Friday October 10 Ag News - NE Beef Council and Future Dietitians - NE Precision Ag Conf - NE LEAD and Kimmel Foundation partner - FB letter to President/Congress - and more!

 Nebraska Beef Council Engages Future Dietitians

Mitch Rippe, Nebraska Beef Council Director of Nutrition and Education, has been busy connecting the worlds of agriculture and dietetics through two impactful learning experiences for dietetic interns from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Beef Industry Farm Tour In an effort to bridge the gap between dietetic programs and the agricultural industry, the Nebraska Beef Council recently hosted a comprehensive farm tour offering future dietitians’ firsthand exposure to the beef production cycle. 

Stops included Lienetics Ranch, Weber & Sons Co., and McLean Beef’s retail and processing facility, where students learned about sustainability, animal care, and food safety. Nebraska Beef Council Board Member Mark Goes led an interactive meat science session utilizing carcasses donated from the Cattlemen’s Ball, including Angus, Hereford, Beef x Dairy, and Piedmontese breeds. Students used tools and data to calculate ribeye area and quality grade, connecting classroom knowledge to real-world applications. 

UNMC intern Kennedy Jones reflected on the experience: 
“Seeing how feed is designed to promote healthy growth helped me better understand the link between animal nutrition and the quality of beef people eat. Watching the steps of portioning, packaging, and labeling made me think differently about food safety. It made food systems feel much more personal.” 

Media & Communications Workshop 
Following the tour, the Nebraska Beef Council also hosted a Media and Communications Workshop, designed to help dietetic interns strengthen their communication skills and build confidence when sharing nutrition information with the public. Sessions were led by expert partners, including Hannah Guenther, Food, Nutrition, and Health Extension Educator with Nebraska Extension, who led Communicating Health with Impact: Tailoring Health Messages for Every Community, and Melissa Joy Dobbins, MS, RDN, CDCES, host of the nationally recognized Sound Bites® Podcast, who presented Messaging, Bridging, and Beyond. These sessions equipped interns with tools for message consistency, consumer trust, and effectively navigating complex food conversations.



Second Annual Nebraska Precision Agriculture Conference to Focus on ‘Getting Back to Basics’

How can growers ensure that technology serves the farm — not the other way around?

The second annual Nebraska Precision Agriculture Conference, to be held Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, at the Hall County Extension Office (3180 US-34) in Grand Island, will explore that question. This year’s theme, “Getting Back to Basics,” emphasizes the importance of foundational precision agriculture principles amid the rapid advancement of ag technology.

While agriculture continues to evolve through automation, sensors, data analytics and artificial intelligence, the conference aims to ensure that new farmers, students and educators have a strong understanding of the essential tools and concepts that underpin digital and precision farming. At the same time, sessions will provide experienced growers with practical strategies to maximize their return on investment (ROI) from the technologies they already use.

The Nebraska Precision Agriculture Conference brings together producers, educators, researchers and ag professionals to exchange knowledge and promote best practices in precision and digital agriculture across the state.

The conference is designed to:
    Provide producers with practical insights into using precision technologies effectively.
    Help the public better understand how ag technology is applied by growers.
    Offer professional development and educational opportunities for students, instructors and extension staff.

The program will follow the cropping cycle, showcasing how technology supports each critical stage of production from soil preparation and planting to harvest and planning for the next season. Presentations will blend foundational knowledge with real-world applications that improve decision-making, efficiency and profitability in precision agriculture.

Registration is $50 per person, which includes lunch. The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pre-registration is required by Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025.

This conference is a partnership between University of Nebraska Extension and Nebraska GIS/LIS Association.

For registration details or more information, please visit the conference registration page https://web.cvent.com/event/2692de0d-c64c-4fdc-8701-f87473a35554/summary or contact Dirk Charlson, 402-460-0742 (call/text).




Help Shape the 2026 Nebraska Custom Rates Report: Register for the Survey Today

It’s that time again — the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) is gathering information for the 2026 Nebraska Custom Rates Survey, and we need your input.

If you provide custom services in Nebraska — whether it’s planting, harvesting, spraying, hauling, or other custom operations — your participation is vital. The data you share becomes part of the biennial Nebraska Custom Rates Report, a trusted resource that farmers, ranchers and service providers across the state use to set fair rates and make informed decisions.

Why Participate?
    Ensure your operation’s rates are represented.
    Contribute to one of the most widely used decision-making resources in Nebraska agriculture.
    Help create a clearer picture of Nebraska’s custom service economy.

How to Join
Sign up now to receive the online survey by email or to request a paper copy https://go.unl.edu/cr26. The more responses we receive, the more valuable and accurate the report will be. 

For questions or more information, contact Glennis McClure, extension educator, farm and ranch management analyst, 402-472-0661.



Nebraska LEAD Program and Kimmel Foundation partner to launch new seminar in Nebraska City

Corn, soybeans and livestock may define much of Nebraska’s landscape, but in December, Nebraska LEAD Fellows will explore a different side of the state’s agriculture. A new partnership between the Nebraska LEAD Program and the Richard P. Kimmel & Laurine Kimmel Charitable Foundation is making possible the first Resilient Rural Systems seminar in Nebraska City, showcasing the innovation, diversity and entrepreneurial spirit of southeastern Nebraska agriculture.

