Wednesday September 30 Ag News - Incidents of Foreign Objects clicks up in Beef - Proposal to Extend Small Biodiesel Producer Credit - Dairy Producer Margins Tighten - USDA Regenerative Pilot Program - and more!

The Cost of Foreign Object Contamination
Lindsay Waechter-Mead, DVM, Director Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance 

Foreign object contamination is not a new issue in the beef industry; however, we have recently seen a resurgence in detection. With historically low cattle numbers, the impact has magnified. The 2022 National Beef Quality Audit (NBQA) conducted a volunteer study of cull and fed plants. Of the 16 cull plants surveyed, 100% reported finding buckshot and/or birdshot in cow and bull carcasses. 

Additionally, 50% of these plants reported customers finding foreign objects outside of the plant. Twenty-four fed plants were also surveyed in the study with 58.3% reporting “yes” to foreign objects in beef. Contamination included buckshot, wire, needles, and darts. Not only is this a major welfare issue, but it is also costing the industry significant product loss, at a time that we cannot afford to lose it. Let’s break down the effects of one BB: 

-If a pre-harvest foreign object is found in the 2,000-pound trim, the batch before and after the contaminated batch will be discarded and unfit for consumption = 6,000 lbs of trim 

-As a practice, the processor would need to also discard the blended batch prior = 6,000 + 6,000 = 12,000 lbs 

-One 950 lb carcass averages 25% ground beef = 238 lbs. Therefore, 12,000 lbs is the equivalent of 51 head 

-Industry reports an average of 140 foreign object contamination events per facility. 51 head x 140 events = 7,140 head lost each year in a single facility. 

-The NBQA surveyed 45 facilities. 7,140 head x 45 facilities = 321,300 head lost/yr 

- 321,300 head x 238 lbs of ground beef/hd = 76 million lbs of ground beef lost/year 

This is a significant problem for our Nation’s beef industry and Nebraska is not immune to the effects, with birdshot being reported in Nebraska plants. As a cattle producer, it is our obligation to do the right thing, every time to maintain consumer confidence in our product. Shotguns should not be a cattle handling tool. 



IRFA Thanks Bipartisan Senate Effort to Extend Small Biodiesel Producer Credit

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) is thanking Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) for introducing bipartisan legislation to extend the Small Agri-Biodiesel Producer Credit through 2029.

The credit, which is set to expire Dec. 31, 2026, applies to the first 15 million gallons of annual production for small biodiesel producers with a capacity of 60 million gallons or less. It provides a $0.20-per-gallon tax credit for producers using crop oils and animal fats.

“Small biodiesel producers are an important part of Iowa’s rural economy, and they need certainty to keep investing and producing,” said Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. “This extension gives Iowa producers the runway they need to keep turning Iowa-grown feedstocks into homegrown fuel, supporting farmers and strengthening rural communities.”

The extension would provide additional certainty for Iowa’s small biodiesel producers as the industry transitions to the 45Z Clean Fuels Production Credit.

IRFA will continue working with Iowa’s congressional delegation and federal policymakers on policies that support Iowa’s renewable fuels producers, farmers and rural communities.



Iowa Farm Bureau webinar helps farmers protect nutrients leading up to historically strong El Niño

Iowa could experience one of its wettest Septembers on record as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts a greater than 90% chance the current El Niño will become very strong this fall and winter. Wetter conditions and a strong El Niño could affect soil temperatures, timing of nutrient applications and nutrient cycling. To help farmers protect their nutrients and make informed management decisions, Iowa Farm Bureau will host Preparing for Super El Niño: Protecting Water and Your Nutrient Investment on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 11 a.m.Central time.

El Niño occurs when waters in the equatorial Pacific become warmer than average, shifting weather patterns that can influence conditions in other regions. The webinar will explore what this could mean for Iowa soil temperatures, nutrient availability and soil conditions. Experts will also share strategies farmers can use to reduce nutrient loss and protect their investment, including nitrogen soil testing, Iowa State University’s N-FACT to help guide fertilizer decisions, along with practical manure management strategies and nutrient retention practices such as nitrification inhibitors, timing of fertilizer application and cover crops.

