8 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN October 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 BUILDING THE INDUSTRY … ONE GENERATION AT A TIME JJ PETERSEN | SHELBY, IOWA NC ALLIED INDUSTRIES COUNCIL MEMBER Greetings fellow Nebraska Cattlemen (NC) members. My name is JJ Petersen, and I am a member of the NC Allied Industries Council (AIC). For the past 22 years, I have worked at Rueter’s Equipment Company, a multi-generation, family-owned company that sells and services ag and heavy equipment. In my position I am fortunate to have the role of traveling throughout Nebraska focusing on the cattle industry. I enjoy working with cattle feeders on their equipment needs to help them maximize their operation’s goals. One of the things I have enjoyed most during my tenure with Rueter’s is to have met and built great relationships with so many remarkable people in the cattle industry and allied industries. One common theme among these business professionals – whether AIC members or cattle producers – is the family and generational aspect. Many producers in the cattle industry are part of a family operation that has been passed down from generation to generation. It’s one of the most fun and impressive things about the cattle industry in Nebraska and around the country. Nebraska cattlemen raise the best beef in the world, and it is always impressive to see how innovative and forward thinking they are in accomplishing that goal. Those fortunate enough to do it side-by-side with multiple generations add a certain revered and sacred element to the goal of feeding the world. Additionally, they have the challenge of ensuring their operation is sustainable for the next generation. Many of us in allied industries share that goal of building something that can be grown and passed down. In my case, I am following in my dad’s footsteps to support Nebraska cattlemen. My dad always told my brother and me that “people deal with people.” He built so many trusting relationships and friendships with cattlemen through his work at Rueter’s, and I now get to work with many of those same people today. In many cases, I have the opportunity to work with the next generation on Nebraska beef operations, too. Just the other day, I had lunch with a customer and his son, who recently started working in the family cattle business. During our visit, I couldn’t help remembering meeting his grandpa for lunch along with this young man’s dad, who was getting his start working in the family business. Over the years, I have built a great relationship with this family. Visiting with both father and son gave me great hope for the future. It also got me thinking about how exciting it would be to someday see one of my kids continue working with this family, growing both of our businesses through the relationship that our dads built many years ago. I think that young man’s dad and I both have the same goal in mind. Those close, long-term relationships are vital to our growth; they allow for honest feedback and collaboration to ensure we are working together in the best way possible. Nebraska cattle producers are always teaching, mentoring and striving to pass along something great to the next generation. The Allied Industries Council is always looking for opportunities to help share in the goals and mission of Nebraska beef producers. I encourage any members of your team to attend NC events and engage with people in the allied industries. We are here to CONTINUED ON PAGE 32
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