Friday July 17 Ag News - RMI Falls Below Growth Neutral - NDOT Hay Permits - FNC Farmland Workshops - Cattle Industry Summer Meeting Summary - Farmer Losses Accellerate - NCGA on Brazil Action - and more!

Rural Mainstreet Index Plummets for July
Weak Commodity Prices Cited as Top Threat to Farm Economy

According to the July survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) sank below growth neutral for the fifth time in the past six months. Readings range between 0 and 100 with 50.0 representing growth neutral.

Overall: The region’s overall reading for July plummeted to 42.1 from June’s 52.6.

“More than half, or 52.0%, of bank CEOs reported that very weak commodity prices will be the greatest challenge to the agriculture economy moving forward,” said Ernie Goss, PhD, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business.

Farming and ranchland prices: For a third straight month, the farm and ranchland index climbed above growth neutral but dipped to 52.8 from 55.3 in June. “Though farm and ranchland values have been holding up much better than farm and ranch income, weak farm income, lower farm liquidity and somewhat tougher credit standards have restrained growth in farmland values,” said Goss.

Farm equipment sales: The July farm equipment sales index sank to a very weak 27.8 from June’s 28.9. This is the 35th straight month that the index has fallen below growth neutral.

“The 2026 conflict in Iran and tariffs on imported steel/aluminum continue to create more volatility in the agricultural sector. This volatility, along with low and negative cash flows, have reduced producers’ willingness to purchase new farm equipment,” said Goss.

Confidence: Rural bankers remain pessimistic about economic growth for their area over the next six months. The July economic confidence index slumped to 34.2 from June’s 42.1. “Weak grain prices, higher input costs and volatility stemming from the Iran war continue to weigh on banker confidence,” said Goss.

Below are the state reports:
Nebraska: The state’s Rural Mainstreet Index for July fell to 42.6 from 52.2 in June. The state’s farm and ranchland price index for July declined to 52.2 from 54.8 in June. Nebraska’s new hiring index increased to 49.8 from 47.0 in June. According to the USDA, Nebraska’s top five exported agriculture products (beef, corn, soybean, pork, soybean meal) fell by 9.9% for the first two quarters of fiscal 2026, compared to the same period in 2025. 

Iowa: July’s RMI for the state slumped to 41.4 from June’s 52.3. Iowa’s farm and ranchland price index for July declined to 52.3 from 54.9 in June. Iowa’s new hiring index for July improved to 49.9 from June’s 47.1. According to the USDA, Iowa’s top four exported agriculture products (corn, pork, ethanol, soybean meal) expanded by 11.2% for the first two quarters of fiscal 2026, compared to the same period in 2025.

The survey represents an early snapshot of the economy of rural agriculturally- and energy-dependent portions of the nation. The Rural Mainstreet Index is a unique index that covers 10 regional states, focusing on approximately 200 rural communities with an average population of 1,300. The index provides the most current real-time analysis of the rural economy. Goss and the late Bill McQuillan, former Chairman of the Independent Community Banks of America, created the monthly economic survey and launched it in January 2006.



NDOT Announces Hay Permit Applications Accepted Online Beginning July 30

The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) has announced that hay harvesting permit applications for the public will be accepted through an online application portal beginning July 30 at 12:01 a.m. CST. Individuals must have a permit to harvest hay on state right-of-way.

Hay harvesting permits can be purchased online from July 30 until the permits expire on September 15, on a first-come, first-served basis. Each permit is limited to five miles of roadside hay, and only one permit is allowed per person. The hay is for private use only. All baled vegetation shall be removed from the right-of-way within 10 days after being baled or by September 15, whichever comes first. Applications will be processed in the order they are received during normal business hours beginning July 30.

This year, permit holders also have the opportunity to voluntarily donate hay harvested from eligible state highway rights-of-way through the Nebraska Wildfire Hay Recovery Program to support ranchers impacted by western Nebraska wildfires.

