NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN August 2026 Vol. 82 | Issue 6
Chris Burris, Manager (620) 285-2183 Paul Woydziak, Manager (620) 792-2508 Matthew Vaupel, Manager 620-564-2200 Grady Woodard, Manager (620) 257-5106 Brandon Sorensen, Manager (308) 324-5611 Jesse Landin, Manager (308) 995-6136 CORPORATE OFFICE PO BOX 1506, GREAT BEND, KS 67530 | (620) 793-9200 Throug Innovatio PERFORMANCE Bronson Smith, President & CEO Tyler Spore, Vice President of Cattle Operations Jerrod Westfahl, Executive Chairman Brian Carlton, Manager (620) 793-9200
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6 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN August 2026 THE ONLY PUBLICATION DEDICATED TO THE NEBRASKA CATTLE INDUSTRY. NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN August 2026 Vol. 82 | Issue 6 REGULARS Insights ........................................8 Ruminations .............................10 Membership Application........46 NC Partners ............................... 46 Markets ......................................48 Consider This ...........................50 BQA ............................................. 52 USMARC .................................... 54 NC Foundation..........................58 NC Dispatch...............................60 Sale & Event Calendar.............60 Advertiser Index........................61 Boots on the Ground ...............62 FEATURES PRODUCTION Mycotoxins and Drought .........................................................26 How to navigate the increased risk of mycotoxins in livestock feeds. Reassessing the Value of Fat in Feedlot Diets ......................30 Researchers consider the value of supplemental fat in feedlot diets. PEOPLE Feeding the Future..................................................................... 12 Meet Nebraska’s next generation of cattle feeders. Celebrating 30 Years of Leadership ....................................... 22 Ann Marie Bosshamer marks three decades with the Nebraska Beef Council. POLICY Helping Nebraska’s Producers Rebuild and Recover .........34 How the Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act aims to help producers get disaster assistance faster. PERSPECTIVES O ering Aid in Times of Natural Disaster .............................18 A look at key disaster programs available to producers through USDA’s Farm Service Agency. SPECIAL TO THIS ISSUE 2026 Midyear Meeting Recap .................................................36 2026 Midyear Sponsors ........................................................... 44 Manuscripts and advertisements are welcome. Nebraska Cattlemen reserves the right to edit and refuse advertisements. Readers are welcome to submit letters to the editor. Full name and address of writer must accompany all letters. Letters are accepted with the understanding that they may be condensed to fit the magazine format and edited for accuracy and clarity. Letters contain the opinion of the writer and not that of the Nebraska Cattlemen. You can get Nebraska Cattleman via email. Receive each issue even before the Post O ce ships the printed edition. Just send an email to us at NCmag@necattlemen.org and put “Email NC Magazine” in the subject line. We assure you we will not share your email address with anyone! ON THE COVER: Cattle on feed at Stroup Feeders in Benkelman. Photo courtesy of Stroup Feeders.
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8 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN August 2026 NC BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT: Craig Uden*, Johnson Lake, (308) 325-0285 PRESIDENT-ELECT: Eric Hansen*, North Platte, (308) 530-3899 VICE PRESIDENT: Jaclyn Wilson*, Lakeside, (308) 762-3196 PAST PRESIDENT: Richard (Dick) Pierce, Miller, (308) 440-2489 SECRETARY/TREASURER: Laura Field, Lincoln, (402) 326-7743 MEMBER SERVICES VICE CHAIR BY REGION 1 – Bill Baldwin, Mitchell, (308) 641-5011 2 – Lydia O’Brien, Whitman, (308) 546-7349 3 – Alfredo DiCostanza, Norfolk, (612) 590-7395 4 – John Kennedy, Primrose, (308) 396-1505 5 – Weston Svoboda, Sargent, (308) 215-0244 6 – Bob Wiseman, Hershey, (308) 530-3137 7 – Todd Schlueter, Blair, (402) 533-3741 8 – Becky Funk, DVM, Lawrence, (308) 360-3179 9 – Vacant PRODUCER COUNCIL CHAIR: Dwight Dam, Hooper, (402) 720-4250 VICE CHAIR: Reiss Bruning, Bruning, (402) 768-3332 FEEDLOT COUNCIL CHAIR: Daron Huyser, Lexington, (308) 233-4368 VICE CHAIR: Joel Weber, Dorchester, (402) 946-4551 ALLIED INDUSTRIES COUNCIL CHAIR: Austin Woltemath, Lincoln, (402) 310-2294 VICE CHAIR: Kenny Stauffer, Grand Island, (402) 435-0665 ~ COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP ~ AG POLICY AND RESEARCH CHAIR: Steve Wellman, Syracuse, (402) 269-7024 VICE CHAIR: Lewis Coulter, Bridgeport, (308) 631-8240 ANIMAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION CHAIR: Jeff Heldt, Scottsbluff, (308) 641-5781 VICE CHAIR: Scott Reynolds, DVM, Broken Bow, (308) 870-0970 BRAND AND PROPERTY RIGHTS CHAIR: Matt Blackford, Thedford, (402) 322-1377 VICE CHAIR: Robert Star, Hershey, (308) 520-3488 MARKETING AND COMMERCE CHAIR: Chance McLean, Stromsburg, (402) 366-2254 VICE CHAIR: Marshall Hansen, Omaha, (402) 616-4541 NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT CHAIR: Sam Drinnin, Grand Island, (402) 910-0233 VICE CHAIR: Logan Pribbeno, Imperial, (308) 883-7770 TAXATION AND EDUCATION CHAIR: Stephen Sunderman, Norfolk, (402) 750-0149 VICE CHAIR: Kelly Terrell, Gothenburg, (308) 930-2162 MEMBER SERVICES CHAIR: Quentin Dailey, Lexington, (308) 293-1144 NEBRASKA LIVESTOCK MARKETING ASSOCIATION REP. Bryce Dibbern, Interior, S.D., (308) 293-7766 UNL EXTENSION REPRESENATIVE Erin Laborie, Beaver City, (419) 494-3872 UNL REPRESENTATIVE Deb VanOverbeke, Lincoln, (402) 714-5879 * member of the Executive & Finance Committee INSIGHTS BALANCING TRADITION AND INNOVATION JOEL WEBER | NC FEEDLOT COUNCIL VICE CHAIR | DORCHESTER Operating a feedyard has always been about balancing tradition and innovation. The three generations of family who fed livestock