Monday August 03 Ag News - NE Farmer Elected Chair of USGBC - Pillen Wraps Up Trade Mission - USDA Ag Land Value Highlights - 1776 Pork Chop Salute at Iowa State Fair - Senate Farm Bill Progress - Classical Scrapie Confirmed in US - and more!

Reiners Elected U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council Chairman During Annual Summer Meeting

The delegates of the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) elected Jay Reiners of the Nebraska Corn Board as chairman of its USGBC Board of Directors at its 66th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting held in Milwaukee, WI, last week.

“Coming from Nebraska, American agriculture has always been in my blood, and I’ve felt a responsibility to represent agricultural resilience and innovation for a very long time,” Reiners said.

“I truly appreciate you trusting me to lead this outstanding organization in the role as your chairman.”

Reiners lives near Juanita, Nebraska, where he farmed corn and soybeans with his wife for 35 years. He is now retired from farming but is still active in the industry as a consultant. He previously served on the Council’s Western Hemisphere A-team and Asia A-team for four years each and was the chairman for the Nebraska Corn Board.

Reiners shared his goals for the year and unveiled his chairman’s theme, Feeding and Fueling the World, during his incoming remarks.

“We have a responsibility to feed and fuel the world, and we ensure that our products – U.S. corn, sorghum, barley, ethanol and DDGS – are the best in the world and keep getting better,” Reiners said.

“It’s an honest picture of what we contribute – not just in the United States but around the world through the exports we send to those who want and need them.”

In addition to Reiners, the delegates elected Jay Fischer of the Missouri Corn Growers Association as vice chairman and Jon Rosenstiel of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board as secretary-treasurer. Jennie Schmidt of the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board was re-elected and Mike LeFever of Colorado Corn Promotion Council was elected as at-large directors.

The newly elected sector director is Hagan Rose from Eco-Energy as the ethanol sector director and Adam Schindler of the United Sorghum Checkoff Program was reelected as the sorghum sector director and Josh Roe of Kansas Corn Commission was reelected as the state checkoff sector director.

The USGBC Board of Directors now includes:
    Jay Reiners, Nebraska Corn Board: Chairman
    Jay Fischer, Missouri Corn Growers Association: Vice Chairman
    Jon Rosenstiel, Illinois Corn Marketing Board: Secretary-Treasurer
    Mark Wilson, Illinois Corn Marketing Board: Past Chairman
    Jennie Schmidt, Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board: At-Large Director
    Mike LeFever, Colorado Corn Promotion Council: At-Large Director
    Dylan Rosier, Missouri Corn Merchandizing Council: At-Large Director
    Greg Alber, Iowa Corn Growers Association: At-Large Director
    Sean Broderick, CHS: Agribusiness Sector Director
    Hagan Rose, Eco-Energy: Ethanol Sector Director
    Jolene Riessen, Iowa Corn Growers Association: Corn Sector Director
    Adam Schindler, United Sorghum Checkoff Program: Sorghum Sector Director
    Josh Roe, Kansas Corn Commission: State Checkoff Sector Director
    Matt Horlacher, Washington Grain Commission and Cold Stream Malt & Grain: Barley Sector Director
    Ryan LeGrand, U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council: President and CEO

Find more information about the 66th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting on social media using the #Grains26.



Governor Pillen Concludes Successful Trade Mission to Japan and the Philippines 

Last week, Governor Jim Pillen concluded a highly productive trade mission to Japan and the Philippines. Priorities for the mission included (1) promoting Nebraska beef, pork, and wheat; (2) expanding markets for Nebraska ethanol; and (3) identifying opportunities for Nebraska to produce energy for Asian customers.
 
“Nebraska is investing in relationships with reliable U.S. allies in Asia, like Japan and the Philippines, while reducing dependence on Communist China,” said Gov. Pillen. “Japan routinely ranks among Nebraska’s top customers for beef, pork, and other agricultural products. Meanwhile, the Philippines has a fast-developing market economy and a growing appetite for U.S. food and fuel. The trade mission strengthened Nebraska’s position as a supplier of choice for key customers in both countries.”
 
The final day of the trade mission was packed with events. On Wednesday morning, Gov. Pillen and State Senator Rita Sanders met with San Miguel Corporation, a major conglomerate with approximately 60,000 direct employees. The company has more than 100 facilities in the Asia Pacific and imports food products from Nebraska.
 
“It was an honor to represent Nebraska in the Philippines and to showcase all that our state has to offer,” said Sen. Sanders. “The trade mission was a great way to raise our state’s profile and to tout our global leadership in food and ethanol production. The Filipino people are delightful, and I am grateful for the warm hospitality we received everywhere we went.”
 
