Tuesday February 17 Ag News - West Point Ag Appreciation March 24 - Farmers Pride Research Meeting Feb 18 - Four Nebraskans on BPOC - NE LEAD 43 in Europe, Africa - Smithfield to Seek New Plant in Sioux Falls - and more!

WP Chamber Ag Appreciation is March 24
Tina Biteghe Bi Ndong, Executive Director, West Point Chamber of Commerce

We are excited to share that this year’s Ag Appreciation Dinner will be held on Tuesday, March 24th — National Ag Day!

The evening will kick off with doors opening at the Nielsen Community Center at 6:00 p.m. for a cash bar social, followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m., with entertainment after.

And speaking of entertainment… this year we’re bringing in The String Showdown — think dueling pianos, but with violins, guitars, and more. It’s high-energy, interactive, and a whole lot of fun. I truly think people are going to love this show!

The menu will once again feature:
    Sliced pork sandwiches
    Potato salad
    Baked beans
    Ice cream cups

We are reaching out to see if you would like to sponsor the event again this year. The sponsorship cost remains $275, which includes 50 complimentary tickets for you to share with customers, family, friends, employees — however you’d like to use them.

Thank you for your continued support of our ag community — we truly couldn’t do this without you!



Farmers Pride Coop Answer Plot Results meeting

Farmers Pride Cooperative is hosting an Answer Plot and Innovations results meeting on Wednesday February 18th at the Midtown Event Center, 1102 Riverside Blvd. in Norfolk. The meeting starts at 10am and there will be a lunch after the meeting.  Results from the 2025 Winfield United Answer Plot will be presented, including insights into adjuvents, biologicals, and fungicides.  Agronomists will also give recommendations going into the 2026 growing season.  Please contact your local Farmers Pride agronomist if you'd like to attend, or RSVP by calling the home office in Battle Creek at 402-675-2375. 



4 Nebraskans Appointed to Beef Promotion Operating Committee

At the recent Cattle Industry Convention, the Beef Promotion Operating Committee (BPOC) was elected, and four Nebraskans were selected to serve. June Loseke of Columbus and John Schroeder of Cozad will represent the Federation of State Beef Councils and Joan Ruskamp of Dodge and Bree DeMontigny of Valentine will represent the Cattlemen’s Beef Board.

The BPOC is defined in the Beef Act as the body responsible for developing the annual budget, which must be approved by the full Beef Board and USDA, for developing plans and programs in the areas of promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, and international marketing. The BPOC includes 10 producers elected by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and 10 producers elected by the Federation of State Beef Councils. The Act and Order requires that the BPOC contract with national, non-profit, industry-governed organizations to implement Beef Checkoff programs. The BPOC meets in September to make these funding decisions.



Nebraska LEAD Fellows Explore Global Agriculture and Leadership in Africa and Europe

Fellows in Nebraska LEAD Program Class 43 recently returned from a two-week International Study/Travel Seminar that took them to Morocco, Portugal and Spain, offering an in-depth look at global agriculture, food systems, water management and leadership across diverse cultures.

The seminar held January 6–20, 2026, immersed participants in hands-on learning experiences with farmers, agribusiness leaders, researchers and policymakers. The program emphasized how agriculture adapts to different climates, markets and political structures—while reinforcing the universal role of leadership in shaping food systems worldwide.

“Seeing agriculture firsthand in different parts of the world changes how you think,” said Jared Stauffer, a Nebraska LEAD Class 43 Fellow. “Whether it was citrus farming in the Moroccan desert or multigenerational cork farming in Portugal, it reinforced how innovative producers have to be—and how much we can learn from one another.”

“International study is a cornerstone of the Nebraska LEAD Program,” said Kurtis Harms, director of the Nebraska LEAD Program. “This seminar challenged our Fellows to think beyond borders, understand agriculture in a global context and bring those lessons home to strengthen Nebraska’s agricultural industry.”

