Podcasts

cap.unl.edu

Nebraska FARMcast

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.

Latest Episode

Gift Leasebacks in Estate and Transition Planning with Jessica Groskopf

Jessica Groskopf, a Nebraska Extension agricultural economist, discusses one approach to wealth transfer and estate planning within farming families. Jessica has just published the third article in a series that highlights different tactics for bringing family members into the operation. This episode focues on the concept of combining gifting with lease agreements as a means of transferring assets between generations while ensuring the viability of the farm or ranch. This not only addresses the complexities of estate planning but also maintains the standard of living for all parties involved. Find more, including the full series of articles, at https://cap.unl.edu/succession/ideas-estate-and-transition-planning-gift-leaseback

May 8 • 10m 38s

Episodes

Gift Leasebacks in Estate and Transition Planning with Jessica Groskopf

May 8 • 10m 38s

Net Farm Income Impacts Net Worth Growth with Glennis McClure

Glennis McClure, an Extension Educator and FARM and Ranch Management Analyst with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, joins to discuss the intricacies of farm and ranch operations’ financials at the start of the year. She talks about her new article on why traditional tax documents might not tell the full story of a farm's financial health and how accrual adjustments can offer a clearer picture. Read more: https://cap.unl.edu/finance/net-farm-income-impacts-net-worth-growth

April 22 • 14m 47s

To Retain or Not to Retain: A Heifer Dilemma with TL Meyer

On this episode, we look at a critical decision point for cow-calf producers: whether to retain heifers for herd replacement or to opt for purchasing them. This decision can have implications on the operational goals, finances, and the herd’s genetic future for cow-calf operators. To explore what to consider in this decision-making process, we're joined by TL Meyer, a Livestock Systems Educator with Nebraska Extension, who has just authored a new article on the topic. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/livestock/retain-not-retain-heifer-dilemma

March 19 • 8m 59s

Buy Fresh Buy Local 2024 Membership with Charlotte Narjes

We learn about the work of Buy Fresh Buy Local Nebraska to connect Nebraskans to local farms and foods amid their 2024 membership drive. The organization, based at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, offers members inclusion in their popular local food guide, published annually and distributed across the state. Interim Coordinator Charlotte Narjes joins to discuss. Read more about the membership drive here or visit the Buy Fresh Buy Local Nebraska website.

March 6 • 8m 54s

Paying Family Members on the Farm or Ranch with Jessica Groskopf

Bringing children into the operation is the goal for many farms and ranches, but it can require some creative approaches so that everyone involved can earn a living. Jessica Groskopf, an extension educator and agricultural economist with the Center for Agricultural Profitability, is writing a series of articles for our website, cap.unl.edu, detailing ideas to help this transition process. She joins to discuss her first article in the series, about monetary compensation for family members. Read more: https://cap.unl.edu/management/paying-family-members-farm-or-ranch

February 13 • 11m 10s

Foreign land ownership bills introduced in 2024 Nebraska Legislature with Dave Aiken

Dave Aiken, professor and extension agricultural law specialist at Nebraska, discusses two bills dealing with alien land ownership restrictions that have been introduced in the 2024 Nebraska legislative session. https://cap.unl.edu/policy-legal/foreign-land-ownership-bills-introduced-nebraska-legislature-podcast

February 6 • 9m 10s

Cooperative Business Development Mini-Grant Applications Open with Cindy Houlden

Applications for cooperative business development mini grants are now being accepted for 2024 by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Nebraska Cooperative Development Center. The mini grants are available to both existing cooperatives and groups who are exploring or developing cooperative business models. The application is open through February 15th. UNL Cooperative Development Specialist Cindy Houlden joins to discuss. Find out more and apply on the Nebraska Cooperative Development Center's website, https://ncdc.unl.edu.

February 6 • 10m 46s

Strategic Planning for Farmers and Ranchers with Larry Van Tassell

On this episode, we elve into the crucial realm of strategic planning within the agricultural sector, and establishing the vision and mission for an agribusiness. In an industry buffeted by the winds of economic change, environmental unpredictability, and technological advancements, having a strategic plan can act as a map through the uncharted territories of future market landscapes. Larry Van Tassell, professor of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Director of the Center for Agricultural Profitability has authored a new article on the importance of strategic planning and we’ll discuss the art of transforming uncertainties into opportunities, the importance of understanding one's mission, and the need for assessing the ever-evolving external environment that shapes your farm's future. Read more: https://cap.unl.edu/management/importance-strategic-planning-farmers-and-ranchers

February 2 • 11m 24s

Figuring Field Operation Costs Using the Agricultural Budget Calculator Program with Glennis McClure

Glennis McClure, a Farm and Ranch Management Analyst with Nebraska Extension, discusses her new article on Figuring Field Operation Costs Using the Agricultural Budget Calculator Program. In it, Glennis explores the use of UNL’s Agricultural Budget Calculator (ABC) Program, a tool designed to assist producers and custom operators in calculating machinery field operation and ownership costs. By comparing newer and older equipment, the article provides valuable insights into how these calculations can influence decisions regarding machinery upgrades and their impact on production costs. Read more: https://cap.unl.edu/abc/machinery

February 2 • 15m 2s

New Farm Bill Remains Difficult Goal in 2024 with Brad Lubben

In this episode, we'll continue discussion about the complexities of the farm bill and current state of agricultural policy. After passing an extension of the 2018 farm bill in late 2023, Congress gave itself another year to enact updated legislation, but debate is expected to continue as competing interests show few signs of compromise so far. In his latest monthly policy column for Nebraska Farmer Magazine, UNL Extension Associate Professor and Policy Specialist Brad Lubben looks into these competing interests and ongoing policy debates surrounding the farm bill, and the impact on Nebraska's agricultural community. Read more: https://cap.unl.edu/policy-legal/new-farm-bill-remains-difficult-goal-2024

January 22 • 11m 6s

Ag Producers and the Wellbeing of Nearby Communities with Marilyn Schlake

Marilyn Schlake, a Rural Prosperity Nebraska Extension Educator at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, recently authored an insightful article titled "Agriculture and Community Well-Being: A review of three research studies," which sheds light on the dynamic relationship between agricultural producers and rural communities. I’m looking forward to hearing more about the relationship between main street and agriculture in rural communities. Read more: https://cap.unl.edu/rural/agriculture-and-community-wellbeing-review-three-research-studieshttps://cap.unl.edu/rural/agriculture-and-community-wellbeing-review-three-research-studies

