Wednesday June 03 Ag News - LENRD Board Meeting Summary - North American Manure Expo Registration Open - USTR on China, Brazil Trade - Women Leadership in Ag - and more!

Lower Elkhorn NRD May Board of Directors Meeting

At the May 28th Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) Board Meeting, Water Resources Manager Doug Hallum provided an update on the Nebraska Environmental Trust vadose zone study.

The “Observing Water and Nutrient Mobility in the Vadose Zone” study will work hand-in-glove with producers to help LENRD staff evaluate nutrient and water movement underground and under various farming practices while accounting for weather, soil, and geology. This will help staff evaluate which best management practices are better with which soil types to protect water quality and maintain or enhance recharge to our aquifers.

As of the meeting, six Requests for Proposals and one Request for Quote were published with a deadline of June 19th for interested parties to respond. Ten courtesy emails have also been sent to area partners. So far, there have been two requests seeking additional information and two letters of declination due to the scope of work. Soon, staff will begin seeking producers operating on various types of farms to participate in the study.

Directors also heard from Katie Cameron, ENWRA Project Coordinator; and Dr. Jesse Korus, UNL; about the Plainview geophysical investigation. The City of Plainview recently began exploring new sites for an additional municipal well. An engineer, hired by the City, selected an area to dig a test hole based on a community driven effort. The city, through their relationship with Source Water Protection Specialist Jim Olson, recommended having UNL come in and evaluate groundwater flow. This brought Dr. Korus into the picture to conduct a tow TEM (tTEM) study.

Dr. Korus used a tool with technology similar to that of an AEM study, to measure resistivity in the ground around the area of the new test well. Though Dr. Korus often gets involved before a test hole has been dug, his findings showed that the City and engineer had coincidentally picked the perfect spot due to the underground water flow in that specific area and a low nitrate concentration.

A committee of seven LENRD Directors, two Battle Creek Council members, the Mayor of Battle Creek, Economic Development Consultant, and a Madison County Commissioner have been assembled to begin a new phase of flood mitigation efforts for the City of Battle Creek.

After Directors ultimately rejected the final plan document of the NRCS Battle Creek WFPO Plan earlier this year, staff believe this is necessary to keep the conversation going regarding flooding challenges Battle Creek faces while also taking the time to make sure all parties are on the same page with how to move forward.

In other action, a public hearing for the certification of new irrigated acres was held, and the FY 2026 Auditing Agreement with Dana F. Cole was approved.

To learn more about the 12 responsibilities of Nebraska’s NRDs and how your local District can work with you and your community to protect your natural resources, visit www.lenrd.org and sign up for our monthly emails. The next Board of Directors meeting will be Thursday, June 25, 2026, at the LENRD office in Norfolk at 7:30 p.m. and on Facebook Live. 



Nebraska Wheat Board to Hold June Budget Meeting

The Nebraska Wheat Board (NWB) will hold its next meeting Tuesday, June 09, 2026 at the West Central Research and Extension Center in North Platte, Nebraska. The meeting will be held from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM CST.

The meeting will include first and second readings of funding proposals and establishment of the budget for fiscal year 2026-2027. It will also include a current fiscal year financial review, committee reports from NWB members, contractor reports, and a review of upcoming events and travel.

The public is welcome to attend any open portion of the meeting. Interested individuals may contact the NWB office for a copy of the detailed agenda or for additional information.

The Nebraska Wheat Board administers the wheat checkoff at 0.5% of net value of wheat marketed in Nebraska at the point of first sale. The board invests the funds into programs of international and domestic market development, policy development, research, promotion and education. 



NE Corn Board to Meet on June 18, 2026

The Nebraska Corn Board will hold its next meeting on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at Bruning Bank (601 North Webb Road) in Grand Island, Nebraska.

The meeting is open to the public, providing the opportunity for public comment. The board will conduct regular board business.

A copy of the agenda is available by writing to the Nebraska Corn Board, 245 Fallbrook Blvd. Suite 204, Lincoln, NE 68521, sending an email to NCB.info@nebraska.gov or by calling 402-471-2676.