While in Morocco, Fellows examined farming in arid climates, toured citrus and olive operations and met with agricultural researchers at the National Institute for Agricultural Research. Visits highlighted water scarcity, irrigation innovation and sustainable production practices in North Africa.

“One of the biggest takeaways for me was water management,” said Luke Baldridge, a Fellow in Class 43. “Water looks very different in Nebraska than it does in Morocco or Spain, but the importance of managing it wisely is universal.”

In Portugal, the group explored large-scale crop and livestock operations, cork production, dairy farming and the Alqueva Multipurpose Project—Europe’s largest strategic water reserve—gaining insight into irrigation, renewable energy and long-term resource planning.

The seminar concluded in Spain, where Fellows studied cooperative grain and citrus systems, olive oil production, fisheries, beef cattle operations, and met with officials from Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to learn about agricultural policy and livestock management.

“What stood out to me was how closely agriculture and policy are linked in every country we visited,” said Lily Ziehmer, Nebraska LEAD 43 Fellow. “Those conversations gave me a better appreciation for leadership at every level—from the farm to the ministry office.”

Throughout the experience, participants also engaged in cultural tours and group reflections designed to strengthen leadership skills, broaden perspectives and foster collaboration among Fellows.

Nebraska LEAD 43 Fellows by hometown that traveled to Morocco, Portugal and Spain were:
CALLAWAY: Lucy Kimball
CARLETON: Troy Kane
DENTON: Payton Schaneman
EDISON: Amy Warner
ERICSON: Neleigh Gehl
FREMONT: Chandler Maly
GOTHENBURG: McKinley Harm
GRETNA: Brennan Costello
HASTINGS: Lily Ziehmer
HAY SPRINGS: Austin Weyers
HOWELLS: Tyler Morton
HUMPHREY: Eric Wemhoff
KEARNEY: Anthony Finke, Dustin Rohde, Trevor Spath
LINCOLN: Luke Baldridge, Sally Welsh
LONG PINE: Spencer Shifflet
LOUP CITY: Cale Harrington
MILFORD: Jared Stauffer
MINATARE: Austin Kniss
MULLEN: Kyle Phillips
NEHAWKA: Sophia Svanda
NORFOLK: Jake Judge, Courtney Nelson
ORD: Ben Edwards
OSCEOLA: Anthony Mestl
SUPERIOR: John Sullivan 
WAHOO: Jacobi Swanson
WAYNE: Bobby Reifenrath

Nebraska LEAD Class 43 produced a video series documenting their travels. This content can be found on the Nebraska LEAD Program’s Facebook page. Additionally, the videos can be accessed on UNL’s MediaHub (https://mediahub.unl.edu/channels/28041). 

The Nebraska LEAD Program includes Nebraskans currently active in production agriculture and agribusiness and is a two-year leadership development program under the direction of the Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council in cooperation with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

For more information, or to request an application for Nebraska LEAD 45 which begins in the fall of 2026, contact the Nebraska LEAD Program online at lead.unl.edu. The application deadline is June 15.



Smithfield Foods to Build New State-of-the-Art Processing Facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Smithfield Foods, Inc., an American food company and an industry leader in value-added packaged meats and fresh pork, today announced it has initiated the approval process to build a new state-of-the-art packaged meats and fresh pork processing facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The new facility, which is subject to permitting and other regulatory and design approvals, will be built in Foundation Park, a 1,000+-acre heavy industrial park located in northwest Sioux Falls, and will replace Smithfield’s existing plant, which has played a central role in the regional economy for more than 100 years. The company currently employs 3,200 people in Sioux Falls, providing $200 million in wages annually, and supports thousands of indirect jobs in agriculture and other sectors.

Smithfield’s preliminary estimate of the proposed investment is up to $1.3 billion over the next three years. The investment is contingent on securing required permits and other regulatory approvals as well as approval of the final facility design by Smithfield’s board of directors.

