Wednesday July 22 Ag News - Precision Cons. Mgt. Expands in Eastern NE - NeFB Foundation Adds 3 to Board - New ISU Guide on Optimizing Silage Quality - Report Shows Pressure on IA Ag Economy - New USB CEO Knupp - and more!

Free Conservation Program, Precision Conservation Management, Expands in Eastern Nebraska

Precision Conservation Management (PCM) is expanding its Nebraska presence with the addition of two new regions, bringing the program’s free, one-on-one farm data analysis to grain producers in Northeast and Southeast Nebraska for the first time.

PCM has been serving Nebraska farmers in the Gothenburg and York regions for several years in partnership with the Nebraska Corn Board and local Natural Resource Districts. The addition of the Norfolk and Beatrice regions means more Nebraska producers now have direct access to a local PCM specialist who can analyze their field data and help farmers make decisions grounded in profitability, not guesswork.

PCM was created by IL Corn in 2015 to utilize field-level data to analyze the financial outcomes of tillage, nitrogen management, and cover crop decisions, providing farmers with a clear picture of how these practices impact their bottom line. Participating in PCM is free thanks to support from partners like the Nebraska Corn Board. There are no requirements to change farming practices, and all farm data is immediately anonymized upon enrollment.

"The growth of the Precision Conservation Management Program in Nebraska means farmers have greater access to resources that help them farm better using data-driven conservation tools," said Rachael Whitehair, director of innovation and stewardship for the Nebraska Corn Board. "At a time when farmers need to know their best and most efficient options, PCM is a tool that helps lead them to success."

In addition to one-on-one specialist support, enrolled farmers gain access to cost-share and incentive programs through PCM as well as advice on other programs they might be eligible for. Enrollers also receive an annual Resource Analysis and Assessment Plan (RAAP) report each February, providing a field-by-field breakdown of financial and environmental outcomes of in-field practices.

Meet the New Specialists

Frank Lammers — Norfolk Region
Frank Lammers brings a background in agronomy and hands-on farm experience to his role as PCM’s Conservation Specialist for the Norfolk region. Based in Northeast Nebraska, Frank works with producers to use field-level data to evaluate conservation practices against real profitability outcomes. Living and working on a farm himself, he brings a practical perspective that resonates with producers who want answers grounded in how things actually work in the field.
Email: lammers@precisionconservation.org

Tyler Ottensmeier — Beatrice Region
Tyler Ottensmeier brings more than 11 years of agricultural financial services experience to his role as PCM’s Conservation Specialist for the Beatrice region. His background as an agricultural loan officer gives him a firsthand understanding of how farm financial decisions get made and what it takes for a practice change to make economic sense. Tyler also operates a cow-calf and farming operation in Southeast Nebraska, keeping him closely connected to the producers he serves.
Email: tottensmeier@precisionconservation.org

How to Get Started
Nebraska grain farmers interested in enrolling in PCM can visit precisionconservation.org/farmers to learn more and fill out a brief interest form. A PCM Specialist will follow up to walk through the enrollment process.

Precision Conservation Management (PCM) is a program of the Illinois Corn Growers Association that connects grain farmers with free, one-on-one conservation support. PCM’s regional Conservation Specialists use field-level data to help farmers evaluate the profitability of tillage, nitrogen management, and cover crop practices — with no cost to enroll and no requirement to change farming practices. PCM currently operates in Illinois, Nebraska, Kentucky, and Missouri. Learn more at precisionconservation.org.



THREE NEW LEADERS BRING EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE TO THE NEBRASKA FARM BUREAU FOUNDATION BOARD

The Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) Foundation has appointed three new members to its board of directors, adding experience in production agriculture, agribusiness leadership, and agricultural education from across the state.

The new board members are Shana Beattie of Dawson County, Jerry Darnell of Scotts Bluff County, and NEFB Promotion and Engagement Chair Karen Grant of Madison County.

