Thursday October 01 Ag News - Grain Stocks and Small Grain Summary - CVA Partners in Howells Feed Mill - Nominations Open for Golden Owl Award - Fertilizer Prices on the Rise - Opportunities for Meat in China - and more!

US corn ending stocks up 35% from last year, soybean ending stocks down 3%

Old crop corn stocks on hand as of Sept. 1, 2026, totaled 2.10 billion bushels, up 35% from Sept. 1, 2025, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Grain Stocks report released today. Old crop soybeans stored in all positions were down 3% from Sept. 1, 2025, and all wheat stocks were down 13% from a year earlier.

Of the total corn stocks, 787 million bushels were stored on farms, up 22% from last year. Off-farm stocks, at 1.31 billion bushels, were up 44% from a year ago. The June-August 2026 indicated disappearance was 3.20 billion bushels, compared with 3.09 billion bushels during the same period a year earlier.

Old crop soybean stocks in all positions on September 1, 2026 totaled 315 million bushels, down 3 percent from September 1, 2025. Of the total, 90.4 million bushels are stored on-farm and 225 million bushels were stored off-farm. June - August 2026 indicated disappearance is 744 million bushels, compared with 683 million bushels during the same period a year ago.

This report also contains revisions to the previous season’s production for corn and soybeans, which is normal for this time of year since the marketing year is complete. Production for 2025 corn was revised down less than 1 percent and soybean production was revised down slightly from the previous estimates.

All wheat stored in all positions on Sept. 1, 2026, totaled 1.85 billion bushels, down 14% from a year ago. On-farm stocks were estimated at 547 million bushels, down 21% from last September. Off-farm stocks, at 1.30 billion bushels, were down 10% from a year ago. The June-August 2026 indicated disappearance was 608 million bushels, down 14% from the same period last year.

By State    (1,000 bu - On farm  -  off farm  - total stocks)
Nebraska Corn ..........:  105,000   -   143,050  -   248,050 
Iowa Corn .................:  140,000   -   275,547  -   415,547 
Nebraska Soybeans ..:       8,800   -    18,672   -    27,472  
Iowa Soybeans ..........:    11,500   -    39,768   -    51,268  

2025 Production Estimates     Bu/acre     Total Prod (1,000 bu)
Nebraska Corn..........:           194.0          2,015,660     
Iowa Corn.................:           210.0          2,761,500     
Nebraska Soybeans...:            65.5           313,745     
Iowa Soybeans..........:            63.5           595,630     

In preparation for the Grain Stocks report, NASS conducted separate surveys for on-farm and off-farms stocks during the first two weeks of September. NASS also released the Small Grains Annual Summary report today. Key findings from that report include:
    All wheat production totaled 1.53 billion bushels in 2026, down 23% from the revised 2025 total.
    All wheat area harvested for grain totaled 31.9 million acres, down 15% from 2025.
    The U.S. all wheat yield was estimated at 48.1 bushels per acre, down 10% from 2025.

The levels of production and changes from 2025 to 2026 by type were:
    Winter wheat, 1.02 billion bushels, down 27%.
    Other spring wheat, 450 million bushels, down 10%.
    Durum wheat, 64.8 million bushels, down 24%.

The Grain Stocks and Small Grains Annual Summary reports and all other NASS reports are available online at nass.usda.gov/publications.



2026 Nebraska Small Grain Acreage and Production

Winter wheat production is estimated at 17.2 million bushels, down 55% from last year, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The area harvested for grain totaled 520,000 acres, down 35% from 2025. Planted acreage totaled 910,000, down 4% from a year earlier. The yield is 33.0 bushels per acre, down 14 bushels from last year.

Oat production is estimated at 1.5 million bushels, up 51% from 2025. Area harvested for grain, at 29,000 acres, is up 45% from last year. Planted acreage totaled 155,000, up 24% from a year earlier. Average yield is 52.0 bushels per acre, up 2 bushels from 2025.



Central Valley Ag and RJ Feed Milling LLC Partner to Support the Future of Livestock Production

Central Valley Ag (CVA) is pleased to announce a strategic investment in RJ Feed Milling LLC, a feed manufacturing facility located in Howells, Nebraska. The partnership reflects CVA's continued commitment to supporting livestock production, expanding feed manufacturing capabilities, and creating long-term value for producers across the region.

