Monday May 19 Ag News

 

 Secretary Rollins in Nebraska MONDAY

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins will be in Nebraska Monday, May 19th, with Governor Jim Pillen and Representative Adrian Smith.

Wholestone Farms Hog Processing Facility
Secretary Rollins, Governor Pillen, and Representative Smith will tour Wholestone Farms. Following the tour, Secretary Rollins, Governor Pillen, and Representative Smith will hold a media availability.

Farmers First Roundtable near Valparaiso
Secretary Rollins, Governor Pillen, and Representative Smith will tour the Ohnoutka family farm near Valparaiso and host a roundtable. Secretary Rollins will roll out a policy plan to improve the viability and longevity of smaller-scale family farms for generations to come.



Early Season Irrigation During Drought
Steve Melvin - Extension Educator Irrigated Cropping Systems

Getting the crop off to a great start is essential for a successful season. On dry years, it is sometimes necessary to start irrigating in May and June. However, it is critical to monitor soil moisture to balance crop needs with the risk of losing nitrogen and other valuable crop inputs. Monitoring will also help prevent unnecessary irrigation expenses, and if you have a water allocation, avoid using up water that is critical for later growth stages.

May and June are particularly vulnerable times for nitrate leaching in our irrigated fields because of several factors. First, the fields are left fairly wet from last season's irrigation, precipitation from October through May usually puts more water into the soil than it can hold, the crop is still small and not using much water, and most — if not all — the nitrogen for the corn crop has been applied.

Strategies for Early Season Irrigation
Last year’s irrigation will have left the soil fairly wet compared to dryland fields. On a typical year, a silt loam soil that was reasonably well irrigated the previous year (full yield) may only hold two to four inches of water from precipitation in the non-growing season. Sandy soils will hold even less. This means most years, irrigated fields will be at or above field capacity in May, particularly in the eastern two-thirds of Nebraska. These facts make it fairly safe to assume the field is at field capacity, but this year with the low precipitation amounts, this assumption may not be true on all irrigated fields.

Also, keep in mind the corn roots grow about an inch each day into soil that is at field capacity, providing much of the water the plants need for that day. Generally, irrigation needs to be delayed until the soil begins to dry down. Furthermore, research conducted in the North Platte area has shown that irrigation could be reduced by one to four inches, compared to a fully irrigated crop, during the vegetative period without a significant yield reduction and can stimulate deeper root growth

2025, Will It Be a Repeat Of 2023?
With much of the state getting very little precipitation from October through May, many fields have needed some irrigation to get the crop established and growing well through the vegetative stage — particularly on tilled or strip-till fields and fields that grew a cover crop. It all depends on the amount of water stored in the soil.

Soil Moisture Monitoring
In this drought year, many irrigated fields will not be at field capacity sometime in May as usual, while other portions of Nebraska have experienced significant rains over the last month. With irrigation, any grower can over-irrigate early and create a wet spring. The most reliable method to know when and how much to irrigate is to monitor soil moisture at multiple depths. Keep in mind that when irrigation is applied with a center pivot an inch at a time on the soil surface, the top foot will stay very wet all summer, making it important to know the soil water levels at 12- to 36-inch or 48-inch depths.

Soil water monitoring data is easier to analyze once the crop has taken up water at the 16- to 24-inch depth during the vegetative growth stage. This drier zone can then be monitored with sensors to see if the area gets wetter or drier. If it keeps getting drier, the irrigation system needs to keep running. However, if it starts to get wetter, then stop irrigating for a few days. Ideally, the drier zone should slowly expand deeper with the crop using most of the subsoil water by the time the crop matures.

Risk of Early Season Leaching
Excess irrigation has its own risks. Generally, when the soil is above field capacity, excess water leaves the root zone, called deep percolation. This is an essential function of the soil for groundwater recharge. When deep percolation takes agrichemicals past the root zone, it is called leaching. May and June are the most critical time for leaching losses all year.