and tilled this land before me built on experience while adopting new ideas and technologies. The fifth generation just returned to our operation, educated and ready to take on the world, but first he has a few more waterers to clean and fresh calves to unload at 2 a.m.! Over time, the core principles of feeding cattle might get tweaked, but largely they remain the same. Innovation moves at a brisk pace these days as the industry looks to improve efficiency and position our operations for the future. Roller compacted concrete (RCC) is a key innovation in the feedyard industry that offers a durable, cost-effective alternative to traditional dirt, clay and sand lots. It is no wonder we are seeing it spring up throughout the Midwest and in Nebraska feedyards. RCC is a concrete mix composed of cement aggregates and water, but the water content can be as low as 6 percent vs. the traditional 33 percent. RCC is usually mixed on site and laid with dump trucks or pavers. It is then GPS leveled and compacted using heavy, vibrating rollers. Large-scale installation and quick curing make the product highly desirable for feedlot construction. Cattle can be on it in just a few days. Where did RCC originate? As early as World War II, the Allied Forces used RCC for runways, dams, roads and anything else to help the war effort. Canadian ag has long used RCC in their operations. RCC’s popularity in Nebraska feedlots has gained momentum as operations have seen the advantages come to fruition on a local level. RCC addresses several common challenges that are present in traditional openlot operations: • Mud can be eliminated. • Foot rot and lameness can be reduced. • Wet conditions are minimized, causing less stress to livestock. • Manure sticks to cattle less than dirt, resulting in cleaner cattle. Feedlots with RCC pens have also reported improved performance due to cattle expending less energy to work their way around the pens for feed and water. Investing in RCC can mean better conversions, daily gains and cost of gain. In terms of maintenance, RCC pens require less dirt hauling and scraping, and eliminates the need for fill material. Manure from RCC pens is more valuable because it has minimal dirt contamination. Overall, feedlots can increase stocking density in RCC pens: 125 square feet vs. 250 in a conventional setting. In turn, the required bunk space is reduced from 9 to 12 inches to 6 to 8 inches, which can reduce a feedlot footprint and open up expansion in areas with limited land availability. As we consider all this information and look to move our operation forward, there is no doubt RCC is a tool we look forward to utilizing. Five years ago, we renovated our feed pad and used RCC to see how it would perform in our yard. I am happy to report very good results, and we look forward to using RCC in our first pens later this summer. Have a great summer and keep those critters cool! ~NC~
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10 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN August 2026 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 DIRECTOR OF PRODUCER RELATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT | TaraLee Hudson ACCOUNTANT | 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. A LESSON IN DETERMINATION LAURA FIELD | NC EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT During the Memorial Day weekend, three calves were born at our place. The first two arrived while my daughter and I were in Texas for my niece’s graduation and the boys were in Colorado working cattle. Thanks to great neighbors and dependable chore help, everything was under control and we made it home in time for the third arrival. The second – and smallest – calf seemed fine at first. But after about a week, I noticed he was wobbling, walking sideways and eventually falling down. Within days, he couldn’t stand without help. I dusted off my 1990s animal science education, made the mistake of Googling “newborn calf walks like he’s drunk” and then started calling every veterinarian I knew. After photos, videos and two trips to our fantastic large animal vet, the best conclusion was a neurological issue that likely hadn’t developed correctly. We knew we might soon face a difficult decision, and while we didn’t want to prolong the inevitable, our veterinarians assured us the calf wasn’t in pain and still had a good quality of life. Since he was a calf from one of our daughter’s show heifers, we wanted to explore every reasonable option before deciding. As I came to terms with the situation, three different veterinarians suggested acupuncture. I’d had it myself years ago, so I was open to the idea. Finding a veterinarian willing to perform acupuncture on a young calf wasn’t easy. I almost convinced a human acupuncturist to give it a try before finally locating a veterinary clinic that said yes. We arrived for the first appointment with cautious optimism. The calf quickly became the talk of the clinic, and after asking plenty of questions, we left hopeful. The next morning during chores, my husband accidentally left the gate open. When he turned around, the calf had walked out of his pen and into the pasture on his own – the first time we’d seen him do that since he was a week old. Each day has brought a little more progress. He may never be 100 percent, but his grit – and my hard-headed refusal to give up on him – have been a pretty good combination. Ranching has a way of teaching humility. We celebrate victories, no matter how small, because we know not every story ends this way. This year, many ranchers across Nebraska and the country have faced heartbreaking decisions in the wake of drought, wildfire, floods and severe storms. Their resilience inspires me just as much as this calf’s determination. As we inch closer to fall, I continue praying for rain, cooler temperatures, further healing where it is needed most and a season of renewed prosperity for everyone who makes their living from the land. ~NC~ Ranching has a way of teaching humility.
