On the heels of General File debate on a historical tax relief package making its way through the Nebraska Unicameral, the policy team caught up with the four Senators responsible for making LB873 a reality in the hallways of the Capitol.  We take a dive deep into the history behind the tax package, what is all included, and how we as members can help to push it across the finish line. 

This episode's guest is Gracie Schneider, Vice President of Nebraska FFA 2021-2022.

We are joined with Representative Don Bacon to learn the difference between the recently passed infrastructure bill and the budget reconciliation package.

Pete McClymont is joined with Colonel Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. 

Ashley Kohls and Danielle Beck, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, talk about the political shenanigans that took place right around the fiscal year end for the federal government. Danielle gives behind the scenes about what NCBA has been working on.

This week we listen to the webinar with Farm Rescue: Helping Farm Families in Crisis. 

The changing demographic of rural America is evident all around us. There are fewer family farms today than there were in previous years and the number of children per family also has decreased. These trends are making it increasingly difficult for neighbors to help one another during times of crises. As our rural communities change, Farm Rescue’s presence becomes even more important when a crisis strikes.

Scott Morris, FNIC Group Senior Vice President, joins us to discuss how NCIG can help members with health insurance whether you're looking for individual insurance or your an employer looking for employee benefits. 

Read Scott's most recent blog article on insurance here: https://nebraskacattlemen.org/blog-post/lets-talk-health-insurance-options/

A while back there were posts on social media regarding the do’s and dont's of donning a cowboy hat posted by cowgirlsmagazine.com and it started quite a bit of conversation in some circles. I decided to investigate other rules in our cowboy culture and gain some insight from some of the wise elders. Read the entire article in the Nebraska Cattleman Magazine September Issue page 24. 

Senator Fischer stopped in and visited with us about current events happening in D.C., the HAULS act, and the Cattle Market Transparency Act!

Nebraska Cattlemen had much involvement this year at the State Fair. As always the Beef Pit and the Birthing Pavilion took up lot's of our members and volunteers time. We also had the 3-day Nebraska Largest Classroom event and the Nebraska Cattlemen Seedstock Council appreciation lunch for all of the open class beef exhibitors. 

Pete McClymont, Executive Vice President, discusses Nebraska Cattlemen membership, how policy is set and offers from Nebraska Cattlemen Insurance Group. 

We attended the Confined Cattle Tour in Beatrice, Nebraska. This podcast is a recording of Andy Scholting's presentation on The Confinement Option: Manure Management. Andy discusses different types of barns and the manure they produce, what to do with that manure and metrics specific to Nebraska. 

For more information about Andy please visit www.nutrientadvisors.com. 

Jacy Hauge and Ashley Kohls discuss Nebraska Cattlemen priorities. 

Jesse Fulton joins us on this podcast. Jesse is the Director of Beef Quality Assurance here in Nebraska, striving to make the program one of the top BQA programs in the Nation. On today’s podcast we will learn a little history about BQA, who the program is for and its importance in our industry.

Heat stress article: http://nebraskacattleman.org/NCAug2021/index.html?page=46

“It won’t happen to us” is no longer true. Companies and organizations of all sizes and in all industries have experienced a cyber event, even families and individuals have been taken advantage of and experienced financial loss. During this podcast, we'll hear from numerous experts in the industry on how to protect yourself and your business from a cyber attack.

Experts on the topic:

Rachel Johannsen: Director of Information Technology Compliance at First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO). Rachel has ten years of experience in the financial industry, with two years working in the Legal department and eight years focused on supporting the Bank’s Information Technology and Information Security divisions.

Anita Klanderud: Sr. Director of the Communications, Support, and Incident Response Team. The CSIR team is responsible for Security Awareness Training, Incident Response, Third Party Risk Management Information Security Reviews, and Compliance with Information Security laws and regulations.  Anita is an attorney licensed in Nebraska with 26 years of financial industry experience and 15 years of Information Security experience.

Nicole Limpert: Cyber Production Underwriter for Evolve MGA. From start-up ventures to publicly-traded companies, Evolves helps to identify, manage, and transfer commercial cyber risk. Nicole is responsible for underwriting new cyber risks, establishing and maintaining broker relationships throughout the Midwest, and conducting educational-style presentations to teach insurance professionals on the complex cyber landscape.

