Friday April 17 Ag News - NE Beef Passport '26 - Rural Mainstreet Index Still Weak - NE/IA Travel to USGBC Thailand Conference - America First Trade Promotion Program Awards - Prop 12 and Food Prices - and more!

Nebraska Beef Passport Features 60+ Restaurants and Meat Shops

Beef lovers across the state can once again hit the road in search of unforgettable meals as the 2026 Nebraska Beef Passport returns for another season.
 
Hosted by the Nebraska Beef Council, the Nebraska Beef Passport invites participants to explore restaurants, meat markets and processors across the state, all while enjoying high-quality Nebraska beef. The program officially runs from May 1 through September 30.
 
The passport is free and available in both digital and printable formats, making it easy for participants to plan their next beef-inspired adventure.
 
“This program continues to grow because people genuinely enjoy getting out and experiencing great beef in communities across Nebraska,” said Adam Wegner, director of marketing for the Nebraska Beef Council. “It’s not just about the food but also discovering new places, supporting local businesses and celebrating the strength of Nebraska’s beef industry.”
 
Restaurants
402 Sport Bar & Grill - Beatrice
411 Restaurant & Lounge - Norfolk
Block 16 - Omaha
Bob's Bar & Grill - Martinsburg
Burger Werx - Bridgeport
Cast Iron Bar & Grille - Stuart
Charlie's Pub - Milligan
Chatterbox Brews - Tekamah
Coppermill Steakhouse - McCook
Cunninghams Journal Downtown - Kearney
Cunninghams on the Lake - Kearney
Dinker's Bar & Grill - Omaha
H.F. Crave - Lincoln
JoJo's Gelato & Grill - Aurora
Julie's Hay Town Grill - Hay Springs
Longhorn Bar & Grill - Ft. Calhoun
McLean Beef - York
Meridian Tap House - Cozad
Monument Grill - Gering
Ol' Ironsides Barbeque - Cairo
Papa Moon - Scottsbluff
Pearl Street Steakhouse - Wayne
Railhouse Pub - Hallam
RedZ Bar & Grill - Mitchell
Royal Bar & Grill - Royal
Sandhills Corral - Thedford
T. Walkers on Main Street - Gothenburg
The Cedar Room - North Platte
The Palace Lounge - Red Cloud
The Union Bar - Gering
Two Bills Steakhouse - Clearwater
Z's Bar & Grill - Scribner
              
Meat Shops
Blue River Meats - Crete, Hickman
Buresh Meats - David City, Columbus, Lincoln, Coleridge
Cornhusker Beef Company - Nebraska City
Ellsworth Crossing - Waterloo
Loeffel Meat Shoppe - Lincoln
Lot 279 – Norfolk
Main Street Meats - Ogallala
Marky's Meat Market - Gering
R&M Meats - Norfolk
Rick's Meats - Elkhorn
              
Meat Processors
American Butchers - Beaver City
Aurora Meat Block - Aurora
Belschner Custom Meats - Amherst
Blair Meat Market - Blair
Den's Country Meats - Table Rock
Heartland Provisions - Diller
Dundy County Processors - Benkelman
Faltin Meat Market - Howells
Gentert Pack - Holstein
Husker Meats - Ainsworth
Karpisek Market - Wilber
McLean Beef - York
Midwest Meat Company - Minden
M-K Meats - Unadilla
North Bend Locker - North Bend
Ord Locker - Ord
Pickrell Locker & Smokehouse - Pickrell
Shamrock Locker - O'Neill
Wahoo Locker - Wahoo 

Participants can check in at each location by scanning a QR code through the mobile pass platform. Each stop earns points that can be redeemed for prizes, while also entering participants into the grand prize drawing. Those who collect 30 or more check-ins can earn a spot in the Beef Passport Hall of Fame, recognizing the most dedicated beef enthusiasts in the state.
 
The 2026 Nebraska Beef Passports are now available in print or digital download at GoodLifeGreatSteaks.org. Follow the Nebraska Beef Passport on Facebook for updated information throughout the season.



