Thursday September 25 Ag News - NeFBF supports Ag Ed Teachers - Fall Thistle Control - Fertilizer Prices move higher - AFBF Partners on Ag Cybersecurity - and more!

 Cow energy requirement drivers: mature cow weight and milk production
Alfredo DiCostanzo, Nebraska Beef Systems Extension Educator

In the last column, I referenced a study where beef cows in a nutritionally dense environment produced large amounts of milk even as weaning time approached. I also emphasized that genetic driver for milk production results in cows that have greater metabolic activity, which results in greater maintenance requirements. Lastly, I suggested that industry experts, including various cow-calf researchers, are barking up the wrong tree: focusing on moderating mature cow weight while missing energetic costs associated with milk production.

Before addressing how milk production drives energy costs, it is important to revisit calf performance response to milk production of the dam. One might expect that “sufficient” milk production is needed to ensure calf performance. The challenge is defining what is sufficient.

Based on research that summarized results of 14 studies, investigators reported that heavier calves were weaned from heavier milking cows. One would expect that; but the association was not extremely strong. In the same report, investigators repeated the analysis permitting only studies where cows milked fewer than 23 lb daily. The results? There was a weak and not statistically significant association between milk production and weaning weight.

In other words, in a world of heavy milking cows provided with nutrition to deliver more than 23 lb of milk daily, calves respond with heavier weaning weights, such as the study referenced in the last column. On the other hand, when the expectation is that cows will milk fewer than 23 lb of milk daily, as might be expected of many beef cows, weaning weight is not dependent on milk production.

In support of these results, observations from various studies suggest that milk production through the first 60 days of life of the calf, concurrent with the peak of milk production by the cow, is associated with growth of the calf. This association is rapidly reduced as the calf approaches weaning.

Given these observations, cow-calf producers must ask themselves whether they have bred too much milk into their herds. Because milk

production is difficult to measure or observe its results on weaning weight, the most effective strategy is to select bulls that are at breed average or less for milk production. Alternatively, one might consider selecting against cows that drop weight faster than other cows through the first 60 days in milk and have calves with average weaning weight.

From an energetic standpoint, additional mature weight on a cow (or human for that matter) does not correspond to linear increase in energy requirements. Conventionally, energy requirements to maintain body weight are expressed on a metabolic body unit or mass elevated to the three quarter (¾) power.

For cattle, the units are expressed as megacalories (Mcal) or 1,000 kilocalories (incidentally human daily caloric intake recommendations are about 2,000 kilocalories).

As an example, a 1,200-lb cow weighs 248 lb when her weight, first transformed to kilograms, is elevated to ¾ power. Correspondingly, a 1,400-lb cow weighs 279 lb when her weight, first transformed to kilograms, is elevated to ¾ power.

In metabolic body weight units, the difference in weight between these two cows is 31 lb not 200 lb. Using metabolic body weight to calculate their net energy requirements for maintenance (without milk production or costs of pregnancy), the 1,200- and 1,400-lb cow each require 8.7 or 9.7 Mcal daily, respectively.

Using hay containing 58% TDN (or 0.562 Mcal net energy of maintenance per pound) to determine feed required for maintenance results in daily needs of 15.4 or 17.3 lb hay for the 1,200- or 1,600-lb cow, respectively.

On the other hand, milk production is a costly process. Compounds resulting from digestion by ruminal bacteria or absorbed from the small intestine must travel to the liver or directly to the site where they will be used by the cow. Milkfat is produced directly from compounds derived from ruminal absorption while milk protein and lactose are synthesized in the mammary gland after the liver processes compounds absorbed from the ruminal and intestinal walls.

Long story short, it costs 0.326 Mcal of net energy to produce one pound of milk. This means that the difference in energy, expressed as Mcal, to maintain the 1,200- and 1,400-lb cow (1.0) can be offset by a difference in milk production of 3 lb.

Using these calculations, a 1,400-lb cow milking 20 lb daily has the exact same daily energy requirement as a 1,200-lb cow milking 23 lb. Alternatively, 100-lb difference in weight can be offset by 1.5 lb of milk production.

