Nebraska

Party in the Pasture: Tickets On Sale Now for the Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska

Fri, 08 May 2026 13:07:15 GMT

If Cozad, Neb., cattlewoman Linda Benjamin has her way, her grandchildren or great-grandchildren won’t ever have to worry about a cancer diagnosis.

“If everybody gets together and we work really hard on this, we’re going to beat this,” says Benjamin. She, her husband, Howard, and their family, along with neighbors Levi and Bobbie Jo Messersmith, will host the 2026 Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska, which unites people across the agriculture industry to raise money for cancer research.

The annual event, slated for June 5 and 6, will be hosted at the Benjamin’s pasture 10 miles north of Cozad. Tickets are on sale until May 15 for the ball, which promises a good time and good beef, all in a picturesque location.

“It’s just the most beautiful site. You can see the entire valley from there,” Benjamin says.

The pasture was selected for its accessibility, off a paved road and with plenty of space for all the weekend’s activities.

Independent country music star Aaron Watson will headline the Saturday evening concert, performing his top hit singles like “Freight Train” and “Outta Style.”

The jam-packed schedule also includes a style show, golf outing, 5K run, gourmet beef meals, auctions, additional entertainment bringing together Nebraskans from across the state for fellowship, fundraising and fun.

“I hope everybody walks away with some type of ‘wow’ moment, whether it’s educational through the health care tent or beef. I just want people to come back and say, ‘I can’t believe you guys did this,’” Benjamin says.

The Cattlemen’s Ball raises vital support for the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, with 90% of proceeds directed to cancer research and 10% benefiting local health and wellness initiatives in the host community.

The Messersmiths have set a big goal fundraising but are also eager to show others what makes Cozad and the surrounding area so special.

“It’ll have that hometown feel,” Bobbie Jo says. “I want to promote the area and just our good, solid family values.”

Since its founding in 1998, the event has generated more than $20 million to advance cancer detection, treatment and care across Nebraska.

“We’re going to have a party in the pasture and we’re going to raise money for a really good cause and you don’t have to be a cattleman,” Benjamin says. “All you have to do is buy a ticket… buy a ticket and you’re going to be surprised.”

Tickets and event details are available at CattlemensBall.com .

The Steward of the Sandhills: Barb Cooksley’s Legacy of Resilience and Leadership

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:32:36 GMT

As the world continues celebrating 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF), the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB) is proud to shine a light on the women whose leadership strengthens the U.S. beef industry each day. This month, we are honored to highlight Barb Cooksley, a Nebraska Sandhills rancher whose story reflects six generations of stewardship and an unwavering commitment to the grasslands she calls home.

Barb Cooksley’s story begins in southwest Nebraska, where she grew up on a cow-calf operation with her parents and two older sisters.

“We were the ranch crew,” she says, laughing. “We did everything — rode horses, worked cattle, hunted, fished — even ran machinery.”

Cooksley knew early on no matter what she ended up doing, she would stay outdoors. After high school, she attended the University of Nebraska, earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agronomy and range science. She soon began a career with the Soil Conservation Service, which is now the Natural Resources Conservation Service, working across Nebraska on rangeland conservation.

Marriage and family brought a new season, and Cooksley stepped away from full-time agency work to become a ranch wife and mom. When her daughter started school, she became a congressional agricultural staffer, spending nine years supporting two U.S. Representatives while staying active in Nebraska Cattlemen, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and more.

Today, Cooksley draws on her diverse experience and her deep roots on the land to guide every decision she makes on the Cooksley Ranch.

(Photo provided by Barb Cooksley)

Life on the Ranch

When asked what a typical day looks like, Cooksley laughs out loud.

“Typical? “No two days are the same,” she says. “You always have a plan, but the plan changes.”

At any moment, a phone call may change everything. A downed fence, cattle out, an equipment breakdown or wildfire could instantly redirect the day’s priorities.

Cooksley says she often ends up as the gopher, driving 15 to 100 miles for parts, supplies or whatever else is needed at the time. She also handles pasture checks, livestock management and weed control along with daily logistics.

“Whatever has to be done, gets done,” she says. “And whatever should be done, we’ll get to it.”

Family, Community and the Journey to Little Miss Clearcut

Cooksley and her husband, George, are now the fourth generation on the ranch. The fifth and sixth generations are already involved, which is a major point of pride for her.

She says this cycle of life on the ranch is what brings her the deepest joy.

“There’s a moment every year when that first calf drops, and it gets up. The mama licks it off, and the next day it’s bouncing around. That’s the wow moment. That’s why we’re here,” she explains.

In addition to her love for life on the ranch, Cooksley places a deep value on the people who surround it.

“Your community is your extended family,” she says.

Whether at church, the hardware store or the grocery store, neighbors visit and help each other.

“We’re each other’s news reporters,” she smiles. “If you’re not involved, you don’t know what’s going on.”

That close-knit community doesn’t just share stories. It also shares in responsibility for the land.

Nearly 40 years on the ranch has sharpened Cooksley’s eye for change. One of the most significant decisions she made was confronting Eastern red cedar encroachment – trees that can quickly overtake native grasslands, reducing forage and water supply and increasing wildfire risk.

“These are treeless, grass-covered sand dunes,” she says, referencing the Sandhills. “You start seeing cedars pop up, you cut them.”

Cooksley took it upon herself to become the ranch’s leading cedar-removal specialist, partnering with neighbors and university educators to protect the region. Her dedication earned her a nickname she’s proud of: Little Miss Clearcut.

She also serves as the certified pesticide applicator for the ranch, ensuring they respond quickly and responsibly to thistles or other invasive species.

A Lesson in Patience

When asked about her biggest challenge as a producer, Cooksley’s answer is both honest and heartfelt.

“Aging,” she says simply. “Years of ranch work take a toll. You keep doing things, but you do them differently.”

She speaks openly about being patient with herself and teaching younger crew members how to work smarter, not harder.

Still, her joy for ranch work remains. Through long days, Cooksley leans on three things: faith, family and friendships.

“Once you realize you don’t have control over it, it’s your faith,” she says. “God gives you strength. He gives you the people around you.”

Her motivation grows from a genuine desire to care for the operation and the people who share in the work.

Cooksley’s 3 Tips for Future Women Farmers

For those dreaming of a life in agriculture, her advice is simple:

Be passionate. Love what you do.
Find your strengths and build on them.
Know your weaknesses and surround yourself with people who complement them.

Lessons Without Words

For Cooksley, taking the time to pause has always been important.

“Sometimes you just stop,” she says, alluding to the sights around the Sandhills. “You don’t capture it on your phone. You just take it in.”
When she gives ranch tours, she often turns off the vehicle and waits quietly to see if visitors notice the beauty and serene environment like she does. Most do, and the moment becomes theirs too.

“You’re here to work, but you’re also here to enjoy it,” she says.

At the heart of the Cooksley operation is love — for the land, the livestock and the people who make it all possible: family.

“You want to love the people you work with,” she says. “Because you’re going to disagree, sometimes loudly. But in the end, you know they’d sacrifice themselves for you, and you’d do the same for them.”

That sense of unity defines the ranch and ensures the legacy continues.

Continuing the Story

Through her leadership and her generosity of spirit, Cooksley’s story reflects the heart of the Nebraska Sandhills and the values that sustain it: resilience, faith, family and a deep respect for the land.

As the International Year of the Woman Farmer continues, USRSB is proud to honor women like Cooksley who ensure the story of agriculture remains one purpose.

Learn more about sustainable beef and producer leadership by visiting the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef website .

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Fewer Vegans, More Meat Eaters: What It Means for Beef

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:21:18 GMT

Not long ago, it felt like beef had a target on its back.

Between headlines about plant-based alternative proteins, questions about how cattle are raised and shifting consumer preferences, there was a lot of speculation about beef’s future. As a young rancher, I heard those conversations just like everyone else — and like many producers, I wondered what they might mean for our industry long term.

Today, the conversation looks very different.

Beef demand is strong, even as prices remain high and supplies are tight. And that strength isn’t just anecdotal — it’s backed by data. Beef Checkoff-funded research like the Meat Demand Monitor (MDM), a monthly national survey of U.S. consumers, continues to show that consumers value beef for its taste and that eating satisfaction plays a major role in their purchasing decisions.

In fact, a report summarizing the MDM’s findings from February 2020 to December 2025 shows that more than 85% of Americans today identify as meat consumers, and consumer willingness to pay for beef at retail has increased faster than inflation. Over that same period, the number of consumers identifying as vegetarian or vegan has declined from 14% to just 7%.

Furthermore, broader food and nutrition trends are working in beef’s favor. Protein continues to be top of mind for consumers, whether they’re focused on overall health, weight management or maintaining muscle as they age. Even the rise of GLP-1 medications has reinforced the importance of nutrient-dense foods, with many users prioritizing protein to support their health goals.

I occasionally run ultramarathons and enjoy strength training, and I’ve experienced firsthand how important nutrition is when you’re pushing your body to its limit. Athletes often tailor their diets carefully, focusing on complete protein to support muscle development and recovery. Increasingly, more Americans — even non-athletes — are thinking about food in those same terms.

That trend plays directly to beef’s strengths as a flavorful, nutrient-dense protein. It’s also reflected in the continued recognition of lean beef as part of a healthy dietary pattern in the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans , reinforcing what many of us in the industry have long known: beef can absolutely be part of a healthy lifestyle.

That recognition doesn’t happen by accident. Research and education play an important role in helping consumers access accurate information about beef. Producers are investing in nutrition research through the Beef Checkoff, and that research continues to explore beef’s role in healthy dietary patterns. Meanwhile, outreach to health professionals helps ensure science-based information reaches the people influencing what we eat.

On our ranch, we’ve seen that demand play out firsthand. Cattle prices have remained strong for the past two years. That’s a welcome change from years when we hoped to simply break even after accounting for feed, fuel and other input costs. Strong cattle prices reflect the reality that supplies are tight and demand for finished beef remains strong.

Conversations with my neighbors suggest many operations are experiencing the same.

However, strong demand today doesn’t guarantee strong demand tomorrow. That’s why continued investment in building demand, expanding market opportunities and strengthening consumer trust matters.

Like many producers, I think a lot about what it will take to keep family operations viable for the next generation. Recent devastating wildfires near our ranch here in Nebraska are a reminder of just how quickly challenges can arise — and how deeply they can affect our communities. While there’s no single solution, continued investment in building demand, expanding market opportunities and strengthening consumer trust plays an important role in helping keep operations viable and our industry strong.

As I take on a larger role in our family ranch, I’m encouraged — not just by where beef demand stands today, but by the factors supporting it. My generation of cattle producers takes the future of this industry seriously. We want the opportunity to pass down healthy, viable operations to the next generation — just as previous generations did for us.

Jaslyn Livingston is a fourth-generation cattle producer from Broadwater, Neb., where she helps manage A Lazy L Ranch LLC with her family. The diversified operation includes cow-calf, feedlot and row-crop production. She also serves on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, helping guide Beef Checkoff programs focused on research, education and promotion.

Through the Flames: Miracles, Heartbreak and the Fight for Nebraska’s Cattle Country

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 22:26:16 GMT

Ranchers Julie and James Hawkins were at the dentist, two hours from their Arthur, Neb., ranch, when they got the call. The smoke was encroaching.

With Julie behind the wheel, and little regard for the speed limit, James was on the phone with their children — Annie, 17, and Ward, 21 — talking them through how to ready the tractor, disc, trucks, trailers and water rig for battle.

When Julie and James arrived back at the ranch around 5:30 p.m., they could see a massive plume.

“It looked like a storm front coming in, and then I realized it was all smoke,” James recalls. “The fire line was several miles wide.”

Frantic calls to the neighbors and the Garden County Sheriff revealed the wildfire was already “2 miles east of Racket Road,” a key landmark that meant it was close.

It was go time. Ward left with the tractor and disc to cut a firebreak around their hay yard. James took the fire truck. Annie followed with a pickup and trailer loaded with horses. Julie hopped in another truck to find their cows.

She expected their cows to be sheltered beneath a hill, but they weren’t there. She took out over the rough terrain to keep looking.

“I topped this ridge, and there’s fire and there’s my cows,” she recalls. “I honked the horn, ‘Come on, girls, let’s go.’ The fire was on my northwest, it was on my west and it had already shot past south, underneath Ward Hill.”

The panic set in because she had left her husband and daughter at Ward Hill filling the water tank on the fire truck.

Julie coaxed the cows to safety down into the valley where her son disced a firebreak to protect their hay yard. James and Annie had outrun the wildfire and made it back to the hay yard. The family turned on its irrigation pivot and moved the horses, trailers, saddles and other valuable equipment behind the pivot for protection.

When Julie Hawkins found her cow herd she also found the fire. She recalls the fire was on her northwest, west and it had already shot past south, underneath Ward Hill.

(Hawkins Family)

A Fire Wall Several Miles Wide Leaves Destruction

The Hawkins family was one of the many ranchers impacted by the historic Morrill Fire that burned more than 642,000 acres.

The “fast-moving, overwhelming event” that started on March 12 devastated pasture and hay resources, describes Dusty Wilson, a fourth-generation cow-calf producer from southwest Arthur County, but it also revealed the strength and generosity of the ranching community.

Northwest winds up to 75 mph meant firefighters’ efforts were no match for the west-to-east threat that escalated quickly, he explains.

Wilson and his 84-year-old father, Delwin, stayed behind to move cattle and fight fire while his wife and kids evacuated.

The father-and-son duo drove to the calving pasture blaring the horn, trying to locate and call the cows in the dark and smoke.

“We had already tried to move a few other bunches, opening gates to give them areas of exit,” Wilson says.

They were unable to locate the cows when they noticed the fire was moving closer and it was time to evacuate. They left the pasture, praying the cows could find protection from the fire.

When the fire reached Wilson’s place he describes the wall of fire was several miles wide, and it “boiled over the hill” right behind his dad’s house, his barn and their shop.

“We almost got trapped,” he recalls. “We were able to find a safe spot, a sandy spot, around a windmill to park and shelter until that wave got around us.”

Both the Hawkins and Wilson families spent Thursday night fighting fire along with their neighbors and volunteer firefighters. Generations of family members, including kids, worked together to help move cows, horses, equipment and pets while other family members scouted fire location and wind shifts.

After the fire at Hawkins’ ranch.

(Hawkins family)

Miracle in the Sandhills: Wilson and Hawkins Herds Survive

The Hawkins family lost more than half the ranch’s summer grazing land. They were able to save their home, hay and cattle.

“It pretty much took most everything, pasture-wise, from all of our surrounding neighbors, as it did us,” Wilson explains.

