LINCOLN, NEB. – Farmers and ranchers from across the state gathered in Lincoln to meet with senators and outline priority issues affecting agriculture. These priorities, set by Nebraska Farm Bureau’s (NEFB) members, aim to strengthen Nebraska’s agricultural industry, which serves as the backbone of the state’s economy, while addressing challenges that impact rural communities and producers.
“Our state’s agricultural sector thrives on hard work, integrity, and a commitment to prosperity for all Nebraskans,” said Mark McHargue, NEFB president. “We’re engaging with senators to advance policies that support the growth and sustainability of agriculture, and the state’s economy.”
Farmer and rancher members of Nebraska Farm Bureau met with senators and legislative staff as part of the 2025 NEFB Legislative Conference held Tuesday, February 25. Among the issues highlighted, members identified three top policy priorities for the legislative session:
- Balanced Budget: With Nebraska facing a $432 million revenue shortfall in the 2025-27 biennium, the members urged the Legislature to control spending at both state and local levels to prevent an even larger deficit of over $1.1 billion in the following biennium.
- Property Tax Relief: Property taxes remain a significant burden for Nebraskans, growing at an unsustainable rate of $300 million annually. NEFB is advocating for meaningful property tax relief for residential, commercial, and agricultural property owners.
- Streamlined Livestock Facility Permitting: To support Nebraska’s value-added industries, NEFB is calling for a more objective and consistent permitting process for livestock barns and feedlots, ensuring that local and state regulations enable, rather than hinder responsible growth.
In addition to the primary priorities, members emphasized the importance of several other issues critical to Nebraska’s agricultural success:
- Bioeconomy: Investments in carbon capture, sequestration technologies, and bio-refineries are essential to enhancing Nebraska’s leadership in renewable energy and bio-based industries.
- Renewable Energy: Supporting biofuels, wind, solar, and other renewable energy options benefit both the environment and reduce energy costs at the farm and ranch level, while also lowering liquid fuel costs for all consumers.
- Regulatory Relief: Reducing unnecessary regulations to help farmers and ranchers sustain their operations and remain competitive.
Participants at the conference were provided with an update on the current state of federal matters and gained insights into the national priorities established by the organization. Focal points include:
- Renewal of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: More than $4.6 trillion of tax cuts critical to families and businesses will expire by the end of 2025 if Congress fails to renew them. Renewal of lower income tax rates, higher estate tax exemptions, and extension of many important business tax deductions will be critical to prevent tax hikes for Nebraskans.
- Growing International Trade: Nebraska agriculture producers are highly dependent on selling products to customers around the world. More than 30% of Nebraska’s total agriculture products are exported outside the U.S., and after four years of little to no action, it is vital for the Trump administration to seek new markets for Nebraska’s agricultural products.
- Pass a New Farm Bill: After working for two years to pass a new Farm Bill, Nebraska Farm Bureau is doubling efforts to pass a new bill which protects federal crop insurance, provides needed updates to commodity and conservation programs, boosts trade promotion programs, and supports livestock disease prevention programs.
“Nebraska Farm Bureau and its members appreciate the Nebraska Legislature’s dedication and is committed to working together on these and other critical issues to strengthen Nebraska’s agricultural industry and the state’s economy,” said McHargue.
The Nebraska Farm Bureau is a grassroots, state-wide organization dedicated to supporting farm and ranch families and working for the benefit of all Nebraskans through a wide variety of educational, service, and advocacy efforts. More than 56,000 families across Nebraska are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve rural and urban prosperity as agriculture is a key fuel to Nebraska’s economy. For more information about Nebraska Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit www.nefb.org.
