Nebraska FARMcast - Farm and Ranch Management

For generations, Nebraska Farmer magazine and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Extension programs have helped farmers and ranchers stay informed, adapt to change, and make better business decisions. This episode brings together two milestones in that shared mission. Nebraska Farmer is celebrating 166 years of publication, and Brad Lubben, Extension policy specialist with the Center for Agricul...

Expanding acres, adding livestock, or investing in bigger equipment can spread out costs and boost efficiency — but growth also brings new challenges. In this episode, Tim Meyer, associate professor of practice in agricultural economics at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, joins Nebraska FARMcast to discuss why bigger isn’t always better for family farms. He explains how expansion can stretch la...

When U.S. beef, pork, and poultry are exported, they’re tested to make sure residues from antibiotics, dewormers, or other animal health products stay below certain limits. The catch is that those limits aren’t the same everywhere. What’s considered safe under U.S. rules might not pass in places like the European Union, Japan, or Mexico. That mismatch can lead to trade barriers, rejected shipments...

Record-high calf prices in 2024 and 2025 have given cow-calf producers a welcome boost, but deciding how to reinvest those earnings can be tricky. Should profits go toward tax savings, new equipment, or strategies that build long-term strength in the operation? Nebraska Extension educators Brock Ortner and Glennis McClure join Nebraska FARMcast to discuss how producers can evaluate investments thr...

Dr. Brad Lubben, ag policy specialist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability breaks down the massive reconciliation bill – officially the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” -- signed into law early this month, which brings significant new support for farmers and ranchers. While the headlines have focused on tax changes and cuts to social programs, this sweeping l...

The 2025 Grocery Industry Summit is Aug. 25, 2025, in Kearney. The third annual event brings together grocery store owners, industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to address some of the biggest challenges — and opportunities — facing grocery businesses across Nebraska and the region. Hosted the Nebraska Cooperative Development Center here at UNL, and the Nebraska Grocery Industry Associati...

This episodes returns to an important conversation around farm and ranch succession planning—specifically for those who don’t have a family heir lined up to take over the operation. We're joined by Jessica Groskopf, agricultural economist with Nebraska Extension, to walk us through several key steps in this process. In the latest installments of her series on succession without a family heir,...

On this episode of Nebraska FARMcast, we’re exploring how a simple phone call sparked a movement to build a new kind of business model in Nebraska — one centered on worker ownership and community care. Cindy Houlden, Cooperative Development Specialist with the Nebraska Cooperative Development Center at Nebraska, joins us to share the story behind the Republican River Valley Homecare Cooperative, a...

What happens when there isn’t a family heir to take over the operation? In a new article that’s the first in a series of publications aimed at helping producers navigate succession planning without a family successor, Extension Educator Jessica Groskopf discusses the emotional side of this transition — particularly the ambiguous grief that can come when a family legacy doesn’t continue as expected...

Glennis McClure, Extension Educator and Farm and Ranch Management Analyst with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's Center for Agricultural Profitability discusses the newly released “2025 Custom Service Rates for Livestock Production in Nebraska.” This report, published by the Center for Agricultural Profitability, provides insight into what livestock producers and custom operators are chargi...

The beef industry is facing a mix of optimism and uncertainty — with strong prices giving way to questions about supply, demand, regulation, and long-term sustainability. But as the industry navigates these issues, a group of students at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is stepping up to study them closely. On this episode, we’re joined by Professors Brad Lubben and Elliott Dennis, both from the...

The price difference between steers and heifers can be a key indicator of herd expansion or contraction and recent trends indicate that we may be at a turning point. TaraLee Hudson, a graduate researcher in the Department of Agricultural Economics here at Nebraska, and Dr. Elliott Dennis, an associate professor in the Ag Econ department, have published a new article analyzing the factors driving t...

Record-high cattle prices in 2025 have created unique opportunities and challenges for producers looking to maximize their profits. One key factor in cattle marketing is the price slide — when lighter-weight calves tend to command a higher price per pound than heavier calves. Understanding how a price slide works, and how to leverage it, can make a big difference in profitability. This concept is...

Dr. Cory Walters, associate professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at UNL, joins to discuss a unique and potentially valuable tool for farm risk management —micro-captive insurance. This concept allows farm operations to manage risk and insurance costs in a more customized way while also presenting financial opportunities. But, as with any financial tool, micro-captives come with co...

Brad Lubben, extension ag policy specialist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, joins to discuss his latest Policy Report column for Nebraska Farmer magazine, which highlights the Nebraska Rural Poll. This long-running survey from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln offers a unique look into the thoughts and concerns of rural Nebraskans on issues like community well-being, housing, the economy...

Transitioning a farm from one generation to the next isn’t just about passing down land and equipment—it’s about balancing experience with innovation, tradition with change, and family relationships with business decisions. Generational differences in farm management can lead to friction, but they also present opportunities for growth when handled with mutual respect and collaboration. Anastasia M...

On this episode of Nebraska FARMcast, we’re joined by Randy Saner, Nebraska Extension Livestock Systems Educator and Program Leader, to discuss strategies for managing bull costs and maximizing herd profitability. With rising cattle prices, producers face tough decisions about how much to invest in their bulls and how those choices affect their bottom line. Randy’s recent article breaks down the f...

2025 has been designated the “International Year of Cooperatives” by the United Nations, recognizing the vital role that cooperatives play in building stronger economies and communities around the world. Here in Nebraska, cooperatives have long been a cornerstone of rural development, supporting local businesses, agriculture, and essential services. The Nebraska Cooperative Development Center has...

Brad Lubben, policy specialist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, joins to discuss his latest Policy Report column for Nebraska Farmer. As President Trump begins his new term, his administration has introduced a new initiative—the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE—which aims to reshape and reduce the size of the federal government. While DOGE itself isn’t an official agency, it ha...

On this episode, we're talking about custom rates for field operations. Whether you’re a producer hiring custom work or a provider offering services, understanding pricing trends and operational costs is key. Glennis McClure, an Extension Educator with the Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, joins to discuss. McClure helps lead efforts on the Nebraska C...

Data from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service shows that Nebraska farm real estate values increased by 6.8% in 2024, with cropland and pasture values seeing notable gains. County-level cash rent estimates also reveal trends in rental rates across the state. To break down these numbers and what they mean for farmers, ranchers, and landowners, we're joined by Jim Jansen, an agricultu...

Tim Meyer, associate professor of practice in the Department of Agricultural Economics at UNL, joins to discuss his new article for the Ag Econ department’s Cornhusker Economics series that explores the relationship between cash flow, profitability, and solvency in farm management. He breaks down why those matter, how they interact, and what farmers should consider when making big financial decisi...

On this episode, we’re joined by Shannon Sand, an agricultural economist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability. She recently wrote an article about IRS requirements for issuing 1099 forms — a topic that’s especially relevant for farmers and ranchers this time of year. Whether you hire independent contractors, rent land, or make other payments that could re...

With recent land purchases, some are asking questions to learn more about IRS Section 180 and how it may provide tax deductions in the year of purchase. Shannon Sand is an agricultural economist and educator with Nebraska Extension who is based in North Platte. She joins the podcast to break down what exactly Section 180 is, who can potentially benefit from it, and how landowners can work with the...

Nebraska Extension Ag Economist Jessica Groskopf discusses what happens to farmland lease agreements when a landlord passes away. With handshake agreements still prevalent in Nebraska, the nuances of ownership transitions can create uncertainty for both landlords and tenants. Groskopf has a new article on our Center for Ag Profitability website, cap.unl.edu, that unpacks these scenarios and helps...