December 14 • 13m 3s

Farm Bill Extended, but Commodity Program Decisions Remain for Producers with Brad Lubben

For new and beginning farmers, access to things like land and capital can present challenges on their road to becoming established producers. Amid the economic challenges that come with being a beginning farmer, there are programs and strategies that can offer a leg up to getting on a good path. This was the topic of a recent Nebraska Farmer magazine column by Brad Lubben, an extension associate professor and ag policy specialist here at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He’s here to talk more about the realities of starting out in ag today, the looming challenges and some innovative solutions that can be implemented. Read more at https://www.farmprogress.com/commentary/farm-bill-extension-pushes-off-debate-but-not-farmer-decisionshttps://www.farmprogress.com/commentary/farm-bill-extension-pushes-off-debate-but-not-farmer-decisions

December 13 • 13m 14s

What Happens to Your Farm or Ranch if You Become Disabled? With Jessica Groskopf

Estate and transition planning often focuses on what happens to the farm or ranch at the death of a key person. However, a good estate and transition plan should also include contingencies for disability. Planning for a disability is not an easy task because the severity and duration of the disability are unknown. Jessica Groskfop, extension educator and agricultural economist with UNL's Center for Agricultural Profitability, offers some key items to have in place to protect you and your operation from disability. Read more: https://cap.unl.edu/succession/what-happens-your-farm-or-ranch-if-you-become-disabled

December 11 • 12m 30s

The Economics of Deficit Irrigation Utilizing Soil Moisture Probes in the Western Corn Belt with Lia Nogueira

Lia Nogueira, Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, joins this episode to discuss a rent paper about a study, "Economics of Deficit Irrigation Utilizing Soil Moisture Probes in the Western Corn Belt." This research offers a fresh perspective on how technological advancements like soil moisture probes can optimize irrigation strategies, particularly in water-scarce regions like the Western Corn Belt. We discuss the complex interplay between water usage, crop yields, and economic outcomes, unraveling how these factors are reshaping the way we think about sustainable agriculture. The research sheds light on the challenges faced by modern producers, and explores how data-driven irrigation methods can lead to more informed, efficient, and profitable farming practices. Read more: https://cap.unl.edu/crops/economics-deficit-irrigation-utilizing-soil-moisture-probeshttps://cap.unl.edu/crops/economics-deficit-irrigation-utilizing-soil-moisture-probes

December 8 • 5m 23s

What Did Higher Profit Cow-Calf Producers Do To Make Them More Profitable with Randy Saner

There are many strategies that cow-calf producers can explore to be more profitable and on this episode, we’ll hear some examples that are based on data from the University of Minnesota’s FINBIN livestock analysis tool. Randy Saner is a Livestock Systems Extension Educator with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and he’s taken a dive into the data for a new article on our website, at cap.unl.edu. He’ll share some practices that can help lead to higher gross margins, the strategic moves involving calf transfers to other enterprises, and the role that government payments can play in bolstering farm and ranch income. Read more at: https://cap.unl.edu/livestock/what-did-higher-profit-cow-calf-producers-do-make-them-more-profitable

December 6 • 8m 27s

What is IRS Section 180? With Shannon Sand

With recent land purchases, some are asking questions to learn more about IRS Section 180 and how it may provide tax deductions in the year of purchase. Shannon Sand is an agricultural economist and educator with Nebraska Extension who is based in North Platte. She joins the podcast to break down what exactly Section 180 is, who can potentially benefit from it, and how landowners can work with their tax professionals to utilize it. Read more: https://cap.unl.edu/finance/what-irs-section-180-and-how-does-it-work

November 10 • 9m 58s

Diesel Tractor Fuel Efficiency and Exhaust Emissions Standards with Cory Walters

Cory Walters, associate professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics, recently co-authored an article analyzing how fuel efficiency in tractors has changed since the introduction of EPA emissions standards. The research was led by another co-author, Jerin TeKoste, a recent graduate of the Agricultural Economics Master’s program here at UNL. Dr. Walters discusses key findings from the research and offers his perspectives on how emissions regulations have impacted tractor performance over time and why this is important for farmers making equipment purchase decisions. Read more: https://cap.unl.edu/policy-legal/diesel-tractor-fuel-efficiency-and-exhaust-emissions-standards.

November 10 • 13m 10s

Foreign-Owned Ag Land in Nebraska with Larry Van Tassell

Dr. Larry Van Tassell is a professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and director of UNL's Center for Agricultural Profitability. He discusses his research into the latest data from the USDA's Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act report about foreign investment in Nebraska agricultural land, exploring key findings, where the foreign owners are from and what this data means for Nebraska farmers, ranchers, and landowners. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/policy-legal/how-much-nebraska-ag-land-owned-foreign-entities-0.

November 2 • 8m 49s

Nebraska Entrepreneurship Summit with Molly Brandt

The Nebraska Entrepreneurial TaskForce (NetForce) is hosting its sixth annual Nebraska Entrepreneurship Best Practices Summit on Tuesday, November 7th, at the Bosselman Conference Center, at Fonner Park in Grand Island. The one-day event will focus on strategies for building local and regional entrepreneurial ecosystems. Molly Brandt, Innovation and Entrepreneurship 4H educator with Nebraska Extension, discusses what to expect for entrepreneurs of all ages. Find more about the summit and register at https://www.netforcenebraska.org/aboutebps-801962.html

November 1 • 7m 43s

Do Only Americans Own America? Foreign Investment in Agricultural Lands in the United States with Larry Van Tassell

Foreign entities have been buying U.S. agricultural land for decades, but recent high-profile purchases have shone a spotlight on the practice. Critics argue it threatens our food security and allows foreign powers to exploit our resources. Others might see economic benefits outweighing any risks. A new article looks at the scope of foreign farmland acquisitions, the countries involved, the incentives driving this investment, and the key pros and cons for American agriculture. It’s been published by Dr. Larry Van Tassell, professor in Agricultural Economics at UNL and director of the Center for Agricultural Profitability. Read more: https://cap.unl.edu/policy-legal/do-only-americans-own-america-foreign-investment-agricultural-lands-united-states

