LINCOLN, Neb. (RFD-TV) — The Great Plains grasslands are shrinking as invasive trees continue to threaten ecosystems that sustain agriculture across the region. Researchers at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln are working to address the growing problem of woody encroachment.
Dr. Dirac Twidwell with the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture says the issue has become increasingly urgent for Nebraska as native grasslands disappear, impacting both wildlife and working lands. His team has developed strategies to help landowners push back — including data-driven tools and management practices designed to identify and stop tree expansion before it spreads.
Twidwell also highlighted ongoing collaboration with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), where these tools are being applied to help producers manage land more effectively. As efforts expand, researchers are focused on scaling up prevention and restoration efforts to protect what remains of the Great Plains grasslands.
Alan Bjerga with the National Milk Producers Federation joined us to review new policies and regulations supporting the dairy industry and what they mean for the year ahead.
January 20, 2026 03:25 PM
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In a landmark ruling delivered in late 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court significantly narrowed the scope of the National Environmental Policy Act.
January 19, 2026 11:25 AM
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RFD NEWS Correspondent Frank McCaffrey speaks with Texas’s Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Vicente Gonzalez about USMCA renegotiation and its impact on U.S.–Mexico agriculture trade.
January 17, 2026 05:00 PM
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CoBank Knowledge Exchange’s Jeff Johnston shares the group’s positive perspective on expanding data centers into rural areas and weighs the risks and rewards for those communities.
January 16, 2026 01:44 PM
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Farm CPA Paul Neiffer discusses how January’s WASDE report could impact ARC and PLC payments and updates on disaster relief programs as farmers navigate a challenging market environment.
January 16, 2026 01:34 PM
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Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller joined us to discuss data center expansion, farmland preservation, rural economic impacts, and imminent cattle biosecurity concerns affecting agriculture today.
January 16, 2026 01:28 PM
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