Tuesday November 10 Ag News - Weekly Crop Progress & Harvest Report - N.E. NE Ag Conference - Ag Smart Money Week Returns Next Week - NCGA Calls for Passage of Farm Bill, E15 - and more!

Nebraska Crop Progress: Soybean Harvest Gains Ground as Sorghum Lags

With 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Nov. 8, Nebraska producers brought soybean harvest closer to its five-year average, with the crop now nearing completion. Corn harvest also made progress but remains behind average, while sorghum harvest continues to lag well behind normal. Dry edible bean harvest is nearly complete and on pace with average, and winter wheat planting and emergence remain ahead of schedule, with most of the crop rated in good to excellent condition.

Topsoil moisture supplies rated 6% very short, 13% short, 66% adequate and 15% surplus, while subsoil moisture rated 10% very short, 17% short, 65% adequate and 8% surplus.

Field Crops Report

Corn
    Harvested: 74% — behind the five-year average of 84%.

Soybean
    Harvested: 90% — behind 93% for the five-year average.

Winter Wheat
    Planted: 99% — ahead of 95% for the five-year average.
    Emerged: 96% — ahead of 89% for the five-year average.
    Condition: 8% very poor, 6% poor, 19% fair, 62% good, 5% excellent.

Sorghum
    Harvested: 54% — behind 79% for the five-year average.

Dry Edible Beans
    Harvested: 97% — equal to the five-year average.

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 1.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Nov. 8, 2026. Topsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent short, 71 percent adequate, and 27 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent short, 77 percent adequate, and 18 percent surplus. 

Seventy-two percent of corn has been harvested, which is 17 percentage points behind the five-year average. 

Ninety-three percent of soybeans have been harvested, which is 2 percentage points behind the five-year average.



USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report

Favorable fieldwork conditions early in the week should help farmers make additional harvest progress before scattered showers and a brief blast of colder temperatures move across the eastern half of the country later in the week. The nation's corn harvest remains behind its five-year average, while soybeans are slightly ahead, according to USDA NASS's weekly Crop Progress report released on Monday.

CORN
-- Harvest progress: NASS estimated that 81% of corn had been harvested nationally as of Nov. 8, 5 percentage points behind the five-year average of 86%. 

SOYBEANS
-- Harvest progress: NASS estimated that 92% of soybeans had been harvested as of Sunday, 1 percentage point ahead of the five-year average of 91%. 

WINTER WHEAT
-- Planting progress: Winter wheat planting was estimated at 89% complete nationally, 1 percentage point behind the five-year average of 90%.
-- Crop development: Winter wheat emerged was estimated at 76%, 2 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 74%.
-- Crop condition: An estimated 49% of winter wheat that had emerged was in good-to-excellent condition, up 5 percentage points from 44% the previous week. That is 12 percentage points above the five-year average rating of 37% good to excellent. Sixteen percent of the crop was rated very poor to poor, a 2-percentage-point improvement from 18% the previous week. 



Third Annual Northeast Nebraska Ag Conference Slated for Tuesday, December 15th

The third annual Northeast Nebraska Ag Conference (NNAC) will be held Tuesday, December 15, 2026, at Divots Conference Center in Norfolk. The all-day conference will begin with registration at 7:00 a.m. and closing comments and door prizes wrapping up the event around 4:00 p.m. The NNAC is co-hosted by the Bazile Groundwater Management Area Project (BGMA) and Bow Creek Watershed Project.

All producers are invited to join in this dynamic event which was created for the purpose of exchanging practical farm and ranch ideas that will not only help protect water quality but also improve the bottom line. Learn from others who are increasing their operations financial stability and environmental stewardship.

This conference has something for everyone whether you are interested in new management practices or an innovative farmer who has already been implementing them. Concurrent breakout sessions allow each attendee to choose the sessions that best meet their needs. Industry leading speakers, paired with experienced producers, will discuss hot ag topics from theory to practical application and technology integration. Don’t miss out on this exciting event!

