8 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN February 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: Lee Weide, Lincoln, (402) 475-2333 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 – 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: Stephen 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 STRUGGLE WELL; PERSEVERE! TRAVIS CHRISMAN | WAUNETA | COW-CALF COUNCIL CHAIR Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4 NIV) As I write this, another trial is headed our way. It is Christmas Eve, and a majority of the state is forecast to receive 6 to 18 inches of snow with wind gusts upwards of 50 miles per hour, lasting around 48 hours. It appears that 2023 is going to end much the same way it began. For those of us who care for cattle, our focus has shifted from Christmas gatherings (though we certainly look forward to those times, many will have to be rescheduled) to moving livestock and feed to the best situation possible. I must admit, I am currently not feeling much joy in my heart at the prospect of longer days with increased workload. However, when I stop a minute to consider James’ original audience and realize that the trials they were facing most certainly included persecution and death in the name of Jesus Christ, then I shift my thoughts to consider the blessings that can and will result from our daily struggles. Trials offer the opportunity to display the very best in people. As I think back on the past year, I know of many circumstances – whether it be fire, blizzard, flood, health, death or financial struggles – that have been met by hard-working, compassionate and caring individuals who identify as ranchers and cattlemen. I am fortunate to be surrounded by them nearly everywhere I go and am grateful to call many of them neighbor or friend. Just this morning as I attempted to lead a group of fall pairs home by myself ahead of the storm, I realized I was short-handed. A quick call to my neighbor, John, and he blessed me with his time, talent and a smile to help get the job done. He even brought me a cinnamon roll! Another positive result of trials and challenges is that it motivates us to come together as an organization to gain understanding and present solutions to issues that affect our freedoms and profitability. Most recently, in early December, all Nebraska Cattlemen members had the opportunity to meet at the annual convention in Kearney. For many cow-calf operations including ours, it can feel very difficult to find the time to get away. I must admit that I have made excuses in the past that one guy really can’t matter in such a sizeable organization. That is absolutely true if you choose to stay at home. In Kearney, the most debated topic at the annual meeting came out of the Marketing Committee regarding mandatory minimum cash trade for fed cattle. There was much good discussion and ultimately the issue was decided by just one vote. In my mind, lack of competition in the packing industry is the No. 1 issue impacting the revenue side of the cow-calf sector. However, I have never been comfortable CONTINUED ON PAGE 96
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