Thursday October 08 Ag News - Using High Oleic Soybeans in Cattle Rations - NE Wind and Solar Conference - NE Organic Conference Nov 4 - Feature: NE Tractor Test Lab - Fall Harvest, Micotoxin, and Pigs - and more!

An update on high-oleic soybeans for cattle
Alfredo DiCostanzo, Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Educator
Michael Knobbe, Grain States Soya

University of Nebraska Extension held a meeting on agronomic considerations for growing high-oleic(HO)soybeans along with discussions on their use as cattle feed. High-oleic soybeans were developed independently by University of Missouri and USDA ARS (SOYLEIC®) or by DuPont/Corteva (Plenish®) by different approaches.

The result in either approach is a soybean with similar fat and other nutritional characteristics, which contains a greater concentration of oleic acid. Oleic acid is a fatty acid (a component of fats and oils) believed to have positive health benefits in humans. As a reference, an oil commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine, olive oil, naturally contains high concentrations of oleic acid. Therefore, most of the oil extracted from HO soybeans is destined for human consumption.

Alternatively, because of increasing demand for spent fats and oils or tallow for biodiesel or renewable fuel production led to price increases for these feed sources, there is increasing interest in growing HO soybeans for animal feed use. Currently, because of contractual growing arrangements, the main uses for HO soybeans are for human consumption or animal feed.

In dairy nutrition, the use of roasted or extruded whole HO soybeans, as replacements for corn and soybean meal, led to increases in milk fat content and milk yield. It is believed that the oleic acid in HO soybeans is less antagonistic to ruminal digestive processes than fatty acids from conventional soybeans.

Some dairies are opting to install on-farm bean roasters. Alternatively, dairies may purchase roasted HO soybeans from a soybean crush plant such as Grain States Soya.

Extrusion is a process by which the beans are forced through a drum, a process that generates high temperature for a short period of time. The resulting bean contains the same nutritive value as raw soybeans, but this process destroys compounds in the raw bean that affect digestion. Additionally, roasted or extruded soybean protein is partially protected from microbial activity in the rumen rendering “bypass” or undegradable protein which delivers amino acid profiles resembling those of the original raw soybean to the small intestine for digestion.

Research on HO soybeans in beef cattle is currently underway. The expectation is that the ruminal environment in feedlot cattle will benefit from the oleic acid content of HO soybeans. This would have the potential to improve fiber utilization and efficiency. Also, in some cases where greater protein quality (balanced supply of amino acids) is required, such as in finishing cattle at the end of their feeding period, conventional soybean amino acids protected by roasting or extrusion led to improved performance.

Key considerations when shifting production of conventional to HO soybeans such as desired plant populations, herbicide type and timing of application, and yield expectations do not change when growing HO soybeans available from DuPont/Corteva (Plenish®). However, there is a specific agreement with Pioneer to grow and market HO soybeans through a local processor (Grain States Soya for example) unless the beans are fed raw or processed on the farm they were produced.

For additional information on growing and/or feeding Plenish® HO soybeans contact your local Pioneer representative. For information on growing and/or feeding SOYLEIC® HO soybeans, please visit (https://soyleic.com/grow/). Contact Michael at Grain States Soya to learn more about their HO grower program and the HO products they offer.



NEBRASKA WIND AND SOLAR CONFERENCE LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AWAY

With the 19th annual Nebraska Wind & Solar Conference just two weeks away, attendees are encouraged to explore the agenda and register. The conference takes place October 20–21, 2026, at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel.

A featured session, “The Future of Data Centers in Nebraska,” will examine what data center development means for the state’s communities, economy and resources. Scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, from 2:25 to 3:10 p.m., the panel will explore energy and water needs, infrastructure, economic investment, renewable energy development and responsible growth.

Panelists include Chris Matos, Energy Market Development Strategic Negotiator, Google; Jonathan Nikkila, Mayor of Kearney; and John Winkler, General Manager of the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District.

Matos helps guide Google’s energy strategy in the Central United States through regulatory and policy evaluations. He brings a decade of electric utility industry experience in wholesale power contracts, regulatory affairs and environmental markets.

