NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN December 2024 Vol. 80 | Issue 10
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6 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN December 2024 THE ONLY PUBLICATION DEDICATED TO THE NEBRASKA CATTLE INDUSTRY. NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN December 2024 Vol. 80 | Issue 10 REGULARS Insights ........................................8 Ruminations .............................10 Consider This ...........................18 BQA .............................................34 USMARC .................................... 38 Markets ......................................40 Membership Application........44 NC Foundation..........................46 Sale & Event Calendar ............47 NC Partners ..............................48 Advertiser Index ......................50 FEATURES PRODUCTION Winter Weather Outlook................................................... 24 Agricultural Meteorologist Eric Hunt shares his winter weather outlook. PEOPLE Prepared for What Comes Next .......................................14 Dick Pierce prepares for his upcoming term as Nebraska Cattlemen president. Iceland: The Land of Fire and Ice....................................20 A look at some of the highlights of Nebraska Cattlemen’s tour of Iceland. PAST Lights to Behold .................................................................28 Learn why Minden’s 100-year-old tradition has earned it the title “The Christmas City.” POLICY Beef Matters at the Ballot Box .........................................32 NC sta provides a 2024 General Election re-cap. 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: Dick Pierce, incoming Nebraska Cattlemen president, at his operation in Miller. Photo courtesy of Boni Edwards.
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8 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN December 2024 NC BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT: Jerry Kuenning*, Lemoyne, (308) 883-8382 PRESIDENT-ELECT: Dick Pierce*, Miller, (308) 440-2489 VICE PRESIDENT: Craig Uden*, (308) 325-0285 TREASURER: Laura Field, Lincoln, (402) 475-2333 SECRETARY: Melody Benjamin, Lakeside, (308) 760-6464 PAST PRESIDENT: Steve Hanson*, Elsie, (308) 289-0225 MEMBER SERVICES VICE CHAIR BY REGION 1 – Jaclyn Wilson, Lakeside, (308) 762-3196 2 – Kat Kennedy, Purdum, (308) 645-7036 3 – Allan Louthan, Stanton, (402) 841-6601 4 – John Ecklund, Atkinson, (408) 602-5905 5 – Scott Reynolds, Berwyn, (308) 870-0970 6 – Chuck Graff, Ogallala, (308) 289-5841 7 – Heath Clausen, Leigh, (402) 750-4433 8 – Allen Bruntz, Friend, (402) 525-2651 9 – Shannon Peterson, Gothenburg, (308) 529-2116 COW-CALF COUNCIL CHAIR: Travis Chrisman, Wauneta, (308) 883-6781 VICE CHAIR: Jake Johnson, Hastings, (402) 984-8824 FARMER-STOCKMAN COUNCIL CHAIR: Marc Hanson, Morrowville, Kan., (402) 729-7174 VICE CHAIR: Dwight Dam, Hooper, (402) 720-4250 FEEDLOT COUNCIL CHAIR: Ryan Danehey, Manhattan, Kan., (308) 440-8267 VICE CHAIR: Daron Huyser, Lexington, (308) 233-4368 SEEDSTOCK COUNCIL CHAIR: Reiss Bruning, Bruning, (402) 768-3332 VICE CHAIR: James Felt, Wakefield, (402) 287-2488 ALLIED INDUSTRIES COUNCIL Jake Pullen, Aurora, (308) 380-9040 ~ COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP ~ ANIMAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION CHAIR: Jared Walahoski*, Overton, (308) 746-1965 CHAIR-ELECT: Jeff Heldt, Scottsbluff, (308) 641-5781 BRAND AND PROPERTY RIGHTS CHAIR: Brock Terrell, Hay Springs, (308) 430-1213 CHAIR-ELECT: Matt Blackford, Brownlee, (402) 322-1377 EDUCATION AND RESEARCH CHAIR: Marcus Urban, Leigh, (402) 276-3830 CHAIR-ELECT: Suzanne Jagels, Davenport, (402) 469-3374 MARKETING AND COMMERCE CHAIR: Joe Eisenmenger, Humphrey, (402) 920-0665 CHAIR-ELECT: Chance McLean, Stromsburg, (402) 366-2254 NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT CHAIR: Eric Hansen*, North Platte, (308) 530-3899 CHAIR-ELECT: Sam Drinnin, Grand Island, (402) 910-0233 TAXATION CHAIR: Scott Peterson, Valentine, (402) 322-0225 CHAIR-ELECT: Steve Sunderman, Norfolk, (402) 750-0149 MEMBER SERVICES CHAIR: Jim Edwards, Ord, (308) 750-0881 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 LIFE GOES FASTER WHEN YOU’RE HAVING FUN JERRY KUENNING | LEMOYNE NC PRESIDENT As I sit down to write this article, it seems like only yesterday I was giving my acceptance speech at last year’s convention. I must honestly say it has been a very enjoyable year for me. Oh, it has gotten hectic and I’ve caught myself being tired at times, but it’s been enjoyable. People have asked me what the biggest surprise was since assuming the Nebraska Cattlemen presidency. Probably the one thing that comes back to me each and every day is the amount of time and work that the staff, membership and my family put in to make everything happen that needs to happen to make Nebraska Cattlemen the No. 1 commodity organization in Nebraska. The staff is simply programmed to succeed. I don’t think we realize the hours the staff puts in. It wasn’t uncommon for phone calls and texts to occur before 5 a.m. and after 9 p.m. This reminds us of our own operations, doesn’t it? It’s one thing to put in hours, but another to produce quality output. I feel the quality of work is very impressive. Next comes the membership. WOW! I can honestly say that, considering all the phone calls I received, they all carried the theme of wanting