Monday July 27 Ag News - Pillen Hosts Trade Mission to Japan, Philippines - Scout Field Borders for Grasshoppers - Soybean Mgt Field Days - IA Mesonet Turns 25 - USDA to Reopen Southern Border to Cattle Imports Aug 24 - '25 Farm Expenditures Up 2% - and more!

Pillen Hosts Trade Mission to Japan and the Philippines
  
Governor Jim Pillen embarked on a trade mission to Japan and the Philippines over the weekend. He is heading a state delegation that includes farmers and ranchers, key leaders from the state’s ethanol industry, and innovators in advanced manufacturing. The Nebraska Department of Economic Development is coordinating the trade mission on behalf of the State.
 
In Japan, the trade delegation will promote Nebraska-grown agricultural products and highlight the state’s ability to make low-carbon biofuels and energy products. Japan has been a reliable trade partner for Nebraska, annually ranking among the top international destinations for the state’s agricultural goods. In 2025, Japan purchased more than a half-billion dollars of beef and pork products from Nebraska. Japan has also set a policy to introduce E10 nationwide by 2030, a plan that — when implemented — will dramatically increase its demand for ethanol. Additionally, Japan is seeking suppliers of cleaner energy as it looks to cut greenhouse gas emissions. With annual ethanol production of more than two billion gallons, and an operational carbon pipeline, Nebraska is well-positioned to meet these biofuel and energy needs.
 
With a growing population of more than 112 million people, and strong economic performance over the past 15 years, the Philippines is emerging as a major market in Southeast Asia. While in the Philippines, Nebraska’s trade mission will seek to open new markets for agricultural products such as wheat, beef, and ethanol. The Philippines and Japan rank second and third, respectively, as importers of American wheat. More than 20% of U.S. wheat exports go to the two countries. Beef consumption and demand continue to rise in the Philippines. Beef is especially popular among the country’s young, urban middle-class and is increasingly featured on restaurant menus. Meanwhile, the Philippines’ growth has resulted in increased fuel consumption. Currently, the country can produce only 50-55% of the ethanol required to meet its E10 mandate and relies on foreign ethanol for the rest, primarily importing it from the United States.
 
The United States and the Philippines are commemorating 80 years of diplomatic relations in 2026. This year, the two countries are also marking the 75th anniversary of a mutual defense treaty signed in 1951. Many Nebraskans fought bravely in and around the Philippines during World War II, serving in combat alongside the nation’s Filipino allies. During the trade mission, Nebraska’s delegation will visit Manila America Cemetery to pay their respects to the courageous troops who perished during World War II.
 
The first leg of the trade mission was Sunday in Osaka, Japan. The delegation will then travel to the Philippines Monday for the remainder of the mission.



2026 Warm Season Annual Grazing Field Day

Join Nebraska Extension on August 4 from 4:00–6:00 PM at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center (ENREEC) for a pasture walk featuring current research from University of Nebraska–Lincoln faculty and specialists.

This hands-on event will cover topics including matching forage species to grazing goals, turnout and removal timing strategies, optimizing cattle performance and forage utilization, and understanding key agronomic differences among forage species. Participants will also learn about forage selection for grazing, hay, silage, and stockpiling, and explore how different management approaches can impact productivity and profitability.

Whether you're a producer, land manager, or industry professional, this pasture walk offers a great opportunity to see research in action, connect with experts, and gain practical insights you can apply to your own operation.

For more information call Connor Biehler at 402-624-8007 or email at cbiehler2@unl.edu.  



Grasshoppers Return ― It’s Time to Scout Field Borders
Justin McMechan - Crop Protection and Cropping Systems Specialist 

Populations of immature grasshoppers are being reported in areas bordering crop fields in several parts of Nebraska. If these grasshopper species are one of the four major species that are likely to infest cropland, control may be warranted if high numbers are present. These insects will likely continue to be a present for the rest of the summer.

If they are abundant, it's best to try to control grasshoppers while they are concentrated in the border areas before they spread into the crops and before they become adults and become harder to control.

Only four of the more than 100 species of grasshoppers found in Nebraska normally damage field crops. These species are the
    two-striped,
    red-legged,
    differential, and
    migratory grasshoppers.

(For a detailed guide on identifying these four species, see Nebraska Extension NebGuide EC1569, "Grasshopper Identification Guide for Cropland Grasshoppers Summer Feeding Species.") These species feed on a wide range of plants and are most often found in mixed habitats that include broadleaf weeds.

