Weekly Radio Report

Aaron Nygren, UNL Extension Educator, previews the upcoming Soybean Management Field Days held at sites across Nebraska. Stops this year include Ravenna, Weeping Water, Concord and Mead. Learn more at go.unl.edu/soydays.

Michael Dolch is Director of Government Affairs for Ag Processing Inc. (AGP). He recaps the grand opening of the AGP David City location earlier in July. The David City plant is AGP’s 11th soybean processing location and will be capable of processing over 50 million bushels of soybeans annually and producing nearly 700 million pounds of degummed oil per year.

Ed Lammers, a farmer from Hartington and director on the United Soybean Board (USB), recaps the recent USB board meeting. At that meeting, the board approved a $121.3 million FY 2026 budget focused on boosting the demand and resilience of U.S. soybeans.

Bailey Feit, Career Pathways Coordinator for UNL’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and Lincoln Public Schools, recaps this year’s Summer Soybean Institute. The five-day experience introduced high school and middle school teachers to soybean science, ag careers, the many ways soybeans impact our daily lives, and how to incorporate them into the classroom.

Andy Chvatal, Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB) executive director, recaps the NSB's latest meeting, which served as the board’s primary funding meeting to determine project investments and priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.

Dr. Justin McMechan, University of Nebraska-Lincoln entomologist, shares the latest research and field updates on soybean gall midge and Dectes stem borer, two key insect pests affecting Nebraska soybean fields. Dr. McMechan is an Associate Professor of Entomology with a combination Extension and Research appointment.

Steve Martin, Executive Director for the Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska (AFAN), recaps the recent groundbreaking of DARI Processing in Seward and highlights the opportunities it could bring for Nebraska soybean farmers, from expanded in-state processing to increased demand for locally grown soybeans.

Jason Penke, a farmer and Nebraska Soybean Board district director from Craig, shares key takeaways from last week’s USSEC Americas Cooperators Conference, where global soy trade and partnership opportunities were in focus.

Dr. Mark Messina, Director of Nutrition Science and Research for SNI Global, highlights the science-backed benefits of seed oils, debunking misinformation and emphasizing their role in health. He urges consumers and farmers to rely on peer-reviewed research rather than viral claims when making dietary choices.