Thursday September 24 Ag News - Harvest Safety and Power Lines - NARD Conference Sept 28-29 - Bruck-Upton interm CEO Midwest Dairy - Ricketts Introduces Ag Data Privacy Act - ICGA on Fuel Prices - Schumer Unveils Fertiizer Reserve Idea - and more!

Look Up and Look Out to Keep Your Harvest Season Safe

When the crops are ready to be harvested, farmers have only a window of time between weather events, equipment breakdowns, and life events—to get the best quality crop out of the field. To make the most of this time, farm workers try to get as much work done as possible. Cuming County Public Power District wants to offer safety tips for farm and ranch workers to help keep them safe during this time.

“The rush to harvest can lead to farmers working long days with little sleep,” cautions Scott Haber, CCPPD Operations Manager. “Make sure before starting, to note the location of power lines.”

One of the biggest hazards for farmers is posed by power lines. To stay safe around overhead power lines, CCPPD urges farm operators and workers to:
• Use a spotter when operating large machinery near lines. 
• Use care when raising augers or the bed of grain trucks around power lines. 
• Keep equipment at least 10 feet from lines—at all times, in all directions.
• Inspect the height of the farm equipment to determine clearance.
• Always remember to lower extensions when moving loads.
• Never attempt to move a power line out of the way or raise it for clearance.
• If a power line is sagging or low, call CCPPD immediately. 

“Always remember to periodically look up and be aware of your surroundings,” Haber adds. “If you can’t safely pass under a power line, choose a different path.”

If contact is made with a power line, remember, it is almost always safest to stay in the equipment. Make sure to warn others to stay away, and call 911 immediately. The only reason to exit is if the equipment is on fire. If this is the case, jump off the equipment with your feet together and without touching the ground and vehicle at the same time. Then, still keeping your feet together, “bunny hop” away.

Additional safety tips from CCPPD:
• Do not use metal poles when breaking up bridged grain inside and around bins.
• Always hire qualified electricians for any electrical issues. 
• Do not use equipment with frayed cables. 
• Make sure outdoor outlets are equipped with a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).
• When operating a portable generator, make sure nothing is plugged into it when turning it on, and never operate a generator in a confined area. Generators can produce toxic and deadly gasses like carbon monoxide. 
• Always use caution when operating heavy machinery. 

For more farm and electrical safety information, visit www.ccppd.com or call CCPPD 402-372-2463.



Annual NARD Conference Focuses on Resource Management, Partnerships

Natural resources stakeholders and subject matter experts will be in Kearney for the annual Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) Conference Sept. 28-29, 2026.

The conference brings together Natural Resources Districts (NRD) employees, directors and others integrally involved in conservation, technology and policymaking. The event kicks off with the Ron Bishop Memorial Golf tournament on Sunday, Sept. 27, to raise money for the NARD Foundation.

Natural resources partners will open the conference on Monday at 8:30 a.m. with updates from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency as well as the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment. The conference runs from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Topics include an overview and discussion of successful natural resources programs, new technologies, and research for future programs. Speakers at the conference will also provide insight into energy demand, regenerative agriculture, dam projects, groundwater management, grant funding, and conservation.

Recognizing citizens for their conservation efforts, NARD will also present awards during the noon luncheon Monday, Sept. 28. Award winners include:
    Community Conservation Award: Larry Eisenhauer, Sioux City
    Soil Conservation Award: Doug and Traci Steffen, Crofton
    Water Conservation Award: Shane and Beth Lechtenberg, Butte
    Tree Planter of the Year: Doug and Becky Nordhues, McLean
    Director of the Year: Dean Large, Upper Republican NRD, Wauneta
    Educator of the Year: DJ Mottl, North Bend Central High School

Monday evening includes a silent auction for the NARD Foundation, which supports natural resources education programs, followed by a dinner banquet. After the banquet, three NRD Hall of Fame inductees will be recognized including:
    Marcel Kramer, Crofton (NRD Director, Lewis & Clark NRD)
    Jane Kuhl, Elk Creek (NRD Employee, Nemaha NRD)
    Patrick Cowsert, Wisner (NRD Supporter, Lower Elkhorn NRD)

The annual NARD Conference is presented by the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts with a range of local and national sponsors. More than 400 natural resources stakeholders are expected to attend the conference.



