Responsible livestock production helps communities thrive.

Nebraska has been blessed with an abundance of resources—land, grain, wide-open spaces and hard-working people. The key to economic development is to transform these resources into businesses that can add value to them and generate economic activity.

Livestock production is a perfect match.

Research shows that Nebraska counties with thriving livestock production tend to be better off than counties that do not. That’s because these aren’t simply livestock operations. They are business enterprises that involve a large capital investment, employ area citizens and inject hundreds of thousands of dollars into the local economy by buying local goods and services and paying local taxes.

In Nebraska, agriculture and economic development are one and the same. Communities that recognize this—and encourage the development of responsible livestock production—are improving their prospects for the future. They are helping maintain their quality of life—the fundamental values and attributes treasured by those who live in rural areas.