Thursday March 05 Ag News - LEAD 44 Travel Seminar - UNL's Schnable Wins NAS Prize - Monthly Crop Weather Reports - House Ag Committee Moves on Farm Bill - and more!

Reserve your tickets for Cuming Co Feeders Banquet
Jeremy Ritter, President

Please join us for the annual Cuming County Feeders Banquet Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Nielsen Center 
in West Point. We will have an evening filled with fellowship and a great prime rib dinner.

This year’s sponsorship levels for the Cuming County Feeders Banquet are as follows:
Corporate - $1,000  -  Grand Champion - $500  -  Reserve Champion - $300

With your donation you will receive two tickets for the banquet. The night will begin with social hour at 6:00 p.m., followed by dinner and entertainment. Additional tickets can be purchased for $50 per ticket. 

Your donation allows the Cuming County Feeders Association to support various activities in Cuming County as well as sponsor our annual Feeders Banquet. We are expecting a sold-out banquet and look forward to seeing you there. The Cuming County Feeders Association is committed to promoting the beef and the cattle industry.
 
Please mail your donation, payable to:
Cuming County Feeders Association
Attn: Tami Russman
2408 6th Road, Wisner, NE 68791
Email Address: Tami@albersfeedlot.com
Cell Phone: 402-992-7101

Kindly send all donations by March 16th so we can secure banquet seating. No tickets will be mailed. An 
email confirmation will be sent after receipt of donation. All tickets will be picked up at the banquet. Donations received after March 16th will not be guaranteed to appear in the program. No refunds. 

On behalf of myself and the Cuming County Feeders Association Board of Directors, thank you for your dedication to the beef and cattle industry. Your support is greatly appreciated. 



Nebraska LEAD Class 44 Completes National Study/Travel Seminar

Fellows in the Nebraska LEAD Program Class 44 recently completed their National Study/Travel Seminar, a 10-day immersive experience designed to deepen their understanding of public policy, global markets, leadership, history and the future of food and agriculture.

The seminar, held February 4–13, included visits and briefings in Kansas City, Washington, D.C., Chicago and Moline, Illinois. The experience is a cornerstone of the two-year Nebraska LEAD Program, providing Fellows direct access to national leaders, policymakers, industry executives and cultural institutions.

Throughout the seminar, Class 44 engaged with organizations representing nearly every facet of agriculture and public life — from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to the United States Department of Agriculture, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Pork Producers Council and the American Soybean Association.

Fellows also met with members of Nebraska’s congressional delegation and staff, visited foreign embassies including the Embassy of Mexico in Washington, D.C. and the Embassy of Canada in Washington, D.C., and toured historic and cultural sites such as Arlington National Cemetery, the White House and Gettysburg National Military Park.

"This seminar brings leadership to life," said Kurtis Harms, director of the Nebraska LEAD Program.

"Classroom discussion is important, but there is no substitute for sitting across the table from decision-makers in Washington, D.C., hearing directly how policy is shaped and implemented, and then connecting that back to Nebraska farms, ranches and rural communities. It challenges our Fellows to think bigger and lead with greater perspective."

In Kansas City, Fellows explored agricultural innovation and market dynamics, including discussions with economists at the Federal Reserve and sustainability leaders at Dairy Farmers of America. In Washington, D.C., they examined federal regulatory processes, trade policy and farm bill priorities while engaging directly with national commodity groups and congressional leaders.

The seminar also emphasized historical context and civic responsibility. At Gettysburg, Fellows reflected on leadership during pivotal moments in American history.

"The visit to Gettysburg was especially impactful," said Shane Wohlgemuth, a Class 44 Fellow, farmer and business owner.

"Standing where history was made and then coming back to D.C. to discuss modern policy issues really put leadership into perspective. It reminded me that decisions matter — and that strong leadership can change the course of a nation."

Another Fellow in the class, Erika Coulter, territory manager with Beck’s Hybrids, highlighted the policy-focused conversations in the nation’s capital.

"Meeting with national organizations and hearing firsthand how they advocate for producers helped me better understand how Nebraska agriculture fits into the bigger picture. It gave me confidence to be more engaged in policy discussions at home."

The final leg of the seminar included visits in Chicago and Moline, where Fellows explored food access initiatives at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, urban agricultural education at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences, and global manufacturing and innovation at John Deere facilities. Harms said the breadth of the experience is intentional.

