December 31 Ag News - Remembering Larry Sitzman - Preview of the Dakota Farm Show - Fertilizer Prices Back Off - USDA R&D '26 Priorities - Biodiesel Regs Ease in CA - and more!

Wrapping up beef production for 2025
Alfredo DiCostanzo, Beef Systems Extension Educator, University of Nebraska

As we wrap up calendar year 2025; and what a year it has been! A peek at beef production totals forecasted for 2025 might be in order.

Looking at beef production statistics using USDA data during the last short week of the year should not be that difficult. It is like predicting whether a cow, due to calve any day, is pregnant. At that point, everybody should be an expert.

From January to August of 2025, US beef production expressed as carcass weight in Federally Inspected plants was 17.2 billion pounds. The corresponding figure for 2024 was 17.9 billion pounds. At that time, there was a 0.7 billion shortfall with 1/3 of the year left. Adding to the 2025 figure using weekly slaughter data from September to the week ending December 26, 2025, results in 25.6 billion pounds projected for 2025. The corresponding figure for 2024 was 26.6 billion pounds or a 0.9 billion pounds production decline year over year.

This is not bad when one considers that cattle on feed inventories are well below 2024 and cull cattle slaughter is down.

Yet, Americans are hungry for beef, so where is the beef (coming from)?

With all the talk about imports, one might suspect we imported record amounts of beef in 2025. From January to December of 2025, the US imported 3.8 billion pounds equivalent to the total imported by the US in 2023 but 0.8 billion pounds below 2024 imports.

Beef and veal import figures for the months of September through December 2025 are not available yet. If we project imports of beef and veal for this period in 2025 at the same levels for the September to December 2024 period, the expectation is that the US will import 1.6 billion pounds leading to total beef imports of 5.4 billion pounds for 2025. This would be an increase of 17% over 2024.

A few observations:
· Domestic US beef production is expected to fall 3.8% from 2024 to 2025 as cattle on feed inventories declined.
· Projected at 25.6 billion pounds, US beef production in 2025 resulted from relatively stable beef and dairy cow herds: 27.9 and 9.3 million beef and dairy cows, respectively.
· Adding beef imports from January to August and projected beef imports from September to December 2025 to domestic beef production results in 31 billion pounds of beef to supply the US. In 2024, this figure was 31.2 billion pounds.

Conclusive thoughts
· Appetite for beef by the American consumer continues and it drives domestic production and the need to import beef.
· If beef and dairy herds remain stable in 2026, domestic beef production should also remain stable at 25 to 26 billion pounds. This would mean that imports of beef in 2026 should remain at 2025 levels.
· It is unclear yet whether heifer retention intensified in late 2025. When it does, domestic beef production will drop unless beef-on-dairy feedlot cattle production increases, which is unlikely. 



Former NE Ag Director, Pork Producers Exec Dir Sitzman Dies

Larry Edward Sitzman, 79, of Lincoln, Nebraska (originally of Culbertson, Nebraska), passed away on December 25, 2025, in Lincoln.

Larry was born on December 21, 1946, in McCook, Nebraska. Larry attended the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, then served his country as a CID Special Agent with the United States Army in Vietnam.

After returning home to Nebraska, Larry worked his father's land as a farmer. Together, Larry and his wife Sally shared nearly 53 years of marriage and raised three sons: Edward, Eric, and Jason Sitzman.

Larry dedicated his life to agriculture, working the land as a farmer and serving on numerous agricultural boards. His leadership and commitment to Nebraska agriculture led to his appointment as Director of Agriculture for the State of Nebraska by Governor Ben Nelson. Following his tenure as Director of Agriculture, Larry continued to serve in leadership positions throughout the Nebraska agriculture industry, including roles in Columbus and Albion, before being appointed Executive Director of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, January 2, 2026, at 10:30 am with Visitation beginning at 9:30 am at Butherus, Maser & Love Funeral Home, 4040 A Street, Lincoln, NE. Memorials may be designated to the Larry E. Sitzman Youth in Nebraska Agriculture Scholarship through the NePPA.



DAKOTA Farm Show Features Equipment, Services and Seminars

The USD DakotaDome in Vermillion, SD is set to kick off the new year by hosting the Dakota Farm Show, January 6, 7 & 8, 2026 (Tuesday–Thursday). The annual three-day event is expected to bring thousands of area farmers to the warm and comfortable USD DakotaDome to view hundreds of exhibitors showcasing the latest agricultural products, equipment, and services.

This year’s show will again feature educational seminars presented by SDSU Extension and Southeast Research Farm on Wednesday. Wednesday seminars will include topics related to agronomy and soil health. Thursday’s sessions will focus on livestock management, self-care and community vitality. 

January 6, 2026 Topics and Speakers
Moderator: Sara Bauder, SDSU Extension Forage Field Specialist
10:00 am Corn and soy insect pests; Phil Rozeboom, SDSU IPM Program
10:20 am Should I spray for my corn diseases?; Connie Strunk, SDSU Extension Plant Pathology Field Specialist
10:40 am SCN in 49 South Dakota counties, so what now?; Anna Lagerhausen, SDSU Graduate Student, Plant Pathology
11:10 am Compost basics; Bret Lang, SDSU Post Doc, Organic Systems
11:30 am What does the future hold for beef carcass weights?; Warren Ruche, SDSU Extension Feedlot Specialist
11:50 am Discussion and Comments
Noon Session ends

January 7, 2026 Topics and Speakers
Moderator: Sara Bauder, SDSU Extension Forage Field Specialist
9:45 am Forage variety trials triticale, oats, and alfalfa; Pete Sexton, Farm Supervisor and Brad Rops, Operation Manager, SDSU Southeast Research Farm
10:05 am Soil health and N mineralization; Jason Clark, SDSU Extension Soil Fertility Specialist
10:25 am Cover crops and soil health; Hans Klopp, SDSU Extension Soil Health Field Specialist
10:55 am Should we pass the Save our Bacon Act or should Proposition 12 rule the pen?; Orange City FFA Ag. Issues Team
11:15 am Micronutrients in corn and soybean production; Anthony Bly, SDSU Extension Soils Agriculture Program Field Specialist
11:35 am Optimum seed rates for corn and soybeans in southeast South Dakota; Peter Kovacs, SDSU Associate Professor Precision Ag Cropping Systems
11:55 am Discussion and Comments
Noon Session ends

Complete and up-to-date seminar schedules are available at www.DakotaFarmShow.com.

Attendees will also enjoy the return of the popular Bomgaars DeWalt Tool Blowout, offering special pricing on a wide variety of tools and accessories throughout the event—an annual favorite with showgoers.

In addition to exhibits and seminars, attendees can register to win $1,000 in Showbucks, given away each day at 1:00pm, courtesy of Purple Wave Auction.

“The show is a fantastic way for area farmers to kick off the new year, see the latest innovations in agriculture, and gain new information from our top-notch seminars,” said Show Manager Penny Swank. 

This year’s show once again features an online, interactive floor plan. Attendees can review exhibitors and the floor plan at www.DakotaFarmShow.com.

The Dakota Farm Show runs January 6, 7 & 8, 2026 at the DakotaDome (University of South Dakota campus) in Vermillion, South Dakota. Admission and parking are free. Show hours are 9am–4pm Tuesday and Wednesday, and 9am–3pm Thursday.



Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in a Multi-Species Backyard Flock in Dallas County

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have detected a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1 HPAI) in a multi-species backyard flock in Dallas County, Iowa. This is Iowa’s 10th detection of H5N1 HPAI within domestic birds in 2025.

H5N1 HPAI is a viral disease that affects both wild and domestic bird populations. H5N1 HPAI can travel in wild birds without those birds appearing sick, but is often fatal to domestic bird populations, including chickens and turkeys.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is strongly encouraging Iowa poultry producers and backyard flock owners to continue bolstering their biosecurity practices and protocols to protect their flocks. The Department has numerous biosecurity resources to reference on its website.

As H5N1 HPAI detections are confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, those cases are added to tracking websites located on the USDA APHIS website.



Seven Fertilizers See Lower Prices 

Retail fertilizer prices continue to be mostly lower, according to prices tracked by DTN for the fourth week of December 2025. Seven fertilizers were lower, while one fertilizer was a little higher. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

One fertilizer price was considerably lower. DAP was 6% cheaper than last month. The phosphorus fertilizer had an average price of $866/ton. The remaining six nutrients were slightly lower in price. MAP had an average price of $884/ton, potash $484/ton, urea $567/ton, anhydrous $863/ton, UAN28 $409/ton and UAN32 $466/ton.

One fertilizer was slightly higher compared to last month: 10-34-0 had an average price of $674/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.62/lb.N, anhydrous $0.53/lb.N, UAN28 $0.73/lb.N and UAN32 $0.73/lb.N.

All eight fertilizers are now higher in price compared to one year earlier: MAP and potash (by 9%), 10-34-0 (10%), urea (16%), DAP (17%), anhydrous (18%), UAN28 (26%) and UAN32 (28%).



Rollins Announces New Priorities for Research and Development in 2026

Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, signed a Secretary’s Memorandum that puts forth a focused effort to establish new priorities for future research and development activities funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to strengthen U.S. Agriculture for farmers and consumers.

The American farm economy suffered under failed Biden-Harris Administration policies that drove up inflation, created a weak trade agenda that resulted in no new trade deals for American commodities, and propagated crippling overregulation. Further, misguided policies focused on DEI and environmental justice in agricultural research, extension, and education programs diverted resources away from solving actual programs that American farmers and ranchers are facing.

