Wednesday April 15 Ag News - Youth Tractor Safety Training - NE Beef Council Supports Youth Programs - Dairy Markets Reacto to GLP-1 Trends - USDA Launches National Feeder & Stocker Cattle Dashboard - and more!

May, June dates set for annual tractor/equipment safety training for young and beginning farmers

UNMC’s Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health, in collaboration with Nebraska Extension, will oversee the courses.

The Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health, in partnership with Nebraska Extension, has announced the dates for its annual tractor and equipment safety training courses. The training will be offered at 12 locations across Nebraska throughout May and June.

“Tractors and agricultural equipment remain leading sources of serious injury and fatalities in farming, especially for young and beginning producers who are still gaining experience,” said course instructor Aaron Yoder, PhD, associate professor, UNMC and University of Nebraska- Lincoln. “The 2026 Annual Tractor and Equipment Safety Course provides essential, hands-on training that helps participants recognize hazards, develop safe operating habits and build confidence when working around powerful machinery.”

Federal law restricts youth under the age of 16 from operating certain farm equipment unless the farm is owned by their parents or legal guardians. However, certification through the National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program (NSTMOP) provides an exemption, allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to drive tractors and operate specific mechanized equipment.

In Nebraska, CS-CASH and Nebraska Extension work together to offer NSTMOP certification. This certification is earned by completing a two-day course that includes both a written test and a driving exam. Youth who complete the training are certified to operate tractors and certain mechanized equipment on farms and ranches and can also obtain a husbandry permit.

Course Details:
    Day One: The first day covers the essential components of NSTMOP, as well as additional training in emergency response, stop-the-bleed techniques, personal protective equipment and other lifesaving skills.
    Day Two: The second day includes a hands-on driving test, equipment operation and ATV safety lessons. Students will be required to demonstrate their ability to hitch and unhitch equipment, as well as drive a tractor and trailer through a standardized course. Instructors will also provide education on safe practices and legal guidelines for ATVs, utility task vehicles (UTVs) and other off-road vehicles (ORVs).

The cost for the two-day course is $60, which covers educational materials, online learning access (if applicable), supplies, and lunch and snacks for in-person training sessions.

Additional Information:
Youth under the age of 14 can attend Day One if accompanied by an adult, but they are not eligible to drive equipment, participate in Day Two or receive certification. Students under 14 must register, but they will not be charged a fee. New and beginning farmers who want to increase their knowledge about safe farm practice are also urged to register and attend.
    May 26-27 - Lincoln-Logan-McPherson County Extension Office, 348 W. State Farm Road, North Platte, Nebraska
    May 28-29 - Red Willow County Fairgrounds-4H Building, 1400 W. Fifth St., McCook, Nebraska
    June 1-2 - Legacy of the Plains Museum, 2930 Old Oregon Trail, Gering, Nebraska
    June 3 - Sheridan County Fairgrounds. 613 E. Third St., Gordon, Nebraska
    June 4-5 - AKRS Equipment, 49157 Douglas Ave., O’Neill, Nebraska
    June 8-9 - Raising Nebraska, 501 E. Fonner Park Road, Grand Island, Nebraska
    June 10-11 - Cuming County Fairgrounds, West Washington St., West Point, Nebraska
    June 23-24 - Dawson County Fairgrounds, 1002 Plum Creek Parkway, Lexington, Nebraska
    June 25 - Phelps County Fairgrounds, 1308 Second St., Holdrege, Nebraska
    June 29-30 - Valley County Fairgrounds, 801 South St., Ord, Nebraska
    July 1-2 - Ag Hall at Tuxedo Park, 1700 Tuxedo Park Road, Crete, Nebraska
    July 1-2 - Butler Country Fairgrounds, 62 L St., David City, Nebraska
    Virtual Module – For those attending a location that only offers Day One or are attending a location that offers both days but live 50 miles or more from the location. 

To get more information and to register, visit: https://www.unmc.edu/publichealth/cscash/outreach/farm-safety-days.html



Nebraska Beef Council May Board Meeting

The Nebraska Beef Council Board of Directors will conduct their regular board meeting on Friday, May 1, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. CDT at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln Animal Science Complex. The NBC Board of Directors will receive updates on current UNL research projects and participate in the Beef Month proclamation event.

For more information and a detailed agenda, please contact the Nebraska Beef Council office at 308-236-7551.



Nebraska Youth Programs Build the Next Generation of Beef Advocates
Adam Wegner - Nebraska Beef Council 

Across Nebraska, youth programs supported by the Nebraska Beef Council are helping students connect the dots between agriculture, food, and their everyday lives. From classrooms to campuses, these initiatives are creating meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that leave a lasting impact. One standout effort is the Ag Sack Lunch Program, coordinated by Ginger Jelinek, who is finishing her third year in the role. Focused on fourth grade students, the program combines a meal with agricultural education. 

“The Ag Sack Lunch Program educates fourth grade students across Nebraska,” Jelinek said. “With both in-person and virtual options available, the reach of students continues to grow from Omaha to Scottsbluff.” 

During in-person visits, where students also get to visit the Nebraska State Capitol, students receive a Nebraska-produced lunch while participating in a 25-minute lesson about the state’s agricultural industry. Virtual options ensure even more classrooms can participate. The program continues to expand, reaching approximately 2,500 students so far this year, with another 2,500 scheduled, plus hundreds more through virtual presentations. Beyond numbers, the impact is personal. Jelinek recalled a student who stayed after a presentation to ask about studying agriculture and getting involved in the program someday. 

“It was really cool to see him so interested at such a young age,” she shared. “You could tell the experience influenced him in the moment.” 

The Ag Sack Lunch Program is just one piece of a broader effort to engage Nebraska youth. In 2024, the Nebraska Youth Beef Leadership Symposium celebrated 20 years of educating students on the beef industry at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s East Campus, helping develop future leaders and advocates in both the beef and food science industries. 

Additionally, 5,635 students participated in Nebraska Ag in the Classroom programs through the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation, learning how cattle are raised, how beef contributes to a healthy diet, and how agriculture supports the state’s economy. Younger students are also introduced to agriculture through events like Fonner Park Ag Day, where 7,000 third and fourth graders interacted with members of the Nebraska Cattlewomen to learn about cattle production and the many products derived from beef. 

Together, these programs are doing more than educating, they are cultivating understanding. As Jelinek put it, “Every lesson helps students see agriculture not as an abstract concept, but as a vital, local industry they are already part of.”



The Search for Iowa’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Starts Now
    
Got a go-to spot for a can’t-miss breaded pork tenderloin? Or better yet, does your restaurant serve one worth bragging about? Either way, it’s time to step up.

The Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) is kicking off the 2026 Iowa’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest, and nominations are officially open April 15 through June 1.

This annual tradition shines a spotlight on the restaurants serving up one of Iowa’s most iconic sandwiches, and we’re calling on both tenderloin fans and restaurants to get in the game.

Do you know a place that does it right? Nominate them.

Serve a standout tenderloin? Rally your customers and make sure your name is in the mix. The top five finalists for the award, announced in October, usually see a substantial uptick in business.

“We encouraged all our social media followers to vote for us. That alone created a lot of engagement and excitement with our customers,” said Kalyn Durr, co-owner of Hometown Heroes in Grinnell, the winner of the 2025 Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest. “Once we made the judging, we did what we do best – we tried to put out a consistently great tenderloin sandwich for each and every order. The results were incredible - after we won our pork tenderloin sales increased by 20x!”

Each person can submit one nomination, and if your pick rises to the top, you’ll be entered for a chance to win $100.

“Restaurants that embrace this contest and encourage their customers to nominate them can see a real impact,” said Denise Wiley, chair of the Restaurant & Foodservice Committee at Iowa Pork. “We’ve had past finalists report major increases in traffic and tenderloin sales. This is a great opportunity to showcase what makes your place special.”

From crispy, hand-breaded classics to creative takes on the sandwich, Iowa restaurants continue to raise the bar every year. And with Iowa leading the nation in pork production, there’s no better place to celebrate this hometown favorite.

How it works:
Restaurants must serve hand-breaded pork tenderloin sandwiches as a regular menu item and be open to the public year-round to qualify.

After nominations close, IPPA will select the top 40 restaurants across Iowa, including the top five from each of its eight districts. From there, undercover judges will visit each location and evaluate entries based on pork quality, flavor, appearance, and overall experience.

