Thursday May 28 Ag News - NeFBFoundation Ag in the Classroom Champs - USDA Offers Base Acre Increase for ARC/PLC - Fertilizer Prices Moderate - USDA Opens Texas Lab to Combat Livestock Pests - and more!

The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation Recognizes 2026 Agriculture in the Classroom Champion Educators

The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation has recognized 40 educators from across the state as 2026 Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom Champions. Sponsored by the Nebraska Corn Board, the Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom Champions program highlights teachers who utilize Agriculture in the Classroom resources and programming to connect students with Nebraska agriculture.

Participating teachers complete grade-specific activities and educational opportunities designed to connect state educational standards in math, science, social studies, and language arts to food, fiber, and fuel. Educators who complete seven checklist items through the Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher Toolkit receive recognition and classroom prizes.

“Through the Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom Champions program, teachers are helping students better understand where their food, fuel, and fiber come from while bringing real-world agricultural connections into everyday learning,” said Brandon Hunnicutt, farmer and chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board. “The Nebraska Corn Board is proud to support educators who are creating meaningful learning experiences and helping students build a stronger connection to Nebraska agriculture.”

The following educators were recognized as 2026 Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom Champions:
    Kylie Ebeling – St. Wenceslaus (Dodge)
    Becky Streff – North Bend Central Elementary
    Kim Loseke – Leigh Elementary Schools (Leigh)
    Callie Asmus – Christ Lutheran School (Norfolk)
    Christy Owen – Christ Lutheran School (Norfolk)
    Kelsie Bahe – Bell Field Elementary (Fremont)
    Wendy Gustafson – Howard Elementary (Fremont)
    Linda Swartz – Howard Elementary (Fremont)
    Beth Grimmond – Florence Elementary (Omaha)
    Melissa Bernard – Beals Elementary (Omaha)
    Hannah Ellis – Florence Elementary (Omaha)
    Julie Walling – Crestridge Elementary (Omaha)
    Kelci Wood – St. Cecillia School (Omaha)
    Brandi Klassen – All Saints Catholic School (Omaha)
    Jessica Nielsen – Florence Elementary (Omaha)
    Adriana Rodriguez – Sherman Elementary (Omaha)
    Erin VanZee – Ashland Park Robbins Elementary (Omaha)
    Heidi Schneider – Florence Elementary (Omaha)
    Morgan Anderson – La Vista West Elementary (La Vista)
    Lisa Elsasser – La Vista West Elementary (La Vista)
    Tami Fraser – St. Gerald (Ralston)
    Kayla Kill – LeMay Elementary (Bellevue)
    Jenny Battershaw – Wasmer Elementary (Grand Island)
    Jalynn Brase – St. John School (Seward)
    Arlys Cupp – Chase County Schools (Imperial)
    Stephanie Evans – Ansley Public Schools (Ansley)
    Kelsey Gabel – Shelby-Rising City Public School (Shelby)
    Lisa Hermann – Centura Elementary (Cairo)
    Madisyn Jakub – East Butler Public Schools (Brainard)
    Nicolette Koch – Wynot Public School (Wynot)
    Abby Kuhn – Shelby-Rising City Public School (Shelby)
    Kristi Lindburg – High Plains Community Schools (Clarks)
    Danielle Luettel – Shelby-Rising City Public School (Shelby)
    Kierra O’Brien – High Plains Community Schools (Clarks)
    Courtney Peiffer – McDaid Elementary (North Platte)
    Tabitha Rieken – High Plains Community Schools (Clarks)
    Kristi Ryan – Ansley Public Schools (Ansley)
    Katheryn Sauer – Kenwood Elementary (Kearney)
    Valerie Vandenberg – East Butler Public Schools (Brainard)
    Susan Wait – Beatrice Elementary (Beatrice)

Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom provides free educational resources, lesson plans, and programs to help teachers incorporate agriculture into classroom instruction while meeting state educational standards. Educators can learn more about the Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom Champions program and available classroom resources through the Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher Toolkit.   



