Wednesday July 30 Ag News - SMFD 2025 - Lindsay Launches TowerWatch - Terminating Verbal Farmland Leases - DAIRY PRIDE Act - Bayer's new Herbicide Mode of Action - and more!

2025 Nebraska Soybean Management Field Days Includes Second Year of TAPS Competition

For over 25 years, growers have benefited from the latest advancements in soybean production, management and marketing at Soybean Management Field Days. This year marks the second year that the Soybean Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) competition highlights are included in the field days, including lessons from last year’s contest and progress this season.

The field days provide an opportunity to learn about cutting-edge soybean management, production practices and technologies, while networking with fellow farmers and industry experts.

The three-fold focus of the field days is to provide practical information, foster dialogue and showcase collaborative efforts:
    Learn about best practices and strategies to apply in your fields.
    Engage in productive discussions on issues ranging from local to global.
    Explore Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB) initiatives in research, marketing and education.

“Our goal is to give growers real value they can take home and use,” said Andy Chvatal, NSB executive director. “By highlighting programs like TAPS, we’re helping producers evaluate new ideas and learn directly from the results. In addition to TAPS, the field days also focus on timely topics that matter most to growers, including disease management, market updates and practical production strategies.”

Throughout the four-day event, attendees will be able to participate in two different formats, one occurring in the evening and the other during the day. The evening meetings, held Aug. 12–14, will feature presentations on locally relevant topics and engage participants in interactive discussions. To conclude the week on Aug. 15, a field day starting mid-morning will highlight the Soybean TAPS contest with interactive discussions and a plot tour.

Nebraska Extension faculty gather under the main tent to welcome attendees at one of the 2024 Soybean Management Field Days. The event brings together producers, researchers and industry partners to share the latest in soybean production and management.

Soybean Management Field Days is free to attend thanks to support from NSB. To help with a meal count, please pre-register two days in advance of each field day via the online form or by calling 402-624-8030.

Evening Programs
Registration at 5:30 p.m., program from 6-8 p.m.

    Tuesday, Aug. 12 – Ravenna, Nebraska (Lonnie and Scott Bohn farm)
        Topics: Soybean TAPS competition, soybean diseases and market updates.
        Speakers: Dylan Mangel, Jeff Peterson, Talon Muse, Chuck Burr

    Wednesday, Aug. 13 – Concord, Nebraska (UNL Haskell Ag Lab)
        Topics: Soybean TAPS competition, white mold and market updates.
        Speakers: Dylan Mangel, Leslie Johnson, Nicole Luhr, Chris Proctor, Jeff Peterson

    Thursday, Aug. 14 – Weeping Water, Nebraska (Rick Meyer farm)
        Topics: Soybean TAPS competition and gall midge research plots.
        Speakers: Justin McMechan, John Nelson, Chris Proctor

Morning Program
Registration at 10 a.m., program from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    Friday, Aug. 15 – Mead, Nebraska (UNL Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center)
        Topics: Soybean TAPS update, tour of competition plots and market updates.
        Speakers: Chris Proctor, Jeff Peterson, Chuck Burr, Dylan Mangel, Aaron Nygren, Justin McMechan

Attendees will also have the chance to hear from MEG Corp about soy biodiesel and connect with representatives from NSB and Nebraska Soybean Association at each location.

Registration and information about the field days, including maps to the event sites can be found on the SMFD homepage https://enreec.unl.edu/soydays/, or by contacting NSB at 402-441-3240 or Nebraska Extension at 402-624-8030. 



Lindsay’s TowerWatch Increases Productivity by Monitoring Tower Issues

Lindsay Corporation, a leading global manufacturer and distributor of irrigation equipment and technology, today announces the addition of TowerWatch™ to the company’s suite of innovative SmartPivot™ Solutions. Available on Zimmatic pivots and aftermarket for most existing pivots in North America, TowerWatch is a premier tower alignment monitor designed to save growers valuable time and resources by pinpointing tower faults faster. Growers using TowerWatch may reduce their troubleshooting time by 75% through alerts from FieldNET™ Premier.