Customers and staff can utilize an integrated online map to assist in selecting miles to mow. The map will be routinely updated showing miles available for permits.

Landowners are given the opportunity to renew last year’s permits between March 1 and July 29.

The Hay Harvesting Permits Application and Help Docs will be available at the NDOT website. The option to purchase permits from specified NDOT locations will still be available. Please visit ndot.info/haypermit for more information.



Rooted in Resilience: Navigating the Market Shifts in Farmland Investments

Today’s farmland market is evolving rapidly. High interest rates, shifting commodity prices, and a diverse land market present challenges—and opportunities—for landowners. Staying informed is critical for making sound decisions around land value, long-term ownership, and the transition of wealth to future generations. Join Farmers National Company at their Landowner Workshop, Rooted in Resilience: Navigating the Market Shifts in Farmland Investments, where we will discuss current market conditions, estate planning considerations and more. Estate planning attorneys will be present to provide insight and address common questions related to wealth transition and legacy planning.

August 5, 2026 Norfolk, Nebraska Landowner Workshop
Registration begins at 8:00 AM, with the meeting running from 8:30 AM to 11:45 AM. Pastries and beverages will be provided, and the event is free to attend. For room reservations, please contact the hotel directly.
Register here: https://web.farmersnational.com/cn/akqlx/2026_norfolk_workshop

August 13, 2026 Sioux City, Iowa Landowner Workshop
Registration begins at 8:00 AM, with the meeting running from 8:30 AM to 11:45 AM. Pastries and beverages will be provided, and the event is free to attend. For room reservations, please contact the hotel directly.
Featured Speaker: Kyle Irvin, Crary Huff Law
Register here: https://web.farmersnational.com/cn/akqlx/2026_siouxcity_workshop

Other sessions scheduled for Lincoln, NE and Des Moines, IA on July 30th.  Click here for the full schedule... https://www.farmersnational.com/events.  

If you’re preparing for the future generation of owners, we encourage you to bring your children and grandchildren! This event provides information on our entire 29-state management area and is not location-specific, accommodating attendees who may own land throughout the country.



Nebraska Recovery Roundup: ELAP

While livestock deaths often receive immediate attention after a wildfire, many producers face additional costs that continue long after the flames are extinguished. The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) may help address some of those losses.

For many ranchers, one of the most significant impacts of wildfire is the loss of forage. Burned pasture may no longer provide adequate grazing, forcing producers to purchase feed, haul hay, transport water, or relocate livestock. These expenses can quickly add up.

ELAP is designed to provide assistance for losses not covered by other livestock disaster programs. Following a wildfire, ELAP may help eligible livestock producers with grazing losses, feed losses, transportation costs for feed and water, and costs associated with moving livestock to alternative grazing locations. ELAP has several eligibility conditions not only for producers, livestock, and land but also for each type of loss. Work with your Local USDA FSA Office to verify eligibility.

ELAP is not intended to make producers whole after a disaster. Instead, it helps offset some of the extraordinary costs associated with keeping livestock fed and watered when wildfire disrupts normal operations.

Why records matter
One of the most important steps producers can take after a wildfire is documenting losses. To qualify for ELAP assistance, producers should carefully document these additional costs. Records may include: feed purchase receipts, hay invoices, fuel receipts, trucking bills, water hauling expenses, grazing lease agreements, livestock inventory records, documentation of burned grazing acres, etc.

Good recordkeeping is particularly important because ELAP often reimburses documented losses or expenses. Without supporting records, producers may find it difficult to substantiate claims.

Producers should also maintain records showing livestock numbers before and after the wildfire. These inventories help demonstrate the need for additional feed, grazing, or transportation assistance.

Work with your local USDA FSA office
Producers should also notify USDA FSA as soon as possible after discovering losses. Local FSA staff can help producers determine eligibility, identify required documentation, and complete necessary forms. Even if producers are uncertain whether losses qualify, scheduling a conversation with the local USDA Service Center is often the best first step. For 2026 wildfire losses, producers who are seeking ELAP support must submit their final application for payment by March 1, 2027.