CAP Webinar: How Financial Analysis Can Assist Your Operation
Thursday, May 28 at noon CT

Could a closer look at your numbers help improve cash flow or clarify your next decision?

This CAP webinar will show how financial analysis can help producers evaluate debt, refinancing, profitability and long-term planning.

A simple case study will demonstrate how reviewing financial information can uncover realistic strategies and opportunities for an operation.

The session will also introduce a new CAP financial analysis program available to producers.

Details and register at cap.unl.edu/webinars.



USDA Announces Base Acre Increase Opportunity for Agriculture Risk and Price Loss Coverage Safety Net Programs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Wednesday announced eligible landowners have from June 1 until Aug. 31, 2026 to review and consider base acre increases on farms enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, as authorized by provisions included in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. 

Signed into law by President Donald J. Trump on July 4, 2025, the Act provides landowners with the opportunity to update and increase base acres in preparation for enrollment in ARC and PLC beginning with the 2026 and future crop years. Nationwide, up to 30 million new base acres can be added by eligible farms. 

ARC and PLC are cornerstone commodity safety net programs that provide financial protection to farmers when market prices or revenues decline. These programs help producers manage risk and maintain the economic viability of their operations amid challenging market and weather conditions. 

“This is the first chance for adding base acres since 2002. President Trump and Secretary Rollins continue to put Farmers First by ensuring USDA programs help producers protect their operations for generations to come,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. “These base acre improvements will help strengthen the farm safety net for producers across the country and help them better manage risk by providing greater flexibility for operations that have expanded or diversified since the last time we revisited base allocations.” 

FSA began notifying eligible landowners, by direct mail, that Base Allocation Summaries outlining potential base acre updates will be available for review beginning June 1, 2026. These Base Allocation Summaries can be accessed online at fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc using a Login.gov account. Landowners who do not currently have a Login.gov account are encouraged to contact their local FSA county office to obtain their Base Allocation Summary beginning June 1, 2026. The Base Allocation Summary should be reviewed and any necessary actions completed by Monday, Aug. 31, 2026.  

Farm operators often maintain detailed historical planting records. Early communication between landowners and farm operators will ensure the Base Allocation Summary is accurate and all necessary actions are completed by the deadline. 

To be eligible for new base acres, a current covered commodity must have been planted or prevented from being planted on the farm during the 2019 through 2023 crop years. The farm’s average planted and prevented planted acres during that period must exceed the total existing base acres for all covered commodities in effect on Sept. 30, 2024, excluding unassigned base acres. FSA farm total base acres cannot exceed the farm’s total cropland acres. If eligible requests exceed the nationwide cap of 30 million acres, USDA will apply an across-the-board, prorated reduction to all approved new base acres. 

For additional information, producers should contact their local FSA county office.



DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

Fertilizer prices tracked by DTN for the third full week of May 2026 displayed a situation we have not seen since the second week in February -- two of the nutrients' prices moved lower. That is a run of 14 straight weeks of higher nutrient prices. Two fertilizers were slightly less expensive while the remaining six of the eight major fertilizers were slightly higher. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

The two fertilizers slightly lower compared to last month were potash and UAN32. Potash had an average price of $494/ton and UAN32 $586/ton.

The remaining six fertilizers had slightly higher prices compared to a month earlier. DAP had an average price of $912/ton, MAP $953/ton, potash $494/ton, 10-34-0 $724/ton, anhydrous $1,118/ton and UAN28 $531/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.90/lb.N, anhydrous $0.68/lb.N, UAN28 $0.94/lb.N and UAN32 $0.92/lb.N.

All eight fertilizers are now higher in price compared to one year earlier. Potash is 5% higher, 10-34-0 is 9% more expensive, DAP is 14% higher, MAP is 15% more expensive, UAN32 is 19% higher, urea is 27% higher, UAN28 is 28% more expensive and anhydrous is 44% higher looking back to last year.



