Tuesday June 02 Ag News - Weekly Crop Progress Reports - NE Ag Exports Updated - NRCS/NRD Working Group Meeting Planned - Dairy finds "Other" Demand Along I-29 Corridor - FCSA Impact Report - and more!

Nebraska Crop Progress & Condition Statistics - May 31

                               Very Short     Short    Adequate     Surplus
Topsoil Moisture .......:    27          29            41              3     
Subsoil Moisture .......:    35          33            30              2     

                              .....  Last year   Last week   This week   5YrAve
Corn Planted ...............:       98            92             97               96     
Corn Emerged ............:       88            61             79                82  
Soybeans planted .......:       94            91             95                92     
Soybeans emerged .....:        75            58             72               68    
Sorghum planted ........:       36           27              46                47    
Winter Wheat headed .:       77            62             84                60    
Winter Wheat Harvested:    00           na             00                 00

                                              VP       Poor       Fair        Good       Excellent    
Corn Condition Rating ...:     01          04         37           49             09
Soybean Condition Rating    01          05          33          51             10
Winter Wheat Condition .:    49          31          15          05               -     
Pasture Conditions ..........:    51          29          15           5                -    



Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

There were 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 31, 2026. This is 0.3 days more than last year, when there were 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 28 percent short, 64 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 25 percent short, 66 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus.

Corn planting in Iowa reached 97 percent complete, which is the same as last year’s pace. Corn emergence reached 87 percent, which is 2 percentage points ahead of last year, when 85 percent of the crop had emerged. Corn condition rated 82 percent good to excellent. 

Ninety-five percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, which is unchanged from last year. Soybean emergence reached 74 percent, which is 2 percentage points behind last year. Soybean condition rated 79 percent good to excellent. 

Ninety-eight percent of the state’s oat crop has emerged, 3 percentage points ahead of last year. Oats headed reached 35 percent, 4 percentage points behind last year. Oats condition rated 85 percent good to excellent. 

Pasture condition rated 75 percent good to excellent.



USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report

The U.S. corn crop is rated 67% good to excellent and the soybean crop 66% good to excellent in their first condition ratings of the year, according to USDA NASS's weekly Crop Progress report released on Monday. Planting progress and crop development also remain slightly ahead of the five-year averages for both corn and soybeans nationwide, NASS reported.

CORN
-- Planting progress: 93% of corn was planted nationwide as of Sunday, 1 point ahead of last year's pace and the five-year average of 92%. 
-- Crop development: 76% of corn had emerged as of Sunday, steady with last year's pace and 2 points ahead of the five-year average of 74%.
-- Crop condition: In its first condition rating of the season for corn, NASS estimated that 67% of the crop was in good-to-excellent condition. Only 5% of the crop was rated very poor to poor. 

SOYBEANS
-- Planting progress: An estimated 87% of intended soybean acreage was planted as of Sunday, 4 points ahead of last year at this time and 7 points ahead of the five-year average of 80%. 
-- Crop development: 65% of soybeans had emerged as of Sunday, 4 points ahead of last year's pace and 8 points ahead of the five-year average of 57%.
-- Crop condition: In its initial rating of this year's soybean crop, NASS estimated 66% of the soybeans that had emerged were in good-to-excellent condition and just 5% were very poor to poor.

WINTER WHEAT
-- Crop condition: An estimated 26% of winter wheat was rated poor to very poor as of May 31, steady with a week ago, according to NASS.
-- Harvest progress: 5% of the nation's winter wheat crop was harvested as of Sunday, 2 points ahead of last year and the five-year average of 3%. 
-- Crop development: 87% of winter wheat was headed nationwide as of Sunday. That's 5 percentage points ahead of last year's 82% and 8 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 79%. 

SPRING WHEAT
-- Planting progress: 94% of the crop was planted nationwide as of May 31, steady with last year's pace and 5 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 89%.
-- Crop development: 72% of spring wheat was emerged as of Sunday, 1 percentage point ahead of last year's pace of 71% and 5 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 67%.
-- Crop condition: In its first condition rating of the season for spring wheat, NASS estimated that 47% of the crop was in good-to-excellent condition nationwide with 6% rated very poor to poor.