Midwest Dairy Names Beth Bruck-Upton Interim CEO

The Midwest Dairy Board of Directors has appointed Beth Bruck-Upton, Senior Vice President, Sales and Partnerships, to serve as interim chief executive officer beginning October 12. The appointment follows the announcement that current Midwest Dairy CEO Corey Scott has been named president and chief executive officer of Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), effective October 12.Bruck-Upton will lead Midwest Dairy’s day-to-day operations and work closely with the Board and the organization’s leadership team during the transition. She has over 15 years of experience with Midwest Dairy and has held leadership roles spanning consumer programming, nutrition, youth wellness, regional operations, research, and processor partnerships.

“Corey’s selection to lead DMI reflects her strong leadership and longstanding commitment to dairy farmers and the broader dairy community,” said Charles Krause, chairman of the Midwest Dairy Board. “We congratulate her on this opportunity and are grateful for the leadership she has provided at Midwest Dairy. The Board has full confidence in Beth and our talented staff as they continue advancing our priorities and delivering value to dairy farmers across the region.”

Corey Scott joined Midwest Dairy in March 2024. During her tenure, she led an organizational realignment designed to focus people and resources on Midwest Dairy’s most important strategic opportunities, including concentrating consumer efforts in five key markets. She also strengthened the systems and infrastructure supporting the organization’s work, led development of the proposed 2027–2031 strategic plan, and emphasized talent development, career growth, and a culture that puts people first.

“It has been a privilege to lead Midwest Dairy and work alongside a staff so deeply committed to serving dairy farmers,” Scott said. “I am proud of what we have accomplished together and confident in the organization’s direction. Beth and the leadership team are well positioned to maintain Midwest Dairy’s momentum and continue moving this important work forward.”

Midwest Dairy’s mission, current priorities, and commitments will continue during the transition. The Midwest Dairy Board will determine the process and timeline for selecting a permanent CEO.

“I am honored to serve Midwest Dairy during this transition,” Bruck-Upton said. “Having spent much of my career with this organization, I know firsthand the talent and commitment of our staff and the strength of our partnership with the Board. My immediate priorities are supporting staff, maintaining progress on the work underway, and ensuring Midwest Dairy continues delivering value to dairy farmers.”

Scott will work with Bruck-Upton and Midwest Dairy’s leadership team to support a smooth transition before beginning her new role at DMI.  



Ricketts Introduces Legislation to Protect Farmers’ and Ranchers’ Data

Wednesday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced the Agricultural Data Privacy Act. This bill would codify that agricultural producers are the sole owners of the data they produce. It would also prohibit companies from using or selling producers’ data without written consent.

“Excellent agriculture requires excellent knowledge,” said Senator Ricketts. “Farmers and ranchers who work a lifetime to build their knowledge should own it. It is only fair that we protect their data and intellectual property. This bill would do just that.”

The Nebraska Corn Growers Association and the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation endorse this bill.

"This is a meaningful step forward for Nebraska farmers. As agriculture continues to adopt new technologies, data has become an essential part of how farmers make decisions and keep our operations running efficiently. This legislation provides clarity and puts common-sense protections in place to ensure farmers maintain ownership and control of their data,” said NeCGA President Michael Dibbern, a farmer from Cairo.

"Nebraska Farm Bureau has been a longtime supporter and leader in pushing policy that protects the massive quantity of data modern farms and ranches produce. The protection of this data is vital both economically and from a national security level. We thank Nebraska Senator Pete Ricketts for bringing this conversation to the federal level and we look forward to working with him as this legislation moves forward,” said Mark McHargue, President, Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation.

The Agricultural Data Privacy Act would:
    Make agricultural producers the sole owners of agricultural data originating from their farm, land, device, or equipment.
    Prohibit companies from using or selling a producer’s agricultural data without written consent from the producer.
    Apply data privacy protections across six categories of data (agronomic, climate and weather, land, livestock, management, and sustainability data).
    Ensure producers retain access to their data for future use.
    Implement the first-of-its-kind national standard to protect producers’ data privacy rights. 

In April 2026, Governor Pillen signed LB 525, the Agricultural Data Privacy Act, into law. Nebraska became the first state in the nation to implement data privacy protections for producers.

Iowa, Colorado, and Missouri have since introduced similar ownership-based legislation modeled after Nebraska’s law.

Senator Ricketts’ bill would codify this law at the federal level and make agricultural data privacy protections a national standard.



Ricketts Urges Trump Administration to Support Nebraska’s Farmers and Ranchers, Hold China Accountable on Trade Agreements

Wednesday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) sent a letter to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer expressing the importance of foreign market access for Nebraska’s beef and soybean producers.