Rural Mainstreet Index Falls Below Growth Neutral for Third Consecutive Month 

According to the April survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) dropped below growth neutral for the third consecutive month. 

Overall: The region’s overall reading for April improved to a weak 47.9 from March’s 40.9. This marks the 14th time since January 2025 that the index has moved below the growth neutral threshold. The index ranges between 0 and 100, with a reading of 50.0 representing growth neutral. 

“Weakness in farm commodity prices and elevated agriculture input costs are spilling over into the   rural business community. Approximately, 54.2% of bankers reported that their local economy was in a recession,” said Ernie Goss, PhD, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business. 

Farming and ranchland prices: For the third time in 2026, the region’s farm and ranchland price index sank below growth neutral to 48.0 from 50.2 in March. “Though farm and ranchland values have been holding up much better than farm income, weak farm income, lower farm liquidity and tougher credit standards have pushed farmland values lower,” said Goss.  

According to trade data from the International Trade Association (ITA), regional exports of agriculture goods and livestock for the first two months of 2026, compared to the same period in 2025, increased by 5.0% to $1.88 billion.   

Farm equipment sales: The April farm equipment sales index slumped to a very weak 26.1, down from 28.6 in March. This is the 32nd straight month that the index has fallen below growth neutral.  

“The 2026 conflict in Iran has created even more volatility in the agricultural sector, impacting agricultural equipment sales by tightening farmer operating margins via increasing input costs and shifting farmer planting decisions,” said Goss. 

Confidence: Rural bankers remain pessimistic about economic growth for their area over the next six months. Even so, the April confidence index rose to a weak 39.1 from 29.5 in March. “In spite of $12 billion of federal farm support, weak grain prices, higher input prices and expected negative farm cash flows continued to weigh on banker confidence,” said Goss.  

Approximately, 62.5% of bank CEOs reported that the $12 billion Farm Bridge Assistance Program has had only a slightly positive to no impact on the rural economy.  

Below are the state reports: 
Nebraska: The state’s Rural Mainstreet Index for April jumped to 53.9 from 38.4 in March. The state’s farm and ranchland price index for April advanced to 54.4 from 52.8 in March. Nebraska’s new hiring index climbed to 54.8 from 47.3 in March. According to trade data from the ITA, Nebraska exports of agriculture goods and livestock for the first two months of 2026, compared to the same period in 2025, sank by 18.4% to $188.4 million. 

Iowa: April’s RMI for the state rose to 46.4, up from March’s 39.7. Iowa’s farm and ranchland price index for April fell to 46.4 from 51.0 in March. Iowa’s new hiring index for April declined to 46.3 from March’s 48.7. According to trade data from the ITA, Iowa exports of agriculture goods and livestock for the first two months of 2026, compared to the same period in 2025, climbed by 29.9% to $368.1 million. 

The survey represents an early snapshot of the economy of rural agriculturally- and energy-dependent portions of the nation. The Rural Mainstreet Index is a unique index that covers 10 regional states, focusing on approximately 200 rural communities with an average population of 1,300. The index provides the most current real-time analysis of the rural economy. Goss and the late Bill McQuillan, former Chairman of the Independent Community Banks of America, created the monthly economic survey and launched it in January 2006. 



RURAL NEBRASKANS FAVOR LOCAL ENERGY SOURCES, POLL SHOWS

Rural Nebraskans are more supportive of home- or community-based wind and solar production than large-scale production models, and more supportive overall of solar energy production versus wind, according to the 2025 Nebraska Rural Poll.

Fifty-six percent of rural Nebraskans surveyed support home-based systems for solar energy production, such as solar panels installed on private property and owned by the landowner. Fifty-one percent also support community-based production, which often works as cooperative models. In both cases, excess energy can often be sold to local power companies. But support for either home- or community-based wind production systems is mixed, with about equal preference for or against.

