Monday March 16 Ag News - Ricketts, Boozman in West Point - National Ag Week starts today - Nitrogen Use Efficiency Programs starts in NE - NeFU District Meetings - Jan Pork, Beef Exports - NCGA, ASA talk Fertilizer Duties - and more!

Ricketts Hosts Agriculture Roundtable in West Point with Chairman Boozman 

Friday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) hosted a Working Families Tax Cuts roundtable in West Point, Nebraska to discuss the critical issues facing Nebraska’s farmer and ranchers.  Senator Ricketts was joined by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR).

“Agriculture is the heart and soul of what we do in Nebraska.  Family farms and ranches are the backbone of our communities,” said Sen. Ricketts.  “During the roundtable, I heard about the critical issues Nebraska farmers and ranchers are facing. Chairman Boozman and I had the chance to share how the Farm Bill, renewable fuels, and the Working Families Tax Cuts will strengthen Nebraska agriculture. We’re expanding investment in rural communities, restoring regulatory certainty, and putting more money in the pockets of farmers and ranchers. This is how we keep supporting the Good Life.”

“Hardworking farm families have faced three straight years of challenges including low commodity prices, high input costs, increasing inflation and extreme weather,” said Sen. Boozman.  “These pressures have placed producers under severe financial strain.  The good news is that we have their backs.  Senator Ricketts helped deliver historic investments in Nebraska agriculture and supported farmers and livestock producers through the Working Families Tax Cuts.  I look forward to continuing our work together to strengthen the industry and make sure the agricultural community has the resources it needs to continue feeding, fueling, and clothing the world.  Hearing directly from Nebraska producers is critical to fulfilling that commitment.”



Growing Nebraska Agriculture: Honoring National Ag Week and the Power of Livestock 
Steve Martin, A-FAN Executive Director  

Agriculture has always been at the heart of Nebraska. It drives our economy, supports rural communities, and gives families a reason to stay, return, and build a future close to home. As we recognize National Ag Week, it’s a good time to pause and take a look at how agriculture, especially livestock production, continues to shape our state. 

At the Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska (AFAN), our focus is simple: help grow Nebraska’s livestock industry in ways that make sense for producers, communities, and the long term. As a nonprofit, we work directly with producers, help recruit processing opportunities to the state, and partner with local leaders who see agriculture as a driver of economic development. 

Over the past year, growth has been happening across Nebraska. That growth has taken many forms, across different species and operation sizes, but the common thread has been investment and opportunity in rural areas. 

In 2025, AFAN supported 14 livestock-related projects across the state, representing $273 million in capital investment. Those projects mean new or expanded facilities, construction jobs, and long-term economic activity in the communities where they are located. 

The impact doesn’t stop with livestock operations. Expanded animal agriculture increases demand for Nebraska-grown crops, strengthening the connection between livestock producers and row-crop farmers. This past year alone, livestock expansion supported through AFAN led to an increase of 24.6 million bushels of corn used and an additional 1.4 million bushels of soybeans consumed. That demand matters for markets, land values, and farm viability across the state. 

Much of our work centers on creating opportunities, both for producers already here and for those considering Nebraska as a place to do business. That includes encouraging diversification, supporting modernization, and helping bring processing capacity closer to where animals are raised. 

In recent years, Nebraska has seen growing interest in dairy expansion and processing, supported by strong partnerships and a business-friendly environment. The same is true in the beef industry, where producer-led efforts are exploring new cooperative models, packing capacity, and branded beef opportunities. These types of projects give producers more control, more consistency, and more ways to capture value. 

None of this progress happens without people. Strong relationships with producers, local leaders, county officials, and industry partners are essential, especially as communities navigate questions around growth and zoning. Ongoing conversations, transparency, and education are key to making sure livestock development works for everyone involved. 

As we look ahead, Nebraska’s livestock industry remains well positioned for continued growth. National Ag Week is a reminder of the role agriculture plays, not just in our economy, but in the identity of this state. 

