Nebraska is widely known for its agricultural output, earning the nickname “The Cornhusker State.” The state’s geography, spanning the fertile High Plains, supports a diverse range of crop production, often relying on irrigation. Agriculture is intrinsically linked to the state’s economy, with farms and ranches utilizing approximately 89% of Nebraska’s total land area. This expansive landscape produces feed, food, and industrial raw materials for domestic and international markets. The majority of Nebraska’s crop production is closely integrated with its large livestock industry.
Corn and Soybeans: Nebraska’s Primary Outputs
Corn is the most important crop in Nebraska, covering more acres than any other crop and consistently ranking among the top three producing states nationwide. The grain is utilized in three primary sectors: livestock feed, ethanol production, and export. Approximately half of the state’s corn crop is channeled into Nebraska’s extensive ethanol industry, making the state the second largest producer of ethanol and its co-product, distillers grains.
Corn cultivation relies heavily on water management, with slightly more than 55% of the state’s corn acres receiving irrigation. This access to water, largely from the Ogallala Aquifer, allows for consistently high yields. Additionally, Nebraska leads the nation in popcorn production, a specialized form of corn grown under contract.
Soybeans are the second largest harvested crop by acreage, often grown in rotation with corn to manage soil health. As a legume, the soybean plant naturally fixes atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, benefiting the subsequent corn crop by reducing the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizer. Nebraska ranks among the top five states for soybean production, with nearly half of the acreage also being irrigated.
After harvesting, soybeans are processed into soybean oil and soybean meal. The meal component, which makes up about 82% of the processed bean, is a high-protein feed source used by the state’s cattle and hog industries. The oil is used in human food products, such as cooking oils and margarine, and contributes to the state’s growing biodiesel sector.
Crops Supporting the Livestock Industry
Nebraska’s massive cattle and hog operations require a constant supply of forage and feed. Hay, including alfalfa and other grasses, is grown in every county across the state, covering more than 2.5 million acres annually. Alfalfa hay, known for its high-protein content, is harvested multiple times per season to provide high-quality forage for dairy and beef cattle.
Silage is a major component of the livestock industry, primarily produced from corn or sorghum harvested while green and then fermented for preservation. Corn silage is a high-energy feed. Sorghum silage is often favored in drier regions due to the plant’s water-use efficiency and drought tolerance. These silages provide essential roughage and energy for the state’s cattle feedlots and dairy farms.
Grain sorghum, also known as milo, is primarily grown for livestock and poultry feed, particularly in the warmer, drier conditions of southeastern and south-central Nebraska. While it can be processed for ethanol, its main function is as a feed grain, valued for its ability to produce a reliable crop in areas with less precipitation than is ideal for corn. This integration of crop farming and animal agriculture forms Nebraska’s “Golden Triangle” of corn, livestock, and ethanol.
Specialty and High-Value Regional Crops
Nebraska’s diverse climate and geography support several high-value and specialty crops that are regionally concentrated.
Sugar beets are a significant root crop, with Nebraska ranking as a top five producer in the nation. Cultivation is restricted to the western Panhandle region due to the need for intensive irrigation and proximity to specialized processing facilities.
Dry edible beans are another important specialty crop, with the state being a leading U.S. producer, particularly of Great Northern beans. These beans, which include pinto and navy beans, are predominantly grown in the western regions under irrigation. The arid climate in the Panhandle is beneficial for managing disease pressure.
Winter wheat is cultivated across the state, with the majority being hard red winter wheat planted in the fall and harvested the following summer. This crop is important in the western and southern parts of Nebraska, where it is often grown in dryland farming rotations to conserve soil moisture. The harvest is a significant commodity, with a large portion destined for export markets as flour-grade grain.