Wednesday September 02 Ag News - LENRD Sets Expanded Irrigation for '27 - Pillen, Rollins Cattle Roundtable - ChopLocal Meat Marketing Short-course - Corn, Soybean Crush for July - USDA Ag Data Modernization - and more!

Lower Elkhorn NRD Directors Set Date for New Variance Sign Up, Discuss Funding for Agroforestry and Conservation Programs

A sign-up period to receive applications for standard variance applications was approved at the latest Lower Elkhorn NRD Board of Directors meeting. Applicants who own or operate land in geographically eligible locations in the District will have the opportunity to apply for a variance from October 1, 2026, through October 30, 2026. There will be a fee of $100 per application. The geographic eligibility map and conditions for approval remain unchanged from the 2025 application period – including a minimum soil score of 80.

The 2026 application period will allow up to 267 acre-feet of new depletions in the Hydrologically Connected (1050) Area; up to 2,500 new irrigated acres in the Non-hydrologically Connected (Non-1050) Area; and no more than 474 new irrigated acres in the Quantity Management Subareas.

Directors also approved a series of motions regarding the funding of Agroforestry and other conservation practices utilizing Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Program (NSWCP) funding. In early July, the LENRD received notice that all NSWCP funds are on hold and Fiscal Year 2027 NSWCP funds would not be allocated until further notice.

The NSWCP had historically been funded with a cash transfer from the General Fund, but the 2026 Nebraska Unicameral approved using a transfer of funds from the Nebraska Environmental Trust (NET), as a means of balancing the State’s budget.  NSWCP is allocated to NRD’s and is administered through Nebraska Department of Energy and Environment (DWEE). In recent years, DWEE has allocated approximately $170,000.00 to the LENRD annually. The funding freeze comes from a current lawsuit and court injunction contesting the legality of the cash transfers involving NET.

An overwhelming majority of LENRD tree planting projects, and a small number of other structural conservation practices, are submitted to DWEE for NSWCP funding. Additionally, in June 2024, LENRD approved drip irrigation as a cost-sharable practice when under the stipulation that NSWCP funds are available.

This spring, four applications for tree planting projects were completed and submitted to DWEE for a total of $18,909.53, including $7,354.64 of drip irrigation payments. There were also three applications for tree planting projects, which were also completed this spring, but have not yet been submitted to DWEE, which totaled $64,161.33 including $12,648.48 of drip irrigation. So far, 29 additional applications for tree planting projects, and several other projects, are in the works for the current Fiscal Year, which began on July 1, 2026.

To fulfill current financial obligations, and to continue one of the most successful conservation programs offered by the District, Directors approved the following three motions:
    Staff may utilize local funds to reimburse landowners for expenses associated with the purchase and installation of drip irrigation for conservation tree plantings if NSWCP funds are unavailable
    Staff may utilize local funds, not to exceed $18,909.53, to reimburse the three landowners whose NSWCP reimbursements are currently affected by the NSWCP funding freeze
    Staff may budget local funds, and apply for grant funds as necessary, to facilitate reimbursements to landowners during the 2027 Fiscal Year for conservation practices that would ordinarily be submitted for NSWCP reimbursement, regardless of the NSWCP funding status

Directors gave LENRD staff the green light to begin soliciting artists for the creation of a mural at Maskenthine Lake. In August 2025, the William Hansen Estate generously gifted the LENRD with funds to be used for the general welfare and preservation of Maskenthine Lake. At the August 2026 Committee Meeting, General Manager Brian Bruckner suggested some of those funds be used to have a mural painted onto, or affixed to, the storage container utilized by the Maskenthine Trail Network near the mountain bike trail. To be considered, the bid must be $2,000.00 or less and come from a qualified applicant.

A bid from Vacha Excavating, LLC, in the amount of $1,968.00, was approved to complete necessary maintenance and repairs to the auxiliary spillway at the Scribner Airport West Dam. The Dam, constructed in 1976 by the LENRD to control runoff from the Scribner Airbase, continues to be maintained by the District. During recent inspections performed by Nebraska Department of Energy & Environment, it was determined that the auxiliary spillway doesn’t have the capacity to pass the designed storm event. A height increase in the training dike is needed to adequately mitigate the deficiencies listed with the auxiliary spillway.

