Wednesday May 28 Ag News - Crop Progress and more!

 NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending May 25, 2025, there were 4.0 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 17% very short, 33% short, 48% adequate, and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 27% very short, 41% short, 32% adequate, and 0% surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 1% very poor, 2% poor, 27% fair, 58% good, and 12% excellent. Corn planted was 95%, ahead of 89% last year, and near 93% for the five-year average. Emerged was 77%, ahead of 58% last year and 67% average.

Soybean condition rated 0% very poor, 3% poor, 25% fair, 64% good, and 8% excellent. Soybeans planted was 91%, ahead of 77% last year and 84% average. Emerged was 63%, well ahead of 38% last year, and ahead of 49% average.

Winter wheat condition rated 27% very poor, 26% poor, 28% fair, 18% good, and 1% excellent. Winter wheat headed was 60%, ahead of 48% last year, and well ahead of 34% average.

Sorghum planted was 27%, near 29% last year, and behind 37% average.

Oats condition rated 3% very poor, 7% poor, 55% fair, 33% good, and 2% excellent. Oats emerged was 92%, equal to both last year and average. Headed was 9%, behind 14% last year, but near 8% average.

Dry edible beans planted was 56%, well ahead of 9% last year and 13% average.

Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 20% very poor, 31% poor, 32% fair, 17% good, and 0% excellent.



Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

Timely rains while needed, limited Iowa farmers to 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 25, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Corn and soybean planting continued but some producers are waiting for warmer and drier conditions to start spraying.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 15 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 23 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus.

Corn planted reached 95 percent. Corn emerged reached 76 percent, 6 days ahead of last year’s pace and 2 days ahead of normal. Corn condition rated 0 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 15 percent fair, 62 percent good and 21 percent excellent.

Ninety-two percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, just over 2 weeks ahead of last year and 8 days ahead of the 5-year average. Soybeans emerged reached 60 percent, 8 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of normal. Soybean condition rated 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 17 percent fair, 64 percent good and 16 percent excellent.

Ninety-two percent of the State’s oat crop has emerged. Oats headed reached 26 percent. Oat condition rated 0 percent very poor, 1 percent poor, 13 percent fair, 69 percent good and 17 percent excellent.

Forty percent of the State’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed.  Hay condition rated 85 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 68 percent good to excellent.



USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report

The condition of the U.S. corn crop is 68% good-to-excellent in its first condition rating of the year, according to USDA NASS' weekly Crop Progress report released on Tuesday. The report is normally released on Mondays but was delayed this week due to Memorial Day.

Planting progress and crop development also remain slightly ahead of the five-year averages for both corn and soybeans nationwide, NASS reported.

Winter wheat conditions decreased slightly last week by 2 points, NASS said.

CORN
-- Planting progress: 87% of corn was planted nationwide as of Sunday, 6 points ahead of 81% last year and 2 points ahead of the five-year average of 85%.
-- Crop development: 67% of corn had emerged as of Sunday, 12 points ahead of last year's 55% and 7 points ahead of the five-year average of 60%.
-- Crop condition: In its first condition rating of the season for corn, NASS estimated that 68% of the crop was in good-to-excellent condition. Only 5% of the crop was rated very poor to poor.

SOYBEANS
-- Planting progress: Soybean planting managed to stay ahead of the average last week with 76% of the crop planted nationwide as of Sunday. That was 10 percentage points ahead of last year's pace of 66% and 8 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 68%.
-- Crop development: 50% of soybeans had emerged as of Sunday, 13 points ahead of last year's 37% and 10 points ahead of the five-year average of 40%.

WINTER WHEAT
-- Crop condition: 50% of the cop was rated in good-to-excellent condition as of May 25, down 2 points from 52% the previous week and up 2 points from the previous year of 48%. The percentage of the crop rated very poor to poor rose by 1 point from 18% the previous week to 19% last week.
-- Crop development: 75% of winter wheat was headed as of Sunday. That was 1 point below of 76% at this time last year and 5 points ahead of five-year average of 70%.

SPRING WHEAT
-- Planting progress: 87% of spring wheat was planted as of Sunday, consistent with this time last year and 7 points ahead of the five-year average of 80%.
-- Crop development: 60% of spring wheat has emerged, 2 points ahead of 58% last year and 7 points ahead of the five-year average of 53%.



Lower Elkhorn NRD Board of Directors Discuss Numerous Water Resources Items at Latest Meeting

The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) Board of Directors met on Thursday, May 22, at the LENRD office for their monthly Board Meeting. The agenda included topics ranging from monthly reports, Committee recommendations for the Logan East Rural Water System & Wau-Col Regional Water System, and action on items discussed at the Committee of the Whole meeting.

West Point Levee Interlocal Agreement Renewal
Directors voted to approve a three-year extension for the West Point Levee Interlocal Agreement. The City of West Point is working to re-certify the levee to meet Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) standards. The content of the agreement will remain the same, but the expiration date of the agreement will change from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2028.

Construction on the required modifications began this spring and are planned to be completed prior to the end of the updated agreement.

Maple Creek WFPO Plan – Design Phase
The Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) Plan for Maple Creek has been approved by the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) National Headquarters. The Maple Creek WFPO plan was created to help the communities of Clarkson and Nickerson with flood reduction. If the communities choose to proceed with the Design Phase of the plan for their communities, they will be able to split the local costs of the project with the LENRD. Before proceeding onto the Design Phase of the project, the LENRD will wait to receive an official request from the town board of each community. No action was taken on the item.

Groundwater for Public Health Project Update
Doug Hallum, Water Resources Manager, gave an update to Directors on the Groundwater for Public Health Project through the Nebraska Environmental Trust. Citizens and landowners in the District were selected at random to complete a survey regarding groundwater monitoring for public health and could choose if they wanted to participate in the study.

The purpose of the study is to better establish the magnitude of agrichemical contamination in Nebraska water supplies. The LENRD is partnering with Dr. Martha Rhoades and Dr. Troy Gilmore at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln to expand the LENRD’s groundwater monitoring program. The LENRD will analyze water samples from 561 groundwater wells for nitrate, nitrite and over 30 other agrichemical compounds such as atrazine, glyphosate, and their transformation products. Results will be shared with the well owner, LENRD Board of Directors, and the public to guide future management decisions and protect public health. No personal or identifying information will be released to the public. All sampling and analysis will be free for the participants.

If you received a survey in the mail, please answer the questions in the enclosed survey and return it the LENRD using the postage-paid envelope provided.

Logan East Rural Water System Possible System Expansion
The Logan East Rural Water System has been exploring options for additional water capacity to satisfy requests for new service connections. The City of Oakland and the Logan East RWS entered into a Memorandum of Understanding earlier this year which committed the two entities to a discussion on an agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of a potential partnership. The City of Oakland is currently constructing new drinking water infrastructure which is designed to generate a capacity of 600,000 gallons per day, and of this amount, 200,000 gallons per day is deemed excess capacity which would be allocated to Logan East RWS.

Logan East RWS would be guaranteed the right to use up to 200,000 gallons of treated water in any given day. Preliminary discussions about the capacity charge between the City of Oakland and the Logan East RWS center around an amount of $3,420,000 to the City of Oakland for a one-time capacity charge and connection fee. The proposed base rate per month would be $500 with a use rate ($/1,000 gallon) of $3.

A special meeting to discuss the opportunity will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 29th, at the Logan East Rural Water System office in Oakland (206 N. Oakland Ave., Oakland, NE).

To learn more about the 12 responsibilities of Nebraska’s NRDs and how your local district can work with you and your community to protect your natural resources, visit www.lenrd.org and sign up for our bi-monthly emails. The next board of directors meeting will be Tuesday, June 26, 2025, at the LENRD office in Norfolk at 7:30 p.m. and on Facebook Live.