The Nebraska Corn Board is funded through a producer checkoff investment of one-cent-per-bushel on all corn marketed in the state and is managed by nine farmer directors. The mission of the Nebraska Corn Board is to increase the value and sustainability of Nebraska corn through promotion, market development and research.



Registration open for North American manure expo

Registration is now open for the North American Manure Expo that will be held at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Wayne, Neb., July 28 through 30.  

Nebraska Extension’s Animal Manure Management team is hosting the event with Leslie Johnson, animal manure management Extension educator, leading the charge. Professors, educators, and others from across Nebraska have been heavily involved with the local planning of the event, including choosing the location and determining the education sessions and tours.  

Participants can choose from five tour options on July 28, with the first one leaving the grounds at 7:30 am CT. Registration for tours is required, but you do not have to attend the tours to attend the trade show days. 

Tour options include: 
    Composting, Renewable Energy and Modern Cattle Care
    Research, Technology and Regenerative Farming
    Poultry Production and Manufacturing
    Innovation in Livestock and Manure Equipment
    Family Fun: Ag, Wildlife and Nebraska History 

On July 29 and 30, participants can spend time with exhibitors at a trade show with manufacturers of manure management and handling equipment, see demonstrations of some of that equipment, learn more about manure safety, and attend educational sessions and panel discussions on various manure-related topics. 

Sessions include (but are not limited to): 
    Minding Your Manure Manners
    Sampling Techniques & Tips
    Comparison of Manure Regulations Across State Lines
    Manure Gas 101: Don’t Trust Your Nose
    Weed Seeds and Other Manure Contaminants
    Filling the Soil Health Gap with Manure
    Dynamic Manure Crediting with In-Season Nitrogen Management 

Panel discussions are new to the North American Manure Expo, which has long held the mission of “Professionalism in Manure Management.” This year will feature audience-led discussions on two very important topics in the industry: Careers in Manure and Plastic Pathways.  

The North American Manure Expo was originally developed and continues to be organized as a partnership between Extension organizations across the United States and Canada, and manure industry partners, including manufacturing and manure handling. It is overseen by a national board that continues to work for the industry and meet high standards of education for all people working in the manure industry.  

Early bird pricing is available through June 30. Registration is now open at http://manureexpo.com. 



Nebraska Grazing Conference set for Aug. 4–5 in Kearney

Ranchers, land managers, educators and students from across Nebraska are invited to attend the 2026 Nebraska Grazing Conference, scheduled for Aug. 4-5 at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney.

The theme of the 2026 conference, “Celebrating Grazing on Nebraska’s Grasslands,” aligns with the 2026 International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, recognizing the role of grazing systems in environmental stewardship, agricultural productivity and rural communities.

The conference will be preceded by a Grassland Alliance meeting from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 4. Conference programming will begin at 3:30 p.m. with tradeshow and educational sessions focused on grazing management innovations, including virtual fence technology. An evening celebration will follow, recognizing the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists.

A full day of programming on Aug. 5 will begin at 8:30 a.m. and feature expert speakers covering regenerative grazing management, grazing on cropland, small ruminant systems, grazing practices, stockmanship, carbon market opportunities and producer experiences using virtual fencing.

Keynote speakers include Gail Fuller, who will present regenerative grazing practices, and Tom Noffsinger, who will discuss the role of stockmanship in effective grazing management.

Student registration fees for high school and university students will be waived for those who register online by July 31. Registration is open at the Nebraska Grazing Conference website (https://go.unl.edu/grazing_conf_2026) 



Naig Applauds Signing of Bipartisan Iowa Farm Act

Following the signing of the bipartisan Iowa Farm Act by Gov. Reynolds, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig issued the following statement:

“The signing of the first-ever Iowa Farm Act is an important step forward for Iowa agriculture. I appreciate the strong support this legislation received from both Republicans and Democrats in the Iowa Legislature, as well as the leadership of Gov. Reynolds in getting this comprehensive bill across the finish line," said Secretary Naig. "The Iowa Farm Act reflects the priorities and feedback I’ve heard directly from farmers and rural communities across the state. It expands opportunities for Iowa agriculture, reduces unnecessary regulatory burdens, and helps strengthen the long-term vitality of rural Iowa. This legislation positions Iowa agriculture for continued growth and success while ensuring farmers have greater certainty and tools to plan for the future.”

