NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN March 2026 Vol. 82 | Issue 3
SCHULER red-angus schulerredangus.com • 308-262-0306 44th Annual Bull Sale March 26, 2026 - Bridgeport, NE Selling 160 Registered Red Angus & Schuler Red Composite Bulls Evaluated for Fertility, Docility & Foot Structure Because We Get the Cow Right First! You Get the Right Bull Every Time, #4803756 Proponent- 1st Sons Sell! 1.16 Marbling (Top 1%) Amazing 17 CED to 141 YW Spread Genuine x Confidence Plus Add Pounds, Muscle & PRIME premiums #4788450 Augustine 413L- 1st Sons Sell! Schuler Red Composite with Top 3% ProS, 5% GridMaster , Top 7% WW, YW & ADG Top 8% MARB, 9% REA & 12% YG. Maternal, Muscle, Fleshing Ability and Vigor! #4289737 Blew Sky - 1st Sons Sell! Sleep All Night Calving Ease Best 3% Calving Ease, Lowest 1% Birthweight Top 5% Marbling, Best 10% Feed Efficiency Sale Day Special Bring your semen tank to the sale on Thursday, March 26, 2026, Bridgeport, NE. Save shipping plus earn an extra 10% discount. Discount applies to online bidders. Volume Discounts (10% at 50 units, 20% at 100 units). Call or scan the code below (left) to pre-order semen and assure it is available on sale day. $25 per unit $25 per unit $25 per unit Pre-Order Semen Get Sale Catalog
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6 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN March 2026 THE ONLY PUBLICATION DEDICATED TO THE NEBRASKA CATTLE INDUSTRY. NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN March 2026 Vol. 82 | Issue 3 REGULARS Insights ........................................8 Ruminations .............................10 Consider This ...........................50 NC Foundation.......................... 72 Nebraska Beef Council ............ 74 IANR ...........................................78 NCIG............................................80 NC Partners ...............................84 NC Dispatch...............................86 Advertiser Index....................... 87 Sale & Event Calendar.............88 Boots on the Ground ...............90 FEATURES PRODUCTION From Data to Dollars ..............................................................................................12 How the use of genetic tools can help set your cow herd up for long-term success. The Other AI ...........................................................................................................28 How your Nebraska neighbors are implementing artificial intelligence. Genetic Tools for Breeding Better Adapted Cattle............................................ 48 Troy Rowan, Ph.D., explores how cattle genetics interact with different environments and management practices to optimize performance. PEOPLE The Matsutani Family ...........................................................................................22 Meet brothers George and Jack Matsutani, first generation Japanese immigrants from Nebraska who became top Hereford breeders and exported the first Hereford to Japan in the early 1930s. Introducing New NC Board Members ................................................................ 56 Meet the newest members of the Nebraska Cattlemen Board of Directors. POLICY Nebraska Cattlemen Stays Winning in Nashville .............................................38 Learn about the key victories for the Beef State at CattleCon 2026. Nebraska Cattlemen Announces Policy Priorities ...........................................44 The NC Board of Directors announces its policy priorities for the second half of the 109th Legislature. PERSPECTIVES Preserving Your Home on the Range ..................................................................18 A look at conservation programs available to Nebraska cattlemen. From the Plains to Patagonia ............................................................................... 34 Reiss Bruning reflects on his participation in a 10-day agricultural trade mission to Chile. PAST Changes in Cattle Type .......................................................................................... 62 Explore the evolution of cattle type over the years. 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: This Angus-Holsteincross steer was raised on the Barthel Ranch at Amelia. Photo courtesy of Tessa Barthel Photography.
