Friday March 13 Ag News - NE Nitrogen Use Efficiency Program Launched - SGM Webinar March 19 - IA RFIP Awards &1.8m - NASS TOTAL land report highlights - Ethanol Exports start '26 Strong - and more!

Nebraska Nitrogen Use Efficiency Program Launched for 2026 Growing Season $1 Million Available for Producers who Demonstrate Nitrogen Efficiency

Agriculture producers have a new opportunity this growing season to earn extra income while cutting fertilizer costs.

The Nebraska Corn Board has committed $1 million to a new Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) Program, offering payments to farmers who have demonstrated nitrogen efficiency during the 2026 growing season.

“The Nebraska Nitrogen Use Efficiency Program was funded to encourage farmers to reduce nitrogen inputs and achieve greater efficiencies in their operations,” said Brandon Hunnicutt, chairman of NCB and farmer from Giltner, Nebraska. “As we invest in initiatives that strengthen our role as responsible stewards of the land, we are also focused on improving profitability amid volatile market conditions. Every dollar and every acre counts, and this program equips farmers with practical opportunities to optimize their practices for better economic and environmental outcomes.”

The program, administered by the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment (DWEE) in partnership with Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs), will pay $15 per acre for up to 160 acres per application, for producers who achieve a nitrogen use efficiency score of 1.0 or less.

NUE measures how effectively a crop converts available nitrogen (N) into harvest grain yield. It accounts for applied nitrogen (commercial fertilizer) and credited nitrogen, which includes nitrogen from soil, water, cover crops, and manure applications.

Using an NUE metric that incorporates credited nitrogen helps producers evaluate how efficiently they are using all of the nitrogen sources within the system. These insights help guide smarter nutrient management decisions that strengthen farm profitability while protecting water quality.

Participant Requirements
    Collect soil samples prior to 2026 planting season or the fall of 2025 to determine residual soil nitrate and organic matter.
    Collect a water sample during irrigation season to determine residual water nitrate (if applicable).
    Collect a manure sample prior to planting to determine manure nitrogen (if applicable)

How to Apply
Producers can apply by contacting their local Natural Resources District (NRD) for more information and assistance with the application process. Find your NRD at www.nrdnet.org. The deadline to apply for the program is May 15, 2026.

The NUE Program follows the Corn Board’s previous $1 million investment in the Nitrogen Reduction Incentive Act (NiRIA) program in October 2025. NiRIA provides financial incentives for producers to cut commercial fertilizer applications by either 40 pounds/acre, or by 15% of their baseline rate. The NiRIA application period for the 2026 growing season closed Dec. 15, 2025.

Producers who successfully participated in the Nitrogen Reduction Incentive Act (NiRIA) program are ineligible for the NUE program.



Soybean Gall Midge Regional Research Update: Thursday, March 19th 

Join Extension entomologists and their graduate students from three Midwestern universities to get the latest updates on soybean gall midge (SGM). This free, live webinar March 19th at 9am will feature new research results and emerging management insights from ongoing field and laboratory studies across the region. Several short presentations covering a range of topics will leave plenty of time for questions and discussion. Growers, crop consultants and scouts, educators, and industry representatives are encouraged to attend.

Get the latest research-based updates on biology, ecology, and management, including:
    Updated information on SGM distribution and regional monitoring efforts
    Impacts on soybean production and yield loss under field conditions
    Biology and ecology updates, including cold tolerance and overwintering survival
    New insights into adult biology, including emergence timing and behavior
    Results from commercial soybean variety testing under SGM pressure
    Updates on biological control efforts
    Evaluation of new and emerging cultural control strategies, along with other management tools

Certified Crop Advisors can earn pest management (PM) CEUs by attending the live event.

Registration is required. However, thanks to our generous sponsors, there is no fee to watch live or on-demand sessions.

Once you register for the Midwest Soybean Gall Midge Research Update, you’ll receive a confirmation email, followed by reminder emails with a link to the webinar prior to the event. There’s no need to download any apps or programs to join, simply click “Launch from my browser” in the “Join the webinar” window.

Register online
For more information, visit www.soybeangallmidge.org.  



2026 Distinguished Awardees and Block & Bridle Honorees Announced

The Department of Animal Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will recognize current students, alumni, faculty, and friends at its annual department honors banquet on Friday, April 10, 2026. The event will be held at The Ballroom at Bosona in Bennet, Neb.