The broader agenda connects those issues with Nebraska’s growing electricity demand, regional and Nebraska transmission expansion, and the Southwest Power Pool’s interconnection queue and grid congestion. Sessions will also address renewable siting, property rights and community support, plug-in solar, energy storage and grid innovation, and the future of rural Nebraska.

Policy discussions include legislative updates, a state senators panel and a Nebraska lobbyist panel. Attendees can also hear findings from the Aurora energy study and explore how energy availability, infrastructure and local siting decisions affect Nebraska’s economic future.

Tuesday’s keynote luncheon features Jeff Clark, President and CEO of the Advanced Power Alliance. Wednesday’s public power CEO luncheon brings together Tom Kent of Nebraska Public Power District, Javier Fernandez of Omaha Public Power District and Emeka Anyanwu of Lincoln Electric System.

Public officials, developers, landowners, business and community leaders, and anyone interested in Nebraska’s energy future are encouraged to attend. The conference includes exhibits, networking opportunities and a Tuesday evening reception.

Late registration is $250. Registration closes October 12, 2026, or earlier if the conference sells out.

Attendees should register in advance; on-site registration will not be available. The conference venue is the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel, 333 S. 13th Street in Lincoln.

For the complete agenda and registration information, visit www.nebraskawsc.com.



2026 Organic Conference to Bring Organic Agriculture Experts, Producers Together Nov. 4

Farmers, agricultural professionals and others interested in organic agriculture are invited to attend the 2026 Organic Conference on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center (ENREEC) near Mead, Neb.

Hosted by Nebraska Extension, the conference will bring together organic producers, researchers, educators and industry professionals for a day of information-sharing, discussion and networking focused on organic agriculture. 

The conference will feature research-based information and practical perspectives relevant to organic producers and those considering organic production. Topics will address current opportunities and challenges facing Nebraska’s organic agriculture community. 

The event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration is free, with support from the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program and Nebraska Extension. Lunch will be provided. Please pre-register for meal planning purposes and to ensure resource materials are available. Seating is limited.  

The conference is part of Nebraska Extension’s ongoing efforts to support producers through research, education and connections with agricultural experts and peers.

Additional information and registration are available on the 2026 Organic Conference website https://enreec.unl.edu/2026OrganicConference/. 

Topics and Presenters
The 2026 Organic Conference will feature a diverse lineup of researchers, extension educators, industry professionals and growers sharing practical information and experiences related to organic production.

Joel Gruver, Western Illinois University, will open the educational program with a presentation on crop rotations and holistic management, exploring strategies for building productive and resilient organic farming systems.

James Schroepfer, Crop Fertility Services, will discuss soil health’s complementary role with soil fertility, highlighting the relationship between soil health and nutrient management.

A Nebraska grower panel will share firsthand perspectives on organic production, offering attendees an opportunity to hear directly from farmers about their experiences, challenges and opportunities.

Afternoon sessions will allow participants to select from several concurrent group discussions, including: 
    Alfalfa in Organic Rotations — Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension
    Crop Budgets — Shannon Sand and Glennis McClure, Nebraska Extension
    Disease Management in Organic Grains — Dylan Mangel, Nebraska Extension
    Grain Markets: What Organic Producers Need to Know — Brian Halweil, Rodale Institute
    Growing No-Till Corn in Living Alfalfa — Ben Miller and Léa Vereecke, Clear Frontier
    Insect Management — Samantha Daniel, Nebraska Extension
    Keeping Organic Certification Simple — Rodale Institute Consulting

The afternoon format gives participants the flexibility to choose sessions most relevant to their operations and interests, with several topics offered during multiple time slots. 

