NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN June/July 2026 Vol. 82 | Issue 5
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6 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN June/July 2026 THE ONLY PUBLICATION DEDICATED TO THE NEBRASKA CATTLE INDUSTRY. NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN June/July 2026 Vol. 82 | Issue 5 REGULARS Insights ....................................8 Ruminations .........................10 Consider This .......................16 Nebraska Beef Council ........28 NCIG........................................ 32 IANR .......................................36 NC Partners ...........................38 Boots on the Ground ...........40 Advertiser Index...................42 Sale & Event Calendar.........42 FEATURES PRODUCTION Tales From the Fire............................................................................12 Morrill County and Cottonwood fires kick off the most devastating fire season in Nebraska history. Nebraska Cattle Health Update ....................................................... 18 A look at bovine theileriosis and the Asian longhorned tick and how it could impact Nebraska producers. PEOPLE Schuler Red Angus Receives 2026 Nebraska Leopold Conservation Award......................................................................... 20 The Schuler family demonstrates a land ethic that reflects deep caring for their livestock, landscape and community. POLICY 109th Legislative Session Recap ......................................................24 A look at what happened during the 2026 legislative session and what it means for your operation. Boots on the Hill ................................................................................26 Nebraska Cattlemen Executive Committee and staff visit Washington, D.C. 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: After the Morrill County fire left the Sandhills bare with ash and sand, the Loomis family raises Old Glory at a crumbled schoolhouse to symbolize that even after the fires, they will rise with grit to rebuild. Photo courtesy of Circle L Ranch. Nebraska Cattlemen Midyear Meeting June 10-11 | Dawson County Last call for the 2026 Nebraska Cattlemen Midyear Meeting! Look for more information, an official schedule, lodging and registration materials on the Nebraska Cattlemen website and the NC Chronicle.
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8 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN June/July 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 – Alfredo DiCostanza, Norfolk, (612) 590-7395 4 – John Kennedy, Primrose, (308) 396-1505 5 – Weston Svoboda, Sargent, (308) 215-0244 6 – Bob Wiseman, Hershey, (308) 530-3137 7 – Todd Schlueter, Blair, (402) 533-3741 8 – Becky Funk, DVM, Lawrence, (308) 360-3179 9 – Vacant PRODUCER COUNCIL CHAIR: Dwight Dam, Hooper, (402) 720-4250 VICE CHAIR: Reiss Bruning, Bruning, (402) 768-3332 FEEDLOT COUNCIL CHAIR: Daron Huyser, Lexington, (308) 233-4368 VICE CHAIR: Joel Weber, Dorchester, (402) 946-4551 ALLIED INDUSTRIES COUNCIL CHAIR: Austin Woltemath, Lincoln, (402) 310-2294 VICE CHAIR: Kenny Stauffer, Grand Island, (402) 435-0665 ~ COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP ~ AG POLICY AND RESEARCH CHAIR: Steve Wellman, Syracuse, (402) 269-7024 VICE CHAIR: Lewis Coulter, Bridgeport, (308) 631-8240 ANIMAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION CHAIR: Jeff Heldt, Scottsbluff, (308) 641-5781 VICE CHAIR: Scott Reynolds, DVM, Broken Bow, (308) 870-0970 BRAND AND PROPERTY RIGHTS CHAIR: Matt Blackford, Thedford, (402) 322-1377 VICE CHAIR: Robert Star, Hershey, (308) 520-3488 MARKETING AND COMMERCE CHAIR: Chance McLean, Stromsburg, (402) 366-2254 VICE CHAIR: Marshall Hansen, Omaha, (402) 616-4541 NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT CHAIR: Sam Drinnin, Grand Island, (402) 910-0233 VICE CHAIR: Logan Pribbeno, Imperial, (308) 883-7770 TAXATION AND EDUCATION CHAIR: Stephen Sunderman, Norfolk, (402) 750-0149 VICE CHAIR: Kelly Terrell, Gothenburg, (308) 930-2162 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 THE NEXT GENERATION OF BEEF LEADERS HONORING THE PAST, ENRICHING THE PRESENT, FORGING THE FUTURE WESTON SVOBODA | NC VICE CHAIR OF MEMBER SERVICES – REGION 5 | SARGENT Nelson Mandela once said, “The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.” Anyone who has recently attended the State FFA Convention, a youth livestock show or visited the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) East Campus, knows that the truth of this quote bodes well for the future of the Beef State. In an age where youth are regularly looked down on for a declining sense of work ethic and commitment, I remain adamant that this stereotype couldn’t be further from the truth when it comes to the upcoming generations of Nebraska agriculturalists. It is vital that we as young leaders honor and learn from the legacy of those who have come before us. Names like Yeutter, Engler and Dinklage fill the pages of our state’s rich history. The paths these giants have walked shaped the industry we know today, and there is much to be gained by looking