He lost 13,500 acres of grass and all the hay supplies he had allocated to get the ranch through calving, until turnout, and also for some carryover.

“We were able to save our home valley — our main hay meadow,” Wilson says. “We were able to save our two houses — it burned right up next to each of those. Thankfully, we were able to save our structures. Our cattle, thankfully, were safe.”

He describes the cattle’s survival as miraculous as the pasture around them was charred.

The Wilson family’s cow herd found safety under this big sandhill.

(Wilson Family)

“I fully expected to find a great amount of death loss,” Wilson says when he went to check on the cows the next morning. “I was just amazed when I saw they were safe and unharmed. They were able to tuck under one big sandhill and were in one spot under that hill where the fire didn’t burn. There was a halo or arc that remained where it didn’t burn.”

He’s not sure if the cows heard the horn or if they simply relied on their instincts to find safety.

With no grazing for the coming season, Wilson says the biggest need for Sandhills ranchers is hay and feed.

“We’re going to have to supplement these cattle every day for quite some time now. Our hope is that we can keep everything that’s going to calve here.”

(Adam Grabenstein)

Across the Miles, More Acres Burn Due to Wildfire

On the same day, more than 100 miles away, the Cottonwood Fire was burning in Lincoln and Dawson counties south of I-80.

Adam Grabenstein lives 10 miles south of Gothenburg along Highway 47, where the Cottonwood Fire began. Between 8:30 and 9 p.m., the fire crossed Highway 47 and within 45 minutes, it was on his doorstep.

The Cottonwood Fire approacing Adam Grabenstein’s home near Gothenburg.

(Adam Grabenstein)

“The wind was horrible,” he recalls. “Fifty to 60 mph sustained winds. You couldn’t see for the dust or the smoke, extremely, extremely dangerous conditions.”

Thanks to the efforts of local farmers, they were able to stop the fire about 4 miles north of the Highway 23 and 47 junction, east of Farnam.

“A lot of farmers hooked up their tractors and discs and hightailed it over there to help us stop the fire,” he explains. “When the wind switched out of the north, all the valley farmers brought their tractors and discs. When the wind switched again, it was kind of a reversal with guys from the south country going north. That demonstrates the heart and grit of rural America.”

Fighting fires all night, Grabenstein recalls how neighbors were helping neighbors, stressing the loss could have been much worse.

“There were points when you just felt helpless because the conditions were so ripe for fire — it was out of control,” he recalls of the emotions of that night. “You’re doing all you can, but it’s an extremely dangerous environment.”

His farming and ranching headquarters and feedlot are 10 miles south of his house.

The view from Adam Grabenstein’s home after the fire.

(Adam Grabenstein)

“My house is safe, but obviously we had a lot of smoke damage,” he says. “We’ve lost more than 2,500 acres of grazing lands.”

The difference between the Cottonwood and Morrill fire is terrain and fire fuel. Much of the Cottonwood fire included cedar trees and other wooded areas. To date, the Cottonwood Fire has burned more than 129,000 acres.

The Loss of a Neighbor

The Morrill wildfire claimed the life of 86-year-old Rose White of Arthur County.

Both the Hawkins and Wilsons called her a beloved neighbor who loved Halloween and hosting her neighbors and their children.

“Across the hills from where we were gathering cows, she lives about 3.5 miles southwest,” Julie explains.

White got stuck trying to leave her homestead, which had stood for more than 100 years. Reports say they found her about 15 feet from her vehicle. The whole place — the barn, house and vehicle — all burned.

Wilson says White lived 2 miles north of his ranch. Knowing her his entire life, he recalls the devastation he felt when he heard she died when he was still fighting fire on Thursday night.

“She’s a longtime family friend and was a longtime neighbor. We loved Rose,” he says. “She was a sweet, dear lady, always very friendly, happy and had a joyous personality. We’ll definitely miss her.”

When the Adrenaline Fades: The Hidden Toll on Ranchers

With little spring or summer grazing land left and most of their hay inventory burned, numerous Nebraska cow-calf ranchers are leaning on donated feed, disaster aid and tight-knit ranching communities to overcome the tremendous loss due to wildfires. The fires that ignited on March 12 continue to burn at 98% containment.

“We’ve had just terrific response from ranchers in other communities donating hay and fencing supplies or offering to come help with labor,” Wilson says. “The outpour of generosity has been amazing.”

There’s no doubt split-second choices and the grit to fight for their land and livestock defined how producers survived the recent wildfires.

“God is a big God, and he can send rains and heal our land, yet the damage that has been done is going to take time to heal,” Julie summarizes.

Reflecting on past blizzards, droughts and fires, Wilson adds: “There’s always challenges, there’s always loss. But I think the heart of the Sandhills people, and with the grit of the Nebraska Sandhills rancher, we’re going to continue that heritage and tradition, accept this head on and rebuild what we can and keep moving forward.”

Your Next Reads:
Ranchers Rally as Nebraska Faces Historic Wildfires
Historic Wildfires Continue to Scorch Western and Central Nebraska
After Wildfire: Livestock Care, Documentation and Recovery
Using the D.A.R.T. Method to Identify Smoke-Stressed Calves

After Wildfire: Livestock Care, Documentation and Recovery

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 19:21:19 GMT

Recent wildfires have left many cattle producers across the country facing urgent management decisions.

Once humans are safe, producers should focus on three priorities:

Stabilizing livestock through health checks and access to clean water and feed
Documenting losses and engaging with insurers or assistance programs
Developing a grazing recovery plan that protects rangeland health going into the next grazing season.

Cattle Care

Cattle should not be allowed back into recently burned areas. Ashes, smoldering fence lines, hay piles and hot spots can cause significant injury to hooves and soft tissues.

If producers evacuated before all livestock were accounted for, make sure neighbors or first responders know where animals may be. In addition to brands, temporary identification such as paint or chalk marks, can help reconnect animals with owners later.

Plan to evaluate livestock multiple times over the coming days and weeks. Burn-related hoof damage, in particular, may take time to show up.

As you assess cattle, take time to examine the areas most vulnerable to heat and smoke damage:

Hooves, udders, sheaths and testicles for burns or swelling
Eyes and muzzle for soot, abrasions or ulceration
Respiratory signs such as coughing or rapid breathing

On days when smoke drifts across the area, avoid working or exerting cattle unnecessarily. Respiratory irritation from smoke can worsen with handling.

Cows in late gestation and pairs may need extra monitoring. Post-fire stress can weaken maternal behavior or reduce milk production. Burned or singed udders may prevent calves from nursing.

Consult your veterinarian early for burn treatment, pain management, antibiotics if needed and guidance about which animals are likely to recover. In some cases, humane euthanasia may be the best choice. Severely injured animals may also be unable to move safely or may not be accepted at packing plants, so evaluate transport options carefully.

Water and Short-Term Nutrition

Water access is critical. Displaced and stressed cattle often require more water. Animals that have gone without may overdrink when water becomes available again. When possible, cattle that have been without water for more than a day should be slowly adapted back to water by providing them with access to small amounts of water every half hour (3 to 5 gallons for cows and bulls, 1 to 2 gallons for growing cattle) until the cattle are no longer thirsty. Offering clean water from several access points helps avoid crowding and reduces digestive issues linked to sudden intake.

Forage losses may require temporary feeding support. Having forage available maintains rumen health. However, if no forage is available, a low-protein (12% to 14% CP), low-starch (8% to 12% crude fiber) commercial feed product can be used for four to five days to minimize weight loss until hay and/or grazing can be secured. If hay supplies have to be stretched, a combination of limit feeding hay and feeding a 28% to 32% range cube may help maintain body condition. Consult a nutritionist or your local extension educator for help with developing a feeding plan in these scenarios.

Documentation and Working With Insurance and Assistance Programs

Before moving carcasses or starting repairs, take clear, date-stamped photos of carcasses or injured animals; damaged fences, tanks and infrastructure; and burned hay or feed.

Record tag numbers, brands, and locations where possible. Contact your insurance provider early for instructions.

Carcasses should be handled according to state-approved disposal methods. Timing of disposal often depends on insurance and regulatory guidance. Follow local directives closely and take steps to prevent contamination around disposal sites or damaged feed areas.

Producers may qualify for several USDA programs, but it’s important to contact the local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office promptly. These programs can help with livestock mortality, water and feed transport and grazing losses.

Coordinate any fencing or grazing changes with the FSA and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) beforehand to ensure documentation and eligibility requirements are met. To locate your local USDA Service Center, visit https://www.farmers.gov/working-with-us/service-center-locator

Keep veterinary statements and sale receipts for animals that decline or die in the weeks following the wildfire, as these may still qualify for compensation if linked to the event.

Burned pastures need time to recover. Plan for deferred or rested grazing and reevaluate stocking rates as you track regrowth through spring and early summer. Infrastructure such as fences, tanks and pipelines should be inspected and repaired before turnout. Temporary fencing can help keep cattle away from sensitive areas undergoing recovery.

The stress of wildfire recovery shouldn’t be overlooked. Here is a list of contacts that provide confidential support for emotional, financial and legal concerns associated with disasters:

Nebraska Rural Response Hotline: 1-800-464-0258)
AgriStress Helpline: 1-833-897-2474
988 Lifeline: Dial 988
Kansas: Visit KansasAgStress.org or call 785-532-6011
Texas: Call or Text the SAgE/AgriStress Helpline at 833-897-2474
Oklahoma: Contact OSU Extension at 405-744-5398 or visit farmstress.org .

Ranchers Rally as Nebraska Faces Historic Wildfires

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 20:01:48 GMT

With more than 800,000 acres of Nebraska scorched, ranchers are rallying together to overcome loss and support one another. From grass to hay to structures and water tanks, the loss across the state is monumental.

The rally of ranchers began when the fires sparked a week ago, as neighbors helped neighbors working to slow down the tornado-like wildfires as they tore across the Sandhills in the Morrill Fire and through the canyons of the Cottonwood Fire .

There are multiple stories of local fire departments, neighbors and family members creating fire breaks and helping move livestock and equipment out of danger zones.

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Van Newkirk Herefords

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Van Newkirk Herefords

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Van Newkirk Herefords

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Van Newkirk Herefords

“We’ve had a remarkable, unprecedented response to stop this fire and we will come up with an equally innovative solution for recovery,” says Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Sherry Vinton.

Vinton had a chance to fly over the fire-charred area Tuesday.

“It was blowing sand,” she says. “It looks like the Sahara.”

Nebraska Sanhills after the Morrill Fire.

(Hawkins Family)

Oshkosh, Neb., rancher Joe Van Newkirk of Van Newkirk Herefords describes the former lush Nebraska Sandhills like a moonscape.

While no official livestock death losses have been reported, NDA says the scale of the impact is significant. Vinton explains the burned acreage represents a major hit to the state’s cattle capacity, particularly in the area of the Morrill Fire.

“If we say it’s roughly 600,000 acres, that’s a grazing resource for 35,000 cows,” Vinton says.

Vinton frames the recovery as a statewide promise to keep multigenerational ranches and their herds together even after hundreds of thousands of acres of rangeland have burned, plus the loss of hay, fence, structures and so much more.

Containment Improves, Yet 4 Fires Continue

Crews made a lot of progress containing the fires Wednesday. As of Friday morning, the approximate acres burned and current containment (according to Watch Duty ) include:

Morrill Fire (Keith, Arthur, Grant, Garden and Morrill counties, near Lake McConaughy)
- Acres burned — 643,361
- Containment — 98%
- Origin — downed power pole and line in gusty winds near Angora on Thursday, March 12
- Watch Duty link
- This is the largest fire in Nebraska history.
Cottonwood Fire (Dawson, Lincoln and Frontier counties, south of Interstate 80, near Brady and Gothenburg)
- Acres burned — 128,036
- Containment — 80%
- Watch Duty link
The Road 203 Fire (Thomas, Custer, Logan and Blaine counties, south of the communities of Halsey and Dunning within the Nebraska National Forest)
- Acres burned — 35,912.6
- Containment — 80%
- Watch Duty link
The Anderson Bridge Fire (Cherry County, in the northeast portion of the Samuel McKelvie National Forest southwest of Valentine)
- Acres burned — 17,400
- Containment — 60%
- Watch Duty link

A warming and drying trend will peak on Saturday, with 90-degree temperatures and single-digit relative humidity expected. The Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team managing the fires reports that these extreme weather conditions have potential to increase fire activity within fire perimeters as unburned vegetation ignites and readily burns. The team stressed in its Thursday morning update any new fires would likely spread rapidly.

Last week, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen issued a statewide burn ban prohibiting burning until 11:59 p.m. March 27 to help reduce the potential for additional wildfires in Nebraska.

Ranchers Helping Ranchers

While the stories of ranchers helping each other during the intense fire danger on Thursday and Friday are moving, that commitment to helping one another continues long after the smoke cleared.

“That’s what ranchers do, right? They help each other,” says Sara Cover. “It’s too hard to do it alone ... that’s how they have functioned in this area for hundreds of years.”

Cover is one of the Sandhills ranchers who is helping with recovery efforts and the Nebraska Sandhills Rancher Fire Relief group, which is providing boots-on-the-ground assistance in coordinating donations of hay, supplies and financial support.

“Half these firefighters are volunteer firefighters that also had cows calving at home,” Cover explains. “So, it’s also the self-sacrifice of leaving your ranch during the busiest time of year to go help others.”

Many Sandhills ranchers have their own fire rig, so Cover explains in many cases the husbands would leave and go fight fire, leaving their wives and kids home calving cows. There are other examples of multiple generations — grandparents, parents and kids — all working together to fight the fires.

“It just takes everybody,” Cover says.

More than 150 truckloads of hay have arrived for ranchers who lost hay and grass due to the Morrill Fire.

(Provided by Van Newkirk Herefords)

Paul Cleveland is coordinating hay donations for the group.

As of Wednesday, Cleveland estimates the group has received 150 loads of hay and have four times that committed. The group’s goal is to get at least enough hay to get through calving season.

“The outpouring of support is phenomenal,” Cleveland says. “Hay is the immediate concern. We’re in the heart of calving season here, and the stress on these cows is off the charts. They truly know what it’s like to go through hell.”

He says the main challenge right now is not a lack of goodwill but rather information overload and logistics; he says he is “100 messages behind” responding to those who have reached out to support.

“Processing all the information is the biggest battle we have right now, and we need a lot of patience from people,” he stresses. “We’re not ignoring them, we’re trying to get back to them as fast as we can.”

The Nebraska fires follow February wildfires that burned more than 283,000 acres in northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas .

Cleveland says a rancher from Kansas, who was in the same role as he is now about a month earlier when fires hit that area, reached out to him and has been a strong emotional support and source of knowledge. Other ranchers report wildfire survivors, who have benefited from fellow ranchers donating hay and supplies, have reached out and offered to donate and pay the support forward.

It is those examples of care and concern from across the country that makes the beef industry so special.

Resources and Services Available

NDA is concentrating efforts on assisting farm and ranch families and their livestock. On the NDA website are lists of individuals requesting assistance and those offering donations.

Vinton shares her deep appreciation for what Nebraska ranchers do and says local, state and federal partners are actively working on solutions. She welcomes innovative ideas and invites producers to share their unmet needs directly with her team at NDA.

Those impacted by the fire are encouraged, before starting to repair or rebuild fence lines, to review federal aid requirements that could impact eligibility for assistance. Contact the local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office to understand qualification rules.

A portal to match grass and pen space with those in need has been developed. The platform was designed to help connect those needing to relocate livestock with those who have extra capacity.

There are numerous resources available as producers evaluate livestock after a wildfire. The danger to livestock doesn’t end when the flames are extinguished. While the immediate destruction is visible, the microscopic threat of wildfire smoke can linger in a calf’s lungs for weeks, triggering a cascade of physiological stress and immune suppression.

Craig Uden, Nebraska Cattlemen Association (NCA) president, was a guest on AgriTalk Thursday, sharing an update on the wildfires and how NCA is helping coordinate resources for ranchers in need.

How to Help

Nebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund

Mail monetary donations to: 4611 Cattle Dr., Lincoln, NE 68521-4309
Online donations: nebraskacattlemen.org/disaster-relief-fund

Nebraska Sandhills Rancher Fire Relief

Mail monetary donations to: P.O. Box 291, Oshkosh, NE 69154
Online donations: kearneyfoundation.fcsuite.com/.../create/fund...

Volunteer fire departments were central to the response, often stretched thin, needing more funds and equipment maintenance support after days of nonstop firefighting. Nebraska Athletics announced Tuesday it will donate all ticket proceeds from Nebraska’s spring football game on March 28 to aid Nebraska wildfire relief efforts to help provide support to Nebraska’s volunteer firefighters for equipment, resources and recovery efforts.

“Nebraskans always step up in times of need, and we want to do our part to help our fellow Nebraskans affected by these wildfires,” says Nebraska Athletic Director Troy Dannen.

Their Simple Request: Prayers and Hope

As individual ranchers report losing thousands of acres of grazing land, plus extensive fence and water system damage, they continue to speak of hope and optimism. They ask for prayers for snow or rain to help the Sandhills repair from the devastation. They all seem to share the determination to persevere.

“They’re the toughest, truest form of an American there is, and they’ll be fine,” Cleveland says about the Sandhills rancher. “They’ll persevere, but it’s going to be a long year for this area.”

Watch for rancher stories of resilience through the fires next week on Drovers.com, as we continue to cover this unprecedented wildfire season.

Your Next Reads:

Using the D.A.R.T. Method to Identify Smoke-Stressed Calves

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:17:42 GMT

Wildfires occurring in western and central Nebraska mirror a broader trend of increasing wildfire frequency and magnitude across the western U.S. While the immediate impacts of wildfire are devastating to beef production and rural communities, the effects of wildfire smoke may also pose risks to both human and animal health.

“In the weeks and months following a wildfire event, producers should remain vigilant and monitor calves for signs of respiratory disease or illness,” explains Brock Ortner, Nebraska extension livestock system educator .

Combustion of biomass during wildfires produces carbon dioxide and water vapor but also generates ash, a mixture of inorganic compounds. Of particular concern is ultrafine particulate matter (less than 2.5 microns), which can travel deep into the lung alveoli and enter the bloodstream. In humans, these particles have been associated with inflammation and oxidative stress.

Limited research has examined wildfire smoke exposure in cattle. However, work conducted by Ranches and others (2021) in a small group of Simmental × Jersey calves reported increased concentrations of cortisol, an indicator of stress, following exposure to smoke from a wildfire approximately 10 miles away from the study site. In the same study, concentrations of ceruloplasmin, a marker of systemic inflammation, were elevated following the wildfire event. Antibodies including IgM and IgA were also increased, suggesting activation of the immune system.

Physiological stress and inflammation can negatively affect cattle performance and immune function. When immune defenses are compromised, calves may become more susceptible to respiratory pathogens. In the development of bovine respiratory disease (BRD), opportunistic bacterial pathogens — including Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni and Mycoplasma bovis — are normally present at low levels in healthy calves. However, when viral infection or physiological stress suppresses immune function, these bacteria can proliferate in the respiratory tract, leading to morbidity, reduced performance and potentially death.

Because stressors, such as wildfire smoke, may increase disease susceptibility, monitoring calves closely for early signs of illness is important. One practical approach is the D.A.R.T. method, which helps producers identify calves that may require further evaluation.

D — Depression:
Observe calf posture and behavior. Droopy ears or head carriage, lethargy, increased time spent lying down and separation from pasture mates may indicate illness. Because cattle are prey animals and tend to hide sickness, subtle behavioral differences may only become apparent after calves become accustomed to your presence.

A — Appetite:
Reduced appetite — whether at the feed bunk or during nursing—can indicate a health challenge. On pasture, reduced gut fill relative to herdmates may also signal decreased intake.

R — Respiration:
Healthy cattle typically take 10 to 30 breaths per minute. Increased respiratory rate, shallow breathing, or abnormal sounds such as coughing or raspy breathing may indicate respiratory disease. Nasal discharge or excessive eye secretions may also accompany illness.

T — Temperature:
Rectal temperatures of approximately 103.5 to 104.0 degrees Fahrenheit or greater are indicative of fever and warrant further attention.

Early detection and treatment of sick calves improve the likelihood of recovery and helps reduce performance losses associated with respiratory disease. Extra vigilance and responsiveness may mitigate negative health outcomes in the weeks and months following wildfire smoke exposure.

Your Next Read:
Tips for Care Following Wildfire

Historic Wildfires Continue to Scorch Western and Central Nebraska

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 15:26:27 GMT

Four active wildfires in Nebraska — including the largest ever recorded in the state — continue to burn out of control. With containment efforts hampered by volatile weather, the fires grew beyond the capacity of local fire responders and firefighters; Saturday, the Rocky Mountain Complex incident management team, run by the federal National Interagency Fire ⁠Center, assumed management of the two largest fires, the Morrill Fire and the Cottonwood Fire.

High winds, low humidity and dry conditions triggered the wildfires Thursday, March 12. On Friday, the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) received 24 reports of wildfires in 24 hours. Crews have worked through the weekend to battle the four fires, but the weather hampered suppression efforts.

As of Tuesday evening, the approximate acres burned and current containment (according to Watch Duty ) include:

Morrill Fire (Keith, Arthur, Grant, Garden and Morrill counties)
- Acres burned — 643,360 acres
- Containment — 18%
- Origin — downed power pole and line in gusty winds near Angora on Thursday, March 12
- Watch Duty link
- This is the largest fire in Nebraska history.
  
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  Photos courtesy by Morrill Fire Nebraska Facebook page
  
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  Photos courtesy by Morrill Fire Nebraska Facebook page
  
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  Photos courtesy by Morrill Fire Nebraska Facebook page
Cottonwood Fire (Dawson, Lincoln and Frontier counties, south of Interstate 80, near Brady and Gothenburg)
- Acres burned — 131,259 acres
- Containment — 40%
- Watch Duty link
The Road 203 Fire (Thomas, Custer, Logan and Blaine counties, south of the communities of Halsey and Dunning within the Nebraska National Forest)
- Acres burned — 35,912.6 acres
- Containment — 76%
- Watch Duty link
The Anderson Bridge Fire (Cherry County, west of Valentine)
- Acres burned — 17,400
- Containment — 60%
- Watch Duty link

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen on Friday issued an emergency proclamation to unlock state resources and support the response to multiple wildfires in central and western Nebraska . He also issued a statewide burn ban prohibiting burning until 11:59 p.m. March 27 to help reduce the potential for additional wildfires in Nebraska.

A high wind warning is in effect until 6 p.m. MDT Monday. High rates of fire spread are possible with northwest wind gusts in excess of 50 mph expected. It has snowed on the northwest side of the Morrill Fire, but with the strong winds it may not mitigate fire behavior. With low temperatures forecast to be under 10°F tonight, firefighters must take special precautions to protect their engines and equipment, such as draining water, parking inside and using antifreeze.

While temperatures are cold today, hot and dry weather is forecast later in the week with record temperatures possible. The area is experiencing significant drought, and fuels are cured and receptive to fire.

Resources Available

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is concentrating efforts on assisting farm and ranch families and their livestock.

Producers who have been impacted by the wildfire and need hay, feedstuffs, fencing materials, volunteer help or equipment, should call the Nebraska Department of Agriculture at 1-800-831-0550. Be prepared to share your name, contact information, location (including county), what assistance you are seeking and how urgent your need is.

A list of disaster relief resources for Nebraska farmers and ranchers is also available online at: https://nda.nebraska.gov/disasterresources . This website includes links to USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs including the Livestock Indemnity Program and information from the Nebraska Extension.

(Midwest Media by Melanie)

How Can Others Help?

According to NDA, Nebraska has been overwhelmed with the outpouring of support for its producers. If you have hay, feed, fencing materials, equipment or household supplies you are willing to donate, please contact the Nebraska Department of Agriculture at 1-800-831-0550. Be prepared to share your name, contact information and what you have that you are willing to donate and the amount, along with your location.

NDA staff will be gathering this information, identifying needs and sharing where resources can be obtained.

The Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association is also working to coordinate and gather resources for producers.

A Facebook page, Nebraska Sandhills Rancher Fire Relief , was created to support the ranching families affected by the wildfire.

Your Next Read: Tips for Care Following Wildfire

Feedlot Cattle Health Summit Scheduled for April 7 and April 8

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 16:41:27 GMT

Production Animal Consultation (PAC) will host two beef industry summits, allowing people from the beef industry to gather and exchange ideas.

“ PAC’s Beef Summits offer a valuable opportunity for feedlot managers, caregivers, veterinarians and industry leaders to come together and learn new information about the issues shaping today’s beef industry,” says Dr. Corbin Stevens, PAC veterinarian and owner.

The PAC Beef Summits will be hosted April 7, 2026, at the Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center in Scott City, Kan., and April 8, 2026, at the Holiday Inn in Kearney, Neb. The event features an exciting line-up of speakers and topics:

An update on what’s new and upcoming at PAC
Bryant Hess, Appleton Steel, will present tips for individual animal care and hoof trimming to improve lameness outcomes.
Leadership expert Dr. Nels Lindberg, PAC, will provide strategies to successfully plan your business’ succession.
An entertaining keynote from Dr. Bo Brock, who owns and operates Brock Veterinary Clinic in Lamesa, Texas.

“We believe progress in the beef industry starts with people coming together to learn and to challenge one another. Our PAC Beef Summits are designed to create those connections and provide education that makes a difference on operations every day. The program brings in speakers who share timely and relevant insights to help prepare us for both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. By investing in people and knowledge today, we are helping shape a stronger future for the beef industry tomorrow,” says Dr. Taw Fredrickson, PAC veterinarian.

Production Animal Consultation veterinarians care for cattle from birth to harvest. In addition to providing veterinary health services, PAC conducts cattle research and data analysis, hosts educational opportunities on animal stewardship and facility design, and provides bilingual consultation for livestock producers both domestic and international. PAC veterinarians strive to provide industry leaders with opportunities to improve their operations through collaboration and science.

To register and learn more about the 2026 PAC Beef Summits, visit pacdvms.com/beefsummit

The Cattleman's Call That Never Fades: Scott Wolverton’s Journey From Farm to Fame

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:53:43 GMT

For Scott Wolverton , the path to Nashville didn’t begin under bright stage lights or inside a recording studio. It started on a cattle farm in southeast Nebraska — where early mornings, livestock chores and county fairs were simply part of everyday life.

Raised on a cow-calf operation in Seward, Neb., Wolverton grew up immersed in agriculture. He started taking guitar lessons when he was 10. He says music was always there, but it wasn’t always the priority.

“I grew up on a small cattle farm,” Wolverton says. “We have a cow-calf operation back home. I grew up playing music here and there, but it really took the back burner to football, baseball, wrestling, 4-H events, showing cattle and doing all that stuff.”

Agriculture wasn’t just something Wolverton participated in. It was embedded in his family.

“My dad’s a veterinarian back home in Seward. He has a small cow-calf operation, K.A.W. Red Angus, and that’s what we would show cattle through and do all that stuff, 4-H projects,” Wolverton says. “My mom works for 4-H Extension out of Seward County. She helps with after-school programs for kids. She helps the county fair set up, running this county fair, hiring judges, all the livestock shows. She does a lot of that.”

Wolverton, his older brother and twin sister were raised around livestock, showing both Red Angus cattle and horses. It was those experiences on the farm and showing livestock that prepared him for the challenges of building a career in Nashville.

“I feel like I learned a lot about responsibility and work ethic just through working with animals, working with my dad and my siblings on the farm and doing just everyday things out there,” Wolverton says.

(Provided by Scott Wolverton)

A Chance Introduction That Changed Everything

Growing up, Wolverton’s interests were split between 4-H and athletics. Baseball, in particular, became a major focus. In college, he majored in agronomy — a natural extension of his agricultural upbringing — while also pursuing baseball seriously enough that it eventually became his career. Wolverton coached at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, and during that time, he quietly began recording music on his own.

What he didn’t expect was that a casual connection would open a door he never saw coming. The coaches he worked with introduced him to a man who would eventually become his manager.

That manager, Zach, happened to be in Hutchinson one night when an opportunity surfaced almost out of nowhere — a chance for Wolverton to open for country artist Riley Green in Salt Lake City the very next day.

“I was like, ‘OK, that’s awesome. I don’t know if I’m going to get there. That’s about 21 hours away,’” Wolverton says. “And he said, ‘We’ll just fly you out, and then fly you back on Friday.’ And so I flew out Thursday morning, played the show Thursday night, and flew back on a Friday morning. And I’m back in time for practice that afternoon.”

The experience was fast, surreal and life-altering for a farm kid from Nebraska.

“It was kind of surreal in the moment. The Riley Green thing kind of came out of the blue,” Wolverton says. “And it was one of those things where you’re kind of like, it happened so quickly. In the moment I was kind of like, ‘Is this really where I’m at right now?’ Because it happened in less than 24 hours. I was on a plane and back in Kansas.”

