In his annual address at the Nebraska Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and Convention, Nebraska Farm Bureau President Mark McHargue emphasized the crucial importance of farmers and ranchers uniting to safeguard agriculture and the way of life for their families.
“Nebraska ranks among the leading agricultural states in the country. Our focus is on producing healthy, safe, and sustainable food to support a growing global population, all while safeguarding our natural resources. This is not a matter of choosing one over the other; we can achieve both objectives,” said McHargue.
Returning from a recent trade mission to the United Kingdom (UK), McHargue reflected on the parallels of agriculture between the US and UK, observing that while the challenges faced are alike, the approaches to addressing them vary significantly. McHargue stressed the critical need to maintain profitability in Nebraska’s agricultural sector remains as farmers face a challenging economic landscape.
“Nebraska, which has a land area comparable to that of the UK, produces nearly twice as much agricultural output, totaling $30 billion. However, the future of agriculture in Nebraska depends on balancing environmental stewardship with the need for sustainable, profitable food production. Recent investments in the state—ranging from sustainable beef production and sustainable aviation fuel to dairy growth and more—underscore Nebraska’s dedication to enhancing its agricultural sector in the face of ongoing challenges,” said McHargue
Reducing the property tax burden for residents of Nebraska has consistently been a priority for the Nebraska Farm Bureau. McHargue expressed gratitude to members for their efforts in successfully opposing a legislative proposal during the special session that aimed to tax agricultural inputs, while also emphasizing the ongoing necessity to advocate for property tax relief and address the missing year of the refundable income tax credit.
“Most Nebraskans are expecting to be able to claim their property tax relief for 2023 school taxes paid this year when they file their taxes next spring. Unless we fix this that is not going to happen. While we recognize the Legislature’s efforts to implement an automatic tax credit, it is essential to address the modifications made during the special session that could lead to an increase in taxes for most property owners by over half a billion dollars. All property owners who paid their 2023 property taxes in compliance with state law should be treated the same,” said McHargue.
McHargue pointed out that the regulatory obstacles encountered by farmers in the UK are leading to decreased efficiency and productivity. He emphasized the efforts of the Nebraska Farm Bureau in advocating against unnecessary regulations that fail to support farming and ranching families, including the EPA’s new strategies causing significant reduction in the use of crop protection products and California’s Proposition 12.
“It’s crucial that we protect Nebraska’s producers and ensure that science-based methods remain at the forefront of agricultural production. California’s Proposition 12, which forces Nebraska pork and poultry producers to adopt non-scientific production methods in order to sell into the California market, has created significant challenges for our industry. Farm Bureau is actively working to secure a legislative solution in the next Farm Bill,” said McHargue.
According to McHargue, the trade mission to the UK looked to build on a long trading relationship despite four years of inaction by the Biden administration.
“Bilateral and multilateral trade deals are essential if we’re going to catch up with our competitors who never stopped their trade conversations. When you look at the trade imbalance we’ve seen in agriculture over the past two years—a trend we haven’t experienced in many years—it raises real concerns. There are plenty of competitors in the global market looking to displace American agriculture. Regaining these lost markets could take years,” said McHargue. “Should the US implement additional tariffs it could have serious implications, which is why it’s crucial for the future of agriculture that we push for enhanced market access and opportunities for the crops and livestock produced in Nebraska.”
The Nebraska Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and Convention was held Dec. 8-10 in Kearney, Neb.
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 55,000 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.