Senator Ricketts' Weekly Column This month, we celebrate Nebraska as the Beef State. Agriculture is the heart and soul of our state, and beef is a cornerstone. We’re recognizing the hard-working producers who make that possible. That’s why I introduced a resolution that designates May as National Beef Month. This resolution honors Nebraska cattlemen and women. Overall, our cattle account for about $16 billion of cash receipts for Nebraska’s economy. Last year, we led the

The R-CALF USA convention will be June 16-18 in Rapid City BILLINGS, Mont., May 6, 2026—R-CALF USA today released the speaker lineup and agenda for its 2026 National Convention and Trade Show, set for June 16–18 at The Monument in Rapid City, South Dakota. Registration is now open. At a time when consolidation, market volatility and global pressures continue to reshape the cattle industry, the convention will bring together hundreds of producers, industry leaders and policy e

Farm Credit Services of America shares lender insights on capital management, volatility, and financial decision‑making in a high‑value beef market . As the U.S. beef industry recognizes Beef Month this May, Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica) joins in recognizing beef producers for their essential role in feeding families, strengthening rural communities, and sustaining a safe, reliable food supply for the nation. At the same time, producers are navigating one of th

From R-CALF USA BILLINGS, Mont., May 4, 2026—Today, the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the White House held a press conference outlining ongoing efforts to examine competition and market concentration in the cattle and beef supply chain. “Today’s joint press conference was unprecedented. It demonstrated how seriously the Administration is taking the ongoing problem of concentration in cattle and beef markets,” said R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard.

The resolution was introduced by Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) Yesterday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced a resolution to designate May 2026 as Beef Month in America. Ricketts is a longtime champion — and enjoyer — of Nebraska beef. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), James Lankford (R-OK), and Roger Marshall (R-KS) cosponsored this resolution. “Nebraska is the beef state. Last year, we led the nation with over $1.75 billion

From the Nebraska Farmers' Union The House passed the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026 on Thursday morning by a vote of 224-200. Three Republicans were opposed and five did not vote. Fourteen Democrats crossed party lines to vote yes and one did not vote. All three of Nebraska's Representatives - Mike Flood (CD1), Don Bacon (CD2), and Adrian Smith (CD3) - voted yea. The House's successful vote marks the farthest a farm bill has made it in Congress since the most r

Producers and landowners interested in participating in CRP should contact their local FSA county office before the May 29 deadline.   The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that agricultural producers and private landowners can enroll in the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (Grassland CRP) starting May 4, 2026, through May 29, 2026. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) administers Grassland CRP, a voluntary working lands conservation program that enables

Senators Ricketts (R-NE) and Fetterman (D-PA) introduced the legislation Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced the Fair and Accurate Ingredient Representation (FAIR) on Labels Act. The bipartisan legislation is co-led by Senator John Fetterman (D-PA). The bill requires cell-cultivated protein and plant-based alternative protein products to bear an accurate label, clearly differentiating these products from meat and poultry products. The bill also prohibits th

The governor will meet with the UK's chief trade negotiator, Graham Floater, among others. A short trip to London this week will provide Governor Jim Pillen an opportunity to tout Nebraska beef, ethanol production, and discuss business opportunities related to energy production. The Governor’s transatlantic visit kicks off Wednesday and will wrap up Thursday night. During that time, he will meet with members of the U.S. Embassy and others, including the UK’s chief trade nego

“Wildfire response is a shared responsibility, and USDA will remain vigilant,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today issued a new Secretarial Memorandum (PDF, 882 KB) and letter (PDF, 932 KB) directing the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service to heighten national wildfire readiness, accelerate community-focused risk reduction, and strengthen firefighter health and safety for the 2026 fire year. “Under President

From Senator Tanya Storer's "Capitol Conversations: From Pasture to Policy" Every Nebraska rancher who has moved a herd of cattle across a public highway understands the momentary confusion that can occur when a vehicle crests the hill, and there's brief uncertainty about what may happen next. We live in a world where common sense is simply not as common and more and more drivers have little to no understanding of cattle. Until now, Nebraska law provided no clarity on the r

FSA will begin accepting applications Monday April 27 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) will begin accepting applications on Monday, April 27, for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) in several Nebraska counties impacted by March wildfires. ECP has been authorized for implementation in these counties to address damages from these wildfires: Morrill Fire: Arthur, Garden, Grant, Keith and Morrill Cottonwood Fire: Dawson and Lincoln Road 20

The new website is now available, according to Natalie Jones, IANR Communications Following historic wildfires that have burned nearly one million acres of Nebraska grazing lands this spring, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln has launched a new online hub that integrates science, mapping and field-based documentation in one place ( https://wildfire.unl.edu ). The resource — the first of its kind focused on working grasslands — is designed to track and monitor long-term rec

R-CALF USA's Statement on Death Tax Changes Affecting Family Ranches As Americans marked Tax Day, R-CALF USA was pointing to recent estate tax relief as a step forward while reaffirming its support for further reform of the federal estate tax, commonly referred to as the “death tax.” In legislation passed in 2025, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Congress, with support from the administration, included provisions that increased the estate tax exemption to $15 million

Nebraska Farm Bureau Disaster Relief Fund Opens Applications for Assistance to Help Farmers and Ranchers The Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) Disaster Relief Fund is now accepting applications to assist farm and ranch families impacted by the devastating spring wildfires. Recently, major wildfires ignited across western and central Nebraska, collectively burning nearly a million acres and causing widespread damage to pastureland, fencing, and infrastructure. The scale of destructi

Yearling heifers graze on a Sandhills meadow in Nebraska. (Photo: Troy Walz | Nebraska Extension) The program, Nebraska Cattle Health Outlook: New World screwworm update, scours prevention and diagnostics, and UNL research on bovine pinkeye , will be held April 16 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Mountain Time (7 to 8:30 p.m. Central Time) via Zoom. The webinar is designed for Nebraska beef producers and allied industry professionals seeking timely, research-based information on late-sp

Statewide tractor and equipment safety courses will be offered at 12 locations throughout Nebraska in May and June. The Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health, in partnership with Nebraska Extension, has announced the dates for its annual tractor and equipment safety training courses. The training will be offered at 12 locations across Nebraska throughout May and June. “Tractor

USDA assistance programs for producers and landowners affected by recent wildfires in Nebraska will be covered during a webinar on April 15. Photo by Nebraska Forest Service Nebraska producers and landowners affected by recent wildfires can learn more about federal disaster assistance and recovery options during an upcoming webinar hosted by the Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The webinar, “Wildfire Recovery Programs: USDA Resour

The bill aims to prevent China from the purchase of strategic US ag land. Farms and ranches are the foundation of the Good Life in Nebraska. Nebraskans feed the country and fuel the world. Our farmers and ranchers keep America healthy and safe with a secure, reliable food supply. But Communist China can threaten this. Communist China has pursued a policy of strategically buying ag land. Between 2010 and 2021, Chinese ownership of American agricultural land grew nearly 30

State Senator Tanya Storer issued a release on the brand inspection bill in the unicameral. Senator Barry DeKay’s Legislative Bill 1187, known as the “brand bill,” advanced successfully through first-round debate on the floor of the Nebraska Legislature after a compromise amendment preserved the integrity of the state’s livestock brand inspection system. The committee amendment (AM 2886) initially proposed exemptions for certain industry segments from inspections and audits