After September 15, 2026, producers in the District’s Quantity Management Subareas will be able to utilize an additional 2 acre-inches of groundwater for the establishment of a cover crop – if needed. District staff will also have the authorization to approve use of the additional allocation prior to September 15th on a case-by-case basis.

A public hearing to receive input from the public and a decision by the LENRD Board of Directors on the District’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget was set for Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 7:00PM in the Lower Elkhorn NRD Boardroom. This hearing will take place prior to the regularly scheduled Committee Meeting.

To learn more about the 12 responsibilities of Nebraska’s NRDs and how your local District can work with you and your community to protect your natural resources, visit www.lenrd.org and sign up for our monthly emails. The next board of directors meeting will be Thursday, September 24, 2026, at the LENRD office in Norfolk at 7:30 p.m. and on Facebook Live.



Pillen Hosts USDA Secretary Rollins for Nebraska Cattle Industry Roundtable

Governor Jim Pillen hosted U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins Monday evening for a roundtable discussion with Nebraska cattle producers to address key economic and environmental challenges facing the cattle industry. The event followed a visit by the USDA Secretary to the Nebraska State Fair where she announced a platform of initiatives aimed at addressing beef prices for consumers, expanding the nation’s cattle herd, as well as processing capacity.

During the one-hour meeting hosted in the Governor’s Hearing Room at the State Capitol, Gov. Pillen and Sec. Rollins heard from nearly 15 invited ranchers from across the state who offered their perspectives, as well as suggestions for supporting their industry.

“We want to ensure that Sec. Rollins hears directly from Nebraska cattlemen. Agriculture is the lifeblood of our state, and when our cattle industry thrives, all of Nebraska thrives,” said Gov. Pillen. “Agriculture is the top of the spear of our economy and if our producers are doing well, everybody is doing well.”

During the meeting and speaking later to invited media, Sec. Rollins outlined the USDA’s Ranchers First Initiative, a federal effort aimed at rebuilding the nation’s cattle herd, which now sits at a 75-year low.

“We hear this over and over, that if we lose more ranches, if this trend continues, then we will lose freedom in this country. Where there is beef, there is freedom. If we’re not able to feed and fuel ourselves, we will no longer know the American dream,” Rollins said.

The USDA’s actions build on the department’s October 2025 Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry and are designed to provide ranchers with additional risk management tools while addressing processing capacity and market concerns. The five-point plan includes expanding support and resources for new ranchers, including veterans; expediting recovery from natural disasters; a heifer retention program for boosting breeding herds; prioritizing the availability of American beef in schools, hospitals, prisons and other institutions; and strengthening small and regional processing facilities.

“I’m grateful to Sec. Rollins for being here to listen directly to our ranchers. I know how hard she is fighting for America’s producers and in particular, Nebraska’s,” said Gov Pillen. “I am proud to partner with her as we plow ahead together to strengthen our ag economy.”



NEBFARMPAC Endorses Sarah Slattery for Secretary of State

Nebraska Farmers Union’s Political Action Committee, NEBFARMPAC announced their enthusiastic and unanimous endorsement of Sarah Slattery for Secretary of State of Nebraska in the general election on November 3rd. 

NEBFARMPAC Secretary and Nebraska Farmers Union President John Hansen said “Sarah Slattery has the operational and managerial experience required to serve Nebraskans effectively as Secretary of State. Having owned and operated Slattery Vintage Estates alongside her family in rural Cass County for 18 years, Sarah has spent nearly two decades deeply embedded in Nebraska's agritourism and small business economy. She understands firsthand the administrative, supply chain, and regulatory challenges that rural entrepreneurs and agricultural families face every single day. Managing a complex agri-business means she is well-versed in compliance, logistics, budget management, and operational leadership from the ground up.”

