Wednesday March 04 Ag News - Nebraska Dairy Ambassadors Prep for '26 - Taking Stock of Hay Inventories - Iowa's Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Renewed - CHS Modernizes Galveston Port - and more!

 Midwest Dairy Announces 2026 Nebraska Dairy Ambassadors

At this year’s Nebraska Dairy Convention held February 24, Midwest Dairy proudly introduced the 2026 Nebraska Dairy Ambassadors. Seven outstanding students, selected through an application process for their deep interest in the dairy industry and strong communication skills, will represent Nebraska's dairy farmers through a unique educational and leadership program.

The Midwest Dairy Ambassador Program provides these ambassadors with an opportunity to engage with consumers, share the story of dairy, and network with both peers and professionals in the dairy industry. Throughout their year-long term, the Dairy Ambassadors will participate in various events and activities, including engaging with consumers at local and state events and attending dairy industry events. They will also have the opportunity to build leadership skills through training and connecting with fellow ambassadors and industry professionals, all while learning more about the dairy industry.

The 2026 Nebraska Dairy Ambassadors are set to embark on an exciting journey that will allow them to strengthen their leadership abilities, build professional connections, and advocate for the Nebraska dairy industry.

Meet the 2026 Nebraska Dairy Ambassadors:
• Jordan Aschoff of Norfolk, Nebraska, and attends the University of Nebraska-Lincoln majoring in Business Management with Computer Science and Psychology Minors
• Carter Behnken of Omaha, Nebraska, and attends the University of Nebraska-Lincoln majoring in ag  economics with an Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship minor
• Hannah Dean of Lincoln, Nebraska, and attends Concordia University Nebraska majoring in agriculture education (secondary)
• Eliza Lange of Hartington, Nebraska, and attends Bryan Health College for diagnostic medical sonography
• Alicia Lopez of Murrieta, California, and attends Concordia University Nebraska majoring in biology 
• Madison Martinez of Lincoln, Nebraska, and attends University of Nebraska-Lincoln majoring in CASNR applied science fisheries & wildlife with an environmental studies minor
• Alyvia Shultz-Ramer of Kearney, Nebraska, and attends the University of Nebraska-Lincoln majoring in agriculture and environmental sciences communications with an Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship minor

Upon the successful completion of the one-year program, ambassadors are eligible for up to a $1,000 educational scholarship. To inquire about Nebraska Dairy Ambassador event support, please contact Dawn Eckel, Nebraska Dairy Ambassador Coordinator at dklabenes16@gmail.com or Tracy J. Behnken, Manager, Farmer Relations at tbehnken@midwestdairy.com.



TAKING STOCK 
Ben Beckman, NE Extension Educator 

In Nebraska, February is usually the halfway point of winter. And since we’re on the back side of the season now, this is a good time to take stock of your feed resources—especially hay.

First, how is your hay stockpile looking today? An open winter can reduce hay use, but don’t assume you’re in the clear. The goal, even in a tough year, is to avoid buying hay late in the game just to reach spring. If you’re short, make a plan now, and then ask the bigger question: how do we keep this from happening again next winter? Annual forages can provide quick yield, and if this is a repeat problem, it may be time to look at expanding grass or alfalfa acres—keeping in mind moisture and the forecast, especially on dryland.

Next, think about last year’s perennial forage yields. Did your grass or alfalfa fields perform the way you needed? If renovation is coming, the planning starts now. For example, if an old alfalfa stand needs to come out and you want that rotation “rest year” before reseeding, don’t wait until summer to decide. Even interseeding legumes into grass should be on the early-season calendar.

Maybe you don’t need a full renovation, it could be a look at fertility will boost yields. If you didn’t soil sample last fall, plan your sampling soon so plant needs match what you are providing. And don’t forget to match fertilizer timing to your dominant species; not all plants grow at the same time of year.

Finally, take a hard look at the forage budget. Do you need new equipment—and can you justify it? Or does it make more sense to buy hay, or hire custom harvesting? Costs matter, but so do labor, timing, and forage quality.

Winter gives us a chance to take stock and plan ahead. A quick check on hay inventory, last year’s yields, and the economics can make a big difference in how smoothly you hit spring.

