CALF_News_Oct_Nov_2018

44 CALF News • October | November 2018 • www.calfnews.net AL RANCH, NORTH OF HALSEY, NEB., has welcomed guests from around the world. This summer, the family hosted the first-ever PAC in the Pasture, an effort to bring awareness and funds to the Nebraska Cattlemen association’s Political Action Committee (PAC). “This was just a great time to social- ize with friends and fellow cattlemen and share what the PAC has done for the state’s cattle producers,” says Sallie Atkins, who, along with her husband, Al, daughters, Tessa and Terra, and their husbands, Adam and Brandon, welcomed approximately 100 friends. Atkins is agriculture director for U.S. Congressman Adrian Smith. The evening began at 5:30 with a tantalizing steak supper and all the trim- mings, provided by Gregg and Dawn Mallory, owners of the Chuckwagon and Jug restaurant in Mullen. NC staff was on hand to mingle, answer questions Inaugural PAC in the Pasture By Terri Licking Contributing Editor and to help serve the meal. Attending NC staff included Pete McClymont, executive vice president; Laura Field, vice president of legislative affairs; and Jessica Herrman, director of legal and regula- tory affairs. NC board members on hand included past NC president Barb Cooksley; current president Galen Frenzen; and president-elect Mike Drinnin. Also on hand were National Cattlemen’s Beef Association past president Craig Uden and his wife Terri from Elwood. Rick Pfortmiller, Neogen GeneSeek representative for Kansas and Nebraska, spoke briefly on the research being done at all five of their facilities to benefit beef genomics and DNA testing, thus helping provide food and animal safety. Several items were on hand for a silent auction to benefit the PAC, or one could simply drop money into a bucket. One live auction item – a flag that flew over Congress, complete with the date it flew – sold for $600. Fundraising was not the primary goal, socializing and getting the staff to meet the people that set the policies NC operates on was key. This first PAC in the pasture at the AL Ranch north of Halsey accomplished that very well.  NEBRASKA CATTLEMEN