USDA disaster and conservation programs are often designed to address different types of wildfire losses. However, federal rules generally prohibit receiving multiple payments for the same loss, expense, or conservation practice. Producers should discuss all wildfire-related damages with their local USDA Service Center so staff can identify the combination of programs that best fits their situation.

In addition to program-specific eligibility requirements, USDA disaster and conservation programs are generally subject to payment limitations and Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) rules. These provisions can affect the amount of assistance a producer may receive.

This Nebraska Recovery Roundup Update is brought to you by Nebraska Extension and the Center for Agricultural Profitability to provide timely information for producers and communities recovering from wildfire. Each installment highlights available resources and practical steps to support recovery. Follow the series and find wildfire recovery resources on the Center for Agricultural Profitability’s website, https://cap.unl.edu/recovery.



CLAAS FOUNDATION, UNL PARTNER TO EMPOWER AG ENGINEERING STUDENTS

The CLAAS Foundation is commemorating the 100th birthday of its namesake, Helmut Claas, with two significant initiatives to support University of Nebraska–Lincoln students: the Helmut Claas Scholarship and the CLAAS Foundation Study Abroad Fund.

Helmut Claas, born July 16, 1926, shaped the CLAAS company for decades as a visionary entrepreneur and passionate supporter of the next generation of agricultural engineers. The international Helmut Claas Scholarship was the CLAAS Foundation’s first initiative — a program that Claas personally launched and to which he always attached significant importance. His objective was to inspire young talent to pursue careers in agricultural technology and pave the way for them to enter the industry. Claas died in 2021.

“Agricultural technology needs the best minds in the world — and the best minds in the world need an opportunity,” Claas once said. “Supporting the next generation is not an option; it is our responsibility toward the future of agriculture.”

Much of CLAAS’ long-term commitment to North America was shaped during Claas’ leadership. Building on a presence that dates back more than six decades, the company has steadily expanded its operations in the region. Today, its North American headquarters in Omaha is also home to LEXION combine assembly and engineering teams developing the next generation of harvesting technology.

Helmut Claas Scholarship
In cooperation with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, a top-ranked university for agricultural engineering in the United States, the CLAAS Foundation, based in Harsewinkel, Germany, will launch the Helmut Claas Scholarship to support undergraduate students majoring in agricultural engineering or agricultural systems technology at the university. Four scholarships, which may be renewed annually for four years, will be offered to students who are beginning their studies.

The new scholarship, created through the University of Nebraska Foundation, builds on the CLAAS Foundation’s longstanding international focus and sends a strong signal in support of cross-border cooperation in agricultural engineering education.

The partnership with the university represents more than just an institutional collaboration; it brings together two traditions of excellence in agricultural engineering — European and North American.

CLAAS Foundation Study Abroad Fund
In addition, the CLAAS Foundation has established a fund to support students in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering participating in a short-term study abroad program offered in collaboration with the Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences in Germany.

The study abroad program underscores the CLAAS Foundation’s appreciation for academic achievement even in the early stages of a student’s studies and enhances the appeal of a career in agricultural engineering.

“We are tremendously grateful to the CLAAS Foundation for its generous support of our students,” said Joe Luck, interim head of the Department of Biological Systems Engineering. “This gift highlights our strong partnership with the CLAAS Foundation. We share a common goal to support students who are pursuing their dream of a career in agricultural engineering, serving the well-being of Nebraska and the global community.”

The CLAAS Foundation’s generosity supports Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future, a historic effort to raise $3 billion from 150,000 unique benefactors to support the University of Nebraska. The campaign’s top priority is student access and success.



Positive Outlook for Cattle Business as Summer Business Meeting Concludes

With optimism for the cattle business remaining strong, nearly 700 cattle producers from across the country gathered in Aurora, Colorado, this week for the Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting. This event helps shape the future of the industry through grassroots policy development and discussions that will guide research, education and promotion efforts.
 
