Farm Management and Ag Policy

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.

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.