Because grasshoppers move into cropland generally from untilled areas surrounding crop fields, pay particular attention to field border with abundant broadleaf weeds, scout and, if necessary, treat these adjacent untilled areas first. Sometimes grasshoppers may hatch out from eggs laid in no-till crop fields as well. If grasshoppers have already invaded the field, also sample field areas to determine if control is warranted. The grasshoppers are most likely to move from these areas to adjoining crops when their food supply in these borders dries up or the borders are mowed.

More information about scouting and control measures, including potential insecticide options, can be found here: https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2019/grasshopper-management.  



Soybean Management Field Days to Showcase TAPS Results, Production Strategies
Aaron Nygren - Nebraska Extension Educator

For over 25 years, growers have benefited from the latest advancements in soybean production, management and marketing at Nebraska Extension’s Soybean Management Field Days. This August, the annual event offers practical insights into cutting-edge soybean management practices and technologies, along with opportunities to network with fellow farmers and industry experts. 

For the third consecutive year, the Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) soybean competition results will be featured during the field days, with updates on lessons learned from last season and progress in this year's contest.

The three-fold focus of the field days is to provide practical information, foster dialogue and showcase collaborative efforts:
    Learn about best practices and strategies to apply in your fields.
    Engage in productive discussions on issues ranging from local to global.
    Explore Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB) initiatives in research, marketing and education.

“Our goal is to give growers real value they can take home and use,” said Andy Chvatal, NSB executive director. “By highlighting programs like TAPS, we’re helping producers evaluate new ideas and learn directly from the results. In addition to TAPS, the field days also focus on timely topics that matter most to growers.” 

Throughout the four-day event, attendees will be able to participate in two different formats: one in the evening and the other during the day. 

The evening meetings, held Tuesday, Aug. 11–Thursday, Aug. 13, will feature presentations on locally relevant topics and engage participants in interactive discussions. 

To conclude the week on Friday, Aug. 14, a field day starting mid-morning will highlight the Soybean TAPS contest with interactive discussions and a plot tour.

Soybean Management Field Days is free to attend thanks to support from NSB. To help with a meal count, please pre-register two days in advance of each field day via the online form https://nuramp.nebraska.edu/ems/event.php?EMSEventUUID=c2528619-2b6b-4f22-b091-0f4ed79ed170 or by calling 402-624-8030. 

Evening Programs
Tuesday, Aug. 11 – West Central Research, Extension and Education Center (WCREEC), North Platte
Registration at 5:30 p.m., program from 6-8 p.m.
    Topics: Soybean TAPS competition, short updates on western Nebraska soybean topics including weed control, irrigation, insect and disease control, fertility, and an update on the soybean crush facility project
    Speakers:  Nicolás Cafaro la Menza, Milos Zaric, Abia Katimbo, Talon Mues, Todd Whitney, Chuck Burr, Andrea Rilakovic, Walter Cronin from White River Nutrition

Wednesday, Aug. 12 – Herbig Brothers farm, Central City
Registration at 5:30 p.m., program from 6-8 p.m.
    Topics: Soybean TAPS competition, managing iron chlorosis, and soybean irrigation
    Speakers: Dylan Mangel, Steve Melvin, Chris Proctor,  Nicolás Cafaro la Menza

Thursday, Aug. 13 — Mike Gropp farm, Crete
Registration at 5:30 p.m., program from 6-8 p.m. 
    Topics: Soybean TAPS competition and soybean gall midge research plot tour
    Speakers: Justin McMechan, Matheus Ribeiro, Chris Proctor, John Nelson

Morning Program
Friday, Aug. 14 — Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center (ENREEC), near Mead
Registration at 9:30 a.m., program from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    Topics: Soybean TAPS update, avoiding farm financial mistakes, IPM recommendations, and tour of competition plots.
    Speakers: Garrett Ruskamp of Pioneer Farmer, Chris Proctor, Chuck Burr, Dylan Mangel, Aaron Nygren, Justin McMechan 

Attendees will also have the chance to connect with representatives from NSB and Nebraska Soybean Association at each location.

Registration and information about the field days, including maps to the event sites can be found on the SMFD homepage http://go.unl.edu/soydays, or by contacting NSB at 402-441-3240 or Nebraska Extension at 402-624-8030.



