Monday April 13 Ag News - Spring Safety around Power Lines - Nitrates and Safe Drinking Water - Ag Data Privacy Act Passes NE Legislature - CFTC Ag Advisory Committee Members - and more!

CCPPD Plants Seeds of Caution around Power Lines
 
As farmers make plans to return to their fields for spring planting, Cuming County Public Power District urges farm workers to be particularly alert to the dangers of working near overhead power lines. Electricity is one of the most overlooked, yet deadly hazards of working on a farm. According to the National Safety Council, farmers are at an increased risk for electrocution and electric shock injury compared to non-farmers. In fact, 3.6 percent of youth under the age of 20 who work and/or live around farms are killed each year from electrocution. CCPPD urges workers to evaluate farm activities and work practices and to share that information with others – an activity that doesn’t take a lot of time but can literally save lives. By following a few safety rules, these tragic accidents can be prevented. Start by making sure everyone knows to maintain a minimum 10-foot clearance from the lines. 

“The minimum 10-foot distance is a 360-degree rule – below, to the side and above lines,” says Willy Anderson, Safety Director at Cuming County PPD. “Many farm electrical accidents involving power lines happen when loading or preparing to transport equipment to fields, or while performing maintenance or repairs on farm machinery near lines. It can be difficult to estimate distance and sometimes a power line is closer than it looks. A spotter or someone with a broader view can help.”

The most common source of electric shocks come from operating machinery such as large tractors with front loaders, portable grain augers, fold-up cultivators, sprayers with large booms, moving grain elevators and any equipment with an antenna. Handling long items such as irrigation pipe, ladders and rods also pose the risk of contact with power lines. Coming too close to a power line while working is dangerous because electricity can arc, or “jump,” to conducting material or objects.

Be aware of increased height when loading and transporting tractors on trailer beds. Many tractors are now equipped with radios and communications systems that have very tall antennas extending from the cab that could make contact with power lines. Avoid raising the arms of planters, cultivators or truck beds near power lines and never attempt to raise or move a power line to clear a path. 

Remember, non-metallic materials such as lumber, tree limbs, tires, ropes and hay will conduct electricity depending on dampness, dust and dirt contamination. Do not try to clear storm damage debris and limbs near power lines or fallen lines. 

Overhead electric wires aren't the only electrical contact that can result in a serious incident. Pole guy wires, used to stabilize utility poles, are grounded. However, when one of the guy wires is broken it can cause an electric current disruption. This can make those neutral wires anything but harmless. If you hit a guy wire and break it, call the utility to fix it. Don't do it yourself. When dealing with electrical poles and wires, always call the electric utility. 

Even the best laid plans often go awry and CCPPD wants farm workers to be prepared if their equipment does come in contact with power lines. 

“It’s almost always best to stay in the cab and call for help,” Anderson said. “If the power line is energized and you step outside, your body becomes the path to the ground and electrocution is the result. Even if a line has landed on the ground, there is still potential for the area to be energized. Warn others who may be nearby to stay away and wait until the electric utility arrives to make sure power to the line is cut off.”

Cuming County Public Power District does provide solutions for leaving the cab if necessary, as in the case of fire or electrical fire.

“In that scenario, the proper action is to jump – not step – with both feet hitting the ground at the same time,” Anderson said. “Do not allow any part of your body to touch the equipment and the ground at the same time. Hop to safety, keeping both feet together as you leave the area.” Once you get away from the equipment, never attempt to get back on or even touch the equipment. Many electrocutions occur when operators try to return to the equipment before the power has been shut off.

Managers should make sure workers are educated on these precautions and danger areas need to be thoroughly identified and labeled. Call CCPPD or your local utility to measure line height--no one should attempt this on their own without professional assistance. Designate preplanned routes that avoid hazard area and educate other workers on their location.

Farmers may want to consider moving or burying power lines around buildings or busy pathways where many farm activities take place. If planning a new out building or farm structure, contact CCPPD for information on minimum safe clearances from overhead and underground power lines. And if you plan to dig beyond normal tilling, activities such as deep-ripping or sub-soiling, call 811 to mark underground utilities first.

For more electrical safety information, visit www.ccppd.com or call 402-372-2463. 



Nitrate and Beyond: Ensuring your family has safe water

Join the Haskell Ag Lab and Nebraska Extension for Nitrate and Beyond: Ensuring your family has safe water on April 30, from 5:30 to 7pm.