Hear from Keynote Speaker Dr. Tom Dykstra – Founder of Dykstra Laboratories – about Brix, Bugs, and the Nitrogen Link as well as System Synergisms. The ‘Making it Work Here’ producer panel features local producers sharing how they are implementing these ideas on the farm.

Registration for the event is now open! Early Bird Registration tickets can be purchased until November 30th for $25. Late registrations and walk-ins will be $50. A hot lunch will be provided. Nitrogen Certification and CEUs are also available for attendees. Register now at: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/saqqhp7

Gold Level Sponsors for the 2025 Northeast Nebraska Ag Conference include: Papio-Missouri River NRD, BASS Hybrids, Elevate AG, Green Cover Seed, McCrometer, Samuelson Seed, & Ward Laboratories.

The Northeast Nebraska Ag Conference is produced by the Lewis & Clark NRD, Lower Elkhorn NRD, Lower Niobrara NRD, Upper Elkhorn NRD, University of Nebraska – Lincoln, and Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment (DWEE).



CAP Webinar
Crop Management Matters: Feedstock Production Practices Drive Biofuel Sustainability
Nov. 12 at noon CT

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) has the potential to reduce aviation’s carbon footprint. The climate benefits of SAF made from agricultural feedstocks can be influenced by agricultural management during feedstock cultivation. This webinar will present findings about the carbon intensity (CI) of sustainable aviation fuel made from corn and switchgrass, estimated via life cycle assessments using primary data from a long-term field experiment.

It will also explore how differing CI scores affect potential economic incentives under the Section 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit.

Register for Webinar here - cap.unl.edu/webinars.  




Ag Smart Money Week Events November 16-20

Ag SmartMoney Week returns, Nov. 16-20, 2026 from the Center for Agricultural Profitability. It brings daily webinars focused on helping agricultural producers in Nebraska to better manage and improve their business and financial management skills. Topics will include cost of production, leasing and rental rates, farm programs, financial documents, and more.

The goal of the week was to provide education, information, and tools for agricultural producers to help with their operations.

Webinars during the week:
    Nov. 16, noon CT: Agricultural Land Management Quarterly - Fall 2026
    Nov. 16, 2:30 p.m. CT: ARC-IC vs. ARC-CO: What to Know When Your Yields Don’t Match the County’s
    Nov. 17, noon CT: Know Your Costs, Improve Your Decisions
    Nov. 18, noon CT: Nebraska and U.S. Farm Income Update and Outlook
    Nov. 19, noon CT: Labor Challenges on the Farm: Hiring, Retention, and Tough Conversations
    Nov. 20, noon CT: Cash Flow Budgeting

Full descriptions and registrations can be found here: https://cap.unl.edu/smartmoney/.  



CHS Foundation Awards $4.5 Million in Grants to the National FFA Foundation

The CHS Foundation recently announced grants totaling $4.5 million to the National FFA Organization, strengthening a longstanding partnership dedicated to developing the next generation of leaders, building agriculture’s talent pipeline and advancing agricultural education.

“CHS has been a steadfast partner to FFA for many years, and this commitment reflects their deep belief in the power of agricultural education,” said Molly Ball, president of the National FFA Foundation and chief marketing officer of the National FFA Organization. “By investing in FFA members and the agriculture teachers who guide them every day, CHS is helping create meaningful pathways into agriculture and ensuring members have the support they need to succeed.”

The grants will help fund FFA programs in 15 states, including Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin, provide support for conferences and contests, connect students from all backgrounds with agricultural careers through the workforce development program, and support the National Association of Agricultural Educators in recruiting ag teachers and building strong local programs.

“Agriculture’s future depends on young people who are prepared to lead, innovate and solve problems, and FFA is where so many of them find that path,” said Megan Wolle, president of the CHS Foundation. “By investing in members and the ag educators who mentor them, we’re helping build a strong, skilled workforce that will carry agriculture forward for generations.”

