Friday October 16 Ag News - Biofuels Roundtable held near Louisville - NeFB-PAC Endorses Candidates - Iowa Farmers Save on Crop Ins w/ Cover Crops - Ethanol Production Hits 4 Week High - Fertilizer Prices Move Higher - and more!

Fischer, Energy Secretary Talk Biofuels with Ag Industry

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) and U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright visited with ag producers from across Nebraska to discuss E15 and the cost of fuel. The roundtable was hosted by the Nebraska Farm Bureau with Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Don Bacon (NE-02), and Adrian Smith (NE-03) also in attendance.

“E15 is one of the most direct ways we can provide relief at the pump,” Fischer said. “Secretary Wright understands a diverse energy mix of oil, gas, renewables, nuclear, and biofuels makes the United States stronger and more resilient during market disruptions. I’m glad he had a chance to hear firsthand from Nebraska’s producers about the challenges they face.”

“We held a productive meeting with Nebraska’s farmers where we discussed the Trump administration’s commitment to doing everything we can to lower the cost of energy, including supporting Nebraska’s growing biofuels industry,” Wright said. “It’s no coincidence that in a state with such hardworking Americans and leaders, growth and prosperity are surging.”

Fischer secured a provision in the Farm Bill allowing for the year-round sale of E15. The Farm Bill advanced out of the Senate Agriculture Committee on September 16, 2026.

President Donald Trump has urged Congress to approve the permanent, year-round sale of E15.



Nebraska Farm Bureau Announces Additional Candidate Endorsements, Supports Amendment No. 1

Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB), the state’s largest general agriculture organization, has announced additional candidate endorsements for the Nebraska Legislature, public power boards, and a natural resources district board, along with support for Amendment No. 1.

Endorsements made by the Nebraska Farm Bureau Political Action Committee (NEFB-PAC) reflect candidates’ positions on agriculture and rural issues and input from Farm Bureau farmer and rancher members. Legislative endorsements also consider recommendations from district evaluation committees.

“Our members look for leaders who listen, understand the challenges facing agriculture, and work to strengthen their communities,” said Katie Olson of Atkinson, chair of NEFB-PAC and first vice president of Nebraska Farm Bureau. “These candidates recognize that decisions about taxes, electricity, and natural resources directly affect farm and ranch families and the communities where they live and work.”

NEFB-PAC endorsed the following incumbent legislators seeking reelection:
           Legislative District 40 — Barry DeKay
           Legislative District 44 — Teresa Ibach

NEFB-PAC also endorsed the following candidates for public power and natural resources district boards:
           Nebraska Public Power District, Subdivision 2 — Bill Tielke
           Northeast Public Power District, Subdivision 8 — Kevin Connot
           Lower Platte South Natural Resources District, Subdistrict 2 — Mark Patton

In addition, NEFB-PAC supports Amendment No. 1, a constitutional amendment that would extend Nebraska legislators’ term limits from two to three consecutive terms.

“Amendment No. 1 would give voters the option to retain experienced legislators for an additional term while keeping term limits in place,” Olson said. “We believe this change would help preserve institutional knowledge and give lawmakers more time to understand complex issues affecting agriculture and Nebraska’s economy.”

As a reminder, below is the complete list of candidates endorsed by the Nebraska Farm Bureau Political Action Committee (NEFB-PAC) for the 2026 general election:

Federal Offices
            U.S. Senate — Pete Ricketts
            Congressional District 1 — Mike Flood
            Congressional District 2 — Brinker Harding
            Congressional District 3 — Adrian Smith

Constitutional Offices
            Governor — Jim Pillen
            Secretary of State — Scott Petersen
            State Auditor — Mike Foley
            State Treasurer — Joey Spellerberg
            Attorney General — Mike Hilgers