Trump Administration Appoints Hilary Maricle to Serve as State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Nebraska

The Trump Administration recently appointed Hilary Maricle as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Nebraska. Maricle joined the Nebraska FSA team on May 5, 2025.

“When America’s farming communities prosper, the entire nation thrives. This new group of USDA appointees will ensure President Trump’s America First agenda is a reality in rural areas across the country. I am grateful for the leadership of these new state directors and look forward to their work reorienting the agency to put Farmers First again,” said Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.

“FSA State Executive Directors serve in a critical role carrying out USDA’s mission at the state level — ensuring that our focus is on meeting the needs of local agricultural producers by putting farmers and ranchers first,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. “Rural communities need our support now more than ever. Our newly appointed state leaders bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to their position as SED, and they will play an integral role in shaping the future of agriculture in their state.”

Most recently, Maricle served as Deputy Director for the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. She previously served on the Nebraska Environmental Quality Council, American Farm Bureau Ag Promotion and Education Committee, American and Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation Boards and as a county commissioner. Maricle and her husband, Brian, are sixth generation farmers in central Nebraska where they raise beef, corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and lambs with their children and parents at Maricle Family Farms.

As SED, Maricle is responsible for overseeing the delivery of FSA programs to agricultural producers in Nebraska. These commodity, conservation, credit, and disaster assistance programs ensure a safe, affordable, abundant and nutritious food, fiber, and fuel supply for all Americans.



Beginning farmers chosen for CFRA conservation fellowship

Nine Nebraska producers have been selected for the fourth cohort of the Center for Rural Affairs’ Beginning Farmer Conservation Fellowship.

The program explores conservation practices such as cover cropping, rotational grazing, pollinator habitat, soil health, water conservation, topography, and more.

“Across our state, farmers and ranchers are working to implement working lands conservation practices,” said Cait Caughey, senior beginning farmer and market associate with the Center. “These practices are vital to the health of our soil and environment while producing the food we need. Beginning farmer fellows will benefit from the curriculum we’ve developed with partners and experts on climate change mitigation and resource management.”

Beginning farmers chosen to deepen their conservation knowledge will complete coursework in conservation programs and practices, climate change adaptation and impacts, racial equity, and leadership.

They will attend classes and field days, design and implement a conservation project on a farm with technical assistance from Center staff, and have an opportunity to present at local conferences and give an on-farm tour. The program runs through August 2026.

2025 fellows include:
Paul Callahan and Dené Oglesby, Ashland. The couple practices regenerative agriculture, permaculture, and custom grazing on their 9-acre farm, Thornwood. Oglesby is a trained herbalist and native plant/pollinator enthusiast; she volunteers as a Nebraska University Extension Master Gardener and works to incorporate native habitat everywhere possible. Callahan has apprenticed with a local rancher and is exploring silvopasture, the deliberate integration of trees and grazing livestock operations on the same land.

Skylar Falter, Steinauer. Falter developed an interest in local agriculture during a year-long exchange program in China, where she witnessed small-scale, sustainable, community-focused farming. Since 2012, she has worked across the food system as a farm worker, assistant farmers market manager, restaurant server, and operator of an urban vegetable farm. She moved to the country five years ago, and since, has continued her relationship with the land through gardening, wild harvesting, and perennial planting.

Josh Frank, Filley. Frank and his wife, Corinne, operate Giving Tree Farm outside Beatrice with a focus on agritourism, organic fruit production, and grazing grass-fed beef. Some of Josh's fondest memories were summer stays on his grandparents' farm near Auburn.

Denice Hansen, Pierce. Hansen has lived on her family’s farm most of her life and grew up in a traditional cow/calf and row crop operation. She’s enthusiastic about getting more involved and trying new things, like mushroom farming, and has a goal of diversifying offerings and introducing regenerative practices.

