Ag Outlook Forum 2025 Takes Aim At Ag Challenges

Jim Barcus Photos

The 11th annual Ag Outlook Forum, presented by Agri-Pulse Communications and the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City, brought together a full lineup of industry leaders, policymakers, and producers to discuss the outlook for agriculture in the year ahead. While there are exceptional challenges, Agri-Pulse founder and publisher Sara Wyant noted that there are also “lots of opportunities” for the ag industry if it can keep pace with policy changes and economic uncertainties.

Among the roster of speakers were several lawmakers and federal agency heads. Keynoter USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced her department was adding another $2 billion in payments to row crop producers through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program, on top of the $8 billion ECAP has already disbursed to farmers. But she was adamant that none of these payments would go to cattle producers. And no USDA funds would be going to green energy.

Secretary Rollins lamented the demographic shift over the last 250 years. In 1776 farmers represented 90% of the American population. Now crop farmers and food animal producers account for just 1%. “When agriculture is under threat [from regulation, trade disparities and disputes, etc.],” she said, “America is, too.” She added, “A republic without agriculture is no republic at all.”

Alex Sayago, Vice President of Marketing & Shared Services at John Deere, was optimistic about the ag future over the long run. “I’m bullish,” he said. “We always find a way out of downturns.” Sayago explained that John Deere is working to make its tools accessible for farmers who are always looking to reduce labor costs. Part of the company’s growth strategy is to develop technology that can be retrofitted onto existing equipment. The savings to farmers could be as much as 56%.

Learning The Ropes

In her words to Forum attendees, U.S. Representative Sharice Davids, Kansas 3rd District, quipped that when she was first elected to the U.S. Congress in 2018, she didn’t know what a row crop was. Since then she has been immersed in developing her ag IQ. Rep. Davids said she strives to go about her job in a “bipartisan manner.” And, she noted, that Kansas Senator Pat Roberts served as a mentor. “He showed me how things got done in Congress.” Rep. Davids said that working with congressional colleagues from across the aisle seems to be easier when issues and policy involve agriculture. Talking about Kansas’s farming and ranching roots, she remarked that “our ag background is not just about business and the economy – agriculture is our community.”

Kansas Senator Roger Marshall described a futuristic ag economy based on regenerative agriculture. He believes farmers in the not-too-distant future could “make as much, maybe more, from carbon credits than they would selling corn.” Senator Marshall also suggested farmers endeavor to keep their soil healthy, using precision agriculture and reducing their use of fertilizers and pesticides.

Like several of the presenters, Senator Marshall is a champion of year-round E15. “I think E15 should be the number-one priority of the administration right now.” He added that anyone and all advocate groups who care about agriculture, should be making ag issues their number-one ask of the White House. “If you think that trade is going to solve all woes, I think you’re wrong.” The focus, he stressed, needs to be turning commodities into protein or biofuels.

Taxes Still Befuddling

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4, 2025 made some previous tax provisions permanent and added some new tax rules. Participants on the panel discussing Everything You Need to Know About New Tax Law Changes said experts are still digesting the contents and changes. It’s always important to remember that permanent in the tax code just means until Congress changes it.  Also, some of these provisions can be implemented in 2025; others will take effect in 2026.  One impactful change for farmers is the return of bonus depreciation and the increase to Section 179 expense claims. Although bonus depreciation is back, it's a bit tricky. To qualify, the asset must be acquired and placed into service after January 19, 2025. So, if you signed a contract to buy a tractor on January 10, 2025, and it's delivered April 25, it would not qualify for 100% bonus depreciation. Panelists included Harrison Pittman, Director of the National Agricultural Law Center, Roger McEowen, Washburn University School of Law and Paul Neiffer, Farm CPA Report. At this point in time, these experts offered this advice: Don’t be aggressive; be patient.

Ag and Livestock Markets

USDA’s Chief Economist Seth Meyer reported that total ag industry cash receipts for 2025 are forecast to increase to $535.2 billion. But declining cash crop (corn, soybeans, wheat) receipts will lower total crop revenue to $236.6 billion. Receipts for most animals and animal products will be higher this year. Exacerbating the situation is that while receipts are dwindling, costs are rising. In particular, high prices for key production inputs are squeezing margins. “Many farmers have been losing money on every acre,” said Meyer.  As livestock inventory has been constrained, dollars-per-hundredweight have increased, giving ranchers something of a windfall.  Dairy producers are enjoying lower feed costs, but market prices are trending lower and that will pinch margins.

Meyer noted that the Kansas City Fed reports there is widespread concern from banks about falling farmer income. “With mounting losses, farmers seek greater credit to operate,” he said. But if they are short on cash, farmers could see that their performance on existing credit is likely to be compromised.  Weakening loan payment performance and diminishing prospects for income, Meyer explained, would probably disqualify farmers from obtaining additional credit.

On The Bright Side

No doubt much of the conversation that took place at the Ag Outlook Forum offered a heavy helping of pessimism.  "We know that agriculture in our country is under threat," Secretary  Rollins said. "But we also know that the Administration is looking at the long-term fix – the complete realignment of the world economy around American agriculture and American goods.” Time is of the essence, though. “There are bills that are due this month as we move into harvest.” There are loans, too, that have to be secured in the next eight to 12 weeks so farmers  can plant next year’s crops. “There are mouths to feed,” she explained. “We have to make some difficult decisions right now, and I do not have a silver bullet." While recognizing that U.S. agriculture is "under threat,” Secretary Brooke Rollins told agricultural leaders that farming's future "could not be brighter."