The Magic of the Mesonet
Marli Anderson, ISU Ag Communications Intern 

The Iowa Environmental Mesonet (IEM - https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/) celebrated its 25-year anniversary this summer! IEM helps farmers, researchers, meteorologists and everyone in between make informed decisions using weather and climate data. Daryl Herzmann is a systems analyst at Iowa State University and the person who creates the magic behind the scenes.  

Back in 2001, IEM was created to help people understand publicly available weather data and environmental information. Over time, IEM has become and continues to grow into one of the state's most valuable weather resources. It provides access to observations from airports, National Weather Service stations, Iowa State University Research Farms, and other public monitoring networks. IEM does not collect its own data but instead pulls together information from trusted public sources and presents it in a way that is easy to understand and use. 

One of the biggest challenges with weather data is making sense of it. Many datasets contain thousands or even millions of observations that would take a considerable amount of time to organize. The IEM uses automated plotting tools that allow users to generate charts, maps, and reports that can be used in presentations or articles without the hassle of uploading information into spreadsheets and creating graphs themselves. 

Those tools have become especially valuable to those in Iowa's agricultural industry, where weather is a crucial part of decision making. Anyone can use the IEM to monitor precipitation, temperature, growing degree days, and long-term weather trends while comparing conditions across locations and seasons. Several IEM applications allow users to customize reports based on their own growing season. 
Daryl Herzmann accepting award at IEM 25th anniversary celebration. Daryl Herzmann accepting an award at the 25th anniversary celebration of IEM.

Herzmann says, "Somebody that planted corn one year on April 10 and the next year they planted it on June 1, and so you want to be able to use those dynamically to generate plots." The website also helps users identify the most appropriate weather station for their specific needs. For example, airport weather stations often provide the most reliable wind observations because they are in an open space, as opposed to a more urban area. Choosing the right source matters because not every weather observation represents conditions the same way. 

Although agriculture is one of the IEM's largest audiences, the website was designed to help anyone interested in Iowa's weather and climate. Researchers, educators, businesses, students and weather enthusiasts all use it to answer questions and monitor changing conditions. 

As the Iowa Environmental Mesonet marks its 25th anniversary, Herzmann hopes users continue to explore its tools and ask questions when they need guidance. "Farmers know this already, that you go and talk to your neighbor with the same rain gauge, only different numbers. And they’re probably both right." Herzmann said. 

The Iowa Environmental Mesonet has continued to make weather information more accessible and practical. By turning complex datasets into easy to understand graphs and maps, the IEM helps Iowans make better decisions every day.



USDA Announces Phased Reopening of Southern Ports for Livestock Trade

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing a coordinated, phased reopening of southern cattle ports, contingent on Mexico’s adherence to the Joint Action Plan. Beginning August 24, 2026, USDA will open the Douglas, AZ port of entry to cattle trade, while simultaneously initiating the operational steps necessary for subsequent openings at the Santa Teresa, NM, and Columbus, NM, ports. Every animal entering the United States through these ports will undergo a full USDA inspection to ensure it is free of any signs of New World screwworm (NWS).

“Protecting the United States from NWS and pushing this pest out of Mexico and back to the Darien Gap is a top priority at USDA and has the full attention of the Trump Administration,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “The closure of the Southern ports of entry for the last year has been a tough but necessary action to control the spread of NWS in Mexico and protect the American livestock industry. Thanks to the work across the federal government as well as state, local, and industry partners, it is now safe to reopen the Douglas, Arizona, port in 30 days to resume the hundreds year old movement of cattle.”

For many years, Sonora and Chihuahua have maintained a strong animal health infrastructure program, built on the backs of successful animal disease control measures. While the rest of Mexico has not been able to stop the spread of the screwworm or stop legal and illegal movement, Sonora and Chihuahua do have a track record of success in these spaces, giving USDA confidence that they can do the job.

