Monday March 09 Ag News - RDO Donation to Northeast - Biochar On Farm Research - NeCGA/NCB: E15 Must Pass Now - NeFU Spring District Meetings - NPPC Elects 26-27 Leadership - NFU Elects Leadership - and more!

Donation to Northeast from RDO to Benefit Diesel Technology Program

Northeast Community College has received a generous donation from RDO Truck Center that will significantly enhance hands-on learning for students in its diesel technology program.

The company donated a 13-liter Mack engine equipped with full aftertreatment and an operational automated transmission. The unit includes an original equipment (OE) dash, and all harnesses remain unmodified, providing students with an authentic training experience.

“We are grateful to RDO Truck Center for their commitment to workforce development,” said Brad Ranslem, dean of Applied Technology at Northeast. “This donation ensures our students have access to the latest tools and training that mirror what they’ll encounter in the field.”

This advanced equipment will serve as a real-world diagnostics trainer, supported by RDO’s common software and information systems. By working with industry-standard technology, students will gain practical skills that prepare them for careers in the rapidly evolving diesel industry.

Tony Milenkovich, Northeast diesel technology instructor, said the various components will be able to be worked into several Northeast classes. The 12-speed engine includes an automated transmission, which is easier for the driver but more complicated for mechanics. It also adds to the truck’s longevity and results in better fuel economy.

“It’s what we call automated,” Milenkovich said. “It’s a manual gearbox and it is shifted by computer.”

Valued at $150,000, the donation underscores RDO Truck Center’s dedication to supporting education and strengthening the pipeline of skilled technicians in the region.

Bill McKay, customer service manager of RDO, was at Northeast recently to view the engine trainer and show instructors a new semi-truck that was made by Volvo and is the only semi-truck in the United States that meets all Swedish safety tests.

McKay said RDO wanted to provide Northeast with the latest technology in the industry, with many Northeast graduates working at RDO Truck Centers, including in Norfolk.

“This represents the latest of what is coming off the assembly line,” McKay said. “We looked at this as an opportunity to (keep) the school current.”




Nebraska Scientists Establish Biochar On-Farm Research Network

Two University of Nebraska–Lincoln scientists, partnering with American Farmland Trust, extension educators and four Nebraska farmers, have established a biochar on-farm research network which is among the first and largest in the United States.

According to ongoing research at Nebraska, applying biochar to agricultural soil is a promising approach to building healthy soils and promoting long-term, input-efficient agroecosystems. Biochar is produced by pyrolyzing or combusting organic waste biomass at high temperatures under low-oxygen conditions.

Guillermo Balboa and Michael Kaiser, researchers in agronomy and horticulture, report that field observations indicate significant, long-lasting positive effects of biochar on soil carbon and water storage, but the impact of biochar on soil nitrogen retention to improve nutrient-use efficiency in row-crop systems is less clear. Scalable field data from different soils under varying water and nitrogen management strategies are missing and critically needed to guide farmers. 

Balboa said this is where research data from the Nebraska on-farm research network will be critical for generating new insights.

This on-farm research network is part of the AFT-led Conservation Innovation Grant, “Breaking Down Barriers to Biochar Adoption on Farms from Coast to Coast.” It is funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and led by Bianca Moebius-Clune, AFT national director of climate and soil health and the project’s principal investigator. 

“We are glad to partner with the University of Nebraska and leverage their great expertise in biochar research as part of AFT’s national demonstration trials network that includes an additional 30 sites and is growing across the U.S.,” Moebius-Clune said.

Through the leadership of Steve Melvin and TJ Prochaska, cropping systems extension educators, four Nebraska farmers engaged in on-farm evaluation of biochar.

The Nebraska research sites are near Silver Creek, Plattsmouth, Aurora and Central City. Each site covers five acres, with biochar applied to about 2.5 acres at an average rate of 8 tons per acre using a replicated design. Each site is in a corn-soybean rotation, and three nitrogen management strategies will be tested, including timing and rate. 

“The research network will provide information for the farming community on which site conditions and nitrogen management will provide the largest biochar benefits for more efficient use of this critical resource,” Balboa said. “Biochar may help lower the amount of nitrogen fertilizer needed without compromising on the yield.” 