However, obstacles keep emerging to test the mettle of the USDA secretary and the ag industry. U.S. farmers and ranchers are on high alert as New World Screwworm cases in Mexico continue to rise. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has warned it’s not a matter of if — but when — the pest makes its way back into the U.S. According to an NCBA spokesperson: “The increase of cases reported in Mexico shows that New World screwworm is still a very present threat. We need to continue full steam ahead with all possible prevention and mitigation tools. This includes securing the funding that Secretary Rollins has announced for a domestic sterile fly facility coupled with increased surveillance and screening measures.”

At about the same time the Agri-Pulse Communications/Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City Ag Outlook Forum was getting underway September 25, the Wall Street Journal reported that the White House Oval Office said more aid would be coming soon to farmers. “We're going to take some of that tariff money that we made, we're going to give it to our farmers who are—for a little while—going to be hurt," said President Trump. "So we're going to make sure that our farmers are in great shape."

Latest News & Updates in KC Agriculture - September 2025

DEVELOPMENTS

From its Olathe, Kansas operations, John Deere recently announced the introduction of the V452M round baler that provides enhanced productivity and precision to larger-scale hay and forage operations. The V452M headlines the newly updated lineup of VR and CR round baler models, introducing a new naming convention and advanced features purpose-built for heavy crop and silage conditions, while the current 1 Series round balers remain and continue to serve customers with their baling needs. “The V452M and the broader VR and CR model updates are designed for more density, more productivity and more actionable data,” said Kaylene Ballesteros, John Deere marketing manager. “This update enhances our variable chamber and combination balers with features that support high-volume silage and heavy crop conditions, while complementing the proven performance of our 1 Series models. It’s about giving our farmers and ranchers the right tool for their operation, whether they’re baling 500 or 5,000 bales a year.”

The Kansas Beef Council, in partnership with NCBA, has launched a nationwide campaign to deliver toolkits to more than 5,000 family physicians and general practitioners, including more than 100 in Kansas. These toolkits will reach up to 500,000 consumers with trusted, health-related information about beef. Each toolkit provides evidence-based research showing beef is a high-quality, nutrient-dense protein; clinical takeaways that make it easy for doctors to translate the science into practice; and clear patient handouts that empower families to choose protein-rich, balanced and satisfying foods that support strength and satiety. Healthcare professionals remain one of the most trusted sources of nutrition information. By equipping them with science-backed materials, beef is positioned as a foundational food for health. This type of outreach has garnered positive results. Surveys repeatedly show an 80% average increase in the likelihood that healthcare professionals will recommend beef after receiving these toolkits. 

A follow-up to the initial Make America Healthy Again report was released this month. The second installment of the report expanded on the benefits of high-quality protein, such as beef, and highlighted the critical role cattle producers play in helping make America healthy again. The original report was released in May. “Millions of American families build a healthy plate around our product every week,” said NCBA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Ethan Lane. “We will continue working with President Trump’s Administration to keep the supply chain moving and keep the safest, highest quality beef in the world on grocery store shelves.”

This month, President Trump announced a disaster declaration granting $5.7 million in federal emergency aid to the state of Kansas. The Kansas delegation urged President Trump to make a disaster declaration for the State of Kansas following the severe wind storms, flooding and tornadoes that occurred from June 3-7, 2025. Governor Laura Kelly formally submitted the request for federal support on August 6, 2025. “I appreciate the president and FEMA for approving Kansas’ request for federal support and a major disaster declaration following these devastating storms. This declaration will provide our state and local governments with resources to help Kansans recover and rebuild even stronger.”

McDonald’s plans to invest $200 million over the next seven years to promote regenerative agricultural practices on cattle ranches. In a statement to the press September 15, Cesar Piña, McDonald’s chief supply chain officer for North America, said, “As a brand that serves more than 90% of Americans every year, we recognize the responsibility we have to help safeguard our food systems for long-term vitality.”  Regenerative techniques aim to conserve water, enhance soil health and reduce the need for synthetic chemicals and fertilizers. Cattle ranchers practicing regenerative agriculture move cattle frequently and let the land recover for weeks or months. That helps produce more grass with deeper roots, which take more carbon from the air to help improve soil. McDonald’s said its investment will help accelerate regenerative grazing and water and wildlife conservation on ranches spanning 4 million acres in up to 38 states. Jeff Trandahl, the executive director and CEO of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, said regenerative practices can ultimately improve the productivity of grasslands and increase ranches’ profitability. The foundation expects the first round of awards will be announced in January 2026. Source: Associated Press, September 16, 2025.

A report released this month from Rabobank and the World Egg Organization indicates the global egg market will expand by 22% by 2035, with emerging markets accounting for over 90% of that growth. Rising incomes, urbanization and changing consumer preferences in Asia, Africa and Latin America are driving expansion, while mature markets are increasingly demanding value-added egg products, wrote Meredith Dawson, managing editor, WATT PoultryUSA and Egg Industry, September 12, 2025. Per capita egg consumption varies across regions from under 50 eggs annually in parts of Africa to over 300 eggs in Mexico and Japan. Emerging markets are experiencing the fastest consumption increases as incomes rise. "Eggs will maintain their strong market position compared to other proteins, although growth is expected to slow slightly to approximately 2.0% year-on-year over the next decade," said Nan-Dirk Mulder, RaboResearch Senior Global Specialist in Animal Protein. Going forward, the growth of egg consumption in developing regions will require changes to egg distribution systems, marketing approaches and product development strategies.

