Friday November 06 Ag News - Beef Exports Strong in Sept, Pork Lags - Legends of Feedlot Nutrition Now Includes UNL's Britton - USDA Local Food Grants in NE, IA - NCBA Anthem Finalist from N. Sioux City - and more!

Beef Exports Edged Higher in September; Pork Still Trending Lower

U.S. beef exports closed the third quarter on a positive note, with September volume increasing slightly from a year ago and value climbing 8%, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Pork exports were below year-ago levels for the fifth consecutive month, due in part to a sharp decline in variety meat shipments.

Led by Taiwan, Asian markets fuel relatively strong September beef exports
Led by another robust performance in Taiwan and year-over-year increases in South Korea and the Caribbean, September beef export value increased 8% to $712.4 million, while volume was up 1% to 81,310 metric tons (mt). September export value also increased to Japan, the Middle East and South America despite lower volumes, while shipments were below last year in volume and value to Mexico, Canada and Central America. Exports to China were above the minimal volume shipped a year ago, but remained far below the levels seen in previous years when U.S. beef had relatively strong access to the market.

Through the first three quarters of 2026, beef exports were steady with last year’s value at just over $7 billion, while volume fell 6% to 802,460 mt.

“Beef exports were once again encouraging in September, as global customers continue to show a powerful and loyal appetite for U.S. beef,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “While consumers everywhere are feeling the pinch of higher household expenses, they still prioritize high-quality protein in their daily diet. The U.S. beef industry is well-positioned to meet this need, providing the consistent value that consumers expect, in a wide range of markets. Economic situations in those markets also vary widely. For example, U.S. beef is certainly benefiting from Taiwan’s strong economic performance.”

September bright spots for pork include CAFTA-DR region, Colombia, Cuba
September pork exports totaled 216,353 mt, down 7.5% from a year ago, while value fell 13.5% to $591.3 million. Exports remain on a record pace to Central America, Colombia and the Dominican Republic, and September shipments were record-large to Cuba. September exports also increased year-over-year to Japan, Canada and Taiwan, but these results were offset by lower shipments to Mexico, China, Oceania and the ASEAN region.

January-September pork exports remained slightly above last year’s pace at 2.17 million mt (up 0.3%), but export value slipped 2% to $6.1 billion.

“Global hog prices have come under intense pressure in recent months, and export value is feeling the impact of this situation,” Halstrom said. “Domestic production has rebounded in various countries, including Mexico, and there is still a lingering impact from Mexico’s suspension of U.S. pork variety meat exports earlier this year. While that impasse is now resolved, it takes time for the supply chain to recover. U.S. pork also still faces retaliatory tariffs in China, where overproduction is pressuring the market. In other regions, low-priced product from Brazil and Spain has reduced the competitiveness of U.S. pork.”

Caribbean leads modest rebound for lamb exports
September exports of U.S. lamb muscle cuts totaled 152 mt, up 17% from a year ago, while value increased 10% to $884,000. Led by growth in the Netherlands Antilles, exports to the Caribbean increased in September, offsetting lower shipments to Mexico.

January-September lamb exports were down 9% from a year ago at 1,979 mt, but value increased 1% to $11.8 million. Exports trended higher to the Bahamas, Netherlands Antilles, Leeward-Windward Islands, Costa Rica and Honduras, but declined to Mexico. 



Britton Elected to Plains Nutrition Council's Legends of Feedlot Nutrition

Dr. Bud Britton, a longtime professor in Animal Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, was elected to the Plains Nutrition Council's Legends of Feedlot Nutrition earlier this year.

Established in 2016, the Legends of Feedlot Nutrition's purpose is to honor, recognize, and memorialize those who have contributed to and who have had a profound and lasting impact on the feedlot industry as it relates to innovation, leadership, advancement, service, and education in the area of feedlot nutrition in the areas of consulting, academia/extension, or allied industry. Britton joins emeritus professors Dr. Terry Klopfenstein (2018) and Dr. Terry Mader (2025) in the Legends of Feedlot Nutrition.

