

Background:
The application deadline for the four programs is June 6, 2025.

The Market Access Program (MAP), at $200 million annually, allocates funds to ag industry organizations across the United States to promote U.S. fruits, vegetables, nuts, processed products, and bulk and intermediate commodities to global consumers. The average MAP participant provides more than $2.50 in contributions for every $1 in federal funding it receives through the program. More information about the program and the FY 2026 funding opportunity.

The Foreign Market Development (FMD) program awards $34.5 million annually to benefit U.S. farmers, processors, and exporters by addressing long–term foreign market import constraints and by identifying new markets or new uses for U.S. agricultural commodities. FMD recipients, which contribute on average more than $2.50 for every $1 in federal funding they receive through the program, will conduct activities that help maintain or increase demand for U.S. agricultural commodities overseas. More information about the program and the FY 2026 funding opportunity.

The Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops program (TASC) makes available $9 million annually to fund projects that address sanitary, phytosanitary, and technical barriers that prohibit or threaten the export of U.S. specialty crops. More information about the program and the FY 2026 funding opportunity.

The Emerging Markets Program (EMP) uses $8 million annually to support assessment and technical assistance activities intended to develop, maintain, or expand opportunities for U.S. agricultural exports in emerging markets. More information about the program and the FY 2026 funding opportunity.

Through MAP, FMD, TASC, and EMP, FAS establishes public-private partnerships with non-profit U.S. agricultural trade associations, farmer cooperatives, non-profit state-regional trade groups, state agencies, and small businesses to open markets and conduct overseas marketing and promotional activities on behalf of U.S. agricultural producers and processors.

These programs are funded by mandatory statutory funding per the direction of Congress. USDA takes seriously the disbursement of taxpayer dollars and will closely follow the program to ensure good return on investment.