DEVELOPMENTS
On August 19, Senator Jerry Moran, a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, joined Senators John Thune of South Dakota, Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota and Tina Smith of Minnesota in introducing the Conservation Reserve Program Improvement and Flexibility Act. The legislation would bolster CRP by improving access to grazing, maximizing enrollment options for producers and expediting emergency haying in response to drought and other weather-related disaster events. “Kansas Livestock Association has long advocated for additional grazing opportunities on CRP acres,” said KLA CEO Matt Teagarden. “Grazing benefits the native grass species, advancing the conservation goals of the program. We appreciate Sen. Moran’s leadership in improving CRP for producers and the land.” Specifically, the act would provide cost sharing for the establishment of grazing infrastructure, such as fencing and water distribution, on all CRP contracts if grazing is included in the approved conservation plan. It also would increase the CRP annual payment limitation from $50,000, which was established in 1985, to $125,000 to account for inflation and rising land values and provide landowners with more enrollment options.
Several Kansas Corn leaders and staff participated in the U.S. Grains Council’s 65th Board of Delegates Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Representing Kansas Corn were CEO Josh Roe who serves on the council’s Board of Directors; Connie Fischer, director of innovation and commercialization; and Greg Krissek, CEO-Emeritus. Roe said, “Given that we are well on track to break corn and ethanol export records this market year, despite increasing trade conflicts, is a testament to the effectiveness of the USGBC in opening and maintaining export markets. USGBC staff are in constant contact with the highest levels of USTR and USDA on a daily basis to ensure that new trade deals include increased corn and ethanol exports.” It is clear, he added, that the investments made by Kansas corn farmers in partnering with USGBC have paid off. Corn exports are set to surpass 3.75 billion bushels and ethanol exports over 2 billion gallons for the 24/25 marketing year that ends this month.
Ag Secretary Brooke L. Rollins and Texas State Governor Greg Abbott recently unveiled USDA’s plan to combat New World Screwworm. USDA will work alongside the FDA, EPA, CDC, Department of Energy and the Customs and Boarder Protection Agency. As part of the effort to prevent the spread of NWS, USDA will provide up to $100 million to invest in viable innovations that could augment the U.S.’s facility to accelerate the pace of sterile fly production. USDA will support proven concepts that require funding to scale and implement as well as a number of longer-term research projects focused on novel NWS traps and lures and therapeutics that could be stockpiled and used should if NWS reach the United States. More information is available here.
Applications are now open for Kansas students to apply to a United States Service Academy for the Class of 2030. “One of my favorite duties as a U.S. Senator is appointing Kansans to the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York; the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York,” said Senator Jerry Moran. To be considered for an interview by Senator Moran’s Service Academy Screening Board, young Kansas men and women can contact Lisa Dethloff by phone at (913) 393-0711 or by email. Applications must be submitted by September 8, 2025.
Applications are now open for the next class of the Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow (ALOT) program. ALOT is a two-year advanced leadership development program designed to prepare emerging and established leaders to shape the future of Missouri agriculture. With nine in-state sessions, a week-long seminar in Washington, D.C., and a two-week international experience, participants gain hands-on insight into public policy, economics, international trade, and communication. Since its founding, more than 500 men and women have completed the program, including state and federal legislators, Directors of Agriculture, CEOs of national commodity organizations, and leaders in nearly every ag group across Missouri. ALOT is currently seeking applications from farmers, rural professionals, agribusiness leaders, and community advocates across the state. Applicants must be Missouri residents age 25 or older who are actively engaged in agriculture or agribusiness and able to commit to the full program schedule and fee. The application window is open August 1–September 30, 2025. To learn more or apply, visit missourialot.org. Follow @missourialot on social media for updates, or email info@missourialot.org with any questions.