at the examples they set. The same is true in each of our individual operations. One of my favorite pastimes is listening to stories of how farmers and ranchers overcame challenges like the ‘80s farm crisis, the BSE scare and other weather and market anomalies. To those who have come before us, thank you for the opportunities you have given us as young beef producers. I think I speak for all of us when I say we look forward to rising to the challenge of carrying on that legacy. The one piece of Mandela’s quote I may critique is its suggestion that the moment for young people to lead is tomorrow. Given the challenges we face, it has never been more important for young producers to step up and lead TODAY! Plain and simple, this starts with getting involved. Attending local affiliate meetings, shaping the policy book at the Nebraska Cattlemen Annual Convention and contacting elected officials are all tangible ways to make an immediate difference, regardless of age. Like our organization as a whole, involvement from young people can be one of the best catalysts for enriching the present in an individual operation. There is nothing more gratifying as an estate planning attorney than helping to craft a plan that brings another generation back to a ranch and then seeing that business prosper from the infusion of new ideas and enthusiasm. When I am asked about the next generation of leaders who will forge the future of beef production in Nebraska, I think back to one particular moment that gave me absolute confidence in our future. Among the most formative moments of my time at UNL was the day that Dr. Patrick Brown, the founder of Impossible Foods, came to speak on campus. His presentation revolved around the idea of eradicating the beef industry. However, what CONTINUED ON PAGE 34
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10 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN June/July 2026 RUMINATIONS 4611 Cattle Drive, Lincoln, NE 68521 Phone (402) 475-2333 | Fax (402) 475-0822 nc@necattlemen.org | www.nebraskacattlemen.org NEBRASKA CATTLEMEN STAFF EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT | Laura Field lfield@necattlemen.org VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING | Jeff Stolle DIRECTOR OF MARKETING | John Roberts DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS | Libby Schaneman DIRECTOR OF PRODUCER EDUCATION | Bonita Lederer DIRECTOR OF STATE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS | Matthew Melchor DIRECTOR OF PRODUCER RELATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT | TaraLee Hudson ACCOUNTANT | Kathy Abel OFFICE MANAGER | Ashley McClinton MEMBERSHIP FIELD STAFF | Hannah Pearson Nebraska Cattleman is published monthly, except for May and July, by the Nebraska Cattlemen, 4611 Cattle Drive, Lincoln, NE 68521 – (402) 475-2333. --------------------------------------------------------------------- MAGAZINE PRODUCTION: CINCHED UP LLC ncmag@necattlemen.org EDITOR | Lisa Bard MANAGING EDITOR | Jessie Topp-Becker COPY EDITOR | Larisa Willrett DESIGNER & MATERIALS COORDINATOR | Megan Field ADMINISTRATION | Leslie McKibben CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Bill Coe | Natalie Jones STATE & REGIONAL ADVERTISING Amber Coleman | (402) 340-1588 acoleman@necattlemen.org NATIONAL ADVERTISING Wendy McFarland | (334) 271-6100 mcfarlandadvantage@gmail.com Working for Nebraska Beef Producers PASTURE TO PLATE TO PLATE NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN VIEW NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN DIGITAL VERSION BY SCANNING THE QR CODE. A LIGHT IN THE DARK LAURA FIELD | NC EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT On the evening of March 12, I received a text from a Nebraska Cattlemen member near Bridgeport. “You probably better think of opening the disaster relief fund …” By the morning of March 13, the reality of what would become the largest wildfire event in Nebraska history had begun to set in. An emergency declaration was issued as more than six major wildfires burned more than 900,000 acres of grasslands, trees, buildings, livestock and livelihoods across central and western Nebraska. Even after the first wave of fires was extinguished, additional fires started. The stories of those impacted are profound – heartbreaking, inspiring and full of hope and resilience. In 2019, Nebraska Cattlemen established the Nebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund (NCDRF), a 501(c)(3) charitable fund created after extensive discussion about the natural disasters that had impacted – and would continue to impact – agriculture and Nebraska’s cattle industry. It was never a question of if another disaster would happen, but when. The fund was established just in time for the historic “Bomb Cyclone,” which brought blizzards, ice jams and catastrophic flooding across the state beginning March 13, 2019. The fund was designed to activate following emergency disaster declarations issued by the Nebraska governor and the Nebraska Emergency Management Association (NEMA). Once opened, the fund can receive monetary donations that are ultimately awarded