Author: staff

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture have confirmed the first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a Nebraska dairy herd. The confirmation came after routine testing of milk samples required under the USDA’s April 2024 Federal Order. This makes Nebraska the 17th state to see cases of HPAI in cattle since the outbreak began in March 2024, though only a handful of states have reported cases this year. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is now working with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture on additional testing and on-farm investigations to understand the…

1. Soybean Futures Lower Overnight on Harvest Pressure Soybean futures were lower in overnight trading as the U.S. harvest rolls on amid favorable weather in much of the Corn Belt.  Five percent of U.S. beans wee in the bin at the start of the week, up from the prior five-year average of 3%, the Department of Agriculture said in a report. About 41% of the crop was dropping leaves, just ahead of the average of 40% for this time of year.  Sixty-three percent of soybeans were in good or excellent shape, down a percentage point from the week prior.  Dry…

By Cassandra Stephenson As Tennessee soybean farmers harvest their crop after a difficult growing season, they are facing a farm economy that resembles “death by a thousand cuts,” Tennessee Soybean Promotion Council Executive Director Stefan Maupin said. Persistent inflation since the pandemic has made it more expensive for farmers to produce crops, and weather extremes over the last year mean they will see a significant loss in yield, he said.  On top of that, bushels will soon hit a market where prices are low and Tennessee’s largest soybean export partner, China, is entirely absent amid trade negotiations with the Trump…

By Aaron Sanderford LINCOLN — Bovine bird flu is now a thing in Nebraska, according to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA).  The NDA and USDA in recent days identified a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a dairy cattle herd in central Nebraska. The Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, working with the National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed a similar strain of the virus to what infected a herd in California. Cattle are at little risk of death with proper care, and the herd has been quarantined, officials said.  Nebraska State Veterinarian Dr. Roger Dudley asked the state’s cattle…

The National 4-H Council recently announced the winners of the 2025 4-H Youth in Action Awards, honoring four outstanding young leaders who have demonstrated remarkable achievements and positive impacts on their communities. Each winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship to support their future educational endeavors and will serve as 4-H spokespeople throughout the year, showcasing their contributions to 4-H and beyond. “These four remarkable 4‑H’ers are leading with purpose, passion, and impact. Each of these young leaders has demonstrated outstanding commitment to their communities, tackling challenges, and inspiring peers across the country to make a difference,” wrote the National 4-H…

By Cami Koons Summit Carbon Solutions has filed a petition to amend its pipeline permit with the Iowa Utilities Commission. The petition, filed on Monday, requests route and pipe-size modifications to add an ethanol plant to the route and to “amend the conditions regarding North Dakota and South Dakota.” In the IUC’s approval of the CO2 pipeline permit through Iowa, it noted Summit could not begin construction until it had received route and storage permission from North Dakota — where the pipeline is slated to deposit the sequestered carbon in an underground rock formation — and route permission from South Dakota. South Dakota enacted a…

By Cami Koons Summit Carbon Solutions, the company proposing to build more than 1,000 miles of carbon sequestration pipeline through Iowa, announced Monday a community and landownership partnership program and updated commitments. The partnership focuses on safety precautions, operational transparency and increased benefits to landowners and counties where the pipeline route is slated to be built.  The letters were sent to county supervisors and county emergency managers Monday, but a Summit representative said they should be sent to all Iowa landowners over the next week and a half.  “These commitments are more than words on paper — they are a…

Envirotech Vehicles Inc. is stepping into the ag space with a machine that could move the needle in terms of farmer efficiency: America’s first 1,500-pound lift drone, designed with dual-use agricultural spray and wildfire suppression capabilities. Built in the U.S. and ready for pre-orders next week, the drone can haul up to 100 gallons per deployment and stay airborne for as long as 45 minutes under full load. That means large-scale spraying and fertilization can be done faster, with less labor, and on terrain that tractors and trucks can’t touch. On the other side of its dual role, the system…

Earlier this year, Culver’s pledged to donate $1 for every rental and digital purchase of the movie Green and Gold, up to 100,000 streams, to organizations that support family farmers. Thanks to a successful streaming launch, Culver’s has officially donated $100,000, distributed across the following three agricultural organizations: Green and Gold explores themes of family and resilience through the story of Buck (Craig T. Nelson), a Wisconsin dairy farmer who makes a daring bet on the 1993 Green Bay Packers. “We’re honored that Green and Gold resonated with audiences so much that it made Culver’s donation not only possible, but incredibly…

What Happened Class III milk futures slipped into new low-price levels for the year this past week, reflecting increasing supplies due to herd expansion. Inexpensive feed, increased efficiency, and high beef prices have contributed to increased production.   The USDA August Milk Production report (July numbers reported in August) indicated July’s production for the top 24 milk-producing states was 18.8 billion pounds, 3.5% higher than the same time the previous year. Milk per cow came in at 2,081 pounds for July, an increase of 36 pounds, and more than 1 pound per day on average. Calf prices, especially those for beef,…