Thursday October 15 Ag News - NE Lvst Custom Rates Survey Open - CAP Webinar on PRF Ins - NC Meeting in WP - Carroll Restaurant Named Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin - Milk Production Update - and more!

Nebraska Livestock Custom Rates Survey Open Through Dec. 15

Nebraska producers and service providers who perform or pay for livestock-related custom work can help set the state’s next custom rate benchmarks by completing a survey open now through Dec. 15, 2026.

The Center for Agricultural Profitability at Nebraska conducts the survey every two years and will publish the results in early 2027. Glennis McClure, an extension farm and ranch management analyst who leads the survey and report, said it gives producers, lenders and custom operators a current reference point for what others in their part of the state are charging and paying.

“Nebraska Extension regularly fields questions on prevailing rates for livestock services, and the published ranges and averages are only as good as the number of operations that respond,” McClure said. “That makes participation from across the state’s districts important, particularly from those doing the work and those hiring it done.”

The survey is open to anyone on either side of a custom arrangement. Individual responses are anonymous and confidential. Only district and statewide ranges and averages appear in the report.

The survey is at go.unl.edu/2027CR.

Nebraska custom rates reports are available at cap.unl.edu/customrates. For more information, contact Glennis McClure at gmcclure3@unl.edu or 402-472-0661.



CAP Webinar: Making PRF Insurance Work: Risk Protection Strategies and Performance
Oct 22, 2026 12:00 PM 

Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF) Insurance has become an important risk management tool for livestock producers facing increasing precipitation variability. This presentation examines how PRF insurance works, evaluates alternative coverage strategies, and analyzes historical performance across Nebraska. Using examples from Nebraska grids and recent state and national program data, the presentation provides practical insights into using PRF insurance to manage forage production risk and increase financial resilience.

Presenter: Jay Parsons, Professor, Farm and Ranch Management Specialist and Director of the Center for Agricultural Profitability

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



Nebraska Cattlemen to Host Feedlot Council Meeting in West Point

Nebraska Cattlemen is inviting feedlot operators to a series of meetings next month to discuss industry policy, market outlooks and production issues. TaraLee Hudson, director of producer relations and engagement, says the meetings are open to current members, prospective members and former members.
 
Meetings are scheduled November 10th in West Point, November 11th in McCool Junction and November 12th at North Campus in Curtis. Meals begin at six p.m., followed by speakers.

Attendees are asked to RSVP to Hudson by October 30th. She can be reached at 402-200-9856 or email thudson@necattlemen.org.



Wasted Grain Named Iowa's Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin
    
Wasted Grain in Carroll serves Iowa's best breaded pork tenderloin this year, according to the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA). The restaurant rose to the top of 464 restaurants nominated by Iowans this spring, then beat four other finalists to win IPPA’s 2026 Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin contest, announced during National Pork Month, better known as Porktober. 

    2026 Winner: Wasted Grain, Carroll — receives $500, a plaque, and an outdoor banner 
    Runner-up: Friends Hide-A-Way, Underwood — receives $250, a plaque, and an outdoor banner  

IPPA will present the award to Wasted Grain today at noon at the restaurant,1235 Plaza Drive in Carroll. 

A hometown favorite, recreated 
This year’s winning sandwich started as a memory. Co-owner Cory Handlos remembers eating tenderloins at Darrell's Place in Hamlin, a famous diner that won IPPA's inaugural tenderloin contest in 2003. For Handlos, it set the standard. Now, more than two decades later, the tenderloin it inspired has earned the same title. 

When Handlos and his wife, Missy, opened Wasted Grain on Mother's Day 2023, he knew the tenderloin had to be on the menu, and he knew how he wanted it to taste. 

"I've traveled around the country all my life, harvesting and farming, and I know what good food is," said Handlos, whose family raises pigs near Audubon. "I wanted that here at Wasted Grain. The pork tenderloin definitely had to be on the menu." 

The Wasted Grain team worked with him to recreate the tenderloin he remembered. Within the restaurant's first year, the recipe was set. 

Tasting the pork, not just the breading 
The key to the recipe was simple: tenderize the pork once instead of twice and add a couple of extra ounces of meat. Tenderizing twice made the cutlet wide and thin, so a bite was mostly bun and breading. Wasted Grain's version is still big enough to hang off the bun, but each bite balances bun, breading, and pork. 

