Tuesday December 09 Ag News - Trump Administration announces Bridge Payments to Farmers - NeFU State Convention Summary - Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominiations - SHIC on Swine Health Initiatives - and more!

 Trump Administration Announces $12 Billion Farmer Bridge Payments for American Farmers Impacted by Unfair Market Disruptions 

President Donald J. Trump alongside U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (AR), Senator Deb Fischer (NE), Senator John Hoeven (ND), Representative Austin Scott (GA), and farmers from Arkansas, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make $12 billion available in one time bridge payments to American farmers in response to temporary trade market disruptions and increased production costs that are still impacting farmers following four years of disastrous Biden Administration policies that resulted in record high input prices and zero new trade deals. These bridge payments are intended in part to aid farmers until historic investments from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), including reference prices which are set to increase between 10-21% for major covered commodities such as soybeans, corn, and wheat and will reach eligible farmers on October 1, 2026. 

Of the $12 billion provided, up to $11 billion will be used for the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program, which provides broad relief to United States row crop farmers who produce Barley, Chickpeas, Corn, Cotton, Lentils, Oats, Peanuts, Peas, Rice, Sorghum, Soybeans, Wheat, Canola, Crambe, Flax, Mustard, Rapeseed, Safflower, Sesame, and Sunflower. FBA will help address market disruptions, elevated input costs, persistent inflation, and market losses from foreign competitors engaging in unfair trade practices that impede exports. The FBA Program applies simple, proportional support to producers using a uniform formula to cover a portion of modeled losses during the 2025 crop year. This national loss average is based on FSA reported planted acres, Economic Research Service cost of production estimates, World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates yields and prices and economic modeling. 

Farmers who qualify for the FBA Program can expect payments to be released by February 28, 2026. Eligible farmers should ensure their 2025 acreage reporting is factual and accurate by 5pm ET on December 19, 2025. Commodity-specific payment rates will be released by the end of the month. Crop insurance linkage will not be required for the FBA Program; however, USDA strongly urges producers to take advantage of the new OBBBA risk management tools to best protect against price risk and volatility in the future. 

The remaining $1 billion of the $12 billion in bridge payments will be reserved for commodities not covered in the FBA Program such as specialty crops and sugar, for example, though details including timelines for those payments are still under development and require additional understanding of market impacts and economic needs. 

The $12 billion in farmer bridge payments, including those provided through the FBA Program, are authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act and will be administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). 

To submit questions, justification for USDA farmer bridge aid, or to request a meeting on farmer bridge aid, producers can reach out to farmerbridge@usda.gov. 

 

Fischer Attends White House Ag Roundtable, Releases Statement on USDA Farm Aid Announcement  

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, issued the following statement after attending today’s White House agriculture roundtable where President Trump announced the U.S Department of Agriculture’s farm assistance package: 
 
“Today’s farm assistance package is welcome news as we work to get the farm economy back on track. I applaud President Trump and Secretary Rollins for stepping up to ensure that America’s ag producers have the support they need to feed and fuel our world. I look forward to continuing to partner with the administration to expand trade opportunities that will create strong markets for Nebraska’s ag products.” 
 
Fischer’s colleagues, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Sen. John Boozman (R-AR), and Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND), were also in attendance at the roundtable. 

 

Rep. Flood: President Trump’s Ag Relief Announcement Supports Our Farm & Ranch Families 

Monday, U.S. Congressman Mike Flood issued a statement following U.S. President Donald Trump and United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins’ announcement of $12 billion in relief for America’s farmers and ranchers. 

“Once again, President Trump is delivering for America's farmers and ranchers. Today’s announcement provides much-needed bridge relief as the administration continues to deliver new trade deals and open up markets for our products around the world. Over the last year, the Trump administration has increased market access in countries like Vietnam, Japan, and Indonesia and put pressure on China to buy more American products, including soybeans. I look forward to working with the administration and Secretary Rollins to continue expanding domestic and international markets through measures like year-round E15, securing a new Farm Bill, new trade deals, and more.”  

 

Ricketts Releases Statement on Agricultural Relief Announcement 

Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) released the following statement in support of the Trump Administration’s $12 billion relief package for American farmers: 

“Agriculture is the heart and soul of Nebraska.  When agriculture does well, Nebraska does well. This relief provides temporary economic assistance while President Trump continues opening new markets for agricultural products.  I encourage Nebraska farmers to work with USDA and their local Farm Service Agency office to ensure their eligibility for the program.” 

