Friday September 05 Ag News - Pillen leads Japan trade mission - Omaha company runner up in Midwest Dairy Accelerator - US-Japan agreement implemented - and more!

 Pillen to Lead Trade Mission to Japan

This week, Governor Jim Pillen and state leaders will embark on a trade mission to Japan. The delegation includes representatives from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA), Nebraska Department of Economic Development (NDED), Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Union Pacific, and the state’s agriculture and manufacturing industries. The mission will take place from September 5-9.

In Japan, the delegation will promote Nebraska’s high-quality, bio-secure agricultural products and advantageous business climate. During the mission, Gov. Pillen will hold high-level meetings with Japanese governors and defense ministers. He will also speak at the annual U.S. Midwest-Japan Association Conference in Tokyo. Additionally, state leaders will visit Kawasaki to thank the company for its ongoing investment in Nebraska.

Among these activities, promoting Nebraska ethanol is a top priority of the trade mission.

“Japan is planning to introduce higher ethanol blends into its fuel supply,” said Gov. Pillen. “As it does, Nebraska is perfectly positioned to be a trusted biofuels supplier. We boast America’s most advanced infrastructure for carbon capture and storage, allowing our biorefineries to produce ethanol more sustainably than anywhere else. Nebraska is also the westernmost state to produce significant amounts of ethanol, making it easier for our producers to ship biofuels to West Coast ports for export to Asia.”

Historically, Japan has blended a low percentage of ethanol with gasoline to fuel on-road vehicles. The country’s average ethanol blend rate was less than two percent in 2024. However, in November 2024 the Government of Japan announced plans to blend gasoline with 10 percent ethanol by 2030 and with 20 percent ethanol by 2040. Additionally, it has set aggressive goals to increase usage of sustainable available fuel. These policies create great opportunities for Nebraska to provide biofuels to Japan.

Japan has long been a top market for Nebraska’s agricultural products. It is the number one international destination for Nebraska pork and eggs, the state’s second-leading foreign buyer of beef and corn, and Nebraska’s fourth-largest market for soybeans and wheat. In 2024, Nebraska exported $397 million of beef and $177 million of pork to Japan.

More than 60 Japanese businesses have facilities in Nebraska. Collectively, they employ more than 4,000 Nebraskans. Kawasaki (Lincoln), Kyocera (Omaha), S-Foods (Fremont), and Shizuki Electric Co. (Ogallala) are among the Japanese companies with operations in the Cornhusker State.

Alongside these commercial connections, Nebraska has longstanding cultural and educational ties to Japan. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Omaha, Nebraska and Shizuoka, Japan. During the upcoming trade mission, the Nebraska’s delegation will meet with representatives from the Shizuoka Prefectural Government to celebrate the milestone. In September, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is hosting leaders from Senshu University to commemorate 40 years of academic partnership. Additionally, the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Japan Institute for Health Security in June 2025. The agreement continues a collaboration that dates back to 2016 when a delegation from Japan visited UNMC to study the medical center’s response to the 2014 West Africa Ebola outbreak.



LENRD Hosting Third Round of Open House Meetings for North Fork Elkhorn River Flood Risk Reduction Plan
 
The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD), in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), will host a third round of two public meetings for the North Fork Elkhorn River Flood Risk Reduction Plan. The first meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 17, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Osmond City Auditorium, 413 N. State Street, Osmond, NE 68765. The second meeting will also be held on Wednesday, September 17, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Pierce County Fairgrounds Pavilion, 622 N. Brown Street, Pierce, NE 68767. The format of the meetings will be open-house style, with no formal presentations planned. As each meeting will feature the same information, community members are invited to attend the meeting that is most convenient or works best for their schedules.
 
In August 2023, the Lower Elkhorn NRD Board of Directors selected JEO Consulting Group for the development of a flood risk reduction plan for the North Fork Elkhorn River watershed, which spans approximately 226,000 acres and includes the communities of Foster, Magnet, McLean, Osmond, Pierce, Plainview, and Wausa. Developed in accordance with NRCS requirements, this plan will document existing flooding issues, evaluate strategies that reduce the risk of flooding, and outline an implementation plan.
 