The letter was sent ahead of the trade negotiations set to take place during President Trump’s meeting with Xi Jinping this week. It urges the Administration to ensure that Communist China follows through on its purchasing agreements.

China is the world’s largest importer of soybeans, importing over 60 percent of all available global stocks. Historically, the United States has been a supplier of choice for the Chinese market.

Communist China has failed to follow through on trade commitments with the United States. This uncertainty undercuts market access for American producers. In the 2018 Phase I Agreement, China did not fulfill its soybean purchase commitment. In October 2025, China agreed to purchase 25 million metric tons of soybeans annually. Communist China restored market access to some of our beef processing facilities earlier this year. Many facilities that should have access under the Phase I agreement are still suspended. This letter encourages the administration to expand market access for these agriculture commodities and hold Communist China accountable to its existing trade commitments.

Full text of the letter:

Dear Ambassador Greer,

Thank you for your continued work to expand markets for our agricultural producers by securing historic trade deals that ensure fair market access.  While American producers have spent decades building markets in Communist China, they continue to face unfair trading practices and uncertainty from Beijing.  As bilateral trade discussions continue during Xi Jinping’s visit, I urge the administration to secure additional market access for U.S. agricultural commodities and ensure Communist China upholds its existing commitments. 

Nebraska is the nation’s fifth-largest agricultural exporter, with nearly $8 billion in agricultural exports last year.  We lead the nation in beef and veal exports and are a top exporter of corn, feed grains, and soybeans. Nebraska farmers and ranchers sell these commodities to customers across the globe, including in Communist China.  However, unfair trading practices and unreliable market access have particularly impacted Nebraska’s soybean and beef producers.

Communist China is the world’s largest importer of soybeans, importing over 60 percent of globally traded soybeans.  Historically, the United States has been a supplier of choice for the Chinese market.  Under your leadership, the Trump administration has secured new commitments from Beijing to purchase significant quantities of U.S. agricultural products including soybeans.  In the past, Beijing has repeatedly failed to follow through on its agreements including under the Phase One Agreement.  I urge you to continue monitoring Beijing’s purchases and ensure continued follow-through on their commitments.

The May 2026 deal also made notable progress toward restoring market access for U.S. beef, but there is still work to be done.  Communist China restored some market access by renewing licenses they allowed to expire for more than 400 U.S. beef facilities.  Many facilities are still suspended.  Under the Phase One agreement, Beijing agreed to accept food meeting international standards and provide a clear path towards resolution if a particular exporter demonstrated a pattern of failing to meet standards.  Communist China has not implemented this portion of the agreement.  Instead, Beijing continues to hold U.S. exporters to an unpublished maximum residue limit for certain hormones, and these limits are enforced with an unknown testing regime.  Beijing also suspends licenses based on singular instances of non-compliance with these opaque standards.  The lack of transparency and inconsistent enforcement has directly harmed Nebraskan producers.  The bilateral discussions provide another opportunity to make progress on restoring market access for American beef.

Nebraska farmers and ranchers can compete with anyone in the world when given fair and reliable access to foreign markets.  Thank you for your continued leadership in securing trade deals that expand opportunities for our producers.  More work remains, and I am committed to working with you to give our farmers and ranchers a stable, level playing field to compete and win on.



ICGA Calls on Iowa Congressional Delegation for Immediate Diesel Fuel Relief Ahead of Harvest

The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) this week sent a letter to members of the Iowa Congressional Delegation requesting immediate legislative and administrative intervention to help reduce diesel fuel prices as Iowa farmers begin harvest. 

Iowa farmers have seen diesel prices jump $0.40 per gallon over the past week, climbing to nearly $6 per gallon. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), national on-highway diesel prices are up nearly 59% compared to last year, creating a significant concern for farmers who rely on diesel fuel to power their harvest season. 

“This time of year should be positive for Iowa farmers, but the concern of affordability looms large as diesel prices go above $6 per gallon,” wrote ICGA President Steve Kuiper, who farms in Knoxville, Iowa. “This is accelerating the economic and mental stress farmers are feeling. We are asking for your assistance in lowering the cost of a key input, diesel, that every combine, tractor and semi utilizes during the culmination of the growing season.” 

To offer swift financial relief, ICGA urged Congress and the federal government to explore legislative amendments to the Internal Revenue Code or direct the IRS to grant administrative waivers during economic hardship. This action would allow on-road trucks to use tax-exempt dyed diesel without penalty through the duration of harvest. 



