Tuesday October 20 Ag News - Weekly Crop Progress Report - Biochar Field Day near Lincoln - Pillen Fuel Supply Exec Orders - Trump Announces Harvest Fuel Relief Program - Bourlag International Dialogue Opens Today - and more!

Nebraska Crop Progress: Soybean and Sorghum Harvest Remain Behind Schedule

Nebraska producers continued making harvest progress during the week ending Oct. 18, with 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork. However, harvest remains behind the five-year average for several major crops, particularly soybean and sorghum. Corn harvest reached 37%, while soybean harvest passed the halfway mark. Winter wheat planting is also nearing completion and has caught up with its usual pace.

Topsoil moisture supplies rated 6% very short, 18% short, 65% adequate and 11% surplus, while subsoil moisture rated 13% very short, 21% short, 57% adequate and 9% surplus.

Field Crops Report

Corn
    Mature: 95% — equal to the five-year average.
    Harvested: 37% — behind the five-year average of 48%.
    Condition: 6% very poor, 15% poor, 34% fair, 33% good and 12% excellent.

Soybean
    Harvested: 52% — behind 71% for the five-year average.
    Condition: 3% very poor, 11% poor, 31% fair, 42% good and 13% excellent.

Winter Wheat
    Planted: 90% — equal to the five-year average.
    Emerged: 72% — slightly behind 73% for the five-year average.

Sorghum
    Mature: 84% — behind 92% for the five-year average.
    Harvested: 24% — behind 45% for the five-year average.
    Condition: 2% very poor, 16% poor, 44% fair, 33% good and 5% excellent.

Dry Edible Beans
    Harvested: 85% — equal to the five-year average. 

Pasture and Range 
    Condition: 28% very poor, 20% poor, 27% fair, 23% good and 2% excellent.

Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency, Nebraska Extension and other reporters across the state.



Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

There were 4.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Oct. 18, 2026. Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent short, 73 percent adequate, and 24 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent short, 74 percent adequate, and 21 percent surplus. 

Ninety-eight percent of corn has reached maturity, which is even with the five-year average. Twenty-six percent of corn has been harvested, which is 24 percentage points behind the five-year average. Corn condition rated 72 percent good to excellent.

Ninety-seven percent of soybeans are dropping leaves, which is 2 percentage points behind the five-year average. Fifty-seven percent of soybeans have been harvested, which is 17 percentage points behind the five-year average. 

Pasture condition rated 73 percent good to excellent.



USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report

U.S. corn and soybean harvests remain slightly behind their five-year averages, though soybean progress has nearly caught up, trailing the average by just 1 percentage point, according to USDA NASS's weekly Crop Progress report released Monday.

CORN
-- Crop development: Corn mature was pegged at 95%, 1 percentage point behind the five-year average of 96%. 
-- Harvest progress: NASS estimated that 44% of corn had been harvested nationally as of Oct. 18, 8 percentage points behind the five-year average of 52%. 
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 56% of the crop remaining in fields was in good-to-excellent condition, steady with the previous week. Seventeen percent of the crop was rated very poor to poor, also steady with the previous week.

SOYBEANS
-- Crop development: Soybeans dropping leaves were pegged at 96%, 1 percentage point behind the five-year average of 97%.
-- Harvest progress: NASS estimated that 64% of soybeans had been harvested as of Sunday, 1 percentage point behind the five-year average of 65%. 

WINTER WHEAT
-- Planting progress: Winter wheat planting was estimated at 63% complete nationally, 6 percentage points behind the five-year average of 69%. 
-- Crop development: Winter wheat emerged was estimated at 39%, 4 percentage points behind the five-year average 43%.




Field Day to Expand Network, Redcedar-Derived Biochar Production

Nebraska researchers are taking biochar research from experimental plots to producer fields, connecting ranchers removing eastern redcedar with farmers who can put locally produced biochar to use.

Biochar is a carbon-rich, porous material produced through pyrolysis, a process that heats organic matter in a low-oxygen environment. Research at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln indicates that biochar can improve soil carbon and nitrogen retention, reduce organic waste, and improve soil water-holding capacity.

Eastern redcedar encroachment threatens native grassland ecosystems, reduces forage availability and increases wildfire risk. Converting removed trees into biochar offers a potential way to address these challenges while creating a valuable soil amendment.

Tree professionals, ranchers, farmers, educators and members of the public are invited to the second annual Biochar Field Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at a farm near Conestoga Lake by Denton, Nebraska.

