Land access remains a major barrier for young ranchers, a challenge that industry leaders say is constraining herd growth and succession planning in Nebraska and beyond.
Speaking at the Nebraska State Fair, Nebraska Cattlemen President Craig Uden said that if the state wants to expand cow herds, stakeholders need to make it easier to shift land from retiring owners to new operators. He called for a targeted tax incentive to encourage property transitions within agriculture. Without that nudge, he said, ground will continue to flow to the highest bidder and toward non-agricultural uses such as development and recreational properties.
Uden added that such incentives could be paired with structured mentoring, allowing retiring producers to guide beginning ranchers through the transition. He described that approach as both an opportunity and a pressing need for the sector.
Land access and policy tools
Uden said policy adjustments within the One Big Beautiful Bill could also support beginning producers. He pointed to raising loan limits to reflect current land and operating costs, and to expanding risk management programs to help young operators withstand market and weather volatility.
Industry groups and policymakers have increasingly focused on farm and ranch succession as land values climb and ownership consolidates, making land access tougher for first-generation producers and those seeking to scale modest operations. Related efforts include corporate initiatives such as PepsiCo scales local programs to support young farmers that aim to ease barriers for new entrants into agriculture.