The Resilient Rural Systems seminar will give Nebraska LEAD Fellows an opportunity to explore alternative agricultural systems and community development in southeastern Nebraska. Fellows will engage with experts and local leaders on topics such as fruit and apple orchards, floriculture, pollinator research, aquaculture and hydroponics, direct-to-consumer local food systems, and innovative rural and community development strategies.

Established in 2024 by the Richard P. Kimmel and Laurine Kimmel Charitable Foundation, the Catalyst Grants aim to advance education and innovation by fostering strategic partnerships between the Kimmel Orchard and Vineyard Educational Foundation and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR). IANR encompasses Nebraska Extension, the Agricultural Research Division and the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

“This new seminar represents an exciting opportunity for Nebraska LEAD Fellows to expand their perspectives on the state’s agriculture and natural resources systems while also highlighting the creativity and innovation that make Nebraska City and southeastern Nebraska so unique,” said Dr. Tiffany Heng-Moss, IANR Vice Chancellor. “We’re grateful for the Kimmel Foundation’s partnership and commitment to developing Nebraska’s agricultural leaders.”

Len Weyeneth, president of the Richard P. Kimmel and Laurine Kimmel Charitable Foundation, said the partnership reflects the mission of the Catalyst Grants program. “Our Foundation is dedicated to advancing education and fostering innovation,” Weyeneth said. “The Nebraska LEAD Program has a long-standing reputation for preparing leaders who will shape the future of agriculture, and we’re proud to help bring that mission to Nebraska City.”

Nebraska LEAD Program Director Kurtis Harms said the partnership is a milestone moment for the program. “For more than 40 years, the Nebraska LEAD Program has helped develop leaders who are not only grounded in Nebraska’s agricultural strengths but also prepared to navigate future challenges and opportunities,” Harms said. “Hosting this re-imagined seminar in Nebraska City with the support of the Kimmel Foundation allows us to shine a spotlight on the diversity and resilience of southeastern Nebraska agriculture.”

LEAD 43 Fellow Troy Kane a farmer from Carleton, Nebraska, and a participant in this year’s program, shared his enthusiasm for the experience ahead. “When I think of Nebraska agriculture, I often think of row crops and cattle production,” he said. “This upcoming seminar will really help me get a better idea of how diverse Nebraska agriculture can be and what kinds of value-added strategies producers in the region are utilizing. I’m looking forward to learning more about the history, current innovations and entrepreneurial spirit that define this part of the state.”

The Nebraska LEAD (Leadership Education/Action Development) Program is a two-year leadership development program for Nebraska’s future agricultural leaders. Administered by the nonprofit Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council in cooperation with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the program engages Fellows through 12 seminars across Nebraska, a national study/travel experience and an international study/travel opportunity. More than 1,200 people have graduated from the program since its inception in 1981.

The mission of the Nebraska LEAD Program is “to prepare and motivate men and women in agriculture for more effective leadership.” For more information on the program or its mission, visit lead.unl.edu.



USGBC Members Visit Top Agricultural Export Customers

The U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council (USGBC), in partnership with state and national checkoff organizations, recently participated in strategic visits to Canada and Mexico to update member leaders on the Council’s international investments and represent the strategic vision of U.S. corn and sorghum growers to customers.

USGBC Vice President Cary Sifferath, USGBC Regional Ethanol Manager for the European Union, United Kingdom and Canada Stephanie Larson and USGBC staff based in Mexico were joined by representatives from key Council members and partners including the Colorado Corn Promotion Council; the Indiana Corn Marketing Board; the Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council; the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council; the Nebraska Corn Board; Ohio Corn Marketing Program; the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council; and the United Sorghum Checkoff Program.

“This mission provided a unique opportunity for state leaders to directly engage in U.S. agriculture’s largest export markets for corn, barley, distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and sorghum, strengthening bonds with global customers and reinforcing the U.S. industry’s commitment to reliable grain and ethanol supply,” Sifferath said.

The delegation arrived in Mexico City for a meeting with U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) staff based in the country followed by discussions with several feed milling associations and rail transportation stakeholders. The meetings provided participants with an overview of trade logistics and feed applications and allowed checkoff staff to share grower perspectives with key customers.

The team’s second day in Mexico was focused on policy, specifically around the potential for Mexico to adopt gasoline blended with 10 percent ethanol (E10), including a meeting with Secretary of Agriculture Dr. Julio Berdegue and staff from the office of the secretary of economy.

After traveling to Ottawa, the group met with a slate of policymakers including leaders from Environment and Climate Change Canada, Natural Resources Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to discuss the strong ethanol trade between the U.S. and Canada.

The program concluded in a meeting with FAS staff based in Ottawa for a technical discussion and to exchange perspectives on the broader North American market and current trade dynamics under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

“The Council is proud to showcase the commitment of U.S. farmers to meeting international demand for high-quality corn, sorghum, barley and value-added products like ethanol, and involving our members in that is always a benefit to customers who feel an even closer trust in their purchases as a result,” Sifferath said.

