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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