“Beyond her success as an entrepreneur, Sarah is a mother, adjunct professor, professional chef, and dedicated community leader who holds a Bachelor's degree from Creighton University and a professional culinary certificate from Metropolitan Community College. Our board previously endorsed her for Legislature in LD2. We know she will be a fair, honest, and hardworking public servant.,” said Vern Jantzen, NEBFARMPAC President.

“NEBFARMPAC sees the Secretary of State’s office as an executive, nonpartisan, and administrative role that oversees vital filings and registrations for our business entities, administers our elections in a fair, neutral, and nonpartisan manner, and also helps represent our state and hosts events for our foreign partners. It requires a proven, steady manager who will carry out the responsibilities for their office in a professional and nonpartisan manner and protect the trust and integrity of the voting process. There must not be any wearing of partisan interests or flags in the Secretary of State position. Sarah will safeguard our democratic processes and run the Secretary of State's office efficiently and fairly on day one. In this election, the choice is clear, Sarah Slattery deserves our support,” concluded NEBFARMPAC Secretary John Hansen.

NEBFARMPAC is the political action committee of the Nebraska Farmers Union, which is a non-partisan, not-for-profit general farm organization founded in 1913 with a mission to protect and enhance the quality of life and economic well-being of family farmers and ranchers and their rural communities.  NeFU is the respected voice of family farm and ranch agriculture with nearly 4,000 family memberships.



ChopLocal University Launches Free “Meat Marketing Mastery” Educational Program to Help Direct-to-Consumer Meat Producers Grow Their Businesses

Ecommerce for direct-to-consumer meat sales presents an incredible opportunity for livestock farmers, but many struggle with pricing and marketing. ChopLocal University’s free Meat Marketing Mastery program helps solve these problems.

The program includes five live webinars, one-on-one coaching, and access to a private producer community. The resources are free for livestock producers in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan.

“This program is different from the educational resources we’ve offered in the past,” says ChopLocal University’s founder, Katie Olthoff. “We’ve found that farmers really appreciate help with implementing the strategies we discuss in our webinars, so we’ve incorporated free one-on-one coaching for participating producers. We’re excited to see the impact this has on participants’ businesses.”

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Five free webinars: Sessions are delivered as live Lunch & Learn webinars, with recordings posted to YouTube for producers who can’t attend live. Topics include: Online store essentials, meat pricing and bundle building, website and SEO setup, ongoing marketing (social, email, promotions), and agritourism and on-farm events. 

Free one-on-one coaching: Eligible participants can receive individualized coaching from experienced direct-to-consumer meat marketing professionals on strategy, website improvements, online sales, pricing, promotions, and business growth.
Private Facebook community: Participants can join a private producer group to ask questions, share ideas, celebrate wins, and stay informed about upcoming training and resources.

Instructors/coaches: Sessions will be led by Katie Olthoff from ChopLocal University, Matt LeRoux from Cornell University, and Victoria Buchanan from Blackrock Highlands. All three have experience teaching and coaching producers involved in direct-to-consumer meat sales.

OUTREACH PARTNERS
ChopLocal is partnering with agricultural organizations to connect producers with the program. Current outreach partners include Practical Farmers of Iowa, a farmer-led nonprofit supporting sustainable agriculture across Iowa, and GrassWorks, a Wisconsin-based membership organization advancing managed grazing education and advocacy. Both organizations are sharing the program with their members and networks. ChopLocal welcomes additional agricultural organizations interested in helping connect producers with this free education.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Meat Marketing Mastery is free and open to direct-to-consumer livestock producers in the Midwest. Producers and partner organizations can learn more and register for upcoming sessions at choplocaluniversity.com/meat-marketing-mastery-erme.

The first webinar, “Build an Online Meat Business that Sells,” is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8, and is free and open to producers nationwide. Registration is available at choplocaluniversity.com/meat-marketing-mastery-webinar-1.



