AGP Executive Report

Manufacturing: Two Gering firms — Modular Housing and Grand Milling Company — made the final eight in Nebraska’s “Coolest Thing Made” contest, which spotlights an industry supporting more than 100,000 state jobs. The winner will be announced Oct. 29. Farm Costs: Nebraska ranchers say high diesel, fertilizer, lumber and steel costs, alongside policy uncertainty, are squeezing operations. Diesel prices are also fueling bipartisan pushback against a proposed Russian supply deal, with Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon warning it may not lower costs for farmers and truckers. Beef Industry: Gov. Jim Pillen unveiled a cattle-herd plan at a North Platte beef plant as feeder operators contend with lower prices amid packing-plant closures. Investment and Jobs: Nebraska launched worker-training grants aimed at key industries; UNK also highlighted programs designed to meet workforce needs. CLAAS opened a research and development center in West Omaha, while Google is moving ahead with plans for a data center in Palo.

Fuel Costs: Nebraska’s average regular gasoline price slipped to $4.28 a gallon and diesel to $6.05 for the week ending Oct. 3, though diesel remains a major cost for farmers, truckers and businesses. The proposed Russian diesel deal drew pushback from Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon, who joined a bill effort to block Russian oil purchases. Biofuels: Rep. Adrian Smith and a bipartisan group urged federal officials to preserve 2026–27 biofuel requirements, warning delays could hurt farm markets and rural manufacturing jobs. Nebraska Investment: Mattel’s 100,000-square-foot indoor water park is under construction in Bellevue, with a 2027 opening planned. Other industry developments include more than $1 billion in Nebraska investment planned by BD, CLAAS’s new Omaha research center and state worker-training grants for key industries.

Fuel & Biofuels: Nebraska diesel averaged $5.97 a gallon as farmers headed into harvest. Rep. Don Bacon criticized a plan to import Russian diesel, while Rep. Adrian Smith and 36 colleagues urged the EPA to preserve biofuel requirements for 2026 and 2027, warning delays could hurt farmers and rural manufacturers. Manufacturing & Research: BD’s $19 billion U.S. investment includes more than $1 billion planned for Nebraska, and CLAAS has opened an Omaha research and development center. Workforce: Nebraska launched grants to help employers train workers for key industries. Agriculture & Trade: Nebraska agricultural exports to the EU are up 17% this year after the bloc removed tariffs on U.S. industrial goods and opened market access for farm products; meanwhile, cattle feeders face price pressure amid packing plant closures.

Fuel Costs: Nebraska diesel averaged $6.05 a gallon and regular gas $4.28 in the week ending Oct. 3. A national gas-price dip offered little comfort to farmers and truckers facing elevated costs; temporary tax relief for dyed diesel and a proposed Russian diesel deal aim to ease pressure. Workforce: Nebraska has launched training grants to help employers in key industries upskill workers. Agriculture: USDA’s October crop forecast sent corn futures to an eight-week low, while feeders say cattle prices have fallen amid packing-plant closures. Nebraska’s ONE RED program also offers eligible farmers grants of up to $23,000. Industry Investment: CLAAS opened an Omaha research and development center, and Baldwin Supply opened its first Nebraska branch, adding new activity in agricultural technology and industrial supply.

Fuel Costs: President Donald Trump says Russia will supply millions of tons of diesel, a bid to bring down prices for farmers, ranchers and truckers that reverses years of restrictions on Russian energy. Grain Markets: USDA’s October report sharply raised its U.S. corn yield and production forecasts, sending futures lower and raising questions about yields in Nebraska and Iowa. Workforce: Nebraska’s $4.6 million Good Life, Great Skills grant will help employers train workers in advanced manufacturing, the bioeconomy, industrial technology and critical minerals. Cattle Industry: Sen. Pete Ricketts unveiled a plan to rebuild the U.S. herd and boost processor competition at North Platte’s Sustainable Beef, which says it is processing 1,500 cattle a day. Rural Health: USDA announced a $75 million loan for McCook’s Community Hospital to fund an expansion, including a cancer center and clinic. Business Investment: CLAAS opened an Omaha research and development center, while industrial supplier Baldwin Supply launched its first Nebraska branch in Omaha. Local Development: Deshler earned state recertification for economic-development work supporting childcare and workforce housing.

Fuel and Freight: Nebraska’s average regular gas price was $4.28 a gallon and diesel $6.05 for the week ending Oct. 3. President Trump’s order temporarily allows tax-free dyed diesel on highways, but the Nebraska Trucking Association is urging caution; a Nebraska Farmers Union leader called the relief modest. Cattle Industry: The administration’s tariff cuts could bring 661 million pounds of foreign beef into the U.S. Nebraska ranchers are pushing back; the state’s cattle industry was valued at $11.43 billion in 2025. Agriculture: Rain is slowing Corn Belt harvest and weighing on markets. Husker researchers are also exploring ways to reduce groundwater risks from nitrogen. Business Investment: CLAAS has opened a research and development center in West Omaha. Separately, Becton Dickinson’s planned $19 billion U.S. manufacturing investment includes more than $1 billion for Nebraska.