to make Nebraska Cattlemen a better organization. If you are not a member, please think about it strongly. Do yourself a favor and become a member! You will not find the return on investment for your membership dollars in anything else you do. During the special legislative session this year, it was obvious we didn’t get everything we wanted, but we stood strong and solid. Many members called and wanted more tax relief, but it just wasn’t there to be had. The board meetings were so impressive. Good decisions were made with positive attitudes present at all times. The other group I want to spotlight is my family and employees. They worked hard to keep everything fed and watered and the zerks greased. What I really mean is, they took care of the little things as well as the big things. It did my heart good to see my oldest grandson and two oldest granddaughters helping wean calves and running the grain cart during corn and bean harvest. I’ve learned that just because we did it that way last year doesn’t mean that it is the best way of doing things, or that we need to continue doing it that way this year. I could not have served as president without my family taking care of the home operation. To them I say thank you with much love and appreciation. Our home operation is in good hands in the future years – just like Nebraska Cattlemen is. As we look forward, let us continue to find solutions to the issues that plague our industry. Our chores are never done. To all of you, I say thank you so much for the opportunity to serve all of you. In closing I hope to see each of you in Kearney at the Younes Convention Center, Dec. 11-13. Go to the Nebraska Cattlemen website to register or register onsite. Either way, join us and be a part of discussions and policy making. ~NC~
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10 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN December 2024 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 ASSOCIATION ENGAGEMENT | Melody Benjamin 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 MEMBERSHIP-RETENTION | Jessica Rudolph DIRECTOR OF STATE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS | Matthew Melchor ACCOUNTANT/BOOKKEEPER | Kathy Abel OFFICE MANAGER | Ashley McClinton 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: BLUEPRINT MEDIA LLC www.blueprintma.com | ncmag@necattlemen.org EDITOR | Lisa Bard MANAGING EDITOR | Jessie Topp-Becker COPY EDITOR | Larisa Willrett DESIGNER & MATERIALS COORDINATOR | Megan Sajbel 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. CHOOSE TO BE SOMEONE WHO DOES LAURA FIELD | NC EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Many years ago, while going through a particularly difficult time in my personal life, I tearfully said to a friend, “I didn’t want to go through this. I never wanted to be a statistic.” In an effort to pick me up, she hugged me, smiled and stated, “You’re either the 50 percent who do or the 50 percent who don’t. You’re a statistic either way!” The reality of my situation changed dramatically in that moment and with that phrase. I have shared it many times in a variety of circumstances. Statistics are part of everything we do, and so is winning and losing. In competitions, only one sports team can win a game, only one candidate can win an election, only one animal can win the championship drive. Not only one participates, but only one comes out the victor. Not being on the winning side is never easy, but it is the way we handle those losses and turn them into wins that matters most. The comment from my friend all those years ago came to the top of my mind writing this column following the 2024 elections and as we prepare for the 2024 Nebraska Cattlemen Convention in Kearney. Disagreement is part of the democratic process and, each of the while one side ultimately prevails, those differing points of view are so important in coming to consensus. The emotion and passion on both sides are important, even when tempers rise. Working together to craft the best policy that directs the work of an organization is very important. Equally important is realizing that our differences are not always as far apart as they seem when we get into a room and give voice to the priorities for which we stand. Freedom to operate, a business-friendly climate that allows us to produce a superior product to feed the world, preventing government overreach and so many other priorities must be discussed, vetted and adopted to keep cattle production growing and thriving in the “Beef State.” The Nebraska Cattlemen committee meetings and annual business meeting represent an important time for the association’s membership. After committees do the work of evaluating existing and proposed policy resolutions and statements, the entire membership takes action on Friday morning at the annual meeting. It is important for you to be part of this process to make sure your voice is heard. Bring your ideas to the table, stand strong for what you believe is best for cattle producers and give those ideas voice. Most important, exercise your right to vote by showing up to make sure the policies you support are adopted. As you reflect on being the 50 percent who do or the 50 percent who do not, choose to be the ones who do! We look forward to seeing you in Kearney. ~NC~ Working together to craft the best policy that directs the work of an organization is very important.