Fats and Oils: Oilseed Crushings, Production, Consumption and Stocks

Soybeans crushed for crude oil was 6.66 million tons (222 million bushels) in July 2026, compared with 6.53 million tons (218 million bushels) in June 2026 and 6.16 million tons (205 million bushels) in July 2025. Crude oil produced was 2.57 billion pounds, up 2 percent from June 2026 and up 6 percent from July 2025. Soybean once refined oil production at 2.03 billion pounds during July 2026 increased less than 1 percent from June 2026 and increased 10 percent from July 2025.

Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production
Total corn consumed for alcohol and other uses was 528 million bushels in July 2026. Total corn consumption was up 2 percent from June 2026 and up 4 percent from July 2025. July 2026 usage included 92.3 percent for alcohol and 7.7 percent for other purposes. Corn consumed for beverage alcohol totaled 4.29 million bushels, up 12 percent from June 2026 and up 54 percent from July 2025. Corn for fuel alcohol, at 475 million bushels, was up 2 percent from June 2026 and up 4 percent from July 2025. Corn consumed in July 2026 for dry milling fuel production and wet milling fuel production was 92.6 percent and 7.4 percent, respectively.

Dry mill co-product production of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was 1.85 million tons during July 2026, up 2 percent from June 2026 but down 1 percent from July 2025. Distillers wet grains (DWG) 65 percent or more moisture was 1.29 million tons in July 2026, down less than 1 percent from June 2026 but up 9 percent from July 2025.

Wet mill corn gluten feed production was 250,692 tons during July 2026, down 3 percent from June 2026 and down 2 percent from July 2025. Wet corn gluten feed 40 to 60 percent moisture was 210,120 tons in July 2026, up 8 percent from June 2026 and up 10 percent from July 2025.



2025 Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production
 
As part of the Current Agricultural Industrial Reports (CAIR) program, the 2025 Annual Summary of the Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production contains data and annual totals for January through December 2025.

Total corn consumed for alcohol for 2025 was 5.56 billion bushels, down 2 percent from 2024. Corn for beverage alcohol in 2025 totaled 39.6 million bushels, down 17 percent from 2024. Corn for fuel alcohol was 5.43 billion bushels in 2025, down 2 percent from 2024.

Dry mill co-product production of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was 21.6 million tons during 2025, down 4 percent from 2024. Distillers wet grains (DWG) 65 percent or more moisture was 14.8 million tons in 2025, up less than 1 percent from 2024. Distillers dried grain (DWG) was 4.51 million tons in 2025, down 1 percent from 2024.

Wet mill corn gluten feed production was 3.05 million tons during 2025, down 3 percent from 2024. Wet corn gluten feed 40 to 60 percent moisture was 2.26 million tons, down 7 percent from 2024.

Dry and wet mill carbon dioxide captured was 2.96 million tons in 2025, up 8 percent from 2024.



Rollins Unveils Plan to Modernize Agricultural Data Collection and Put Farmers First

Tuesday, at the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Data Modernization Plan to put Farmers First, reduce unnecessary burdens on producers, and improve the timeliness, accuracy, and usefulness of the agricultural data that informs decisions across American agriculture.

Since USDA was established in 1862, collecting and sharing reliable agricultural information has been central to its mission. Today, USDA data informs crop and livestock estimates, risk-management tools, disaster assistance, and critical business decisions made by farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, researchers, and policymakers.

“America’s farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our food and agricultural system, and USDA should respect their time while delivering the reliable information they need,” said Secretary Rollins. “This plan puts Farmers First by cutting burdensome red tape, using modern tools, and ensuring producers have a stronger voice in how USDA collects and reports agricultural data. Under President Trump’s leadership, USDA is bringing agricultural data collection into the 21st century while protecting the privacy and trust of the people we serve.”

