‘Have patience’: Nebraska farmer expects short-term pain, long-term gain from Trump tariffs

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — After President Donald Trump’s tariff announcement Wednesday afternoon, there are fears that other countries will retaliate by targeting American agriculture products.

Agriculture is Nebraska’s largest industry, with more than 40,000 farms active in the state and exports exceeding $3.5 billion in 2024.

Larry Hudkins has been farming on land just northwest of Lincoln his entire life.

He also served as a Lancaster County commissioner for several decades, as well as president of the Lancaster County Farm Bureau and the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association.

Hudkins said he predicts short-term pain but hopefully long-term gain for Nebraska’s agriculture industry.

SEE ALSO: Trump announces sweeping new tariffs to promote US manufacturing, risking inflation and trade wars

While he doesn’t necessarily agree with everything the president does, he does agree that enough is enough.

“We’ve always given more than we got,” Hudkins, who traveled on numerous trade missions across the globe during his career, told Channel 8. “And if we can even that out so it’s even close to being a gain and good for both countries, then it’s OK.”

Hudkins said he thinks most farmers like free trade — but it has to be fair trade.

“And I think over the past years we’ve been going to a gunfight with a knife,” he added.

Hudkins believes many producers will turn to exporting value-added products — like soybean oil or gluten products — instead of raw goods.

“Instead of raw commodities, we probably need to keep those jobs and keep that technology here in the United States instead of exporting the raw commodities.”

His advice for the agriculture community or anyone reacting to Wednesday’s announcement is to take a pause.

“Have patience,” he said. “Nothing worthwhile is ever overnight. And after all, the president has just been in office for a couple of months.”

Hudkins said potential impacts felt by the agriculture community will take at least a year to manifest.