KEXL-FM (Norfolk, NE)

3 days ago | norfolkneradio.com | Brent Barnett

A U.S. Representative from Iowa says a new bill in the House would help combat foreign agroterrorism. Republican Zach Nunn tells Brownfield the Preventing Lethal Agricultural and National Threats, or PLANT, Act creates a new criminal offense for knowingly and recklessly importing high-risk agricultural biological agents – with increased penalties for individuals linked to foreign governments.

4 days ago | norfolkneradio.com | Brent Barnett

A fuel economist says tensions in the Middle East have impacted the price of diesel in the U.S.Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, says diesel has jumped in recent days as crude oil has become volatile. “In fact, diesel prices very quickly jumped 20 cents per gallon,” he said. “Some areas across the Corn Belt saw diesel increase from 25-to-50 cents per gallon.”He tells Brownfield lower inventories have been another factor.

4 days ago | norfolkneradio.com | Cindy Gonzalez

After serving just two years as the state’s top economic developer, K.C. Belitz is exiting as director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. Gov. Jim Pillen announced the resignation late Tuesday, without detailing why. He said in a press release that Belitz’s final day with the state will be July 18. Belitz, in a follow-up call, told the Nebraska Examiner he was proud of the work accomplished during his tenure, and of the team that helped him.

4 days ago | norfolkneradio.com | John Perkins

Major crop condition rating changes were mixed over the past week. That followed another round of mixed weather in much of the region for most of the week ahead of a turn to significantly hotter temperatures in many areas. The USDA says 70% of U.S. corn is called good to excellent, down 2% on the week, with 97% emerged and 4% of the crop silking. 66% of soybeans are good to excellent, unchanged, with 96% planted, 90% emerged, and 8% blooming.

5 days ago | norfolkneradio.com | Brent Barnett

Some ag groups have asked the Trump administration to engage with supply chain stakeholders to address concerns about anticipated port congestion. Joe Schuele with the U.S. Meat Export Federation says there are fears that tariff implementation changes with markets like China could recreate supply chain disruptions that the U.S. faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. “If we see a surge in import cargo, that can lead to severe congestion,” he said.