Exports Turn Positive to Begin 2026 
NeFB Economic Tidbits

The value of U.S. agricultural exports through the first three months of 2026 rose 6% compared to the same period in 2025, totaling $46.6 billion. And the increases were seen across almost all commodities. Looking at key Nebraska exports in the first quarter, only red meats (beef, pork, and lamb) saw a decline in the export value in the first quarter compared to last year, down 2%. All other commodities saw gains led by soybeans, up 25%, followed by wheat and animal feed and oil meal, up 7%.

The increase in soybean exports is particularly noteworthy given the marked declines seen in the past three years. Increased shipments to China and Egypt helped pace the surge. Corn exports are a bit higher this year on larger purchases by Mexico and to some extent Japan. The increase in the value of red meat exported was largely due to growing pork exports. According to the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), pork exports through the first quarter were 3% above last year’s pace, led by higher exports to Mexico and Central America. The value of beef exports was down, mostly due to the lack of purchases by China. According to the USMEF, if China were excluded from the numbers, U.S. beef exports would have increased 9% in terms of value.

The growth in exports thus far this year is the largest seen since 2022. Greater exports and fewer imports in the first quarter led to a narrowing of the trade deficit in agricultural goods to $4.7 billion compared to $15 billion last year. And it seems the export growth may continue. Projections made in February by USDA called for slightly higher exports through the end of September. Corn exports were forecast higher, but beef and soybeans were expected to be lower.

However, the trade situation has changed since these projections were made. President Trump’s recent trip and discussions with President Xi of China could spur additional buying by that country. Already China has reinstated the registrations for U.S. beef processing facilities, opening the door for renewed U.S. beef shipments. And China, according to the White House, has agreed to purchases of other U.S. agricultural products as well, although China has been largely silent regarding any deal. Growing exports is good news for producers. With abundant supplies at hand, growing and maintaining demand is important.   



NRCS/NRD Local Working Group Meetings Planned

A Local Working Group that provides advice on the priorities for many U.S. Department of Agriculture conservation programs will meet June 11, 2026 from 5:30pm to 6:30pm at the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resource District at 1508 Square Turn Boulevard, Norfolk NE.

The public is encouraged to attend and express their natural resource concerns. Ideas generated from the public will help the U.S. Department of Agriculture tailor their natural resource programs to meet the needs identified locally.

There is a Local Working Group in each Natural Resources District (NRD). Membership on the Local Working Group includes Federal, State, county, Tribal or local government representatives according to Robin Sutherland, District Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) whose agency guides the Local Working Group.

“The Local Working Group recommends to the NRCS State Conservationist how conservation programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), or Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) would be used most effectively in their area. This recommendation can include special target areas, cost share rates on conservation programs, which conservation practices should have cost assistance, or how many dollars could be needed,” said Sutherland. This work group allows local input into how Federal dollars are spent, she said.

Typically, Nebraska NRCS obligates anywhere between $45 million to over $75 million dollars to farmers and ranchers statewide through NRCS conservation programs. These programs helped landowners and operators make natural resource improvements to their land, water, or wildlife. This funding was allocated according to the priorities set by the Local Working Group.

For more information about the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the programs and services they provide, contact your local USDA Service Center or www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov.



Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board to meet in Lincoln

The Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board will hold its next meeting on Monday, June 8, 2026, at the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board office in the Grain Bin meeting room located at 245 Fall Brook Blvd, Lincoln, Neb. The meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m.

In addition to regular business, the Board will receive program updates. The meeting is open to the public, and time will be provided at the beginning for public comment on Board programs. A copy of the agenda is available by emailing the board at: sorghum.board@nebraska.gov or by calling the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board at 402-471-4276.



Rapid Growth in “Other” Fluid Milk Category Reshapes Demand Along the I‑29 Corridor
Fred Hall, ISU Extension Dairy Field Specialist

Producers from Sioux City to Fargo are watching a major realignment unfold in the fluid milk marketplace. While total fluid consumption continues its long‑term decline, the USDA’s “Other” fluid milk category has exploded—growing nearly 600% in recent years and becoming the single largest source of growth in the packaged dairy aisle. This shift is reshaping demand signals for processors and producers throughout the I‑29 corridor.

The “Other” category, once a statistical footnote, has become a powerhouse. Two product types account for nearly all of the expansion:
    Ultra‑filtered milk — Brands such as Fairlife and Costco’s Kirkland have driven sustained double‑digit growth as consumers seek higher protein, lower sugar, and longer shelf life.
    Lactose‑free dairy — Demand for digestive‑friendly, value‑added dairy continues to accelerate, pushing these products firmly into the mainstream.