to applicants who demonstrate losses resulting from a designated disaster. One hundred percent of the funds raised are awarded to those directly impacted, and Nebraska Cattlemen membership is not required to apply. On March 13, 2026, the NCDRF was opened by Nebraska Cattlemen leadership, and donations immediately poured in. As of this writing, more than $1.7 million has been raised from generous donors in all 50 states and three foreign countries. Contributions ranging from $5 to $200,000 have arrived alongside heartfelt notes from schools, churches, ranchers, other livestock organizations and everyday people whose generosity has moved us to tears and reminded us of the goodness that exists in times of hardship. From the fourth grade class in Peetz, Colo., that raised money after a lesson on helping neighbors to the church in North Dakota that dedicated its fifth-week offering to wildfire relief, the outpouring of compassion has been overwhelming and deeply inspiring. The heroism displayed across Nebraska since March 13 has been extraordinary, and it continues today. Hay and supplies have been trucked to multiple locations from east, west, north and south. In the communities most heavily impacted, neighbors have organized hay drops and supply stations, answered phone calls, prepared meals and sacrificed time from their own operations to help others in need. In one of the darkest moments many have ever faced, the very best of humanity has shined through. Fellow cattlemen and complete strangers from multiple states away have offered prayers, food, water, encouragement and support. As drought conditions continue to intensify across Nebraska, difficult decisions still lie ahead for many cattle producers. Nebraska Cattlemen along with countless organizations and nonprofits stand ready to help and will continue serving as a resource in any way possible. The Nebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund is currently accepting applications from cattle producers impacted by the fires. More information can be found by scanning the QR code. Please encourage those affected to apply, and continue to pray for rain, recovery and healing across Nebraska. ~NC~
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12 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN June/July 2026 Tales From the Fire Morrill County and Cottonwood Fires Kick Off the Most Devastating Fire Season in Nebraska History TRESSA LAWRENCE | CONTRIBUTING WRITER PRODUCTION Whipping winds gusting to more than 70 miles per hour, humidity levels in the single digits and dry foliage left over from a droughty winter quickly created a recipe for the most disastrous series of wildfires to hit Nebraska. Nebraska’s Sandhills are no stranger to fire. Prescribed burning is often used as a tool for wildfire prevention or invasive species control, but the fires that swept across the plains starting March 12 were unlike anything local ranchers or firefighters had ever seen before. Morrill Fire The winds howled across Morrill County on March 12, gusting so hard they blew over multiple power poles, which is where this story is believed to have started. Although the cause of the fire was yet to be determined at the time of publication, it is assumed that when the poles toppled, sparks flew. A spark in a 70-mile-per-hour breeze can ignite into a much larger problem, fast. “The Beast,” as it has come to be known, ultimately resulted in Morrill, Garden, Keith, Arthur and Grant counties being set into a state of emergency, with multiple towns being evacuated. The international shorthand for fire weather is the 30-3030 Rule where relative humidity is below 30 percent, temperatures are above 30 degrees Celsius, or roughly 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and the wind clocks in at more than 30 kilometers per hour, or roughly 18 miles per hour. When the fire was reported on March 12, the relative humidity in Morrill County was 19.6 percent, the temperature was 67 degrees Fahrenheit and the winds averaged 34 miles per hour, with gusts well over 70. Naomi and Cody Loomis own Double A Feeds in Bridgeport where Naomi was working. The fire started on the Dove Ranch, which is approximately 15 miles from the Loomis’ ranch. “My oldest son called me to let me know that a fire had started, and he just wanted me to be aware,” Naomi Loomis recalls. “About that time, I got another call from one of the neighbors to the south of us, giving me a heads-up about it. As soon as I was off the phone with them, my oldest, Cade, was calling me back to let me know that they were already calling for mutual aid and that I should head for home.” Cody and Cade went one direction to battle the fire, and after fueling up their ranch firefighting rig, Loomis and her twins, Reata and Ryder, headed out to do the same. “There’s no cell service up here, so I had no idea where Cody and Cade were,” Loomis says. “We were stuck on the south side of the fire. At that time, the fire was blowing through and started a big tree row alongside the main road The Cottonwood Fire burned more than 131,000 acres in Nebraska. Photo Courtesy of Jake Fairley.