Jeff Scanlan: Graduate of Peru State College with a B.A. in Business Administration and earned his Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation in 1986. He spent nearly twenty years with the Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group. While at Berkshire Hathaway, Jeff managed various underwriting units. He later became a regional manager and had responsibility for all underwriting, pricing, loss control, and company service results. He was also a member of the company’s Product Development team where he was successful in launching programs for the Agricultural Industry, Construction, Workers’ Compensation, and Specialty Auto. Jeff is a past member and Chairman of the NE Property and Liability Guarantee Association. He was appointed to several insurance legislative boards and has testified on numerous bills. Jeff has been involved as an adjunct instructor for various insurance classes and seminars.

Danielle Beck is the Senior Executive Director, Government Affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. On this episode, Danielle talks about major federal tax proposals currently proposed by the Biden administration.

“Recently, there was an announcement that a bipartisan agreement had been reached on a hard infrastructure proposal. Shortly after, the President stated that he would only be willing to sign hard infrastructure into law if a human infrastructure accompanied it. Conversations are continually ongoing on the hill because there’s a lot of concern about some of the tax changes that have been proposed that would ultimately be necessary to pay for and move a human infrastructure proposal through the reconciliation process. We have strong bipartisan support for common sense tax code.”

Tanner Beymer, Director of Government Affairs & Market Regulatory Policy for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. On this episode Ashley Kohls, Vice President of Government Affairs for Nebraska Cattlemen catches Tanner in-person in Denver, Colorado during a session of meetings on cattle and beef market policy.

“The optimum solution to the woes that we are experiencing in terms of low cattle prices and in terms of market competition, a lot of that can be solved by adding more hooks into the system. It is a lot more tenable for that to be a small to midsized level producer.”

Livestock Mandatory Reporting (LMR) is a program that must be reauthorized every 5 years. Last year, NCBA helped secure a one-year extension. We are coming up on expiration of that one-year extension.

“Everyone needs to know that LMR is a high priority to the U.S. cattle industry, and we need to make sure that LMR makes it into the final version of whatever legislative package it gets attached to.”

NCBA’s convention will be held August 10 -12th in Nashville, TN. For more information and to register you can go to www.ncba.org.

“Make sure you are staying involved because that is how we set policy in this organization. You, personally, may not like the direction that NC or NCBA is going on a particular issue, so it is imperative then that you show up to the meetings and voice that on the record.”

#TuneInTuesday #HerdItHere

Danielle Beck is the Senior Executive Director, Government Affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. On this episode Danielle talks about what’s recently resurfaced as a hot topic not just among cattlemen, but within the Biden administration – meat labels!

“Lets deliver to consumers what they’re looking for which is more information about where their products are coming from, more accurate claims about the products that they’re purchasing. They love US beef, it’s safe affordable and nutritious product that they feel good about eating.”

Renae Sieck was the 2020 Beef State Scholarship Recipient. Renae has been doing research at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln in beef cattle genetics. 

"My passion for livestock genetics was initiated growing up in a family that raises beef cattle. In my time showing heifers in 4-H and FFA, my parents ensured I was a part of the mating decisions for my animals. Through this, I found I enjoyed looking at bull sale catalogs and learning about expected progeny differences. 

This interest led me to major in animal science when I enrolled in college at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln (UNL). I was hired as an intern with Neogen Genomics, where I got to further my experience with livestock genetic testing. After undergraduate graduation, I enrolled in a master’s degree program in the UNL Animal Science Department with a focus on animal breeding and genetics. During this time, I was fortunate to be selected as the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Beef State Scholarship recipient. This scholarship has allowed me to continue in my master’s program and focus on performing research that I hope will help the beef industry. In this article, I will describe some of the research I did as part of my master’s degree program where I worked to identify the root of an inherited cattle defect. "

Read Renae's article in the 2021 June/July Nebraska Cattleman Magazine (page 36) here. 