It seems that small changes in milk production potential have a greater effect on cow maintenance requirements (and feed costs) than large changes in cow weight.



Blezek Awards Aim to Keep Agricultural Education Teachers in Nebraska

The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation awarded 22 teachers with funds in support of agricultural education and FFA programs in Nebraska.

“The Dr. Allen G. and Kay L. Blezek Teacher Retention Award is an investment in the future of Nebraska agriculture,” said Megahn Schafer, executive director of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation. “We are very proud to support these teachers as they get established in their classrooms and communities. Since agriculture is Nebraska’s leading industry, we know that investing in agricultural education and its teachers will continue to produce returns for years to come.” 

Recipients are all agricultural education teachers in their first five years of teaching. Teachers are eligible for increasing awards over time. As the teachers’ impact grows in the classroom, in their FFA chapters, and in their communities each year, the award recognizes their service and supports their efforts.  A longtime program of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation, the award was renamed in recognition of an estate gift from Dr. Allen Blezek. Dr. Blezek was an agricultural education teacher, the first director of the Nebraska LEAD program, and a founding member of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation board of directors.

The 22 recipients of the scholarships are Kiley Codner, Hall County; Andra Smith, Cherry County; Kelsey Steinkraus, Chase County; Megan Skibinski, Valley County; Kaydie Brandl, Platte County; Colton Husa, Gage County; Maren DeJonge, Richardson County; Toriann Holly, Jefferson County; Nick Birdsley, Douglas County; Trevor Mann, Lincoln County; Hallett Moomey, Buffalo County; Tanner Nun, Gage County; Payden Woodruff, Hall County; Jocelyn Pohl, Morrill County; Kealey Widdowson, Buffalo County; Mikayla Martensen, Platte County; Kylie Kinley, Nuckolls County; Emily Kammerer, Lincoln County; Mai Lee Olsen, Banner County; Kayla Mues, Dundy County; Caleb tenBensel, Custer County; and Lexi Meister, Cuming County. 

The mission of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation is to engage youth, educators, and the general public to promote an understanding of the vital importance of agriculture in the lives of all Nebraskans. The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. For more information about the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation, visit www.nefbfoundation.org. 



FALL THISTLE CONTROL 
- Jerry Volesky, NE Extension Forage & Range Specialist

Did you spray thistles this past spring and summer?  If so, it would be a good idea to revisit those areas as there are likely some remaining or new growth that has occurred.  Late September through early November is a key time to control thistles in pastures and hayland.  

There are several biennial thistles, but musk, plumeless, Scotch, and bull thistles are our most problematic.  Biennials require portions of two growing seasons to flower/reproduce. They develop from seed the first season into a flat rosette. When trying to control biennial thistles, destruction of rosettes prior to flowering (bolting) is an effective means of preventing seed formation and subsequent spread.  

Another thistle to look out for is Canada thistle.  Canada thistle is a creeping perennial that can be controlled with fall spraying, in conjunction with other management options in the spring.

While in the rosette stage, thistles are more effectively controlled using herbicides.  It is important to note that fall spraying of thistles is not a silver bullet and effective control often needs repeated applications.  It will take several years of timely control before the soil seed bank is reduced.  There are many herbicides labeled for thistle control.  Take care when purchasing products and always read/follow label directions before use.    

GrazonNext® HL, Milestone®, Chaparral®, Graslan® L, Stinger®, Overdrive®, and Tordon 22K® are all products that are labelled for use on biennial thistles as well as Canada thistle. 2,4-D mixed with dicamba is also an effective option but should be sprayed when temperatures are warmer for the highest efficacy.  When using Tordon 22K® or Graslan® L, both products are restricted use and contain picloram.  Use extreme caution around other vegetation, especially trees, as both products will kill woody plants.  



New Iowa Farm Poll Report Finds Growing Awareness, Mixed Views on Nutrient Reduction Strategy

A new report from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach examines awareness and attitudes among Iowa farmers regarding the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, a statewide initiative launched in 2013 to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus runoff into Iowa’s waterways and contributions to Gulf hypoxia.