The Kansas Forest Service has confirmed the presence of the emerald ash borer in Bourbon County on privately owned land north of Barnesville, the third confirmed sighting found in Kansas this year. KFS, working with K-State Research and Extension, captured and confirmed one dead adult insect and several live larvae specimens on July 28. KFS officials first noted signs and symptoms of the pest and a follow-up site visit resulted in the official detection of verifiable physical specimens. “It appears that the insects are now very much into their larval stage and are actively feeding on the vascular tissue of their host trees,” said Shad Hufnagel, forest health coordinator with the Kansas Forest Service. “This is the life stage where the real damage occurs as the feeding disrupts the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients. Ash trees in the area we observed showed considerable decline.” KFS officials note that at least 70 million ash trees have already been destroyed due to the emerald ash borer, and as many as 9 billion North American ash trees will eventually be functionally rooted out and destroyed from the continent. The Kansas Forest Service, in partnership with K-State Research and Extension, continues to offer workshops and educational training in counties with detected populations of emerald ash borer, as well as those communities not yet affected by the pest.
Farm bankruptcies nearly doubled in the first three months of 2025 compared to last year, and experts don’t expect the trend to change. Data from the federal court system show 88 Chapter 12 filings through March 31. Last year there were 45 filings in the same period. For Adam Birk, those filing for bankruptcy at the law firm where he works with his father fall into one category: “tired.” “Once you hit that point, you know, they’ve been racking their brains on how to get out of this for quite a while,” Birk said. “There definitely can be some shame to it. … It’s a hurt to the pride.” Birk, whose Missouri firm specializes in farm bankruptcies, told Agri-Pulse that the number of filings he’s seen this year has risen sharply. In 2025, seven Chapter 12 bankruptcies have already been filed with the firm, which typically doesn’t see more than one per year. A pattern for most of these filers, Birk said, is that they’ve been “rolling over” debt from previous years. “Then you get hit with where we’re at in the farm economy, and just — there’s no way,” he said.
Retail pork prices hit record high levels this summer and are expected to remain elevated heading into the holiday season, reported Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. In July, average retail pork prices reached the highest point of the year, $5.01 per pound, up from $4.92 a year ago, said David Anderson, Ph.D. “Supplies remain tight as U.S. pork production has edged lower due to reduced sow numbers, despite gains in productivity per litter,” he said. “Consumers should expect higher prices this fall because production is about the same as last year and we’re not seeing expansion in the herd.” Pork loins are a relative bargain at $1.13 per pound wholesale, compared to $1.26 a year ago. Packers and retailers are already booking hams for Thanksgiving and Christmas, with bellies and the bacon market they supply, continuing to hold strong demand. “Pork is in a good spot right now to provide affordable protein options for consumers, especially with beef prices remaining very high,” Griffin added.
Farmer sentiment continues to weaken, as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer declined again in July. The barometer fell 11 points to 135 from June, a reading that resulted from U.S. farmers’ weaker perceptions of both current conditions and future expectations. The July Current Conditions Index dropped 17 points to 127 from last month, while the Future Expectations Index posted a smaller decline of 7 points to 139. Driving the weaker income prospects for 2025 were farmers’ assessment of current conditions. Despite lower scores on the three principal farmer sentiment indices, sentiment remains notably higher than at the same time a year ago. Almost three-fourths of July’s survey respondents reported that U.S. policy is headed “in the right direction.” This month’s barometer survey took place from July 7-11.
Family farms comprise 95% of all U.S. farms, according to the 2022 Census of Agriculture Farm Typology, released August 19 by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The farm typology report primarily focuses on the “family farm,” defined as any farm where the majority of the business is owned by the producer and individuals related to the producer. The report classifies all farms into unique categories based on two criteria: who owns the operation and gross cash farm income (GCFI). GCFI includes the producer’s sales of crops and livestock, fees for delivering commodities under production contracts, government payments, and farm-related income. The data shows that small family farms, those farms with a GCFI of less than $350,000 per year, account for 85% of all U.S. farms, 39% of total land in farms, and 14% of the value of all agricultural products sold. Large-scale family farms (GCFI of $1 million or more) make up less than 4% of all U.S. farms but produce 51% of the value of all agricultural products. The data also shows that the number of family farms decreased by 8% (almost 159,000 farms) since 2017. Mid-size, large, and very large farms experienced increases of 2%, 40% and 65%, respectively. The number of small family farms fell 10% (low sales) and 7% (moderate sales), respectively. More information available at www.nass.usda.gov.
