Wednesday December 17 Ag News - Verify Acres for Bridge Assistance - NeCGA seeks Board Candidates - Manure Mgt Wksps in March - Freund Farms in Lewis IA Receives BQA Award - IFBF Convention Recap - and more!

 Verify 2025 Acreage Now for Farmer Bridge Assistance
NE Farm Bureau

The USDA has announced a new $12 billion farm assistance package, and your eligibility depends on having accurate acreage reports on file. If you farm corn, soybeans, wheat, sorghum, or other row crops, you need to act now.

On December 8, the Trump administration and USDA announced $12 billion in farm payments to help offset:
    Uncertain and unfair trade conditions
    High production costs during the 2025 crop year

Payments are expected to be released February 28, 2026.
 
What This Means for Nebraska Farmers:
Row Crop Farmers
    $11 billion targeted to row crop producers through the Farm Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program
    Eligible crops include:
        Corn
        Soybeans
        Sorghum
        Wheat
        Other major row crops
Other Crops
    About $1 billion set aside for:
        Specialty crops
        Commodities not covered under FBA

This program is funded and authorized through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act.
 
How Payments Will Be Determined:
USDA has not yet released payment rates. However, payments will be based on:
    A uniform formula designed to model 2025 crop-year losses
    FSA-reported planting acres

Payment rates are expected by the end of December.

To be eligible:
    Your 2025 acreage reporting MUST be accurate and up to date with FSA by Friday, Dec. 19, 2025.
    If your acres are incorrect or incomplete, you could miss out on payments.

Contact your local FSA office immediately to confirm your acreage is reported correctly.



NE Corn Growers Association Seeks Board Candidates
Chris Grams, Chairman, NeCGA

The Nebraska Corn Growers Association is seeking candidates for two at-large positions to serve on the board of directors. The at-large positions serve for a 3-year term. If you have an interest in furthering your service to Nebraska’s corn industry and are a current member of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, please contact me at (308) 830-3889.

As a candidate, your name will be placed on the ballot for delegates of the association to vote from during our upcoming Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting is scheduled for January 8, 2026 in York, Neb. at the Holthus Convention Center (3130 Holen Ave, York, NE 68467). Candidates will have an opportunity to address the delegates with a short introduction of themselves and why they want to be active on the board of directors, thus plan to attend the Annual Meeting.

If elected to serve, the board of directors usually meet in person 2-3 times per year, with 2-3 conference calls as needed to conduct and address business of the board. The board of directors will meet following the Annual Meeting and lunch/speakers the same day – January 8th.

If you have questions, or are interested in being a candidate, please call me by December 30, 2025. Again, my number is (308) 830-3889.



CAP Webinar: Nebraska Ag Outlook 2026: Policy, Tax and Financial Considerations
Dec 18, 2025 12:00 PM
-Brad Lubben, Associate Professor, Extension Ag Policy Specialist, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
-Jessica Groskopf, Extension Ag Economist, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
-Flint Corliss, Associate Farm Financial Consultant, Nebraska Farm Business, Inc.

Presenters will break down the latest tax policy changes, developments in agricultural policy, and financial management considerations that matter to Nebraska producers. This webinar highlights essential takeaways from CAP's in-person Cornhusker Economics: Ag Outlook meetings and offers practical guidance you can use as you plan for the year ahead.

Miss the live webinar or want to review it again? Recordings are available — typically within 24 hours of the live webinar — in the archive section of the Center for Agricultural Profitability's webinar page, https://cap.unl.edu/webinars. 



Workshops Aim to Boost Crop Yields by Improving Manure Management

Turning manure nutrients into improved crop yields while protecting water and soil quality will be the focus of seven Nebraska Extension workshops scheduled across the state in February and March.

“Our workshops focus on choosing the best possible field for manure application and therefore are useful for any crop farmer utilizing manure, even though they have traditionally been attended by livestock producers,” said Leslie Johnson, Nebraska Extension’s Animal Manure Management Extension Educator. “The workshops will still meet the educational requirements for permitted livestock operations laid out by the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment’s Title 130.”

The day-long sessions, held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time, provide DWEE Land Application Training certification. Participants must attend the full program, which includes lunch, to earn certification. Sessions will cover regulatory updates and strategies for using manure effectively on cropland. While certification is available, anyone may attend, including crop farmers and smaller livestock operators seeking practical guidance for their operations.

Hands-on activities will help participants evaluate which fields are best suited for manure application. Each session will present a scenario in which attendees assess potential fields and determine whether manure use would be beneficial or if certain limitations make the site less desirable. Participants will then rank fields by priority based on factors such as nutrient value, transportation cost, soil health, water quality, neighbor proximity, and odor concerns. Regulations and record-keeping requirements for manure storage and application will also be covered.