About the Iowa Farm Act:
The Iowa Farm Act is the first-ever comprehensive agriculture policy package advanced by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. The bipartisan legislation supports Iowa farmers, expands economic opportunities, strengthens rural communities, modernizes state government operations, and improves Iowa’s preparedness for animal disease outbreaks.

Key provisions in the final legislation include:

Expanding Economic Opportunities for Iowa Farmers
    Modernizes Iowa’s farm zoning exemptions to clarify that value-added processing, direct-to-consumer marketing, agritourism activities and events, and other farm-supporting operations are included under Iowa’s farm exemption.
    Strengthens Iowa’s agritourism framework by updating the definition of an agricultural experience to reduce regulatory barriers and encourage farms to welcome more visitors, customers, and educational opportunities.
    Supports Iowa’s Christmas tree industry by explicitly including tree farms in Iowa’s agritourism liability protections, providing certainty for these family-owned operations.
    Expands local food markets by making the Choose Iowa School Purchasing Pilot Program permanent, helping connect schools with Iowa farmers and food producers.

Delivering Tax Relief and Fairness and Supporting Iowa’s Beginning Farmers and Agricultural Workforce
    Supports growth in Iowa’s honey industry by exempting the purchase of honeybees from sales tax, reducing input costs for beekeepers and strengthening pollination services.
    Prioritizes young and beginning farmers in Choose Iowa grant programs, helping new producers access capital and build viable operations.
    Strengthens rural veterinary services by exempting rural veterinarian loan repayment grants from state income tax to improve recruitment and retention in underserved areas.

Strengthening Biosecurity and Protecting Producers
    Safeguards producer confidentiality during a foreign animal disease or major disease outbreak to encourage early reporting and rapid response.
    Authorizes the Department to lease space for storing foreign animal disease response equipment to improve preparedness and response capabilities.

Modernizing Department Functions and Improving Government Efficiency
    Modernizes agricultural equipment transportation standards to improve safety and efficiency for ag equipment dealers and manufacturers.
    Clarifies Grain Indemnity Fund updates through technical clean-ups to improve readability and consistent application of the law.
    Provides additional flexibility to expand marketing opportunities and grow demand for Iowa-made, Iowa-raised, and Iowa-grown products through the Choose Iowa program.
    Improves flexibility in large-scale inspections by allowing alternative inspection methods and scheduling discretion for the IDALS Weights and Measures Bureau.
    Streamlines and updates Iowa Code through technical clean-ups that eliminate outdated language, reduce duplication, and improve efficiency across Department operations.



USTR Seeks to Promote Balanced and Reciprocal Trade with China

Tuesday, the Office of the United States Trade Representative announced a public comment process regarding the development of a new government-to-government mechanism—a U.S.-China Board of Trade—intended to manage bilateral trade between the United States and China on an ongoing basis. Public comment is also being sought on specific types of non-sensitive products that could potentially benefit from tariff modifications on each side with the objective of achieving balance and reciprocity in our trade relationship.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, the United States and China have established a Board of Trade to ensure that trade with China is more balanced and beneficial for Americans,” said Ambassador Greer. “The Trump Administration will work with stakeholders to identify non-sensitive goods trade that can deliver results for American farmers, ranchers, fishermen, small businesses, manufacturers, and workers. We welcome comments from interested parties on effective ways to facilitate mutually beneficial trade with China while continuing to use tariffs to defend American economic and national security and promote balanced and reciprocal trade.”

The deadline for submission of comments is July 10, 2026. Any rebuttals or responses to those comments may be submitted to a separatee public docket by July 27, 2026.



