Wednesday April 02 Ag News

 97th Nebraska FFA Convention Brings Thousands Together to Celebrate ‘Every Moment’

For three days, Lincoln will be transformed into a hub of agriculture, leadership, and celebration as more than 7,000 FFA members from across Nebraska gather for the 97th Nebraska State FFA Convention, held April 2-4. With this year’s theme, “Every Moment,” students will compete in a variety of contests, attend leadership workshops, and participate in hands-on learning experiences that highlight the impact of agriculture.

Reagan Choat of Plainview has served as the 2024-2025 State FFA President and is a freshman at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He has spent the year representing agriculture and FFA throughout the state and country. Choat is looking forward to seeing all the members he met throughout the year again at the convention.

“We have hosted incredible conferences, witnessed students' success, and had a lot of fun doing it, but if I had to choose a highlight of the last year, it would be building relationships,” said Choat. “I have been able to meet so many exceptional members, advisors and supporters over the last year and I am so excited to reconnect and celebrate them for their accomplishments.”

The Nebraska FFA Convention offers a dynamic lineup of events, including leadership academies, career development competitions, and interactive workshops designed to empower students. Attendees can engage in activities such as the East Campus Scavenger Hunt, explore the Nebraska FFA Foundation Expo, and participate in various speaking and skills contests. Additionally, the convention features tours of agricultural facilities, providing hands-on learning experiences that connect classroom knowledge to real-world applications.

Another large part of the convention are the seven general sessions held at Pinnacle Bank Arena, kicking off on Wednesday night with keynote speaker John Beede, a published author and mountain climber. A professional hypnotist will be the entertainment at the 5th session, with the other sessions full of awards for members and retiring addresses from the state officer team.

“We selected the theme “Every Moment,” because we know it is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, and if you don’t stop to appreciate what and who is around you then you can miss out on so much, said Choat. “I am looking forward to sharing one final week with the 7000+ members, advisors, and guests in Lincoln during the 97th Nebraska FFA State Convention!”



NC Supports Senator Ibach’s Brand Bill with Amendment 829

Tuesday, the Nebraska Cattlemen Board of Directors unanimously voted to support Senator Teresa Ibach’s (LD 44) priority bill, LB646, following her introduction of AM829, which aligns the legislation with longstanding Nebraska Cattlemen Brand and Property Rights Committee policy. In response to the introduction of AM829, Nebraska Cattlemen released the following statement:

“It is time to stop kicking the can down the road on critical brand law reforms in the state of Nebraska. The Nebraska Cattlemen Board of Directors overwhelmingly supports LB646 with the inclusion of AM829. To be clear, throughout this legislative session, Nebraska Cattlemen has never wavered from its longstanding and carefully crafted grassroots policy on brand law, which supports maintaining the integrity of brand inspection in Nebraska, modernizing inspection fees, and cutting unnecessary red tape preventing producers from efficiently moving cattle.

We thank Senator Teresa Ibach for continuously engaging with Nebraska Cattlemen’s staff and leadership to reach a compromise that will ultimately benefit every sector of the beef cattle industry. The time to act is now.”

BACKGROUND
On February 4, 2025, Nebraska Cattlemen (NC) announced its policy priorities for the first half of the 109th Legislative Session. NC stated it opposed LB646, which aimed to exempt registered feedlots from brand inspection in Nebraska as introduced. Following NC policy, the NC Board gave NC staff and leadership direction to work on amendments to strengthen the bill, modernize brand inspection in Nebraska, and set fees reflective of services provided to different sectors of the industry.

On February 11, 2025, NC President-elect, Craig Uden gave testimony before the Nebraska Unicameral Agriculture Committee, to clearly state NC’s reasons for opposing LB646 as introduced. Remarks as prepared can be found here.

On March 20, 2025, NC released a statement on LB646 AM638, stating its official position of opposition would not change without direction from the NC Board of Directors.

