Nebraska Cattlemen appreciates Senator Mike Johanns’ leadership in urging Congress to immediately ratify the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) - one of the most important bilateral trade agreements in the history of the U.S. beef industry.

Many Nebraska Cattlemen (NC) members, leadership and staff attended the Cattle Industry Annual Convention in San Antonio, Texas and represented NC policy during the event that ended Jan. 30. NC members met during the NC Caucus and received updates on issues and proposed resolutions that would be discussed during committee meetings. NC members then represented NC’s policy at the various committee meetings concerning issues such as price reporting, natural resource easements, public access to private lands, brucellosis, non-ambulatory animals, taxes, beef quality assurance and many more. Several Nebraskans were named to leadership positions.

Nebraska Cattlemen, in partnership with Sand County Foundation, is seeking nominations for the 2010 Leopold Conservation Award in Nebraska. The Award, which is comprised of $10,000 and an Aldo Leopold crystal, recognizes Nebraska landowners who demonstrate outstanding stewardship and sustainable management of natural resources. The Leopold Conservation Award is presented in honor of famed conservationist and author Aldo Leopold who called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.

The Nebraska Cattlemen Board of Directors has completed its review of legislation proposed in the Legislature. The NC Legislative Committee reviewed and recommended positions to the Board on 150 bills related to NC policy or with potential to effect Nebraska cattle operations. All six NC Committee chairs and vice-chairs analyzed proposed legislation recommending positions for leadership and staff to achieve.

Seeking to secure an advantage for U.S. beef producers over competitors from other countries selling beef to South Korea, the Nebraska Cattlemen approved a resolution today that it will promote at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Convention next week in San Antonio

The stretch of cold and snowy weather that began before Christmas turned the holiday into a shoveling party for many cattle raisers, including Doug and Amber Ferguson, located south of Beatrice near Blue Springs.

Nebraska Cattlemen members attending their NC Annual Business Meeting in Kearney earlier this month accepted the recommendations from the Strategic Planning Task Force and approved its five-point plan. It includes this updated NC mission statement: Working for Nebraska beef producers providing leadership, education and representation. The plan’s first point is that Nebraska should be the “beef epicenter” for the United States.

LINCOLN, NE – Despite a monstrous snow storm last week, cattle producers were able to tend to business both on their operations and for their industry. Nebraska cattle producers cared for their animals during the storm and then hoofed it to Kearney for the annual Nebraska Cattlemen Convention. Attendance was excellent and provided for outstanding discussion and debate on key issues important to Nebraska cattle producers.

Like a prized fighter, cattle producers have taken several tough blows but are still standing. The future is bright but producers will have to act in order to realize that future, Tom Field will tell cattle producers when he delivers the keynote speech at the Nebraska Cattlemen Convention’s Opening General Session in Kearney on Dec. 10.

Before the Nebraska Cattlemen Convention officially begins in Kearney on the evening of Dec. 9, many cattle producers will arrive early to attend the Cattlemen’s College and hear speakers on five topics. They include cattle enterprise succession planning, cattle genetic profiling, impact of calving dates on profits, successes of producers who have thought outside the box, and how the animal rights movement affects cattle markets. The special presentations on these issues will occur from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Kearney Holiday Inn.