Growth Energy Welcomes USTR Section 301 Determination on Brazil’s Unfair Trade Practices

Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, commended the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) today after the agency released the initial findings of its Section 301 investigation into Brazil’s unfair treatment of American ethanol. 

USTR specifically referred to Brazil’s failure to allow U.S. producers to compete in its market, noting that “in 2017, Brazil abruptly discontinued its previously balanced tariff treatment of ethanol and has since failed to provide reciprocal tariff treatment for U.S. ethanol exports.” 

"American ethanol producers have been sounding the alarm on Brazil for years," said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. "This is a country that has unfairly used tariff and non-tariff trade measures to severely restrict imports of U.S. ethanol, while enjoying complete and unfettered access to American markets. We appreciate USTR recognizing Brazil’s unfair trade advantage arising from its insufficient action on deforestation. We applaud USTR for continuing to press Brazil on the issue of fairness and we look forward to reviewing the determination in detail and providing further comments to support the ultimate goal of delivering a level playing field for ethanol in the western hemisphere."  



ASA Statement on Reduction of Tariffs on Agricultural Machinery

The American Soybean Association welcomes the administration’s decision to reduce tariffs on agricultural machinery.

“Lowering costs on critical equipment and parts is a positive step for soybean farmers and all of agriculture at a time when producers continue to face significant financial pressure from rising input costs and tight margins,” said Scott Metzger, ASA president and Ohio soybean farmer.

ASA appreciates the administration’s recognition that tariffs on essential agricultural inputs directly impact farmers’ bottom lines and looks forward to continued engagement on additional opportunities to reduce costs across the agricultural supply chain, including further reductions on machinery, replacement parts, and other critical farm inputs.



New Study Finds Women in Agriculture Ready to Lead, More Support Needed

The American Farm Bureau Federation’s Women’s Leadership Committee, with support from JBS and CoBank, is unveiling the results of a new national study intended to guide programming dedicated to women in agriculture for the next five years.

Conducted via online survey and focus groups, the study provides a comprehensive look at women in agriculture in the United States. It also identifies the essential roles women currently play in building a sustainable future for agriculture as well as opportunities for growth, improvement and additional support.

“Agriculture around the world has flourished with the full support of women — oftentimes behind the scenes — but increasingly in leadership roles,” said AFBF Women’s Leadership Chair Isabella Chism. “As we celebrate the International Year of the Woman Farmer along with the 250th anniversary of the United States, this is the perfect time to make sure everyone has a seat at the table in agriculture. This study allows us to take a closer look at the role women play in raising crops and tending livestock but also balancing off-farm jobs, caring for children, volunteering in their community, and so much more. This study provides a comprehensive look at the many hats worn by women in agriculture as well as opportunities to better support them.”

A key finding from the study is that women in agriculture have strong confidence in their ability to balance farm work and family responsibilities. Most respondents also have a high level of confidence in their ability to represent agriculture in public or professional settings. In fact, 9 out of 10 women report feeling confident speaking at community meetings about agriculture, and an impressive number — nearly 90% — of women surveyed are interested in taking on leadership roles now or in the future.

Conversely, the study also identifies five key areas where the agriculture sector could increase support: time and caregiving; skill development; leadership involvement; financial future; and overall wellbeing.

For example, almost half (44%) of women surveyed reported interest in gaining equipment or technical skills training, while nearly 6 in 10 respondents (56%) expressed interest in business and financial management training.

“As a grassroots organization and committee, we have long built our programming based on feedback from members,” Chism said. “For example, we doubled the number of communications boot camps we host. This survey gives us contemporary data that will help us develop future workshops, online engagements and peer-support networks for women.”

Encouragingly, several data points reinforce existing Farm Bureau programming. For example, 45% of respondents expressed interest in policy or civic engagement training, and 42% expressed interest in community involvement or advocacy training. This aligns with the focus of Farm Bureau’s Women’s Communications Boot Camp, which has trained more than 350 women in agriculture in communications and advocacy.