When it comes to large-scale operations, however, most respondents strongly or somewhat oppose large-scale energy production through wind (59%) and solar (52%). These operations are generally private companies that install wind turbines or solar panels on land leased from local landowners, and they supply electricity to an entire region.

“Rural Nebraskans’ preferences show a clear desire to keep energy production local,” said Heather Akin, assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication. “People are open to renewable energy, especially when it’s owned and operated close to home, where the benefits stay in the community. The hesitancy toward large-scale projects suggests that rural residents want to be sure those projects really serve local interests.”

Some regional differences exist when examining the support for these various energy production scenarios. Respondents in the north-central region tended to be least supportive of any of the scenarios, while those in the Panhandle were most likely to support each of the farm- or community-based systems.

When asked about positive and negative impacts of wind turbines, the poll found 53% of respondents believe they can create visual or aesthetic problems. Many respondents also agree that wind turbines cause other problems, such as harming birds and bats (48%) and creating noise pollution (46%). But many also agree they have positive impacts on job creation and economic benefits for local communities (45%).

Opinions are divided on whether wind turbines can help keep land in agriculture. Forty-two percent of rural Nebraskans surveyed are uncertain about that statement, while 33% disagree and just 24% agree.

“We see varying opinions about the impacts of wind turbines, which is likely contributing to the lower support for those energy production systems,” said Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, a Rural Prosperity Nebraska extension specialist based in the Panhandle. “Other than a general agreement that they’re aesthetically displeasing, these mixed opinions from region to region suggest that if wind energy is going to become more prevalent across the entire state, communities will need to start having open conversations about local priorities, land use and economic impact.”

Not many rural Nebraskans surveyed have direct experience with wind and solar energy production. Just 13% can see wind turbines from their home, or land they own or farm. Five percent own or lease solar panels. Only 3% can hear wind turbines from their home, or land they own or farm.

When considering whether to locate small wind turbines on their own land, to power a home, farm or ranch, most respondents rate factors such as the reliability of turbines or panels, the cost to install them, having backup power during outages, energy savings and fit in the landscape as very important:
> Reliability of turbines and/or panels (80%);
> Availability of a trusted installation and maintenance company (77%);
> Financial support to offset installation cost (72%);
> Provided power during main grid outages (70%);
> Amount of energy savings or income that turbines and/or panels would provide (63%);
> Turbines or panels fit in the local landscape (60%).

Thirty-three percent of respondents rate that turbines or panels would show their commitment to sustainability as very important.

“For most rural Nebraskans, renewable energy is still more of an idea than a personal experience,” said Becky Vogt, manager of the Rural Poll. “People are more interested in the practical benefits — reliability, cost savings, trusted service — than in symbolic or environmental reasons alone. As more residents see these technologies in action, confidence in their value within rural communities may continue to grow. That’s to be seen.”

To read the full report, “Rural Nebraskans’ Perspectives on Energy Resources,” visit the Rural Poll website.

The 2025 Nebraska Rural Poll marks the 30th year of tracking rural Nebraskans’ perceptions about policy and quality of life, making it the largest and longest-running poll of its kind. Last summer, questionnaires were mailed to more than 6,700 Nebraska households, with 943 households from 86 of the state’s 93 counties responding. The poll carries a margin of error of plus-or-minus 3%. Conducted by Rural Prosperity Nebraska with funding from Nebraska Extension, the Rural Poll provides three decades of data on the voices of rural Nebraskans. Current and past reports are available at https://ruralpoll.unl.edu.



Southeast Asia Agricultural Cooperators Conference Held In Thailand

Recently, the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) held the Southeast Asia U.S. Agricultural Cooperators Conference (ACC) in Bangkok, Thailand in partnership with the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and U.S. Wheat Associates (USW), bringing together the U.S. agricultural value chain and its partners across the Asia Pacific.

Under the theme “Building Trusted Partnerships, Delivering Value and Reliability,” this year’s edition underscored the enduring importance of trust, consistency and performance in global agricultural trade.