Workshop dates and locations:
· Gothenburg – Feb. 9
· Ainsworth – Feb. 24
· Broken Bow – Feb. 25
· Bridgeport – Feb. 27
· Norfolk – March 4
· West Point – March 5
· Aurora – March 17

Because seating is limited and meals are provided, advance registration is required at least one week before each event. Additional sessions may be added if demand is high. Registration is available at water.unl.edu/lat.

The cost is $100 per operation requiring certification—typically larger livestock facilities—or $25 per person for attendees not seeking certification, including smaller livestock producers, crop farmers, NRCS staff, and landlords.

The workshops are sponsored by Nebraska Extension’s Animal Manure Management Team, which works to help livestock and crop producers maximize the agronomic and environmental benefits of manure. For more information, visit manure.unl.edu or contact Leslie Johnson at 402-584-3818 or ljohnson13@nebraska.edu.



2025 Iowa Beef Quality Assurance Awards

The Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC) celebrated four outstanding Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) award recipients during the 2025 Iowa Cattle Industry Convention, held Tuesday, December 16, at the Prairie Meadows Convention Center.

The awards ceremony recognized cattle producers and industry leaders who exemplify excellence in cattle care, stewardship, and continuous improvement through their commitment to BQA principles.

For more than three decades, Beef Quality Assurance has been a flagship program of the Beef Checkoff, driving industry advancement through science-based standards, benchmarking, and best management practices.

It's incredible how producers have harnessed advancements in feed, technology, cattle care, pharmaceuticals, and genetics to continue moving the needle forward,” said IBIC Director of Industry Relations Casey Anderson. “Producers have listened to consumer signals around taste and eating experience, which has resulted in unprecedented demand for beef.”

The Iowa BQA awards honor producers and industry partners who are nominated by their peers–fellow cattlemen and women who witness firsthand the leadership, innovation and dedication these operations bring to the beef industry every day. 

2025 IOWA BQA AUCTION MARKET AWARD
Equity Cooperative Northeast Iowa Waukon - Waukon, Iowa

Equity Cooperative Northeast Iowa Waukon was recognized for its unwavering commitment to low-stress cattle handling and exceptional customer service. The market’s mission extends beyond efficiently moving cattle through the ring—it prioritizes positive animal experiences while showcasing customers’ livestock at its best.

Serving Northeast Iowa's beef community with four field staff and a dedicated market team, Equity Cooperative specializes in fed cattle, dairy cross, feeder cattle, and cow sales. Their approach demonstrates that strong business performance and compassionate cattle care go hand in hand. 

2025 IOWA BQA EDUCATOR AWARD
Dr. Cole Burrack - Monticello Veterinary Clinic

Dr. Cole Burrack has spent the past 12 years building a reputation as both an outstanding veterinarian and a passionate educator. A trusted resource in eastern Iowa, Burrack translates BQA principles into practical, real-world learning opportunities for producers and youth alike.

He regularly volunteers his time to lead hands-on workshops, including breeding soundness exams and animal handling sessions, helping build confidence and curiosity among future beef producers. Clients value his practical guidance, collaborative approach and dedication to helping operations achieve their goals. 

2025 IOWA BQA FEEDLOT AWARD
J.W. Freund Farms, Inc. - Lewis, Iowa

Established in the mid-1960s, J.W. Freund Farms was built on a foundation of stewardship and continuous improvement—values that remain central to the operation nearly 60 years later.

Today, the open feedlot has a capacity of approximately 4,000 head and reflects a comprehensive, systems-based commitment to BQA standards. The farm utilizes engineered runoff control systems that meet Clean Water Act requirements and follows detailed protocols to support cattle well-being and environmental protection.

Beyond daily operations, the Freund family serves as a national resource for cattle producers, frequently hosting tours and training. Iowa State University regularly brings students and industry professionals to the farm for hands-on education, reinforcing its reputation as a leader in feedlot management and BQA implementation.  

2025 IOWA BQA COW-CALF AWARD
Eric and Jane Russell Farms - Monticello, Iowa

Russell Farms is a family-run cow-calf operation that retains and finishes its calves on the farm, using low-stress cattle handling practices and modern facilities that support animal welfare and safe working conditions.

The Russells are also recognized for their leadership beyond the farm gate. Jane actively shares their BQA-focused practices with consumers and fellow producers through social media and direct-to-consumer beef sales. She also founded Giving Back with Beef, a program that partners with local organizations and leverages grant funding to provide USDA-inspected beef to families in need.

Her commitment to helping others, continuous improvement, and leadership within the Jones County beef community exemplifies the core values of Beef Quality Assurance.

Beef Quality Assurance is a nationally recognized program that provides U.S. beef producers with science-based guidance on animal care, food safety, and management practices. Today, active BQA certification is more important than ever, as the entire beef supply chain relies on the program to ensure confidence in beef quality and cattle well-being.

For more information on Iowa's BQA program and upcoming certification opportunities, visit www.iabeef.org/cattlemens-corner/iowa-bqa. 



Iowa Farm Bureau members gather for 107th Annual Meeting and County Leadership Conference

Members of Iowa’s largest general farm organization gathered at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines this month to celebrate the achievements of 100 county Farm Bureaus, young farmer award winners and receive expert insight on key topics and issues shaping agriculture today.  

During challenging economic times like these, informed decision making is crucial to sustainability in agriculture, and Farm Bureau members engaged in several educational breakout sessions during the two-day meeting.  Members received valuable insight into economic factors shaping agricultural markets, updates on national policy and farm succession planning. 

Lisa Bluder, legendary former coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball program, delivered the keynote address on the virtues of leadership.  Over an extraordinary 24-year career, Coach Bluder retired as the winningest coach in Big Ten history and shared her message about leading with purpose and passion with members.

IFBF Elections 
Brent Johnson of Calhoun County was reelected IFBF president.  Johnson, first elected IFBF president in 2021, farms in Manson with his wife, LuAnn, growing corn and soybeans. The Johnsons have a son, Matt; a daughter-in-law, Rebekah; a daughter, Kaeli; and four grandchildren.  As IFBF president, Brent serves as chairman of the board of FBL Financial Group, Inc., and Farm Bureau Life Companies, and is a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) board of directors.    

Sharyl Bruning of Monona County was reelected to the IFBF board to represent District 4.  The district is made up of 11 counties in west central Iowa.  Bruning and her husband, Dave, have three adult children: Judy, Amy and Jeff, and eight grandchildren.  The Brunings farm with their son, Jeff, and grow corn and soybeans and maintain a cow/calf herd.  Bruning is active in Iowa Farm Bureau’s F.A.R.M. (Farmer Advocates Reaching Main Street) Team, serves on the Siouxland Ag in the Classroom board and has been a 4-H leader for more than three decades.  She previously served five years as Monona County Farm Bureau president and the state resolutions committee.  

Joe Dierickx of Clinton County was reelected IFBF District 6 director, comprised of 11 counties in eastern Iowa.  Dierickx was first elected director in 2019 and farms with his brother, Paul, growing corn and soybeans, as well as providing custom planting, harvesting and spraying services. Joe and his wife, Barbara, have three adult children.  

Tim Kaldenberg of Monroe County was also reelected as director representing District 8, comprised of 10 counties in south central Iowa. Kaldenberg was first elected to the board in 2019.  Tim farms in Albia with his son and raises a beef cow/calf herd and feeder cattle and grows corn, soybeans and hay. Tim and his wife, Cindy, have two adult children and one grandchild.

Young Farmer Discussion Meet
Keaton Keitzer of Des Moines County was selected as the winner of IFBF’s Young Farmer Discussion Meet and will represent Iowa in the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Discussion Meet during the AFBF Annual Convention in January.  Keitzer also received a $2,000 gift card bundle from IFBF, $1,500 cash award from GROWMARK and an expense paid trip to the 2026 IFBF Young Farmer Conference, January 23-24. 

The second-place finisher was Molly Dolch of Adair County.  Dolch received a $1,000 gift card bundle from IFBF and $500 cash award from GROWMARK.  Third place finisher, Coltin Schachtner Kramer of Pocahontas County, received a $750 gift card bundle from IFBF and $250 cash award from GROWMARK.  Alyssa Yoder McClary of Iowa County finished fourth and received a $500 gift card bundle from IFBF and a $250 cash award from GROWMARK. 

The Young Farmer Discussion Meet is a unique competition in which participants are scored based on their ability to engage in a “cooperative” discussion on challenges affecting agriculture, similar to a county Farm Bureau board meeting discussion. Throughout their 30-minute discussion, the young farmers are awarded points based on their ability to identify the problem, seek solutions and listen to each other’s viewpoints—skills that are pertinent to gaining consumer trust in today’s world.  This year’s questions involved issues like growing Farm Bureau membership to reflect the diversity of Iowa agriculture and effective engagement with elected officials and lawmakers. 