Featured speakers include Dr. Justin Glisan, state climatologist of Iowa; Dr. Mike Castellano, Iowa State University professor of agronomy and Iowa Nitrogen Initiative lead; and Dr. Dan Andersen, Iowa State University associate professor of biosystems engineering and Extension manure specialist.

“Farmers want to make responsible nutrient management decisions that are good for their crops and the environment,” said Shawn Richmond, Iowa Farm Bureau environmental policy adviser. “This webinar will offer practical strategies to help farmers protect their nutrient investment, keep valuable nutrients in their fields and reduce the potential for nutrient loss—decisions that benefit both their bottom line and the environment.”

To register, visit iowafarmbureau.com/events. 



Dairy Market Report: Rising Feed and Fuel Costs Tighten Producer Margin
National Milk Producers Federation

Liquid milk production grew 1.7% in July. While the size of the milking herd grew 1.9%, heat stress and wildfire smoke contributed to a slight decrease in milk output per cow. 

Turning toward markets, dairy ingredients are showing signs of strength. Nonfat dry milk prices rose into the $2.10s in late September as domestic use rose and supply remained limited. Dry whey prices are elevated too as more of the whey stream heads into whey protein concentrates. Conversely, even as butter is experiencing healthy domestic demand, growth in production volumes has outpaced domestic use. Cheese prices are also under pressure, feeling the effects of wavering consumer confidence as quick service restaurant foot traffic falls and retail sales ease. Still, exports continue to see double-digit growth, helping maintain some market balance.

For producers, DMC margins declined to $9.93/cwt in July as feed costs rose. Signs of increased economic pressure on producers are growing – feed costs are expected to rise through the end of the year, elevated diesel prices are increasing hauling charges, and borrowing costs are likely to rise due to the increase in bond markets and interest rates.

Read full report here: https://www.nmpf.org/dmr-sept-2026/.  



ASA Welcomes Greg Ibach Nomination for USDA Trade Post

The American Soybean Association welcomes President Donald Trump’s nomination of Greg Ibach to serve as USDA under secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs.

“Greg brings a deep understanding of U.S. agriculture and the importance of expanding markets for American farmers,” said ASA CEO Stephen Censky. “As a farmer and rancher himself, he understands firsthand how critical market access and agricultural trade are to producers. His years leading the Nebraska Department of Agriculture also gave him extensive experience promoting U.S. agricultural products in markets around the world.

“I had the great pleasure of working closely with Greg during the first Trump Administration, when he led USDA’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs mission area. He did an outstanding job breaking down sanitary and phytosanitary barriers to U.S. agricultural products, protecting American agriculture from pests and diseases, and strengthening domestic marketing programs. Greg brings tremendous experience and a real passion for making U.S. agriculture successful. ASA supports his nomination and urges the Senate to confirm him as soon as possible.”



USDA Increases Investment in Regenerative Pilot Program 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced increased financial assistance for the Regenerative Pilot Program from $700 million to $1 billion in fiscal year 2027, providing more producers with the opportunity to adopt conservation systems that improve soil health, water quality, and long-term farm resilience. Producers can now apply for assistance with regenerative practices.

Additionally, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is making improvements to the program, including using NRCS’s locally led conservation model to allow State Technical Advisory Committees to add conservation practices that reflect local resource concerns, production systems, and producer needs.

“The American farmers have spoken and we at USDA are responding! Our Regenerative Pilot Program has seen such tremendous enthusiasm that we are now expanding the financial assistance offered to farmers by $1 billion dollars,” said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, “American farmers are the frontlines of our fight to make America healthy again and we will work with them to achieve this goal.”

“Farmers are on the front line of our effort to Make America Healthy Again,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “Under Secretary Rollins’ leadership, USDA is increasing funding for this program to $1 billion to help farmers build soil health, reduce dependence on costly chemical inputs, and adopt regenerative practices.”