On April 1, 2025, following the introduction of AM829 to replace AM638, the NC Board of Directors unanimously approved a motion to support LB646 with the inclusion of AM829.



NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending March 30, 2025, topsoil moisture supplies rated 23% very short, 44% short, 33% adequate, and 0% surplus, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 35% very short, 43% short, 22% adequate, and 0% surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Winter wheat condition rated 17% very poor, 17% poor, 36% fair, 29% good, and 1% excellent.

Weekly reports will begin April 7th for the 2025 season.



CAP Webinar: Maximizing Profit Through Smarter Seed Selection
Apr 3, 2025 12:00 PM
Matt Stockton, Professor, Agricultural Economics
Shannon Sand, Extension Ag Economist, UNL

Seed selection is one of the most critical decisions farmers make each year, with significant implications for profitability. In this webinar, State Extension Educator Shannon Sand and State Specialist Matt Stockton explore economic insights related to corn hybrid selection using examples from the TAPS (Testing Ag Performance Solutions) contest in North Platte, Ne. These examples demonstrate the importance of hybrid selection and the large difference they can make on profitability. They present key findings from an in-depth analysis of the 2018 TAPS competition. Small differences in seed choice may lead to substantial variations in farm profitability. Attendees will learn the keys consider when making this choice,  recognizing costs versus returns, avoid common pitfalls, and apply a value-driven approach to hybrid seed selection.

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.  



WK Kellogg Co increases support of Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund

WK Kellogg Co has once again pledged its support in furtherance of the work of the Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund (DGSHF), an affiliated fund of Nebraska Community Foundation.

WK Kellogg Co’s second contribution of $7,500 to the fund brings its total support to $15,000, making the organization the most significant donor in DGSHF’s four-year history.

“The future of farming depends on the health of our soil and the resilience of our farmers,” said Sarah Ludmer, Chief Wellbeing and Sustainable Business Officer at WK Kellogg Co. “By supporting the Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund, we are investing in the next generation of growers and ensuring they have the knowledge and resources to adopt sustainable practices that benefit both, our communities and our planet.”

DGSHF honors Dan Gillespie, a life-long farmer and a long-time no-till farming practitioner and advocate. Following a courageous battle with ALS, the Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund was established to allow Gillespie’s family, friends and fellow soil health enthusiasts across the nation to carry on his work indefinitely.

DGSHF is focused on building an endowment to award grants twice a year that support education and programming for youth, current and future farmers, ranchers and others directly involved in agriculture in Nebraska and surrounding states. Past DGSHF grants have supported organizations like No Till on the Plains, UNL Extension, Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District, and youth centered sustainable agriculture projects and programs. For more information and to support the work of the fund, visit www.nebcommfound.org/give/dan-gillespie-soil-health-fund.



Smith named director of Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory

Eric Smith has been named the next director of the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He will begin in the role in August.

Smith brings three decades of experience in agricultural equipment engineering to the laboratory, including leadership roles at John Deere and New Holland. Most recently, he served as manager of regulations and standards for agricultural tractors at John Deere, where he coordinated technical positions on global product standards and played a key role in shaping regulations related to safety, automation and sustainability.

A licensed professional engineer, Smith holds bachelor’s degrees in agricultural and biological engineering, and mechanical engineering from Cornell University, as well as a Master of Business Administration from the University of Iowa.

He has been a longtime contributor to international standards development through the 38-member Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and served for nine years as international chair of the ISO Agricultural Tractors Committee. This committee supports interoperability of machinery from different manufacturers, ensuring that tractors, planters, balers and other implements work together seamlessly. His leadership in the organizations has connected him with global stakeholders in industry, academia and government.

“We are excited to welcome Eric Smith to lead the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory,” said Mark Stone, head of the Department of Biological Systems Engineering. “His extensive industry experience, deep understanding of global standards, and passion for mentorship and collaboration make him uniquely suited to guide the lab into its next era.”