 

Smith Commends Trump for Addressing Ag Concerns; Calls for More Trade Progress 

Today, Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) released the following statement after a White House event announcing federal support for agriculture producers impacted by ongoing trade disputes. 

“I appreciate President Trump and his administration recognizing the challenges faced by American producers during ongoing trade negotiations. U.S. farmers and ranchers utilize world-leading practices to produce high quality food, strengthening our economy and national security. Through no fault of their own, producers have faced increasingly volatile market conditions in recent years due to weather, input prices, and unfair trading practices from our partners.  

“While supporting producers during this critical time is important, it is not a permanent solution. Nebraska farmers and ranchers dedicate their lives to producing because they want to sell their goods at home and abroad for a fair price. It is vital President Trump and his trade negotiators continue opening new markets and ensuring fair treatment of American agriculture around the globe. I appreciate the strong progress made by the administration so far, and I look forward to working with them to achieve additional agreements and ensure our partners fulfill their commitments.”  



NeFB on Federal Farm Aid Payments 

“Nebraska’s farm and ranch families believe in the free market and its ability to reward us for our efforts growing the food, feed, and fiber for consumers across the globe. At the same time, our businesses and our profitability are often impacted by things outside of our control including weather, international trade, and government policies both foreign and domestic. 

President Trump’s announced plan to provide farmers with a ‘bridge’ payment given the current state of the agricultural economy is truly welcomed by Nebraska’s farmers. At the same time, we remain steadfast in our support for additional policy priorities including advancing Senator Fischer’s and Congressman Smith’s efforts to secure access to E15 year-round, and a federal legislative fix to California’s Proposition 12 and Massachusetts’ Question 3, as well as continued work to expand market access both domestically and abroad. 

Now perhaps more than ever, Nebraska’s farm and ranch families stand ready to work with President Trump and Nebraska’s congressional delegation to secure these much needed policy victories.” 

 

ICGA Statement on Farmer Bridge Assistance Program Announcement 

Earlier today, the Trump Administration announced the Farmer Bridge Assistance program, offering $12 billion in economic assistance to farmers impacted by low commodity prices. Further specifics will come by the end of the year.  

Iowa Corn Growers Association President and farmer from Waverly, Iowa, Mark Mueller, released the following statement:  

“The Iowa Corn Growers Association appreciates the Trump Administration’s Farmer Bridge Assistance program that is helping alleviate stress from Iowa’s corn farmers that are currently facing economic challenges due to low commodity prices, high input prices and market access challenges.   

“We still need to find long-term solutions that will increase farmer profitability, and the best way Congress can do that is with passage of the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025. This legislation would expand access to fuel with 15% ethanol blends year-round, increasing demand for corn for ethanol and saving consumers money at the pump.   

“We also encourage the Trump Administration to continue working as expeditiously as possible to secure new trade opportunities that will open foreign markets to corn and corn products.”    

 

Iowa Soybean Association Comments on USDA’s Just-Announced Farmer Bridge Assistance Program 

The Trump administration on Monday announced a Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program providing $11 billion in targeted, one-time economic assistance to row crop farmers impacted by continued disruptions to global export markets and input suppliers. As the U.S. soybean industry evaluates the details of the program, Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) President Tom Adam of Harper offered the following comment: 
 
“The combination of global trade disruptions for both the sale of soybeans and purchase of ag inputs has taken an economic toll on Iowa soybean farmers. Loan default rates have continued to rise while many farmers have drawn down their cash reserves just to maintain the viability of their operations. 

We appreciate the administration’s response to the concerns farmers have voiced with today’s announcement of targeted, one-time payments of $11 billion to row crop farmers. These resources will help mitigate the difficult situation many producers find themselves in as they deal with bills that are due from the crop just harvested while seeking the financing needed to plant another crop next spring. 

The economic disaster assistance is the first of many steps needed to restore profitability to Iowa farmers. To be clear: farmers want markets, not emergency government assistance. Ad hoc payments year after year do not provide farmers with the certainty needed to return to a profitable operating environment. 