For processors along the I‑29 corridor—home to some of the nation’s most efficient Class III and Class IV manufacturing capacity—this trend signals a clear shift in where value is being created. Plants positioned to handle filtration, extended‑shelf‑life processing, or specialty packaging are capturing the strongest returns.

Meanwhile, traditional fluid categories continue to soften. Whole milk remains comparatively resilient, but 2% and 1% volumes are posting year‑over‑year declines, reinforcing the long‑term structural contraction in conventional fluid demand. For producers, this means the growth story is increasingly tied to value‑added channels rather than commodity beverage milk.

This category shift is unfolding against a broader backdrop of national milk oversupply. High beef prices and strong herd management have kept cow numbers elevated, contributing to abundant milk supplies across the Upper Midwest. However, strong international demand for cheese exports and butterfat has helped absorb much of the excess, keeping inventories balanced even as domestic beverage sales evolve.

For I‑29 producers, the message is clear: the fluid milk market is not shrinking uniformly—it is splitting, with value‑added products accelerating while traditional categories contract. Aligning with processors investing in filtration, ESL technology, or specialty dairy innovation will be increasingly important as the “Other” category continues to redefine the dairy case.



ICGA Applauds Newly Signed Laws Strengthening Iowa Agriculture

Monday, Iowa Corn Grower Association (ICGA) grower leaders were in attendance as critical pieces of legislation directly impacting Iowa’s corn industry were officially signed into law. The new measures represent a monumental step forward for Iowa’s family farms and rural economies. 

"These legislative achievements aren't just wins on paper; they translate directly to the bottom line of Iowa’s farm families,” said ICGA President Mark Mueller, who farms in Waverly, Iowa. “We appreciate the dedication of our state's ag leaders and lawmakers who worked tirelessly to get these bills across the finish line. ICGA is eager to support the implementation of these policies and witness the positive impacts they will bring to the state of Iowa.” 

Key Legislative Enactments Include:  
    E85+ On-Farm Excise Tax Exemption (SF 2493): Iowa Corn helped lay the groundwork for this legislation, which eliminates the state's excise tax on ethanol blends above E85 that are used in agricultural equipment. By clearing the path for this tax relief, the measure significantly lowers fuel overhead costs for producers utilizing high-blend renewables on the farm. This change creates a direct economic benefit for growers while actively driving greater internal demand for Iowa-grown corn. 

    The Iowa Farm Act (SF 2465): Introduced by Secretary Mike Naig, this comprehensive legislation streamlines state operations and reduces regulatory barriers, strengthening the state's agricultural economy for long-term success. By bringing together farmers, agribusinesses and other stakeholders, the Iowa Farm Act will not only help today’s farmers through reducing cost and promotional activities but support the next generation of farmers.   

    “Farm to Faucet” Water Quality Initiative (HF 2771): Introduced by Governor Kim Reynolds and promoted by Secretary Mike Naig, the initiative unlocks more than $138 million in funding and drives an estimated $319 million in water quality investments over the next 12 years on critical water infrastructure and treatment upgrades, and increased funding for voluntary conservation practices. Included in this plan is a $25 million grant to Central Iowa Water Works to expand and double their nitrate removal capacity within the next three years. 

ICGA remains committed to working alongside state leaders and local growers to maximize the benefits of these initiatives, ensuring Iowa’s agricultural economy remains competitive and resilient for generations to come. 



Naig, Reynolds on Farm to Faucet Water Quality Bill Signing

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today joined Gov. Kim Reynolds when she signed House File 2771, the Agriculture and Natural Resources budget, which includes new investments in water quality to support Farm to Faucet infrastructure improvements.

The Farm to Faucet legislation restructures the state’s water excise tax distribution formula and makes strategic one-time investments that will provide nearly $320 million in water quality investments over the next 12 years. The Farm to Faucet water quality funding will be allocated to support the state’s most effective programs and urgent needs.

