Monday October 26 Ag News - Cattle on Feed, Cold Storage, Red Meat, & Milk Prod Reports - LENRD Meeting Recap - Main Street Index Drops - NE Sheep and Goat Conf Preview - NASS Error on NE, KS Corn - and more!

United States Cattle on Feed Down Slightly
    
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.4 million head on October 1, 2026. The inventory was slightly below October 1, 2025. The inventory included 7.07 million steers and steer calves, up slightly from the previous year. This group accounted for 62 percent of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 4.30 million head, down 1 percent from 2025.

On Feed, by State      (1,000 hd  -  % Oct 1 '25)
Nebraska .........:      2,550          100        
Iowa ................:        670           97      
Kansas ...........:      2,380           99     

Placements in feedlots during September totaled 1.78 million head, 12 percent below 2025. Net placements were 1.73 million head. Placements were the lowest for September since the series began in 1996. During September, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 360,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 260,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 385,000 head, 
800-899 pounds were 422,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 255,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 95,000 head.

Placements by State  (1,000 hd  -  % Sept '25)
Nebraska .........:      490            84          
Iowa ................:       70            92            
Kansas ............:      420            90        

Marketings of fed cattle during September totaled 1.52 million head, 7 percent below 2025. Marketings were the lowest for September since the series began in 1996. Other disappearance totaled 49,000 head during September, 4 percent below 2025.

Marketings by State  (1,000 hd  -  % Sept '25)
Nebraska .........:      400            90      
Iowa ................:       68            92     
Kansas ............:      350            89       



USDA September 2026 Cold Storage Highlights

Total red meat supplies in freezers on September 30, 2026 were down 1 percent from the previous month but up 3 percent from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers were down 1 percent from the previous month and down 1 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were down 1 percent from the previous month but up 9 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were down 12 percent from last month but up 7 percent from last year.

Total frozen poultry supplies on September 30, 2026 were down 2 percent from the previous month and down 5 percent from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were up 2 percent from the previous month but down 5 percent from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were down 9 percent from last month and down 5 percent from September 30, 2025.

Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on September 30, 2026 were down 1 percent from the previous month but up 2 percent from September 30, 2025. Butter stocks were down 5 percent from last month but up 16 percent from a year ago.

Total frozen fruit stocks on September 30, 2026 were down slightly from last month and down 3 percent from a year ago. Total frozen vegetable stocks were up 17 percent from last month and up 3 percent from a year ago.



Commercial Red Meat Production Down 4 Percent from Last Year

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.32 billion pounds in September, down 4 percent from the 4.51 billion pounds produced in September 2025.

Beef production, at 2.04 billion pounds, was 6 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.30 million head, down 7 percent from September 2025. The average live weight was up 14 pounds from the previous year, at 1,447 pounds.

Veal production totaled 1.7 million pounds, 13 percent below September a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 7,900 head, down 15 percent from September 2025. The average live weight was up 8 pounds from last year, at 359 pounds.

Pork production totaled 2.27 billion pounds, down 3 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 10.6 million head, down 3 percent from September 2025. The average live weight was up 1 pound from the previous year, at 287 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 9.8 million pounds, was down 5 percent from September 2025. Sheep slaughter totaled 176,000 head, 5 percent below last year. The average live weight was 109 pounds, unchanged from September a year ago.

By State      (million lbs.  -  % Sept '25)
Nebraska ......:     616.7         96       
Iowa .............:     753.6        100       
Kansas .........:     477.4        106       

January to September 2026 commercial red meat production was 38.9 billion pounds, down 2 percent from 2025. Accumulated beef production was down 5 percent from last year, veal was down 23 percent, pork was up slightly from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 9 percent. 



July-September Milk Production up 2.3 Percent

Milk production in the United States during the July - September quarter totaled 59.5 billion pounds, up 2.3 percent from the July - September quarter last year. The average number of milk cows in the United States during the quarter was 9.72 million head, 39,000 head more than the April - June quarter, and 172,000 head more than the same period last year.