Donnita Jimmis, Dunning. Jimmis is a beginning lavender farmer, building a sustainable, conservation-minded operation from the ground up with her fiancé, Andrew. She is starting with an acre of lavender with plans to expand. Her mission centers on land stewardship, educating others about environmental responsibility, protecting pollinators, and nurturing healthy soil.

Lainey Johnson, Firth. Bright Hope Family Farm is stewarded by the husband and wife team of Andy and Lainey Johnson, who work with their children and close-knit employees. The farm produces high-quality cut flowers for florists, designers, markets, and the general public. Their focus is on soil health and environmental stewardship through holistic and no-till farming practices.

Nolan Lemna, Lincoln. Lemna farms with Morning Sky Acres, a first-generation cattle ranch in eastern Nebraska. Beyond cattle, he is implementing plant, produce, and egg production within the business.

Dyllan Usher, Roca. Usher holds a background in mathematics and spent several years developing software to fund his passion for farming. Today, he operates Salt Creek Farm, where he cares for laying hens and cultivates a variety of vegetables supplied to local restaurants.

Each fellow must be actively farming in Nebraska and engaged in farming for 10 years or less.



Select the Right Supplements for Your Cows

When it comes to choosing the right mineral package for your cows, one size does NOT fit all. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef specialist Erika Lundy-Woolfolk said the decision begins with two factors: the stage of production and the current diet.

“With much of the Iowa cow herd now being turned out on pasture, be sure to compare components formulated for early spring, breeding season or late summer as you consider overall packages,” she said. “Some vitamins, minerals and other additives provide specific value to this diet.”

For example, during the early, rapid growth stage of cool-season pastures and cover crops, it’s important that cows get extra magnesium.

“The vegetative grass is high in potassium, which is antagonistic to magnesium, and without adjusting to fortify the diet, there is a risk of grass tetany,” Lundy-Woolfolk said. “Once grass growth has slowed and the early cool-season species start to head out, the potassium content drops, and the extra magnesium is no longer needed.”

Copper, cobalt, manganese, zinc and similar trace minerals have a critical role in reproductive success. Many breeding packages will be formulated to have higher levels of these now than at other times of year.

Lundy-Woolfolk said vitamins play an important role in reproduction and a female's return to estrus, and some breeding packages will boost vitamin levels.

“However, most actively growing forages have high vitamin levels, so additional supplementation of vitamins is not warranted unless forage supplies dwindle and stored feed is fed,” she said.

Other feed additives can be used to combat nutritional and health challenges. In the summer, garlic or IGR might be incorporated as a fly control measure. Another example would be feeding CTC to control anaplasmosis. Summer packages in fescue areas may have additives designed to reduce the impact of fescue toxicosis.



Secretary Rollins Increases Funding to Reimburse States for Food Safety Inspections

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced today she will exercise the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) authority to provide a much-needed funding increase of $14.5 million in reimbursements to states for meat and poultry inspection programs. Without this funding, States may not have the resources to continue their own inspection programs which ensure products are safe. This funding increase ensures American produced meat and poultry can make it to market and onto the tables of families across the country.

“President Trump is committed to ensuring Americans have access to a safe, affordable food supply. Today I exercised my authority to robustly fund state meat and poultry inspection programs to ensure states can continue to partner with USDA to deliver effective and efficient food safety inspection,” said Secretary Rollins. “While the Biden Administration let this funding decline in recent years, the Trump Administration recognizes the importance of our federal-state partnerships and will ensure services that our meat and poultry processors and producers rely on will continue to operate on a normal basis. The President’s commitment is reflected in his 2026 budget proposal, which calls on Congress to address this funding shortfall moving forward.”

This is not a sustainable path forward. Policymakers across the federal government should come together to think through ways to continue these critical state meat and poultry inspection programs.