The event will explore what biochar is, how it is used and how to produce it from removed eastern redcedar. Participants will also learn how biochar can improve soil health and support more resource-efficient crop production. 

Experts will demonstrate on-site biochar production using a mobile Charboss™ unit from Sandhills Biochar, providing guidance and educational opportunities throughout the process. 

“The field day is part of a broader effort to build a farmer-rancher network to scale up redcedar-derived biochar production and application,” said Michael Kaiser, associate professor in agronomy and horticulture.

Participants are encouraged to carpool, wear closed-toe shoes or boots, and bring water, lunch and a camp chair.

“We look forward to discussing and exchanging information and experiences on biochar production and application,” Kaiser said. 

Participants can register online https://forms.gle/aMxK6sRFoMiuHKer6.

The event is hosted by the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture and the Reinkordt Family and is organized in collaboration with the Nebraska Forest Service, Sandhills Biochar, and the Nebraska Biochar Initiative.

The field day is located at 9700 W. Pioneers Blvd., Denton, NE 68339.



Nebraska Cattlemen Political Action Committee Announces Support for Candidates

The Nebraska Cattlemen Political Action Committee (NC-PAC) announced its support for candidates running for the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, Nebraska’s Executive Offices, and the Nebraska Legislature in the 2026 general election.

Nebraska Cattlemen PAC supported candidates

Federal
U.S. Senate – Pete Ricketts*
Nebraska’s First Congressional District – Mike Flood*
Nebraska’s Second Congressional District – Brinker Harding
Nebraska’s Third Congressional District – Adrian Smith*

Nebraska Executive Branch
Governor – Jim Pillen*
Attorney General – Mike Hilgers*
State Auditor – Mike Foley*
State Treasurer – Joey Spellerberg*

Nebraska Legislature
LD 02 – Dean Helmick
LD 04 – R. Brad von Gillern*
LD 06 – Patrick Leahy
LD 12 – Merv Riepe*
LD 14 – Bill Bowes
LD 16 – Ted Japp
LD 18 – Taylor Royal
LD 20 – John Fredrickson*
LD 22 – Dawson Brunswick
LD 24 – Jana Hughes*
LD 26 – George Dungan*
LD 30 – Cally Ideus
LD 34 – Loren Lippincott*
LD 38 – Janell Anderson-Ehrke
LD 40 – Barry DeKay*
LD 42 – Mike Jacobson*
LD 44 – Teresa Ibach*
LD 46 – Danielle Conrad*
LD 48 – Brian Hardin*
*denotes an incumbent

The Nebraska Cattlemen PAC stated, “Nebraska’s beef cattle producers need leaders at every level of government who understand the issues facing agriculture and will stand up for our industry. We are pleased to announce our support for these candidates who we believe will best represent the needs and interests of our members, and who will help ensure Nebraska’s beef industry continues to thrive for decades to come.”



Nebraska Farmers Union PAC Announces General Election Endorsements

NEBFARMPAC, the political action committee of Nebraska Farmers Union, Nebraska’s second largest general farm organization announced its general election endorsements today for Congress, the Legislature, Governor, Public Power Districts, Natural Resource Districts, and other statewide and district races.

Based on their position on family farm and ranch issues along with returned candidate surveys for Legislature candidates along with input from county and district officers, the NEBFARMPAC Board of Directors announced the following endorsements: 
* = Incumbents

Federal
Congress First District: Chris Backemeyer
Congress Second District: Denise Powell
Congress Third District: Mark Cohen
U.S. Senate: Dan Osborn
 
State
Governor: Lynne Walz/Ben Steffen
Attorney General: Jocelyn Brasher
Secretary of State: Sarah Slattery
Auditor of Public Accounts: Mike Foley*
 
Legislature
LD2:    Caitlin Knutson
LD4:    Cindy Maxwell-Ostdiek
LD6:    Patrick Leahy
LD8:    Erin Feichtinger
LD10: Cindy Johnson
LD12:  Christy Knorr
LB14:  SuAnn Witt
LD16:  Cindy Chatt
LD18: Jess Goldoni    
LD20: John Fredrickson*
LD24: Jana Hughes*
LD26:  George Dungan*
LD30:  Janet Bock
LD32: Mark Schoenrock & Shay Smith
LD34:  Ben Blodgett
LD36: Darin Tompkins
LD38: Janell Anderson Ehrke
LD41: Jeremy Heneger & Joe Johnson
LD46:  Danielle Conrad*
 