The two meetings in September serve as the third of three rounds of public meetings planned for the project. The purpose of these third-round meetings is to outline the sources of flooding in Osmond and Peirce; share the list of alternatives evaluated to reduce flood risk; and provide an overview of the alternatives best suited for implementation. Attendees can also provide feedback on the proposed draft plan. Written comments will be accepted until Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
 
The planning efforts, which started in August 2023, are expected to be completed in late 2025. Funding for this project is provided by the NRCS Watershed and Flood Preventions Operations (WFPO) Program. For more information, visit the project website at jeo.com/north-fork-wfpo.
 
Project-related questions or written comments can be submitted to LENRD Assistant General Manager, Curt Becker, at (402) 371-7313 or cbecker@lenrd.org.



Husker Harvest Days brings life-saving health resources to rural families

Husker Harvest Days 2025 will provide free health screenings and wellness resources to rural communities, continuing its decades-long commitment to community health. The event will take place Sept. 9-11, 2025, at its permanent site in Grand Island, Nebraska, with gates open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Attendees will find health and wellness resources at two convenient locations. Cancer screenings will be conducted at Lot #549 in the Nebraska Cancer Coalition booth, while the Health & Wellness Tent, located directly across the street, will feature engaging exhibits, expanded services and new healthcare partners focused on the needs of agricultural families.

Explore all Health & Wellness Tent vendors by viewing the map here. Registration is now open for complimentary three-day passes to Husker Harvest Days.

Expanded Services and Proven Impact
This year’s event will feature expanded cancer screenings for skin, prostate and colorectal cancers, made possible through partnerships with organizations such as the Nebraska Cancer Coalition (NC2) and Nebraska Cancer Specialists.

These efforts build on last year’s success, which included serving 485 individuals from 14 states with skin cancer screenings, representing 70% of Nebraska counties. Additional services included 1,145 blood pressure checks, 572 breast cancer education contacts, 302 PSA blood draws and 25 lung cancer evaluations.

Interactive exhibits will include an inflatable colon to raise awareness about colorectal cancer, pig lung demonstrations to educate children on the effects of smoking, and exercise challenges to promote healthy habits among kids. Attendees can also pick up sunscreen packets, healthy recipes and wellness resources tailored to rural families.

Supporting the Community
Husker Harvest Days is proud to support the community through Central Nebraska’s largest food drive, hosted in partnership with Heartland United Way. FFA members are encouraged to donate at least five nonperishable food items for free entry to the show.

Last year, Nebraska FFA chapters donated a record-breaking 16,466 pounds of food, and organizers aim to surpass that milestone this year. Contributions support local food pantries and backpack programs during the critical winter months.



Convenience Meets Function: RoseBud Ice Cream and Zoguri Named Winners in Midwest Dairy’s Future of Dairy Innovation Accelerator Pitch Event

Two Midwest startups were crowned winners of the Midwest Dairy Accelerator pitch event yesterday, earning $30,000 in prize funding to help scale their dairy-based innovations. RoseBud Ice Cream took home the $20,000 grand prize and an in-kind consulting package from Queue Brand
Communications worth $10,000, while Zoguri was awarded $10,000 as runner-up, following a live pitch competition at The Hatchery, a past Midwest Dairy partner and nonprofit food and beverage business incubator in Chicago.

The event marked the finale of the Midwest Dairy Accelerator, an intensive eight-week program launched this summer by Midwest Dairy in partnership with innovation advisory firm VentureFuel. Designed to accelerate the next generation of dairy-forward entrepreneurs, the program provided mentorship, industry connections, and resources to help startups grow innovative businesses with real dairy at the core. The participating companies in this program and the September 3 pitch event included Lorenzo’s Frozen Pudding of Chicago, IL; RoseBud Ice Cream of Glen Ellyn, IL; Sugarwitch of St. Louis, MO; and Zoguri of Omaha, NE.

Throughout the program, founders participated in workshops and one-on-one sessions with experts across the dairy value chain, including Associated Milk Producers Inc., Agropur, Iowa State University, and the U.S. Dairy Export Council. The curriculum covered topics such as consumer insights, ingredients and innovation, co-packing and manufacturing, distribution and retail, marketing and pitching.

