Latest News & Updates in KC Agriculture - July 2025

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DEVELOPMENTS

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced on July 24 a long-awaited reorganization plan to transfer most of the Washington-area staff to five locations around the country and close a number of key USDA offices in the capital region. Rollins, speaking in a video message to employees, said USDA will move staff to Salt Lake City; Fort Collins, Colorado; Indianapolis; Kansas City, Missouri; and Raleigh, North Carolina. Staff will receive notice about their new assignments in the coming months. More than 90% of the department’s nearly 100,000 employees are already based outside the beltway in county and regional offices, including at regional research facilities, farm loan offices, and conservation facilities. Rollins said this latest plan to relocate even more employees will help USDA better serve its “core constituents” of farmers, ranchers and U.S. producers. The secretary, in a follow-up press release, also said the move is a cost-saving one. USDA expects to relocate more than half of its 4,600-person Washington staff, which would reduce salary costs due to lower locality pay rates outside D.C. "While this is a strategic and long term decision for USDA, I know that for you, this is an immediate and potentially major change.” Rollins told employees in the video message “I know that your primary concern at this moment is for you, your families and your colleagues. I want you all to know that this decision was not entered into lightly."  Source: Politico, July 24, 2025, Jordan Wolman, Marcia Brown, Grace Yarrow, July 24, 2025

This month Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed the Water Preservation Act into law during a ceremony at the Missouri Soybeans’ Center for Soy Innovation. Missouri Senate Bill 82 establishes a permitting framework to track and regulate bulk water exports – an essential measure to protect Missouri’s water resources for future generations.Governor Kehoe praised the bill’s pragmatic approach to balancing resource stewardship and legal compliance. “This legislation represents smart, Missouri-driven policy that prioritizes our long-term needs,” said Gov. Kehoe. “By establishing safeguards without overstepping constitutional boundaries, we’re taking a proactive step to ensure the state’s water stays available for Missouri’s future.”

Recent detections of New World Screwworm (NWS) in Mexico led USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to close Southern ports of entry to livestock imports. USDA had previously announced a phased re-opening of Southern ports, beginning with the furthest port away from where NWS has been detected in Mexico and moving East as continued progress is made on sterile fly production. However, the re-opening was halted, and livestock imports once again paused, when NWS was detected 160 miles north of the sterile fly dispersal locations in Veracruz, Mexico, only 370 miles from the U.S. border. A recent USDA ERS study suggested that an NWS outbreak in Texas could have a negative impact of $1.9 billion.

At the Precision Agriculture and Soil Health Roundtable in Washington DC, July 15, hosted by US Senator Roger Marshall, Kelly Hills Unmanned Aircraft Systems CEO Lukas Koch called for a new wave of American agricultural innovation driven by autonomous drone technology, research partnerships and practical solutions for farmers facing mounting challenges. “Today’s producers are confronting tougher realities: declining input effectiveness, water scarcity, labor shortages and volatile markets,” said Koch. Kelly Hills UAS operates the nation’s largest contiguous FAA-approved test range dedicated to commercializing agricultural drone technology. The company is conducting field trials with the 38-foot Pyka Pelican spray drone—the largest unmanned aerial system ever approved by the FAA for commercial agricultural use.  Studies suggest precision autonomous spraying can cut water use by over 70%, reduce chemical inputs by 80%, and improve fertilizer efficiency by 50%, all while boosting yields and food nutrient density. The Kansas-based test range has spurred partnerships with Kansas State, Wichita State, Mississippi State and MIT, as well as private-sector innovators such as Pyka, SiFly, Precision AI, and Yamaha. “We’re proving these solutions in the middle of the country, where deep aviation and agricultural roots combine to deliver practical, scalable tools for farmers,” Koch noted. For more information contact Lukas Koch, CEO, Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems, lkoch@kellyhills.us or 785-799-5296; Chad Tenpenny Law LLC, chad@tenpennylaw.com or 913-609-4659.

