Monday June 15 Ag News - Watch for Corn Leafhoppers - SGM Emergence Update - DOE Updates GREET Model for 45Z Tax Credit - Webinars Focus on Iowa's new Prop Tax Law - JBS to Close PA, TN Beef Plants - and more!

Earlier Corn Leafhopper Detections Prompt Continued Scouting in Nebraska
Silvana Paula-Moraes - NE Extension Entomologist
Tamra Jackson-Ziems - NE Extension Plant Pathologist

Corn leafhopper has not caused major yield losses in Nebraska to date, but earlier detections in the southern Great Plains this season make continued awareness and scouting important as corn moves through vulnerable early growth stages.

Corn leafhopper (Dalbulus maidis) and corn stunt disease — caused most commonly by a spiroplasma pathogen carried by the insect — were first confirmed in Nebraska in 2024, as part of a broader northward expansion into 11 new U.S. states across the central and southern Great Plains and beyond. In 2025, corn stunt spiroplasma was confirmed in a sample from Valley County, Nebraska, indicating that infected leafhoppers had reached at least central Nebraska. Symptoms on that sample were typical of the corn stunt disease reported previously in Nebraska and other states, especially with purple/reddening of the leaves. 

Similar discoloration can be caused by other factors, such as physical damage, ear loss, nutrient imbalances, and other diseases. Earlier corn leafhopper feeding and pathogen infection can cause more severe symptoms, including stunting and malformed ears.

In 2026, the corn leafhopper alert system has already reported detections in areas of south Texas and the Lubbock region. Last week, the insect was detected in a V6-stage corn field in Caddo County, Oklahoma. This detection occurred 18 days earlier than in 2025, suggesting that northward movement of the pest may be occurring sooner this season.

Although corn leafhopper and corn stunt disease remain important concerns, major yield losses have not been expected under Nebraska conditions to date. This is largely because infective leafhoppers have generally arrived after corn has passed its most vulnerable growth stages. The greatest yield losses occur when plants are infected from emergence through V8. Infections occurring after tasseling typically result in milder symptoms and minimal yield impacts.



SGM Emergence Report in NE
https://soybeangallmidge.org/

Soybean Gall Midge emergence started on May 29th in Nebraska followed by June 1st in Iowa. Adult activity continues to occur at all sites in eastern Nebraska. White larvae have been found at several locations, with orange larvae on mid-April through early-May plantings in Lancaster, Saunders, and Otoe Counties in Nebraska.  SGM also confirmed in Cass County over the last week. 

As a reminder, depending on the planting date in May, some soybean fields may not yet be at the V2 growth stage when stem fissures begin to form, and plants become susceptible to soybean gall midge infestation. See soybeangallmidge.org for soybean staging information and examples of stem fissures.

Before considering an insecticide application, use the following checklist:
 • Is the field adjacent to a soybean field with soybean gall midge pressure from the previous year?
 • Are soybean plants at the V2 growth stage?
 • Is adult emergence occurring in your area based on the emergence map and alerts?

If an application is being considered, use a product containing a pyrethroid active ingredient. Applications only need to target the current year’s soybean field edge, generally within the first 60–100 feet of the field adjacent to soybean with plant injury observed in the previous year. However, foliar insecticide efficacy for soybean gall midge has been inconsistent across locations and years.



What Can I Do About Drought, Minerals, and Fly Control for Cattle?

Nebraska cattle producers continue to face tough conditions this season. Cool‑season grass production is coming in 30–70% below normal, with warm‑season pastures starting off behind. With forage shortages looming, now is the time to evaluate your strategies to stretch limited feed resources.

This program will walk through practical, research‑based options to help your operation stay resilient through drought, maintain cow health, and protect calf performance.

Program Topics
    Mineral Nutrition: Mineral supplementation can be a cost‑effective insurance policy for your herd. Participants will learn how to evaluate their current mineral program to determine whether it meets cow requirements during hay feeding, cornstalk grazing, or pasture turnout.
    Fly Control: Fly pressure can reduce calf gains and cause stress in cows. We’ll cover effective control options and timing to reduce fly numbers and protect cattle performance.
    Drought Planning: We’ll discuss strategies for managing through drought when forage availability is limited, including supplementation, early weaning, grazing adjustments, and alternative feed options.