Furthermore, the Women’s Leadership Committee has continually focused on the importance of mentorship among women in agriculture, an interest identified by 45% of survey respondents. Programs such as AgConnectHER serve to inspire and equip women in agriculture to succeed in leadership, not just in the agricultural industry but well beyond.

More than half (52%) of all respondents reported interest in training related to farm succession or ownership transition. Farm Bureau has featured workshops on succession planning at eight of the last 10 most recent Farm Bureau Conventions and nine of the 10 most recent Young Farmers & Ranchers or FUSION conferences.

More than 4,300 women in agriculture from all 50 states and Puerto Rico responded to the survey. A strong majority (61%) described their operation as a family farm, and more than 25 different crops and commodities were represented. AFBF and its research partners will continue analyzing the study results to gain additional insights.

Farm Bureau is appreciative of CoBank and JBS for their support of this study in order to recognize the essential roles women play in agriculture.



FFA Members Head to Nation’s Capital for Premier Leadership Experience as DC Celebrates 250 Years Since Founding of United States

This summer, thousands of FFA members from across the country will gather in Washington, D.C., for the Washington Leadership Conference (WLC), a premier leadership experience for students that exposes them to the rich history of our nation’s capital. This year’s conference will take place between June 2-July 10, with five week-long blocks. Over 1,800 members and 250 chaperones have registered. The conference in our nation’s capital comes at a meaningful time as the country reflects on the enduring principles established at the founding of the United States nearly 250 years ago.

WLC inspires FFA members to become changemakers in their communities. Each day of the conference focuses on a different principle taught through the context of our nation’s capital. These principles include exploration, encouragement, advocacy and service. At the end of the week, members leave with a Living to Serve Plan they can implement in their communities.

Each day of the conference has a different theme, with the first day being focused on what WLC is and what goes into a Living to Serve plan. Day two explores leadership, introspective values, recognizing the power of local service and wraps with a tour of seeing the National Monuments. The third day includes a visit to Capitol Hill and group work on Living to Serve Days. WLC concludes with a tour to Arlington National Cemetery or the National Mall Museums and a reflection on the WLC experience. Several students from last year’s conference saw successes from their experience, including:

CALIFORNIA - Abby Woods of the Galt-Liberty Ranch FFA Chapter attended WLC in 2024. Her Living to Serve Plan, the Elementary School Revitalization Project, supports local schools by creating engaging and educational spaces for young students. In early 2025, Abby received a $375 Mini-Living-to-Serve Grant to expand the project, which includes building an outdoor area for one-on-one learning, planting greenery and adding bird feeders. The experience has shown Abby the power of service and the impact one person can have in creating a better environment for learning and growth.

IOWA - Blake Van Der Kamp attended WLC in 2019, and focused his Living to Serve plan on creating the Samson-Curtis Drive School Supply Drive. To make the plan a reality, Blake set up collection boxes around the local community. Once received, he and volunteers sorted materials, put them into backpacks and dropped them off at a local food pantry and clothing closet. To date, the project has supplied an estimated $25,000 in school resources to families in need. The school supply drive celebrated its sixth year in 2024!

WISCONSIN - Sam Mell of the DeForest FFA Chapter attended WLC in 2023. To help farmers and other agriculturists with disabilities in Wisconsin, Sam decided to strengthen FFA Alumni Family Fun Night, an event that he had been part of the previous year. Sam’s sister was involved in a farm accident in 2022 that left her paralyzed from the waist down. At the fundraiser, Sam gathered a diverse array of handmade foods, objects and experiences donated by businesses and individuals and auctioned off the basket to benefit AgrAbility of Wisconsin and the DeForest FFA Alumni.

The 2026 Washington Leadership Conference is sponsored by Arthur M. Bank Family Foundation, Corteva Agriscience, Farm Credit, Syngenta and Meals of Hope.

For more information, visit FFA.org/WLC. 

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 1,042,245 student members as part of 9,407 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.