"We want Fellows to see the full food and agriculture system — from production and processing to policy, trade and consumer engagement," he said.

"This seminar stretches them geographically and intellectually. When they return to Nebraska, they bring back not just knowledge, but relationships, perspective and a renewed commitment to serve."

Nebraska LEAD 44 Fellows (by hometown) that participated in the National Study/Travel Seminar are:

AINSWORTH: Katie Hespe
ALBION: Jaclyn Frey
AURORA: Amanda Schultz
BASSETT: Erika Coulter
BRIDGEPORT: Alexis Corman
BUTTE: Britanie Brewster
BYRON: Jake Beam
CALLAWAY: Stacey Guthard
CHAMPION: Daniel Hogsett
CLARKS: Tana Pankoke
COLUMBUS: Valerie Bohuslavsky
FUNK: Shane Wohlgemuth
GLENVIL: Kelsey Harms
HEMINGFORD: Colt Foster
HOWELLS: Justin Morton
KEARNEY: Garrett Elfeldt, Chase Hoffschneider, Camille Koehn
LEIGH: Matthew Cross
LINCOLN: Jacob Schlick, Dillon Kuehn, Katelyn Leibhart
MASON CITY: Sarah Zimmer
MERNA: Brandon Miller
NORTH PLATTE: Trey Bahler
OMAHA: Peter Martin
RED CLOUD: Erin Slieter

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. 



Nebraska Corn Board to Meet on March 17-18, 2026

The Nebraska Corn Board will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at the Dinsdale Family Learning Commons (N 38th St & Holdrege Street, Lincoln, Nebraska) and on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at the Fallbrook State Office building (245 Fallbrook Blvd., Lincoln, Nebraska, hearing room 031) in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The meeting is open to the public, providing the opportunity for public comment. The board will hear research presentations on March 17 and will conduct regular board business on March 18.

A copy of the agenda is available by writing to the Nebraska Corn Board, 245 Fallbrook Blvd. Suite 204, Lincoln, NE 68521, sending an email to NCB.info@nebraska.gov or by calling 402-471-2676.

The Nebraska Corn Board is funded through a producer checkoff investment of one-cent-per-bushel on all corn marketed in the state and is managed by nine farmer directors. The mission of the Nebraska Corn Board is to increase the value and sustainability of Nebraska corn through promotion, market development and research.



UNL's Schnable Awarded 2026 NAS Prize in Food & Agriculture Sciences 

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) congratulates Professor James C. Schnable on winning the 2026 National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Prize in Food and Agriculture Sciences for pioneering genetics research that has improved the productivity of corn, sorghum and other crops.  

The NAS Prize in Food and Agriculture Sciences recognizes a mid-career U.S. scientist whose research has made extraordinary contributions to agriculture, food production or understanding the biology of species fundamental to agriculture. The award includes a medal and a $100,000 prize. FFAR endowed the prize in 2017 to elevate and highlight scientific research that improves U.S. agriculture and food systems. 

“Being selected for this prize is a tremendous honor that reflects the hard work and accomplishments of an incredible group of trainees and collaborators," Schnable said. Schnable, a professor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, specializes in plant genetics and breeding. His research integrates quantitative genetics, advanced phenotyping, data science and other leading-edge technologies to accelerate plant breeding and provide farmers with real-time insights into crop performance. His innovations have led to improved crops that use nutrients more efficiently and can withstand environmental stressors. 

“Dr. Schnable’s achievements exemplify the type of bold, interdisciplinary research FFAR strives to support,” said Saharah Moon Chapotin, FFAR executive director. “By combining genetics, engineering and computational tools, he’s transforming how we improve crops for U.S. farmers and communities. His work deepens scientific understanding and drives practical solutions that strengthen agricultural systems.” 

"I grew up working in cornfields, seeing what it takes to move discoveries from idea to experimental results to commercial products and services, as well as the vast impact new technologies and discoveries can have for crop breeders and farmers,” Schnable said. “Now I get to spend my career building tools that help researchers across the public and private sectors go bigger and scale faster. I couldn't ask for a better job.”  




Wyffels Hybrids Announces Major Expansion into Nebraska and Indiana 

Wyffels Hybrids, one of the fastest growing independent seed corn companies in the U.S., today announced a strategic expansion into Northeast Nebraska and Western Indiana for the 2027 growing season, marking a significant milestone as the company celebrates its 80th anniversary as a family owned, independent seed corn brand. 