Whether you rely on city water or draw from a private well, understanding how to test and treat drinking water for contaminants is essential for protecting your family’s well‑being. Join us for a community‑focused lecture that breaks down the hidden risks—like bacteria, nitrates, and other pollutants—and shows how proper testing and treatment can keep every household safe.

Private well owners will learn the critical steps to safeguard their water sources, while all community members will discover practical, affordable solutions for cleaner, healthier water. Safe water doesn’t happen by chance; it happens when informed neighbors take action together.

Our presenters for the evening will be Crystal Powers and Amy Timmerman, both Water & Cropping Systems Extension Educators.

Free, on-site water testing will also be provided the Lower Elkhorn and Lewis & Clark Natural Resource Districts. Samples should be collected on the day of the event and kept refrigerated. For those with filtration systems, please bring two samples: one collected before filtration and one after.

Join us April 30, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at the Haskell Ag Lab, 57905 866 Rd, Concord, NE.

This event is open to the public at no charge. Pre-registration is requested. To register, please visit: go.unl.edu/nitrate2026 or call (402) 584-2261.



Agricultural Data Privacy Bill Passes Final Reading

Nebraska farmers and ranchers scored a major win at the State Capitol with the final passage of LB 525, a bill that establishes clear, commonsense protections for agricultural data.

Supported by Nebraska Farm Bureau and introduced by Mike Jacobsen of North Platte, the legislation marks a significant step forward in safeguarding the information that powers modern agriculture.

“As agriculture becomes increasingly data-driven, Nebraska must establish clear expectations for how agricultural data is collected, owned, controlled, shared, and protected,” said Bruce Rieker, senior director of state legislative affairs for Nebraska Farm Bureau.

At its core, LB 525 ensures that farmers and ranchers remain in control of their own data. The bill requires any company seeking to access or use agricultural data to first enter into a written consent agreement with the producer. It also clearly establishes that producers are the sole owners of data tied to their operations, including agronomic, climate, weather, land, livestock, and management data, so long as it is not publicly available or aggregated.

The legislation goes even further by prohibiting the sale of a producer’s raw data by anyone other than the producer and requires companies that handle such data to maintain strong security practices to protect it.

In addition to its agricultural provisions, LB 525 includes consumer protections related to artificial intelligence, particularly for minors. The bill requires transparency when users may believe they are interacting with a human, adds safeguards for youth accounts, and ensures appropriate responses to sensitive topics such as mental health and self-harm.

Passage of LB 525 reflects the growing importance of data in agriculture and the need to protect it. For Nebraska Farm Bureau, it represents a policy priority driven by member concerns that successfully advanced through the legislative process.

“We appreciate Senator Jacobsen and all stakeholders who worked to move this proposal forward,” Rieker said. “This is an important step, and we recognize that agricultural data policy will continue to evolve as technology advances.”

With LB 525 now headed to the governor’s desk, Nebraska agriculture is better positioned to embrace innovation while maintaining control, privacy, and security over the data that drives its success.



USDA to Share Wildfire Resources Information During April 15 Webinar

Nebraska farmers, ranchers and landowners affected by recent wildfires can learn about U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) disaster assistance and recovery programs during a webinar on Wednesday, April 15.

The webinar, Wildfire Recovery Programs: USDA Resources for Nebraska, will feature representatives from the Nebraska state offices of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The webinar will be hosted by the Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

FSA and NRCS representatives will highlight available programs for those working through wildfire recovery. The presentation will include discussion of resources related to livestock losses, grazing and forage losses, fencing and water infrastructure repair, debris removal, and eligible conservation assistance. Speakers will explain how programs apply in the current wildfire response and what producers and landowners should know as they work with local USDA offices.

The webinar will begin at noon CT on Wednesday, April 15, and is free to attend, but registration is required on the Center for Agricultural Profitability’s webinars page cap.unl.edu/webinars.

Information on wildfire resources can be found on farmers.gov or at fsa.usda.gov/ne under the Spotlights section.  

Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to participate in this meeting should contact Bobbie Kriz-Wickham at (402) 437-5896 or bobbie.krizwickham@usda.gov, or dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunication relay services.   



