Monday July 13 Ag News - AGP Makes History in David City - A-FAN Hosts Cattle Facility Lunch and Learn - CVA Offers New Precision Technology - NE Business Try Product of USA Label - and more!

AGP Marks Historic Milestone with First-Ever U.S. Unit Train Shipment of Soybean Oil from David City, Nebraska

Ag Processing Inc a cooperative (AGP) announced another major milestone Friday for its newest soybean processing and degumming facility in David City, Nebraska, with the successful loading and shipment of the first-ever U.S. unit train of soybean oil.

This achievement highlights AGP’s continued investment in value-added agriculture and renewable fuels while creating greater value for its cooperative owners. Designed to efficiently load unit trains, the David City facility strengthens domestic supply chains and better serves customers as demand for soybean oil continues to grow.

The milestone comes as the renewable fuels industry expands following the EPA’s finalization of historic Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) biomass-based diesel volumes. As one of the nation’s leading soybean processors and biodiesel producers, AGP is investing in infrastructure to efficiently supply renewable diesel and biodiesel markets.

“This milestone reflects what AGP has always been about, finding innovative ways to create more value for our cooperative owners while serving the evolving needs of our customers,” said Courtney Lawrenson, Senior Vice President of Oils & Energy for AGP. “By improving how we move soybean oil, we’re strengthening the supply chain for renewable fuels while creating additional value for our cooperative owners and their farmer-members.”

“As a cooperative, our responsibility is to create more value for our members’ soybeans,” said Dean Thernes, Chairman of the AGP Board of Directors. “This first unit train shipment demonstrates how innovation and investment strengthen domestic markets, support American energy, and position our cooperative and member-owners for future growth.”

The achievement is especially fitting as AGP celebrates the 30th anniversary of its biodiesel business in 2026. Since pioneering biodiesel production in 1996, the cooperative has continued investing in infrastructure that supports America’s growing renewable fuels industry.

The David City facility, which began commercial operations in 2025 as AGP’s 11th soybean processing plant, features more than 13 miles of rail and can load unit trains of both soybean meal and soybean oil, providing customers with industry-leading logistics and flexibility.

“This isn’t simply about moving more product,” Lawrenson added. “It’s about building a stronger domestic supply chain that supports American agriculture, American energy, and long-term value for our cooperative owners.”



CAP Webinar: Agricultural Business Planning: What Are the Steps?
Jul 16, 2026 12:00 PM 
With Shannon Sand, Extension Agricultural Economist, UNL Center for Agricultural Profitability, 
Developing a business plan can seem overwhelming, whether you are starting a new venture or expanding an existing operation. This webinar covers the key components of a business plan, the information needed to build one, and resources available to help guide the planning process. Participants will gain practical tools to develop a business plan that supports informed decision-making and long-term business success.   

CAP Webinar: Proper Debt Structure: Matching Loan Terms to Loan Purpose
Jul 23, 2026 12:00 PM 
With David Haupt, Financial Analyst, UNL Center for Agricultural Profitability
A loan structure that doesn't match its purpose can quietly strain a farm or ranch's finances for years, like a short-term note covering a long-term asset, or payments that outlast the equipment they financed. The webinar will walk through how to evaluate whether your debt structure actually fits how your operation works. It will cover how to match repayment terms to the useful life of what's being financed, questions to ask when a lender proposes new terms, and warning signs that a loan structure may be creating cash flow problems down the road. 

Register at the Center for Agricultural Profitability's webinar page, https://cap.unl.edu/webinars. Archived recordings of past webinars are also available at that web site. 



Modern Cattle Facilities Lunch & Learn

Join A-FAN (the Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska) and Nebraska Extension at ENREEC for an afternoon of learning about different cattle housing and roller-compacted concrete open lot systems. It's on August 13th from 11:00am-2:00pm.  Following a research update and complimentary lunch, attendees will have the opportunity to tour the KFIC cattle facilities and ask questions about current practices and ongoing studies. To RSVP call 402-421-4472 or email mindyr@a-fan.org.  



New Ag Leader Technology available through CVA

Central Valley Ag (CVA)'s Advanced Cropping Systems (ACS) team is expanding its precision agriculture equipment with two new Ag Leader solutions: RightPath™, Passive Implement Steering, and Z-Row™Corn Head Row Guidance. These technologies are designed to help growers improve equipment guidance and operational accuracy during planting and harvest. 

RightPath Passive Implement Steering
RightPath Passive Implement Steering is designed to improve implement tracking by allowing the implement to maintain a more accurate path. Unlike traditional guidance systems that rely solely on tractor positioning, RightPath places GPS guidance directly on the implement. 