Shaw Clement, Sandy Johnson, and Douglas Burrin will be honored for their accomplishments as animal science undergraduate or graduate alumni, the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) will be honored for its outstanding contributions made to the department, and Mark Goes will be the 2026 Block and Bridle Club honoree. In addition to these awards, current students will be recognized along with departmental clubs.

Banquet registration is $30 and the deadline for registration is April 1. Students are eligible to receive a discounted registration rate. More information about the event can be found here https://animalscience.unl.edu/about-asci/alumni/animal-science-honors-banquet/.  

Young Alumni of Distinction
Shaw Clement will be honored with the Young Alumni of Distinction award. Dr. Clement earned their Ph.D. in stress physiology from University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Department of Animal Science in 2022 and is a faculty member in the Veterinary Medicine Program at the University of Nebraska. Shaw contributed important studies in endocrine anomalies in beef cows and heat stress in sheep. As a faculty member, they have continued exploratory research on the effectiveness of teaching modalities and have been a proponent of student mental wellness. In addition, Shaw and spouse Joshua are founders and operators of The Farm: Senior Dog Sanctuary, a unique non-profit that provides late-life canine housing and care. Dr. Clement is a perfect template for leveraging God-given skills and talents to give back through work and philanthropy and is a unique example of animal science success.

Undergraduate of Distinction
Sandy Johnson will be honored with the Undergraduate of Distinction award. Dr. Johnson earned a B.S. in Animal Science from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, M.S. in Animal Science from the University of Missouri and Ph.D. from West Virginia University. In 1998 she moved to Kansas State University where she is ANR Program Leader Coordinator & Extension Beef Specialist. She has published 34 peer-reviewed papers; 34 Extension Reports; and 94 popular press articles. Dr. Johnson was named Outstanding State/Regional Extension Professor for Kansas State Research & Extension in 2020. She serves as a national Extension leader for the multi-state Beef Reproductive Task Force (BRTF) that develops and disseminates estrus synchronization and artificial insemination protocols to more than 5,000 producers. In 2013, BRTF received the USDA NIFA Partnership Award, which is one of the highest honors awarded by USDA NIFA.

Graduate of Distinction
Douglas Burrin, M.S. 1983 and Ph.D. 1987, will be honored with the Graduate of Distinction award. Dr. Burrin has spent the last 36 years as a Research Physiologist with USDA-ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center. Dr. Burrin obtained degrees in animal science at Purdue University and University of Nebraska-Lincoln. During his Ph.D. studies at Nebraska, he studied ruminant nutrition with Dr. Bud Britton. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the USDA-ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center in Houston where he is currently appointed as a Research Physiologist and Professor of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Burrin is recognized for his knowledge and expertise in the fields of human nutrition, metabolism, and gastroenterology. Dr. Burrin has been a leader in use of pig as a translational animal model of human pediatric nutrition and gastroenterology. He has also made important contributions in understanding how parenteral nutrition and lipid emulsions impact intestinal adaptation and liver disease. He is author or coauthor of 242 peer-reviewed journal articles. He also has been invited to write 38 review articles and 25 book chapters. During his time at Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Dr. Burrin has supported projects that recruited in excess of $13 million. He has mentored over 60 postdoctoral fellows and graduate students. He has received numerous national awards for his research including the USDA-ARS Distinguished Senior Scientist of the Year Award.

Distinguished Service Award
The U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) will be honored with the Distinguished Service Award. USMARC and University of Nebraska-Lincoln have been intimately joined by a common purpose of improving livestock industries through research and discovery. USMARC is home to large and deeply characterized populations of beef cattle, swine, and sheep. Data from these populations have generated numerous publications with joint authorship among University and USMARC scientists over the past several decades and have been leveraged in successful federal grant applications by Nebraska scientists. As important as the data contributions, the human capital that USMARC possesses in terms of their research scientists has been instrumental in developing new and innovative solutions to complex questions. Through their formal research internship program and willingness to serve on graduate committees, research scientists from USMARC have played a critical role in the education of future scientists. 

Nebraska Block and Bridle Honoree
Mark Goes, a fifth-generation cattle producer and respected leader in the beef industry at both the state and national level, will be recognized as the 2026 Block and Bridle Club honoree.