Event Details
Date: Friday, June 26 Time: 2:00–4:30 p.m. Location: West Central Research, Extension & Education Center 402 West State Farm Road, North Platte, Nebraska

Speakers
    Mary Drewnoski, Extension Beef Cattle Specialist
    Jesse Fulton, Meat Institute Director of Health and Welfare
    Dave Boxler, Extension Livestock Entomology Educator
    Randy Saner, Extension Livestock Educator

Registration
To register, call the Lincoln‑Logan‑McPherson Extension Office at 308‑532‑2683 or email Randy Saner at randy.saner@unl.edu.



Sizing and Typing Future Dairy Operations for Financial Success Webinar

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy monthly webinar will feature Larry Tranel on Tuesday, June 30 at 12 noon CDT.

The dairy industry continues to consolidate with fewer but larger farms. The dairy industry is not dying but growing by different means and changing in both size and type. This webinar will look at alternatives and systems for transitioning and future dairy producers to stay in the game or looking to get into the dairy game. This webinar will be led by Larry Tranel, dairy field specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach.

Producers, dairy consultants and industry reps are encouraged to attend the free webinar live from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. by pre registering at least one hour before the webinar at: https://go.iastate.edu/3RAPK4. 

There is no registration fee to attend the program, but registration is required.

For more information, contact Fred Hall at 712-737-4230 or fredhall@iastate.edu. 



DOE Update to 45ZCF-GREET Model Strengthens Path for American Biofuels

Friday, the U.S. Department of Energy released an updated 45ZCF-GREET model used to determine the carbon intensity of fuels qualifying for the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit.

This change has been anticipated since the passage of the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act. However, this change marks the first time renewable fuel producers can input data into the model and receive results that reflect the changes Congress made. Most importantly, this includes the removal of flawed and unscientific indirect land-use change (ILUC) penalties.

Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw stated: “This update better reflects the role of U.S. biofuels in reducing emissions and supporting rural economies. It moves away from flawed, unscientific assumptions about biofuels and better recognizes their true carbon benefits. IRFA appreciates the DOE’s work on the much-needed certainty the new model provides our biofuels producers as they work to qualify for 45Z credits and to produce the ultra-low carbon biofuels increasingly demanded around the globe.” 



IGFI Webinars To Help Local Officials Review New Iowa Property Tax Law

Iowa local government officials and community leaders will have two online opportunities in July to learn more about Senate File 2472, the state’s recently passed property tax legislation, and how information in the law may relate to local fiscal planning.

The sessions are offered through the Iowa Government Finance Initiative, a program of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Community and Economic Development. The July 7 webinar will provide a broad overview of the legislation. The July 15 webinar will focus more closely on urban renewal and urban revitalization.

The July 7 session, “IGFI: Overview of New Property Tax Legislation in Iowa,” https://go.iastate.edu/UGTCC4 will begin at 10 a.m. Erin Mullenix, research scientist and evaluation specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Community and Economic Development, will discuss major components of Senate File 2472 and potential impacts on community fiscal planning, including new limitations, shifts in the property tax base, reserve fund limitations and changes to urban renewal.

The July 15 session, “IGFI Overview: Urban Renewal and Urban Revitalization Legislation in Iowa,” https://go.iastate.edu/8U8VSN will also begin at 10 a.m. Mullenix will provide an introduction and update before Nathan Overberg of Ahlers & Cooney Law Firm walks participants through recent changes to Iowa’s urban renewal and urban revitalization laws included in the legislation, using real-world examples.

“Local officials are reviewing a lot of information about Senate File 2472 and what it may mean locally,” Mullenix said. “These sessions are intended to help participants understand the law and consider how the information may relate to planning and decision-making.”

Both webinars are intended for Iowa local government officials, city and county staff, finance staff, planners, economic development professionals, urban renewal practitioners and other community leaders involved in local fiscal planning.