Kaiser added that the project will also deliver valuable experiences for the large-scale application and usage of biochar in agricultural landscapes.



NeFB Endorses Bob Evnen for Secretary of State

Bob Evnen has been endorsed by the Nebraska Farm Bureau Political Action Committee (NEFB-PAC). Evnen is running for re-election as Nebraska’s Secretary of State.  

“Bob Evnen has a long and impressive record of engagement that makes him well qualified to serve as Nebraska’s Secretary of State,” said Katie Olson, chair of the NEFB-PAC and first vice president of Nebraska Farm Bureau.

Evnen is a former member of the Nebraska State Board of Education, where he was appointed by Gov. Dave Heineman in 2005 and was elected in 2008. Evnen also served for many years as a board member of the Nebraska Continuing Legal Education, Inc., the education arm of the Nebraska State Bar Association. He has served in numerous leadership roles in the Nebraska Republican Party.

“The Secretary of State holds numerous important responsibilities, including overseeing trade missions to promote Nebraska’s agricultural products and protecting voter integrity in our state elections. Bob Evnen will serve Nebraskans well and we are pleased to offer him our support as he seeks re-election as Nebraska’s Secretary of State,” said Olson.

Evnen earned the NEFB-PAC endorsement based on results of Nebraska Farm Bureau’s grassroots selection process, which involves gathering input from local County Farm Bureaus across the state.



The Time for Excuses is Over: E15 Must Pass

The Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA) and Nebraska Corn Board (NCB) are incredibly frustrated that Congress continues to delay year-round E15. The Rural Domestic Energy Council, which was established to bring an E15 compromise forward, has missed two critical deadlines: an initial report due February 15 and draft legislation due on February 25.

“Farmers have waited long enough,” said NeCGA board president, Michael Dibbern, a farmer from Cairo, Nebraska. “Congress can no longer sideline us. It is time to prioritize the current economic situation in farm country and for consumers and pass legislation for year-round E15. The President stated he would sign year-round E15 once it reaches his desk. Speaker Johnson, get it there.”

Nebraska’s Congressional delegation deserves credit for keeping year-round E15 in the conversation. However, escalating conflict involving Iran is driving higher fuel prices, affecting both growers and consumers.

“The conflict in Iran not only impacts fuel prices for growers, but for consumers filling up as well,” Dibbern added. “Year-round E15 would offer a lower-cost, domestically produced alternative at the pump, providing immediate relief for everyone.”

“As stewards of Nebraska corn checkoff funds, the Nebraska Corn Board is committed to aggressively expanding demand for our producers,” said Brandon Hunnicutt, chairman of NCB and farmer from Giltner, Nebraska. “Year-round E15 is not just an opportunity, it's a proven, immediate solution. It could dramatically increase corn utilization, strengthens rural economies, delivers real savings to consumers, reduces reliance on foreign oil and bolsters national energy security at a time of global instability, rising prices and negative farm economics.”

The time for excuses is over. Congress must act swiftly to finalize and pass year-round E15 legislation. Farmers, consumers and American energy independence depend on it.



Free Farm and Ag Law Clinics Set for March, April

Free legal and financial clinics are being offered for farmers and ranchers across the state in March and April. The clinics are one-on-one in-person meetings with an agricultural law attorney and an agricultural financial counselor. These are not group sessions, and they are confidential.

The attorney and financial advisor specialize in legal and financial issues related to farming and ranching, including financial and business planning, transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, debt structure and cash flow, agricultural disaster programs, and other relevant matters. Here is an opportunity to obtain an independent, outside perspective on issues that may be affecting your farm or ranch.

Clinic Dates
    Tuesday, March 17 — Norfolk
    Tuesday, March 24 — York
    Tuesday, March 31 — Curtis
    Tuesday, April 7 — Fairbury
    Tuesday, April 14 — Norfolk

To sign up for a free clinic or to get more information, call the Nebraska Rural Response Hotline at 1-800-464-0258. Funding for this work is provided by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and Legal Aid of Nebraska.



