10 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN April/May 2025 LAURA FIELD | NC EVP RUMINATIONS 4611 Cattle Drive, Lincoln, NE 68521 Phone (402) 475-2333 | Fax (402) 475-0822 nc@necattlemen.org | www.nebraskacattlemen.org NEBRASKA CATTLEMEN STAFF EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT | Laura Field lfield@necattlemen.org VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING | Jeff Stolle DIRECTOR OF MARKETING | John Roberts DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS | Libby Schaneman DIRECTOR OF PRODUCER EDUCATION | Bonita Lederer DIRECTOR OF STATE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS | Matthew Melchor ACCOUNTANT/BOOKKEEPER | Kathy Abel OFFICE MANAGER | Ashley McClinton MEMBERSHIP FIELD STAFF | Hannah Pearson Nebraska Cattleman is published monthly, except for May and July, by the Nebraska Cattlemen, 4611 Cattle Drive, Lincoln, NE 68521 – (402) 475-2333. --------------------------------------------------------------------- MAGAZINE PRODUCTION: CINCHED UP LLC ncmag@necattlemen.org EDITOR | Lisa Bard MANAGING EDITOR | Jessie Topp-Becker COPY EDITOR | Larisa Willrett DESIGNER & MATERIALS COORDINATOR | Megan Field ADMINISTRATION | Leslie McKibben CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Bill Coe | Natalie Jones STATE & REGIONAL ADVERTISING Amber Coleman | (402) 340-1588 acoleman@necattlemen.org NATIONAL ADVERTISING Wendy McFarland | (334) 271-6100 mcfarlandadvantage@gmail.com Working for Nebraska Beef Producers PASTURE TO PLATE TO PLATE NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN VIEW NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN DIGITAL VERSION BY SCANNING THE QR CODE. TELLING YOUR STORY LAURA FIELD | NC EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Since the beginning of this year, I have had the pleasure of attending a number of Nebraska Cattlemen (NC) affiliate meetings. There are many parts of my job I like, and being out with members in their home areas is at the top of the list. Two years into the role of executive vice president, Iʼve been doing quite a bit of thinking. When asked why I wanted to take on this role, I explain it is because I believe so much in the strength of a community of like-minded people using their voices to make a difference and speak truth into things that matter most in the way of life for beef producers. I want to be part of sharing that message. Whenever I have the pleasure of addressing members, I tell them one of the main reasons they need to be a Nebraska Cattlemen member is because of how important it is to tell their story, their beef cattle story from their point of view, in their voice. By getting to hear the stories, my colleagues and I have the pleasure of sharing those stories time and time again. Amplifying Nebraska Cattlemen membersʼ voices is a highlight of serving. The legislative session is a time when membersʼ stories become real as we advocate for change that enhances the lives of agricultural producers. This year, one such story is that of a south-central NC member who had an issue years ago while moving cattle along a mile-and-a-half stretch of county road. An angry passerby drove a vehicle into the herd, putting the livestock and people in a very dangerous and unsafe situation. Charges were filed and, in the process of going through the court system, it was clear there was not adequate guidance in Nebraska law about moving cattle along roadways and how to handle rights-of-way and safety. After initially reaching out to NC staff about their concerns, the member did some research on laws in other states. This December, the NC Brand and Property Rights Committee adopted new policy on the topic of moving cattle on roadways, and that policy was adopted by the entire membership at the annual business meeting. Members then asked a state senator to introduce a bill to clarify Nebraska state law. In January, Sen. Dave Murman introduced LB 496. At the hearing in late February, it was so impactful to listen to the family tell their story, not to fix what happened to them but to advocate for future ranchers who might face the same challenge. It was a full-circle moment for a grassroots process: identify a problem, come up with a way to solve the problem, bring forward policy for discussion and consideration, see the policy be adopted and have a bill introduced to address the challenge. Your membership matters, and telling the story of your lives, your operations, your challenges and your victories is exactly why we do what we do every day. Thank you for the work and dedication you show every day, for honorably caring for your livestock and your operations, and for using your voices and allowing us to come alongside you to tell the most important story – your story! ~NC~ Your membership matters, and telling the story of your lives, your operations, your challenges and your victories is exactly why we do what we do every day.
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