Dr. Lourens J. Havenga discusses when to care and why when it comes to trace minerals in breeding cattle.

· Risk points in the breeding female: When risk arises, why it does and how we can manage through it.
· Impacts that this calving season has on the upcoming breeding season.
· Optimize this breeding season! When to consider management changes in breeding bulls.
· Does data support applying different technologies in the same herd?

Dr Lourens J Havenga, BVSc

Dr Havenga received his veterinary degree from the University of Pretoria (Onderstepoort), South Africa in 1995. Following two years in bovine practice in the United Kingdom, Dr Havenga returned to South Africa and joined the pharmaceutical industry. Dr Havenga was responsible for licensing several USA animal health products for different companies in South Africa.

Since 2005, he has been working exclusively on injectable trace minerals. This includes research projects, licensing and marketing. During 2009 he relocated to Colorado where he manages the Multimin USA Inc. company.

Dr Havenga has lead several university and private studies in the USA, generating data on the absorption, storage, function and effects on reproduction and immune function, following the use of injectable trace minerals.

Producer Education Webinar with alliantgroup.

During this webinar you will hear from alliantgroup director, Neil Shah, as well as Former Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns. Neil and Mike will introduce you to alliantgroup as well as discuss some of the current tax credits that are available. They will also dive a little into the current state of the agriculture industry and explain some of the major tax credits available for producers to help grow their business.

SPEAKER BIOS:

NEIL SHAH

MIKE JOHANNS

Beef Quality Assurance is a nationally coordinated, state implemented program that provides systematic information to U.S. beef producers and beef consumers of how common sense husbandry techniques can be coupled with accepted scientific knowledge to raise cattle under optimum management and environmental conditions.

Why is BQA Important?

• Demonstrates commitment to food safety and quality
• Safeguards the public image of the beef and dairy industry
• Upholds consumer confidence in beef and beef products
• Protects from governmental regulation

How you can get certified.

• In-person training
• On-line here

Producer Continuing Education - BQA Recertification

• Participation in a BQA Assessment of your operation by the BQA State Coordinator or approved party
• Attending 6 hours (over a 3 year period) of approved BQA continuing ed events posted online at bqa.unl.edu and submit proof you attended to the Director of Nebraska BQA. Extension education opportunities that take producers on a deeper dive in industry production practices.
  

Questions regarding Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) contact:

Jesse Fulton 

308-633-0158 

nebraskabqa@unl.edu

The planning and the design process can be challenging, but your operation can function safer and more efficient with changes when you are able to look at the large picture.

Responsible and profitable cattle feeding includes the proper movement and handling of animals during the growing cycle.

Poorly designed processing facilities can result in increased stress on both the cattle and the people doing the work.

This webinar presents the key elements to be considered when planning and designing a new, upgraded or expanded processing facility.
· Cattle handling facilities come in all shapes and sizes.

· Good stockmanship can overcome poor facilities

· Good facilities can not overcome poor stockmanship

· The best facilities are those where cattle and people are safe and comfortable

· Proper planning can be tremendous asset and SASE can be a resource to help

Our new leaders have a heart for the members of Nebraska Cattlemen. In this weeks episode we all reflected on what it means to be a member of Nebraska Cattlemen and all the different ways to be involved.

In this webinar Ward Labs examines how crop residue removal impacts soil health, inspects the true costs of baling crop residues including the often overlooked piece: nutrient removal, and goes over other considerations for grazing crop residues such as compaction, nitrates, and meeting animal nutrient requirements.

Speakers:

Rebecca Kern, MS, Professional Animal Scientist

As Ward Laboratories’ Animal Scientist, she reviews feed and forage data for quality and accuracy, promotes our feed testing department and consults with livestock producers among other duties. Rebecca earned her Master of Animal Nutrition at the University of Wyoming working on a collaborative project with the US Meat Animal Research Center studying beef feed efficiency. Upon completion of the maters program she worked at USMARC for 2 years as a research technician and has experience working with beef cattle and swine.