Last week, Mexico’s National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality (SENASICA) confirmed a new case of New World Screwworm in Sabinas Hidalgo, located in the state of Nuevo León, less than 70 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. This is the northernmost detection of NWS during this outbreak, and the one most threatening to the American cattle and livestock industry. Sabinas Hidalgo is located near the major highway from Monterrey, Nuevo León, to Laredo, Texas, which is one of the most heavily trafficked commercial thoroughfares in the world.” Protecting the United States from NWS is non-negotiable and a top priority of the Trump Administration,” said USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins. “This is a national security priority. We have given Mexico every opportunity and every resource necessary to counter NWS since announcing the NWS Bold Plan in June 2025. Nevertheless, American ranchers and families should know that we will not rely on Mexico to defend our industry, our food supply, or our way of life. We are firmly executing our five-pronged plan and will take decisive action to protect our borders.” Additionally, USDA will soon release a significant plan to help rebuild the American cattle supply, incentivizing U.S. ranchers, and driving a full-scale revitalization of the American beef industry.

A new economic study from the National Corn Growers Association and the Renewable Fuels Association shows that expanding year-round, nationwide consumer access to fuels with a 15% ethanol blend would provide a boon to the American economy, benefiting farmers, communities and consumers alike. “The study findings support what corn growers have been saying all along, and that is that higher sales of corn ethanol are good for the economy, and that is particularly true for rural America,” said Illinois farmer and NCGA president Kenneth Hartman Jr. “Given the state of the farm economy and the focus on increasing jobs available to Americans, we would encourage Congress to act quickly and pass legislation that allows consumers to access E15 year-round.” The study shows that providing consistent access to E15 year-round would provide an additional $25.8 billion to U.S. gross domestic product, boost incomes by $10.3 billion and support 128,000 additional full-time jobs. The Economic Impact of Permanently Allowing Year-Round Sales of E15 – A Joint Study by National Corn Growers Association & Renewable Fuels Association is available here.

Net farm income in the U.S. is projected to reach $177 billion in 2025, a sharp increase from $128 billion in 2024, according to the latest report on annual U.S. farm income and consumer food prices from the University of Missouri’s Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI). Record cattle prices and large one-time government payments have boosted 2025 income, but declines in crop prices and projected reductions in future government support raise concerns about the outlook for 2026. “Despite strong income this year, much of the gain is temporary,” Pat Westhoff, director of FAPRI, said. “As emergency payments dry up and crop prices remain weak, we project a $31 billion decline in farm income next year.” The report incorporates data available in August 2025, including USDA crop production estimates and economic forecasts from S&P Global. It also accounts for modifications in key farm programs and tax credits related to biofuel production that were included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law in July. “These forecasts are conditional on current policies and market expectations,” Westhoff said, adding that they “provide a useful benchmark for evaluating potential impacts of economic shifts, weather events and future policy changes.”

Following a near-record peak this summer for import cargo, volume at the nation’s major container ports is expected to decline for the remainder of the year amid rising tariffs, according to the Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. “We have seen the implementation of reciprocal tariffs across the globe, with a number of key trading partners being subjected to tariffs higher than the earlier 10% tariffs,” said Jonathan Gold, NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy.  “We also continue to see more and more sectoral tariffs impacting a wider scope of products. Retailers have stocked up as much as they can ahead of tariff increases, but the uncertainty of U.S. trade policy is making it impossible to make the long-term plans that are critical to future business success.” 

Drovers State of the Beef Industry Report, released September 15, breaks down the July USDA cattle inventory and cattle on feed reports. While the USDA reports the smallest U.S. herd in history and continuing tightening numbers on feed, analysts predict producers have not yet experienced the highest cattle prices. As a result, notes the report, 2025 and 2026 beef production forecasts are reduced from last month. Cattle prices are raised significantly in both the second half of 2025 and in 2026 on recent cattle price reports, strong beef prices, and tighter cattle supplies. Beef imports for 2025 and 2026 are revised considerably downward as limited imports from Brazil are expected. Exports were revised moderately downward in 2025 and 2026 on lower projected production. More information is available here.   

Make America Healthy Again Commission’s policy recommendations for addressing chronic childhood disease takes a proactive, science-based approach toward agriculture’s role in reaching the commission’s objectives, according to the Kansas Corn Growers Association. KCGA leaders were encouraged that the report did not call for additional and unnecessary actions against atrazine and glyphosate, two pesticides that help growers control weeds and are vital tools for sustainability practices. In its initial report in May, the MAHA Commission called out atrazine and glyphosate, causing concern among corn farmers. KCGA, along with the National Corn Growers Association, launched an aggressive effort to ensure that the use of these key crop protection tools continues to be governed by our government’s rigorous, science-based regulatory system. In July, KCGA Secretary Brett Grauerholz attended a roundtable discussion with officials from Health and Human Services and USDA, hosted by Kansas Senator Roger Marshall. “Sometimes it just takes corn farmers going to Washington DC to explain to the policymakers what is actually happening on our farms when it comes to soil health, sustainability and responsible pesticide use,” explained Grauerholz. “Our proactive efforts truly made a difference.”