"Otherwise, you're tasting breading, you're not tasting the pork," Handlos said. "Appearance matters too, so it still sits out past the bun. But the main thing is tenderizing it once to get the meat in the bun." 

That balance is exactly what the judges look for, and it stood out to them. 

“A lightly golden-brown breading with a moist and very tasty pork flavor, this breaded pork tenderloin hits the spot,” said Phil Carey, a finalist judge and retired chef and culinary instructor. “A very enjoyable sandwich to eat.” 

Each tenderloin is hand-breaded in the restaurant’s small kitchen using a recipe the team keeps under wraps. For the Wasted Grain team, getting it right comes down to care and consistency, whether it’s the tenderloin or anything else they serve.  

"We'd rather put out a good product and cook it the right way," said Jordan Hunter, general manager. "If we hear something isn't right on any item on our menu, we keep working on it until it is. That's what we did with the tenderloin, and we had no idea it would lead to this." 

How the contest works 
The contest begins each spring when Iowans nominate restaurants that serve a hand-breaded or hand-battered pork tenderloin on their regular menu. Eligible restaurants must keep regular, year-round hours. Food trucks, concession stands, seasonal businesses, and caterers can't compete. This year, Iowans submitted nearly 6,000 nominations for 464 restaurants across the state. 

After nominations closed June 1, IPPA's tenderloin committee selected the top 40 restaurants, including the top five from each of IPPA's eight districts. Pork producers then visited each one undercover, scoring pork quality, flavor, appearance, and overall experience. The five highest-scoring restaurants became finalists, and a final panel of judges, including a pork producer, a chef, an industry representative, and a food influencer, visited each one to choose the winner and runner-up. 

Wasted Grain's owners didn't campaign for the title. They shared the nomination link once on Facebook and say they had no idea they'd made the top five until the phone started ringing. 

One fan is celebrating, too. Sienna Becker of Carroll nominated Wasted Grain last spring and was randomly selected from those who nominated the winning restaurant. She won IPPA's $100 nomination prize. 

Customers have already driven up to three hours to try the sandwich. If last year is any guide, the attention will keep growing: 2025 winner Hometown Heroes in Grinnell saw its tenderloin sales increase 20 times after winning. 

This year's other restaurant finalists were: 
    Landmark Grill & Grind — Williamsburg 
    Sasquatch Jacks Hideaway Barroom & Grill — Waverly 
    Tin Roost — North Liberty 

Wasted Grain joins recent winners: 
    Hometown Heroes — Grinnell (2025) 
    Dairy Sweet — Dunlap (2024) 
    Cliff's Place — Manning (2023) 
    Lid's Bar & Grill — Waukon (2022) 
    Complete list of winners and finalists since 2003 

Celebrate at Pork Fest 
Wasted Grain is turning its annual fall festival into Pork Fest on Saturday, Oct. 17, at the restaurant. The celebration includes a mechanical pig ride, inflatables, pig-themed games, and live music. 

Starting at 4 p.m., the kitchen will serve only breaded pork tenderloins with a topping bar and sides. Diners can build their tenderloin however they like. 

With Iowa leading the nation in pork production, there's no better place to celebrate this hometown favorite.  

“We’re proud to keep Iowa’s breaded pork tenderloin tradition going strong,” said Kelsey Sutter, director of marketing programs at IPPA. “But it doesn’t stop there. From restaurant favorites to quick weeknight dinners to slow-cooked classics, pork is an easy, flavorful and affordable protein for families any time of day, all year long.” 



Upper Midwest Dairy Update: Production Rises as Global Expansion Puts Pressure on Commodity Prices
Fred Hall, ISU Extension Dairy Field Specialist

Milk supplies across the upper Midwest continue to trend higher, reflecting a broader national and international growth wave. According to recent dairy market data, world milk production is expanding at its fastest pace in over a decade, driven by robust output from the United States and European exporters.

Between January and August, the world’s five largest dairy exporters—the European Union, United States, New Zealand, Argentina, and Australia—pumped out nearly 211 million metric tons of milk, a 2.9% increase compared to the first eight months of the previous year. The U.S. has contributed nearly two-thirds of this recent growth.

Locally, the recent Dairy Market News reports milk supplies across the Central region and upper Midwest are steady to slightly higher, with spot loads of milk remaining readily available. Processing facilities are actively taking in heavy contracted cream volumes, while cream multiples soften nationwide. Despite persistently low butter prices—with CME Group cash Grade AA butter closing at $1.2750—regional butter manufacturers report that churns remain active and production holds steady. Inventories of 80% butterfat remain heavy, whereas 82% butterfat stocks are notably lighter.