Agricultural State Leaders Voice Support from Across the Nation
“President Trump and Secretary Rollins continue to deliver on their promise to partner with states, and today’s announced investment in state meat and poultry inspection programs is a clear demonstration of that commitment,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. “In Iowa, state-inspected meat lockers expand market access, boost processing capacity, and provide consumers with more locally-raised protein options. This announcement supports our livestock industry, grows our rural economy, and ensures that taxpayer dollars are used effectively to strengthen our food supply chain.”



From Field to Fleet: High-Blend Biodiesel Ribbon Cutting Celebration on May 29

The Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Biodiesel Board, Pilot Travel Centers LLC, PepsiCo, and Optimus Technologies will host a special event May 29th celebrating a major milestone in clean fuel leadership: the arrival of a B99 biodiesel pump at Pilot's Des Moines travel center (11957 Douglas Ave, Urbandale, IA 50323), dedicated for fleet usage.

HIGHLIGHTED SPEAKERS:
- Mike Naig, Iowa Ag Secretary
- Eric Fobes, Head of Renewables, Pilot
- Colin Huwyler, CEO, Optimus Technologies
- Dave Walton, Iowa Soybean Association and Iowa Biodiesel Board
- Sarah Towles, Senior Director of Government Affairs, PepsiCo

This milestone was made possible through a shared commitment to cleaner fuels and fleet innovation. PepsiCo, with ambitious net-zero goals, plans to fuel its Des Moines-based distribution fleet at the new B99 pump, using advanced engine systems from Optimus Technologies—offering a powerful demonstration of real-world adoption of high biodiesel blends. With Iowa leading the nation as the first state to implement a B30+ incentive, this event reflects both bold progress and future possibilities for renewable biodiesel.



Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm Field Day Is June 26

The annual summer field day at Iowa State University’s Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm in Lewis will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 26. The field day will feature experts from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and other partner organizations, who will speak on a variety of current crop and soil health practices in agriculture.

Wes Everman, extension weed management specialist at Iowa State, will begin the program by providing insights on integrated weed management strategies. Then, James Holz, Iowa farmer and co-owner of Iowa Cover Crop, will discuss financial considerations for cover crops.

The Iowa Natural Resources Conservation Service team will begin the afternoon session with a presentation on assessing soil function. Rick Cruse, professor of agronomy at Iowa State and director of the Iowa Water Center, will discuss water resource management and climate resilience. Daren Mueller, extension plant pathologist at Iowa State, will wrap up the day by sharing tips for corn and soybean disease management to maximize profitability.

“This field day is a hands-on, interactive workshop. We encourage participants to bring their questions,” said Aaron Saeugling, field agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “The research farm will be open for visitors to observe the research plots, and visitors can also ask a variety of questions about farm operations, as the farm staff will be in attendance.”

This field day is available to the public at no cost, but those who would like to attend can  RSVP online or by contacting Ruth Blomquist at 319-541-2969 or ruth.blomquist@usda.gov by June 19. A complimentary lunch will also be provided.

This field day is offered in partnership with the Southwest Iowa Soil Health group, a group of volunteer farmers, ISU Extension and Outreach staff, NRCS staff, and IDALS staff, who are passionate about soil health and committed to increasing soil health awareness and adoption across southwest Iowa. The field day event is made possible due to support from SWISH, ISU Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm, the Wallace Foundation, ISU Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Soybean Association.

For more information, contact Aaron Saeugling at 712-254-0082 or clonz5@iastate.edu.



Update on USDA Efforts to Fight New World Screwworm in Mexico

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today provided an update on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) ongoing partnership with Mexico to combat the New World Screwworm (NWS). This afternoon, Secretary Rollins held a call with her counterpart in Mexico, Secretary Berdegue, to discuss the ongoing threat of NWS and actions being taken by both countries to contain the threat south of the U.S. border. USDA is working daily with Mexico to make sure the resources, tactics, and tools are in place to effectively eradicate NWS. Additionally, Secretary Rollins announced today the USDA is investing $21 million to renovate an existing fruit fly production facility in Metapa, Mexico to further the long-term goal of eradicating this insect. When operational, this facility will produce 60-100 million additional sterile NWS flies weekly to push the population further south in Mexico. Given the geographic spread of NWS, this additional production capacity will be critical to our response.

