Nebraska bankers are concerned about the drop in net farm income in 2015 for the state’s farmers and ranchers. Nebraska Bankers Association Chairman-Elect Jerry Catlett says there is going to be some red ink for grain producers this year with lower prices and static input costs. Those hardest hit will be those that didn’t do a good job of marketing. However, he’s hopeful the big crops and the triggering of farm program payments will help offset that.

Catlett says in the livestock sector, while cow calf producers are still making money, there will be losses in 2015 for both hog producers and feedlot operators. They recommend livestock producers protect their risk with some type of option strategy.

USDA projects a 53-percent drop in net farm income nationally in 2015.