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14 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN December 2024 PEOPLE Prepared for What Comes Next LISA BARD | NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN EDITOR Dick Pierce has lived a life of service. From his time in the Air Force to his upcoming term as Nebraska Cattlemen (NC) president and everything in between, Pierce has combined his deep commitment to family with his love of and involvement in agriculture, and his passion for service into a very busy and productive life. What lies ahead for Pierce as the 2025 Nebraska Cattlemen president will once again combine all these things. A native of Sumner, Pierce and his wife of 52 years, Janna, live in Miller. They are descendants of Swedish, German and Irish immigrants who landed in Nebraska by way of Illinois and Kansas long ago. He comes from a long line of veterans who served in WWII, WWI and even the Civil War – something that is a source of pride for him. After completing high school, Pierce had no intention of going to college, and he always had it in his head that he was going to end up in the service. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Air Force and, via testing, found out he had an aptitude for languages and linguistics. He spent 37 weeks learning Russian and then served as a Russian translator and interrogator in the National Security Agency in Maryland for the rest of his enlistment. His only regret is that he never got to serve overseas. Pierce and Janna married while he was in the service and toward the end of his enlistment, her parents pitched to them the idea of coming back to Nebraska and farming with them in Miller. In 1974, they headed back to Nebraska, and Pierce enlisted in the Nebraska Air National Guard where he served as a personal equipment life supports specialist and trained a lot of pilots in survival skills. Pierce says simply, but with great pride, “It was a fun career.” FAMILY Back in Nebraska, the Pierce family grew, and now consists of four adult children and their spouses, and 12 grandchildren, ages 22 to 2. Oldest son Justin and his wife, Jodi, and their four kids, Kaci, Josh, Kaylee and Addie, live in nearby Pleasonton and work with Dick and Janna in their cattle and farming operation. Grandson Josh is a student member of NC, an FFA member and is very interested in farming and agriculture. Son Jared and his wife, Jennifer, live in Pennsylvania with their two children, Emily and Adam, and Jared’s children Virgil and Everett. An Air Force officer veteran, Jared served in Afghanistan and, after his time in the Air Force, settled in Dick Pierce with one of his Percheron horses – a passion of his. All photos courtesy of Boni Edwards.
December 2024 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 15 Pennsylvania where he and Jennifer work for the state park system in Pennsylvania. Son Jace and wife Carissa and their kids, Odette and Emmett, live nearby and both grandkids are student members of NC. Jace is a sales rep with Bill’s Volume Sales and Carissa is a schoolteacher. Jace also served seven years with the Nebraska Air National Guard and was deployed to Kyrgyzstan and Spain. He has a cow herd and contributes to the family operation as time allows. Daughter Tressi and her husband, Ben Baird, and their boys, Daxton and Finley, live in Sumner in Pierce’s dad’s old place. Ben is a route driver for Cashwa Distributing of Kearney, and Tressi is a stay-at-home mom to their boys. Pierce’s family is supportive of his involvement and always pitch in when needed, but he’s also very mindful to be supportive of all that they do. He and Janna also make time to support and attend their grandkids’ activities. COWS, GRASS AND FARMING Pierce’s father was a postmaster in Sumner for 31 years and farmed on the side with Pierce’s maternal grandparents. His father greatly enjoyed farming and cattle, and felt it kept his sons busy while also teaching them hard work. Pierce’s dad kept cows until his death at 94, long after he retired from the U.S. Post Office. “When you’re the older generation in farming or ranching and you have someone from the younger generation interested in it, it’s up to you to make it fun for them and give them something they look forward to. My dad never shared the financial struggles with me until later in life. Had he shared all the struggles with me, maybe I would not have gone into ag,” Pierce says with a chuckle. “Dad made it fun and something Cattle, farming and grass are prized commodities at the Pierce operation. CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
16 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN December 2024 to look forward to. He’d get off work from the post office at 4:30, and if I didn’t have athletics or something, I was ready to go immediately. I looked forward to blizzards and storms and such because I was with my dad.” Pierce’s younger brothers ended up on the place his grandparents had and, while he was in the service years ago, his brothers and father got into hogs. However, like his dad, Pierce always liked the cattle side of the operation. No matter what enterprise they were in, it became a way of life for all of them. “We are not in agriculture or in the cattle business because there is some romantic relationship that we have with it,” Pierce says. “How many times have you heard someone in the cattle business say that they are going to sell out and move to town? And yet they never do. It’s a way of life. It’s bred into us. That is why agriculture is not for everybody.” When Pierce and Janna came back to Nebraska, they