Over the past decade, Wyffels Hybrids has tripled its business, becoming a top three seed corn brand in the Central Corn Belt—a trajectory fueled by disciplined growth, exceptional customer experience, and ongoing reinvestment in rural America communities. 

Expanding By Choice, Not Chance 
Wyffels’ expansion is the result of a long term, disciplined strategy focused on high productivity corn acres with industry leading seed products and unmatched agronomic support. The company remains committed to being the independent, family-owned option for farmers—delivering choice in an industry where independent seed companies have become increasingly rare. 

“We aren’t trying to be all things to everyone,” said John Wyffels, President. “As the only independent company focused exclusively on seed corn, we grow when we have the customer experience, agronomy support, and distribution strength to back it up.” 

Creating Jobs and Expanding Support 
As part of its growth plan, Wyffels Hybrids will be investing in new positions in agronomy, sales, and customer support teams to ensure farmers in Nebraska and Indiana receive the same exceptional service and support Wyffels is known for throughout the Central Corn Belt. 

“While others in the industry are tightening, we’re investing,” said Bruce Howison, Chief Commercial Officer. “We believe deeply in what we can offer farmers - great hybrids and service across the Central Corn Belt – as they pursue a more productive and profitable corn crop.” 

Wyffels’ expansion into Nebraska and Indiana is enabled by major reinvestments in its production and operational footprint, including a new production facility in Ames, Iowa that opened in 2024 and over $100 million expansion at the Atkinson, Illinois facility. 

Welcoming New Farmers to Wyffels Country 
With the expansion, Wyffels Hybrids invites farmers across Indiana and Nebraska to experience the performance, partnership, and independence that defines Wyffels Country. “As we celebrate 80 years as an independent, family-owned company, this expansion reflects both where we’ve come from and where we’re going,” said John Wyffels, President. “We’re entering Nebraska and Indiana the same way we’ve grown everywhere else—disciplined, prepared, and focused on delivering the best customer experience in the seed business. We’re excited to welcome more farmers into Wyffels Country and to continue investing in rural communities for decades to come.” 



RESEARCH SHOWS RISK-AVERSE PRODUCERS SELL EARLIER IN GRAIN MARKETING YEAR

A new study from University of Nebraska–Lincoln agricultural economists finds that producers with safety-first risk preferences likely make notably different grain-marketing decisions than those without, offering a glimpse into how and why producers market their harvests.

Specifically, according to the economic experiment highlighted in the article published in Agricultural Financial Review, participants with safety-first risk preferences sell about 8.45% more of their harvest in the first month of the marketing year. And it is likely that many producers have safety-first risk preferences in the real world, as 45% of experiment participants showed safety-first preferences, even in the controlled stylized setup.

Safety first — a behavioral basis for decisions made under risk and uncertainty to minimize the probability of a disastrous outcome and produce a minimal accepted return on investment — has been widely applied to economics literature but has gotten little attention in the agricultural economics space, especially in the examination of grain marketing decisions. 

Previous research into decisions on grain marketing has mostly relied on surveys or workshop questionnaires. The study from Husker ag economists Cory Walters, Simanti Banerjee and Karina Schoengold, and alumna Stamatina Kotsakou, now an assistant professor at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, gamified the grain-selling process for a large group of students with agriculture backgrounds to uncover reasoning and behaviors behind grain selling decisions. By systematically varying the economic incentives faced by the students, the researchers were able to study evolution of decision making in real time.

“This was an innovative way to see how producers made choices across different years of different outcomes which they couldn't see,” Walters said. “We want to know what the underlying factors are driving their reality and uncover something that has never been uncovered (in previous research) where people with these safety-first preferences are just going to sell a certain amount of crop at harvest, regardless of whatever the economics tell them to do. They want to take some price risk off the table.”

During the experiment, participants’ risk preferences and attitudes were gathered first. Then, using the context-rich grain marketing experiment created with the MINE Program at UNL, the researchers tracked individuals’ decisions on if and when to sell grain in multiple years. Banerjee, who guided the development of the game methodology, said they used real price points from four years to mimic real-life decisions.