“Thank you to Gov. Reynolds and legislators of both parties for supporting this balanced approach — working up and downstream — to improve water quality in Iowa without increasing the tax burden on hardworking Iowans. By re-directing existing dollars to fund projects and programs that are proven to work, we’re able to modernize Iowa’s water treatment infrastructure from the farm to the faucet,” said Secretary Naig. “We have made tremendous progress working with farmers and landowners and hundreds of public and private partners to incorporate responsible farming practices, but there’s no finish line when it comes to conservation. We’re going to keep leveraging new research and technologies and identifying more partners to work alongside us to make meaningful changes on the land, which will lead to real, measurable changes in water quality.”

House File 2771, which includes the updated water excise tax distribution formula, goes into effect on July 1, 2026.

Overview of the Farm to Faucet Water Quality Funding
    Provides the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) an estimated $52 million in new funding over 12 years to support practices like cover crops, edge-of-field buffers, wetlands, and grazing systems in the Greater Des Moines watershed, which encompasses 22 counties in northwest, north central and central Iowa. Targeting this region can make a significant impact both upstream and in the source waters that ultimately flow into the Central Iowa Water Works service area.
    Allocates an additional $500,000 per year to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to support the existing statewide water quality monitoring network, which can be used for real-time water quality monitoring sensors, bringing the total state investment in monitoring to $3.5 million per year.
    Utilizes the fund balance in an under-utilized program to support a one-time, $25 million investment in Central Iowa Water Works to expand infrastructure, increasing nitrate removal capacity over the next three years.
    Increases annual funding, plus an additional one-time $8 million investment, to the Iowa Finance Authority’s (IFA) Wastewater and Drinking Water Treatment Financial Assistance Program which provides grant funding to communities to upgrade water treatment infrastructure. The legislation also increases the maximum grant award from $500,000 to $1 million.
        Provides $10 million to create the Rural Iowa Infrastructure Bank, a revolving loan fund that will provide 1 percent interest loans to small and mid-size communities (populations less than 11,000) for water treatment infrastructure.

Implementing the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy
Farmers are using proven conservation practices outlined in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, like cover crops and wetlands, to prevent soil erosion, filter nitrates and improve water quality. It is part of their commitment to using responsible farming practices to benefit their communities and the environment. There’s more work to do but Iowa farmers are accelerating the pace at which they’re adopting conservation practices.

The State of Iowa invests nearly $100 million annually towards improving water quality, with an additional $500 million coming from the federal government each year.

In 2024, Iowa farmers planted nearly 4 million acres of cover crops, up from fewer than 400,000 just a decade ago. Farmers are building nitrate-reducing wetlands, which capture water as it leaves the field, reducing nitrate runoff by up to 90 percent. Over 150 wetlands have been constructed statewide, and the pace is accelerating; nearly three times as many wetlands have been built in the past four years compared to the previous two decades.

In addition, farmers have installed nearly 500 nitrate-filtering buffers along field edges, all of which capture and treat water before it reaches streams, and practices have been installed about five times faster in the past four years than in the previous decade.

Iowa State University leads measurement and reporting of the progress made against the goals outlined in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Measurement is based on the Logic Model, which evaluates changes in funding, outreach, practice implementation and changes in water quality over time. The interactive dashboards are available to the public on the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy website https://nrstracking.cals.iastate.edu/tracking-iowa-nutrient-reduction-strategy.



Farm Credit Services of America Invests $5.3 Million to Strengthen Rural Communities in 2025 

Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica) reinforced its long‑standing commitment to rural communities in 2025 by investing $5.3 million in grants, scholarships and community initiatives that support agriculture and help rural America thrive, as outlined in its newly released 2025 Impact Report. 

As a mission‑driven, customer‑owned financial cooperative, FCSAmerica exists to provide reliable credit and insurance that support agriculture and rural communities in every stage of the cycle. Building on that core responsibility, FCSAmerica also invests time and resources through strategic giving, employee engagement and nonprofit support in the communities where its customer‑owners—and their families and friends—live, work and grow, strengthening rural areas across Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. 

Investing Where Rural Communities Need It Most 
In 2025, FCSAmerica’s community giving focused on its four core pillars: agricultural education, hunger relief, rural disaster relief, and rural health services—areas essential to the long-term vitality of rural communities.  

Key highlights from the 2025 Impact Report include: 
    $2.7 million invested in programs that support agricultural education, helping grow the next generation of agricultural leaders through organizations such as 4‑H, FFA and Ag in the Classroom. 

    179 scholarships funded, totaling $411,500, to support students pursuing education tied to agriculture and rural careers. 