“Last fiscal year, NRCS obligated more than 5,100 contracts for more than $851 million to implement whole-farm conservation practices for regenerative agriculture. Through this program, farmers and ranchers continue to make improvements to soil health, water management and natural vitality, and provide consumers with American-grown whole foods,” said NRCS Chief Colton L. Buckley. “We are building on this success by improving flexibility without sacrificing outcomes and strengthening delivery and accountability.”

Also, for fiscal year 2027, the program maintains whole-farm planning while reducing the barrier to entry by lowering the resource concern threshold from 100% to 75% for the Conservation Stewardship Program. This improves flexibility without sacrificing outcomes. The program preserves the core conservation goals and outcome-based approach of the fiscal 2026 pilot while giving producers and staff greater flexibility in how outcomes are measured and achieved. The program also provides multiple monitoring and evaluation options tailored to cropland, grazing lands, and forestry operations.

Other enhancements for fiscal year 2027 include dedicated funding set-asides, improved tracking mechanisms, expanded technical support networks, and enhanced communications that will make the program easier to administer, easier to access, and more transparent for producers and taxpayers alike.

About the Regenerative Pilot Program
The Regenerative Pilot Program delivers a streamlined, outcome-based conservation model—empowering producers to plan and implement whole-farm regenerative practices through a single application. The initiative highlights USDA’s commitment to putting Farmers First and advancing the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda by building a healthier, more resilient food system.

In fiscal year 2027, the Regenerative Pilot Program will continue to focus on whole-farm planning that addresses every major resource concern—soil, water, and natural vitality—under a single conservation framework. USDA is dedicating $650 million through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and $350 million through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) to fund this second year of regenerative agriculture projects.

Producers can bundle multiple regenerative practices into one application, streamlining the process and increasing flexibility for operations. The program is designed for both beginning and advanced producers, ensuring availability for all farmers ready to take the next step in regenerative agriculture.

How to Apply
Farmers and ranchers interested in regenerative agriculture are encouraged to apply through their local NRCS Service Center by their state’s ranking dates for fiscal year 2027 funding consideration. Applications for both EQIP and CSP can be submitted under the single regenerative application process.



Nebraska Feedyard Recognized for Excellence
Beller Feedlot awarded 2026 CAB Feedyard Commitment to Excellence award

Motivation gets a feed truck moving before sunrise, keeps operations steady through adversity and drives pursuit of the next goal. It’s done more than fuel daily routines for Terry Beller, Lindsay, Nebraska. It’s helped build Beller Feedlot into a multi-generational operation known for its customer service and high-quality beef.

Founded in the 1950s by his parents, Jim and Mary Catherine, Beller Feedlot grew steadily through the generations. Today, Terry oversees a 6,200-head-capacity business guided by the same quality focus that shaped its creation.

The family’s dedication was recognized for its decades-long role in supplying the brand this September. Beller Feedlot received the 2026 Feedyard Commitment to Excellence Award at the Certified Angus Beef (CAB) Annual Conference in Marco Island, Florida.

One Pen at a Time
What started as a wedding gift became the foundation. Jim and Mary Catherine received a heifer and a steer, fattened and sold them, and then bought more cattle with the proceeds. The first generation of Beller Feedlot ownership repeated this process until they reached 300 to 400 head in the 1960s. Aiming for a total feeding capacity of 1,500 head, the first feedyard expansion took place in the 1970s.

As it grew, so did Terry and his brother Rick’s interest in cattle feeding. At their dad’s retirement and their own transition into management, numbers grew to 4,500 head and gradually increased since then. The last major expansion, a confinement barn, added 1,200 head to that capacity.

Some expansion stages were like growing pains, the first addition of six pens not leaving enough capital to stock more than half with cattle for the first three years.

Rick passed away in 2004, but Terry has carried on managing the family cattle feeding business.

"My shoulders were pretty heavy for a while," he says, and while noting his dad and brother would be proud of the progress today, none of it would be possible without the family and crew surrounding Terry.

The next generation, sons Riley and Wesley Beller, feature in daily operations. Riley feeds and checks cattle, along with hauling distillers and other corn byproducts for their grain farming enterprise. Wesley is a jack of all trades, assisting with feeding and processing cattle, maintenance and especially cleaning pens. That favorite duty is testament to the feedyard’s commitment to animal health and performance.

