ing center pivot corners for grazing and water conservation. “I am humbled to accept the CFHOF award,” he said. “The beef industry has faced multiple challenges. We need new methods to keep these ranches going, right at the time when we have hit our stride and reached our prime for desirability.” ‘Hard work will give you a lot of luck.’ Norman Timmerman and his brothers faced challenges in maintaining the success of their father, Leo, who was a 2013 CFHOF inductee. They have managed just fine, as have their children, in growing the feeding and farming company, NA Timmerman, Inc. Norm, as many call him, lives by a saying he’s fond of – “hard work will give you a lot of luck.” Hard work was in his genes. As a boy, he and his brothers fed cattle with a team of horses at their family operation near Omaha. They often hauled cattle to the Omaha stockyards before attending school. Timmerman and his brothers have spent five decades in successfully expanding into eight states. The NA Timmerman name was established in 2012. They specialize in high-quality cattle that perform well on the grid. The company includes a network of feedyards in Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado, with a one-time feeding capacity of 90,000 head. Ranches and a beef packing plant are also part of the operation. With recognition of his parents, Timmerman and his wife, Sharon, gifted resources to his beloved University of Nebraska-Lincoln to create the Leo O. and Irene Timmerman Feedyard Management Specialization Program Fund, a permanent endowment to help fund agricultural education. “We are pleased to be making this gift in honor of my parents, Leo and Irene, as an opportunity to forever recognize their agricultural legacy and contributions while also giving back to the state and industry that has meant so much to our entire family,” he said. He paid deep tribute to the love and support from his family. “Thanks to all who made this possible,” Timmerman said. “I’m an emotional person so I’ve asked my granddaughters to give remarks on my behalf.” They recognized all of Timmerman’s children and grandchildren. They also recognized his siblings, brothers Gerald, James and Ronnie, and sister Barbara. “I’m appreciative of my employees, past and present, and all of my business partners,” Timmerman said. “There is nothing like the cattle business and the people in it.” Recognizing the Backbone of Feedyard Operations The success of the Timmerman operation, as with any feedyard program, depends on the caliber of employees on board. Dave Mestl spent some 38 years with the Timmerman family and did everything from driving a feed truck to managing the company’s Indianola, Neb., feedyard. For his dedication to well-managed feedyard operations, Mestl was awarded the CFHOF Arturo Armendariz Distinguished Service Award. The award honors those who excel in helping improve the cattle feeding industry and the beef that’s produced. In his early days, Mestl began driving a feed truck at the Timmerman’s Sterling, Colo., yard. He captained an old manual truck that required popping the clutch to keep the truck going while distributing feed. Mestl always led by example. He stayed abreast of the latest micro-feed technology and other feeding advances to improve efficiency. He managed the Indianola yard until his retirement. But he still lends a hand where needed, just like any veteran manager who always Continued on page 25 Norman Timmerman, second from left, is the newest inductee into the CFHOF. His granddaughters Pressy and Holland helped him thank the many people who have made his accomplishments possible. He was presented the award by Bill Dickey. Dave Mestl, CFHOF Arturo Armendariz Distinguished Service Award winner, is surrounded by his long-time employer, NA Timmerman, LCC in Indianola, Neb. 23 CALF News • April | May 2022 • www.calfnews.net
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