In February 2026, Secretary Rollins issued a Request for Information seeking feedback on the opportunities, challenges, and emerging areas in USDA data. Additionally, Secretary Rollins and USDA leadership held a series of data modernization listening sessions at state fairs and farm shows across the country throughout August to hear directly from hundreds of producers and agricultural stakeholders. That feedback helped shape the USDA Data Modernization Plan and its four pillars:
    Modernize the Data Reporting Experience: USDA will expand use of administrative data, improve mobile access to surveys, explore opportunities to use prefilled information where appropriate, and strengthen coordination across the Department. These changes will reduce duplicative requests and limit the amount of time producers spend reporting information.
    Enhance Acreage and Yield Estimation: USDA will conduct a pilot to evaluate the use of improved satellite imagery, geospatial tools, crop models, and other emerging technologies combined with essential producer-reported information to enhance acreage and yield estimations. USDA will also assess the use of optional field inputs to enhance and ground truth yield estimates and continue advancing yield research through collaboration with agricultural partners and land-grant universities.
    Integrate Data and Technology Platforms: USDA will modernize its technology infrastructure, expand secure data-sharing capabilities, and evaluate the responsible use of tools such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. Better integrated systems will improve efficiency, reduce duplication, and allow USDA to produce more timely and useful information.
    Expand Trust and Transparency with Producers: USDA will protect producer privacy, clearly explain why information is requested and how it is used, and create additional opportunities for producers to provide feedback. USDA will also improve communication surrounding reports, methodologies, response rates, and data limitations.

“While American agriculture and USDA look vastly different than they did in 1862, the need for timely, accurate, and useful agricultural statistics remains constant,” said Kip Tom, Special Advisor for Data Modernization. “This plan brings USDA agencies together, breaks down outdated information silos, and applies modern technology to provide producers and rural communities with better service. By improving how information is collected and shared, we can respond more quickly to challenges facing American agriculture.”

The USDA Data Modernization Plan builds on technological advancements already underway across USDA, including satellite-based crop monitoring, geospatial analysis, cloud-based platforms, improved online reporting tools, and more coordinated use of existing administrative data. The Department will also continue working with partners to evaluate new methods and strengthen the scientific foundation of its agricultural statistics.

“USDA’s agricultural statistics are only as strong as the trust and voluntary participation of America’s producers,” said Dr. Scott Hutchins, Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics. “By combining producer knowledge with sound science and modern technology, USDA can reduce the reporting burden while improving the quality of the information farmers and policymakers rely on. This plan will help ensure American agriculture remains productive and resilient for generations to come.”

USDA will begin implementing actions under the plan immediately and will continue engaging farmers, ranchers, and agricultural stakeholders throughout the process. The Department will evaluate new approaches carefully, protect privacy and confidentiality, and publish clear methodologies and supporting information to maintain the integrity of USDA’s agricultural statistics.



California Clearing the Way for Year-Round E15 Saves Consumers Money While Opening Up Major New Ethanol Market

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) applauds California lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom for passing Senate Bill 795, the E15 Clean-Up Act, in the final hours of their legislative session.

The legislation removes the final technical barrier to year-round E15 sales, clearing the way for California drivers to have access to a lower carbon fuel that will save an estimated 20 or more cents per gallon.

“It’s been truly amazing to see California work in a bipartisan manner to unanimously pass E15 legislation,” said IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw. “And not just bipartisan, but unanimous. But it makes sense. California drivers can save billions with E15. It will reduce tailpipe and carbon emissions. It will add much needed physical gallons to a constrained market. And, while maybe not California’s motivation, E15 in the state represents 600 to 700 million gallons per year of ethanol market potential.”

California joins seven Midwestern states in taking action to ensure motorists have access to E15 year-round. This move represents another significant step toward expanding the national market for homegrown ethanol. California is one of the nation’s largest fuel markets, and increased access to E15 will create new opportunities for Iowa ethanol producers and corn farmers. Meanwhile, the future of nationwide, year-round E15 remains clouded in Congress.

“It’s almost shocking to say, but the U.S. Congress could take a lesson from California on E15,” said Shaw. “California beat Congress to the E15 punch. All 50 states deserve the right to offer E15 for sale. Consumers deserve the chance to choose E15. I know our Congressional champions are working hard to get E15 across the finish line, but the whole institution needs to wake up.”