June/July 2026 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 13 on fire, so I couldn’t get to the north side of the fire where our house is. So, we stayed on the south side and helped the neighbors move cattle out of the path of the fire.” While this was going on, her husband and oldest son were trying to get home, but the fire was outrunning their pickup. “By the time they made it to our home place, the fire had already blown through, and things were actively on fire,” Loomis says. “All of our hay was on fire, the trees, our corrals. It was all burning.” Cade ran up to the tallest hill next to the house and managed to get a call out to his mom, letting her know what was going on and asking her to please send fire trucks to the home place, because there were no fire trucks in sight. Luckily Loomis managed to get a hold of the fire department and got an escort home with the fire trucks. “That was just a big, active inferno, actually. It was so stressful, with the chaos and adrenaline,” Loomis recounts. The Loomis family lost 85 percent of their pastureland to the fire. Those 70 mile-per-hour wind gusts had the fire traveling miles across the prairie, outracing many fire rigs that were attempting to navigate unfamiliar roads. By this time, fire departments from the surrounding area had shown up in full force to try to contain The Beast, or at the very least, save as many structures as they could. “Our primary goal for probably the first 12 hours of the fire was basically just trying to stage around ranch houses and structures and get those saved,” says rancher and Rackett Fire Department member Jim Rice. Fire departments raced to save as many homes and structures as possible. “With the fire being so massive, we didn’t really have resources,” Rice explains. “Everybody was spread so thin, and the fire just got away from us. Friday, we had to evacuate my family but, luckily, the wind switched. By Friday night, we were just bracing for the worst. The temperatures dropped, and the wind, thank God, switched directions, and we were finally able to get a handle on it. We were able to save quite a few houses right in the Rackett community. “We did our best, but Mother Nature is the one who saved it. That little shift of the wind made a big difference.” With the winds constantly switching directions throughout the fire, The Beast was extremely unpredictable. “I’ve lived up here most of my life. We are prone to grass fires in this area every spring and fall,” Rice says. “But I’ve never witnessed anything like that fire. It was just really a perfect storm for fire.” Cottonwood Fire Within hours of the Morrill Fire starting, the Cottonwood Fire came to life as well, eventually traveling across Dawson, Lincoln and Frontier counties. Collin Thompson hoped the haze on the horizon was dust from someone farming, but the feeling in his gut told him to The Loomis’ hay, trees and corrals burned, but their house was saved. Photo Courtesy of Naomi Loomis. Aerial views of the fire’s path show vast swaths of blackened area and bare ground where the soot has already blown away. Photo Courtesy of Collin Thompson. CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
14 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN June/July 2026 go get his ranch firefighting rig. He is well seasoned when it comes to fighting fire, both on prescribed burns and wildfires. “As I got closer, it was pretty evident it was actually smoke,” Thompson says. He helped the Elwood and Eustis Fire Departments get a corn field that was on fire under control. Once it was cleaned up, he called a neighbor who said the Cottonwood Fire was still 4 to 5 miles away, so Thompson decided to head toward the fire to help. On the way, it became apparent that it was much closer. “I was by myself in the pickup and kind of expected to run into some fire departments or other ranch rigs, but I didn’t see a soul. I was the only one on the road,” Thompson says. “I saw it jumping through the trees north of the intersection, so I started up the pump and was planning to see if I could try to keep it from jumping across the ditch, but once it jumped the ditch, it was moving. It looked like a forest fire.” Thompson managed to get the fire put out in a couple of places while he was keeping his eye on what was going on around him. When he saw the fire rolling in over the hilltop, he knew it was time to go. Resources already spread thin with the vast size of the Morrill Fire were now becoming scarce. Fire crews were trying to navigate foreign terrain that is rugged and unforgiving under the best circumstances. “I actually looked at the map from where I was, and if I had backtracked, it would have been another 12 miles to get over to the next crossroad over,” Thompson explains. “That ground is just so rough. It’s not like the rest of Nebraska, where it’s flat farm ground or the sandhills. The Loess Canyons are pretty rough and are cedar tree-infested in places, so it’s not easy to navigate if you’re not familiar with it. It’s pretty much impossible to get fire stopped in that terrain.” Thompson is a fifth-generation Nebraska cattle rancher. He and his wife, Kenzie, are raising their daughter in the same lifestyle that he was brought up in. His family lost summer pasture that they had planned to run 200 pairs on this summer. “We were fortunate,” Thompson says. “We didn’t have to worry about moving any animals out of the way. We could worry about fighting fire.” Jake Fairley and his wife, Erin, are the fourth generation on her family ranch where they raise their two sons. On Thursday, the fire burned up half of their pasture. As the winds changed, the fire ate up more of their pasture throughout the day on Friday, and by that evening, they had lost almost all of their pasture ground. The winds changed again and, on Saturday, it sent the fire toward their main headquarters. “Everything between Thursday late afternoon and Sunday evening was just fighting fire, helping neighbors, trying to keep it away from neighbors’ houses, barns, hay piles and our own place. Nobody really slept much,” Fairley recalls. In addition to running a cow-calf operation, the Fairleys also own Laird Feed Store in Gothenburg. Erin has been working with others in the community to orchestrate and record the distribution of donations to those in need. “Erin worked really hard to get a computer program up and running similar to the one we use for our bulk system at our feed store,” Fairly says. “We can match donations with people in need. We have been able to collect contact information for Ranchers, firefighters and volunteers alike gather at Laird Feed in Gothenburg to help deliver hay and supplies to those in need. Photo Courtesy of Jake Fairley. Hay donations have arrived from across the country. Jake and Erin Fairley helped to orchestrate hay deliveries from their feed store, Laird Feed, in Gothenburg. CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 TALES FROM THE FIRE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13
