By Pete McClymont

Natural resources are arguably Nebraska’s most critical element to the cultural and financial well being of our state’s future. For argument’s sake, lets examine the value of our state’s natural resources in the context of ranching, ethanol from corn production, cattle feeding with distillers grains and gluten referenced back to land and water.

Water

In our state’s current period of drought, which has unprecedented comparisons dating back to 1936, it is obvious that water will be our salvation. Battles have and will be continued to be waged as direction is given to this issue. An obvious concern in the conservation of water is trees, namely the growth on our rivers and specifically Platte and Republican Rivers. Granted, trees provide aesthetic and other benefits, but water needs of salt cedars, Russian olives and phragmites are enormous.

For a moment, let’s play the “what if” game. Nebraska has the legal responsibility to make good on the water compact signed with Kansas from generations past. In short, water must be delivered. I’m not suggesting cutting down every tree on the Platte and Republican River basins, but attempting to eliminate these three specific species of trees has obvious benefits. If only the species of trees that consume large amounts of water are gone, a greater supply of water now exists; water needed to fulfill a long past negotiated contract is now available.

Are these assumptive ideas, if not somewhat crazy? No question. But I would make a wager that a large number of Nebraska citizens back in the 1930s thought the notion of moving millions of yards of dirt for Kingsley Dam, effectively forming Lake McConauhy, was a little bit crazy.

This is not a new idea. New Mexico has and continues to employee this method of conservation to best utilize their water resources. Conservatively, water rights in an arid state like New Mexico are extremely valuable. Excuse my butchering of the King’s English, but my aforementioned crazy idea ain’t so crazy. And while we’re chopping down trees, NC is part of the process to evaluate the reduction of cedar trees that are proliferating in our state’s pastures.

Ethanol

To say that ethanol is a growth industry in the state would be a tad bit of an understatement. The excitement created by the exponential growth of Nebraska’s ethanol industry has to be similar to the oil boom days in Texas and Oklahoma. All I can say is hold on to your hats, folks.

Colorado has the mountains. Wyoming has abundant energy reserves, specifically coal. South Dakota has recreational tourism with hunting, fishing and the Sturgis Rally. Nebraska has a potential ethanol industry that could bring unprecedented economic benefit to all of its citizens. The beef industry is the main staple of Nebraska’s economic stability. On a larger scale, the entire agricultural sector is the proverbial stick that stirs Nebraska’s employment drink with one in three jobs being ag related.

The statewide growth of the ethanol industry has created uncertainty with beef producers. Will there be enough corn? Can we feed all the wet distillers grains? How can ethanol plants get all the water they need, but farmers in restricted river basins get less water for their corn irrigation needs? How can ranchers benefit from the mountainous supplies of distillers grains? The list goes on of the possible new challenges that await our state with the growth of the ethanol industry.

These fears are, in my opinion, good challenges. Some say the growth of the ethanol plants could be a significant strain on the feeding industry of Nebraska. I maintain we will adapt. Research will adapt feeding techniques. Dr. Terry Klopenstein and Dr. Galen Erickson from UNL have done and will continue to perform more cutting-edge research. Feedlot nutritionists will adapt their Nebraska clients to be the envy of the entire cattle-feeding world.

The bottom line in the use of Nebraska’s natural resources related to beef production and ethanol will make this the golden age of Nebraska agricultural. Are there serious concerns ahead? Undeniably! But the benefits far exceed the concerns.

It is my belief that the combination of Nebraska’s natural resources and beef producers will ultimately make our state the number-one beef producing state in the country. The opportunity is there for the taking.    Pete McClymont, Holdrege, is the current NC president.