Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen discusses harvest fuel relief, decades of advancements in pork production, Proposition 12, family farm succession and why America’s pork producers need to make their voices heard.
NEBRASKA — From raising pigs outdoors alongside his father to serving as Nebraska’s 41st governor, Jim Pillen has spent much of his life working in agriculture. As a pork producer, veterinarian and business owner, Pillen brings decades of firsthand livestock experience to the governor’s office, where he believes agricultural leadership, common sense and a willingness to stand up for farmers are more important than ever.
In an interview with Rachel Fishback of Pork Industry News during National Pork Month, Governor Pillen discussed Nebraska’s efforts to provide fuel relief during harvest, the evolution of modern pork production, the impact of government regulations on livestock agriculture and the responsibility producers have to advocate for their industry.
Throughout the conversation, one message remained consistent: America’s pork producers have made tremendous progress in animal care, sustainability and production efficiency, but Pillen believes the industry has been too quiet about those accomplishments.
“We have all been so quiet for so long,” Pillen said. “Get in the game. Get in the game. Educate yourself. Speak your beliefs.”
Nebraska’s Harvest Fuel Relief: Putting Farmers First
One of the first topics discussed was Nebraska’s response to rising fuel costs during the fall harvest season. On September 24, 2026, Pillen took action to provide temporary diesel fuel tax relief for agricultural operations, an effort he described as a practical way to help farmers and the transportation businesses supporting agriculture.
Pillen explained that his administration regularly meets with agricultural and business leaders to better understand the challenges affecting their operations. Those conversations helped identify opportunities to reduce fuel expenses during one of the busiest times of the year. Under Nebraska’s temporary relief measures, qualifying agricultural diesel use may receive state fuel tax relief. Pillen also discussed federal action intended to provide additional relief, estimating that the combined savings could be approximately 55 cents per gallon for qualifying fuel purchases.
“Every little bit helps,” Pillen said, emphasizing that fuel expenses affect far more than tractors and combines. Livestock transportation, grain hauling and the movement of agricultural products all depend on affordable diesel.
The governor also discussed the importance of coordination between states, particularly for agricultural transportation companies operating across state lines. For Nebraska’s pork producers and the trucking industry, those costs are an important part of moving pigs, feed and finished agricultural products throughout the supply chain.
While fuel relief provides short-term assistance, Pillen also pointed to agriculture’s expanding role in renewable fuels, including ethanol and biodiesel, as an example of how the industry has evolved and diversified over the past several decades.
From Outdoor Pig Production to Hog Barns
Pillen’s understanding of pork production began long before he entered public office. Growing up on his family’s farm in Platte County, Nebraska, he worked alongside his father, Dale, raising pigs outdoors.
After earning an animal science degree from the University of Nebraska and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Kansas State University, Pillen returned to Nebraska in 1983 and established a veterinary practice specializing in small animals and swine consulting. He later founded Pillen Family Farms in 1993 and expanded his involvement in the pork industry through DNA Genetics.
During the interview, Pillen recalled helping care for pigs at just five years old, including gathering newborn piglets in bushel baskets during rainstorms and dealing with the challenges of farrowing sows outdoors during harsh Nebraska weather.
Those experiences shaped his perspective on how much pork production has changed.
Pillen described improvements in housing, environmental controls, nutrition, genetics and animal health as some of the industry’s greatest accomplishments. He emphasized that hog barns and pork production systems allow farmers to provide more consistent conditions for their livestock while producing more pork with fewer resources.
One of the most significant advancements, he said, has been ventilation technology. Pillen explained, highlighting how improvements in ventilation and environmental management have helped producers better maintain pig comfort and health.
He also discussed precision feeding systems, automated technology and improved management practices that allow pork producers to monitor feed delivery, nutrition and barn conditions more accurately than previous generations could. For Pillen, these advancements represent more than improved production numbers. They demonstrate the commitment of pork producers, veterinarians, researchers and agricultural businesses to continuously improving the way pigs are raised.
Pork Production, Sustainability and Feeding a Growing World
As discussions about agricultural sustainability continue across the country, Pillen believes pork producers have an important story to tell about the improvements they have made over generations. He pointed to increased production efficiency, advancements in swine genetics and improved animal management as examples of how farmers are producing more pork while making better use of available resources.
Pillen described how the industry has substantially increased the number of market hogs produced per sow and improved the amount of pork produced from feed inputs compared with previous decades. He also emphasized the role American pork production plays in feeding consumers beyond the United States, with international markets representing an important share of domestic pork production.
For Pillen, the industry’s progress is the result of generations of farmers and agricultural professionals investing in science, technology and better livestock management. He believes those achievements deserve greater recognition, particularly as consumers and policymakers increasingly ask questions about how their food is produced.
