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Ricketts introduces Agricultural Data Privacy Act

Nebraska Senator Pete Ricketts has introduced a bill that he says would provide producers the right to own their data.

“Farmers and ranchers should be able to choose how they share their expertise. It’s important that we protect their intellectual property. They shouldn’t be forced to share their data. My Agricultural Data Privacy Act protects that right.”

On a recent call with reporters, Ricketts said the protections apply to agronomic, climate and weather, land, livestock management and sustainability information. “That means this data can’t be sold or otherwise be used without farmers’ and ranchers’ expressed written consent. The consent must be obvious and clear and not part of boiler plate language.”

Ricketts says the measure mirrors Nebraska’s new state law, which was passed during the 2026 legislative session and makes ag data privacy a national standard.

 Iowa, Colorado and Missouri have also introduced similar legislation.