In regional cheese markets, milk supplies are sufficient to support steady production. However, inventories of bulk and spot cheese remain heavy, keeping the overall market tone steady to weak. Spot Class III milk traded from $1.00-under to $4.00-over class. Cheese makers highlight strong interest in mozzarella and provolone, alongside mixed domestic demand and export sales influenced by ongoing freight and diesel costs.

Overall, surging global supplies of butterfat and cheese are keeping dairy commodity prices under pressure. CME spot Cheddar blocks and international cheese prices remain roughly 17% lower than a year ago, while CME spot butter has fallen 22% over the past 12 months. Upper Midwest producers are encouraged to monitor local basis levels and processing demands closely as global trade dynamics continue to shape regional markets.



Grants Announced to Support Specialty Crop Production in Iowa

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has awarded 13 Specialty Crop Block Grants to support education and outreach, research, and market development that benefits Iowa’s specialty crop producers, including Choose Iowa members.

“Specialty crop producers are finding new ways to grow, diversify and create value right here in Iowa, and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship wants to help continue that momentum,” said Secretary Naig. “These Specialty Crop Block Grants support research, education and outreach that spur innovation and help Iowa’s specialty crop producers tap into new markets. Not only do these investments strengthen our state’s agriculture-based economy, but they also provide more opportunities for consumers to buy Iowa-grown, Iowa-made and Iowa-raised food, beverage and horticultural products.”

Annual funding for the Specialty Crop Block Grants is authorized by the Farm Bill and provided through a partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). This year, Iowa received more than $435,000 through the federal grant program, and the funding will be distributed to the following grant recipients:

Iowa Specialty Crop Growers Association*
2027 Iowa Specialty Producers Conference

Iowa State University
Managing Soil pH for Iowa Specialty Crops

Iowa Valley Resource Conservation and Development
Alternative Farm Food Safety Assessments for Wholesale Customers

Iowa State University
Viral Threats to Iowa Apple Production: A Comprehensive Virome Survey of Malus Domestica

Iowa State University
New Shrubs for Iowa's Nursery Industry to Diversify the Landscape in the Upper Midwest

Iowa State University
Optimizing Fermentation of Iowa Specialty Fruits to Expand Value-added Opportunities

Practical Farmers of Iowa*
Cover Crops for Weed Suppression in Specialty Crop Systems

Iowa Wine Growers Association
Iowa Wine Growers Association Annual Conference

Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation
The Buzz About Bees: Pollinators and Specialty Crop Connections

Lutheran Services in Iowa*
Expanding Iowa's Access to Naturally Grown Vegetables and Farmer Market Opportunities

Iowa State University
Effects of Pre-harvest Conditioning on Sod Establishment under Deficit Irrigation

Iowa State University
Supporting Producers in Navigating Loans, Grants, and Funding Opportunities: Cultivating Capital, Train the Trainer and Producer Trainings

Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Choose Iowa Grown Specialty Crop Products Campaign to Increase Consumer Awareness and Consumption of Local Iowa Agricultural Products



Dept. of Energy’s New 45Z Process Recognizes Biofuel Plant Innovation

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a new process for fuel producers to petition for an individual evaluation of their fuel production pathways when they are not covered by existing default carbon intensity (CI) rate tables. Because a plant’s CI score directly impacts its potential 45Z Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit, the process creates an opportunity for producers to demonstrate how investments and innovations at their facilities are improving efficiencies and lowering CI scores.

Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw issued the following statement:

“One size does not fit all. Today’s action by the DOE is good news for biofuel producers. While default values are a good starting point, they don’t tell the whole story. IRFA members are constantly innovating and investing in ways to lower their CI scores. Individual plants need an opportunity to demonstrate the improvements happening inside their plants and have that innovation rewarded.”



FFAR Research Explores New World Screwworm Vaccine 

To address the ongoing threats from New World screwworm, the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and Medgene are investing $499,996 in a Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research (ROAR) grant to develop and test a vaccine that could help protect cattle from this harmful parasite.

Why it matters: New World screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of livestock, wildlife, pets and humans. Infestations can be severe and potentially fatal. Female flies can lay up to 400 eggs at a single site, and with a life cycle of about 15 days, the parasite can spread rapidly without effective controls.