As livestock production continues to grow in Nebraska, the partnership strengthens CVA's ability to serve customers while helping create additional demand for local grain production. By combining resources, expertise, and a shared commitment to operational excellence, CVA and RJ Feed Milling LLC are positioned to support future growth in the livestock industry and meet the evolving needs of producers. This partnership brings together CVA's scale and resources with the strong manufacturing capabilities and customer relationships established by Russ Vering and his team.

“This investment reflects our confidence in the future of livestock and protein production,” said Brent Reichmuth, Senior Vice President of Operations at CVA. “By expanding our feed manufacturing footprint, we are strengthening our ability to serve customers, create value for producers, and help meet the protein needs of future generations.”

“We remain very optimistic about the future of livestock production in Nebraska,” said Kelby Vandenberg, Senior Vice President of Feed at CVA. “This partnership expands our manufacturing capabilities in a key livestock market and positions us to better serve producers as the industry continues to grow. Just as importantly, we are partnering with a team that shares our commitment to operational excellence, customer service, and long-term growth.”

“The feed industry is evolving at a fast pace, and success requires scale, efficiency, and a commitment to continuous improvement,” said Russ Vering. “Partnering with CVA gives us the opportunity to build a premier feed manufacturing business, expand our reach, and create a stronger platform for future growth.”

Effective October 1, 2026, CVA will operate and manage all aspects of the facility's business, while the partnership will be known as Howells Milling LLC.



CAP Webinars

Nebraska Crop-Share Leases: Findings from 92 Lease Arrangements
Oct 1, 2026 12:00 PM  
With Anastasia Meyer, Extension Agricultural Economist, UNL
How are Nebraska landlords and tenants dividing crop inputs, field operations and irrigation responsibilities? This webinar will share findings from 92 crop-share lease arrangements reported through the Nebraska Crop-Share Lease Survey. Participants will learn how common 50/50, 60/40 and other arrangements handle seed, fertilizer, crop-protection products, field operations, irrigation energy and equipment costs. The program will also explain how to use the findings as a benchmark for lease discussions—not as a one-size-fits-all formula—and identify important provisions to address in a written crop-share lease.

Nebraska Ballot Issues: November 2026
Oct 8, 2026 12:00 PM 
Dave Aiken, professor and water law/ agricultural law specialist at Nebraska 
Three issues will be on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot in Nebraska: (1) authorizing online sports betting, (2) prohibiting transgender females from participating on female school sports teams, and (3) making it more difficult for state senators to amend voter-approved laws. 

Register for webinar at the Center for Agricultural Profitability's webinar page, https://cap.unl.edu/webinars. 



Nominate Local Nebraska Teachers for Top Agricultural Educator Award 

Agriculture educators play a vital role within their communities by investing countless hours to prepare and empower students for successful careers in the industry. To honor their contributions and support them with additional resources, Nationwide and the Nebraska FFA Foundation are accepting nominations for Nebraska’s leading agricultural teachers for a chance to be named the 2026-2027 Ag Educator of the Year. 

Nationwide and its state partners recently recognized 107 exceptional agricultural teachers as 2025-2026 Golden Owl Award® finalists and then honored 15 grand prize winners as their state’s Ag Educator of the Year. Every finalist received $500 in funding to help advance their programs and the grand prize winners received an additional $3,000 to boost their efforts and the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy. 

Nominate any Nebraska agriculture educator for the 2026-2027 Golden Owl Award from October 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026 here https://neffafoundation.org/what_we_do/programs/golden-owl-award.html. 

“The Golden Owl Award seeks to thank agricultural teachers for the extraordinary care they bring to their work as they go above and beyond in educating America’s youth and future leaders,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “We encourage students, parents, fellow teachers, and others to nominate their agricultural teachers to acknowledge their hard work.” 

Following the nomination period closing on 12-31-26, a selection committee will evaluate nominations and select six finalists in Nebraska, who will be recognized in front of their peers and students and awarded a personalized plaque and $500. One finalist will then be chosen as the grand prize winner, earning the 2026-2027 Ag Educator of the Year title for Nebraska and receiving the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy and an additional $3,000.