Distinguished Service to Ag Award 
Leo Stephas and Charles Brown were recognized as Iowa Farm Bureau’s Distinguished Service to Agriculture (DSA) Award recipients, which recognizes leaders for a lifetime of dedication and positive impacts made in Iowa agriculture.  

Stephas, nominated by the Buena Vista and Clay County Farm Bureaus, is recognized for more than 60 years of service to Iowa agriculture. Since beginning his farming career in 1961, Stephas was an early adopter and champion of no-till practices. His extensive community involvement includes service on the Iowa Lakes Community College board, county Farm Bureaus, pork producer organizations and his church.

Brown, nominated by the Wapello, Mahaska and Monroe County Farm Bureaus, is honored posthumously for a lifetime defined by mentorship and unwavering commitment to farm families. Brown spent nearly two decades with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, where he developed the AgMaster farm accounting program, before serving as a farm management specialist with Iowa State University Extension. Through his business, Agri-Financial Services, he advised multi-generational farm families with expertise and compassion.



ASA Calls for Enforcement, Not New Tariffs, in USTR China Hearing

American Soybean Association leader and North Dakota soybean farmer Josh Gackle testified today before the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) during a public hearing to review China’s follow-through on commitments made as part of the 2020 U.S.–China Phase One Agreement.

The hearing was held as part of a Section 301 investigation examining whether China had fully implemented its commitments under the Agreement. Gackle urged USTR to avoid repeating the mistakes of the last trade war and instead focus on enforcing existing commitments while keeping markets open for U.S. soybean farmers.

Gackle explained that soybeans are the nation’s largest agricultural export and that China remains the single most important market for U.S. soybeans. In Marketing Year (MY) 2023/2024, China purchased nearly 25 million metric tons valued at approximately $13 billion. The Chinese market represents more than half of all U.S. soybean exports, and no other market can replace that demand.

“When trade breaks down, soybean farmers are the first to feel it,” Gackle said. “The last trade war caused a 76% drop in the value of U.S. soybean exports to China and cost U.S. agriculture more than $27 billion. Soybean farmers don’t need another trade fight; we need certainty. That means enforcing past commitments and working toward agreements that keep markets open and predictable for the long term.”

Gackle pointed to the 2020 Phase One Agreement as a reminder that easing tariffs helped restore market access and reduce damage to farm country. He cautioned that launching new tariffs or trade penalties today could again trigger retaliation and undermine soybean farmers who are already facing tight margins and market uncertainty.



Growth Energy Urges Swift Action on China's Unfulfilled Agricultural Trade Commitments

As the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) heard testimony Tuesday on its Section 301 investigation into China's implementation of the Phase One trade agreement, Growth Energy’s written comments highlighted significant shortfalls in Chinese purchases of U.S. ethanol and other agricultural commodities, and urged the administration to ensure Beijing is held to its commitments to American farmers and biofuel producers. 

"The Trump Administration is right to closely scrutinize China's failure to meet its agricultural purchase commitments," said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. "America's ethanol producers and corn growers stood ready to deliver on the market access promised under Phase One. When China committed to substantial agricultural purchases, our industry invested and prepared accordingly. We appreciate USTR's leadership in examining these shortfalls and look forward to working with the administration to ensure American ethanol producers receive the fair treatment and market access they deserve." 

In comments submitted to USTR's Section 301 investigation, Growth Energy detailed major gaps between China's commitments and actual purchases: 

Overall Agricultural Shortfalls:
    China's agricultural purchases reached only 82 percent of committed levels in 2020 and 84 percent in 2021. 
    Total agricultural gap: $12 billion below Phase One commitments. 
    The additional $5 billion per year China agreed to "strive for" never materialized.

Ethanol-Specific Deficits:
    China was the third largest export market for U.S. ethanol in 2016 
    U.S. ethanol exports to China fell 39 percent below the 2017 baseline in 2020, despite China committing to a 64 percent increase in overall agricultural purchases. 
    Estimated cumulative ethanol purchase deficit: $88.6 million during the Phase One implementation period. 
    Since 2021, ethanol exports to China have essentially disappeared.

Signed in January 2020, the Phase One agreement committed China to $32 billion in additional agricultural purchases over two years above 2017 levels. Although the agreement did not specify commodity-specific targets, ethanol was explicitly included as an eligible agricultural product. 

Growth Energy represents 97 U.S. ethanol plants producing 9.5 billion gallons annually, along with 130 associated businesses. Its members are among the nation's leading exporters, supporting nearly two billion gallons of ethanol exports to more than 60 countries worldwide.