Q3 Milk Prod by State (mil. lbs. - % Sept '25)
Nebraska ............:       307.0         0.7      
Iowa ...................:     1,527.0         1.3      



LENRD Board approves funding for water projects

The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) Board of Directors conducted their October meeting last week and approved the use of funding to move important water projects forward.

The first water related project up for discussion was the consideration of a Scope of Work provided by Long Spring Consulting to conduct a Stream Depletion Sensitivity Analysis for the LENRD’s Groundwater Model. In preparation for the calculation of the next increment of available depletions for the Lower Platte River Management Plan the Nebraska Department of Water Energy and Environment (DWEE) will be using the model to calculate stream depletion factors and boundary locations within the LENRD.

LENRD General Manager, Brian Bruckner, said, “There’s a need to better understand and refine the stream depletion analysis to resolve these issues before producing a more reliable final delineation of hydrologically connected areas within the LENRD.”

The primary objectives of this work are to:
• conduct a sensitivity analysis of streambed hydraulic conductivity to address the noise and mass-balance issues observed in the current depletion results;
• analyze the relationship between evapotranspiration and stream depletion in the flagged areas of the model; and
• analyze the pumping layer assignment used in the cycle-well analysis.

District staff offered the recommendation to utilize locally budgeted funds to facilitate this work, but it was decided by the Board to accept the Scope of Work, contingent on the commitment of 50% of the cost from DWEE. Bruckner indicated that he would contact the Director, Jesse Bradley, to ask for financial commitment from DWEE on behalf of the LENRD.

Also discussed, and approved, was the acceptance of a funding agreement between the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE) for the implementation of the Village of Craig Regionalization Project. The village approached the Logan East Rural Water System (LERWS), (which is owned and operated by the LENRD), several years ago requesting the option of connecting to LERWS. After several years of effort, a grant funding offer was provided in the amount of $1.5 million which can be used to offset expenses incurred by LERWS in facilitating the connection. The Board authorized the General Manager to sign and accept the agreement on behalf of the LENRD. Bruckner added, “While there are still many important decisions and steps that lie ahead, the availability of these funds is crucial in ensuring that this endeavor can move forward to the next level.”

In other business, the LENRD accepted a bid from Trees Are Us in Hemingford, NE to purchase a new tree planting unit for $9,500, which will be used to replace an older unit. The Board also approved the 2027 meeting schedule, making one change via an amendment to the schedule initially presented by staff.



Supply Chain Disruptions Push Rural Mainstreet Index Lower
Ag Equipment Dealers Under Financial Stress

According to the October survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) sank below growth neutral for the fifth time in the past six months.  Readings range between 0 and 100 with 50.0 representing growth neutral.

Overall: The region’s overall reading for October fell to 42.5, the lowest reading since July of this year and down from 44.7 in September.

“Supply chain disruptions stemming from the Iran conflict have produced record high prices for diesel fuel and fertilizer, pushing the overall index lower. Almost half of bank CEOs expressed backing for federal farm support programs, such as the recent $8 billion program announced by President Trump,” said Ernie Goss, PhD, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business.

Farming and ranchland prices: For the fifth time in the past six months, the farm and ranchland price index climbed above growth neutral. The farm and ranchland index increased to 50.3 from 50.1 in September.

“Farm and ranchland values have been holding up much better than farm and ranching income, due to a more positive long-term economic outlook for U.S. agriculture,” said Goss.

Bankers were asked to name the top non-farmer, non-rancher investor in local farmland. Overwhelmingly, 65% of bankers named local investors, composed of 25% retired farmers/ranchers and 40% other local business investors.

Farm equipment sales: The October farm equipment sales index increased to a weak 36.8 from September’s 25.0.

“This is the 38th straight month that the equipment sales index has fallen below growth neutral. Approximately, 28% of bankers named local agriculture equipment dealers as bearing the greatest financial stress from weakness on the farm/ranch economy,” said Goss.

According to trade data from the International Trade Association (ITA), regional exports of agriculture goods and livestock for the first eight months of 2026 were $7.6 billion, compared to the same period in 2025 of $7.3 billion, for a gain of 3.6%. Even with the expansion, 2026 regional exports of agricultural goods and livestock were 2.8% below 2024 for the same period. A 60.4% slide in the 2024-26 export of agriculture and livestock to China was the prime factor accounting for the 2024-26 export slump.