Smith is committed to preserving the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory’s legacy of excellence while fostering innovation and expanding the lab’s reach through new partnerships. He expressed enthusiasm about joining the university and engaging with faculty and students.

“It is an honor to lead such a historic and impactful institution,” he said. “I look forward to building on the laboratory’s strong foundation and exploring new opportunities for innovation in agricultural machinery testing.”

Smith succeeds Roger Hoy, who has led the lab since 2006 and will retire later this year.



Animal Science To Honor Four Individuals, One Organization At Department Honors Banquet on April 12

The Department of Animal Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will recognize current students, alumni, faculty, and friends at its annual department honors banquet on April 12. The event will be held at The Ballroom at Bosona in Bennet, Neb.

Maci Mueller, Merlyn Nielsen, and Tom Rathje will be honored for their accomplishments as animal science undergraduate or graduate alumni, Nebraska Cattlemen will be honored for its outstanding contributions made to the department, and Doyle Wolverton will be the 2025 Block and Bridle Club honoree. In addition to these awards, current students will be recognized along with departmental clubs.

Registration will open on March 12 will remain open for attendees until April 2. More information about the event can be found here.  

Young Alumni of Distinction
Maci Mueller, B.S. 2016, will be honored with the Young Alumni of Distinction award. Mueller is an Assistant Professor of Animal Genetics at Kansas State University. After earning her degree in Animal Science with a minor in Political Science from Nebraska, she earned her M.S. and Ph.D. in Animal Genomics and Biotechnology from the University of California, Davis, in 2023. Originally from Princeton, Nebraska, Mueller developed her passion for animal genetics through active involvement in her family’s first-generation Angus seedstock operation. The focus of her research is leveraging genetic-based biotechnologies to enhance animal health and welfare while improving production efficiency. Passionate about science communication, she is dedicated to providing education and outreach to expand the use of genetic technologies in livestock systems.

Undergraduate of Distinction
Merlyn Nielsen, B.S. 1970, will be honored with the Undergraduate of Distinction award. Following his time as an undergrad at Nebraska, Nielsen went on to earn both his M.S. (1972) and Ph.D. (1974) degrees from Iowa State University. After completing his Ph.D., he returned to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he spent more than 30 years as a faculty member in the Department of Animal Science with a research and teaching career focusing on Animal Breeding and Genetics. Nielsen has received numerous awards, including the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) Rockefeller Prentice Memorial Award in Animal Breeding and Genetics and the Beef Improvement Federation Pioneer Award. He is also a Teaching Fellow of ASAS.

Graduate of Distinction
Tom Rathje, M.S., 1991 and Ph.D. 1995, will be honored with the Graduate of Distinction award. Dr. Rathje is currently the Chief Technology Officer at DNA Genetics, one of the leading pig genetics companies in North America. After earning his M.S. and Ph.D. in Animal Breeding and Genetics under the direction of Dr. Rodger Johnson, he started his career in 1995 as one of the five foundational members of the Executive Management Team at Danbred North America, which later became DNA Genetics in 2013. He is considered one of the visionaries who increased the company’s market share from less than 5% in the startup phase to 40% in 2020, a growth that positioned DNA Genetics as the second-largest genetic supplier across North America in 2020, after the launch of an independent genetics research program. He has also served as an adjunct faculty member at the university since 1998, serving on advising committees for graduate students and actively mentoring post-doctoral research associates.

Distinguished Service Award
Nebraska Cattlemen will be honored with the Distinguished Service Award. Nebraska Cattlemen and the Nebraska Cattlemen Research and Education Foundation have been instrumental in the success of the faculty and students in the Department of Animal Science for many years. The Foundation's mission is to advance the future of Nebraska's Beef Industry by investing in research and education programs. Recipients of their generosity have been undergraduate students who have received academic scholarships each year and the hundreds of high school youth who have attended the Nebraska Youth Beef Leadership Symposium. Others include the Nebraska Meats and Livestock Judging Teams through endowed scholarships, the Krutsinger Beef Industry Scholars Program, and participants in the feedyard management internship program. These programs have all experienced growth and success over the years and continue to be one of the reasons why students choose to study animal science at the university. The Foundation has also established the Nebraska Beef Cattle Industry Professorship and contributed to the Terry Klopfenstein Feed Technology Center and the Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center. In addition to the financial support, the Nebraska Cattlemen have been a strong advocate for the students, faculty, and department as a whole by endowing scholarships, sponsoring leadership and education programs, and assisting with research and infrastructure projects have been possible because of the support from Nebraska cattle producers and allied industries.