Since 1938, the Block and Bridle Club has recognized individuals who contributed to Nebraska agriculture through leadership, service, youth projects, community activities, and involvement with the university. The candidates are nominated by industry leaders and selected by the club officers and advisors.

Goes currently serves on the Executive Committee for National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) as Region VII Vice President of the Federation of State Beef Councils. He served as President of the American Gelbvieh Association in 2012 and is the charter president and current vice president of the American Gelbvieh Foundation. Mark and his wife Patty own and operate M&P Gelbvieh, a nationally recognized seedstock operation, and were inducted into the American Gelbvieh Association Hall of Fame in 2024. He also serves as the Region 8 Director and Board Treasurer of the Nebraska Beef Council and has chaired multiple groups as part of Nebraska Cattlemen. Goes also participated on international trade missions with the U.S. Meat Export Federation to Japan in 2024 and Guatemala in 2025.

A graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (B.S., Animal Science, 1986) and Peru State College (B.S., Secondary Education, 1993), Goes served as a livestock instructor at Southeast Community College for nearly 30 years, developing and coaching a livestock judging team and purebred cattle show team, while also coordinating 4-H and FFA contests. He has served as a guest speaker at the Nebraska Beef Summit and Nebraska Youth Beef Leadership Symposium (NYBLS) and has been a guest lecturer in animal science courses and for student clubs at Nebraska. Goes is a charter stakeholder of the grazing livestock systems major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and serves on the steering committee for the Nebraska Grazing Conference.

Mark is very involved in outreach activities throughout Gage County. He served as chair of the beef promotions tent at the 2025 Nebraska Cattlemen’s Ball in Blue Springs, was a five-year committee member for the Gage County Fair Board Livestock Premium Auction, assisted in preparing and serving county fair appreciation dinners, and has supervised FFA district livestock judging contests. 



Iowa Expands Access to Ethanol with Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program

Thursday Iowa's cost-share Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) awarded $1,840,727 in grants for 34 applicants to add higher blends of ethanol to retail sites.  

“We are happy to see a steady number of applicants for RFIP after Governor Reynolds’ E15 Access Standard went into effect this year,” said IRFA Marketing Director Lisa Coffelt, who sits on the Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Board. 

To qualify for the program, retailers must offer E15 and higher blends. Biodiesel retailers must use the infrastructure to offer biodiesel blended fuel classified as B11 (11 percent biodiesel) or higher. During colder months, retailers can offer B5. 

To date, the program has granted over $65 million to help fund infrastructure across Iowa, allowing retailers to add necessary equipment to their stations to offer higher blends of renewable fuels. RFIB consists of voting members appointed by the Governor of the State of Iowa. 




Schmitz transitions to interim director of Iowa Crop Improvement Association

Leadership of the Iowa Crop Improvement Association will change on March 16, when Doan Schmitz becomes the organization’s interim director during a search for a new director. Current director, Ryan Budnik, who has served as ICIA director since September 2023, has accepted a role outside the university.

The Iowa Crop Improvement Association is the official seed certifying agency in Iowa, ensuring certification standards are met through field inspections and lab testing. The nonprofit organization has been an affiliate of Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences since 1950. It works with the college to test and disseminate information regarding crop cultivar adaptation and performance.

Schmitz has been an ICIA staff member for 27 years. He earned a farm operation certificate in 1981 and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business in 1990 from Iowa State.

As director, Schmitz will provide leadership and strategic direction to ICIA’s staff and members. He will also work with the ICIA board of directors to develop policies and programs that fulfill the organization’s mission.

“It has been both rewarding and a pleasure to work at ICIA over the past 27 years. I look forward to the opportunity to assist ICIA during this transition and to supporting the new director once they are hired,” Schmitz said.

Budnik said his time serving as ICIA director is a privilege he doesn’t take lightly.

“I'm thankful to every grower, board member and colleague who believed in our mission, and even more so in me,” Budnik said. “Together we've worked to ensure Iowa's producers have access to the highest-quality seed and the most reliable yield performance data in the country. The team we've built is exceptional, the organization is well-positioned, and I have every bit of confidence that ICIA's best days are still ahead, especially under Doan's interim leadership. I’m excited for my new opportunity outside the university and deeply grateful for the professional relationships that will continue to shape my journey for years to come."

