Monday March 02 Ag News - Drought/Risk Mgt Webinar today - NE Collecting Livestock Supplies for KS/OK - Spring Crop Ins Prices Set - Waterline Mgt and Swine Production - WPX 2026 preview - and more!

Webinar to Address Drought Outlook, Risk Management for Nebraska Ag Producers

Nebraska producers will get an updated look at drought conditions in the state and what they could mean for the 2026 growing season during an upcoming webinar hosted by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability and Nebraska Extension.

The webinar, “Drought Outlook 2026: Weather, Water and Risk Management,” will be held at noon Central time on Monday, March 2. It will bring together climate, water and agricultural economics experts from Nebraska Extension to help producers make informed decisions heading into spring.

It will include an update on drought conditions and expectations for spring rainfall and discuss snowpack levels in the North Platte River Basin and what they signal for irrigation supplies in western Nebraska. The webinar will also outline insurance considerations producers may want to review in a dry year.

In addition to the outlook, the discussion will cover irrigation preparation and management strategies as producers assess water availability and plan for the season ahead.

Recent years have underscored how quickly weather conditions can shift. Organizers say understanding the connections between precipitation forecasts, basin snowpack and crop insurance decisions can help producers better manage risk and position their operations for the year ahead.

Registration is free. Register here: https://go.unl.edu/me82.  




Understanding the Biomass-Based Diesel Market
Mar 5, 2026 12:00 PM 
Scott Gerlt, Chief Economist, American Soybean Association

In this webinar, Scott Gerlt will explain biodiesel and renewable diesel production, economics and policy. Renewable diesel in particular has been driving growth in domestic soybean oil demand. Learn how the policies translate back to farm economics.

Dr. Gerlt is the chief economist for the American Soybean Association, where he leads market and policy analysis to guide strategic decisions. He frequently presents and writes about issues affecting the soybean industry. Before joining ASA in 2020, Scott was program leader for U.S. crop policy and analysis at the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri.

What’s the Carbon Footprint of Your Feed? New Evidence on Distillers’ Grains and Soybean Meal
Mar 19, 2026 12:00 PM 
Felipe Miranda de Souza Almeida, Graduate Research Assistant, UNL Agricultural Economic 
Elliott Dennis, Associate Professor, UNL Agricultural Economics 
Richard Perrin, Professor, UNL Agricultural Economics 

As pressure mounts to measure and reduce the carbon footprint of beef production, feed inputs have become a critical focal point. But co-products like distillers’ grains and soybean meal, which can be large portions of rations for cattle and hogs, are often treated as an afterthought in carbon accounting. This webinar presents new research quantifying the carbon intensity of these feeds using regionally grounded models and economic allocation methods. We show how carbon intensity differs across production regions, irrigation practices, and feed forms, and why allocation assumptions can shift results. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how feed carbon intensities are constructed, how to interpret sustainability metrics, and why the assumptions in this accounting really matter. 

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.  You can also register using that link.  



Pillen Signs Order, Shares Information on Collections to Support Fire Relief for Ag Producers

Friday, Governor Jim Pillen signed an executive order that will help support the transportation of much-needed hay, feed, fencing and other supplies to fire ravaged areas of Kansas and Oklahoma.  Cattle have been killed and injured. Some were set loose by producers to allow them to escape the flames. Today’s action by Gov. Pillen eases certain transportation regulations that will allow for expedited delivery of items to ranchers in need.

“When neighbor states are in need, Nebraska stands ready to respond,” said Gov. Pillen. “The quicker we can get donated supplies into those states, the better their chance of mitigating additional losses from these fires.”

Reports indicate that more than 300,000 acres have been destroyed across portions of northwest Oklahoma and southwest Kansas.

“Nebraska cattle producers understand the devastating effects of wildfires firsthand. From the very moment Nebraska Cattlemen members heard about the wildfires happening across the Great Plains, our office began receiving outreach from people who stand ready to help their fellow producers,” said Nebraska Cattlemen President Craig Uden. “We thank Governor Pillen for signing this important executive order as we work to help our friends in other states."

Donations of hay and ranching supplies are being collected at the following two Nebraska locations until March 6:
    Saunders County Fairgrounds, 635 E 1st St, Wahoo
    Lashley Land and Recreational Brokers, 2218 E. Walker Rd, North Platte

Executive Order 26-05 can be found on this link:.https://govdocs.nebraska.gov/docs/pilot/pubs/eoindex.html



Nebraska Beef Council March Board Meeting

The Nebraska Beef Council Board of Directors will conduct their regular board meeting on Wednesday, March 10, 2026 at 7:30 a.m. CDT at the Nebraska Beef Council office in Kearney. The NBC Board of Directors will discuss strategic planning.