started raising hogs but also began building the cow herd with her parents. Janna worked off farm as a speech/English teacher at Sumner-Eddyville-Miller schools for several years and then became a freelance grant writer after resigning from teaching to support their “dream.” As a grant writer, she was able to secure nearly $18 million for various entities. In the Pierce farming and ranching operation, they have remained flexible over the years with an eye on profitability and change – whatever makes the most sense moving forward. Pierce and Justin work well together, with Pierce saying that Justin is the “brains” of the business due to his ability to crunch numbers and keep a business approach to it. “We are not traditional, old-school cattle producers in that we do not have a base cow herd that we raise our replacements from, but instead we buy our replacement heifers,” Pierce explains. “We looked at it and it is more economical to buy someone else’s genetics to put into our herd and get a calf immediately. On paper it makes more sense to do it that way.” They run their cows on a combination of owned grass and some they rent from Justin’s in-laws, allowing them to be flexible in how they utilize and manage that resource as well. “We own much of our own grass and sometimes we buy pairs, run yearlings or rent it out to someone else. Whatever makes the most sense and most profit is what we do,” Pierce says. “You may not classify us as cattlemen in the truest sense of the word as we harvest the grass in the most efficient, profitable way. In that regard, we are grass farmers.” The farming part of their operation is mostly irrigated and center-pivot irrigated, and they raise corn and some soybeans but also alfalfa and feed crops. They are neighbors with Wood River Dairy and have an arrangement with them to have all the dairy slurry spread on their farm ground – an arrangement that has proven to be beneficial for both operations. “The place keeps us busy. It’s not the biggest in the area, but we remain profitable and, over the years, have put together a pretty good family operation,” Pierce says humbly. PASSION FOR HORSES Those who know Pierce knows he has a passion for draft horses, stemming from a childhood fondness of horses. He thought he would eventually get into saddle horses, but fate steered him to draft horses instead. His first team was a pair of older mares and after that, he simply replaced the mares as needed when they aged out. Eventually, he purchased three bred mares from a breeder in Missouri and continued to grow his horse herd over the years. Currently, Pierce has a number of Percheron broodmares and a couple of stallions and an arrangement with a trainer in Colorado who trains his young horses, shows them and markets them as needed throughout North America. Pierce is also very involved in the draft horse industry as a judge and an organizer/staff of the Buffalo County Draft Horse Show and the National Western Draft Horse Show. He’s also been highly involved in many national draft horse shows and events. “The draft horse world is also part of my world,” Pierce says. NEBRASKA CATTLEMEN Pierce’s service to the cattle industry began when he was part of LEAD #8 class, which opened up many opportunities and sparked his interest in policy and government affairs. He was involved in youth organizations and that likely set the stage for being involved in organizations as an adult. He’s since been involved in the local school board and served as a Buffalo County Commissioner for 16 years. He has also served on the Community Action Board, Behavioral Health Board, Ag Land Valuation Board, Archway Board, is a commander of the Sumner American Legion and is an elder in his church, among other things. Whew! However, it was when Barb Cooksley asked him to serve on and chair the NC Taxation Committee, which he did for many years, that started the path to NC presidency. He has served on the NC Executive Committee for many years on his way to where he is now. “Your past always prepares you for what comes next, and I think my past has done that. I’ve watched a string of presidents now all have significant challenges to face in PIERCE’S DRIVING PHILOSOPHIES 1. If you’re not going to work, don’t hire out. 2. If a job is once begun, never leave it ‘til it’s done. If that task is great or small, do it well or not at all. 3.Make a difference and make things better because you were there. PREPARED FOR WHAT COMES NEXT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
December 2024 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 17 1/4 Vertical Nebraska Cattleman 4 Color Masonic Eastern Star Home for Children December 2024 Masonic-Eastern Star Home for Children A home away from home for children in need. Fremont, Neb. | 402-721-1185 | www.meshc.org Merry Christmas from the Rawhide Wranglers 4-H Club’s 4-H’er of the Year, Mackenzie. Masonic-Eastern Star Fremont, Neb. Merry Christmas from the Rawhide Wranglers 4-H Club! THE SPIRIT OF DEDICATION. Commitment that’s one of a kind. Agribusiness solutions you trust. Member FDIC /agribusiness Promotion runs Oct. 14, 2024-Jan. 21, 2025. nelo ery.com Must be 19. Free problem gambling help for Nebraskans at problemgambling.nebraska.gov. Top prize odds vary by game. Bronco, Bronco Sport and Bronco Big Bend are registered trademarks of Ford Motor Company. Ford Motor Company is not a sponsor of the sweepstakes promotion. but we don’t think anyone will mind. Enter non-winning Lucky Star Holiday Scratch tickets in our Yuletide Ride Promotion for a chance to park a 2024 Ford Bronco Sport next to your tree!