The Iowa Government Finance Initiative provides educational resources and training to help Iowa local governments better understand government finance and use data-driven resources in fiscal planning.



USDA Issues Directive to Restore Grazing on National Forest Lands and Strengthen Support for America’s Ranchers

Friday, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the distribution of a comprehensive directive to all U.S. Forest Service employees from the Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment (NRE). These actions advance implementation of the Advancing Grazing on Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lands Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the USDA–Department of the Interior Grazing Action Plan, delivering on the Trump Administration’s commitment to strengthen American ranching, restore multiple-use management on federal lands, and combat regulatory lawfare against producers. 

“America’s ranchers are an integral component of our rural economies, our food security, and our national strength,” said Secretary Rollins. “For too long, bureaucratic overreach and activist-driven lawfare have undermined the multiple-use mandate of our National Forests and Grasslands. Today, we are empowering line officers with clear direction and reaffirming grazing as an essential tool for healthy landscapes and vibrant rural communities.” 

The letter to Forest Service employees, addressed from Secretary Rollins and referencing the detailed implementation directives from Under Secretary Michael Boren, emphasizes the historic role of grazing on National Forest System lands. These actions build directly on the October 2025 USDA Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry and the March 31, 2026, MOU signed with Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. 

Key Elements of the Directives:
    Expanding access to prioritize permitting vacant and closed allotments
    Maximizing grazing flexibilities to keep working lands working
    Eliminating delays by streamlining permitting and allotment authorizations
    Elevating rural Americans by giving ranchers a better voice
    Improving service by setting expectations for positive engagement with ranchers.

By elevating grazing as an Administration priority, USDA is protecting the roughly 23,000 permittees and lessees who rely on public rangelands while delivering more affordable, American-raised protein to consumers. 



JBS USA Announces Network Changes to Strengthen Operations
Press Release 

JBS USA Friday announced the planned closure of two facilities in Pennsylvania and Tennessee. The company emphasized its commitment to supporting those affected as it makes targeted changes to strengthen operations for the future.

The closures include:
    Beef production facility in Souderton, Pennsylvania (a suburb of Philadelphia)
    Value-added facility in Memphis, Tennessee

“These decisions are never easy because they directly affect our team members and the communities where we operate,” said Wesley Batista Filho, CEO of JBS USA. “We are deeply grateful to the team members at these facilities for their efforts and contributions over many years. Our focus right now is on supporting them with transparency, respect, and access to new opportunities wherever possible.”

JBS USA is implementing transition plans that include:
    Opportunities for team members to apply for open roles at other company facilities across the United States
    On-site support and resources to assist team members through the transition
    Continued engagement with local stakeholders and workforce partners

Investing in the Future While Strengthening Operations
JBS USA emphasized that these actions are part of a broader strategy focused on growth, modernization, and long-term competitiveness in the United States.

Over the past year, JBS USA has made significant investments in new facilities and improvements across the United States, including major expansions in Texas, Georgia, and Iowa. These projects are focused on growing our prepared foods and value-added capabilities, modernizing operations, and enhancing the company’s ability to serve customers in the years ahead.

“JBS USA is investing heavily in the United States and in the future of food production,” Batista Filho said. “At the same time, we must ensure our operations are efficient, modern, and positioned to compete. By investing where we are growing and making difficult adjustments where needed, we are building a stronger and more resilient company.”

Earlier this year, JBS USA combined its beef and case-ready businesses into a more integrated platform designed to improve efficiency, enhance productivity, and expand value-added capabilities across its network.

Maintaining Service and Supply Continuity
Production from the affected facilities will be absorbed into other operations across its network, ensuring continuity of supply and service for customers.

JBS USA remains committed to U.S. agriculture and rural communities, working closely with producers and grower partners across the country.

Looking Ahead
Batista Filho said the company remains confident in its long-term outlook.

“Demand for high-quality protein continues to grow, and we are committed to meeting that demand as a reliable partner to our customers, producers, and communities,” he said. “These steps ensure we are better positioned to invest in the future, strengthen our operations, and continue delivering the products people depend on every day.”