We will continue to work with Congress and the administration on broader support for the farm economy. At the top of the list is finalizing policies to support domestic biofuel markets for U.S. soybean farmers including issuing tax guidance for the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, establishing 2026-2027 biofuel volumes and limiting incentives for imported biofuel inputs through the Renewable Fuel Standard. 

ISA will also continue to stress the need for restoring trade relationships with key customers of Iowa and U.S. soy and expanding domestic markets. These actions will help restore needed stability and certainty in the marketplace, benefiting both farmers and consumers.” 

 

Year-Round E15 Needed to Strengthen Farm Economy Without Future Bailouts  
Trump Administration Announces $12 Billion in Farm Aid   

Today the Trump Administration announced $12 billion in financial aid to America’s farmers. Most of the funds are earmarked as one-time payments to farmers that have been affected by low crop prices and ongoing trade wars. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw released the following statement regarding the news:  

“Farmers are really hurting in what might be the worst farm economy in 40 years. So, the immediate emergency aid is needed and appreciated. Having said that, farmers don’t want bailouts year after year; they want new markets. IRFA urges President Trump to pick up the phone, call the Congressional leaders, and ensure that nationwide, year-round E15 is enacted in the next 4 to 6 weeks. We stand ready to work with President Trump and the Iowa delegation to get E15 done.”  

Allowing nationwide, year-round E15 sales create the opportunity for 7 billion gallons in new ethanol demand each year, equating to over 2.25 billion bushels of new annual corn demand.  

 

Secretary Naig Issues Statement on the Trump Administration’s Assistance to American Farmers 

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig issued the following statement after the Trump Administration announced $12 billion in direct financial assistance to America’s farmers impacted by the current economic conditions and ongoing trade disruptions: 

“Iowa farmers are being squeezed by low commodity prices and near-record high input costs, and these pressures ripple through our rural communities and entire economy. I appreciate President Trump and Secretary Rollins providing some immediate, short-term relief as we work to strengthen trade relationships and expand markets at home and abroad. 

Let’s be clear: farmers want reliable markets for their products, not government aid. We urgently need to secure new, expanded, and fairer trade deals that grow market access for U.S. ag products around the globe, which the Administration has made a top priority. We also need Congress to pass a modernized Farm Bill, aggressively expand year-round nationwide access to E15, and address the root causes of historically high fertilizer costs. These steps would give much needed certainty and stability to the agriculture community in Iowa and across the nation.”  

 

Nebraska Farmers Union 112th Annual State Convention Election & Awards Completed 

Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) held its 112th annual state convention in Norfolk at the Divots Conference Center and Norfolk Lodge & Suites.   The convention theme was: “In Good Times and Bad, You Can Count on Nebraska Farmers Union.”  NeFU delegates re-elected its state president for the next two years, two NeFU Board of Directors, 3 delegates and 3 alternates to the 2025 National Farmers Union convention, and three members of the NeFU Foundation Board of Directors. The members and guests also heard reports on the year’s activities for the farm organization, its Foundation, and its political action committee as well as educational presentations.      

NeFU Election Results:    
            Delegates elected John Hansen from Newman Grove to his 19th two-year term as their state president without opposition. Hansen’s 36 years at the helm as president started in 1990. He is the longest serving NeFU President, and National Farmers Union Board of Director. 

Delegates elected two NeFU Board of Directors: Darrel Buschkoetter of Lawrence was re-elected District 3 

Director and Art Tanderup of Neligh was re-elected District 7 Director, both to three-year terms and without opposition.   

            Three delegates from the membership were elected as delegates to the 124rd National Farmers Union convention that will be held March 7-9, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Keith Dittrich from Tilden, Bill Armbrust from Elkhorn, and Marcia Regier from Beatrice were elected to represent NeFU as delegates.  Ben Steffen of Humboldt, Stephanie Finklea of Omaha, and Don Andrews of Lincoln were elected first, second and third alternates.  

            There were three selections made to the NeFU Foundation Board of Directors. Gayland Regier of Beatrice was re-elected by the membership to a one-year term, Al Davis of Hyannis by the NeFU Board of Directors for a one-year term, and John Hansen as the NeFU State President to a two-year term.     

President’s Award Winner:  
            The President’s Award is NeFU’s highest award, and is presented to individuals who provide outstanding service and leadership to family farmers, ranchers, and rural communities at the state or national levels.  