“We appreciate Ryan’s outstanding leadership, creativity and many years of service to Iowa State and our college. He was always looking ahead for new ways to advance the mission of ICIA and of the college. As a CALS alum, I know he will continue to be a great ambassador for our college going forward,” said Daniel J. Robison, endowed dean’s chair in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “The operation of ICIA will proceed seamlessly under Doan’s leadership, including for the upcoming planting season. We greatly appreciate Doan stepping up at this time, and his deep experience, to guide the organization forward.”

ICIA Board Chair Will Cornelius, soybean lead and agronomist with Cornelius Seed, and Robison, in coordination with the ICIA board and staff and college leadership will organize the search for a new director.

"I was able to see first-hand all the wonderful things Ryan did during his time with ICIA. He deserves a lot of credit for how strong ICIA continues to be,” Cornelius said. “While we search for the next strong leader for ICIA, there is no one better to lead the organization than Doan, and I look forward to working with him during the transition.”



Most of the U.S. Rented Farmland is Owned by Non-Farmers

Over 2.0 million landowners rented out 348 million acres of farmland, according to the results of the 2024 Tenure, Ownership, and Transition of Agricultural Land (TOTAL) survey results released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Of these acres, 79% are owned by non-farming landlords.

Non-operating landlords include entities who rent out agricultural land under a variety of ownership arrangements (privately owned, trust, family entity, non-family entity, or other). Of the land rented out by non-operating landlords, over 251 million acres were rented out by private landowners, trusts, or family entities.

According to the survey results, rented farmland acres, combined with buildings on this land, are valued at more than $1.6 trillion. In 2024, landlords combined received $34.1 billion in rental income while incurring $12.0 billion in total operating expenses.

“About 5% of the nearly 900 million U.S. farmland acres, or about 43 million acres, is slated for ownership transfer in the next five years, not including farmland that is in or is expected to be put into wills or trusts,” said Joseph L. Parsons, NASS Administrator.

Only 23 million acres of land are expected to be sold to a non-relative, while 20 million acres are expected to be sold to a relative or given as a gift. This means that only a small percentage of farmland will be available for purchase.

TOTAL also provides a glimpse into demographic information for 1.8 million non-farming entities, also known as principal landlords. According to the findings, the average age of these landlords is 69.2 years old. This age exceeds that of the average farmer, who is 58.1 years old, according to the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Only 12% of all principal landlords were under 55 years old. Nearly 52% of all the principal landlords have never farmed.

“As the only source of detailed information on agricultural land ownership characteristics and economic data, TOTAL provides important statistics to government, academia, the farming industry, and others regarding agricultural land ownership for planning, policymaking, research, and market analysis,” said Parsons.

To access the complete 2024 TOTAL results, in addition to key data highlights, methodology, and Frequently Asked Questions, visit  https://www.nass.usda.gov/Surveys/Guide_to_NASS_Surveys/TOTAL or the Quick Stats database at http://quickstats.nass.usda.gov.



U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council’s 2025 Annual Report Now Available

The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council’s (USGBC’s) 2025 Annual Report is now available to view on the Council’s website https://grains.org/2025-annual-report/.

“Last marketing year saw record exports of U.S. corn and ethanol, showing that The Time Is Now for the U.S. agricultural industry to sustain and expand its success in international marketplaces,” said USGBC President and CEO Ryan LeGrand and USGBC Chairman Mark Wilson in a joint letter.

The 2025 report features events and programs Council staff in its 10 offices around the world organized to deliver wins for U.S. producers of barley, corn, sorghum and their co-products, including highlights like Global Ethanol Summit 2025.

Each commodity the Council represents is showcased in its own section with select details and developments across a variety of regions and use applications. A full update on the Council’s financial standing is also available in the report.

The report recaps the Council’s name amendment, passed at its 65th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting in Grand Rapids, MI, in July, that marks the next step in the Council’s constant effort to best serve its domestic membership and international customers.

“The stories featured in this year’s annual report show the extensive work the Council does on behalf of its members and the U.S. agricultural industry and celebrates landmark export successes,” said Bryan Jernigan, USGBC director of communications.

“We’re proud to have programs and wins from each of the Council’s offices illuminated in the annual report, representing just a sample of the around-the-clock work our staff undertook in 2025 and aims to improve even further in 2026.” 