Nebraska Legislature
            LD 2 — Dean Helmick
            LD 4 — R. Brad von Gillern
            LD 6 — Patrick Leahy
            LD 12 — Merv Riepe
            LD 14 — Bill Bowes
            LD 16 — Ted Japp
            LD 18 — Taylor Royal
            LD 22 — Dawson Brunswick
            LD 24 — Jana Hughes
            LD 30 — Cally Ideus
            LD 32 — Mark Schoenrock
            LD 34 — Loren Lippincott
            LD 36 — Rick Holdcroft
            LD 38 — Janell Anderson Ehrke
            LD 40 — Barry DeKay
            LD 41 — Joe Johnson
            LD 42 — Mike Jacobson
            LD 44 — Teresa Ibach

State Board of Education
           District 5 — Angie Eberspacher
           District 8 — Lou Ann Goding

University of Nebraska Board of Regents
           District 1 — Jeremy Hosein

Nebraska Public Power District
           Subdistrict 2 — Bill Tielke

Local Races
          Northeast Nebraska Public Power District — Kevin Connot
          Lower Platt South NRD — Mark Patton

Support Amendment 1
          A constitutional amendment to increase term limits from two to three consecutive terms for state legislators.



NWB Announces November Meeting

The Nebraska Wheat Board (NWB) will hold its next meeting Friday, November 20, 2026 at CLAAS located at 8401 S 132nd St Omaha, NE. The meeting will begin at 12:45 PM central time.

During the meeting, the NWB will receive reports from members on committee activities as well as the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Nebraska Wheat Growers Association. The board will also hear from the Wheat Foods Council and review and determine travel and participation in upcoming meetings and events.

The public is welcome to attend any open portion of the meeting. Interested individuals may contact the NWB office for a copy of the detailed agenda or for more information.

The Nebraska Wheat Board administers the wheat checkoff at 0.5% of net value of wheat marketed in Nebraska at the point of first sale. The board invests the funds into programs of international and domestic market development, policy development, research, promotion and education.



Secretary Naig Encourages Iowa Farmers to Plant Fall Cover Crops to Save Money on Crop Insurance

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is encouraging Iowa farmers to plant cover crops to improve water quality and soil health while saving money on next year’s crop insurance premiums. Through the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s annual Crop Insurance Discount Program, farmers who plant eligible cover crops this fall can receive a $5 per acre discount on their 2027 crop insurance premiums.

The Crop Insurance Discount Program has no cap on the number of eligible cover crop acres that can receive the crop insurance discount. Farmers can plant cover crops this fall and then enroll those acres when the online application window opens December 1, 2026.

“For the past decade, the Crop Insurance Discount Program has provided another way to help farmers save money while putting more cover crops on the land. Farmers can plant now, and then enroll those eligible acres when the application window opens in December,” said Secretary Naig. “We have seen record interest in cover crops this fall, which is very encouraging as we work with farmers and partners to accelerate conservation and water quality progress across Iowa. Farmers have already enrolled nearly 1.4 million acres in our state cover crop cost-share program, more than double the previous statewide record, including more than 340,000 acres in the Greater Des Moines Watershed, which is more than triple last year. We are also encouraged to see many first-time users getting started with cover crops. That kind of momentum is exciting, and we want to keep building on it by giving farmers more options to put conservation practices on the ground.”

The online sign-up period will open Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2026, and close Friday, Jan. 22, 2027. Farmers can learn more about the program and sign up to receive reminders about the upcoming enrollment period by visiting CleanWaterIowa.org/cropinsurancediscount.

The Crop Insurance Discount Program is jointly administered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA). To qualify, cover crop acres cannot be enrolled in other Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship or USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) cost-share programs. Certain insurance policies, including Whole-Farm Revenue Protection or those covered through written agreements, may be excluded. Farmers should follow all existing farming practices required by their respective policies and work with their crop insurance agents to maintain eligibility.

For a decade, the Crop Insurance Discount Program has offered Iowa farmers an additional incentive to plant cover crops and has become a model for similar programs in other states and at the federal level. More than 2,500 Iowa farmers have enrolled more than 2.1 million acres of cover crops through the program to date.

The Crop Insurance Discount Program is part of Iowa’s ongoing implementation of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy and is one of many programs available to help farmers add conservation practices to their land.

To learn more about conservation and water quality efforts in Iowa, visit CleanWaterIowa.org.



