8 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN February 2026 NC BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT: Craig Uden*, Johnson Lake, (308) 325-0285 PRESIDENT-ELECT: Eric Hansen*, North Platte, (308) 530-3899 VICE PRESIDENT: Jaclyn Wilson, Lakeside, (308) 762-3196 PAST PRESIDENT: Richard (Dick) Pierce, Miller, (308) 440-2489 SECRETARY/TREASURER: Laura Field, Lincoln, (402) 326-7743 MEMBER SERVICES VICE CHAIR BY REGION 1 – Bill Baldwin, Mitchell, (308) 641-5011 2 – Lydia O’Brien, Whitman, (308) 546-7349 3 – Vacant 4 – John Kennedy, Primrose, (308) 920-2828 5 – Vacant 6 – Bob Wiseman, Hershey, (308) 530-3137 7 – Todd Schlueter, Blair, (402) 533-3741 8 – Becky Funk, DVM, Lawrence, (308) 360-3179 9 – Vacant COW-CALF COUNCIL CHAIR: Jake Johnson, Hastings, (402) 984-8824 VICE CHAIR: Tyler Pieper, Farnam, (308) 325-9938 FARMER-STOCKMAN COUNCIL CHAIR: Dwight Dam, Hooper, (402) 720-4250 VICE CHAIR: Tony White, Paxton, (308) 520-0064 FEEDLOT COUNCIL CHAIR: Daron Huyser, Lexington, (308) 233-4368 VICE CHAIR: Vacant SEEDSTOCK COUNCIL CHAIR: James Felt, Wakefield, (402) 287-2488 VICE CHAIR: Jeff Pope, Ravenna, (308) 390-0657 ALLIED INDUSTRIES COUNCIL Austin Woltemath, Lincoln, (402) 419-0320 ~ COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP ~ ANIMAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION CHAIR: Jeff Heldt, Scottsbluff, (308) 641-5781 CHAIR-ELECT: Scott Reynolds, DVM, Broken Bow, (308) 870-0970 BRAND AND PROPERTY RIGHTS CHAIR: Matt Blackford, Thedford, (402) 322-1377 CHAIR-ELECT: Robert Star, Hershey, (308) 520-3488 EDUCATION AND RESEARCH CHAIR: Suzanne Jagels, Davenport, (402) 469-3374 CHAIR-ELECT: Kelly Terrell, Gothenburg, (308) 930-2162 MARKETING AND COMMERCE CHAIR: Chance McLean, Stromsburg, (402) 366-2254 CHAIR-ELECT: Marshall Hansen, Omaha, (402) 616-4541 NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT CHAIR: Sam Drinnin, Grand Island, (402) 910-0233 CHAIR-ELECT: Logan Pribbeno, Imperial, (308) 883-7770 TAXATION CHAIR: Stephen Sunderman, Norfolk, (402) 750-0149 CHAIR-ELECT: Steven Wellman, Syracuse, (402) 269-7024 MEMBER SERVICES CHAIR: Quentin Dailey, Lexington, (308) 293-1144 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 A WORTHWHILE INVESTMENT JAKE JOHNSON | HASTINGS NC COW-CALF COUNCIL VICE CHAIR Every time I leave a Nebraska Cattlemen (NC) meeting, I am impressed by the volunteers who give their time to this organization. It doesn’t matter if you have a few cows or a lot, run yearlings, background or feed out a few or a bunch, your interests are always being looked out for. There are always beef industry concerns needing to be addressed – from wanting to reduce beef prices for the consumer, to New World screwworm, to the constant push against raising and eating meat, to dietary guidelines. The list goes on. I am so glad that there are organizations like NC and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) that I can belong to and support. Both organizations are staffed with very knowledgeable, energetic crews driven to protect our industry. Both NC and NCBA are respected by the legislators, senators and congressmen and women who represent not only us, but urban populations as well. We may not always agree, but we can talk. My family has personally experienced the NC staff in action. We would have been lost if it wasn’t for NC and their guidance through the process of submitting a policy regarding driving cattle on rural roads and getting it introduced in the Nebraska Legislature. I am confident that a law will be passed to protect cattlemen. It won’t change what happened, but it will protect us and all Nebraska cattle producers in the future. At the national level, NCBA has a staff who is always watching out for us. Anything you can imagine, from meat labeling, water and environmental issues, endangered species, open and closed borders, taxes, trade and so on. We all know there are well-funded groups of people who don’t believe we should be raising and eating meat. They want us out of business for various reasons. NCBA is constantly watching out for these types of activities. The organization also works to prevent things from happening that we don’t always hear about. I don’t think twice about belonging to NC and NCBA. I know that it is time and money well spent. As individual producers we cannot make much happen, but as an organized, well-respected group, much can be accomplished. If you are not a member or know someone who would benefit from being a member, contact the state office or any current member. We would be glad to have you join us. One thing we do know is that consumers around the world enjoy our product. I think we are set up for a bright future in our industry. As you read this, I am sure many of you are in various stages of your calving season. I sure hope all is well and continues to go well for you. ~NC~ As individual producers we cannot make much happen, but as an organized, well-respected group, much can be accomplished.
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