Nebraska’s net farm income is projected to climb more than 40% in 2025, driven by strong cattle prices and a surge in government payments. But those headline numbers don’t tell the whole story. Crop receipts have fallen for four straight years, margins remain tight, and producers across the state are facing very different economic realities depending on what they raise.

In this episode, Dr. Brad Lubben, extension policy specialist with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability, breaks down the latest Fall 2025 Nebraska Farm Income Outlook and his recent Policy Reportcolumn for Nebraska Farmer. He explains what’s behind the projected income increase, why the crop sector continues to struggle, how government payments factor in, and what the outlook could mean heading into 2026.

We discuss the long-term trends shaping the state’s ag economy, the policy developments to watch, and the key risks and decisions producers should be thinking about as they plan for the year ahead.

Fall 2025 Farm Income Outlook for Nebraska: https://cap.unl.edu/farm-income

Nebraska Farmer Policy Report: https://www.farmprogress.com/farm-policy/forecast-mixed-for-farm-income-going-into-2026