That moment set Wolverton on a new path — one that eventually led him to Nashville and a full-time pursuit of country music. But even as his career shifted, his connection to agriculture never faded.

(Provided by Scott Wolverton)

His Inspiration

Wolverton says his main inspiration as a songwriter comes from home and how he was raised — the work, love and lifestyle he learned growing up around cattle.

“A lot of my inspiration comes from home,” Wolverton says. “It comes from where I grew up, what I grew up doing, that west country life, I guess. It’s very simple, but a lot of it has to do with work ethic, my faith, that kind of lifestyle.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Scott Wolverton (@scottywolverton)

His Most Personal Song Yet

One of his most personal songs, “ Cattleman’s Call ,” draws directly from his upbringing and a sound that defined his childhood.

“My dad has always done that cow, the ‘come-boss,’ cattle call, and it’s always been such a fascinating thing to me because growing up as a little kid, you hear your dad scream and you’re like, ‘What was that?’” Wolverton explains. “And then you kind of learn about it, but it’s so amazing the cows always come right when he calls. They’ll perk their heads up and you can see them just start walking because they know they’re going to get taken care of.”

That cattle call became more than a memory. It became a metaphor and a message.

“My parents have been my rock throughout college baseball and just life in general,” he says. “My dad’s always called me and he’s always been very reassuring of, ‘Hey man, if anything ever happens, you fall flat on your face, you can always come home.’ And so, I tried really hard to relate that cattle call to that feeling, and that’s kind of where that inspiration really came from.”

Released last summer, “Cattleman’s Call” serves as both a tribute to his father and a reflection of the values Wolverton learned growing up in agriculture — values that continue to guide him in an industry that demands persistence and grit.

“Working in any branch of agriculture, a lot of it is hard work. It takes a lot of discipline, it takes a lot of hard work, it take a lot know-how or ‘figure it out,’” Wolverton says. “And the music industry is not a whole lot different from that. It’s really difficult. There’s a lot people doing it. You kind of got to find a way to stand out. And I feel very prepared in that way through the hard work and the dedication that I learned through working with animals, through working on the farm.”

From cattle country to country music, Scott Wolverton’s journey is rooted in the land and shaped by the lessons learned on a Nebraska farm. No matter how far the road takes him, the call of home is never far away.

Producer-to-Producer: That’s a Wrap on CattleCon 2026

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 18:57:56 GMT

As beef producers pack up and leave Nashville, Tenn., they are returning home with new strategies, renewed optimism and memories from a memorable CattleCon 2026.

Thank you to the five producers who were our boots on the ground and shared their perspective this week:

Jenna Fitzsimmons, Cunningham, Kan.
Rachel Gray , Blackduck, Minn.
Ken Odde , Pollock, S.D.
Logan Pribbeno , Imperial, Neb.
Kim Rounds, Johnstown, Colo.

Here are their final thoughts about this year’s event:

Fitzsimmons: “My first CattleCon was a great experience! I really enjoyed the overall positive energy at CattleCon that could be felt from meetings, discussions, presentations and interactions I experienced.

“My biggest highlights were the region and policy meetings, Cattlemen’s College sessions and the [National Cattlemen’s Beef Association] State of the Industry Town Hall. These felt the most impactful to me because they allowed producers’ voices to be heard, covered industry issues, expanded my knowledge, inspired me to be a leader and challenged me to improve my operation.

“I love learning and will always be a lifelong learner. CattleCon offered many various learning opportunities for any topic a producer could want. I was able to attend a few sessions I was interested in and even a couple that surprised me by providing knowledge I didn’t realize I needed.

“It is important to go outside of your comfort zone when learning because you never know what you might pick up to improve yourself and your operation. Learning also comes from networking, producer-to-producer.

“I was able to visit with several producers from all across the U.S. and Canada! Everyone was so genuine and kindhearted! Now, you have to take the next step and apply what you have learned, even if it can be daunting. It is pertinent to keep learning and improving as a beef producer for the benefit of the cattle and the consumer. This allows the industry to pave the way and move forward into the future.

“The beef industry is excited, passionate and ready to support the world.”

Gray: “I finished Wednesday attending some Cattleman’s College events. I learned a lot from the ranchers who were part of the legacy panel. Both gentlemen suggested Ranching For Profit and other classes. I am glad to hear the focus on education.

“Thursday, I enjoyed hearing U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speak and getting his thoughts on dietary guidelines . I then headed to the plane to return home for bull sales and calving.”

Odde: The biggest highlight for me was the education and celebration associated with the change in dietary guidelines. I think the change in dietary guidelines has long-term support for demand.

Pribbeno: “The biggest highlight was having [Kennedy] speak at the afternoon general session. He was greeted with a standing ovation. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Buck Wehrbein said it was the most packed he has seen a convention setting.

“Kennedy says he eats beef twice a day, and his favorite cut was the strip. He also touched on how and why he and his team rebuilt the food pyramid and the science behind putting proteins at the base.

“The early morning CattleFax session is a perennial favorite. I had an associate tell me that the CattleFax session alone is worth the trip to Nashville. Randy [Blach] and the team presented on a theme that I would call cautious optimism.

“After the CattleFax session, we hit the trade show floor for some networking.”

Rounds: “My biggest takeaway was that I spent the majority of my day with emerging leaders and leadership, and I’m so excited and positive about the future of the beef industry and knowing that our futures are in these kids’ hands.

“They are so hungry, and they want it so bad. Every single conversation that I had yesterday blew me away, and I know that we have a lot of fun and exciting things on the horizon.

“And, of course, the networking. The beef industry is full of the best people, and when we all get together in a room like we did yesterday, you can’t help but have so much fun.”

Producer-to-Producer: The Lessons We've Learned During CattleCon

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 21:26:52 GMT

It’s day two of CattleCon 2026. It’s been an exciting day of educational sessions, time on the trade show floor learning about new products, live AgriTalk broadcasts and taping of U.S. Farm Report.

To help us provide a producer’s perspective, we’ve invited five CattleCon attendees to be our boots on the ground and help us capture highlights from their experiences in Nashville, including:

A first-time CattleCon attendee, Jenna Fitzsimmons, from Cunningham, Kan.
Rachel Gray of Little Timber Farms, Blackduck, Minn., who specializes in developing heifers, is attending her fifth convention.
Ken Odde , South Dakota commercial cow-calf producer from Pollock, who has attended more than 30 NCBA Conventions and Trade Shows.
Commercial cow-calf producer Logan Pribbeno of Wine Glass Ranch, Imperial, Neb., will be attending his third CattleCon this year and is bringing his entire family to experience the event.
Kim Rounds, Five Rivers manager of talent acquisition and social media, is looking forward to her seventh CattleCon.

Tuesday morning two of our producers — Pribbeno and Gray — joined Chip Flory on “AgriTalk” for the Farmer Forum.

Congratulations to Pribbeno and his family on being named the 2025 Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) national winner on Tuesday evening.

Here’s what the producers have to say about their CattleCon experience thus far:

What have you attended since you arrived in Nashville?

Fitzsimmons: I attended the NCBA policy meetings on Monday and Tuesday, specifically “Live Cattle Marketing” and “Cattle Health & Well-Being”. I also attended the opening general session and the trade show. I highly enjoyed being part of the policy discussion. The specialist speakers within the policy meetings offered great insight. The grassroots discussions throughout this week are so important to the future of the industry. The opening general session with Dale Earnhardt Jr. was very inspiring. I appreciated how he advised those who are at a beginning stage to enjoy it, because you won’t have that time again, and it has its own uniqueness. I loved seeing exhibitors in the trade show of businesses of all kinds and sizes. I cannot wait to learn more about what they all have to offer.

Gray: I attended the opening general session featuring Earnhardt. I’ve also been going to some cattle chats and the learning lounge sessions.

Odde: Probably the session I spent the most time at Tuesday was international trade, and it was a very good session. I learned a number of things. I also thought the BQA producer forum was really good. The BQA program has now gotten much stronger legs than what it actually had earlier in my career. I could really see that at the session, especially taking on the transportation issues, you know, taking this issue far beyond how we use animal health products.

Pribbeno: We went to the Dale Earnhardt Jr. session and turnout was great. I’ve been busy with ESAP discussions following last night’s award ceremony. I am speaking on a panel later this afternoon, and I’m going to the AI (artificial intelligence) Cattleman’s College session. I do think it’s going to be kind of a game changer. So, I’m looking forward to going to that and seeing how to more fully use AI.

Rounds: I spent most of the morning today preparing for my Cattlemen’s College presentation “Work that Works,” where I discussed finding jobs and keeping employees. So, I haven’t actually had a chance to attend too many informational meetings. The majority of my time here has been catching up with my connections I only see here and really seeing what the advocacy side of the industry looks like right now.

Big takeaways so far?

Fitzsimmons: The specialist speakers within the policy meetings offered great insight. I was very impressed with how they were beyond excited for producers to be involved with their processes. These specialists want to make sure what they are doing is working correctly for the producers they serve.

Veterinarian Dr. Sierra Guynn, from Clemson University, presented on the Asian Longhorn Tick (ALHT) in the “Cattle Health & Well-Being” policy meeting. Something I found very interesting was that, unlike most all ticks, the AHLT is resilient in the way that they will go back to feed on a host even if they were knocked off already. Guynn offered several ways of practical tick prevention and control that producers should already be doing through cattle and environment. Within our beef operation, we already are completing those steps through the cattle side. After Guynn’s presentation, I am inspired and challenged to add the environmental prevention and control to our operation plan. I am looking forward to attending her Cattlemen’s College session on New World screwworm on Thursday.

Gray: My key takeaway from Earnhardt’s comments was when he was talking about taking risks and using innovation. It’s okay to be a little bit of a risk taker. The educational sessions on trace minerals were good. It makes me wonder if we are paying enough attention to that in our rations. I will go home and check that.

Odde: No. 1 is the situation we’re in with regard to trade, and particularly the loss of the China market. I think we all kind of know that happened but didn’t really maybe understand the magnitude of that effect. That’s really a big deal for our industry. Our industry will be working hard over the next several years to see if we can recapture that China market.

No. 2 is the importance of the change in dietary guidelines . I’m old enough to remember the war on fat in the ‘80s. And what we started learning, especially in the ‘90s, is that it’s really not fat. It’s really sugar. Sugar is the big, bad, evil item associated with diet. I think this change in the pyramid is a really big deal. It’s not just a big deal for Americans — it’s a big deal globally.

Pribbeno: Earnhardt did a really good job talking about his career and when he knew to hang it up and focus on family. I really appreciated that as a high-performing athlete, and he just at a certain age decided to completely shift his focus, and now he’s really into the people development — his team and the cars that he runs. He’s not about getting the victories anymore. He’s about getting people into their prime positions and outside of his company and developing people. He did a really nice job.

Rounds: I’m always curious to see what the messages are being shared by the advocates of our industry, and that’s kind of where I’ve been focused so far today.

Apply Now: Legacy Landscapes Program Opens New Round of Funding and Technical Support

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 14:06:55 GMT

An update to last year’s Legacy Landscapes Program is set to put even more value into ranchers’ pockets, according to program partners at Nestle Purina PetCare, AgriWebb, National Grazing Lands Coalition and Regrow.

Currently working with cow-calf producers in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico and Texas, the program is seeking to correlate land stewardship and profitability through financial and technical assistance. Ranchers enrolled in the program receive more than $70,000 in valued assistance, ranging from financial assistance for new practice adoption, ranch managment software and technical advice.

During a recent AgriWebb webinar, producer Eric Yates, owner and operator of Yates Family Farms, spoke about the impact Legacy Landscapes has had on his operation in the year since his enrollment, specifically the program’s ability to de-risk conservation change and innovation.

“It’s no risk at all,” he explains. “You either win, because the practice made you better, or you fail at the practice, but you have very limited financial costs invested in it, and you learn something.”

For Yates, the ability to capitalize on AgriWebb to organize his ranch record keeping was a key driver for his enrollment in the program.

“Traditionally we’ve done Excel sheets and pieces of paper, written on the back of a feed tag,” he says. “Then when we need to look at it, it’s a full week of compiling data.”

Through the program, Yates has been able to organize his ranch data, identify grazing patterns and make better operational decisions for his herd and his business.

“At its core, data is the catalyst that allows a producer and their adviser to build a road map and actually see the impact of every management decision,” says John Fargher, cofounder and chief strategy officer at AgriWebb. “By turning daily records into clear insights, ranchers can confidently work toward their specific goals while maintaining total ownership and control of their information. We believe that when a producer truly understands how their decisions are moving the needle on their operation, they can build a more resilient and profitable legacy.”

The program is currently accepting applications for producers. Find more information or sign up by visiting grazinglands.org/legacy-landscapes .

Tyson's Lexington Beef Plant Shutters Early: No Shifts Scheduled This Week

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 15:19:04 GMT

In November, Tyson Foods announced plans to permanently close its Lexington processing plant on Jan. 20. The announcement shocked the beef industry and specifically the town of Lexington, Neb.

A University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) analysis estimates the annual statewide economic impact of the closure will be $3.28 billion.

The beef plant, which opened in 1990, was one of the largest in the nation. According to UNL the plant employs approximately 3,200 team members and has the capacity to slaughter 5,000 cattle per day, which equates to about 4.8% of total daily U.S. beef slaughter.

Read more:
What Does Tyson’s Announcement Mean to Beef Producers?

Sources told Farm Journal late last week, Tyson has not scheduled any shifts at the Lexington facility the week of Jan. 16.

Expected Economic Impact

The closure of the beef plant will be one of the biggest shocks in history for the small town Lexington, which is home to about 11,000 people. However, the ripple effect will be felt throughout the Nebraska economy.

According to the UNL analysis, total labor income losses from the closure are projected to be $530.43 million per year across 7,003 jobs. Of those, 3,212 are positions directly eliminated at the plant, with the remainder representing additional jobs that support the workers in other sectors

UNL expects a substantial reduction of tax revenues in the aftermath of the closure. Annual losses in state personal income tax revenue are estimated at $23.2 million. State sales tax revenues are projected to decline by $10.16 million per year, and local sales tax revenues accruing to Dawson County are expected to fall by $2.77 million per year.

Conducting the analysis was Eric Thompson, UNL economics professor, and Elliott Dennis, UNL associate professor livestock marketing and risk management.

“These impacts would be larger if a greater share of cattle processed at the plant were purchased from Nebraska feedlots or if cattle accounted for a larger proportion of total plant costs,” they explain. “Conversely, the estimated impact would be smaller if the total value of beef sold were lower. Tax rates are based on historical tax data and may vary from year to year depending on employee deductions and other factors.”