USDA proposes a phased reopening of Southern ports to livestock trade, contingent upon satisfactory progress on priority Action Plan milestones.
    Sonora and Chihuahua are identified as the lowest-risk Mexican states for New World screwworm due to their strong, well-established inspection programs and their geographic distance from southern Mexico, where most cases are concentrated.
    On August 24, 2026, USDA will reopen the Douglas, AZ, port, which borders Sonora, to livestock trade. The closest active case to the Douglas, AZ, port is ~325 miles detected on July 22, 2026. After evaluating the success of the initial reopening and potential impacts or risk assessment changes, APHIS will then consider reopening the Santa Teresa, NM, and Columbus, NM, ports to live cattle, bison, and horses.
    The reopening timeline will remain flexible and may be adjusted based on Mexico’s progress in meeting Action Plan milestones and addressing critical issues.
    The opening of ports may be paused if USDA identifies increased risk in Sonora or Chihuahua via post-opening audits or other observations/information.

For more information about USDA’s New World screwworm response, read here: www.aphis.usda.gov/animals/animal-health/livestock-and-poultry-disease/stop-screwworm/usda-continues-lead-aggressive.



NCBA Statement on Reopening of First Port of Entry in Arizona

Friday, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) released a statement in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announcement that they will be reopening the port of entry at Douglas, Ariz. to shipments of cattle in 30 days. This is the first part of a phased reopening that will include ports of ‌entry in Columbus and Santa Teresa, N.M. in the second phase, after further biosecurity assessments.

“Secretary Rollins and her team at USDA have been fighting the spread of New World screwworm with an aggressive five-point plan and comprehensive response playbook. Their work – along with the diligence of cattle producers in border states – bought the United States valuable time to improve our domestic readiness. The whole-of-government response has put us in a strong position to begin safely and gradually reopening our southern border to cattle shipments,” said NCBA CEO Colin Woodall. “This decision will help normalize business for cattle operations throughout the border states and Southern Plains. We appreciate the continued work of USDA to support American producers and the U.S. cattle industry.”



ASA Appreciates Agricultural Input Exemptions, Calls for More

Friday, the Trump Administration announced new Section 301 tariffs on imports from 60 trading partners, replacing the expired Section 122 tariffs. The new action includes exemptions for certain agricultural inputs, including some products the American Soybean Association and a broad coalition of agricultural organizations identified as critical to U.S. farmers.

"Soybean farmers depend on reliable access to affordable seed, fertilizers, crop protection products, machinery and replacement parts to remain competitive," said Scott Metzger, ASA President and Ohio soybean farmer. "We appreciate that the administration recognized the importance of exempting some of these critical inputs and thank the White House and Office of the U.S. Trade Representative for listening to the concerns of U.S. farmers throughout the Section 301 investigation. At the same time, additional products essential to farmers now face additional tariffs that will drive up the price of inputs and further exacerbate the rising cost of farming. ASA encourages the administration to continue expanding exemptions to reflect the needs of U.S. agriculture."

ASA continues to urge the administration to exempt countries with which the United States has free trade agreements and that are meeting their obligations under those agreements. Maintaining those commitments provides greater certainty for farmers and strengthens long-term trading relationships. Additionally, ASA is encouraging the administration to use the leverage of tariffs to pursue new bilateral trade agreements that support the U.S. economy and expand market opportunities for U.S. soybean farmers.

ASA has actively engaged throughout the Section 301 investigation process, submitting joint comments with the U.S. Soybean Export Council and providing testimony before the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.   



Corn Growers Applaud USMCA Talks, Urge Trilateral Action

The United States concluded a round of negotiations in Mexico City last week to discuss the future of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. In response to this development, National Corn Growers Association President and Ohio farmer Jed Bower released the following statement: 
 
“We are encouraged by the continued dialogue between officials from the U.S. and Mexico, who are working diligently to renew this agreement that has been so important to American farmers and our communities. President Trump shaped this agreement during his first term, and American growers – particularly corn farmers – have benefitted immensely. The agreement represents 1.8 billion bushels of corn demand and contributes $20 billion to the U.S. economy. We encourage all three countries to engage expeditiously in trilateral dialogue to resolve outstanding issues and secure the long-term future of this critical agreement.”



United Soybean Board Approves FY27 Budget to Sharpen Focus and Maximize Farmer Returns

In the year ahead, the United Soybean Board (USB) will boost demand for U.S. Soy℠, drive on-farm resilience and bring value to the nearly half a million U.S. soybean farmers. Led by its 77 farmer-leaders, USB recently approved a $122.5 million budget for the 2027 fiscal year, strategically allocating funds across vital research, promotion and education investments. This spans the food, feed, fuel, industrial, exports and sustainable production market segments.

