CALF_News_February_March_2020

19 CALF News • February | March 2020 • www.calfnews.net the process of inspection has gone paper- less, as planned. The idea that originally induced some trepidation has succeeded, and it has even become a valuable recruit- ing tool for young, tech-savvy people seek- ing employment. The Nebraska Brand Committee is presently fully staffed. Much of the meeting involved discus- sion about the practicality and value of brand inspection in feedlots vs. cow country. Another topic ripe for debate is why Nebraska is split in half and only the western area is subject to brand law. These matters seem to prompt contro- versy at each convention – an annual dialogue that now includes prospects of using electronic identification (EID) and self-inspection at feedlots, or simple movement of cattle to winter forage without a change of ownership. Cow- calf operations are still most strongly supportive of third-party brand inspec- tors being available to solve problems that crop up annually. They are apprecia- tive of the laws protecting ownership in the large grass areas of Nebraska. It was duly noted that our brand laws are governed by the Nebraska State Legislature and there is little chance of any change in the near future. Annual market report Perhaps the most anticipated and LEFT: Randy Lentz was on hand to present Trisha Grabenstein, Lexington, with the Cattle Woman of the Year Award. MIDDLE: NC Hall of Fame honorees are Dave and Lauretta Hamilton of Thedford. Past President Galen Frenzen of Fullerton, right, presents the award. RIGHT: Dr. Dale Grotelueschen, Harvard, is awarded the NC Service Award by Past President Galen Frenzen. 2020 Nebraska Cattlemen leadership includes, left to right, President Elect William Rhea III, Arlington; Vice President Brenda Masek, Purdum; Past President Mike Drinnin, Clarks; President Ken Herz, Lawrence. complex report each year is from Jeff Stolle, NC vice president of marketing. An annual wrap-up to the three-day convention, Stolle’s graphs and charts are a fascinating sight for those who stay for the Annual Business Meeting. Stolle is confident that cow herd liq- uidation is in progress, signaling an end to the cattle cycle. Likewise, fewer heifers are being retained. Saturday slaughter has become the norm since the Holcomb fire in August, and has effectively kept fed cattle slaughter levels at or above 2018 levels. He predicted that weekend activity at packing plants will trail off soon. Part of the complications about slaughter capacity was due to the 5 to 6 percent of fed cattle that were moved from Iowa and Nebraska to Texas due to the bad weather and widespread flooding in 2019. Beef cow slaughter is also up. Stolle cited the drought in the Southeast, a weather-induced increase of open cows on the High Plains and a lack of profit as reasons. In addition, summer haying weather in the Plains states was notoriously wet, preventing forages from being produced for winter feed. Despite high cow kills, cull cows are being absorbed at steady money. New Leader Team The 2020 Nebraska Cattlemen lead- ership is Ken Herz, president; William Rhea III, president elect; Brenda Masek, vice president; and Mike Drinnin, past president. 