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16 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN June/July 2026 both donors and operations that needed something, mark them as ‘new,’ ‘in progress’ or ‘completed.’ That has been a tremendous asset in getting supplies to those who need it most.” The fire burned 90 percent of the Fairleys’ pasture, with what remains being unusable islands of grass in the burn scar. There Is Always Hope In the wake of tragedy, the agricultural community is well-known for lending a helping hand and banding together. Hay donations have been coming in from across the country. “We really have seen the best of people through this,” Fairley says. “Even during the fire, there were people from miles away, entire different communities, who sent fire departments. That’s just what you do in agricultural communities. “The outpouring of support, whether it was hay, fencing supplies, financial donations or people offering their feedlot space to dry lot animals, has been tremendous. I know that God was taking care of us throughout this whole thing, and the community coming together is a great example of that.” RESOURCES Resources are available for those impacted by the Nebraska wildfires or those who would like to donate. NEBRASKA SANDHILLS RANCHERS FIRE FUND Checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 291, Oshkosh, NE 69154 NEBRASKA CATTLEMEN DISASTER RELIEF FUND Checks can be mailed to Nebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund 4611 Cattle Drive, Lincoln, NE 68521-4309 “We really have seen the best of people through this. Even during the fire, there were people from miles away, entire different communities, who sent fire departments. That’s just what you do in agricultural communities.” — Jake Fairley The Morrill County and Cottonwood fires were just the first in a series of wildfires that plagued Nebraska in March and April. The Morrill County Fire burned more than 640,000 acres. The Cottonwood Fire burned more than 131,000 acres. It is estimated that between all of the fires, more than 800,000 acres burned across Nebraska. It has been estimated that more than 44,000 head of cattle were shipped out of the burned area to find grass elsewhere. USDA Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service are implementing programs to assist producers with wildfire recovery. Contact your local service center for more information. To find your service center scan the QR code. ~NC~ TALES FROM THE FIRE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 CONSIDER THIS
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18 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN June/July 2026 Nebraska Cattle Health Update Bovine Theileriosis and the Asian Longhorned Tick MATT HILLE, DVM, NVDC VETERINARY PATHOLOGIST AND NEBRASKA EXTENSION SPECIALIST | J. DUSTIN LOY, DVM, NVDC DIRECTOR AND VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGIST | DUAN LOY, PH.D., NVDC VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGIST | ROBERTO CORTIÑAS, DVM, SVMBS VETERINARY PARASITOLOGIST The Vector The Asian longhorned tick (ALHT) (Haemaphysalis longicornis) is native to the Eastern Hemisphere and was first detected in the United States at a port of entry in New Jersey in November 2017. Detections have since spread west across numerous states with recent detections reported in the surrounding states of Iowa, Kansas and Missouri. Adult ticks can be physically transported to new areas; however, establishment of populations require specific environmental conditions that include amenable climate, vegetation and humidity. Therefore, detection of a small number of ticks does not necessarily indicate an established tick population. It’s unclear whether portions of Nebraska would be suitable for ALHT populations to become established. In 2018, researchers published a report in Nature that modeled where tick-suitable environmental conditions exist throughout the United States to predict the potential spatial distribution of the ALHT. ALHT detections since then fit well with the study’s predicted spatial distribution over time. Note that of the three models developed, two models predict portions of both western and eastern Nebraska as being suitable for ALHT establishment. Two other groups have done similar modeling studies and do not include Nebraska as a suitable location for ALHT distribution. As of April 2026, there have been no confirmed detections of ALHT within the state. Tick Identification ALHT are roughly 2 mm in size (similar to a sesame or mustard seed) prior to a blood meal and light brown to burnt orange in color. If ALHT is suspected, the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center (NVDC) offers preliminary tick identification. For accurate tick identification, proper tick removal, storage and transport is important. • Ticks should be removed by grasping them at the base of the mouthparts, as close to the skin of the host as possible. Slowly and forcefully pull the tick away from and perpendicularly to the skin to prevent tearing of the mouthparts. Mouthparts are typically important for tick identification. • Ticks should be placed in sealable containers (e.g., glass vials, plastic vials) with alcohol, preferably 70 to 90 percent ethanol. Areas predicted to be suitable for establishment of the Asian longhorned tick in North America. Female adult Asian longhorned tick. Photo credit: USDA APHIS via James Gathany, CDC. PRODUCTION