To Nebraska’s farmers, ranchers, and ag families: thank you for the work you do every day. Your commitment continues to shape Nebraska’s future, and it’s worth recognizing this week and every week. 
To learn more about AFAN or to contact us, visit our website at www.becomeafan.org.  



Nebraska Nitrogen Use Efficiency Program Launched for 2026 Growing Season

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, Nebraska Corn Board chairman 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 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.



Twelve Nebraskans Attend 124th NFU Convention in New Orleans, LA

Twelve Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) members attended the 124th National Farmers Union (NFU) Convention in New Orleans this past week where over 500 family farmers, ranchers and supporters from around the nation met.

In addition to NeFU President John Hansen, Nebraska was represented by four delegates. Lynn Belitz of Fullerton and Andrew Tonnies of North Bend represented the NeFU Board of Directors. Keith Dittrich of Meadow Grove and Bill Armbrust of Elkhorn represented the NeFU membership. 

NeFU Members attending included Tammy Dittrich of Tilden, Ted and Ramona Thieman of Petersburg, Julie Hindmarsh of Fremont, retiring Midwest Agency General Manager Jeff Downing of Ashland, out of state member Willie Cade and new NeFU Executive Director Matt Gregory of Lincoln. 

The Convention delegates updated the NFU policy and also approved three Special Orders of Business on timely topics: Family Farmers, the Farm Crisis, and the Future of Food and Farm Policy; Family Farming and the Roots of Our Democracy; and Family Farming and Dairy Policy Reform.

The National Farmers Union board re-elected Hansen to the NFU Executive Committee and Vice Chair of the NFU Legislative Committee. Hansen was also re-elected Vice Chair of the Farmers Union Midwest Agency Board of Directors.

“The challenges facing family farmers and ranchers continue to grow more complex,” said NFU President Rob Larew of the 3-day convention. “But through it all, NFU continues to do something Washington too often struggles to achieve: bringing people with diverse viewpoints together, working through tough issues and emerging with solutions they built collectively.”

John Hansen, Chair of the NFU Meritorious Service Committee and NFU President Rob Larew presented retired Ohio Farmers Union President Joe Logan and retired Rocky Mountain Farmers Union President Dale McCall with the NFU Meritorious Service to American Agriculture award. The 125th Anniversary Convention will be held in San Antonio, Texas, March 7-9, 2027.


    
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




Pork Exports Open 2026 on High Note; Beef Variety Meat Value Record-High

U.S. pork exports trended higher year-over-year in January, led by another outstanding performance from leading market Mexico, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). January beef exports were lower than a year ago due to the prolonged lockout in China, but export value per head of fed slaughter was more than $415 – the highest since March and reflecting solid demand in other markets. Beef variety meats were a major bright spot, with export value topping the previous monthly high reached in December.

Broad-based growth for January pork exports
January pork exports totaled 250,861 metric tons (mt), up 3% from a year ago, while value increased 4% to $692.1 million. In addition to Mexico, exports were larger year-over-year to Japan, South Korea, Canada, Central America, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, the ASEAN and Taiwan.

“Very impressive start to the year for U.S. pork in Mexico and other Western Hemisphere markets, but strengthening demand in Asian destinations is especially encouraging,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “The U.S. industry continues to capitalize on consumers’ growing demand for convenience-oriented products at both retail and foodservice, and this is reflected in our recent export results.”

Beef variety meats shine in January, but China remains absent
Beef exports totaled 92,558 mt in January, down 10% year-over-year. But value fell just 3% to $780.1 million, as exports have commanded higher prices. However, prices are still not being maximized to the degree that would be possible with China back in the mix. When excluding China from the January results, exports increased 5% in volume and climbed 16% in value. January beef shipments trended higher year-over-year to Korea, Japan, Taiwan, the Caribbean, the ASEAN and South America, with export value also increasing to Mexico, Canada and Central America.

Beef variety meat exports were especially strong in January, increasing 6% from a year ago to 27,511 mt (the largest in more than four years), while value soared 46% to a record $126 million.

