Nebraska Cattlemen Awards

Rush, Gosey Receive NC Industry Service Award

    The NC Industry Service Award is presented each year to recognize an outstanding non-producer for his or her contributions to the beef cattle industry. In 2006, the award was presented to two very deserving men who have spent years giving of themselves to the Nebraska cattle industry. Jim Gosey, Lincoln, and Ivan Rush, Scottsbluff, each received the NC Industry Service Award at the NC Annual Convention banquet in Lincoln.

   Gosey’s leadership and programming as an Extension specialist in beef cattle genetics and management, and his dedication to undergraduate teaching were the basis for NC’s insistence that the University retain his position during recent budget cuts. Similarly, Rush was honored for his 30-year career in Extension and research, which focused on solving production and economic challenges from a systems approach.

Jim Gosey

   Jim Gosey retired last year as Extension beef cattle specialist and professor in UNL’s Animal Science Department. Gosey received his bachelor’s degree in animal science from Oklahoma State University in 1965, his master’s degree from New Mexico State University in 1967 and his doctorate degree in beef cattle genetics from the University of Nebraska in 1976.

   Gosey joined the University of Nebraska in 1971 as Beef Cattle Extension Specialist, working in beef cattle breeding, beef crossbreeding, bull selection, cow-calf management, beef cow efficiency and beef cattle production systems. He began teaching Beef Cattle Production/Cow-Calf Management in 1978 and, in 1994, he began teaching Beef Cattle Merchandising and managing University teaching herds, including the Angus and composite populations.

   Gosey has been very active and involved with Nebraska Cattlemen over his career. He was instrumental in establishing the Beef Quality Assurance program and was actively involved in IRM subcommittee educational programs. Gosey was a popular speaker at local, state and national cattle producer meetings, often using antique cattle-handling equipment or other props to make his point.

   Gosey has written numerous magazine articles and has given many presentations. He has also had numerous articles published in proceedings of various beef cattle symposia.

Ivan Rush

   Ivan G. Rush was raised on a livestock farm in Missouri. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Missouri and his doctorate degree at Oklahoma State University. He served as a county agriculture agent in Dawson County and in Colombia, South America as an Extension livestock specialist. Most know Rush from his current position as a beef specialist at the University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center, where he has been for the past 31 years.

   Rush has been very active in leadership roles throughout his career. He has served on the NC Board of Directors and currently serves on the NC R&EF Board. He has received numerous awards, including the National IRM Award, 2003 Nebraska Prime Beef Promoter and UNL Excellence in Team Programming. He has been invited to speak in Russia, Brazil and Argentina.

   Rush’s Extension programs focus on nutrition, management and beef systems. He serves on the Four-State Range Beef Cow Symposium and speaks at countless educational meetings. His research deals with systems of production from weaning to harvest, utilizing resources in the Intermountain High Plains area. He has authored or coauthored seven scientific publications, 59 state beef reports, two master’s degree theses, one book chapter and numerous Extension publications.