Nebraska Craft Brewery Board Seeks Project Proposals

To help grow the state’s hop and craft brewery industry, the Nebraska Craft Brewery Board is seeking project proposals from growers, industry organizations, state and local agencies, educational groups and others. This year, the Board anticipates allocating $120,000 to fund research, development and marketing projects. The deadline to submit project proposals is May 1, 2026. 

“Unique tastes and local connections make craft beers a popular choice in Nebraska and help drive the craft brewery industry forward,” said Josh Christensen, Chair of the Nebraska Craft Brewery Board. “Craft breweries are good business for local communities in Nebraska as they create jobs, tax revenue and tourism. These grants represent a big opportunity for those interested in growing Nebraska’s craft beer industry.” 

In Nebraska, craft breweries are defined as small, independent breweries producing less than 20,000 barrels of beer per year. There are approximately 64 licensed brew pubs and micro-breweries in Nebraska. 

The state’s Craft Brewery Board consists of seven members appointed by the Governor. The Board represents different aspects of the craft beer industry including brewers, manufacturers, distributors, consumers, and farmers growing barley and hops. 

Those interested in receiving grant funds must submit a detailed proposal for review and approval by the Nebraska Craft Brewery Board. Applications, instructions, program guidelines and performance measures are available online at craftbreweryboard.nebraska.gov/application-instructions and must be submitted by May 1, 2026.

Project proposals must clearly explain how the funds will be used and how they will enhance the competitiveness of Nebraska’s craft beer industry. Grant applicants will be asked to present their projects to the Nebraska Craft Brewery Board at the next meeting. 

For more information, contact the Nebraska Department of Agriculture at (531) 310-1595.



ICPB to Hold Director Elections for USDA Crop Reporting Districts 1, 3, 6 and 8

Since 1978, Iowa corn farmers have elected their peers to serve on the Iowa Corn Promotion Board® (ICPB) to oversee the investment of funds generated by the Iowa corn checkoff program.    

On July 14, 2026, corn farmers in crop reporting districts 1, 3, 6 and 8 can vote at their local county ISU extension office for representation on the Iowa Corn Promotion Board. The board’s primary priorities and responsibilities include domestic and foreign market development, research of new and value-added corn uses and education on corn and the farmers who grow it.     

Corn farmers within districts 1, 3, 6 and 8 who have produced and marketed 250 bushels of corn or more in Iowa in the previous marketing year (September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025) and are interested in running for a position may still file a petition with the ICPB. Petitions can be obtained by contacting the Iowa Corn office and must contain the signatures of 25 corn producers from the same district as the prospective director candidate. Completed and notarized petitions must be delivered to the Iowa Corn office no later than 4:30 PM on April 21, 2026. Once all grower petitions have been received, a final list of candidates will be generated, and candidate names will be listed on the election ballots.   

Anyone who has produced and marketed 250 bushels of corn or more in Iowa in the previous marketing year is eligible to vote in the election. Producers unable to visit the local ISU extension office on July 14 can vote by absentee ballot. Absentee ballots can be requested beginning May 20 and must be made no later than June 15 by contacting the Iowa Corn office at 515-225-9242 or on our website at www.iowacorn.org. Absentee ballots must be postmarked or returned to the Iowa Corn office no later than July 14. The results of the election are announced publicly on July 17.      

The current candidates are as follows:  

USDA Crop Reporting District 1 
- John Schott, Pocahantas County 
- Gina White, Clay County 

USDA Crop Reporting District 3  
- Jason Orr, Buchanan County 
- Jerry Keleher, Clayton County   

USDA Crop Reporting District 6 
- Lance Lillibridge, Benton County  
- James “Jay” Buline, Johnson County   

USDA Crop Reporting District 8   
- Rob Vos, Marion County    
- Blake Reynolds, Warren 

The Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB), works to develop and defend markets, fund research, and provide education about corn and corn products. For more information, visit iowacorn.org.  



CFTC Announces Agricultural Advisory Committee Members

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission today announced the members of the Agricultural Advisory Committee. 

“I’m proud to re-launch the CFTC’s Agricultural Advisory Committee to ensure that our agricultural growers and producers have a seat at the table and have their voices heard,” Chairman Michael S. Selig said. “The AAC’s work will help ensure the CFTC’s decisions are informed by the perspectives of the agricultural industry.”

Chairman Selig is the sponsor of this committee and nominated Emma Johnston as the committee’s designated federal officer.

