Nebraska FARMcast - Farm and Ranch Management

Hosted by Center for Agricultural Profitability

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303

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Produced by the Center for Agricultural Profitability in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska FARMcast offers essential farm and ranch management information for agricultural decision-makers. Find more resources at https://cap.unl.edu.

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60 recent

June 16, 202625 min

Tax Deferral Options for Weather-Forced Livestock Sales with Tina Barrett

When drought or other weather conditions force producers to sell livestock earlier than planned or reduce herd numbers, the tax consequences can be significant. In this episode, Tina Barrett, executive director of Nebraska Farm Business, Inc., walks through the two main deferral options available to producers under federal tax law, explains how to determine whether deferring income actually makes financial sense, and covers the recordkeeping that makes any of it possible.Barrett also addresses crop insurance deferral rules and casualty loss provisions that may apply to damaged buildings, fences or equipment. With drought conditions affecting much of Nebraska, this episode is a practical guide for producers and their tax preparers as they plan for the rest of the year.Produced and hosted by Morgan Bonifas, Center for Agricultural Profitability Intern.This episode is edited from a full webinar that Barrett delivered in response to wildfires in Nebraska, on April 29, 2026. Find the recording here.Barrett also wrote an article on the topic, available here.

June 11, 202614 min

New Base Acres: What the One Big Beautiful Bill Means for Your Farm with Anastasia Meyer

Federal commodity program payments on many farms are still tied to base acres established in the 1985 farm bill — numbers that haven't changed in decades. New federal legislation gives landowners the opportunity to add base acres for the first time in years, and the review window is open now.Anastasia Meyer, extension agricultural economist with the Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, joins Nebraska FARMcast to explain how base acres are established, who is eligible for an increase, and what landowners and producers need to do before the window closes. She also covers how the 30-million-acre national cap works, what happens when a farm has no established program yield, and why landowners and operators should be talking to each other about this decision before opting out.More: https://cap.unl.edu/news/new-base-acres-available-qualifying-farms/

June 8, 202624 min

Keeping Organic Acres Organic: Leases, Records, and Farm Transitions with Glennis McClure and Carla McCullough Dittman

Organic land represents years of investment in soil health, certification records, and the markets that reward that work. When that land changes hands, protecting that investment requires the right lease language, the right records and conversations that start well before anyone signs. This episode features Glennis McClure, farm and ranch management analyst at the Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Carla McCullough Dittman, a Lancaster County landowner and advisor to the Nebraska Organic Program and the Transition to Organic Partnership Program. They walk through what it takes to keep certified organic acres organic through a land transition, from working with certifiers and documenting production history to writing lease terms that spell out compliance responsibilities and protect both parties. They also discuss what retiring organic farmers should be doing now to find the right successor and keep their land in organic production for the long term.Read more: https://cap.unl.edu/news/lease-considerations-and-communications-when-transitioning-organic-production/

June 5, 202625 min

Nebraska Farm Income: Record High But Uneven Ground with Brad Lubben

Net farm income in Nebraska is projected to reach a record high in 2026, near $10 billion, but that number tells two very different stories depending on what you raise. Brad Lubben, extension associate professor and agricultural policy specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, joins Nebraska FARMcast to discuss his latest Policy Report column for Nebraska Farmer, which breaks down what's driving the headline figure, why crop and livestock sectors are performing so differently right now, and how a surge in government payments is shaping the bottom line.Lubben also walks through what the statewide aggregate misses for individual operations, what the cash flow calendar looks like for producers waiting on ARC and PLC payments this fall, and how wildfire and drought losses since the analysis was completed could shift the picture before year's end.Read more in Brad Lubben's Policy Report Column: Cattle, Government Payments Drive Nebraska's Record Farm Income Forecast, But Crop Margins Remain TightAdditional resources:Nebraska Farm Income Outlook: Spring 2026 ReportCenter for Agricultural Profitability free financial analysis consultingRurual Response Hotline: https://farmhotline.com/ and 800-464-0258

June 1, 20269 min

Land Link #3 - Generational Differences

The Nebraska Land Link program works to connect new and beginning farmers seeking land with retiring landowners. The Nebraska Land Link Podcast series provides listeners with more knowledge about the program and how to successfully navigate the process. Produced by Lexi Bodlak, Nebraska Land Link intern. Episode #3: Generational DifferencesWith: Allan Vyhnalek, Nebraska Extension Educator Emeritus. Generational differences show up in many ways during land transitions. From communication styles to risk tolerance, these differences can either create friction or become a strength. In this episode Vyhnalek gives us tips on how to better understand different generations, bridge those gaps, and turn generational diversity into a foundation for stronger, more resilient partnerships. Find more information by visiting the Center for Agricultural Profitability website linked below at https://cap.unl.edu/landlink/