The report, authored by J. Arbuckle, professor, extension sociologist and Henry A. Wallace Chair for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University, draws on data from the Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll, an annual survey of Iowa farmers. The 2024 Farm Poll, which surveyed close to 1,000 farmers, repeated questions that were first asked in the 2014 survey, allowing a decadal comparison of farmer awareness and attitudes related to the INRS.

Key findings
    Awareness: Nearly 90% of farmers reported some knowledge of the INRS in 2024, up from 80% in 2014. The farm press, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, government agencies and commodity groups were the most common sources of information.
    Water Quality Concerns: While 70% of farmers remained concerned about agriculture’s impact on IowAerial view of Iowa farmlanda’s water quality, this marked a slight decline from 76% in 2014. Just under 50% agreed that nutrients from Iowa farms contribute to Gulf hypoxia, with 44% uncertain about the connection.
    Support for Conservation: Support for the INRS and related conservation actions appears to have softened slightly over the past decade. Seventy-four percent of respondents agreed farmers should do more to reduce nutrient and sediment runoff, down from 84% in 2014. Sixty-three percent would like to improve conservation practices on their land, and 52% believe ag retailers should do more to help address nutrient losses.
    Barriers to Action: The most cited barriers to nutrient loss reduction were landlords’ reluctance to invest in conservation (53% agreement) and short-term pressures to make profit margins (53% agreement). Twenty percent agreed that further nutrient loss reduction would be too costly, and 58% indicated uncertainty.
    Uncertainty About Effectiveness: Forty-one percent of respondents agreed that the INRS has made major strides in reducing nutrient loss, but nearly half were uncertain about progress.

The report highlights a need for renewed efforts to raise awareness and concern about water quality, strengthen positive attitudes toward the INRS and increase adoption of conservation practices.

"Iowa continues to have major nutrient-related water quality issues, and there are increasing concerns about human health impacts of nitrates and other contaminants flowing from agriculture," said Arbuckle. "While the findings show that most farmers are aware of and support the strategy’s goals, they also suggest that all of us in the agricultural community need to up our game in terms of helping farmers maintain progress toward INRS goals."



IAWA Launches New Water Quality Website

Farmers, agri-businesses, and water quality professionals can access powerful resources on The Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance’s (IAWA) newly launched website at iaagwater.org. With pages organized by the user’s end goal, such as reducing erosion or improving on-farm drainage, this new website caters to all industry audiences interested in water quality and how they can help.

“IAWA is a connector in the conservation space, so it was really important that we created a connection point where farmers can find information on conservation practices and support,” remarked IAWA Communications Director Rebekah Jones, sharing that IAWA intends to meet farmers where they are. All she asks in return is that they take the first step in conservation.

Some highlights of the new site include:
    The Cost Share Hub – a place where farmers can learn about ways to get paid for conservation. This directly leads to costsharecompare.com, another resource built by IAWA.
    Conservation Library – where users can find conservation practices that fit their goals like reducing erosion or improving drainage.
    Find A Conservation Agronomist – the first conservation agronomist directory for Iowa which points farmers to one-on-one help from agronomists within IAWA’s partner network.
    Water Quality 101 – A judgement free zone to learn about water quality in Iowa, how it impacts the Gulf, and how we got to where we are today.

With the organization of the new site, that first step is made easier. Instead of wading through jargon and unfamiliar terms, farmers and conservationists can simply identify their end goal. Then, they will be presented with a library of practices and resources that contribute to that goal. The hope is for farmers to pick one practice and run with it.

Executive Director, Jeff Lucas, highlighted the power of partnerships in building this new resource.

"One of the strengths of IAWA is that we have a huge network of partners that we trust. You will see resources of our partners scattered in and around the site,” Lucas said. He especially highlighted resources from the Iowa Corn, Pork, and Soy commodities, IAWA’s founding members.

While the new website will be an immediate resource to Iowans, the IAWA team is already planning to expand the Cost Share hub to include more resources and add an interactive map for farmers to see conservation practices in their area. “My hope is that it makes it easier to connect, learn, and take action together as we work to increase the pace and scale of farmer-led conservation for water quality here in Iowa,” Lucas said. “This is just the beginning, and I look forward to seeing how this new tool helps us grow our impact.”



