Bernt Nelson
Economist
berntn@fb.orgBernt Nelson joined the American Farm Bureau Federation in 2022 as an economist. His work focuses on livestock markets, rural development, finance and agricultural research, with additional expertise in emerging markets, risk management, broadband and precision agriculture.
Raised on a family farm in North Dakota, Bernt remains closely connected to production agriculture, including cattle and row crops. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural economics from North Dakota State University, where he was also a rodeo team bareback rider.
Before joining AFBF, he spent more than five years as a livestock Extension economist with Clemson University, working across the Southeast.
Areas of Expertise:
- Livestock Markets
- Rural Telecommunications and Broadband
- Rural Economic Development Issues
- Ag Research
- Ag Data
- Precision Agriculture
Balancing Data Center Growth with American Agriculture
Apr 23, 2026
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Egg Prices Ease, Farmers Prepare for Spring Migration
Mar 30, 2026
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Smaller Cattle Herd Creates Market Volatility
Feb 10, 2026
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Threats to Interstate Commerce
Jan 23, 2026
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Bullish Cattle Report Does Not Indicate Herd Expansion
Dec 4, 2025
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Economics of U.S. Beef and Cattle Market
Oct 29, 2025
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Turkey Farmers Brace for Uptick in HPAI
Oct 1, 2025
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Farm Income Rebounds, Livestock Gains as Crops Fall
Sep 3, 2025
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Avian Influenza Detections Drop, But Fall Migration Looms
Aug 28, 2025
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Inflation and Interest Continue Driving up Farmers’ Costs
Aug 26, 2025
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