Nebraska Beef Output Soars to Record High on Export Surge

Nebraska, home to around 6 million cattle—three times its human population—led the U.S. in beef exports for the first time in 2024, surpassing $2 billion in value. High-quality beef from the Beef State graces shelves and steakhouses in South Korea, Japan, Israel, the Czech Republic and Germany. The state also tops national rankings for beef sent to the European Union, total beef and veal exports, and commercial slaughter cattle, with the industry delivering an economic impact of nearly $5,500 per Nebraskan.

Favorable market conditions amplified the boom, including record-high cattle prices in the Sandhills region. On Sept. 4, National Beef Wire reported 68 head of 803-pound steers fetching $4.085 per pound—the highest price ever recorded nationally. Producers credit strong international demand and lower feed costs, alongside Nebraska's push for sustainable, high-quality output.

Homegrown ag tech startups are supercharging efficiency across the production chain. Companies like Bullseye GX offer targeted genetic testing to improve herd health, helping meet surging global needs while creating career opportunities in rural communities from Lincoln to the Panhandle. As Nebraska pioneers these innovations, its beef legacy fuels both tradition and tomorrow's economy.