Gov. Pillen also had a high-level meeting on Wednesday with Sharon Garin, Secretary of the Philippines Department of Energy. Leaders of Nebraska ethanol companies joined Gov. Pillen to highlight Nebraska’s low-carbon advantage in biofuel production.
 
“There is immense potential for Nebraska’s ethanol plants to meet the fuel needs of the Philippine market,” said DJ Eihusen of Chief Ethanol. “Additionally, there are great opportunities for Nebraska ethanol to partner with global energy producers. The carbon we’re capturing can be used to make cleaner gases that meet the energy needs of customers in Asia.”
 
In the afternoon, Governor Pillen joined U.S. Ambassador Lee Lipton at the World Food Expo, which has been the most attended food and hospitality event in the Philippines for 20+ years. Together, they joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of a brand-new booth to promote U.S. products. During the expo, Gov. Pillen and the Nebraska Beef Council took part in a live cooking demonstration to provide Filipino customers with a taste of high-quality Nebraska beef.
 
“Nebraska beef is tasty, nutritious, and known for being produced in keeping with the highest biosecurity protocols,” said Rosmary Anderson, a board member of the Nebraska Beef Council. “As the Philippines’ middle class grows, more families are buying beef—and in greater quantities. Nebraska is in a wonderful position to be a preferred provider to Philippine importers as they seek to meet rising demand for beef.”
 
An evening reception hosted by the USDA, followed by a dinner with the Philippines’ Meat Importers and Traders Association, capped off the Nebraska delegation’s mission to the Philippines.
 
“Nebraska grows things and makes things that are in demand worldwide,” said Gov. Pillen. “It’s amazing to see Nebraska-made products featured on shelves and in restaurants halfway around the world. I’m very pleased by the connections we made, and the opportunities we opened, that will help Nebraskans do even more business with Japan and the Philippines.”



Free Farm and Ag Law Clinics Set for August, September

Free legal and financial clinics are being offered for farmers and ranchers across the state in August and September. The clinics are one-on-one in-person meetings with an agricultural law attorney and an agricultural financial counselor. These are not group sessions, and they are confidential.

The attorney and financial advisor specialize in legal and financial issues related to farming and ranching, including financial and business planning, transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, debt structure and cash flow, agricultural disaster programs, and other relevant matters. Here is an opportunity to obtain an independent, outside perspective on issues that may be affecting your farm or ranch.

Clinic Dates
August:
    Monday, Aug. 10 — Sidney
    Tuesday, Aug. 11 — Alliance
    Tuesday, Aug. 11 — Ogallala
    Wednesday, Aug. 12 — Scottsbluff
    Tuesday, Aug. 25 — Norfolk

September:
    Tuesday, Sept. 1 — Fairbury
    Tuesday, Sept. 15 — Broken Bow
    Tuesday, Sept. 29 — Norfolk

To sign up for a free clinic or to get more information, call the Nebraska Rural Response Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.

Funding for this work is provided by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and Legal Aid of Nebraska.



USDA Agricultural Land Values Highlights

The United States farm real estate value, a measurement of the value of all land and buildings on farms, averaged $4,500 per acre for 2026, up $150 per acre (3.4 percent) from 2025. The United States cropland value averaged $6,020 per acre, an increase of $190 per acre (3.3 percent) from the previous year. The United States pasture value averaged $2,000 per acre, an increase of $80 per acre (4.2 percent) from 2025.

Years...............................:    '22         '23          '24         '25        '26       % '25-'26  
Nebraska Overall............:  3,450     3,820     4,080     4,250     4,400      3.5   
Nebraska, all cropland ..:  5,520     6,150     6,540     6,800     6,960      2.4  
     Irrigated ....................:  7,310     8,020     8,550     8,850     9,200      4.0  
     Non-irrigated ............:  4,420     5,000     5,350     5,600     5,650      0.9  
Nebraska Pasture............:  1,140     1,300     1,400     1,510     1,590      5.3   

Iowa Overall...................:  8,880     9,250     9,420     9,790    10,100      3.2   
Iowa Cropland................:  8,830     9,410     9,800    10,300    10,700      3.9   
Iowa Pasture...................:  3,000     3,170     3,500     3,650     3,800      4.1   

Total Value of Farmland and Buildings (millions of dollars)
Nebraska .......................: 129,204   151,800   168,080   179,520   186,575     3.9   
Iowa ..............................: 224,084   266,400   277,500   282,600   292,721     3.6   



1776 Pork Chop Salute to Celebrate America 250 During Iowa State Fair
    
For generations of fairgoers, a visit to the Iowa State Fair has been synonymous with one specific food item: the Pork Chop on a Stick ™. The Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) sells tens of thousands of them each year during the fair. This summer, that tradition will take on an extra measure of patriotic pride as the Iowa Pork Producers Association presents the 1776 Pork Chop Salute – A Taste of America 250.

