Applications for the Annual Forage Insurance Program are due by July 15th. With forecasts calling for a dry period that could stretch into late fall, both crop and livestock producers who are considering the benefits of annual forages may look to the program as a means of managing the precipitation risk that comes with planting. Plus, changes to the program to benefit winter wheat producers. 

Jay Parsons is a professor and farm and ranch management specialist in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. For more, read his article on this topic at farm.unl.edu.

Becky Vogt is the Survey Research Manager with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Rural Poll. 

With nearly one half of Nebraska farms running some kind of livestock or poultry operation, animal agriculture continues to play a critical role in the state’s economy. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s 2020 Nebraska Rural Poll examined rural Nebraskans’ connection to animal agriculture, along with their thoughts on the Nebraska Department of Agriculture’s Livestock Friendly County Designation.

Read the related article on farm.unl.edu.

John Westra is a professor and program leader in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 

Many have heard a lot lately about carbon markets, but carbon sequestration is only one of a larger set of ecosystem goods and services that can be generated in agriculture. Westra discusses other kinds of agricultural practices that can have a positive impact on humans and the planet. He also discusses the development of markets around these ecosystem goods and services.

Jim Jansen is an agricultural economist and extension educator with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 

The value of non-irrigated cropland in the central Plains region of the U.S. rose between an average of 5 and 10 percent in the first quarter of this year, compared to 2020, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Jansen covers the reasons behind this and what he expects for the rest of 2021.

Fore more, read Jansen's latest article on the subject at farm.unl.edu.

Erin Borror is an economist with the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Elliott Dennis is an assistant professor and livestock economist in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 

They recap a June 3 webinar that Borror presented on the global demand for U.S. red meat, how exports are impacting livestock and meat markets and how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted U.S. meat exports. 

Watch the full webinar on farm.unl.edu.

Dave Aiken is a professor and agricultural law and water specialist in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 

President Biden has proposed that 30% of U.S. land should be conserved by 2030 — the so-called "30x30 plan." The "Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful" report, issued in May, identified early actions that could be taken to approach this goal and noted that only 12% of U.S. land is currently permanently protected for conservation purposes. Aiken discusses the plan, the pushback it has received from some agricultural groups and what could happen next. 

Read his article on the topic here on farm.unl.edu. 

Elliott Dennis is an assistant professor and livestock economist in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 

The monthly Cattle on Feed Report, produced by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, provides data on the number of cattle and calves on feed, placements, marketing, and other disappearance. Dr. Dennis explains some common critical and supportive opinions of the Cattle on Feed Report’s usefulness and its implications for risk management strategies, as well as what the industry can gain from the report. 

Cindy Houlden is a cooperative development specialist with the Nebraska Cooperative Development Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

On the surface, a cooperative grocery store may look no different from any local market, with aisles of food, perishable departments and checkout registers. But, behind the scenes, cooperatives are not run like a typical grocery store. They are owned and controlled by their users, who, in turn, benefit from keeping the business running. Houlden explains how co-ops function as well as their benefits to members and the community. 

Her article on the subject is available here.

Cory Walters is a grain marketing specialist and Jessica Groskopf is an agricultural economist. Both are with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Given the high levels of commodity prices write now, what should a good marketing plan look like to ensure farm survival? F

Farmers have seen volatile markets and upward moving prices in the past. However, the 2021 commodity marketing environment is not one we have experienced recently. As the U.S. farm economy comes out of an extended period of low prices, farmers are feeling the pressure to lock in higher prices but are hesitant as they do not want to miss the market high by pricing too early.

So, how can you make decisions about pricing new crop grain that you can feel comfortable with? There are two elements we want to highlight that we believe can assist in the pricing decision. First, you need to have a reasonable understanding of forces driving the market and potential impacts. Second, you need to have well defined farm goals and objectives.

Read the article at farm.unl.edu.

Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel is an extension specialist with Rural Prosperity Nebraska. 

When it comes to the important work of recruiting new residents to move to rural communities, the people who currently live there have an essential role to play in telling the local story, even though they may not realize how important their personal networks are.

Find out more in her article on the subject at farm.unl.edu.