“At a time of evolving market dynamics, regulatory complexity and heightened focus on supply chain resilience, this gathering reaffirmed U.S. commitment to being a reliable, long-term partner to Southeast Asia’s food and feed industries,” said Mark Wilson, USGBC Chairman.

“Participants directly engaged with U.S. farmers, exporters, analysts and policy experts to exchange views on market access, logistics and sustainability, shaping the future of food and protein supply between the U.S. and Southeast Asia.”

Wilson attended the event along with USGBC President and CEO Ryan LeGrand, USGBC Regional Director for Southeast Asia & Oceania (SEA&O) Caleb Wurth, USGBC Deputy Regional Director for SEA&O Chris Markey and their regional team. USGBC Director for China Manuel Sanchez; USGBC Director for India Reece Cannady; USGBC Director for South Korea Haksoo Kim; and USGBC Director for Taiwan Michael Lu also brought customer delegations. USGBC state members were well represented, including delegates from the Iowa Corn Growers Association, the Nebraska Corn Growers Association and the United Sorghum Checkoff Program.

The conference began with a roundtable discussion featuring U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Sean O’Neill, who welcomed the cooperators to the country and offered an overview of factors impacting agricultural trade in Thailand.

Leaders from the organizing parties, including LeGrand and USSEC CEO Jim Sutter, then spoke about the market dynamics for the commodities they represent and the importance of building business relationships by delivering consistent value and reliability to customers.

Later that day, U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) officers based around the region shared their insights and experiences on evolving market demands.

The final day of the event included a panel discussion highlighting U.S. farmers and their perspectives on production and sustainability to reinforce the quality of U.S. feed grains.

Both days culminated in structured business-to-business sessions connecting more than 200 meetings between U.S. suppliers to international importers. Sales data resulting from these meetings will be tallied and released in a future Global Update edition.

“ACC is an annual connection showcasing U.S. agriculture’s longstanding and deeply valuable relationship in Asia that has been built over decades of trust and mutual benefit, and the Council remains committed to supporting the region’s growth, food security and resiliency goals,” Wurth said.



U.S. Dairy Consumption Holds Near Record Levels as Product "Disappearance" Reflects Strong Demand
Fred Hall, ISU Extension Dairy Field Specialist  

U.S. dairy consumption remains resilient in 2026, with recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) showing strong commercial disappearance and steady per capita intake across key categories. Despite shifting consumer preferences and economic pressures, dairy products continue to play a central role in American diets.

First, let me explain that, in agricultural commodity reporting, disappearance is a broad accounting measure of total supply usage, while consumption typically refers to the final ingestion of food by humans. Disappearance is often used as a proxy for consumption, but it is a broader, less precise term that includes waste, pet food, and industrial uses, whereas true consumption focuses only on edible intake.

According to USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) data updated in early 2026, total per capita dairy consumption reached approximately 651 pounds on a milk-fat basis in 2024, one of the highest levels recorded since tracking began in the 1970s. This measure—often referred to as "commercial disappearance"—captures the total volume of dairy products entering domestic markets.

Category Trends Show Diverging Consumption Patterns
Consumption trends vary by product category, highlighting evolving consumer preferences. Cheese continues to dominate dairy demand, with per capita consumption holding near record levels at roughly 40–42 pounds annually, with nearly 1.05 billion pounds in February alone. Disappearance rose 2.8 percent vs. February 2025, but revealed a significant slowdown compared to the most recent three months of data, all of which boasted year-over-year increases of over 4 percent. While slightly below the 2023 peak, cheese remains a cornerstone of U.S. dairy disappearance, supported by foodservice and retail demand.

Butter consumption has reached historic highs, climbing to approximately 6.8 pounds per person, reflecting increased consumer interest in natural fats and home cooking. Similarly, yogurt continues to gain traction, rising to about 14.5 pounds per capita, driven by demand for high-protein and gut-health-focused foods.