“Shana, Jerry, and Karen have all spent years giving back to agriculture, not just working in it,” said Megahn Schafer, executive director of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation. “Their experience supporting education, youth programs, and leadership initiatives in their communities will help guide the Foundation’s work across Nebraska.” 



Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory Open House set for August 19

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory (GSL) will host its annual open house Wednesday, Aug. 19, near Whitman. The event is open to cattle producers and industry professionals interested in the latest beef industry updates and current GSL research.  

Registration begins at 7:45 a.m. Mountain time and will be followed by a weather outlook presentation.

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in interactive sessions, learn about ongoing ranch research and hear from University of Nebraska–Lincoln researchers, educators and specialists.  

The open house will feature keynote speaker Nicki Nimlos, rangeland management specialist with University of Wyoming Extension, who will discuss carbon markets and opportunities for ranchers and landowners.  

The program will also include a cattle market update and a producer panel discussion on the realities of ranching in 2026.  

Registration is free, and lunch will be sponsored by Merck Animal Health. Participants are asked to RSVP by Aug. 14 to ensure an accurate meal count.  

Located in the Nebraska Sandhills, the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory spans Grant, Hooker and Cherry counties. The former Rafter C Ranch was leased by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln from the University of Nebraska Foundation in 1981 to serve as a hub for research in the Sandhills.

GSL plays a key role in developing environmentally and economically sustainable plant and animal production systems for the Nebraska Sandhills. Research conducted at the laboratory integrates ranch economics across a variety of disciplines, and the annual open house provides an opportunity to share those findings with producers and community members from across the state.

To register for the open house and view the itinerary, visit go.unl.edu/gslopenhouse. 




New Comprehensive Resources Guide Dairy Producers From Field to Feed Bunk for Optimized Corn Silage Quality

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Dairy Team has published a four-part publication series designed to help Midwest dairy producers enhance herd health and productivity through efficient corn silage management. The publications are available for download at no cost from the ISU Extension Store. 

Corn silage is a foundational diet component for most conventional dairy herds, and its quality directly impacts cattle performance and farm profitability. Dairy producers use corn silage because it is an energy-rich feed that promotes optimal herd performance and provides consistent nutrition and feed stability.

Each publication in the series covers several important aspects of corn silage for dairy cattle: 
    “From Field to Storage: Laying a Proper Foundation for Corn Silage”
    “Corn Silage Storage: Preserving Quality, Minimizing Losses”
    “Sustainable Solutions: Using Cover Crops in Forage Inventory”
    “Feed Center to Feed Bunk: Best Practices for Corn Silage Feeding”

The first publication, “Laying a Proper Foundation for Corn Silage,” focuses on the critical step of harvesting silage in the field to storing it. It outlines using the “milk line” to identify optimal harvest maturity and managing nitrate levels in drought-stressed crops by adjusting cutting height. “Preserving Quality, Minimizing Losses” explores methods for minimizing dry matter losses during the storage phase, including understanding stages of fermentation to prevent spoilage and achieving optimal density. 

The final two publications, “Using Cover Crops in Forage Inventory” and “Best Practices for Corn Silage Feeding,” provide a starter guide for integrating cover crops into dairy forage systems and managing silage from the feed center to the bunk, with an emphasis on safety and feed consistency. 

“With corn silage harvest just around the corner, now is the time for producers and their consultants to prepare for a successful harvest season,” said Gail Carpenter, assistant professor and extension dairy specialist at Iowa State. 

For more information, access the publications on the ISU Extension Store or contact Carpenter at 515-294-9085  ajcarpen@iastate.edu.



New joint study from Iowa Farm Bureau, Iowa State University & Iowa Bankers Association shows pressure increasing across ag economy, concerns on impacts beyond farm gate
Net Farm Income Drops 53% Over Two-Year Period 2022-2024

Iowa’s agricultural economy is several years into a downturn, with net farm income falling 53% from 2022 to 2024 as record-high input costs, depressed grain markets and trade uncertainty put mounting pressure on farmers, rural businesses and communities, according to a new joint study released today by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), Iowa State University (ISU) and the Iowa Bankers Association during Iowa Farm Bureau’s Economic Summit. The study, 2026 Iowa Agricultural Outlook: The Pressure is Rising, finds that negative margins are increasing farmer financial vulnerability across the state. 