Conference Schedule
    8:30–9 a.m. — Registration, coffee and vendor exhibits
    9–9:10 a.m. — Welcome, Katja Koehler-Cole, Nebraska Extension
    9:10–10 a.m. — Crop Rotations and Holistic Management, Joel Gruver
    10:10–11 a.m. — Soil Health’s Complementary Role with Soil Fertility, James Schroepfer
    11:10 a.m.–noon — Organic Production: Nebraska Growers’ Perspectives, farmer panel
    Noon–12:50 p.m. — Lunch and vendor session
    12:50–1:40 p.m. — Concurrent group discussions
    1:45–2:35 p.m. — Concurrent group discussions
    2:40–3:30 p.m. — Concurrent group discussions
    3:30–3:40 p.m. — Evaluation and closing, Katja Koehler-Cole
    3:40–4 p.m. — Fellowship and networking




Nebraska’s Tractor Test Lab has helped shape global ag for more than a century
Geitner Simmons, IANR Communications

To most, the sight may look innocuous — a tractor going round a huge oval track on the north side of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s East Campus. This familiar activity at the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory looks quite simple. In reality, it’s not.

The test lab, in operation since 1920, involves advanced engineering and high-technological science. Its sophisticated test results provide information crucial for industry standards worldwide.

For producers deciding on a tractor purchase, the benefits are straightforward and direct. The test lab’s reports on tractors’ power output, fuel efficiency, mechanical safety and noise levels are all publicly available. Over the decades, the lab has tested more than 2,300 models. Producers and companies around the world follow the test findings. A world map at the university’s Digital Commons shows that over the past year, downloads of the lab’s test reports topped 373,000. These downloads came from countries across the globe, including Brazil, Italy, Kuwait, Ukraine and India.

By checking online to compare models, viewers can make knowledgeable decisions by comparing the numbers directly. Eric Smith, the test lab’s director, said, “You can see what will give you the best return on your inputs for fuel, diesel and diesel exhaust fluid (injected into diesel tractor exhaust to reduce harmful emissions).”

Agriculture equipment manufacturers also benefit, said Smith, who began as director in August 2025 after being employed in engineering roles at John Deere and New Holland. Companies can draw on the test lab’s findings — data which includes power take-off, pulling power, sound levels, hydraulic flow and three-point hitch — and compare their products to their competitors’ products without the cost of buying competing tractors.

Even in this high-technology era, tractors remain an indispensable mainstay in modern agriculture. In present-day tractors, there is large variability in their roles and functions.

“People who are doing broad acre farming will need that 500- to 600-horsepower tractor that is very fuel efficient for 16 hours a day, going back and forth across the field,” Smith said. A livestock producer, in contrast, likely won’t need that scale of horsepower and will be using tractors for uses quite different from row crop field management.

The test lab analyzes a full array of tractors, with an average of 17 per year, split between two testing seasons (March to early June, and late August to November) when outdoor air temperatures are within the acceptable range for proper testing.

In the last 70 years, tractor technology has advanced dramatically and continues to do so.

“For farmers today, there are multiple levels of transmissions — different complexities,” Smith said. A modern row-crop tractor boasts advanced computer power that, among other tasks, constantly optimizes transmission performance and engine load with extraordinary sophistication.

As part of that technological advancement, automation and electrification are reshaping tractor design and performance. The test lab is moving energetically to adapt its work to the emerging technologies, drawing on the world-class expertise of faculty within the university’s Department of Biological Systems Engineering.

Smith is a research professor in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering, and the test lab’s two full-time research engineers, Justin Geyer and Doug Triplett, also are part of the department. They’re helped by Brent Sampson, an on-call worker and retired test engineer who brings institutional understanding from his 41 years of full-time employment at the test site.

Ten undergraduate students are also a key part of the test lab’s work, helping to conduct tests, prepare tractors and prep equipment for the upcoming test season. This experience allows students to learn in real-world situations and deal directly with company representatives.

“The students are getting a chance to see what it's like to be a test engineer, what it takes to do the instrumentation and the data acquisition, to do real engineering,” Smith said. “Being associated with the brand of the Nebraska Tractor Test is a big benefit.” 
Members of the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory test a Caterpillar 160 Next Gen Motor Grader at their track on East Campus.

