8 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN October 2024 NC BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT: Jerry Kuenning*, Lemoyne, (308) 883-8382 PRESIDENT-ELECT: Dick Pierce*, Miller, (308) 440-2489 VICE PRESIDENT: Craig Uden*, (308) 325-0285 TREASURER: Laura Field, Lincoln, (402) 475-2333 SECRETARY: Melody Benjamin, Lakeside, (308) 760-6464 PAST PRESIDENT: Steve Hanson*, Elsie, (308) 289-0225 MEMBER SERVICES VICE CHAIR BY REGION 1 – Jaclyn Wilson, Lakeside, (308) 762-3196 2 – Kat Kennedy, Purdum, (308) 645-7036 3 – Allan Louthan, Stanton, (402) 841-6601 4 – John Ecklund, Atkinson, (408) 602-5905 5 – Scott Reynolds, Berwyn, (308) 870-0970 6 – Chuck Graff, Ogallala, (308) 289-5841 7 – Heath Clausen, Leigh, (402) 750-4433 8 – Allen Bruntz, Friend, (402) 525-2651 9 – Shannon Peterson, Gothenburg, (308) 529-2116 COW-CALF COUNCIL CHAIR: Travis Chrisman, Wauneta, (308) 883-6781 VICE CHAIR: Jake Johnson, Hastings, (402) 984-8824 FARMER-STOCKMAN COUNCIL CHAIR: Marc Hanson, Morrowville, Kan., (402) 729-7174 VICE CHAIR: Dwight Dam, Hooper, (402) 720-4250 FEEDLOT COUNCIL CHAIR: Ryan Danehey, Manhattan, Kan., (308) 440-8267 VICE CHAIR: Daron Huyser, Lexington, (308) 233-4368 SEEDSTOCK COUNCIL CHAIR: Reiss Bruning, Bruning, (402) 768-3332 VICE CHAIR: James Felt, Wakefield, (402) 287-2488 ALLIED INDUSTRIES COUNCIL Jake Pullen, Aurora, (308) 380-9040 ~ COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP ~ ANIMAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION CHAIR: Jared Walahoski*, Overton, (308) 746-1965 CHAIR-ELECT: Jeff Heldt, Scottsbluff, (308) 641-5781 BRAND AND PROPERTY RIGHTS CHAIR: Brock Terrell, Hay Springs, (308) 430-1213 CHAIR-ELECT: Matt Blackford, Brownlee, (402) 322-1377 EDUCATION AND RESEARCH CHAIR: Marcus Urban, Leigh, (402) 276-3830 CHAIR-ELECT: Suzanne Jagels, Davenport, (402) 469-3374 MARKETING AND COMMERCE CHAIR: Joe Eisenmenger, Humphrey, (402) 920-0665 CHAIR-ELECT: Chance McLean, Stromsburg, (402) 366-2254 NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT CHAIR: Eric Hansen*, North Platte, (308) 530-3899 CHAIR-ELECT: Sam Drinnin, Grand Island, (402) 910-0233 TAXATION CHAIR: Scott Peterson, Valentine, (402) 322-0225 CHAIR-ELECT: Steve Sunderman, Norfolk, (402) 750-0149 MEMBER SERVICES CHAIR: Jim Edwards, Ord, (308) 750-0881 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 COMMITTED TO YOU JAKE PULLEN | AUORA NC ALLIED INDUSTRIES COUNCIL CHAIR For those who do not know me, my name is Jake Pullen, and I am the Nebraska Cattlemen (NC) Allied Industries Council (AIC) chair and a member of the 2022 Young Cattlemen’s Connections class. My current position is a sales rep for Bill’s Volume Sales (BVS), and we supply NC members with feeding equipment for their operations. We also supply the necessary parts and service when the inevitable happens. Since starting my journey with BVS then the NC Board, I have truly seen the AIC as a business partnership with our members and customers. No AIC member would be here if it were not for the dedicated operations that have put their trust in AIC members to deliver the necessary products to keep their operations moving forward. However, the last four years haven’t been easy. COVID-19 flipped our world upside down, and we are still feeling the effects that started more than four years ago. During the week, my main duty is to travel this great state and visit with producers and members. There are three main concerns that always seem to be discussed: rising costs, labor and the availability of goods. Rising costs still seem to be plaguing our industry and is one of many reasons that manufacturers say we are having to pay more. Labor seems to be the biggest variable and an unknown to manufacturers that can contribute to rising costs. Labor doesn’t seem to be getting cheaper, and finding labor is a whole different challenge that won’t get any easier in the near future. At BVS, we have tried some new things to find qualified labor. Using our local newspaper remains a good avenue to find individuals who want to work. However, social media and online job websites have also given us positive returns. To find quality help, we compensate them in a way that is fair for both the employee and us. The availability of goods and services is probably the most talked about concern. In my opinion, waiting months or even years for something that is essential to your operation is unacceptable. To combat this, at BVS we have taken some extra measures to better forecast our customers’ needs in an attempt to stay ahead of the curve. When our customers need whole goods or parts, they are readily available. No one on either side of the table wants to hear, “Sorry, we don’t have that.” That is not sustainable for anyone. I can safely say that NC’s AIC members are committed to your operation’s success. As Nebraska Cattlemen members feel the pinch of these three main issues, it is not any better for us on the other side. AIC members provide a service to each and every NC member, and if there is ever a time that this cannot be done, then we have failed. Service has always been the top priority in my profession, and we will do all we can to keep costs down, have goods available and provide the service that you require to keep your operation in full force. That is our commitment. ~NC~ Refer to the NC AIC directory on page 12-13 for companies that are committed to your operation’s success.
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