Thursday May 07 Ag News - Cuming Co Feeders Golf Scramble - FFA Officers Learn Japan's Ag Systems - Income from Meat Animals +18% in 2025 - Meat Exports for March - Fertilizer Prices Continue Upward March - and more!

Cuming Co Feeders Golf Tournament – Thursday, June 4

4-person scramble
Teams preferred.  Individuals will be placed on teams as spots are available. 

2:30 check in
3:00 shot gun start
6:00 social – steak sandwiches

Team prizes awarded after Steak Social
Registration deadline:  May 29
If you're not golfing, come out and enjoy a steak sandwich with the group!
Questions: Tyler Weborg 402-922-0187 or Jason Knievel 402-380-3229
Ask Tyler Weborg about tournament sponsorship 



National FFA Officers Return from Japan With Appreciation For Global Impact of Agriculture

The 2025-26 National FFA Officer Team recently returned from the National FFA Officers International Experience Program in Japan, where they experienced Japanese culture and agriculture in partnership with sister organization Future Farmers of Japan (FFJ). This annual trip provides National FFA Officers the chance to experience firsthand how agriculture transcends geographical boundaries and strengthens a partnership that dates back to 1950. 

This program develops the national officers’ language skills, business practices, and communication techniques to build cross-cultural cooperation while providing an opportunity for them to practice peer leadership on an international scale, explore the complexities and implications of agriculture as part of the international landscape, and expand their cultural competency through reflected and guided instruction. 

TOKYO, KYOTO, HIROSHIMA, AND KAGOSHIMA
Throughout their trip, the six student leaders engaged in a variety of experiences, including:
    Enjoy a tea ceremony 
    Tour a Japanese supermarket
    Visit with FFJ members at a local high school
    Miyajima Cattle Farm Tour 
    Visit a green onion farm and organic vegetable farm 
    Explore a Japanese farmers market 
    Visit Sumitomo Chemical’s Agro & Life Solutions Research Lab 
    Learn about traditional Japanese dance and culture
    Visit a bamboo forest 
    Tour historic sites like the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum 
    See a Japanese tea leaf picking machine in action

“One of the most impactful parts of the trip was witnessing true hospitality,” said Jael Cruikshank, National FFA Western Region Vice President. “After visiting a beef operation and seeing the care and pride producers take in their work, we later shared a meal featuring that same wagyu beef. Even without understanding the language, their passion for agriculture was clear in the way they spoke and served with excellence.”

Each fall at the National FFA Convention & Expo, student members of the National FFA Organization select six National FFA Officers. The primary responsibility of a national officer is to serve the organization in local, state, national and international activities in a way that will inform, motivate and inspire FFA members, advisors, state staff, teachers and others to achieve the mission, strategies and core goals of the organization. The officers will share knowledge gained from their experience in Japan with state chapter members.

2025-26 FFA NATIONAL OFFICER TEAM
    President: Trey Myers, Oklahoma
    Secretary: Lilly Nyland, Michigan
    Eastern Region Vice President: Joey Nowotny, Delaware
    Central Region Vice President: Claire Woeppel, Nebraska 
    Southern Region Vice President: T. Wayne Williams, Tennessee 
    Western Region Vice President: Jael Cruikshank, Oregon

“We got to visit a radish farm on an island in Kagoshima, and while there we met a man who has been farming radish for 75 years!” said Trey Myers, National FFA President. “He couldn't be more happy with the life he has been given and we appreciated how well he could still get around at 91 years old. We learned the Japanese take their health very seriously and the fruits of that were very visible.”

National officers dedicate one year of service to the organization. The time is spent representing student membership during meetings with the National FFA Board of Directors, facilitating workshops that bring leadership and knowledge to FFA members, delivering motivational speeches, and serving as advocates for FFA on a global scale.

“We visited Tokyo Metropolitan Nogyo High School at Jindai Farm when we witnessed a passion for agriculture,” said Claire Woeppel, National FFA Central Region Vice President. “These students didn't grow up with a traditional agriculture background, but they found their passion through opportunities in their classroom through Future Farmers of Japan. I will remember the students who were so proud to show their projects to us and will use them as an example to encourage students in the states in FFA to find their passion through opportunities in their classrooms.”