BETTER BEEF STARTS WITH BETTER SILAGE Oxygen Barrier + Tough Silage Cover 02-0105 06/26 Built for Cattle Operations That Cannot Afford Feed Loss Silage quality drives performance. FeedFresh® 1-Step and FeedFresh® HD help you protect feed with an EVOH oxygen-barrier layer paired with a tough, reinforced cover designed for real-world conditions. Cover and seal in a single pass to reduce oxygen exposure, limit spoilage and keep more nutrients where they belong, in the ration. WHAT YOU GAIN ON DAY ONE • Less Spoilage, More Feed Kept: EVOH barrier technology helps block oxygen where it matters most to protect silage quality. • Faster, Cleaner Installs: One layer replaces separate barrier film plus top cover, saving time and labor. • Built To Take Abuse: Choose FeedFresh HD when you want added toughness and durability on the pile. • Confidence on the Pile: Reinforced construction helps resist punctures, tears, UV and harsh weather exposure. Call or scan the QR code for a product information, sizing and a same-day quote: (605) 335-0174 COMMON QUESTIONS, ANSWERED WHY FEEDFRESH 1-STEP AND FEEDFRESH HD WORK Blocks Oxygen Where It Matters: EVOH oxygen-barrier performance helps cut oxygen exposure that can lead to spoilage and nutrient loss. Built To Handle the Real-World: Scrim-reinforced construction helps stop tears from spreading and stands up to harsh conditions on the pile. Choose Your Build: 1-Step or HD Toughness: FeedFresh 1-Step streamlines install in one roll. FeedFresh HD steps up durability when your site conditions call for it. Which should I choose: FeedFresh 1-Step or FeedFresh HD? If you want the simplest install with a barrier cover in one pass, go FeedFresh 1-Step. If your piles see more wear, traffic or tougher conditions, step up to FeedFresh HD. Is EVOH proven for silage?Yes. EVOH barrier technology is widely used for oxygen control and is a proven approach for protecting stored feed quality. Plus oxygen barrier film can returns $8 for every $1 invested in plastic and labor.
12 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN August 2026 PEOPLE Feeding the Future Nebraska’s Next Generation of Cattle Feeders KELSEY POPE | CONTRIBUTING WRITER Across Nebraska, a new generation is stepping up to lead family operations while navigating the challenges of a rapidly changing industry. Whether returning home after careers away from agriculture, purchasing a feedyard at a young age or carrying on a multi-generational legacy, these young leaders share a common commitment to hard work, innovation and the future of beef production. Rooted in Tradition, Focused on the Future Josh Alexander is a fourth-generation owner of Alexander Cattle & Farms in Pilger. Josh’s great-grandfather, Harold Chace, and grandfather, Richard Alexander, began feeding cattle in the 1930s, feeding primarily Hereford cattle. Josh’s dad, J.D., was always interested in coming back to the family operation and had a passion for cattle, but wanted to first pave his own path. He attended South Dakota State University (SDSU) and worked for an ag chemical company out of college before returning to the family operation in 1983 to help run the farm and expand the cattle operation. “I followed the same path as my father; however, it was never pushed on me to have to come back to the farm,” Josh attests. He also attended SDSU before working for a cooperative in northwest Iowa for four years and ultimately returned to the family operation in 2007. “The opportunity arose for me to come back,” Josh remembers. “I had a devotion to be a part of the legacy, and coming home was always something I looked forward to.” He’s been back now for almost 20 years, but it looks a little different today than when he was growing up. “As a family business, we decided we either needed to expand and stay in cattle, or we had to get out,” Josh says. They decided to keep going and expanded the yard from around 2,000 head to a one-time capacity of 5,000 head – all privately owned. From day one back on the farm and feedlot, Josh had to start from the beginning and learn. “It was trial by fire, but I grew and learned from the mistakes and changes in the industry,” he reveals. The farm has a small number of employees, but many had been with the family for 25 to 30 years, so Josh leaned on them as well as knowledge from his dad. Besides the feedyard, the farm includes 1,500 acres of corn and soybeans in which all of the corn goes right back into the cattle. Josh and his father still work hand-inhand at the feedlot with their employees; however, roles have changed over time. “It now takes someone full-time in the office with how volatile the markets are and how fast they move, and that’s J.D.’s forte,” Josh says. Josh does all of the cattle purchasing and manages the employees, who help operate the cattle and farming parts of the business. Today, Josh has two children in college and one in high school. His son, Jase, will attend SDSU in the fall studying ag systems technology. Josh is excited about the things his kids will learn in college and experience in the workforce and to see what kind of value-added information and Three generations of Alexanders at Alexander Cattle & Farms in Pilger – J.D., Jase and Josh.