18 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN December 2024 CONSIDER THIS If you or someone you know is a Nebraska landowner committed to conservation on working land, we invite your application for the Leopold Conservation Award! The $10,000 award honors farmers, ranchers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat. Application Deadline: March 1, 2025 To view the application form, visit www.sandcountyfoundation.org/ApplyLCA T Conservation Pays in Nebraska =Presented by: Scan this code to view the application form. their terms,” Pierce says. “So, you pray for strength and vision and foresight because you never know what is going to happen. But if you throw your hat in the ring, be engaged and be prepared for what comes.” Pierce feels that in the coming year, Nebraska Cattlemen will be busy with more work on property taxes, updating their strategic plan that sunsets in 2025, brand issues that need addressing, electronic ID and then all the unknown issues that will arise, including educating and getting to know the 19 new state legislators in Nebraska who will be sworn in come January. “Nebraska Cattlemen is a grass-rootsdriven organization and that is important. If anyone disagrees with NC policy, come and get involved and affect and change the policy,” Pierce says. “We are getting input from younger members, and I’d like to find ways to promote engagement by them and get all people to show up and to be part of the discussion and help form policy.” Pierce touts NC’s reputation and influence with Nebraska’s policy makers and maintains that it is vital to getting things done. “Because of our engagement and because of the relationships we’ve built, we can discuss and even disagree, but at the end of the day we can come together and work things out,” Pierce says. In the end, Pierce is looking forward to the year ahead and working with other NC officers Jerry Kuenning, Craig Uden and Eric Hanson, as well as members, staff and board. His past experiences have not only prepared him for this commitment but have set the stage for what is ahead. “There is a bit of self-reflection teeing up to becoming NC president,” Pierce says. “Am I doing what I need to be doing to make a difference in this world and to serve my fellow man? It’s an accountability thing and there is no age limit, no gender limit and it’s up to us to be the difference makers in the world.” No doubt Pierce will make a difference and leave things better because he showed up. ~NC~ PREPARED FOR WHAT COMES NEXT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16
December 2024 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 19 At OLS Tubs, we offer a comprehensive line of tubs specifically formulated to maximize performance and herd health at every stage of production.
