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National Ag Week: Nebraska ag leaders celebrate increases in ag exports

Nebraska’s ag leaders are touting higher exports as they celebrate the state’s ag industry during National Ag Week.

Department of Ag Director Steve Wellman says soybean exports jumped 38 percent and corn 20 percent despite challenges from COVID-19. “Our producers and the businesses that support them deliver a safe and sustainable supply of food, feed and fuel for us and consumers around the world,” Wellman said Monday at a news conference celebrating National Ag Week.

Wellman credits the work done during the Trump administration for increasing trade with Japan, Mexico, China, South Korea, Canada and the European Union. “Nebraska has improved its footprint in all six of those countries,” he said.

Wellman says more than 60 percent of U.S. beef exports to the EU are from Nebraska. “We have great examples of work that has been done in the past and we certainly anticipate President Biden will do more work on trade and expand our opportunities out there.”

Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and Nebraska Farm Bureau President Mark McHargue joined Wellman Monday morning.

To celebrate ag week, they will be taking industry tours across the state.