            This year’s President’s Award winner was Jeff Downing of Ashland who is stepping down as General Manager of the Midwest Agency LLP where he has served with distinction since 2013.  Under Jeff’s leadership, the agency has steadily grown and expanded its service area and agent force.  Jeff has served on the NeFU Foundation Board of Directors and strengthened the positive working relationship between NeFU and the Farmers Union Midwest Agency. NeFU President Hansen said, “Jeff’s warm, friendly, patient, and professional way of working with people and solving problems has been a real asset for our insurance operation and general farm organization. He genuinely cares about the people he leads and serves. He has left us in a far better position than when he found us.”   

NeFU delegates set policy.  NeFU Policy Chair Vern Jantzen led NeFU delegates through both NeFU Policy Day December 4th and at Convention as they adopted the 2025-2026 NeFU policy.  

 

Nebraska Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Applicants 

Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Nebraska Leopold Conservation Award®. 

The $10,000 award honors farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land. 

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present Leopold Conservation Awards to private landowners in 28 states. In Nebraska, the $10,000 award is presented with Cargill, Nebraska Cattlemen, and the Nebraska Environmental Trust. 

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others to consider conservation opportunities on their land. In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” Leopold advocated for “a land ethic,” an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage. 

Award applications may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. The application form can be found at www.sandcountyfoundation.org/ApplyLCA. 

The nomination deadline is March 1, 2026. Applications must be emailed to NebraskaLCA@sandcountyfoundation.org. 

“Conservation is more than a practice, it is a way of life and reflects one’s strong belief in leaving the land better than they found it for generations to come,” said Laura Field, Nebraska Cattlemen Executive Vice President. “Nebraska Cattlemen is proud to sponsor the Nebraska Leopold Conservation Award as we recognize the individuals who go above and beyond in their conservation efforts and carry out the long tradition of environmental stewardship.” 

“At Cargill, we believe land conservation is a shared responsibility and a foundation for a thriving future. Supporting the Nebraska Leopold Conservation Award aligns with our commitment to ethical business practices and sustainable food production,” said Katrina Robertson, General Manger, AVP-Cargill Beef, of Schuyler, Nebraska. “We’re honored to celebrate those who lead the way in caring of Nebraska’s land and natural resources.” 

“The Sand County Foundation is doing important work to recognize sustainable agricultural activities in Nebraska and BASF is proud to support these efforts as a sponsor in 2026. We look forward to celebrating a Nebraska farmer who is prioritizing environmental stewardship in farm operations,” said Jessica Monserrate, head of Sustainability of BASF Agricultural Solutions, North America. 

“These award recipients are examples of how Aldo Leopold’s land ethic is alive and well today,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and CEO. “Their dedication to conservation is both an inspiration to their peers as well as a reminder to all how important thoughtful agriculture is to clean water, healthy soil, and wildlife habitat.” 

“As the national sponsor for Sand County Foundation’s Leopold Conservation Award, American Farmland Trust celebrates the hard work and dedication of the recipients of this award,” said John Piotti, AFT President and CEO. “At AFT we believe that exemplary conservation involves the land itself, the practices employed on the land, and the people who steward it. This award recognizes the integral role of all three.” 

The first Nebraska Leopold Conservation Award was presented in 2006. The 2025 recipient of the award was Diamond Bar Ranch of Stapleton. To view profiles of all past recipients of the award, visit www.sandcountyfoundation.org/Nebraska. 

The Nebraska Leopold Conservation Award is made possible thanks to the generous support of American Farmland Trust, Cargill, Nebraska Environmental Trust, Nebraska Cattlemen, BASF, Sand County Foundation, Farm Credit Services of America, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service of Nebraska, Audubon Great Plains, Green Cover Seed, Lyle Sittler Memorial Fund, Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Nebraska Partners for Fish & Wildlife, Rainwater Basin Joint Venture, Sandhills Task Force, University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Natural Resources, and World Wildlife Fund-Northern Great Plains. 

  

As Costs Climb, Farm Bureau Highlights Path to Affordable Health Coverage 

As Congress approaches a year-end deadline to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, Nebraskan families, particularly those who purchase their own insurance, could soon face significant premium increases. For farmers and ranchers, who already shoulder some of the highest health insurance costs in the state, the uncertainty adds pressure to find affordable, stable coverage. 