“Beef variety meat value reaching new heights for the second consecutive month is great news for cattle producers and for the entire supply chain,” Halstrom said. “With cattle numbers being tight, it is more critical than ever to maximize the value of every animal. And while much of this export growth was driven by tongues and skirts going to Japan, demand was strong in a wide range of markets.”

January lamb exports down slightly from a year ago
Coming off a robust performance in 2025, January exports of U.S. lamb muscle cuts totaled 238 mt, down 7% from a year ago, while value fell 1% to $1.44 million. Exports increased year-over-year to the Bahamas, Japan, Taiwan, Costa Rica and Panama, but shipments to Mexico trended lower and no exports were reported to Canada. 



Ambassador Greer Signs the United States-Ecuador Agreement on Reciprocal Trade

Friday, United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer joined Ecuadorian Minister of Production, Foreign Trade, and Investment Luis Alberto Jaramillo in signing the United States–Ecuador Agreement on Reciprocal Trade.

“President Trump is unlocking commercially meaningful market access for American farmers and manufacturers, opening Ecuador’s market of over 18 million consumers to U.S. agricultural and industrial exports,” said Ambassador Greer. “Today’s agreement will further expand and diversify bilateral trade and investment to advance our shared interests while boosting America’s competitiveness in Latin America. I thank Ecuadorian Minister Luis Alberto Jaramillo for his commitment to creating more balanced and reciprocal trade with the United States.”



ASA Comments on Fertilizer Countervailing Duties

Friday, the American Soybean Association (ASA), its 26 state soybean affiliates representing 30 states, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), and other organizations sent a letter urging fertilizer manufacturers Mosaic and Simplot to withdraw support for countervailing duties on phosphate fertilizer imports from Morocco and Russia that continue to drive up input costs for farmers.   

“U.S. farmers are facing significant economic pressure, and high fertilizer prices only add to those challenges,” said Scott Metzger, president of ASA and an Ohio soybean farmer. “The countervailing duties on phosphate fertilizer imports have played a major role in the high cost of inputs for soybean production. Farmers need access to reliable, affordable fertilizer supplies to remain competitive, and imported inputs play a key role to ensuring we are able to continue producing the crops that support our food and fuel systems.”

Since the first petition for countervailing duties in 2021, ASA has strongly opposed the imposition of duties. Even before recent geopolitical disruptions affecting the global fertilizer supply caused prices to spike, phosphate fertilizer prices had already doubled in recent years. Today, those pressures have only intensified as new supply disruptions continue to tighten global fertilizer markets. Throughout the sunset review process at the Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission, ASA will continue working with industry partners and policymakers to ensure farmers have access to the inputs they need at reasonable and competitive prices by opposing the extension of these duties on phosphate imports.



Ag Groups Urge Mosaic, J.R. Simplot to Renounce  Fertilizer Duties

Citing the impact of the Middle East conflict, 64 agricultural groups, including the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), sent a letter today to the chief executives of two of the nation’s largest domestic fertilizer producers urging them to support the removal of duties placed on imported phosphate products from Morocco.
 
“The recent Middle East conflict has led to increases in the prices of U.S. fertilizer, regardless of actual impact to the U.S. supply,” read the letter, which was sent to Mosaic Company CEO Bruce Bodine and J.R. Simplot CEO Garrett Lofto. “We strongly urge efforts to lower and stabilize prices by renouncing support of phosphate duties incurred through antidumping and countervailing duty investigations.”  
 
In 2020, the Commerce Department, acting on a petition filed by Mosaic, imposed duties on phosphate fertilizers imported from Morocco and Russia. Mosaic claimed at the time that unfairly subsidized foreign companies were flooding the U.S. market with fertilizers and selling the products at extremely low prices. The petition was supported by J.R. Simplot.
 
As a result of the decision, at least one Moroccan company halted shipments of phosphate fertilizers into the U.S., which led to price hikes and shortages, saddling farmers with a hardship that has only worsened in recent weeks.
 
“The conflict, on top of already high U.S. input prices, further negates the need for U.S. companies to need CVD protection,” the letter noted. “To the contrary, U.S. agricultural security – and hence national security – require that farmers have increased access to critical fertilizers.”