October 27 • 8m 57s

Involving New People in Community Events with Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel

Cheryl Burkhart Kriesel is a professor and extension specialist with Rural Prosperity Nebraska. She joins the podcast to discuss an issue many communities may relate to - how to engage new volunteers and new ideas into established local events and activities. Dr. Burkhart-Kriesel points out that we often hear comments like "we need new people!" and "its the same people do things every year!" when it comes to community events. But making that transition to new leadership and volunteers isn't always easy. Both established organizers and new community members wanting to help out can benefit from strategies to open up participation. Read more: https://cap.unl.edu/rural/getting-people-involved-community-events-art-and-science

October 24 • 8m 21s

Celebrating Cooperatives National Cooperative Month 2023 with Charlotte Narjes

October is National Cooperative Month, a chance to celebrate cooperatives and learn about how these community-driven businesses operate, and their impacts across Nebraska. Charlotte Narjes is an extension educator with Rural Prosperity Nebraska and director of the Nebraska Cooperative Development Center here at UNL. She has over 15 years of experience working with cooperatives and rural community development, which includes providing education and technical assistance to groups exploring cooperative business models. She is passionate about the power of cooperatives to drive economic opportunities in rural areas. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/rural/owning-our-identity-%E2%80%93-celebrating-cooperatives-2023

October 18 • 11m 30s

USDA Land Values and County-Level Cash Rent Estimates with Jim Jansen

In 2023, Nebraska's farm real estate values have seen a substantial increase, with the average acre now valued at $4,240, according to new information from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Services – or NASS. We’ll dive into the newly published report that details land values and county-level cash rates across the state, with Jim Jansen, an agricultural economist with the Center for Ag Profitability. He’s leads UNL’s efforts to publish the annual Nebraska Farm Real Estate Survey and Report, which was released earlier this summer. He’s just co-authored an article analyzing the new USDA report and what it could mean for the state. We'll discuss the key findings, what's driving these trends, and the implications for farmers, ranchers, and the broader agricultural community. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/land/usda-reports-2023-nebraska-land-values-and-county-level-cash-rent-estimates.

October 12 • 9m 48s

The Impact of Nebraska Cooperatives with Cindy Houlden

Cooperative businesses are playing an increasingly large role in fostering economic growth, community bonds, and preserving local character in communities across Nebraska. From grocery stores to homecare, the cooperative model is offering innovative solutions to communities across the state. Many of those organizations work with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Nebraska Cooperative Development Center to both get their start and maximize their impact over time. Cindy Houlden is a Cooperative Development Specialist with NCDC and she joins me now to talk more about the impact that cooperative businesses are having across Nebraska. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/rural/cooperatives-making-difference-nebraska-communities-0

October 11 • 11m 1s

Nebraska Extension Forges International Ties at Community Development Conference

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension faculty recently traveled to Darwin, Australia, to attend the World Community Development Conference and share their expertise while learning new approaches. Marilyn Schlake, an extension educator with Rural Prosperity Nebraska, and Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, a professor and Rural Prosperity Nebraska extension specialist, made the trip in June 2023 for the global conference. They reached out to make new international collaborations for potential research opportunities and to share what Nebraska is doing in community economic development.

October 3 • 18m 19s

Are You a Farmer or Rancher Over 18? It’s Time for an Estate Plan with Jessica Groskopf

While the challenges of farming are vast and varied, one often overlooked issue is the risk that comes with the unexpected death or disability of a younger member of the operation. Jessica Groskopf is an extension educator and agricultural economist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her latest article serves as a call for young individuals in the farming and ranching sector to take estate planning seriously, highlighting the importance of being prepared. Read more: https://cap.unl.edu/succession/are-you-farmer-or-rancher-over-18-it%E2%80%99s-time-estate-plan.

September 29 • 12m 5s

When Will the Farm Bill Come? With Brad Lubben

With the 2018 Farm Bill set to expire and the looming uncertainties, Brad Lubben, an extension policy specialist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, sheds light on the challenges and considerations surrounding this crucial piece of legislation. Read the article in full on Nebraska Farmer's website, and visit cap.unl.edu for more ag policy information.

September 27 • 14m 36s

High Culling Continues to Impact Beef Market with Elliott Dennis

Consumers seem willing to pay more for their burgers and meatballs, with continued strong demand despite ground beef prices remaining high. What does this mean for cattle producers thinking about expanding their herds this fall? We explore that question with Elliott Dennis, assistant professor and livestock marketing economist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He recently wrote an in-depth analysis looking at factors like retail beef prices, slaughter cow prices, heifers on feed, and more. Read that article here: https://cap.unl.edu/livestock/high-culling-continues-impact-beef-market.

September 26 • 13m 41s

Marketing Calves with Blemishes with Randy Saner

"Selling cattle is a complex process, with many factors determining the price producers can get for their animals. Calves with certain blemishes like bobbed tails, frozen ears, or off-colors are often discounted at sale barns. But is there another way for producers to market these calves and capture more value? Randy Saner, a beef systems educator with Nebraska Extension, has a new article up on our site at cap.unl.edu, detailing ideas on how to add value to blemished calves. We'll discuss Randy's advice on facilities, health protocols, enterprise analysis, and marketing needed to make this approach work. Randy will also share his insights on the cattle market outlook, given tighter calf supplies this year. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/livestock/marketing-calves-blemishes.

September 22 • 10m 9s

Ag Lenders Offer Insights on Current Conditions for Nebraska Livestock Producers with Jay Parsons

In 2017, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Nebraska Extension committed to implementing a multidisciplinary Beef Systems Initiative to develop and implement beef production systems a Nebraska. A parallel project, supported the the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, brought together a panel of Agricultural Lenders from across Nebraska, to advise UNL researchers on financial considerations for producers who are implementing new or expanding existing operations. The panel of lenders first met in 2019, and recently reconvened from June 27-30, 2023, to assess the shifts in economic conditions and lender perspectives over the past four years. They discussed everything from the challenges posed by drought and rising inflation to the nuances of cash flow management and obstacles facing the next generation of farmers. Jay Parsons, a professor and farm and ranch management specialist with the Center for Ag Profitability here at Nebraska, was part of both discussions and joins me now to talk more about what was covered this past June when the ag lenders panel held their forums. Read more at: https://cap.unl.edu/management/ag-lenders-offer-insight-conditions-nebraska-livestock-producers.