CAP Webinar: Understanding the Ethanol Market
Mar 12, 2026 12:00 PM 
With Scott Irwin, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois

The ethanol market has been a major demand driver for corn over the past few decades. The growth of the sector following renewable fuels legislation in 2005 and 2007 has matured, but various regulatory issues, tax incentives, and new potential opportunities for ethanol continue to drive usage and market impacts. This webinar will help explain the fundamental supply and demand elements at work in the ethanol market and the policy and market developments that could shape future directions for the sector.

Register here: 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. 



2026 NeFU Spring District Meetings 
John Hansen, NeFU President

Put these District meetings on your calendar dates on your calendar.  We have important things to talk about and discuss:
    U.S. Farm policy is putting family farmer out of business.
    U.S trade policy is closing rather than opening foreign markets.
    The Legislature is passing out income tax breaks to the richest of the rich and big corporations while our state budget is in the financial hole.
    We have never needed a strong farm organization to stand up for our family farm interests more than today.
    We need to talk about the future of our organization. 

NeFU District 5 Spring District Meeting
6:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 18, 2026
DaVinci's Restaurant, 745 South 11th Street, Lincoln, NE  68508
District 5 President: Amy Svoboda (402) 817-9647 Cell
District 5 Director: Ron Todd-Meyer (402) 879-5800 Cell

NeFU District 7 Spring Meeting
6:00 p.m., Friday, March 20, 2026
Perkins Restaurant, 1229 Omaha Avenue, Norfolk, NE 68701
District President: Keith Dittrich (402) 990-7570 Cell
District Director: Art Tanderup (402) 278-0942 Cell

NeFU District 6 Spring Meeting
5:30 p.m., Monday, March 23, 2026
Pizza Hut, 1781 E 23rd Avenue S, Fremont, NE 68025
Paul Poppe District President (402) 380-4508 Cell
Andrew Tonnies District Director (402) 590-7096 Cell

 

NPPC Welcomes New Producer Leadership to Shape National Advocacy Efforts
 
The National Pork Producers Council elected new officers and board members to lead the organization through the 2026-2027 term. These experienced leaders will guide NPPC’s advocacy efforts, advancing policies that support the growth, sustainability, and long-term resilience of the U.S. pork industry.
 
“These leaders are stepping up at an important moment for our industry,” said NPPC CEO Bryan Humphreys. “With many issues to tackle in the year ahead, these devoted men and women understand the importance of standing together to advocate for policies that protect and advance U.S. pork production.”
 
2026-2027 NPPC Board Officers:

President: Rob Brenneman, Washington, Iowa
Rob owns and operates Brenneman Pork, a multi-generational family farm. A dedicated industry advocate, he has served on the NPPC Board of Directors since 2021 and held leadership roles with the National Pork Board and Iowa Pork Producers Association. In this video, Rob shares his thoughts on the year ahead and his vision for the industry.
     
President-Elect: Pat Hord, Bucyrus, Ohio
As CEO of Hord Family Farms, Pat leads a fifth-generation, diversified agricultural operation. In addition to overseeing the growth of the family business, Pat is a key advocate for U.S. pork producers, shaping policy at the national level through his work with NPPC committees.
     
Vice President: Todd Marotz, Sleepy Eye, Minnesota
Todd serves as chief production officer for Wakefield Pork, specializing in genetics, construction management, animal welfare and productivity, and environmental services/permitting. Todd is a key advocate for U.S. pork producers, helping shape policy at the national level through his work with NPPC committees.
     
Immediate Past President: Duane Stateler, McComb, Ohio
A fourth-generation pork producer, Duane operates Stateler Family Farms alongside his son Anthony. He is actively involved in national and state-level agricultural policy discussions and serves as a strong voice for producers on sustainability and environmental stewardship. In this video, Duane reflects on his time as president and shares his perspective on the road ahead for the industry.

With gratitude and appreciation, NPPC extends thanks to departing board members Francis Forst, Bob Ivey, Steve Malakowsky, Dr. Jeremy Pittman, and Lori Stevermer for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the organization.
 
Newly Elected NPPC Board Members:

Robert “R.O.” Britt, Williamsburg, Virginia
R.O. manages environmental affairs for Smithfield Hog Production, where he leads a team responsible for environmental regulation, grower partnerships, and producer coordination. His service to the pork industry includes over a decade on the Virginia Pork Council Board of Directors, where he served as president in 2024.
     