Nitrate leaching loss rates typically range from five to 10 pounds of nitrogen for every inch of water lost to deep percolation or drainage in Nebraska (based on in-field research as well as modeling nitrate-nitrogen losses in a Hastings silt loam soil series with over-irrigation during May and June. (Source Aaron Daigh, 2023). Leaching losses can be even larger in sandy soil, with values as large as 30 lb/ac for every inch of over-irrigation measured in a loamy sand soil. Over-irrigation is very expensive and something that needs to be avoided.

Leave Room for Storing Rainfall
Monitoring soil moisture and leaving it moderately dry during the vegetative growth stages also leaves room for the soil to store any rainfall that may come. Too wet and you’ll lose that rainfall as runoff or deep percolation. Each inch of rainfall you store saves irrigation, input costs and prevents nitrate leaching.

The key to early water management is to apply irrigation only when it is needed to get the crop off to a good start, while keeping in mind over-irrigation enables crop input losses. Precision water and nitrogen management can help guide your early season irrigation decisions.



Nebraska Farm Bureau Awards Student Project Grants to 4-H and FFA Students Across the State

Entrepreneurial spirits are thriving in young agriculturalist across Nebraska. Nebraska Farm Bureau is excited to celebrate the 2025 Student Project Grant recipients as they grow their projects and continue to impact Nebraska agriculture!

Nebraska Farm Bureau Student Project Grants, supported by the Charles Marshall Fund at the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation, were awarded to nine deserving student Farm Bureau members from across the state. Nebraska Farm Bureau awards $4,000 in grants for students to begin or expand their 4-H project or FFA Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE) project. The grants are in the amounts of $250, $500, $750, and $1,000 until funds are exhausted.

“Our student members embrace the entrepreneurial spirit, and we are so proud of their commitment to their projects,” said Audrey Schipporeit, director of generational engagement. "Nebraska Farm Bureau is excited to support these students and we hope these funds will be able to help them reach their goals. We look forward to seeing Nebraska Farm Bureau students continue to bring new ideas and opportunities to their communities for many years to come."

The grants are awarded to Nebraska Farm Bureau student members each year, including those under the age of 15. Those applicants’ parent(s) must be Farm Bureau members. Applicants who are age 16 or older must be student Farm Bureau members. If selected, the student must share how they have used the grant towards starting or growing their 4-H or SAE projects. Winners were selected by a Nebraska Farm Bureau committee.

Grant recipients are as follows:
    Kyan Sones is a Jefferson County Farm Bureau member with a plan to improve his growing cow-calf operation by purchasing a high-quality mineral that aims to promote conception rates. Sones has 56 cows in his herd and is excited to see how using this project helps him maximize efficiency and produce higher-quality replacement females. He was awarded $250.

    Landon Pesek of Saline County Farm Bureau was awarded $250 toward the purchase of a Hereford breeding heifer. Pesek is excited to start his own cow herd and continue his family’s tradition of raising Hereford cattle!
 
    Rylie Doerr is a Knox County Farm Bureau member and received $500 to start her project. Doerr plans to grow produce to sell at her local farmer’s market. With these funds, she is eager to gather the supplies she needs to successfully start her business and put her green thumb to work!

    Tregan Fitzke is a member of Dodge County Farm Bureau. As he manages a produce greenhouse alongside his parents, Fitzke is excited to upgrade the technologies in his greenhouse with automatic vents to ensure his plants are well managed without having to remove Styrofoam from the vents each day. He sells produce at farmer’s markets and wholesales pumpkins to vendors in the community. Fitzke was awarded $250.

    Amanda Fehringer, a Cheyenne County Farm Bureau member, received $250 toward her market beef project. For the last six years, Fehringer has actively showed market beef, sheep, goats, and her dog! She is excited to use these funds to purchase more equipment so she can improve her livestock exhibition.

    Colby Smith is a member of Jefferson County Farm Bureau and has a wood art business. As his hand carved wood creation business has outgrown his current process, Smith is looking to expand by purchasing a CNC router table. Doing this will allow him to boost production and offer customers a more affordable product. He received $1000.