On Sunday, Aug. 16, IPPA will give away 1,776 Pork Chops on a Stick™, beginning at 11 a.m. Fairgoers looking for the 1776 Pork Chop Salute Giveaway should enter the Pork Tent building from the north side near the Animal Learning Center. The giveaway is limited to one pork chop per customer and will continue while supplies last.

The promotion is designed to commemorate the nation's semiquincentennial while recognizing the farm families who have helped feed America for generations. Just as the country reflects on 250 years of history, Iowa pig farmers continue a tradition of producing safe, wholesome pork while strengthening their local communities and supporting one of the state's most important industries.

“The Pork Chop on a Stick™ has become one of the most iconic traditions at the Iowa State Fair, so it's only fitting that we use it to help celebrate America's 250th anniversary,” said longtime Pork Tent Committee member Dave Moody, a Story County pig farmer. “This is our way of thanking fairgoers while celebrating the farmers who raise high-quality pork every day. There's nothing better than sharing a great Iowa pork chop, and I think the 1,776 people who receive one will remember this as a fun part of their State Fair experience.”

Along with the 1776 Pork Chop Salute, the Iowa Pork Producers Association is providing an exciting new way to enjoy this classic Iowa State Fair tradition. Every Pork Chop on a Stick™ will be smoked over applewood, bringing the unmistakable aroma and flavor that only natural hardwood can provide. It's a return to authentic barbecue traditions while continuing our commitment to serving premium Iowa pork.

While the giveaway on Sunday, August 16 takes place inside the Pork Tent, the Pork Chop on a Stick™ is available for purchase at two locations during the Iowa State Fair: the Iowa Pork Producers’ Chop Shops. One Chop Shop is located right next to the Pork Tent on the east end of the Grand Concourse. The other will have a new, high-profile location on the Grand Avenue Concourse. The former "lower Chop Shop," previously located near the Swine Barn, will now be situated next to Barksdale's State Fair Cookies, just southwest of the Grandstand.

“We are sad to be further away from our exhibitors in the livestock barns, but we are excited to be able to offer our delicious pork products to more fairgoers with this new location,” said Hope Brecht, consumer outreach director for the Iowa Pork Producers Association.  

Fairgoers can also take home a limited-edition America 250 pork-themed souvenir cup, available free with the first 6,500 drink purchases at the Pork Tent, beginning on August 13.

The Iowa Pork Producers Association looks forward to welcoming fairgoers from across Iowa and beyond, August 13-23 at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. 



ASA Appreciates Senate Ag Committee Commitment to 5-Year Farm Bill

Ahead of a legislative markup of the Agricultural Act of 2026, the American Soybean Association shared appreciation for the Senate Agriculture Committee’s continued work in finalizing a comprehensive five-year farm bill that strengthens the farm economy. The revised farm bill released by Chairman John Boozman includes key priorities for U.S. soybean farmers and makes important investments in the farm safety net, conservation, rural development, research, and market opportunities for soybean farmers.

“America’s soybean farmers need the certainty that only a five-year farm bill can provide,” said ASA President and Ohio farmer, Scott Metzger. “Chairman Boozman’s proposal includes important improvements that strengthen the farm safety net and invest in the long-term success of U.S. agriculture. We urge Congress to get a five-year farm bill across the finish line this year.”

ASA is hopeful the Senate Agriculture Committee will advance the legislation before the August recess and urges Congress to enact a comprehensive five-year farm bill before the end of the year.

The Agricultural Act of 2026 includes several ASA-supported provisions, including legislation to advance plant biostimulants, expand conservation technical assistance, improve fertilizer research, strengthen rural broadband deployment, increase access to technical service providers, and support precision agriculture technologies. The bill pursues market expansion opportunities by reauthorizing international food assistance programs and improving programs that support innovative new uses for U.S. soy. The Agricultural Act of 2026 also addresses complex issues important to farm bill stakeholders more broadly, like authorizing a permanent waiver for the sale of year-round E15 and including a one-year delay in state cost-sharing requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. 



NCGA Welcomes Farm Bill Progress

The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Saturday released Farm Bill “2.0” text that includes language on several of NCGA’s Farm Bill priorities as well as expanding consumer access to fuel with 15% ethanol blends. In response to this development, Ohio farmer and NCGA President Jed Bower released the following statement: 
 
“We thank Chairman Boozman and Ranking Member Klobuchar for their leadership in ongoing Farm Bill negotiations and are looking forward to  the committee consideration planned for next week.  
 
“We are extremely grateful that year-round E15 continues to be part of the conversation. This is a top priority for corn growers, who greatly need expanded sources of demand, like the kind year-round E15 would offer. We will continue to review the released text to evaluate its impact on corn growers and importance for agriculture.”



