Farm Management and Ag Policy

The impending shutdown of a meat packing plant in Lexington is expected to cause serious economic issues in the area. Nebraska Extension Livestock Marketing and Risk Management Specialist Elliott Dennis talks about some of the reasons for the shutdown.

As Lexington grapples with the impending loss of its beef plant, experts say the move reflects long-running structural pressures in the cattle industry, not a sudden shift driven by politics or recent market headlines. Nebraska Extension Livestock Marketing and Risk Management Specialist Elliott Dennis discusses these and other reasons for the shutdown.

Chances are If you raise cattle in Nebraska, you’ve had a good year, but crop producers are telling a different story as they struggle to remain profitable. Nebraska Extension Ag Policy Specialist Brad Lubben talks about the dramatic differences between crop and livestock income forecasts for 2026.

If you read headlines, you know that Nebraska’s net farm income is projected to rise sharply in 2025, but the gains are driven mostly by livestock and government payments while crop receipts continue to fall. Nebraska Extension Ag Policy Specialist Brad Lubben talks about the mixed signals behind the numbers, and what producers should watch heading into 2026.

Making smart business decisions on the farm is critical to success. The University of Nebraska is holding several seminars looking at legislative impacts, risk management and other economic issues in December. Nebraska Extension Ag Economist Jessica Groskopf says these meetings are a great opportunity for farmers to stay ahead of economic trends and remain profitable. 

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.