Meat Animals Production, Disposition, and Income 2025 Summary

Total 2025 production of cattle and calves and hogs and pigs for the United States totaled 87.6 billion pounds, up 1 percent from 2024. Production increased slightly for cattle and calves and increased 2 percent for hogs and pigs.

Total 2025 cash receipts from marketings of meat animals increased 18 percent to $165 billion. Cattle and calves accounted for 81 percent of this total and hogs and pigs accounted for 19 percent.

The 2025 gross income from cattle and calves and hogs and pigs for the United States totaled $166 billion, up 18 percent from 2024. Gross income increased 19 percent for cattle and calves and increased 13 percent for hogs and pigs from previous year's gross income.

Cattle and Calves: Cash receipts from marketings of cattle and calves increased 19 percent, from $112 billion in 2024 to $134 billion in 2025. All cattle and calf marketings totaled 59.6 billion pounds in 2025, down slightly from 2024.

Gross Income from Cattle and Calf Sales 2025
Nebraska ...:  20,372,646,000
Iowa ..........:  7,638,434,000

Hogs and Pigs: Cash receipts from hogs and pigs totaled $30.9 billion during 2025, up 13 percent from 2024. Marketings totaled 43.9 billion pounds in 2025, up 2 percent from 2024.

Gross Income from Hogs and Pigs Sales 2025
Iowa ...............:   10,392,586,000
Nebraska ........:    1,061,108,000



IFBF names Katherine MacKenzie Young Farmer Program Coordinator

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) has named Katherine MacKenzie as its young farmer program coordinator.  MacKenzie began her Farm Bureau career on April 20, serving as the primary point of contact for young farmer members and working closely with IFBF’s Young Farmer Advisory Committee (YFAC) coordinating events, awards, committees and communication.   

“We are very excited to have Katherine join our staff to build lasting relationships and bring fresh energy and innovative thinking to IFBF’s Young Farmer Program,” said Molly Shannahan, IFBF leadership training manager.   “IFBF’s Young Farmer Program is vital to our leadership pipeline, and Katherine is well positioned to help our continued growth and development of the program as we serve our young farmer members.” 

MacKenzie earned her Masters of Agricultural Sciences from East Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Science in Plant and Soil Sciences from Sam Houston State University.  The Texas native previously served as agriculture and natural resources outreach coordinator with Story County’s ISU Extension and Outreach, leading county and regional programs serving area farmers and other stakeholders.  

“IFBF’s Young Farmer Program has a tremendous reputation for developing young farmer leaders and serving our young and beginning farmers, and I’m excited to work with current and future leaders to continue the growth and success of the program,” said MacKenzie.

MacKenzie was raised outside of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex in Mansfield, Texas. Her introduction to agriculture began through horseback riding lessons, which led to involvement in 4-H and FFA, where she showed goats and lambs and competed on the horse judging team. She went on to compete in collegiate rodeo for Panola College, Sam Houston State University, and East Texas A&M. MacKenzie now resides in Maxwell, Iowa, where she remains actively involved in agriculture through the startup of a small flower farm. 



March Pork Exports Third Largest on Record; Beef Variety Meat Value Reaches New High

March exports of U.S. pork were among the largest on record, concluding a very strong first quarter, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). While March beef exports were below last year – largely due to the ongoing lockout by China – the value of beef variety meat shipments reached a new monthly high, surpassing the previous record from January.

Monster first quarter for pork to Mexico, Central America and DR; strong rebound in Japan
Pork exports totaled 285,567 metric tons (mt) in March, up 6% from a year ago, the largest in five years and the third largest on record. Export value increased 4% to $803.2 million, the second highest on record, trailing only April 2021. March exports increased year-over-year to leading market Mexico, as well as to Japan, Central America, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines and Taiwan. Shipments were steady to South Korea and Canada. March was an outstanding month for export value per head slaughtered, which was the third highest on record at $72.93.

Through the first quarter, pork exports were 3% above last year’s pace in both volume (778,939 mt) and value ($2.17 billion). Exports are on a record pace to Mexico and Central America.

For the third time in four months, beef variety meat value reaches a new high
March beef exports totaled 97,731 mt, down 11% from a year ago, while value fell 8% to $844.7 million. Shipments increased year-over-year to Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Indonesia, and were steady to Korea and Taiwan. But these results were offset by minimal exports to China, and exports were also below last year to Japan and the Middle East. Excluding China, March exports were 4% above last year’s volume and increased 8% in value.