The Top 5 will be unveiled in October during National Pork Month, with the winner earning $500, a plaque, and statewide recognition. The runner-up will receive $250 and a plaque.

Why it matters:
This contest isn’t just about great food. It’s about supporting local businesses and celebrating a sandwich that has become part of Iowa’s identity.

And the impact is real. Each year, thousands of nominations pour in from across the state, driving attention, and customers, to the restaurants that make the cut.

Recent Winners:
    2025 — Hometown Heroes, Grinnell
    2024 — Dairy Sweet, Dunlap
    2023 — Cliff’s Place, Manning
    2022 — Lid’s Bar & Grill, Waukon
    2021 — Victoria Station, Harlan 

Think you’ve got Iowa’s best? Or know someone who does?

Nominate them, and let’s find out. Visit IowaPork.org for more information and to nominate your favorite restaurant. 



Dairy Producers Face Milk Check Pressure as GLP-1 Trends and Federal Pricing Changes Reshape Markets
Fred Hall, ISU Extension Dairy Field Specialist 

U.S. dairy producers are navigating a rapidly shifting landscape as evolving consumer trends and federal milk pricing changes combine to pressure farm-level profitability, even as overall dairy demand remains resilient.

New market analysis highlight the growing influence of GLP-1 weight-loss medications on food consumption patterns. With an estimated one in eight Americans now using these drugs, and projections reaching 18 million U.S. users by 2029. Dietary habits are shifting toward smaller portions, higher protein intake, and nutrient-dense foods.

For dairy, this trend presents a mixed outlook. Categories such as yogurt, kefir, and cottage cheese are benefiting from increased demand for high-protein, low-fat options. Yogurt consumption alone rose 6 percent year-over-year. However, households using GLP-1 medications are reducing spending on higher-fat dairy products, including butter (-6 percent), cheese (-7 percent), and cream (-5 percent).

Despite this, overall U.S. consumption of high-fat dairy remains strong. In 2024, Americans consumed record levels of butter (6.8 pounds per capita), while cheese held steady at 41.9 pounds, and ice cream rose to 12 pounds per person, underscoring continued consumer appetite.

While increased consumption of dairy components is a good thing, dairy farmers are facing significant financial headwinds tied to recent changes in federal milk pricing formulas. The American Dairy Coalition (ADC) reports that updated “make allowances” within Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs)—now totaling $3 to $5 per hundredweight—have reduced producer milk check revenue by approximately 5 percent.

Industry analysis shows processor margins have increased sharply since mid-2025, with Class III margins up 26.7 percent and Class IV margins up 39.1 percent, while farmers absorb the downside. Meanwhile, the gap between USDA-reported mailbox prices and all-milk prices has widened to $1.00 per cwt, further squeezing producer income.

Compounding the issue, improved milk component levels have increased processing efficiency—reducing the volume of milk needed to produce finished products—yet current pricing formulas amplify negative impacts on producers.

Producer organizations are urging the USDA to ensure transparency through newly mandated audited cost surveys, authorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, to prevent cost-shifting to producers and restore fairness in pricing formulas. Demand for higher-value, differentiated dairy products remains strong, particularly among higher-income consumers who are more likely to use GLP-1 medications.

However, industry leaders emphasize that without reforms to federal pricing systems, these market opportunities most likely will not translate into improved returns for producers.



USDA Launches National Feeder and Stocker Cattle Dashboard
 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today launched the National Feeder and Stocker Cattle dashboard https://mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov/National_Feeder_Stocker_Dashboard. This is the fourth launch of a new dashboard as part of ongoing efforts to make USDA’s Market News information more user-friendly. Farmers and ranchers now have instant access to dynamic, visualized data, with price movements, volume changes, and market comparisons all in an easy-to-read format. AMS previously published the Livestock Auction, LMR Cattle, and Cattle Contract Library dashboards https://mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov/visualizations/lpgmn, and will continue to deliver tools to support producers as they make marketing decisions for their products.

With the new National Feeder and Stocker Cattle dashboard users can create customizable filters to refine their view by date, sale type, region, class, and weight, giving them the flexibility to focus on the data that matters most to their operation. This interactive tool will replace the text and pdf reports currently posted on the AMS Market News website while also expanding processing, consumer transparency, and markets for farmers and ranchers.