    $1.5 million contributed to initiatives addressing hunger relief, strengthening food access and nutrition in rural communities. 

    $1 million dedicated to rural disaster relief and emergency response, assisting communities impacted by natural disasters. 

    $70,000 invested in initiatives that address unique rural healthcare challenges, including access to care and mental health services. 

    These investments were delivered through FCSAmerica’s Working Here Fund grant program and direct community contributions, ensuring resources are directed to nonprofit organizations closely connected to local needs.  

A Mission‑Driven Approach to Community Impact 
“At the heart of our cooperative is a commitment to serve agriculture and rural communities—not just through financing, but through meaningful investment in people and places,” said Mark Jensen, chief executive officer, FCSAmerica. “Our 2025 Impact Report reflects how our customer-owners, employees and community partners work together to create lasting, positive change.” 

FCSAmerica’s community involvement program aligns with the broader Farm Credit mission to support rural communities and agriculture today and tomorrow, ensuring rural America remains strong, resilient and vibrant for future generations.  

Grant Opportunities Available Year‑Round 
Eligible nonprofit organizations serving rural communities within FCSAmerica’s territory can apply for Working Here Fund grants during quarterly deadlines: March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31. 

Grants support projects aligned with FCSAmerica’s giving pillars and mission to serve agriculture and rural communities. 



Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production

Total corn consumed for alcohol and other uses was 478 million bushels in April 2026. Total corn consumption was down 9 percent from March 2026 but up 1 percent from April 2025. April 2026 usage included 92.1 percent for alcohol and 7.9 percent for other purposes. Corn consumed for beverage alcohol totaled 4.27 million bushels, up 17 percent from March 2026 and up 59 percent from April 2025. Corn for fuel alcohol, at 428 million bushels, was down 10 percent from March 2026 but up 1 percent from April 2025. Corn consumed in April 2026 for dry milling fuel production and wet milling fuel production was 92.0 percent and 8.0 percent, respectively.

Dry mill co-product production of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was 1.61 million tons during April 2026, down 10 percent from March 2026 and down 1 percent from April 2025. Distillers wet grains (DWG) 65 percent or more moisture was 1.30 million tons in April 2026, down 2 percent from March 2026 but up 3 percent from April 2025.

Wet mill corn gluten feed production was 242,839 tons during April 2026, down 10 percent from March 2026 but up less than 1 percent from April 2025. Wet corn gluten feed 40 to 60 percent moisture was 188,569 tons in April 2026, down 2 percent from March 2026 and down 5 percent from April 2025.

Fats and Oils: Oilseed Crushings, Production, Consumption and Stocks
Soybeans crushed for crude oil was 6.55 million tons (218 million bushels) in April 2026, compared with 6.95 million tons (232 million bushels) in March 2026 and 6.07 million tons (202 million bushels) in April 2025. Crude oil produced was 2.53 billion pounds, down 6 percent from March 2026 but up 5 percent from April 2025. Soybean once refined oil production at 1.94 billion pounds during April 2026 decreased 3 percent from March 2026 but increased 11 percent from April 2025.



Agricultural Groups Call for End to Countervailing Duties on Phosphate Fertilizers

Sixty-five state and national groups, including the National Corn Growers Association, sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick today calling on him to end countervailing duties placed on phosphate fertilizers imported from Morocco to ease the pain felt by farmers as fertilizers prices reach new highs.
 
The announcement comes less than a week after Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson announced a major, industry-wide investigation into the fertilizer industry’s pricing practices and concentration. 

“These costs land on an already fragile farm economy,” the letter said. “Net farm income has fallen roughly 31 percent from its 2022 peak, fertilizer prices are up more than 150 percent since 2020, and Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies have surged to their highest levels in several years.” 

The letter also noted that farmers are in their fourth straight year of losses, and that countervailing duties only exacerbate their financial outlook and could mean the difference between sustaining family farms for generations to come or seeing legacies come to an end. 

The countervailing duties, requested by the U.S.-based Mosaic Company and Simplot, have been in effect since March 2021. The letter noted that the duties not only hurt farmers, but they also do not accomplish their intended goals. 

“[The duties] do not protect a vulnerable domestic industry from unfair competition,” the letter said. “Rather, they further prop up two companies who already dominate the domestic market and will continue to dominate that market absent CVD protection.” 