More than 100 pork producers from 20 states traveled to Washington, D.C., this month to call on Congress to deliver an urgent legislative fix to California’s Proposition 12, which is driving up costs for consumers, threatening small family farms, and disrupting interstate commerce. During their time on Capitol Hill, producers met with Members of Congress and staff to share firsthand accounts of how Prop. 12’s costly requirements are forcing sweeping changes across the pork supply chain. Producers emphasized that without federal action, family farms will be left behind, and pork prices could continue to rise. As part of the fly-in, NPPC rolled out a food truck on Capitol Hill, serving breakfast to lawmakers, staff and media. Branded with the message “Breakfast is Essential. So is Fixing Prop 12,” the truck spotlighted how a patchwork of state laws, spurred by Prop. 12, threatens affordable access to everyday staples like bacon, ham and sausage.

Following recent incidents across the country of individuals getting sick from raw milk, Kansas State University dairy specialist Mike Brouk encourages consumers to remember the risks associated with drinking raw milk. “It’s not unusual each year to see reports from different places around the country where people become sick after consuming raw milk,” he said. It can   be serious, particularly when it involves young children. Dairy products purchased in grocery stores are all manufactured from pasteurized milk. Pasteurization is a process that applies heat to destroy pathogens in food. For the dairy industry, this involves heating every particle of milk or milk product to a specific temperature for a designated time. “The bacteria we are mostly concerned about are things like E. coli, listeria, salmonella and campylobacter, which all have negative effects to human health,” Brouk said. Source:  K-State Extension News Service.

New checkoff-funded research shows eating animal-sourced protein is not linked to a higher risk of death and may even offer protective benefits against cancer-related mortality. The study, published in Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism, analyzed data from nearly 16,000 adults ages 19 and older using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. During the study, researchers examined how much animal and plant protein people typically consumed and whether those patterns were associated with their risk of dying from heart disease, cancer or another cause. The researchers found no association between total protein, animal or plant, and risk of death. When both forms of protein were included in the analysis, the results remained consistent, suggesting that plant protein has a minimal impact on cancer mortality, while animal protein may offer a small protective effect. “There’s a lot of confusion around protein—how much to eat, what kind and what it means for long-term health. This study adds clarity, which is important for anyone trying to make informed, evidence-based decisions about what they eat,” explained Stuart Phillips, professor and chair of the Department of Kinesiology at McMaster University, who supervised the research. While observational studies like this cannot prove cause and effect, they are valuable for identifying patterns and associations in large populations. Combined with decades of clinical trial evidence, the findings support the inclusion of animal proteins as part of a healthy dietary pattern.

The Livestock Marketing Information Center, Lakewood, Colorado, reports that pasture and rangeland in the U.S. are in good shape for much of the country this year. Some areas in the West are struggling, but the Plains, Corn Belt, and Southeast appear to be doing well. A little over 30% of range and pastureland conditions were rated as poor to very poor. This is the lowest for this time of year since 2019. Regionally, the western states (including the West Coast, Great Basin states, Arizona, and New Mexico) continue to struggle with poor conditions. In August, over 50% of pasture and range conditions were rated as poor to very poor. This is the worst for this time of year since 2021. This is also well above the five-year average of around 40%. So far, these conditions generally support cow-calf producers’ ability to grow herds. Good forage availability is necessary for expansion, but it is not sufficient. The right market incentives and time are also needed to see expansion. Additionally, there are still a couple of months left before winter sets in which will also impact producer decisions.

Farm Journal’s Machinery Pete, LLC, a leading online marketplace for used farm and construction equipment, announced its partnership with AgDirect, one of the nation’s leading ag equipment financing providers, to deliver financing solutions directly within eligible equipment listings. This partnership makes it easier for farmers shopping on MachineryPete.com to not only find the right equipment but also to explore flexible financing options from AgDirect all in one trusted environment.  “Farmers want simple, straightforward tools that help them make faster, smarter equipment decisions,” said Casey Seymour, general manager of Machinery Pete. “By partnering with AgDirect, we’re integrating financing into the buyer journey, so farmers can evaluate equipment and payment options side by side, streamlining the path from search to purchase.”

PEOPLE

Richard Fordyce has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, overseeing the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Risk Management Agency. A fourth-generation Missouri farmer, Fordyce previously served as Administrator of USDA’s Farm Service Agency, Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture, and Chair of the Missouri State Soil and Water Districts Commission. He was sworn in by Secretary Brooke Rollins in Kansas City on Thursday, September 25, in conjunction with the Ag Outlook Forum. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his work to ensure farm programs are practical for producers while safeguarding soil, water, and working lands.

Kim Chipman, an award-winning journalist with more than two decades of experience covering markets, companies, policy and politics with Bloomberg News, is joining Agri-Pulse Communications as congressional editor. Chipman spent 28 years with Bloomberg News, where she most recently wrote on biofuels and crop inputs including fertilizer. She spent nine years at Bloomberg’s Washington bureau before moving to Chicago to cover breaking news from the Midwest. “Kim brings to the Agri-Pulse team a wealth of experience covering agriculture, and environmental and energy issues. She will be an invaluable asset as Agri-Pulse deepens its industry-leading coverage of federal food and ag policy,” said Agri-Pulse editor-in-chief Philip Brasher.