Farmers for Soil Health reopens enrollment with higher payments, simpler contracts for cover crop adoption 

Farmers for Soil Health, the farmer-led initiative launched in 2022 to double cover crop acres on U.S. farmland by 2030, has reopened enrollment for 2026 with increased per-acre payments and a simplified one-year contract designed to remove barriers for growers. Enrollment is open May 1 through Aug. 31.

"Cover crops aren't just good for the soil - they're good for the bottom line," said Jim Douglas, farmer advisor for Farmers for Soil Health and a soybean and corn grower from Flat Rock, Indiana. Douglas, who also serves as one of 77 farmer-leaders on the United Soybean Board, added, "On our farm, we've seen the difference that cover crops make in soil health and long-term productivity. A program like Farmers for Soil Health makes it easier for farmers to take that first step by helping offset the startup costs, and the $35-per-acre payment on a simplified one-year contract removes a lot of the risk that keeps people on the fence." 

The program, a partnership among the Soy Checkoff, Pork Checkoff and the National Corn Growers Association, was created after commodity groups recognized the importance of cover crops. It’s one of the most effective ways to improve soil health, reduce erosion, cut nitrogen runoff and sequester carbon. Additionally, it helps farmers meet growing demand for sustainably produced crops. The initiative is backed by a $95 million USDA Advancing Markets for Producers grant. 

Since its launch, Farmers for Soil Health has worked toward a goal of helping farmers get more cover crop acres established by providing technical resources and cash share dollars to the farmer. According to the Soil Health Institute, hitting that target could increase carbon sequestered in soils by approximately 7 million metric tons, reduce erosion by 105 million metric tons and reduce nitrogen leaching by 272 million pounds. The 2026 enrollment introduces several updates designed to make participation easier and more financially viable for growers: 
    Payment rates have increased to $35 per acre, per year, up to 2,000 acres, better reflecting the actual on-farm costs of cover crop adoption. 
    The contract period has been reduced to a single year, with the option to renew annually for the duration of the program, giving farmers flexibility to participate on their own terms at a consistent payment rate. 
    State-based technical advisors remain available to help farmers understand eligibility, navigate enrollment and successfully implement cover crop practices. 

Any corn, soybean, wheat, grain sorghum or cotton farmer operating in the 20 participating states is eligible, regardless of prior cover crop experience.

"These updates more accurately reflect on-farm costs and the agronomic value of cover crops," said Ben West, executive director of Farmers for Soil Health. "By offering financial assistance that better mirrors those costs, simplifying the contract structure and maintaining technical support, the program aims to make participation more accessible for growers interested in practices that improve soil health and long-term farm resilience." 

Farmers for Soil Health is a 20-state program committed to advancing soil health practices, particularly cover crop adoption, to support environmental outcomes and on-farm profitability. The program provides financial incentives and local, research-based technical support to help farmers transition to cover crops. The initiative is led by the Soy Checkoff, Pork Checkoff and National Corn Growers Association in partnership with state commodity groups and conservation organizations. Incentive payments are supported through a $95 million USDA Advancing Markets for Producers initiative. Farmers can learn more about eligibility and enroll at FarmersforSoilHealth.com/enrollment. 



Checkoff Brings ‘Body by Cheese’ To Life for National Cheese Day

With consumers increasingly seeking protein-rich foods to support active lifestyles, the dairy checkoff is leveraging National Cheese Day on June 4 to position cheese as a convenient, high-quality protein option through its Dairy Does More platform.

The National Cheese Day activation, launched by Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), introduces “Body by Cheese,” a lighthearted campaign designed to connect cheese with fitness, wellness and snacking occasions. At the center of the effort is the Parm Bar, a 2-ounce block of domestically produced parmesan packaged in a protein-bar-inspired wrapper that highlights cheese’s protein benefits in a modern way.

