Week of January 26, 2026
Elevate Your Expertise with the Midwest FEEDS Practicum
Join us for the Midwest FEEDS (Forage, Education and Efficiency in Diversified Systems) Practicum, a hands-on, multi-session educational program designed to equip participants with essential skills for success in beef cattle production. This unique program leverages the competitive advantages of the Midwest, including access to perennial pastures, annual forages, cover crops, crop residues, and harvested feeds.
Program Highlights:
- Hands-On Learning Across the Production Season: Engage in practical, in-field training combined with in-depth discussions that foster knowledge exchange among participants and instructors.
- Networking and Idea Exchange: Build connections and share insights with industry peers and experts in a collaborative environment.
- High-Quality Resources: Receive software, notebooks, and curated University of Nebraska–Lincoln publications to support your learning journey.
Skills You’ll Develop:
- Decision-Making with Advanced Tools: Use decision support tools and NRC software to analyze diets, match forage availability with animal requirements, and optimize beef production.
- Forage and Grazing Strategy: Create effective grazing and pasture management plans, including weed control and fertility strategies tailored to your operation.
- Breeding, Calving, and Weaning Management: Learn best practices for breeding, calving, weaning, cattle handling, and facility design.
- Evaluating Cattle Performance: Master techniques to assess cow and calf performance, estimate condition scores, and determine nutritional needs throughout the reproductive cycle.
Cutting-Edge Research at UNL:
Experience innovative research at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center, where you will learn firsthand about integrating cropland for forage and cow-calf systems.
Ready to elevate your expertise and drive success in your cattle operation?
https://enreec.unl.edu/extension-education-engagement/midwest-feeds-practicum/
Held across five sessions at the Eastern Nebraska Research & Extension Center, 1071 County Road G, Ithaca (near Mead), NE:
- February 28, 2026 – Health, Nutrition & Systems Thinking
- March 28, 2026 – Forage Systems & Breeding
- June 20, 2026 – Facilities & Pasture Management
- August 29, 2026 – Weaning, Culling & Winter Feeding
- December 5, 2026 – Stalk Grazing & Preparing for Calving
Cost & Registration
- $750 per individual
- $1,300 for two participants
- $500 for each additional participant
Questions?
Contact:
Connor Biehler
Email: cbiehler2@unl.edu
Phone: 402‑624‑8030
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Private Applicators Need Certification
All farmers who use or purchase any restricted use pesticides on property you own, or rent will need to be certified as a private applicator according to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.
Nebraska Extension is conducting the following training session which is approved for renewal or initial certification. Producers are reminded to bring their NDA (bar-coded) letter with the form at the bottom that they received from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture if they are recertifying.
Each session lasts approximately three hours:
February 5 – Haskell Ag Lab (HAL), Concord @ 9:00 a.m.
February 10 – Oakland City Auditorium, Oakland @ 9:00 a.m.
February 12 – Nielsen Community Center, West Point @ 9:00 a.m.
February 12 – Nielsen Community Center, West Point @ 1:00 p.m.
February 17 – Oakland City Auditorium, Oakland @ 1:00 p.m.
February 19 – Wayne Fire Hall, Wayne @ 6:00 p.m.
February 24 – Columbus Fieldhouse, Columbus 12:00 p.m.
February 26 – Dodge County Extension, Fremont @ 9:00 a.m.
February 26 – Dodge County Extension, Fremont @ 1:00 p.m.
February 26 – Madison County Extension, Norfolk @ 1:30 p.m.
March 3 – Pender Fire Hall, Pender @ 1:00 p.m.
March 5 – Dodge County Extension, Fremont @ 6:00 p.m.
March 10 – Nielsen Community Center, West Point@ 9:00 a.m.
March 10 – Nielsen Community Center, West Point @ 1:00 p.m.
March 26 – Madison County Extension, Norfolk @ 1:30 p.m.
April 9 – UNL Extension Madison County, Norfolk, 1:30 p.m.
For other local training dates, check the website at https://pested.unl.edu/.
Pre-registration is requested by contacting the Nebraska Extension office in Cuming County at 402/372-6006 or UNL Extension in the county you plan to attend.
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RELEASE DATE: January 26, 2026
So far this season, most of Nebraska has seen very little snow, with seasonal totals 1-12 inches below average in the east and 12-30 inches below average in the west. The absence of snow and the recent mild temperatures can have a significant impact on alfalfa when temperatures eventually drop.