“Our farmer-leaders built this budget the same way we manage our own farms, by putting every dollar where it can do the most good,” said Brent Gatton, United Soybean Board Chair from Bremen, Ky. “We're focused on what moves volume and creates value, from protecting the markets we have - to accelerating new uses and opening new doors for U.S. Soy. Times are tough across the countryside, and the Soy Checkoff℠ is the long-term, steady investment working to make sure farmers have strong markets and the innovation to stay competitive for years to come."

The board approved the budget during the organization’s July meeting in Indianapolis, prioritizing strategic investment in the priority areas of Health & Nutrition, Infrastructure & Connectivity, and Innovation & Technology. In addition, the board focuses its communication & education efforts on strengthening the reputation of U.S. Soy with customers, amplifying checkoff investments to inform U.S. soybean farmers and partnering with the 30+ state soybean boards on research and outreach.

Key investments USB is prioritizing in the coming fiscal year include:
    Food: Providing science-based evidence supporting the nutritional benefits of soy oil, positioning high oleic and conventional soy oil as the preferred frying solution for foodservice, and accelerating demand for differentiated varieties such as non-GMO and high oleic.
    Feed: Establishing validated energy values for soybean meal in animal diets, quantifying feeding rates that maximize animal performance and returns, and demonstrating how soy-fed animals produce better meat, milk and eggs.
    Fuel: Growing renewable fuel markets across fleet, Bioheat, marine, aviation and rail, supported by record federal renewable fuel volumes of approximately 5.7 billion gallons of biomass-based diesel in 2027, and advancing equipment manufacturer approvals for higher biodiesel blends.
    Industrial: Expanding demand for soybean oil in lubricants, surfactants, coatings, rubber and plastics, developing soybean meal applications including wood adhesives, and commercializing products that remove harmful “forever chemicals”.
    Exports: Growing and protecting demand for U.S. Soy in 90-plus countries, strengthening buyer and value chain relationships, and building demand for soybean meal through poultry, egg, pork and aquaculture export growth.
    Sustainable Production: Protecting yields through pest, disease and stress tolerance research, improving input efficiency and soil health, strengthening carbon intensity modeling, and expanding farmer compensation opportunities from premium markets to ecosystem services.

“This budget is the product of careful, farmer-led decisions about where checkoff dollars go,” said Don Wyss, USB Treasurer from Fort Wayne, Ind., who oversees strategic budget allocation of the FY27 portfolio. “We weighed every market segment and focused on the highest-impact investments, the ones that protect existing markets and build new ones. My focus as treasurer is simple: be disciplined with farmers' money and make sure every investment is working to grow value for U.S. Soy."



USDA Invests $3 Million for Wetland Mitigation Banking Projects to Support Producers and Protect Wetland Ecosystems

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $3 million to support the development of wetland mitigation banks for agricultural producers. Through the USDA’s Wetland Mitigation Banking Program (WMBP), wetlands are restored, created or enhanced, generating credits that can be purchased by producers looking to compensate for unavoidable impacts to wetlands at another location.  

“Wetland mitigation banks provide farmers and ranchers a clear and efficient compliance pathway, while at the same time helping to restore and protect vital wetlands and all the benefits they provide,” said USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Colton L. Buckley. “Through the Wetland Mitigation Banking Program, we can help ensure the long-term resilience and productivity of American working landscapes.”  

WMBP awardees work with NRCS to develop a mitigation banking instrument that provides details for developing, establishing and operating a mitigation banking program.  Priority will be given to banks in states with significant numbers of individual wetlands, wetland acres and conservation compliance requests. Based on NRCS data, these states are Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Wisconsin. 

City and county governments, organizations, tribal governments and other entities are eligible to apply. See the notice of funding on Grants.gov for a full list of eligible entity types.  

Applications are due by September 8, 2026. Visit the Grants.gov opportunity for additional details and to apply. 

More About WMBP 
To participate in most USDA programs, agricultural producers agree to comply with the wetland conservation provisions, meaning producers will not plant agricultural commodities on converted wetlands or convert wetlands to enable agricultural production. In situations where avoidance or on-site mitigation is challenging, the Farm Bill allows for off-site mitigation through the purchase of mitigation banking credits. 

Purchasing credits from a wetland mitigation bank provides a legal mechanism for agricultural producers to maintain their eligibility for USDA program benefits if they convert agricultural wetlands. 