June/July 2026 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 19 • Ticks do not have to be refrigerated or frozen. • The more ticks submitted, the better since prevalence is not known. • Vials should be sent using ambient temperature packing with absorbent material and in a plastic bag to avoid spillage through the packaging and placed in a rigid box. • Samples can be submitted using our ruminant submission form found by scanning the green QR code, with a test request for Parasite ID. • Mailing labels can be ordered and printed directly from our website. Scan the yellow QR code to learn more. • Samples may be required to be forwarded to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for identification confirmation. Bovine Theileriosis The ALHT is a carrier of Theileria orientalis, a protozoal pathogen that causes the syndrome bovine infectious anemia. There are no approved treatments for these infections, so tick control and biosecurity are essential to disease prevention. NVDC offers multiplex PCR testing for Theileria orientalis and Anaplasma marginale, two common causes of infectious anemia. PCR testing can be conducted on whole-blood samples submitted in EDTA tubes (purple top) or fresh spleen, with pooling available for up to five samples. Theileria orientalis infection promotes the destruction of red blood cells resulting in anemia, which causes decreased oxygen delivery to tissues. As such, the clinical signs associated with bovine theileriosis are nonspecific and variable. Icterus (i.e., jaundice) is one of the more common clinical signs observed in severely affected animals, but most animals show no or very minimal clinical signs. However, increased morbidity and mortality events are commonly reported, particularly in calves and at times of stress such as weaning. Infected animals become lifelong carriers, serving as a reservoir for other ALHT and making iatrogenic transmission to naïve animals possible via needles or other mechanisms that can transfer blood from one animal to another. Bovine theileriosis is a notifiable disease in Nebraska and requires prompt reporting to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. To date, Theileria orientalis has been detected in specimens from imported feedlot animals at several locations in Nebraska. In each case, the animals originated in states from the southeast United States where the ALHT is well established and bovine theileriosis is very common. The effect of theileriosis on feeder calf health is poorly understood, but the risk of anemia during times of high stress in positive animals may contribute to increased morbidity and/or mortality in the feedyard. According to a recent newsletter, Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has seen a dramatic increase in percentage of PCR positive detections for Theileria orientalis. The most severe cases also had high respiratory morbidity and mortality in calves. Since the ALHT is not currently established in Nebraska, the risk of disease in native cow-calf herds is likely exceedingly low. However, if the ALHT were to become established in parts of Nebraska in the future, the risk of theileriosis in native animals would increase. Current and Planned Bovine Theileriosis Efforts in Nebraska • University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (UNL SVMBS), Extension and other groups are working with stakeholders to communicate and research topics around bovine theileriosis in Nebraska, including management, diagnostic testing and prevention strategies. • SVMBS faculty continue to work to understand current disease status and future risk in Nebraska, including surveillance for vector-borne diseases such as theileriosis in Nebraska in cow-calf and feedlot sectors. If you suspect bovine theileriosis in your animals, contact your herd veterinarian. If you suspect ALHT within Nebraska, contact the Nebraska Department of Agriculture at (402) 4712351. ~NC~ ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Nebraska Department of Agriculture (402) 471-235 Scan the QR code to view NDA’s website Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center (402) 472-1434 • Dustin Loy, DVM, NVDC Director and Veterinary Microbiologist • Matt Hille, DVM, NVDC Pathologist and Extension Specialist • Duan Loy, Ph.D., NVDC Veterinary Microbiologist UNL School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (402) 472-2952 • Roberto Cortiñas, DVM, Veterinary Parasitologist Nebraska Extension (402) 762-4500 • Brian Vander Ley, DVM, Veterinary Epidemiologist and Extension Specialist • Becky Funk, DVM, Extension Specialist • Lindsay Waechter-Mead, DVM, Extension Educator and Nebraska BQA Director USDA APHIS Scan the QR code to view USDA Aphis website
20 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN June/July 2026 PEOPLE Schuler Red Angus Receives 2026 Nebraska Leopold Conservation Award David and Stephanie Schuler have spent their lifetimes watching their parents, Butch and Susan, make their ranch “more beautiful, efficient and sustainable for the next generation.” Located in Nebraska’s Panhandle, Schuler Red Angus is known for supplying other ranchers with high-quality live cattle and genetics. Equally impressive are the conservation efforts that have taken place on this unique landscape, diverse in its topography and ecological communities. The Schulers have long been committed to improving the health and resilience of their 20,000 acres of pastures and irrigated cropland in Morrill and Banner counties. Investment in extensive water infrastructure has led to better distribution of grazing cattle. Collaboration with public and private partners has led to innovations in how to combat cheatgrass throughout the region. The invasive species from Eastern Europe found its way to western Nebraska and Wyoming. It chokes out native grasses, and its flammability is of grave concern to ranchers. Cheatgrass seeds are notorious for festering in animals’ eyes. Early each spring, cheatgrass grows, heads out to seed and dies before livestock and wildlife can derive any nutrition. Schuler Red Angus is one of the region’s first ranches to demonstrate the effectiveness of a herbicide with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. The herbicide prevents cheatgrass from going to seed for a couple of years; during