The recently published Nebraska Livestock Industry White Paper, examines whether the 'Nebraska Advantage' of crop, livestock and biofuel production operating at its full potential.

One concern is that Nebraska still exports high proportions of its crop output as commodities. Also, Nebraska is falling behind neighbouring states, particularly in pig, dairy and poultry numbers.

Despite advantages for livestock production in Nebraska, the industry has not grown in the past two decades at rates comparable to neighbouring states.

This paper explores the issues and policies that have constrained livestock development in the state and the economic benefits that accompany livestock expansion.

The report's authors are Dave Aiken, Kate Brooks, Jim Jansen, Bruce Johnson, Brad Lubben, Eric Thompson and Larry Van Tassell of the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and it was produced in partnership with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.