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GOTHENBURG — Nebraska farmers and ranchers will have more control over the digital information collected from their own operations under a new state law.
Gov. Jim Pillen, State Sen. Mike Jacobson and Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Sherry Vinton joined farmers, ranchers and ag industry supporters at the Machine Shed near Gothenburg recently to celebrate passage of LB 525.
The bill, introduced in 2025 by Jacobson at Pillen’s request, was passed by the Legislature this year. It sets rules for how agricultural data can be collected, used and shared.
The new law says farmers and ranchers own the data that comes from their farms and ranches.
That data can include information collected through GPS-guided tractors, sprayers and combines, computerized seeding systems, variable-rate irrigation and chemigation equipment, and yield monitors used during harvest.
“Nebraska has always been a leader when it comes to agricultural innovation,” Pillen said. “LB 525 represents critical, forward-thinking policy when it comes to preserving the future of our family farms.”
Pillen said Nebraska is setting a national standard by protecting data tied to the state’s largest industry.
“Who better to lead the country in this space than us?” Pillen said. “Again, Nebraska is setting the standard — one that will add value and protect our state’s key economic engine — agriculture.”
Jacobson said modern farms and ranches generate large amounts of valuable information.
“Agriculture is Nebraska’s largest industry, and modern operations generate significant amounts of proprietary digital data that our producers rely on,” Jacobson said.
He said the law makes it clear that companies cannot sell a producer’s ag data without permission. It also requires reasonable security standards to help protect that information.
“As the first state in the nation to enact these specific digital privacy safeguards, Nebraska is not waiting for federal regulations to address this issue,” Jacobson said.
The law creates a definition for “agricultural data” in state law. It also gives farmers and ranchers more say over how their information is used, who can access it and whether it can be shared or sold.
The law requires clear notice and written consent from a producer before a third party can sell that producer’s agricultural data.
Michael Dibbern, president of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, said the bill gives producers needed clarity as technology continues to change farming.
“This legislation brings important clarity for Nebraska farmers and ensures they maintain control of their data as agriculture continues to evolve,” Dibbern said. “It is an important step in supporting producers as they adopt new technology and make decisions for their operations.”
All contracts and agreements involving agricultural data must be updated by Jan. 1, 2027, to meet the new law.
Pillen said protecting ag data is one more way to protect the future of Nebraska agriculture.
“Nebraska feeds the world and saves the planet,” Pillen said. “It’s a privilege to join the farmers and ranchers who do this work every day. By securing these data rights, we are securing the future of Nebraska agriculture.”
