Farm Management and Ag Policy

The House Agriculture Committee released draft farm bill text late last week, and many agricultural industry groups have welcomed and applauded the language, but not all. Nebraska Extension Farm Policy Specialist Brad Lubben talks about difficulties that our elected officials are facing when it comes to enacting farm policy. 

The key to any ag land lease agreement is flexibility. Nebraska Extension Ag Economist Jim Jansen says market volatility can wreak havoc on any lease agreements without arrangements that will equally benefit landowner and renter.

The 2018 Farm Bill expired in 2023, and Congress has since been unable to pass the omnibus legislation, which serves to both support U.S. farming and provide a safety net for the food insecure. Nebraska Extension Farm Policy Specialist Brad Lubben talks about why it can be extremely difficult to get a new farm policy bill passed. 

Planning the future of your family operation will always be stressful and solutions will take careful planning, especially when there’s no next generation. Nebraska Extension Ag Economist Jessica Groskopf talks about strategies and resources to help navigate succession planning without a family heir. 

Over the years it’s been increasingly difficult to getting farm bills through Congress and the failure to finish a new farm bill to date are signs of the increasingly fragile state of the traditional farm and food coalition. Nebraska Extension Farm Policy Specialist Brad Lubben talks about the future of the farm bill in 2026.

Farmland leases typically renew on March 1 and right now land values and cash rents are on the top of many farmers minds. Nebraska Extension Ag Economist Jim Janssen stresses the importance of having written agreements in place that benefit the landowner as well as the renter. 

When Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in 2025 it delivered a partial farm bill fix, extending and strengthening major safety net programs while leaving several titles unresolve. Nebraska Extension Farm Policy Specialist Brad Lubben explains how the farm bill reached this point and what could shape the 2026 debate.

Strategic planning is beneficial to any business, and farm and ranch operations are no exception. UNL Center for Ag Profitability Director Larry Van Tassel talks about the impacts of sound strategic planning and decision-making in today's ag industry.

Volatility and uncertainties in the farm markets could spell a murky forecast for this season. Nebraska Extension Public Policy Specialist Brad Lubben talks about what ag policies will remain in effect and what congress will do with the farm bill this fall. 

Trade tensions, tariffs and unclear enforcement of new deals continue to pressure ag markets. Nebraska Extension Public Policy Specialist Brad Lubben outlines the gains and the risks shaping the year ahead. 

Farmers enter 2026 with a stronger safety net from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Nebraska Extension Ag Policy Specialist Brad Lubben says major uncertainty remains across trade, biofuels, regulations, and the unfinished farm bill.

The 2026 Women in Ag Conference is scheduled for February 26-27 in York. Nebraska Extension Ag Economist and conference coordinator Jessica Groskopf says through workshops and presentations, attendees will learn how to better manage risk, improve their farms and ranches and become more successful operators and business partners.

Manure management regulations in Nebraska can be a bit overwhelming and don’t just apply for large, confined feeding operations. Nebraska Extension Manure Management Educator Leslie Johnson says the ultimate purpose of these regulations is to keep our water free from contamination and encourages all producers to know the rules.

USDA’s Supplemental Disaster Relief program helps farmers who may have suffered from production losses in previous growing seasons. USDA Farm Service Agency State Executive Director Hilary Maricle discusses the different stages of the program and says producers have until April to fill out the paperwork for claims. 

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.