8 Nebraska Cattleman December 2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT: Steve Hanson*, Elsie, (308) 289-0225 PRESIDENT ELECT: Jerry Kuenning*, Lemoyne, (308) 883-8382 VICE PRESIDENT: Dick Pierce*, Miller, (308) 440-2489 TREASURER: Laura Field, Lincoln, (402) 475-2333 SECRETARY: Lee Weide, Lincoln, (402) 475-2333 PAST PRESIDENT: Brenda Masek, Purdum, (308) 539-5533 MEMBER SERVICES VICE CHAIR BY REGION 1 – Terryn Drieling, Ashby, (308) 262-5051 2 – Kat Kennedy, Purdum, (308) 645-7036 3 – Allan Louthan, Stanton, (402) 841-6601 4 – John Ecklund, Atkinson, (408) 602-5905 5 – Jim Edwards, Ord, (308) 750-0881 6 – Chuck Gra , Ogallala, (308) 289-5841 7 – Rod Keil, Plattsmouth, (402) 297-9321 8 – Allen Bruntz, Friend, (402) 525-2651 9 – Quentin Dailey*, Lexington, (308) 293-1144 COW-CALF COUNCIL Chair | Al Atkins, North Platte, (308) 645-9046 Vice Chair | Travis Chrisman, Wauneta, (308) 883-6781 FARMER-STOCKMAN COUNCIL Chair | Marc Hanson, Morrowville, Kan., (402) 729-7174 Vice Chair | Dwight Dam, Hooper, (402) 720-4250 FEEDLOT COUNCIL Chair | Mike Briggs, Seward, (402) 641-0117 Vice Chair | Ryan Danehy, Manhattan, Kan., (308) 440-8267 SEEDSTOCK COUNCIL Chair | Reiss Bruning, Bruning, (402) 768-3332 Vice Chair | Krista Dybdal, Newcastle, (402) 841-8091 ANIMAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION COMMITTEE Chair | Jared Walahoski, Overton, (308) 746-1965 Chair-Elect | Je Heldt, Scottsblu , (308) 641-5781 BRAND AND PROPERTY RIGHTS COMMITTEE Chair | Brock Terrell, Hay Springs, (308) 430-1213 Chair-Elect | Matt Blackford, Brownlee, (402) 322-1377 EDUCATION AND RESEARCH COMMITTEE Chair | Marcus Urban, Leigh, (402) 276-3830 Chair-Elect | Suzanne Jagels, Davenport, (402) 469-3374 MARKETING AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE Chair | Joe Eisenmenger, Humphrey, (402) 920-0665 Chair-Elect | Chance McLean, Stromsburg, (402) 366-2254 NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE Chair | Eric Hansen*, North Platte, (308) 530-3899 Chair-Elect | Sam Drinnin, Grand Island, (402) 910-0233 TAXATION COMMITTEE Chair | Fred Meyer, St. Paul, (308) 750-0031 Chair-Elect | Scott Peterson, Valentine, (402) 322-0225 MEMBER SERVICES Chair | Quentin Dailey*, Lexington, (308) 293-1144 ALLIED INDUSTRIES COUNCIL Andrew Dorn, Minden, (308) 830-0356 NEBRASKA LIVESTOCK MARKETING ASSOCIATION Bryce Dibbern, Interior, S.D., (308) 293-7766 UNL EXTENSION Erin Laborie, Beaver City, (419) 494-3872 UNL REPRESENTATIVE Deb VanOverbeke, Lincoln, (402) 472-3571 * member of the Executive & Finance Committee NEBRASKA CATTLEMEN STAFF LINCOLN OFFICE 4611 Cattle Drive, Lincoln, NE 68521 Phone (402) 475-2333 | Fax (402) 475-0822 Email nc@necattlemen.org | www.nebraskacattlemen.org Executive Vice President | Laura Field lfield@necattlemen.org Vice President of Operations | Lee Weide Vice President of Marketing | Je Stolle Director of Communications | Libby Schroeder Director of Marketing | John Roberts Director of Producer Education | Bonita Lederer Director of Membership-Retention | Jessica Rudolph Director of Membership-Recruitment | Steven Stettner Executive Assistant | Patty Goes Vice President of Policy Engagement | Melody Benjamin 1179 296th Trail, Lakeside, NE 69351 (308) 760-6464 | mbenjamin@necattlemen.org Leader’s Letter By Steve Hanson, Elsie NC President A Tremendous Year It’s hard to believe nearly a year has passed since I took the reins of the Nebraska Cattlemen (NC)! I have truly enjoyed my term as president and couldn’t have imagined the rewarding experiences I have been a part of. We were all sad to see Pete McClymont tender his resignation last year, and the search for a new executive vice president (EVP) started as I took office. We interviewed some topquality candidates and were successful in hiring Laura Field to take over as EVP. Her leadership has been above expectation. The Nebraska legislative session was very busy. We were successful in getting all five of our priority bills through as well as testifying on several other bills important to our members. After very productive winter affiliate meetings, we were ready to get on with spring calving and planting. The NC Midyear Meeting was held in North Platte, and it proved to be a resounding success. The area tours, golf and steak dinner were all very well attended. The second day of committee meetings showed the value of the Mid-Plains Community College venue – having all meetings at one site kept members engaged. We were fortunate to hear from Gov. Pillen that morning and had great attendance for our NC Foundation Luncheon to award scholarships. Ten days later, Nebraska Cattlemen had a very successful PAC event thanks to Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.). He very generously donated his Chicago Cubs owner’s suite, tickets and a fantastic buffet at a Cubs game. We then put together an unforgettable trip to benefit the NC PAC, which sold out in about 24 hours and turned out to be a highly successful PAC fundraiser. As the year continued, we have had some staff changes, which will allow Laura to put her stamp on the staff structure as we move forward. Once again, the Beef Pit at the Nebraska State Fair was a resounding success thanks to all the volunteers from affiliates around the state and Lee Weide’s leadership. I encourage all current and prospective members to attend the annual NC Convention in Kearney, Dec. 6-8. This is the meeting where we review and adopt policies that will guide the various NC committees for the coming year. The opportunity to express your feelings about our position is vital to making NC the true voice of its members. This is achieved by attending the meetings. Since I am on my soapbox, I would encourage all of you to support the Nebraska Cattlemen and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association by joining both organizations so they can take positions benefitting animal agriculture at both the state and national levels. I also urge you to speak out in support of our checkoff organizations and against the OFF Act. PETA and their friends in Congress are not trying to reform but end checkoffs – their real goal. The people and groups supporting the OFF Act are not your friends but are intent on ending meat consumption and stopping animal agriculture as we know it. Thank you for allowing me to be Nebraska Cattlemen president and also thanks to a great staff for all the support they have given me. I hope for generous rainfall on the pastures and crops next summer and continuing high prices! NC
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