Britton served as a ruminant biochemist in the Department of Animal Science at Nebraska from 1971 until his untimely death on April 26, 1994. His research helped redefine the anomaly that was acidosis in feedlot cattle, providing critical advancements in the understanding of ruminal and post-ruminal lactate metabolism and also improved the understanding of the role of lactic acid during the adaptation to high-concentrate diets. He was instrumental in the development of a subacute acidosis model that was highly effective for the evaluation of feed additive efficacy on subacute acidosis during the transition to high-grain diets. The use of measures of feed intake variation during this critical transition period was novel and helped define the role of Rumensin during this critical step-up period, as well as differentiating the impact of subacute versus acute acidosis. In addition, his research made significant contributions to the study of starch utilization, focusing on grain type, fermentability, and processing, as well as the roles of protozoa and the effects of dietary fat on starch use and the propensity to induce acidosis. His inquiries sought to both facilitate this process, for example, studies to enhance ruminal lactate utilization, and experiments assessing the role of absorbed lactate and how it was metabolized. He had a significant impact on aspects of nutritional management that were difficult to quantify, but that substantially reduced the costs of production. 

Bud was also an innovator in the study of rumen protein degradability. This area included both methods to assess protein degradability in vivo and, in the laboratory, including studies describing the limitations of the use of ADIN, and the application of enzymes to characterize rumen protein degradability. These studies ultimately led to the study of methods to limit rumen degradability, resulting in the development of the non-enzymatic browning treatment, and creation of the patented soybean meal product – Soypass. One of the most successful patents in Nebraska's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR).

Bud’s main strength as a researcher was to bring a unique perspective to the understanding of beef cattle nutrition. He was nontraditional in his background and approach and always encouraged his students to seek the ‘whys’ behind every outcome. He could make complex explanations understandable for all, and he had a unique ability to communicate complex concepts, from basic nutrition principles to advanced biochemistry, ensuring that knowledge was effectively transferred to both livestock producers and graduate students alike. He always wanted his doctoral students to “bring something new into the program” as they strived to answer fundamental questions. Bud was also a willing collaborator, conducting many studies in collaboration with researchers at the US Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC).

While Dr. Britton’s career ended prematurely, his impact has continued through the 11 M.S. and eight Ph.D. students he mentored and over 100 scientific publications during his career. His contributions were recognized in 1996 with the Bud Britton Memorial Symposium on Metabolic Disorders of Feedlot Cattle at the American Society of Animal Science annual meeting.



Agricultural Land Management Quarterly Webinar - Fall 2026
Nov. 16, 2026 - 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
With Anastasia Meyer and Jim Jansen, Agricultural Economists, UNL

Offered since 2019, the quarterly webinars address common management issues for Nebraska landowners, agricultural operators, and related stakeholders interested in the latest insight on trends in real estate, managing agricultural land and solutions for addressing challenges in the upcoming growing season.

The November 2026 webinar will cover final USDA farm management highlights, including county-level cash rental rate estimates and ARC and PLC farm program payments. Landlord/tenant communication topics will include harvest season reports, closing out leases, and preparing for 2027 leases. A Q&A period will also provide attendees an opportunity to have their land management and leasing questions answered.

Register here: https://unl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2zt3ANY-TJaaQthah6CkZw. 



McConnell to present special seminar Nov. 17

Go behind the scenes of crop protection safety and learn how scientific evidence informs environmental risk assessment at a special seminar https://agronomy.unl.edu/news-events/seminars/#special-seminar hosted by the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture Nov. 17.

Guest speaker Laura McConnell, a university and scientific society engagement lead at Bayer Crop Science, will present “How Do We Know It’s Safe? The Science Behind Environmental Safety Testing in Modern Crop Protection,” from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Goodding Learning Center, 280 Plant Sciences Hall, on East Campus.

An internationally recognized environmental and agricultural chemist, McConnell has built a career spanning government, academia and industry. Her work bridges scientific discovery, cross-sector collaboration and environmental protection to advance global food security. Through integrated laboratory and field research, she has contributed to a deeper understanding of pollutant fate, environmental exposure and sustainable agricultural practices.

McConnell will explain how industry scientists and regulatory agencies evaluate potential effects on water, soil, wildlife, pollinators and other non-target organisms before products reach growers. 

This seminar will not be streamed live or recorded. 