This can improve placement accuracy during operations such as planting and fertilizer application, especially when working through curves, terraces, and rolling terrain. The system is designed to work alongside OEM equipment, giving growers another option to improve guidance performance while continuing to utilize the machinery already in their operation. 

Z-Row Corn Head Row Guidance 
Z-Row Corn Head Row Guidance is designed to assist operators during harvest by helping the combine stay centered on crop rows. The system uses sensors mounted on the corn head to detect row position and provide steering guidance. 

This allows operators to maintain better row alignment throughout the field, reducing operator fatigue while helping maximize harvesting efficiency. 

Save Now, Plant Later! 
CVA's "Ag Leader Save Now, Plant Later" is currently available from now through July for growers to receive up to $200 off per row. From August to September, eligible growers can receive up to $150 off per acre. Growers interested in learning more about eligible equipment and program details can contact their local CVA ACS Equipment Technology Specialist or reach out to 402-704-4614. 



Growing Momentum Behind USDA’s Product of USA Label
10 New Companies Joining Initiative

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced that ten additional meat and poultry companies have adopted USDA’s voluntary Product of USA label, marking continued momentum behind the Administration’s efforts to help consumers easily identify products that are truly born, raised, harvested, and processed in the United States. 

Since USDA launched its nationwide awareness campaign earlier this year, more processors across the country have committed to using the Product of USA label, giving consumers greater confidence that when they purchase products bearing the claim, they are directly supporting American farmers, ranchers, processors, and rural communities.

“President Trump has made it clear that when American families buy American products, they should know exactly what they’re getting,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “The Product of USA label gives consumers confidence that the meat, poultry, and egg products they purchase come from animals born, raised, harvested, and processed right here in the United States. Every new company that adopts this label represents another win for America’s ranchers, processors, and rural communities. USDA will continue working every day to strengthen domestic food production and ensure American agriculture remains the strongest in the world.”

The newest companies to adopt USDA’s Product of USA label include: 
    Wholestone Farms – Nebraska 
    Upper Iowa Beef – Iowa 
    Hadrick Farms – South Dakota 
    American Foods Group (AFG) – Multiple locations 
    Fort Worth Meats – Texas 
    Harris Ranch – California 
    One World Beef – California 
    Agri Beef – Idaho 
    FPL Food – Georgia  
    Harrison’s Poultry – Illinois

The continued expansion of the Product of USA label complements President Trump’s and Secretary Rollins’ broader strategy to strengthen America’s beef industry by supporting independent ranchers, family farmers, and small- and mid-sized meat processors. By creating new market opportunities for products that are fully American from pasture to plate, USDA is helping ensure producers and processors can compete, grow, and meet rising consumer demand for American-raised meat.

Last month, Secretary Rollins announced the Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers (SPUR) Program, a new USDA initiative providing up to $500 million to help eligible small- and mid-sized beef processors preserve and expand domestic processing capacity. Together, SPUR and the Product of USA initiative represent complementary efforts to strengthen America’s meat supply chain, expand market opportunities for independent producers, and increase consumer access to high-quality American-raised products.

Several companies participating in the Product of USA initiative are also expected to benefit from USDA’s SPUR Program, further strengthening their ability to invest in American processing capacity and expand marketing opportunities for U.S. ranchers.

USDA continues to receive strong interest from additional processors across the country, with more companies expected to adopt the Product of USA label in the coming months as consumer demand for authentic American-produced meat continues to grow.



Winter Wheat Production Down 4 Percent from June Forecast 

Winter wheat production is forecast at 990 million bushels, down 4 percent from the June 1 forecast and down 29 percent from 2025. As of July 1, the United States yield is forecast at 46.7 bushels per acre, down 0.1 bushel from last month and down 8.2 bushels from last year's average yield of 54.9 bushels per acre. If realized, the United States yield would be the lowest since 2015.

Nebraska: 580,000 acres harvested in 2026 (805,000 in 2025)
     Bu/acre:  47.0 (2025) - 28.0 (June '26) - 29.0 (July '26) 
     Production: 37,835,000 bu (2025) - 16,820,000 bu (2026)  
  


Rooted in Resilience: Navigating the Market Shifts in Farmland Investments
Farmers National Company hosts Landowner Meetings in NE, IA

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 us at our 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.

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.

Lincoln, Nebraska Landowner Meeting - July 30, 2026 
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. The following speakers from Rembolt Ludtke will be presenting at this event: Anthony Aerts, Spencer Hartman, and Ann Post.  Register Here: https://web.farmersnational.com/cn/akqlx/2026_lincoln_workshop.  

Des Moines, Iowa Landowner Workshop - July 30, 2026
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_desmoines_workshop.