The Parm Bar is not a retail product and will only be distributed through a limited-time social media influencer giveaway tied to the campaign. It is designed to give audiences a humorous hook to stop scrolling and start thinking about how cheese is another way to build their protein intake.

The activation represents an extension of Dairy Does More, which DMI created to help consumers think differently about dairy foods and recognize benefits beyond taste.

“Consumers already love cheese but our opportunity is helping them think about cheese differently and creating new usage occasions,” said Aris Georgiadis, DMI senior vice president of integrated marketing. “This campaign is about reinforcing that dairy does more than consumers may realize, particularly when it comes to protein, energy and satiety. If consumers already buy cheese for toppings or meals, can we inspire them to see cheese as another snack or protein option throughout the day?”

The National Cheese Day effort is targeted toward younger, fitness-minded consumers who seek protein in their diets but may not immediately think of cheese as part of their workout or wellness routines. Through influencer partnerships, social media activations and earned media outreach, the campaign aims to insert cheese into broader cultural conversations around fitness and nutrition.
 
“Many consumers don’t realize cheese is a good source of protein,” said Monica LaBelle, DMI vice president of digital ecosystem. “We want to create something fun and memorable that helps people rethink cheese as more than just a topping or indulgence. The Parm Bar showcases that parmesan can be a simple, real-food protein option that fits naturally into active lifestyles.”

Parmesan delivers approximately 9 grams of protein per ounce, making it a convenient, nutrient-dense option for consumers seeking foods that support active lifestyles.

To expand the campaign’s reach with younger consumers, DMI and state and regional checkoff teams partnered with seven fitness-focused influencers, including national spokesperson Adrian Williams. Influencers will post content June 2-5 highlighting cheese’s protein benefits while encouraging followers to participate in the National Cheese Day giveaway featuring cheese-themed workout gear packaged inside a parmesan wheel-inspired box.

“Working with influencers allows us to reach consumers where they already spend time and in ways that feel authentic to them,” LaBelle said. “These creators talk about wellness, fitness and balanced eating, so they’re helping introduce cheese into those conversations naturally.”

For more information on how the dairy checkoff is driving sales and building trust, visit www.dairycheckoff.com.



USDA Opens State-of-the-Art Livestock Insects Research Laboratory to Combat Livestock Pests

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) opened the Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, a state-of-the-art laboratory facility that will provide the U.S. cattle industry with innovative tools and advanced technologies to manage and eliminate the invasive fly and tick pests that threaten the U.S. cattle industry.

“The Trump Administration has been committed to eradicating pests that could harm our American livestock since the President has been sworn in. The brand new Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory will allow us to research and find new active measures to keep current and future threats away from our borders,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “We have taken extraordinary actions to keep New World Screwworm out of the United States and this lab will help us accelerate our offensive efforts to drive this pest further away from our borders.”

“For the last 250 years, our nation has relied on research leading to science-based innovation as a means to overcome some of America’s greatest agricultural challenges, including the exclusion of New World Screwworm from the United States with novel Sterile Insect Techniques,” said USDA Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics Dr. Scott Hutchins. “The Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory -- named after ARS pioneers that every entomologist and entomology student knows of through their breakthrough work -- will build on their legacy by protecting livestock health, ensuring that America’s ranches remain productive, safe, and profitable for generations to come.”

The new 52,000‑square‑foot laboratory features cutting‑edge laboratory spaces, advanced cattle facilities, and a state‑of‑the‑art genomics core to drive research that delivers innovative control technologies for the U.S. livestock industry. Other on-site research opportunities will involve improved surveillance and trapping tools, novel insecticides and acaricides, enhanced pesticide delivery techniques for cattle and wildlife, sustainable treatments to prevent and mitigate outbreaks of invasive/quarantine arthropod species, improved approaches to combat pesticide resistance, and insect genomics to identify pest vulnerabilities.