Farmers Renew Call to End Increased Beef Imports

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall today called on President Trump to roll back plans to import an additional 300,000 metric tons of beef into the United States. An American Farm Bureau Federation analysis shows increasing imports has had little impact on ground beef prices at the grocery store. Meanwhile, cattle prices have weakened, with ranchers experiencing losses up to $300 to $400 per head.

“America’s farmers and ranchers are renewing their call to the president to reverse course on his plan to import foreign-raised beef. While we appreciate Mr. Trump’s goal of reducing grocery costs for America’s families, increasing beef imports has not brought prices down.

“Farm Bureau economists tracked 41 locations since Labor Day and found that, on average, prices have fallen only 16 cents per pound. Most prices were unchanged. Families are still facing historically high prices and the threat of a 60% increase in imports over 90 days caused a sharp drop in the prices paid to ranchers for their cattle.

“To put it simply, the plan undercut a fragile recovery in the cattle industry while failing to benefit consumers. We urge the president to stop importing additional beef and focus on long-term solutions that support rebuilding the U.S. herd, which benefits both farmers and consumers who want home-grown beef.”

Read the Farm Bureau Intel on beef prices here https://www.fb.org/intel/markets/increased-beef-imports-have-not-lowered-prices-for-consumers.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 9/18/2026

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending September 18, ethanol production scaled down by 6.5% to 1.03 million b/d, equivalent to 43.18 million gallons daily and the smallest weekly volume since the start of May. Still, output was 0.4% higher than the same week last year and 7.2% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate declined 1.9% to 1.08 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.66 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks tightened 2.1% to 24.7 million barrels, a 7-week low. Yet, stocks were 5.2% more than the same week last year and 10.2% above the five-year average. Inventories thinned across all regions except the Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, inched up 0.6% to 8.85 million b/d (136.00 bg annualized). Still, demand was 1.3% less than a year ago and 1.7% below the five-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol decreased 0.4% to a 10-week low of 907,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.94 bg annualized. Yet, net inputs were 0.8% more than year-ago levels and 0.5% above the five-year average.

Ethanol exports slowed by 24.2% to 122,000 b/d (5.1 million gallons/day). It has been more than three years since EIA indicated ethanol was imported.



Fertilizer Prices Rise for Six of Eight Major Fertilizers

Retail fertilizer prices shifted mostly higher in the second full week of September 2026. For the fourth week in a row, fertilizer prices have seen only slight moves compared to the previous month. Six fertilizers were higher looking back to last month, while the remaining two were slightly lower. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more. For the second week in a row, none of the eight fertilizers had a significant move in either direction.

Six fertilizers were slightly higher compared to a month ago. DAP had an average price of $925/ton, MAP $967/ton, potash $495/ton, 10-34-0 $718/ton, anhydrous $945/ton and UAN32 $458/ton.

The remaining two nutrients were just slightly less expensive looking back a month. Urea had an average price of $659/ton and UAN28 $421/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.72/lb.N, anhydrous $0.58/lb.N, UAN28 $0.76/lb.N and UAN32 $0.72/lb.N.

Seven of the eight fertilizers are now higher in price compared to one year earlier. UAN28 is 1% higher, DAP and potash are both 2% more expensive, MAP is 5% more expensive, urea is 6% higher, 10-34-0 is 8% more expensive and anhydrous is 22% higher looking back to last year. UAN32 is the lone exception, running 3% lower than a year earlier.



Schumer Unveils First-Ever Plan To Protect American Farmers From Price Shocks & Create National Fertilizer Reserve

As farmers across the country face rapidly increasing and punishing costs due to Trump’s war in Iran and ongoing tariff chaos, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the Strategic Fertilizer Reserve Act, which would help protect farmers from spiking fertilizer prices by taking preliminary steps towards establishing a Strategic Fertilizer Reserve.

“Thanks to Trump’s affordability crisis, farmers are already operating on razor-thin margins. They shouldn’t also have to absorb a 40% spike in fertilizer costs because Donald Trump plunged the country into another war,” said Leader Schumer. “America’s farmers should be focused on their next crop, not whether the next global crisis is going to blow another hole in their budget. When fertilizer prices spike, farmers get squeezed, planting decisions get harder, and eventually families feel it at the grocery store. A Strategic Fertilizer Reserve would give farmers a real backstop and bring some stability when war or supply shocks send costs soaring.”