A layer of snow at least 4 inches deep can provide much needed insulation from frigid air temperatures. This insulation also protects the soil from extreme drops in temperature. The lack of snow throughout much of the state has left alfalfa fields exposed and vulnerable to sudden temperature drops which can lead to winterkill. As fields begin to green-up in the spring and produce a few inches of new growth it will be much easier to assess stands for winter injury.
Areas of Nebraska experiencing drought, including the panhandle and north central counties, may have reduced risk of winterkill. Although drought conditions may weaken overall plant vigor, dry conditions can have a positive effect on alfalfa winter hardiness. Alfalfa grown in well-drained areas or soils with less soil moisture tend to be less prone to winter injury due to less difficulty in losing remaining plant moisture.
However, keep in mind that extended periods of warm temperatures can cause the plant to break dormancy before spring, increasing the risk of winterkill further.
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SOURCE: Samantha Daniel,
Assistant Extension Educator Water & Cropping Systems
RELEASE DATE: January 26, 2026
Are you planning to establish a new alfalfa stand this spring? Site selection, weed control, fertility, and seedbed preparation all matter—but variety selection plays a major role in determining how that stand performs over time. The right variety affects yield, forage quality, pest resistance, and how long the stand will last.
When choosing a variety, there are several key factors to consider: winter survival, fall dormancy, disease and insect resistance, persistence, and yield potential.
Winter survival and fall dormancy are expressed using numerical ratings. These ratings influence not only stand survival, but also regrowth speed and yield. We’ll dive into more detail on these ratings in future recordings, but for now, it’s helpful to know that for most of Nebraska, a winter survival rating of 3 or 4 works well. In the northern parts of the state, a rating of 2 may be more appropriate. For fall dormancy, ratings of 3 or 4 generally provide a good balance between yield and winter hardiness across the state.
Disease and insect resistance should be matched to your farm’s history. Selecting varieties with strong resistance to the pests and diseases you’ve dealt with in recent years can reduce the need for chemical control, saving both time and input costs.
Persistence is another important consideration. Winter hardiness, weather, management, and pest pressure all influence persistence. Operations targeting three- to four-year stands may favor higher-yielding varieties and practices, while those aiming for five or more years place greater emphasis on winter hardiness and long-term persistence. Your specific farm plan and goals will determine how important stand longevity is for your operation. And while yield potential is set by genetics, the actual yield you achieve depends on how well that variety fits your field conditions and management system.
Taking the time to match alfalfa varieties to your site and goals can pay dividends over the life of the stand.
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SOURCE: Ben Beckman, Extension Educator Livestock Systems
RELEASE DATE: January 26, 2026
Frost Seeding or Interseeding Legumes
Are you looking to increase production from pastures or hay fields? Frost seeding or interseeding legumes might just work in your operation.
Nitrogen is one of the key ingredients for productive pastures. A way to get more nitrogen in a pasture is to plant legumes. Alfalfa, red or white clovers, birdsfoot trefoil, and other legumes all fix atmospheric nitrogen and can reduce nitrogen costs. These legumes are also very high in forage quality.
Not all pastures are good candidates for adding legumes, however. First, legumes need adequate phosphorus and a pH usually above 6 while some prefer a pH closer to 7. Frost seeding is a method where legume seed is simply broadcast in winter to allow the natural freezing and thawing of the ground to plant the seed for you. Because frost seeding requires seed to be close to the soil surface after broadcasting, snow-free or very little snow is preferred. Frost seeding success can vary and while frost seeding is easier to do, drilling is almost always a better option if the pasture conditions allow it. Interseeding with a no-till drill better ensures seed placement and seed to soil contact.
Lastly, heavy flash grazing several times in the spring will reduce the competition from existing grasses and help establishment of legume seedlings. Once the grass is 3 to 4 inches taller than the seedlings, graze quickly until the grass is grazed down to the height of the legume seedlings.
Legumes can help reduce fertilizer cost and create higher quality pastures and hay. Frost seeding or no-till drill interseeding are two approaches that might work to establish legumes in your operation.
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SOURCE: Jerry Volesky, Extension Specialist Center for Grassland Studies
RELEASE DATE: January 26, 2026
Grass tetany and nitrate poisoning are issues that we typically associate with animals grazing. However, both issues can be a problem in winter when animal diets are limited by what they are fed. Is your herd safe from possible hay worries?