At the end of World War II, Smith noted, the test lab’s reputation was already so strong that European countries recovering from the conflict turned to the lab for guidance on setting their postwar tractor standards.

These days, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, made up by 38 industrialized and emerging-economic countries, regularly draws on the lab’s work as a central resource and model. Smith, who was manager of regulations and standards for agricultural tractors at John Deere before joining the university, is heavily involved in ongoing multilateral discussions to develop and adjust international rules.

The test lab got off on the right foot in 1920 thanks to well-constructed legislation co-written by State Senator Wilmot Crozier of Osceola after he bought an early model tractor that was ultimately inadequate. His frustration mounted when he had trouble getting parts and found that Nebraska lacked tractor maintenance services. The original tractor test lab is still standing on the university’s East Campus and now houses the Lester F. Larsen Tractor Test and Power Museum, where decades of historic tractors and related equipment have been restored and displayed.

It’s common to see visitors to the museum stop and reminisce, Smith noted. For Nebraska producers, he said, “that farm tractor is a place where you spend a significant amount of your life.”

"(In agriculture), you’re not in a cubicle in an office,” he said. “When you’re running the tractor, you’re seeing the countryside. That tractor is the machine you cracked your knuckles on when you had to repair it, and it’s where you saw a herd of deer go across your path.”

For producers, he said, their tractor provides “an emotional attachment to where you have spent your life.”



Mycotoxin Monitoring: How a wet fall could impact future pig performance
Matt Romoser, Iowa State University Swine Field Specialist 

The 2026 growing season in Iowa has seen extremes, from temperatures approaching triple digits in late summer as the corn crop reached maturity, to record rainfall and cool temperatures to begin the fall season. With wet conditions delaying harvest for much of the state of Iowa, the potential for molds and mycotoxins increases and should be monitored as producers begin feeding new crop corn. 

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of certain fungi and are toxic to livestock. It is worth noting that presence or absence of mold at harvest is not a reliable indicator of whether mycotoxins are present.  Therefore, testing grain at harvest and routine monitoring as new crop corn is used in swine diets is essential.

Livestock are challenged with a disease condition, mycotoxicosis, when exposed to certain levels of toxins in the feed. Swine are particularly sensitive to various types of mycotoxins, all which impact production. 

A wet, cool fall favors Fusarium molds. Frequent rain and mild temperatures after the corn matures delays dry down and pushes back harvest. Corn left standing in wet fields gives Gibberella ear rot more time to develop, and with-it comes the potential for DON and zearalenone. Cool conditions that swing between warm and cold are especially good for zearalenone production.

Mycotoxins create challenges that are not always obvious, especially in pigs that may already be challenged with other pathogens. To mitigate the negative effects of mycotoxins in swine, producers can take multiple actions to manage their grain and feed supply. 
    Drying corn to 15% moisture prior to storage
    Testing grain prior to feeding and throughout the year if it is stored for extended periods.
    Testing diet, especially in diets including DDGS as mycotoxins may be 3x the concentration in DDGS compared to corn
    Adding specific flow agents, that can help bind mycotoxins in feed. Certain flow agents may also interact with vitamins and trace minerals in the diet. Consult your nutritionist to confirm sufficient dietary requirements are met.



USDA Announces Record Payments of $13.8 Billion for 2025 Crop Year Revenue and Price Safety Net Programs

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins Wednesday announced that the Farm Service Agency’s Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) will generate approximately $13.8 billion in gross payments to eligible agricultural producers for the 2025 crop year; the largest annual payout by far since these key safety net programs were established in the 2014 Farm Bill.

“President Trump has been the biggest champion for American farmers, and today's announcement delivers nearly $14 billion in funding for rural America,” said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “Last July 4th President Trump signed the Working Families Tax Cuts Act into law and today we are acting on it, this will strengthen reference prices to better reflect today’s farm economy. This historic economic support provides producers critical liquidity to cover operating costs, prepare for the next crop year and invest in their operations. Thank you to all the Republicans who unanimously voted for this law and put food security and rural America first.”

