Center for Agricultural Profitability

Farm and barns near cornfield
This CAP webinar on farm electricity costs features discussion from F. John Hay, extension educator — energy, UNL Department of Biological Systems Engineering, and Rick Stowell, professor and animal environmental engineer, UNL Department of Animal Science.

Farm Energy Management: Focused Solutions for Minimizing Power Charges

February 29, 2024
This webinar explores how farms are charged for electricity and ways to identify and possibly slash costs.

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Two farmers conversing near farm equipment
Housing, insurance and vehicles can provide another form of compensation for returning farm or ranch family members. However, it's best for all family members in the operation to get non-monetary compensation in writing before any official employment begins.

Paying Family Members on the Farm or Ranch

February 29, 2024
This is the first in a series of Center for Agricultural Profitability articles that will highlight ideas and tactics for successfully bringing another family member into the operation.

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Woman analyzing spreadsheets and using calculator
Quicken is an easy program for people unfamiliar with accounting terms to use, making it a good place to start when changing from a hand-kept cash accounting system to computerized records. Nebraska Extension’s new virtual Quicken course will teach participants how to use the features of the program in a self-paced setting.

New Virtual Quicken Course for Farm and Ranch Record-keeping Offered by Nebraska Extension

February 27, 2024
The course will lead users through hands-on sessions to develop a simple set of financial records and reports using Quicken, with exercises based on a case farm to walk through practical applications.

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Field of corn
The February Land Management Quarterly webinar will include an “Ask the Experts” session, allowing participants to get answers to their land or lease questions.

Ag Land Management Webinar Feb. 19 to Offer Updates on Cash Rents, Leasing for 2024

February 15, 2024
The Center for Agricultural Profitability's first Land Management Quarterly of 2024 will cover the latest trends in Nebraska cash rental rates, new leasing considerations, and more on Feb. 19.

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Tractor baling hay
In a new episode of Nebraska FARMcast, Dave Aiken, professor and extension agricultural law specialist, discusses two new Nebraska legislative bills aimed at restricting alien land ownership.

Foreign Land Ownership Bills Introduced in Nebraska Legislature

February 15, 2024
Dave Aiken, professor and extension agricultural law specialist, discusses two new Nebraska legislative bills aimed at restricting alien land ownership.

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Couple and son laughing on farm beside tractor
Throughout each Center for Agricultural Profitability Returning to the Farm workshop, participants receive help from experts in developing estate and transition plans, setting personal and professional goals and improving the communication process between family members.

Returning to the Farm Workshops Set for March 8-9 in Kearney

February 15, 2024
This workshop series assists families and agricultural operations with developing financial plans and successful working arrangements to meet their unique needs.

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Men look at phone in front of grain silos
Strategic planning is a dynamic process that requires continuous adaptation to changing circumstances and is most effective when it includes input from stakeholders, including family, partners, employees, and even customers, suppliers, and buyers. (CAP photo)

The Importance of Strategic Planning for Farmers and Ranchers

February 15, 2024
Center for Agricultural Profitability Director Larry Van Tassell discusses two steps that make planning strategic: defining the mission of the business, and assessing the external environment and its implications for the farm business.

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Combine harvesting corn field
The Agricultural Budget Calculator is a free tool to help producers figure machinery field operation and ownership costs. For more, visit the ABC website. (CAP photo)

Figuring Field Operation Costs Using the Agricultural Budget Calculator Program

February 1, 2024
This article provides an in-depth analysis of field operation costs for newer equipment versus slightly older equipment of similar size and power, which are used to determine costs for planting row crops.

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