By Patti Wilson Contributing Editor
More than 500 Nebraska cattle producers and others gathered Dec. 10-12, 2025, in Kearney, for the 2025 Nebraska Cattlemen (NC) Convention and Trade Show.
Hot topics included the fluctuating cattle markets, closing of the Lexington Tyson packing plant and repercussions of the New World screwworm approaching the U.S. border.
Keynote speaker was Wade Greening, national security advisor and FBI supervisory intelligence analyst at the Omaha field office. He spoke about cyber and physical threats being conducted by China, Russia, Iran and North Korea that are targeting the U.S. His was an eye-opening and concerning presentation, to say the least.
Governor Jim Pillen reported an interest by JBS in purchasing the Lexington Tyson plant for the production of specialty meats, although no deal has yet been struck, and it will be several months to reach a conclusion either way.
Major awards were: Kelly Bruns, Ph.D., Nebraska Beef Industry Endowment; Anthony Perlinski, Ph.D., Range and Conservation Endowment; Pete McClymont, Friend of NC Foundation. The Industry Service Award was given to Myron Benes of Albion posthumously. A large contingent of his family was on hand in his honor. Buck Wehrbein was honored as the NC Hall of Fame Recipient.
