Current Nebraska Cattlemen President Todd Schroeder, Wisner, and the Cuming County Cattle Feeders will be hosting the 2009 Nebraska Cattlemen Midyear Meeting, June 17-18 in West Point. A great lineup of activities for members and their families is planned for the two-day event.

Wednesday, June 17 activities include the NC Annual Golf Tournament, local West Point agriculture business tours as well as activities for the entire family. The day will conclude at Herb Albers Feedlot with a Welcome Reception and Barbecue sponsored by the Northeast Nebraska Cattlemen Affiliate. The Midyear plans include childcare service, a Children’s Day Camp, and Beauty, Body and Beyond for ladies.

Meetings to discuss industry issues will be held in West Point at the new Nielsen Community Center, June 18 with registration opening at 7:00 a.m. Nebraska Cattlemen Committee meetings will begin at 9:00 a.m., followed by the annual NC Research and Education Foundation Lunch 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 begins at 1:30 p.m., followed by the General Session at 4:00 p.m., which will include a wrap up of NC activities and highlights of 2009 Legislative victories. The keynote speaker will be new National Cattlemen’s Beef Association CEO Forrest Roberts.

Regarding industry issues, the Brand and Property Rights Committee will hear from a Nebraska Brand Committee investigator on how they investigate stolen and lost cattle, large fraud cases and bankruptcy cases using the paper trail established by brand inspection. Another speaker will advocate that inspection is a problem for feedlots inside the inspection area and NC will provide updates on fencing and brand legislation in the 2009 session.

The Natural Resources and Environment Committee, including Ground Water Monitoring (GWM) discoveries and next steps, nitrates and ammonia in ground water from holding ponds, and why is soil chemistry important to ground water monitoring. In addition, speakers will address wind energy in Nebraska, climate change and climate change legislation, particulate matter litigation, EPCRA Reporting, and CAFO issues.

During the Taxation Committee meeting, speakers will address Nebraska’s use of the Federal stimulus money and potential comprehensive tax reform for Nebraska.

Animal Health and Nutrition Committee topics include how Trichomoniasis and Tuberculosis are affecting Nebraska and what the Legislature has discussed, current animal rights and animal welfare issues facing the industry, and how can the industry combat the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

In the Education Committee, NC’s UNL Task Force will give an update and the 2009 Nebraska Legislature will be reviewed. Speakers will address ag education in Nebraska’s schools – are we doing enough? Another speaker will discuss the University of Nebraska budgeting process.

Marketing and Commerce Committee topics include beef demand during the economic downturn; current supply-side fundamentals and the fed cattle supply outlook for the remainder of 2009. Also to be discussed: the dairy industry’s self-funded herd-reduction program, hedge margin requirements for CME Group livestock and grain futures contracts.

The final event, set for 5:00 p.m. Thursday at the Nielsen Community Center in West Point, will offer an evening with friends starting with wine and cheese tasting, followed by a smoked prime rib meal at 6:30 pm, prepared by the Cuming County Cattle Feeders. Portions of the proceeds from this event will go to the West Point Area Food Bank and the NC Political Action Committee. Canned goods will be accepted. Preregistration is required.

Nebraska Cattlemen members and others interested in a membership are encouraged to make plans to attend the 2009 Midyear Meeting. Anyone wanting more information or interested in registering for the Nebraska Cattlemen Midyear Meeting can call (402) 475-2333 or visit the Nebraska Cattlemen website at www.nebraskacattlemen.org.

The Nebraska Cattlemen association is a grassroots organization whose individual producer members determine issues of importance to the state beef industry. NC performs three basic functions. First, the association represents the beef cattle industry to the legislative and administrative branches of the state and federal governments. Second, it explains beef production (including safety of the product, use of natural resources, care of animals and beef economics) to the public and opinion influencers. Third, it provides economic and other information to members to aid them in their own planning and management. Each member has the opportunity to influence state cattlemen's association policy and priorities through participation in councils and committees. NC programs are financed by dues invested by individual members.