Rob Robertson, chief administrator of Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB), said Nebraskans who operate outside traditional employer-sponsored insurance systems are particularly vulnerable. 

“The current health care insurance market discriminates against self-employed individuals and small business owners because they are not eligible for the discounted rates available under employer-sponsored plans. This includes farmers, ranchers, and nearly all small business owners in the state,” Robertson said. “Many farm and ranch families have relied on the ACA marketplace, which is getting more expensive, especially with government subsidies set to expire at the end of the year.” 

Against that backdrop, Nebraska Farm Bureau Health Plans (NEFBHP) are emerging as a lower-cost option at a time when families are looking for stable footing. 

“Nebraska Farm Bureau Health Plans offer comprehensive, benefit-rich options at rates that can be up to 50% less than unsubsidized ACA plans,” said Kelsey Scheer, assistant director of NEFB Health Plans. “This year, when open enrollment began, we ran a comparison to see how our coverage stacks up to the ACA marketplace, and we consistently see the incredible value these plans offer individuals and families.” 

A recent comparison quote showed that a conceptual family comprised of a couple in their 40s with two teenage children could save up to $47,000 in premiums over the next year by choosing a Nebraska Farm Bureau Health Plan instead of a plan sold through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Actual savings will vary based on the specific Marketplace plan a household is comparing and the Nebraska Farm Bureau Health Plan option they select. 

“When we compared plans side-by-side with what’s available on the Marketplace, the results were striking,” said Scheer. “For many families enrolled in a silver-level Marketplace plan, switching to our High Deductible Health Plan option — which also includes access to a Health Savings Account — meant saving thousands of dollars and gaining a plan with a lower deductible and lower out-of-pocket maximum.” 

In one example: 

A traditional family plan with a $1,500 deductible costs $1,206/month through NEFB Health Plans. A similar plan from a leading insurance provider costs $3,316.09/month and carried a 64% higher out-of-pocket maximum. 

A bronze-equivalent plan under NEFB Health Plans cost $985/month, compared to $2,048.08/month from the comparison provider. 

Savings extend to individuals as well: 

An individual in their 40s could purchase a traditional NEFB Health Plan with a $1,500 deductible for $516.25/month. Similar coverage through the comparison provider cost $1,702.81/month, with nearly double the out-of-pocket maximum. 

“Plus, families and individuals have more choices with NEFB Health Plans to help control out-of-pocket costs,” said Scheer. “Our comparison shows our plans have lower deductibles, lower out-of-pocket maximums, and lower premium.” 

For Madison County farmer Dawn Kucera, switching to a Nebraska Farm Bureau Health Plan was a simple decision once she saw the numbers. 

“With my Nebraska Farm Bureau Health Plan, I will pay $270 per month. I’m saving $800 a month compared with the marketplace,” Kucera said. “As a farmer, I’ve had to buy my own insurance for years, and it’s been one of my biggest expenses. Having an option that finally brings those costs down gives me some breathing room and coverage I can rely on year after year.” 

Nebraska Farm Bureau Health Plans launched in 2024 following Nebraska Farm Bureau’s advocacy during the legislative session. Lawmakers passed a bill authorizing certain nonprofit agricultural organizations, including NEFB, to sponsor health benefit plans for their members. 

NEFB Health Plans are backed by Farm Bureau Health Plans of Tennessee, which has provided member-based health plans for 75 years. The plans are individually underwritten, and some plans require a physical prior to receiving coverage. 

Unlike insurance offered through the Health Insurance Marketplace, there is no open-enrollment period for NEFB Health Plans. 

“If you miss the Jan. 15 deadline to sign up for an exchange plan, we accept new members every day,” Scheer says. “Even if you currently have a marketplace plan, I’d be happy to help you compare cost and coverage to see if we could help you save hundreds of dollars each month, possibly more.” 

A paid Nebraska Farm Bureau membership is required to begin enrollment. Farm Bureau Financial Services (FBFS) agents in Nebraska exclusively sell these plans to NEFB members. For more information go to our website at www.nefbhp.com. 