NCGA Urges Thune to Prioritize Budget Reconciliation Legislation 

The leader of National Corn Growers Association sent a letter Friday to Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) urging him to prioritize consideration and passage of the budget reconciliation legislation that would provide additional and much needed short-term assistance for agriculture.
 
“Swift consideration and passage of the budget resolution by the Senate Budget Committee will ensure this critical assistance provides relief for America’s farmers as soon as possible,” Ohio farmer and NCGA President Jed Bower wrote. “This year is expected to be the fourth consecutive year of net income losses for corn growers with an expected loss of nearly $150 per acre.”

Bower noted that the United States Department of Agriculture has proven that the administration can deliver authorized assistance timely and accurately. “Corn growers applauded President Trump for the administration’s budget supplemental request which includes economic and disaster assistance for farmers and calls for permanent year-round sales of E15,” the letter said. “NCGA supported the successful passage of the budget resolution by the full U.S. House of Representatives.”



USDA Confirms Detection of Classical Scrapie in Sheep

Friday the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed classical scrapie in a sheep slaughtered in a facility in Oregon. The NVSL will conduct tissue‑matching and parentage testing on the affected sheep and two additional animals accompanying the affected sheep.

APHIS and state animal health officials recently initiated an investigation to determine the flock of origin. Scrapie is a neurodegenerative and chronic disease that affects small ruminants with a fatal outcome. The affected animal did not have an ear tag, which may limit traceability. Scrapie is typically contracted during pregnancy and newborn lamb periods, which is why locating the flock of origin is so essential to the investigation. This case highlights the critical importance of strong animal identification practices nationwide.

“The importance of official scrapie tags cannot be understated,” said Cindy Wolf, DVM and American Sheep Industry Association’s (ASI) Animal Health Council co-chair. “These tags have made trace back to the flock of origin possible in order to stop further spread,” added Roselle Busch, DVM and ASI Animal Health Council co-chair.  

The investigation stems from a component of the National Scrapie Eradication Program called Regulatory Slaughter Surveillance, where brains from adult sheep and goat are examined by USDA. The positive animal was QQ (at codon 171) for scrapie resistance (susceptible genotype). Breeding for natural resistance is an additional important effort for long-term success of the “scrapie-free” status. Prior to this confirmation, the United States had gone more than five years without a case. The United States was positioned to meet the World Organisation for Animal Health’s (WOAH) seven‑year benchmark for self‑declared scrapie freedom in January 2028. Unfortunately, this confirmed detection could reset the timeline.

APHIS expects minimal impact on international trade. Most countries restrict live animal exports only from affected flocks or premises, and products such as wool remain unaffected.

USDA provides tools and reinforces key practices to help producers protect their flocks and advance scrapie eradication efforts nationwide:
    Ensure sheep purchased outside of slaughter channels have flock of origin scrapie tags. This would include breeding ewes, rams, and other life stages for grazing.
    Use of genetically resistant breeding stock, significantly reducing disease susceptibility. More info here.
    Robust surveillance participation, including submission of clinical suspects and routine monitoring.
    Continued partnership with APHIS and state animal health officials to support investigation and long‑term freedom efforts.

ASI will continue working with APHIS and the Oregon Department of Agriculture to support the investigation. Finding this case demonstrates the strength and ability of this program to detect such rare disease and highlights the exceptional progress made possible by producer participation. Additional information about scrapie and APHIS’ eradication program is available at www.aphis.usda.gov.



Continued Growth of USDA’s Product of USA Label 

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

As more processors adopt the Product of USA label, American families have greater confidence that when they purchase products bearing the claim, they are directly supporting American farmers, ranchers, processors, and rural communities.

"Product of the USA label is a win for American farmers, ranchers, processors, and consumers alike, and we are continuing to see companies respond to this demand," said U.S. Secretary Brooke Rollins. "American consumers want to know where their food comes from, and they deserve labels they can trust. Every new company that adopts Product of USA is helping strengthen rural America, create new market opportunities for U.S. producers, and make it easier for families to support American agriculture every time they shop."

The newest companies to adopt USDA’s Product of USA label include:
    Creekstone Farms – Kansas
    Caviness Beef Packers
    CS Beef Packers – Texas
    Greener Pastures – Texas
    Lone Star Beef Processors – Texas
    Claxton Poultry Farms – Georgia

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

The Product of USA initiative also complements USDA’s Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers (SPUR) Program, a $500 million investment to help eligible small- and mid-sized beef processors preserve and expand domestic processing capacity. Together, these efforts are strengthening America’s meat supply chain, expanding opportunities for U.S. producers, and increasing consumer access to high-quality American-raised products.

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