Naig Urges Iowans to Prioritize Safety, Mental Health this Harvest Season

With the busy harvest season commencing across the state, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is urging Iowans to keep safety top of mind in the field, around the farm and on the road. Farming can be physically exhausting and mentally demanding, and agriculture remains one of the most dangerous industries in America. In recognition of National Farm Safety and Health Week, Secretary Naig has provided some safety tips for both farmers and drivers as well as resources for Iowans needing mental health support.

“As the busy 2025 harvest season gets underway, I’m urging all Iowans to make safety their top priority. Equipment and machinery will be out in force in the fields and on roadways around the clock. Please slow down, exercise patience, and offer one another some grace to ensure everyone has a safe and productive harvest season,” said Secretary Naig. “It’s also important to acknowledge that the long, stressful workdays and economic challenges facing agriculture can take a toll. I encourage farmers and ag workers to be mindful of their mental health and well-being, and to watch out for their neighbors too. No one needs to feel alone. There are resources readily available for Iowans.”

By incorporating the following safety tips and resources, we can better ensure a safe and productive harvest season:

For Drivers and Road Safety
    Be Patient: Farm equipment often moves slowly. Be patient and wait for a safe opportunity to pass, considering that it may be difficult to see around large machinery.
    Keep a Safe Distance: Stay a safe distance behind farm equipment, especially when that equipment is turning or slowing down, to avoid collisions.
    Signal Awareness: Be aware that farm equipment may make wide turns and may not always be able to signal. Watch for hand signals or other indicators from operators.
    Avoid Distractions: Stay focused on the road and avoid distractions like texting or using your phone.

For Farmers
    Safe Operation: Avoid shortcuts and stay alert while operating machinery.
    Emergency Equipment: Ensure a first-aid kit is well stocked, a fire extinguisher is in working order and your cell phone is always charged and easily accessible.
    Equipment Maintenance: Regularly inspect and maintain all farm machinery. Ensure that guards are in place and signals, lights and safety features are functioning properly.
    Proper Training: Follow the guidelines for operating equipment. Ensure that everyone operating farm equipment has proper training.
    Protective Gear and Chemical Storage: Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, goggles and hearing protection. Store chemicals in their original containers with proper labels and always use them according to their label.
    Safety Around Grain Bins: Never enter a grain bin unless necessary and only if you have proper training and safety equipment. Do not work alone.

Mental Health and Stress Management
    Stress Management: Engage in stress-relieving activities and take breaks when needed. Activities such as exercise and hobbies as well as plenty of sleep can help.
    Manage Fatigue: Ensure adequate rest to combat fatigue, which increases the risk of mistakes and injuries. Prioritize sleep and schedule short breaks during long hours to maintain alertness.
    Talk About It: If you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, do not hesitate to reach out to family, friends or mental health professionals. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has farm stress resources available that were created in part through a grant from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.
    Iowa Concern Hotline: The Iowa Concern Hotline can be reached at 1-800-447-1985 and offers confidential mental health support and resources for those in need.
    Your Life Iowa: For help with alcohol, drugs, gambling, mental health, or suicidal thoughts, contact Your Life Iowa at 855-581-8111, text 855-895-8398, or chat at yourlifeiowa.org.
    988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: For immediate crisis support, call or text 988 anytime.

For additional resources on farm safety and wellness, visit the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety, Iowa’s Center for Agricultural Safety and Health, or the North Central Farm and Ranch Assistance Center.



USMEF Statement on 'America First Trade Promotion Plan'

USDA announced Tuesday its plans for an “America First Trade Promotion Plan” that will utilize international market development funding recently approved in the budget reconciliation bill. In a press release, USDA added that it will launch a new model of trade missions – supplementing the current model – targeting reciprocal trade deal countries.