Other categories are also showing renewed strength. Cottage cheese consumption has rebounded to 2.4 pounds per person, its highest level in over a decade, while ice cream consumption has modestly increased to around 12 pounds per capita.

In contrast, fluid milk consumption continues its long-term decline, falling to approximately 127 pounds per person, reflecting decades of shifting beverage preferences and increased competition from alternative drinks.

Disappearance Data Signals Market Strength
USDA "disappearance" data indicate that overall demand remains firm even as individual product categories fluctuate. The USDA's dairy data systems, updated monthly and annually, show consistent utilization of milk fat and skim solids across product categories, reinforcing the role of dairy in both retail and food manufacturing channels.

At the same time, rising milk production is supporting availability. U.S. milk output reached more than 231 billion pounds in 2025, with continued growth expected into 2026 due to higher cow productivity and herd expansion. This ample supply has helped stabilize prices and ensure consistent product availability for consumers.

Outlook: Stable Demand with Shifting Preferences
Looking ahead, USDA reports suggest that dairy consumption will remain strong but increasingly shaped by product mix. Growth in butter, cheese, and high-protein dairy products is expected to offset ongoing declines in fluid milk consumption.

Market analysts note that consumer interest in protein-rich, minimally processed foods continues to support dairy demand, while economic factors and global supply conditions may influence pricing and export opportunities.

Overall, the 2026 USDA data underscore a clear trend: while Americans' dairy consumption is evolving, total dairy disappearance—and therefore demand—remains near historic highs, signaling continued strength for the U.S. dairy industry.



USMEF Statement on America First Trade Promotion Program Allocations

On April 16, the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) announced the 2026 America First Trade Promotion Program (AFTPP) funding allocations, which are key investments aimed at advancing U.S. agricultural exports.

U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued this statement:

USMEF greatly appreciates the Trump administration’s efforts to expand U.S. agricultural exports through reciprocal trade agreements and other critical negotiations. But resources are also needed to capitalize on these agreements, and investments under the America First Trade Promotion Program will make it possible to further diversify our red meat export destinations and grow U.S. market share across the world.

When global opportunities expand for U.S. red meat, this translates to higher returns for farmers and ranchers and the entire U.S. supply chain. USMEF looks forward to continued collaboration with FAS to ensure successful implementation of the AFTPP, which is an excellent addition to USDA’s lineup of foreign market development programs. 



USGBC Receives USDA America First Trade Promotion Program Award

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s America First Trade Promotion Program (AFTPP) grant recipients were announced Thursday, and the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) was among those agricultural organizations to receive an allocation. The initiative, funded under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and administered through the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS), is designed to help U.S. agricultural exporters expand and diversify their global markets, build trust and leverage new trade opportunities.

The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council offered the following response to the announcement:

“The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council thanks USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and Undersecretary Luke Lindberg and their team at FAS for the generous allocation. We will use it to grow and defend market share in established and emerging markets around the world for U.S. corn, sorghum, barley and their co-products, including our market development expansion of grain exports in the form of renewable bioethanol. AFTPP will help us drive global exports of our products and expand our reach to overseas destinations that were previously restricted under other market development grants. This will allow the highest amount of flexibility in finding homes for the products our U.S. farmers and producers offer, ultimately contributing to national prosperity that leads to a safer, stronger and more prosperous future for American agriculture.”
 


New Data Shows Continued Threat to Food Affordability Due to California Prop. 12
 
Equipped with brand new retail and U.S. Department of Agriculture data reinforcing California Proposition 12’s detrimental impacts on both producers and consumers, 105 American pork producers from 23 states took to Capitol Hill, advocating for their livelihoods with federal lawmakers.
 
Researchers at the North Dakota State University Agricultural Risk Policy Center found that Prop.12-driven price increases have persisted, even two years after the law was fully implemented. On average, prices for covered products are 20% higher due to Prop. 12, calculated by comparing price increases in California to the rest of the United States. Specifically, Prop 12 has driven prices for pork loins up 32%, ribs 22%, shoulders 16%, and bacon 16%, according to the latest data. 
 