The proposed combined fresh pork and packaged meats facility will be the most modern of its kind in the U.S., with highly efficient process flow, advanced automation technology and a streamlined design. The new, best-in-class facility will deliver significant efficiency gains to Smithfield’s fresh pork and high-value packaged meats operations.

Smithfield has worked in partnership with South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden, Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken and the Sioux Falls Development Foundation on the opportunity to build the new facility outside of downtown Sioux Falls. The new facility will support independent hog farmers, corn and soybean producers and other agricultural sectors that fuel the pork supply chain in South Dakota and the surrounding region.  

“This highly automated facility will represent a major investment in Sioux Falls, the state of South Dakota and the future of American agriculture,” said Shane Smith, president and CEO of Smithfield Foods. “Smithfield’s investment supports our long-term strategy of continuing to grow and optimize our value-added packaged meats and fresh pork operations to deliver innovation, convenience and value to our customers.”

“Food security equals national security, so food production and processing will continue to play a vital role in South Dakota’s economy," said Governor Larry Rhoden. "Smithfield’s proposed investment in South Dakota opens up greater opportunity for our state to expand livestock production, and the company’s decision to relocate from downtown Sioux Falls opens up the opportunity to revitalize the downtown riverfront. This is a win-win-win-win for producers, the company, the city, and the state of South Dakota.”

“Today’s announcement marks a historic moment for our city and state. For more than a century, Smithfield has been a cornerstone of our community, and this new, state-of-the-art facility reaffirms their long-term commitment to Sioux Falls and the region—supporting our ag economy and thousands of local jobs for generations to come,” said Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken. “This investment by Smithfield unlocks a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redevelop the existing site in downtown Sioux Falls when the time is right.”

“Smithfield’s investment in a new facility in Sioux Falls will have a transformational impact on our community and our agriculture economy,” said Bob Mundt, president and CEO of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. “The new facility will bring skilled jobs for Smithfield’s workforce, provide renewed value-added agriculture opportunities for regional producers and create an incredible redevelopment opportunity in Downtown Sioux Falls. We’re grateful for Smithfield’s commitment to Sioux Falls and are looking forward to welcoming them to their new home in Foundation Park.”

If approved, Smithfield’s new state-of-the-art facility will be constructed in Foundation Park, the state’s largest industrial park, at the intersection of Interstates 29 and 90 in Sioux Falls. Site work is expected to begin at the new location in the spring of 2026 with initial groundbreaking anticipated in the first half of 2027 and production expected to begin at the end of 2028.



Naig Urges Congress to Find Agreement to Make Year-Round E15 Available Nationwide

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig urged the U.S. House of Representatives’ Rural Domestic Energy Council to find agreement to make year-round E15 available to drivers around the country. Secretary Naig, a longtime biofuels advocate, reinforced the cost-saving benefits of E15 at a time when affordability is top of mind for many Americans.

According to the Iowa Department of Revenue’s 2024 Annual Retailers Fuel Gallons Report, E15 sales grew 44 percent from 2023 to 2024, reaching 256.7 million gallons sold in Iowa in 2024. On average, E15 costs about 15 cents less per gallon than traditional gasoline, saving Iowa drivers more than $65 million between 2023 and 2024.

“In Iowa, we continue to see ethanol sales grow year over year. When consumers are given a choice at the pump, they choose E15 and that adds up to real cost savings for Iowa families,” said Secretary Naig. “In addition to its affordability, E15 creates a valuable market for Iowa farmers, significantly driving demand for corn growers, creating jobs and generating economic activity in rural communities. It’s time for Congress to make year-round E15 available nationwide so families and communities across the country can enjoy the same benefits.”

Iowa’s E15 Access Standard
The state of Iowa has prioritized biofuels as part of a broader strategy to reduce gas prices, increase consumer choice and develop markets for Iowa-grown products. Iowa is the first state in the nation to require most fuel retailers to sell and market E15, unless they qualify for a waiver or exemption.