Livestock & Feed: Central Valley Ag is investing in RJ Feed Milling in Howells, expanding feed production to support Nebraska livestock and create demand for local grain. Farm Innovation: Nebraska Extension highlighted high-oleic soybeans as a possible cattle-feed option, with dairy research pointing to gains in milk yield and fat content. Energy Costs: A federal waiver lets tax-exempt red-dyed diesel be used on highways, offering farmers and truckers modest relief as fuel costs remain high. Made in Nebraska: Eight products advanced in the state’s manufacturing contest, including Valmont transmission structures, Lindsay’s TAU-XR and animal-health products from Grand Island’s Nova-Tech. Medical Manufacturing: BD’s $19 billion U.S. investment plan includes more than $1 billion for Nebraska as it expands domestic production. Engineering Workforce: Nebraska employers in professional and technical services filed 275 H-1B petitions in 2025, up 8.7% from the year before; HDR Engineering accounted for 102.

Research and Infrastructure: UNL and the USGS released Nebraska’s first statewide surficial geology map, a resource for water management, hazard planning and locating construction materials. Manufacturing Investment: Becton Dickinson plans more than $1 billion in Nebraska as part of a $19 billion U.S. investment; eight products also advanced in the Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska contest. Farm Support: Nebraska’s ONE RED program offers eligible farmers up to $23,000, while temporary federal relief allowing dyed diesel on roads aims to ease harvest fuel costs. Working Grasslands: Nearly $19 million in federal funding will help Nebraska landowners control cedar encroachment, protect forage and reduce wildfire risk. Makers and Small Businesses: Nebraska Innovation Studio’s October showcase puts members’ crafts and products on display and up for sale.

Fuel Costs: President Trump’s order temporarily allows tax-free dyed diesel on highways through year-end, aiming to ease costs for Nebraska farmers and truckers; analysts warn the relief may be limited. Manufacturing: BD plans to invest more than $1 billion in its Nebraska operations as part of a $19 billion U.S. expansion, though it has not said how the state’s share will be divided between its Broken Bow and Columbus sites. Workforce and Housing: A new Mid-Plains toolkit gives communities resources to address workforce shortages and housing needs; the region may need 949 additional livable homes by 2035. Agriculture: Nebraska producers have until Oct. 16 to apply for CSP and EQIP conservation funding. A separate USDA-backed initiative is bringing nearly $19 million to protect working grasslands and wildlife habitat. Transportation Safety: Records show federal funding for upgrades to a rural Cass County railroad crossing was available since 2023, but planned safety work remained unsigned after a fatal September crash.

Farm Technology: Farmers Business Network and Google are developing an AI tool that would tailor advice to each farm’s crops, soil, equipment, finances and local markets, linking recommendations to actions such as selling grain or buying inputs. Fuel Costs: President Trump’s order temporarily opens tax-exempt red-dyed diesel to highway use through year-end, aiming to ease harvest and trucking costs. But it defers federal tax payments rather than eliminating them, and fuel-industry groups warn that rules and eligibility remain unclear. Industrial Development: Bellevue is weighing a zoning change that could let POET and other companies connect to existing CO₂ infrastructure, supporting carbon capture tied to ethanol production. Consumer Technology: Nebraska joined Florida, Iowa and Montana in suing router maker TP-Link, alleging it misled buyers about its Chinese ties and product security. Ranching: Nebraska Sandhills ranchers are still dealing with the aftermath of the record Morrill Fire, which destroyed grazing land and forced some operations to move cattle and find feed.

Diesel Relief Push: President Trump signed an executive order expanding tax-free “red-dyed” diesel for highway use and deferring federal diesel excise tax through Dec. 31, aiming to cut costs for truckers and farmers—though analysts warn it’s more of a delay than a full cancellation. Local Impact in Nebraska: Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen previously delayed a diesel tax, and farmers say the bigger question is how the deferral works at the pump and for co-ops during harvest. Skepticism from Industry: Trucking groups and economists say the order may offer only limited relief and won’t fix underlying supply pressures. Fuel Prices on the Ground: GasBuddy reports Nebraska regular gas lows around $3.99 in Scotts Bluff County and $4.19 in Cuming County for the week ending Sept. 26, while diesel averages remain near $6.19 statewide. Midterm Politics & Energy: Trump’s fuel moves are tied to a broader midterm push, as gas and diesel costs stay central to voter frustration. Infrastructure Watch: I-80 west of Gothenburg saw a semi fire with no injuries; NDOT also issued a 17-ton/25-ton/30-ton weight restriction on a Crete bridge.

