82 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN February 2025 Dave Burkholder Honored with NC Hall of Fame Award Dawson County Native Given NC’s Highest Honor Dave Burkholder received the 2024 Nebraska Cattlemen (NC) Hall of Fame Award for his lifetime of service to Nebraska’s beef cattle industry during the Nebraska Cattlemen Annual Awards Banquet in Kearney. The Hall of Fame Award is the highest honor that the Nebraska Cattlemen can give to one of its members. The NC Nominations Committee selects members based on their contribution to the beef industry, contribution to the Nebraska Cattlemen organization, community and civic contributions and their cattle business accomplishments. “Dave Burkholder is a well-respected cattle feeder who is known for his willingness to take risks and push the cattle industry forward,” says NC Executive Vice President Laura Field. “He is a trustworthy leader to those around him, and his impact on the Nebraska’s cattle community is undeniable.” Born in Ohio, Burkholder moved to Cozad with his family when he was 2 years old. He graduated from Grinnell College in Iowa in 1965 with an economics degree and continued his education by earning a master’s degree in finance from the Stanford University Business School. Soon after graduating from Stanford, Burkholder returned to Nebraska to feed cattle, process alfalfa and work in the banking industry. He owned and managed Will Feed Inc., in Dawson County for many years, and is known for helping other cattle feeders navigate the Nebraska Department of Environmental Control permitting process. Burkholder has contributed countless hours representing the cattle industry at Nebraska legislative hearings where he would give testimony about tax issues affecting cattle producers. Burkholder served as chairman of the Nebraska Cattlemen Taxation Committee from 1994 to 1996 when he was term-limited off the board. He was elected back on the NC Board as vice president in 1999 and served as NC president in 2002. Burkholder also served as Dawson County Cattlemen treasurer for many years and was inducted into the Dawson County Cattlemen Hall of Fame in 2001. He served as Nebraska Alfalfa Dehydrators president on multiple occasions and was American Alfalfa Dehydrators president twice. He was also in the first class of Nebraska LEAD fellows in 1981. Burkholder resides in Dawson County with his wife, Ann, where they enjoy spending time with their son, Matt, daughter-in-law, Anne, and three granddaughters. Nebraska Cattlemen and its members are grateful for Burkholder’s service to Nebraska Cattlemen and the Nebraska beef cattle industry. Congratulations on this well-deserved award. ~NC~ NC Past President Steve Hanson, left, presents custom silver spurs to 2024 NC Hall of Fame recipient Dave Burkholder, right. SPECIAL TO THIS ISSUE
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