this time native grasses can get reestablished. The Schulers treated 1,500 acres with cost-share assistance from the Nebraska Environmental Trust and Mule Deer Foundation, and self-funded treatment of another 1,000 acres. Livestock actively graze the treated areas while leaving untreated areas with cheatgrass untouched. Schuler Red Angus hosts workshops to educate other ranchers about this research. The Schulers conserve water by having proper pressure and shutoffs on pipelines. Dry wells and broken windmills have been replaced with solar wells to provide water for cattle and wildlife on parts of the ranch that the pipeline does not reach. Some solar wells were relocated to create better grazing patterns across the ranch. After every stock tank was fitted with a metal bird ladder, the Schulers noticed a large decline in bird deaths. At least one water tank is left full for wildlife, even when cattle are not grazing that area. Likewise, in the absence of cattle, gates are left open for mule deer, elk, antelope and white-tailed deer to pass freely through the range. Ranch employees and interns are supplied with a tool kit that includes new rubber plungers, floats, chains and tools needed to fix overflowing stock tanks. Pipelines are set to the correct horsepower and water pressure to ensure minimal energy consumption. Dead and downed trees near creeks are used to create windbreaks, which provide shelter for animals to live in through cold spells. Keeping logs and debris out of the creek’s running water also eliminates log jams and murky, slow-flow zones. David and Stephanie say their parents have led by example when it comes to caring for the land. While logging thousands of miles aboard an ATV to check, move and care for cattle, Butch is known to return each time with wire, trash or a rock that didn’t belong on the prairie. “Schuler Red Angus is a shining example of environmental stewardship working in tandem with modern innovation,” says Laura Field, Nebraska Cattlemen Executive Vice President. “Raising Red Angus cattle while also responsibly managing the land for multiple species of wildlife takes dedication. This multi-generational family works with the land instead of against.” Through acts great and small, the Schulers demonstrate a land ethic that reflects deep caring for their landscape and community. ~NC~
June/July 2026 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 21 SALES | AUCTIONS | FINANCE | MANAGEMENT | APPRAISALS AINSWORTH, NE • 12,979± acres $15,899,500 PARAMOUNT VALLEY RANCH BEULAH, WY • 1,484± acres $5,342,400 RILEY RANCH BEULAH, WY • 960± acres $3,744,000 MULLENGER RANCH BASSETT, NE • 775± acres $3,500,000 Niobrara River cabin ranch Mark Johnson | 402.322.1991 mjohnson@hallandhall.com for more information contact: /4 Vertical • June/July 2026 Reserve your advertising space by June 25th. SCAN THE QR CODE FOR A MEDIA GUIDE or contact NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN SALES REP AMBER COLEMAN acoleman@necattlemen.org • (402) 340-1588 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN Digital advertising options also available: > NC Website > NC Chronicle > NC Magazine announcement ISSUE SPACE RESERVATION DEADLINES: August > June 25 Sept. > July 25 Oct. > Aug. 25 COMING NEXT: The August Feedlot issue and the annual NC Feedlot and AIC Directory.
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24 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN June/July 2026 109TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION RECAP Changes at Impact Nebraska’s Cattle Producers MATTHEW MELCHOR | NC DIRECTOR OF STATE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS When Nebraska senators adjourned the legislative session on April 17, they had logged all 60 days of a short session that felt anything but short. Budget fights stalled progress, leading to the latest approved budget in state history. Here’s a breakdown of what happened and what it means for your operation. Balancing this biennium’s state budget took top priority this session. Heading into January, Nebraska faced a projected deficit of $471.5 million for the current biennium. Then in February, the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board lowered revenue projections by another $175 million, pushing the total fiscal challenge to roughly $646 million. The main budget adjustment bill, LB1071, sponsored by Speaker John Arch (La Vista) at Gov. Pillen’s request, hit a wall not once, but twice. Two failed cloture votes left the session in limbo as senators fought over two unrelated provisions: a $3.65 million “gap year” funding mechanism for private school scholarships and a proposed permanent expansion of the Child Care Subsidy program. Neither side would budge, and neither provision could attract enough votes to clear the chamber. On March 30, day 54, both LB1071 and its companion fund transfer bill, LB1072, passed on a 35-13 vote. Lawmakers had to suspend the rules to bypass a requirement that the budget pass by day 50. The passed budget trimmed the projected $646 million shortfall to approximately $38 million, with the expectation that several revenue-generating measures advanced alongside the budget would close most of that remaining gap. By the end of the session, the state’s fiscal status was roughly $6 million to the positive. However, just before the session ended, the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board announced a net loss of tax receipts, creating a $72 million deficit for the fiscal year due to the Department of Revenue processing tax refunds at a faster rate compared to last year. Lawmakers are expected to address the current budget, ending June 30, 2027, during the 90-day session while also preparing to set the next biennial budget. The bill on most cattle producers’ minds is LB1187. This bill, introduced by Agriculture Committee Chairman Barry DeKay (Niobrara), originally increased the per-head inspection fee cap to $1.50 and changed the mileage charge on physical inspections to a $30 surcharge. Sen. Mike Jacobson (North Platte) introduced AM3037 and then AM3068. Key changes include clarifying acceptable forms of ownership evidence for cattle, expanding the Nebraska Brand Committee from five to seven voting members with representation across newly defined geographic districts, and increasing per-head and brand renewal fee caps to $1.50 and $400, respectively. LB1187 also reduces registered feedlot fees to 25 percent of per-head inspection on an annual capacity, allows for up to two annual audits, creates a new registered dairy heifer development facility category, allows cattle to be moved from a back- YCC Class of 2026 visit the Capitol. Gov. Pillen and Sen. Tanya Storer pose after the passage of LB663. POLICY