The March export results included 29,062 mt of beef variety meat, up 24% from a year ago and the largest since 2017. Variety meat export value increased 50% to $135.6 million, the highest on record.

March was a very robust month for per-head export value, which equated to $456.56 per head of fed slaughter.

Through the first quarter, beef and beef variety meat exports totaled 275,355 mt, down 11% from a year ago, while value fell 7% to $2.35 million. Excluding China from these results, exports were 3% higher than a year ago in volume and increased 9% in value.

“The sustained momentum for U.S. pork exports is impressive in the Western Hemisphere, but it is also encouraging to see demand climbing in key Asian markets, led by a welcome rebound in Japan,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “On the beef side, while China has now been absent for more than year, the U.S. industry is making strides in other markets. The supply situation makes it difficult to grow export volumes, but exports are commanding strong prices. Expanding beef variety meat demand is especially critical, as this makes such a key contribution to the value of every animal.”

Lamb export volume lower in March, but value up slightly
March exports of U.S. lamb muscle cuts totaled 247 mt, down 11% from a year ago, but value increased 4% to $1.6 million. First-quarter exports were 9% above last year’s pace in both volume (811 mt) and value ($4.5 million). Growth was primarily led by the Caribbean, but shipments also increased to Central America and Asian markets. 



UAN, Anhydrous Lead Fertilizer Prices Higher in Last Week of April

Average retail fertilizer prices continued to climb during the fourth full week of April 2026, but the increases weren't as steep as they have been in previous weeks, according to sellers surveyed by DTN. All eight major fertilizers were more expensive compared to a month earlier. Prices for three of the eight major fertilizers were up significantly, which DTN designates as anything 5% or more.

Leading the way higher were UAN28 and UAN32. The average retail price of UAN28 was 6% higher than last month at $526 per ton. UAN32 was also 6% more expensive than last month with an average price of $595/ton. Anhydrous was 5% more expensive compared to last month. The nitrogen fertilizer had an average price of $1,116/ton.

The remaining five fertilizers were just slightly more expensive compared to last month. DAP had an average price of $901/ton, MAP $939/ton, potash was $492/ton, urea $866/ton and 10-34-0 $722/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.94/lb.N, anhydrous $0.68/lb.N, UAN28 $0.94/lb.N and UAN32 $0.93/lb.N.

All eight fertilizers are now higher in price compared to one year earlier. In addition, all but one are now double digits more expensive. Potash is 4% higher, 10-34-0 is 9% more expensive, MAP is 14% higher, DAP is 15% more expensive, UAN32 is 26% higher, UAN28 is 36% more expensive, anhydrous is 43% higher and urea is 45% more expensive looking back to last year.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 5/1/2026

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending May 1, ethanol production rose 0.8% to 1.02 million b/d, equivalent to 42.71 million gallons daily. Output was 0.3% lower than the same week last year but 3.4% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate decreased 2.2% to 1.05 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.09 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks ticked up 0.5% to 26.0 million barrels. Stocks were 3.3% more than the same week last year and 11.9% above the five-year average. Inventories built across all regions except the East Coast (PADD 1).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, slid 3.2% to a 4-week low of 8.81 million b/d (135.47 bg annualized). Demand was 1.1% more than a year ago but 0.6% below the five-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol declined 1.6% to 902,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.87 bg annualized. Yet. net inputs were 1.8% more than year-ago levels and 0.7% above the five-year average.

Ethanol exports eased 18.2% to an estimated 139,000 b/d (5.8 million gallons/day). It has been more than two years since EIA indicated ethanol was imported.



Swine Health Information Center Releases 2021–2026 Program Review Highlighting Strong Return on Producer Investment

The Swine Health Information Center announces the release of its second Program Review: Return on Producers’ Investment covering April 2021–March 2026, detailing its second five years of impact in protecting and enhancing the health of the US swine herd.

The report outlines SHIC’s continued commitment to minimizing the impact of emerging disease threats through preparedness, coordinated communications, global disease monitoring, analysis of swine health data, and targeted research investments.

Since its launch in 2015 with Pork Checkoff funding, SHIC has focused on delivering practical, science-based solutions for pork producers. The newly released program review demonstrates how that investment has translated into measurable outcomes for the industry.