August 2026 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 13 dynamics they can bring back to the operation, if they decide to return. Looking to the future, Josh sees the workforce being one of the biggest challenges. “The next generation wants a 9-to-5 job, and that’s hard to do with farming and feeding cattle,” Josh says. “It will be difficult to find those young people who want to work hard.” He also has concerns about the presence of positive imaging in social media. “It’s easy for misinformation like screwworm, hormones, nutritional value and labeling to be put out for the masses by individuals who don’t understand our industry, let alone work in it,” he says. “As hard as it is to defend yourself personally on social media, it’s harder to defend and correctly inform an entire industry. We need to continue to be better stewards on the social media platforms.” Josh remains positive about the industry and the global demand for beef. “We have the highest demand for the world’s best protein,” he says. “That’s why we look forward to coming to work every day on the feedlot – to help serve beef around the world.” Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future Growing up in the feedlot industry, Adam Guenther, West Point, found himself in Texas working for a construction company after studying construction management at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). After being in Texas for about six years, he visited with his parents about returning to the family farm and feedlot operation. “I liked who I worked for; it just wasn’t my passion, and it wasn’t what I wanted to do for the rest of my life,” Adam recalls. It was actually a call first to his mom to see how his dad would respond to him coming back. “She laughed and asked if I really wanted to do this, and my response was, ʻIf I don’t ever try, I won’t ever know’.” Adam made the move back to the family business, Ulrich Cattle, Inc., in 2015. Upon his return, he and his dad, David, set out guidelines for themselves. “We started with a two-year trial basis that at any point during that time, either one of us could say, ʻThis isn’t working, and there will be no hard feelings,’” Adam explains. “We had several grown-up conversations that helped us start back up to be able to work together.”. There was a steep learning curve for Adam returning to the cattle feeding business. While he knew the basics from growing up in it, he needed to learn the industry business – procuring, feeding and financial. His dad taught him a lot in the first year. Sadly, David passed away in a car accident the second year Adam was back. Adam felt like he was thrown into the deep end, but it didn’t cause him to quit. The cattle community pulled together and helped Adam and his mom get through. “I can never give enough thanks for how many people were willing to hold my hand and answer questions that were probably pretty routine, but to me they were a big deal,” Adam remembers. It’s been 10 years since Adam has been back on the farm. He says the business is night and day different now. “I’ve learned a lot by failure, but I’m not scared to try new things. It’s just amazing what you can learn,” Adam says. “The more people you talk to and learn from and the more you read about, it’s definitely an industry that is ever evolving.” The business has transitioned from 50 percent custom fed/50 percent owned to 80 percent owned cattle currently, with Adam’s dream to be 100 percent owned. He is happy with where they are for head count, but his version of expansion is to financially own all the cattle as his customers start to retire or slow down in feeding cattle. The operation includes his mother, Jean, who is a loan officer and is involved in running the farm’s finances; cousin, Sam; uncle, Tim; and several employees, including Duane Throener, who has been with the operation for more than 30 years. Adam, and his wife, Hannah, have one daughter, Charlotte. Adam emphasizes the importance of community support and involvement. In 2016, he had the opportunity to participate in the Young Cattlemen’s Conference leadership development program. “It is important to get involved in some form,” Adam says. “It’s amazing the people you meet and what those connections can do down the road.” Turning Opportunity Into Ownership Preston Franzen grew up in the Brady/Gothenburg area on a family cattle operation. He went to college at Nebraska Adam Guenther with his wife, Hannah, and daughter, Charlotte. Adam operates the family feedyard, Ulrich Cattle, Inc., in West Point. CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
14 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN August 2026 Wesleyan University in Lincoln to play football and was not focused on agriculture. After college, he took a sales job and after about a year and a half, he got an interesting call from his dad, Bryce, who was the manager of Blue River Cattle Co. feedyard near Aurora, asking him to come work for him. “I did not like my sales job and knew I needed to get back into agriculture somehow,” Preston recalls. He started working with his dad, began immersing himself in the cattle feeding industry and taking the reins with the business. He even passed up several other job opportunities to work at or manage other feedyards. Seven years after joining his father in the business, Preston was presented with the opportunity to purchase the feedyard. He took ownership of the yard in September 2025. “Even with other good job prospects, the main reason I kept doing what I was doing was because I knew there was an opportunity on the horizon for me to buy the feedyard,” Preston says. Nearly a year and a half before the actual purchase occurred, the opportunity became a reality and Preston got serious lining things out for Franzen Feeders. “It took about a year and a half from once we were really serious about getting it done and the previous owner was ready to move on, and for me to get all the funds lined up, worked through it with bankers and really decided that this is what I wanted to do,” Preston explains. Preston credits his wife, Megan, for her support. Before the conversations of buying the feedlot started, the couple had been talking about building a house. When the opportunity arose to purchase the feedyard, they had to talk about choosing the house or the feedyard. Preston recalls Megan immediately asking, ‘When are we buying the feedlot?’ “It’s just so important to have a partner at your side who is 100 percent supportive of you; she’s going to have my back regardless of the decisions I make going forward,” Preston says. In 2020, the lot was expanded to hold more cattle, and today, father and son are the only two full-time employees running the 4,000-head feedyard, bringing in local help for cattle processing days and harvesting high-moisture corn. They each have their own roles and work together well. “It’s been a really cool development in our personal and professional relationship between my father and me,” Preston says. “It makes it really easy for us to be flexible with what we do when either one of us can do essentially any job that’s outside.” The feedyard has remained primarily custom fed, but their customer base has expanded. Since Preston started, they’ve grown to 21 different owners or ownership groups. “At the beginning, we were only backgrounding, and very shortly within the first two to three years, we realized we FEEDING THE FUTURE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 WADE.AG · TODAY Tue, Aug 4 · 6:02 AM CDT Good morning, Dale. ⚠ AI MORNING BRIEFING CRITICAL 3 deaths recorded since Friday bloat, BRD, chronic lameness. 27 intake alerts a ti e. Pen N12 flagged in 2 weeks. Pen S04 flagged 6 in 10 days. 18 treatments started this morning. Heat advisory 4 high, 68% h midity. HEAD ON FEED 38,400 all yards HOSPITA 64 +3 new today TREATED H 18 18 today MORT H 1 last h OPEN HED E POSITIONS 132 positions · 388 contracts Pen N12 DOF 38 · 38 hd ⚠ 7 alerts days Pen S04 DOF · 3 hd ⚠ alerts days ✦ PROJECTED CLO EO T PREDICTION MODEL Pen N12 · DOF 1 → projected close Aug BREAKEVEN $1 91 PRO . MAR IN +$78 PRO . FINA WT 1 8 MODE CONF. 92% 6:02 AM · YOUR YARD Know your yard before you leave the house. Wade.ag turns your operation's own data into a daily briefing pen alerts, treatments, hedge positions, and closeout pro ections from our proprietary prediction models. The whole yard, before your first boot hits the ground. wade.ag wade.ag B ilt for commercial feedlots
August 2026 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 15 Central City, Nebraska (308) 946-3068 Lexington, Nebraska (308) 324-7409 Brush, Colorado (970) 842-5165 BillsVolume.com When timing is everything, Breakdowns are costly and Customer service is priceless. Commercial Beef & Dairy Sales & Service • New & Used Equipment SALES & SERVICE TO THE INDUSTRY FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS! BVS 7.25x4.875 4c-NE Cattleman.indd 1 1/30/24 9:35 AM need to expand our customer base and start offering to finish cattle,” Preston says. “I started learning the finishing cattle side of the industry, and that really helped us get a lot more customers too.” In talking about future plans and challenges, Preston would love to expand, but wants to keep relationships with customers the top priority. “I think what we do is not so much a niche market, but we do what the big guys do on a very intimate level,” Preston says. “We are willing to do whatever a customer would like to do, and that’s made some tremendous relationships with the custom feeders we work with. The expansion plans are all drawn and we are ready to go as soon as I think it makes fiscal sense.” Preston is passionate about the future of the cattle industry and making a difference through his involvement in the Nebraska Cattlemen Young Cattlemen Connections class of 2025 and as president of the York County Cattlemen’s Association. Buying a feedyard at a young age is not an easy feat, and Preston has been asked many times how he made that happen. “Very early on, I had the goal of being successful. I did not know how it was going to be, but once I realized that I wanted to take the shot of being successful in the feeding industry, every choice and decision that I made was solely focused on that goal,” Preston shares. “You’ve got to be ready to work harder than you’ve ever worked in your life because it’ll keep you up at night if you’re not getting it done.” ~NC~ Preston Franzen with his wife, Megan, and son, Stetson. Preston purchased and began operating Franzen Feeders near Aurora in 2025.
16 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN August 2026 TAGGING TOMORROW. TAGGING TODAY. MAHCattle.com • 800-521-5767 • Copyright © 2025 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. All rights reserved. • US-Allflex-250900016 Merck Animal Health is committed to delivering the trusted Allflex® branded products you depend on for success. Our industry-leading visual tags and proven electronic identification help you achieve your operational goals with the readability and durability producers have relied on for generations. Identify your herd—and your operation’s future with the Allflex portfolio. Learn more at AllflexUSA.com
August 2026 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 17 A-11809765973 WWW.LEACHMAN.COM/PROFIT | 970-568-3983 CONTACT OUR REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES JERROD WATSON (WESTERN) | 303-827-1156 AARON RASMUSSEN (MIDWEST) | 308-763-1361 KURT SCHENKEL (EASTERN) | 740-503-6270 - IN A WORLD OF INFORMATION OVERLOAD - focus on the ONE NUMBER that predicts PROFITABILITY Learn how $PROFIT® can work for your operation. $PROFIT® is a comprehensive genetic analysis to improve maternal and terminal traits simultaneously. Cattle receive predictions for economically relevant traits not available through most breed associations, helping you make more accurate, profitable selection decisions. $PROFIT® helps your customers: • Makes bull selection simpler and more transparent • Identifies the cattle that best fit their production goals • Allows them to track genetic progress using INHERIT Select® on replacement heifers The result? Genetics your customers understand, trust, and come back for. Contact Craig Hays, 660-373-1897, to enroll as a $PROFIT® Partner. Take the guesswork out of genetic selection. DNA test the top 70% of your heifer calves with Zoetis INHERIT Select®. Select replacement females and bulls using the index catered to your marketing path. •$PROFIT® — 30% heifer retention rate with remaining progeny marketed on the grid. •$RANCH® — Predicts profit when selling calves at weaning. •$FEEDER® — Predicts profit from weaning to harvest. Receive predictions for critical traits like: • Cow lifetime fertility • Mature size • Milk production • Udder quality With this data, the average genetic merit of your herd improves faster than it ever could with visual selection alone. Seedstock Breeders Commercial Producers ® Leachman $PROFIT One comprehensive index. Clear genetic direction.