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8 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN March 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 INNOVATING THE HERD, BUILDING BETTER FOR TOMORROW LOGAN PRIBBENO | NC NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR | IMPERIAL March in Nebraska cattle country is when the herd’s future takes shape – the thought of new calves, grazing plans coming together and everyone anxiously watching for the first flush of grass. On operations like ours, March means one more month of cornstalk grazing while we gear up for calving on the range. No mud-choked pens, no endless battles with snow or slop and midnight barn checks. Instead, cows are dropping calves on clean, growing grass as the season turns. It’s low stress, natural and lets us focus on what matters – healthy pairs spreading out on fresh pasture. Right now feels like the perfect moment to talk about innovating the herd with the kind of practical tools progressive ranchers are putting to work every day. Things that save time, stretch forage, cut labor and even put extra dollars in the pocket. Tools like PastureMap for smarter grazing calls, halter collars for flexible herd control and programs like Grassroots Carbon that turn good stewardship into real revenue. These aren’t extras; they’re ways we’re building herds that are tougher, more efficient and ready for whatever comes next. Tools like PastureMap make grazing planning feel less like guesswork and more like strategy. The app lets us map out rotations ahead of time; track each pasture’s productivity and grazing history; forecast grass growth using weather data; and adjust stocking rates or moves on the fly as conditions change. Not to mention it allows for easier coordination for the crew. This year will be the first with a herd of virtual fencing collars on the ranch. During the winter, we slowly allocated the downed corn in the cornstalk fields, shifting the herd remotely from our smartphones. The bigger payoff will be pairing out with a smart phone and getting better utilization of paddocks to further increase rest. Another first this year was creating a revenue stream via a carbon program that aligns with our vision of building soil and forage resilience with rest and rotation of our native range. In essence we are turning environmental stewardship into a financial asset. Each year for five years we will give a season-long rest to one quarter of our CONTINUED ON PAGE 89 Ranchers, stockmen and feedlot folks alike, we’re in this together, building stronger bonds and a brighter future one season at a time.
10 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN March 2026 Every month, I spend days mulling over the events that have unfolded since my last column. My husband writes a column for another industry publication, and since I consider him the superior wordsmith, he’s usually my go-to editor. When I pitched this month’s concept to him, he gave that skeptical “I’m not so sure about this one” expression. So naturally, I pondered his perspective and forged ahead. Many situations I have encountered lately have given me reason to spend time thinking about the “Two Truths” principle: the idea that two different facts can exist at the same time, even if they point in different directions. It’s like a flow chart. A “Yes” takes you down one path, while a “No” leads somewhere entirely different, yet both paths exist on the same map and may eventually connect again somewhere. Two truths exist often in policy discussions that are top-of-mind right now at Nebraska Cattlemen (NC) while the Unicameral is in session. Take the Nebraska brand inspection debate for example. It is true that NC firmly supports maintaining our brand inspection system and opposes a voluntary statewide model that has been proposed this year. It is also true that the association has long advocated for modernizing that very system. These aren’t conflicting goals; they are truths that, when paired with a collaborative mindset, lead to progress. Recent headlines regarding cattle markets, herd numbers and exports also bring up two truths. U.S. cattle producers are navigating the smallest beef cattle herd in 75 years yet are enjoying record-high beef demand. While there is no quick fix for herd expansion, producers are finally seeing financial rewards after many tough years, proving that struggle and success often share the same season. While expanding foreign markets will lead to positive results for beef production, importing lean beef from other countries will not likely have the impact on beef prices that has been a stated desire in new trade agreements. The “two truths” idea isn’t something I just witness at work. I recently saw it play out at my son’s wrestling meet. He’s back on the mat after a few years away, and after a recent tough loss, he messaged me: “I just wanted you to see me win.” He saw the loss; I saw the comeback. We were both right. The points on the board will come, and I will continue to show up and try to keep a lid on my loud cheering from the stands. As we head into the warm days of spring, I hope you can find the “win” in the middle of the sometimes complicated and conflicting truths we face every day. ~NC~ 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 MEMBER SERVICES | Sawyer Willrett 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. THE ‘TWO TRUTHS’ PRINCIPLE LAURA FIELD | NC EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT I hope you can find the “win” in the middle of the sometimes complicated and conflicting truths we face every day.
