60 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN March 2025 Nebraska Beef Industry Scholars program, which fostered valuable partnerships with NC members. A phone call from Dick Pierce encouraged Nielsen to step into an NC leadership position. Now, as Taxation Committee vice chair, his primary goal is to reduce the tax burden on Nebraska beef producers, particularly in areas such as property, inheritance and estate taxes. Nielsen is excited about the future of the beef industry, particularly the respected position Nebraska Cattlemen and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association hold in advocating for producers. He looks forward to working with the board and doing his part to protect and promote the industry. When he’s not focused on ranching or committee work, Nielsen enjoys golfing and hunting. His favorite beef meal is simple yet classic: a steak. For those considering membership, Nielsen offers this advice: “Get involved. You will be rewarded through developing contacts and friendships, and you can help shape the future of your industry.” Nielsen’s commitment to NC and his passion for addressing key issues like taxation make him a valuable advocate for the industry’s future. Lydia O’Brien, Whitman Member Services Vice Chair – Region 2 Lydia O’Brien serves as vice chair of Member Services – Region 2. She grew up on a cow-calf operation spanning Arthur, Grant and Hooker counties, and always knew she wanted to stay involved in her family’s ranch. After earning a degree in agricultural education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, she taught at Ogallala Public Schools as an ag teacher and FFA advisor. When the opportunity arose to ranch fulltime with her family and husband, she embraced it. Today, they raise Angus cattle alongside her parents and manage their own herd. For O’Brien, the people are the best part of the beef industry. “There are so many good, hardworking people in this industry, and I’ve learned most of what I know through conversations with them,” she says. She also runs a small artificial insemination business, and many of her customers come from word of mouth within the ranching community. O’Brien is excited about advancements in technology, particularly those that make data collection more accessible and impactful. Programs like CattleMax and Performance Livestock Analytics have transformed how her operation tracks and uses carcass data, enabling more informed decisions about genetics, culling and nutrition. A passionate advocate for the beef industry, O’Brien is committed to countering misconceptions about cattle’s environmental and health impacts by promoting education on their benefits. Bob Wiseman, Hershey Member Services Vice Chair – Region 6 Bob Wiseman serves as vice chair of Member Services – Region 6. He operates a diversified family business that has been running since 1897. His operation includes cow-calf, yearlings, backgrounding and a feedyard, alongside irrigated and dryland farming. For Wiseman, the opportunity to travel and learn from other cattle operations is the highlight of working in the beef industry. “I enjoy visiting other parts of the country to observe different operations and explore new technologies in the agricultural industry,” he shares. Looking ahead, Wiseman is optimistic about the strong prices in the beef industry and the potential opportunities they present for future endeavors. He is particularly passionate about issues surrounding brands and electronic identification (EID), as both play critical roles in the industry’s evolution and sustainability. His involvement with NC began with the Lincoln County Cattlemen affiliate, which led to broader participation with the organization. Encouraged by Chuck Graff, Wiseman decided to take on a leadership role. As a board member, his goal is to help increase NC membership while building connections with producers who share his passion for the cattle industry. Becky Funk, DVM, Lawrence Member Services Vice Chair – Region 8 Becky Funk, DVM, brings a wealth of exMEET NC’S NEWEST BOARD MEMBERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 58 CONTINUED ON PAGE 62
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