8 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN January 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 Cattle prices are doing well and it’s a great time to be a cattleman. Our industry is very complex and varied, but we persevere and continue to produce the best product for our consumers. One central idea that remains constant is that all facets of the industry depend on each other. Each facet contributes to the whole and is necessary to continue to make beef the No. 1 industry in Nebraska. Experience has taught me that Mother Nature, demand, black swan events, creative marketing, knowledge of the industry and being in the right place at the right time allows for success in the cattle business. Taxation continues to cause economic issues. Nebraska Gov. Pillen is working in our favor to lower property taxes. It is a monumental task to lower taxes and balance the state budget. Politics play a major role in our economics, which makes it necessary to support NC-PAC funds and promote positive legislation for the beef industry in Nebraska. What makes me excited is the fact that we have national as well as international markets to promote and supply our exceptional beef products. This is a must to keep our beef products in front of the consumers as well as procure high demand for our quality products. My goal as Nebraska Cattlemen president is to listen to our cattlemen and to find common ground to promote our industry. At this point, the American dollar is the strongest in the world. Yes, that means there is a discrepancy between currencies as well as import fees, but those are just more hurdles to navigate. I hope to see our economy stay strong. If we increase communication with all facets of our industry, a strong economy may help us to secure positivity and positive working relationships to springboard our industry to become a top exporter to other countries. If our beef industry is to continue to be a superior product and major business entity, we need to work together to increase awareness of our product. Conversations, positivity and promotion of our business needs to be front and center. Our world is much smaller because of the ease of connectivity through cell phones and the internet. Please let me know your ideas, concerns and what we can do for the industry. The only way we can succeed is if we work together. I am still a working, retired cattleman. Leave a message if I am unable to talk or have poor cell phone service. Charles Dickens, from the Tale of Two Cities, comes to mind as I think, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” Together we can achieve success! ~NC~ GOOD TIMES, CHALLENGING TIMES CATTLEMEN ARE A CONSTANT FORCE JERRY KUENNING | IMPERIAL | NC PRESIDENT
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