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12 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN March 2026 From Data to Do a s It’s an interestingly fortuitous time in the cattle industry, with record calf prices fueled by the smallest cow herd in more than 70 years. Will these calf prices be sustainable? Perhaps, but likely not in the long term. So, how can cattle producers leverage current economics and invest in technologies to better set themselves up for success in the coming years? In times like these, it’s important to ask these questions: Will my current breeding and management programs effectively sustain my business in the future? Are there changes I can embrace now to help me better my position in the beef industry? The industry is primed like never before to deliver solutions that enable producers to be more sophisticated and profitable now and into the future. Genetic improvement is a key objective cattle producers should consider in their herd rebuilding strategy. While buying elite sires is foundational to genetic improvement, recent advancements in genetic testing and evaluation now allow Making Restock Smarter PRODUCTION LANE GIESS | GLOBAL BEEF GENETICS TECHNICAL SERVICE MANAGER, ZOETIS commercial producers access to expected progeny differences (EPDs) and economic indexes on candidate replacement females to make more informed selection decisions. During the last major herd rebuild, genomics was just beginning to integrate into national cattle evaluations. Since then, the accuracy of genomic predictions for commercial females has significantly improved, and many tools once limited to seedstock producers are now accessible to commercial cow-calf producers. Genomic Results for Use in Traditional Genetic Evaluation Perhaps the most widely used application of genomics is the integration of DNA marker results into genetic evaluations for seedstock produced by breed associations. For decades, traditional genetic evaluations relied solely on member-reported phenotypes and pedigree connections to fuel the production of EPDs. While these early EPDs were still better indicators of
March 2026 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 13 genetic merit than adjusted weights and ratios, they did lack prediction accuracy on young animals with no progeny proof. The industry quickly recognized that DNA results could serve as a powerful source of information to drastically improve prediction accuracy for the complete scope of performance traits in traditional genetic evaluation, particularly on young animals. In today’s bull market, this lends greater confidence to commercial buyers as genomically enhanced EPDs (GE-EPDs) drastically reduce the risk of buying an animal based on genetic predictions, only to discover later that its actual genetic merit is much different. For this reason, buying GE-EPD informed sires should be a top priority for seedstock and commercial producers alike. Parentage Determination and Discovery The original justification for genomics is still as relevant today as ever. Parentage determination was one of the primary drivers of genomic innovation and has revolutionized how the beef industry tracks and verifies pedigrees. This is especially useful for cattle producers who want to 1) keep accurate pedigree records; and 2) know the efficacy of sires in multi-sire pastures. Misidentifying calf parentage is a common and often unavoidable issue in cow herds, yet by leveraging genomic verification or discovery to eliminate these errors, producers can immediately improve the integrity of their breeding programs. Correctly identifying parentage is also a crucial component in national breed association genetic evaluations due to the heavy reliance of pedigree connections to inform predictions. Determining Genetic Conditions and Defects Genomic testing also enables producers to be mindful of genetic conditions and/or defects that may be prevalent in their herd. These are specific alleles found on a single gene that have significant effects in the expression of a trait. Coat color and horned/polled are perhaps the two most recognized genetic conditions in the beef industry today, but there are many others that breeders may want to be mindful of. By screening for conditions and known genetic defects, producers can make informed decisions to minimize the spread of these conditions within their cow herds. Genomic Breed Composition Perhaps one of the newer and more useful applications of genomic innovation is the ability to accurately predict an animal’s breed composition. As crossbreeding and composite programs become more sophisticated, so increases the need to reliably determine an animal’s breed composition. Unlike tracking breed composition through pedigree records, which can be cumbersome, time-consuming and prone to error, genomic breed composition provides producers with a breakdown of an animal’s breed influence. This can better enable more targeted selection and mating strategies to take advantage of heterosis, which is especially meaningful for traits such as cow fertility. DNA-based genomic breed composition may also serve a larger role in the future as an opportunity to verify breed claims for supply chain programs. CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
14 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN March 2026 Genetic Predictions – Namely GE-EPDs for Commercial Cattle For decades, genetic improvement for commercial producers has been driven through buying genetically superior bulls from seedstock producers. Though this has led to favorable genetic progress in commercial cow herds for a variety of traits – notably improved calving ease, growth, marbling and carcass weights – this progress was somewhat hampered because documented genetic merit of commercial cow herds was mostly unknown. Arguably, genetic progress and related advancements in production efficiency in commercial cow herds and calf crops can be accelerated if selection and breeding decisions are similarly empowered by genetic predictions for both seedstock bulls and candidate commercial replacement females. In contrast, most commercial herds select replacement heifers by sorting off the runts and then choosing the more phenotypically appealing, larger heifers as their replacements. This usually means the “keeps” are made up of the oldest, highest growth heifers in a contemporary group but with unknown genetic merit for more important traits such as cow fertility, sensible cow size and feed requirements, as well as feed efficiency and carcass merit transmitted to feeder cattle progeny. Until recently, beyond practices such as weighing, reproductive tract scoring and pelvic measuring, there were no comprehensive and reliable methods for selecting replacements for strong genetic merit across maternal and other traits that cannot be evaluated visually. But in the last five or so years, by using innovations from the seedstock sector, genomic technologies have advanced to give commercial producers the same information that was historically only available to seedstock breeders. Because we’ve leveraged large volumes of data sourced from commercial animals and more advanced genetic evaluation technology, genetic predictions for commercial cattle are now available. Such genetic predictions developed specifically for commercial cattle weren’t around the last time we experienced a herd rebuild, but are now poised to enable producers to be more mindful of replacement heifers’ genetic merit prior to investing heavily in their developmental costs. Commercial genetic predictions are essentially all the genomic tools mentioned earlier but adapted specifically for commercial cattle producers. The more you know about your cows, the better job you can do when buying bulls to accentuate herd strengths and correct deficiencies. Producers only need to collect a DNA sample and complete an order form to get genetic predictions on their animals. They do not need to go through the hassle of capturing and reporting phenotypes and managing pedigrees. Commercial producers now can make more informed selection and management decisions based on individual-animal genetic predictions and index solutions, more easily manage crossbreeding programs, identify and control undesirable genetic conditions and more accurately manage pedigrees and bull batteries. This means the commercial industry will be able to improve the genetic potential and productivity of their herds more comprehensively, accurately and faster than ever before. Genomic tools are but one piece of a holistic beef enterprise. While they may offer powerful insights into a cow herd’s genetics, success in beef production relies heavily on being able to integrate these technologies with sound management practices, nutrition protocols and proper stewardship. During a herd rebuild, there is no better time to investigate the use of genetic tools to help set a cow herd up for long term success. ~NC~ FROM DATA TO DOLLARS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 Igenity Beef INHERIT Select GeneMax Advantage Parentage Determination/Discovery Yes Yes – Discovery Yes Genomic Breed Composition No Yes No Estimation of Heterosis Yes Yes No Genomic Sex Yes Yes Yes Genetic Conditions Coat Color Yes ($) Yes No Horned/Polled Yes ($) Yes No Dilutor Yes ($) Yes No Other Conditions? Yes ($) Yes No Genetic Defects Yes ($) Yes ($) Yes ($) Genetic Predictions Scores Genomic EPD Scores Birth Weight Yes Yes Yes Calving Ease Direct Yes Yes Yes Calving Ease Maternal Yes Yes Yes Weaning Weight Yes Yes Yes Average Daily Gain/PWG Yes Yes Yes Yearling Weight Yes Yes Yes Dry Matter Intake No Yes No Feed to Gain No Yes Yes Residual Feed Intake Yes No No Yearling Height No Yes Yes Mature Cow Weight No Yes Yes Mature Cow Height No Yes No Cow Body Condition Score No Yes No Hair Shedding No Yes Yes Milk Yes Yes Yes Teat & Udder No Yes Yes Docility Yes Yes Yes Heifer Pregnancy Yes No Yes Stayability/Cow Fertility Yes Yes Yes Scrotal Circumference No Yes No Pulmonary Arterial Pressure No Yes ($) Yes Bovine Congestive Heart Failure Yes ($) Yes ($) No Bovine Respiratory Disease No Yes No Foot Score Composite No Yes Yes Carcass Weight Yes Yes Yes Fat Thickness Yes Yes Yes Ribeye Area Yes Yes Yes Yield Grade No Yes No Marbling/Intramuscular Fat Yes Yes Yes Tenderness – Shear Force Yes Yes Yes Economic Selection Indexes Yes Yes Yes * Where ($) indicates an upgrade add-on fee in addition to the product’s base price. All trademarks are the property of Zoetis Services LLC or a related company or a licensor unless otherwise noted. © 2026 Zoetis Services LLC. All rights reserved. GNB-00143
March 2026 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 15
16 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN March 2026 Follow us:
RIDGE RANCH HAND 5078 Sire: STRA RANCH HAND 2010 | RAAA: 5112781 MGS: 5L SIGNATURE 5615 O ering choice between an elite pair of STRA Ranch Hand 2010 sons that covers the bases of every aspect of beef production! RIDGE RANCH HAND 5103 Sire: STRA RANCH HAND 2010 | RAAA: 5112731 MGS: 5L SIGNATURE 5615 5103 is another standout from the STRA Ranch Hand 2010 sire group that will be a favorite on sale day. Top 1% HB, STAY; Top 2% Pro S; Top 5% CED, MARB! RIDGE SCALE HOUSE 5072 Sire: RIDGE SCALE HOUSE 2202 | RAAA: 5112793 MGS: 5L BODY BUILDER 4434-68D This standout Black-Red Carrier herd sire prospect o ers an elite combination of power, dimension and real-world performance. Outcross genetics with a cow family you can count on! COOKSLEY JUMP START 505 Sire: BIEBER JUMPSTART J137 | RAAA: 5194199 MGS: RED LWNBRG HARVESTOR 175E Cooksley Jump Start 505 is an extra dense bodied, big ended stud that is a trait leader for performance and carcass merit. Top 1% for WW, YW, ADG, REA! COOKSLEY JUMP START 521 Sire: BIEBER JUMPSTART J137 | RAAA: 5194209 MGS: 5L LEADING EDGE 15383-117C This powerful son of Bieber Jump Start J137 is a phenotype Standout that recorded an impressive YWR at 108! Top 1% YW, ADG; Top 4% WW; Top 7% REA! COOKSLEY TRUE NORTH 526 Sire: RIDGE TRUE NORTH 2074 | RAAA: 5212965 MGS: BIEBER STOCKMAN G270 Here is another soggy made, big ribbed, powerful herd sire prospect that o ers curve bending genetics. Top 3% CW; Top 7% YW; Top 8% WW, ADG!