Flooding across parts of the United States has made headlines in recent months, causing widespread damage to homes, infrastructure and natural resources. But while floods often leave behind costly destruction, a Kansas State University expert says these high-water events also play a valuable role in nature’s cycle. On a recent episode of the Kansas State podcast Fins, Fur and Feathers, K-State aquatics specialist Joe Gerken joined co-host Drew Ricketts to explore the causes and consequences of flooding. “But not all floods are created equal.” And he added, “Floods aren’t always bad.” Floods are a form of ecological disturbance, said Gerken. “If we take out some of the negative side effects to humans and property…flooding can serve the same role as prescribed fire and snow and ice. Over time, Mother Nature might reclaim some of those areas to regrow new trees. And that process is important, too.” Floodwaters can carry nutrients into surrounding flood plains, replenishing some of the world’s most fertile farmland. The process, called lateral connectivity, helps rivers connect with adjacent wetlands and forests, enriching soil and encouraging biodiversity. Gerken said flooding can also benefit aquatic life. “Some fish, like alligator gar and freshwater drum, take advantage of these shallow, flooded areas to spawn,” he said. “They lay eggs on vegetation in temporarily submerged fields. It’s an incredible process.”
PEOPLE
Ronald Brakke, a pioneer in the animal health industry, passed away on July 30 at the age of 84. His career in animal health spanned six decades. He left his position as CEO of Zoecon in 1986 to found Brakke Consulting, a management consulting firm that became a leading authority in the animal health industry. In 1983, Brakke completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. His keen insight and encyclopedic knowledge of the industry culminated in the publication of his 2009 book, The U.S. Animal Health Industry: It's Pioneers and Their Legacy of Innovation, which documented the stories of the individuals and companies that built the foundation of modern animal health. In 2014, Ron received the Iron Paw Award from the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor, recognizing his contributions to the industry.
Agricultural Business Council member AgriThority® reports that its Global Director, Science and Technology at AgriThority®, Ignacio Colonna has been selected to speak in the Scientific Track at the Biostimulants World Congress in Barcelona on December 3, 2025. His presentation, "The Importance of a Framework for Predictive Analytics and Benchmarking in Agricultural Product Development" will address the importance of structure for predictive analytics and effective data-driven decision making. Innovators know there is meaningful information to be extracted from their data but can be overwhelmed by the volume and competing priorities,” Colonna said. “AgriThority has attended many Biostimulant World Congress events throughout the years and has been a speaker several times,” said Jerry Duff, AgriThority founder and president. “Robust, credible data is the foundation of any good strategy and product, and we’re looking forward to sharing insights from more than 15 years of working with new ag innovations.”
Terry Griffin, professor of agricultural economics at Kansas State University, was appointed to the White House Space Weather Advisory Group. He specializes in precision agriculture and evaluating economic risks of space weather and GPS signal degradation in industries, particularly agriculture. Griffin will be part of the advisory group to the White House Subcommittee on Space Weather Operations, Research, and Mitigation.
Former Missouri Corn Growers Association president Jay Fischer of Jefferson City was elected U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council secretary-treasurer during the 65th annual delegates meeting in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Fischer began his service to the USGBC board of directors in 2021, volunteering his time as an at-large director. Most recently, he has served as corn sector director, helping guide the organization’s efforts to increase exports of U.S. corn and corn co-products. Fischer has been a member of the Missouri Corn board of directors since 2009. In addition to serving as MCGA president, Fischer has held the roles of vice president and secretary/treasurer. He has also served the state’s growers as Missouri Corn Merchandising Council (MCMC) secretary and vice-chairman. Fischer has been a member of the Missouri Corn board of directors since 2009. In addition to serving as MCGA president, Fischer has held the roles of vice president and secretary/treasurer. He has also served the state’s growers as Missouri Corn Merchandising Council (MCMC) secretary and vice-chairman.
Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association’s 20-plus member board of directors recently selected Scott Morris of Ag Partners Cooperative, Inc., to serve a two-year term as chairman through August of 2027. Morris is the 57th industry leader since 1960. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Pittsburg State University, as well as professional credentials including Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Safety Management Professional (SMP). “Scott Morris has been, and continues to be, a valuable asset to advancing our association,” KARA president and CEO Ron Seeber said. “We are excited to embrace Scott’s guidance and thoughtful insight as we continue to evolve our association to enhance our value to our membership.”