“Between the war in Iran and increased tariffs, rising input costs like fertilizer continue to erode farmers' profitability. I’ve been working to increase fertilizer production and price transparency here at home, and that includes determining whether a strategic fertilizer reserve can help us stabilize input markets and improve the resilience of our food supply chain in the long-term. This bill will help identify potential solutions to ensure farmers and agribusinesses have a steady supply of the inputs they need to keep feeding and fueling the world,” said Senator Klobuchar.

The Strategic Fertilizer Reserve Act will:
Instruct USDA to study the feasibility of creating a Strategic Fertilizer Reserve, which would protect farmers from future fertilizer price volatility and supply chain disruptions.

Direct USDA to examine factors such as size, location(s), price stabilization, safety and risk management, withdrawal protocols, and more

Establish, upon a positive finding from USDA, a Board of Directors to oversee the Reserve’s operations, including representatives from across the agriculture community, and require regular reporting to Congress on the functioning of the Reserve.

The New York Farm Bureau has revealed fertilizer prices have skyrocketed since last year, from approximately $400 a ton to $580 a ton, a more than 40% increase, with anhydrous ammonia now over $1,000 a ton. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which accounted for approximately 30% of the world’s fertilizer-related shipments before February 2026, has created a chasm in the supply chain, reaching close to zero shipments for the past several months.

A recent report from New York State showed the state’s farmers faced increased expenses of $20,000 annually and according to a recent report from the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee – Minority, the average farmer spent as much as $1,500 more to refill their farm’s on-site fuel tank compared to the same high point during the 2025 season. As they enter the fall harvest and planting season, prolonged high fuel and fertilizer costs are forcing farmers to make tough decisions on how many acres to plant for next year.

These rising costs come at a time of increasing economic difficulty for farmers, particularly small and family farms. In 2025, 315 farmers filed for bankruptcy, a 46% increase from the year before, including nine in New York. In the last four decades, America has lost well over half a million farms and more than 150 million acres of farmland. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), small family farms account for just 14% of agricultural sales, and the number of small family farms shrunk 10% from 2017 to 2022.

The Strategic Fertilizer Reserve Act is endorsed by the National Farmers Union and New York Farm Bureau.



The Skin Cancer Foundation and AgriSafe Join Forces to Urge Agricultural Workers to Protect Their Skin During National Farm Safety and Health Week

The Skin Cancer Foundation, a leader in skin cancer public health education and advocacy, and AgriSafe, a nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping agricultural workers healthy and safe, urge outdoor workers to practice sun safety and early skin cancer detection during National Farm Safety and Health Week 2026 (September 21-25). Skin cancer due to UV exposure is an often overlooked occupational health hazard for the 2.9 million farm laborers (includes full-time, temporary and seasonal workers) estimated by the National Center for Farmworker Health and the 3.4 million producers (includes farm and ranch owners and operators) reported by the United States Department of Agriculture. This year, September 25 is focused on cancer prevention, providing an important opportunity to educate workers about occupational sun exposure as a skin cancer risk. 

“Unprotected UV exposure causes nearly 90 percent of all skin cancers. While the immediate effects of sun exposure, like sunburn, may seem temporary, cumulative UV damage significantly raises skin cancer risk,” says Deborah S. Sarnoff, MD, president of The Skin Cancer Foundation. “If you work outdoors, it’s important to protect your skin from sun damage to reduce your likelihood of developing skin cancer. Employers should also educate their workforce about the dangers of sun exposure and support sun-safe practices in the workplace whenever possible.”
 
The health risks associated with occupational UV exposure are significant. Research conducted by the World Health Organization and International Labour Organization found that exposure to UV radiation while working outdoors increases the risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer by 60 percent. Additionally, in the U.S., about 50 percent of outdoor workers reported getting sunburn, according to a survey by the American Academy of Dermatology. UV exposure that leads to sunburn has been proven to play a strong role in melanoma incidence.

“For farmers, ranchers and agricultural workers, spending long hours outdoors is often necessary, making sun protection especially important,” says Natalie Roy, CEO of AgriSafe Network. “Building sun protection into the workday — through sunscreen, protective clothing, hats, shade and routine skin checks — can help agricultural workers reduce their risk of skin cancer while continuing to feed and sustain our communities.”