Nationwide supports the future of the ag community through meaningful sponsorships of national and local organizations. In conjunction with the Golden Owl Award, Nationwide is donating $5,000 to each participating state’s FFA, including the Nebraska FFA Foundation, to further support the personal and professional growth of students, teachers, and advisors alike. To nominate a teacher or learn more about the Golden Owl Award, visit Nebraska Golden Owl Award https://neffafoundation.org/what_we_do/programs/golden-owl-award.html.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 9/25/2026
 
According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending September 25, ethanol production contracted 2.0% lower to 1.01 million b/d, equivalent to 42.29 million gallons daily and the lowest weekly volume since the end of January. Yet, output was 1.2% higher than the same week last year and 3.0% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate declined 2.4% to 1.06 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.26 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks dropped 3.3% to 23.9 million barrels, the lowest weekly volume since the start of 2026. Still, stocks were 4.8% more than the same week last year and 8.8% above the five-year average. Inventories thinned across all regions except the West Coast (PADD 5).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, slipped 1.8% to 8.69 million b/d (133.57 bg annualized). Demand was 2.0% more than a year ago but 1.1% below the five-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol climbed 0.8% to a 4-week high of 914,000 b/d, equivalent to 14.05 bg annualized. Net inputs were 1.0% more than year-ago levels and 1.3% above the five-year average.

Ethanol exports expanded 16.4% to 142,000 b/d (6.0 million gallons/day). It has been more than three years since EIA indicated ethanol was imported.



Anhydrous Leads Fertilizer Prices Higher, Up 25% From a Year Ago

For a second consecutive week, most fertilizers were more expensive compared to last month. Six fertilizers were higher compared to a month earlier, while the remaining two nutrients were slightly lower. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

One fertilizer did have a notable price increase. Anhydrous was 6% higher compared to last month and had an average price of $977/ton. Five fertilizers' prices were slightly higher compared to a month ago. DAP had an average price of $926/ton, MAP $970/ton, potash $498/ton, urea $675/ton and UAN32 $479/ton.

The remaining two nutrients were just slightly less expensive looking back a month. 10-34-0 had an average price of $701/ton and UAN28 $423/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.73/lb.N, anhydrous $0.60/lb.N, UAN28 $0.76/lb.N and UAN32 $0.74/lb.N.

All eight fertilizers are now higher in price compared to one year earlier. UAN28 and UAN32 are 1% higher, potash is 2% more expensive, DAP is 3% higher, MAP and 10-34-0 are both 5% more expensive, urea is 9% higher and anhydrous is 25% higher looking back to last year.



USDA Announces $12.65 Million Available to Support Dairy Business Innovation
 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced approximately $12.65 million in funding is available through the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives (DBI). The funding will support regional initiatives that provide technical assistance and subawards to dairy businesses working to develop, produce, market, and distribute dairy products. These initiatives support agricultural businesses that help rural economies thrive and bolster the dairy supply chain, so all Americans have access to quality domestic dairy products.

The FY26 funding opportunity is open to the four existing DBI initiatives: the California State University Fresno Foundation, the University of Tennessee, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, and the University of Wisconsin. These initiatives support dairy businesses through regional technical assistance, market development, product innovation, processing and packaging support, and subawards. USDA strongly encourages DBI Initiatives to prioritize subaward funding for equipment and infrastructure in their proposals for these funds. Equipment and infrastructure investments are critical to strengthening the dairy industry and overall dairy businesses capacity and DBI is currently uniquely positioned to offer such targeted funding opportunities.

Application Information
The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is available on the AMS DBI Webpage https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/dbi. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Dec. 1, 2026. Additional information, application resources, and information about previously funded projects, are also available on the AMS DBI webpage https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/dbi. For program questions, contact IPPGrants@usda.gov.



