Farm Management and Ag Policy

Facing retirement involves many difficult decisions. A troubling statistic shows that most farmers aren't planning or preparing to step away from farm work. Nebraska Extension Educator Jessica Groskopf discusses critical planning and decision-making for farmers who are considering retirement.

Cover crops on livestock operations can offer many economic and environmental benefits. University of Nebraska – Lincoln Agricultural Economics Professor Jay Parsons talks about how cover crops can help make cattle operations successful and points out the benefits of incorporating them. 

For farmers and ranchers, having enough cash on hand to make purchases throughout the season may not always be possible. Nebraska Extension Ag Economist Jessica Groskopf talks about the basics when it comes to farm loans and discusses several options for farmers who need cash for critical purchases. 

Farm families are changing, and many times children don’t want to return to the operation. Nebraska Extension Ag Economist Jessica Groskopf talks farm succession planning when there is no family heir.

The Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln has released its 2025 report on custom service rates for livestock production in Nebraska. Glennis McClure a Nebraska Extension Ag Economics Educator says the report provides average charges for 26 different livestock-related custom operations and may be a valuable reference for producers and operators to determine fair pricing for custom services.

Farmers and ranchers should take a careful look at several accounting aspects in their operation to determine their yearly financial status and growth. Nebraska Extension Educator Glennis McClure says it’s important to analyze the true picture of the operation’s net farm income and earned net worth.

For the first time in six years Ag land values in Nebraska have decreased. Nebraska Extension Ag Economist Jim Janssen talks about what goes into calculating ag land values and why it showed a decline.

Strategically insuring your farm or ranch is a growing trend in the crop insurance industry. University of Nebraska - Lincoln Associate Professor of Agricultural Economic Cory Walters talks about what micro-captive insurance is and how it may benefit your operation. 

Winter drought conditions have left many pastures struggling to green up this spring. Extension Educators Ben Beckman and Ryan Benjamin say landowners and renters should consider a drought or disaster clause in this year’s lease agreements. 

Nothing can replace experience and wisdom when it comes to farming, but old traditions are being challenged by new research and technology. When younger family members come back to work the farm, sometimes these ideas clash. Extension Ag Economist Anastasia Meyer talks about how to navigate potential problems when trying to blend the old with the new on the farm. 

As Nebraska farmland values increased in 2024 so did cash rents across the state. Nebraska Extension Ag Economist Jim Jansen talks about the USDA cash rent survey results for different cropland.

Your farm operation isn’t just about raising cattle or growing crops, it’s also a business that needs to keep track of numbers. Nebraska Ag Economics Associate Professor of Practice Tim Meyer talks about how to stay in the black with careful accounting. 

Survey findings from the USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Service estimated that Nebraska farm real estate increased by 6.8% in 2024. Jim Jansen, Nebraska Extension Ag Economist talks about this increase and how we compare to other states around the country.

How do you know how much to charge or pay for custom field work in Nebraska? One way is to check out this year’s custom rates survey offered by UNL’s Center for Ag Profitability. Nebraska Extension Farm and Ranch Management Educator Glennis McClure talks about several key things that can affect what you charge or pay for custom work.

Cutting government waste and improving efficiency has been the goal of the new federal Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE. Nebraska Extension Ag Policy Specialist Brad Lubben says cutting spending could have negative effects on local farms and ranches.