Furthermore, California consumers have paid $350 million more for pork products while their consumption of pork has significantly declined due to Prop. 12. As food affordability worsens, Prop. 12 continues to create uncertainty on the farm and is driving an untenable state-by-state patchwork of animal housing laws. 
 
NPPC applauds the bipartisan Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (commonly referred to as the Farm Bill 2.0) which gives assurances to family farms across the country by not allowing one state to determine farming practices for producers outside its state’s borders. 
 
“We’re all singing from the same songbook – real pork producers of all sizes. We need relief from a patchwork of state animal housing laws, which will surely be the nail in the coffin for a number of farms across the country,” said NPPC President Rob Brenneman, a pork producer from Washington, Iowa. “The mission is clear: We need Congress to exercise their authority and fix Prop. 12.”
 
A coalition of millions of agricultural producers and members has called on Congress to stop one state from forcing its laws on agricultural producers across the country. 
 
Veterinarians are also opposed to Prop. 12. The American Veterinary Medical Association says Prop. 12 does “not objectively improve animal welfare and may unintentionally cause harm.” 
 
The National Pork Producers Council and the 60,000+ farms it represents will continue leading the charge for producers to run their businesses free from out-of-state regulations.



USDA Seeks Nominees for the United Sorghum Checkoff Program Board
 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominees for the United Sorghum Checkoff Program Board to succeed five members with terms expiring in December 2026. Nominees are needed to succeed five members representing two at large members, one representing Kansas, one new representing from South Dakota (due to recent reapportionment), and one representing Texas. The deadline for nominations is June 1, 2026.

Sorghum producers within the United States who own or share in the ownership and risk of loss of sorghum production are eligible for nomination. A sorghum producer must be nominated by a certified producer organization and submit a completed application. The Secretary of Agriculture will select individuals from the nominations submitted.

The 13-member Sorghum Board was established to maintain and expand the market for sorghum. A list of certified producer organizations, nomination form, and information about the Sorghum Board are available on the AMS United Sorghum Checkoff Program web page and on the board’s website, www.sorghumcheckoff.com. For more information, contact Barbara Josselyn at (202) 713-6918 or Barbara.Josselyn@usda.gov.

Since 1966, Congress has authorized industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool their resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight of 21 boards. Oversight ensures fiscal accountability and program integrity and is paid for by industry assessments. 



Van Court promoted to Scoular President

Scoular announced today that Grain Division Vice President and General Manager Phil Van Court has been promoted to company president, effective June 1.  

David Faith currently has a dual role as president and chairman of the board. As part of structured succession planning, some of his responsibilities will transition to Van Court. Moving forward and for the foreseeable future, as Chairman, Faith will continue to focus on Scoular’s corporate governance.  

Van Court will transition from his current role to the president role this summer, reporting directly to Scoular CEO Paul Maass. He will support Maass in driving Scoular’s long-term enterprise direction, including capital allocation and support of growth strategies, board and governance leadership, and relationship-building with industry leaders, key customers, partners, and government officials. 

Van Court is the grandson of Scoular’s modern-day founder, the late Marshall Faith, and is David Faith’s nephew.  

Since he began his career at Scoular in 2003, Van Court has held many positions in a variety of locations. As a trainee, he learned the shuttle train business first-hand helping to load trains in Downs, Kansas. He also has worked as a merchandiser, facility manager, regional manager, vice president of operations, and has served as a Scoular Board director since 2013. Since 2021, Van Court has led the Grain Division’s facility operations, a network of more than 65 facilities primarily across Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois. 

“Phil is a thoughtful, values-driven leader whose career journey speaks volumes about his commitment to Scoular’s employees, producers, partners and communities,” Maass said. “He considers it a great privilege to lead at Scoular, and David and I are excited to see him step into this new role.”