Kansas City-based National Institute for Animal Agriculture has released a White Paper compiling findings on the challenges of lameness across all food animal species. "Lameness is a leading problematic sustainability and animal health issue that all livestock species face,” said NIAA’s Sustainability Council Chair, Dr. Kaitlyn Briggs, Dairy Welfare Manager at Fairlife, LLC. Lameness remains a challenging condition to tackle because it is inherently difficult to diagnose with species of food animals presenting vastly different symptoms, ranging from subtle to overt, all at different stages of severity. The white paper is available on the NIAA website and is complimentary for members. To become a member for complimentary access to NIAA’s resources, visit www.AnimalAgriculture.org. 

A new report from CoBank says rural businesses “should be increasing their focus on technology to overcome labor availability challenges.” CoBank’s quarterly Knowledge Exchange report says, “declining labor force participation, lower birth rates and a collapse in net migration are combining to squeeze the U.S. labor supply,” with effects potentially felt later this year. Agriculture’s labor struggles have been highlighted by the ongoing uncertainty among farmworkers and disagreements within the Trump administration that has been considering granting “temporary passes” for farms that employ illegal immigrants.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins recently noted that the ag workforce issue could be solved through automation and by having Medicaid recipients work on farms.

To combat the rising cost of higher education, Kansas Grain and Feed Association (KGFA) has promoted a scholarship program that has awarded nearly $30,000 to 19 of the state’s graduating high school seniors for the 2025-26 academic year. The scholarship committee, comprised of KGFA’s membership, received more than 250 applications and granted the 19 awards based on merit and equitable geographic locations throughout the state. “Our board of directors and scholarship committee understand the importance of introducing the next generation to our industry and association as early as possible,” KGFA’s president and CEO Ron Seeber said. “We are proud to support the education of our future workforce’s emerging leaders and we wish them the best of luck in their studies.” Students must be graduating Kansas high school seniors who are self-starters with strong academic records, demonstrate good citizenship, and show a strong desire to continue their education. They also must be planning to attend any Kansas four-year university, community college or technical school. KGFA has assisted countless students in pursuing their education since 1976.

This month members of the Kansas Soybean Association, Kansas Grain and Feed Association, Kansas Corn Growers Association and Kansas Grain Sorghum met with Senator Jerry Moran to discuss the Reconciliation bill recently signed into law. The bill calls for critical investments in farm country by improving the farm safety net, making certain that crop insurance remains affordable and doubling the investment in our trade promotion programs. The bill also makes permanent the 199A tax credit utilized by farm cooperatives and provides permanent relief from the Death Tax. Senator Moran also discussed ways to improve markets for agricultural producers such as expanding biofuels production, global market access and trade deals. Senator Moran said, “I have worked with my colleagues on legislation to allow the year-round sale of E15 ethanol and worked with the administration to identify unfair trade barriers and expand our list of trading partners. Kansas is the 7th-largest agriculture producing state in the country, and I appreciate the work of our state commodity groups to maintain that leadership.”

As part of its summer campaign, the Kansas Beef Council launched a 30-second video titled Beef Brings Us Together. The ad will air nearly 1,000 times on television stations across Kansas during the busiest beef-buying months of the year. The video highlights the connection between Kansas families and the meals they share, reflecting the everyday role beef plays in bringing people together. With simple visuals and a heartfelt message, it serves as a tribute to both the people who raise beef and the memories made around the table. The video is aired throughout June and July, including July 4—the top holiday for beef sales. It is part of a larger statewide effort that also includes billboards, connected television ads and digital content aimed at reaching Kansans wherever they are. The goal of the campaign is to keep beef top of mind beyond just summer celebrations. Whether it’s a weekend cookout or a weeknight dinner, KBC’s message is clear: Beef brings us together year-round.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will no longer prepare environmental impact analyses before approving genetically engineered seeds, the agency said in a message to stakeholders. APHIS says it is complying with a recent Supreme Court decision that limited the scope of reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act. In line with the decision from the court in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, Colorado, “there is no role for NEPA in the agency’s response to a petition for determination of nonregulated status,” APHIS said. That is because “APHIS has no ability to consider any factors or environmental impacts beyond the factual and scientific information that is relevant to determining whether an article is a ‘regulated article’” under what are known as Part 340 regulations, the agency noted.
“NEPA requires consideration of environmental impacts only if such consideration would result in information on which the agency could act.”