U.S. Ethanol and DDGS Exports Post Strong Start to the Year
Ann Lewis, Renewable Fuels Association

U.S. ethanol exports kicked off 2026 at 212.1 million gallons (mg), despite slipping 4% month-over-month amid mixed demand across key markets. Canada retained its position as the top destination with a 5% increase to 70.0 mg, with denatured fuel ethanol accounting for 90% of the total and representing two-thirds of all denatured fuel ethanol exports in January. Brazil tripled its imports of U.S. ethanol to 36.4 mg, marking the largest monthly purchase in nearly six years. Exports to the European Union declined 18% to a six-month low of 35.1 mg, with the Netherlands serving as the primary recipient. Exports to India decreased 19% to 12.2 mg, while Colombia jumped 25% to 12.1 mg and the Philippines scaled back 29% to 11.4 mg. Direct shipments to the United Kingdom rose 6% to 8.0 mg. Other key markets included South Korea (7.0 mg, -20%), Vietnam (4.9 mg, up from zero for a 14-month high), and Mexico (4.1 mg, -35%).

The U.S. imported minimal volumes in January, with just 59,053 gallons arriving from Canada.

U.S. exports of dried distillers grains (DDGS), the animal feed co-product generated by dry-mill ethanol plants, jumped 13% to a three-month high of 1.01 million metric tons (mt) amid large swings among major markets. Mexico remained the largest destination with 226,324 mt, up 38% to a 10-month high. South Korea increased 9% to 120,911 mt. Colombia quadrupled to a record high of 104,959 mt. Indonesia decreased 19% to 91,660 mt, while Vietnam declined 12% to an 11-month low of 71,166 mt. Other larger markets included Turkey (59,570 mt, +56%), Canada (53,740 mt, -16%), and the European Union (34,623 mt, +88%). The remaining quarter of January shipments was distributed across another 28 countries.



USTR's Greer to Travel to France

United States Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer will travel to Paris, France, on March 15-16, together with Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, to meet with Vice Premier He Lifeng of the People’s Republic of China. 

“As a direct result of the strong relationship between President Trump and President Xi and our shared interests, the United States and China are furthering their engagement to create more balance in our bilateral trade relationship,” said Ambassador Greer. “The Trump Administration will continue to seek fairness and stability in our relationship with China by reviewing the implementation of recent commitments and working to advance the best interests of America’s farmers, ranchers, producers, and workers.”



Farm Rescue Mobilizes Operation Hay Lift 

In response to the devastating Ranger Road Fire, Farm Rescue has activated Operation Hay Lift to deliver critical livestock feed and essential supplies to ranch families across Oklahoma and Kansas.

The Ranger Road Fire burned more than 283,000 acres, becoming the largest wildfire in the United States during the 2026 wildfire season. The fast moving blaze destroyed pastureland, damaged infrastructure, and created urgent feed shortages for cattle producers throughout the region.

Through Operation Hay Lift, Farm Rescue is coordinating donated hay bales and monetary contributions to help ranchers access the resources needed to sustain their herds and begin recovery efforts.

So far, 15 ranch families have signed up for assistance, including 13 in Oklahoma and 2 in Kansas. More than 1,000 hay bales have been offered by donors, positioning supply to move quickly as transportation is arranged.

Volunteer support has also continued to grow. Operation Hay Lift volunteer drivers include John Schnitzler of Wisconsin, Mark Calderwood of Kansas, Kenny Crites of Indiana, and Mark Johnston of Illinois, who have stepped forward to help haul and distribute hay to affected producers.

“When pasture is gone and feed supplies are depleted, the need becomes immediate,” said Tim Sullivan, Executive Director at Farm Rescue. “Operation Hay Lift allows us to move quickly, delivering hay directly to ranch families so they can stabilize their herds and focus on recovery.”

The effort is strengthened through support from the Fellowship of Christian Farmers, which is providing fuel reimbursement to help offset transportation costs and expanding outreach efforts to connect with affected producers and additional hay donors.

“We believe in coming alongside farm families during their greatest challenges,” said Dan Janzen, Executive Director with the Fellowship of Christian Farmers. “By supporting fuel costs and helping expand outreach, we are honored to stand with Farm Rescue and the ranchers impacted by this wildfire.”

Hay donations as well as monetary gifts to assist with transportation and logistics, are welcomed. Those interested in contributing hay, providing financial support, or requesting assistance can visit farmrescue.org or contact 701-252-2017.

Farm Rescue will continue coordinating relief efforts in partnership with agricultural communities and supporters as recovery efforts move forward.