Iowa Farm Bureau to bring 'Roots of Freedom' experience to America's Harvest Festival

Iowa Farm Bureau, a lead sponsor of America’s Harvest Festival celebrating America250, will bring its “Roots of Freedom” Discovery Zone to the Iowa State Capitol on Oct. 24. This interactive experience celebrates Iowa agriculture, recognizes the farmers and agricultural leaders who have helped shape our state and nation and invites visitors to discover the many ways Iowans rely on agriculture every day.

Using special decoder glasses, guests will uncover hidden messages and learn how family farms make many essential everyday products possible. Visitors can also test their conservation knowledge with a hands-on matching game that explores the practices Iowa farmers use to protect the land and water quality. The first 1,000 participants to complete the experience will receive a free “Roots of Freedom” drawstring bag, while supplies last.

“Agriculture is one of the enduring strengths of our nation, sustained by the soil we tend, the food we grow and the people who build for future generations,” said Brent Johnson, Iowa Farm Bureau president and fifth-generation farmer. “With only two percent of Americans making their living farming, America’s Harvest Festival celebrates more than our history. It’s a chance to recognize the people whose work continues to shape our communities and celebrates the spirit of innovation and resilience that has sustained Iowa family farms for generations.”

America’s Harvest Festival will be held from 1 p.m. until dusk and will feature free live music, family-friendly activities, numerous food vendors and more than 70 interactive exhibits and displays. For more information about this free event, visit www.AmericasHarvestFest.com. 




Attendees Arriving For Export Exchange 2026

More than 400 international buyers and end-users of coarse grains and their co-products from more than 50 countries are arriving in Seattle, Wash., this week for Export Exchange 2026, ready to meet with nearly 300 U.S. suppliers and service providers across the value chain.

Co-sponsored by the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC), Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), Export Exchange 2026 offers attendees an unparalleled opportunity to meet and build relationships with domestic suppliers of corn, distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS), sorghum, barley and other commodities.

“U.S. farmers and agricultural producers depend on export markets to maintain strong demand for their products, making each iteration of Export Exchange a crucially important event for the industry at-large,” said Jay Reiners, Nebraska farmer and USGBC chairman.

“The Council strives to be a reliable partner for producers and customers by offering trade teams for buyer groups and by providing technical education to help potential buyers better understand how to procure and use U.S. grains to meet the needs of their country’s consumers.”

In addition to the networking opportunities for international and domestic attendees to build their business connections, the event boasts six general sessions with impactful industry leaders sharing their perspectives on U.S. feed grain quality and global market factors.

Reiners will also sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with BioPower Energy, a joint venture of Quazar Investment and Petron Scientech that plans to build, own and operate a fully integrated biorefinery in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Friday. The MOU will signify BioPower Energy’s intention to procure 50 to 100 percent of its feedstock needs from U.S. suppliers. 

The Council organized 20 trade teams to show international buyers and end-users aspects of the U.S. value chain to strengthen their understanding of U.S. crop quality and logistical safety protocols. Thirteen trade teams arrived in the U.S. before Export Exchange and visited corn-growing states during harvest, explored DDGS production at ethanol plants and viewed port facilities. After the event, the remaining seven trade teams will leave for post-conference tours.



ASA, Ag Groups Push for Ibach Confirmation

ASA, state soybean affiliates, and more than 130 agricultural organizations are urging the Senate to swiftly confirm Greg Ibach as USDA under secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs. In a letter this week, the broad agricultural coalition called for bipartisan action to fill the critical trade position as farmers face economic uncertainty and continued challenges in export markets.

The letter highlights Ibach’s experience breaking down trade barriers, expanding market access, and promoting U.S. agricultural products. Ibach served as USDA under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs during the first Trump administration and as Nebraska’s longest-serving director of agriculture.

