Latest News & Updates in KC Agriculture - March 2025

DEVELOPMENTS

National Agri-Marketing Association named Bob Petersen its Ag Association Leader of the Year. Bob, a founding member of the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City, retired as its Executive Director in September 2024. In recognizing Petersen, NAMA noted: “Bob Petersen has spent his career fostering collaboration, advocacy and education within the agriculture sector. As a founding leader and longtime Executive Director of the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City, he expanded the organization’s influence, growing its membership to over 700 stakeholders. His leadership in launching the Ag Outlook Forum and securing the relocation of key USDA agencies to Kansas City highlights his lasting impact on national agribusiness policy and workforce development. Petersen’s legacy of service continues to inspire industry professionals and future agricultural leaders.” Petersen will receive the award at the Agri-Marketing Conference in April.

The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City will recognize Greg Krissek, CEO Emeritus of Kansas Corn, and Don Nikodim, the retired Executive Vice President of the Missouri Pork Association with the Jay B. Dillingham Award for Agricultural Leadership and Excellence. Zach Helder, the Council’s Director of Member Services, said, “Greg and Don are richly deserving of the Council’s recognition. In addition to their decades of advocacy on behalf of Kansas and Missouri agricultural producers, their leadership helped shape the economic and policy landscape for corn and meat production and fuel Kansas City’s growing status as the agricultural capital of the U.S.” Krissek and Nikodim will be recognized at the Council’s annual awards luncheon on May 15, 2025 in the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Board Room at Union Station. 

Livestock Marketing Association applauds the reintroduction of the Amplifying Processing of Livestock in the United States, or A-PLUS, Act in the 119th Congress. Brody Peak, chairman of the association’s government and industry affairs committee, said the bill (SB 782, HR 1648) would remove an outdated restriction prohibiting livestock auction market owners from owning or investing in a small or regional packer or meat marketing business. “Livestock auction market owners deserve the freedom to operate,” he said. “If they choose to supplement their marketing business by owning a local meat locker or investing in a regional packer, this should be encouraged, not banned.”

U.S. CattleTrace, Manhattan, Kansas has announced a strategic alliance with Where Food Comes From Inc., the nation’s leading third-party verification company. Where Food Comes From brings decades of expertise in value-added traceability, aligning with the mission of U.S. CattleTrace, which is to develop a robust, rapid-contact voluntary traceback system. This partnership will allow cattle producers to capitalize on the economic advantages of value-added verification programs through Where Food Comes From, while also reinforcing their operations with enhanced disease traceability measures­—if they choose—without the duplication of working with multiple systems. The collaboration positions the industry to maintain high biosecurity standards, which will be crucial to safeguarding long-term sustainability. 

National Farmers Union announced the launch of the Farmers Capital Fund, a $25 million investment initiative dedicated to supporting early- and growth-stage companies that accelerate agricultural productivity while advancing the economic success of family farmers and ranchers. “Family farmers and ranchers are the backbone of rural America, and their ability to thrive depends on access to innovation and opportunity,” said Rob Larew, president of National Farmers Union. “The Farmers Capital Fund is a crucial step toward ensuring that emerging technologies and new business models work for independent producers—not against them. By prioritizing economic sustainability, productivity and profitability, this fund will help shape a stronger, more equitable future for agriculture.”

U.S. farmer sentiment continued its upward trend in February. Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy reported sentiment rose 11 points from the previous month to a reading of 152. The boost was primarily driven by the stronger sentiment among producers, with the Current Conditions Index climbing 28 points to 137 – marking a significant rebound from its low of 76 in late summer and early fall 2024. In contrast, the Future Expectations Index saw only a modest increase, rising 3 points to 159. The recent upswing in sentiment reflects a combination of factors, including a sharp recovery in crop prices, expectations for disaster payments authorized by Congress and continued strength in the U.S. livestock sector.

This year Missouri Soybeans is celebrating the fifth anniversary of the Center for Soy Innovation, marking a milestone in advancing agricultural education, industry partnerships, and advocacy for the state’s soybean farmers. Since its opening, the center has welcomed more than 13,500 visitors and hosted over 500 events, reinforcing its role as a hub for soybean innovation and engagement. Over the past five years, the center has hosted hundreds of groups and events, including more than 40 field trips, 110 state department visits, and gatherings for nearly 80 agricultural organizations and 40 industry partners. Engagement has also extended beyond agriculture, with 180 community partners utilizing the space and nearly 30 political groups engaging with Missouri Soybeans to discuss agricultural policy and industry priorities. “The Center for Soy Innovation continues to be a place where agriculture and education intersect, giving visitors a hands-on experience to see the versatility of soy,” said Baylee Asbury, director of outreach and education. “Whether it’s students on a field trip, policymakers learning about biodiesel, or industry leaders exploring soy-based building materials, we’re helping people understand how much soy impacts their daily lives.” To schedule a visit, contact Baylee Asbury at basbury@mosoy.org.

USDA has lowered its forecast for food inflation this year as price declines for dairy products and pork are expected to help offset sharply higher prices for beef and eggs. The department’s Economic Research Service Tuesday estimated that the cost of food eaten at home will rise 2.7% this year, just above the historical average rate of inflation over the past 20 years of 2.6%. In February, ERS had forecast grocery prices would rise by 3.3% this year. ERS raised forecast increases for egg prices to 57.6%, up from the February estimate of 41.1%. Beef prices are expected to increase 5.2% this year, compared to the previous estimate of 3.2%. But the cost of dairy products is expected to decline by 0.8% in 2025. The February forecast was for an increase of 2.2% this year. Pork prices, meanwhile, are expected to drop 1.5% this year; the February forecast projected they would increase 1.2%. Prices for fruits and vegetables are expected to be flat this year. Last month ERS projected they would increase 1.7%. Source: Agri-Pulse Communications, March 26, 2025 

Since the 1980s, Missourians have had 16 drought disasters costing $1 billion or more, says University of Missouri Extension state climatologist Zachary Leasor. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates the total cost of these disasters is between $10 billion and $20 billion. Leasor refers to it as “persistent drought,” the kind that doesn’t go away with a couple of good gully washers. It’s the kind of drought that digs down deep in the soil. That is part of why he and other members of the Missouri Climate Center team are installing in-ground moisture sensors at some stations in the Missouri Mesonet, a statewide network of 45 weather stations. The sensors will record soil moisture at different depths to understand how soil responds to drought or excess moisture. The additions are part of a partnership with Missouri Hydrology Information Center and Missouri Department of Natural Resources to develop a statewide soil and atmospheric monitoring plan and produce daily soil moisture maps. Looking to 2025, Leasor says La Nina may or may not bring relief. While January and February were colder and snowier for many, most of the state is slightly below average for wintertime precipitation, and springtime moisture will be critical. Typically, La Nina can bring wetter conditions mainly to eastern Missouri, but most of Missouri’s current drought areas are to the west. This is also a weak La Nina that is not expected to last long, so there is uncertainty over how much impact La Nina will have on spring weather. Leasor notes that the U.S. Drought Monitor has improved communications about drought. The network includes more than 400 scientists from across the U.S. who provide input on local conditions. Through their observations, the network works to understand the science of drought and improve awareness and decision-making about drought, he says. Learn more about the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources’ Missouri Climate Center at www.climate.missouri.edu.

Farm Journal has expanded its reach to serve audiences with the launch of Farm Journal TV, a video streaming service dedicated to agriculture. Farm Journal TV debuted at Commodity Classic in Denver, giving attendees a firsthand look at what the service offers. Farm Journal TV is a subscription video service that lets farmers, ranchers and growers access Farm Journal news on their terms. It will be the only place to watch Farm Journal programming, such as “Machinery Pete” TV, on-demand.  Subscribers can find hundreds of hours of content including Farm Journal’s podcast network, event footage and educational programming. The App is organized by show and subject and can be personalized to direct users to the content of most interest to them. “Like many Americans, more and more ag producers are moving from traditional cable TV to video streaming services,” said Prescott Shibles, CEO of Farm Journal. “Studies show more than 60% of producers now subscribe to these services, and that number is quickly growing.  “Farm Journal TV offers the convenience of on-demand access to ag-related content producers need to run their operations,” Shibles added. “They can now watch their favorite shows and podcasts anywhere at any time. Rather than taking time to search online for the ag-related news and information they want, they can find it quickly on the app, organized in one easy-to-access place.”

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced last week that the Department will release previously obligated funding under the Rural Energy For America Program, Empowering Rural America and Powering Affordable Clean Energy programs. This process gives rural electric providers and small businesses the opportunity to refocus their projects on expanding American energy production. Recipients will have 30 days to review and voluntarily revise their project plans to align with President Trump’s Unleashing American Energy Executive Order issued on January 20, 2025. 

Some parts of the Midwest and Great Plains are currently experiencing a combination of warm temperatures and low precipitation, which has worsened drought conditions, according to the latest reports from the U.S. Drought Monitor. If that doesn’t change in the coming weeks, weather experts say it could further increase the severity of drought – which could have a significant impact for ranchers and farmers raising livestock and growing crops. The recent drought conditions are “not particularly good news,” said Matthew Sittel, the assistant state climatologist at Kansas State University. The persisting drought is likely due to a colder-than-normal winter with less rain and snow, as well as recent warm, dry and windy weather in the region, weather researchers said. Among the states that saw below-normal snowfall were Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and some parts of Iowa. Although there is a potential for conditions to improve, Sittel and his colleagues expect drought to stick around along the Missouri River Basin, particularly in Nebraska and the Dakotas.

PEOPLE

Regenerative agriculture consulting firm Understanding Ag, based in Republic, Missouri, named Burke Teichert managing partner and Jim West director of operations. Teichert brings extensive cattle management experience to the team. 

EVENTS

Join AdFarm for Farm Voice Live on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Kansas City’s historic Union Station, for an insightful afternoon of industry leaders and producers discussing ideas and innovations driving growth for their businesses and strengthening rural communities. The event will run from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm, followed by a happy hour at Harvey’s in Union Station from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm. Free registration at https://adfarm.com/farmvoice/farmvoice-kansas-city/

The Annual Conference of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture, an interdisciplinary convening of animal agriculture leaders to network while exploring, discussing, learning, and developing knowledge that leads to greater collaboration and cooperation, takes place April 7-9, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri, at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center. NIAA’s annual conference is highly engaging with keynote speakers who inspire and spark ideas, thoughts, and questions that can be further explored during Council and Working Group meetings. Additionally, the NIAA annual conference provides a space for deeper dives into specific topics that affect multiple species and/or multiple sectors of the animal agriculture value chain. The 2025 focus is enhancing animal agriculture’s freedom to operate. More information is available at 844-589-3944. 

Kansas State University Olathe will hold its annual Animal Health Regulatory Affairs Conference emphasizing areas in biologics, pharmaceuticals and nutrition. The three-day, in-person event takes place September 16-18. More information is available here.

Kansas State University alumni are invited to its Olathe, Kansas campus, June 5, for its annual Leadership Luncheon, from 11:30 am to 1 pm. Kevin Honomichl, president of BHC, a national civil engineering and surveying firm headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, is the keynote speaker. Attendees will learn how his value of leadership is built into the culture of BHC and the impact it has made on the firm’s growth and success. More information is available here.