40 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN September 2026 PEERS STEWARDSHIP ANN MARIE BOSSHAMER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NEBRASKA BEEF COUNCIL Stewardship is a word that has become increasingly common in conversations about agriculture, and for good reason. Whether we’re talking about caring for our cattle, protecting our natural resources, supporting our rural communities or ensuring the long-term viability of our operations, stewardship is at the heart of what we do as beef producers. While stewardship is often discussed through three pillars – social, environmental and economic – I believe the Beef Checkoff is one of the best examples of how these pillars work together. Every dollar invested through the Beef Checkoff is an investment in the future of our industry and demonstrates our commitment to responsible stewardship on behalf of producers, consumers and generations to come. The first pillar, social stewardship, is about building trust. Today’s consumers want to know more about the food they purchase and the people who produce it. They have questions about nutrition, animal care, sustainability and food safety. The Beef Checkoff helps answer those questions by investing in science-based research, consumer education and outreach programs that connect people to the beef community. Through partnerships with registered dietitians, healthcare professionals, chefs, retailers, educators and influencers, the Beef Checkoff helps ensure consumers receive accurate, credible information about beef. These efforts are not about advertising alone, they’re about creating meaningful conversations and building confidence in beef and the families who raise it. As producers, we know our story is our greatest asset, and the Beef Checkoff helps amplify that story in ways individual producers simply couldn’t accomplish on their own. Environmental stewardship is another area where the Beef Checkoff plays an important role. Beef producers have always understood that taking care of the land isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s essential to the success of our operations. Healthy pastures, clean water, productive soil and healthy cattle are all connected. The Beef Checkoff supports research that helps producers continue improving efficiency while responsibly managing natural resources. Investments in animal health, nutrition, grazing management, genetics and production practices allow our industry to continually improve while producing more with fewer resources. The Beef Checkoff also supports efforts to communicate the science behind beef sustainability, helping consumers better understand how cattle contribute to utilizing grasslands that cannot be farmed, supporting wildlife habitat and converting resources that humans can’t eat into high-quality protein. Stewardship isn’t about standing still; it’s about continually learning, adapting CONTINUED ON PAGE 44 Oakley #6151 1,680 sq ft 3BR, 2 Baths New 2 BR Oakley II #6211 Coming Soon 1,860 sq ft 1-888-927-3272 Sept 26th: 1230 E 9th Minden, NE Oct 17th: 614 Maple Clay Center, KS 10-3:00 Wardcraft Open House: Oakley Laundry Click for a Quote at wardcraft.com wardcraft.com New inventory homes. The plans are designed. The choices are made. Your home is underway. Press the Easy Button The kitchen gets all the attention.The laundry room does half the work. Our new plans feature spacious, beautiful utility rooms built for the way you really live. New Plans, Huge Laundry. Stewardship isn’t about standing still; it’s about continually learning, adapting and improving.
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