“We conduct a lot of business during this meeting, but we also benefit by gathering together and learning from each other,” said NCBA President Gene Copenhaver. “I appreciate the time producers take away from their families to make our industry better for future generations and the commitment our state partners have to helping advance the business of the industry.”
 
Producers participated in NCBA policy meetings and Beef Checkoff committee discussions to evaluate emerging issues, advance initiatives launched at CattleCon and establish priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. Regional meetings offered attendees the opportunity to discuss local issues impacting their operations.
 
“This meeting showcases the strength of NCBA’s grassroots policy process,” Copenhaver said. “State cattlemen’s associations brought forward policy recommendations on a wide range of issues affecting producers, including the Conservation Reserve Program, Livestock Risk Protection, and Theileria orientalis Ikeda, the disease transmitted by Asian longhorned ticks. These discussions and resulting recommendations are where true grassroots policy development comes to fruition, ensuring NCBA’s policy priorities are driven by cattle producers and reflect the needs of our industry.”
 
The NCBA Board of Directors approved several policy recommendations that will be submitted to the membership for a mail ballot vote in September. The board meeting also highlighted the work of the Federation of State Beef Councils and its collaborative national efforts to promote beef, support research, expand education and strengthen consumer trust, helping drive beef demand.
 
Cattle producers and industry stakeholders will again gather for CattleCon 2027, which is returning to downtown Nashville, Tennessee, Feb. 2-4, 2027, with business meetings beginning Feb. 1. For more information, visit www.ncba.org. 



Farmer Losses Projected to Deepen

Several years of high inflation and low commodity prices, coupled with volatile production costs, are continuing to squeeze farmers financially. These forces are projected to hit farmers with $32 billion in losses for the major row crops in 2027 after a projected loss of $31 billion in 2026. Fruit, vegetable, nut and other specialty crop farmers faced billions of dollars in losses in 2025, with difficult market conditions continuing throughout 2026. American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyzed the losses felt across the farm economy in the latest Farm Bureau Intel.

The Farm Bureau Intel states, “Corn losses are projected to increase from $131 per acre in 2026 to $167 per acre in 2027. Soybean losses are projected to increase from $80 per acre to $138 per acre, wheat losses from $114 per acre to $145 per acre and cotton losses from $342 per acre to $406 per acre. Rice, sorghum, oats, barley and peanuts are also projected to remain below breakeven.”

Specialty crop producers are facing many of the same cost and market pressures. The Farm Bureau Intel outlines six representative specialty crops - almonds, apples, blueberries, lettuce, potatoes and strawberries - with “over $7 billion in estimated 2025 economic losses as labor, input, compliance and capital costs outpaced farm-level returns. Available 2026 market data show that conditions for specialty crop producers have not broadly improved.” These crops account for only about one-quarter of specialty crop receipts.

AFBF President Zippy Duvall also sent a letter to congressional leaders today in support of market relief. Cumulative uncovered losses across the farm economy exceed $12 billion and are being felt across many sectors of agriculture. He wrote, “Farms support rural communities as well as the jobs that keep those communities strong. Every farm lost takes with it generations of knowledge, community leadership, and the heartbeat of local economies. As those farms disappear, America’s food security is put at greater risk.”

Longer-term policy solutions are also needed to strengthen the farm economy beyond immediate assistance. A new, modernized farm bill, protecting interstate commerce, risk management coverage for specialty crop farmers and policies like year-round E15 can help improve demand and reduce the risk of more farm closures.



NCGA Applauds US Action on Brazil, Says More Needs to Be Done

The Office of the United States Trade Representative this week placed 25% tariffs on most goods, including ethanol, imported into the United States from Brazil.  
 