Terry Buettner, Account Development and Agronomy Support Manager

Terry has several years of experience as an Ag Producer. For 34 years he has been raising corn, soybeans, alfalfa, small grains and forages in the Kearney area. He is also a cow calf producer with a commercial herd and purebred Simmental seedstock operation. Terry earned his B.S. Business Administration with an economics minor from University of Nebraska-Kearney, 1983. He joined Ward Laboratories Inc in 2017.

Eric lays out how you can help make the China opportunity a reality.

Contact your Congressional delegation to help “Support the full implementation of Phase One of the U.S.-China Agreement, including the acceptance of ractopamine used in U.S. beef.”

1. China is buying significant quantities of beef & pork.
2. Ractopamine (Optaflexx) can improve competitiveness of U.S. beef. China’s zero tolerance for racto represents significant lost income for U.S. producers & packers from reduced production efficiency = an average of $27 per head to the producer, and $10 per head to the packer.
3. Please consider weighing in with the White House – the Vice President’s office, USTR, and USDA, and then we’ll be in good shape to maximize the potential of the China market for U.S. beef.

In this podcast we talk with Jessica Hermann, Vice President of Legal and Government Affairs, on the 2020 Nebraska Legislative Session.

Jessica discusses Nebraska Cattlemen’s priority bills, what happened and where they ended up. The difference in practices in the Rotunda after COVID-19. LB 1107 which was the property tax relief bill that was passed and the next steps towards NC’s overall goal of property tax reform. Between now and next session NC is tracking a few interim studies.

The webinar starts off with Jeff Stolle, Nebraska Cattlemen market reporting service, giving a market overview going on 150 days from when COVID-19 started to affect our marketplace. Jeff goes through charts of the Nebraska weekly average for dressed steers, USDA choice boxed beef, USDA choice/select spread, USDA cattle on feed: 7 sates – 1,000+ capacity, USDA weekly steer carcass weight and more.

Ashley Kohls, Director of Government Affairs at Nebraska Cattlemen, gives a recap of some of the NCBA Summer Business meeting that was held in Denver last week (21 min 21 seconds). Something NC gets asked frequently is our organizations stance on the Live Cattle Marketing committee meeting. Do we consider it a win, lose or draw? Allison VanDerWal, Executive Director at MN State Cattlemen Association, gives an update on the remaining committee meetings from NCBA summer business meeting. (34 minutes 40 seconds) Find out more as Ashley and Allison dig deeper into policy and the happenings of the meeting.

Nikki Whitaker, Membership Coordinator at Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, gives a USDA CFAP Program update (42 minutes 50 seconds). Everyone received their 80% and FSA Administrator Fordyce did say during the NCBA summer meeting that the extra 20% is likely. CFAP payments are slowing thus far there has been $6.8 billion or 43% paid so far. Iowa takes the cake thus far on livestock payments of $344,xxx,xxx.xx through the CFAP program.

Jessica Herrmann, VP of Legal & Government Affairs at Nebraska Cattlemen, talks about the two current bills in congress for the fourth round of COVID funding (49 minutes 46 seconds). Jessie goes over the HEROES Act that was passed in the U.S. House of Representatives giving $16.5 billion in direct prescriptive support and $33 billion indirectly when considering other ag relief and conservation efforts in the package. The HEALS act that was passed in the U.S. Senate gave $20 billion in direct aid to livestock producers at the discretion of USDA.

Moderated by: Ryan Cox, Extension Meat Specialist at the University of Minnesota Speakers: Laura Field, Legislative Coordinator for Nebraska Department of Agriculture and Preston Correll, Marksbury Farm, Kentucky. More about Marksbury farm here.

“I’ve got a market, I’ve got the cattle, let’s get this going”… Ask yourself these two questions 1. Is there a true market for your product? And 2. Is there a steady supply year-round?
For Preston Correll the bigger question aside from financing, supply and market demand was “can I spend enough time doing this? Can I keep my day job?” Starting out from ground zero “99 out of 100 times you will fail if you are expecting this new venture to pay your salary, pay for the farm, pay for your mortgage, I don’t care what your performance says it’s not going to work out that way.” Starting small and growing into your customer base can be very rewarding. Another key point, you must have excellent accounting. “I caution people who want to start from scratch and go get a big bank loan to do business.”