September 20 • 11m

Tax Accounting vs. Managerial Accounting with Shannon Sand

Understanding your farm's finances is critical to making sound decisions and positioning your operation for success. But the accounting methods used for tax purposes don't always provide the information needed to properly manage your business. Our guest today, Shannon Sand, is here to explain the key differences between tax accounting and managerial accounting. Shannon is an agricultural economist with the University of Nebraska specializing in farm management. In a new article up on cap.unl.edu, she lays out how tax accounting focuses on external reporting and follows rules aimed at calculating taxable income. In contrast, managerial accounting looks inward, capturing the data needed to analyze production costs, cash flows, capital investments, and overall profitability. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/finance/tax-accounting-vs-managerial-accounting-what-difference-and-why-does-it-matter.

September 15 • 9m 30s

Harvest Operations - Own it or Hire it With Glennis McClure

With harvest just around the corner, many farmers may be considering the decision custom hire out harvesting work. Glennis McClure, a Nebraska Extension farm and ranch management analyst with the Center for Ag Profitability, has a new article on our site at cap.unl.edu, looking at the factors and costs that come into play when deciding between hiring a custom operator versus performing harvest with owned equipment. She also highlights how UNL’s Agricultural Budget Calculator program can assist with these decisions. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/finance/harvest-operations-own-it-or-hire-ithttps://cap.unl.edu/finance/harvest-operations-own-it-or-hire-it.

August 25 • 10m 27s

Technology use growing on Nebraska farms and ranches with Larry Van Tassell

From drones scouting fields to real-time data-driven decisions, the embrace of technology by U.S. agriculture is expanding, with Nebraska at the forefront. A recent USDA-NASS survey shows 77% of Nebraska's farmers and ranchers now integrate computers into their work, a jump from 74% in 2021. Moreover, 85% use smartphones, up by five points in two years. Larry Van Tassell is a professor in Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, and director of UNL’s Center for Agricultural Profitability. As a graduate student, he helped survey producers in the 1980s – just as personal computers were beginning to emerge – about their attitudes toward adapting technology to help manage their operations. He dove into the new report, contrasting today’s attitudes about tech in ag with the skepticism he found among producers 30 to 40 years ago, in a new article on our website, cap.unl.edu. He’s here to talk more about the survey, how the perception of using technology in agriculture has evolved, and the important role it plays in today’s decision-making environment. Read more at: https://cap.unl.edu/management/technology-use-growing-nebraska-farms-and-ranches.

August 18 • 10m 50s

Terminating a Verbal Farmland Lease in Nebraska by September 1st with Jessica Groskopf

For landlords and tenants with verbal lease agreements in place, September 1st represents an important deadline in Nebraska. The state Supreme Court has ruled that the lease year begins on March 1st and the notice to a tenant to vacate under a verbal lease must be given six months in advance of the end of the lease – or no later than September 1st. We’ll walk through what this means for both parties, discuss the benefits of written leases over verbal agreements, and highlight the differences between cropland and pasture leases. Jessica Groskopf, an extension agricultural economist at UNL, discusses. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/land/terminating-verbal-farmland-lease-nebraska.

August 3 • 8m 33s

Nebraska approves pass-through entity tax bill with Tina Barrett

Tina Barrett, with Nebraska Farm Business, Inc., explains a new tax law that could impact many agricultural operations across our Nebraska Earlier this year, the Nebraska Legislature passed LB754, which contains changes allowing partnerships and S-corps to elect to pay state income taxes at the entity level, rather than only at the owner level. This opens up potential federal tax benefits for pass-through entities that were previously only available to C-corps in Nebraska. The law also includes options to make this election retroactively from 2018 to 2022. Tina discusses how this new approach works, who may benefit from it, and what business owners should consider if debating whether to make this election. Read more: https://cap.unl.edu/finance/nebraska-legislature-approves-pass-through-entity-tax-bill

July 27 • 11m 39s

Managing Market Volatility in 2023 with Jay Parsons

Agricultural commodity prices remain strong as we head into summer 2023, but market volatility is a constant presence for farmers and ranchers, and high prices can bring both optimism and anxiety for producers. That’s according to Jay Parsons, UNL Farm and Ranch Management Specialist with the Center for Ag Profitability, who has co-authored a new article on our site at cap.unl.edu, which discusses the importance of managing market volatility this year. He’s joins to talk about current commodity prices and some strategies for growers and sellers to navigate any potential challenges in the markets. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/management/managing-market-volatility-2023.

June 15 • 13m 5s

New UNL Tool Allows Users to Easily Calculate Loan Payments with Jessica Groskopf

A new tool developed by the Center for Agricultural Profitability works to help demystify farm finances by making easy work of calculating annual loan payments. The free, web-based Loan Payment Calculator is available for use now at our website, https://cap.unl.edu/loancalculator. Extension Ag Economist Jessica Groskopf is here to talk about it. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/finance/new-loan-payment-calculator-tool-launched/.

June 12 • 6m 14s

Better Decisions with Breakeven Analysis with Larry Van Tassell

Impressive yields at harvest don’t mean a lot if the costs to grow the crop outweigh the price at marketing time. On this episode, we dive into the importance of calculating breakeven prices and yields to improve profitability. From understanding how much yield you need to cover your costs, to incorporating things like family living expenses and opportunity costs, there are many considerations to be made. Enterprise budgeting to understand those expenses and determine breakeven prices and yields can be time-consuming, but we’ll also talk about how UNL’s ag budget calculator program can streamline the process. Larry Van Tassell is a professor in Agricultural Economics and director of the Center for Agricultural Profitability here at UNL. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/management/using-breakeven-analysis-better-decisions.