EVENTS
The annual Tomato Festival in Columbia, Missouri celebrates its 20th Anniversary Thursday, September 4 from 4-7 pm when the free event returns to the University of Missouri’s Jefferson Farm and Garden. Since 2005, the festival has grown from a modest tomato tasting into a signature event showcasing more than 150 tomato varieties, peppers, ground cherries and more, says Tim Reinbott, MU Extension director of field operations. This year’s milestone event will celebrate 20 Lessons Learned in 20 Years by blending agricultural wisdom with the Tomato Festival’s trademark fun, says Reinbott, one of the original organizers of the festival. “The Tomato Festival has always been about more than tasting tomatoes,” Reinbott adds. “It’s about sharing knowledge, celebrating agriculture and connecting people to where their food comes from. This year, we’re honoring everything we’ve learned along the way.” More information at www.muext.us/TomatoFestival2025.
The Republican River Compact Administration held its 2025 annual meeting on Thursday, August 28. The RRCA focused on water-related issues and activities, including compact compliance, within the Republican River basin in Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska. Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska entered into the Republican River Compact in 1943 to provide for the equitable division of the basin’s waters and to promote interstate cooperation and joint action by the states and the U.S. in the efficient use of water and the control of destructive floods. Individuals who have questions regarding the meeting should contact Chris Beightel, KDA water management services program manager, at Chris.Beightel@ks.gov or 785-564-6659 for more information. Additional information about the Republican River compact and this year’s annual meeting is available at www.agriculture.ks.gov/RRCA.
The 2025 Angus Convention will take place in Kansas City from October 31 to November 2. “We know that one of the best parts of Angus Convention is catching up with friends from across the country. In years’ past, that has required people to jump between multiple hotel lobbies and back and forth from event space to event space,” said Catilyn Brandt, director of events and junior activities for the American Angus Association. “We are excited to bring everyone together under one roof and expand the opportunities to connect in a more intimate setting.” The Kansas City Downtown Marriott will host the main stage events, Angus University sessions, cocktail hours and the newest addition – the Industry Showcase. Located just outside the main ballroom, the Industry Showcase will offer cattle producers a chance to connect with industry partners between sessions. This change will save travel time between event spaces and allow attendees to focus on what’s important – meaningful conversation.
FarmCon, the ag innovation and investment sector’s most energizing event, is gearing up for its 2026 annual conference January 7-8, 2026, at Loews Kansas City Hotel. Widely hailed as agriculture’s select event for top-tier farmers, innovators and investors, FarmCon 2026 will include exclusive content, deeper investor connections, and a high-voltage atmosphere where ag innovation meets capital empowerment. More than 1,200 premier farmers, leading ag entrepreneurs, tech disruptors, investors and legacy industry titans are expected. “FarmCon is fueled by relentless optimism that the best days of American agriculture aren’t behind us, they’re just beginning,” said Kevin Van Trump, the curator and host of FarmCon. "Ultimately, the benefactors from the activity created at FarmCon are American farmers."Van Trump, also Founder & CEO of Farm Direction, author of The Van Trump Report, angel investor, and host of the Highly Volatile podcast, said this year’s event will ignite conversations and the flow of investment capital across agriculture. For more information email Kennedy@agswag.com.
Kansas State University Olathe will host its annual Animal Health Regulatory Affairs Conference from Sept. 16-18, offering three days of expert-led sessions, networking and hands-on learning tailored to professionals in the animal health industry. This year’s conference features three specialized tracks: pharmaceuticals, biologics and nutrition. Each track includes breakout sessions, panel discussions and case-based workshops led by industry experts and thought leaders. The agenda includes:
Opening keynote by Carlos Gonzalez, Ph.D., Hill’s Pet Nutrition, on the collaborative and adversarial dynamics of regulatory affairs
Breakout sessions on topics such as animal supplement regulation, ingredient importation, monoclonal antibody development and navigating novel biologics pathways
Professional skills workshop on communication and appreciation in the workplace, led by Brent Mayabb, D.V.M., M.S.
Networking dinners hosted by subject matter experts across Kansas City
Industry resources panel breakfast and case study working groups on the final day to apply new knowledge in real-world scenarios
The conference is designed for professionals seeking to strengthen their understanding of regulatory affairs and connect with peers across the animal health sector. Register at olathe.k-state.edu/animal-health-conference.