18 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN March 2026 PERSPECTIVES Preserving Your Home on the Range CONSERVATION PROGRAMS FOR NEBRASKA CATTLEMEN JENNY PRENOSIL | AGRICULTURE PROGRAM MANAGER, NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKS COMMISSION Nebraska’s ag producers are the primary stewards of the land. Some version of this statement frequently appears or comes up in conversations surrounding the conservation of our natural resources. However, adopting a new conservation practice or adjusting management is not always straightforward or feasible, and the unknowns of practice implementation impacting an operation’s finances can add to the burden of making those decisions. Whether you are a new or experienced land manager, there are numerous conservation opportunities. These opportunities are adjustable to meet your land and operation’s own unique needs, which can help offset the financial burden or provide guidance on how to apply conservation practices. There may be times when the wide variety of options might seem overwhelming. Where do I start? Who do I talk to? What if I just need some recommendations and not a program? Let’s start by trying to break down different categories of conservation organizations that offer financial and technical assistance. All of the following mentioned groups offer technical assistance or can give recommendations not tied to any contract or program. Participation in programs does not require opening your land up to the public. Scheduling a site visit is free and does not mean you are committed to any contract but, during these site visits, the resource professionals can help you navigate what program offerings are available and suitable to your specific needs. The simplest breakdown is splitting programs into those being provided through government-funded and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Government-Funded Programs The most widespread conservation funding available is through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which is funded through federal Farm Bill dollars appropriated by Congress. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service offers a variety of Farm Bill conservation programs to address a wide variety of resource concerns, including addressing eastern red cedar encroachment, adopting new grazing systems, addressing water quality and quantity, soil health and wildlife habitat by implementing new practices through cost share. The USDA Farm Service Agency also offers options through the Conservation Reserve Program, which would pay an annual rental payment for the duration of the contract. Contract terms typically involve a conservation plan to receive payment. There are several eligibility requirements for these federal programs, and typically there is one application cutoff date per year, but applications can be submitted year-round. Additional government agencies that have conservation program options and resource professionals for grasslands available include, but is not limited to, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Partners for Fish and Wildlife (federal funds), state government agencies such as the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and local governments such as natural resources districts. Each agency has its own rules for program eligibility and timelines for how applications or contracts are applied. Non-Governmental Organization Programs Nebraska is fortunate to have many NGOs on the landscape that offer conservation programs and provide technical assistance. Some programs complement the work of government programs, possibly helping to cover additional costs. Other programs offer land managers flexibility and additional options that don’t fit within the scope of a government program, such as meeting eligibility requirements. NGOs have their own means of fundraising or acquiring funds to offer programs that are specific to the mission of their organization. As such, program offerings between organizations are diverse. There are pros and cons to working with each type of program offering. Government funding is normally more widely
March 2026 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 19 available, but there may be more paperwork involved, and application deadlines may only come once a year. Non-governmental organizations are sometimes able to be more flexible in program offerings, but funding might be more limited. The first step is to reach out and discuss what route makes the most sense for you. In most cases with any program, cost share is available to help offset the costs of implementing new practices but may not pay for the full price of the practice. Partnerships and Teamwork A strength of Nebraska’s conservation organizations is their teamwork to provide the best technical assistance possible and seek out the most feasible financial assistance that works for each individual participant. While there may seem to be many differences between agencies and organizations, many work together regularly and have overlapping goals of helping private land managers improve land for both agronomic and natural resource benefits. One example of this