Final pitches were evaluated by a panel of industry experts, including Brigette Wolf, CMO, My/Mochi; Cameron Lee, Senior Manager of Brand Partnerships, Instacart; Jill Houk, R&D Chef, Culinary Culture; Ross Vangalis, CEO and Founder, Queue Brand Communications; and Silvia Robles, VP Growth Platforms & Partnerships, Dairy Management Inc..

RoseBud Ice Cream, a Glen Ellyn, IL–based brand bringing ice cream in convenient, kid-friendly pouches, plans to use the prize money to strengthen operations and scale. “I’ll be using the prize money to make a switch to a new pouch supplier and manufacturer, and I can already tell the networking connections are going to pay off dividends to know these people as we continue to grow,” said Sam Rose, founder and chief cream officer.

Winning the competition was a milestone moment for the company. “It feels great to be a winner,” Rose added. Beyond the funding, RoseBud reflected on the broader impact of the accelerator. “Being part of this cohort has shaped my perspective on dairy innovation by illuminating a lot of things when it comes to dairy. I did not Main Office: 2015 Rice Street St. Paul, MN 55113 | 800-642-3895 MidwestDairy.com realize how much of a superfood dairy is — it’s been pretty crazy to see and gives me a lot of ideas for how we can further iterate products in the future.”

Runner-up Zoguri, based in Omaha, NE, develops fermented dairy supplements featuring a proprietary L.reuteri probiotic strain. For the company, the recognition itself was deeply meaningful. “The recognition by Midwest Dairy is incredible and helps us reaffirm our mission to improve the health of others through fermented dairy and using an L. reuteri strain of probiotic.”

The prize money will also directly support the brand’s next stage of growth. “The prize money is going to help us revolutionize what we’re doing with our packaging,” said Daniel Rehal, president and founder.

“Dairy farmers have always been innovators, finding new ways to bring nutritious products to market and meet the changing needs of consumers,” said Beth Bruck-Upton, vice president of research and innovation at Midwest Dairy. “Today, that same spirit of innovation drives us to support emerging brands by providing the mentorship and resources they need to grow and succeed.”

Midwest Dairy’s commitment to innovation is fueling the continued evolution of dairy in the U.S., with research and pilot initiatives advancing economic, environmental, and social sustainability. The Midwest Dairy Accelerator extends this commitment by helping early-stage entrepreneurs meet rising consumer demand for dairy-based products that deliver on flavor, function, and convenience. Building on three years of pitch events and programming with The Hatchery and No More Empty Pots, the accelerator transforms that momentum into a structured program designed for greater long-term impact.

“The ingenuity and commitment we’ve seen from RoseBud Ice Cream and Zoguri showcase exactly what it takes to turn bold ideas into real-world impact,” said Fred Schonenberg, CEO of VentureFuel. “This is not innovation for innovation’s sake—it’s about commercializing breakthrough concepts to meet consumers where they are today and where they’re headed tomorrow. We’re proud to partner with Midwest Dairy to help bring these exciting innovations from vision to market to accelerate what’s next in dairy."

For more information on the program and this year’s winners, visit MidwestDairyAccelerator.com.



Iowa Corn Farmer Delegates Adopt Policy Priorities at Annual Grassroots Summit 

The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) hosted the Annual Grassroots Summit on Wednesday, September 3, at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny, Iowa. During the Iowa Corn Grassroots Summit, a group of over 130 farmer-member delegates from across the state voiced opinions and thoughts on legislative priorities and policies, setting the direction for state and federal policy priorities for the coming year. 

ICGA delegates tackled critical issues impacting corn growers, focusing on resolutions related to CRP regulations, right to carbon capture and sequestration projects, extension of the 45Z tax credit, increasing trade and safeguarding current market share. Throughout the policy session, these topics sparked discussion and were voted on by farmer delegates from across the state.  