Iowa’s crop farmers are facing a third consecutive year in which costs are generally outpacing prices. Corn and soybean production costs have increased 37% and 36%, respectively, since 2021, with the largest increases tied to machinery charges and seed, chemical and fertilizer expenses. Crop input costs are expected to remain uncomfortably high due to broader economic uncertainty and ongoing conflicts abroad, adding further pressure to already-tight margins. 

While today’s conditions do not yet mirror the severity of the 1980s farm crisis, both short- and long-term challenges loom large. “The clearest warning sign is a steady tightening across the farm economy with impacts felt well beyond the farm gate,” said Christopher Pudenz, Ph.D., Iowa Farm Bureau economics and research manager. “Agriculture remains one of Iowa’s largest economic drivers, accounting for roughly one-fifth of the state’s annual GDP, so a prolonged downturn can quietly weaken the workforce, erode the tax base and slow commerce across rural communities.”

John Crespi, Ph.D., director of the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) at ISU agrees. “The usual impacts to net income seem to have their cycles, but if anything typifies the recent years, it’s uncertainty and its impact on profits. Inflation, tariffs, trade, labor, the Farm Bill, the Iran War, screwworm all add to uncertainty, all add to risk, making it harder to plan for the long term,” said Crespi. 

Signals from land values and lending environment
For Iowa row crop farmers, lower commodity prices and stubbornly high production costs are gradually tightening liquidity among mid- and large-size farms in 2026. Data shows the share of financially vulnerable farms has risen from 7.7% in December 2022 to 19% in December 2025 — though that share remains below the levels seen in the late 2010s.  Since farmers rely on yearly operating notes to run their operations, this financial pressure leaves less room for weather, market or policy surprises.

“Despite multiple years of challenging economic conditions, Iowa farmers have shown remarkable resilience,” said Adam Gregg, president and CEO of the Iowa Bankers Association. “Through it all, Iowa banks continue to be important financial partners to the farmers they serve, providing access to credit and flexible terms to navigate today’s ag economy.”

Resilient Iowa farmland values continue to support farmer balance sheets, collateral positions and borrowing capacity. According to the 2025 ISU Land Value Survey, 40% of respondents expect Iowa land values to decline over the next year, while 82% expect land values to increase over a five-year timeframe, reflecting both near-term pressure and longer-term confidence in Iowa farmland.

Livestock production provides rare opportunity for profitability
Several Iowa livestock sectors have provided rare opportunities for positive returns, helping offset deeper losses in parts of the farm economy. The cattle market, in particular, has been one of the lone bright spots in Iowa agriculture, with record estimated monthly cattle feedlot returns in 2025. Even so, strong demand and pricing, combined with low inventory, have driven up replacement costs for feeder steers and limited farmers’ ability to grow their herds.

“While some farmers have seen positive returns on cattle, strong demand amid low herd numbers and rapidly rising replacement costs have limited those opportunities,” said Pudenz. “This positive run has helped offset losses for some farm families, but we’ve talked to several Iowa cattlemen with empty feedlots because of high replacement costs and uncertain market conditions.”

Long-term trade projections
In 2024, Iowa ranked second among all states in total commodity export value at $13.7 billion, underscoring the importance of strong, reliable trade agreements for farmers and the markets they serve. Corn and soybeans remain Iowa’s dominant crops and are especially dependent on export markets. While U.S. corn exports are projected to be strong in the 2025 crop year, export strength alone has not been enough to offset high production costs, lower crop prices and continued uncertainty in key soybean markets, including China.

