Thursday March 12 Ag News - NE Extension Drought Outlook webinar - Ricketts on Diesel Engine Flexibility - Fertilizer Prices Mixed - Support for USMCA renewal - AFBF Opposes Rail Merger - and more!

Nebraska Extension to host drought outlook webinar for cattle producers

Nebraska cattle producers facing ongoing drought conditions have an opportunity to learn more about the current weather outlook and potential impacts for the upcoming grazing season during a Nebraska Extension webinar on March 30.

Nebraska Extension will host "Drought Conditions and Weather Outlook," a webinar featuring agricultural meteorologist Dr. Eric Hunt. The program will be held Tuesday, March 30, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Mountain Time (7:30 to 9 p.m. Central Time).

Persistent dry conditions across parts of the region may require producers to delay turnout on pasture, reduce stocking rate, or identify alternative feed sources for cattle this summer. The webinar will provide producers with updates, information, and insight into weather patterns that could influence grazing conditions in the months ahead.  

Hunt will discuss several topics important to producers, including:
    Current soil moisture conditions and how they compare to historic averages
    Precipitation outlooks for April & May
    The projected shift from La Nina to El Nino conditions
    How evolving weather patterns may affect summer temperatures and moisture levels  

The program will focus on delivering practical information producers can use in their management decisions, and time will be reserved for participant questions.  

There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. To register and receive the Zoom connection information, contact Aaron Berger at aberger2@unl.edu. The program will be recorded and archived for later viewing.

For more information or questions, contact Aaron Berger at 308-235-3122. 



Ricketts Applauds Trump Admin for Diesel Engine Flexibility that Supports Farmers, Truckers

Wednesday, during a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) advocated for legislative efforts providing regulatory relief and clarity for diesel engines operating in cold-weather environments.

“Diesel engines are an important part for many vehicles, including in the agricultural industry.  In states like Nebraska, where we experience cold … and highly variable weather, these systems face additional operational challenges,” said Ricketts.  “Nebraska agriculture producers report that emissions-related issues, particularly with DEF systems, account for a majority of their machinery repairs…  A major grievance is that when a DEF sensor fails or the system malfunctions, it often triggers ‘limp mode,’ where a tractor or combine loses power and speed, causing critical delays during planting or harvesting.”

“I applaud the Trump administration’s EPA who has recognized this challenge by publishing guidance that allows greater flexibility and longer warning periods before derates occur,” said Ricketts.

Ricketts’ comments were made in a hearing of the Committee on Environment and Public Works: “Hearing to Examine S. 3135, the Cold Weather Diesel Reliability Act.”  The witnesses were Ryan Anderson, Commissioner, Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities; Todd Fornstrom, President, Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation; and John Walke, Director for Clear Air Programs and Senior Attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 3/6/2026

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending March 6, ethanol production rose 2.8% to an 8-week high of 1.13 million b/d, equivalent to 47.29 million gallons daily. Output was 6.0% higher than the same week last year and 9.0% above the three-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate increased 0.4% to 1.11 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 17.11 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks dipped 2.9% to a 4-week low of 25.6 million barrels. Stocks were 6.6% less than the same week last year and 3.5% below the three-year average. Inventories thinned across all regions except the East Coast (PADD 1) and West Coast (PADD 5).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, rallied by 11.4% to 9.24 million b/d (142.05 bg annualized), the largest weekly volume since mid-June 2025. Demand was 0.6% more than a year ago and 3.4% above the three-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol improved 4.3% to an 11-week high of 901,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.85 bg annualized. Net inputs were 2.7% more than year-ago levels and 2.6% above the three-year average.

Ethanol exports declined 13.4% to an estimated 188,000 b/d (7.9 million gallons/day). It has been more than a year since EIA indicated ethanol was imported.



Retail Fertilizers Start March Mixed

For now, retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN for the first week of March 2026 show very little difference from recent weeks. This may change with rising wholesale prices due to the military conflict in the Middle East. Retail prices were mixed with five of the eight major fertilizers higher while the remaining three nutrients were lower compared to last month. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

For the fifth straight week, the one fertilizer with a considerable price increase was urea. The nitrogen fertilizer was 5% higher compared to last month with an average price of $625/ton. The remaining four slightly more expensive fertilizers were MAP with an average price of $882/ton, anhydrous $895/ton, UAN28 $412/ton and UAN32 $467/ton.

