Beck’s Hybrids President Scott Beck (center) prepares to cut the ribbon on the company’s newest seed corn facility, the former Syngenta plant near Phillips, on Friday. With him are his father, Sonny, the company’s CEO, as well as other Beck’s officials and representatives of various community organizations.

Over the past 20 years, Nebraska Extension policy specialist Brad Lubben has been writing his Policy Report columns for Nebraska Farmer. In this article Lubben notes how much things have changed on the farm policy front — and how much the discussions and debates have stayed the same.

Could adopting soil health management systems lead to farmers experiencing more freedom and a rekindling of the traditional yeoman farmer? Julie Snorek says the Kansas and Nebraska farmers she surveyed expressed feeling that way.

The adoption of soil health management systems by ag producers involves more than just looking at profits and reducing inputs. In her interviews with Nebraska and Kansas farmers who have made the transition, Julie Snorek examined the psychological and social dynamics in play.

A farmer harvests corn in an irrigated field northeast of Marquette last week. Corn yields are reported to be only average this year locally, due to disease pressure from tar spot and southern rust as well as some unfavorable weather conditions later in the growing season.

A farmer harvests soybeans along County Road 2 west of Stockham last week. Grain prices continue to be depressed, and a big crop in many regions will help, but it won’t entirely fix the cash-flow problem for many operations.

Brian Brhel stands on one of his no-till fields with grazing cattle, showcasing integrated crops and livestock practices that support soil health and farm resilience. (Photo credit Caro Córdova UNL Department of Agronomy and Horticulture)

Tim Sullivan (left), executive director of Farm Rescue, visits with FFA students from Hartington at the organization’s booth at Husker Harvest Days. The non-profit, based in Jamestown, N.D., has hundreds of volunteers across 10 states ready to help farmers during a time of crisis with planting or harvest.

Gov. Jim Pillen speaks on Wednesday at Husker Harvest Days about his recent trade mission to Japan, the future of ag careers in Nebraska and his legislative priorities for next year. Pictured from left are State Ag Director Sherry Vinton, Pillen, Nebraska Farmer Senior Editor Curt Arens and staff writer Elizabeth Hodges.

Dr. Jason Ackerson (right) of the Soil Health Institute speaks on the profitability of adopting soil health practices at the recent Nebraska Soil Health Coalition Celebration of Learning near Bladen. Standing next to him is Grand Island area farmer Zach Mader, who has transitioned to a soil health management system over the past several years.