“The Annual Grassroots Summit is a time for Iowa corn farmer members to come together to discuss the key policy issues that are impacting them most,” said newly elected ICGA President Mark Mueller, a farmer from Waverly, Iowa. “ICGA’s policy development process starts with our policy survey that is sent to our over 7,000 farmer members before those issues are discussed at the nine Iowa Corn crop reporting district roundtables and voted on at the Annual Grassroots Summit. Policies with a national focus are then taken to Commodity Classic, giving Iowa farmers a voice at the federal level. This process is incredibly important as it allows us to make sure we are fulfilling the mission of ICGA and prioritizing the issues that matter most to Iowa’s corn farmers.” 

Throughout the day and into the evening, many local leaders were also recognized for their engagement in Iowa agriculture and beyond. Larry Buss, farmer from Harrison County, was recognized with the Top Recruiter Award for recruiting 94 Iowa Corn members over the past year. John Schott, farmer from Pocahontas County, was recognized with the Outstanding Individual Leadership Award for his dedication to Iowa Corn and all of agriculture within his community and beyond. The 2025 Iowa Corn Walter Goeppinger Lifetime Achievement Award was presented in memory of Bill Northey, an explementary leader whose legacy will continue to guide and inspire the agriculture industry for years to come. 

ICGA will release its finalized 2026 state and federal policy priorities in December based on ICGA Board discussion as well as the grassroots input provided during the Summit. The complete 2025-26 policy resolution book will be available online and upon request once finalized by emailing corninfo@iowacorn.org or calling 515-225-9242. 



Secretary Naig Announces $200,000 Investment in the Choose Iowa Farms to Food Banks Program

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is investing an additional $200,000 for the second full year of the Choose Iowa Farms to Food Banks Program. Under the Department's Choose Iowa program, the successful initiative received a second year of funding from the Iowa Legislature during the 2025 session. Secretary Naig made the funding announcement in Hiawatha during a visit to HACAP (Hawkeye Area Community Action Program), one of six food banks partnering with Choose Iowa and its members.

“Iowa's continued investment in the Choose Iowa Farms to Food Banks Program is a vital step in addressing food insecurity across our state. By partnering with local food banks and farmers, we're not only providing fresh, nutritious food to those in need but also supporting local farmers and small businesses,” said Secretary Naig. “With a second year of funding, we're poised to build on the program's success and make an even greater impact in our communities. This initiative is just one of many ways Choose Iowa is creating new markets and opportunities for Iowa farmers and producers while building stronger connections that benefit Iowans in need.”

The Iowa Legislature allocated $200,000 for the second year of the program. The funding will be used to support six Iowa food banks including Food Bank of Iowa, HACAP, River Bend Food Bank, Northeast Iowa Food Bank, Food Bank of Siouxland, and Food Bank for the Heartland. Participating food banks match state funds dollar-for-dollar, doubling the impact. Eligible purchases include dairy products, meat and poultry, eggs, honey and produce. Additionally, flour and grains are now eligible to be purchased this year.

During the first year, the program supported Iowans in 55 different counties. When factoring in the 1:1 match, food banks purchased $480,948.04 worth of local food from 24 Iowa farms and food hubs via Choose Iowa. This included 3,175 cases of dairy products and varied produce, 728 dozen eggs, 5,289 gallons of milk, and 109,939 individual items like yogurt cups and meat packages.

This program is a companion to the Choose Iowa Food Purchasing Pilot Program for Schools. Secretary Naig announced in May that 33 schools will be participating, with students enjoying local food from Choose Iowa members this school year. 

Farmers wishing to have food purchased by food banks should apply to become a Choose Iowa member. Members enjoy a variety of benefits beyond being eligible to participate in this program. A current list of members can be found on the Choose Iowa website. Farmers or businesses with questions about Choose Iowa or this program should contact chooseiowa@iowaagriculture.gov. Farmers or businesses with questions about Choose Iowa or this program should contact chooseiowa@iowaagriculture.gov.