Making Methane Genetics Work for Cattle Producers

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 13:39:14 GMT

Methane isn’t just an environmental buzzword — it is energy lost. Every puff of gas from a cow’s rumen represents feed energy that could have gone toward growth, milk or a calf.

That simple truth is driving a USDA-funded project at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) focused on the “energetics” of cattle. It aims to further understand how animals convert feed into usable products like beef and milk, and where methane fits into the mix.

The research findings may give producers the selection tools needed to raise cattle that waste less energy as methane without compromising productivity.

Understanding Heritability and the Importance of the Microbiome

In simple terms, heritability measures how much of a trait’s variation comes from genetics rather than environment. But that “environmental” slice includes plenty of hidden variables —weather, micro-diets, timing and even the microbial makeup of the rumen.

According to Matt Spangler, Ph.D., the Ronnie D. Green Professor of Animal Science and Beef Genetics Extension Specialist at UNL, accounting for those factors can potentially make genetic predictions more accurate. When environmental effects are better understood, heritability for methane traits rises, and therefore, selection becomes more effective.

Studies around the world show that methane-related traits —whether expressed as daily output, methane per unit of intake (“yield”) or methane per pound of product (“intensity”) — tend to have moderate heritability, which is roughly comparable to weaning weight or average daily gain. That means methane emissions can respond to selection pressure over time.

However, Spangler cautions against relying too heavily on ratios like “intensity” for genetic evaluation. Those measures are better suited for benchmarking rather than for making breeding decisions. Instead, future seedstock indexes may rely on more statistically stable traits that tie directly to profitability.

Another important factor to consider is that cattle host an entire ecosystem of microbes in the rumen — and those microbes are key players in methane production. Research has shown that two major forces drive methane differences among animals: the genetics of the host cow and the composition of her rumen microbiome. Certain rumen microbes are themselves heritable and are influenced by the animal’s genetic makeup. In other words, cattle can pass on a tendency to host more efficient microbial communities.

The UNL research project involves using “shotgun metagenomics” to go beyond identifying which bugs are present and instead measure what they’re doing. By capturing thousands of microbial functions and linking them with animal genotypes, methane variation can be better understood. Early results suggest that models combining both host and microbiome data increase prediction accuracy for feed efficiency related traits.

More About the Project

The project will track roughly 560 beef and dairy animals using advanced respiration chambers, or “head boxes,” to measure methane, carbon dioxide and total heat production. Spangler says the research team will also calculate digestible, metabolizable and net energy, as well as fecal and urinary energy losses—data that can reveal how efficiently each animal converts feed energy into usable output.

Each animal will be genotyped, and its rumen microbiome sequenced. Combining these data layers — host genetics (G), microbial community (M) and their interactions (G×M) — will help refine future expected progeny differences (EPDs) and selection indexes for methane-related traits.

Another bold idea with this project is testing whether a calf’s rumen microbiome can be steered early in life. The researchers are experimenting with inoculating newborn calves using rumen material from adult donors known for high or low methane output. The study will examine whether these microbial communities “stick” as the calf matures and whether they influence methane emissions or feed efficiency.

While it’s too early to imagine every rancher drenching calves with microbial cocktails, Spangler says, the work could reveal whether early-life interventions might one day complement genetic selection.

Gathering methane and microbiome data isn’t easy or cheap. Traditional sampling with esophageal tubing is time-consuming and requires skilled labor. UNL is evaluating whether oral swabs, though less precise, might still predict methane emissions well enough for large-scale use.

The researchers are also exploring ways to use a single biological sample to extract both host DNA and microbiome data, a potential game-changer for reducing costs and simplifying logistics. The team envisions a two-tiered approach: gold-standard measurements on a smaller reference group to anchor the science, and faster, lower-cost sampling across thousands of cattle to build large-scale evaluations.

The Bottom Line

The results of this project could be more accurate breeding values that reflect what’s really happening in the pasture and feedyard, Spangler says.

This could include more accurate EPDs and selection tools that include methane-related traits alongside gain, fertility and carcass quality. While there’s currently no U.S. price signal for reducing methane, the long-term goal is to balance environmental and economic sustainability.

Producers might also see sampling protocols that fit seamlessly into existing workflows, such as collecting microbiome swabs during branding, weaning or pregnancy checks.

Spangler says there’s no single fix, but progress will come from stacking improvements in genetics, management and nutrition. When the right tools arrive, ranchers won’t be forced to choose between productivity and sustainability. They’ll be able to select for both.

Takeaways

Focus on efficiency. Methane emissions aren’t just an environmental issue — they represent lost efficiency in cattle.
Put pressure on it, and it will move. Across definitions—daily methane, methane per unit intake (“yield”), per unit product (“intensity”) or residual methane (like RFI) — the literature points to moderate heritability. That’s the same ballpark as weaning weight or average daily gain.
Two big levers drive methane differences among animals. Host genetics (the cow herself) and the rumen microbiome (the bugs doing the fermenting) are important to study.
Stacking clean data to find solutions is key. By combining genomic and microbiome data, scientists are getting closer to reliable tools that help producers select animals that convert feed more efficiently and waste less energy as methane.

I'm a Drover: An Innovator Redefining Ranching

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 13:13:18 GMT

Calling the Nebraska Sandhills home, Logan Pribbeno is not your typical rancher. He’s a fifth-generation beef producer who blends Silicon Valley precision with generational agricultural wisdom.

He represents a new breed of rancher — one who seamlessly blends technological insight, financial expertise and deep ecological understanding.

Today, he serves as president of Wine Glass Ranch with headquarters in Imperial, Neb. His approach is holistic. He views himself not just as a cattle producer, but as an ecosystem manager.

Read more about Wine Glass Ranch:
Profit Meets Purpose: A Rancher’s Guide to Sustainable Success

He doesn’t view sustainability as a trendy concept but as a fundamental business strategy. He sees sustainability not as a buzzword, but as a holistic approach to land management. With his leadership, the Wine Glass Ranch serves as a laboratory for regenerative agricultural practices.

“I view myself as a grass farmer,” Pribbeno notes, emphasizing the importance of grass management.

The ranch has a complex rotational grazing system with 90 paddocks and 200 miles of fencing, ensuring 95% of the land rests at any given time. This strategy maximizes grass regeneration and cattle health while minimizing environmental impact.

ESAP Photography

(Photos: NCBA/Environmental Stewardship Award Program)

Not the Typical Path to Ranching

Pribbeno recalls he initially did not want to ranch. However, he experienced a pivotal moment when he turned 18.

“The switch just went off,” he recalls.

After high school, his father, Jeff, required Pribbeno to leave the state and the agriculture industry for 10 years before he could come back to the ranch.

Jeff explains the experience helped Pribbeno “mature, gain independent work experience and develop critical management skills.”

He says working outside the family operation, Pribbeno gained a broader perspective and became more prepared to manage the ranch effectively upon his return.

Ending up in California, Pribbeno graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a degree in business economics and then immersed himself in the tech world of Silicon Valley.

While there, he navigated the high-pressure consulting and finance landscape, experiencing the 2008 financial crisis firsthand and developing a strategic mindset that would later help him leading the family’s ranch.

While he was in California, he also met and married his wife, Brianna. A native Californian, she made the move with Logan back to the ranch in 2012. The couple has two daughters — Pearl and Prairie.

Jeff says he’s proud of Pribbeno’s development as a ranch manager.

“He’s learned how to be a boss, so I’m really proud of that. That’s very important... to manage people is really hard,” he explains. “He also has all the financial skills that he needs. The business side of the ranch is the most important part.”

(Wine Glass Ranch)

A CFO Approach

Unlike many producers who rely solely on generational knowledge, Pribbeno manages ranching like a corporate CFO. With his background in financial consulting, he approaches his current role using a corporate strategy — analyzing every aspect of the ranch through a lens of strategic profitability and data-driven decision-making.

“I’ve made more money reading and relaxing on my back patio than I have sitting in a cab of a tractor,” Pribbeno jokes, revealing the analytical approach that sets him apart.

This financial acumen extends to his cattle management and long-term perspective. Instead of following and chasing short-term market trends, his vision extends beyond immediate profitability.

He’s currently transitioning from a cow-calf operation to more stocker cattle, driven by market conditions and financial considerations.

“We try to look at the cattle cycle to see when we should be mainly stockers versus mainly cow calf,” he explains.

Jeff and Connie Pribbeno and their son and daughter-in-law, Logan and Brianna, own and operate Wine Glass Ranch near Imperial, Neb. The ranch is an example of how innovative agricultural practices can simultaneously improve ecological health, animal welfare and financial sustainability.

(NCBA Environmental Stewardship Program)

Family and Future

Another characteristic that defines Pribbeno is his generational thinking. He plans in decades, not in years, and is deeply committed to generational land stewardship.

“We want to leave the place a little bit better for our kids, just like my parents did.” he summarizes hoping one day Pearl or Prairie will continue the family’s ranching legacy.

Pribbeno is not just a rancher, but an ecosystem manager, financial strategist and environmental steward. By integrating technology, financial insight and ecological understanding, he’s demonstrating that modern beef production can be simultaneously profitable, sustainable and regenerative.

ESAP Photography

(NCBA Environmental Stewardship Award Program)

Pribbeno’s 5 Sustainability Tips

For producers seeking to improve sustainability, Pribbeno offers these strategies:

Read extensively. He suggests Allan Nation’s books, including “Knowledge Rich Ranching.” He tries to read at least a dozen books per year.
“Keep an open mind. Reading is a strategic advantage for me,” Pribbeno says.
Visit other operations. “I’ve probably put my boots on 100 different farms and ranches,” he explains. “And that’s really been a strategic advantage for me see what other people are doing. My farm and ranch network is not other producers from Chase County or southwest Nebraska. It’s the greater Plains area, and with tools like Twitter and Facebook, your peer group can be far and wide.”
Profitability and sustainability are the same path. “It doesn’t seem that way, but if you run the numbers, you’ll find it to be true,” Pribbeno stresses.
Plan in decades, not years. “Adopt a decade or generation scale of ecosystem management,” he suggests.
He suggests thinking strategically.
“We try to look at the cattle cycle to see when we should be mainly stockers versus mainly cow-calf,” he explains.
Wine Glass is currently transitioning from mostly cow-calf pairs to more stocker cattle, driven by market conditions and financial considerations.
Keep an open mind and continue learning.

Your Next Read: Profit Meets Purpose: A Rancher’s Guide to Sustainable Success

Profit Meets Purpose: A Rancher's Guide to Sustainable Success

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 13:23:20 GMT

Grazing the best and leaving the rest for the benefit of soil health — this is the philosophy of the Pribbeno family, who has been ranching in the Nebraska Sandhills for 140 years. The cow-calf, stocker and grain operation thrives in western Nebraska near the Colorado border despite the arid climate and fragile sandy soil.

At any given point, 95% of the Wine Glass Ranch land is resting. This practice has increased plant diversity and the return of native grasses.

Jeff and Connie Pribbeno and their son and daughter-in-law, Logan and Brianna, own and operate Wine Glass Ranch near Imperial, Neb. The ranch is an example of how innovative agricultural practices can simultaneously improve ecological health, animal welfare and financial sustainability.

They let cattle do the work of harvesting. With limited water resources and challenging weather, it is even more important to protect and preserve the land growing the crops and feeding the cattle.

(NCBA Environmental Stewardship Award Program)

Ranch Transitions

Spanning generations, the ranch has transformed to a sophisticated business that challenges conventional ranching wisdom.

In 1888, Sherman McCoy, Logan’s great-great-grandfather, left Iowa by train and walked 30 miles from the westernmost stop in Elsie, Neb., to what is now the ranch. Once McCoy arrived at his destination, he filed for a homestead while Nebraska was still part of the frontier and established Lonestar Ranch.

Through good stewardship and thrifty living, the operation grew to almost 8,000 acres under his care. Following the McCoys, Lone Star Ranch was owned by their son-in-law and daughter, A.O. and Mary Stenger. The Stengers raised their only daughter, Babette, on the land, who registered the wine glass brand.

Babette and her husband, Bill Pribbeno, were the next generation to own the ranch. They passed it to their son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Connie, who changed its name to Wine Glass Ranch to match the brand. In 2012, the fifth generation — Logan and Brianna — assumed management duties of the Wine Glass Ranch.

Read more about Logan and his philosophy managing Wine Glass Ranch:
I’m a Drover: An Innovator Redefining Ranching

(Photo: NCBA Environmental Stewardship Award Program)

For the first 100 years of the ranch, cattle were left to fend for themselves year-round on the native range, much like any other ranch or farm on the Great Plains. Cattle often traveled four to five miles between windmills to get a drink, and thus the areas around the mills were over grazed while other areas remained practically untouched.

The fourth generation became the first generation of conservationists. Jeff and Connie began the operation’s environmental stewardship journey in 1976 when Jeff pioneered no-till-eco-fallow in the area to add production by converting to three and four-year crop rotations and preventing wind erosion.

(Photo: NCBA Environmental Stewardship Award Program)

Cattle and Grazing

“We try to keep it pretty simple, and we try to make the cows survive on their own,” Jeff explains.

The Pribbeno family uses a 365-day grazing system without traditional hay feeding.

“We do not own a feed wagon and we do not feed any hay,” Logan explains.

Jeff devoted significant time, money and training to improving range management. This involved building extensive cross-fencing and adding multiple water sources, which allowed them to run more cattle on the same pasture while maintaining land health. The ranch’s management approach is hands-on, with daily monitoring of cattle and pastures throughout the entire year.

The cattle herd has been carefully developed, with Jeff’s breeding strategy to create “an easy keeping cow that can thrive in a non-selective, rotational grazing system.” This approach focuses on low-milk, low frame score cattle specifically adapted to their challenging environment.

One of the ranch’s most significant strategies is its extensive rotational grazing system. The Pribbeno family has installed “200 miles of fence, creating 90 paddocks.” Cattle typically stay in a 300-acre paddock for five to seven days, allowing for significant grass regeneration.

“I want that pasture to look like it looked 1,000 years ago before man showed up,” Jeff says.

ESAP Photography

(NCBA Environmental Stewardship Award Program)

Cover Crops

Cover crops play a crucial role in the ranch’s sustainability strategy. Logan describes their approach as unique, growing warm season mixes that can reach “14' tall and dense, like a jungle.”

They incorporate diverse crops like sorghum, pearl millet, brassicas and soybeans, then graze cattle through the field, leaving behind natural fertilization.

Logan explains he treats covers crops like a silage crop. He harvests approximately 25% of the crop’s weight and leaves remaining crop as natural fertilizer and ground cover.

The cover crop strategy reduces input costs, minimizes herbicide use and improves soil health.