Below are the state reports:
Nebraska: The state’s Rural Mainstreet Index for October dropped to 31.6 from September’s 43.3. The state’s farm and ranchland price index for October fell to 39.4 from September’s 48.6. Nebraska’s new hiring index slumped to 41.6 from 48.0 in September. According to trade data from the ITA, Nebraska exports of agriculture goods and livestock for the first eight months of 2026, compared to the same period in 2025, slumped by $178.2 million for a 20.1% fall. The greatest downturn in Nebraska ag exports was to Canada with a 28.7% drop from 2025 to 2026. 

Iowa: October’s RMI for the state rose to 47.6 from 44.6 in September. Iowa’s farm and ranchland price index for October increased to 55.4 from 50.0 in September. Iowa’s new hiring index for October climbed to 57.6 from 49.4 in September. According to trade data from the ITA, Iowa exports of agriculture goods and livestock for the first eight months of 2026, compared to the same period in 2025, expanded by $124.8 million for a 9.9% gain. The greatest upturn in Iowa ag exports was to Mexico with a 12.3% gain from 2025 to 2026.

The survey represents an early snapshot of the economy of rural agriculturally- and energy-dependent portions of the nation. The Rural Mainstreet Index is a unique index that covers 10 regional states, focusing on approximately 200 rural communities with an average population of 1,300. The index provides the most current real-time analysis of the rural economy. Goss and the late Bill McQuillan, former Chairman of the Independent Community Banks of America, created the monthly economic survey and launched it in January 2006.



Nebraska Sheep and Goat Producers Annual Conference Set for Nov. 6–7 in North Platte

Sheep and goat producers will have an opportunity to learn from fellow producers, Extension specialists and industry professionals during the Nebraska Sheep & Goat Producers Annual Conference, Nov. 6–7, 2026, in the North Platte area.

The two-day conference combines producer tours with educational sessions addressing many of the management and marketing decisions facing sheep and goat operations. Topics include livestock marketing, sheep and goat meat markets, feeder lamb nutrition, feeding ewes and does before kidding, risk management, animal health, fly and lice control, production systems and marketing.

The conference begins Friday, Nov. 6, with two producer tours. The first stop, at 1 p.m., will be Nebraska Prime Lamb LLC near Hershey, operated by the Monheiser family. The second tour begins at 3 p.m. at Back to Grass Nebraska near Brady, operated by Steve and DeAnn Vaughn. Their operation uses holistic and rotational grazing practices and has been rebuilding after the Cottonwood Fire affected their ranch, fencing, stored hay and livestock.

Friday concludes with the Nebraska Sheep and Goat Producers annual meeting at 5 p.m. at Pals Brewing/North Platte Stockyards.

Saturday's program begins with breakfast at 8 a.m. at North Platte Stockyards. Educational sessions include Randy Fisher discussing factors that help producers market their livestock; Jennifer Lutes, University of Missouri Extension, discussing who buys sheep and goat meat; and Ryan Spurling, South Dakota State University, presenting programs on feeder lamb nutrition and feeding ewes and does before kidding.

Additional presentations will cover risk management protection for sheep and goats, Pipestone production systems, testing for OPP/CAE, Johne's disease and Q fever, and fly and lice control. David Boxler with Nebraska Extension will address fly and lice control in sheep and goats. The afternoon will also include a marketing panel featuring producers and industry representatives.

Saturday activities will take place at North Platte Stockyards and the West Central Research, Extension and Education Center, 402 W. State Farm Road in North Platte. The program is scheduled to conclude at 4:30 p.m. with evaluations and drawings.

Registration for Nebraska Sheep & Goat Producers members is $40 in advance or $50 at the door. Non-member registration is $90 in advance or $100 at the door

For more information, contact Melissa Nicholson at ne.sheep.goat@gmail.com or 308-386-8378. Registration is available through the Nebraska Sheep & Goat Annual Meeting Registration page.