Choose Iowa is the state’s signature branding and marketing program for Iowa grown, Iowa made and Iowa raised food, beverages and ag products. The Choose Iowa program was initiated by Secretary Naig and is administered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Choose Iowa’s marketing and brand program, now with nearly 300 statewide members, continues to build momentum and visibility. Find members or nearby farms and businesses at ChooseIowa.com.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 8/29/2025

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending August 29, ethanol production stepped up 0.5% to 1.08 million b/d, equivalent to 45.15 million gallons daily. Output was 1.3% higher than the same week last year and 5.3% above the three-year average for the week. Still, the four-week average ethanol production rate decreased 0.2% to 1.08 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.56 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks nudged fractionally higher to 22.6 million barrels. Yet, stocks were 3.4% less than the same week last year and 0.6% below the three-year average. Inventories built across all regions except the East Coast (PADD 1) and Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, receded 1.3% to 9.12 million b/d (140.15 bg annualized). Yet, demand was 2.0% more than a year ago and 1.4% above the three-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol slid 1.8% to a seven-week low of 915,000 b/d, equivalent to 14.07 bg annualized. Net inputs were 1.9% less than year-ago levels and on par with the three-year average.

Ethanol exports shrank 26.4% to an estimated 89,000 b/d (3.7 million gallons/day), a 14-week low. It has been more than a year since EIA indicated ethanol was imported.



July U.S. Ethanol Exports Dip on India Retreat, U.S. DDGS Demand Climbs

U.S. ethanol exports reached 164.4 million gallons (mg) in July, easing 5% from June yet still running 28% ahead of year-ago levels. The decline was somewhat misleading: shipments of both denatured and undenatured fuel ethanol actually rose, but India’s retreat from the market—taking just 0.5 mg versus 24.2 mg the prior month—pulled the overall total lower. Export activity was concentrated in only a dozen markets. Canada remained the largest destination, climbing 4% to a ten-month high of 67.2 mg. The European Union rebounded 42% to 28.8 mg, led by the Netherlands, while the United Kingdom nearly doubled its imports to 21.1 mg. Other notable shifts included softer demand from Colombia (down 9% to 9.9 mg) and the Philippines (down 21% to 9.5 mg), while Brazil re-entered with a six-month high of 9.2 mg. Exports to Peru jumped 65% to 8.4 mg, the strongest volume in more than four years, with additional shipments rounding out to Mexico (5.0 mg), South Korea (3.8 mg), Jamaica (0.5 mg), Switzerland (0.3 mg), and the aforementioned India. Cumulative year-to-date exports totaled 1.23 billion gallons, up 15% from the same period in 2024.

Imports remained minimal, with the U.S. bringing in just 121,266 gallons of undenatured fuel ethanol from Brazil and Canada during July. For the year to date, imports stand at 3.5 mg.

U.S. exports of dried distillers grains (DDGS), the animal feed co-product generated by dry-mill ethanol plants, expanded 15% in July to 1.06 million metric tons (mt), marking multi-month highs in most major markets. Shipments to top buyer Mexico edged down 1% to a five-month low of 182,255 mt, but strong gains elsewhere more than offset the dip. Exports to South Korea jumped 39% to an 11-month high of 156,811 mt, while Vietnam climbed 26% to an eight-month high of 110,732 mt. The European Union surged 118% to 102,836 mt, the strongest in nearly a year, fueled by Ireland. Together, these four markets accounted for more than half of total U.S. DDGS exports. Other significant buyers included Colombia (up 16% to 93,146 mt), Turkey (up 58% to 79,867 mt), and Canada (up 24% to 62,904 mt). Year-to-date DDGS exports totaled 6.48 million mt, running 6% behind the same period last year.



ASA Welcomes Implementation of U.S.–Japan Trade Agreement

On Thursday, President Trump signed an Executive Order implementing the U.S.–Japan Trade Agreement. Included in the agreement are provisions for Japan to make $8 billion in annual purchases from the United States, including food and agricultural products.

While U.S. soy already enjoys strong market access in Japan, this agreement helps further secure a top ten market for our crop. In Marketing Year 2023/2024, Japan imported $1.31 billion of U.S. soy products, making the country U.S. soy’s sixth largest trading partner by volume, according to USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.

“This news comes at a critical time as U.S. soybean farmers begin harvest,” said ASA President and Kentucky farmer Caleb Ragland. “We appreciate President Trump prioritizing agriculture in trade negotiations with key partners like Japan and urge the Administration to finalize additional trade deals in the weeks ahead. Reliable agreements like this not only strengthen markets for U.S. soy and keep America’s farm families a priority, but also help our farmers remain competitive in the global marketplace.”