Success rates of people reaching out wanting to process vs. those who actually go through with it.
Laura Field describes Nebraska situation as “unique in the landscape of processing facilities as we have many large packers and a lot of smaller lockers that are certified USDA inspected and again just as many small lockers that are exempt. We do not have a State inspection program in Nebraska.” Even with a State Inspection program in place getting a facility up and running is and will be a rigorous process.

Promoting Product – how to?
You must have something to hang your hat on. It does not matter what type of product you have you must find your niche market, develop your label plus hold the necessary inventory for business. Starting out for Marksbury farms they had to have 15 weeks of sales in inventory per market. Understand the labels and what your product must be to label them as a specialty. Remember that “there is value in the brand.”

Seasonality of Supply
From a processing perspective the reality is that the business is dominated by weekly schedules. The shelf life of meat having a weekly delivery window is appropriate. From the marketing side seasonality isn’t necessary a big deal when you are very small, 20 head a year, if you are organized and have your processing spots set up in advance allowing you to sell when the time is good. When you grow larger seasonality is something that can be tough to manage. Having enough head to process every week you need to take inventory into account, and you may not always need that inventory when the next animal is ready to go.

Co-Packing?
Co-packing for a processor helps as added value to your processing plant especially if you personally do not have enough inventory to keep the plants doors open during the week. Preston suggests finding some way for the processor to get their customers vested in the success of the facility ensuring that they will continue to come and do business.

How do to distribute your product?
Know and research your state and/or federal processing as well as retail regulations and exemptions.

Where do you start?
Look at numerous other plants. How are they laid out, what do you like what don’t you like. Gain knowledge and the structure and equipment before you build and buy. If you are not knowledgeable in meat processing find someone that is that can help and advise.

Listen for more information on pricing your product, prerequisites, Nebraska Beef in Schools Program and more!

Ashley Kohls, Director of Government Affairs talks with Scott Yager, NCBA Chief Environmental Council on the recent Navigable Waters Protection Rule.

On June 22nd, the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR) became effective law in all states but Colorado. In light of the court-ordered stay, Colorado will continue to act under the 1987 Rule and post-Rapanosguidance. All other 49 states are now living under the NWPR. This is a solid victory as we have completed the first hurdle on the road to Supreme Court endorsement of the Trump Administration’s NWPR.

The Trump administration’s replacement of the disastrous 2015 WOTUS Rule is a win for the cattle industry. The NWPR draws back the federal overreach of the 2015 WOTUS Rule and provides clarity on farm exclusions. As the NWPR is a major achievement of the Trump Administration, it is being challenged in multiple courts across the country by several coalitions of activists and Democratic AGs.

Anticipating the courtroom battles, NCBA’s Officers and Executive Committee elected to continue our leadership on this issue by intervening in select cases to defend the rule. Our litigation coalition filed motions for intervention in lawsuits in South Carolina, California, and Colorado. The judge in South Carolina granted our motion, allowing us in the lawsuit as defendant-intervenors. We are still waiting for California and Colorado to decide our requests for intervention.

For more information be sure to check out: https://www.epa.gov/nwpr

To follow this litigation and NCBA’s involvement please visit their website: https://www.ncba.org/

Moderated by: Dr. Elliot Dennis, Agriculture Economics – UNL

The webinar began with Richard Jelinek, Vice President – Global Education, FCM Division of INTL FCStone discussing the importance of Risk Management Price and Basis Risk (4min 20 seconds). Richard tells you why price risk management is important. “Success favors the prepared. Success also favors those willing to change”. Richard takes you through volatility, risk and reward aka market opportunity, and overall cattlemen’s market - price AND basis.

