86 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN February 2024 Jake Johnson, Hastings, Cow-Calf Council Vice Chair Jake Johnson recently began serving as Cow-Calf Council vice chair. He is a long-time member of NC and NCBA because he sees the beef industry’s need for both organizations. He is a past director and officer of the South Central Cattlemen. Johnson and his wife, Lin, have spring- and fall-calving cow herds and retain ownership of feedlot cattle. Johnson’s favorite part of being involved with the beef industry is witnessing the growth of his calf crop, and he is passionate about improving the beef industry. “I am passionate about helping young people get started and stay in the beef industry,” Johnson says. “Also, I enjoy helping the customer understand what we do, why and the benefits. I would also like to see more transparency in fat cattle trading.” Johnson’s family is passionate about the beef industry. Johnson’s wife, Lin, always works beside him and their son Kelly and daughter Rachael are also involved in the industry. Kelly and his wife Amy ranch west of Grand Island with their son Garret and his wife, Ashlin, and Johnson’s first great-grandchild, Hadley Ann. Kelly and Amy’s other son, Walker, surveys in Lincoln, and daughter Jacque helps manage the Nebraska State Fair and Aksarben Livestock Shows. Johnson’s daughter, Rachael, and her husband, Rusty Kemp, ranch at Tryon. Rusty and Rachael’s oldest son, Cash, works on the ranch, and their youngest son, Tucker, is a freshman in high school. Johnson joins the NC Board with past leadership experience. He has served his church, 4-H, state breed association and was a junior breed association advisor. He looks forward to serving on the NC Board. “I am interested in meeting members and cattle people from around the state,” Johnson says. “I am also interested in being part of decision-making.” Daron Huyser, Lexington, Feedlot Council Vice Chair Daron Huyser is the NC Feedlot Council vice chair. He says he is fortunate to be involved with many facets of the beef industry. The Huysers have a family feedlot, M&M Feeders, in Lexington and Elm Creek. Huyser and his wife, Hayley, own a commercial Angus cow-calf operation, Diamond H Cattle Company. Huyser became involved with NC by working with staff and fellow members on beef quality issues. When his family won the Certified Angus Beef Commitment to Excellence Award, he says it opened his eyes to the opportunities to promote the industry through state organizations. “I became involved with NC because I wanted to have a voice at the table for the cattlemen who are putting in the hard work and taking risks to provide a premium beef product for consumers,” Huyser says. “We as an industry strive to raise and finish high-quality cattle that are leaps and bounds above today’s standards, but the market does not always reward that philosophy.” His favorite part of working in the beef industry is forming relationships with people. “The relationships that are formed over common goals and dreams are what make the hard days worth bearing,” he says. “I love that I get to rub shoulders with entrepreneurial-minded people, finding creative new ways to improve cattle and overcoming financial challenges.” Huyser says raising his four kids, Emmett (9), Cooper (6), McLane (3) and Macie (1), is a fulltime hobby at this stage in life, and the family enjoys baseball games and spending time outdoors. He looks forward to serving on the board by sharing the voice of smaller producers and broadening his industry experience from all aspects. He hopes to bring a unique perspective by being involved in livestock production from the genetic component all the way through to the carcass value. James Felt, Wakefield, Seedstock Council Vice Chair James Felt is the NC Seedstock Council vice chair. Felt’s family started in the beef industry feeding cattle, and they later started the cow-calf operation with a 4-H project. Felt Farms now raises Simmental and SimAngus cattle; they host the Foxy Ladies Bred Heifer Sale in the fall and the Brand of Excellence Bull Sale in the spring. Felt enjoys being in the beef industry because the people are humble and sincere, and he also likes working with cattle. “The first day you take cows to grass is priceless,” Felt says. “I like witnessing the new life of a baby calf and seeing the vigor of a cow-calf pair. Being around cattle brings peace of mind.” Felt has served on the Northeast Nebraska Cattlemen Board for more than 10 years. The affiliate grills at many events to serve their communities and promote the beef industry. He CONTINUED ON PAGE 88 MEET NC’S NEWEST BOARD MEMBERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 84
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