Lunch will be provided at this in-person-only event. RSVP for lunch by Nov. 10 https://agronomy.unl.edu/news-events/seminars/rsvp-special-seminar-lunch-nov-17/.



USDA Awards $32.2 Million to Support Farmers and Connect More Americans with Local Foods

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today awarded over $32.2 million to 99 grant projects that strengthen market opportunities for local and regional food businesses while expanding consumer access to healthy, locally grown food. The funding is distributed through the Local Agriculture Market Program’s (LAMP)  Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP), Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP), and Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP) grant programs.

“The Local Agriculture Market Program advances USDA's commitment to putting farmers first by helping producers develop new markets for their products, strengthen local and regional supply chains, and increase economic opportunities in agricultural communities across the country,” said Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Dudley Hoskins. “By supporting innovative partnerships and market development projects, these investments help farmers grow their businesses, create jobs, and ensure that more food dollars stay in the communities where they are produced.”

FMPP and LFPP strengthen local and regional food systems by supporting projects that connect farmers with more customers and new market opportunities. This funding helps farmers and food businesses improve marketing, attract and retain customers, expand agritourism activities, and build skills in areas such as recordkeeping and pricing.

This year, FMPP is awarding $13.8 million to 45 projects across 26 states and territories. The program funds projects that support producer-to-consumer markets such as farmers markets, roadside stands, agritourism activities, community-supported agriculture programs, and online sales.

A Community-Centered Approach to Specialty Crop Direct Market Access and Producer Viability in Iowa
Recipient: Lutheran Services in Iowa, Des Moines, IA
Award Amount: $250,000
Cost Share Amount: $63,606
Total Project Amount: $313,606
This project will help beginning and small-scale specialty crop farmers in Central Iowa expand their direct-to-consumer sales through new and strengthened market opportunities. It will support growth by enhancing the farmers market, increasing CSA marketing, and adding pop-up markets and seasonal venues, including a winter market. The project will also build producer skills through a six-part training series, technical assistance, and stipends that help farmers apply new practices. In addition, it will promote nutrition incentive programs by advertising when participating market channels accept these benefits, helping shoppers more easily use them to purchase local food. Overall, the project will increase producer knowledge, revenue, and market participation while improving community access to fresh, locally grown food.

LFPP is awarding $13.8 million to 46 projects across 29 states and territories. The program helps farmers reach more customers by supporting the businesses and organizations that process, distribute, store, market, and sell local and regional food products. Funded projects will also support the development of value-added products and strengthen coordination across regional food supply chains.

From Ranch to Region: Nebraska Farmers Network La Vista Market Hub
Recipient: Nebraska Farmers Network, LLC., Lincoln, NE
Award Amount: $492,645
Cost Share Amount: $123,600
Total Project Amount: $616,245
This project will help Nebraska farmers and ranchers reach more local and regional buyers through a new producer‑led market hub that improves how food moves from farms to institutions and businesses. It will map producer capacity, offer food‑safety training, and help farmers prepare to sell to larger buyers such as restaurants, schools, and hospitals. The project will also host structured buyer meetings, build a pre‑order and coordination system, and create a simple onboarding process that can be used for future market locations across the state. These efforts will give hundreds of producers a reliable pathway into stronger market channels while helping buyers gain steady access to Nebraska‑raised products. Overall, the project will expand sales, improve coordination, and strengthen Nebraska’s local food supply chain.

Through RFSP, $4.6 million is being awarded to eight partnerships across eight states. The program helps build partnerships between local and regional food businesses and institutions such as schools, hospitals, and government agencies. These partnerships work to increase the use of locally and regionally produced foods in cafeterias, meal programs, and other institutional food services.



NCBA National Anthem Contest Finalists Announced
 
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association announces three finalists in the 14th annual National Anthem Contest, sponsored by Norbrook®. Voting is open to the public through Nov. 25 to select the winner.

The winner will sing the “Star-Spangled Banner” during the Opening General Session and before both “Cowboy’s Night at the Opry” shows at the historic Ryman Auditorium during CattleCon 2027 in Nashville, Tennessee, Feb. 2-4. In addition, the winning performer will receive round trip airfare, a hotel room for three nights, complimentary convention registration, plus a pair of boots, jeans and a shirt from Karman/Roper/Stetson.