Nebraska Block and Bridle Honoree
Doyle Wolverton, an emeritus professor, will be recognized as the 2025 Block and Bridle Club honoree. Since 1938, the Block and Bridle Club has recognized individuals who contributed to Nebraska agriculture through leadership, service, youth projects, community activities, and involvement with the university. The candidates are nominated by industry leaders and selected by the club officers and advisors.

After serving as an ag instructor and in extension director and specialist roles in the state of Iowa for 20 years, Wolverton joined the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as an associate professor of animal science and youth livestock extension specialist in 1980. Doyle spent the next 17 years working closely with numerous livestock organizations to develop educational and leadership opportunities for youth who were passionate about agriculture and the livestock industries. An innovator, Wolverton was the first to develop and implement a “Meat Animal Quality Assurance Program” for those showing livestock, a precursor to the Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) training now required of everyone who shows livestock. Doyle also facilitated the early adoption of real-time ultrasound as a method to collect carcass data for livestock shows. Coordinating livestock shows for the Nebraska State Fair and Ak-Sar-Ben, Wolverton engaged with nearly 3,000 exhibitors that showed more than 6,000 animals annually. Doyle is a champion of programs that emphasize education, responsibility, and leadership development including coordinating Ak-Sar-Ben’s “Catch a Calf” program that challenged youth to not only raise and show the animals but to maintain detailed records and interact with industry sponsors.

For over 40 years, Doyle has maintained long-standing ties to the National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest, having served on the management and operations committees, serving as the contest superintendent in 1987-88, and sponsoring an award for the winning coach at the contest. Wolverton assisted in the running of the contest by procuring the livestock for the classes, caring for the livestock, and managing all of the backend operations of the contest. Doyle has judged hundreds of county livestock shows, facilitated competitive events at the local, state, and national levels, and has always placed educational value at the forefront of competitive youth events. Through his interaction with tens of thousands of youth at contests over the years, his contributions to the future of animal agriculture are immeasurable.



Secretary Naig Presents 2025 Ag Leader Awards for Outstanding Contributions to Iowa Agriculture

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig this week recognized three organizations and one business that have made exceptional contributions to the continued success of Iowa agriculture. The honorees received awards during the 13th Annual Iowa Ag Leaders Dinner held on March 31 in Ankeny. The event culminated the state’s weeklong Iowa Ag Week celebration and included remarks from Gov. Kim Reynolds and a keynote address from United States Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins.

The Secretary’s Ag Leader Awards for 2025 were presented for Leadership in Community to the Iowa Pork Producers Association for their Bacon Buddies program. Nationwide Agribusiness was recognized for Leadership in Community for their grain bin rescue initiatives. Pheasants Forever received an award for Leadership in Conservation for partnering with the Department on water quality initiatives. The Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement was honored for their Leadership in Agriculture Education for supporting youth scholarship programs.

“Every year, hundreds of Iowans from every corner of the state gather for the Ag Leaders Dinner to recognize outstanding contributions made by businesses, organizations, and individuals,” said Secretary Naig. “This year’s awardees, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Nationwide Agribusiness, Pheasants Forever, and the Iowa Association for Agricultural Advancement, have all made significant positive impacts to the ongoing success of Iowa agriculture and our rural communities. These awardees play an integral role in developing young leaders and ensuring that Iowa remains an agricultural productivity powerhouse that drives our economy forward.”

