November 12, 2025
Senators Want Public Lands Rule Revoked
Republican Senators are asking Doug Burgum, the Secretary of the Interior, to follow through on months of evaluation and finally revoke a public lands rule from the Biden era. Critics say the rule restricts uses on millions of acres that the Bureau of Land Management oversees. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, who chairs the Senate Western Caucus, joined 11 other GOP senators in issuing “strong support” in a letter for rescinding the public lands rule that elevated conservation as an official use of BLM lands. In September, the Department proposed revoking the rule that was put in place during 2024, and the 60-day comment period recently concluded. E & E News said the proposal to revoke the rule followed five months of review. “Our constituents live with and rely on the use of Federal lands every day,” the senators wrote. “These working lands are not abstract reserves that need to be locked away.”
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Ag Secretary Addresses Dairy Group
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins touted the Trump administration’s milk action plan to support American dairy farmers during the National Milk Producers Federation’s annual meeting. “Dairy farmers have delivered for America for 250 years, and now it’s time for us to deliver to you,” she told the joint annual meeting that’s hosted by NMPF, the United Dairy Board, and the United Dairy Industry Association. Rollins outlined USDA’s dairy priorities, which include incentivizing dairy consumption through changes to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, expected in December or early January. The priorities also include working to drive down input costs, facilitating investments in American milk processing, and expanding markets to help milk producers prosper. She also noted the importance of farm-labor issues, pledging to seek changes to rules and regulations in coordination with the Departments of Labor and Homeland Security. “We are acutely aware of the unique labor needs of the dairy industry,” she added.
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World’s Largest Bioethanol Carbon Capture Facility Opens
ADM marked the operational start of a new carbon capture and storage project at its Columbus, Nebraska, corn processing complex. It’s now the world’s largest bioethanol carbon capture facility. The project leverages Tallgrass’s Trailblazer pipeline to transport captured carbon dioxide from ADM’s ethanol plant in Columbus to Tallgrass’s Eastern Wyoming Sequestration Hub for safe, permanent storage deep underground. The pipeline is formerly a 400-mile natural gas transmission line and runs through Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska. It’s capable of transporting over ten million tons of CO2 a year, which is the equivalent of removing more than two million passenger vehicles from the roads, or about 25 percent of all the registered motor vehicles in the three states combined. Tallgrass also built a lateral line connecting ADM’s facility to the pipeline system using only voluntary easements from landowners. “This project proves that impact grows from local roots,” said Alison Nelson of Tallgrass.
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September Soybean Crush Likely Sets Record
A new Reuters poll said soybean processors likely crushed a record number of soybeans in September as new facilities ramp up operations. That poll took place as market watchers continued relying on private estimates during the government shutdown. According to a note to clients from CoBank, the crush totaled 205.4 million bushels in September. If that’s accurate, that would be a ten percent month-over-month increase, and the highest on record for the month. On a daily basis, the poll said crush likely rose 7.8 percent to 6.847 million bushels a day. USDA’s Fats and Oilseeds Report, which is usually released monthly, has been nonexistent for the past two months due to the record-long government shutdown. The National Oilseeds Processors Association said earlier this month that it estimated the September crush at 197.9 million bushels during the month, up almost 12 percent year over year and a record for the month.
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Farm Bureau Picks Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence Winner
The American Farm Bureau announced that Retired Army Command Sergeant Major Matthew Rutter (RUH-ter) of South Carolina is the second winner of the Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence. Rutter used his experience to co-found the nonprofit Project Victory Gardens to help veterans transition to civilian life with renewed purpose and hands-on agricultural skills. He also developed Farmer Bootcamp, a nationally-recognized training program for veterans interested in learning about agriculture. He also serves as the founding president of the South Carolina Farmer Veteran Coalition. ”We are honored to recognize Sergeant Major Matthew Rutter for his dedicated service to our nation and his continued leadership in agriculture and community engagement,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. Rutter views agriculture as a platform for transforming lives and communities and plans to use part of the $10,000 cash prize for the award to establish an educational “Coffee and Chores Program” for veterans across the state.
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Angus Foundation Raises Over $37,000 During the 2025 Convention
The Angus Foundation celebrated another successful fundraising effort during the 2025 Angus Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. Through the annual Awards Dinner Auction and Foundation Raffle, supporters raised $37,320, helping to advance the Foundation’s mission of education, youth, and research. The live auction featured unique Angus-themed items that drew spirited bidding from the audience, including a historic Angus bronze bull. “Every dollar raised during the Convention directly supports programs like the LEAD Conference, Raising the Bar, and the Beef Leaders Institute,” said Jaclyn Boester, executive director of the Angus Foundation. “We are grateful for the breeders, sponsors, and supporters who continue to invest in the future of the Angus breed.” Grant Solem, Foundation Director for the National Junior Angus Association Board, said every raffle ticket sold creates opportunities and experiences for juniors within the NJAA. “It’s great to see the breed’s supporters come together and support the mission of the NJAA,” he added.
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