Natalie Hoagland of J&N Ranch recently was featured in the “Voices of the Outdoors” video series created by Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.  Each episode is a collaboration between an outdoor enthusiast and a beef producer, facilitated by BIWFD and state beef council teams to showcase the shared values of caring for the land and experiencing the outdoors. The Kansas Beef Council connected BIWFD with Hoagland for the seventh installment of the series, which is being promoted to consumer audiences across YouTube, social media and streaming platforms. Hoagland hosted professional gravel cyclist Alexey Vermeulen at her family’s ranch. During the visit, she shared her family’s story, educated Vermeulen about the unique Flint Hills ecosystem and promoted beef production in Kansas. Vermeulen has ridden his bicycle by J&N Ranch multiple times during the annual UNBOUND Gravel bike race, based out of Emporia. Source: Kansas Livestock Association, September 25.

EVENTS

Kansas youngsters have entered 2,104 animals in the 93rd Kansas Junior Livestock Show, which will take place October 3-5 at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson. A total of 845 exhibitors from across the state have entered 183 market steers, 359 breeding heifers, 257 market hogs, 343 breeding gilts, 258 market lambs, 290 breeding ewes, 211 market goats and 203 commercial does. KJLS will award cash to exhibitors of the top five animals in both market and breeding shows in all four species. Direct cash payouts will range from $2,500 to $250 for steers and heifers; $1,500 to $250 for market hogs and breeding gilts; $1,250 to $300 for market lambs and breeding ewes; and $1,250 to $300 for market goats and commercial does. New this year, KJLS will have a supreme female drive to select the top five breeding females of each species. Additionally, in the registered divisions of the heifer, gilt and ewe shows, bred-and-owned breed champions and reserves, as well as top five overall, will be chosen. For more information, including a full schedule of events, go to www.kjls.net.

 KC Animal Health Corridor will celebrate its 20-year anniversary in 2026.  AHC represents a hotbed of innovation and business development all focused on veterinary medicine. The Corridor, centered in Kansas City, reaches from Columbia and St. Joseph in Missouri to Manhattan in Kansas – an area that features over 300 companies and 20,000 people working in animal health. “These companies represent 56% of animal health, diagnostics and pet food sales worldwide,” wrote Joseph Harvey, Head of Animal Health at UK-based Agribusiness Intelligence/IHS Markit, September 8, 2025. Since 2006, some 85 companies have joined existing businesses in the region, adding 4,500 new jobs, more than $405 million in new payroll and around $4 billion in new capital investment. Harvey’s article in full – including interviews with local animal health industry notables such as Kimberly Young, Scott Bormann, Laura Olsen, Yvonne Hsu, Linda Rhodes Fabian Kausche and Craig Wallace – is available at www.ihsmarkit.com.

 The American Royal’s annual World Series of Barbecue® takes place November 5-9 at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. It is the world’s largest competition of its kind, and is also the American Royal’s largest fundraiser. Proceeds from the event go straight to the American Royal’s mission to be the nation’s leader for food and agriculture education, events and engagement. Tickets are on sale now.

Other upcoming American Royal events include:

• Sporting Clays Challenge – September 26

• Junior Premium Livestock Auction – October 18

• UPHA National Championship Horse Show – November 10-15

The 2025 Angus Convention is Kansas City bound. This fall, cattle producers of all types will head to the Midwest metropolis known as the Heart of America with a shared purpose – to connect with fellow cattlemen and women, expand industry knowledge and take part in conversations that drive breed progress. The Kansas City Downtown Marriott will host the main stage events, Angus University sessions, social gatherings. More information is available at www.angusconvention.com.  

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 visit www.farmcon.com.

Kansas State University Olathe is offering free webinars to learn more about its bachelor’s and master’s degrees in several animal health and horticulture sciences:

• Master's Degree in Veterinary Biomedical Science — Noon on Oct. 1

• Graduate Certificate in Animal Health Regulatory Affairs  — 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 1

• Graduate Certificate in Animal Health Data Analytics and Insights — Noon on Oct. 15.

• Master's Degree in Horticulture and Urban Food Systems — Noon on Nov. 5

More information available here.

Kansas Dairy Farm To Be Honored At Industry Conference

Three leaders in U.S. dairy production will be recognized for excellence in their operations and their commitment to the dairy industry at the 2025 MILK Business Conference, December 2-3 at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. This year’s honorees include standout individuals and organizations in the categories of Leader in Technology, Young Producer and Employee Excellence.  Nearly 500 conference attendees will honor the 2025 Milk Business Award winners for their contributions to the advancement of the dairy industry and their own operations.

Recognized as a Leader in Technology is McCarty Family Farms, based in Colby, Kansas. It is home to more than 15,000 milking cows and employs more than 200 people on its four farms and its milk processing plant. The newest operation is McCarty Family Farms North, which opened in 2023 and is McCarty’s most innovative dairy yet. Eight inverted six-row, tunnel-ventilated freestall barns house 10,000 Holsteins that are milked on two technologically advanced, 120-stall DeLaval E500 rotary milking systems, some of the largest in the world. This carousel-style milking machine benefits the animals’ health and well-being by providing a predictable, efficient milking routine.

