38 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN August 2024 2024 MIDYEAR MEETING RECAP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 36 CONTINUED ON PAGE 40 Galen Frenzen, standing, right, auctions off a cooler containing beef, donated by NCF Beef State Scholarship recipient Weston Svoboda, at the NCF Midyear luncheon. Proceeds from this auction benefit the foundation. recruitment. Ideas were gathered for new NC promotional items and input was requested from members for the NC Convention and Midyear review committee. A reminder was given to use the NC website to renew your dues. The Taxation Committee heard several updates during the committee meeting. NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus gave an update (via Zoom) on federal tax issues. He shared timelines of some of the current exemptions and limits that are set to expire and preliminary results of the NCBA taxation survey sent out to members. NC EVP Laura Field gave an update on the outcomes of the 2024 Nebraska legislative session. She also shared highlights of a discussion NC leadership had with Kenny Zoeller, director of Gov. Pillen’s Policy and Research Office, for the expected special legislative session this summer. After seeing recent double digits in property valuations, NC is supportive of meaningful and lasting tax relief and reform. The Animal Health and Nutrition Committee featured a presentation from Dr. Matt Hille, UNL Diagnostic Lab, updating members on the H5N1 virus affecting dairy herds in other states. In addition, Dr. Dudley and Dr. Fritts from the state veterinarian office spoke on 2024 amendments to the 2013 Animal Disease Traceability rule. The major change is that “official identification” will now be an electronically readable device rather than the metal clip tags. An additional change includes a clearer definition of dairy animals (dairybeef cross calves are defined as dairy animals) and they will require identification before crossing state lines. Information was provided by Ann Marie Bosshamer on the Nebraska Beef Council in the NCW Consumer Education and Promotion Committee. Volunteers are needed for the Lancaster Super Fair and the Hall County Fair. During the Brand and Property Rights Committee meeting, Nebraska Brand Committee Chair Duane Gangwish and Executive Director Don Arp updated attendees on their actions. The Nebraska Brand Committee will change the perhead inspection fee back to the previous $1 per head on Oct. 1, 2024. They further discussed the progress of adding electronic inspections to their offerings. There have been significant delays, so no timeline is in place. There was considerable discussion on brand law between brand investigators and members and additional discussion on grazing permits. The Marketing and Commerce Committee heard updates on the cancellation of this year’s July 1 Cattle Inventory report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the status of the Cattle Contracts Library pilot project from USDA and the Agriculture Marketing Service. There was also an extended discussion focused on the CME Group’s latest reset of Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle futures daily trading limits as well as a beef industry fundamentals and market outlook presentation from NC Vice President of Marketing Jeff Stolle. Thaddeus Fineran, interim director, Nebraska Department of Energy and Environment, gives an update on the department’s activities to the NC Natural Resources and Environment committee at Midyear. Joe Wahlgren, Twin Platte NRD Board member, gives an update on Natural Resource Districts (NRD) to the Natural Resources and Environment Committee. The golf tournament was enjoyed by many, including the team consisting of J.D. Alexander, Homer Buell, Merlyn Nielsen and Bill Rishel, left to right.
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