Since January, the Trump Administration has been working nonstop to strengthen the farm safety net, create new export opportunities for American commodities, lower the cost of critical agricultural inputs, and root out DEI from all USDA programs. However, strategic investments in agricultural research and development will help American farmers and ranchers increase profitability while continuing to provide consumers with the safest, most abundant, and most affordable food and fiber supply in the world for decades to come.

“When he created the People’s Department and the land-grant university system in 1862, President Lincoln had a vision for American agriculture rooted in agricultural innovation and education. Since that time, research coming from USDA and our colleges of agriculture have successfully helped American farmers and ranchers address countless challenges,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “The priorities we are announcing today further reiterates President Trump’s commitment to put Farmers First and provides our agricultural researchers with a strategic roadmap to help keep our producers at the forefront of productivity.”

New Research and Development Priorities:
Moving forward, new research and development activities funded by USDA will be focused on projects that address one or more of the following priorities that put Farmers First:
    Increasing Profitability of Farmers and Ranchers: While research to increase productivity has allowed American farmers and ranchers to provide the safest, most abundant, and most affordable food and fiber supply, the volatility in profitability of American agriculture leads to significant uncertainty for producers. Research and development that results in increased profitability—such as reducing inputs or increasing mechanization and automation—will benefit American farmers and ranchers.
    Expanding Markets and Creating New Uses of U.S. Agricultural Products: With many producers experiencing record yields this growing season, it is more important than ever to ensure USDA is expanding markets and creating new uses for these American-grown commodities. Research and development that seeks to open new markets—such as generating science and data to resolve longstanding sanitary and phytosanitary trade barriers—or expand the utilization of these commodities in novel biobased products and bioenergy (including biofuels) will result in increased demand.
    Protecting the Integrity of American Agriculture from Invasive Species: The resurgence of New World Screwworm in Mexico, continued westward expansion of the Spotted Lanternfly, persistence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in poultry flocks, and decimation of our domestic citrus industry due to citrus greening are just a few examples of how invasive pests and diseases threaten American agriculture and natural resources. Research and development focused on new and effective methods for preventing, detecting, controlling, and eradicating these threats is a top priority for USDA and the security of U.S. agriculture.
    Promoting Soil Health to Regenerate Long-Term Productivity of Land: American farmers and ranchers are the original conservationists as no one stewards their land more than those whose entire livelihood, and that of their successive generations, depend on it. Research and development that promotes soil health practices, increases water-use efficiency, and reduces inputs will ensure farms and ranches remain productive for generations to come.
    Improving Human Health through Precision Nutrition and Food Quality: Substantial and increasingly robust evidence shows that a healthy diet can help people achieve and maintain good health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases throughout all stages of life. Rigorous research on precision nutrition is needed to better understand how healthy dietary patterns impact people at the individual level with the goal of more targeted nutritional recommendations to encourage healthy choices, healthy outcomes, and healthy families. Additionally, research and development on increasing the nutritional content and quality of foods will lead to increased demand for American agricultural products.



Clean Fuels Applauds CARB’s Decision to Sunset Outdated Biodiesel Restrictions

Clean Fuels Alliance America welcomes a ruling by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to sunset the oxides of nitrogen (NOx) mitigation requirement for biodiesel blends up to B20 (20% biodiesel) in the Alternative Diesel Fuel (ADF) regulation.

Clean Fuels first called for sunsetting the B20 restrictions in the ADF in 2022, after CARB data showed the regulatory triggers for lifting the restrictions had been met.

California previously required producers to mix a minimum of 55% renewable diesel with biodiesel blends from B6 to B20 to mitigate NOx concerns in older heavy-duty vehicles. CARB’s own emissions modeling shows this step is not needed and has contributed to keeping overall biodiesel blends below 10%. Since biodiesel is more affordable than fossil diesel for fleet operators, lifting the ADF restriction enables market growth, marking a significant milestone for the clean fuels industry.  

While recent CARB actions have created regulatory headwinds for biodiesel, the decision to sunset the NOx mitigation requirement is a constructive step forward based on solid data acknowledging biodiesel’s established role in helping California meet its Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) targets.

“Sunsetting the NOx requirement in the ADF regulation recognizes what the data has shown for years—that biodiesel is a proven, low-carbon fuel already effectively regulated under the LCFS,” said Jeffrey Earl, Director of State Governmental Affairs at Clean Fuels. “This decision provides regulatory clarity and reinforces biodiesel’s value as a cost-effective compliance option that benefits fuel providers, fleet operators and consumers.”

Clean Fuels will continue challenging CARB to ensure California’s clean fuels policies are grounded in sound data and recognize the reliable performance of low-carbon liquid fuels while maintaining a balanced approach that advances emissions reductions and protects fuel affordability and supply reliability.