Farm Management and Ag Policy

Cow/calf operations are amid a period of unprecedented high incomes—something that crop farmers experienced back in 2012 and again in 2022. Nebraska Farm Business Executive Director Tina Barrett says getting to your tax preparer sooner will allow you more time to make the adjustments that are right for your operation.

Veterinary drugs and antibiotics ensure livestock health and help with the quality of cattle performance, but drug usage can cause serious trade issues if our partners have different standards. Nebraska Extension Livestock Marketing and Risk Management Specialist Elliott Dennis and Akinbode Okunola a UNL Agricultural Marketing Grad Student talk about drug residue regulations in trade and what it means for Nebraska producers.

The past several years have been very profitable for cattle producers, but larger incomes also bring challenges; larger tax bills and pressure to spend on prepaid expenses. Nebraska Farm Business Executive Director Tina Barrett says early, proactive tax planning is one of the most valuable tools any producer has.

Irrigation season has ended and it’s time to evaluate your center pivot system to make sure it is ready for winter and for another growing season. Nebraska Extension Irrigated Cropping Systems Educator Steve Melvin talks about several key steps to keep in mind when shutting down your pivot for the winter.

Many family farms believe growth is the key to success, but expansion can also bring hidden costs, management challenges, and reduced efficiency. University of Nebraska – Lincoln Ag Economics Professor Tim Meyer talks about how to balance growth with long-term sustainability.

Establishing a fair rent for farm buildings and storage facilities involves multiple factors, but what’s a fair rate? Nebraska Extension Farm and Ranch Management Analyst Glennis McClure offers some tips to benefit both the owner and the renter.

Fatigue, stress, heavy equipment and unpredictable conditions all contribute to the risks faced by farmers and rural residents alike during harvest season. Nebraska Extension Educator Amy Timmerman offers a few commonsense tips to get the crop in while being safe.

Wildfire precautions around your farm and ranch are critical to avoid a catastrophe. Nebraska Extension Educator Ryan Benjamin talks about steps producers can take to help avoid serious damage from wildfires.

As strong cattle markets continue to trend upward, other areas of the industry point to good economic outcomes. Nebraska Extension Livestock Marketing and Risk Management Specialist Elliott Dennis says historically high calf and cull cow prices, an aging producer base, and a severely reduced national cowherd inventory has kept the markets strong.

Cattle prices continue to rise as consumers continue to have strong demand for beef, despite it increasing retail price. Nebraska Extension Livestock Marketing and Risk Management Specialist Elliott Dennis says beef has remained the number one protein choice for consumers. 

Record-high calf prices have left many cow-calf producers wondering how to reinvest profits in their operations. Nebraska Extension Livestock Systems Educator Brock Ortner and Farm and Ranch Management Analyst Glennis McClure say these markets offer an opportunity to improve long-term profitability, but  also bring the temptation to spend pre-tax earnings on items that may not enhance operational efficiency or performance in future years.

Strong cattle markets have been very favorable for many ranchers this year. Nebraska Extension Livestock Systems Educator Brock Ortner and Farm and Ranch Management Analyst Glennis McClure talk about the strong cattle market and how you can plan a head for the upcoming tax season.

Many farm leases are established with just a firm handshake. According to Nebraska Extension Educator Jessica Groskopf, these verbal agreements can lead to legal complications when termination becomes necessary.

When children return to work on the family farm, several important considerations must be kept in mind. Larry Van Tassell, Director of the Center for Ag Profitability, discusses the dynamics of having family members as employees.

Farmers and ranchers seeking additional income should consider leasing their land for hunting rights. Extension Ag Economist Jim Jansen discusses important factors to evaluate before establishing a hunting lease agreement.