The Nebraska Sheep & Goat Producers Annual Conference provides producers an opportunity to see local operations, hear from specialists and fellow producers, and gather information they can apply to livestock production, management and marketing decisions. 



NEFB Hosts Thune, Ricketts, and Flood in Washington County

The farm of Washington County Farm Bureau members Greg and Patti Hoegermeyer was the site of roundtable last week focused on growing Nebraska's cattle herd, as well as other agricultural issues. The event was hosted by Nebraska Farm Bureau and the Nebraska Cattlemen featuring Senate Majority Leader John Thune (SD), Senator Pete Ricketts, and Congressman Mike Flood. The event was largely focused on Sen. Ricketts' "Rebuild the American Cattle Herd" plan, which provides nine policy proposals to build the U.S. cattle herd and protect producer profitability. Congressman Flood also provided an update on his work supporting a new Farm Bill and boosting biofuels production in Nebraska. It was a great opportunity to hear from Leader Thune discuss his efforts in the One Big Beautiful Bill to largely exempt agriculture from federal estate taxes and his work to get a new Farm Bill to President Trump's desk.



Trump Puts Year-Round E15 in the Spotlight During Sioux City Visit

Last week, President Donald Trump reaffirmed his support for permanent, year-round E15 during a rally in Sioux City, bringing renewed attention to an issue that remains a priority for Iowa’s renewable fuels industry. Speaking to supporters at Sioux Gateway Airport, Trump highlighted his Administration’s emergency waiver easing nationwide summer E15 sales and said he wants to make that access permanent.

“We also gave Iowa an emergency waiver to sell E15 all year round. And with Ashley in the Senate, we will make it year-round E15. We’ll make it permanent. We’ll get it done, right,” Trump said. Link

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) says the next step is turning that commitment into permanent, nationwide access so consumers, retailers and fuel producers can plan for the future without relying on temporary waivers.

“It's encouraging to hear the president reaffirm his commitment to year-round E15, but we need Congress to pass legislation removing the unnecessary barrier to summer E15 sales,” said Monte Shaw, Executive Director of IRFA. “Iowa has already seen the benefits of expanded E15 sales, and consumers in every state deserve consistent access to lower-cost, American-made E15. We have the ethanol, we have the demand and we have the support to move this forward. Congress needs to get it across the finish line and make year-round E15 available nationwide.”

With the expansion of E15 access in Iowa, sales have been setting records. 2026 E15 sales are on track to set a record by a massive margin to the point where E15 may displace E10 as the number one selling fuel during the year.



Corn Growers Respond to NASS Report Correction

The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) announced today that it corrected corn data in its September 2026 Crop Production report, following concerns raised about the October 9 Crop Production Report. NASS indicated it found a processing error that affected September corn plant populations, ear counts, yields, and production for Kansas and Nebraska. In response to these developments, Matt Frostic, Michigan farmer and National Corn Growers Association president, released the following statement:  

“Recent reports by NASS have cost corn growers BILLIONS of dollars in market value, at a time when profit margins were already marginal, at best, and the cost for fuel and other inputs are at all-time highs. Corn prices dropped in conjunction with the release of recent reports and have only continued to drop. An error of this magnitude is unacceptable, and only further erodes farmer confidence in the agency’s ability to produce statistically sound and accurate reports.  

“NASS needs to seriously examine the processes and procedures that led to this mistake and take immediate action to prevent it from occurring again. We are anxious to meet with the service to understand their plans for improvement and how they intend to rebuild farmer confidence in these reports.”  



Scott Outlines Priorities For Checkoff’s Next Chapter

Corey Scott began her tenure as president and CEO of Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) with a focus on strengthening relationships across the industry, keeping the checkoff relevant to consumers and building on opportunities to grow demand for U.S. dairy.

Scott began her new role Oct. 12, succeeding Barbara O’Brien, who is retiring after 25 years with DMI, including five years as president and CEO. Scott shared her priorities during the 2026 Joint Annual Meeting of the United Dairy Industry Association, the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board and the National Milk Producers Federation, held Oct. 20-21 in Kissimmee, Fla.