May 21, 20268 min

Land Link #2 - Good Communication and Negotiation

The Nebraska Land Link program works to connect new and beginning farmers seeking land with retiring landowners. The Nebraska Land Link Podcast series provides listeners with more knowledge about the program and how to successfully navigate the process. Produced by Lexi Bodlak, Nebraska Land Link intern. Episode #2: Good Communication and NegotiationWith: Allan Vyhnalek, Nebraska Extension Educator Emeritus. One of the most critical parts of any successful land transition is communication and negotiation. These conversations can shape not just your agreement but your tong-term relationship as both a land owner and land seeker. This episode walks us through how to approach tough conversations, align expectations early, and build agreements that are rooted in trust, clarity and shared goals. Find more information by visiting the Center for Agricultural Profitability website linked below. https://cap.unl.edu/landlink/

May 14, 202612 min

2026 Local Food Guide from Buy Fresh Buy Local Nebraska with Michelle Garwood

Michelle Garwood, program coordinator for Buy Fresh Buy Local Nebraska, joins Nebraska FARMcast to discuss the 2026 Local Food Guide and how it helps Nebraskans find local farms, ranches, farmers markets and food businesses across the state. She shares what’s included in this year’s guide, how consumers can use the print and online versions, and why the guide remains a valuable marketing tool for Nebraska producers and local food businesses. Garwood also discusses the broader value of buying local, from building relationships with producers to keeping more food dollars close to home.Find the food guide and more about Buy Fresh Buy Local on their website, https://buylocalnebraska.org.

May 12, 202621 min

Beef Industry Policy Current Issues Discussed at Cattle Industry Convention with Brad Lubben

The beef industry remains a bright spot in the agricultural economy, but the policy questions ahead are complex. In this episode, Brad Lubben, extension ag policy specialist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, discusses current beef industry policy issues highlighted through the Krutsinger Beef Industry Scholars program’s trip to the 2026 Cattle Industry Convention.The conversation covers cattle markets and processing capacity, livestock risk management tools, international trade, traceability, labeling and the role of student experiences in preparing the next generation to engage in industry policy discussions. The issues and trip were highlighted by Lubben in his latest Policy Report column for Nebraska Farmer.More: https://cap.unl.edu/news/students-learn-about-tackling-tough-beef-industry-issues/

May 4, 202620 min

Land Link #1 - Values and Mission Statements

The Nebraska Land Link program works to connect new and beginning farmers seeking land with retiring landowners. The Nebraska Land Link Podcast series provides listeners with more knowledge about the program and how to successfully navigate the process. Produced by Lexi Bodlak, Nebraska Land Link intern. Episode #1: Values and Mission StatementsWith: Jay Parsons, Professor and Director, Center for Agricultural Profitability. Strong land partnerships are built on more than logistics. They are built on shared values and a clear sense of purpose. This episode dives into how to define your values and create a mission statement that reflects what matters most to you. This clarity can help guide decisions, strengthen communication, and set the foundation for long-term success for both the landowner and land seeker. Find more information by visiting the Center for Agricultural Profitability website linked below. https://cap.unl.edu/landlink/ Follow this series at https://cap.unl.edu/landlink/podcasts/

April 29, 202619 min

Understanding Custom Rates and Market Factors with Glennis McClure

In this episode, Glennis McClure, extension educator and farm and ranch management analyst with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, discusses the 2026 Nebraska Agricultural Custom Rates Report and how producers and custom operators can use it as a guide for pricing custom work.The report includes survey data from 108 Nebraska respondents covering 123 custom operations and services, with statewide averages and regional rates by Nebraska Agricultural Statistics District. McClure explains why rates can vary across the state, how fuel prices and local market conditions affect custom charges, and why operators should consider their own ownership, operating and overhead costs before setting a rate.The conversation also highlights how the Agricultural Budget Calculator can help producers estimate machinery costs, labor, repairs, depreciation and profit margins when evaluating what to charge or pay for custom agricultural services.Article and Custom Rates: https://cap.unl.edu/news/2026-nebraska-custom-rates-report-published/