 

LB 663 Just Opened a Bigger Door for Dairy 
Kris Bousquet, Executive Director, NE State Dairy Association

At this year’s Nebraska Dairy Convention and Trade Show in West Point, something significant happened for the future of dairy in our state. Surrounded by producers, industry partners, and community leaders, Jim Pillen signed LB 663 into law, and with it, Nebraska took a meaningful step toward becoming one of the most growth-ready dairy states in the country. 

For those outside agriculture, zoning reform may not sound groundbreaking. But for dairy producers, especially those considering expansion or relocation, clarity and certainty in the permitting process can make all the difference between moving forward and standing still. 

LB 663 establishes a uniform, transparent, and timely process for conditional use and special exemption permits at the county level. Introduced by Senator Tanya Storer after more than a year of collaboration between county officials and agricultural leaders, the bill preserves local control while ensuring producers receive consistent standards and clear timelines. 

What does that mean for farmers? 
It means Nebraska dairy families who have outgrown their current facilities can plan expansions with greater confidence. It means lenders and investors can evaluate projects with more predictable timelines. It means multi-generational operations can think long-term, knowing the regulatory path is clearer than ever before. 
And just as importantly, it sends a message beyond our borders. 

Across the country, dairy producers are evaluating where their next investment will take place. They are looking for states with feed availability, water resources, workforce support, strong processing infrastructure, and regulatory environments that value responsible livestock growth. 

Nebraska already checks many of those boxes. With LB 663, we’ve strengthened one of the most critical pieces. 

Dairy expansion does more than increase milk production. It creates jobs. It builds a local tax base. It supports feed growers, nutritionists, veterinarians, truckers, and equipment dealers. It anchors rural schools and strengthens small-town economies. Every new dairy represents a long-term commitment, often measured not just in years, but in generations. 

As the Nebraska State Dairy Association, we see this moment as both validation and opportunity. 
Validation that state leaders recognize dairy as a priority growth industry. 

Opportunity for producers already here to scale thoughtfully and confidently. 

And opportunity for dairy operations across the country to look at Nebraska and see a state that is serious about partnership, progress, and production. 

Nebraska is open and ready for business. 



Secretary Naig Extends Popular Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Project

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced a three-year extension of the popular, farmer-led Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Project. The extension renews program agreements in Taylor, Page, Carroll, Cherokee, Guthrie, and Ida counties through December 31, 2028. This allows participating counties to build on strong momentum to expand conservation and livestock-integrated systems on working farms.

Administered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) in partnership with local Soil and Water Conservation Districts and other partners, the Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Program connects cattle producers with technical assistance and cost-share funding to implement conservation practices that strengthen soil health and keep more soil and nutrients out of Iowa’s waterways.

“Farmers take their responsibility to be good stewards of the land very seriously because clean water is non-negotiable,” said Secretary Naig. “This farmer-led project proves that conservation does not require taking land out of production. By evaluating every acre, producers can determine what makes sense to farm and what makes sense to hay or graze, optimizing land use, productivity and environmental benefits. That practical approach strengthens our cattle industry and delivers real water quality benefits.”

The program began in Taylor County in 2016 as a pilot project and has now grown to serve farmers and landowners in eight counties: Adams, Carroll, Cherokee, Guthrie, Ida, Page, Taylor, and Woodbury. While agreements in six counties are being renewed, the projects in Adams and Woodbury Counties continue under separate grant timelines and remain active components of the broader eight-county effort.

The program encourages farmers and landowners to convert underperforming or highly erodible acres into pasture and hay ground, strengthening managed grazing systems, and integrating cover crops that provide both forage and water quality benefits. In addition to establishing pasture and cover crops, the project also supports more permanent structural and edge-of-field practices. Together, these responsible farming practices create a comprehensive conservation system that reduces erosion, filters water and enhances long-term soil health while maintaining productive farms.

To date, more than 1,100 producers have participated, demonstrating strong demand for this farmer-led, working lands approach. More than 16,000 acres of less-productive agricultural land have been converted from row crops to pasture and grazing systems. Through the program, participating producers have also established more than 195,000 acres of cover crops, which help hold soil in place and provide forage for livestock. Of the approximately $15 million invested, more than $11.7 million has come directly from IDALS to support implementation.