The meeting brought together more than 730 dairy farmers and industry representatives under the theme “U.S. Dairy: Committed. Resilient. Ready.”

Scott emphasized the importance of maintaining open communication with farmers and importers, and hearing what is going well, what is challenging and what they want to see from the checkoff.

“Very early in my career, I had the opportunity to engage with dairy farmers, and they welcomed a young lady from the East Coast who knew nothing about agriculture to their kitchen tables, to talk about their way of life – the good, the bad and the ugly,” Scott said.

“It’s still about that kitchen table. What I ask of you going forward is that you continue to share with me what’s impacting your life, what’s going well, what’s challenging and the

things we do that you like or don’t like. I’m here to represent you and all of your neighbors.”

In response to a farmer’s question about what she hopes to accomplish, Scott outlined three goals for the next three years.

Her first is for every farmer and importer to understand and confidently explain at least one valuable element of how checkoff dollars are spent. She wants farmers to be able to share that information with their local boards and neighbors and explain how national checkoff work complements the efforts of local, state and regional organizations.

“I want your neighbors to be able to hear it, understand it and believe in it,” Scott said.

Her second goal is to make DMI a great place to work, with employees who understand the organization’s purpose and are passionate about serving farmers and importers through promotion and research.

Scott’s third goal is to increase dairy consumption.

“I want every person who can consume dairy to be consuming one more serving a day,” she said.

Scott highlighted the importance of understanding what consumers want from food and recognized factors such as taste, texture, clean labels and protein. She said these elements are “natural to dairy” and used a hockey analogy to emphasize the need for having a vision for the checkoff.

“Are we going to where the puck is, or are we going where the puck is going?” she asked. “And that’s a question that I’m hopeful, in three years, I can stand up here and say, ‘We are going where the puck is going.’”

Building on Strong Foundation
O’Brien’s leadership helped guide DMI’s work and she is confident in Scott and the organization’s ability to continue serving dairy farmers and importers.

“Every CEO inherits an organization, and every CEO has the responsibility to leave it stronger,” O’Brien said. “This is not a story about what one CEO accomplished. It is a story about what farmers have built over decades and our readiness for what comes next.”

O’Brien emphasized the importance of aligning checkoff investments around shared priorities, measuring results and directing farmer and importer resources toward the opportunities with the greatest potential.

“Every dollar has an opportunity cost,” she said. “Every new investment means something else receives less. And as the opportunities grow larger, our choices become even more important.”

Marilyn Hershey, a Pennsylvania dairy farmer and chair of the DMI Board of Directors, said the checkoff remains committed to conducting research, promotion and collaboration across the dairy industry.

Reflecting on the meeting’s theme, Hershey said DMI’s leadership transition represents an important step in continuing that work. She welcomed Scott to the role and expressed confidence in the organization's future.

“Corey, welcome. We are very excited for this next chapter of DMI,” she said.

Hershey also emphasized the importance of continuing to invest in dairy research and promotion, particularly as farmers face changing market conditions and the industry expands processing capacity to meet growing demand.

“The importance of our promotion dollars working remains as critical as ever,” Hershey said.

O’Brien closed her remarks by thanking farmers, the DMI staff, researchers, health professionals, customers and industry partners who will carry the checkoff mission forward.

“To the farmers (and importers) across this country who invest in the checkoff, whether you’ve been in a checkoff meeting or not – thank you,” O’Brien said. “You give this organization its purpose.”



99th National FFA Convention & Expo Brings Nearly 73,000 to Indianapolis, Setting the Stage for the 100th in 2027

The 99th National FFA Convention & Expo welcomed 72,907 FFA members, advisors and supporters to Indianapolis last week for four days of celebrating achievements, exploring careers and serving the host community. This year’s theme, “Evolve, Engage and Empower,” reflected an organization that has grown alongside agriculture for nearly a century and now includes more than 1.05 million student members.

National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization with 9,591 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. FFA transforms the lives of middle and high school students through a combination of hands-on agricultural education, work-based learning, and leadership and life skills development.