After California legislation authorizing E15, known as AB30, was signed into law last October, state agencies moved quickly to implement the unanimous legislation. But after months of work, the California Fire Marshal insisted state law wouldn’t allow E15 through a small part of the existing infrastructure, known as secondary vapor recovery devices, even though the manufacturers certified the equipment was compatible with E15. This technical barrier threatened to delay E15 access by 1 to 2 years. Instead, during the final hours of the California legislative session, a second unanimous bill (SB795) passed, allowing E15 to be dispensed using current equipment if certified by the manufacturer.

During months of behind-the-scenes work to find a path forward, the California Governor’s Office reached out to Iowa for their experience. IRFA helped provide California with over ten years of data and experience offering E15 through existing equipment.

“Iowa may not be the biggest fuel market in the country, but when it comes to E15, we’ve been leading by example for more than a decade,” said Shaw. “We think Iowa played a small but important role in getting California across the finish line. At the request of the California Governor’s Office, IRFA provided California officials with information, data, and rule language drawing on Iowa’s decade-plus of experience successfully selling E15 through existing dispensers and fueling infrastructure. Now, California drivers have the opportunity to benefit from a lower-cost, lower-carbon fuel, while Iowa farmers and ethanol producers gain another major market for homegrown ethanol. That’s a win-win worth celebrating.”

IRFA will continue working with policymakers and renewable fuels stakeholders across the country to build on this momentum, expand markets for ethanol, and support policies that strengthen demand for Iowa-produced renewable fuels.



Farmer sentiment rises again in August as future expectations improve

For the first time since June 2025, respondents in the August Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer survey expect their operation to be better off financially rather than worse off a year from now. The improved outlook raised farmer sentiment from 126 in July to 135 in August. While the Index of Future Expectations increased 11 points, the Index of Current Conditions rose only 1 point. Optimism about export prospects over the next five years also improved this month, reaching 140 — the highest since December 2025. Higher input costs remained the biggest concern this month. The survey was conducted among 402 farmers across the nation from Aug. 10-14.

The Farm Financial Performance Index rose from 90 at the beginning of the year to 103 in August, indicating increased optimism among respondents about their financial outlook for the next 12 months. Despite this increase, the Farm Capital Investment Index declined by 5 points to 45.

This month’s survey featured three questions on operator skills. The first asked respondents to identify the skill with the most return on investment for their farm, with production skills the most valued at 29%, followed by financial management and analysis at 23%, and strategic planning at 22%. The second question asked which skill their farm most needed to improve, with strategic planning at 28%, selling products at 20% and buying inputs at 19%. The third question asked which skills could be improved most through artificial intelligence, with strategic planning at 32%, financial management and analysis at 28%, and production at 18%.

In August, the Short-Term Farmland Value Expectations Index rose by 8 points to 127. The survey identified alternative investments, interest rates and inflation as the top three influences on farmland values. Periodically, the survey asks respondents to evaluate farmland as an investment. For this month, 65% viewed farmland as a good investment, 17% as medium and 18% as poor.

“Producers are looking beyond the day-to-day management of their operations and thinking more strategically about the skills they need to succeed,” said Michael Langemeier, the barometer’s principal investigator and director of Purdue’s Center for Commercial Agriculture. “The emphasis on strategic planning, both as an area for improvement and as a potential application for artificial intelligence, suggests producers see opportunities to use new tools to strengthen decision-making.”

Since July 2025, producers have been asked whether they believe the U.S. is moving in the “right direction” or on the “wrong track.” The average “right direction” response was 71% in the final six months of 2025 and 62% in the first quarter of 2026. Since April, the percentage of producers who feel the U.S. is heading in the right direction has fluctuated between 51% and 57%. In August, 51% of respondents said the U.S. was moving in the right direction.



House of Representatives Votes to Fund Government Through December 11

Tuesday, the House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution (CR), to fund the federal government through December 11. The measure passed the House of Representatives in a bipartisan vote of 370-48. It previously passed the Senate in a vote of 90-6. The bill now heads to President Donald Trump for his signature. NAWG CEO Sam Kieffer provided the following statement in response.