“In real life, since producers face prices that are falling, rising or stable, we wanted to capture that in the experiment with those different price series,” Banerjee said. “This would make the experiment a closer representation of reality.”

Grain markets are always noisy, and it is difficult for economists to gauge why farmers sell when they do, and it plays a role in management of resources.

“As scientists, we want to find out what is the signal in all of this noise, what's the underlying characteristic of this market?” Walters said.

The new research opens the door for ag economists to further study how risk preferences are influencing grain marketing decisions with the economic experimental method.

“This is a new theory to attach to grain marketing decisions, and by using this type of experimental design for asking these questions, we can see outcomes,” Walters said. “This is really the piece to get the conversation started, and we think this deserves more attention in the literature.

“There still is, today, a very large amount of grain sold at harvest, suggesting the safety-first preferences.”



USDA Monthly Crop Weather Reports

NEBRASKA:     
For the week ending March 1, 2026, topsoil moisture supplies rated 40% very short, 35% short, 25% adequate, and 0% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 35% very short, 45% short, 20% adequate, and 0% surplus. Winter wheat condition rated 9% very poor, 31% poor, 42% fair, 18% good, and 0% excellent.

IOWA:     
Temperatures across much of Iowa in February swung from cold to unseasonably warm. Statewide temperature for the month was 31.3 degrees Fahrenheit, over 7 degrees above normal. Statewide average precipitation was 0.38 inches, well below the 1.18 inch normal. There were reports of dry soil conditions throughout much of the State. The dry conditions were beneficial for grain movement and fertilizer application. Varying frost depths were reported throughout the State. Calving was ongoing, with minimal challenges for livestock reported.

KANSAS:     
For the week ending March 1, 2026, topsoil moisture supplies rated 13% very short, 29% short, 54% adequate, 4% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 13% very short, 31% short, 53% adequate, 3% surplus. Winter wheat condition rated 3% very poor, 9% poor, 30% fair, 48% good, 10% excellent.



Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in a Multi-Species Backyard Flock in Buena Vista County

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have detected a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1 HPAI) in a multi-species backyard flock in Buena Vista County. This case is Iowa’s sixth detection of H5N1 HPAI in 2026.



ASA Applauds House Ag Committee for Advancing 2026 Farm Bill  

The American Soybean Association applauds Chairman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson and the House Committee on Agriculture for advancing the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026. The Committee favorably reported a 5-year farm bill after a marathon two-day markup by a bipartisan vote of 34-17.  

“We are grateful to Chairman Thompson for his leadership and tireless work to champion the advancement of a full, five-year farm bill over these past several years,” said Scott Metzger, ASA president and a soybean farmer from Ohio. “Soybean farmers are facing major headwinds, and the provisions included in this 2026 Farm Bill will help farmers across the country navigate changing market dynamics and ongoing farm production and economic challenges. We sincerely appreciate the bipartisan members of the House Agriculture Committee who voted to advance the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 and continue to stand up for U.S. agriculture.”

Since the expiration of the 2018 Farm Bill, ASA has continued to advocate for an updated farm bill that meets the needs of rural America. While the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act enacted in 2025 included critical improvements to farm bill programs like farm safety net enhancements and increased support for research and market expansion, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 updates access to credit, transfers Food for Peace to USDA, protects farmers ability to utilize pesticides on their farms, and renews support for soy-based bioproducts through the reauthorization of the BioPreferred Program. 



America’s 60,000-plus Pork Producers Praise Bipartisan House Agriculture Committee Farm Bill 2.0 Passage
 
On behalf of American pork producers of all sizes, the National Pork Producers Council praised House Agriculture Committee passage of Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson’s (R-PA) bipartisan Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026. 
 
Commonly referred to as Farm Bill 2.0, the legislation boasts relief for pork producers facing an imminent patchwork of state animal housing laws spurred by California Proposition 12, a state law that puts small farmers on the chopping block, increases the risk of industry consolidation, and undermines states’ rights. Read more about the law’s detrimental effects and how Farm Bill 2.0 addresses the problem here. 
 
“Pork producers of all shapes and sizes need this regulatory relief and are grateful for Chairman Thompson’s steady commitment to providing relief from state laws outside our borders,” said Duane Stateler, NPPC president and pork producer from McComb, Ohio. “Now, it is up to the full House of Representatives to finish the job: pass this farm bill and give agricultural producers across the country true freedom to farm.”
 
