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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