18 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN August 2026 O ering Aid in Times of Natural Disaster HILARY MARICLE | STATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NEBRASKA FARM SERVICE AGENCY In agriculture we often speak of our resiliency, a key trait if we want to remain in this challenging but rewarding industry. It’s no secret the first six months of 2026 have tested that resolve for Nebraska cattle producers, with historic wildfires, drought and other weather extremes having impacts great enough that some of you are seeking assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) for the first time or the first time in a long time. Here is a brief outline of key disaster programs available through USDA FSA. Wildfire Programs The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) provides financial assistance for lost grazing acres, purchased or produced feed that burned up, your purchases of feed above what you normally would have purchased and reimbursement of some of the cost to transport feed/forage and water to livestock or livestock to feed/forage. If you had grazing animals die or had to sell livestock at a reduced price due to an injury from the wildfire, the Livestock Indemnity Program provides financial assistance for losses above normal mortality rates. Many of you are facing damaged or destroyed fences, leftover burned debris such as the charred remains of cedar trees and damaged or destroyed water facilities. FSA’s Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) is a cost-share program that can address these needs. An environmental and cultural review may be needed to comply with federal laws, with determinations made on a case-by-case basis. Several counties are implementing ECP with signup windows that may be closing soon. Drought Programs A key program to aid with drought-related grazing losses is the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP). To participate in LFP, producers must have a risk in both grazing livestock and grazing land on the beginning date of the qualifying drought. LFP is implemented on a county basis and uses conditions reflected on the U.S. Drought Monitor to trigger LFP availability in a county. ELAP, noted above for wildfire impacts, also can be used in response to drought conditions. For drought, ELAP provides financial assistance for the above normal costs of hauling water and feed to livestock, as well as transporting livestock to forage or other grazing acres. ECP, also noted above as a wildfire impacts program, can help with drought recovery by providing cost-share to help farmers and ranchers implement emergency water conservation measures including watering systems for livestock. Working With Us While we’ve provided a broad overview of the assistance that USDA FSA can give, there may be additional types of aid available. With all these programs, documentation of disaster impacts and response is critical. Take dated pictures of losses, write down your response actions on a calendar, save receipts. All these can be important when applying for FSA assistance. The key take away is the knowledge that these and other resources exist, and the next best step you can take is to make a phone call to your local FSA office where staff can walk you through available programs, program requirements and highlight key deadlines. We have 71 FSA county offices in Nebraska. If you are not familiar with your office, you can go to farmers.gov/service-center-locator and sort for your county to find a local phone number and address. As a producer myself who has used these programs in the past, I know it can seem a bit overwhelming, especially if you don’t often work, or have never worked, with FSA. But if you could use some disaster recovery help, we are here for you. I strongly encourage you to reach out to your county office sooner rather than later to learn about your options. ~NC~ PERSPECTIVES
August 2026 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 19 Member FDIC ONE THAT PROVIDES. Time-tested Agribusiness banking. /agribusiness HIGH PRODUCTIVITY BUILT ON EXPERIENCE New Holland’s C Series range of compact wheel loaders offer a fresh alternative to the traditional farm, landscape, municipal projects and material handling solutions. In addition to being an asset in other areas of the light construction industry, New Holland's line of compact wheel loaders aid in loading diet-feeders and high-sided trailers. 330 17th St., Syracuse (402) 269-2310 ♦ KanEquip.com www.huvepharma.us 1 (877) 994-4883 The only intranasal BRD vaccine proven to prevent mortality due toMannheimia haemolytica. Scan to learn more.
20 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN August 2026
August 2026 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 21 SUPPLEMENT FOR SUCCESS SUPPLEMENT FOR SUCCESS ANDSave! Fall is right around the corner, and your team at POET® is ready to help you lock in your fall feed rates! Boost performance, reduce shrinkage, and get the most out of your dollar with POET Pellets and Cubes! Contact our team today to learn more! Clay - (605) 212-5404 Cole - (605) 496-4167 Marie - (605) 988-4047 FALL CONTRACTING RATES ARE NOW AVAILABLE! poet.com/feed © 2026 POET, LLC. All rights reserved.