20 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN December 2024 ICELAND The Land of Fire and Ice PETE MCCLYMONT, LINCOLN NC MEMBER / TOUR PARTICIPANT The 2024 Nebraska Cattlemen (NC) Executive Travel tour of Iceland provided another successful, exciting trip abroad to a breathtaking location for fellow agriculturalists. For those who have visited Iceland, you are fully aware of the beauty and power of this country that straddles the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. This phenomenon causes volcanic eruptions that Iceland is well noted for. As Nebraska natives, we keep a watchful eye on the weather – snow and ice storms, high winds and tornados to name a few. In Iceland, the people are also very cognizant of weather fluctuations and pay close attention to seismic activity in addition to other typical weather changes. As an example, the day before we arrived in Iceland, glacial flooding caused a major bridge and a portion of the country’s primary highway to wash out. Additionally, our tour guide explained that an eruption from Iceland’s volcanoes was imminent. That seemed very threatening to us Midwesterners, but it is a normal occurrence to Iceland residents. The people of Iceland were a highlight of the tour and at every stop, we were treated wonderfully. Communication was never a problem as English is spoken throughout the country in addition to their native language. Tourism is far and away Iceland’s No. 1 industry, so throughout the tour, it was normal to notice travelers from all corners of the world. Iceland has its own currency since it is not a member of the European Union (EU); however, it is connected to the EU via the European Economic Area agreement and European Free Trade Association. As our travel guide said, “We have active relations with the EU but without the mandate of their expensive programs, mostly social.” Like most countries, especially during the tourism season, Iceland has a great need for labor for almost all tasks. Our tour guide grew up in Germany, then Sweden before becoming an Iceland citizen. Our primary bus driver was originally from France, and our last bus driver was from Poland. Iceland is very resourceful and innovative at harnessing the naturally occurring geothermal and hydropower energy. All the country’s electricity is generated – 30 percent from geothermal and 70 percent from hydropower. Also, 90 percent of the country’s hot water and heating is captured from geothermal sources. The country’s second largest industry is the production of aluminum due to abundant and inexpensive energy. Iceland’s renewable energy makes it very attractive for metal producers focused on their carbon footprint. Iceland’s electric grid runs entirely from renewable energy. We visited an incredible renewable energy plant that was harnessed from geothermal sources. Iceland’s agricultural sector is not comparable to a Nebraska agriculture profile as it’s at a similar latitude as Nome, Alaska. PEOPLE Photos from left to right: Icelandic horses are a unique genetic equine, with roots back to Scandinavian horses. The fault line of the tectonic plates of Europe/Scandinavia and North America. Owners of a farm directly below an Iceland volcano explain their operation to tour participants.
December 2024 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 21 There are not many cattle in Iceland, nor corn or soybeans, but the countryside has a strong population of sheep. Our first meal after we landed was at a very nice restaurant with lamb being the main course offering. It was the best lamb entree any of us had ever enjoyed. Other interesting visits included a goat farm operated by a single family; a tomato farm greenhouse facility – powered by geothermal energy – that included a thriving restaurant in the same production area; an operation that housed a restaurant and dairy farm within the same structure; and a working farm at the base of a mountain that erupted in 2010. At the dairy farm/restaurant, the cows were grazing under the roof visible through a window next to the dining area. At the farm visit, it was fascinating to hear the husband and wife tell of their experiences dealing with their dairy cows and farm ground. The most unique Icelandic agriculture segment we saw was the horse industry. Since the country is an island, it has created its own horse breed, with a genetic base originating from Scandinavia. The country is very protective of the breed for numerous reasons, including health and purity. No horse is allowed into the country, and those that leave cannot return. The Icelandic horse is smaller in stature, and its most unique characteristic is it is five gaited. (Typically, horses have only four gaits.) Horse meat is also consumed by humans, which we all found interesting given the nature of the United States’ regulations surrounding horse meat. Other enjoyable features of the trip were climbing a glacier and walking inside tunnels within the ice. Swimming in a geothermal spa was another memorable experience. Unfortunately, a trip to the fabled Blue Lagoon was not in the cards for our group due to the possible threat of an eruption. Our guide regretted the missed opportunity, but it was the safe decision. Visits to waterfalls were stunning and numerous but are commonplace in Iceland. The memorable trip provided the opportunity to renew friendships with other participants and welcome new travelers who were not Nebraska Cattlemen members but saw 330 17th St., Syracuse (402) 269-2310 ♦ KanEquip.com From left to right: Touring the inside of a glacier in Iceland. Touring the Iceland National Church. One of many spectacular waterfalls in Iceland. A view of the Iceland coast. the offering from Executive Travel. Our group has done a wonderful job of connecting with new participants on these trips. Once again, it was well worth the time and value. If you have interest in the 2025 trip to Portugal, please consider it. Portugal is currently one of the most desired travel destinations in the world. The agriculture experiences will be more plentiful for those interested as well as the old-world cultural experiences offered in the Iberian Peninsula. I hope you will consider and ultimately attend. ~NC~