When the E15 Access Standard was passed by the Iowa Legislature in 2022, only 329 Iowa fuel retailers reported sales of E15, and now that number has more than tripled. To date, more than 1,100 fuel retailers in Iowa are selling E15, representing more than half of the 2,051 commercial fuel retailers licensed in the state. More than 150 additional fuel retailers are investing in infrastructure upgrades and plan to offer E15 by the end of 2026, reinforcing Iowa’s commitment to making higher blends of biofuels more readily available to drivers.

To view an interactive map of fuel retailers selling E15 in Iowa, visit the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association website.

Investing in Biofuels Infrastructure
For 20 years, the State of Iowa has helped fuel retailers transition to selling higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel through the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP). Funded by the Iowa Legislature and administered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), the cost-share program has invested nearly $70 million in biofuels infrastructure projects since 2006. Those public investments have been matched by approximately $280 million in private investment. The result is a growing network of fueling locations that give consumers more choices and reinforce Iowa’s position as a national agricultural and biofuels leader.



The Future is Now: Artificial Intelligence in Agricultural Research and Production
 
Iowa’s world-class talent and food and agriculture leadership provide a distinct advantage in the age of artificial intelligence. By pairing deep industry expertise with data-driven insights, innovators across all sectors of agriculture are accelerating new technologies to deliver real-world results for farmers, livestock producers and the entire food system.
 
Hear from key players in the industry about:
    Practical and actionable applications of artificial intelligence in farm fields, livestock barns, large machinery and research labs, and what other industries are learning from agriculture
    The power of strategic partnerships and collaboration across industry sectors to optimize available technologies
    What’s next, from emerging research to policy and workforce needs and the pathways to market
    How artificial intelligence moves from research to real-world deployment, including barriers, data challenges and more
 
When: Thursday, February 19, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. central standard time
Where: Webinar. Click here to register https://www.cultivationcorridor.org/news-events/events/insights-innovation-ai-in-agriculture
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, will moderate the discussion featuring:
    Melissa Neuendorf, Principal AI Strategist, Deere & Company
    Matt Smalley, Data Science Leader, Corteva Agriscience
    Joseph Victoria, Sr Associate Director, Bioinformatics, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health

More information is available at www.cultivationcorridor.org,



Harry Stine named to Forbes 250 Greatest Innovators list

Harry H. Stine, founder of Stine® Seed Company and one of agriculture’s most influential genetic innovators, has been named to the Forbes 250 Greatest Innovators list, ranking No. 34 among the nation’s most transformative business leaders.

Released as part of Forbes’ America250 celebration, the Innovator 250 recognizes individuals who have not only invented breakthrough technologies but also successfully scaled and commercialized them to drive measurable, industrywide impact.

For nearly six decades, Stine has advanced private-sector plant breeding, transforming soybean and corn genetics through disciplined research, density-focused systems and commercialization at scale. Under his leadership, Stine Seed Company became the first private soybean research company in the United States and has grown into one of the largest privately held seed companies in the nation. Stine and his affiliated entities hold more than 800 seed- and technology-related patents.

Stine’s scientific work helped pioneer modern soybean licensing structures, expand herbicide trait platforms, and accelerate high-population and short-stature corn systems, which are innovations now adopted across the industry. Today, Stine genetics are planted on millions of acres in the United States and licensed broadly throughout global markets.

“Innovation only matters if it reaches the farmer,” Stine says. “Scaling science into real-world adoption is what transforms industries.”

The Forbes ranking was determined by a panel of industry experts and editorial review, evaluating candidates on creativity, breadth, disruption and commercial impact.

For Stine, the recognition reflects a lifetime commitment not only to scientific advancement but also to measurable on-farm performance.

“Our loyalty has always been to the farmer,” Stine adds. “Science is the tool, but performance in the field is the proof.”

Stine will be honored this spring at the Forbes Innovator 250 Celebration in Silicon Valley. Read the online list here: Forbes 250: America’s Greatest Innovators. The magazine will be on newsstands later this month.