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 1,053,847 student members as part of 9,591 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 



IRFA Opposes Efforts by Oil State Governors to Undermine Renewable Fuel Standard 

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) strongly opposes the request made today by Govs. Jeff Landry (LA) and Kay Ivey (AL) to waive the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) blending levels for 2027. Blaming the RFS for high fuel prices is misguided and ignores the important role renewable fuels play in expanding U.S. fuel supplies, strengthening energy security and providing consumers with more affordable choices at the pump. Weakening the RFS would undermine American farmers, renewable fuel producers, and rural economies, and lead to higher prices.

“With all due respect to the governors, during this time of high fuel prices, the last thing you want to do is reduce supply,” said IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw. “The real solution is to unleash additional U.S. supply, which Congress can do by removing barriers to year-round E15 sales. Ethanol lowers fuels prices because it is less expensive than gasoline and adds gallons to the market. Expanding the use of low-cost ethanol, made right here in America, would lower prices at the pump. Consumers need real solutions, not ineffective political potshots.”

Over 14 billion gallons of ethanol expand U.S. fuel supplies each year. Currently ethanol sells for more than a dollar less than straight gasoline on the wholesale market. In order to grant an RFS waiver, requesting governors must prove either that implementation of RFS requirements are severely harming their local region’s economy or that there is inadequate domestic supply.

“It is absurd to claim that implementing the RFS in 2027 is causing severe economic harm – the year hasn’t even started yet,” stated Shaw. “Just look at the price of gasoline without ethanol – it’s way more expensive. Further, renewable fuels production is expanding, not contracting. Renewable fuels do not rely on imported feedstocks or the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump knows we need more, not less, domestic fuel supply. That’s why he set robust RFS blending levels for 2026-2027 in the first place. Now would be the worst time to reverse course. IRFA urges President Trump to swiftly reject this misguided petition and ensure certainty for the marketplace.”

Since the 2026-2027 RFS levels were announced earlier this year, Iowa renewable fuels plants have expanded production, restarted idled plants, and increased employment in rural communities.



NCGA Calls for Passage of Key Corn Legislation by Year’s End

Members of Congress returned to the capitol today nearly a week after the American people voted in the midterm elections. In response to Congress’ return, Michigan farmer and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Matt Frostic released the following statement: 
 
“Voters sent a clear message on Nov. 3 that they want to see members of Congress work together and deliver for the American people.
 
“We urge Congress to act immediately to pass pending legislation that would allow for the year-round sale of E15. Such a move would help lower gas prices, bolster the rural economy and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  
 
“Corn growers also urge passage of farm bill legislation in Congress that would make USDA programs more effective, efficient and responsive through policy enhancements. The legislation passed by the Senate Ag Committee contains language allowing for year-round sale of E15.
 
“We hope Congress will ignore the many distractions that are so prevalent during lame duck sessions and demonstrate that they are here to make a difference for the American people. They can do that by focusing on getting policy items, like E15 and the farm bill, across the finish line and signed into law this year. Farmers cannot afford further delay.”  



USDA NASS pilots text and email invitations for secure online survey reporting

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) today announced a program that gives selected agricultural producers a new way to access and complete their surveys online. Participants will receive a survey invitation by text message or email and use multifactor authentication to verify their identity before completing the survey. 

This effort supports USDA’s Data Modernization goals of making agricultural reporting easier for producers. NASS will assess whether text and email invitations help producers access and complete surveys more easily while protecting the confidentiality of their responses. 

“Producers have limited time, especially during planting and harvest,” said Joseph Parsons, NASS Administrator. “This program will help us learn whether a text or email invitation makes it easier to complete a survey and where we can improve the sign-in process.” 

The program will begin in late November with selected producers participating in the December Agricultural Survey. Invitations will identify the survey and provide instructions for signing in. After verifying their identity, participants will submit their responses through the secure online survey portal. Producers can confirm an invitation through agcounts.usda.gov. Producers not selected for the December Agricultural Survey may opt to receive text or email notifications for future surveys. 

