Headline Stories
The Government Shutdown is Over...Now What?
The longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history, 43 days, came to an end this week as a bill funding the federal government through late January 2026 was passed by Congress and signed by President Trump. Jordan Dux, NEFB senior director of national affairs, provides insights into the priority issues that the Farm Bureau organization hopes Congress will address.
Trade Work Continues for Trump Administration
Discussions and trade announcements continued this week as the Trump administration announced potential trade "frameworks" with four additional central and South American countries including El Salvador, Guatemala, Ecuador, and Argentina. While details were not provided, the White House announcement indicated plans to reduce trade barriers for U.S. agricultural imports going into the four countries. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer also said at the end of this week that the White House plans to issue new directives exempting some agricultural and food imports from U.S. tariffs. The exemptions would apply to countries that both do and do not have trade agreements with the U.S.
Lower Corn and Soybean Production Estimates in WASDE Release
On November 14 the USDA issued the much-anticipated November World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE). This report provided necessary updates to yield and production estimates. With harvest coming to a close here in Nebraska, marketing grain and the current outlook for storing grain vs. selling are at the forefront of many producer’s minds.
President’s Colum: Bridging the Gap from the Field to the World
As I sit in the combine and reflect on the meetings I’ve attended, I’m struck by how a field in Merrick County or a meeting hall in Brown County can feel a long way from Lincoln or Washington, D.C. But the truth is, through Farm Bureau, that distance isn’t as far as it seems.
Nebraska Farm Bureau Health Plans Growing, Offering Affordable Health Coverage for Nebraskans
Lowering health care costs for Nebraska’s individuals and families continues to be a top priority for the Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB). Since the launch of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Health Plans, the program has gained strong momentum, now providing coverage to 531 Nebraskans, and that number is growing each month.
Secure Your Spot for the NEFB Annual Meeting & Convention
Aaron Davis, a member of the 1994 Nebraska National Championship football team and a cancer survivor, knows firsthand how resilience is forged in the unknown, just like farming. In this year’s inspiring keynote, he shares his Attitude Over Everything mindset, showing how faith, grit, and perspective can help farmers and ranchers face adversity with strength and purpose. Save your spot today! Online registration closes Nov. 30.
Step into the Magic at the Grower’s Gala!
Join us in supporting agricultural literacy at the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation Grower’s Gala on Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Younes Conference Center South in Kearney. Bid on holiday treasures in a lively auction sprinkled with a little Christmas mischief. Holiday sweaters or your favorite movie-themed dress attire is encouraged!
USDA Extends Livestock Disaster Recovery Assistance Application Deadline
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that the deadline for livestock producers to apply for assistance through the Emergency Livestock Relief Program for 2023 and 2024 Flood and Wildfire (ELRP 2023 and 2024 FW) is being extended to Nov. 21, 2025. The program is expected to provide approximately $1 billion in recovery benefits to producers whose livelihoods were adversely impacted by disrupted feed availability and poor forage conditions following catastrophic floods and wildfires in 2023 and 2024.