Dr. Jay Miller, Carlyle, Illinois
Jay serves as CEO of The Maschhoffs, one of the largest family-owned pork production systems in North America. He brings a deep understanding of swine health, production operations, and leadership development forged through decades of veterinary and pork industry experience.
     
Joe Popplewell, Perry, Oklahoma
Joe serves in a leadership role with Tyson Foods and holds a Master of Science degree from Oklahoma State University. A former president of the Oklahoma Pork Council, he has over three decades of hands-on experience in the pork industry and executive leadership.

Newly Elected Allied Industry Council Representative:
Mark Hayden, Moville, Iowa
Mark serves as director of sales for Automated Production. In this role, he oversees business strategy and execution for the sales and technical support teams. He has years of involvement advocating for both producers and allied partners at the state and federal levels.

Current NPPC Board of Directors:
    Craig Edsill, Hatfield, PA (PPIC Director)
    John Anderson, Belgrade, Minnesota
    Trish Cook, Winthrop, Iowa
    Jackie Bowman Ponder, Indianapolis, Indiana
    Ed Reed, Marcellus, Michigan
    Jeb Stevens, Osgood, Indiana
    Neill Westerbeek, Warsaw, North Carolina



Larew, Kippley Re-Elected as NFU President and Vice President

Delegates to National Famers Union’s (NFU) 124th Anniversary Convention today cast their ballots to unanimously re-elect Rob Larew and Jeff Kippley as the organization’s President and Vice President, respectively. Each will serve another two-year term.

“I am honored to have been given the full faith and confidence of the Farmers Union membership to continue fighting for family agriculture every day,” said Larew. “America’s family farmers and ranchers are the cornerstone of our country, and NFU is the strongest, most dedicated national organization fighting for them.”

During his three terms as NFU President, Larew has led an organizational focus on member engagement, particularly among the next generation of Farmers Union members. His efforts have strengthened Farmers Union’s role as an advocate for family farming now and in the years to come. He also spearheaded the development and launch of NFU’s Fairness for Farmers campaign, which continues to elevate national awareness about the harmful impacts of corporate consolidation in agriculture on farmers and consumers alike.

Before his time as President, Larew worked in Congress and at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and served for four years as the NFU’s Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Communications, from 2016 to 2020. Larew and his family still operate their farm in Greenville, West Virginia.

“Being trusted by our family farmers and ranchers to advocate for them in Washington and across the country is one of the greatest honors of my career,” said Kippley. “We have important work ahead, and I look forward to partnering with President Larew once again to get it done.”

Kippley, of Aberdeen, South Dakota, begins his third term as NFU Vice President. Kippley and his family raise cattle, corn and soybeans and operate a tax business serving family farmers in their community.



NATIONAL AG DAY EVENTS IN WASHINGTON, DC.

Leaders from across the agriculture sector will gather at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) headquarters to celebrate National Agriculture Day, recognizing the vital role agriculture plays in providing food, fiber, fuel, and economic strength to communities across the United States.

National Ag Day, organized by the Agriculture Council of America, is observed annually to increase public awareness of agriculture’s contributions and the people who produce the nation’s food and resources. The 2026 celebration carries the theme “Agriculture: Together We Grow — Celebrating 250 Years of Progress in Agriculture.”

A series of events will take place in Washington, D.C., and online throughout the day.

The centerpiece event, Ag Day at USDA, will be held from 9:00 a.m. – Noon at USDA Whitten Patio. The program will feature remarks from agricultural leaders, including the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler, and AFBF President Zippy Duvall. The program will also include student panel discussions, a commodity group discussion, and recognition of winners from the National Ag Day Essay Contest.

For those unable to attend in person, the day’s activities will be available through a live virtual broadcast beginning at 9:00 a.m. Eastern, allowing audiences nationwide to take part in the celebration.

The celebration will conclude with the Taste of Agriculture Reception, held from 5:30–7:00 p.m. in the Kennedy Caucus Room, bringing together agricultural leaders, policymakers, students, and industry partners.

National Ag Day highlights the essential role agriculture plays in sustaining communities and the economy. From farmers and ranchers to researchers and agribusiness professionals, the day recognizes the individuals working together to produce safe, abundant, and affordable food while advancing sustainability and innovation.

For more information and event registration, visit agday.org.