June 8 • 10m 10s

Nebraska Extension educators bring entrepreneurship education to Georgia and Armenia with Molly Brandt and Marilyn Schlake

In a unique initiative by the American Councils for International Education, Nebraska Extension educators Molly Brandt and Marilyn Schlake were invited to travel to the countries of Georgia and Armenia in October 2022, and April 2023, to train local educators in the principles of the 4-H Entrepreneurship Investigation (ESI) curriculum. Brandt, an innovation and entrepreneurship 4-H educator, and Schlake, a Rural Prosperity Nebraska educator in the Department of Agricultural Economics, prepared for what they thought was a one-time experience. However, after their successful endeavor in Tbilisi, Georgia, in October 2022, they were invited back in April 2023, to deliver similar training in Yerevan, Armenia. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/rural/nebraska-extension-educators-bring-entrepreneurship-education-georgia-and-armenia.

June 6 • 15m 7s

The Changing Costs of Cattle Transportation with Elliott Dennis

As summer unofficially kicks off and fuel prices fluctuate, it’s important to understand how transportation factors like diesel prices, animal handling, and trucking industry changes are impacting the beef cattle industry. Elliott Dennis, assistant professor and livestock economist with the Center for Agricultural Profitability here at Nebraska, has a new article on cap.unl.edu about what’s behind the changing costs of cattle transportation in the U.S. and he joins the podcast to discuss what’s influencing the price of getting cattle from A to B and what challenges could be ahead for the livestock industry in this area. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/livestock/changing-cost-cattle-transportation.

June 5 • 14m 38s

Managing Calf Market Risk with LRP in 2023 with Jay Parsons

When it comes to marketing feeder cattle in 2023, current calf prices are leaving some cow-calf producers optimistic about profits this year, even though forage availability continues to be tight and input costs continue to be high. Because a lot can happen between now and marketing time, price protection should still be a priority, even when that price outlook is optimistic. That’s according to Jay Parsons, professor and farm and ranch management specialist in UNL’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Center for Agricultural Profitability. He’s authored a new article on our website, cap.unl.edu, and joins to discuss the importance of protecting prices and how Livestock Risk Protection insurance – and recent enhancements to the program – can serve as a valuable tool for managing market risks. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/livestock/managing-calf-market-risk-lrp-2023.

May 17 • 8m 4s

Higher Cattle Prices Are Good but Wide Profit Margins Are Better with Elliott Dennis

Cattle prices are up this year, but rising interest rates and challenges in the labor market present important decisions ahead for livestock producers. We'll explore how cattle producers can adapt their strategies to mitigate the the negative effects of the current economic environment while maintaining wide profit margins. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Livestock Economist Elliott Dennis is an assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics and has a new article on our website at cap.unl.edu, about current price trends and the importance of adopting strategies to be more profitable this year. Read more: https://cap.unl.edu/livestock/higher-cattle-prices-are-good-wide-profit-margins-are-betterhttps://cap.unl.edu/livestock/higher-cattle-prices-are-good-wide-profit-margins-are-better.

May 12 • 11m 25s

Rural Volunteerism in Nebraska with Becky Vogt

How active are rural Nebraskans when it comes to volunteering in their community? Rural communities depend on volunteers for a wide range of roles, including essential services like fire and rescue, coordinating community events, and supporting local youth organizations. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s 2022 Nebraska Rural Poll asked respondents about their volunteerism and attitudes toward volunteerism in their communities. Becky Vogt, survey research manager with the Nebraska Rural Poll, discusses. Read more at: https://cap.unl.edu/rural/rural-poll-community-size-age-impact-volunteerism-nebraska.

May 8 • 10m 51s

Addressing Elder Care Shortages Through Homecare Worker Cooperatives with Cindy Houlden

For the first time in history, the number of Americans 65 and older now exceeds the number of Americans five and under, according to census data. As the U.S. population continues to age, many rural communities are facing a lack of elder care facilities, forcing those in need of care to relocate to a larger community. Last year, the Nebraska Cooperative Development Center – or NCDC – at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, launched a six-week Homecare Worker Cooperative Academy in partnership with the Northwest Cooperative Development Center in Washington State. The program aims to address the potential elder care crisis by supporting the development of local homecare worker cooperatives that provide in-home care in rural communities. Cindy Houlden, cooperative development specialist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Nebraska Cooperative Development Center, discusses the issues facing long-term senior care in rural communities and the benefits of worker cooperatives for homecare workers and the community. Read more: https://cap.unl.edu/rural/homecare-worker-cooperatives-aim-support-aging-place-rural-nebraskahttps://cap.unl.edu/rural/homecare-worker-cooperatives-aim-support-aging-place-rural-nebraska.

May 3 • 13m 31s

The Value of Strategic Planning for Farmers and Ranchers with Jay Parsons

Strategic planning can usually be beneficial to any business, and farm and ranch operations are no exception. Coming up with clear missions, visions, and goals for the business can provide a roadmap to achieve a farm’s objectives and get everyone on the same page. But are farmers and ranchers taking the time for strategic planning? Jay Parsons, professor and farm and ranch management specialist in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Department of Agricultural Economics, looks at this topic in a new article posted on our Center for Ag Profitability’s website, cap.unl.edu. He discusses the importance of strategic planning and some barriers to the process that farmers and ranchers should seek to overcome for a healthier business. Read more: https://cap.unl.edu/management/what-value-strategic-planning-farmers-and-ranchers.

March 14 • 9m 49s

2023 Nebraska Ag Law Legislative Update with Dave Aiken

Three significant ag law bills are being heard in the Nebraska Unicameral in 2023, dealing with agricultural leases, livestock nuisance lawsuits, and mesonet weather stations. Dave Aiken, professor and ag law specialist in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, walks through each of these and their potential implication for agriculture in Nebraska. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/policy-legal/2023-nebraska-ag-law-legislative-update.

March 10 • 18m 37s

Caution Needed When Purchasing Supplemental Coverage Option and Enhanced Coverage Option with Cory Walters

Producers have until March 15 to enroll in crop insurance coverage for 2023. Two elections that have recently been getting new attention are the Supplemental Coverage Option – or S-C-O — and the Enhanced Coverage Options — or E-C-O. Cory Walters, an associate professor in Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, encourages caution and careful consideration before purchasing either S-C-O or E-C-O coverage. Read more at: https://cap.unl.edu/crops/caution-needed-when-purchasing-supplemental-coverage-option-and-enhanced-coverage-option.