Introducing the finalists:
Sarah Boyle of Cascade, Iowa, is starting her own cattle herd and is active in FFA and a Next-Gen member of her local cattlemen’s chapter.

Jacee Fuller of Twin Falls, Idaho, is a fifth-generation cattle producer who is serving as an Idaho FFA state officer and pursuing a degree in agricultural education.
    
Morgan Higman of North Sioux City, South Dakota, lives in an area surrounded by agriculture and farming and has a strong respect for the hard work and dedication for those involved.

Videos of the finalists are available for viewing and voting at convention.ncba.org. The public can vote once per day per person through Nov. 25, and the winner will be announced by Dec 1.

To see the winner sing in person, register for CattleCon 2027 by visiting convention.ncba.org.




September 2026 Dairy Products Production Highlights

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 1.23 billion pounds, 0.7 percent above September 2025 but 2.5 percent below August 2026. Italian type cheese production totaled 546 million pounds, 4.7 percent above September 2025 but 2.4 percent below August 2026. American type cheese production totaled 464 million pounds, 2.5 percent below September 2025 and 3.0 percent below August 2026. Butter production was 204 million pounds, 10.9 percent above September 2025 and 8.9 percent above August 2026.

Dry milk products (comparisons in percentage with September 2025)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 129 million pounds, up 3.7 percent.
Skim milk powder - 19.1 million pounds, down 58.8 percent.

Whey products (comparisons in percentage with September 2025)
Dry whey, total - 71.7 million pounds, up 3.8 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 92.0 million pounds, down 2.8 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 41.8 million pounds, down 2.7 percent.

Frozen products (comparisons in percentage with September 2025)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 62.4 million gallons, up 5.6 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 32.1 million gallons, up 3.1 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 1.35 million gallons, down 11.6 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 2.14 million gallons, down 10.1 percent.



Optimism grows in October as current conditions improve

Farmer sentiment improved in October as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose from 123 points in September to 126. The survey reported a 16-point increase in the Index of Current Conditions. The increase coincided with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s distribution of Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage payments, although the survey did not specifically ask respondents about the effect of those payments. Although the Index of Future Expectations fell 2 points, with high input costs remaining the biggest concern, the Farm Financial Performance Index rose from 90 to 94, and the Farm Capital Investment Index jumped from 39 to 55. The survey was conducted among 400 farmers across the nation from Oct. 12-16.

Improvements in both the Farm Financial Performance Index and the Farm Capital Investment Index indicate that producers’ financial expectations were modestly stronger in October. Although investment sentiment reached its strongest reading in nearly a year, most respondents noted they still hesitate to make large investments, with only 20% saying now is a good time to invest in machinery and buildings.

This month’s survey included questions about farm resilience and the ability to withstand market shocks. Among respondents, 62% agreed or strongly agreed that their balance sheets are strong, and 60% agreed or strongly agreed in a related question about having a solid working capital position, suggesting many farms remain financially resilient. However, the January 2026 survey reported that 75% of respondents indicated they had a strong balance sheet. The drop from January to October hints at producers being less confident in their financial position this month than at the beginning of the year.

Though the surveyed producers remained optimistic about farmland values over the next five years, the Short-Term Farmland Value Expectations Index fell 1 point to 125, while the Long-Term Index dropped 6 points to 162. Alternative investments, interest rates and inflation were identified as the three factors having the greatest influence on farmland values.

Two questions highlighted growing producer concern about the long-run policy environment. Previous surveys found that between 49% and 70% of respondents believed that the increased use of tariffs in the U.S. would strengthen the agricultural economy in the long run. This month, only 35% held that view. In addition, fewer than half of respondents (48%) said the country is headed in the “right direction,” marking the second consecutive month that this share remained below the average of 60% from July 2025 to June 2026. 

“While producers saw some relief this month due to government program support, many remain uncertain about how future policy decisions could affect agriculture,” said Michael Langemeier, the barometer’s principal investigator and director of Purdue’s Center for Commercial Agriculture. “Responses to our policy questions suggest that concerns about trade policy and the country’s broader direction are shaping how producers view agriculture’s long-term prospects.”