June/July 2026 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 25 grounding lot into a registered feedlot without inspection if ownership is not changed and exempts qualified dairies from physical brand inspection. Perhaps equally significant is what didn’t pass. LB1258, a sweeping and controversial bill that would have abolished the Nebraska Brand Committee entirely, shifted brand oversight to a Department of Agriculture division and converted the state to a voluntary inspection system. Strong opposition killed the bill. Property tax relief remained one of the most talked-about issues heading into the session. LB814, which proposed reducing the taxable valuation of agricultural and horticultural land from 75 percent to 50 percent of actual value starting Jan. 1, 2027, failed to advance despite receiving broad support from the agricultural community, including Nebraska Cattlemen. LB1038, a broader school funding and property tax reform package that would have lowered school district property tax levy limits and eliminated key property tax credit funds, failed after having not received a priority listing. Agricultural stakeholders worried the loss of dedicated property tax credits would increase financial pressure on farm and ranch landowners. Several bills that flew a bit below the radar this session could have meaningful practical impact for cattle operations across Nebraska. LB525, the Agricultural Data Privacy Act from Sen. Mike Jacobson, prohibits the sale of proprietary farm data without express written consent from the producer. It also amends Nebraska’s public records statutes to exclude agricultural data from disclosure requirements. In an era when precision agriculture has grown in its adoption, generates enormous volumes of sensitive operational data and when that data is increasingly valuable to third parties, this law gives producers an important layer of legal protection. LB977, introduced by Sen. Tanya Storer (Whitman) at the request of Nebraska Cattlemen, updates Nebraska’s Rules of the Road to improve safety for those leading, herding or driving livestock on highways. The bill expands the definition of “vulnerable road user” to include livestock handlers, requires motorists to yield and use caution around livestock on roads, and mandates that drivers stop promptly when signaled by herders. For producers who regularly move cattle along rural roadways, especially in western Nebraska, this law codifies protections that have long been needed. A carryover bill from the previous legislative session, LB663 reforms county zoning and planning procedures, with key implications for livestock operations and rural landowners. The bill mandates two hours of education per term for county attorneys, planning commission members and county boards on land-use roles. It streamlines the conditional-use permit process for agricultural projects, and improves procedural transparency and legal protections for livestock expansions, ensuring zoning decisions are based solely on county regulations and setting standards for appeals and findings. The passage of LB759 brings cost increases that producers should factor into their planning. This bill raises annual per-head fees for livestock waste management programs, covering beef cattle, dairy cows, swine, sheep and poultry, so that fees now support 30 percent of livestock waste program costs, up from 20 percent. Water well registration fees also rise sharply, from $40 to $200. The original bill, LB761, was introduced with a cost-share of 40 percent rather than 30 percent. Nebraska Cattlemen was able to negotiate a reduction in this increase. LB823 from Sen. Dave Wordekemper (Fremont) tweaks current burn permit applications, adding a section that will have applicants select whether they are intending to have a “prescribed” or “controlled” burn based on new statutory definitions. There is no penalty or monetary fine for having a different type of burn from what was marked on your application. This bill is derived largely from University of Nebraska researchers who want more separation and classification of burn intention for research purposes. LB1231 terminates the Panhandle Improvement Project Cash Fund on Jan. 1, 2027, directing any remaining unobligated funds to the Animal Damage Control Cash Fund after July 31, 2026. The transfer is intended to strengthen response efforts and financial allocation from the state for livestock producers facing losses from predator damage, particularly in the northwestern portion of the state. LB1232, which was amended into LB979, creates a pathway for qualifying Nebraska resident landowners within designated mountain lion management zones to apply for limited hunting permits. Landowners must own at least 320 acres or lease at least 640 combined acres to be eligible. LB 1244 and LB1257, two bills aiming to eliminate numerous sales tax exemptions, including those on agricultural machinery and equipment; baling wire, netwrap and twine; and shifting the state’s school funding from property taxes to broader sales and service taxation, failed to become law. The bill faced strong opposition from agricultural groups like Nebraska Cattlemen concerned about increased operational costs. The 109th session closed with the budget stabilized and several meaningful new protections for the state’s cattle producers on the books. But the unfinished business is substantial; property tax relief remains vital. Nebraska Cattlemen will continue to monitor interim study activity in the coming months and engage early in the 2027 session to advance priorities that keep Nebraska’s cattle industry strong and competitive. ~NC~ NC Brand and Property Rights Vice Chair Rob Star testifies in favor of LB977.
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