U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued the following statement:

This additional investment in trade promotion programs will allow U.S. farmers and ranchers to continue to build value for U.S. beef, pork and lamb and grow diversity in global demand. Current trade deals with key partners like Japan, Korea, Mexico, Canada, Central America, the Dominican Republic, Colombia and more are paying dividends with real growth in U.S. red meat purchases. The reciprocal agreements are expected to provide new opportunities in the ASEAN region, the United Kingdom and the European Union, and USDA's positioning to help industry capture this additional potential is much appreciated. 



ASA Responds to Argentina Soybean Actions

Washington, D.C. This week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the U.S. government was in negotiations to extend a $20 billion swap line to the Argentine government and potentially purchase the country’s foreign bonds. Almost immediately after, a reported 20 shiploads of Argentine soybeans were purchased by China after the Argentine government announced it would waive taxes on its soybean exports.

Upon this news, ASA President Caleb Ragland issued the following statement:

“U.S. soybean farmers have been clear for months: the administration needs to secure a trade deal with China. China is the world’s largest soybean customer and typically our top export market. The U.S. has made zero sales to China in this new crop marketing year due to 20% retaliatory tariffs imposed by China in response to U.S. tariffs. This has allowed other exporters, Brazil and now Argentina, to capture our market at the direct expense of U.S. farmers. The frustration is overwhelming. U.S. soybean prices are falling, harvest is underway, and farmers read headlines not about securing a trade agreement with China, but that the U.S. government is extending $20 billion in economic support to Argentina while that country drops its soybean export taxes to sell 20 shiploads of Argentine soybeans to China in just two days.

U.S. farmers cannot wait and hope any longer. ASA is calling on President Trump and his negotiating team to prioritize securing an immediate deal on soybeans with China. The farm economy is suffering while our competitors supplant the United States in the biggest soybean import market in the world.”



DAP Continues to Lead Fertilizer Prices Higher

Fertilizer prices tracked by DTN for the third week of September 2025 continued to show mostly higher levels compared to last month.

Five fertilizers were higher in price compared to the prior month while the other three were slightly lower. For the third week in a row, just one fertilizer had a sizeable move. DAP was 7% more expensive compared with last month. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more. The phosphorous fertilizer has an average price of $904/ton. Four other fertilizers had slightly higher prices. MAP had an average price of $921/ton, potash $486/ton, anhydrous $777/ton and UAN28 $420/ton.

Three fertilizers were slightly lower looking back to the prior month. Urea had an average price of $619/ton, 10-34-0 $667/ton and UAN32 $474/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.67/lb.N, anhydrous $0.47/lb.N, UAN28 $0.75/lb.N and UAN32 $0.74/lb.N.

All eight fertilizers are now higher in price compared to one year earlier. The last holdout, potash, is now 6% higher. 10-34-0 is 12% more expensive, MAP is 13% higher, anhydrous is 14% more expensive, DAP is 22% higher, urea is 28% more expensive, UAN28 is 31% higher and UAN32 is 35% more expensive looking back to last year.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 9/19/2025

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending September 19, ethanol production contracted 2.9% to a 19-week low of 1.02 million b/d, equivalent to 43.01 million gallons daily. Yet, output was 3.0% higher than the same week last year and 7.5% above the three-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate decreased 1.0% to 1.07 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.37 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks bounded 3.8% to 23.5 million barrels, the highest level since the start of August. Stocks were 0.2% less than the same week last year but 3.1% above the three-year average. Inventories built across all regions.

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, rose 1.7% to 8.96 million b/d (137.72 bg annualized). Demand was 2.7% less than a year ago but 0.9% above the three-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol slid 2.4% to 900,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.83 bg annualized. Net inputs were even with year-ago levels and 0.1% below the three-year average.

Ethanol exports scaled up 8.7% to an estimated 112,000 b/d (4.7 million gallons/day). It has been more than a year since EIA indicated ethanol was imported.



American Farm Bureau Federation Partners with Food and Ag-ISAC on Cybersecurity

The Food and Agriculture - Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Food and Ag-ISAC) proudly announces that the American Farm Bureau Federation has joined its Industry Association Partner Program, reinforcing a shared commitment to enhancing cybersecurity within the food and agriculture sector.