“Our partnership with Mexico is crucial in making this effort a success,” said Secretary Rollins. “We are continuing to work closely with Mexico to push NWS away from the United States and out of Mexico. The investment I am announcing today is one of many efforts my team is making around the clock to protect our animals, our farm economy, and the security of our nation’s food supply.”

Current restrictions on live animal imports from Mexico remain in place, and as previously announced, USDA will continue to evaluate the current suspension every 30 days.

USDA and its partners have used sterile insect technique, or SIT, along with other strategies such as intense surveillance and import controls for decades to eradicate and effectively keep NWS at bay. Currently, U.S. supported sterile insect rearing and dispersal operations in Mexico and Central America have been operating at full production capacity, with up to 44 flights a week releasing 100 million sterile flies. All flies used today are raised in the Panama - United States Commission for the Eradication and Prevention of Screwworm (COPEG) Facility in Panama. This investment in the Metapa facility in Mexico would allow USDA to double the use of SIT.

Additionally, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and its Mexican counterparts continue to hold ongoing technical calls and meetings on NWS. They are making strong progress toward enhancing surveillance in Mexico, addressing administrative or regulatory roadblocks that could impair an effective response, and ensuring appropriate animal movement controls are in place to prevent further NWS spread. The Mexican delegation joined APHIS in DC last week to discuss these efforts, and APHIS will have a technical team visiting Mexico in the coming weeks to assess the on-the-ground situation and continue working toward key goals around surveillance and animal movement.



On Feed
Matthew Diersen, Risk & Business Management Specialist, South Dakota State University

The Cattle on Feed report was released after the markets closed last Friday. The trade was expecting a smaller on-feed total compared to last year, with both placements and marketings down a similar percentage to a year ago. Slaughter volume was lower last month, suggesting smaller marketings expectations were warranted. Feeder cattle auction volume was sharply higher last month, but direct volumes were sharply lower. The volume of feeder cattle reflected in the Feeder Cattle Index was also lower during April compared to last year.

Actual placements came in slightly above trade expectations. Kansas feedlots stood out as having higher placements compared to other states, while those in Texas had lower placements. There was no strong pattern in placement weights. The heifer mix in feeder sales volume was down a little in April. When coupled with low winter hay use it may indicate some producers are trying to hold back some heifers. Imports from Mexico (open during April) have again been suspended because of screwworm concerns. Both factors further pressure tight feeder cattle supplies.

Actual marketings in April were higher than trade expectations. Nebraska feedlots had more marketings compared to other states, while those in Kansas had fewer marketings. The total number on feed, 11.4 million head, was in line with trade expectations. Seasonally, the total on feed is very consistent with smaller volumes heading into the late summer months.

Seasonally, June and July are typically lower volume months for placements. This time of year may be challenging for hedging feeder cattle for both buyers and sellers. Feeder cattle futures and options are cash settled. Without any physical delivery the last trade date is the same for both contracts. For example, the May futures and options expired last Thursday, the last non-holiday Thursday of the month not preceded by any holiday disruptions. The next listed contract is August, with its last trading day at the end of that month. This is a wide time span between contract months. As a result, any hedging between now and the end of August could have greater basis risk as cash prices and the nearby futures can diverge. The other time of year with a wide span would be between the November contract, with the last trade date before Thanksgiving, and the January contract. Note that Livestock Risk Protection settles to specific end dates and does not present the same type of basis risk. If the CME Group added serial or short-dated options for feeder cattle, it would potentially mitigate some of that disparity.