Nationwide Survey: Most Farmers Can’t Afford Fertilizer

An overwhelming majority of America’s farmers who responded to a nationwide survey say they cannot afford to purchase enough fertilizer to get them through the year. The percentage who pre-purchased fertilizer varies significantly by region.

Conducted by the American Farm Bureau Federation April 3-11, the survey shows 70% of respondents say fertilizer is so expensive that they will not be able to buy all the fertilizer they need.

More than 5,700 farmers, both Farm Bureau members and non-members, from every state and Puerto Rico took the survey. Farm Bureau economists analyzed the results in the latest Market Intel.

The analysis reveals that almost 8 in 10 farmers in the southern U.S. say they can’t afford all needed supplies this year, followed by the Northeast and West at 69% and 66%, respectively, compared to 48% of the farmers in the Midwest.

Just 19% of farmers in the South prebooked fertilizer purchases in advance of planting season. In the Northeast, only 30% of farmers prebooked, followed by 31% in the West, and 67% in the Midwest. Even with higher pre-booking rates, almost one in three Midwestern farmers still report entering the season without securing all of their fertilizer needs.

The conflict in the Middle East sent fertilizer and fuel prices soaring. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is keeping critical fertilizer supplies and crude oil from reaching global markets, putting a squeeze on supplies around the world.

“Spring planting decisions depend heavily on access to fertilizer and diesel fuel, both of which have been impacted by geopolitical risks that have disrupted global markets,” the Market Intel states. “Since the escalation of tensions in the Middle East, nitrogen fertilizer prices have risen more than 30%, while combined fuel and fertilizer costs have increased roughly 20% to 40%. Urea prices have increased by 47% since the end of February, marking the largest month-to-month percentage increase in the price of urea. These increases are occurring when many producers were already facing tight margins for many consecutive years.”

Many of the farmers surveyed said they will forego applying fertilizer this spring in hopes that prices will return to an affordable level later in the growing season.

AFBF President Zippy Duvall said, “The skyrocketing cost of fuel and fertilizer is creating more economic hardships for farmers who have already endured years of losses. Without the necessary fertilizers, we’ll face lower yields and some farmers will reduce acres altogether, which will impact food and feed supplies. It’s too early to know how this will affect food availability and prices in the long run, but it’s a warning light that we’ve shared with leaders in Washington. We look forward to working with them to find solutions so farmers can continue to feed families across America.”

According to the survey, 94% of respondents reported their financial situation has worsened or remained the same since last year, while only 6% reported improvement. 



New Meal Ready Cuts from Smithfield® Deliver Bold Flavor in Minutes with No Prep Required

Smithfield is redefining mealtime with the launch of Smithfield Meal Ready Cuts, a first-of-its-kind lineup of pre-cut, pre-marinated fresh pork designed to deliver bold, globally inspired meals in under 20 minutes. With no preparation, marinating or chopping required, the lineup brings restaurant-worthy flavor straight from package to pan.

Smithfield Meal Ready Cuts meets the demands of busy weeknights, making pork an easy, exciting solution for fast meals without sacrificing flavor. Featuring pre-marinated, ready-to-cook cuts, the lineup streamlines preparation, so home cooks can create flavorful and impressive dishes in minutes, with no cutting, no seasoning, no hassle. In other words, Smithfield is taking care of the hard part so home cooks can get straight to the “wow, this is good” part.

The new product line features three crave-worthy varieties: Korean BBQ Pork Loin Strips, Carne Asada Pork Loin Strips and Sweet & Smoky BBQ Pork Belly Bites, each crafted to deliver globally inspired flavor with minimal effort. Designed for quick stovetop cooking, air frying or tossing into tacos, rice bowls, salads and wraps, Smithfield Meal Ready Cuts make it easy to turn everyday meals into something worth savoring because a little less effort should still deliver a lot more flavor.

“Consumers want big flavor without all the work,” said Marianne Radley, managing director of marketing for Smithfield Foods. “With Smithfield Meal Ready Cuts, we’ve taken care of the hard part so all that’s left for you to do is cook, serve and enjoy. It’s premium taste without the premium prep.”

Made with premium, fresh pork, each variety offers up to 19 grams of protein per serving, for a convenient, high-protein option for everyday meals. Smithfield Meal Ready Cuts are now available nationwide at major retailers, including Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons and Meijer.