As part of the Food and Ag-ISAC’s Association Partner Program, association partners and their members have access to weekly threat reports, briefings on the threat landscape, timely alerts on specific incidents, and expert insights on cybersecurity best practices. These efforts help businesses and farms across the industry gain a clearer understanding of the cyber risks they face, equipping them with actionable strategies to reduce their vulnerability to attacks of all kinds.

AFBF joins other leading food and agriculture industry associations within the Food and Ag-ISAC’s partner program, such as FMI – The Food Industry Association, International Dairy Foods Association, Meat Institute, National Chicken Council, National Grain and Feed Association, and SNAC International.

“The Food and Ag-ISAC looks forward to collaborating with the American Farm Bureau Federation as we work together to provide farmers and ranchers the information they need to protect themselves from cyber attacks,” said Jonathan Braley, director of the Food and Ag-ISAC. “AFBF has direct access to farmers and ranchers across the nation, providing us the ability to reach this community at scale.”

As the nation’s largest general agricultural organization, AFBF brings a valuable perspective to the growing list of Food and Ag-ISAC industry partners. With nearly 6 million member families in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, Farm Bureau has an extensive network of farmers and ranchers who will benefit from this new partnership, which aims to deepen collaboration between the ISAC and America’s farmers and ranchers, helping to ensure the security and resilience of the food supply chain.

“From weather to market dynamics and much more, many aspects of farming and ranching carry risk. The American Farm Bureau Federation is pleased to be partnering with the Food and Ag-ISAC to help farmers and ranchers identify newer, less familiar, but potentially just as menacing threats – cyber risks – and learn how to mitigate them,” said Sam Kieffer, AFBF vice president of public policy. “Working together is essential to protect our farmers, ranchers and the whole of the industry from emerging cyber threats.”

Together, Food and Ag-ISAC, AFBF and the other industry partners will help strengthen the cyber posture of the entire food and agriculture industry — supporting organizations of all sizes as they navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected digital threat landscape.



USDA To Measure Milk Production

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is set to begin data collection efforts for the quarterly Milk Production survey. The information collected in this survey allows NASS to accurately measure and report conditions and trends in the U.S. milk industry over the course of the year.

This survey conducted every January, April, July, and October, asks milk producers to provide the number of milk cows in the herd, number of cows milked and total milk production for the first day of the month. NASS also collects information about milk consumed on the farm and the amount fed to calves.

“The dairy industry relies on the Milk Production reports to make decisions about the marketing of milk,” said NASS Livestock Branch Chief, Travis Averill. “By participating in the survey, milk producers can ensure that NASS provides timely, accurate and useful data that all sectors of the U.S. milk industry use to make sound business decisions.”

To obtain an accurate measurement, NASS will survey roughly 4,500 operators across the country.

“At NASS, we have a strong commitment to respondent confidentiality,” Averill said. “We are required by law to protect the privacy of all responses and publish data only in aggregate form, ensuring that no individual producer or operation can be identified,” he said.

NASS will publish the data on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in the Milk Production report at nass.usda.gov/publications and in NASS’s searchable database, Quick Stats, at quickstats.nass.usda.gov.  For more information, please contact us at 888-424-7828.



Cattlemen’s College Included in CattleCon 2026 Registration

CattleCon 2026, the largest cattle industry event of the year, is heading to the heart of downtown Nashville, Tennessee, Feb. 3-5. New for 2026: all registration options include access to Cattlemen’s College education sessions and demonstrations.

For more than 30 years Cattlemen’s College, sponsored by Zoetis, has provided cattle producers with valuable information to help improve their herds and businesses. This premier educational experience will be open to all CattleCon 2026 attendees. 

“We are bringing together industry leaders from across the country to share the latest advancements and provide vital information,” said Buck Wehrbein, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association president. “We are excited to make this educational experience available to all attendees and look forward to hearing how producers use valuable knowledge and insights to strengthen their businesses.”

More than a dozen educational sessions and live animal handling demonstrations will take place during CattleCon. Industry experts including Shannon Ferrell, Oklahoma State University; Troy Rowan, University of Tennessee; Jeff Goodwin, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension; Kent Andersen, Zoetis; among others, will cover important topics such as business management, emerging trends, grazing, sustainability, nutrition, herd health, succession planning, genetics and reproduction. 