would be the coordination of many of these organizations working within the Great Plains Grassland Initiative, which encompasses the Sandhills, Loess Canyons and Central Loess Hills portions of Nebraska. Organizations in this geographic area are working together with ranchers to slow the spread of eastern red cedar. Similar coordination like this happens throughout the landscapes of Nebraska. The Nebraska Grassland Alliance is a group consisting of government organizations, NGOs, ranchers, researchers, tribal nations and businesses that have come together with a shared vision of sustainable grasslands for Nebraska. Through the alliance, the groups can stay informed and coordinate with each other on projects, proposals and outreach events which will ultimately improve customer service to the land managers on the landscape. If you choose to look into conservation opportunities, be open to conversations and suggestions. Ask a lot of questions and attend workshops to learn more about organizations and programs. A particular recommendation or program may not work for your current situation but could be something to incorporate later or may work for a neighbor. Conservation resource professionals appreciate the opportunity to assist and learn alongside private land managers to work towards our common goals. When you are ready, we look forward to meeting with you! ~NC~ CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS • U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) • USDA Conservation Reserve Program • U.S. Fish and Wildlife • Natural Resource Districts • Nebraska Game and Parks Commission • Nebraska Grassland Alliance
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22 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN March 2026 PEOPLE THE MATSUTANI FAMILY JAMES W. GRIFFIN | DIRECTOR/ CURATOR, LINCOLN COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM Brothers George and Jack Matsutani came to America seeking opportunities not available in their native Japan. They arrived in San Francisco, Calif., around 1898 and began working there, but they knew America offered more. So, in about 1906, they moved east to Nebraska. They came to the Sarben neighborhood and immediately took up farming beets and potatoes on rented land. By 1911, they had purchased their first land and George was also feeding cattle. Soon, train car loads of cattle fattened for market were leaving the brothers’ combined farm for the Omaha Stockyards. George even received an award for a sugar beet crop from the Grand Island Sugar Company. Things on the farm looked good, but disturbing political winds were blowing. In 1920, during the Nebraska Constitutional Convention, North Platte delegate Joseph Beeler introduced the first Alien Land Law proposal. This measure was defeated after the Nebraska Japanese community, led by Reverend Hiram Kano, appealed to the convention. It was a victory, but a short lived one. The following year, a bill was introduced into the Nebraska Legislature by North Platte’s Edward Davis. It forbade any person who was not a United States citizen from owning land in Nebraska. It was obvious the bill was intended for the Japanese as they were the only sizable immigrant group in Nebraska that could not become citizens. Though opposed vigorously by Nebraska’s Japanese communities, the bill was passed and first-generation Japanese could no longer buy the farming land they needed to grow. They would have to settle with the land they already owned and rent what they needed to grow their operations. How this changed the Matsutani brothers’ plans is unknown but, despite this setback, the brothers pushed forward. They sought more land to rent and eventually operated on a section and a quarter. Together, they grew a fine cattle herd, fed hundreds of cattle and harvested thousands of bushels of potatoes each year. George even found it necessary to purchase two Chevy trucks in 1927 so they could transport their potato crop and animals. George was always thinking of ways to improve the brothers’ business. He planted early- and late-season potatoes to take advantage of both markets, and he investigated a labor-saving harvester that would both top and dig sugar beets. When his cattle needed feed, he planted oats with clover and alfalfa; the oats growing with the benefit of the nitrogen from the clover. Then, after harvesting the oats, he cut the alfalfa five times and plowed it under to capture all the nutrients he could get for the next crop. He even kept potato seed he had grown, because he found that these produced potatoes earlier than the seed he normally purchased. This allowed him to capture the market a week before other growers. When it came to his cattle feeding operation, George learned to fatten his cattle on grains, hay and other supplements Masa Matsutani’s Grand Champion Steer. Pictured, left to right, are Roland Kinzer, American Hereford Association; Professor W.L. Blizzard, judge; and Masa Matsutani. CONTINUED ON PAGE 24
March 2026 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 23 Nebraska’s Unknown Cattlemen George Matsutani. All photos courtesy of the Lincoln County Historical Museum, North Platte.