March 3 • 10m 14s

Early Herd Rebuilding Could Happen Through the Bred Cow Market with Elliott Dennis

The cattle industry right now is seeing decreases in the number of beef cows, as well as in the number of heifers held back for retention heifers expected to calve this year. Weather in the Northern Plains region continues to impact the availability of hay following an already shortened grazing season, and many input costs for cattle producers are likely to be high again this year. With feeder cattle supplies reduced nationally, the bred cow market may be appealing for producers looking to rebuild herds. For more on what considerations should be made before making this decision, Elliott Dennis, Assistant Professor and Livestock Economist with UNL’s Center for Ag Profitability joins us. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/livestock/risk-management-workshops-cattle-producers-set-march

February 28 • 10m 1s

Recognizing Power and Control in Estate Planning with Allan Vyhnalek

For older farmers and ranchers, the decision to retire and pass the operation along to the next generation can be a difficult one. Oftentimes, the older generation can find it difficult to give up the power and control they have accumulated over their careers, and may not know what else to do. However, as Nebraska Extension Educator Allan Vyhnalek points out in his work on transition and succession issues, it’s important for the older generations to train and incorporate the younger generations into the operation. And doing so with planning and care, especially in management and decision-making roles. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/succession/recognizing-power-and-control-estate-planning.

February 21 • 12m 42s

Nebraska Agriculture a Leader in the Region and the Country with Brad Lubben and Tatum Brunkow

The U.S. economy in the upper Midwest and great plains is driven heavily by agriculture, with the seven-state region made up of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota, being responsible for producing over 30 percent of the nation’s agricultural output. Nebraska continues to be a leader in the sector, with significant impact and high output, while occupying a substantial amount of cropland and pastureland in the region. A new analysis on our website, cap.unl.edu, breaks down Nebraska’s position as an economic force in agriculture in both the region and the country. Tatum Brunkow is a Graduate Research Assistant in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Department of Agricultural Economics. Hi, Tatum. And Brad Lubben is an associate professor and extension ag policy specialist with UNL. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/policy-legal/nebraska-agriculture-leader-region-and-country.

February 15 • 9m 55s

Rural Poll Gauges Sentiment About Community Leadership in Rural Nebraska with Becky Vogt

In rural areas, leadership is essential to the development of communities. In areas with smaller populations, volunteers often fill leadership positions, with many community members taking on multiple roles. The 2022 Nebraska Rural Poll sought to find out how residents in or near rural communities feel about their leadership. Becky Vogt, survey research manager with the Nebraska Rural Poll, discusses the findings. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/rural/rural-poll-gauges-sentiment-about-community-leadership-rural-nebraska. More about the Nebraska Rural Poll at ruralpoll.unl.edu.

February 10 • 11m 44s

Mini Grants for Nebraska Cooperatives with Cindy Houlden

Applications for cooperative business development mini grants are now being accepted for 2023 by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Nebraska Cooperative Development Center. The mini grants are available to both existing cooperatives and groups who are exploring or developing cooperative business models. The application is open through February 15th. UNL Cooperative Development Specialist Cindy Houlden discusses the grant opportunity. Read more: https://cap.unl.edu/rural/2023-cooperative-business-development-mini-grant-program-request-applications.

February 6 • 8m 37s

Meeting Minutes Requirements for Farm and Ranch Businesses with Jessica Groskopf and Dave Aiken

Holding corporate meetings and taking and retaining minutes from those meetings is typically a requirement for most incorporated farm and ranch businesses. Not holding an annual meeting and keeping minutes could result in the loss of legal status as a corporation if the business is sued. While corporate meetings don’t often come to mind when we first thing of farming and ranching, holding them and keeping good minutes is fairly simple. A new article on our website, cap.unl.edu, outlines some recommendations for what should be included on meeting agendas and in annual meeting minutes to satisfy legal requirements. It was co-authored by Jessica Groskopf, an agricultural economist, and Dave Aiken, an ag law specialist – both are with Nebraska Extension and the Center for Agricultural Profitability. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/management/meeting-minutes-requirements-farm-and-ranch-businesses.

February 2 • 12m 50s

Hedging Your Average Crop Price Using Seasonals with Cory Walters

Planting for the 2023 growing season will begin soon and there are new marketing decisions to be made. Pre-harvest marketing, or hedging, is a popular strategy that can help increase the bottom line and reduce price uncertainty. However, many producers may be skittish about hedging, perhaps having heard about a neighbor who lost money or maybe experiencing negative results themselves. There is a lot of information out there when it comes to hedging and it can be contradictory and confusing. Cory Walters is an associate professor in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Department of Agricultural Economics and has co-authored a new article seeking to improve some of the disconnect associated with decisions about hedging. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/crops/hedging-your-average-crop-price-using-seasonals.

January 31 • 9m 55s

USDA Reports Higher Land Values and Cash Rents Across Nebraska in 2022 with Jim Jansen

New survey data from the USDA points to an increase of 21% in Nebraska farm real estate values in 2022, up $650 for the year, to an average of $3,750 per acre. For insight on the factors driving current trends in land values, as well as cash rental rates, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Agricultural Economist Jim Jansen joins the podcast. Read more at: https://cap.unl.edu/land/year-review-usda-reports-higher-land-values-and-county-level-cash-rent-estimates-across.

January 11 • 12m 36s

Better News on World Fertilizer Markets with John Beghin and Lia Nogueira

The price of fertilizer continues to be on the minds of producers, but there may be better news ahead and some relief on the way. Professors John Beghin and Lia Nogueira have authored a new article that looks at the latest price trends in fertilizer, what’s contributing to the fertilizer market and how prices are impacting affordability. Beghin and Nogueira are both faculty members in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and both are part of the Clayton Yeutter Institute of International Trade and Finance at UNL. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/crops/better-news-world-fertilizer-markets.

December 21 • 10m 19s

Historical Corn Price Evolution Implications for Pre-harvest Hedging with Cory Walters

As commodity markets evolve from spring to fall, average daily prices tend to fall as harvest gets closer. Pre-harvest hedging, or selling a portion of the crop before it is harvested, can help capture the earlier futures prices, but often comes with risk. Cory Walters, associate professor and grain marketing economist with the Center for Agricultural Profitability, recently published an article in the UNL Ag Econ department’s “Cornhusker Economics” series, on the implication of historical corn price evolution on pre-harvest hedging. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/crops/historical-corn-price-evolution-implications-pre-harvest-hedging.