    Emma Dux is a Jefferson County Farm Bureau member  was awarded $250. Dux actively shows pigs across the country and will be using these funds to offset some of the costs incurred during the project. She is excited to expand her project this year by adding another hog to her show string.

    Hailey Dam, an Arthur County Farm Bureau member, received $750 toward the expansion of her show rabbit project. For nearly three years, Dam has successfully showed and bred rabbits. She hopes to expand her operation to be able to sell show quality rabbits to other youth exhibitors.

    Hailey Miller is a member of Clay County Farm Bureau who runs H & H Homegrown Pumpkins. After expanding her pumpkin plot, she quickly realized her water system was insufficient. Miller plans to use her grant money to expand her water system and continue to sell pumpkins in the community. She was awarded $500.

    Kalter Beckstrom  a Burt County Farm Bureau member received $250.Beckstrom is excited to start growing alfalfa! Using these funds, he will be able to offset some of the initial investment as he begins to pursue a life of farming!

To join Nebraska Farm Bureau and learn more, visit www.nefb.org.



Nebraska Ethanol Board June 2 board meeting to be held in Grand Island

The Nebraska Ethanol Board will meet in Grand Island at 11 a.m. Monday, June 2. The meeting will be in the conference room at Bosselman Enterprises Headquarters (1607 S. Locust St.). The agenda includes:
    Marketing & Education Programs
    Fuel Retailer Update
    Nebraska Corn Board Update
    Renewable Fuels Nebraska Update
    Technical & Research Updates
    State and Federal Legislation

This agenda contains all items to come before the Board except those items of an emergency nature. Nebraska Ethanol Board meetings are open to the public and also published on the public calendar.

The Nebraska Ethanol Board works to ensure strong public policy and consumer support for biofuels. Since 1971, the independent state agency has designed and managed programs to expand production, market access, worker safety and technology innovation, including recruitment of producers interested in developing conventional ethanol, as well as bio-products from the ethanol platform. For more information, visit www.ethanol.nebraska.gov.



June 19 - Cuming Co Feeders Golf Tournament & Membership Social

Cuming Co Feeders Golf Tournament & Membership Social
Date: Thursday, June 19, 2025
Check in:  2:30 pm
Shot Gun Start:  3:00 p.m.
4 Person Scramble - Teams preferred, individuals will be placed where available
Social with Steak Sandwich:  6:00 pm
If you're not golfing, come out for a steak sandwich!
Location:  Indian Trails, 1128 River Rd, Beemer
RSVP by June 16th
Contact:  Tyler Weborg 402-922-0187 or Jordan Feller 402-640-7009



ISU President Wendy Wintersteen to retire in 2026

In a message sent today to the campus community, Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen announced her plans to retire in January 2026. Wintersteen became the first woman and second ISU alum to hold the university’s highest office when she was named the 16th president of Iowa State in 2017.

“I am fortunate to have served Iowa State University in many roles over the past 46 years, and it’s been a fascinating journey,” Wintersteen said. “I am truly proud of Iowa State’s extraordinary faculty and staff for their remarkable performance these past years. Perhaps most of all, I will miss the amazing energy, talent and potential of our Iowa State students.”

President Wintersteen’s tenure has been marked by new and renovated facilities across campus, record research grants and awards for innovation, significant improvements in student outcomes, a vast increase in the ISU Research Park and strong fundraising success.

Iowa Board of Regents President Sherry Bates said, “Under President Wintersteen’s leadership, Iowa State’s reputation has soared, particularly in research growth, student outcomes and an emphasis on innovation. With her steady guidance, Iowa State has met and overcome many external challenges, including a derecho, an international pandemic and more. The state of Iowa has been blessed to have an accomplished leader like Wendy Wintersteen leading this great land-grant university.”



Secretary Naig Issues Statement on President Wintersteen’s Retirement from Iowa State University

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig issued the following statement today after President Dr. Wendy Wintersteen announced her retirement from Iowa State University:

“Congratulations to Dr. Wintersteen on her impactful and distinguished career at Iowa State University. She has served with distinction for over four decades, including making history as the University’s first female president. Her leadership fostered growth in undergraduate education and has profoundly impacted agricultural innovation for the better.