Public Service Commission: Wendy DeBoer
 
Public Power Districts
Subdivision 1: Mary Harding*
Subdivision 2: Bill Tielke
Subdivision 7: Wayne Williams*
Subdivision 9: Jerry Chlopek*
Omaha Public Power District
Subdivision 1: Sara Kohen
Subdivision 2: Mark Gudgel
Subdivision 3: Carol Blood
 
Board of Regents
District 1: Brent Comstock
District 2: Elizabeth Butler
 
State Board of Education
District 5: Michaela Conway
District 6: Grady Erickson
District 8: Sherrye Hutcherson 
 
Natural Resource Districts
Lower Elkhorn NRD: Graham Christensen
Lower Big Blue NRD: Anne DeVries*
Lower Platte North NRD:
Subdistrict 8: Jerry Johnson*
Subdistrict 9: Larissa Schultz*
At Large: Thomas McKnight*
Lower Platte South NRD
Subdistrict 3: Melissa Baker*
Subdistrict 8: Tom Green*
 
County Commissioner
Lancaster Subdistrict 1: Sean Flowerday*
Lancaster Subdistrict 3:  Bryan Seck
Lancaster Subdistrict 5: Rick Vest*



Pillen Issues Executive Order to Meet Fuel Supply Demands

Monday, Governor Jim Pillen issued a new executive order to help meet fuel supply demands. Shortages have been reported by customers and retailers across the state for a variety of fuel types. Haulers have found themselves having to travel further distances to secure supplies and make those deliveries.

“A combination of factors, including global supply disruptions and the incredibly short and busy harvest season, has boosted demand across the board,” said Gov. Pillen. “This order will help ensure that Nebraska farmers, businesses and families have access to the fuel they need.”

The order (NO. 26-25) builds on a federal waiver issued Sept. 16 by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to relax hours-of-service requirements for interstate fuel truck drivers. The Governor’s order takes similar action but also allows vehicles to exceed weight limits by up to 10%. The Governor’s order is effective through Nov. 18.

Last month, Gov. Pillen issued a pair of executive orders to assist farmers confronted by high diesel costs. One increases the load capacity of trucks hauling seasonably produced products and livestock. The second order authorizes the use of red dye diesel and provides a state tax refund for using clear diesel in ag operations and vehicles.

Both of those orders are effective until Dec. 23.



Trump Administration Announces $8 Billion Harvest Fuel Relief Program

Monday, President Donald J. Trump, alongside U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make $8 billion available for one-time payments to American farmers this harvest season to provide relief during temporary market disruptions and increased input costs.

“President Trump is the most pro-farmer president of my lifetime and he is continuing to put Farmers First every day,” said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “Today, I am proud to announce alongside President Trump more targeted relief is coming to our farmers through the Harvest Fuel Relief program. This $8 billion dollar investment will help bring certainty to our farmers during this harvest so they can continue to feed our nation.”

Similar to the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program, the Harvest Fuel Relief (HFR) program will provide simple, proportional support to producers using a uniform formula to cover a portion of modeled losses during the 2026 crop year. This national loss average will be based on FSA reported planted acres, Economic Research Service cost of production estimates, and World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates yields and prices.

The $8 billion in payments provided through the Harvest Fuel Relief program are authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act and will be administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA).

Commodity-specific payment rates for Title I commodities will be released in November. Payment methodology for other eligible commodities will be announced at a later date. Crop insurance linkage will not be required for participation in the Harvest Fuel Relief program; however, USDA strongly urges producers to take advantage of the enhanced risk management tools included in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act to best protect against price risk and volatility in the future.

Producers of non-Title I commodities, including specialty crop growers and fishermen, are encouraged to provide data related to increased fuel costs to HarvestFuel@usda.gov for USDA’s consideration when determining payment rates.

Eligible producers are encouraged to create a Login.gov account in advance of the application period announcement. Pre-filled applications will be available online to producers with a Login.gov account linked to USDA.

The Harvest Fuel Relief program builds upon the Trump administration’s unprecedented support for America’s farmers. Earlier this year, the Farmer Bridge Assistance program delivered $12 billion in one-time bridge payments over 560,000 farmers across the country. Just two weeks ago, nearly $14 billion in gross payments were provided to producers through the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs through The Working Families Tax Cuts Act – an approximate $8 billion increase over what farmers would have received without the historic bill.

To see more of how the Trump Administration putting farmers first please visit: https://www.usda.gov/farmers-first.  