“This week, we watched our members do more than earn recognition,” said Christine White, chief program officer of the National FFA Organization. “They lifted each other up, shared what they’ve learned and gave back to the community. As we head into our 100th year, it’s clear the future of agriculture is in capable hands. These students will carry what they experienced in Indianapolis back to their chapters and communities, and that’s where the real impact begins.”

Throughout the event, more than 13,500 students and teachers attended 154 workshops at the Indiana Convention Center. Those included 115 student workshops with 12,747 attendees and 39 teacher workshops with 788 attendees. At the National FFA Expo, members explored more than 350 careers in agriculture. 

Members also put leadership into action through service. More than 3,200 delegates and students served at 27 local nonprofits across the greater Indianapolis area as part of the convention’s Days of Service. 

The Chapter Connect program also brought together members from rural, suburban and urban communities to learn from one another.

On stage at Lucas Oil Stadium, members were recognized for the work they’ve done in their classrooms, chapters and communities. A total of 5,818 American FFA Degrees, the organization’s highest honor, were awarded. Another 236 Honorary American FFA Degrees went to individuals who have supported FFA and agricultural education. Members and chapters were also recognized for individual and collective achievements throughout the week.

During the final session of the convention, the 2026-27 National FFA Officers were elected. This team of six will lead the organization into its centennial year:
    Josie Jennings of Ohio was elected national president. She is a member of the Global Impact FFA Chapter.
    Cameron Addington of Minnesota was elected national secretary. He is a member of the Cannon Falls FFA Chapter.
    Aiden Manley of Kentucky was elected eastern region vice president. He is a member of the Menifee County FFA Chapter.
    Joshua Nelson of Idaho was elected western region vice president. He is a member of the Troy FFA Chapter.
    Jazmin Palma of North Carolina was elected southern region vice president. She is a member of the Uwharrie Charter Academy FFA Chapter. 
    Teagan Erbele of North Dakota was elected central region vice president. She is a member of the Napoleon FFA Chapter. 

The convention brings an estimated $42 million in economic impact to Indianapolis each year. The National FFA Convention & Expo will continue to be held in Indianapolis through 2040.

The 100th National FFA Convention & Expo will take place in Indianapolis from Oct. 27-30, 2027. The national convention in 2027 will kick off a yearlong celebration honoring a full century of premier leadership, personal growth and career success through FFA. Visit convention.ffa.org for more information about the next convention, and visit www.ffa.org/100th-anniversary to learn how FFA is celebrating the past and inspiring the future.



Trump Administration Announces $5 Billion SPUR Guaranteed Loan Program to Expand Processing for American Ranchers and Fishermen

Friday, President Donald J. Trump announced the launch of the America First Seafood Strategy (PDF, 8.5 MB) and several actions the Trump Administration is taking to support the American seafood industry. Among these actions is the announcement that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making at least $5 billion available in loans through the Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers (SPUR) Guaranteed Loan Program to expand, improve, and diversify the processing capacity of American meat, poultry, and seafood.

“From our crabbers in Alaska, to the lobstermen in Maine, to the great shrimpers in the Gulf of America, our nation is blessed with incredible men and women who work to bring this bounty to our plates. The Trump Administration has recognized their incredible efforts and is working to provide all the necessary tools for them to succeed with our America First Seafood Strategy,” said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “Today’s announcement expanding funding opportunities for seafood processing from USDA highlights our commitment to building out the resources needed for American seafood products to be readily available for consumers. We look forward to continuing to serve American fishermen through the USDA Office of Seafood we created earlier this year, building on President Trump’s America First vision.”

Earlier this year, President Trump signed Executive Order 14424, Promoting Fair Competition in Livestock Markets and Expanding Market Access for American Meat Producers, to support American ranchers by reducing barriers to processing their product for sale to consumers. As directed in the Executive Order, USDA is taking actions to establish the SPUR Guaranteed Loan Program for small and regional beef processors to help continue operations, expand their footprint, and increase diversity of animal proteins being processed.

Additionally, President Trump signed Executive Order 14276, Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness, that directed the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, to develop and implement an America First Seafood Strategy to promote production, marketing, sale, and export of American seafood and strengthen domestic processing capacity.

