The 2007 Nebraska Cattlemen Midyear Meeting is scheduled to be held in Albion and Columbus on June 7-8.  Albion, the home of current NC President Jay Wolf, and the Boone-Nance Nebraska Cattlemen affiliate will host the Midyear Annual Golf Tournament and Welcome Reception & Steak Fry on June 7.  The Platte Valley Nebraska Cattlemen affiliate will host the NC meeting events on June 8 at the Central Community College in Columbus. Cattle producers from all across Nebraska are welcome to attend the events.

Topics will include animal health, brand, education, marketing, natural resources and tax issues.  They will include: Management of trichomoniasis; Nebraska’s role in establishing a national Beef Quality Assurance program; NC’s proposed market information service for ranchers; Nebraska Brand Committee changes; An update on the Beef Checkoff Task Force; Country of origin labeling; Implementation of LB 677, which can save ranchers significant facility inspection late fees; and Implementation of LB 701, designed to help Nebraska comply with the 1943 water agreement with Kansas. Also, Sen. Ron Raikes, Education Committee Chair, (District 25, Lincoln) will address the state’s top education issues and Sen. Ray Janssen, Revenue Committee Chair, (District 15, Nickerson) will discuss the committee’s $200 million tax reduction package.

NC Midyear activities will start June 7 with the Annual Midyear Golf Tournament at the Albion Country Club. Golfers will need to arrive at the course by 10:30 a.m.  A four-person, shotgun start scramble on Albion’s 18-hole course will tee off at 11 a.m.  A sack lunch will be provided for all golfers. Following the tournament, golfers and all Midyear attendees are invited to the Welcome Reception & Steak Fry at the Country Club, hosted by the Boone-Nance Affiliate. They can enjoy an evening of food and drink and socializing with NC members from across the state. Doors will open at 5 p.m. with dinner scheduled for 6 p.m.

Also on Thursday, the Nebraska CattleWomen will hold their meetings at Albion Country Club. The CattleWomen will begin with a lunch at noon and conclude their meetings prior to the Welcome Reception & Steak Fry at 5 p.m.

On June 8, the activities move to Central Community College in Columbus with registration opening at 7 a.m. The NC Board of Directors will meet from 7 to 9 a.m., followed by the first round of committee meetings at 9 a.m. The annual NC Research and Education Foundation Lunch and program will be at 11:30 a.m. where winners of the Retail Value Steer Challenge and NC Youth Scholarships will be announced. The second round of committee meetings begin at 1:30 p.m. followed by the General Session at 4 p.m.

USDA Undersecretary Chuck Lambert will discuss trade issues during the General Session. Also, Senator Mike Friend, Urban Affairs Committee Chair (District 10, Omaha), will discuss tax issues, including the repeal of the Nebraska estate tax.

Early registration ends May 25, and is available on line at www.nebraskacattlemen.org or by calling 402-475-2333.

The Nebraska Cattlemen association serves as the representative for the state’s beef cattle industry and represents professional cattle breeders, ranchers and feeders, as well as 46 county and local cattlemen’s associations. Its headquarters are in Lincoln and a second office in Alliance serves cattlemen in western Nebraska.   This and other Nebraska Cattlemen information is available at www.nebraskacattlemen.org.