2025 Iowa Ag Leader Awardees:

Leadership in Community – Iowa Pork Producers Association for Bacon Buddies
Created by the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) and hosted in partnership with Special Olympics Iowa, Bacon Buddies reflects the very best of Iowa and Iowa agriculture. Bacon Buddies provides a great learning and development opportunity for youth of all abilities. Youth who have intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (Buddies) show pigs and learn from their peer mentors (4-H and FFA youth), that share the show ring experience with them. Buddies gain new skills while enjoying new experiences, developing lasting friendships and building confidence. Mentors learn about individuals with intellectual/or developmental disabilities and gain the opportunity to cultivate kindness in their interactions. Bacon Buddies was introduced in Iowa at the Iowa State Fair in 2019. The program has grown significantly since 2023 when IPPA introduced “Bucks for Bacon Buddies,” which provides up to $500 for county pork producers to sponsor local events. In 2024, 31 county fairs held local events, up from 28 counties in 2023 and a significant increase from 2 or 3 counties prior to 2023. Secretary Naig extends his thanks to the Iowa Pork Producers Association for their continued leadership.

Leadership in Community – Nationwide Agribusiness
Nationwide Agribusiness has taken great steps to improve farm safety and save lives, reaching millions through marketing campaigns about grain bin and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) safety. Launched in 2014, Grain Bin Safety Week strives to increase awareness of the importance of following safety practices and protocols when working in and around grain bins. The campaign includes media and social engagement, as well as resources for first responders to obtain life-saving equipment. Nationwide Agribusiness works with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety based in Peosta and other partners to provide emergency personnel with grain bin safety equipment, rescue tubes, and hands-on rescue training. Since 2014, the partnership has provided hands-on rescue training to more than 332 fire departments in over 32 states. The work is already documented to have saved 13 lives. Nationwide also works with ATV Safety Institute and Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association to promote safety training programs that can help improve operator safety and prevent costly accidents — both on and off the farm. Secretary Naig extends his gratitude to Nationwide Agribusiness for their continued leadership.

Leadership in Conservation – Pheasants Forever
2025 marks 100 years of pheasant hunting in Iowa. Pheasants Forever is a committed conservation partner, whose investments on private lands improve and protect Iowa’s natural resources. Since 1985, Iowa Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever chapters have helped establish 618,000 acres of nesting cover, 313,000 acres of food and cover plots, planted over 11,000,000 trees and shrubs on private lands and restored 19,000 acres of wetlands. Since 2019, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has entered into a direct agreement with Pheasants Forever to provide funding for assistance with conservation practice implementation. The agreement partially funds biologists across Iowa who provide technical assistance to landowners and farmers. Biologists assist farmers and landowners with enrolling in conservation programs through one-on-one meetings, on-farm technical assistance, and workshops to develop conservation plans, habitat proposals, and other management plans. Secretary Naig thanks them for their leadership in continuing to accelerate our state’s conservation efforts.

Leadership in Agriculture Education – Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement
For as long as the Iowa State Fair has been in existence, youth from around the state have proudly exhibited their livestock projects in search of a purple banner. Until the late 1980s, 4-H and FFA students who earned the top award were often rewarded with less than market price for their animals. In 1987, at the conclusion of another disappointing sale, a group of livestock industry supporters decided a change was needed. Not only did they want to ensure the hard work of the champion projects were awarded, but they wanted to provide more incentives for other youth to participate in livestock projects. In 1988, the Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement (IFAA) was born. Though the initial mission was to provide funds to support the sale of grand and reserve champion projects at a premium, IFAA has since expanded to reach more youth through scholarship programs and performance awards. To date, more than $7 million has been raised to support Iowa youth. IFAA has successfully harnessed the collective support of many partners and donors toward a focused mission of supporting and preparing the future of Iowa agriculture. IFAA is a prime example of agricultural leaders seeing a problem and then finding an innovative solution. Secretary Naig thanks IFAA for their continued leadership in supporting Iowa youth.