Iowa farmers are on the front lines of trade disputes because of their reliance on commodity exports. Agriculture-focused countries, especially those producing commodities directly targeted by retaliatory tariffs, are particularly vulnerable to trade disruption and market uncertainty.

As the U.S. works to secure agreements with trading partners, global competition continues to intensify, underscoring the importance of strong, reliable export markets. From 2025 to 2050, U.S. net exports of corn are forecast to fall slightly, while Brazilian net exports are expected to increase by nearly 20 million metric tons.

“Iowa agriculture depends on strong markets here at home and around the world,” said Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson. “Access to global customers supports farm income, local jobs and the broader rural economy. When agriculture is under pressure, the effects are felt across Iowa — from small businesses and rural communities to the state’s overall economic strength. That is why this study is so important: it helps quantify what farm families are experiencing and why Iowa’s agricultural economy matters to every Iowan.”



United Soybean Board Announces Courtney Knupp as Incoming CEO

The United Soybean Board (USB) is pleased to announce that Courtney Knupp will join the organization as its chief executive officer starting October 1. Knupp currently serves as director of global supply chain at the National Security Council. USB’s board of farmer-leaders, representing more than 30 states, ratified the decision at its July board meeting in Indianapolis.

“Courtney is the right leader at the right time to advance the work of the Soy Checkoff℠ and our vision of delivering sustainable soy solutions to every life, every day,” said Brent Gatton, chair of the United Soybean Board. “She brings the strategic vision, deep agricultural understanding and proven leadership our farmer-leaders set out to find, along with a genuine commitment to increasing return on investment for U.S. soybean farmers. We look forward to the momentum she will bring to our mission.”

Knupp brings nearly two decades of experience spanning agriculture, international trade, public policy and market development. She currently serves as director of global supply chain at the National Security Council, coordinating U.S. policy to strengthen the resilience of the agriculture and food sectors, and previously served as senior policy advisor to the U.S. Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Agriculture on trade and food safety. Her checkoff and export experience includes serving as vice president of international market development at the National Pork Board, where U.S. pork exports grew to $8.6 billion, and as director of global animal and aquaculture nutrition at the U.S. Soybean Export Council, where she led strategy to increase the value of U.S. soybean and soybean meal exports. Earlier in her career, Knupp held chief of staff roles at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, led international trade policy for the National Pork Producers Council and held commercial roles at BASF and Elanco Animal Health. She grew up on her family’s farm in Iowa, where she remains engaged, and earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business and international agriculture from Iowa State University.

“Soy touches every life, every day, from the food we eat and the feed that powers animal agriculture to fuel and industrial uses,” said Knupp. “The checkoff exists to deliver value back to the farm gate, and that mission is personal to me. I grew up on our family farm in Iowa, where we still grow soybeans, and it is an honor to work alongside USB’s farmer-leaders, staff and partners to position U.S. Soy for success in a competitive global marketplace.”

USB board members and staff outlined their CEO criteria, emphasizing leadership, strategic acumen, staff and program management, and a strong connection to agriculture and soy. In interviews with the search and selection committees, comprising farmer-leaders, Knupp surpassed those expectations.

Knupp will relocate to the United Soybean Board’s headquarters in Chesterfield, Mo. Knupp will remain a federal employee until early September and has recused herself from soybean matters. Her anticipated start date will be October 1.



Ambassador Greer Signs the U.S.-Jordan Agreement on Reciprocal Trade

Tuesday, Ambassador Jamieson Greer joined Jordan’s Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply Yarub Qudah in signing the United States–Jordan Agreement on Reciprocal Trade.

“President Trump is deepening our economic and strategic partnerships in the Middle East, reaching deals to unlock new opportunities for American exporters,” said Ambassador Greer. “Today’s signing secures substantial purchases of U.S. goods and eliminates barriers facing American workers and manufacturers. I thank my counterparts from Jordan for their commitment to achieving fair, balanced, and reciprocal trade with the United States, particularly as we face common threats in the region.”