November 22 • 5m 52s

It is That Time of Year — Small Business Saturday with Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, the holiday shopping season is on the way as well, starting with Black Friday. But while the day after Thanksgiving gets a lot of attention, Small Business Saturday on the following day offers a special opportunity for those in rural communities to support local businesses and their community’s economy. Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, Professor and Extension Specialist with Rural Prosperity Nebraska, discusses the impact that shopping local has in rural communities in Nebraska Read more: https://cap.unl.edu/rural/it-time-year-%E2%80%A6-small-business-saturday-supports-rural-communities.

November 21 • 8m 28s

Value of Gain on Winter Backgrounded Cattle with Elliott Dennis

Drought conditions across the U.S. continue to impact livestock producers. Cow-calf operators with calves are deicing whether to sell or retain after weaning, and the cost to add more weight, along with the eventual final sale price, are important factors to consider. UNL Livestock Economist Elliott Dennis has a new article looking at different scenarios for adding weight and the impact they may have on sale prices. Read more at: https://cap.unl.edu/livestock/value-gain-winter-backgrounded-cattle.

November 17 • 8m 18s

Rural Nebraskans' Perception of the Economy and Employment with Becky Vogt

Inflation and the economy have been on the minds of many Americans. This past summer, the Nebraska Rural Poll gauged the attitudes of rural Nebraskans about these topics, asking participants about their expectations for the economy over the next 12 months, as well as about the employment decisions they are making this year. Becky Vogt, the survey research manager for the Nebraska Rural Poll, discusses the findings. Find the entire poll at ruralpoll.unl.edu. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/rural/rural-nebraskans%E2%80%99-perceptions-economy-and-employment.

November 14 • 9m 33s

Co-op Innovation in the Food System Webinar Series with Margaret Milligan

An upcoming webinar series presented by the Nebraska Cooperative Development Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, called Co-op Innovation in the Food System, will feature a variety of businesses and educate about how they use the cooperative model to address issues like land access, infrastructure needs, fair prices and land stewardship. The free series is set to feature three webinars, beginning December 6. Margaret Milligan, Cooperative Development Specialist with the Nebraska Cooperative Development Center, discusses the series. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/rural/webinar-series-planned-co-op-innovation-food-system.

November 14 • 8m 18s

Distillers-to-Corn Price Ratio with Elliott Dennis

Incorporating Distillers’ grains into livestock feed can be an effective way to add weight and other desirable nutrition qualities to an animal’s diet. Elliott Dennis, assistant professor and livestock economist with the Center for Ag Profitability, has just published a new article that looks at the impact of low corn stocks-to-use ratios, as well as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, on the Distillers-to-corn price ratio. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/livestock/impact-low-stocks-use-ratio-and-ukraine-russia-conflict-distillers-corn-price-ratio.

November 11 • 10m 38s

Management Decisions Made Easier Using the Ag Budget Calculator Program with Larry Van Tassell

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Agricultural Budget Calculator program – known as ABC -- is a free, web-based decision tool that helps users to develop farm enterprise budgets. Developed in the Department of Agricultural Economics, the program continues to add features that assist producers and farm managers in determining their cost of production and projected cash and economic returns for farm or ranch enterprises. Larry Van Tassell, department head in Agricultural Economics and director of UNL’s Center for Agricultural Profitability, discusses some of the ABC program’s features and how it can provide robust and helpful information to users. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/finance/11-key-management-questions-or-decisions-can-be-made-easier-using-agricultural-budget.

October 26 • 9m 5s

Adjusting Rental Payments Based On Center Pivot Ownership with Jessica Groskopf

There are a number of scenarios in which the ownership and liability for center pivots can be divided between landowners and tenants, which can create complications for both parties. However, different scenarios often call for adjusting rental payments when tenants own all or part of the pivot. And, regardless of how ownership is divided, one thing is certain: the landowner and tenant need to put the arrangement in writing as part of the lease. For more on different situations that can impact rental payments, Jessica Groskopf, an extension ag economist with the Center for Ag Profitability, joins the podcast. Read more: https://cap.unl.edu/land/how-adjust-rental-payments-when-tenants-own-center-pivot.

October 20 • 7m 21s

2022 Heifer Price Discounts with Elliott Dennis

With continued high percentages of heifers in total cattle on feed in the U.S., indications are that the breeding herd could be smaller I n 2023 and 2024. Because heifer calves are often discounted compared to steers, large prices differences between the two could provide incentives for heifers to be retained in the coming years. For more on heifer price discounts this year, and what that could mean for herd size and makeup, as well as the beef industry, Elliott Dennis, assistant professor and livestock economist in the Department of Agricultural Economics at UNL, joins the podcast. Read more: https://cap.unl.edu/livestock/2022-heifer-price-discounts.

October 11 • 6m 39s

Being Rural in Nebraska Both a Blessing and a Curse with Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel

In Nebraska, so many of us love the rural lifestyle, but it can present challenges for the provision of key services and infrastructure in those areas. Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, a professor in UNL’s Agricultural Economics Department and an Extension Specialist with Rural Prosperity Nebraska has a new article looking at some data about the more sparsely populate areas of the state, and what it means to live there. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/rural/being-rural-nebraska-both-blessing-and-curse.

September 29 • 8m 49s

Flexible Stocking Rate Options for Drought Management with Ryan Benjamin

For livestock producers managing available feed resources on pasture and rangeland during a drought, taking care to avoid overgrazing is essential. Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Educator Ryan Benjamin discusses how stocking rates and other management practices can be effective, along with the importance of being flexible in planning and applying these strategies. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/livestock/flexible-stocking-rate-options-drought-management.

September 23 • 17m 52s

Tax Options Amid Drought Conditions with Tina Barrett

With drought conditions impacting pastures and fields across Nebraska, there are some important tax deferrals that may be available for both livestock and crop producers. Tina Barrett, director of Nebraska Farm Business, Incorporated, joins the podcast to discuss. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/finance/tax-consequences-drought.

September 22 • 8m 30s

Nebraska Crop Insurance Workshop with Cory Walters

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Associate Professor Cory Walters discusses the upcoming crop insurance workshop in Grand Island, Nebraska. Find more about the workshop, Oct. 19 at the Heartland Events Center, here.