In addition to supporting implementation of these two Executive Orders, the launch of the SPUR Guaranteed Loan Program is another step USDA is taking to support small, independent, and regional meat and poultry processing plants and advance the Rancher First Initiative announced last month that puts American ranchers back at the center of our nation’s food supply.

Further, the inclusion of seafood processing in the SPUR Guaranteed Loan Program is an important step towards integrating the seafood industry into USDA programs following the creation of the USDA Office of Seafood earlier this year.

The SPUR Guaranteed Loan Program will provide a 90 percent loan guarantee to commercial lenders, enabling them to offer financing to eligible borrowers to expand, improve, and diversify their processing capacity for American meat, poultry, and seafood. The maximum amount that a borrower may receive is $175 million and loans under this program may allow for a two-year deferral of principal and interest payments.

This program will be available to federal and state-chartered banks, savings and loan associations, farm credit banks with direct lending authority, and credit unions. The organizations eligible to apply to these lenders for a guaranteed loan are businesses, nonprofits, cooperatives, Indian tribes, and state and local government organizations.

For more information about the SPUR Guaranteed Loan Program, please contact your local USDA Rural Development office. To apply for this program, lenders can follow the instructions at https://www.rd.usda.gov/onerdguarantee.



Secretary Rollins and NASA Administrator Isaacman Sign MOU to Advance USDA Data Modernization Plan

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Administrator Jared Isaacman last week signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and NASA that will strengthen USDA’s data quality and help ensure that American farmers and ranchers benefit from and have access to cutting-edge technologies.

Effective immediately, both Departments will work together to guide cooperation on integrating Earth observation, geospatial analytics, and statistical methodologies in support of agricultural statistics and aligned with USDA’s ongoing data and technology modernization efforts.

“American farmers are the best in the world and deserve any solution we can leverage, even when it is out of this world. I am proud to announce that USDA will now work with Administrator Isaacman and NASA to utilize the full power of technology, research, and development to fortify U.S. agriculture,” said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “With this unprecedented partnership the Trump Administration is committing to a bright future of research and tech opportunities that will enhance USDA acreage and yield estimation and drive profitability for American agriculture.”

The partnership between the two Departments is long-standing, but new opportunities to improve crop performance for Earth and space-based goals were initiated in December 2025, when President Trump issued Executive Order 14369, “Ensuring American Space Superiority.” At that time, NASA and USDA began to explore creative new ways to improve American and global agriculture, observe the environment, and contribute to better human health.

“NASA develops some of the most advanced sensing, computing, and analytical capabilities in the world, and we should put those tools to work wherever they can deliver meaningful outcomes for the American people,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. “By combining NASA’s Earth observation data and technical expertise with USDA’s knowledge of American agriculture, we can improve the information available to farmers and ranchers, strengthen our understanding of crop conditions and natural hazards, and pursue new high-risk, high-reward ideas that advance both science and American competitiveness.”

The scope of cooperation under this MOU may include, but is not limited to, agricultural statistics, remote sensing science, modeling, geospatial data engineering, and super intelligence/machine learning (SI/ML) supported by the participants. As priorities evolve, additional areas of cooperation may be identified.

Areas of cooperation include:
    Mission/Data Alignment: Regular technical exchanges to align USDA statistical requirements with NASA Earth science missions and data products (e.g., satellite observations, model outputs, and derived geophysical variables).
    Data Access & Infrastructure: Discussions on scalable access patterns to NASA archives, cloud‑native geospatial formats, application programming interfaces (APIs), and workflow orchestration that enable USDA production operations.
    Methodology & Validation: Joint technical reviews of algorithms for crop condition indicators, yield models, planted/harvested area estimation, and disaster impact assessment, including approaches to bias correction, uncertainty quantification, and validation using statistically sound frames and ground data.

This list is not intended to be exhaustive, and the participants intend to work together to investigate opportunities for collaboration under this MOU.

This effort supports the USDA Data Modernization Plan (PDF, 5.3 MB) launched by Secretary Rollins last month to put Farmers First, reduce unnecessary burdens on producers, and improve the timeliness, accuracy, and usefulness of the agricultural data that inform decisions across American agriculture.