“SHIC is uniquely positioned to rapidly identify knowledge gaps and mobilize targeted research that directly benefits pork producers,” said Dr. Megan Niederwerder, SHIC executive director. “This report reflects the collaborative effort across industry, academia, and government to strengthen preparedness and response to emerging swine diseases.”

Key Highlights from the Report
    Targeted Research Investment: More than 115 research projects were completed or are currently underway from 2021–2026, addressing critical gaps in disease detection, prevention, and mitigation.

    Enhanced Disease Monitoring: Expanded domestic and global surveillance systems provide timely insights to help producers prepare for and respond to evolving disease risks.

    Improved Industry Preparedness: Development of tools such as the Swine Disease Matrices and Standardized Outbreak Investigation Program supports rapid response and informed decision-making.

    Strong Collaboration: Partnerships with producers, veterinarians, industry organizations, universities, diagnostic labs, and government agencies maximize resources and reduce duplication of effort.

    Demonstrated Return on Investment: Leveraged funding and efficient operations have extended the value of Pork Checkoff dollars while delivering consistent, high-quality outcomes.

Strengthening the Future of Swine Health
The report also highlights SHIC’s strategic priorities, including monitoring swine diseases, identifying emerging risks, informing research, and ensuring effective communication with producers and practitioners. These efforts are supported by a broad network of experts and stakeholders across the pork industry.

“SHIC’s work is as critical today as when it was formed,” said Dr. Paul Ruen, SHIC Board of Directors president. “This program review underscores the importance of continued investment in proactive, science-driven approaches to safeguarding the U.S. swine herd.”

Access the Full Report
The full Program Review: Return on Producers’ Investment (April 2021–March 2026) is available here: https://www.swinehealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/SHIC-Program-Review-5.6.26.pdf



USDA Dairy Products March 2026 Production Highlights

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 1.26 billion pounds, 1.2 percent above March 2025 and 8.1 percent above February 2026. Italian type cheese production totaled 542 million pounds, 2.3 percent above 
March 2025 and 6.6 percent above February 2026. American type cheese production totaled 488 million pounds, 2.3 percent below March 2025 but 7.4 percent above February 2026. Butter production was 232 million pounds, 1.2 percent above March 2025 and 4.1 percent above February 2026.

Dry milk products (comparisons in percentage with March 2025)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 175 million pounds, up 9.9 percent.
Skim milk powder - 37.4 million pounds, up 10.1 percent.

Whey products (comparisons in percentage with March 2025)
Dry whey, total - 78.7 million pounds, up 3.6 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 92.1 million pounds, down 6.5 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 41.4 million pounds, down 6.1 percent.

Frozen products (comparisons in percentage with March 2025)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 62.8 million gallons, up 5.1 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 36.1 million gallons, up 7.5 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 1.69 million gallons, up 12.9 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 3.22 million gallons, down 7.5 percent.




Growth Energy: E15 Could Save Consumers More than $150 Million This Summer

Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, today released new data showing that fuel retailers sold nearly 2.5 billion gallons of E15 in 2025, underscoring the growing demand for a lower-cost fuel option that could save drivers more than $150 million this summer alone.  

E15, sometimes seen as UNL 88 at the pump, is a fuel blend made with 15% American ethanol that can be used in 96% of all cars on the road today. The fuel blend can save consumers up to 30 cents per gallon. 

“Fuel prices are at their highest level in four years, and families need relief. E15 offers an immediate, affordable solution, and that’s why it’s so important for Congress to act now on legislation that will make E15 accessible year-round,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. 

Earlier this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued an emergency waiver allowing for summer sales of E15. The temporary waiver ensures that retailers, refiners, and biofuel producers have the certainty they need to keep E15 on the market for the time being, but it falls short of the permanent fix retailers need to bring lower-cost E15 to more fueling locations.  

“Retailers sold nearly 2.5 billion gallons of E15 last year because consumers are actively looking for lower-cost fuel options,” Skor added. “But without policy certainty, retailers can’t deliver those savings to new markets and more consumers.” The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote next week on legislation that would finally allow year-round E15 sales nationwide, eliminating the need for temporary waivers and unlocking expanded access to lower-cost fuel options for consumers.  

The figures are based on data from over 2,500 retail stations across the U.S. that sell E15. Growth Energy encourages American drivers to reach out to their elected officials today and tell them to support year-round E15. Visit growthenergy.org/E15Now to learn more.