An independent analysis by the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University has estimated that the countervailing duties on Moroccan phosphate raised input costs for farmers of corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, sorghum and cotton by roughly $6.9 billion over the 2021 through 2025 growing seasons. At its full initial rate of 19.97 percent, the duty drove up the U.S. price of diammonium phosphate by an estimated 28.6 percent. 

The letter also targeted Mosaic’s practices.  
 
“Far from safeguarding domestic supply, Mosaic continues to curtail its own production, even as supply tightened at home,” the letter noted. “These duties fail to do more than drive up costs for farmers and risk our national food security by limiting the large majority of our annual phosphate needs to a single supplier that continues to curtail production – enhancing our risks to supply chain disruptions.” 

NCGA has established an input task force that is looking at the causes of price hikes for supplies and how they can be addressed.  



USDA Announces June 2026 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for June 2026, which are effective June 1, 2026. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.        

Operating, Ownership and Emergency Loans       
FSA offers farm operating, ownership and emergency loans with favorable interest rates and terms to help eligible agricultural producers obtain financing needed to start, expand or maintain a family agricultural operation.  

Interest rates for Operating and Ownership loans for June 2026 are as follows:       
    Farm Operating Loans (Direct): 5.000%  
    Farm Ownership Loans (Direct): 5.875%  
    Farm Ownership Loans (Direct, Joint Financing): 3.875%  
    Farm Ownership Loans (Down Payment): 1.875%
    Emergency Loan (Amount of Actual Loss): 3.750%    

FSA also offers guaranteed loans through commercial lenders at rates set by those lenders. To access an interactive online, step-by-step guide through the farm loan process, visit the Loan Assistance Tool on farmers.gov.   

Commodity and Storage Facility Loans      
Additionally, FSA provides low-interest financing to producers to build or upgrade on-farm storage facilities and purchase handling equipment and loans that provide interim financing to help producers meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are low.  Funds for these loans are provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and are administered by FSA.  

    Commodity Loans (less than one year disbursed): 4.750%       
    Farm Storage Facility Loans:  
        Three-year loan terms: 4.000%  
        Five-year loan terms: 4.125%  
        Seven-year loan terms: 4.250%  
        Ten-year loan terms: 4.375% 
        Twelve-year loan terms: 4.625%  
    Sugar Storage Facility Loans (15 years): 4.875% 

More Information
To learn more about FSA programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center.



Beef Production Seasonality
David Anderson, Extension Specialist – Texas A&M University

Beef production has an important seasonal nature that cattle production systems, feeding, and finished weights have not eliminated. That seasonality contributes to the supply side of seasonal beef prices. It looks like some seasonally larger beef production might be taking hold.

Beef production tends to hit its annual seasonal low in the Spring. It appears that this seasonal increase is beginning. From January through April, weekly average beef production was 6.1 percent below the same period in 2025. Year-over-year weekly beef production ranged from down 3.2 percent to down 11.2 percent. The decline in beef production moderated during May, with the weekly decline in beef production averaging only 3.8 percent. 

Beef production is the product of the number of cattle going to slaughter and their weights. Steer slaughter tends to increase from Spring to Summer, before declining later in the year. There has been a slight uptick in steer slaughter in recent weeks. Heifer slaughter tends to decline in early Summer, but this year it has increased a bit. On the cow side, dairy cow slaughter is even with a year ago and is right on pace with its usual seasonal decline. Beef cow culling, while remaining below a year ago, has jumped up in recent weeks compared to early in the year. Fed cattle weights remain historically large, and dressed steer and heifer weights have experienced a small decline in recent weeks. 

Within this production seasonality is changing beef production by USDA beef quality grades affecting the supply of each grade and price premiums. Over the last 4 weeks, the percentage of beef grading Prime has averaged 16.99 percent. The amount grading Select has an average of 8.23 percent. The percent grading Prime is double the amount grading Select! Choice beef grading has remained about the same at 71.6 percent. The boost in Prime supplies is likely taking a toll on the Prime-Choice cutout price spread, which has declined from $20.87 in May 2025 to $15.88 in May 2026. 

Beef production that is increasing seasonally, combined with changing grading percentages, may result in more beef than a year ago for some grades (Prime) than others. Total beef production is not going to exceed a year ago, but there are more cattle on feed than a year ago, continued heavy dressed weights, and seasonality in beef production, which have the potential to increase beef production from the tight supplies this Spring.