The annual Iowa Ag Leaders Dinner is hosted by Secretary Naig, organized by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and funded by the Iowa Economic Development Foundation.



USDA Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production Report - Feb '25

Total corn consumed for alcohol and other uses was 465 million bushels in February 2025. Total corn consumption was down 10 percent from January 2025 and down 6 percent from February 2024. February 2025 usage included 92.6 percent for alcohol and 7.4 percent for other purposes. Corn consumed for beverage alcohol totaled 3.04 million bushels, up 7 percent from January 2025 but down 33 percent from February 2024. Corn for fuel alcohol, at 421 million bushels, was down 10 percent from January 2025 and down 5 percent from February 2024. Corn consumed in February 2025 for dry milling fuel production and wet milling fuel production was 91.9 percent and 8.1 percent, respectively.

Dry mill co-product production of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was 1.70 million tons during February 2025, down 8 percent from January 2025 and down 6 percent from February 2024. Distillers wet grains (DWG) 65 percent or more moisture was 1.11 million tons in February 2025, down 12 percent from January 2025 and down 6 percent from February 2024.

Wet mill corn gluten feed production was 229,265 tons during February 2025, down 10 percent from January 2025 and down 10 percent from February 2024. Wet corn gluten feed 40 to 60 percent moisture was 176,276 tons in February 2025, down 14 percent from January 2025 and down 15 percent from February 2024.

Fats and Oils: Oilseed Crushings, Production, Consumption and Stocks
Soybeans crushed for crude oil was 5.67 million tons (189 million bushels) in February 2025, compared with 6.38 million tons (213 million bushels) in January 2025 and 5.80 million tons (193 million bushels) in February 2024. Crude oil produced was 2.24 billion pounds, down 11 percent from January 2025 and down 2 percent from February 2024. Soybean once refined oil production at 1.61 billion pounds during February 2025 decreased 6 percent from January 2025 and decreased 1 percent from February 2024.



USDA Announces April 2025 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for April 2025, which are effective April 1, 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 April 2025 are as follows:       
    Farm Operating Loans (Direct): 5.375%  
    Farm Ownership Loans (Direct): 5.750%  
    Farm Ownership Loans (Direct, Joint Financing): 3.750%  
    Farm Ownership Loans (Down Payment): 1.750%
    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): 5.125%  
    Farm Storage Facility Loans:  
    Three-year loan terms: 4.000%
    Five-year loan terms: 4.125%
    Seven-year loan terms: 4.125%
    Ten-year loan terms: 4.250%
    Twelve-year loan terms: 4.375%
    Sugar Storage Facility Loans(15 years): 4.500%         

To learn more about FSA programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. Additionally, producers can use online tools, such as the Loan Assistance Tool and Debt Consolidation Tool to explore loan options.



NCGA President: US Should Not Impose duties on Key Herbicide

Corn growers and other farmers would suffer if the U.S. government granted a petition to place anti-dumping and countervailing duties on imports of an herbicide called 2,4-D, the president of the National Corn Growers Association told commissioners at the International Trade Commission today.

“First, 2,4-D is a growth regulator that targets broadleaf weeds—which is a type of weed that causes significant harm to corn and 2,4-D has a minimal effect on grasses,” Illinois farmer and NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr. testified.  “This makes 2,4-D useful for corn, which is a grass, because it will kill the weeds but not the corn plants.”

The testimony comes as ITC weighs whether the petitioner, Corteva Agriscience, was harmed by imports of the herbicide, a finding that would allow for the petition to advance.

Growers have said they cannot solely rely on Corteva Agriscience, the only domestic supplier of 2,4-D, to meet nearly all the market’s needs.

Farmers have also argued that 2,4-D has many benefits, including preserving soil health, which helps farmers achieve successful yields.
 