22 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN August 2026 PEOPLE Celebrating 30 Years of Leadership Ann Marie Bosshamer Marks ree Decades With the Nebraska Beef Council ADAM WEGNER | DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, NEBRASKA BEEF COUNCIL For 30 years, Ann Marie Bosshamer has been an advocate for Nebraska’s cattle producers, telling the story of beef to consumers, health professionals, retailers, media and industry leaders across the nation and around the world. Bosshamer began her journey with the Nebraska Beef Council on Aug. 7, 1996. Over the years, she worked in the areas of nutrition, consumer information and channel marketing before being named executive director in 2006. Her commitment to strengthening beef demand and serving producers has remained strong over the past three decades. “Ann Marie’s leadership and dedication have left a lasting mark on Nebraska’s beef industry,” says Rosemary Anderson, chairwoman of the Nebraska Beef Council. “For 30 years, she has been a tireless advocate for cattle producers, helping build consumer trust in beef while ensuring producer investments are used effectively. We are blessed to have such a passionate leader who is respected throughout Nebraska and across the country.” Bosshamer has participated in countless promotions, educational programs and industry events during her time at the Beef Council. In her early years, she could often be found handing out Top: Ann Marie explains cattle feed on an infl uencer tour. Middle: Ann Marie with a group of international retailers. The Nebraska Beef Council hosted the international retailers as part of a foreign marketing program. Bottom: Ann Marie performs a beef cooking demonstration at the Nebraska State Fair.
August 2026 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 23 beef samples in grocery stores, grilling hamburgers at Beef Month events and engaging directly with consumers during the Nebraska State Fair. As the council’s programs expanded, she helped lead efforts to educate registered dietitians and health professionals about beef ’s nutritional benefits, hosted international trade teams visiting Nebraska and worked with media across the state to share the story of beef. Many consumers know Bosshamer through her voice. Throughout her career, she has appeared in thousands of radio and television commercials promoting beef and helping connect consumers with the farmers and ranchers who raise it. Her influence extends beyond Nebraska’s borders. Bosshamer has represented the state on numerous national committees and advisory groups, helping shape Beef Checkoff programs and initiatives at the national level. Along the way, she has become a trusted mentor and resource for colleagues throughout the beef industry. During her tenure, Bosshamer has helped guide the industry through some of its most challenging moments. She worked through the BSE outbreak in 2003, changing dietary recommendations, the lean finely textured beef controversy, the COVID-19 pandemic and, most recently, concerns surrounding New World screwworm. Through each challenge, she remained focused on protecting consumer confidence in beef and supporting Nebraska’s cattle producers. At the same time, she has witnessed tremendous progress within the industry. Beef quality has improved dramatically during her career, with more than 80 percent of beef now grading Choice or higher. She has seen the introduction and promotion of innovative cuts such as the flat iron steak, increased recognition of beef’s nutritional value and growing consumer demand that continues to make beef America’s favorite protein. For Bosshamer, however, the work has always been about more than marketing programs and promotions. Raised on a farm near David City, Bosshamer developed a deep appreciation for agriculture and the hardworking people who make it possible. Inspired by her dad and brothers, who dedicated their lives to farming and raising cattle, she gained firsthand insight into the commitment, sacrifice and pride that define the agricultural way of life. That connection continues to fuel her passion for serving the beef industry today. Anyone who has worked alongside Bosshamer understands that her commitment runs deep. She believes in supporting the families who raise high-quality beef, educating consumers about modern cattle production and helping ensure a strong future for the next generation of producers. As the Nebraska Beef Council celebrates this milestone, producers across the state join in thanking Ann Marie Bosshamer for her leadership, passion and commitment to the Nebraska beef industry. ~NC~
Important Safety Information: Do not use in beef calves less than 2 months old, dairy calves and veal calves. A withdrawal period has not been established for this product in pre-ruminating calves. Additionally, the following meat withdrawal and milk discard times apply: Cattle must not be slaughtered for human consumption for 8 days following last treatment with this drug product. Goats must not be slaughtered for human consumption within 6 days following last treatment with this drug product. For dairy cattle, the milk discard time is 48 hours following last treatment with this drug product. Do not use in lactating goats as no milk discard time has been established. ©2026 Norbrook Laboratories Limited. Defendazole is a trademark and the Norbrook logo is a registered trademark of Norbrook Laboratories Limited. Safe-Guard is a registered trademark of Merck & Co., Inc. or its affiliates. 831-26-134 LEARN MORE BREAK FREE If lack of options has been weighing you down, this will set you free. Instead of being locked in with Safe-Guard® (fenbendazole) oral suspension, you can break free and choose Defendazole™ (fenbendazole), the first FDA-approved bioequivalent. With Defendazole™ (fenbendazole), you can expect the same safety, efficacy and performance advantages as Safe-Guard®.