To accommodate its growth, McCarty’s processing plant has expanded its capacity and was updated in 2023 with the latest technologies including ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis. Milk and dairy ingredients from McCarty Family Farms is Non-GMO Project Verified for Danone North America, the leading maker of yogurt in the U.S. McCarty Family Farms operates as part of Danone North America’s ‘cost-plus’ model, which helps the dairy avoid market swings.

As part of their commitment to sustainability, McCarty Family Farms also uses on-site anaerobic digesters that generate 450 million BTUs of renewable energy daily, which is enough to power approximately 2,500 homes annually.

The MILK Business Conference’s Young Producer honor will go to Wybrand Vander Dussen, La Salle, Colorado. Vander Dussen grew up in southern California, but his family moved to northern Colorado in 2013. He attended Kansas State University and earned a degree in animal science.  After graduating from college, Vander Dussen returned to the family dairy, and a couple of years later expanded operations into South Dakota, growing it into a 4,000-cow dairy farm. The 2025 Young Producer Award is presented by Farm Credit Services of America.

The Employee Excellence award will be given to Travis Ties, Holdgrafer Dairy, in Bellevue, Iowa. Ties serves many roles at Holdgrafer Dairy, home to 400 cows in northwest Iowa. He has been employed at this farm for more than 25 years. The dairy owners note that Ties has mentored their five sons both professionally and personally and has become a virtual member of the Holdgrafer family. Personally, Ties has overcome a lot. He battled leukemia as a child and was not expected to live to see his high school graduation. The treatment ruined his kidneys and later he received a life-saving transplant from his mother. This all speaks to his character. The dairy owners say Ties is humble, kind, driven and hard-working and has never used his health issues as an excuse. The 2025 Employee Excellence Award is presented by Alltech.

“MILK Business Conference not only empowers dairy producers with the critical knowledge and skills they need to thrive and grow their businesses, but also recognizes the people who inspire others and make this industry great every day,” said Karen Bohnert, Farm Journal’s dairy editorial director. “We are looking forward to connecting with producers from across the country at the event and honoring this year’s award winners for their contributions to the industry.”

More To Seaboard Than The Pork

Speaking at the Ag Business Council’s August luncheon, Chad Groves offered a deep dive into the operations of the Seaboard Corporation—an iconic agribusiness which is also the Kansas City area’s largest publicly traded company by revenue. Seaboard’s pork division, Seaboard Foods, is on its own the largest American-owned pork company. It was founded by Otto Bresky in 1918 as a milling operation and is headquartered in Merriam, Kansas. The Bresky family still retains 73% of the business.

As it has grown, Seaboard has prided itself on retaining the feel of a family business that plays the long-game—and indeed the Bresky family still retains 73% of the business. But the scope of the enterprise has widened. In 1982 Seaboard sold its domestic flour milling division to Cargill and changed its name to Seaboard Corporation, while maintaining its milling operations outside the U.S. Harry Bresky and Seaboard took noticeable steps to diversify the company, initially by entering the poultry industry and by further international investments. Though Seaboard eventually sold these original poultry interests to ConAgra in 2000, the model of vertical integration has remained.

Groves told Council members that strategy remains embedded in Seaboard’s leaders as they plan for the future. He noted he is committed “to bringing excellence to the table and finding innovative ways to add value to Seaboard’s connected food system.”

That system is complex, but innovative.. Here’s a snapshot picture of Seaboard’s operations. It involves the following segments:

• Pork – Produces and sells fresh and frozen pork products to further processors, food service operators, grocery stores, distributors, and retail outlets throughout the United States, Japan, Mexico, and other foreign markets. Seaboard controls its supply chain from genetics to retail in a partnership with Triumph Foods.

• Commodity Trading and Milling –  Focuses on integrated agricultural commodity trading and processing, and logistics operation that internationally markets wheat, corn, soybean meal, and other agricultural commodities in bulk to third-party customers and to non-consolidated affiliates.

• Marine –  Provides cargo shipping services between the United States, the Caribbean Basin and Central, and South America.

• Sugar & Alcohol – Involves the production and processing of sugar and alcohol in Argentina, to be sold locally.

• Power – Operates a floating power generating facility that produces independent power in the Dominican Republic.

• Turkey – involves the production and sale of branded and non-branded turkeys and other products, through its ownership stake in Butterball.

Throughout his talk, Groves emphasized Seaboard  will be unwavering in its commitment to meeting customer expectations, delivering quality products and providing exceptional customer service, making Seaboard’s Prairie Fresh brand and Daily’s brand the top choice for customers and consumers around the world.”

American Royal Kicks Off Season with Food, Horses, Competition, and Community

From farm-to-table dining and world-class horse shows to sporting clays and youth livestock auctions, the American Royal’s fall calendar is packed with unforgettable experiences. Beginning September 6, guests can enjoy unique opportunities to celebrate the diversity of food, the thrill of equestrian competition, and the dedication of young agricultural leaders—all while supporting the American Royal’s mission of championing youth, education, and our agricultural heritage.

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Farm to Table-September 6th

Join us for a captivating evening where passion meets purpose at this exclusive fundraiser benefiting the American Royal. Our goal is to inspire and ignite meaningful and positive conversations around the diversity of food through a unique dining experience.

🥂During the evening, you’ll enjoy a cocktail hour with exquisite drinks and a VIP behind-the-scenes tour of the Saddle & Sirloin Club of KC. This private equine club champions equestrian sports across all disciplines, offers unique social and sporting opportunities and upholds its tradition of supporting the American Royal.

🍽Engage with producers, hear directly from the chef, and savor a delectable 4-course meal prepared by the Saddle & Sirloin’s chef, Georgi Pahon. >> Farm to Table | American Royal 

The Royal Showcase-September 13-14

The American Royal is proud to host The Royal Showcase–A Youth & Open Horse Show each year. The Youth portion of the Royal Showcase is an all breed horse show with exhibitors competing from the ages of 8-18. The Open portion is for anyone 19 years old and older. Royal Showcase exhibitors compete in a number of divisions including Showmanship, Western Pleasure, Western Horsemanship, Hunter Under Saddle, Hunt Seat Equitation, Ranch Horse Classes and Versatility!

🐎Find more information here! >> The Royal Showcase - A Youth & Open Horse Show | American Royal

Cutting Horse Show-September 19-21

One of the world’s fastest growing equine sports, Cutting offers tremendous excitement for horse, rider, and spectators alike! The competition consists of horse and rider separating a particular cow from a herd. Spectators will see a dance like performance between cow and horse. The National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) provides the means by which contestants are judged by maintaining a point system which gives definite credits and penalties while providing a fair basis for judging cutting horses and their riders. The American Royal Cutting Horse Show in memory of Hilary Watson, features the Open and Non-Pro Showcase and Saddle Shootout, where the top rider will walk away with a branded saddle.

💜Don’t forget to wear purple on Saturday, September 20 in memory of Hilary Watson.

🐴Buy tickets here! >> Cutting Horse Show | American Royal 

Sporting Clays Challenge-September 26th

Gather your three closest friends and come out to the American Royal Sporting Clays Challenge. Sporting Clays is a form of target shooting designed to simulate the unpredictability of field shooting. Unique stations are set up through the course that teams will visit in order. Teams are given a score at each station and the final score will be tallied up at the end to determine a winner. 

🎯Buy tickets here! >> Sporting Clays Challenge | American Royal 

Junior Premium Livestock Auction-October 18th

Each year, hundreds of America’s youth travel from across the country to Kansas City to compete at the American Royal Livestock Show and a select few qualify to sell their animal in the American Royal Junior Premium Livestock Auction where the exhibitors proceeds will directly impact their further education. These youth have worked all year to prepare their animals to be judged on a national stage by top professional livestock judges. Thank you to all of the buyers who attended, participated, and purchased animals through our auction in the past. The American Royal Junior Premium Livestock Auction happens once a year, although the impact the sales have on youth competitors lasts a lifetime.

🐑More details here! >> Junior Premium Livestock Auction | American Royal

Latest News & Updates in KC Agriculture - August 2025

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.

Kansas Soybean Commission Goes To Schools

Kansas families and consumer science teachers can earn money for their classrooms by applying for the Soy in Family & Consumer Sciences Program, sponsored by the Kansas Soybean Commission. Raylen Phelon, KSC Commissioner, said, “The program can be used to support classrooms through purchasing soy foods or livestock protein including beef, poultry, dairy and pork.” The program seeks to equip students with knowledge of soy ingredients and preparation of soy foods. Reimbursement is offered for the full price of food products purchased for classroom use that contain soy or soy ingredients, and up to half of the money can purchase animal protein or dairy products.

“Funding for our program is so helpful,” Cara Poole, Maize Career Academy participant, said. “I’ve seen how good it is for the students to learn about where soy is and get them thinking outside of tofu. It also is good for them to be able to see what is produced from the land around them.”

The grant is flexible and can be fashioned into existing curricula. Classrooms qualify $3 per student, up to $600 for the entire semester; minimum payment is $75 doll. At the close of the semester, teachers are asked to submit a reimbursement request with receipts highlighting purchases of eligible food products. The reimbursement is then distributed to the school.

“Connecting agriculture into the classroom is important,” Phelon said. “Supporting the use of soy in the classroom allows students to be more familiar and comfortable with it so they are more likely to reach for it throughout their life.” The program also includes lesson plans, recipe ideas and activities to conduct a full unit on soybeans and soy foods.

Application and reimbursement forms can be submitted online at  www.kansassoybeans.org/fcs. or by phone at 877-KS-SOYBEAN (877-577-6923).

Kelly Hills Launches AI-Powered Platform For Crop Protection

During its 2nd Annual Field Day this month, Kelly Hills introduced SpraySense, an autonomous application intelligence product developed through the company’s accelerator program, The Forge, which is designed to unite leading agtech and robotics innovators to co-develop actionable solutions in accelerated timeframes.

SpraySense marks the first product to graduate from The Forge into commercial packaging. The Forge brought together top agricultural and drone technology companies – including Yamaha Precision Agriculture, Pyka, Precision AI, Scanit Technologies, Heinen Brothers Agra Services, and Taranis – to co-develop solutions that address one of farming’s most persistent questions: When is the right time to apply fungicide?