24 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN March 2026 Black Hereford & Angus Registered Logan & Jen Hill (970)629-8807 Stapleton, NE hislashcattle.com HORSE RACE FINISH @ 8:00PM cst April 7 - 8th th Selling Age Advantaged, Forage Developed Bulls Efficiency Hardiness Color hosted online by April 7 in contrast to his earlier use of beets tops. At the same time, Jack kept up with his brother’s innovations. His vegetable farm was one of the first two places near the Sarben area to have an irrigation well installed. Shortly after coming to Nebraska, George and Jack met the Shoup brothers of Sutherland. It was to be a fortuitous friendship. The Shoups were ranchers and owned a purebred Hereford herd. As George expanded his cattle feeding operation and started his herd, he leaned toward Herefords and, over time, he purchased a number of Shoup cattle. How much George already knew about raising cattle, what he learned from the Shoups or even from the local county agent, is unknown. However, it soon became apparent that he could select and feed cattle better than most people. His family was growing up and, like every father, he saw the future in them. So, with the county agent’s help, George and Jack’s sons – Ichio, Hitoshi, Mino, Masa and Kei – joined 4-H and started a club that would raise “baby beeves.” George would be with them every step of the way. His expertise showed right away. His nephews, Masa and Kei, both entered “baby beef” in the 1928 Nebraska State Fair and each won their class. Masa then won Grand Champion Hereford. It was a great start. In 1929, the boys were back at the Nebraska State Fair, and this time Hitoshi was the winner. His bull calf, bred in George’s herd, won first in his class and then grand champion of all baby beef in what was advertised as the world’s largest baby beef show. In 1930, at the annual Nebraska AKSAR-BEN stock show, Masa won first in the Hereford breed, baby beef and then won Reserve Champion of all steers in the 4-H competition. The calf, called Stub Maru, was purchased by George out of the Shoup Brothers herd and would lead to Masa’s next victory. The Matsutanis decided to enter the vaunted National Western Stock Show (NWSS) in Denver, Colo., in 1931. Masa, again, entered Stub Maru. The steer had grown beautifully since the Nebraska show and the judges agreed, making the steer grand champion in the 4-H competition. Then, Masa entered his prized animal in the open competition. He, a kid from Nebraska and a son of Japanese immigrants, would compete with the best stock growers in the nation. When the show finished, the judges sided with Stub. Masa had shown Grand Champion Steer at NWSS. In fact, he won so many classes that the premiums paid set a new record for a Grand Champion Steer. Masa’s success with Stub was the pinnacle of the family’s awards, but George’s sons Ichio and Mino would continue to bring more laurels to the family. Ichio entered the 1932 National Western Stock Show and came close to matching his cousin. His steer, Chief, won Grand Champion Hereford and grand champion in the 4-H division. In 1933, his steer placed second in the Hereford THE MATSUTANI FAMILY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22
March 2026 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 25 senior steer class. Mino won Reserve Champion Hereford in the baby beef class. While he and his brother’s children were showing champion Herefords, George kept in contact with his family in Japan. Presumably, the Matsutanis’ successes in the show ring and successful feeding operation were the subject of letters back and forth. Eventually, someone had the idea of starting a Hereford herd in Japan. It had intriguing economic possibilities. After all, breeding for better beef products was beginning to take off in Japan, and there might be a market for American cattle. So, in 1931, George exported the first purebred Hereford to Japan. The bull was bred and raised by the Shoup brothers. George acquired the animal and arranged for it to be shipped to a relative in Japan. A new market was born. In the coming years he would send additional cattle to Japan. Whether he knew it or not, this and his expertise in feeding cattle and choosing champion stock for his sons and nephews came to the attention of the Japanese government. It would have far-reaching consequences for his family. At what seemed like the height of George Matsutani’s stock-raising fame, a dramatic change in the family took place. After a short illness with pneumonia, Ichio, George’s eldest son, passed away. Ichio had been planning to go to Japan to work for the Japanese government after high school graduation. Was it because of his knowledge of cattle? We may never know. What is certain is that the death of his eldest son must have come as a shock to George. What happened next seems to have been his way of starting anew. In 1934, George sold all of his farm equipment and supplies, and prepared to move back to Japan to take a position with the Japanese government in Kobe teaching animal husbandry. Jack and his family remained in the United States and continued farming. Most news articles state that George was planning on being in Japan for a year, which would allow his children to visit their elderly grandparents and tour the country before returning to the United States. However, a year turned into years and, before long, history overtook the family. Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, and any thought of returning to the United States came to an end. No word was heard of the Matsutani family until after the war. Then, in late 1945, a sailor from Paxton was on the beach in Japan and ran into a woman selling silk. She said she was a Matsutani who had left Paxton when she was 15. She was one of George’s daughters. The young sailor was floored. He wrote back, hoping Jack’s family would receive word about his brother’s family. The war was hard on the family but, far from their Nebraska home, they had made the best of their circumstances. George and Jack Matsutani’s story is a uniquely American one. These two brothers from Japan came to Nebraska and through hard work and good business practices, became successful cattlemen and farmers. Along the way, George made significant contributions to the cattle industry. His ability to pick top-quality stock and feed them to perfection was shown in his son’s and nephew’s awards. Maybe just as important, he helped introduce Japan to American beef. He, like so many, helped make Nebraska beef the best beef in the world. ~NC~