Dr. Wintersteen has been a tremendous advocate for agriculture and the State of Iowa throughout her career. It has been my pleasure to work alongside Dr. Wintersteen to serve and strengthen Iowa agriculture, especially our rural areas. All Iowans have greatly benefited from her leadership.

I am grateful for her partnership and, most of all, her friendship. I wish Wendy and Robert all the best as they choose their next adventure in retirement.”



Cattlemen Urge Congress to Pass Tax Relief and Ag Priorities

Friday, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) urged Congress to swiftly pass the House reconciliation package, which contains crucial tax relief and agricultural policy priorities that support America’s hardworking family farmers and ranchers.
 
“Raising cattle is a difficult business and around the country, family farmers and ranchers are wondering how they can keep their operations going for the next generation. This is why we need Congress to step up and pass the reconciliation bill that delivers tax relief, helps producers keep more of their hard-earned money, and protects the cattle industry against foreign animal disease,” said NCBA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “It’s time for Congress to finish this critical work and pass this bill so President Trump can sign it into law.”   
 
Initiated in 1898, NCBA is the oldest and largest national trade association representing American cattle farmers and ranchers. With members in all 50 states, NCBA is the trusted leader and definitive voice of the U.S. cattle and beef industry.



Reflecting on a Bold First Week: Taste What Pork Can Do  

Last week marked a major milestone for our industry with the launch of Taste What Pork Can Do™—a bold, unapologetic campaign that puts pork’s taste and versatility front and center. If you’ve seen the excitement on social media or visited porkcheckoff.org, you know this campaign is unlike anything we’ve done before.

The campaign is off to a strong start, energizing consumers with a fresh invitation to rediscover everything pork brings to the table. And this is only the beginning. What comes next is just as important: retail activations, foodservice partnerships and continued momentum that keeps pork top of mind.

You, the producers, are the reason we’re able to tell this story with pride. Your passion and dedication inspire this work, and we can’t wait to share more with you.

Want to learn more about the campaign? Join Us for a Live Webinar... https://pork.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MuectOWYS2qC11IOfKxPIw#/registration

You’re invited to the Building Pork Demand webinar, where Pork Checkoff experts will walk you through the new consumer campaign and how it will build a bigger appetite for pork.



John Deere Announces $20 Billion Commitment to U.S. Investment Over Next Decade

During last week's 2Q 2025 earning’s call, John Deere chairman and CEO John May announced a bold commitment to invest $20 billion in the United States over the next 10 years, underscoring the continued dedication of John Deere to American workers, communities, and manufacturing. John Deere has helped build America since 1837 through U.S. manufacturing, jobs, and community growth. This announcement reinforces the company’s ongoing commitment to strategic investments both for today and the future.

Impacting the U.S. Economy: This $20 billion commitment builds on the company’s long-standing legacy of economic impact and manufacturing in the U.S.
    $2.5 billion invested in U.S. factories since 2019
    $25 billion economic impact of U.S. hometowns
    $100 million invested in American factories in 2025
    $80 billion in U.S. supplier investments since 2019
    60 facilities across more than 16 states

Major Projects Include:
    A 120,000 sq. ft. expansion of the company’s remanufacturing facility in Missouri
    Construction of a new excavator factory in Kernersville, North Carolina
    Expansion of the Greeneville, Tennessee turf equipment factory
    New assembly lines for the 9RX high-horsepower tractor in Waterloo, Iowa

Creating Jobs and Strengthening U.S. Communities: John Deere remains committed to its people and communities.
    30,000 U.S.-based John Deere employees
    50,000 employees at independent John Deere dealerships
    $200 million committed through the John Deere Foundation by 2031
    450 U.S. military veterans placed into jobs

Through these efforts, John Deere continues to build strong local economies, expand career opportunities and support the people who build the country from the ground up.