The 2025 crop year stands alone in the history of ARC and PLC since Congress created the programs as key components of the commodity safety net in the Agricultural Act of 2014. Since 2015, no previous crop year has generated payments approaching this level. While ARC and PLC payments total $13.8 billion, producers are reminded that this does not account for payment limitation reductions and the 5.7% sequestration rate required by statute that will be applied to all ARC and PLC payments.

Working Families Tax Cuts Act Improvements
The Working Families Tax Cuts Act (WFTCA) strengthens ARC and PLC beginning with the 2025 crop year, including higher statutory reference prices and improvements to the effective reference price calculation. Additionally, for the 2025 crop year only, producers will automatically receive the higher payment rate of either ARC or PLC, regardless of their program election. The WFTCA also increases the ARC and PLC payment limit from $125,000 to $155,000, starting with the 2025 crop year with annual adjustments based on inflation. The payment limit for the 2025 crop year is $160,000.

The following 16 crops triggered a PLC payment for the 2025 crop year: Chickpeas (small and large), canola, corn, dry peas, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, peanuts, rice (long grain, medium grain, japonica), safflower, seed cotton, soybeans, and wheat. ARC-County (ARC-CO) payments are based on county-level revenue and therefore trigger at the county level. FSA will issue payments to eligible producers as calculations are completed.

2026 ARC and PLC Enrollment
As a reminder, the ARC and PLC election and enrollment period for the 2026 crop year is now open.

The WFTCA added an additional 30 million new base acres to farms nationwide. Because eligible acres exceeded the nationwide 30-million-acre cap, FSA applied an across-the-board, prorated reduction of 3.69% to all newly allocated base acres. These additional base acres impact ARC and PLC starting with the 2026 and future crop years, further improving the farm safety net.

Producers should make an appointment with their FSA county office to complete their 2026 ARC and PLC election and enrollment.

ARC and PLC Safety Net
ARC and PLC protect producers from substantial declines in crop prices or revenues. Producers annually elect and enroll for ARC or PLC coverage for eligible commodities.

PLC provides income support when the effective price for a covered commodity falls below its effective reference price. ARC provides income support when actual crop revenue falls below a guaranteed level. Depending on the coverage elected, ARC protection is based on either county-level revenue or the revenue of an individual farm.

Producers with questions about their ARC-CO or PLC enrollment or payments should contact their local FSA county office. Producers who selected ARC‑Individual (ARC‑IC) and want to know which crops on the farm triggered a payment, should contact their local FSA county office. ARC‑IC protects the entire farm’s revenue rather than individual crops.



August Beef Exports above Year-Ago, but Pork Trended Lower

Fueled by a near-record performance in Taiwan and a rebound in South Korea, August exports of U.S. beef increased year-over-year, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). August pork exports were lower than a year ago, primarily due to a sharp decline in shipments to Mexico compared to the large totals posted in August 2025.

Taiwan, Korea, Middle East drive strong August beef export value
Beef exports reached 86,362 metric tons (mt) in August, up 4% from a year ago, while export value climbed 13% to $785.9 million. In addition to year-over-year growth in Taiwan and Korea, August exports also trended higher to the Middle East, the ASEAN region, Colombia and Cote d’Ivoire, while volumes were steady to Mexico and Central America. Export value increased to Japan and the Caribbean in August, despite lower volumes. Beef exports to China were above last year’s minimal total, but still reflected ongoing technical trade barriers.

“USMEF expected to see stronger beef exports to Korea in the second half of the year, as reflected in the August data,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “And I cannot say enough about the outstanding demand in Taiwan, which has truly been a star performer for U.S. beef in 2026. As for China, the August increase is just a fraction of what would be possible in that market, especially since Australian beef has faced a 55% safeguard tariff since June 20. But China still needs to relist suspended facilities and the U.S. industry needs further clarity on technical requirements before beef exports to China will significantly rebound.”

For January through August, beef exports were down 7% year-over-year in volume (721,150 mt) and were just 1% lower in value ($6.32 billion). This decline is largely attributable to lower exports to China compared to the early months of 2025, before market access obstacles began to heavily impact U.S. exports. When excluding China from the January-August results, beef exports were 1% below last year in volume but 6% higher in value.