“TowerWatch was engineered to help make life easier for growers who irrigate their crops,” said Gustavo Oberto, President of Global Agricultural Irrigation for Lindsay. “With this innovation, TowerWatch monitors the alignment circuit – sending out an alert so growers know which span is causing a problem. Being able to identify a faulted tower without having to walk the field saves growers time and improves precision water application, reducing crop stress and pivot downtime.”

Available as a feature on all new Zimmatic pivots and as an add-on for pivots of any brand already in the field, TowerWatch saves more than time – the technology also allows growers to save on water and energy costs. When a tower fault occurs, growers using Lindsay’s SmartPivot Solutions can expect to:
    Get an instant notification from their FieldNET app
    Immediately identify the location of the fault
    Remotely control water application with award-winning FieldNET to lower the risk of crop stress
    Arrive at the right tower quicker to inspect the issue, reducing time spent walking the system
    Make fewer trips to the field, saving growers time and money

"One of the top features customers have requested with our SmartPivot Solutions was alignment alerts that pinpoint specific tower faults," said Kurtis Charling, Vice President of AgTech Sales and Product Management for Lindsay. "We’re thrilled to now offer this feature in TowerWatch, enabling our customers to identify the exact tower requiring inspection. By addressing issues promptly, growers can help ensure healthier crops, minimize downtime, and ultimately protect their yields and profitability."

For more on Lindsay’s advanced solutions for ag producers worldwide, talk to your local Lindsay dealer or visit Lindsay.com/towerwatch.



USDA Designates 12 Nebraska Counties as Natural Disaster Areas Due to Drought

This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, these counties suffered from a drought intensity value during the growing season of 1) D2 Drought-Severe for 8 or more consecutive weeks or 2) D3 Drought-Extreme or D4 Drought-Exceptional.

Impacted Area: Nebraska
Triggering Disaster: Drought (Fast Track)

Application Deadline: 03/16/2026 Primary Counties Eligible:
· State: Nebraska: Counties include Butler, Fillmore, Frontier, Furnas, Gosper, Hayes, Hitchcock, Phelps, Polk, Red Willow, Seward and York

Contiguous Counties Also Eligible:
· State: Nebraska: Counties include Buffalo, Chase, Clay, Colfax, Dawson, Dodge, Dundy, Franklin, Hamilton, Harlan, Jefferson, Kearney, Lancaster, Lincoln, Merrick, Nuckolls, Perkins, Platte, Saline, Saunders, and Thayer
· State: Kansas: Counties include Decatur, Norton and Rawlins

More Resources On farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Loan Assistance Tool can help you determine program or loan options. To file a Notice of Loss or to ask questions about available programs, contact your local USDA Service Center.




Terminating a Verbal Farmland Lease in Nebraska
Jessica Groskopf, NE Extension Educator 

Some farm leases are not written but are verbal or "handshake" agreements. Because nothing is in writing, the parties may have different recollections of their agreement, making lease disputes more difficult to resolve. The most common legal issue associated with verbal farm leases is how a lease may legally be terminated. For verbal leases in Nebraska, six months advance notice must be given to legally terminate the lease. In contrast, the termination of a written lease is determined by the terms of the written lease. If the lease does not address termination, the lease automatically terminates on the last day of the lease.

Terminating verbal leases
For verbal leases, the Nebraska Supreme Court has ruled that the lease year begins March 1. Notice to a tenant to vacate under a verbal or handshake lease (legally referred to as a "notice to quit") must be given six months in advance of the end of the lease, or no later than September 1. This rule applies regardless of the type of crop planted. Those with winter wheat should consider providing notice before it is time to prepare wheat ground for planting.