“NAWG is encouraged to see Congress take the necessary action to temporarily fund the federal government and avoid another government shutdown. But with a long list of critical priorities still before Congress, there is much more work to be done before the end of the year. Wheat growers are facing sustained economic challenges, including volatile commodity prices, high input costs, and intensifying global competition. Given the severity of conditions across the farm economy, Congress must also consider additional near-term economic assistance to help producers weather continued financial pressures. At the same time, short-term assistance cannot replace the certainty provided by strong federal farm policy. Congress must act with urgency to deliver a comprehensive, long-term farm bill that strengthens the farm safety net and provides wheat growers with the certainty and stability they need to continue producing the nation’s food and supporting a strong agricultural economy.”



ASA Welcomes David Johanson as International Trade Advisor

The American Soybean Association today welcomed David Johanson, former chairman and commissioner of the U.S. International Trade Commission, to its government affairs team as ASA international trade advisor. Johanson has extensive international trade experience, with much of his career focused on agriculture.

“David brings tremendous experience and a deep understanding of both agricultural trade and the soybean industry,” said ASA CEO Stephen Censky. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with David throughout his career and have seen firsthand the expertise and perspective he brings to complex trade issues. We are excited to have him on board as ASA continues working to protect and expand opportunities for U.S. soybean farmers around the world.”

Johanson spent nearly 15 years at the U.S. International Trade Commission, including serving two full terms as chairman. Previously, he served nearly nine years as International Trade Counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, where he advised Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and worked extensively on agricultural trade matters, including soybeans. Earlier in his career, Johanson practiced international trade law in the private sector, where ASA was among his clients.

“With more than half of the U.S. soybean crop exported annually, access to global markets is critical for soybean farmers,” Johanson said. “I look forward to working on behalf of soybean farmers to address international trade challenges, strengthen and expand market access, and advance trade policies that create opportunities for U.S. soy around the world.”



Fundamental Price Impacts of Announced Tariff Waiver on Ground Beef
Andrew Anderson, Ph.D.
Extension Specialist in Livestock Economics
Utah State University

The cattle markets have been an eventful topic over the past month or so. The list of market-moving news includes slaughter and processing plant closures, the border reopening to Mexican cattle, a tight Cattle on Feed report, and an announced tariff waiver for ground beef imports. Not surprisingly, cattle prices have been volatile. Each of these events has received much commentary, most of which has lacked grounding in estimates of fundamental price impacts. The ground beef tariff exemption has been particularly controversial. Here I hope to add some substance to the public conversation by giving my own estimates of potential price impacts of the announced tariff waiver.

To estimate price impacts, I assumed a market for ground beef, and another for whole muscle cuts, since the imports would be lean beef trimmings destined for the ground beef market. Using supply, own-price demand, and cross-price demand elasticities from the agricultural economics literature, we can solve the system of supply and demand equations for price and quantity changes. The increase in supply of imported lean beef trimmings enters as a supply shock in ground beef, pushing down the price, and extending to other beef through the cross-price effect. However, it is far from clear that the announced quantity will fully enter the market in the 90-day period that was noted. A lower quantity could result from the logistics and availability of imports, some of the duty-free imports replacing quantity that would have arrived anyway, or some of the imports going into cold storage to enter the market later. So, I have made low (40%), mid (60%), and high (80%) assumptions for the proportion of the announced quantity that will actually enter the market in the 90 days. 

After impacting individual beef markets, as shown above, the price reaction would work its way back to cattle markets. I use a transmission factor from the literature for the price transfer to fed cattle and cull cows, 0.2 and 0.67, respectively. The rates are different primarily because fed carcasses are split about 85% vs 15% between whole muscle cuts and ground beef; while cull cows are split about 10% vs 90% respectively. 

Based on my analysis, the fed cattle price decrease from this policy change would be between 1.5 and 3%, while the cull cow market would see a 5 to 10% price reduction. The impacts are highly uncertain because the logistics of importing and selling that large of a quantity of beef may be prohibitive. In any case, the fundamental impacts in the fed cattle market will be relatively modest. Furthermore, it will likely be difficult to identify the isolated impact of this policy in the market as other factors like reduced packing capacity and cattle supply continue to dominate price determination.