PEOPLE

Chelsea Good, longtime Livestock Marketing Association staff member, launched her own agricultural strategy and advocacy firm: Good & Associates. She will specialize in issues management, government affairs, strategic communications and industry relations. Good worked for LMA for the past 12 years, as vice president of government and industry affairs and legal. She will continue to serve LMA in a consulting capacity. Earlier, she was staff attorney and communications director at the Kansas Department of Agriculture. She also chairs the National Institute of Animal Agriculture and is on boards of the American Agricultural Law Association, Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership, the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City and the United States Animal Health Association. She is past chair of the Ranchland Trust of Kansas. “This new chapter brings together my passions – agriculture policy, issues management, strategic communications, and industry relations – with the flexibility to serve a wider range of clients.” To tackle larger projects, Good plans to collaborate with a team, including her husband, Chad Tenpenny of Tenpenny Law.

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced additional presidential appointments for the agency, including a new administrator for the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Justin Ransom, PhD, has been appointed as the new FSIS administrator, bringing over two decades of experience in strategic leadership responsibilities for food safety, quality systems, animal welfare, and sustainability. “Honored to accept this responsibility. Excited about working alongside a team of talented leaders who will modernize and advance the safety of America’s food supply,” Ransom wrote on his LinkedIn profile. During his career, Ransom has worked with various food companies including Tyson Foods, McDonald’s and OSI Group. He began his professional career with the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, where he developed technical standards for the National School Lunch Program, instrument grading systems, and trade facilitation.

The American Soybean Association announced the hiring of Mariah Wollweber as senior director of marketing and communications. She joins ASA’s senior leadership team in the Washington, D.C. office. Stephen Censky, CEO of ASA, said, “I’m thrilled to welcome Mariah to the ASA team. As a fifth-generation farmer with considerable experience managing a wide range of communications on policy issues important to farmers and rural America, I know that she will do an excellent job.” Wollweber said, “ASA is known for turning the needs of soybean growers into meaningful legislative results. I’m proud to join their mission to champion American farmers and amplify their voices where it matters most.” Wollweber previously served as senior director of communications for USTelecom: The Broadband Association, where she helped drive communications strategy across cross-functional teams, shaped narratives on complex legal and regulatory issues, and worked directly with the organization’s senior leadership to develop messaging and press strategies.

After a five-month search, Missouri Farmers Association announced that, effective September 1, 2025, Bob Huffman will succeed Ernie Verslues. “The MFA Incorporated board of directors appreciates the leadership and direction that Ernie Verslues and the entire MFA executive team have developed to guide the cooperative,” board chairman Don Schlesselman said in a news release. “Bob’s experience and vision will build on that strong foundation, advance MFA’s mission and continue our focus on efficiency and service to members.” MFA has 45,000 farmer-owners and 150 locations in Missouri and adjacent states. Huffman joins MFA with more than 20 years of agribusiness experience, most recently as president and CEO at First District Association, a Minnesota-based dairy cooperative, and 12 years at Dairy Farmers of America. Huffman said, “I am excited to accept this new role with MFA. I believe in the cooperative model and in the farmers MFA serves. This cooperative has a proud history and a clear mission to deliver value-added products, services, and expertise to its customers. I look forward to working with the team to build on that legacy.”

EVENTS

K-State and Iowa State are headed to the Emerald Isle where they will open the 2025 college football season as part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. This will be just the second time ever that K-State will play a football game outside the United States as the Wildcats played Nebraska in Tokyo, Japan, on December 5, 1992. This will be Iowa State's first international football game. The game between the Wildcats and Cyclones will be the first ever Big 12 matchup in Ireland, the fourth Aer Lingus Classic and the tenth college football game ever played in Ireland.