2026 Borlaug Dialogue Opens as World Food Prize Marks 40 Years in the Fight Against Hunger

The 2026 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue opens today, bringing together more than 1,200 leaders from more than 65 countries as the World Food Prize marked its 40th anniversary. The three-day Borlaug Dialogue will focus on the urgent action needed to protect and strengthen global food security, at a time when conflict, climate shocks and economic pressures are pushing more people into hunger.

“For 40 years, the World Food Prize has honored those who refused to accept hunger as inevitable. This year's Dialogue — deliberately themed ‘Before Hunger Wins’ — is a call to act with the same urgency," said Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize Foundation.

Delegations from around the world are gathering at the Iowa Events Center to hear how collaboration and shared purpose can transform global food systems. 

Award-winning actor and activist Martin Sheen will open the Borlaug Dialogue with a keynote address about finding the next Norman E. Borlaug. Later in the day, actor, author and activist Nick Offerman will join regenerative agriculture leaders Mary Berry, Professor Robert Montgomery and farmer and author James Rebanks to explore how farming can restore land and feed the world.

2024 World Food Prize Laureate Cary Fowler will lead a high-level conversation on how today's conflicts are disrupting access to food, joined by 2010 Laureate David Beckmann, Henk van Duijn of the International Fertilizer Development Center, Michael Werz of the Council on Foreign Relations and Purvi Mehta of the World Food Prize Foundation Council of Advisors. Turner Foundation Chair Laura Turner Seydel will join Foundation CEO Thomas Vilsack to discuss why global cooperation on agriculture matters more than ever.

Marking the International Year of the Woman Farmer, farmers from Germany, the United States and Ecuador will share their experiences in a dedicated panel. Rockefeller Foundation President Dr. Rajiv Shah will present the Norman E. Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application, Endowed by the Rockefeller Foundation, to West African plant breeder Pamela Afokpe, and the 2026 Top Agri-food Pioneers, drawn from 30 countries, will be honored.

The opening day will close with an attempt to break the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the most hunger relief meals packaged in one hour. In partnership with Meals from the Heartland, more than 1,000 volunteers will aim to package 600,000 meals, surpassing the current record of 530,064.

“This week, leaders from every corner of the food system are coming together to find solutions that work to the global food security crisis,” said Vilsack. “We have the science and the tools, and what we need now is the will to use them."

Over the next three days, the Borlaug Dialogue will welcome Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai; Her Serene Highness Princess Tatjana of Liechtenstein; and Hon. Dr. Mwigulu Lameck Nchemba, Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, among other esteemed guests. The week will culminate in the presentation of the 2026 World Food Prize to Huub Lelieveld, honored for his work establishing global food safety standards and harmonizing food regulations worldwide.



BASF announces EPA approval of Ridivex herbicide

Ridivex™ herbicide has received U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration and is planned to be available in 2027. Ridivex herbicide is currently not for sale and BASF is not accepting orders at this time.

Corn growers today are facing unprecedented weed pressure as resistant species continue to spread and intensify. Managing these tough‑to‑control populations often requires more passes, more products and more time – adding cost and complexity to an already demanding time of year. Resistant weeds not only threaten yield potential but also erode the effectiveness of single‑mode of action herbicides. Ridivex herbicide is purpose‑built to help growers stay ahead of resistant weeds and protect yield potential without compromise.

“Ridivex herbicide provides corn growers doing the Biggest Job on Earth with a powerful all-in-one early POST solution designed to stay ahead of weed emergence and maintain clean fields through critical growth stages,” said Jessica Dorsey, Product Manager for Corn POST Herbicides, BASF Agricultural Solutions. “Ridivex is the first corn POST herbicide innovation from BASF in over a decade, representing a defining moment in weed control and signaling the next era of performance for corn growers.”

A new standard in corn post-emerge herbicides, Ridivex herbicide provides:
Powerful knockdown: Consistent control of 200+ broadleaf weeds, enhanced dicamba transportation and performance from diflufenzopyr, and visible results in as little as four hours.

Long-lasting residual: Superior residual control of 80+ broadleaf and grass weeds for up to eight weeks, from the trusted Zidua® SC herbicide leader and partner in residual herbicides.

Convenient and complete: Triple threat against weeds with three effective active ingredients– diflufenzopyr, dicamba and pyroxasulfone. A built-in crop safener enhances crop safety for peace of mind.

For more information on Ridivex herbicide, contact your local BASF representative or visit agriculture.basf.us.