CALL NOW! Space is limited - this tour will fill fast! 888.549.1186, ask for Angella or Beth! Brenda and Dave Masek and Nebraska Cattlemen are excited to invite you to join us on an exceptional tour of Portugal. Blessed with more than 500 miles of golden sandy beaches, vast cork forests, cobbled stone villages, soulful music, captivating cities, and warm-hearted people, this country is just as sweet and fortified as its wine. Once the doorstep to the Iberian Peninsula, the Celts, Romans, Visigoths, Moors, and Christians all left their mark here. As we travel from Porto to Lisbon, we will experience many of these marks. Our journey includes ag-related visits to a Barrosa breeding farm, a cork plantation, Port wine cellars, wineries, salt flats, and much more. We will taste all the delightful bites Portugal has to offer and overnight at beautiful and luxurious castle hotels. We will enjoy the beautiful countryside and Lisbon’s bright yellow vintage trams, Gothic cathedrals, faded pastel buildings, medieval village-like neighborhoods, majestic monasteries, and soulful Fado music. Whether you are a history buff, an agriculture fan, or a food and wine lover, come and join us on a journey through Portuguese traditions! Price: $4,595* per person (land), double occupancy, for our Cattlemen Members! *includes your NC member discount, group airfare offered at $1,795 (Omaha) REQUEST A DETAILED TOUR BROCHURE! Nebraska Cattlemen JUNE 14-25, 2025 Or register online: https://executivetravel.com/eti-home/vacation/escorted-tours/ PORTUGAL JOURNEY NE_Cattlemen_Portugal_Full_Pg_Ad.indd 1 24/10/24 9:00 PM
December 2024 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 23 Bulls available for viewing at our place near Sargent Email: seeversangus@gmail.com Website: www.seeversangus.com 42898 Road 812 · Anselmo, NE 68813 Selling 50 Two –Year Old Bulls NEW DATE!!! Offering Sired by: Poss Deadwood, Musgrave Exclusive, Connealy No Doubt, B/R MVP, Sitz Resilient and More Ty & Tabbi Seevers Cell: (308) 872Ͳ1033
24 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN December 2024 Winter Weather Outlook ERIC HUNT, PH.D. | AGRICULTURAL METEOROLOGY AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE EXTENSION EDUCATOR, UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN The biggest weather story in northeast Nebraska this fall has been the rapid onset and intensification of drought. As of this writing on Oct. 18, only .03 inches of precipitation has fallen at the Norfolk Airport since Sept. 1, and some locations in northeast Nebraska have not had a drop of rain since August. Thus, this is easily the driest start to meteorological fall on record for Norfolk and most of northeast Nebraska. The acute lack of precipitation and long stretches of abnormally warm temperatures over the past several weeks means Norfolk and the surrounding region have rapidly cascaded into severe drought. History tells us that deeper levels of drought in the western Corn Belt are not eliminated in the winter since we simply do not receive enough precipitation in the cold season to offset the deficits that accumulate in the growing season. However, this winter will determine how desperate the moisture situation is in the spring. If we end up getting semi-frequent snowfall and sufficient cold to keep the snow around, then further deterioration is unlikely. There may even be some modest improvement if we can get a couple of decent shots of rain in November. But if the coming winter looks anything like the one from three years ago, then we will be starting off the 2025 growing season facing circumstances equally as bad as 2023. I don’t have a crystal ball to say which solution is favored, but the global modeling centers can offer guidance. The consensus is that a weak La Niña (the cold phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation or ENSO) will be in place this winter, and the winter outlook from the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) is essentially a composite of what we tend to have during La Niña – a more amplified polar jet and a weaker subtropical jet. For us, the amplification of the polar jet stream in La Niña winters can bring rapid swings in temperature but also can bring in more sustained cold and more frequent chances of lighter snowfall events. La Niña is hardly the only teleconnection that affects our weather, and it likely won’t be a primary driver for our sensible weather until after Thanksgiving. Other factors such as sea surface temperatures in the North Atlantic and the North Pacific are important. The Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO), which is related to convection and clouds in the lower latitudes, also can have equal or even increased importance in terms of our weather during the winter months. For example, when the MJO is centered over northern Australia in the winter months we tend to be mild and wetter. When it’s centered closer to the central Pacific Ocean, we tend to be colder and drier. The CPC’s current outlook favors near average temperatures and precipitation for northeast Nebraska. This is basically a technical way of saying to expect a more normal winter for your area. If this comes to fruition, residents of northeast Nebraska may need the snowblowers a bit more frequently than in recent years, and December may be much more seasonal. For those who like analogs, the ones that make the most sense to me are the winters of 2017-2018 and 2005-2006. History and the current outlook suggest that it is highly unlikely that significant drought relief is coming between now and the end of February. The best-case scenario for getting drought relief would be a major pattern shift around Halloween that brings abnormal rainfall to the broader region before soils start freezing. More regular precipitation chances may start coming to the region around Halloween and there are hints in the European model that November may be wetter than average in eastern Nebraska. We need to hope that it is correct because that would put us on a path toward starting the 2025 growing season in better shape than we were in 2022 or 2023. ~NC~ PRODUCTION