 

SHIC Funds 12 Plan of Work Projects to Advance Emerging Disease Mission  

The Swine Health Information Center recently funded 12 new projects addressing research priorities and topics published in its 2025 Plan of Work. This effort helps the organization fulfill its mission to generate new intelligence for preventing, preparing for, and responding to emerging swine disease threats. Funded research areas span across the Center’s five strategic priorities: improve swine health information, monitor and mitigate risks to swine health, responding to emerging disease, surveillance and discovery of emerging disease, and swine disease matrices. The new projects were initiated in fall 2025 and range from nine to 15 months in duration. Research outcomes from the funded projects will provide critical information and resources to help pork producers as they face emerging disease challenges in their swine herds.  

Newly funded projects addressing SHIC’s research priorities include enhanced monitoring of swine diseases, mitigation strategies for emerging disease preparedness and response, novel biosecurity practices for reducing disease risks, diagnostic assay development for emerging diseases, whole genome sequencing as a forensic diagnostic tool, clinical relevance of newly identified agents from veterinary diagnostic lab submissions, and modernization of swine pathogen prioritization.   

The SHIC 2025 Plan of Work Request for Proposals received 57 proposals from 19 institutions with available funds totaling $1.5 million. Funding timely research is an essential component to SHIC providing project outcomes that drive action for emerging disease prevention, preparedness, mitigation, and response for the US swine industry.  

SHIC 2025 Plan of Work projects funded and initiated in response to the RFP include:  

Improve Swine Health Information  
Expand the Domestic Swine Disease Surveillance laboratory networking – Include Illinois Veterinary and Diagnostic Laboratory   

Principle Investigator: Giovani Trevisan, Iowa State University  

Objective: Expand the SDRS laboratory network and regional representativeness by incorporating historical and prospective data from the Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.  

ISU technological transfer and implementation at OH ADDL of confirmed tissue disease diagnosis codes and prospective reporting to the SDRS   

Principle Investigator: Giovani Trevisan, Iowa State University  

Objective: Transfer and implement the current ISU VDL disease diagnosis Dx code matrix to OH ADDL for expanded data collation in monthly reports.  

Monitor and Mitigate Risks to Swine Health  
Investigating trailer contamination rates and related factors at the cull sow harvest plant   

Principle Investigator: Cesar Corzo, University of Minnesota  

Objective: Determine the seasonal probability of PRRSV, PEDV, PDCoV, TGEV, and SVA trailer contamination at the cull sow harvest facility-trailer interface and investigate factors that contribute to contamination probability.  

Evaluation of harvest plant dock protocols to reduce viral transfer to market hog trailers  

Principle Investigator: Cesar Corzo, University of Minnesota  

Objective: To determine whether transfer of viruses from the dock to the trailer occurs when using disposable plastic boots and/or a surface powder sanitizer and assess the unloading interventions that prevent the next load of pigs and farm from becoming infected.   

Assessing pathogen contamination in dead boxes of PRRSV-negative swine farms   

Principle Investigator: Igor Paploski, University of Minnesota  

Objective: Assessing the viral contamination around dead animal disposal structures in PRRSV or PEDV negative farms and investigate if rendering vehicles can spread infectious agents between farms.  

Bridging industry data and disease risk: movement and biosecurity insights into PRRSV outbreaks    

Principle Investigator: Gustavo De Sousa E Silva, Iowa State University  

Objective: Assess the association of movement types with the timing and frequency of PRRS outbreaks; identify the roles of highly connected sites, trucks, and personnel associated with outbreaks, describe high-risk movement patterns.  

Responding to Emerging Disease  
Determining the diagnostic test characteristics of Japanese encephalitis virus RT-rtPCR assay using clinical samples in Australia    

Principle Investigator: Rahul K Nelli, Iowa State University   

Objective: Develop and evaluate the diagnostic specificity and sensitivity of pan-JEV RT-rtPCR assay using field samples of known status from Australia.  

Surveillance and Discovery of Emerging Disease  
Characterization of a PEDV variant strain associated with the recent outbreaks in Illinois and Iowa   

Principle Investigator: Jianqiang Zhang, Iowa State University  

Objective: Characterize the PEDV 6-nt deletion variant in comparison with a 2013 non-S INDEL PEDV using a pig challenge model for their virulence, duration of virus shedding, and cross protection.  

Improving molecular surveillance of PRRSV-2: Quantifying global and domestic risks of PRRSV-2 variants of concern  

Principle Investigator: Kimberly VanderWaal, University of Minnesota  

Objective: Expand lineage-variant classification to other countries to monitor transboundary introductions of PRRSV-2, inform international swine disease risks, and improve the quality of swine health information for PRRSV-2 by enabling PRRS-Loom dashboard end-users to visualize their own sequences.    