“The use of 2,4-D is more environmentally friendly and climate-smart than the alternative, which is tilling,” Hartman told commissioners. “No-till farming uses herbicides to kill weeds while minimizing soil disturbances. This is important because keeping soil intact reduces soil erosion.”

Hartman further noted that the duties come as farmers navigating tough economic times.

“Corn prices are down 40% since 2022 and costs of farming, including inputs like herbicides, are at all-time highs,” Hartman said. “New herbicide tools are slow to come to the market, so placing new duties on 2,4-D would set American farmers back even further.”

ITC will issue either a negative or affirmative determination of material injury in six weeks. If an affirmative determination is issued, the U.S. Department of Commerce would then determine and issue final duty rates.



Ragland to ITC: 2,4-D an Essential Tool for Soybean Farmers

Not all herbicides are created equal – and not all effective herbicides remain on the market. Thus is the problem faced by hundreds of thousands of soybean and other farmers across the country. Farmers need access to multiple products from multiple sources, including 2,4-D.

In testimony to the U.S. International Trade Commission, which conducts investigations on matters involving international trade and industry competitiveness, Caleb Ragland, American Soybean Association president and Kentucky soybean farmer, explained the predicament of he and fellow farmers trying to effectively grow their crops.

“Weeds take vital resources like nutrients, water, and growing space from our crops. If not controlled, they can destroy about 80% of a soybean harvest. That’s why herbicides are essential to maximizing crop health and yields.

Until last year, dicamba was a key herbicide in soybean farming. For perspective, in 2021 it was used on more than 50 million acres of soybeans in the U.S. But in 2024, a federal district court vacated dicamba’s registrations with the Environmental Protection Agency. That unavailability has left a massive gap in the herbicide supply for farmers, which means we need reliable access to herbicides like 2,4-D now more than ever,” Ragland explained.

Ragland’s testimony came during a final hearing hosted by the ITC regarding antidumping and countervailing duties brought against imports of 2,4-D acids from China and India. ASA and the National Corn Growers Association appeared in person to offer testimony opposing the AD/CVD petition and urging the ITC to make a negative determination in the final ruling of the case.

Given dicamba’s unavailability and 2,4-D’s reliable weed control compared to the few alternatives left on the market, demand for 2,4-D herbicides has been growing and is expected to grow even more in the years ahead. That makes access to multiple sources of the herbicide important.

Ragland noted during his testimony that the domestic company at the heart of the investigation “makes good products that help many farmers” and enumerated the positive characteristics of the company’s seed trait genetics, herbicide products, and proprietary 2,4-D choline formulation. However, he questioned the company’s need for trade protection, especially to the detriment of American farmers.

“For soybean farmers, times are already tough. Production costs are nearing record highs. The prices of soybeans have decreased more than 40% in the past three years. Our herbicide options are becoming increasingly limited. Imports of 2,4-D products do not compete at all with Corteva’s 2,4-D choline product that is required by law and by contract to be used with Corteva’s Enlist soybeans—and which have a 60% market share that continues to increase every year. New duties on 2,4-D would make things even harder, further disrupting our access to reliable herbicide tools in our toolbox.”

ASA remains concerned with the rising costs of inputs for U.S. soybean growers. Duties imposed as part of this case could not come at a worse time for farmers, as trade uncertainty and tariffs continue to place financial pressure on U.S. agriculture.

The ITC has the final authority to dismiss this case in its entirety and will make its decision regarding these duties later this month.



NMPF Celebrates Senate Support for Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act

The National Milk Producers Federation celebrated strong bipartisan Senate support for the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act as senators begin considering this critical legislation.   

In a Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry hearing held Tuesday to review the measure, committee members and panelists highlighted the role this bill could have in increasing student milk consumption and nutrition access while also potentially decreasing waste.  

“NMPF commends Sens. Roger Marshall, R-KS, and Peter Welch, D-VT, for advocating for our nation’s students to have more access to nutrient-rich dairy by allowing schools to offer whole milk with school meals,” NMPF President & CEO Gregg Doud said. “We know that Americans are under-consuming dairy products, and as we heard today, students have said they want the milk they are familiar with and that they find satisfying. For many students, that’s whole milk.”