NASS will track how often participants successfully sign in and complete their surveys, where they encounter difficulties, and what they report about the experience. The agency will also use those results to decide whether to expand the pilot and what to improve before taking next steps. 

For more information about the pilot and how to verify an invitation, visit www.nass.usda.gov or contact us at 888-424-7828. 



USDA Encourages Farmers and Ranchers to Participate in 2026 County Committee Elections

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently mailed Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee election ballots to all eligible agricultural producers and private landowners across the country. Producers and landowners must return their completed ballots in person to their local FSA county office by close of business, or by mail and have them postmarked, by Dec. 7, 2026.  Eligible voters who do not receive a ballot in the mail can request one from their local FSA county office.
  
“Participating in county committee elections gives farmers and ranchers a direct role in ensuring that their local committee reflects the needs of their agricultural community,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. “By voting, producers give their local communities a strong voice when making decisions about federal farm programs that impact their operations. Strong local representation helps FSA better understand and respond to the needs of the producers we serve.”
  
Elections are occurring in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAA) for committee members. Producers can identify LAAs up for election through a geographic information system locator tool available at fsa.usda.gov/elections and can confirm their LAA by contacting their local FSA office. 

Committee members make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally, including delivery of FSA disaster recovery, conservation, commodity and price support programs, as well as county office employment and other agricultural issues. 

To be eligible to vote in the county committee election, producers must participate or cooperate in a USDA program and reside in the LAA that is up for election this year. A cooperating producer is someone who has provided information about their farming or ranching operation to FSA, even if they have not applied or received program benefits.
  
For purposes of FSA county committee elections, every member of an American Indian tribe is considered an agricultural landowner if the land on which the tribal member’s voting eligibility is based is tribally owned or held in trust by the U.S. for the tribe, even if the individual does not personally produce a commodity on that land. Tribal agricultural landowners 18 years and older can contact their local FSA county office to register to vote.  

Nationwide, more than 7,700 dedicated members of the agricultural community serve on FSA county committees. Each committee has three to 11 elected members who serve three-year terms, and at least one seat representing a LAA is up for election each year.

Newly elected committee members will take office on Jan. 1, 2027.
 
Visit fsa.usda.gov/elections for more information on county committee elections. To learn more about FSA programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center.   



ASI Joins USDA Trade Delegation in Vietnam to Promote American Wool

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) invited the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) to participate with the Agribusiness Trade Mission (ATM) taking place in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, November 9-12, 2026.

ASI Executive Director, Mike Michener, will join delegates representing 43 U.S. businesses, 37 agricultural trade organizations, and representatives from the California, Kansas, and Wisconsin state departments of agriculture. While there, Michener will meet with foreign business leaders to discuss alignment of ASI’s mission to support U.S. sheep farmers and ranchers. He will also attend agricultural site visits to gain a deeper understanding of Vietnamese agriculture.

“I am honored to join USDA’s Agribusiness Trade Mission to Vietnam and represent the hardworking men and women of the American sheep industry," said Mike Michener, ASI Executive Director. "Southeast Asia presents a growing market with tremendous opportunity for U.S. agricultural exports so creating and maintaining strong relationships with potential trade partners is of the utmost importance. This mission allows ASI to build strong foreign business relationships, showcase the excellent quality of American wool, and ensure our sheep producers have a seat at the global trade table."

Michener joined ASI in April of 2026 and has prioritized building relationships across the food and fiber systems. He previously served as Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service, where he led USDA’s international agricultural trade, export promotion, and market development programs. Michener also brings extensive experience in agricultural policy, government affairs, and international trade, including senior roles with agricultural organizations in the United States and abroad.

This will be Michener’s first USDA FAS trade mission representing the sheep and wool industries. ASI is a longtime USDA FAS cooperator for American wool and pelts, working with international buyers, processors and manufacturers to expand export opportunities, diversify markets, and increase awareness of the quality and versatility of American wool.