Tuesday January 20 Ag News - Weaned Calf Risk Protection Ins - NE NE Cattlemen Mtg - Midwest FEEDS Practicum - Lab-grown meat in SD - ASA on SCOTUS Monsanto case - and more!

Understanding Weaned Calf Risk Protection Insurance
Jan 22, 2026 12:00 PM 
Elliott Dennis, associate professor, livestock economist, UNL Center for Agricultural Profitability

Weaned Calf Risk Protection (WCRP) is a USDA Risk Management Agency insurance product designed to protect total weight gain of feeder cattle after weaning. The product is available for purchase, with a one-time sign-up deadline of Jan. 31.

This webinar provides an overview of how WCRP works, key considerations when selecting coverage levels, and how the product fits alongside other publicly and privately available livestock insurance options. The discussion is intended to help producers evaluate whether WCRP aligns with their broader risk management strategy.

Register at this website:  https://cap.unl.edu/webinars.  

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. 




Northeast NE Cattlemen Membership Meeting
Date: Monday, February 23, 2026
Location:  Wakefield Legion Hall, 211 Main St., Wakefield
Social: 6:00 p.m.
Dinner:  7:00 p.m.
$50.00 meal cost
Speaker: Agricultural finance, and planning - Hurley and Associates
Contact:  Joel Bruns 402-922-0112 Russ Urbanec 402-369-4972



Elevate Your Expertise with the Midwest FEEDS Practicum

Join us for the Midwest FEEDS (Forage, Education and Efficiency in Diversified Systems) Practicum, a hands-on, multi-session educational program designed to equip participants with essential skills for success in beef cattle production. This unique program leverages the competitive advantages of the Midwest, including access to perennial pastures, annual forages, cover crops, crop residues, and harvested feeds.

Program Highlights:
    Hands-On Learning Across the Production Season: Engage in practical, in-field training combined with in-depth discussions that foster knowledge exchange among participants and instructors.
    Networking and Idea Exchange: Build connections and share insights with industry peers and experts in a collaborative environment.
    High-Quality Resources: Receive software, notebooks, and curated University of Nebraska–Lincoln publications to support your learning journey.

Skills You’ll Develop:
    Decision-Making with Advanced Tools: Use decision support tools and NRC software to analyze diets, match forage availability with animal requirements, and optimize beef production.
    Forage and Grazing Strategy: Create effective grazing and pasture management plans, including weed control and fertility strategies tailored to your operation.
    Breeding, Calving, and Weaning Management: Learn best practices for breeding, calving, weaning, cattle handling, and facility design.
    Evaluating Cattle Performance: Master techniques to assess cow and calf performance, estimate condition scores, and determine nutritional needs throughout the reproductive cycle.

Cutting-Edge Research at UNL:
Experience innovative research at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center, where you will learn firsthand about integrating cropland for forage and cow-calf systems.

Ready to elevate your expertise and drive success in your cattle operation?
https://enreec.unl.edu/extension-education-engagement/midwest-feeds-practicum/

Held across five sessions at the Eastern Nebraska Research & Extension Center, 1071 County Road G, Ithaca (near Mead), NE: 
    February 28, 2026 – Health, Nutrition & Systems Thinking
    March 28, 2026 – Forage Systems & Breeding
    June 20, 2026 – Facilities & Pasture Management
    August 29, 2026 – Weaning, Culling & Winter Feeding
    December 5, 2026 – Stalk Grazing & Preparing for Calving 

Cost & Registration
    $750 per individual
    $1,300 for two participants
    $500 for each additional participant

Questions? Contact:
Connor Biehler
Email: cbiehler2@unl.edu
Phone: 402‑624‑8030



2026 Four-State Dairy Nutrition & Management Conference Webinar Series Continues On Feb 3 With A Focus On How the New Herbicide Strategy will affect your Dairy Operation This Year?

The Four-State Dairy Nutrition & Management Conference webinar series continues on Tuesday, February 3, at 12 noon CST with Dr. Wess Everman discussing the framework for the new Herbicide Strategy and how it will impact farmers and applicators will be discussed during this webinar

The EPA's Final Herbicide Strategy, aimed at protecting over 900 endangered species, will significantly alter dairy operations by introducing stricter, mandatory, and more complex pesticide application regulations. For dairy farms, which often rely on both crop production (for feed) and pasture management, this strategy means a shift toward more restrictive weed control measures.

In 2024 the EPA released the Herbicide Strategy to bring all herbicides in compliance with ESA directives. As new herbicides are labeled or current products are reviewed, changes will be made to include erosion/runoff mitigation practices and drift mitigation. The framework for these changes and how they will impact farmers and applicators will be discussed during this webinar.

Dr. Wess Everman, Assistant Professor and Extension Weed Scientist Specialist came to Iowa State University by way of North Carolina State University where he spent the last 13 years as professor and extension weed specialist. There he conducted research and extension activities, finding economical solutions to the growing problem of herbicide resistance in weeds.

Producers, dairy consultants and industry reps are encouraged to attend the free webinar live beginning at 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. by registering on-line at least one hour before the webinar at: https://go.iastate.edu/IOILSZ.

For more information, please contact: Fred M. Hall in Iowa at 712.737.4230; Jim Salfer in Minnesota at 320-203-6093; Phil Cardoso in Illinois at 217.300.2303; or Paul Fricke in Wisconsin at 608.263.4596.



South Dakota Farmer-Lawmaker Seeks Ten-Year Freeze on Lab-Grown Meat

Last week, South Dakota Representative John Sjaarda (R), a South Dakota farmer, introduced HB1057, legislation that would prohibit the manufacture, sale, and distribution of lab-grown meat products in the state for the next ten years.

The bill would ban food products containing lab-grown, cell-cultured protein and empower the state to pull any illegal products from store shelves.

HB1057 builds on recent steps that underline South Dakota’s apparent apprehension toward lab-grown meat. Last year, Governor Larry Rhoden signed a law requiring clear labeling for these products, as well as legislation prohibiting state spending that supports or subsidizes lab-grown meat companies. Neighboring states Nebraska and Montana have already enacted bans on lab-grown meat.



ASA Comments on SCOTUS Decision to Hear Durnell v. Monsanto

The American Soybean Association welcomes today’s announcement that the U.S. Supreme Court will hear Durnell v. Monsanto, a case addressing whether state failure-to-warn claims can override federal pesticide labeling decisions under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).  

“Farmers depend on clear, consistent labeling and a uniform regulatory framework to use pesticides safely and responsibly,” said ASA President and Ohio farmer, Scott Metzger. “ASA appreciates the U.S. Solicitor General’s recommendation that the Court take up this case and provide much-needed clarity on the role of federal, science-based regulation.”  

For decades, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, along with regulatory authorities around the world, has repeatedly concluded that glyphosate does not pose a cancer risk when used as directed. Allowing state-level requirements that conflict with EPA-approved labels risks confusing pesticide users, undermining regulatory science, and jeopardizing farmer access to essential crop protection tools.  

ASA looks forward to the Court’s review and the opportunity for clarity that supports both sound science and U.S. agriculture. 



CLAAS Recognized with Two AE50 Awards for Forage Harvesting Innovation

CLAAS of America has been recognized by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) with two prestigious AE50 Awards, honoring the company’s continued leadership in agricultural engineering and innovation. The awards recognize the recently introduced CLAAS JAGUAR 1000 series self-propelled forage harvester and the new ORBIS 10500 corn harvesting head, designed to work with the new, larger JAGUAR 1000 series forage harvesters.

The AE50 Awards are presented annually by ASABE to the top 50 new products that demonstrate the highest level of innovation, significant engineering advancement, and impact on agriculture, food, and biological systems. CLAAS was one of only a select number of manufacturers to receive multiple awards in 2026.

“These two AE50 Awards reinforce what our customers already know — CLAAS continues to set the standard for performance, efficiency and intelligent machine design in forage harvesting,” said Dennis Ogle, Head of Sales for Self-Propelled Harvesters at CLAAS of America. “Both the JAGUAR 1000 series and ORBIS 10500 were developed with direct input from farmers and contractors, focusing on real-world productivity gains and operational simplicity.”

JAGUAR 1000 Series: Breaking New Ground in Forage Harvesting
The JAGUAR 1000 series represents a new generation of forage harvesters, combining extreme horsepower with intelligent automation and efficiency-focused design. With engine outputs reaching up to 1,110 horsepower, the machine is engineered to deliver maximum throughput while maintaining consistent chop quality and fuel efficiency.

Advanced features such as intelligent engine management, optimized crop flow and operator-assist technologies help reduce operator workload while maximizing daily harvest output. The AE50 Award recognizes the JAGUAR 1000 series for pushing the boundaries of forage harvester performance while maintaining reliability and serviceability.

ORBIS 10500: High-Capacity Corn Harvesting Head
Also recognized with an AE50 Award, the ORBIS 10500 corn harvesting head was designed to match the capacity demands of the new high-horsepower JAGUAR 1000 series forage harvesters. Featuring a working width of up to 35 feet, the ORBIS 10500 enables efficient harvesting of large acreages while maintaining excellent crop intake and minimal losses.

The head’s innovative folding design improves transport safety and ease of maneuverability, while its optimized crop guidance system via AUTO CONTOUR ensures smooth, consistent feeding into the forage harvester. ASABE judges highlighted the ORBIS 10500 for its engineering sophistication and its contribution to overall harvesting efficiency.

Industry-recognized Innovation
The AE50 Awards are selected by a panel of engineering experts and represent one of the most respected recognitions in agricultural equipment development. The dual CLAAS recognition underscores the company’s long-term commitment to engineering excellence and customer-driven innovation.

Both award-winning products will be showcased during the upcoming ASABE Agricultural Equipment Technology Conference, where AE50 honorees are formally recognized.