“New World screwworm infestations can rapidly cause severe tissue damage and can be fatal within seven to 14 days if left untreated. The parasite threatens more than $100 billion in U.S. economic activity tied to the cattle and livestock industry alone,” said Dr. Jasmine Bruno, FFAR scientific program director. “We urgently need multiple tools to protect cattle and other vulnerable livestock. A vaccine could provide a critical additional layer of protection while complementing existing control efforts.”

The research: Led by Dr. Casey Wright, bacteriology development manager at Medgene, researchers are developing a vaccine that targets proteins New World screwworm larvae need to feed and develop. The goal is to trigger antibodies in vaccinated cattle that interfere with the larvae’s ability to feed on tissue and complete their life cycle.

Using Medgene’s scalable vaccine production platform, the team is vaccinating cattle, assessing safety and measuring their immune response to determine whether the vaccine should advance to field studies.

“This project is another great opportunity for Medgene to partner with FFAR and demonstrate how our platform technology can be leveraged to rapidly support the U.S. livestock industry with emerging threats,” said Dr. Wright. “With this project, we are excited to help veterinarians in the fight against New World Screwworm, just as we have done with other parasites.”

The potential: If successful, the vaccine could give producers another tool to protect cattle and limit New World screwworm’s spread. A vaccine could be particularly valuable in extensive production systems, where livestock are dispersed across large areas and frequent monitoring and treatment can be challenging. The approach would complement the sterile insect release program and other control measures by preventing larvae from successfully feeding and developing in cattle.

This research supports U.S. Department of Agriculture's research priority on Protecting the Integrity of American Agriculture from Invasive Species.

FFAR’s ROAR program rapidly funds research and outreach in response to emerging or unanticipated threats to the U.S. food supply or agricultural systems.



USDA Launches Export Grain Inspection Dashboard 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) Wednesday announced the launch of the Export Inspection and Weighing Dashboard, a new public facing visualization tool that modernizes how official U.S. export grain inspection volumes are reported to industry and the public.

FGIS currently publishes weekly export and weighing data through static reports posted to the AMS website. The new dashboard provides producers, grain handlers, exporters and other industry stakeholders with an easy-to-use, graphical interface that simplifies complex export grain inspection data, offering clearer insight into export pace, seasonality, regional performance and international market reach.

With this new tool, users can access:
    Interactive visualizations of weekly export grain inspection and weighing volumes
    Filtered views for calendar year, market year, grain type, and destination
    Year-over-year comparisons and multi-year trend analysis
    Quantity of export grain inspected and from which individual export port regions
    An intuitive global view of the U.S. grain export landscape

By presenting export grain inspection data in a clear, accessible and visually compelling format, the Export Grain Inspection Dashboard will improve decision-making for farmers, exporters, grain handlers, trade associations and policy partners. Publication of this dashboard aligns with USDA wide modernization goals and supports FGIS’s mission of providing transparent, reliable export reporting for the U.S. grain industry.



Education is a Cornerstone at CattleCon 2027
 
The cattle industry is constantly changing and the future rewards those who prepare. Stay ahead of market and industry shifts by attending CattleCon 2027, in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, Feb. 2-4, with business meetings beginning Feb. 1. Education remains a cornerstone of the largest cattle industry event of the year, and CattleCon 2027 has a lot to offer.

“Invest in your future by attending CattleCon 2027,” said Gene Copenhaver, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association president. “Industry experts offer valuable insights that you can apply to your business, and the variety of education sessions provides you with practical information you can use to get ahead of what’s next.”

For more than 30 years Cattlemen’s College, sponsored by Zoetis, has provided cattle producers with valuable information to help improve their herds and businesses. This premier educational experience is open to all CattleCon 2027 attendees.

Cattlemen’s College educational sessions and live animal handling demonstrations cover a variety of important topics including business management, emerging trends, grazing, nutrition, herd health, succession planning, genetics and reproduction. Leading experts including Don Close, Terrain; Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University; Shannon Ferrell, Oklahoma State University; Troy Rowan, University of Tennessee; Kim Stackhouse-Lawson, CSU AgNext; and George Perry, Texas A&M University, among others, will share information that producers can use to make management decisions.

Carey Lohrenz, the first female F-14 Tomcat Fighter Pilot in the U.S. Navy, will headline the Cattlemen’s College general session on Wednesday, Feb. 3. The aviator and author will share her fascinating experiences operating in one of the world’s most challenging environments – an aircraft carrier.

