Nebraska FARMcast - Farm and Ranch Management

While President Biden’s proposed Clean Energy Standard is being debated in Congress, it seemed like a good time to review state clean energy policies. Most states have adopted some type of major clean energy policy. Nebraska is among the 11 states that have not adopted a state clean energy policy. Professor Dave Aiken, an agricultural and water specialist in the Department of Agricultural Economic...

In March of this year, one-time federal funding was allotted to communities and counties in the U.S. through the American Rescue Plan Act. The funds are directed for use in pandemic recovery efforts and to help communities become for resilient. They must be used by December 31st, 2026, meaning that community leaders have time to gather input from local citizens about the best use of the funding. T...

With rising pasture rental rates and potential environmental and economic benefits, converting cropland to perennial grass pastures is an option that should be considered by those looking for an opportunity to diversify their operation. For more on the economic considerations associated with this conversion, Daren Redfearn, professor and forage and crop residue specialist in the Department of Agro...

The latest findings from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service indicate that the average value of farm real estate in Nebraska increased by 11% over the prior year, to an average of $3100 per acre. For more on what the NASS report tells us about land values and cash rental rate trends in Nebraska, Jim Jansen, an agricultural economist and extension educator at the University of Nebrask...

Several atypical cases of BSE, or Mad Cow Disease, have recently been announced by the government in Brazil.. Elliott Dennis, assistant professor and extension livestock economist in the Department of Agricultural Economics at UNL, discusses what this could mean for the global and U.S. beef markets and cattle producers. Read more: https://cap.unl.edu/livestock/potential-impacts-brazilian-bse-us-me...

Wouldn’t it be handy to know how your neighbor seems to keep growing their farm or ranch every year? Or to know exactly how your cost of production compares to others around you? While we may not usually have access to those details, there are resources available to help benchmark your own operation against similar ones, which can help you make better decisions and keep a better hold on your busin...

A fire at the JBS meat processing plant in Grand Island on September 13th brought to mind a similar fire that occurred at a Tyson facility in Holcomb, Kansas, in 2019. To discuss possible economic impacts of fires like those at the plants in Grand Island and Holcomb is Elliott Dennis, extension livestock economist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/livestock/co...

This year’s dry conditions in the western U.S. have resulted in many livestock producers looking for fall and winter forage. To help them find it, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has developed the Crop Residue Exchange -- an online tool that connects cattle producers to other producers with available grazing resources. Jay Parsons, a professor and extension farm and ranch management specialist...

When it comes to planning community activities and events, engaging more than just a handful of people – and involving a wide-ranging cross section of individuals -- can seem daunting. But the important step of getting more people involved can ultimately generate more ideas to make the process and the outcome more successful. That’s according to Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, an extension specialist wit...

After the decision to form a cooperative organization has been made, it’s time to look at how it should be legally structured and ensure that legal procedures are followed as the co-op begins operating and making policy decisions. The Nebraska Cooperative Development Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln works with startup and established cooperatives across the state and recommends engagin...

The Clean Water Act requires a federal permit before landowners can engage in construction activities in lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands so long as the water bodies constitute waters of the U.S. or WOTUS. A recent federal court opinion has invalidated the Trump WOTUS rules. 

As ag producers head into fall, big purchase decisions may be ahead, which makes it a great time to assess financial record-keeping on farms and ranches. Keeping digital records with accounting software can make the process smoother but, without proper attention to detail, it is not a foolproof method of record-keeping. To talk about the advantages and important things to keep in mind when it come...

In Nebraska, the number of farmers markets across the state has increased by 35% in the last 10 years to approximately 99 operating statewide, with 77 of those in rural areas. That’s according to Margaret Milligan, with Buy Fresh Buy Local Nebraska , a member-based marketing, promotion and education program that works to connect Nebraskans with local farms and foods. Margaret joins the podcast to...

Of the many proposals that could impact farms and ranches being discussed in Washington lately, discussion around the issue of federal estate and transfer taxes has the attention of many in agriculture. For a look at what is being proposed, what we know and don’t know about it and how farmers and ranchers may be impacted, Tina Barrett, a farm financial consultant and director of Nebraska Farm Busi...

Last year’s edition of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Nebraska Rural Poll examined, among many other things, the financial resilience of rural Nebraskans. Becky Vogt, the rural poll's survey research manager, talks about the results, and how different demographics in rural Nebraska were prepared to face financial uncertainties last year. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/rural/financial-resil...

Professors Larry Van Tassell and Dave Aiken discuss their new article looking at the use of planting cover crops and no-till and reduced tillage practices in Nebraska and surrounding states. They also discuss the concept of additionality, which is mentioned a number of times in the new Growing Climate Solutions Acts, and what it might mean for farmers and ranchers hoping to participate in environm...

The Growing Climate Solutions Act recently passed the Senate and, if enacted, would pave the way for farmers and ranchers to more easily participate in voluntary environmental credit markets, such as land or soil carbon sequestration. Some agricultural practices that can typically earn credits in these markets include cover crops and no-till and reduced tillage practices. Dr. Larry Van Tassell dis...

On June 24, the U.S. Senate adopted S. 1251, the Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2021. The bill seeks to make it easier for farmers and ranchers to participate in voluntary carbon credit markets, and to get a fair share of the carbon revenue they generate.  Dave Aiken, a professor and water and agricultural law specialist in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebra...

Drought conditions contributing to uncertainty in forage quality, as well as high grain prices, have lowered feedlot demand for feeder cattle in the U.S. What might this mean for prices in the fall? Elliott Dennis, assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics, discusses video auctions, CME Futures and what factors can influence the price of feeder cattle as fall approaches.&nbsp...

As older business and property owners in rural communities retire, the viability of small businesses in these communities can be put at risk. As the number of operating businesses goes down, the value of buildings can decrease, often increasing apathy in the community. However, instead of waiting for traditional developers to come along, real estate investment cooperatives may present an opportuni...

Last year, several pieces of legislation were introduced in Congress, with the principal aim of increasing the level of negotiated cash trade. The cattle industry responded to the proposed legislation by creating a voluntary framework, known as the 75% rule, which includes cattle feeder and packing plant triggers based on levels of negotiated trade and marketplace participation. The overarching ob...

While commodity programs have typically driven discussion around the passage of new farm bills every five or so years, conservation program spending has more recently come closer to the levels of commodity programs. Brad Lubben, extension associate professor and policy specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, discusses the most recent numbers, the recent headlines about conservation, and...

In many businesses, regular meetings can improve communication and streamline the decision-making process, keeping everyone in management and operations on the same page. But many farm and ranch businesses are not using this tool. Jessica Groskopf, an agricultural economist with Nebraska Extension, discusses how to go about planning for and running meetings so that an operation can make the most o...

Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel is an extension specialist with Rural Prosperity Nebraska . Setting goals mid-year, THIS year, could be perfect timing to take advantage of all the changes that are taking place. These goals could be for you individually, for a group or business or even for a community. Regardless of where the goals are targeted, there are some helpful guidelines to remember when you establ...

Many use the terms “farm estate planning” and “farm transition planning” interchangeably, but there are important distinctions to consider. Allan Vyhnalek, an extension educator for farm and ranch transition and succession, discusses planning for farm and ranch transition and modern considerations for what families and ag businesses as they go through this important process. Read more in Vyhnalek'...