The facility also houses two ARS research units: the Livestock Arthropod Pest Research Unit and the Veterinary Pest Genetics Research Unit. Collectively, these units improve the health, sustainability, and profitability of U.S. livestock production and protect the U.S food supply from devastating arthropod pests, including biting flies, ticks, and the New World Screwworm. On-site research also plays a role in critical research to eradicate other ticks and blood feeding flies that can harm, infect, and kill cattle.

“This new laboratory will equip our researchers with advanced tools to combat the most destructive invasive insects already impacting the United States, as well as those posing future threats at our borders,” said ARS Administrator Joon Park. “The important ARS research conducted here in Kerrville will continue to play a vital role in protecting and strengthening the future of the U.S. cattle industry.”

This is a full circle moment due to the 80 years of historic research done at previous ARS laboratory facilities in the Kerrville, TX area. This includes:
    Research on the biology of control of New World Screwworm that led to its eradication from the United States in the 1970s.
    Development and evaluation of novel pesticides like macrocyclic lactones for controlling biting flies and ticks on cattle and wildlife.
    Sequencing the genome of over 25 important livestock arthropod pest species.

The laboratory is named after two influential and pioneering USDA researchers: Drs. Edward F. Knipling and Raymond C. Bushland. In 1937, Knipling first developed the theory that screwworms could be controlled using the sterile male technique. In the early 1950s, Bushland successfully demonstrated that the theory worked, that viable sterile male screwworms could be produced and used to control screwworm populations. This biocontrol technique, known as Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), became the keystone component of the strategy that eventually led to the eradication of the screwworm from the United States, Mexico, and Central America. Nearly 80 years later, SIT is still being employed to fight New World Screwworm in Mexico and Central America, in an effort to keep the devastating insect from reestablishing itself once again in the United States.



The United States and Mexico Announce Series of Bilateral Negotiating Rounds Related to the First Joint Review of the USMCA

Wednesday, the Office of the United States Trade Representative announced that the United States and Mexico will hold a series of bilateral negotiating rounds related to the first Joint Review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

On May 28-29, Deputy United States Trade Representative Ambassador Jeff Goettman will lead a U.S. delegation to Mexico City for the first bilateral negotiating round with Mexico, which will feature negotiations on economic security and rules of origin for key industrial goods. On June 16-17, the two countries will hold a second negotiating round in Washington, D.C., which will also include discussions on agriculture and a level playing field. During the week of July 20, the United States and Mexico will hold a third negotiating round in Mexico City.  

The negotiations will focus on ensuring that the USMCA benefits U.S. manufacturers, farmers, ranchers, workers, and service suppliers, and businesses of all size, including our small and medium-sized enterprises. 



Synovex® ONE Grower Receives Additional Label Indication for Dry Lot Cattle

Zoetis announced Wednesday it has received an expanded label approval from the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) for Synovex® ONE Grower increased rate of weight gain for up to 200 days in growing beef steers and heifers in a dry lot.

“This approval gives dry lot cattle producers a long-acting implant option to support longer term dry lot periods, whether in confinement or on pasture with insufficient forage quality/yield. As one of only three implants containing trenbolone acetate (TBA) approved for dry lot production, it supports additional weight gain for up to 200 days in growing beef steers and heifers when paired with proper nutrition,” said Jase Ball, PhD, associate director of Global Clinical Research and Development at Zoetis.

Effective immediately, existing packages of Synovex® ONE Grower can be used in the dry lot production phase. Animal health product suppliers and cattle producers will begin seeing packaging for Synovex® ONE Grower with the updated indications by the end of 2026.

“The approval of Synovex® ONE Grower in the dry lot production phase adds one more tool in the toolbox for dry lot and integrated operations, especially those that are needing extra days of implant coverage in their production systems” said Dirk Burken, PhD, MBA nutritionist with Zoetis Beef Strategic Technical Services. “It’s exciting to be able to offer this added flexibility and value to our growing cattle customers. This approval further reflects Zoetis’s commitment to implant technology and, most importantly, to our customers.”