Three fertilizers were slightly lower looking back to the prior month. DAP had an average price of $850/ton, potash $487/ton and 10-34-0 $663/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.68/lb.N, anhydrous $0.55/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, DAP is 11% higher, urea is 14% more expensive, UAN28 is 16% higher, UAN32 is 18% more expensive and anhydrous is 19% higher looking back to last year.



Agriculture and Manufacturing Leaders Urge Renewal of USMCA

Leaders from the agriculture, manufacturing and technology sectors convened in Washington today to highlight the importance of renewing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement as the landmark trade agreement approaches its formal review period.

The panel discussion, hosted by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC), underscored how the trilateral agreement supports American jobs, strengthens North American supply chains and helps U.S. industries compete globally.

Speakers from agriculture and manufacturing sector, along with a United States senator, emphasized the broad economic impact of USMCA, noting how the agreement has strengthened North American trade and created greater certainty for businesses across sectors. They also highlighted how the trilateral framework helps American companies compete globally while supporting jobs and investment throughout the United States.
 
“I appreciate the National Foreign Trade Council and the National Corn Growers Association for hosting this important conversation,” said Senator Young, the keynote speaker at the event. “Working to improve and preserve USMCA is critical for Indiana’s agricultural and manufacturing communities who rely on the certainty and stability of market access in North America.”
 
Participants in the discussion included Matt Frostic, a Michigan farmer and first vice president of the National Corn Growers Association; Elizabeth Kosobucki, director of trade policy strategy at Ford Motor Company; and Colton Hotary, senior director of government and corporate affairs at LG. The conversation was moderated by Doug Palmer of Politico.
 
“USMCA has been incredibly important for farmers like me,” said Matt Frostic, a fifth-generation Michigan farmer and first vice president of the National Corn Growers Association. “Mexico and Canada are two of our most important export markets and the certainty this agreement provides allows farmers to plan, invest and continue feeding and fueling the world. As the agreement enters its review period, it’s important that policymakers focus on strengthening what works so American agriculture and industry can continue to grow.”
 
NFTC senior director and USMCA lead, Brad Wood added: “We are pleased to partner with NCGA to underscore that USMCA is critical for American workers across every sector, from farmer to plant operator. U.S. production and manufacturing rely on the indispensable inputs and efficiencies from our geographic allies. They are also our top customers; America exports more to Canada and Mexico than its next 8 export markets combined. We must prioritize these partnerships, restore predictability, and renew a trilateral USMCA.”
 
The event is part of broader efforts by the Agricultural Coalition for USMCA to highlight the agreement’s importance to American agriculture and ensure policymakers preserve and strengthen the trilateral trade framework.



Rail Merger Would be Costly for Farmers

The proposed merger of the Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern railways would leave farmers with fewer transportation options and vulnerable to shipping cost increases at a time when balance sheets have been squeezed to the breaking point by rapidly rising input costs. Transportation, marketing and storage expenses are projected to rise to a record $14 billion in 2026. American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyzed the UP-NS merger in the latest Market Intel.

“The risk of the UP–NS merger is clear,” the Market Intel states. “It would leave farmers more dependent on fewer railroads at a time when they already have almost no ability to walk away from higher costs or poor service. The merger does not create new competition for agriculture. It removes what little leverage remains by eliminating key routing and interchange options that currently help keep rates and service in check. When that pressure disappears, history shows that farmers do not ship less — they get paid less.”

The $85 billion proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern would create the first coast-to-coast Class I railroad in U.S. history. The system would span roughly 50,000 route miles across 43 states.

For farmers, fewer routing and carrier options would leave large portions of the country dependent on a single railroad for end-to-end service, reducing system redundancy that helps protect critical food and agricultural supply chains during disruptions. Farmers rely heavily on rail to move their products. In 2024 alone, U.S. railroads carried more than 80 million tons of corn, 26 million tons of soybeans and nearly 26 million tons of wheat, much of it originating in the Midwest and northern Plains. In fact, food and farm products represent about 20% of total U.S. rail tonnage.

“The vulnerability of agricultural shippers to further consolidation is magnified by the inelastic nature of rail demand, meaning farmers often cannot meaningfully reduce or change how they ship even when rail costs rise. For many bulk commodities, especially grain produced far from river systems or major processing centers, rail is not easily substitutable. Trucking long distances significantly increases per-unit costs, while barge access is geographically limited.”

The long-term effect of a merger could be an increase in food prices for consumers as expenses go up throughout the food supply chain.

For these reasons, the American Farm Bureau Federation opposes the merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern.