Wednesday October 21 Ag News - UNL Initiative Supports Ag Tech - NeFB Leadership Academy 2027 - Volunteers Hit Record at Bourlag Dialogue - USDA Updates Cash Cattle Reporting - CAB Celebrates 48 Years - and more!

Fewer Areas in the 5-Area Price Series
Matthew Diersen, Risk & Business Management Specialist, South Dakota State University

A common benchmark for fed cattle prices is the 5-Area average. This is the series highlighted for live and dressed steers for In The Cattle Markets. The series covers the negotiated cash transactions made directly between feedlots and large packers. The large packers must report these trades under mandatory price reporting laws. However, this series does not include sales made using other alternative marketing arrangements, e.g., formula sales. The series also does not get shared if there are not enough parties to avoid confidentiality rules.

Confidentiality is why prices have not been broken out for Colorado, one of the 5 areas, for several years. During the past year, confidentiality has also meant that negotiated direct sales have not been reported daily or weekly for two other areas. The combination of Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico is one affected area. Kansas is the other area. That leaves Nebraska and the combination of Iowa and Minnesota as areas that currently dominate the 5-Area average.

During the first three quarters of 2026, the average negotiated cash volume from Nebraska was 22,600 head per week for all live and dressed purchases. That was followed by Iowa and Minnesota, with 21,000 head per week traded. Kansas averaged 7,000 head during weeks they had reportable prices. Finally, Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico averaged 3,000 head per week. Thus, in the fourth quarter, less than 20 percent of normal volume is being reported or contributing to the 5-Area average. The 5-Area is mainly reflecting the quality of cattle and seasonality pertinent to Interstate 29 from Sioux City, IA to Omaha, NE.

The correlation of observed negotiated cash prices has been high across the reported regions so far in 2026. Using the live price for steers grading “Over 80% Choice”, the correlations between the weekly 5-Area price and both Nebraska and Iowa/Minnesota prices were each 0.999. The correlation was slightly lower between the 5-Area and Kansas prices at 0.994. Even with fewer observations, the correlation between the 5-Area and Texas/Oklahoma/New Mexico prices was still 0.991.

In the short run and with the current market conditions, the lack of area-level reports does not seem to make much difference from a price standpoint. The “Over 80% Choice” weekly price is the settlement price for Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) for Fed Cattle. The further cattle are traded relative to their default location, the greater the potential basis risk for LRP. The volume of the 5-Area series would be affected and should not be compared to other periods to infer or substitute for any trend in marketings or slaughter activity. 



SPUR VENTURES STRENGTHENS NEBRASKA’S AG TECH ECOSYSTEM

Nebraska’s agricultural technology sector has strengths, but until recently it has lacked a key support: a connector institution that links producers with ag tech engineers, investors with tech innovators, and students with networking opportunities. It needs an institution, too, that educates students in ag tech entrepreneurship and validates the benefits from ag startups’ emerging technologies.

Spur Ventures, a University of Nebraska–Lincoln initiative, has stepped energetically into that multi-faceted role and will use its connecting power during AgConverge, an ag tech conference it will host in Grand Island Nov. 17-18.

“We’re a bridge, a platform, that connects different partners and resources through the university,” said Ankit Chandra, who leads Spur Ventures and is director and lecturer of entrepreneurship for the Department of Biological Systems Engineering. “We’re connecting producers, industry, startups, students, as well as regional ag innovation hubs funded by the National Science Foundation AgTech Engine.”

Started in May 2025, Spur Ventures is housed within the Department of Biological Systems Engineering and the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Its mission: connect producers, startups, industry, investors and students to accelerate the development, validation and commercialization of agricultural technologies.

A multidisciplinary team assembled by Spur Ventures drafted a comprehensive report identifying the strengths and challenges of Nebraska’s ag tech sector. The analysis pointed to early-stage investment challenges — a common problem not just in the Midwest — and Spur Ventures is positioned to help through its connector mission.

“We’re connected to a lot of accelerators in Nebraska and in the region, so when we work with a startup company we make sure to connect them to relevant partners and investors,” said Chandra, who has wide experience working with ag tech startups in the United States and internationally.

Working with The Combine ag business incubator, Spur Ventures developed a detailed graphic showing the many components of Nebraska’s ag tech ecosystem, including startups (robotics, precision ag, ag biotech, animal health monitoring, ag marketplace tools), agribusinesses, investors, business incubators, support organizations, commodity boards and university programs.

Online registration is now available for the AgConverge conference Spur Ventures will host in Grand Island with support from the NSF AgTech Engine in North Dakota. The gathering will feature a wide range of ag tech events.

The conference’s Farm Tech Adoption Challenge, for example, will showcase one of Spur Ventures’ key aims: connecting engineers who design ag tech innovations with Nebraska producers.

“In ag tech, a lot of cool technologies are coming in play but in many cases they don't get adopted at the farm gate because they were not co-created with farmers,” Chandra said. “The engineers didn’t always understand farmers’ challenges.”

The Farm Teach Adoption Challenge will address that need by enabling volunteer panels of farmers and ranchers to hear pitches from ag tech startups. The Nebraska producers will then provide detailed, multi-round feedback.

That interaction “provides an active voice from the producers’ side,” Chandra said. “They can evaluate the technology and give feedback about whether it’s going to fit with their operations.”

Startups can see, for example, if the technology would fit the producer’s soil type and agroclimatic zone and whether it would be affordable.

As an incentive, AgConverge will provide a total of $6,000 in prizes for the top three producer panels participating in the event.

Spur Ventures, Chandra said, is not only “farmer-centric” but “student-centric.” The AgConverge event will include an ag tech student poster contest (undergraduate and graduate) with a total of $1,000 in prizes.

“We have a great panel of judges who are judging this poster competition,” Chandra said.

The Grand Island event also will provide students with extensive networking opportunities.

“They will get to connect with industry people where they can showcase what they’re working on,” Chandra said.

Ag tech entrepreneurship education is another student-focused priority for Spur Ventures.

“We teach a blend of ag engineering and entrepreneurship in a class called Engineering Entrepreneurship for Ag and Biotech,” Chandra said. “Within the class, a farmer comes with his problem statement and tells students the challenges he is facing. Based on those challenges, students work on a solution.”

Other activities at AgConverge will include a Women in Ag Tech panel, Convergence of NSF Innovation Engines panel, and a demonstration of ag tech robotics and technology. A panel will discuss industry-academia collaboration. Another will examine factors shaping the Midwest bioeconomy.

One of Spur Ventures’ ongoing efforts is independent, third-party validation for startups through its Spur Validation Sandbox Program that provides evidence-based evaluations of emerging agricultural technologies. The program assesses technical performance and practical considerations, including producer affordability. Nebraska producers provide data and feedback as part of the evaluations, along with input from faculty and students using university test beds and regional extension centers.

Spur Ventures publishes the validation results online, providing transparency and explaining the scope and limitations of each evaluation.

“We’ve established trust and relationships with farmers,” Chandra said. “That’s helped us in making the commercialization pathway easier for these startup companies,” since farmers can learn about them through the publicly available validation reports.

The process illustrates a central focus for Chandra and his colleagues.

“Trust is the main thrust for Spur Ventures,” he said.



Applications Open for NeFB 2027 Leadership Academy
 
Whether you've spent your whole life on a farm or ranch or built your career in agribusiness, there's always something new to learn about agriculture and the issues shaping its future.

That's something past participants have discovered through the Nebraska Farm Bureau Leadership Academy. But don't just take our word for it!

The Nebraska Farm Bureau Leadership Academy brings together 10 members each year to strengthen their leadership skills, expand their understanding of agriculture, and prepare them to become more effective advocates for the industry.

Throughout the program, participants have opportunities to:
    Develop leadership skills through educational sessions and experiences focused on personal and professional growth.
    Build connections with fellow farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness professionals from across Nebraska.
    Explore agricultural policy and gain a better understanding of the issues affecting Nebraska's farmers and ranchers.
    Travel to Washington, D.C., to meet with elected officials, engage in discussions about agricultural policy, and see the federal legislative process firsthand.

Who can apply?
The Leadership Academy is open to Nebraska residents who are current Nebraska Farm Bureau members and involved in production agriculture or agribusiness.

Nebraska Farm Bureau covers most program expenses, including in-state programming and the trip to Washington, D.C. Participants or their county Farm Bureau are responsible for just $200.

Applications are due Nov. 1!

If you're ready to learn more about agriculture, meet others who share your interests, and find new ways to get involved, they'd love to see you apply https://www.nefb.org/get-involved/leadership-development/leadership-academy.



Nebraska Sorghum updates delivery map

Nebraska Sorghum expanded its interactive delivery map, making it faster for farmers to find nearby buyers and check cash prices. The updated map shows more than 70 delivery locations operated by 18 elevators and ethanol plants in Nebraska and neighboring states.

During the map’s first season last year, Tyler Bose of Arcadia used it to find a buyer paying about 30 cents more per bushel than his usual elevator.

“It’s worth checking your options before you haul. Even if you have a buyer you typically use, it pays to see what other locations are offering. If the price difference covers the extra trucking costs and you still come out ahead, it’s worth considering another delivery location,” said Bose, Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board vice chair.

Ahead of this year’s harvest, Nebraska Sorghum added features to make the map easier to use. Farmers can search by city or ZIP code, view locations in a list and sort buyers by distance using their current location. Each listing includes contact information, directions and a link to the buyer’s current cash bids.

“Harvest is a busy time for farmers, and we want to make finding delivery locations and checking cash prices as easy as possible,” said Nebraska Sorghum Executive Director Kristine Dvoracek Jameson. “We hope these updates make the map even easier to use, whether farmers are planning their next load from the combine or checking prices from the cab of their semi.”

Nebraska Sorghum will continue updating the map as delivery locations change. Farmers can report missing or outdated locations through the “Submit a Location” feature. Cash bids and delivery details may change, so farmers should contact buyers directly to confirm current information.

The updated delivery map is available at nebraskasorghum.org/delivery-locations. 



Volunteers Pack 990,864 Meals To Take GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS Title for the Most Hunger Relief Meals Packaged in One Hour

More than 1,000 volunteers are officially the new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title holders for the most hunger relief meals packaged in one hour, packaging 990,864 meals and surpassing the previous record of 530,064.

The attempt, led by the World Food Prize Foundation and Meals from the Heartland, closed the opening day of the 2026 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, as the World Food Prize marked its 40th anniversary.

"Iowa has always known how to roll up its sleeves and get the job done, and tonight our volunteers did exactly that,” said Thomas Vilsack, CEO, World Food Prize Foundation. “Packaging almost a million meals in one hour is a world record, but more importantly, it's thousands of people who will have nutritious food for a year."

Each meal packed by volunteers contains rice, soy protein, dehydrated vegetables and essential vitamins and minerals, providing six nutritious servings that can be prepared with boiling water. Sixty tables, each staffed by 16 volunteers, produced more than 43 boxes of meals per table in just one hour. Each box contains four large bags, totaling 216 individual meals. Half of the meals will be distributed across Iowa, with the remainder reaching communities around the world. Together, the meals are expected to provide approximately 2,037 children with nutritious food for an entire year.

"Records are exciting, but what matters most is where these meals go next,” said Chuck Current, Executive Director, Meals from the Heartland. “Every package our volunteers filled tonight will reach a child or family who needs it, here in the United States and around the world."

The record attempt was made possible by sponsors including Cargill, Growth Energy, Holganix, NCMIC, Niman Ranch and Purdue. 

The record was verified on site by an official Guinness World Records adjudicator, Thomas Bradford.

The Borlaug Dialogue continues through October 22 at the Iowa Events Center.



Corn Growers React to Harvest Fuel Relief Announcement; Say Farm Economy Requires Long-Term Solutions

President Donald Trump announced on Monday night that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will create the Harvest Fuel Relief program. The $8 billion program will be designed to provide farmers with assistance to help mitigate the high cost of inputs, including diesel fuel. In response to the announcement, National Corn Growers Association President Matt Frostic released the following statement.
 
“We appreciate the administration recognizing how the high cost of inputs, especially diesel fuel prices during harvest time, is adding to the economic pain of America’s farmers. Corn growers are eager to learn more details about the Harvest Fuel Relief program design and implementation for the 2026 crop year.  
 
“As we work to tackle the many economic challenges facing growers and rural communities, we urge Washington to focus on durable, bipartisan, long-term solutions that will result in lasting improvements to the farm and national economy. Such solutions include passing legislation that will allow for the year-round sale of E15, renewing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, taking actions to improve access to new markets for U.S. farmers, like maritime and sustainable aviation fuel, and passing a robust farm bill. We will continue to work with Congress and the administration to get these priorities over the finish line this year.”
 
The Harvest Fuel Relief program will be administered by the Farm Service Agency. USDA has indicated that commodity specific payment rates will be released in November and pre-filled applications will be available in January 2027.  



Farm Bureau Appreciates $8 Billion in Harvest Fuel Relief for Farmers

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on President Trump’s announcement to provide $8 billion in relief for farmers facing higher diesel prices this fall.

“Farmers and ranchers welcome the administration’s announcement of $8 billion in relief through the Harvest Fuel Relief program to help farmers struggling with high diesel prices. We appreciate President Trump and Secretary Rollins recognizing that higher diesel prices have squeezed farmers’ bottom lines. By building on the Farmer Bridge Assistance program, USDA will be able to quickly deliver this relief to farm country.

“We look forward to working with the president and USDA to ensure specialty crop growers, livestock producers, fishermen and others get the support they need so they can continue growing the food America’s families rely on. We also value the president’s continued support for Congress passing a modernized farm bill, allowing year-round E15 and addressing agriculture’s labor needs.”



USDA Updates its Cash Cattle Market Reports to Advance Transparency

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins Tuesday announced an update to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) Livestock Mandatory Reporting (LMR) cash cattle reports as part of the Department’s broader effort to implement two of President Trump’s Executive Orders on “Supporting American Ranchers” and “Promoting Fair Competition in Livestock Markets and Expanding Market Access for American Meat Producers” to bring greater transparency to cattle market cash reporting.

“President Trump tasked our agency with bringing clarity and consistency to cattle markets and protecting rancher viability, and today's action is one of several steps we are taking to deliver on that promise,” said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “Maintaining reliable and transparent price information is critical to a well-functioning cattle market.  We are making these changes to address those challenges and make the best use possible of the market information that AMS gathers.”

Negotiated cash cattle trade has declined significantly as cattle industry procurement practices have shifted toward formula-based purchasing methods. Cash purchases accounted for more than 50 percent of transactions in 2005 but fell to less than 18 percent in 2025. Because cash purchases serve as the basis for many formula transactions, the decline in negotiated trade has reduced the number of reportable transactions and created confidentiality challenges that can limit the usefulness of existing price reports. This update supports USDA’s cattle and beef-market transparency objectives by providing producers, livestock sellers, packers, and other market participants with more meaningful information about negotiated cash cattle prices.

Beginning with the afternoon reports published on Monday, October 26, 2026, AMS will use data already collected through the LMR system to create an additional cash cattle regional report aggregating data from Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas. This does not require any additional reporting from covered packers.

For additional information about market information published by AMS, visit https://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/livestock-poultry-grain#Cattle 



Certified Angus Beef Sales Resilient Amid Down Supply

Certified Angus Beef (CAB) closed its 48th year with more than 1.224 billion pounds sold globally. The result came despite the tightest supply since 2018, elevated beef prices and greater pressure on household budgets.

This year’s performance points to a marketplace that continued to make room for quality, even as higher prices weighed on end-users. Consumers are becoming more intentional about where, when and how they purchase quality beef, seeking confidence that every meal will be worth their investment.

"Certified Angus Beef has never been the work of one business or one part of the industry. It represents thousands of people who pull up a chair to the same table with a shared commitment to quality," says John Stika, president of CAB. "In a year marked by limited supply, record cattle values and greater pressure on consumers, our partners continued creating value and delivering the consistent eating experience people trust. Their collective commitment allowed us to celebrate another strong year while positioning the brand to meet the opportunities ahead."

The brand opened the fiscal year at a record-setting sales pace from October through February, the strongest start in its history. Year-end sales finished 0.9% below the prior year, but Certified Angus Beef ® Prime and value-added products hit record-setting performance.

CAB Supply Affected by Cowherd Decline
As national cowherd numbers decreased, number of carcasses qualifying for the brand also declined. Total Certified Angus Beef ® supply was down 6.1% with 5.42 million head achieving CAB qualification.

With a focus on the right genetics and management decisions, Angus ranchers continued to target the brand, impacting CAB supply and yielding grid premiums. The brand acceptance rate was up slightly to 37.8%, with Prime production also on the rise. Up approximately 7% this fiscal year, 845,000 carcasses qualified for Certified Angus Beef ® Prime. And Certified Angus Beef ® Prime sales responded, rising 12.3% to a record 63.3 million pounds.

Partners capitalized on opportunities beyond middle meats, expanding premium offerings through grinds, deli products, fully cooked items and other underutilized cuts. The result was more consumer choice and a stronger premium beef proposition across the marketplace.

"Every part of the supply chain plays a role in delivering excellence," says Bruce Cobb, executive vice president of production for CAB. "Farmers and ranchers remain engaged in strengthening the brand, responding to consumer signals and making the decisions necessary to produce high-quality beef."

Quality Wins in Any Market
In a year defined by tight supply and market volatility, the result remained clear: quality wins in any market.

Foodservice was a leading source of strength for the brand, resulting in a 1.7% increase in sales. Even as high beef prices raised menu costs, distributors and restaurant operators continued to protect quality and give diners a reason to return. The increase in sales was supported by demand for Certified Angus Beef ® Prime and operators looking to deliver a constant experience, knowing every dining occasion carried greater expectations.

Retail volume faced pressure as higher beef prices limited aggressive front-page promotions, down 1.2% in sales, with more than 528 million pounds of product sold. Rather than pull back from the beef category, the brand’s partners supported premium beef offerings through ground beef, value-added products and underutilized cuts, creating new ways for consumers to enjoy the beef’s quality, while delivering greater value across the carcass.

International business navigated uneven market conditions, including pressure in several of the brand’s largest markets, down 8.3% in total sales. Teams remained present with core partners while directing additional attention to countries where trade dynamics, exchange rates and consumer demand created stronger opportunities. The top three volume markets included Canada, South Korea and Mexico. Egypt experienced a record year, while Hong Kong, Taiwan, Colombia and Kuwait increased sales. Value-added product sales reached an all-time high, with growth across foodservice, retail and international markets, an increase of 8.6% in sales and more than 52 million pounds. The category addressed two persistent marketplace needs: dependable quality and greater efficiency.

While the fully cooked smoked Certified Angus Beef ® brisket led foodservice growth, the brand’s shaved steak and hot pot items contributed to growth at retail and internationally. Certified Angus Beef® Prime deli meats and prepared-food applications also extended the brand into new parts of the store. 



National Farmers Union Joins G7 Farm Leaders in Urging Action on Soaring Input Costs and Fair Markets

As G7 agriculture ministers met in Paris, National Farmers Union (NFU) yesterday joined leading farmers’ organizations from across the G7 countries in a joint statement calling on governments to confront rising input costs, strengthen fair and competitive markets and work with farmers as key partners in addressing global food security challenges. This effort builds on a previous statement outlining shared agriculture priorities among the world’s leading farm organizations earlier this year.

This statement comes as conflict in the Middle East and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz drive a new surge in energy and fertilizer prices, compounding pressure from tariffs, trade tensions, supply chain disruptions and increasingly frequent extreme weather. The organizations warn that farmers are struggling to maintain liquidity heading into the fall planting and input-purchasing season. 

"Family farmers in the United States and across the G7 are facing the same squeeze: input prices driven up by war, trade disruptions and a handful of corporations that control the fertilizer, seed and crop protection markets," said NFU President Rob Larew. "Farm organizations around the world are united in calling for real competition in input markets, stable and fair trade relationships, and policies that ensure farmers earn a fair price for what they produce. Our governments need to treat farmers as key partners to addressing these challenges.” 

The statement was signed by National Farmers Union along with the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, Deutscher Bauernverband (Germany), FNSEA (France), Coldiretti (Italy), JA-Zenchu (Japan) and the National Farmers' Union of England and Wales. 



Show-Rite and MoorMan’s ShowTec unite under Hubbard brand portfolio

Hubbard is introducing its unified Show-Rite® portfolio, bringing together the proven performance of Show-Rite and the trusted heritage of MoorMan’s® ShowTec® in a comprehensive lineup of show feeds and supplements for swine, sheep, goats and cattle.

For generations, both brands have helped exhibitors, families, breeders and fitters achieve success in the show ring. The unified Show-Rite portfolio builds on that foundation, combining nutritional expertise, research and practical feeding experience to support the next generation of show livestock producers.

“We’re bringing together the strengths of two highly respected show feed brands to create an even stronger lineup for our customers,” said Show-Rite strategic partnership manager Todd Kennedy, who served on the cross-functional team that developed the unified portfolio.

The lineup reflects a collaborative effort by nutritionists, technical experts and sales team members from both brands. Their work focused on bringing together complementary products and feeding programs while maintaining the commitment to quality, consistency and animal performance that customers expect.

“By bringing these portfolios together, we have an opportunity to build an even stronger foundation for the next generation of show livestock producers,” said Krisha Geffert, Show-Rite sales manager, who brought more than 20 years of experience with the ShowTec brand to the project.

The portfolio is rolling out in phases starting later this fall. As the transition reaches their local markets, dealers and customers will begin seeing Show-Rite packaging and updates to selected product names and offerings. Sales and technical teams will help customers understand how their current products fit within the unified lineup and provide guidance on any recommended feeding adjustments.

Customers and dealers can expect:
    A comprehensive show nutrition portfolio. Feeds and supplements bring together the strengths of both brands to support livestock through each stage of development and preparation for the show ring.
    A continued commitment to quality and performance. Proven nutrition, research and practical feeding experience remain central to the portfolio.
    Combined expertise and local support. A unified team brings knowledge from both brands to help dealers and customers select products and build effective feeding programs.
    A foundation for continued innovation. The combined portfolio creates opportunities to build on established products with research and nutritional technologies that support animal performance.

Show-Rite is part of Hubbard, the flagship U.S. brand of Akralos, the joint venture formed by Alltech and ADM earlier this year. The partnership brings together Alltech’s science-driven nutritional technologies and ADM’s feed manufacturing capabilities with Hubbard’s longstanding expertise and local relationships.

“We know the trust customers place in these brands has been built over generations, and we take that responsibility seriously,” said Brian Gier, CEO of Akralos. “Our goal is to build on that legacy by combining proven nutrition, technical expertise and ongoing innovation to help customers continue feeding champions for years to come.”

Dealers and customers should contact their Show-Rite or Hubbard representative for product information and transition details specific to their location.