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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