The AAC serves as a vital information source to promote and advise on sound policy that impacts millions of farmers and ranchers across the country. Having a direct line of communication to market participants in all aspects of the agricultural sector is essential to ensure the agency’s regulations are adapting to market and consumer needs. The following individuals have been appointed as ACC members:
    Gabe Afolayan, Vice President, Soybean Merchandising & Trading, Cargill
    Buddy Allen, President & CEO, American Cotton Shippers Association
    Dr. Melissa Bailey, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service, United States Department of Agriculture
    Joe Barker, Representative, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
    Dr. Justin Benavidez, Chief Economist, Office of the Chief Economist, United States Department of Agriculture
    Chris Betz, Representative, Michigan Agri-Business Association
    Robbie Boone, Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and General Counsel, Farm Credit Council
    Gerry Corcoran, Chief Executive Officer, R.J. O’Brien, a StoneX company
    Patrick Coyle, Representative, National Grain and Feed Association
    Daniel Diez, Representative, Cocoa Merchants Association of America
    Neil Donovan, Director of Trading North America Soybeans, Bunge
    Mike Drinnin, Chairman of the Live Cattle Marketing Committee, National Cattlemen's Beef Association
    Ed Elfmann, Senior Vice President, Agricultural & Rural Banking Policy, American Bankers Association
    Robert Froom, Representative, North American Export Grain Association
    Matt Frostic, First Vice President, National Corn Growers Association
    Tommy Hayden, Jr., Representative, Commodity Markets Council
    Ahmet Hepdogan, Representative, American Bakers Association
    Tom Hoffman, Portfolio Manager, Citadel
    Bryan Humphreys, Chief Executive Officer, National Pork Producers Council
    Sudhir Jain, Partner, Patomak Global Partners
    Jeff Lloyd, Manager, Global Oilseed Risk Desk, Archer Daniels Midland
    Corey McCray, Vice President of Government Relations, National Oilseed Processors Association
    Mark McHargue, Board of Directors, American Farm Bureau Federation
    Nelson Neale, Board Member, Futures Industry Association
    Ethan Ongstad, Interim President, MIAX Futures Exchange, LLC
    Kimberly Parks, Representative, National Milk Producers Federation
    Ed Prosser, Senior Vice President of Emerging Businesses, The Scoular Company
    Derek Sammann, Global Head of Commodities, Options, and International Markets, CME Group, Inc.
    Mark Scanlan, Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Rural Policy, Independent Community Bankers of America
    Liam Smith, Representative, PTG
    Curt Strubhar, Representative, Grain and Feed Association of Illinois
    Brad Sullivan, Chief Operating Officer, ICE Futures US
    Justin Tupper, Vice President, Board of Directors, U.S. Cattlemen's Association
    Wes Uhlmeyer, Senior Advisor, Greenfield Holdings, LLC
    Ryan Weston, Representative, American Sugar Alliance
    Jason Wheeler, Representative, USA Rice Federation
    Brandon Wipf, Director, American Soybean Association



NCBA and OCA Express Disappointment in Federal Court Ruling on Poultry Case

Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) President, Ford Drummond, and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President, Gene Copenhaver, released the following statement after the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma’s rejection of the state of Oklahoma’s negotiated settlement with four poultry companies in the decades-old State of Oklahoma v. Tyson Foods, Inc., et al., lawsuit regarding the application of chicken litter in the Illinois River Watershed.

“Cattle producers across Oklahoma and the Illinois River Watershed are greatly disappointed by the U.S. District Court’s rejection of a settlement between Oklahoma poultry producers and the state of Oklahoma. The decades-old lawsuit relies on outdated information and fails to consider the adoption of nutrient management plans, increased efficiencies, and the adoption of voluntary conservation practices,” Drummond said. 

While OCA and NCBA do not directly represent parties to the litigation, the ripple effect of this decision will reach far beyond the gates of Oklahoma broiler operations. Not only does this decision deal a death blow to poultry farmers across the state, but will severely impact all of Oklahoma agriculture, and any livestock operation that manages manure.

“The District Court’s holding creates significant economic risk for farmers and ranchers throughout the Illinois River Watershed, while also diminishing faith in the nutrient management plan as a reliable tool for environmental compliance and regulatory protection,” Copenhaver said.

NCBA and OCA will continue to work hard on behalf of all cattle producers who find themselves impacted by this decision and are prepared to support the appeal of the U.S. District Court’s decision to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.