For more information and a detailed agenda, please contact the Nebraska Beef Council office at 308-236-7551.



Spring Crop Insurance Prices Set

Farmers will go into spring planting with a little weaker price protection for corn and spring wheat, but will see a little stronger price protection for soybeans.

The spring projected price used for crop insurance revenue policies for the 2026-27 corn crop on Friday ended the February price discovery period at $4.62 a bushel, down 8 cents from a year ago. The soybean projected price came in at $11.09, up 55 cents from last year's price. Projected prices for spring wheat are $6.19 a bushel, which is down 36 cents from last year.

The spring projected prices are computed using the average daily close of the November soybean and December corn futures contracts during February. The prices become a key component of revenue protection crop insurance, the type of policy purchased by most commercial row-crop farmers.

Farmers now have until March 15 to buy their policies for the crop year.



Water Line Management Guide for Swine Production Published by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

A new publication from the Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State University helps producers evaluate water quality and manage water line systems in swine barns.

"Water Line System Management for Swine Production" https://shop.iastate.edu/extension/farm-environment/animals-and-livestock/swine/ipic220.html is available for download at no cost from the ISU Extension Store. The guide outlines water line system design, water quality diagnostics, cleaning and disinfection protocols and best practices for administering medications.

Several authors contributed to this publication, including Chris Rademacher, Gabi Doughan and Locke Karriker with the College of Veterinary Medicine at ISU; Ashley Englin, swine field specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach; and Becca Walthart, former master’s student with the Swine Medicine Education Center at ISU.

"Water is a physiological need for pigs, regulating growth, temperature control and overall behavioral needs," stated Doughan. "Without regular cleaning and disinfection, biofilms can accumulate within water line systems and impact health, production and water-administered medication."

Producers will find step-by-step instructions for cleaning and disinfecting water systems and water sample collection protocol within the publication. Water quality assessments should evaluate the physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics of water by testing pH, trace minerals and coliforms at minimum, and should be collected at least once per year.

"In a recent survey of Midwest production sites, only 20% of farms had a water line cleaning standard operating procedure (SOP) that was regularly implemented," said Englin.

Standardized protocols can help producers reduce biofilms and ensure animals regularly have access to high-quality water, leading to improved performance and better animal health.

"Water lines are one of the main routes for antimicrobial and vaccine administration," said Doughan. "By improving water quality and water line maintenance, producers can more effectively treat their livestock, resulting in less days off feed and reduced production costs."

The guide also includes protocols for water medication administration and explains how water quality can affect medication efficacy. There are also instructions for how to set up and calibrate flow-activated pump, piston and diaphragm medicators.



Experience the Future of Pork at World Pork Expo 2026

The 2026 World Pork Expo, presented by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), is gearing up for an exciting, action-packed event that will bring together pork producers, industry professionals, and innovators. Set for June 3-4 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa, this year’s Expo promises to be bigger and better than ever, offering a fresh perspective on the future of the industry.
 
A Global Hub for Pork Innovation
The world’s largest pork-specific trade show returns, bringing together more than 400 companies from around the globe. Attendees will explore cutting-edge products, services and technologies across nearly 700 booths and 300,000 square feet of exhibit space. Whether you're a producer, supplier or industry expert, WPX 2026 is where new solutions and partnerships are made

“We continue to bring together the best minds and most innovative solutions in the pork industry,” said Duane Stateler, NPPC President. “This is a pivotal moment for the pork sector, and World Pork Expo will once again be at the forefront of shaping its future.”
 
Connections That Drive the Industry
With over 10,000 attendees, the World Pork Expo’s two-day trade show draws more of the pork industry than any other event of its kind. Live entertainment, social gatherings, and educational sessions set the stage for high-impact networking, connecting attendees with thought leaders and fostering relationships that carry forward long after the show ends. 
 
Leading the Way for the Future
The Young Pork Advocates Meet will return for its third year, creating space for the next generation of leaders to share ideas and build meaningful industry relationships.
 
Ready for the 2026 World Pork Expo?
Registration for the 2026 World Pork Expo will open soon at worldpork.org. Be sure to follow #WPX2026 on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and sneak peeks leading up to the event. We can’t wait to see you in June.