"Strong work ethic" is a common core description when speaking of their father. Not just his drive, but attention to detail and peace of mind from knowing nothing was left undone at the end of the day.

"Work hard, no shortcuts, do the right thing and go the extra mile," Wesley sums up.

The Beller Blueprint
The Beller Feedlot team sources high-quality Angus feeder cattle, provides top-tier care, manages nutrition for optimal performance, and builds strong customer relationships.

"We’ve got some great relationships that go back 35 and 40 years," Terry says. "And they don't look elsewhere."  

Most of those longtime, as well as newer sources, are known for Angus calves with performance and feed efficiency, carcass merit and docility. With a goal to produce as many CAB and Certified Angus Beef ® Prime carcasses as possible, Terry has zeroed in on reviewing carcass data from the packer.

In the early 2000s, Beller Feedlot became CAB licensed via a now-shuttered Feedlot Licensing Program, gaining increased access to carcass data from packers where they shipped cattle.

"It was the best move I ever did," Terry says.

At the time, getting a carcass data sheet back from the packer was no easy feat. But Terry pressed on and worked with the CAB team. He had a vision for better genetics and increased profitability—knowing how customer cattle graded, and sharing that with customers was an integral piece.

Despite catching some flak from his father, Terry passed the carcass data he received on to ranchers.

"It's like the Bible," Terry says. "They look at their carcass data and say, ‘That cow's got to go. We’ve got to switch bulls. We’ve got to make some change—we want Terry Beller to be happy with every calf that goes on that load.’"

The Bellers are keenly aware that the ability to grade well starts with high-quality Angus genetics at the ranch and is dependent on their daily management. Combining top-tier care and nutrition, they’ve found their sweet spot in achieving CAB and its Prime level.

Low-stress handling, a stringent fly protocol, shades and twice-daily pen checks—on foot—are the cornerstone of Beller’s animal care. And they still dial in feed rations with the counsel of a nutritionist. Details and doing things right matters.

"I like big numbers. I like producing premium cattle," Terry says. "And then once we close them out, I like to see a positive on the bottom line, of course."

A String of Successes
The Bellers aren’t new to such awards. In 2003, the feedyard was CAB Feedlot Partner of the Year for yards with less than 15,000-head capacity. They are one of only two CAB Gold Award winners among more than 70 previously licensed feedyards. Motivated by customer success, the partner yard regularly entered CAB’s quarterly AngusSource Carcass Contest between 2008 and 2011.

For Terry, it’s not about awards or plaques on the wall. It’s in knowing he and the crew completed another day’s work at the caliber he expects: the animals are well-fed, well taken care of and Terry’s happy with how things look at the sunset night check. Success is in a report from their packer partners showing he’s hit his CAB and Prime goals.

Today, Beller Feedlot markets nearly all cattle on a grid to Cargill or Greater Omaha. Carcass data from the past year for cattle harvested at both highlights the feedyard’s continued motivation and drive to achieve quality-rich outcomes.

Caption: Started by his parents in the 1950s, Terry Beller continues the Beller Feedlot legacy.

Since July 2025, the feedyard has carcass data from Cargill on 4,300 head averaging 24.8% Prime and 40.2% CAB. Another data set, comprising 13 lots of non-hormone treated (NHTC) program cattle sold to Greater Omaha, shows only one group grading below 40% Prime, with the highest reaching 77% Prime.

For Terry, though, a carcass sheet reading 100% CAB or Prime with no outs remains the benchmark. Looking ahead, he has another goal in mind: improving feed efficiency.

"Our ultimate dream is to convert four or five pounds of feed to one pound of beef, versus seven pounds to 1 pound of beef," he says.

For many, the numbers Beller Feedlot is posting today would be reason enough to celebrate. For Terry, they are simply the next benchmark to build upon. Whether the goal is more Prime, more CAB or greater feed efficiency, the approach remains unchanged: do the job right, take care of the cattle and keep looking for ways to improve. That philosophy fueled decades of success and will continue to shape the feedyard's future.