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28 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN December 2024 PAST Lights to Behold AMANDA OVERLEESE | CONTRIBUTING WRITER T he Kearney County Courthouse in Minden stands strong in the center of the town square, surrounded by its beautiful courtyard. Its 110-foot dome rises high over the city of more than 3,000 residents. Each year, the day after Thanksgiving, this square showcases the beauty of the Christmas season featuring more than 12,000 colorful Christmas lights that can be seen from miles away. This tradition, which started 109 years ago this Christmas, has earned Minden the title “The Christmas City.” Seeds for this tradition were planted when courthouse construction coincided with electricity coming to the area. Looking back, Jack Hultquist, a Minden historian, explains that the town square has been a popular choice as the city’s hub to display electric lights since they were available. In fact, the first electric lights were hung on the day the cornerstone of the courthouse was laid – July 17, 1906. The News-Gazette at Minden records this in the July 20, 1906, issue, stating “The Minden-Edison Light & Power Co. have finished their plant enough to be able to turn on the current, which was done Tuesday night. The streets were strung with incandescent lights, which, with the large arc lights on the four corners of the square, served to light the streets in a good way and produced a very pretty effect. Small lights were also distributed among the trees in the courthouse square and made a suitable climax to the other events of the day.” Hultquist discovered another instance when electric lights were clearly being hung from the Minden courthouse. A photo taken in September 1911 was originally meant to advertise the local county fair to be held in early October. In the background, a man can clearly be seen on top of the courthouse hanging lights. The Kearney County Courthouse in Minden circa 1938. The tradition of displaying Christmas lights in the courtyard began in 1915, and lights were added to the courthouse in 1922. Photo courtesy of Jack Hultquist. This September 1911 photo was used to advertise the local county fair in early October. In the background, you can see a man hanging lights on the top right corner of the courthouse. This example shows the electric lights were used early on in Minden’s history at the city’s hub. Photo by James A. Pattison, courtesy of Jack Hultquist.
December 2024 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 29 Perhaps these examples gave a group of Minden residents the idea to approach the city council for permission to string electric lights during the state convention of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) to be held in May of 1915. The residents wanted to light the pathway from the depot and auditorium to downtown where the convention was to be held. The council approved the idea and put J.W. Haws, the local light commissioner, in charge. Haws had much background and experience with electricity as his family owned the local hardware store, and therefore was involved in installing the wiring in homes when electricity became available. Haws started working for the local electric company in 1913 and, at some point, began working for the city and county by 1915. “We don’t know for sure, but with his background, Jack could have even been involved with hanging the lights to advertise the county fair in 1911,” Hultquist says. During this point, the lights were held between two bare wires. Good weather with no wind or rain was required for the lights to shine. Unfortunately, record-breaking rainfall during the GAR convention meant the lights couldn’t fully function as planned, and so they were removed. This setback sparked the idea for Haws to use the lights for a display for the Christmas season later in the year. Haws took it upon himself to take approximately 100 of those plain light bulbs and hand-dip them in Christmas colors to differentiate the display and make it festive for the holiday season. It’s unknown exactly how Haws added the colors, or his specific technique, but the colors made the lights suitable for the new Christmas tradition. In the book Heros Without Medals, Roy T. Bang records that “According to Mr. Haws, this Friday, Nov. 15 Ladies Night Out 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. Friday, Nov. 29 Christmas City Festival Live Nativity 1:00 - 4:00 P.M. Petting Zoo 1:00 - 4:00 P.M. Santa and Reindeer 1:00 - 4:00 P.M. Scavenger Hunt Christmas Parade 5:30 P.M. Miss Christmas City Lights on the Square Begin Saturday, Nov. 30 Light of the World Pageant Small Business Saturday Friday, Dec. 6 Daniel Christian Band 7:30 P.M. Friday, Dec. 6 (cont.) Kearney Co. Historical Society Bake Sale Saturday, Dec. 7 Books & Breakfast with Santa Christmas City Fun Run 9:00 A.M. Kearney Co. Historical Society Bake Sale Sunday, Dec. 8 Tour of Homes Light of the World Pageant Saturday, Dec. 14 Polar Express 6:00 P.M. Sunday, Dec. 15 Light of the World Pageant 2024 Christmas Traditions presented by Minden Chamber of Commerce method produces a crystal effect which cannot be obtained with commercially colored bulbs.” Haws then took four strands of lights featuring the colored bulbs and strung them through the courtyard at the town square, likely through tree branches. This marked December These two photos by Jack Hultquist showcase the present-day Christmas light display at the Kearney County Courthouse in Minden. The tradition began 109 years ago and continues today. CONTINUED ON PAGE 30
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