Nebraska FARMcast - Farm and Ranch Management

We learn about the work of Buy Fresh Buy Local Nebraska to connect Nebraskans to local farms and foods amid their 2024 membership drive. The organization, based at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, offers members inclusion in their popular local food guide, published annually and distributed across the state. Interim Coordinator Charlotte Narjes joins to discuss. Read more about the membership d...

Bringing children into the operation is the goal for many farms and ranches, but it can require some creative approaches so that everyone involved can earn a living. Jessica Groskopf, an extension educator and agricultural economist with the Center for Agricultural Profitability, is writing a series of articles for our website, cap.unl.edu, detailing ideas to help this transition process. She join...

Dave Aiken, professor and extension agricultural law specialist at Nebraska, discusses two bills dealing with alien land ownership restrictions that have been introduced in the 2024 Nebraska legislative session. https://cap.unl.edu/policy-legal/foreign-land-ownership-bills-introduced-nebraska-legislature-podcast

Applications for cooperative business development mini grants are now being accepted for 2024 by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Nebraska Cooperative Development Center. The mini grants are available to both existing cooperatives and groups who are exploring or developing cooperative business models. The application is open through February 15th. UNL Cooperative Development Specialist Cindy H...

On this episode, we elve into the crucial realm of strategic planning within the agricultural sector, and establishing the vision and mission for an agribusiness. In an industry buffeted by the winds of economic change, environmental unpredictability, and technological advancements, having a strategic plan can act as a map through the uncharted territories of future market landscapes. Larry Van Ta...

Glennis McClure, a Farm and Ranch Management Analyst with Nebraska Extension, discusses her new article on Figuring Field Operation Costs Using the Agricultural Budget Calculator Program. In it, Glennis explores the use of UNL’s Agricultural Budget Calculator (ABC) Program, a tool designed to assist producers and custom operators in calculating machinery field operation and ownership costs. By com...

In this episode, we'll continue discussion about the complexities of the farm bill and current state of agricultural policy. After passing an extension of the 2018 farm bill in late 2023, Congress gave itself another year to enact updated legislation, but debate is expected to continue as competing interests show few signs of compromise so far. In his latest monthly policy column for Nebraska...

Marilyn Schlake, a Rural Prosperity Nebraska Extension Educator at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, recently authored an insightful article titled "Agriculture and Community Well-Being: A review of three research studies," which sheds light on the dynamic relationship between agricultural producers and rural communities. I’m looking forward to hearing more about the relationship betwe...

For new and beginning farmers, access to things like land and capital can present challenges on their road to becoming established producers. Amid the economic challenges that come with being a beginning farmer, there are programs and strategies that can offer a leg up to getting on a good path. This was the topic of a recent Nebraska Farmer magazine column by Brad Lubben, an extension associate p...

Estate and transition planning often focuses on what happens to the farm or ranch at the death of a key person. However, a good estate and transition plan should also include contingencies for disability. Planning for a disability is not an easy task because the severity and duration of the disability are unknown. Jessica Groskfop, extension educator and agricultural economist with UNL's Cente...

Lia Nogueira, Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, joins this episode to discuss a rent paper about a study, "Economics of Deficit Irrigation Utilizing Soil Moisture Probes in the Western Corn Belt." This research offers a fresh perspective on how technological advancements like soil moisture probes can optimize irrigation strategies, parti...

There are many strategies that cow-calf producers can explore to be more profitable and on this episode, we’ll hear some examples that are based on data from the University of Minnesota’s FINBIN livestock analysis tool. Randy Saner is a Livestock Systems Extension Educator with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and he’s taken a dive into the data for a new article on our website, at cap.unl.edu....

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...

Cory Walters, associate professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics, recently co-authored an article analyzing how fuel efficiency in tractors has changed since the introduction of EPA emissions standards. The research was led by another co-author, Jerin TeKoste, a recent graduate of the Agricultural Economics Master’s program here at UNL. Dr. Walters discusses key findings from the rese...

Dr. Larry Van Tassell is a professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and director of UNL's Center for Agricultural Profitability. He discusses his research into the latest data from the USDA's Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act report about foreign investment in Nebraska agricultural land, exploring key findings, where the forei...

The Nebraska Entrepreneurial TaskForce (NetForce) is hosting its sixth annual Nebraska Entrepreneurship Best Practices Summit on Tuesday, November 7th, at the Bosselman Conference Center, at Fonner Park in Grand Island. The one-day event will focus on strategies for building local and regional entrepreneurial ecosystems. Molly Brandt, Innovation and Entrepreneurship 4H educator with Nebraska Exten...

Foreign entities have been buying U.S. agricultural land for decades, but recent high-profile purchases have shone a spotlight on the practice. Critics argue it threatens our food security and allows foreign powers to exploit our resources. Others might see economic benefits outweighing any risks. A new article looks at the scope of foreign farmland acquisitions, the countries involved, the incent...

Cheryl Burkhart Kriesel is a professor and extension specialist with Rural Prosperity Nebraska. She joins the podcast to discuss an issue many communities may relate to - how to engage new volunteers and new ideas into established local events and activities. Dr. Burkhart-Kriesel points out that we often hear comments like "we need new people!" and "its the same people do things eve...

October is National Cooperative Month, a chance to celebrate cooperatives and learn about how these community-driven businesses operate, and their impacts across Nebraska. Charlotte Narjes is an extension educator with Rural Prosperity Nebraska and director of the Nebraska Cooperative Development Center here at UNL. She has over 15 years of experience working with cooperatives and rural community...

In 2023, Nebraska's farm real estate values have seen a substantial increase, with the average acre now valued at $4,240, according to new information from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Services – or NASS. We’ll dive into the newly published report that details land values and county-level cash rates across the state, with Jim Jansen, an agricultural economist with the Center for A...

Cooperative businesses are playing an increasingly large role in fostering economic growth, community bonds, and preserving local character in communities across Nebraska. From grocery stores to homecare, the cooperative model is offering innovative solutions to communities across the state. Many of those organizations work with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Nebraska Cooperative Development...

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension faculty recently traveled to Darwin, Australia, to attend the World Community Development Conference and share their expertise while learning new approaches. Marilyn Schlake, an extension educator with Rural Prosperity Nebraska, and Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, a professor and Rural Prosperity Nebraska extension specialist, made the trip in June 2023 for the gl...

While the challenges of farming are vast and varied, one often overlooked issue is the risk that comes with the unexpected death or disability of a younger member of the operation. Jessica Groskopf is an extension educator and agricultural economist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her latest article serves as a call for young individuals in the farming and ranching sector to take estate p...

With the 2018 Farm Bill set to expire and the looming uncertainties, Brad Lubben, an extension policy specialist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, sheds light on the challenges and considerations surrounding this crucial piece of legislation. Read the article in full on Nebraska Farmer's website, and visit cap.unl.edu for more ag policy information.

Consumers seem willing to pay more for their burgers and meatballs, with continued strong demand despite ground beef prices remaining high. What does this mean for cattle producers thinking about expanding their herds this fall? We explore that question with Elliott Dennis, assistant professor and livestock marketing economist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He recently wrote an in-depth...