In addition, classroom sessions will be recorded and available for registered attendees to watch when they return home. Participants will also have the opportunity to attend an in-person Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training and become certified.

New York Times bestselling author Jon Acuff will headline the Cattlemen’s College general session on Wednesday, Feb. 4, and he is sure to inspire and spark innovation. Published in dozens of languages, his work is both critically acclaimed and adored by readers. When he's not writing, Acuff can be found on a stage, as one of INC's Top 100 Leadership Speakers. He's spoken to hundreds of thousands of people at conferences, colleges and companies around the world.

In addition to Cattlemen’s College, there are numerous educational opportunities available on the NCBA Trade Show floor. Cattle Chats will feature 20-minute beef industry educational sessions. Attendees can also stop in the Learning Lounge to enjoy informal, face-to-face talks in an intimate setting. The new Marquee Stage will include a variety of speakers tackling topics such as reproductive technologies, vaccination programs, ag lending and crop protection.

Following CattleCon, the educational opportunities continue with a Grazing Management Workshop & Tour and Agricultural Tour on Friday, Feb. 6 available for an additional fee. These on-farm tours will provide hands-on experiences for participants. 

Cattle producers attending Cattlemen’s College are eligible for the Rancher Resilience Grant, which provides reimbursement for registration and up to three nights of hotel. For more information and to apply, visit www.ncba.org/producers/rancher-resilience-grant. 

For more information about CattleCon 2026 and to register, visit convention.ncba.org. 



National Farmers Proposes $13 Dairy Margin Coverage Feed Price Index Floor

As family dairy farmers struggle with high operational costs and plunging milk futures prices, a national farm marketing group is proposing a change to the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program.
 
DMC payments are based on the difference between the prices farmers receive for milk and an index of prices paid for feed. When that difference is higher, farmers are assumed to be more profitable, and payments are lower. When that difference is lower, however, farmers are assumed to be less profitable, and payments are higher.

But, most family dairy farmers grow their own feed, and as trade wars pressure feed prices
lower, DMC program payments are also lower. “On my family dairy in April 2023, a low milk price of $20.70 provided me and my family with a much-needed payment of $3.66 per cwt.,” said Tom Crosby, who, along with his family, owns and operates a dairy farm in Shell Lake, Wisconsin. “This past July, however, an equally low milk price—just 10 cents higher than April 2023—paid us absolutely nothing.”

Today’s rock-bottom feed prices cancel out payments that would otherwise help the Crosbys and other dairy farmers get through the struggles that too-low milk prices bring with them. That’s why National Farmers is proposing a $13 margin floor price.

Crosby, who also serves as a Regional Director and board member of National Farmers, believes a floor price of $13.00 is reasonable based on past DMC feed indices and USDA cost of production estimates for growing feed on smaller farms.

“As simple as this solution seems, we expect it will provide invaluable security for our nation’ family dairy farmers,” said Crosby.

USDA – Milk Production Cost per Hundredweight sold, by size group
                                            50-99 cows            2000+ cows
       Purchased Feed             $4.62                  $7.59
       Homegrown Feed         $7.93                  $2.33
       Feed Grazed                   $ .14                    -0- 
       Total Cost per CWT     $12.69                 $9.92

In the example above, $20 milk gives no payment at all when feed prices are $10. With a $13
floor, however, a producer with $9.50 coverage would see a $2.50 payment.

The Dairy Margin Coverage program is a mainstay among Federal farm programs that provide financial relief to smaller family dairy farmers. ”We must act now to fix DMC’s feed price loophole,” said Crosby. “We are already losing way too many family dairies—without a fully-effective DMC program, those losses will be much worse.”

National Farmers markets milk, livestock and crops for thousands of American agricultural producers. We offer six decades of experience representing farmers and ranchers. We help producers market together by grouping production from many ag operations increasing each farmer’s ability to compete in the marketplace. National Farmers’ experienced marketing professionals negotiate on conventional and certified organic farmers’ behalf in cash and contract sales, establishing commodity sales terms with the farmers’ interests in mind.