Kansas Livestock Association’s 2025 Agricultural Growth Summit is set for August 14 in Manhattan. The free event is open to livestock producers, farmers and industry stakeholders from across Kansas. This year’s schedule will differ from previous years. The summit will be held in the afternoon, following a light lunch, with the traditional social taking place after the meeting, rather than the evening prior. CoBank economist Tanner Ehmke, a Kansas native and Kansas State University alumnus, will be the keynote speaker. He will highlight the economic challenges facing Kansas agriculture. Ehmke's presentation will be followed by breakout sessions focused on research and value-added opportunities for the agricultural industry. The summit will be held at the K-State Alumni Center from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the social starting at 5:00 p.m. To register, go to www.agriculture.ks.gov/summit. 

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the kick-off event and programming for the USDA’s Great American Farmers Market on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. In celebration with America 250, the event will be hosted during National Farmers Market Week and will run this summer from Sunday, August 3, to Friday, August 8. “America’s farmers, ranchers, and producers dedicate their lives to feeding their fellow citizens, and the Great American Farmers Market gives us the perfect opportunity to showcase the rich bounty of our agriculture on the National Mall. Every single day we are fighting for our farmers and ranchers by cutting taxes, strengthening the farm safety net so producers can continue feeding our nation for generations to come,” said Secretary Rollins. “This historic farmers market will give visitors to our nation’s capital opportunities to learn, shop, snack, and explore.”

Dates have been set for the 2025 Kansas Livestock Association/ Kansas State University Ranch Management Field Days. Larson Ranch, owned by Brady and Kyla Larson, will host the first event August 21 in Wichita County. The August 28 field day will be held in Woodson County at Wells Ranch, owned by Terry Wells. Each event will begin at 3:30 p.m. and include presentations on the history of the host ranch and tours of their cattle handling facilities. Larson Ranch will feature educational sessions on research surrounding yield grading technology and bovine congestive heart failure in feedlot cattle. Topics on the agenda at Wells Ranch include the Asian longhorned tick and its transmission of Theileria orientalis, as well as the use of drones and other resources for controlling noxious weeds in grazing lands. Both events are free and will conclude with a beef dinner. The Farm Credit Associations of Kansas and Huvepharma are sponsoring the field days. More information at www.kla.org.      

The National Institute for Animal Agriculture's Council of Animal Disease Issues & Emergency Management is hosting a webinar to explore the threat of New World Screwworm to U.S. livestock and public health, on July 30, 2 p.m. CDT. NWS is a devastating pest causing serious, often deadly damage to the animals when larvae burrow into the flesh of the living animal. NWS can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds, and in rare cases, people. There are significant efforts under way to keep the spread of NWS into the U.S. at bay. To receive a webinar transcript or view the recording, visit the NIAA website.

Missouri cattle producers can take a deep dive into essential topics at the Cattle Reproduction Short Course, hosted by University of Missouri Extension specialists Chloe Collins and Elizabeth Picking. The program is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, September 12, at the MU Extension Center in Texas County. This hands-on, in-depth course covers critical topics every producer should understand, says Collins, a dairy specialist. She and Picking, a livestock specialist, will cover these topics:

  • Selecting a calving season.

  • Artificial insemination vs. natural service.

  • Bull selection and understanding expected progeny differences.

  • Estrus synchronization.

  • Anatomy and physiology of cows.

  • Practicing artificial insemination techniques using cadaver tracts.

“This short course is designed to provide producers with the knowledge and practical skills needed to make informed breeding decisions and improve herd productivity,” says Collins. “Whether you're new to breeding management or looking to fine-tune your approach, this class offers valuable take-home information.” Registration includes a light lunch. Space is limited to 12 participants, so early registration is encouraged, says Picking. Registration deadline is Sept. 1. Register at http://muext.us/TexasCoCattleRepro, or call the Texas County MU Extension Center at 417-967-4545.

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.