This approach is displayed in innovative practices like precise input management. During a challenging year, he reduced nitrogen application on corn to just 20 lb., achieving remarkable yield efficiency.

“We need to cut inputs,” he explains. “There’s a fine line between deficient and efficient.”

(Wine Glass Ranch)

Wildlife Haven

The ranch has become a wildlife haven, with one survey documenting 80 bird species in just 48 hours. By creating prairie strips, protecting wetlands and implementing strategic habitat management, Logan says agricultural production and ecological preservation can coexist.

“We took the worst part of the farm and focused it on habitat,” he explains.

The ranch prioritizes habitat preservation, with Jeff planting more than 10,000 trees and shelter belts. They’ve created prairie strips around wetland areas and participate in state walk-in hunting programs.

Partnerships are crucial to the Pribbenos’ management model. Father and son both work closely with NRCS and FSA, viewing these relationships as strategic opportunities for innovation that have been crucial in implementing sustainable practices.

“Whenever we have something going on, we’ll call the NRCS office and say, ‘Hey, we’re thinking about this. How can you help?’” Logan explains.

Covers crops are treated like a silage crop at Wine Glass. They harvests approximately 25% of the crop’s weight and leave remaining crop as natural fertilizer and ground cover.

(Wine Glass Ranch)

Focus on Sustainability

By integrating advanced grazing techniques, strategic crop management and a long-term perspective, the Pribbenos are writing the next chapter in their family’s agricultural legacy.

“Sustainable means that if we can continue what we’re doing today, in 1,000 years, the land will look the same,” Jeff says.

Logan agrees, sharing his philosophy of leaving the land better for future generations and explaining “sustainability tends to be more profitable in the long run.”

Recognized for their focus on the environment and sustainability, the ranch was awarded the prestigious Nebraska Leopold Conservation Award in 2022. In 2025, the family was recognized as the 2025 region VII winner of the Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) .

“Wine Glass Ranch believes we cannot carry out our tradition of producing world-class beef without approaching sustainability with an open mind,” says Steve Hanson, owner of Hanson Family Farms & Sillassen Ranch. “The Pribbenos’ successful rotational grazing and no-till-eco-fallow practices prove our industry can uphold traditions while paving the way to an even stronger and more resilient future.”

Your Next Reads:
I’m a Drover: An Innovator Redefining Ranching
Sustainability Isn’t a Bad Word

How Nebraska is Tackling the Critical Rural Veterinarian Shortage in a New, Unique Way

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 14:32:20 GMT

A critical shortage of food-animal veterinarians is unfolding across rural America. A 2023 Farm Journal Foundation study found more than 500 counties across the U.S. lack enough veterinarians to care for livestock. The pipeline of new graduates simply isn’t keeping up; only 3% to 4% of today’s veterinary students choose to practice food-animal medicine, compared to about 40% four decades ago.

Experts warn the shortage poses risks beyond farm gates. Veterinarians are a front-line defense for animal health, and without them, food production and U.S. food security could be at risk.

And even though USDA announced plans to address the shortage by announcing their own Rural Veterinary Action Plan in August , Nebraska was ahead of the curve, launching their own program last year.

Nebraska’s Homegrown Solution

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), in partnership with Gov. Jim Pillen and state leaders, is working to reverse that trend through the Nebraska Elite 11 Veterinary Program .

“Through the governor and a lot of our state leaders who recognize the need for production animal health DVMs out in rural Nebraska … they partnered with us to identify and develop a scholarship program for these students,” says Deb VanOverbeke, head of UNL’s department of animal science.

The program specifically targets Nebraska students who aspire to practice large-animal veterinary medicine in rural communities.

Scholarships That Start Freshman Year

Unlike most programs that support students late in their training, Elite 11 identifies and supports them as soon as they step on campus.

“These cohorts start as freshmen in college … They’ve identified that they want to go down the path of practicing veterinary medicine in rural Nebraska with production animals,” VanOverbeke explains.

Each year, up to 20 incoming animal science or veterinary science students are accepted into the program. During their first two years, they receive scholarships covering 50% of tuition. After that, 11 students and two alternates are selected for full tuition scholarships during their junior and senior years.

Those selected also earn automatic admission into UNL’s preprofessional veterinary medicine program, run in partnership with Iowa State University.

A Long-Term Commitment

Financial barriers are one of the biggest deterrents for veterinary students. By providing tuition support early and guaranteeing a pathway forward, UNL hopes to ease that pressure.

“It’s going to take us eight years to get these students to be practicing veterinarians in rural Nebraska,” VanOverbeke says. “But so much of the student burden is financial. This scholarship gives them a way to see a path forward.”

The program also includes a major incentive after graduation. Students who practice in a rural Nebraska community for at least eight years in food-animal medicine become eligible for 100% loan forgiveness.

Students Already Seeing the Impact

For students like Sydney Hutchinson of West Point, Neb., the scholarship program has already changed her trajectory.

“I always knew I was interested in doing something with an agricultural background,” Hutchinson says. “I’ve showed livestock, helped with routine stuff on the farm, like vaccinations, pulled a few calves. Those things got me interested in veterinary medicine.”

Originally, Hutchinson planned to attend Kansas State University, but when she learned about UNL’s program, she changed course.

“Nebraska is home to me. That’s where I’ve always seen myself coming back to,” she says. “Having this program show up at just the right time worked out great.”

Now in her second year at UNL, Hutchinson says she knows her calling isn’t in small animal clinics, but in rural, large-animal work.

“Finding large-animal veterinarians is a struggle in the state, especially those that want to come back and work in rural areas,” she says. “Addressing that problem first and foremost is great. It’s going to have a great long-term impact on Nebraska and its ag industry.”

Building a Future for Rural Veterinary Medicine

By investing early in students, providing financial support and creating a clear career pipeline, Nebraska hopes to strengthen its veterinary workforce for years to come.

For Hutchinson, the investment feels personal.

“To have them investing in the next generation — it’s huge,” she says.

If successful, the program could provide a model for other states facing the same critical shortage of rural food-animal veterinarians.

Agriculture in the Bull's-Eye: Raids Reportedly Resume on Farms, Meatpacking Plants

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 18:40:22 GMT

After President Donald Trump reportedly ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE ) to pause raids on farms and meatpacking plants last week, new reports say the administration is reversing course again. The on-again, off-again reports regarding ICE raids is sowing confusion for those who rely on immigrant labor and already causing labor shortages due to employees not showing up for work.

There was an update again late Friday, with President Trump saying he’s looking at new immigration policy steps that would allow farms to take responsibility for people they hire.

The Washington Post first reported Monday that ICE officials told leaders representing field offices across the country they must continue to conduct raids at worksite locations, which is a reversal from guidance issued just days earlier.

Officials with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) wouldn’t confirm the Washington Post’s report, but an agricultural association told Farm Journal the article is accurate based on their discussions with the administration.

Instead, DHS told us this:

“The president has been incredibly clear. There will be no safe spaces for industries who harbor violent criminals or purposely try to undermine ICE’s efforts,” says DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Worksite enforcement remains a cornerstone of our efforts to safe guard public safety, national security and economic stability. These operations target illegal employment networks that undermine American workers, destabilize labor markets and expose critical infrastructure to exploitation.”

By Friday, there was another update. Reuters reported President Trump said he was looking at immigration policy steps that would allow farms to take responsibility for people they hire.

“We’re looking at doing something where, in the case of good, reputable farmers, they can take responsibility for the people that they hire and let them have responsibility, because we can’t put the farms out of business,” Trump told reporters. “And at the same time we don’t want to hurt people that aren’t criminals.”

According to Farm Journal’s Michelle Rook, the recent ICE raids are already creating absenteeism and labor shortages that could severally disrupt the U.S. food supply. Ag groups are again calling for immigration reform with hopes the issue will finally come to a head.

Ripple Effect of Immigration Crackdown

Joe Del Bosque, owner of Del Bosque Farms in Firebaugh, Calif., is experiencing the rollercoaster with labor, saying the shifting policy strikes fear in farmers and workers.

“There’s so much uncertainty as to what the administration’s going to do,” Del Bosque told Rook on AgriTalk this week.

Del Bosque says the raids on California produce farms are disrupting the harvest of perishable produce.

“They haven’t been really huge sweeps. They’re usually picking up a few people. But it creates a lot of fear, and people don’t show up to work. That’s just as bad as if they were taken away,” he says.

According to an exclusive report by Farm Journal’s The Packer , the ripple effect of Trump’s immigration crackdown on agriculture could be far-reaching — if the administration revives its focus on ag.

Kevin Kelly is the CEO of Emerald Packaging — the largest flexible packaging supplier to the leafy greens industry. Based in Union City, Calif., the company has been in the packaging business for 62 years. Kelly says the immigrant workforce in California is feeling uncertain and afraid.

“We’ve certainly heard folks aren’t turning up to work in the fields, and we’ve seen it in our facility. We verify everybody, so we know everybody in our facility is documented and can legally work in the United States,” Kelly tells Jennifer Strailey, editor of The Packer. “In our case, it’s brothers and sisters being deported, and other family members being afraid. Our employees are staying home to help their family members move, to take care of them or to take them to see an attorney — that kind of thing.”

Dairy operations in several states have also been raided recently. Dairy producers say they rely on immigrant labor to provide a stable year-round work force and to keep the U.S. food supply stable.

“We need these people to take care of our animals so we can produce food. Without animal care, we won’t have milk, cheese, butter — nothing,” Greg Moes, MoDak Dairy in Goodwin, S.D., told Rook.

The recent ICE arrests at Glenn Valley Foods of Omaha, Neb. have also led to absenteeism at meat processing plants.

“At the beginning of the Trump administration, we had this same worry with the crackdown — whether this was going to impact absenteeism and things like that,” says Brad Kooima, Kooima Kooima Varilek in Sioux Center, Iowa. “So, hopefully we can put that in our rearview mirror.”

By the Numbers: A Heavy Reliance on Immigrant Labor
The news this week of the Trump administration putting a pause on raids of farms and meat processors is welcome news for those in agriculture. From dairies and produce farms, to meatpacking plants across the U.S., these sectors rely heavily on immigrant labor.

Immigrant labor makes up a substantial portion of the meat processing workforce, with estimates ranging from 37% to over 50%. However, states like South Dakota and Nebraska have even higher concentrations of immigrant workers in meat processing — reaching 58% and 66%, according to the nonprofit Migration Policy Institute.

And a large portion of U.S. dairy farms rely on immigrant labor, with estimates indicating that over half of all dairy workers are immigrants. Specifically, these workers account for 51% of the total dairy workforce and are responsible for producing 79% of the U.S. milk supply.

Farmworker Justice estimates 70% of the produce industry’s farmworkers are immigrants. USDA’s estimates are lower — closer to 60%.

BIF Honors 6 Industry Pioneers

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 16:47:03 GMT

The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Pioneer Award recognizes individuals who have made lasting contributions to the improvement of beef cattle and honors those who have had a major role in acceptance of performance reporting and documentation as the primary means to make genetic change in beef cattle.

June 12 BIF recognized six beef genetics pioneers, including: Steve Hammack of Stephenville, Texas; Joe Paschal of Brenham, Texas; Jim Sanders of College Station, Texas; Wade Shafer of Bozeman, Montana; David Steffen of Lincoln, Nebraska; and Jeremy Taylor of Pensacola, Florida.

Hammack served as the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist based in Stephenville, Texas, from 1973 until 2003 and continued part-time through 2023. His work focused on genetic management and cow-calf production systems, and leading statewide efforts such as the development of the Texas Adapted Genetic Strategies (TAGS) series, a set of 11 bulletins covering breeding programs, breed characteristics, sire selection, genomics and more. Hammack was a frequent speaker at the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course and numerous regional, state and national educational venues.

Hammack has a long history with BIF. He served as the official BIF contact in Texas and co-hosted the 1990 BIF Annual Meeting. He also authored a monthly “Beef Cattle Browsing” column summarizing research nationwide and was an early adopter of web-based publications for sharing beef cattle knowledge.

Paschal began his career as the director of breed improvement for the American International Charolais Association. There, he oversaw the Charolais herd improvement and sire evaluation programs. He later served as an Extension livestock specialist for 38 years with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, where he conducted adult and youth education programs through South and Coastal Texas.

He played a key role in statewide feeding and genetics programs, including the TAM Ranch to Rail program and the South Texas Brahman genetics feeding program at King Ranch Feedyard, where more than 12,000 steers were fed from 1992 to 2004. Paschal’s research on carcass merit and tenderness in Brahman genetics significantly contributed to EPD development and industry knowledge.

Alongside Hammack, he coauthored the TAGS bulletin series. Since retiring in 2022, he continues to consult with producers both in the U.S. and internationally and shares his expertise to improve cattle performance.

Paschal also served on the BIF board of directors from 1980 to 1982 and has remained actively involved with BIF throughout his career as a supporter of the organization’s mission to advance beef cattle genetic improvement.

Sanders served as a professor of animal breeding and genetics at Texas A&M University until his retirement in 2023. Throughout his career, he taught more than 12,000 students and conducted pioneering research focused on American Bos indicus-influenced breeds and crosses.

His work included developing the first beef cattle simulation model that evaluated genetic differences for birth, growth, carcass and productivity traits, and investigated hybrid vigor retention in Bos indicus/Bos taurus crosses. Sanders also identified genes with major effects on key traits and studied the genetic history of the American Brahman breed.

He was a dedicated mentor and supporter of animal science student groups and competitive judging teams, and he coached multiple national champion teams. His influence extends internationally, as he presented and judged cattle across 18 countries on five continents.

Since retiring, Sanders’ legacy continues through his former students who are now leaders in academia, industry and breed associations worldwide. He has also been a long-time supporter of BIF and its mission to advance beef cattle genetic improvement.

Shafer joined the American Simmental Association in 2003 and brought with him a doctorate from Colorado State University and practical experience building economic selection indexes for his own herd. He led the development of two whole life cycle indexes, launched a whole herd reporting system and transitioned ASA’s genetic evaluation into the genomic era.

In 2010, Shafer co-founded International Genetic Solutions, which now includes more than 23 million animals from 23 breed organizations — the largest genetic evaluation system in the world.

Throughout his career, Shafer’s focus has always been on improving genetics across the entire beef industry. He served as executive vice president of ASA beginning in 2013 and guided significant growth while prioritizing service to commercial cattle producers. He defended independent genetic evaluation during a patent challenge and maintained the integrity of expected progeny differences (EPDs) and indexes.

Shafer’s leadership and vision have been widely praised by industry peers, who describe him as humble, principled and driven by service to the beef industry.

Steffen grew up on his family’s farm near Fordyce, Neb., where his passion for livestock and veterinary medicine began. After earning a bachelor’s in animal science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a DVM from Iowa State University, he completed a doctoral degree in pathology at Kansas State University. He spent most of his academic career at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he served as faculty head for quality assurance and accreditation at the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center.

Considered a national resource for investigating genetic disorders in beef cattle, Steffen’s research has contributed to the commercial testing of nearly 70% of known genetic disorders in beef cattle. His work in discovering genetic conditions and helping producers manage breeding around them has significantly impacted breed improvement. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a strong passion for advancing cattle health and supporting producers.

Taylor has been instrumental in advancing cattle genomics through his work at the University of Missouri. He played a key role in commercializing the first SNP array, a groundbreaking technology developed in collaboration with USDA-MARC, USDA Beltsville and Illumina.

Taylor also led efforts that were foundational to the development of dry-matter intake EPDs used by several breed associations and was an early adopter of whole-genome sequencing to enhance understanding of cattle genetic diversity.

Beyond his scientific contributions, Taylor is celebrated for his mentorship. He chaired 45 graduate students and advised 14 postdoctoral fellows, many of whom have become prominent leaders in beef genetics. In 2015, he received the Graduate Faculty Mentor Award from the University of Missouri Graduate School.

Taylor’s career has contributed to advancements in beef cattle genetic improvement through collaboration, innovation and service to the industry.

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Making Agriculture Accessible: Beef Checkoff Dollars Support Science Curriculum Resources

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 10:40:22 GMT

It’s no secret, the beef life cycle is complex. For classroom educators, especially those with little to no agricultural background, breaking down concepts such as cattle production, sustainability and nutrient upcycling can be challenging. Yet, it is crucial for students to understand where their food comes from, how beef is raised and the important role it plays in different ecosystems. With the right resources, teachers can bridge this knowledge gap, making the beef industry accessible and engaging for students of all ages.

Olathe, Kan., middle school science teacher Jessica Sadler has taken a special interest in ensuring her fellow educators are properly equipped to help students explore and comprehend agricultural topics while also meeting the important Next Generation Science Standards used in many states to set the expectations for what students should know and be able to do. Partnering with the Kansas Beef Council , she created a series of “ Sizzling Discoveries ” readers that provide students an opportunity to uncover the connections between beef production and sustainability in a fun and classroom-friendly format.

“My role as a curriculum developer allows me to combine evidence-based facts about the beef life cycle with science education standards and make these resources accessible and appropriate for students to take on this kind of knowledge,” says Sadler, who has previously worked with both KBC and Kansas Corn on other curriculum projects. “Developing this type of educational content helps nurture critical observation and analytical thinking skills for students while also combating misinformation in the classroom.”

The series, spearheaded by KBC and jointly funded with the Oklahoma and Nebraska Beef Councils, currently includes three readers for grade levels six to eight and nine to 12. Each reader focuses on a scientific topic specific to beef production — sustainability, nutrient upcycling and water and land use — and includes a teacher guide and supplementary teaching resources to enhance the learning experience.

In developing the curriculum, Sadler said she designed the cover of each reader to include a phenomena-based storyline, which uses a real-world circumstance as the starting point for learning and encourages students to explore, investigate and make sense of the world around them through inquiry and problem-solving. For example, the upcycling reader cover draws a similarity between shopping for cool finds at a thrift store and the important role ruminant animals play in the ecosystem.

“That’s a really big thing in science education and specifically within the Next Generation Science Standards,” she says. “It’s all about drawing attention to the way we live our lives and making time to think about how something unfamiliar is actually impacting us.”

What the readers include
Inside the readers, students are introduced to vocabulary words, hands-on experiments and more in-depth information about the specific topic, including external links to resources such as maps, videos and handouts. Professional graphic designer Sue Schulte used vibrant colors and imagery to create a clean and engaging layout design that draws students in and keeps their attention as they work through the different sections.

Abby Heidari, KBC director of nutrition, says while students might be exposed to topics such as beef production and sustainability in agricultural education classes, many schools unfortunately lack these types of programs.

“Realizing not all students have access to ag education courses, this reader series helps to reshape how beef production is taught in middle school and high school STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and FACS (family and consumer sciences) classes,” she says.

Heidari added that one of KBC’s core strategies is to position beef as a go-to source of protein for modern households, and reaching students at the middle school and high school level is imperative to help foster a lifelong understanding of the beef life cycle and beef’s nutritional value.

“They are starting to get mixed information about whether or not beef is something they should or should not include in their diet,” she adds. “We want to ensure they have more context to some of the topics they might be seeing on social media to dispel some of the myths that might be out there.”

Providing beef sustainability information
During a 2022 KBC tour designed specifically for STEM teachers, Heidari and her team learned teachers desired more content specifically about beef sustainability topics to better educate themselves before introducing the concepts in their classrooms.

“If those topics came up, they didn’t feel knowledgeable or comfortable delving in,” she says. “The reader series helps empower educators so they can feel more confident talking about topics like greenhouse gas emissions, nutrient upcycling or ecosystem services within the context of agriculture and exploring these topics that aren’t necessarily typical in biology and natural science classes.”

Where can you find them?
The readers and accompanying resources are available for print or digital use on the KBC website , and other state beef councils across the U.S. have incorporated them into their outreach efforts as well. Recently, 2,300 classroom sets — enough to reach 69,000 students — were printed and distributed to nine different states, and Sadler plans to present sustainability workshops in several of these areas to help teachers incorporate the sustainability materials in their classrooms.

“Because a majority of states have adopted the Next Generation Science Standards, the readers are a seamless resource for many educators across the country,” Sadler says. “But even if a state uses other educational markers, the applicable skills found in the readers, like claim evidence and reasoning writings, are commonly taught in most classrooms.”

Sadler adds that in most communities across the country, rural or urban, there is a growing disconnect between consumers and food production. As a curriculum developer, she wants to develop resources that make teachers excited and confident about introducing these types of important topics in their classrooms that help students develop a greater understanding of the world around them.

“In addition to helping students achieve specific education standards, it is equally important to many educators that these young adults are equipped with a broad understanding of how different ecosystems, life cycles and production practices can affect them on a personal level,” she says. “Educational resources like these readers are such a valuable tool in helping students identify facts and have logical conversations with their peers as they grow into responsible citizens.”

Article written by Macey Mueller on behalf of the KBC.

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UNL Offers Upcoming Educational Opportunities for Beef Producers

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 21:58:38 GMT

The University of Nebraska — Lincoln and Nebraska Extension is offering educational opportunities to support Nebraska’s beef industry through production challenges.

Webinar: Drylot Feeding Cow-calf Pairs
Monday, Jan. 13, Online

Should drought conditions continue and intensify this spring, drylot feeding of cow calf pairs may be an option to consider for retaining a portion of the cow herd. Considering the logistics and costs of drylotting pairs now will help producers to know their options and prepare and purchase feed.

Forage Production and Quality Clinic
Wednesday, Jan. 15, Arthur

Join researchers from the West Central Research, Extension and Education Center and local ranchers to discuss recent forage production experiments in North Central Nebraska.

2025 Three-State Beef Conference
Thursday, Jan. 16, Lincoln

The Three-State Beef Conference is designed to give beef cattle producers and others in the beef industry a regular update on current cow-calf and stocker topics. The conference provides a forum of specialists from three of the United States’ leading beef cattle land grant universities as well as other industry experts. Additional dates for this conference, with the same speakers and agenda, are Tuesday, Jan. 14 in Maryville, Mo., and Wednesday, Jan. 15 in Greenfield, Iowa.

Livestock Risk Management Workshop
Monday, Jan. 21, Clay Center

Nebraska Extension educators and specialists will highlight strategies designed to reduce risk exposure so livestock producers can achieve a profitability outcome in uncertain times.

Webinar Series: Fundamentals of Feeding the Cow
Starting Monday, Jan. 27, Online

This four-session webinar series is focused on understanding how the cow’s nutrient requirements change throughout the year and how to cost-effectively meet a cow’s needs with grazed or harvested feed.

Webinar Series: Calculating Annual Cow Costs
Starting Monday, Jan. 27, Online

Knowing annual cow costs is the foundation for evaluating and making management decisions that can improve profitability for a cow-calf enterprise. Input costs are challenging producers to examine the cost of production and identify where there may be opportunities to adjust the production system.

UNL Winter Stocker Tour to feature Darr Feedlot
Wednesday, Jan. 29, Lexington

Nebraska Extension’s annual summer Stocker/Yearling Tour has been a successful educational program for stocker/yearling operators and beginning producers across Nebraska. Previous attendees and advisory board members have expressed interest in a winter stocker tour to gain insight on cost-effective options to background calves through the winter.

Manure/Land Application Training
February & March, Several Locations

Anyone with an interest in manure management is welcome to attend.

Beef Feedlot Roundtables
Feb. 18, 19, 20, Bridgeport, Gothenburg, West Point

Highlights from the program include managing hairy heel wart in the feedyard, leveraging cattle implant strategies for greater gains, UNL research update, and a market outlook with speakers from Nebraska Extension and Nebraska Cattlemen.

Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference
Starting Thursday, Feb. 20, Kearney

Participants will select from over 20 workshop options that cover the five areas of agricultural risk management: production, market, financial, human and legal.

Midwest FEEDS Practicum
Starting Thursday, Feb. 27, Ithaca

Learn practical, research-based strategies to improve your operation’s efficiency and profitability while leveraging the Midwest’s unique advantages in forage and grazing resources.

Find out more about any of these events at beef.unl.edu/events , or by following UNL Beef on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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Nebraska's New Feedlot Innovation Center: Leading the Charge in Research Revolution

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 13:42:28 GMT

Walk into University of Nebraska’s new Feedlot Innovation Center, and you’ll realize it’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen. While the buildings may be empty lots today, starting next week, cattle will start to arrive, setting the stage to revolutionize feedlot research for the entire industry.

“We thought this is the latest and greatest way for us to help the feedlot industry help the beef industry focus on performance, environmental issues and challenges that we can address, as well as animal welfare, cattle behavior and even precision technology,” says Galen Erickson, Nebraska cattle industry professor of animal science at University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL).

A New Approach to Feedlot Research

It’s all being done at the Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center, a $7.2-million project that sprouted from an idea four years ago.

“We want to be a testbed for all of the latest innovations,” says Erickson. “Not only is it innovations that we would like to develop internally, but we also want to be a testbed for companies. So if there’s industry innovations that companies are developing, many of them need to be tested in the real world. And yet, when you test them in the real world, you want to be able to collect all the data and information on how well they work. That’s the role that we think we serve.”

Advancing Precision Technology in Beef Production

Erickson, who also serves as the feedlot Extension specialist for UNL, spoke to us from the Klopfenstein Feed Technology Center, one of four buildings that now call the Feedlot Innovation Center home.

“This is a 240-head individual feeding facility. It’s a facility we’re using for individual animal management research,” says Erickson “There’s a lot of interest in what can we do with precision technology to improve beef cattle production. We have a lot of research planned for this facility in the coming years.”

The Terry Klopfenstein Feed Technology Center has 36 commercial-sized pens, which will house 60 head of cattle across four different housing systems.

“The goal is to do individual management, individual precision technology, look at sensors we can use on cattle, as well as ways to enhance welfare, health or performance,” he adds.

Erickson says from small-scale research to larger pens, the research will be precise, but it will also uncover answers on a larger scale.

“Sometimes people say, ‘Well, that research was done on a smaller scale. That doesn’t apply to our operation.’ So, we’re really excited because we can do things now that are directly applicable. And frankly, some of the questions we’re asking need to be done on a larger scale and with larger groups of cattle,” Erickson says.

Nailing Down Answers About Nutrient Loss

One of the key answers Erickson says they’ll uncover here is ways to reduce nutrient loss from feedyard systems.

“We need to do a better job of conserving nutrients. The focus of that and on everybody’s mind is normally carbon and greenhouse gases,” he says. “Actually, much of our focus here will be that and also nitrogen management. Housing systems offers one of the greatest ways to change that.”

Erickson says a traditional open lot, which is the most common feedyard housing system today, isn’t particularly good at conserving nitrogen. He says placing cattle in deep pit barns is a good way to conserve nitrogen, while also revealing other essential answers.

“If you put cattle in these barns, you get to control the elements. So in the summertime there’s less heat stress, and in winter time we have less cold stress. But they’re also crowded in there pretty good. So, we’re looking at how do the cattle perform and behave in those systems, and how we can manage nutrients in those systems compared to traditional open lots,” says Erickson.

From cattle performance in the heat or the cold, to researching how to keep cattle out of the mud, Erickson says the research that will be done at the University of Nebraska will happen year-round.

“A lot of producers have been asking if we can put cattle on concrete, and traditional concrete is very expensive. But there’s a new approach for solid surface pens called roller-compacted concrete. From a research facility perspective, I believe we will be the first place in the world to be able to compare commercial performance in that type of setting,” he says.

Answering a Burning Question about Cattle Emissions

While the research will find answers for feedlots in the U.S., other studies ongoing here at the University of Nebraska are finding answers that could be valuable worldwide.

“There’s a lot of global concern about how much cattle are actually contributing to global warming. We’re trying to answer that question and get involved with actually quantifying those emissions, because there’s not a lot of research out there that actually tells us what the cattle are emitting. It’s a lot of predictions or estimates at this point,” says Rebecca McDermott, a PhD student in beef cattle nutrition at UNL.

Quantifying greenhouse gas emissions of cattle grazing pasture is the topic of her research, but her classroom is far from a traditional setting. Instead, her classroom is a 27-acre brome grass pasture where you’ll find cattle grazing with GPS collars.

“We have an eddy covariance system that actually measures methane and the CO2 that’s produced by the pasture and the cattle. Then, we can use the location of the cattle, and if they are in this footprint, we can actually determine what those cattle are emitting. So then, we can determine what their actual methane and CO2 emissions are,” she says.

The research is five years in the works, and McDermot says they’re already finding impactful insights, including what impact the weather is having on cattle emissions.

“When there’s drought, there’s less biomass or less forage on the field. So that pasture is actually taking up less carbon. Then, the cattle are carbon positive, meaning that they’re contributing carbon to the environment. Whereas, in years where there’s lots of rainfall, lots of forage, lots of biomass, then the pasture is actually taking up more carbon than what the cattle are emitting. So then that system would be actually carbon neutral,” she explains.

A Vision for the Future

From tracking cattle in the pasture, to now being able to track cattle’s feed consumption with individual ID tags in this feeding system, the UNL research could shape the cattle industry in the years ahead.

