30 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN February 2026 Nebraska Cattlemen Visit Portugal This past June, Dave and I had the pleasure of hosting the Nebraska Cattlemen international trip to Portugal. When I say pleasure, it truly was. We are not seasoned international travelers, with the exception of visiting our neighbors to the north and south, so we were quite apprehensive about leaving our businesses for two weeks and crossing the pond. It was a wonderful experience and, believe it or not, things carried on here in Nebraska just fine without us! Our group started as old friends, acquaintances and strangers. By the end, we were all old friends. It was a small group who shared something in common – a good blend of Nebraskans both geographically and sectors of the beef industry. Traveling on a group tour was also a first for Dave and me. We thought it would be uncomfortable for a couple of “control freaks” to be told where, what and when they were going to do things. The fact is, this was possibly the most relaxing trip we have ever gone on. Our guide, Daphne Lefeber, was phenomenal. She was a joy to follow and extremely knowledgeable. In the first 12 hours she had us sized up and changed some of the itinerary to get us out to more rural areas and small-town attractions instead of larger city sites. Many of the places we got to see where ones that the average traveler on their own would not have had the chance to experience. Our travels crisscrossed through Portugal, which is about half the size of Nebraska. It was wonderful to sit back and watch the scenery while Rafael, our bus driver, navigated the mountain roads and small towns’ extremely narrow streets. We enjoyed many wine tastings, toured beautiful cathedrals and palaces, enjoyed the traditional “cruzio” pastry and even visited a cork tree plantation where we learned about the growth and harvest of cork. There was time to tour Porto and Lisbon just like anyone on vacation in Portugal could easily experience. What the average traveler wouldn’t have been able to do was spend a day with Luis and Rita on their Barrosa cattle farm, have a private cruise of the Douro river, visit a fourth-generation family Cooperage, meet Pedro the beekeeper and tour his honey facility, visit Gerações da Talha winery where wine is made in clay pots, or tour the estate and gardens of Casa Anadia with its historical olive press. The lodgings were definitely not Motel 6 either. From an 18th century palace in Porto to a renovated convent with stunning gardens in Evora to a boutique hotel in the heart of Lisbon’s shopping and dining district, all were outstanding. These are the experiences we had only because of the prearrangements of the travel agency, our people working with them and, of course, having Daphne as our translator and guide. Please look into joining the 2026 Nebraska Cattlemen international tour to the Normandy region of France (learn more on page 32). Steve and Susan will be wonderful hosts and it will not disappoint! ~NC~ BRENDA MASEK | PURDUM NC PAST PRESIDENT Left: Native Barrosã cattle are a traditional Portuguese breed known for their distinctive horns. They are primarily raised in the northern regions of Portugal, particularity in the Barrosã plateau. Below: Well-marbled Barrosã beef showcased before being cooked for one of the meals on the tour. Left: Tour participants are all smiles as they stand in front of some amazing Portuguese architecture along cobbled streets. PEOPLE
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