When do you pull the trigger on risk management? The second presenter was Mike Maroney, Client Services Manager at CIH Beef Margin Management Program and he gives insight to this question (16 min 30 seconds). There is not a discrete moment in time when you are trying nail the to hit the exact high or exact low in the marketplace. The answer: It is a process! Yes, the ideal time to hedge is during the high but you will not know it is the high until it becomes hindsight. Mike goes through some tips and factors to consider when developing your risk management game plan. RESOURCE: MarginManager.com

Miles Bearden, Risk Management Consultant, FMC Division of INTL FCStone covers risk management applications – futures & options (26 min 50 seconds). What exactly is hedge? True hedge result = net result of the two market positions, local cash market and futures/options/otc. Miles go through examples of futures strategies, what if scenarios and how futures convey obligations.  He then discusses options strategies, what if scenarios and how options convey rights. Miles finishes up with key points when hedging with futures and options.

Next Pete Fish, Risk Management Associate, FCM Division of INTL FCStone digs deeper into risk management alternatives – video contracts and livestock risk protection (41 minutes 45 seconds). Pete goes into marketing tools such as forward pricing using video auctions and livestock risk protection. If you take anything away from this presentation it should be that knowing your breakeven is key to using these tools.

We finish up the presentations with Kenny Burdine, Extension Livestock Economist, UK Agricultural Economics (53 minutes). Kenny stresses the importance of having a game plan when using price risk management tools. Risk management plans force you to develop a solid plan, gain knowledge of your market, understand your options, and identify your resources. Risk management plans should include multiple strategies, acknowledgment of risk tolerance, and consideration of your financial situation.

Questions and Answers (1 hour 5 minutes 40 seconds)

On this episode Jessica Herrmann, NC Vice President of Legal and Government Affairs discusses current assistance funds for livestock producers and answers top questions that we have received on both programs.

CFAP enrollment is open until August 28th, 2020. Over this three-month period approved applicants will receive 80 percent of their maximum total payment to ensure the availability of funding. The remaining portion of the payment will be paid later as funds remain available.

Producers interested in applying please download the application here. Prior to submitting your application please contact your local FSA agency. Also, if you have questions or need additional one-on-one support with the CFAP application process, please call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to offer assistance. For more information on CFAP click here.

On Wednesday, this week Governor Pete Ricketts announced the availability of $100 million for livestock producers under the Nebraska Coronavirus Relief Fund Program co-administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. If you missed the release you can read it here.

Stabilization grants for livestock producer’s signup begins on June 15. Producers can use the SBS grant money as working capital to pay for operating expenses, with the purpose of helping the producer maintain or bounce back during the period of economic downturn.

Nebraska Cattlemen will keep everyone updated as more information on the application process becomes available. Once available the application and deadline dates will be announced here: https://getnebraskagrowing.nebraska.gov/?page_id=82

The segment of the beef supply chain closest to the consumers may  have more leverage than we realize on how cattle are raised and priced.  We wrap up our webinar series hearing from meat industry merchandisers  who work on the opposite side of the packing industry as cattlemen to  hear what goes into negotiation beef prices.

Speaker:
Kate  Miller, known as “The Meat Lady” online, is a 3rd generation cow calf  producer from southern Arkansas. With ten years of domestic and  international meat sales experience working with Sysco, US Foods and  other broadline distributors and retailers—she tries to bring meat  industry experience back home to the farm–to help tell the story of beef  from trailer to table.

Part 3 of our Black Swan Event Series - with Peter Carstensen.

Topics that we will be covering:

• History of antitrust law in the United States
• Antitrust enforcement in the meat packing industry
• Available options to producers: how to change the current structure
• Failure of merger law to succeed
• Monopolization
• Role of the Packers & Stockyards Act and its relevancy in recent market disruptions (Holcomb & COVID)

Speaker: Peter  C. Carstensen is a Professor of Law Emeritus. From 1993 to 2002 he  served as Associate Dean for Faculty Research and Development at the UW  Law School. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, and  received his law degree and a master’s degree in economics from Yale  University. From 1968 to 1973, he was an attorney at the Antitrust  Division of the United States Department of Justice assigned to the  Evaluation Section, where one of his primary areas of work was on  questions of relating competition policy and law to regulated  industries. He has been a member of the faculty of the UW Law School  since 1973. He is a Senior Fellow of the American Antitrust Institute.

Wonder what Nebraska Cattlemen programs are for you? Tune into this week’s podcast as we unpack multiple programs special to the membership of Nebraska Cattlemen!