“People talk about sustainability,” Pillen said. “We do it. And we’ve been doing it for generations.”
Proposition 12 and the Role of Government in Agriculture
The conversation also addressed California’s Proposition 12, a law establishing certain animal housing requirements for pork products sold in the state.
Pillen expressed strong opposition to the measure, arguing that government officials and policymakers should place greater value on the practical experience of farmers and veterinarians when considering livestock production regulations. Having personally raised pigs in both outdoor and hog barns, Pillen believes livestock producers are best positioned to understand the relationship between animal health, housing, nutrition and management. He argued that regulatory decisions affecting pork production can have consequences for farmers, food costs and the broader agricultural supply chain.
Pillen also raised concerns about the influence of animal rights organizations on agricultural policy and questioned whether policymakers fully understand the realities of modern livestock farming. His comments reflected a broader concern that regulations developed without sufficient input from producers could create additional challenges for family farms and agricultural businesses. Pillen maintained that farmers and veterinarians should have a central role in discussions about livestock care.
The Future of Family Farms Depends on Succession Planning
When asked about the greatest challenges facing Nebraska’s farming families, Pillen offered an answer that went beyond current commodity prices, production expenses and government regulations.
He identified generational planning as one of the most important long-term issues facing family-owned agricultural operations.
Pillen encouraged farmers and ranchers to begin conversations about succession well before retirement, emphasizing that waiting too long can create uncertainty and conflict among family members. He discussed how disagreements over ownership, responsibilities and inheritance can threaten the future of an agricultural business when families have not established a clear plan. For operations that have been passed down through generations, Pillen believes communication and professional guidance are essential to preserving the business and preparing younger family members for leadership. He encouraged producers to work with trusted advisers and begin discussing the future of their operations while there is still time to make thoughtful decisions.
“Don’t wait until you’re eighty ’cause it’s too late,” Pillen said.
His message was particularly relevant to pork production operations where family members may share responsibilities across livestock management, crop production, transportation and business administration.
Pork Producers Need a Voice Beyond the Farm
Perhaps the strongest message from the interview came when Pillen discussed leadership and the importance of agricultural involvement in government and local communities. Although he now serves as Nebraska’s governor, Pillen said he never expected to pursue political office. His decision to run followed years of involvement in business, agriculture and public service, including a decade serving on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.
He described his decision to seek the governorship as an opportunity to give back and make a difference.
Pillen believes pork producers already possess many of the qualities needed for effective leadership, including accountability, problem-solving, perseverance and the ability to make difficult decisions. He encouraged farmers to become more involved in their communities, attend pork producer meetings, build relationships with elected officials and participate in conversations affecting agriculture. For producers who feel they are too busy or uncertain about becoming involved, Pillen emphasized that participation is the first step toward having influence.
“If you’re not there, your voice is zero,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of collaboration throughout the pork industry, particularly as producers work to maintain domestic markets, develop international trade opportunities and address challenges that extend beyond individual farms. Pillen believes producers who remain isolated from industry organizations, public policy discussions and professional networks may find it increasingly difficult to navigate future challenges.
A National Pork Month Message of Pride and Appreciation
As October marks National Pork Month, also known as Porktober, Pillen encouraged producers to recognize the importance of their work and appreciate the people who make the industry successful. He described pork production as a noble profession and challenged farmers to take pride in their role in feeding families and supporting rural communities. Pillen also spoke about the importance of relationships among producers, noting that collaboration and shared knowledge can strengthen the industry.
For younger generations entering agriculture, he offered a message centered on hard work, discipline, faith and consistency. His advice was to approach each day with a willingness to work hard, maintain a positive attitude and do the best job possible, regardless of the challenges that arise.
From the Hog Barn to the Governor’s Office: A Call to Action
Governor Jim Pillen’s journey from raising pigs outdoors with his father to leading the state of Nebraska offers a perspective that connects agricultural production with public policy and leadership. His interview with Pork Industry News highlighted the immediate financial pressures facing farmers, the importance of protecting family-owned agricultural businesses and the continued advancements taking place across the pork industry.
But beyond those issues, his central message was a challenge to pork producers themselves. The industry has spent decades improving animal care, production efficiency, genetics, technology and sustainability. Pillen believes those accomplishments need to be communicated more effectively to consumers, policymakers and communities.
His call for producers to educate themselves, build relationships and become more involved is a reminder that the future of agriculture will be shaped not only by what happens inside hog barns and on family farms, but also by the people willing to represent the industry beyond the farm gate.
For America’s pork producers, Pillen’s message is simple: Be proud of what you do, share the story of American agriculture and get in the game.
Watch the full interview with Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and Rachel Fishback on Pork Industry News to hear more about agricultural fuel relief, pork production, Proposition 12, farm succession planning and leadership in the pork industry.