Tetany occurs when an animal’s diet doesn’t have enough magnesium to meet nutritional needs. Complications with milk production and increased magnesium demand can make this imbalance even worse during lactation.
Grass, alfalfa, and cereal grains harvested for hay can all be low in magnesium. Getting a hay test with mineral analysis can easily show if this is an issue we need to worry about. If tests come back showing less than 0.15% magnesium, the hay is deficient. Other mineral interactions that can worsen tetany are low calcium (<0.40%) and high in potassium (>2.5%).
If your test comes back with issues, consider switching over to a high calcium and magnesium mineral. Most options use magnesium oxide, which is bitter tasting and can reduce animal consumption. Consider mixing with a protein or energy supplement or mixing with distillers grain or soybean meal to improve consumption if it’s not at target levels (for a 10-13% Magnesium mix, this is 4 oz. per head).
Another concern to keep an eye on is nitrates. Forages high in nitrate that were harvested for hay will not see a significant reduction in nitrate levels after curing. Any hay that we suspect being high in nitrates should be tested and if high, fed as a reduced portion of the diet to prevent an issue with toxicity.
Tetany and nitrates in the winter aren’t problems that often jump right to a producer’s mind, but they can be a serious issue, especially when an animal’s diet is limited to what they are fed. Properly testing hay and adjusting minerals and diets to minimize risk can keep your winter hay worries at bay.
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SOURCE: Ben Beckman, Extension Educator Livestock Systems
RELEASE DATE: January 26, 2026
Nebraska Extension Launches Six-Part Webinar Series on Controlling Invasive Weeds and Pests in Pastures
Nebraska Extension will offer a six-part webinar series in February 2026 designed to equip ranchers, landowners, and natural resource professionals with the latest research and management strategies for tackling invasive weeds, woody encroachment, and pasture pests.
“Controlling Invasive Weeds & Pests in Pastures” will be held over three weeks, with webinars taking place on Mondays and Thursdays — Feb. 9, 12, 16, 19, 23 and 26 — from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. MT (7:30 to 8:45 p.m. CT).
The series brings together Nebraska Extension specialists and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to address several of the most pressing challenges in pasture and rangeland management.
Topics & Speakers include:
- Understanding regulations regarding pesticide application in pastures and noxious weed laws in Nebraska - Nebraska Department of Agriculture.
- Learn common invasive broadleaf weeds, herbicide options and the critical aspect of timing for control. Dr. Nevin Lawrence will discuss research results and how these apply to land managers.
- Woody encroachment on pastures is clear to see. Presenters Ben Beckman and Bethany Johnston will cover when control methods work best on cedars and troublesome shrubs.
- Invasive winter annuals like cheatgrass can wreck native range. Dr. Mitch Stephenson will discuss recent research in the Panhandle that is providing data on the effectiveness of herbicide options.
- What is that? New weeds to watch for will be the topic Gary Stone discusses early detection and rapid response is key to control problem plants.
- Grasshopper populations can cause significant forage losses on pastures. Dave Boxler will discuss when treatment is warranted and restrictions for insecticide applications.
Registration is $75 per person and includes a mailed packet of key reference materials: the 2025 UNL Guide to Weed Management, Weeds of the Great Plains, and a booklet of NebGuides and Extension Circulars focused on invasive species. Webinars will be recorded.
Registration closes Jan. 26 to ensure participants receive their materials before the first webinar.
Those interested may register at https://go.unl.edu/PasturePests .
For more information, contact Aaron Berger, at 308-235-3122 or aberger2@unl.edu .
Natalie Jones | IANR Communications
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Northeast Nebraska Crops Update
Farmers, crop consultants, agribusiness professionals, and others interested in row crop production are invited to attend the Northeast Nebraska Crops Update, a free, one-day educational program focused on current crop issues and management decisions along with industry representatives.
The program will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. Lunch will be provided at no cost to participants.
This update will feature Extension specialists covering a wide range of timely topics relevant to the growing season, including:
- Corn and soybean diseases
- Soybean defoliation and insect management
- Entomology updates affecting Northeast Nebraska crops
- In-season nitrogen reduction and nutrient management strategies
- Grain storage management and post-harvest considerations
- Agricultural policy and economic implications, including discussion of the “One Big Beautiful Bill”
Certified Crop Adviser CEU’s are pending for program participants.
The Northeast Nebraska Crops Update is designed to provide practical, research-based information that producers can apply immediately to improve decision-making, profitability, and risk management.
There is no cost to attend, and lunch is provided, but pre-registration is requested at go.unl.edu/26register-crops-update for meal planning purposes or by contacting Agnes at 402-584-2261.
Date: February 4th, 2026
Location: Haskell Ag Lab, 57905 866 Road, Concord, NE
For more information, go to the website go.unl.edu/26crop_update.
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Nebraska Women in Agriculture conference registration open
Lincoln, Nebraska, Dec. 10, 2025 — The 41st Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference will be held Feb. 25–27, 2026, at the Younes Conference Center South, 416 Talmadge St., in Kearney.
The event will kick off with a preconference session, “Leveraging Livestock Insurance for Stability and Success.” The in-depth session will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday and will help livestock producers gain a deeper understanding of Livestock Risk Protection, Livestock Gross Margin and Weaned Calf Revenue Protection.
During the main event on Thursday and Friday, attendees will hear from keynote speakers Sarah Morton, Zoe Kent, Halie Groth and Virginia Fay.
In addition to the keynote sessions, participants may choose from more than 20 workshops covering the five areas of agricultural risk management: production, marketing, financial, human and legal. Select workshops will offer continuing education credits for certified crop advisors.
“We are thrilled to present such a diverse and inspiring lineup of speakers at this year’s conference,” said Jessica Groskopf, director of the Nebraska Women in Agriculture program. “The experts, innovators and leaders joining us are truly exceptional, and their insights will provide invaluable knowledge for everyone involved in agriculture. This is an opportunity you won’t want to miss.”
Registration opened Jan. 6, 2026. Two-day registration is $150 for participants who register on or before Feb. 15 and increases to $175 beginning Feb. 16. One-day registration is available for $90. The preconference workshop has an additional $25 registration fee.
Nebraska Women in Agriculture also invites college students to apply for leadership roles as event ambassadors. Applications are due by Feb. 1.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for organizations interested in supporting and being featured at the conference. More information is available on the Nebraska Women in Agriculture website.
For additional details and registration information, visit wia.unl.edu.
This work is supported by the North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center, project award No. 2024-70027-42470, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. All attendees are welcome to participate regardless of race, gender or any other protected status.
About the speakers
Sarah Morton is a third-generation farmer in central Virginia who works alongside her siblings to steward land, support food equity, and strengthen agricultural workforce development. She founded initiatives supporting 4-H, STEM education, and small producers, including Growing 4-H Science and the Lulu Food Hub. Sarah is an American Farmland Trust “Women in the Land” Award recipient and serves as Regional Workforce Executive Director with Virginia Career Works – Piedmont and on the University of Virginia’s President’s Council.
Zoe Kent is an eighth-generation Ohio farmer who manages her family’s corn and soybean operation. After earning her degree from The Ohio State University, she returned home to farm with her father before taking over the operation in 2021. Zoe also shares the realities of modern farming on her online platform, @farmwithzoe, to connect agriculture and the public through transparency and storytelling.
Halie Groth is a Nebraska native and passionate advocate for agriculture and women in the industry. As a Crop Protection Territory Manager for Corteva Agriscience and a former Nebraska State FFA Officer, she partners with growers and retailers using a people-first approach to support sustainable success. Halie is driven by a desire to uplift others and inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Virginia Fay holds degrees in home economics education and education and spent 37 years teaching in Nebraska, including at Palmer and Omaha Northwest High School. She now owns and manages a row-crop and pastureland farming operation near Bradshaw, with land that has been in her family for over 100 years. Virginia remains active in her community through volunteering, gardening as a Master Gardener, and her love of travel and meeting new people
SOURCE: CONTACT: Jessica Groskopf, Director, Nebraska Women in Agriculture Program, 308-632-1247, wia@unl.edu
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Workshops Aim to Boost Crop Yields by Improving Manure Management
LINCOLN, Neb. — Turning manure nutrients into improved crop yields while protecting water and soil quality will be the focus of seven Nebraska Extension workshops scheduled across the state in February and March.
“Our workshops focus on choosing the best possible field for manure application and therefore are useful for any crop farmer utilizing manure, even though they have traditionally been attended by livestock producers,” said Leslie Johnson, Nebraska Extension’s Animal Manure Management Extension Educator. “The workshops will still meet the educational requirements for permitted livestock operations laid out by the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment’s Title 130.”
The day-long sessions, held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time, provide DWEE Land Application Training certification. Participants must attend the full program, which includes lunch, to earn certification. Sessions will cover regulatory updates and strategies for using manure effectively on cropland. While certification is available, anyone may attend, including crop farmers and smaller livestock operators seeking practical guidance for their operations.
Hands-on activities will help participants evaluate which fields are best suited for manure application. Each session will present a scenario in which attendees assess potential fields and determine whether manure use would be beneficial or if certain limitations make the site less desirable. Participants will then rank fields by priority based on factors such as nutrient value, transportation cost, soil health, water quality, neighbor proximity, and odor concerns. Regulations and record-keeping requirements for manure storage and application will also be covered.
Workshop dates and locations:
· Gothenburg – Feb. 9
· Ainsworth – Feb. 24
· Broken Bow – Feb. 25
· Bridgeport – Feb. 27
· Norfolk – March 4
· West Point – March 5
· Aurora – March 17
Because seating is limited and meals are provided, advance registration is required at least one week before each event. Additional sessions may be added if demand is high. Registration is available at water.unl.edu/lat.
The cost is $100 per operation requiring certification—typically larger livestock facilities—or $25 per person for attendees not seeking certification, including smaller livestock producers, crop farmers, NRCS staff, and landlords.
The workshops are sponsored by Nebraska Extension’s Animal Manure Management Team, which works to help livestock and crop producers maximize the agronomic and environmental benefits of manure. For more information, visit manure.unl.edu or contact Leslie Johnson at 402-584-3818 or ljohnson13@nebraska.edu.
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Common Sense Farming and Ranching
Alfredo DiCostanzo, Beef Systems Extension Educator
University of Nebraska
Week of January 26, 2026
Figures don’t lie!
Slowly but surely beef is overcoming the negative image wrongly ascribed by health professionals and others in years past. The implications of this trend for beef supply are noteworthy, particularly when the US cattle inventory is at an all-time low.
Demand for beef is also increasing in other countries, namely Mexico. Focusing on beef demand and supply in Mexico is important as Mexico exported, on average, 1.1 million head of feeder cattle to the US yearly between 2022 and 2024. This process has been interrupted by suspension of imports of feeder cattle (and other species) from Mexico due to the ongoing New World screwworm (NWSW) situation in that country.
In 2024, Mexico also exported 597 million lb of beef to the US (as of October 2025, Mexico had exported 567 million lb of beef to the US: 82% of all beef exported by Mexico). These figures are expressed as pounds of carcass weight equivalent. Using 701 lb carcass weight (average for cattle harvested in Mexico in 2025), beef exports to the US represent carcasses from 850,000 head of cattle imported to the US as beef trimmings and no-roll cuts.
Why such detailed focus on Mexican cattle inventory and harvest?
For 2025, USDA projected an inventory of nearly 12 million beef and dairy cows which delivered 8.7 million calves. Total harvest was projected at 7.1 million cattle of which 5.3 million head were steers and heifers.
Combined one-time feedlot capacity in the largest four feedlots in Mexico is at least 1 million head. Incidentally, the level of technology and sophistication at these feedlots is par with most corporate feedlots in the US. Furthermore, most of the larger feedlot firms own their own packing and fabrication plants or have arrangements to access plants. Most of the beef exported to the US is sourced from these plants.
Grain-fed cattle in Mexico are generally finished at a given weight not degree of finish endpoint; generally, 1,250 lb. Cattle are mostly received as yearlings weighing 600 or more lb. Feeding periods last 140 days.
At a turnover rate of 3x yearly these feedlots require 3.3 million incoming cattle yearly: 62% of the projected calf crop destined for slaughter.
Obviously, these four feedlots do not feed all the grain-fed cattle in Mexico, and a significant proportion of beef is derived from grass-finished cattle. Therefore, this analysis strongly suggests that domestic Mexican calf production simply cannot meet demand for growing cattle in feedlots or on pastures.
This analysis leads to three questions:
Firstly, if feeder cattle imports from Mexico would resume, would US cattle feeders have access to 1 million head coming from Mexico?
Secondly, considering the strong demand for feeder cattle by the Mexican feedlot sector, what incentives does Mexico have to effectively stop the flow of cattle originating from Central America, legally or illegally?
Lastly, extending the implications of the second question, how effective do you suspect are NWSW barriers in Mexico?
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Week of January 12, 2026
Projecting cow numbers for 2026
For the last few weeks, I have been compiling USDA reports to generate projections on beef production and cattle inventory. The official release of the USDA cattle inventory is not until the end of this month. That leaves anyone attempting to put numbers together to rely on weekly slaughter reports for the end of 2025 and perusing the USDA cattle inventory reports for 2025 and previous years.
Using this information, and assuming that there will be errors in any approach, reconstruction of the inventory reports each January is possible. Error in predicting cow (beef and dairy inventory) for the years 2023 to 2024 ranged from 0.1% to 0.8%. Not bad for extremely rough projections.
Regardless, the important figures to concentrate on relate to heifer and cow slaughter and intentions represented in the cattle inventory to retain heifers. The latter is easily assumed to be on target if the figure “Heifers expected to calve” is used.
During each year between 2022 and 2025, 10.3, 10.0, 10.0, and 9.3 million heifers were harvested each year, respectively. During these years, 7, 6.6, 5.6, and 5.0 million cows were harvested each year, respectively. Clearly, harvest counts for 2022 to 2024 led to the lowest cow inventory in 2025.
So, the answer to the question whether we have stopped reducing the cow herd and begun building the herd may be constructed from these calculations.
Starting 2025 with a cow inventory totaling 37.2 million cows, from which 5 million cows were harvested, leads to a carryover of 32.2 million cows. Intentions in early 2025 were for the beef and dairy industry to calve 5.42 million heifers. This projects 37.6 million beef and dairy cows for January of 2026; a modest increase of 350,000 females over 2025.
Predicting the calf crop for 2025 is more difficult. Forage production conditions were generally favorable. Using the weighted average for percentage calf crop obtained between 2022 and 2024 (88.3%) returns a projection of 32.8 million calves expected to have been born in 2025. Relative to 2024, this projection represents a decline in calf crop of 670,000 calves or 2%. Keep in mind that reproductive efficiency of the US cow herd in 2024 was at an all time high (89.8%).
In conclusion, in January of 2026, the US is expected to have at least as many cows as were inventoried in 2025 or up to 350,000 more. This is positive as it represents the potential for beef production in 2026 to remain at levels like that in 2025.
The wild card? Reproductive efficiency!
At average pregnancy rates, we expect to have 670,000 fewer calves born in 2025. The US cow herd would have to have a 90% pregnancy rate (like that in 2024) to produce as many calves as were born in 2024.
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Week of December 29, 2025
Wrapping up beef production for 2025
As we wrap up calendar year 2025; and what a year it has been! A peek at beef production totals forecasted for 2025 might be in order.
Looking at beef production statistics using USDA data during the last short week of the year should not be that difficult. It is like predicting whether a cow, due to calve any day, is pregnant. At that point, everybody should be an expert.
From January to August of 2025, US beef production expressed as carcass weight in Federally Inspected plants was 17.2 billion pounds. The corresponding figure for 2024 was 17.9 billion pounds. At that time, there was a 0.7 billion shortfall with 1/3 of the year left. Adding to the 2025 figure using weekly slaughter data from September to the week ending December 26, 2025, results in 25.6 billion pounds projected for 2025. The corresponding figure for 2024 was 26.6 billion pounds or a 0.9 billion pounds production decline year over year.
This is not bad when one considers that cattle on feed inventories are well below 2024 and cull cattle slaughter is down.
Yet, Americans are hungry for beef, so where is the beef (coming from)?
With all the talk about imports, one might suspect we imported record amounts of beef in 2025. From January to December of 2025, the US imported 3.8 billion pounds equivalent to the total imported by the US in 2023 but 0.8 billion pounds below 2024 imports.
Beef and veal import figures for the months of September through December 2025 are not available yet. If we project imports of beef and veal for this period in 2025 at the same levels for the September to December 2024 period, the expectation is that the US will import 1.6 billion pounds leading to total beef imports of 5.4 billion pounds for 2025. This would be an increase of 17% over 2024.
A few observations:
- Domestic US beef production is expected to fall 3.8% from 2024 to 2025 as cattle on feed inventories declined.
- Projected at 25.6 billion pounds, US beef production in 2025 resulted from relatively stable beef and dairy cow herds: 27.9 and 9.3 million beef and dairy cows, respectively.
- Adding beef imports from January to August and projected beef imports from September to December 2025 to domestic beef production results in 31 billion pounds of beef to supply the US. In 2024, this figure was 31.2 billion pounds.
Conclusive thoughts
- Appetite for beef by the American consumer continues and it drives domestic production and the need to import beef.
- If beef and dairy herds remain stable in 2026, domestic beef production should also remain stable at 25 to 26 billion pounds. This would mean that imports of beef in 2026 should remain at 2025 levels.
- It is unclear yet whether heifer retention intensified in late 2025. When it does, domestic beef production will drop unless beef-on-dairy feedlot cattle production increases, which is unlikely.
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Rural Health
Hannah Guenther, Extension Educator
Week of January 19, 2026
A New Pilot, A Shared Mission: Extension and Cancer Prevention
It’s time for another little update from your local — then statewide — now pilot lead Extension Educator. My journey with Extension has gone through another transformation, and because this article feels like I’m writing to friends, I wanted to fill you in. As many of you may remember, in June 2024 I stepped into a new role as a Statewide Rural Health Extension Educator. That move meant leaving the county office and expanding my catchment area to include the entire state of Nebraska. My charge was to help improve health outcomes for people living in our rural Nebraska.
Rural Nebraskans, unfortunately, face persistent health disparities. These include higher rates of chronic disease, increased cancer risk, and reduced access to preventive care and healthcare services. Addressing these challenges requires more than individual programs requiring system-level thinking, strong partnerships, and trusted community connections.
Over the past year, my work has continued to evolve from delivering education to helping build and coordinate statewide strategies that strengthen how Extension supports rural health. This work has led to a new opportunity and a slight adjustment to my job description to include a new project that is near and dear to my heart. I am serving as the pilot lead for a new partnership between Nebraska Extension and the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. So today, I want to share with you an inside look into my new position and share with you helpful information in terms of cancer screening.
But wait — do I still work for Extension? Yes, absolutely. The cancer center brings cutting-edge research and cancer-related resources to serve the entire state, but what they often lack is the local connection. That’s where Extension comes in. My role is to help connect the cancer center’s work to our Extension system embedding cancer prevention and screening education into programs people already know and trust. This includes identifying existing Extension programs where cancer screening information fits naturally, partnering with local hospital systems, and helping bridge connections between communities and the cancer center.
But wait - why focus so heavily on screening versus prevention? Currently, Nebraska experiences significantly higher rates of eight types of cancer compared to the national average, with a disproportionate burden affecting rural communities. Early detection leads to better treatment and improved survivorship. Research shows that:
- Routine mammography has reduced breast cancer deaths by 30–40%
- Pap smear screening has reduced cervical cancer deaths by more than 70% since its introduction
- Colorectal cancer death rates have dropped over 50% since the 1980s, largely due to screening
- Low-dose CT scans reduce lung cancer deaths by 20–40% among high-risk adults
My job today looks a little different than when I started with Extension in 2018, but the heart of the work remains the same. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue serving Nebraskans — helping individuals, families, and communities live healthier, fuller lives through education, prevention, and connection.
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Week of January 5, 2026
Potato, Potahto
Potato, Potahto. No matter what you call them, potatoes are a great nutritious vegetable that is many times overlooked or removed from the diet. Whenever I say that potatoes are a part of a healthy eating pattern, I am almost always get a “really?!” in response. French fries and chips aren’t the only way to enjoy this humble ingredient. Potatoes are not only affordable but are incredibly versatile in rounding out your main dish or becoming center stage of your next meal. And if you have gotten on social media here in the last week, you’ll see that potatoes are trending! So today, we are going to talk all about how to buy and store potatoes, nutritional value of potatoes, and finally some fun, nutritious ways to enjoy potatoes.
When purchasing potatoes, you have options! Between russet, Yukon Gold, Red Skinned, or sweet, it’s hard to know where to begin! Russet potatoes have a neutral flavor and are great for baking or mashed potatoes. Yukon Gold and Red Skinned are usually smaller in size and sweeter in flavor. They are great boiled, mashed, or my favorite, roasted. Finally, we have the sweet potato which is the most unique in flavor and color. Just like their name, sweet potatoes are sweet and more fibrous in texture. They are great roasted, baked, or mashed. Once you have decided what kind of purchase, look for firm, clean potatoes while trying to avoid discoloration, bruising or greening. Once you bring your potatoes home, you want to store them in a cool, dark place with adequate ventilation. When you are ready to eat, scrub potatoes under water and remove all dirt. Cut off any sprouts or greening you see.
But why are my potatoes turning green? This is a natural process by the potato when exposed to too much natural or fluorescent light. If it is only a little green, you can cut it off to remove. If the potato is completely green, it needs to be discarded. The greening potatoes contain a toxin that can make you sick.
So, let’s start cooking, but before that let’s discuss the nutritional value of potatoes. In one medium potato, you will find 110 calories, 0 grams of fat, 26 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein along with 30% of your daily vitamin C and 15% of your daily potassium needs. They are a starchy root vegetable that can provide your body with carbohydrates needed to fuel daily life and physical activity. Now, what about sweet potatoes? Sweet potatoes have nearly the same calories, carbohydrates, and protein as a regular potato, but they are higher in fiber, vitamin A, and Vitamin C. As you can see, potatoes by themselves are pretty healthy! But loading them up with butter, sour cream, and brown sugar is going to contest the nutritional value. Let’s discuss some healthy and delicious ways to enjoy potatoes.
- If you are a potato purist, keep it simple with 1 tsp of butter and instead of sour cream, try low fat Greek yogurt instead. Top with fresh or dried chives for a delicious baked potato.
- If you are a French fry fanatic, try roasted potatoes instead! Wash and dice potatoes into small even sized pieces. Toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and dried oregano. Roast at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until they are crisp on the outside and tender on the inside.
- If you want to elevate the humble potato to center stage, set up a baked potato bar for dinner. Choose a variety of toppings from ground beef, broccoli, low fat cheese, salsa, and barbeque sauce. Bake your potatoes in the oven at 350 for 45-1 hour and once they are cooked, send your family members through the line to build their own baked potato.
Whether they are potatoes or potahtoes, they are a part of a healthy eating pattern and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways!
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Week of December 22, 2025
“Have a happy and healthy holiday!” It’s a phrase that we hear and pass around generously during the holiday season. With copious amounts of family time, great food, and Christmas movies it is hard not to be happy during the holiday season but staying healthy is a challenge all its own. Have a happy and try to have a healthy holiday would probably be a more realistic salutation to give, but staying the course on your health goals is possible during the season of sugar plums and sugar cookies. Now before I dive into this, I just say relax. I am not going to tell you avoid the sweets table and to not indulge in all that Christmas has to offer. What I am going to do is provide suggestions of healthy activities, nutritious snacks, and some helpful tricks.
Work Then Play
Schedule workouts during the holiday with family and friends. And no, you don’t always have to brave the cold and get to the gym to enjoy a good workout. Instead, get creative and workout at home. Have everyone in your workout group pick an exercise like lunges, pushups, jumping jacks, or high knees, do 25 reps of each exercise, and repeat for 5 sets. One thing we have done during the holidays is find fun online workouts. One year we all did an online dance class. We laughed and sweat together.
Stay Hydrated
Between constant grazing and hot cocoa, it is easy to forget to drink water. Assign everyone a plastic water bottle by writing their initials on top of the lid with a sharpie and use them throughout the stay or holiday to help everyone stay hydrated, reduce plastic use, and reduce the dishes that need to be washed. Remember that the minimum amount of water, in ounces, you need to be drinking each day is your bodyweight/2.
Stay Rested
The holidays make you the best kind of tired. I say that because although many of us are running around between towns, cities, and houses we are doing all that running around in order to spend more time with family and friends. That being said it is so important to stay well rested. Don’t be shy and unwilling to schedule naps in throughout the holiday. Charlotte is forced to nap during the craziness of Christmas, and I am napping right there beside her.
Half (1/2) your plate
One of the things I like to preach and practice during the holidays is when I am filling my plate, I like to fill half of it with fruits and vegetables. Sometimes that means ditching my salad bowl and filling my plate with greens instead. I like doing this because it leads me to start with my healthy choices and leaves less room in my stomach for the not so healthy offerings. If I am still hungry after my plate, I will go back for more but this is a great way to make sure I am still fueling my body properly during the large holiday meals.
Bring The Greens
I have 100% gained the reputation of “Salad Lady”, “Vegetable – bringer”, “she’s in charge of the veggie tray” individual. It all started with the fact that I started bringing lighter and more vegetable based options to holiday get to-gethers. My thought was that if I wanted to eat healthy I would bring a healthy option. Although I at times am the only one eating my vegetable offerings, I continually tell my husband that there are worse things to be known for.
Have a happy holiday and practice some of these tricks and activities to have a healthy holiday!
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