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28 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN March 2026 THE OTHER AI How Your Nebraska Neighbors Are Actually Implementing Artificial Intelligence Part 3 TRESSA LAWRENCE | CONTRIBUTING WRITER Over the last two months, we have covered what artificial intelligence (AI) is and some of the different ways it could benefit your operation. The world is on the precipice of change regarding technology, and the beef industry is not an exception to that. “We are looking at the age of the internet, the industrial revolution,” says Meg Scales, owner of ELK Angus, a seedstock operation. “Artificial intelligence is going to have that same sort of impact just in our overall behaviors and our interactions with data and, frankly, with workflows.” For many producers, AI still seems a little far-fetched – something that is happening in other parts of the world, but not necessarily in the beef industry. However, even within the last six months, AI has been making leaps and bounds within the beef sector. Hooves on the Ground Darr Feedlot outside of Cozad has a one-time capacity of 48,000 head , with pen sizes varying from 60 to 250 head. With animal health and feeding efficiency a top priority, the feedlot took the dive into two different artificial intelligence programs over the last few years and hasn’t looked back. “While the transition has had its challenges, using AI has been extremely beneficial,” says Reece Krueger, cattle foreman at Darr Feedlot who has been there for five years. The feedlot started using HerdDogg ear tags a few years ago. The Bluetooth-enabled smart tags collect biometrics from cattle by continuously monitoring animal temperature and movement. Artificial intelligence uses that data to write algorithms specific to different animal behaviors, which generate health alerts in real-time. These alerts allow users to address health issues potentially days ahead of physical symptoms. The algorithm learns your herd’s baseline movements and temperature levels. When the tags indicate a change in temperature or movement patterns, it notifies you by giving you a list of animals that need to be checked, and users can make those animals’ ear tags flash green lights, making them easier to notice. “We schedule the lights on the ear tags of the sick animals to go off every day, and that has saved our pen riders a lot of time,” Krueger explains. “Tracking their activity and being able to identify some of those animals quicker than if we were just visually checking on them has been huge as far as getting ahead of them on their health and being able to make them better before they get too bad.” In an industry where time is money, the ear tags are quickly paying off the investment of purchasing them. The ear tags last three years and can be used on multiple animals as they transition in and out of the feedlot. HerdDogg tags can also be used to monitor patterns to indicate estrus and calving. “If you just think about the doctoring alone, it has the potential to save us hours every week,” Krueger says. “We don’t have to ride through a pen for 30 minutes trying to find a little number on a tag; we can just light up the tag that we need, and it makes it a much quicker process. “Since the tags track their activity, there are plenty of times when it catches something a little quicker than our cowboys might have. Before the animal starts to show typical signs of sickness, it can catch them being a little less active than the rest of the group, and catching some a bit earlier, which is always beneficial, so we can get an antibiotic into them a couple of days before we normally would.” The program that Darr Feedlot implemented last year is called Cattlytx, which can be used on top of your already-exPRODUCTION
March 2026 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 29 Krueger says. “On the cattle health side of things, it’s been super helpful to have a quick way to see what all I have in the hospitals from each pen and origin without having to make multiple trips back to the office. I can see where everything’s at, where we moved things and what it’s being fed.” The app and its algorithms are shaving hours of work off already hectic schedules. In addition to centralizing information in one location, it allows users to step back and understand the bigger picture. “It has been a huge help. It takes the information that we need and organizes it with some really nice visuals that make it easy to read quickly,” Krueger says. “Using the app saves us a lot of time, and we noticed it right away. We don’t have to make constant trips back to the computer for information. All of our employees, of all ages, are really pleased with it.” Processing Sustainable Beef is a producer-owned beef processing plant in North Platte that opened in May of 2025. The state-of-the-art facility is driven by a desire to be leaders in quality, food safety and animal welfare. Top center photo: Algorithms are trained to observe prod use and slips or falls in order to help maintain animal welfare compliance at the Sustainable Beef processing plant in North Platte. Photo courtesy of Lumachain, from the camera itself. isting data entry programs, allowing employees to continue their data entry (i.e., feed deliveries, bunk scores, etc.) without having to learn a new program. The AI takes all of the data from your various programs, including programs that track feed and rations, and creates usable analytics formats, which allows users to make decisions faster. Cattlytx stacks the information from your existing programs into one user-friendly interface. “The goal is to take your feed rations and stack that with real-time weather data and historic weather data, origin of sale barn or rancher, and this is how those animals performed over the last 10 years. And, based on that performance data, growth curve, and based on today’s weather and the predicted weather over the next two weeks, the system can recommend the ration we should be feeding, the protocol we should be using for health and our performance goal at the end of this cycle,” explains Andrew Uden, CEO of HerdDogg and Cattlytx. Cattlytx can be accessed using an app on your phone. “Using the app makes it pretty easy when you’re driving around to pull up each pen and see where they’re at,” CONTINUED ON PAGE 30
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