For example, for the lease year beginning March 1, 2026, and ending Feb. 28, 2027, notice from the landlord that the lease will be terminated would have to be received by the tenant no later than Sept. 1, 2025. The lease would then expire Feb. 28, 2026, with the new tenant (or new buyer) able to take over the lease March 1, 2026. If, however, the notice to quit were given (or received) after Sept. 1, 2025, the existing tenant would have the lease until Feb. 28, 2027.

Notice should be provided to the tenant for either lease termination or changing lease provisions. A verbal termination notice might be adequate but could be difficult to prove in court if litigation were necessary to enforce the lease termination. It is recommended that the farmland lease be terminated by Registered Mail™.  This means that the person receiving the letter signs for it, providing evidence that the termination notice was received. The University of Nebraska – Lincoln does not provide sample lease termination letters. If you need guidance, consult your attorney.

Pasture Lease Terminations
Handshake or verbal leases are different for pastures. The typical pasture lease is for the five-month grazing season rather than the entire year. The lease is only in effect for that time, so the lease is terminated at the end of the grazing season; however, different lease length arrangements can be made in a written lease, and that would be followed if in effect. 

Importance of Good Communication
Regardless of the type of lease — written, verbal, or even multiple year — the landlord should have clear communication with the tenant. By sending a termination notice before September 1, even for written leases, you can avoid any miscommunication or pitfalls.

Written Leases
In all instances, written leases would be preferred over oral or “handshake” leases. Sample leases are available in the Document Library at aglease101.org and can help both parties start thinking about the appropriate lease conditions for their situation before they consult an attorney to draft a lease or review a proposed lease. The Ag Lease 101 site was developed by university extension specialists in the North Central Region but is not a substitute for personal legal advice.



ASA Testifies on Critical Role of U.S. Grain Standards in Global Soy Trade

Brandon Wipf, American Soybean Association director and soybean farmer from Huron, South Dakota, testified Tuesday before the Senate Agriculture Committee during a hearing on reauthorization of the U.S. Grain Standards Act.

Wipf emphasized the critical role the law has in supporting U.S. ag exports and protecting America’s reputation as a reliable supplier.

“Our grain standards, backed by the force and weight of the U.S. government, are one of the strongest reputational enhancements available to U.S. soybean farmers,” Wipf said. “The official grain grades provide our international customers with the knowledge that the commodity they receive has been assessed for quality, purity, moisture, and soundness. Should those standards no longer be in place, it would cause chaos in the markets.”

He called on Congress to act swiftly to reauthorize the law before key provisions expire on September 30. He noted that trusted inspection and grading systems are essential for maintaining access to global markets, especially as U.S. soybean farmers go into the 2025 harvest season.



NGFA testifies before Senate committee on Grain Standards Act, building on House momentum

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) today continued its push for timely, bipartisan reauthorization of the U.S. Grain Standards Act (USGSA), testifying before the Senate Agriculture Committee on the importance of preserving and modernizing the nation’s grain inspection system.

Testifying on behalf of NGFA’s approximately 700 member companies was Nick Friant, Director of Raw Material Quality at Cargill and Chairman of NGFA’s Grain Grades and Weights Committee. His testimony mirrored the remarks delivered to the House Agriculture Committee last month, where he appeared on June 26. The House Committee approved a reauthorization package on July 22 with bipartisan support.

“The U.S. grain inspection system has long set a global benchmark for quality and reliability,” Friant testified. “However, as the international grain market becomes increasingly competitive, our inspection and grading systems must evolve accordingly.”

Friant’s remarks emphasized two industry priorities for reauthorization: investing in modern grain grading technologies and clarifying emergency waiver authorities to ensure export continuity during disruptions. He also voiced support for reforms to advisory committee operations, greater transparency in fee structures, and limiting user fees to regulated commodities.

NGFA applauded the House Committee’s recent bipartisan action and urged the Senate to move quickly so the legislation can be enacted before the current authorization expires.



Introduction of Dairy Pride Act upholds the integrity of dairy products

Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, one of the largest dairy cooperatives in the country, welcomed the introduction of federal legislation in the U.S. Senate that would halt the use of dairy terms on the labels of imitation dairy products.

Today, Senators Baldwin (D-WI),  Jim Risch (R-ID), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced the bipartisan Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, milk, and cheese to Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday Act (DAIRY PRIDE Act) of 2025. The bill would ensure that plant-based products would be prohibited from using dairy terms such as milk, yogurt and cheese on product labels.

“We applaud Senators Baldwin, Risch, Collins and Welch for the introduction of this important Act to uphold the integrity and trust of American dairy products,” said Edge President and dairy farmer Heidi Fischer. “Preventing the misuse of dairy product names protects and enhances the confidence consumers have in the authenticity of the nutritious dairy products they buy. We encourage timely action on this bill to prevent further misleading product names on our grocery store coolers and shelves.”



Bayer submits registration applications for novel herbicide in four major markets

Bayer advances its blockbuster pipeline submitting registration applications for icafolin-methyl in the European Union, following completed applications in Brazil, United States and Canada, the company announced today. Icafolin is agriculture's first new mode of action for post-emergent weed control for broadacre crops in over 30 years. With estimated peak sales potential around €750 million, Bayer expects Icafolin will be launched from 2028 onward with initial availability in Brazil. The new operating model DSO has been instrumental for advancing Icafolin regulatory submissions ahead of schedule.

Icafolin belongs to a new chemical class providing unique properties that allow for lower dose rates, more targeted applications, and is expected to demonstrate an exceptional safety and sustainability profile. In addition, Icafolin is complementary to existing herbicides, such as glyphosate, adding a novel solution in the fight against weed resistance, a top priority for farmers. Weed resistances have increased globally over the last years and are a threat to food security as resistant weeds are competing with crops on sunlight and nutrients, thus significantly reducing yield and harvest quality.

“Weeds threaten food security and farmer livelihoods, which is why investing in game-changing innovations like Icafolin is so vitally important,” said Mike Graham, Head of Research & Development for the Crop Science division of Bayer. “Access to an entirely new herbicide class that complements the existing toolbox not only helps farmers combat and prevent weed resistance, but it also helps farmers adopt and maintain no-till and reduced tillage practices that improve soil health, which is a cornerstone of regenerative agriculture.”

Icafolin has been developed for initial uses in soybean, cereals, pulses, and oil seed crops, as well as pome and stone fruits, tree nuts, grapes, and citrus. As a novel mode of action, it has unique properties and benefits. Treated weeds become “frozen” in the fields, meaning they stop competing with crops for water, nutrients and sunlight, but the dead weeds remain in the field longer because they largely maintain their structure. This creates a mulch layer that helps prevent erosion and trap moisture in the soil. By providing effective weed control it reduces the need for tillage, supporting regenerative practices in agriculture that can improve soil health.

Additionally, Icafolin's intrinsic properties make it suitable for targeted spray applications and lower dose rates, which allowed Bayer to submit registration applications under reduced risk status. Icafolin is the first product to utilize CropKey, Bayer’s breakthrough R&D approach to developing new crop protection products, which optimized the formulation recipe by considering multiple dimensions including efficacy, safety and sustainability criteria, and farmer convenience. CropKey will continue to accelerate how researchers design instead of screen for new molecules, supporting faster development of future products targeting specific proteins in weeds, pests, and crop diseases.

“With CropKey we're not just responding to current agricultural challenges more quickly, we're being proactive and anticipating future needs,” said Rachel Rama, Senior Vice President and Head of Small Molecules at Bayer's Crop Science division. “Leveraging artificial intelligence greatly accelerates our journey from concept to market, so farmers gain access to the most effective and environmentally responsible crop protection products.”

Following the first expected launch from 2028 onward in Brazil, Bayer anticipates selling Icafolin in the U.S, Canada, EU and other geographies over subsequent years.