August 2026 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 25
26 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN August 2026 PRODUCTION MYCOTOXINS AND DROUGHT Be in the Know TRESSA LAWRENCE | CONTRIBUTING WRITER NEBRASKA The untimely rains of last fall and the drought conditions this year have experts reminding feeders that there is a higher risk of mycotoxins in their feeds. Crops grown under strained conditions, such as drought, or put up under less than ideal circumstances, such as untimely rain, can be more prone to mycotoxins, which are toxins produced by molds that can accumulate in crops, forages or feed products. Mold can develop in crops while they are growing in the field or later when the crops have been stored for feed. “If you are harvesting your own fields, it’s always a good idea to go and scout, because molds can be easier to identify in the field,” explains Mary Drewnoski, Ph.D., Nebraska Extension beef systems specialist. “The other type of mold that we have is not really associated with drought conditions, what we call storage mold. With silage, if you didn’t get it packed well and there is a lot more oxygen in there, you can get mold growth. These can produce an aflatoxin that can be problematic to cattle.” Mycotoxins issues in cattle are not necessarily immediately apparent. A good way of looking at it is that the mycotoxins can weaken the foundation of health and growth that you are trying to build in your cattle. As a result, various symptoms can easily compile due to the cattle’s weakened immune system, most obviously presenting as a failure to thrive or being slow to gain weight. High levels of mycotoxins in feed can also lead to reduced conception rates in breeding cattle. “The highest risk is always pregnant or breeding animals along with really young animals, with the lowest risk usually being finishing cattle,” Drewnoski says. “A common sign of mycotoxins is reduced feed intake and, therefore, reduced performance and growth. But some of them, like aflatoxin, can cause reduced liver function. If you’re feeding really high levels of it, then you also see reduced immunity. The problem with mycotoxins is that it’s not a very clear symptom, it’s a combination of things that you see where the animals just are not doing as well as normal, and you start to question what’s going on.” Detecting Mold and Mycotoxins As Drewnoski mentioned, the first step of monitoring is to hit the fields if you are growing your own feed crops. Once you identify mold in your field, you can determine what kind of mycotoxins you need to test for in your feed. Storage mold is often visible to the eye, and, therefore, easy to collect and test. If you are aware that you have storage CATTLEMAN mold, Drewnoski recommends minimizing the mold’s exposure to oxygen to prevent continued growth. By mixing moldy feed in with other feed products that do not have mold, you can dilute the effects of the mold and potential mycotoxins. “With the untimely rains last fall, we had a lot of producers who had a hard time putting up hay or had a lot of issues with corn,” says Rebecca Kern-Lunbery, feed testing product manager for Ward Laboratories in Kearny. “We saw corn being rejected at the elevators because of fumonisin. As a result, last fall we had those guys testing their corn grains in our lab.” In the last few years, Ward Laboratories has expanded the number of mycotoxins they can test on common grains and distillers co-products. They outsource forage-sample testing to other labs that can perform those mycotoxin tests. “This year, looking at the corn and distillers grain that was stored from last year, it would be a good idea to test them as they’re coming out of storage, because some of the mycotoxins do increase with storage and some remain the same,” Kern-Lunbery says. “We do know for sure last season we had grains coming off the field that were testing positive for mycotoxins, and, even if they aren’t increasing in storage, we know that they are not being destroyed in storage either.” Compounding Mycotoxins Mold does not necessarily indicate mycotoxins, but if your results come back with positive results for mycotoxins, even if they are below the threshold individually, it is important to talk to someone who understands the potential impacts of multiple mycotoxins. “Last year we were seeing a combination of different mycotoxins, but they were showing up at below-regulatory levels, so it became a co-occurrence issue,” Kern-Lunbery explains. “There would be low levels of aflatoxin with another mycotoxin, and at those low levels, while each individual number says that it’s safe to feed, when they’re occurring together, they have an additive effect that’s detrimental to animal health.” Mitigation There are products on the market that can help inhibit mycotoxins in feed in two different stages. There are mold inhibitors that help to reduce the amount of mold that grows on crops after they have been harvested, preventing mycotoxins from developing. There are also products designed to utilize
August 2026 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 27 after the mold has already started to grow by binding or denaturing the mycotoxins, which are the secondary metabolites of mold growth, to help prevent continued mold growth in feed products. “You don’t know what your problem is until you’ve tested the feed, whether that’s the forages, the silages, your corn crop or your soybean crop,” explains Eugene Rodberg, senior product manager at Kemin. “Sending a sample into a lab that can do mycotoxin testing will help you understand what you’re facing, and then from there, once you determine your level and the type of mycotoxin that’ll be in the feed, you can come up with a strategy to try to control it.” Once you receive your test results, experts from the lab, such as Kern-Lunbery, or sales reps like those from Kemin, can help you interpret the results and make a plan for using those feed sources in the safest manner for your livestock. “Sit down with people who are familiar with these different toxins and know which combination of toxins is going to be more of a problem than other combinations,” Rodberg says. “There are many different toxins out there, and each of them in combination with other ones is going to have a very different impact on animal performance. “Then the next step in the process is to sit down with people who know which toxin binders are going to be the most effective in a drought year.” If you want to test for mycotoxins, Ward Laboratories in Nebraska is one option or check out the Mycotoxin Grain Testing Directory from Iowa State by scanning the QR code. If you are curious about how to test, what to do with your test results or how to move forward, reach out to your local Extension agent to develop a feed ration to best serve your livestock while navigating mycotoxins. ~NC~ in first-treatment respiratory morbidity.* Healthy Cattle = Healthy Closeouts 28% REDUCTION Supplementing with CLOSTAT®, an active microbial, can result in a kemin.com/clostat-beef * Word, A.B., et al. (2022). The effect of supplementing CLOSTAT® 500 (Bacillus subtilis PB6) to yearling steers in a commercial feedyard on health, Salmonella spp. prevalence, feedlot growth performance and carcass characteristics. Translational Animal Science. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txac131. © Kemin Industries, Inc. and its group of companies 2025. All rights reserved. ® ™ Trademarks of Kemin Industries, Inc., U.S.A. THE SICK PEN THE ONLY ONE YOU WANT EMPTY.
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