ASA CEO Stephen Censky expressed strong support for Ibach’s nomination in a statement last month, citing his firsthand understanding of farmers’ needs and proven record of advancing U.S. agricultural trade. Censky emphasized the importance of Ibach’s leadership and urged the Senate to confirm him as soon as possible.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 10/9/2026

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending October 9, ethanol production climbed 1.1% to a 4-week high of 1.07 million b/d, equivalent to 44.73 million gallons daily. Output was 0.8% lower than the same week last year but 1.2% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate decreased 0.9% to 1.04 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 15.96 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks rose 0.8% to 23.9 million barrels. Stocks were 5.8% more than the same week last year and 10.9% above the five-year average. Inventories built across all regions except the Midwest (PADD 2) and West Coast (PADD 5).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, fell 4.1% to 8.41 million b/d (129.25 bg annualized), the lowest weekly volume since the end of February. Demand was 0.6% less than a year ago and 5.2% below the five-year average.

Conversely, refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol ticked up 0.2% to 899,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.82 bg annualized. Still, net inputs were 1.7% less than year-ago levels and 1.2% below the five-year average.

Ethanol exports declined 27.1% to a 6-week low of 121,000 b/d (5.1 million gallons/day). It has been more than three years since EIA indicated ethanol was imported.



UAN32 Leads Fertilizer Prices Higher Again in First Week of October

Average retail fertilizer prices continued to move slightly higher during the first week of October 2026, according to sellers surveyed by DTN. Seven fertilizers were more expensive compared to last month, while the remaining nutrient was slightly lower. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

Once again, one fertilizer posted a substantial price increase. UAN32 was 6% more expensive than a month earlier, with an average price of $485 per ton. Six fertilizers were slightly higher compared to a month ago. DAP had an average price of $934 per ton, MAP $979/ton, potash $502/ton, urea $672/ton, anhydrous $977/ton and UAN28 $442/ton. Potash moved back above the $500-per-ton mark for the first time since the second week of August 2024, when it averaged $501 per ton.

The remaining nutrient was slightly less expensive than a month ago. 10-34-0 had an average price of $702 per ton.

On a price-per-pound-of-nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.73/lb.N, anhydrous $0.60/lb.N, UAN28 $0.79/lb.N and UAN32 $0.76/lb.N.

All eight major fertilizers are now more expensive than they were a year ago. DAP is 2% higher; potash and UAN32 are each 4% higher; 10-34-0 and UAN28 are each 5% higher; MAP is 6% higher; urea is 12% higher; and anhydrous is 20% higher compared to last year.



ASI Prepares to Present Lamb Import Injury Testimony to the U.S. International Trade Commission

Today, October 16, 2026, the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) will present testimony documenting the serious injury to American lamb producers caused by lamb imports to the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) at a formal hearing.

America’s lamb producers and processors have faced mounting pressures from rapidly increasing imports, negatively impacting rural communities and domestic food production. ASI, with legal counsel Kelley Drye and Warren LLP and economists at Georgetown Economic Services LLC, collected market data, import trend analysis, and documented financial injury on domestic producers. On July 13, 2026, USTR Ambassador Greer requested that the ITC initiate a new Section 201 safeguard investigation into imports of lamb meat into the United States

Since the ITC’s last 201 investigation on lamb meat in 1999, imports of lamb meat have surged from a share of just over 30% to more than 70% today. This increase has resulted in lost sales, revenues, and market share as imported lamb meat significantly undersold American lamb with low-priced imports, particularly from Australia and New Zealand.

While consumer demand for lamb meat grew from 2020 to 2024, U.S. growers’ production declined during the same period. Imports gained sales and market share at the direct expense of U.S. growers by undercutting American prices.

Last week 68 members of congress signed on to a bipartisan, bicameral letter in support of American lamb growers and processors during this global safeguard investigation. The letter urged the Commission to carefully consider the data and testimony regarding the significant challenges faced by American sheep producers and recommend a remedy providing meaningful relief to American lamb producers and processors.

“American lamb producers and processors have endured years of surging imports that have taken a devastating toll on their livelihoods,” said Mike Michener, ASI executive director. “Tomorrow, ASI will present the cold, hard data demonstrating how increased imports have come at the direct expense of American farmers and ranchers. We believe the evidence makes a compelling case for meaningful safeguard relief that will give American lamb producers the opportunity to compete fairly, rebuild their industry, and secure its future for generations to come.”