NPPC has long led the fight for relief from this looming, unsustainable 50-state patchwork of laws, most recently with a dozen national farm, agriculture, and transportation groups calling on Congress to fix this mess immediately. Click here to read a letter sent to House Agriculture Committee leadership.
 
Representing millions of agricultural producers and members, this coalition’s ask is simple: one state law should not be forced on agricultural producers across the country.
 
In addition to providing regulatory relief from Prop. 12, the Farm Bill 2.0 also acted on additional U.S. pork producer priorities, including: 
    Funding and converting the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program into a full program.
    Increasing funding for critical agricultural trade promotion programs, including the Market Access Program, Foreign Market Development Program, E. Kika de la Garza Emerging Markets Program, Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops, and Priority Trade Fund.
    Requiring USDA to report how changes to or expiration of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement will affect agriculture.
    Establishing the Agricultural Trade Enforcement Task Force to better identify and overcome trade barriers.
    Expanding the Animal Health Protection Act to include improving animal disease traceability.
    Allowing the establishment of additional training centers and programs under the Beagle Brigade Act.
    Requiring thorough documentation on USDA’s ability to protect producers from significant economic losses due to a foreign animal disease outbreak.
    Capping administrative expenses for the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program and the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, allowing a higher percentage of funds to be used for research.
    Requiring USDA to conduct research and development on a policy to insure pork producers against financial losses from a catastrophic disease.



United States and Canadian Cattle Inventory Down Slightly

All cattle and calves in the United States and Canada combined totaled 97.3 million head on January 1, 2026, down slightly from the 97.3 million head on January 1, 2025. All cows and heifers that have calved inventory at 41.6 million head, down slightly from a year ago.

All cattle and calves in the United States as of January 1, 2026 totaled 86.2 million head, down slightly from the 86.5 million head on January 1, 2025. All cows and heifers that have calved inventory at 37.2 million head, down slightly from a year ago.

All cattle and calves in Canada as of January 1, 2026 totaled 11.1 million head, up 3 percent from the 10.9 million head on January 1, 2025. All cows and heifers that have calved inventory at 4.39 million head, up 2 percent from a year ago.



United States and Canadian Hog Inventory Up Slightly 

United States and Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs for December 2025 was 89.4 million head. This was up slightly from December 2024 but down slightly from December 2023. The breeding inventory, at 7.17 million head, was down 1 percent from a year ago, and down 1 percent from 2023. Market hog inventory, at 82.2 million head, was up 1 percent from last year and up slightly from 2023. The semi-annual pig crop, at 85.1 million head, was up 1 percent from 2024 and up slightly from 2023. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 7.13 million head, down slightly from last year and down 2 percent from 2023.

United States inventory of all hogs and pigs on December 1, 2025 was 75.5 million head. This was up 1 percent from December 1, 2024 and up slightly from September 1, 2025. The breeding inventory, at 5.95 million head, was down 1 percent from last year, but up slightly from the previous quarter. Market hog inventory, at 69.6 million head, was up 1 percent from last year, and up slightly from last quarter. The pig crop, at 35.0 million head, was up slightly from 2024 and up 1 percent from 2023. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 2.93 million head, up slightly from 2024 but down 1 percent from 2023.  

Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs on January 1, 2026 was 13.9 million head. This was down 1 percent from January 1, 2025 and down 1 percent from January 1, 2024. The breeding inventory, at 1.22 million head, was up slightly from last year but down 1 percent from 2024. Market hog inventory, at 12.7 million head, was down 1 percent from last year and down 1 percent from 2024. The semi-annual pig crop, at 15.2 million head, was up 3 percent from 2025, and up slightly from 2024. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 1.24 million head, up 1 percent from last year but down 1 percent from 2024. 



United States and Canadian Sheep Inventory Down Slightly

All sheep and lambs in the United States and Canada combined totaled 5.82 million head on January 1, 2026, down slightly from the 5.83 million head on January 1, 2025. Breeding sheep inventory at 4.21 million head, down 1 percent from a year ago. Market sheep and lambs totaled 1.61 million head, up 2 percent from last year.

All sheep and lambs in the United States as of January 1, 2026 totaled 4.99 million head, down 1 percent from the 5.03 million head on January 1, 2025. Breeding sheep inventory at 3.61 million head, down 1 percent from a year ago. Market sheep and lambs totaled 1.38 million head, up 1 percent from last year.

All sheep and lambs in Canada as of January 1, 2026 totaled 833,000 head, up 3 percent from last year's number of 808,900 head. Breeding sheep inventory at 603,400 head, up 2 percent from last year. Market sheep and lambs totaled 229,600 head, up 5 percent from a year ago.



2025 Fats and Oils Oilseed Crushings, Production, Consumption and Stocks

As part of the Current Agricultural Industrial Reports (CAIR) program, the 2025 Annual Summary of the Fats and Oils: Oilseed Crushings, Production, Consumption and Stocks contains data and annual totals for January through December of 2025.

Soybeans crushed for crude oil was 75.2 million tons (2.76 billion bushels) in 2025, an increase of 7 percent from 2024. Crude oil production was 29.5 billion pounds, up 7 percent from 2024.

Canola seeds crushed for crude oil was 2.23 million tons in 2025, down 8 percent from 2024. Crude oil production was 1.77 billion pounds, down 8 percent from 2024.

Tallow was published in three categories (edible, inedible, and technical). The largest percentage of tallow production was inedible tallow at 3.72 billion pounds in 2025. Choice white grease production was 1.23 billion pounds in 2025.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 2/27/2026

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending February 27, ethanol production declined 1.6% to a 4-week low of 1.10 million b/d, equivalent to 45.99 million gallons daily. Yet output was 0.2% higher than the same week last year and 4.0% above the three-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate increased 3.3% to 1.11 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 17.05 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks expanded 2.7% to 26.3 million barrels, the largest volume since mid-April 2025. Stocks were 3.5% less than the same week last year but 0.4% above the three-year average. Inventories built across all regions except the Rocky Mountains (PADD 4) and West Coast (PADD 5).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, weakened by 5.0% to 8.29 million b/d (127.46 bg annualized). Demand was 6.6% less than a year ago and 6.0% below the three-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol ticked down 0.2% to 864,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.28 bg annualized. Net inputs were 2.9% less than year-ago levels and 1.6% below the three-year average.

Ethanol exports jumped 53.9% to an estimated 217,000 b/d (9.1 million gallons/day). It has been more than a year since EIA indicated ethanol was imported.



Seven of Eight Major Fertilizers are Higher Priced to End February

DTN retail fertilizer prices continued to move higher in the fourth week of February 2026, according to sources tracked by DTN. Seven of the eight major fertilizers were slightly higher compared to last month. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

The one fertilizer with a considerable price increase was once again urea. The nitrogen fertilizer was 5% higher compared to last month with an average price of $611/ton. The remaining six slightly more expensive fertilizers were DAP with an average price of $853/ton, MAP $880/ton, potash $486/ton, anhydrous $865/ton, UAN28 $412/ton and UAN32 $465/ton.

One fertilizer was slightly lower looking back to the prior month. 10-34-0 had an average price of $665/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.66/lb.N, anhydrous $0.53/lb.N, UAN28 $0.74/lb.N and UAN32 $0.73/lb.N.

All eight fertilizers are now higher in price compared to one year earlier. 10-34-0 is 3% higher, both MAP and potash are 9% more expensive, both DAP and urea are 12% higher, anhydrous is 15% more expensive, UAN32 is 17% higher and UAN28 is 18% more expensive looking back to last year.



More than 70% of U.S. Soy Exports SSAP-Verified in 2025

The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) today announced the release of the third U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP) annual report outlining sustainability progress and successes in U.S. soybean production.  

The SSAP serves as a framework for sustainable production practices for U.S. farmers while also allowing global buyers to demonstrate their own commitment to sourcing sustainable ingredients.  

“This year, we’re happy to report that 71% of all U.S. Soy exports were shipped with an SSAP certificate verifying that the soybeans or soy products were produced in compliance with U.S. laws, regulation, production practices and audit processes outlined in the SSAP,” said Jim Sutter, USSEC CEO. “This underscores U.S. Soy’s rapidly expanding role in supporting sustainable nutrition security globally.” 

Created in 2014 to provide credible information and assurance to U.S. Soy customers that the soy they purchase is sustainably produced, the protocol includes sustainability verification data, progress and sustainability impacts, and key directives. 

