40 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN November 2024 PEERS BALANCING PLANNING AND BUDGETS AMID CHALLENGES MADISON DOESCHOT | COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT | NEBRASKA BEEF COUNCIL The beef industry’s strategic planning and budgeting process is no small task, requiring careful oversight, collaboration and decision-making. The Nebraska Beef Council (NBC), like many state and national organizations, faces the annual challenge of allocating funds in a way that best serves the industry, typically facing unpredictable factors such as drought, reduced cattle numbers and budget constraints. NEBRASKA’S STRATEGIC PLANNING AND BUDGETING PROCESS The budgeting process for NBC Board of Directors begins in March, centered around a long-range strategic plan designed to address the needs of the beef industry at local, national and international levels. This long-range plan informs the funding requests and proposals submitted by contractors and staff. According to NBC Board member Mark Goes of Odell, NBC follows a structured approach to its budget process each year. In March, the strategic plan lays out the priorities for the year, which guide funding requests. By August, the board holds a two-day meeting, much like at the national level, to hear funding proposals, ask critical questions and make funding decisions. “The first day is all about listening to the proposals from contractors and getting feedback, and the second day is when the tough decisions are made,” Goes explains. This year’s discussions were shaped by economic pressures affecting cattle producers across the country. Drought and decreasing cattle numbers in neighboring states have led the board to take a more conservative approach to budgeting for the upcoming year, with a decision to budget $500,000 less than previous years. “While Nebraska has not been as affected as other states, the ripple effect of fewer cattle across the country will eventually impact us,” says Ann Marie Bosshamer, NBC executive director. “We know that calves from other states won’t be coming here to be fed, and we are preparing for that by adjusting our budget accordingly.” BALANCING LOCAL AND NATIONAL PRIORITIES At the national level, the situation has been more challenging. The Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB), in partnership with the Federation of State Beef Councils, oversees significant national programs through the Beef Promotion Operating Committee (BPOC). The BPOC consists of 10 producers from the Federation of State Beef Councils and 10 from the CBB who review funding requests from eight contractors and two subcontractors annually. This year, the national committee met in Denver, Colo., in September to approve $38 million in funding for beef promotion, research, consumer information, foreign marketing and other programs. This total was approximately $8.8 million less than the total of the requests brought forward by contractors and subcontractors. Nebraska producers understand the weight of these cuts but emphasize that the impact is less direct at the state level. Two Nebraskans serve on the BPOC – Dave Hamilton of North Platte represents the CBB and Mark Goes represents the Federation of State Beef Councils. “While the national committee had to make significant cuts, our board hasn’t had to reduce programs as drastically,” Bosshamer says. “We do face budget limitations, but we prioritize our efforts based on where the money is most needed.” The NBC operates on a smaller scale than the national level, but the differences go beyond just the budget. The state board has a more localized focus, tailoring its programs to meet the specific needs of the Nebraska beef industry. However, Nebraska also contributes significantly to national programs that help promote beef in areas with smaller cattle populations. One key priority for the state is national and international promotion, reflecting the state’s mission to “put the money where the people are.” With Nebraska’s population of 1.9 million, much of the state’s marketing and promotional dollars are directed outside of its borders, targeting regions with larger populations where beef can gain wider recognition. “It’s fulfilling to see Nebraska beef being promoted outside of our state in regions that may not be familiar with it,” Goes says.
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