WMBP award recipients can use the funding to support the costs of developing and establishing a mitigation bank, like costs for site identification, development of a mitigation banking instrument, site restoration, land surveys, permitting and title searches, and market research. WMBP funding cannot be used to purchase land or a conservation easement. 

NRCS awarded the first WMBP grants in 2016. Since then, NRCS has awarded 39 projects supporting the creation or expansion of wetland mitigation banks in 14 states.  

Awardees can request up to $1 million for a project. Projects may last up to four years. 

When a mitigation bank is established, the landowner retains ownership and use of the property, while a conservation easement protects the wetlands from incompatible degrading activities. 

To learn more about the Wetland Mitigation Banking Program, and how wetland mitigation banks work, visit the WMBP webpage https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/wetland-mitigation-banking-program. 



2025 United States Total Farm Production Expenditure Highlights 

Farm production expenditures in the United States are estimated at $490.3 billion for 2025, up from $481.3 billion in 2024. The 2025 total farm production expenditures are up 1.9 percent compared with 2024 total farm production expenditures.

The four largest expenditures at the United States level total $245.5 billion and account for 50.1 percent of total expenditures in 2025. These include livestock, poultry, and related expenses, 15.2 percent, feed, 14.5 percent, farm services, 11.2 percent, and labor, 9.2 percent.

In 2025, the United States total farm expenditure average per farm is $263,955, up 3.1 percent from $256,011 in 2024. On average, United States farm operations spent $40,054 on livestock, poultry, and related expenses, $38,223 on feed, $29,610 on farm services, and $24,280 on labor. For 2024, United States farms spent an average of $38,883 on feed, $29,415 on farm services, $28,457 on livestock, poultry, and related expenses, and $27,553 on labor.

Total fuel expense is $15.6 billion. Diesel, the largest sub-component, is $10 billion, accounting for 64.1 percent. Diesel expenditures are up 1.0 percent from the previous year. Gasoline is $2.7 billion, down 2.2 percent. LP gas is $2.0 billion, up 13.3 percent. Other fuel is $930 million, down 7.0 percent.

The United States economic sales class contributing most to the 2025 United States total expenditures is the $1,000,000 to $4,999,999 class, with expenses of $176 billion, 35.9 percent of the United States total, up 0.2 percent from the 2024 level of $175.6 billion. The next highest is the $5,000,000 and over class with $152.8 billion, up 8.6 percent from $140.7 billion in 2024. 

In 2025, crop farms expenditures decreased to $235.3 billion, down 6.6 percent, while livestock farms expenditures increased to $255 billion, up 11.2 percent. The largest expenditures for crop farms are labor at $30.8 billon (13.1 percent), farm services at $30.5 billion (13.0 percent), rent at $28.8 billion (12.2 percent), and fertilizer, lime, and soil conditioners at $28.3 billion (12.0 percent). Combined crop inputs (chemicals, fertilizers, and seeds) are $70.6 billion, accounting for 30.0 percent of crop farms total expenses. The largest expenditures for livestock farms are livestock, poultry, and related expenses at $72.3 billion (28.4 percent of total), feed at $69.2 billion (27.1 percent), and farm services at $24.5 billion (9.6 percent). Together, these line items account for 65.1 percent of livestock farms total expenses. The average total expenditure for a crop farm is $284,017 compared to $247,804 per livestock farm.

The Midwest region contributed the most to United States total expenditures with expenses of $156.5 billion (31.9 percent), up from $149.4 billion in 2024. Other regions, ranked by total expenditures, are the Plains at $121.7 billion (24.8 percent), West at $99.9 billion (20.4 percent), Atlantic at $60.9 billion (12.4 percent), and South at $51.4 billion (10.5 percent). 

Combined total expenditures for the 15 estimate states is $329.1 billion in 2025 (67.1 percent of the United States total expenditures) and $313.9 billion in 2024 (65.2 percent). California contributed most to the 2025 United States total expenditures, with expenses of $43.8 billion, (8.9 percent). California expenditures are down 10.3 percent from the 2024 estimate of $48.8 billion. Iowa, the next leading state, has $37.8 billion in expenses, ($35.87 billion in '24 - 7.7 percent of US total). Other states with more than $26 billion in total expenditures are Nebraska with $32.4 billion ($30.46 billion in '24), Texas with $32.0 billion, and Kansas with $26.8 billion.