Report highlights include:  
    The number of products labeled with the Sustainable U.S. Soy or Fed with Sustainable U.S. Soy labels increased to more than 1,200 across 22 countries.
    Dutch Mill food company became the first soy milk brand in Thailand to feature the Sustainable U.S. Soy label.
    More than 207 companies globally have utilized transferable SSAP certificates, extending sustainability verification
    throughout the value chain. 
    GFLI-verified carbon footprint data available on SSAP certificates.
    U.S. soybean farmers maintain the lowest carbon footprint globally.

The report also outlines future U.S. Soy sustainability goals, including a 10% reduction in land use impact; a 25% reduction in soil erosion; a 10% reduction in energy use; and a 5% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.  

“U.S. soybean growers are committed to conservation practices that deliver high quality, reliable, sustainable soy products to customers across the world and we’re proud of their agricultural leadership,” Sutter said.   



Crop Insurance Sets Records in 2025; Farmers Urged to Finalize 2026 Coverage

With the March 16 deadline approaching for farmers to purchase crop insurance for spring-seeded crops like corn and soybeans, National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS) today released record-setting results for the 2025 crop year.

Farmers purchased 2.54 million crop insurance policies in 2025 — an all-time high — protecting a record 561 million acres of farmland nationwide. Nearly 117 million acres have been added to crop insurance since 2021.

The policies sold in 2025 provided more than $159.3 billion in liability protection, safeguarding crops against weather and market losses. Farmers invested more than $6.25 billion of their own money to purchase that protection, underscoring their continued reliance on crop insurance as agriculture’s primary risk management tool.

In addition, ranchers spent $1.1 billion in 2025 to purchase livestock coverage, providing another $40.2 billion in liability protection for U.S. agriculture.

“Record participation in 2025 demonstrates the value farmers and ranchers place on crop insurance,” said NCIS President Tom Zacharias. “In a time of tight margins and increasing weather uncertainty, they are choosing the dependable public-private partnership that delivers when disaster strikes.”

Crop insurance was sold in every state in 2025. It now covers the vast majority of eligible U.S. farmland and remains the cornerstone of modern farm policy.

Zacharias encouraged farmers to contact their crop insurance agents before the March 16 application deadline to review their coverage options for the 2026 crop year.

“Each operation is unique, and today’s risk management tools are more flexible and tailored than ever,” he said. “Farmers should sit down with their agents now to ensure they have the right coverage in place for the year ahead.”



Commodity Classic 2026 Breaks Records for Second Consecutive Year with Over 12,000 Attendees

More than 12,000 farmers, exhibitors, industry stakeholders, and media gathered in San Antonio from February 25–27 for the 2026 Commodity Classic, marking the second consecutive year of record-setting attendance.

More than 5,100 farmers attended the event at the Henry B. González Convention Center, accounting for nearly 43% of total attendance and representing a significant concentration of farm decision-makers. This strong farmer presence reinforces Commodity Classic’s value as a high-impact event for connecting directly with agricultural leaders.
 
“The enthusiasm and engagement we saw in San Antonio was incredible,” said Rob Shaffer, an Illinois farmer and co-chair of the 2026 Commodity Classic. “Farmers are looking for practical insights, meaningful policy conversations, and real connections, and Commodity Classic delivers on all three. Seeing record attendance for another year reinforces just how valuable this event is to producers across the country.”

Fellow co-chair Brian Thalmann, a Minnesota farmer and National Corn Growers Association member, echoed that sentiment. “It’s exciting to see Commodity Classic’s attendance continue to grow year after year,” he said. “Building on several years of historic attendance, we’re incredibly proud of the strong turnout in San Antonio and the continued momentum behind this farmer-led event.”

Commodity Classic has now achieved four consecutive years of new attendance highs, including recent shows in Denver (2025), Houston (2024), and Orlando (2023).

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins toured the trade show floor and delivered remarks during a highly attended General Session. The event featured more than 30 educational sessions, a full trade show spanning two floors, and policy meetings hosted by the sponsoring commodity associations. Attendees heard from leading farmers, policymakers, and industry experts on the issues shaping the future of agriculture.

The 2027 Commodity Classic will be held March 3–5 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Companies interested in exhibiting may submit inquiries to tradeshow@commodityclassic.com. Registration will open in November 2026. Follow Commodity Classic on Instagram (@CommClassic) and Facebook for updates.