A Series of Summer Meetings > Nebraska Cattlemen

As the heat of summer builds, so does the momentum for a set of fantastic meetings across the state, hosted by Nebraska Cattlemen. The meetings will feature three very important subject areas that should be of interest to all cattle producers. These free meetings will provide all interested cattle producers the opportunity to share their comments and learn more about three important areas within our industry.

Cool

As we have discussed in the past, no issue may be able to spark more debate than country-of-origin-labeling (COOL). The focus of the meetings respective to COOL will not be whether the program should be mandatory or voluntary. The fact of the matter is quite clear – COOL is mandatory under current law and will be enforced beginning Sept. 30, 2008. The current climate in Washington, D.C., does not lead one to believe that the program will become anything less than mandatory nor will it be delayed. There is discussion of changing the law, but only with respect to how it will be enforced and how and what products will be labeled. Regarding the summer meetings in Nebraska, most important will be making producers aware of the need to be prepared to provide documentation to comply with the law. Examples of documentation will be discussed, along with other requirements to ensure meeting attendees are well informed.

Beef checkoff

The beef checkoff program is quite possibly an example of one of the greatest and most effective promotion programs that any commodity has empowered. The checkoff has facilitated demand-building strategies that have made beef the most prominent protein of choice not only in the U.S., but abroad as well. Furthermore, most if not all other commodities have looked to the beef checkoff as an example in fashioning their own promotion program. The beef checkoff is 20 years old, however. As recommended by the Industry Wide Checkoff Improvement Taskforce, it is time to consider increasing the checkoff. Approval of the beef checkoff remains high at approximately 70 percent, according to the latest survey of beef and dairy producers. NC’s summer meetings will allow producers to comment on their ideas for increasing the checkoff, including the support for an increase, timing of such an increase, the use of the dollars generated and what successes can be achieved for beef producers by an increase.

LB 677

NC championed this very important piece of legislation during this legislative session. Realizing that, while ranchers under certain conditions must apply for an inspection by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, NC believed many producers were not only unaware of this requirement, but also by law late in applying and therefore subject to very stiff penalties. LB 677 provides a window of opportunity for ranchers who are required to request an inspection to do so without fear of late penalties. No one should ignore this window. All ranchers are advised to learn if they’re required to request an inspection before the window closes and late penalties begin accruing again. The meeting format will allow for a brief explanation of who is required to request an inspection while providing the necessary documentation if such an inspection request is required.

I am quite positive that opinions on the above issues vary with the speed and direction of Nebraska winds. Please make an effort to join us at a meeting to share your thoughts and learn more about these important issues. Watch for your edition of the bi-monthly NC POST for meeting starting times or give us a call at the NC office at (402) 475-2333. If you are not an NC member, you are still welcome to attend and we encourage you to consider joining Nebraska’s oldest and largest cattlemen’s association. I look forward to seeing you this summer! Y Michael Kelsey is NC’s executive vice president.

SIDEBAR

NC Summer Meetings

7:00 – 10:00 p.m. local time

Date Location

July 23 Chadron; Country Kitchen

July 24 Scottsbluff; Panhandle Research Center

July 30 Beatrice; Gage County Fairgrounds 4-H Building

July 31 Brule; Bayside Golf Course – in conjunction with NC Region 6 Roundup

July 31 Albion; Albion Country Club

Aug. 1 Blue Hill; Senior Center

Aug. 15 Thedford; Stubbs – in conjunction with NC Region 2 Roundup

Aug. 16 McCook; Fairgrounds Community Building