Diesel Relief for Nebraska Farmers: President Trump signed an executive order easing limits on tax-free “red-dyed” diesel, letting drivers use the fuel on public roads through the end of 2026, with the White House saying federal excise taxes will be deferred and Treasury will look at canceling charges—aimed at cutting record diesel costs that are hitting trucking, agriculture, and grocery prices. Midterm Politics at the Pump: The order was rolled out during Trump’s Grand Island rally backing Sen. Pete Ricketts and Gov. Jim Pillen, as Republicans try to blunt voter anger over fuel prices tied to the Iran conflict. Policy Reality Check: Analysts warn the move may not help all drivers equally because states still control enforcement and supply won’t change much. Nebraska Public Works Grant: NDOT opened applications for the Section 5310 transit program for seniors and people with disabilities, with vehicle purchases funded and a Nov. 30 deadline. UNL-UNMC Collaboration: UNL and UNMC held an inaugural summit to streamline cross-campus education, research, and data sharing. Food Safety: Frozen berry recalls expanded over potential E. coli contamination, including select Walmart and Trader Joe’s products.

Diesel Relief Push: President Trump is set to announce executive steps aimed at lowering diesel costs, including expanding access to tax-exempt red-dyed diesel—an issue hitting Nebraska farmers and supply chains hard. Beef Trade Tension: Trump’s campaign stop in Grand Island spotlights rancher anger over a plan to allow more beef imports, with Sen. Pete Ricketts and others urging the White House to restore producer confidence. Local Infrastructure: NDOT says a key Omaha-area junction on U.S. 275 and Nebraska Link 28B near West Dodge Road is back to regular traffic after construction, with minor work continuing. Energy & Industry Growth: Nucor is investing $250,000 in youth robotics via the Northeast iHub to build future STEM and manufacturing talent. Food Safety Watch: PepsiCo recalled about 122,000 cases of 28-ounce Gatorade in 37 states due to undeclared Yellow dyes, while frozen berry recalls tied to E. coli continue expanding into more stores and states. Community & Business: The NE Chamber Road Show stopped in Broken Bow to discuss workforce, energy, and manufacturing technology priorities for the 2026 legislative session.

Diesel & Harvest Costs: Diesel prices jumped as harvest ramps up, pushing tight margins for Midwest producers and raising the cost of hauling inputs to elevators and ethanol plants. Dairy Industry Leadership: Midwest Dairy CEO Corey Scott was named next president/CEO of the national dairy checkoff, starting Oct. 12, overseeing the checkoff’s national staff and programs. Food Safety & Labeling: PepsiCo recalled about 122,000 cases of 28-ounce Gatorade in 37 states because labels didn’t list certain yellow food dyes; FDA classed it as Class II. Renewables & Rural Economics: A new Midwest study finds wind and solar projects can boost rural jobs, wages, and local GDP—while also noting rising local permitting and property-value concerns. Nebraska Childcare Crunch: Nebraska families report delays in reauthorizing childcare subsidies, forcing some to scramble for out-of-pocket coverage or risk losing spots. Cybercrime in the Region: The FBI captured “Prometheus,” an alleged Tren de Aragua-linked ATM-hacking leader, bringing another cyber case into federal court. Tourism Governance: Nebraska lawmakers are set to review the structure of the Nebraska Tourism Commission, funded by hotel/motel occupation taxes, amid debate over whether it should be folded back into economic development.

Food Safety & Retail: The FDA expanded an E. coli recall tied to frozen berries, adding more lots of Trader Joe’s Organic Mixed Berry Blend and Walmart’s Great Value frozen organic berries sold in Nebraska and 30+ other states. Public Health & Consumer Risk: The recall covers products that may be contaminated with E. coli O145:H28, a concern because many shoppers eat frozen berries without cooking. Childcare & State Services: Nebraskans are reporting delays in childcare subsidy reauthorization, with families saying processing times stretched to weeks and threatened their childcare spots. Workforce & Immigration: Nebraska employers filed 4 H-1B petitions in 2025 under the Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services industry, with all approved. Energy & Costs: The national gas average dipped nearly 7 cents to about $4.41 after a record September, while fuel prices remain a pressure point for households and businesses. Cybercrime Enforcement: A Venezuelan national accused in a malware-driven ATM theft scheme returned to the U.S. and appeared in Nebraska court, moving toward trial. Local Governance & Safety: A Grand Island donor says he’ll cover public safety overtime tied to President Trump’s Oct. 5 visit.

Childcare Subsidy Crunch: Omaha parents say Nebraska delayed reauthorizing a childcare subsidy for weeks, nearly forcing them to pay out of pocket or lose their spot—after a state call, the case was resolved. Food Safety Watch: The FDA expanded a frozen-berry recall tied to E. coli, adding Great Value and Trader Joe’s organic berry lots sold in Nebraska and many other states. Fuel & Farm Costs: A G7 deal to release 100 million barrels of oil and fuel includes diesel releases early on, aimed at easing high prices that are squeezing harvest budgets. Ag Market Signals: Reports warn black beans and pintos could be in short supply in 2026-27 as production shifts and stocks tighten. Cyber Crime in Nebraska Courts: The FBI’s first cyber fugitive on the Ten Most Wanted list returned to the U.S. and appeared in Nebraska, tied to an alleged malware-driven ATM theft scheme. Local Business & Taxes: Nebraska collected $3.7B in sales and gross receipts taxes in 2024, up 7.7% year over year.