Oct. 10, Curtis

    President Pete McClymont welcomed everyone at 9:15 a.m. and introduced Weldon Sleight, Jo Bek, Dave Smith and Seth Hasenauer who provided an overview of NCTA. President McClymont introduced Gary Roberts, Central Nebraska Livestock Commission, who is the new ex-officio NC Board of Directors LMA representative.

President McClymont indicated that previous minutes from Executive and Finance Committee meetings were inadvertently not sent to the NC Board. A motion was made by Dave McCracken, seconded by Larry Smith, to accept all the NC Executive and Finance Committee meeting minutes recently sent to the NC Board.  Motion passed unanimously.

Nominations Chairman Tom Hansen provided an update on the recent Nominations Committee meeting.  He reported that an individual has been chosen to receive the NC Hall of Fame award and two individuals have been chosen to receive NC Industry Service awards.  He also announced the committee has selected four candidates for NCBA’s YCC. 

President McClymont asked Ken Schilz, vice chairman of the Marketing Committee, to give an update on the Platte River Cooperative Agreement as Ken sits on the state appointed Task Force.  The Task Force is made up of members from Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Chuck Folken, chairman of the Natural Resources and Environment Committee, stated that the Water Policy Sub-Committee met via conference call on September 26 and discussed the Cooperative Agreement.  The sub-committee recommended that NC not take a public position on the Agreement but inform the Governor of our concerns and offer to be a resource.  Following discussion, a motion was made by Chuck Folken, seconded by Scott Reynolds, that NC adopt the following interim policy:

WHEREAS, the state of Nebraska needs to be present and active in all regional water policy discussions; and

WHEREAS, the Platte River Cooperative Agreement allows participants to withdraw at any point.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Nebraska Cattlemen recommends the Governor of Nebraska sign the Platte River Cooperative Agreement.

Motion passed unanimously. 

Executive Vice President Michael Kelsey provided the Board an update on the Nebraska Corn-Fed Beef program.  The NCFB Board has been dissolved and ownership of the NCFB label and other assets have been transferred to Nebraska Cattlemen. 

President McClymont announced that George Cooksley has been selected by the Governor to serve on the Nebraska Brand Committee, replacing Byron Eatinger.

President McClymont announced that Ben Bailey has been appointed to serve on the Sandhills Task Force, replacing Craig Utter.

President McClymont announced the development of a sub-committee to work on promoting Nebraska beef to Japan and the European Union.  The group is made up of J.D. Alexander, Ann Marie Bosshamer, Michael Kelsey, Jay Wolf, Pete McClymont, Bill Rishel, Allen Bright, Pete Lapaseotes and Marcine Moldenhauer.  The group will provide an update of their activities at the 2006 Convention.

Animal Health and Nutrition Committee Chair Anne Burkholder provided an update on the BQA and TQA programs. Mrs. Burkholder encouraged all Board members who are not certified to get certified and challenged them to promote the BQA certification program to their friends, neighbors and colleges.  She also encouraged the NC Board and the NC Executive and Finance Committee to work on making the part-time BQA staff position a fulltime position.

Executive Vice President Michael Kelsey reviewed the handout provided to the Board on the Industry-Wide Beef Checkoff Task Force recommendations.  The Task Force recommendations are 1. Opportunity to petition for a referendum, 2. Adjustment of the checkoff rate, 3.Enhanced understanding of the Federation of State beef Councils, and 4. Making the checkoff more inclusive. 

Dr. Don Beermann, UNL Animal Science Department Head and Anita Ferrel, Animal Science Recruiting Coordinator, addressed the Board providing an update on admissions, faculty positions and judging team.  Both thanked NC for its support.

Executive Vice President Michael Kelsey reviewed the handouts provided to the Board on Initiative 423.  Mr. Kelsey reviewed information from Colorado concerning TABOR, a Colorado constitutional amendment spending lid.  Extensive discussion occurred on both sides of the issue.  A motion was made by Levi Whipps, seconded by Scott Reynolds, to adopt the following interim policy:

WHEREAS, there is a potential that enactment of Initiative 423 could indirectly increase property taxes; and

WHEREAS, there is a potential that enactment of Initiative 423 could cause rural government budgets to experience additional financial burdens due to lack of prioritization of state funds; and

WHEREAS, the Nebraska Constitution requires that the annual state budget be balanced.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Nebraska Cattlemen opposes Initiative 423.

Motion passed unanimously.  It was directed to staff to develop a press release and sign on to a letter with other agriculture groups also opposed to I-423.

Chris Hagedorn, Feedlot Council chairman, updated the NC Board of Directors on a situation concerning CDL drivers license and feed trucks.  It seems there is some confusion in state laws concerning this issue.  The NC Board of Directors directed staff to work with state legislators to clear up this confusion.

President McClymont updated the Board concerning illegal dumping in Shell Creek.  This situation has been going on for some time and the matter has now been turned over to the authorities and is now a criminal investigation.  A motion was made by Todd Schroeder, seconded by Dave Goertz, for Nebraska Cattlemen to match the Platte Valley Affiliate with funds up to $750 to go to Crime Stoppers to aid in finding the individual(s) illegally dumping into Shell Creek.  Motion passed unanimously.

NC Member Services Chairman Scott Reynolds updated the Board on the current status of the membership.  NC membership is up over last year and has recruited about 413 new members.  The goal for the year, which ends Oct. 31, is 500.  Dr. Reynolds recognized the Board members who have recruited at least one new member since the Aug. 8 NC Board meeting.

Region 2 Director Paul Davis provided an update on the Beef Ambassador program and encouraged the Board to help get Nebraska’s ag youth involved in the program.

Mr. Kelsey reviewed the audit for fiscal year 2005-2006 previously sent out to the Board.  A motion was made by Dave Goertz, seconded by Chris Hagedorn, to accept the 2006 audit.  Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Kelsey announced that NC has gained an additional seat on the NCBA Board, that NC representation on the NCBA Board has increased from 7 seats to 8. 

Mr. Weide updated the NC Board of Directors on results from the 2006 Beef Pit.  The Beef pit served 11,713 meals, up 725 from 2005. 

Mr. Kelsey announced to the Board that the Association will be co-hosting a Cattle-Corn-Ethanol Summit at UNL on Nov. 3.  More details will follow.

President McClymont announced that the next Board meeting will be at the NC Annual Convention in Lincoln on Nov. 28 at 4 p.m.