8 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN November 2025 NC BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT: Richard (Dick) Pierce*, Miller, (308) 440-2489 PRESIDENT-ELECT: Craig Uden*, Johnson Lake, (308) 325-0285 VICE PRESIDENT: Eric Hansen, North Platte, (308) 530-3899 PAST PRESIDENT: Jerry Kuenning*, Lemoyne, (308) 883-8382 SECRETARY/TREASURER: Laura Field, Lincoln, (402) 326-7743 MEMBER SERVICES VICE CHAIR BY REGION 1 – Jaclyn Wilson, Lakeside, (308) 762-3196 2 – Lydia O’Brien, Whitman, (308) 546-7349 3 – Allan Louthan, Stanton, (402) 841-6601 4 – John Kennedy, Primrose, (308) 920-2828 5 – Jim Edwards, Ord, (308) 750-0881 6 – Bob Wiseman, Hershey, (308) 530-3137 7 – Heath Clausen, Leigh, (402) 750-4433 8 – Becky Funk, DVM, Lawrence, (308) 360-3179 9 – Erica Schluntz, Naponee, (308) 920-3191 COW-CALF COUNCIL CHAIR: Travis Chrisman, Wauneta, (308) 883-6781 VICE CHAIR: Jake Johnson, Hastings, (402) 984-8824 FARMER-STOCKMAN COUNCIL CHAIR: Dwight Dam, Hooper, (402) 720-4250 VICE CHAIR: FEEDLOT COUNCIL CHAIR: Ryan Danehey, Manhattan, Kan., (308) 440-8267 VICE CHAIR: Daron Huyser, Lexington, (308) 233-4368 SEEDSTOCK COUNCIL CHAIR: James Felt, Wakefield, (402) 287-2488 VICE CHAIR: Kristian Rennert, Elm Creek, (308) 440-9463 ALLIED INDUSTRIES COUNCIL Jake Pullen, Aurora, (308) 380-9040 ~ COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP ~ ANIMAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION CHAIR: Jeff Heldt, Scottsbluff, (308) 641-5781 CHAIR-ELECT: Scott Reynolds, DVM, Broken Bow, (308) 870-0970 BRAND AND PROPERTY RIGHTS CHAIR: Matt Blackford, Thedford, (402) 322-1377 CHAIR-ELECT: Robert Star, Hershey, (308) 520-3488 EDUCATION AND RESEARCH CHAIR: Suzanne Jagels, Davenport, (402) 469-3374 CHAIR-ELECT: Kelly Terrell, Gothenburg, (308) 930-2162 MARKETING AND COMMERCE CHAIR: Chance McLean, Stromsburg, (402) 366-2254 CHAIR-ELECT: Marshall Hansen, Omaha, (402) 616-4541 NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT CHAIR: Sam Drinnin, Grand Island, (402) 910-0233 CHAIR-ELECT: Logan Pribbeno, Imperial, (308) 883-7770 TAXATION CHAIR: Stephen Sunderman, Norfolk, (402) 750-0149 CHAIR-ELECT: Steven Wellman, Syracuse, (402) 269-7024 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 IS NOW THE TIME? JEFF HELDT, PH.D., PAS | SCOTTSBLUFF NC ANIMAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION CHAIR What a time to be involved in the cattle industry. It seems like every week there is some kind of record broken – all-time high prices, lowest cow slaughter totals, biggest margin calls ever, record-high protein demand from consumers, etc. When and how does it end? We will eventually find out, but for now there are definitely reasons to be grateful and enjoy the ride. Along this journey, I have had the privilege and opportunity to talk with many extremely smart and talented folks in the industry. As a technical services manager, I am very fortunate to get to visit with feedyard owners/managers, feedyard consultants, feed company nutritionists, feed salesmen and ranchers. It is fascinating how folks view this rollercoaster ride and opportunities in two extremely different lenses as I ask them questions about potentially investing in new/different technologies. As genetic information and management have increased, our ability to make marked improvements has narrowed. We used to be able to think about spending a couple pennies per head per day and see a 5- to 8-percent improvement in almost any variable (health outcomes, ADG, F:G, etc.). Now those conversations are still about investing a couple pennies per head per day with the possibility of seeing only a 2- to 3-percent improvement in a given response variable. With that in mind, I hear a couple answers. 1) Things are really good, I am making money. Why invest and or change? and 2) With the cost of selling/buying feeder cattle, I need to get everything I can out of them to maximize profit or get close to breakeven. Two completely different views in the same industry in the same market on the same day. How are you approaching the opportunities that are in front of you? There will continually be new technologies that require you to invest. Maybe it’s a new antibiotic or vaccine; maybe it’s a tweak to a ration/nutrient; maybe it’s a new feed additive. If the legacy companies are conducting research to bring proven products to the market, there will probably be a need to spend a few more dollars on a “new or improved” way to do business. Are you willing to take a look and spend some now “while the gettin’s good,” or will you wait until the pressure is on and be forced to react? Remember the proverb that pertains to the physical law of gravity: “What goes up must come down.” When does the downward trend start and take over? Nobody really knows, so now could be a great time to consider the idea of “new and improved.” Nebraska Cattlemen has many allied industries sponsors to help make things easier, better and more efficient. Take the time to talk to those folks and lean on them and their support teams. Now is not the time to be complacent. An open mind and dialogue with these companies on new opportunities could go a long way. The value of every animal today – no matter if it’s a calf off the ranch or the feeder calf walking off the truck into the feedyard – is so high today, it’s worth looking at investments to keep them healthier and make them grow faster or more efficient. I will end with a quote by the great Mark Twain: “I was seldom able to see an opportunity until it ceased to be one.” ~NC~
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