Nearly 90 percent of skin cancer cases are preventable with a good sun protection strategy. Outdoor workers should make sun protection a part of their daily routine, just as they would other workplace safety practices. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends
taking the following precautions throughout the workday to limit UV exposure and reduce the long-term risk of developing skin cancer:
• Cover up: Wear a densely woven, long-sleeved shirt and pants with a UPF of 50 or higher when possible. Consider wearing a bandana or gaiter for added protection. Wear UV-blocking sunglasses (if your job allows) to protect your eyes. 
• Wear a hat: The bigger the better, but some jobs may have uniform or safety requirements. A hard hat, hoodie or baseball cap can provide protection but still may expose parts of the face and neck.
• Apply sunscreen: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher on all exposed skin, including the hands. It’s important to use a water-resistant sunscreen, especially when sweating or working in wet conditions. Reapply every two hours or more often when sweating heavily. Don’t forget your face, ears, back of the neck and chest.
• Know the UV Index: Check the UV Index before beginning the workday and take additional precautions when UV radiation is high.
• Seek shade: If shade is available at certain times of day at your worksite or on breaks, use it — or ask about it — particularly during peak UV Index hours between 10 AM and 4 PM.
• Protect your skin regardless of weather: UV rays can damage skin even when conditions are cloudy, foggy or cool.
• Check your skin: Examine your skin from head to toe every month for anything new, changing or unusual, and see a dermatologist at least once a year for a professional skin exam.

Employers can also help create safer working environments by providing access to shade, educating employees about the risks of unprotected UV exposure and supporting the use of sun-protective clothing, hats, sunglasses and sunscreen. 

The Skin Cancer Foundation and AgriSafe encourage agricultural workers and employers to make sun protection a routine part of workplace health and safety, not just during National Farm Safety & Health Week, but throughout the year. For more information about skin cancer prevention, visit SkinCancer.org. For agricultural health and safety resources, visit AgriSafe.org



Record-Setting Cattle on Feed
Will Secor, Extension Livestock Economist, University of Georgia

Friday’s Cattle on Feed report set a record for the fewest cattle placed and marketed in August since this data series began in August 1996. Amid these record-low figures, cattle on feed remained elevated compared to last year, up around 1 percent. As of this writing, cattle futures moved significantly higher through midday Monday.

Overall, marketings were down around 3 percent year-over-year and 6 percent month-over-month. Regionally, cattle on feed inventories were similar to or below last month’s levels except for Kansas and Oklahoma. Marketings were lower month-over-month for all but a handful of states.

From a placement standpoint, total placements were down by around 9 percent year-over-year. In line with seasonal trends, placements were up month-over-month by around 14 percent. Regional differences in placements were significant. Oklahoma saw an 8 percent increase year-over-year, while all other states saw the same or lower placements compared to last year. Of note, Nebraska (14 percent lower), Kansas (7 percent), Texas (6 percent), and Colorado (18 percent) saw large declines year-over-year. By weight, lower placements were apparent across the board, ranging from around 8-12 percent, with the lightest weight categories seeing placements around 10 percent below year-ago levels.

Together, these indicators point to a few things. First, marketings clearly remain sluggish. Moving forward, the extent that processing plant schedules and feed costs work to change these dynamics will be important. This marketing pace will have further implications on total beef production as a faster pace may likely come at the expense of lighter carcass weights. Second, placements remain even more sluggish than marketings. This month, lower placements helped tighten the gap between cattle on feed inventories when comparing 2026 to 2025 data.

Third, other factors are also at play. The further re-opening of the U.S. border to additional cattle from Mexico could soften tighter domestic feeder cattle supplies to a certain extent. Higher feed costs may incentivize fewer days on feed and potentially lighter weights. Consumer demand during the remainder of the year will also be important. Recent retail price data showed steady to slightly lower beef prices in August compared to July. It is not unusual for retail prices to retreat month-over-month in late summer. However, these price moves are combined with slightly weaker cutout values over the past few weeks compared to 2025 values.

In the months ahead, lower calf crops and tighter feeder cattle supplies outside feedlots will likely start to take their toll. As a result, feedlots will have a tougher time maintaining similar inventory levels year-over-year, especially if feed costs remain elevated.

This creates a bit of a complicated setup. If finishing weights come down and beef production slides, beef prices may move higher on lower supplies. This could support higher prices along the cattle complex, especially when combined with tighter feedlot inventories and lower calf crop figures. However, a potential increased number of head processed (thanks to fewer days on feed) could offset potentially lighter weights and keep beef production steady. In addition, higher feed costs could create headwinds for feeder cattle prices. While fundamentally tighter calf supplies should buoy prices, the coming months will reveal which supply and demand factors will fully materialize and win out.