The move by USTR comes after a year-long investigation, under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act, showing that Brazil unfairly placed high, burdensome tariffs – to the tune of 18% – on U.S. ethanol imported into the country. In response to this development, Ohio Farmer and National Corn Growers Association President Jed Bower issued the following statement: 
 
“NCGA has been on the forefront of this issue, testifying before USTR and filing comments with the agency about Brazil’s discriminatory trade practices. We are pleased to see that the Trump administration has done its due diligence by investigating Brazil’s conduct and has acted on behalf of the nation’s corn growers by levying tariffs to address this unfair trade disparity. If balance and fairness are not restored in our trade with Brazil, NCGA has recommended additional actions that USTR should take. "

USTR’s actions come a week after NCGA released a new report detailing the price premiums U.S. farmers pay for their inputs compared to Brazilian farmers, their largest global competitor. The premiums are, in some cases, more than double the costs paid by farmers in South America. 



RFA Lauds Trump Administration Actions in Response to Brazil’s Ethanol Trade Barriers

The Renewable Fuels Association today welcomed an announcement by the U.S. Trade Representative that the United States will impose a 25 percent tariff on most good imported from Brazil, including ethanol. Pursuant to Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, USTR is taking this action in response to Brazil’s unreasonable and burdensome trade barriers, which include an 18 percent tariff on U.S. ethanol imports and technical barriers that have prevented U.S. ethanol producers from participating in Brazil’s low-carbon fuel program, known as RenovaBio.

“We applaud the action being taken by USTR and strongly support the Trump Administration’s efforts to level the playing field for U.S. ethanol producers and farmers,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Over the past several years, Brazil has gone out of its way to block lower-cost U.S. ethanol through a complicated framework of tariffs and marketplace barriers. After Brazil rebuffed numerous attempts by the U.S. to negotiate a return to free and fair ethanol trade between our two nations, our leaders were left with no choice but to establish reciprocal treatment. It is our sincere hope that this action will motivate Brazil to come back to the negotiating table for good-faith discussions on improving ethanol trade between our two countries.” 

The action comes after the USTR convened two public hearings, received over 360 public comments, and negotiated intensively with the government of Brazil to seek resolution of U.S. concerns. USTR’s investigation into Brazil’s practices found indisputable evidence of discriminatory treatment, illegal barriers, and irreparable harm to U.S. ethanol producers.  The RFA provided substantial written and oral testimony in support of the initiation of the investigation last year. More recently, RFA provided testimony in support of the USTR’s notice of determination and proposed 25 percent duties earlier this month.



Clean Fuels Welcomes Hawaii Clean Fuel Standard for Alternative Fuels

Clean Fuels Alliance America applauds Hawaii Governor Josh Green, M.D., for signing legislation to create a clean fuel standard for the State of Hawaii. This new law will help drive demand and open a new market for biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel while spurring economic opportunity and improving the health of its citizens.

SB2999 tasks the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) to develop regulations to reduce transportation emissions by 10% from 2019 levels by 2035 and no less than 50% by 2045. HDOT must adopt program rules by Jan. 1, 2028, with implementation beginning Jan. 1, 2029. This technology-neutral and market-based program will generate new opportunities for the fuels industry to help meet these carbon emissions reduction targets.

“As a native of Hawaii, I am thrilled by the state's leadership in passing the Clean Fuel Standard," said Cory-Ann Wind, Director of State Regulatory Affairs for Clean Fuels. "It marks a pivotal moment in Hawaii's commitment to a sustainable future. Cleaner fuels like biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel will play a significant role in helping Hawaii reach its climate goals.”

“Governor Green’s action demonstrates that clean transportation fuels deliver benefits that extend beyond emissions reductions,” said Jeff Earl, Director of State Governmental Affairs for Clean Fuels. “Hawaii's new Clean Fuel Standard aligns with Governor Green's Health Beyond Healthcare initiative by recognizing that cleaner air and a healthier environment are essential to improving public health.”

Hawaii becomes the fifth state to pass a clean fuel standard, alongside California, Oregon, Washington and New Mexico.