With decline in Mexico, August pork exports were lower year-over-year
U.S. pork exports totaled 222,243 mt in August, down 6% from a year ago, while value fell 12% to $606.3 million. Most of this decline was due to lower shipments to Mexico, where domestic pork production has rebounded and demand for hams has softened in recent months. August pork exports trended higher than a year ago to Central America, Colombia and the Caribbean – growth markets where exports are on a record pace in 2026. But these results were offset by lower shipments to Mexico, Japan, Korea, China, Oceania and the ASEAN region.

“U.S. pork has had a remarkable run in Mexico, though pork variety meat exports suffered a setback during the pseudorabies-related restrictions that heavily restricted shipments from May through July, and we have seen softer demand for pork muscle cuts in recent weeks,” Halstrom explained. “These trends really underscore the importance of market diversification and illustrate why the U.S. industry is constantly working to identify and develop additional destinations for U.S. pork. These efforts are paying tremendous dividends in markets like Colombia, Central America and the Dominican Republic, and it is critical that we continue to strive for similar success in more regions throughout the world.”

For January through August, pork exports remained 1% higher than a year ago at 1.95 million mt, while value was steady at $5.47 billion. Compared to the record pace of 2024, exports were down 2% in volume and were 4% lower in value.

August lamb exports lowest of the year
Despite larger shipments to Mexico and the Netherlands Antilles, August exports of U.S. lamb muscle cuts totaled 129 mt, down 41% from a year ago and the lowest of 2026, as volumes slowed to other top markets including the Bahamas and Leeward-Windward Islands. August export value fell 29% to just over $900,000.

For January through August, lamb muscle cut exports totaled 1,827 mt, down 11% from a year ago, but remained 1% higher in value at just under $11 million. 



Weekly Ethanol Production for 10/2/2026

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending October 2, ethanol production climbed 4.6% to 1.05 million b/d, equivalent to 44.23 million gallons daily. Output was 1.7% lower than the same week last year but 3.7% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate decreased 1.0% to 1.05 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.09 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks edged down 0.5% to 23.7 million barrels, the lowest weekly volume since the start of this year. Still, stocks were 4.5% more than the same week last year and 9.8% above the five-year average. Inventories thinned across the East Coast (PADD 1) and Gulf Coast (PADD 3) but built across the other regions.

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, improved 0.9% to 8.77 million b/d (134.80 bg annualized). Yet, demand was 1.7% less than a year ago and 1.7% below the five-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol slid 1.9% to a 26-week low of 897,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.79 bg annualized. Net inputs were 0.6% more than year-ago levels but 0.7% below the five-year average.

Ethanol exports expanded 16.9% to a 9-week high of 166,000 b/d (7.0 million gallons/day). It has been more than three years since EIA indicated ethanol was imported.



UAN32 Leads Fertilizer Prices Higher

For the third week in a row, most fertilizers are more expensive compared to last month, according to DTN retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN for the last week of September 2026. Seven fertilizers were higher looking back to last month while the remaining nutrient was slightly lower. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

One fertilizer had a notable price increase. UAN32 was 6% more expensive compared to last month. The nitrogen fertilizer's average price was $483/ton. Six fertilizer prices were slightly higher compared to a month ago. DAP had an average price of $934/ton, MAP $974/ton, potash $499/ton, urea $683/ton, anhydrous $979/ton and UAN28 $430/ton.

The remaining nutrient's price was just slightly less expensive compared to last month. 10-34-0 had an average price of $702/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.74/lb.N, anhydrous $0.60/lb.N, UAN28 $0.77/lb.N and UAN32 $0.75/lb.N.

All eight fertilizers are now higher in price compared to one year earlier. DAP, potash and UAN28 are all 3% higher, UAN32 is 4% more expensive, 10-34-0 is 5% higher, MAP is 6% more expensive, urea is 12% higher and anhydrous is 20% more expensive, looking back to last year.