8 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN January 2025 NC BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT: Richard (Dick) Pierce*, Miller, (308) 440-2489 PRESIDENT-ELECT: Craig Uden*, Johnson Lake, (308) 325-0285 VICE PRESIDENT: Eric Hansen, North Platte, (308) 530-3899 PAST PRESIDENT: Jerry Kuenning*, Lemoyne, (308) 883-8382 SECRETARY/TREASURER: Laura Field, Lincoln, (402) 326-7743 MEMBER SERVICES VICE CHAIR BY REGION 1 – Jaclyn Wilson, Lakeside, (308) 762-3196 2 – Lydia O’Brien, Whitman, (308) 546-7349 3 – Allan Louthan, Stanton, (402) 841-6601 4 – 5 – Jim Edwards, Ord, (308) 750-0881 6 – Bob Wiseman, Hershey, (308) 530-3137 7 – Heath Clausen, Leigh, (402) 750-4433 8 – Becky Funk, DVM, Lawrence, (308) 360-3179 9 – COW-CALF COUNCIL CHAIR: Travis Chrisman, Wauneta, (308) 883-6781 VICE CHAIR: Jake Johnson, Hastings, (402) 984-8824 FARMER-STOCKMAN COUNCIL CHAIR: Dwight Dam, Hooper, (402) 720-4250 VICE CHAIR: FEEDLOT COUNCIL CHAIR: Ryan Danehey, Manhattan, Kan., (308) 440-8267 VICE CHAIR: Daron Huyser, Lexington, (308) 233-4368 SEEDSTOCK COUNCIL CHAIR: James Felt, Wakefield, (402) 287-2488 VICE CHAIR: ALLIED INDUSTRIES COUNCIL Jake Pullen, Aurora, (308) 380-9040 ~ 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 CONTINUE THE LEGACY DICK PIERCE | MILLER | NC PRESIDENT We all drink from wells we did not dig and sit in the shade of trees we did not plant (paraphrase of Deuteronomy 6:10-12). T his phrase travels through my mind often as I reflect on how lucky I am to live in America and work at a job I love every day. If I could use one word to sum up how I feel about the cattle business and life in general, it would be optimistic. Having just come through a landmark election at both federal and state levels, I think most can say it is time to heal the divisiveness in our country and get on with our work. That is what I am thinking about today in the cattle industry. It is time to work together as cattlemen and let our voices be heard as we make decisions about the future of ranching. No matter which side of the political aisle one sits on here in cattle country, I believe we’d all agree that things are pointing to a boom in agriculture and our beloved beef industry. This has been indicated from our recent history where we’ve seen higher prices for our producers from the feedlot level all the way down to the cow-calf producer. We are still experiencing high demand for our product, domestically and internationally, and we should expect to see a healthy and thriving business model going forward. I believe the policies of the incoming administration should promote a very healthy economic atmosphere in the business world and personal as well. Some issues that come to mind at the federal level are the continued issue of electronic identification tags (EIDs), disease outbreaks or the potential thereof, the death tax exemption (which is slated to be reduced soon) and continued exports to foreign countries. The list goes on and on. Couple these issues and others with the fact that we will have a new secretary of agriculture and new administration, and I can see there will be plenty to do for our National Cattlemen’s Beef Association staff with our members’ input and assistance. At the state level, we will have many incoming freshman senators, which can present a challenge to Nebraska Cattlemen (NC). We will be tasked with educating and lobbying these newbies about our policies, our needs and the best way to support the cattle industry. As in the past, we still have miles to go when it comes to property taxes. Giving credit where credit is due, such wins as significant property tax credits, successful removal of community colleges from tax rolls and some reform with K-12 education funding are good, but we still have much work to do! Our relationship with Gov. Pillen and his staff will continue to be important, and we CONTINUED ON PAGE 84 It is time to work together as cattlemen and let our voices be heard as we make decisions about the future of ranching.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTMxNTA5