NC Board of Directors Meeting Highlights

June 8, Columbus

Jeff Bash requested the minutes reflect that the NC Classic delivered the 2007 Classic commission check at the April 10 Board meeting. Seeing no other corrections, Homer Buell moved to accept the minutes as corrected. Steve Niemeyer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

President Jay Wolf asked for approval of the May 8-9 NC Executive Committee minutes previously mailed to all Board members. Larry Smith moved to accept the minutes as presented. Todd Schroeder seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

President Wolf requested updates on the following items:

NC membership – Scott Reynolds reviewed the May membership report that was mailed to Board members. Mr. Reynolds also provided an update on the membership task force, which had met the previous day. Mr. Reynolds encouraged Board members to provide their list of potential members to him.

Groundwater monitoring – Duane Gangwish reviewed the progress of raising funds for the groundwater monitoring initiative. NC mailed letters to feeders with a response of $49,700 raised to date. Mr. Gangwish also provided an update of the activities involving the initiative. A company from Florida has been to one of the feedyard locations to conduct electro-resistance testing. The results are not yet known and will be compiled with geo-probe testing that will be done in the near future.

Legislative update – Pete McClymont provided a brief legislative update of NC success. Mr. McClymont said three of the four primary goals had been achieved during this legislative session. They include full repeal of the state estate tax, LB 677 and an 8.5-cent mil levy reduction in property taxes. The mil levy reduction represents a $2,300 savings to a 600-head cow herd. The one goal that was not achieved deals with labeling of animal-use drugs. Mr. McClymont reported that although the bill was not passed, key relationships were created that will allow NC to push the goal more effectively next legislative session. Other bills NC also promoted and/or worked on that were passed include a brand bill, LB 701 (water bill) and funding for UNL.

LB 677 update – Michael Kelsey provided an update on educational meetings planned this summer for producers regarding LB 677. Mr. Kelsey informed the Board that staff was working on a meeting strategy to include producer meetings as well as livestock market auctions.

President Wolf introduced the “Horizons” proposal and requested Michael Kelsey provide a brief update. Mr. Kelsey passed out three pieces of information and highlighted the proposal to the Board. The proposal has been made by the Farm Credit Services (FCS) and would greatly expand their lending capabilities. Information from FCS, the Nebraska Bankers and the Independent Nebraska Bankers Associations was provided. After much discussion, Dave McCracken moved to table the discussion until the afternoon Board meeting. Jeff Kalkowski seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

President Wolf requested that Michael Kelsey provide an association financial update to the Board. Mr. Kelsey reported the April financials indicate NC is currently approximately $27,000 ahead of budget. Mr. Kelsey said that based upon current trends, NC could expect to end the year between $15,000 and $20,000 ahead of budget. Scott Reynolds moved to accept the financials as presented. Todd Schroeder seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

President Wolf requested that Michael Kelsey present the 2007-08 proposed annual budget to the Board. Mr. Kelsey highlighted the budget, which includes a proposed ending net income of $20,161. President Wolf indicated the need for NC to discuss and consider a dues increase. He will assign a task force to investigate this and report back to the Board. After further discussion and questions, Dave Hatterman moved to approve the budget as presented. Greg Baxter seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

President Wolf requested that Michael Kelsey provide a brief update of federal issues. Mr. Kelsey reported on the progress of the 2007 Farm Bill, COOL and the Energy Bill.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned until late afternoon.

The NC Board re-convened at 5:45 p.m. President Jay Wolf called the meeting to order.

Dave McCracken moved to take from the table consideration of the “Horizons” proposal. Scott Reynolds seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Dave McCracken then moved that the NC Board not take a position on the “Horizons” proposal. Scott Reynolds seconded. After discussion the motion passed unanimously.

President Wolf requested that committee chairs present a report of their meetings.

Animal Health and Nutrition – Scott Reynolds reported that the committee had adopted an interim resolution for the NC Board to consider. The resolution reads:

WHEREAS, the reproductive health of the cow herd in Nebraska is of upmost importance; and

WHEREAS, reproductive diseases such Trichomoniasis fetus can have a dramatic economic impact on affected herds,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, Nebraska Cattlemen work with other agricultural organizations and the State Veterinarian’s office to draft regulations to prevent the importation and spread of Trichomoniasis fetus in the state of Nebraska.

Lynn Myers moved to adopt the interim policy offered by the Animal Health and Nutrition Committee. Jeff Bash seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Marketing and Commerce Committee – Greg Baxter moved that Open Road Grazing Road Liability and any other fence issues be moved to the jurisdiction of the NC Brand Committee. Dave Hatterman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Natural Resources – Chuck Folken moved that the eminent domain resolution be moved to the NC Brand Committee. Todd Schroeder seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Taxation – Dave McCracken moved;

÷ Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund Board resolution and wind energy resolution be moved to NC Natural Resources Committee.

÷ Transfer of Title under UCC policy statement and workers’ compensation policy statement be moved to NC Marketing and Commerce Committee.

÷ Nebraska Legislature’s Agriculture Committee resolution be moved to NC Brand Committee.

Scott Reynolds seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

With no more business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 6 p.m.  Y