NMPF also thanks Chairman John Boozman, R-AR, and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar, D-MN, for voicing their support for the bill.

“We are grateful to Chairman Boozman and Ranking Member Klobuchar for convening today’s hearing, and we look forward to working with them and the bill’s bipartisan sponsors to move it forward,” Doud said.

The House of Representatives is considering similar legislation led by House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson, R-PA, and Rep. Kim Schrier, D-WA. The bill was approved by the House Education & the Workforce Committee with bipartisan support Feb. 12, and it now awaits floor action. Similar legislation passed the House by an overwhelming bipartisan margin in 2023 but was not taken up in the Senate.



Producer sentiment slips due to rising policy uncertainty

Farmer sentiment declined in March as concerns over agricultural trade and farm policy weighed on producers’ outlook for the future. The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer fell 12 points to a reading of 140, down from 152 a month earlier. Contributing to the weakened sentiment in March was a 15-point drop in the Index of Future Expectations to 144 and the Current Conditions Index falling 5 points to 132. The drop in sentiment was influenced by falling crop prices since mid-February, along with increasing uncertainty surrounding agricultural trade and farm policy. Despite the decline, producers remained more optimistic about future conditions than the present, with the Future Expectations Index remaining higher than the Current Conditions Index by 12 points. This month’s survey was conducted between March 10-14.

Alongside the weakened sentiment, the Farm Capital Investment Index fell 5 points to 54 in March. Despite the dip, it is the second-highest reading since June 2021. The Farm Financial Performance Index also saw a drop, decreasing 8 points to 102. While slightly above 100, the index indicates that, on average, producers still anticipate their farm’s financial performance to improve compared to a year ago.

The Short-Term Farmland Value Expectations Index remained steady at 118 in March, matching the previous month’s level and only 6 points below its reading from a year ago. Except for the late summer and early fall of 2024, when sentiment was more pessimistic, the index has generally ranged between 110 and 126 since early 2023. This suggests that farmers maintain a cautious outlook for farmland values, anticipating they will either remain stable or increase modestly in the coming year.

“While the overall sentiment shift in March reflects growing uncertainty, farmers remain cautiously optimistic about the future, particularly with farmland values holding steady and the outlook for strong returns in the livestock sector helping to offset weaker expectations among crop producers,” said Michael Langemeier, the barometer’s principal investigator and director of Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture.

Since 2019, the barometer surveys have asked producers about their expectations for U.S. agricultural exports over the next five years. Historically, exports have been a primary driver of U.S. agricultural production demand and are closely linked to strong farm incomes. Producers reported they were optimistic about export growth in 2019 and 2020 surveys, but that optimism began to decline in 2021 and has continued to erode. In March, expectations for U.S. exports reached a record low in the survey, with 30% of producers anticipating a decline in exports, nearly matching the 33% who expect exports to rise.

In addition to worries about exports, farmers’ focus on agricultural policy has shifted over the past year. Since late 2022, barometer surveys have regularly asked producers to identify the most important policies or programs for their farms in the next five years. Before the November 2024 election, farmers reported a higher focus on interest rate policy than trade policy. However, since the election, trade policy has become a fast-growing concern, with 43% of respondents, on average, now citing it as the most critical issue impacting their farms, up sharply from an average of just 21% prior to the election.

Uncertainties about trade policy and its potential impact on U.S. agricultural exports are closely tied to farmers’ expectations for farm income. The March survey asked producers about the likelihood of a program similar to 2019’s Market Facilitation Program, created to compensate for lower output prices due to a trade war. Approximately two-thirds of respondents believe a follow-up to such a program is either “likely” (52%) or “very likely” (13%) to be implemented. Additionally, 74% of farmers in March indicated that the passage of a new farm bill this year was either “very important” (49%) or “important” (25%) to them.