Base acres are the foundation of Farm Bill commodity payments, but in Nebraska they don’t always line up with what farmers are planting today. In this episode, economists with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability break down how base acres were created, why gaps have emerged between base acres and planting decisions, and what that means for producers and landowners across the state.

Jessica Groskopf, Cory Walters, and Anastasia Meyer discuss how incentives shaped past base acre decisions, how risk and payments vary across Nebraska, and what producers should be thinking about as new base acres may become available beginning with the 2026 crop year. The conversation also looks at how base acres fit within a broader risk management strategy that includes crop insurance, farm programs, and marketing decisions.

Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/news/base-acres-explained-how-they-compare-planting-nebraska-farms/

As farmers and ranchers plan for 2026, federal ag policy offers a mix of stronger support and lingering uncertainty. Brad Lubben, extension ag policy specialist with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, breaks down recent policy changes, trade assistance, regulatory issues, and what producers should be watching as they make production, marketing, and financial decisions for the year ahead.

More: https://cap.unl.edu/news/policy-gains-uncertainty-looms-2026/

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

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 Agricultural Profitability, has reached 20 years of writing his monthly Policy Report column for the magazine.

Lubben and Curt Arens, senior editor of Nebraska Farmer, join Ryan Evans to reflect on how these two platforms have covered key developments in farm policy, markets, risk management, and rural life—helping producers make sense of complex issues that shape their livelihoods. They also discuss how the relationship between Nebraska Farmer and UNL Extension continues to evolve, ensuring that trusted, research-based information reaches producers when and where they need it.

The conversation looks back on the past two decades of agricultural change and looks ahead to the next, exploring what issues and opportunities will matter most for Nebraska’s farms and ranches in the years to come.

Read Brad Lubben's Policy Report Column, published in October 2025 by Nebraska Farmer, at https://cap.unl.edu/news/what-are-biggest-issues-facing-farmers-today/

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 labor, complicate management, and add hidden costs that cut into profitability. Meyer also shares what signs producers can watch for that growth may be working against them, and how to strike the right balance between efficiency and sustainability.

More: https://cap.unl.edu/news/diseconomies-scale-family-farm/

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, and lost market opportunities—even if the product is perfectly fine by U.S. standards. To help us understand what this means for producers, we're joined by Akinbode Okunola, a graduate research assistant and Ph.D. student in Agricultural Economics here at Nebraska. He and his advisor, Dr. Elliott Dennis, recently published an article about how U.S. veterinary drug residue regulations compare with those in major export markets and how that may impact trade.

More: https://cap.unl.edu/news/veterinary-drug-residue-regulations-major-us-export-markets/

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 through an economic lens, manage liquidity, and make decisions that improve efficiency and resilience beyond the current cattle cycle. Brock Ortner is a livestock systems extension educator based in Rushville. Glennis McClure is a farm and ranch management analyst and statewide extension educator.

More: https://cap.unl.edu/news/where-should-i-invest-pre-tax-earnings-record-high-calf-market/

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 legislation quietly delivered some of the most substantial updates to farm programs in years. From increased safety net protections to enhanced crop insurance and disaster assistance, Brad is here to get us up to speed as he has written about the increased farm support for his latest policy report column for Nebraska Farmer.

More: https://cap.unl.edu/news/whats-big-beautiful-bill-agriculture/

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 Association, the summit will focus on everything from next-generation ownership and rural grocery sustainability to cooperative partnerships, local foods, and emerging retail technologies.

Charlotte Narjes, Director of the Nebraska Cooperative Development Center, and Ansley Fellers, Executive Director of the Nebraska Grocery Industry Association, join to share what’s in store for this year’s event and why a strong grocery industry matters for rural communities and the state as a whole.

More: https://cap.unl.edu/news/grocery-industry-summit-returning-kearney-august-21-focus-future-local-stores/

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, Jessica covers how to clarify your goals, build a team of trusted advisors, and put foundational legal documents in place to ensure your wishes are carried out.

Find Groskopf's most recent article in her series on succession planning without a family heir, along with other articles in the series, at https://cap.unl.edu/news/navigating-farm-succession-without-family-heir-everyone-needs-these-documents/