6 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN January 2026 THE ONLY PUBLICATION DEDICATED TO THE NEBRASKA CATTLE INDUSTRY. NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN January 2026 Vol. 82 | Issue 1 REGULARS Insights ...................................................8 Ruminations ........................................10 Consider This ......................................16 NC Foundation.....................................76 Nebraska Beef Council .......................78 NCIG.......................................................82 IANR ......................................................84 NC Membership Application .........................................88 NC Partners ......................................... 90 Sale & Event Calendar........................92 NC Dispatch......................................... 98 Advertiser Index................................100 Boots on the Ground ........................106 FEATURES PRODUCTION The Other AI ............................................................................................................12 A look at artificial intelligence and what it means for the beef industry. Sire Selection Steps ...............................................................................................34 How to use EPDs and economic selection indexes as part of your sire selection plan. PEOPLE Bill Rishel Honored With 2025 Saddle & Sirloin Portrait Award................... 28 A look at the countless contributions Bill Rishel has made to his family, community and the beef cattle industry. POLICY Unlocking Opportunities ......................................................................................50 Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Vinton joins a trade mission to Mexico. PERSPECTIVES Producer Panel: 2025 Nebraska Beef Summit ...................................................18 Nebraska Beef Summit panelists discuss a variety of issues shaping the cattle industry. Cattle and Beef Market Future Prospects .......................................................... 24 Strong supply and demand fundamentals are expected to push cattle prices to new highs in 2026. Rebuilding the Cow Herd...................................................................................... 40 Panelists agree that rebuilding the cow herd in today’s market is about risk management, discipline and precision. PAST Denver’s Stock Show and the Great Barbecue Debacle ..................................58 The 2026 National Western Stock Show is a far cry from when the original stock yards hosted its first event in 1898. SPECIAL TO THIS ISSUE Nebraska Cattlemen Convention Highlights .....................................................64 NC Posthumously Awards Myron Benes 2025 Industry Service Award......68 Wehrbein Receives NC Hall of Fame Award...................................................... 70 Nebraska Cattlemen Convention Sponsors ....................................................... 72 Manuscripts and advertisements are welcome. Nebraska Cattlemen reserves the right to edit and refuse advertisements. Readers are welcome to submit letters to the editor. Full name and address of writer must accompany all letters. Letters are accepted with the understanding that they may be condensed to fit the magazine format and edited for accuracy and clarity. Letters contain the opinion of the writer and not that of the Nebraska Cattlemen. You can get Nebraska Cattleman via email. Receive each issue even before the Post O ce ships the printed edition. Just send an email to us at NCmag@necattlemen.org and put “Email NC Magazine” in the subject line. We assure you we will not share your email address with anyone! ON THE COVER: Deciding who’s boss in the Nebraska Sandhills. Photo courtesy of Linda Teahon.
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