“When that tag is scanned by the reader, we can decide whether the animal has access to a specific bunk. We’ll also have different diets in these bunks that we can compare,” says Erickson. “So, once that animal’s ID is read, we can allow it to either have access to feed or not, and we can also control for how long.”

Between the Feedlot Technology Center, the two confinement barns in the middle and the processing facility on the end, this state-of-the art feedlot innovation center is truly one of a kind.

“Maybe most importantly, when we do experiments, we get to randomize cattle to different outcome groups. I always joke cattle to cattle can’t lie. So when we do our randomization correctly, however the cattle perform in these two different systems that’s what the two systems tell us, because the cattle can’t fool you,” says Erickson.

Bottom line, Erickson says the work researchers are doing at the new Feedlot Innovation Center will help cattle producers across the country, as the research has real-world application and impacts what producers can adopt tomorrow.

One Ranch Family’s Strategy to Save Their Sandhills Legacy

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 21:29:28 GMT

Nebraska rancher Homer Buell doesn’t have an exact answer for how the soil beneath his boots originally became less soil and more sand.

“I’ve read different things,” he says. “Maybe during one of the last Ice Ages, when it pulled away it left the sand deposit, or I think they even talk about rivers that ran through the Sandhills. In dry periods, I think it blew up in the hills.”

It doesn’t seem to matter to Buell why his ecosystem is what it is – more that it is his family’s land and he intends to keep it that way for future generations of Buells.

It’s the same attitude that originally landed the family in the Nebraska Sandhills near Bassett back in 1883 when Benjamin and Harriett Buell first homesteaded there. Benjamin had originally passed through on a trek from Michigan to Washington.

“He saw something in the Sandhills that he loved, so he came back and settled here,” Buell says.

“They were good managers and did a lot of good things on the ranch in their own right, including creating the Shovel Dot brand we still use today.”

Continuing the Legacy

In July, Shovel Dot Ranch opened its ranch gates, welcoming neighboring ranchers, researchers and agribusiness officials for the Trust In Beef Sustainable Ranchers Tour. When welcoming the large crowd for the event, Buell began in the most natural of places – with the family. Introductions were comprehensive, including first he and wife, Darla’s, children. Chad joins his father as next-generation leadership in the ranch. Daughter Tara lives a few hours away. And there are grandchildren scattered in various schools and universities across the Midwest. Brother Larry still manages part of the Shovel Dot that was broken up in the sibling’s succession plan.

Then Buell outlined the family’s lineage dating all the way back to the 1800s, complete with vintage photos to illustrate.

The Buell Family legacy and connection to this land is as rolling as the topography formed by the sands.

Buell says they’ve seen a lot of ups and downs on the land. They have rivers and streams diverted by his grandfather for hunting, fishing and family recreation. Family cabins and homes are scattered on the 15,000 acres of Shovel Dot Ranch.

During the 2024 Sustainable Ranchers Tour, Nebraska rancher Homer Buell detailed how his ranch works to preserve their grassland heritage through intensive rotational grazing.

(Trust In Beef )

Preserving the Legacy

But the land that the Buell Family loves is a fickle mistress. The Nebraska Sandhills are the most intact temperate grassland left in the entire world. Its fragile ecosystem is tough to preserve and under constant threat.

Buell knows the key, though.

“If you treat it right, it can be very productive and produce grass,” he says. “That’s really the only use for the Sandhills – just native grasses grazed by some type of livestock.”

And grazing he does. It’s what the family has always done.

“I’ve always been a cow-calf guy,” he says. “We ran yearling cattle and then took them to grass and would sell steers, but Chad wanted to sell the cows last winter and now we buy calves and will background them through the winter, taking to grass in the summer and then sell them off there.”

“This year, we’ve got about 1,600 yearlings and we weren’t quite full, so we took in a few cows from a neighbor.”

It’s far from enough, though, that Shovel Dot’s cattle are grazing the land. In order to keep the grassland intact, foster native grasses and provide enough forage for his herd, Buell employs a fairly simple principle that he learned over time.

“When I was out in the pasture, I was often looking up at the cattle,” he says. “But, I realized that it’s more important that I look down and see what’s on the ground. You learn a lot by looking down, so that’s really changed the way I manage the ranch.”

Looking down now, Buell can see varieties of native grasses that help to keep the sandy soil in place. He says there are eight to 10 primary varieties of grasses, but his ranch has an innumerable number of species present in its soil, including a mixture of cool season and warm season grasses that keep his forage thriving year-round.

It’s incumbent upon his stewardship to keep those grasses there. Buell was an early adopter of farm management systems, which he uses now to collect data on his grazing patterns.

“We create a grazing plan so we know where the cattle are going to be pretty much all year and then we adjust based on rainfall,” he says. “We use the program to track how we are affecting the land over time.”

Finely honed rotational grazing strategies for Shovel Dot include moving cattle early in the summer and keeping them on the move throughout, not letting cattle stay on a particular pasture for more than five days in the early summer. Pasture rest is integral.

“We never take everything,” he says. “We have rest built into our system to give those plants, even in the dry times, time to regenerate.”

“That’s extremely important to the health of the grass.”

A Legacy Under Threat

“Over time, we’ve seen a woody encroachment problem spread from the Southern Great Plains here into Nebraska and up to South Dakota,” says Dirac Twidwell, professor of range and forage sciences at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “It introduces a new challenge with woody invasions coming into grassland.”

Woody trees like the Eastern Red Cedar were often introduced by ranchers looking for windbreak barriers, but Twidwell says they are are damaging the productivity and profitability of the Sandhills ecosystem and leading to water resource issues, insect-based disease vectors and other issues.

“All these parts of our ecosystem are becoming increasingly threatened due to the Eastern Red Cedar spreading into bigger, native and intact ecosystems,” he says.

When faced with a threat to his family’s land, Buell took action. He sought counsel from UNL and from the Sandhills Task Force on how to rid his land of the invasive species.

From the Sandhills Task Force , Buell learned how the cedar spreads and got to work removing a cedar windbreak and conducting prescribed burns to prevent seed spread.

“Homer was an early adopter of both of those practices in his area, which have helped him and his family keep future cedar infestations at bay,” Executive Director Shelly Kelly says.

His continued work in the Task Force means that he is now advocating for neighboring ranchers to control their cedar infestations.

“His leadership has helped shape the programs and outreach efforts that positively impact land stewardship throughout the Nebraska Sandhills,” Kelly adds.

The 2024 Sustainable Ranchers Tour brought ranchers and agri-business leaders from across the Sandhills to Shovel Dot Ranch in July.

(Trust In Beef)

A Holistic Legacy

Buell’s mark on Shovel Dot Ranch’s sprawling Sandhills legacy may very well be summed up by words from famed conservationist Aldo Leopold, who proposed expanding the definition of community to include not only humans, but all parts of the earth together with soils, water, plants, animals and land.

Awarded for their work in enhancing their “community”, Shovel Dot Ranch was a Leopold Conservation Award recipient in 2012. The sign celebrating the honor still hangs proudly on the ranch gate, greeting all who come.

It’s this perspective that Buell is fighting to stamp as his mark on the Shovel Dot legacy. The foundation of past generations firmly roots it, but he’s already planning on being a mid-point in that legacy.

“I’m fourth generation on the ranch,” he says. “My son’s back now with the fifth and sixth. Hopefully it keeps going on.”

Read more coverage from the 2024 Sustainable Ranchers Tour:

Measuring Sustainable Success On This Generational Oklahoma Ranch

Managing the Financial Risks of Conservation

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Selling Sustainable Beef

Playing the Long Game: What Works at G Bar C Ranch

You can learn more about the Tour by visiting www.trustinbeef.com .

Online Learning Opportunities from Nebraska Beef Extension

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 20:43:39 GMT

Nebraska Beef Extension has planned several online learning opportunities that cover a variety of topics. For more more information and registration visit www.beef.unl.edu .

Increasing Feed Value of Grazed Corn Residue
Tuesday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. (CDT)

How to determine and adjust stocking rates
The agronomic impacts grazing has on row crop production
Developing rental agreements
Meeting nutritional needs while grazing corn residue

2025 Beef Heifer Replacement Price Forecast
Thursday, Sept. 26, Noon (CDT)

Figure what cow replacement costs might be given market volatility, futures expectations, costs, etc.
Create a reference point for producers’ operations and expectations of potential future events.
Arrive at what a reasonable value might be for a heifer/cow purchased or retained for replacement given their situation.

UNL Heifer Development Center First Year Wrap-up
Wednesday, Oct. 2, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Online or in-person at Haskell Agricultural Laboratory.
Nutritional development of beef heifers
Genetics and INHERIT Select
Great Plains Heifer Development Center Tour
ABS
Cattler Software
2024 Heifer Development project recap

Cornstalk Grazing Fundamentals, Leases and Agronomic Impacts
Tuesday, Oct. 8: Corn Residue Grazing Fundamentals
Thursday, Oct. 10: Grazing Leases, Prices and Finding and Renting Residue
Tuesday, Oct. 15: Agronomic Impacts for Grazing Corn Residue
Thursday, Oct. 17: Producer Panel – Challenges and Opportunities

Knowing, Growing and Grazing Grass
Oct. 14, 17, 21, 24, 28 & 31, 7:30 – 8:45 p.m. (CDT)

Plant identification and key grass species
Maximizing forage production and calculating stocking rates
Using the USDA Web Soil Survey to estimate the range of production, and how to adjust a grazing plan during low precipitation years.
A grazing plan, key dates for grazing management, and understanding drought risk insurance (Pasture Range and Forage- PRF)

Pasture, Rangeland, Forage Insurance for Livestock Producers
Tuesday, Oct. 24, Noon (CDT)

PRF coverage strategies, associated implications, and historical performance of PRF using examples for Nebraska grids
An overview of the PRF insurance product and performance

Leveraging Genetics to Improve Profitability
Tuesday, Nov. 4 & Thursday, Nov. 6, 6:30 – 7:45 p.m. (CDT)

Developing a breeding objective.
How to interpret and use EPD and economic selection indexes.
Hands-on bull selection exercises.
Developing a customized selection index.
Use cases for genomic tools.

Cattle Cost of Production, part of the Ag Smart Money Week series
Tuesday, Nov. 4

Calculating economic unit cost of production for the cow-calf enterprise.
Knowing what the big three categories of cost are.
Understanding the five ways to reduce unit cost of production.

Fundamentals of Feeding the Cow
Nov. 11, 14, 18 & 21, 7:30 pm – 8:45 pm

What impacts a cow’s nutrient requirements and how do they change throughout the year?
How do you read and understand a feed test analysis and feed tag? What do the numbers mean?
When comparing feed options, which is the best buy when all things are considered?
What are things to consider when developing a year-round feeding plan?

Latin American Meat Buyers Attend Processing Seminar and Tour Nebraska Meat Lab

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 18:43:11 GMT

The U.S. Meat Export Federation recently brought importers from Mexico and Central and South America to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for a global meat processing seminar. The event was supported by the National Corn Growers Association and the South Dakota Soybean Checkoff. Participants had an opportunity to meet with industry leaders, including USMEF Secretary/ Treasurer Dave Bruntz, a farmer and cattle feeder from Friend, Neb.

The attendees were invited to learn about the U.S. beef and pork industries. They also examined meat and livestock production trends, new techniques for processing, packaging and merchandising, and safeguards for ensuring product safety.

“It’s good to make these relationships,” Bruntz says. “Most of these countries represented here are from Mexico down through Central America - good trading partners. You know, if we can’t trade with our neighbors, who are we got to trade with? Glad to have them here on the University of Nebraska campus.”

In addition to classroom instruction, the buyer teams also took to the meat lab to explore new product development ideas. This was a highlight for Columbian importer Valery Ways.

“We had a workshop where we were presented a problem and we had to develop a strategy and a solution right there and then and get to work,” Ways says. “So the part that I enjoyed the most, was the workshop, and that really broadened my mind to see what else we can invent, what else we can create to better our customer experience and to better our business as well.”

The delegation also made retail visits and toured processing plants operated by Certified Piedmontese and Wholestone Prestage. Chilean importer Jose Manuel Jarpa was already a Wholestone Prestage customer, but says the plant tour solidified his confidence in their products.

“We purchased some containers of spareribs from Wholestone like in January this year,” Jarpa says. “We thought that the product was spectacular. It stood for our business like 100%, so today in the visit, I am amazed about this plant. Like this facility is awesome. The people working here, the quality of the products, they really have the whole package. So I’m very confident that this commercial relationship with Wholestone through USMEF is going to be long term, and we are really happy that we can work with them.”

Buyers also attended from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Peru.

"Shade Trees" Keeping Cattle Cool in Nebraska Feedyard

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 18:17:45 GMT

Keeping cattle comfortable and out of the elements contributes to good animal welfare and affects the bottom line for cattle producers. Longer, hotter days can lead to heat stress in cattle, which is why Steve and Joan Ruskamp of J&S Feedlot near Dodge, Neb., began utilizing sunshades in their feedyard in 2015. They are a family operation and started feeding cattle in the 80s.

“We bought one shade in 2015 to see how a small pen would do with it,” Joan Ruskamp says. “We’ve had bunk line misters since the 90s, but it’s more water usage and creates mud and humidity.”

Now they have 35 shades and use them throughout the feedyard.

She says the first shade had to be loaded in a payloader bucket and chained in to move, which was quite cumbersome. The company who manufactures them, 3J & G , is a local Nebraska company, who sells shades across the country. They modified the design so now the shades can be moved with pallet forks on a loader.

The “shade trees” consist of a 900 sq foot tarp with a tire base filled with cement and can be moved with pallet forks on a loader.

(Joan Ruskamp)

The “shade trees” as they are called consist of a 900 sq foot tarp with a tire base filled with cement. Ruskamps says they can fit about 40 head of cattle under them, depending on the size of animals.

“We notice the cattle are more comfortable,” she says. “They won’t huddle around the water tanks as much. They tend to come out, go to water, then come back to shade, which allows better access to water.”

Last summer, Ruskamps saw that between two pens of similar fat cattle, the ones with the shades did better on the grid.

“In side-by-side pens last summer we saw a noticeable difference in the closeout on cattle that went out a week apart,” she says. “One pen had shades and one did not. The two pens normally don’t need shades due to water misters and location for getting air movement.

“There was a difference in their yields,” she adds. “One was a + 4 and the other was the -3 on the grid.”

The cost of the shades is $4,500 each, but that cost is worth the investment to Ruskamps, who put animal welfare as a top priority.

“I bet we also have less pulls because their lungs just don’t have to work as hard to stay cool,” she says.