Optimizing the TELSVirus workflow for improved surveillance and characterization of swine respiratory viruses  

Principle Investigator: Noelle Noyes, University of Minnesota  

Objective: Increase the sensitivity of the TELSVirus workflow for low-abundance respiratory viruses in oral fluid samples, modify the workflow to accommodate low-input samples, improve the utility of WGS analysis from TELSVirus data.   

Swine Disease Matrices  
Evaluating PEDV non-S INDEL and S INDEL spike gene-based differential PCRs and determining the detection frequency of these two PEDV strains  

Principle Investigator: Jianqiang Zhang, Iowa State University  

Objective: Evaluate four PEDV non-S INDEL and S INDEL gene-based differential real-time PCR assays and determine the detection frequency of non-S INDEL and S INDEL PEDV strains in PEDV screening PCR-positive samples.   

Modernizing Pathogen Prioritization for US Swine Health: A Risk-Based Framework for 2025 and Beyond  

Principle Investigator: Eric Neumann, Epi-Insight USA  

Objective: Develop a harmonized, multi-criteria framework with transparent definitions to prioritize both viral and bacterial swine pathogens and deliver reproducible tools and documentation to allow future updating of the matrices.   

In addition to these 12 projects, six projects addressing the SHIC 2025 Plan of Work have been selected for awards through a co-funding partnership with the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research. Aligning across both organizations’ priorities, these six projects will be announced in the coming weeks.   

 

Seasonal Retreat from Record Highs 
Stephen R. Koontz, Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics, Colorado State University 

My apologies for the ‘I told you so’ – I recognize I am very often wrong – but cattle prices were well-above levels implied by market fundamentals through much of this late summer and into fall–and this has been talked about in prior newsletters. A reasonable set of demand elasticities and supply information from the Cattle on Feed reports suggested fed animal prices closer to $215/cwt this fall – and not the better than $240 observed. Similarly, with the calculated boxed beef composite value often above $370/cwt and occasionally above $400/cwt, then packers needed to pay less than $230 to break even. This did not happen and has not for a while – that is, fed cattle trading below packer breakeven. It looks to me as if the packing industry hasn’t made any money for better than two years – and I know cattlemen don’t care – but it’s not reasonable to expect losses to continue for the foreseeable future. Fed cattle prices had to retreat, and smaller animal prices with them. The seasonal timing is not a surprise. 

Have the underlying long-run fundamentals changed? Absolutely not. Fed cattle numbers, as seen in Commercial Slaughter, will be down 6.9% for the year. These numbers will also be down something like 6% in 2026 and 5% in 2027. Animal numbers will have to tighten further before any increase in numbers is seen. There will be some offset with higher weights and also from feeder cattle placed from Mexico with any reopening of the southern border. But not enough to change the fact of tightening supplies, reduced production, more imports and fewer exports, and lower beef consumption. The plant closings and plant operational reductions announced recently are, in my mind, just the beginning. The supply fundamentals don’t change for the next 2-3 years. Only the volume of completing meats is in question. 

Another signal of the temporary nature of the prior week's market dynamics is the strength of cow slaughter prices. While fed cattle, feeder cattle, and calves have moved sharply down, cow prices have not. Further, beef cow slaughter is 6-7% below the prior year, and we are seeing a reduction in the number of heifers in the fed slaughter mix. The reduction in heifers in the slaughter mix has occurred over the last half of 2025. This implies that reduced numbers of heifers were placed on feed some six months before seeing the change in slaughter numbers. This would imply most, if not all, of 2025. Is there evidence of some herd building? Yes, but very modest. 

Returning to packer margins, the margin per thousand pounds of beef sales – the live-to-cutout spread – has been less than $275 per head since September 2023. That is a period of 27 months. This spread is what the packers use to pay slaughter and fabrication costs – and pay returns to capital investments. Reasonable packer slaughter and fabrication costs are likely between this amount and $350 per head. And talk to your local processor. Can you find a quote that is less than $1,000 per head? This industry has faced serious profitability challenges and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Structural adjustments to the packing industry are another thing that can impact and change the underlying market fundamentals.