“Through these in-person meetings, state leaders and Council staff gathered valuable market intelligence and customer feedback to inform future priorities and investments that will help defend U.S. agriculture’s largest trading partners.”



Farm Bureau to President and Congress: Farmers are at a Breaking Point

The American Farm Bureau Federation Thursday sent letters to President Donald Trump and Congressional leaders to emphasize the severe economic pressures facing America’s farmers and ranchers. Falling crop prices, skyrocketing expenses and trade disputes are creating conditions that are too much for farm families to bear.

“Across the country, farms are disappearing as families close the gates on the farms tended by their parents, grandparents and generations before them,” wrote AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Every farm lost takes with it generations of knowledge, community leadership and the heartbeat of local economies: fewer kids in schools, fewer trucks at the grain elevator, fewer small businesses that keep rural towns alive. As those farms disappear, so too does America’s food independence: our ability to feed ourselves without relying on foreign supply chains.”

Prices paid for crops have fallen off a cliff since 2022, and U.S. agriculture has experienced a trade deficit during the same time period. Lingering questions with trade partners, particularly China, have added to volatility in farm country and left farmers with uncertainty about their futures.

“In the short term, we urge leaders to authorize bridge payments for farmers before the end of 2025,” wrote Duvall. “These payments must be robust enough to address sector-wide gaps and provide meaningful support as the federal government works to recalibrate trade strategies, stabilize prices, and strengthen key market relationships.”

While emergency aid will help temporarily ease the burden facing farmers, only long-term solutions will improve economic conditions in rural America.

Farm Bureau renewed its call for several priorities, including:
    Fair and enforceable trade agreements;
    Policy on biofuels, including year-round sales of E15;
    Restoration of whole milk in schools;
    Protecting interstate commerce;
    Investigating prices for major agricultural supplies;
    Enforcing laws and regulations that protect competition, fairness and transparency; and
    Prioritizing American-grown fruits and vegetables in federal and institutional purchasing programs.

“Federal leadership can now prevent a deepening crisis by taking steps to preserve our agricultural infrastructure and ensure the next generation of farmers and ranchers can continue feeding the world.”



USSEC Announces New Regional Boundaries and Leadership Appointments 

The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) has announced a new regional model and leadership appointments designed to enhance alignment across markets and expand opportunities for U.S. Soy worldwide. 

The updates are aimed at ensuring USSEC remains positioned to meet its strategic goals in a rapidly evolving global marketplace. With shifts in consumer demand, geopolitical dynamics, and market access challenges, the new structure reflects USSEC’s commitment to building resilience and maximizing value for U.S. soybean farmers, industry partners, and international customers. 

“Guided by our core values and a commitment to continuous improvement on behalf of U.S. soybean farmers, USSEC regularly assesses its effectiveness and efficiency,” said Jim Sutter, USSEC CEO. “The new structure strengthens our focus on strategic priorities and vital relationships, ensuring U.S. Soy remains the trusted partner of choice for customers around the world. We are confident in the positive impact this realignment will deliver across global markets and all those along the U.S. Soy value chain.” 

Effective October 1, USSEC’s updated model realigns regional boundaries for U.S. Soy export markets, streamlines international program administration, and strengthens its ability to support global priorities and deliver value to customers worldwide. 

The realignment enables regional leadership to devote more time to advancing strategy, fostering innovation, and strengthening partnerships across the soy value chain. The changes also reinforce USSEC’s long-standing role as a reliable and forward-looking partner for international customers. 

New Regions and Leadership Appointments: 
    East Asia (combining Greater China, Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia) 
    • Carlos Salinas – Executive Director 
    • Timothy Loh – Regional Director  
    Middle East, North Africa & South Asia (MENASA) 
    • Kevin Roepke – Executive Director 
    Europe & Americas 
    • Rosalind Leeck – Managing Director 
    Sub-Saharan Africa 
    • Brent Babb – Executive Director (also leading Soy Excellence Centers, SECs) 

Also effective October 1, USSEC will separate the animal and aquaculture utilizations under dedicated leadership for each of these important sectors.  

New Aquaculture and Animal Nutrition Leadership Appointments: 
Morgan Cheatham, Ph.D. is appointed Director, Aquaculture and will be responsible for differentiating and elevating a preference for U.S. Soy in aquaculture globally. Cheatham joined USSEC in 2024 as the Animal and Aquaculture Manager. Prior to joining USSEC, Cheatham worked in aquaculture operations in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Cheatham earned her Ph.D. in aquaculture from Mississippi State University.  

With the addition of this new director position, Tom D’Alfonso, Ph.D. is now Director, Animal Nutrition allowing him to be solely focused on the global animal feed sector – the largest end-user industry for U.S. soybeans and soybean meal. Previously, D’Alfonso had global director-level responsibility for both aquaculture and animal nutrition. 

Building on international collaborations that began nearly 70 years ago, and combining global vision with regional expertise, USSEC continues to position U.S. Soy as a trusted, sustainable source of nutrition and energy in more than 90 countries worldwide.