As summer winds down and harvest season approaches, farmers across Nebraska are watching the markets with anticipation and anxiety. The question on everyone’s mind is simple: where will prices land when it’s time to sell? For Nebraska agriculture, the answer is deeply tied to trade. More than 20% of all U.S. agricultural production is sold abroad, and for Nebraska farmers and ranchers, 30 cents of every dollar earned comes from trade. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
Nebraska’s top agricultural exports in 2024; beef, soybeans, corn, pork and soybean meal; find their way to dinner tables and store shelves around the world. Canada, Mexico and China are among our most important customers. Together, they purchased 95% of Nebraska’s corn exports, 90% of soybean exports, 57% of soybean meal exports 32% of pork exports, and 23% of beef exports in 2024. When we talk about trade policy, we’re not talking about some vague economic idea. We’re talking about the livelihoods of farm and ranch families and the economic vitality of our rural communities.
Trade barriers, whether tariffs, quotas or unnecessary regulations, directly slow economic growth. Even when restrictions are imposed for reasons such as national security or countering unfair trade practices, they come at a cost: lost investment, higher prices for consumers and diminished benefits for those engaged in trade. These realities should be front and center in any discussion about U.S. trade policy.
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