Council Continues Laying Groundwork For DDGS Exports To India

Last week, U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) Senior Director of Global Strategies Kurt Shultz traveled to India to build end-user interest in purchasing U.S. distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), that so far do not have market access in the country but could become a significant driver of demand for U.S. producers.

“The Indian livestock sector has faced consistent trouble sourcing quality DDGS, so stakeholders are eager to explore what international markets can offer them,” said Reece Cannady, USGBC regional director for South Asia.

“By establishing business connections and trust in U.S. DDGS’ quality, U.S. producers will be in pole position to supply users’ needs when the market opens internationally.”

Shultz joined Cannady and staff based in the Council’s office in New Delhi and USGBC members including International Feed, The DeLong Company, POET and the Iowa Corn Growers Association were in attendance to meet potential buyers and end-users.

The first two days of the agenda were dedicated to business-to-business meetings in Pune and Chennai, where participants discussed what agribusinesses are looking for in the global market and how the Council can help streamline the import process.

In Coimbatore, the delegation met with industry processors and end-users including a hatchery and feed mill to observe the current techniques and feed formulas that could be enhanced by incorporating U.S. DDGS in the future.

The roadshow culminated in Hyderabad, where the team visited several farms and had a meeting with the Compound Livestock Feed Manufacturers’ Association (CLFMA) that focused on domestic feed production and how U.S. grains can supplement demand.

“The Council has been present in India for 40 years, and we are now at a stage where we can feel incoming business with India,” said Kurt Shultz, USGBC senior director of global strategies. “In certain markets, the strategy is to play the long game and be present before anyone else.”

“India is one of those markets, and we look forward to soon enjoying a culmination of 40 years of work.”



ARA and TFI Praise Trump Administration’s Recognition of Potash as Critical, Push Same for Phosphate 

The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) and the Fertilizer Institute (TFI) today praised the Trump Administration for the forward-thinking and decisive action of including potash on the official draft Critical Minerals list.

“Over half of all global phosphate production occurs in China and Russia,” said ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock. “China is no stranger to restricting its exports of phosphate, implementing a near-complete export pause in 2022 with significant export reductions still in effect. Designating phosphate as a critical mineral will only help our farmers grow the food that fills our dinner tables.”    

“This action by the Trump Administration to rightfully recognize potash as a critical mineral will support American farmers across the country, whom are under constant pressure to do more with less, by helping ensure high crop yields and stocked grocery store shelves,” said TFI president and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. 

While potash was included on the draft list of Critical Minerals, ARA and TFI called on DOI Secretary Doug Burgum to also include phosphate, a similarly essential plant nutrient that is also subject to persistent supply chain challenges, on the final critical minerals list. Both organizations will continue to stress the importance of phosphate to Administration officials and lawmakers in Congress now that the August recess has ended. 

“TFI and ARA are submitting comments in support of adding phosphate to the critical minerals list,” Rosenbusch continued. “We also will continue to emphasize with Secretary Burgum and Acting USGS Secretary Sarah Ryker about the essential nature of phosphate. There is no substitute for phosphate in the farmer’s toolbox and adding it to the critical minerals list will help strengthen domestic supply.” 

The push to include phosphate on the list of critical minerals recently also came from Congress, with a bipartisan, bicameral letter in April led by Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Representatives Kat Cammack (R-FL) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) urging Department of the Interior Secretary Burgum to take action by listing both phosphate and potash as critical minerals. The letter made the case that phosphate and potash clearly meet the criteria to be defined as a critical mineral and noted that, “…their significance for U.S. national security, food security, and American farmers is especially critical…”

“We thank the Administration, Congress, Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, and Secretary Burgum for working together and uniting a bipartisan voice to rightfully recognize the essential nature of potash,” concluded Rosenbusch. “Our two organizations look forward to continuing our efforts to have phosphate included, as well. Without these two minerals, modern agricultural systems would crumble and the ability to feed our growing population would be nearly impossible.”