The program extension comes at an important time for Iowa’s cattle industry, when the national herd is the smallest it has been in more than 75 years. Expanding well-managed pasture and forage systems provides an opportunity to responsibly grow cattle capacity while protecting water quality. This model could also help inform future Farm Bill discussions, including potential reforms to programs like CRP or the development of new working lands conservation concepts that keep acres productive while delivering measurable environmental benefits. Secretary Naig continues to look for opportunities to expand the popular program to more Iowa counties as additional partners and funding become available.

Interested farmers or landowners in these eight counties should contact their local USDA service center for more information. Applications are funded on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on funding availability.



Iowa Corn & Ethanol Leaders to DOE: E15 is the Answer to High Gas Prices

As U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright prepares for today’s White House meeting to discuss high gas prices, Iowa’s corn growers and renewable fuel leaders are offering a "no-brainer" solution for immediate relief: nationwide, year-round access to E15.

The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) released the following statement to Secretary Wright and the Department of Energy:

“As the conflict with Iran has sent oil prices skyrocketing, year-round access to E15 offers immediate relief. On average, E15 saves drivers $0.25 per gallon at the pump compared to standard E10. During peak travel seasons, those savings have even reached $1.00 per gallon in certain regions. Nationwide adoption would reduce consumer spending on motor fuel by $20.6 billion annually, putting an average of $168 back into the pockets of every American household each year.

“We urge the White House to make nationwide E15 step one on their plan to combat high fuel prices. As a homegrown fuel solution, E15 will benefit consumers, provide stronger markets for farmers and cost the U.S. government nothing.” 



Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in a Multi-Species Backyard Flock in Washington 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 Washington County. This case is Iowa’s fifth detection of H5N1 HPAI in 2026.

List of Confirmed Cases
As H5N1 HPAI detections are confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, those cases are added to tracking websites located on the USDA APHIS website.



CHS completes modernization of Galveston deep water port

CHS recently completed the modernization of the Galveston deep water port, aimed at improving on-time delivery of imported dry fertilizer to farmers in the north, central and northwest part of the U.S. The Galveston port is a cornerstone of the CHS fertilizer distribution network that replenishes supplies to CHS ag retail business units and member cooperatives. Widely used urea products, including bulk and granular urea, are imported from sourcing partners as far away as Africa and the Middle East. From Galveston, fertilizer is loaded on rail cars destined for rail and river hubs, ultimately arriving through the cooperative system network on farmers' fields.

The improvements in Galveston, made in two phases over the course of two years, will reduce wait time for fertilizer, strengthen the supply chain and deliver a more efficient experience for customers. Upgrades replaced outdated conveyor systems, tripling rail car loading speed from 400 to 1,200 tons per hour. 

“CHS sources and supplies more than 9 million tons of fertilizer annually to and through the cooperative network,” says John Griffith, executive vice president, ag business and CHS Hedging. “A key to our continued success is investments in our supply chain infrastructure to ensure our owners have access to essential crop nutrients when and where they need them.” 

The first phase of the modernization project improved the loading system from warehouse to rail. Using new state-of-the art conveyors, crews can fill an entire train in one day versus three days with the old equipment. That positions CHS to dramatically increase dry fertilizer processing beyond the 450,000 tons per year it currently moves and helps meet growing demand for crop nutrients.

The faster turnaround also enables CHS to address quality control issues that can sometimes be a challenge when product is stored for any length of time in a warehouse. Product quality improved after the new conveyors went online and moved fertilizer more quickly.

“This modernization isn’t just about speed, it’s about flexibility and resilience,” says Roger Baker, vice president, trading and risk management, who leads the CHS crop nutrients product line. “By upgrading our systems, we can handle multiple product types and adapt quickly to changing market conditions. Our customers benefit from a more reliable supply chain and greater confidence that we’ll deliver what they need, when they need it.”

The newly-completed second phase of construction improves the movement of urea between warehouses, allowing for more flexibility in moving and storing cargo. The upgrade also means the port can now handle more than one type of cargo and stockpile it for efficient rail car loading.