Efforts were originally focused on optimizing fungicide application for corn and soybean growers, but collaborative efforts exceeded expectations, resulting in the creation of SpraySense, an end-to-end AI-driven recommendation and application system. The platform synthesizes aerial imagery, weather and environmental conditions, disease risk models, and traditional agronomy to deliver real-time recommendations on whether, when, where and how to spray.

“We definitely didn’t set out to build a new product, we were trying to solve a timing and location problem,” said Lukas Koch, CEO of Kelly Hills. “But the collaborative chemistry within the first Forge cohort was so strong, and the resulting solution so impactful, that it just made sense to evolve it into a standalone offering.”

SpraySense not only advises growers and ag service providers on optimal spray windows, but also integrates with autonomous flight and spray systems from partners like Pyka and Yamaha. The result is a vertically integrated, automated solution that connects insight with action, ultimately aiming to close the loop between disease pressure and rapid precision response.

The Future of SpraySense

While its debut application targets fungicide optimization, SpraySense is designed as a modular, extensible platform. Kelly Hills has announced plans to adapt the technology to other crop inputs including:

• Fertilizer

• Biologicals

• Herbicides

• Insecticides

These new modules will maintain the same core capability: delivering smart, field-level recommendations backed by real-time data and paired with autonomous execution.

“Though this is just version number one of SpraySense, it represents the future of input application in agriculture by creating a timely, data-driven, and hands-free tech stack for growers and service providers completely agnostic of the application method,” explained Koch. “I’ll be adding soil and digital twin modeling to the package in the near future. This is a leap toward reducing waste, improving yields, and supporting both sustainability and profitability.”

Farm Journal’s Corn, Soybean Estimates Smaller Than USDA’s

Pro Farmer, a division of Farm Journal, shared its much-anticipated national production estimates last week for the 2025 U.S. corn and soybean crops after analyzing information from the 33rd Annual Pro Farmer Crop Tour and other sources. The Pro Farmer estimates are informed by Crop Tour data and observations collected throughout the week via an exceptional effort by scouts in thousands of fields across seven key Midwestern states.

Corn: Pro Farmer estimates the 2025 U.S. corn crop at 16.204 billion bushels based on an average yield of 182.7 bu. per acre, which is down from USDA’s August estimate of 188.8 bu. per acre. “It’s a good corn crop and a good bean crop this year,” said Chip Flory, host of AgriTalk and western Crop Tour leader. “Neither crop is without risk between now and the end of kernel and pod fill because of the disease-ripe environment, but both crops have done a lot of the heavy lifting to build good yields.”

Soybeans: Pro Farmer estimates the 2025 U.S. soybean crop at 4.246 billion bushels with a national average yield of 53 bu. per acre, down from the 53.6 bu. per acre USDA estimated in August.  “As our Crop Tour route went further west, disease pressure in soybeans became much more obvious,” said Lane Akre, eastern tour leader and economist for Pro Farmer. “We saw a lot of sudden death the further west we went. That is not to say we saw a bad crop. Beans will need some moisture to utilize some of the potential evident in the significant number of pods.”

The Pro Farmer Crop Tour was carried out by a dedicated group of more than 100 crop scouts that sampled more than 3,200 fields in seven states. For additional information on the 2025 tour, subscribe to ProFarmer.com.

Founded in 1973, Pro Farmer is a division of Farm Journal and is the leading subscription-based market advisory organization in agriculture, serving members across the U.S. and globally.

Ag Outlook Forum in Kansas City Features Key National Leaders

HHS Secretary RFK Jr. is invited to speak with Sen. Roger Marshall about the Make America Healthy Again movement. USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer returns to provide the latest updates on the future of the ag economy.

Kansas City, MO— Prominent national leaders in food and agriculture, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, are invited to speak at the 11th Ag Outlook Forum in Kansas City Sept. 24-25.  They’ll be joined by an “all-star” lineup of speakers focusing on ag innovation, tax planning, the farm economy and animal health challenges, including:

• Seth Meyer, Chief Economist, U.S. Department of Agriculture

• John Newton, Terrain Ag

• Alex Sayago, Vice President, Ag & Turf Sales & Marketing, Deere

• Harrison Pittman, National Agricultural Law Center

• Roger McEowen, Washburn University School of Law

• Paul Neiffer, Farm CPA Report

• Steve Boren, Vice President, Livestock, Boehringer Ingelheim

• Bart Fischer, Research Associate Professor and Co-Director of the Agricultural and Food Policy Center, Texas A&M University

“This is a great time to explore the rural economic impacts of the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ that was recently signed into law, the prospects for a scaled down farm bill and the continued economic pressures on many farmers and ranchers,” said Agri-Pulse Founder & CEO Sara Wyant. “It’s a great opportunity to learn and network with other leaders.”

The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City and Agri-Pulse Communications will host the Forum at the Marriott Downtown Kansas City in Kansas City, MO. For more Ag Outlook Forum information and registration, click here. Early registration discounts expire August 22.

 “We’re proud that the Ag Outlook Forum has become an essential, annual exchange of ideas for leaders in our industry,” said Council spokesman Zach Helder. “Its growth speaks to Kansas City’s growing role as the agricultural economy’s central hub. We look forward to seeing attendees from across the country next month, as representatives from across government, academia, and business share their thinking in this time of momentous change for our industry.”

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