By Natalie Jones
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s history in beef production systems is marked with over 100 years of excellence within the department of animal science, and the journey to enhance and continue to build resilient beef systems in the state is far from over.
In order to leverage the systems-based efforts underway at Nebraska, 23 beef industry experts, agri-business leaders, and producers have been named to an external advisory committee of Nebraska Beef Innovation, who will provide guidance to the university regarding key regional and broader opportunities and issues within the beef industry in Nebraska and beyond.
“The University of Nebraska has made a commitment towards integrated beef systems and assembled an amazing team of teachers, researchers, extension personnel and it’s a unique opportunity to make a tremendous difference in how we look at beef systems,” said Clay Mathis, Director of the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management, and co-chair of the external advisory committee.
Committee co-chairs Mathis, and Homer Buell representing the Ag Builders of Nebraska will lead industry experts, producers and agribusiness leaders to prioritize Nebraska’s greatest opportunities and communicate them to faculty and administration. The committee will serve to provide input for exceptional outcomes for Nebraska’s beef industry, which is uniquely positioned at the epicenter of beef production.
“Nebraska is stepping out and putting forth a focused, purposeful initiative that is serving not only the beef producers of Nebraska, but the beef producers of North America,” said Mathis.
“Our work at Nebraska in collaboration with other institutions better serves the stakeholders in this industry that we love.”
Capitalizing on world-renowned research, teaching, and extension efforts already in place, Nebraska’s Beef Innovation Hub will serve as the place where conversations and solutions occur to support sustainable and robust beef production. The Hub’s vision is environmentally sound, resilient, socially responsible, and economically viable beef for Nebraska and beyond.
Nebraska seedstock producer, external advisory board member and alumnus of Nebraska’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, David Schuler says he believes Nebraska has the right people in the right places to help build agriculture.
“I hope Nebraska continues down the path that I’ve seen the last ten years, focusing on the importance of agriculture. We’ve got some big challenges in the beef industry. We need to continue to make sure the voice of the beef industry is heard,” said Schuler.
The external advisory committee brings to Nebraska Beef Innovation a wealth of expertise and diverse perspectives:
- Homer Buell, Nebraska Rancher, member of Nebraska Cattlemen and Ag Builders of Nebraska, and co-lead of the Beef Innovation Hub external advisory committee.
- Clay Mathis, Director, King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management, Texas A&M Kingsville, TX, and co-lead of the Beef Innovation Hub external advisory committee
- Charlie Arnot, CEO Look East, Center for Food Integrity, Gladstone, MO.
- Abram Babcock, President, Adams Land and Cattle, LLC, Broken Bow, NE.
- McKenzie Beals, Associate Veterinarian, D.V.M., Broken Bow Animal Hospital, Broken Bow, NE.
- Mark Boggess, Director, US Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE.
- Mike Drury, President, Greater Omaha Packing, Omaha, NE.
- Laura Field, Executive Vice President, Nebraska Cattlemen, Lincoln, NE.
- Alicia Hardin, Wildlife Division Administrator, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Lincoln, NE.
- Kevin Hennessy, Director of Perishables, B&R Stores, Inc., Lincoln, NE.
- Jess Hinrichs, Beef Technical Services Veterinarian, D.V.M, Zoetis, Sutton, NE.
- Jud Jesske, Vice President, Capital Markets, Farm Credit Services of America, Lincoln, NE.
- Chris Kalkowski, Vice President, First National Bank of Omaha, Omaha, NE.
- Shelly Kelly, Executive Director, Sandhills Task Force, Broken Bow, NE.
- Ginger Langemeier, Legislative Affairs Coordinator, Farm Credit Services of America and Frontier Farm Credit, Lincoln, NE.
- Rob Mitchell, Location Coordinator and Research Leader, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, NE.
- Jeff Nichols, State Rangeland Management Specialist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, North Platte, NE.
- Trey Patterson, CEO, Padlock Ranch, Ranchester, WY.
- Logan Pribbeno, President, Wine Glass Ranch, Inc., Imperial, NE.
- Tim Schellpeper, President, Fed Beef Business Unit, JBS USA, Stanton, NE.
- David Schuler, Ranch Manager, Schuler-Olsen Ranches, Inc., Bridgeport, NE.
- Adam Smith, Forestry and Fire Bureau Chief, Nebraska Forest Service, Lincoln, NE.
- Craig Uden, Darr Feedlot Inc., Agri Steer Inc., Owner, Cozad, NE.
Source : unl.edu