Ag Tech Startups Boost Beef Production, Create Career Opportunities in Nebraska

Nebraska takes pride in being the Beef State and is home to around six million cattle. That is three times as many cows as people! In 2024, Nebraska ranked as the #1 U.S. state for beef exports, surpassing $2 billion in exports for the first time. High-quality beef produced in Nebraska is sold in supermarkets and steakhouses worldwide—from South Korea and Japan in East Asia, to Israel in the Middle East, to the Czech Republic and Germany in Europe.

Recently, Nebraska has seen major investments in beef processing capacity (Sustainable Beef in North Platte) and feedlot capacity (Blackshirt Feeders in Dundy County). Nationwide, however, cattle inventories have dropped to their lowest point in 60+ years. Drought conditions on the Southern Plains and rising input costs have both contributed to the decline. Meanwhile, demand for beef remains strong. The combination of lower supply and sustained demand has resulted in shoppers paying record-high prices for ground beef and steak.