Cattlemen’s College classroom sessions will be recorded and available for registered attendees to watch when they return home. Participants also have the opportunity to attend an in-person Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training and become certified. A new addition to the Demonstration Arena is a trailer where attendees can watch loading and transportation BQA principles in action.

In addition to Cattlemen’s College, there are numerous educational opportunities available on the NCBA Trade Show floor. Cattle Chats features 20-minute beef industry educational sessions. Attendees can also stop in the Learning Lounge to enjoy informal, face-to-face talks. A new trade show feature, Corral Conversations, takes learning to the next level during in-depth discussions with industry experts. The Marquee Stage also returns featuring a variety of speakers tackling topics such as reproductive technologies, vaccination programs, ag lending and crop protection.

Following CattleCon, the educational opportunities continue with a Grazing Management Workshop & Tour and Agricultural Tour on Friday, Feb. 5 available for an additional fee. These on-farm tours provide unique hands-on experiences for participants.

Cattle producers attending Cattlemen’s College are eligible for the Rancher Resilience Grant, which provides reimbursement for one full registration. For more information and to apply, visit www.ncba.org/producers/rancher-resilience-grant.

Stay ahead of what’s next and register today for CattleCon 2027 at https://convention.ncba.org/. 



Greeneye Technology Establishes North American Headquarters in Salina, Kansas Following Record 2026 Season

Greeneye Technology, a global leader in AI-powered targeted spraying technology, today announced it is establishing its North American headquarters in Salina, Kansas. The investment follows a 2026 season of expanded commercial use: Greeneye-equipped machines have sprayed more than 500,000 acres across 12 U.S. states with a weed detection accuracy rate of over 98%. Use of the system’s unique dual-line design achieved an average non-residual herbicide savings of 81%, saving an estimated six million gallons of chemical across field operations.

Greeneye’s 2026 season also marked significant progress in crop compatibility and strategic relationships. The Greeneye system now supports eight crop types: corn, soybeans, cotton, edible beans, wheat, barley, triticale, and sorghum—with oats, sugar beets, peanuts, and canola slated for introduction in 2027. The company also expanded its channel sales network, announcing the addition of new dealer partners, with more to follow in the coming months.

“Growers are seeing targeted spraying deliver measurable results on their fields,” said Nadav Bocher, CEO and Co-Founder of Greeneye Technology. “The conversation has shifted. More growers are asking how they can add targeted spraying to their operations, rather than if they should. The momentum we saw in our 2026 season shows why this is the right time to expand our North American presence and build the infrastructure to support the next stage of growth.”

The Salina headquarters will increase Greeneye’s capacity to serve its growing North American customer base, expand its team, and advance its technical roadmap. The company selected Salina for its location near growers in the agricultural heartland, access to land for product development testing, transportation routes, and proximity to university talent. The decision was supported by a broad coalition of civic, economic development, and business leaders who worked together to showcase the region as a place where the company could build, hire, and scale for the long term.

“Salina puts us close to the growers and agricultural communities we serve, with the space and connections to keep building,” said Keith Crow, General Manager for North America at Greeneye Technology. “We’re excited to grow our team here and explore opportunities to work with Kansas State University and the wider academic community. This headquarters gives us the ideal base for supporting customers and continuing to improve our technology portfolio.”

Greeneye’s AI-powered targeted spraying system uses computer vision and machine learning to instantly identify weeds and apply non-residual herbicide only where needed. Its dual-tank, dual-line configuration allows operators to broadcast residual herbicides while targeting non-residual herbicides in the same pass. The technology can be installed on existing commercial sprayers, giving growers an opportunity to adopt targeted spraying without replacing their equipment.

“We’re excited to welcome Greeneye Technology to Salina’s business community,” said Mitch Robinson, Executive Director of the Salina Economic Development Organization. “Greeneye is bringing proven advanced agricultural technology to a community that understands both farming and the work required to build and support equipment at scale. We look forward to helping the company grow its team and connections here.”

“Kansas is the heart of American farming and a crossroads for agricultural innovation and growth,” said Mike Beam, Kansas Secretary of Agriculture. “Greeneye’s decision to establish its North American headquarters in Salina brings new opportunities for collaboration while helping growers put practical technology to work in their fields.”

The company plans to begin hiring immediately, with an official ribbon cutting ceremony and opportunity to visit the facility slated for early next year.