September 19 • 4m 49s

Get Perspective Before Big Decisions with Allan Vyhnalek

When making decisions for your agricultural operation, it’s important to take a step back and get perspective – especially when it comes to estate planning and leasing. This is particularly important when family is working together in the business, which can often lead to rifts among family members who may feel treated unfairly. For more on these issues, and how to avoid them while maintaining good family relations, Allan Vyhnalek, a Nebraska Extension Educator in Farm and Ranch Transition and Succession, joins the podcast. Read more: https://cap.unl.edu/succession/get-perspective-big-decisions.

September 9 • 12m 58s

Tensions Surrounding U.S. Beef Exports to China with Elliott Dennis

Following a Trump administration era trade deal signed a few years ago, the total quantity and value of U.S. beef being exported to China have both risen significantly. This remained true even through the COVID-19 pandemic. However, recent heightened tensions between the two countries over the situation in Taiwan has left some U.S. producers concerned about the sensitivity of the U.S. beef industry to Chinese purchases. That’s according to assistant professor and livestock economist with our Center for Ag Profitability, Elliott Dennis. Read more: https://cap.unl.edu/livestock/tensions-surrounding-us-beef-exports-china.

August 29 • 8m 3s

Adding Another Family Member to the Farm Payroll with Larry Van Tassell

While children in farm families often seek out different paths when they graduate from high school or college, many want to come back to work on the operation. But finding a place for them and generating the cash flow to pay for it, takes some planning. To discuss what it really takes to employ more family members, and business strategies to set the farm up for success with future generations, is Dr. Larry Van Tassell, director of the Center for Agricultural Profitability and head of the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Read more: https://cap.unl.edu/management/adding-another-family-member-farm-payroll.

August 23 • 6m 43s

Terminating Verbal Farmland Leases with Jessica Groskopf

When it comes to farm leases, having a verbal, or “handshake” agreement in place, rather than a written document, can present challenges for all parties involved. Jessica Groskopf, an agricultural economist with the Center for Ag Profitability, has a new article on our website, cap.unl.edu, that provides an overview of written leases and, in particular, the termination dates associated with them under Nebraska law. Read more: https://cap.unl.edu/land/terminating-verbal-farmland-lease-0.

August 9 • 9m 55s

Five Key Principles of a Good Risk Management Culture with Jay Parsons

Managing risk in an agricultural operation is a never-ending job. Available information related to tools like marketing contracts and crop insurance is constantly changing. Given the state of constant change and uncertainty, it’s important for operations to work to create a good risk management culture, where everyone manages risk on a day-to-day basis in a positive and timely manner. That’s according to Jay Parsons, professor and farm and ranch management specialist with the Center for Ag Profitability here at UNL. He has a new article on our site that offers five key principles for a good risk management culture. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/management/five-key-principles-good-risk-management-culture.

August 1 • 14m 42s

Beef Slaughter and Price Relationship Amid 2022 Economic Conditions with Elliott Dennis

Beef clow slaughter numbers have been elevated so far in 2022, but, as UNL Livestock Economist Elliott Dennis points out in a new article posted to our website at cap.unl.edu, the rate at which slaughters have occurred has been puzzling. Dr. Dennis discusses what factors may be incentivizing the sell-off of cows and what this means for 2023’s calf crop and beef production going into the next few years. Read more: https://cap.unl.edu/livestock/beef-slaughter-and-price-relationship-amid-2022-economic-conditions.

July 29 • 8m 45s

Cropland Values in the Central U.S. Show Strength in 2022 with Jim Jansen

As the newly released UNL Nebraska Farm Real Estate report indicated, agricultural land values in the state have continued to climb this year, reaching an all-land statewide average of $3,360 per acre – a 16% increase over last year. These increases are being seen across the region as well, with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City recently reporting some cropland increases as high as 32% over last year. Jim Jansen, an extension ag economist with the Center for Ag Profitability, discusses cropland values across the central U.S., and what’s driving the increases. Read more: https://cap.unl.edu/land/cropland-values-central-us-show-strength-2022.

July 28 • 9m 47s

Changes in Trust in Rural Media in Rural Nebraska with Becky Vogt

The 2021 Nebraska Rural Poll, conducted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, looked at the levels of trust rural Nebraskans have in local and national media sources. To discuss the findings, and how trust in media has changed across the state since the rural poll last gauged this in 2017, is Becky Vogt, survey research manager for the Nebraska Rural Poll. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/rural/changes-trust-media-rural-nebraska.

July 27 • 10m 24s

Protecting Liquidity with Tax Planning with Tina Barrett

High commodity prices and good yields contributed to a rise in net farm income and improvement in profitability across Nebraska last year for many agricultural operations. Many of those businesses experiencing improvements in liquidity, but there could be challenges for them in protecting that liquidity. That’s according to Tina Barrett, director of Nebraska Farm Business, Incorporated, which provides financial analysis, business planning and tax services to over 400 clients in agriculture across the state. She joins the podcast to discuss more about what their 2021 data reveals about the financial standing of farms in Nebraska. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/finance/protecting-liquidity-tax-planning.

July 14 • 8m 33s

Managing Drought-stressed Pastures and Cow Nutrition with Karla Wilke

During the summer months that tend to be a busy time for cows, nutrient demand are high, which can create a bad situation for the cows when pasture conditions are poor due to drought. For more on maintaining condition on cows while stretching pasture resources, we hear from Dr. Karla Wilke, professor of animal science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Read more at https://cap.unl.edu/livestock/when-drought-stressed-pastures-look-dormant-july.

July 13 • 13m 21s

Without Trust, How Does a Family Function? with Allan Vyhnalek

Trust is an important part of any business relationship and that’s perhaps even more true – and maybe more essential – in farm businesses, where families often work together. Many farmers know and ranchers know well that family relationships can impact the family business, and vice-versa. On this episode, with some tips on how to build and keep trust to maintain a functioning business and, more importantly, a functioning family, is Allan Vyhnalek, an extension educator for farm and ranch transition and succession with the Center for Ag Profitability at Nebraska. Read more at: https://cap.unl.edu/succession/without-trust-how-does-family-function.

July 7 • 8m 7s