Meat Institute Issues Statement on Pork & Beef Trade Opportunities with China

Following the announcement that beef and pork were included in the list of goods qualifying for better trade treatment as a result of ongoing negotiations with China, the Meat Institute released the following statement:

“The Meat Institute is appreciative of Ambassador Greer’s ongoing efforts to secure greater access to Chinese markets for US pork and beef,” said Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. “It was great to see the inclusion of beef and pork on the list of non-sensitive goods, which will set the foundation for addressing persistently high retaliatory tariffs and trade-limiting non-tariff barriers on U.S. meat exports. This was one of the Meat Institute’s requests, and we thank the Trump Administration for its dedication to securing more favorable access for our exports. While we know these negotiations take time, we are confident Ambassador Greer and Ambassador Callahan will continue to work on the remaining, highly technical non-tariff barriers which continue to hinder access to China.

“The Chinese market is especially important for the beef supply chain. China is a key market for U.S. beef variety meats and offal – products that find little consumer demand in the U.S. and strong prices in China. These U.S. beef exports to China support higher carcass values and reduce price pressure on domestic cuts, contributing to more stable beef prices for American consumers. Strong export demand drives higher carcass value, which encourages cattle producers in the U.S. to rebuild the herd.

“We are particularly encouraged by the announcement of a technical agricultural working group established under the Board of Trade. We look forward to continuing to work with the Trump Administration to ensure that outstanding issues impeding beef trade to China, including ongoing plant suspensions that violate the spirit of the Phase One Agreement, be addressed when this working group meets later this year.”

Several U.S. beef plants were delisted after first-offense detections of ractopamine or melengestrol acetate (MGA), contrary to the Phase One Agreement. The Meat Institute has called for China to align its ractopamine policy with the Agreement and implement a clear, transparent, and enforceable process to prevent plants suspended for MGA or ractopamine findings from being barred indefinitely.



U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council Reacts To Ibach's Nomination As USDA Under Secretary

This week, former Nebraska Agriculture Director Greg Ibach was nominated to serve as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) next under secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs. U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) President and CEO Ryan LeGrand issued the following statement in support of Ibach’s nomination:

“Greg has vast experience at the state and national levels in advocating for U.S. farmers in the international marketplace and will do a great job in this role,” LeGrand said.

“The Council looks forward to continuing its strong relationship and track record of earning major wins for U.S. agricultural exporters in tandem with its partners at USDA.”



CHS Foundation Funds $1 Million Investment in 4-H to Prepare Future Agriculture Leaders

CHS Foundation and National 4-H Council today announce that CHS is investing $1 million to fund programs that focus on developing future generations of agriculture leaders. The two-year commitment builds on a strong 21-year partnership between the two organizations to help young people thrive and prepare for work and life.  

Funding will support Beyond Ready; a 4-H initiative launched in 2024 to help teens build the confidence, competencies and real-world skills they need to succeed in school, work and life. The investment will also support:  
-    Beyond Ready innovation grants: Grants that support local 4-H programs led by Cooperative Extension. Young people will explore science, technology, and innovation shaping agriculture while building skills they can use throughout their lives. 
-    Youth recognition programs: Programs that elevate young people who are creating positive change in their communities, like 4-H Lead to Change.  
-    Ignite by 4-H: A national youth summit where more than 1,200 teens gain skills through real-world experiences. 
-    Storytelling: Efforts that elevate youth voices and showcase achievements throughout the year, demonstrating how 4-H builds real-world skills, leadership experience, and confidence. 

"The future of agriculture depends on the next generation of leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers. Our continued partnership with 4-H is one of the ways CHS and the CHS Foundation are investing in opportunities that connect young people to agriculture, expand their networks, and prepare them for success in work and life,” said Megan Wolle, President, CHS Foundation. “This investment focuses on bringing hands-on experiences closer to home for students and reflects our commitment to ensuring a strong future for agriculture." 

 After Ignite by 4-H, youth participants applied their skills through 4-H Lead to Change, a program that helps young people identify local challenges, develop solutions, and compete for up to $10,000 to bring their plans to life.  

“Washington 4-H teens are a great example of what young people can accomplish when they have support to bring their ideas to life,” said Heather Elliott, chief development and marketing officer for National 4-H Council. “Through Lead to Change, they received funding for Leaf It Up, a project that helps college students experiencing food insecurity access fresh food through microgreen kits. Their work took them to the national stage at Ignite and shows how an idea can become a solution that makes a difference in local communities.”