CENTRAL CITY, Neb. (RFD NEWS) — Another American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Annual Convention is in the books, bringing farmers and ranchers together this week in California to discuss issues expected to shape the agricultural economy in the year ahead. Topics ranged from rural development to market expansion, as producers from across the country gathered to share perspectives and set priorities.
Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) President Mark McHargue joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report after returning home from the convention to recap the event.
In his interview with RFD NEWS, McHargue shared highlights from the gathering and reflected on how discussions unfolded. He spoke about ongoing concerns around private property rights and the growing conversation around balancing those rights with emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centers.
McHargue also addressed agriculture’s role in discussions surrounding the newly released dietary guidelines and what he hopes to see as those conversations continue. He touched on additional major topics that surfaced during the convention, underscoring the broad range of issues on producers’ minds.
The discussion also turned to markets, with McHargue reacting to Monday’s WASDE report, which reinforced a supply-heavy outlook for major U.S. crops. He shared insight into how that outlook is affecting farmer sentiment in Nebraska. Before wrapping up, he discussed preparations for the upcoming planting season and his outlook as spring approaches.
Cattle imports from Mexico remain stalled amid the New World screwworm outbreak. At the same time, Tyson closures add pressure on Nebraska producers and markets ahead of the USDA’s upcoming Cattle on Feed Report.
December 08, 2025 01:55 PM
·
Georgia has regained its HPAI-free status after a swift response to October’s detection. Commissioner Tyler Harper urges producers to stay vigilant and maintain biosecurity.
December 08, 2025 01:29 PM
·
USTR Jamieson Greer signals a narrower trade deal with China, adding more market uncertainty. The Farm Bureau also supports reviewing China’s missed trade commitments under the Phase One.
December 08, 2025 01:00 PM
·
Water access—not acreage alone—is driving where irrigation expands or contracts.
December 07, 2025 12:00 PM
·
Credit stress is building for row-crop farms despite steady land values and slight price improvements.
December 06, 2025 03:00 PM
·
December 05, 2025 07:30 PM
·
Reed Marcum started hosting a toy drive in 2015. Since then, he has distributed thousands of toys across his home state of Oklahoma and in Texas and Arkansas. Now serving in the Army, Reed’s family and local 4-H chapter are running the event.
December 05, 2025 04:20 PM
·
RFD-TV Farm Legal and Tax Expert Roger McEowen explains the basics of Low-Risk Credit in Farming, and how an understanding of the farm credit landscape lets producers tactfully approach debt.
December 05, 2025 02:40 PM
·
The FAO Food Price Index for November fell by more than 1 percent in November, marking the third straight month of declines.
December 05, 2025 11:54 AM
·