Part 2 of our Black Swan Event series - with Susan Littlefield, Steve Williams and Ed Greiman.

Packer Panel:

Steve Williams, JBS (Right)—Steve  has worked with Continental Grain Company Feed yard in Texhoma Oklahoma  as well as Monfort Cattle Buyer out of Guymon Oklahoma before joining the JBS team where he has been for 24 years.

Ed Greiman, Upper Iowa Beef (left)— Ed  is the general manager at Upper Iowa Beef. He also operates a cow/calf  and feedlot operation with his family. Ed has held positions in some of  the most influential organizations and companies in the beef industry.

Part 1 of our Black Swan Event series - with Jeff Stolle About the speaker: Geoffery (Jeff) Stolle – VP-Marketing – Nebraska Cattlemen – Lincoln, NE Jeff Stolle was born and raised on a family owned cow-calf and  row-crop farming operation near Wharton, Texas – on the Texas Coastal  Bend between Houston and Victoria – and is an Animal Science graduate of  Texas A&M University. After receiving his undergraduate degree in  December of 1989, Jeff remained at Texas A&M and did graduate work  in Feedyard Management and Beef Cattle Marketing before joining the  Nebraska Cattlemen Association as a Market Analyst in the summer of  1991. Jeff has served as Vice President of Marketing and the lead staff  person for the association’s Market Reporting Service since 1994. The  Market Reporting Service currently provides up-to-the-minute market  information for approximately 300 feedyards in Nebraska, Iowa, South  Dakota, Minnesota, and Illinois. Jeff is also the primary staff person  for the Association’s Marketing and Commerce Committee and NC staff  liaison to NCBA on marketing and risk management focused issues. Jeff and his wife Sarah feed cattle on their own account in Nebraska  custom feedyards and also work as sales representatives for Crossroads  Cattle Co. of Austin, Texas – marketing calves and yearlings from  throughout the United States into Midwestern feedyards.

With Susan Harris & Emily Freudenburg!

Pete McClymont Nebraska Cattlemen EVP interviewed Colin Woodall, NCBA CEO about Country of Origin Labeling.

Country of Origin Labeling an issue the industry has been dealing  with for nearly 20 years. A significant misinterpretation is that  consumers don’t know where their food is coming from; therefore, it must  be contaminated beef coming from other countries. However, that is not  the case; COOL is a marketing program which has nothing to do with food  safety. For 6.5 years COOL was the law of the land and there is no  indication that it benefited the industry. In fact, many folks can  account for the losses they saw because of country of origin labeling.

If you look at the data, the price slide started well over 6 months  before COOL was repealed in December 2015. Canada and Mexico are 2 of  the top 5 export markets for beef and moments away from putting  retaliatory tariffs in place over COOL. The World Trade Organization  ruled in their favor over COOL saying it violated the trade agreement  because of the segregation that went into place in order to comply with  country of origin labeling.

NCBA believes in a voluntary country of origin labeling program.  Producers would not get the benefits of individualized creative product  labeling from a federally mandated program that they would with a  voluntary one. The beef industry needs to be flexible with labeling,  allowing producers to do what is best for their operation and for  consumers across the World.

We are continuing our “New Year, New Leaders” series talking about Nebraska Cattlemen’s policy process. Tune into this week’s episode to learn about what is happening in Lincoln, Washington D.C., and the importance of the grassroots policy process!

Listen on all major podcast platforms and hit the subscribe button!

We are starting a special edition of the Herd it Here podcast. “New Year, New Leaders” this will be a four-part series highlighting our leadership team at Nebraska Cattlemen and their goals for 2022.

Be sure to not miss an episode! Listen on all major Podcast platforms and hit subscribe!

Zach Sibbel joins us on the Herd it Here podcast to visit about Blue Reef Agri-Marketing and what they can do for your operation.

Over the last 24 months we have seen volatile markets in the cattle industry due to black swan events. Landon Nelson with Farm Credit Services discusses how the Livestock Risk Protection Program (LRP) can help in these unpredictable markets.

Our beef industry partners are making green house gas reductions and net zero commitments and we need to find out how we can be environmentally proactive.