Nebraska

How Nebraska is Tackling the Critical Rural Veterinarian Shortage in a New, Unique Way

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 15:49:47 GMT

A critical shortage of food-animal veterinarians is unfolding across rural America. A 2023 Farm Journal Foundation study found more than 500 counties across the U.S. lack enough veterinarians to care for livestock. The pipeline of new graduates simply isn’t keeping up; only 3% to 4% of today’s veterinary students choose to practice food-animal medicine, compared to about 40% four decades ago.

Experts warn the shortage poses risks beyond farm gates. Veterinarians are a front-line defense for animal health, and without them, food production and U.S. food security could be at risk.

And even though USDA announced plans to address the shortage by announcing their own Rural Veterinary Action Plan in August , Nebraska was ahead of the curve, launching their own program last year.

Nebraska’s Homegrown Solution

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), in partnership with Gov. Jim Pillen and state leaders, is working to reverse that trend through the Nebraska Elite 11 Veterinary Program .

“Through the governor and a lot of our state leaders who recognize the need for production animal health DVMs out in rural Nebraska … they partnered with us to identify and develop a scholarship program for these students,” says Deb VanOverbeke, head of UNL’s department of animal science.

The program specifically targets Nebraska students who aspire to practice large-animal veterinary medicine in rural communities.

Scholarships That Start Freshman Year

Unlike most programs that support students late in their training, Elite 11 identifies and supports them as soon as they step on campus.

“These cohorts start as freshmen in college … They’ve identified that they want to go down the path of practicing veterinary medicine in rural Nebraska with production animals,” VanOverbeke explains.

Each year, up to 20 incoming animal science or veterinary science students are accepted into the program. During their first two years, they receive scholarships covering 50% of tuition. After that, 11 students and two alternates are selected for full tuition scholarships during their junior and senior years.

Those selected also earn automatic admission into UNL’s preprofessional veterinary medicine program, run in partnership with Iowa State University.

A Long-Term Commitment

Financial barriers are one of the biggest deterrents for veterinary students. By providing tuition support early and guaranteeing a pathway forward, UNL hopes to ease that pressure.

“It’s going to take us eight years to get these students to be practicing veterinarians in rural Nebraska,” VanOverbeke says. “But so much of the student burden is financial. This scholarship gives them a way to see a path forward.”

The program also includes a major incentive after graduation. Students who practice in a rural Nebraska community for at least eight years in food-animal medicine become eligible for 100% loan forgiveness.

Students Already Seeing the Impact

For students like Sydney Hutchinson of West Point, Neb., the scholarship program has already changed her trajectory.

“I always knew I was interested in doing something with an agricultural background,” Hutchinson says. “I’ve showed livestock, helped with routine stuff on the farm, like vaccinations, pulled a few calves. Those things got me interested in veterinary medicine.”

Originally, Hutchinson planned to attend Kansas State University, but when she learned about UNL’s program, she changed course.

“Nebraska is home to me. That’s where I’ve always seen myself coming back to,” she says. “Having this program show up at just the right time worked out great.”

Now in her second year at UNL, Hutchinson says she knows her calling isn’t in small animal clinics, but in rural, large-animal work.

“Finding large-animal veterinarians is a struggle in the state, especially those that want to come back and work in rural areas,” she says. “Addressing that problem first and foremost is great. It’s going to have a great long-term impact on Nebraska and its ag industry.”

Building a Future for Rural Veterinary Medicine

By investing early in students, providing financial support and creating a clear career pipeline, Nebraska hopes to strengthen its veterinary workforce for years to come.

For Hutchinson, the investment feels personal.

“To have them investing in the next generation — it’s huge,” she says.

If successful, the program could provide a model for other states facing the same critical shortage of rural food-animal veterinarians.

Agriculture in the Bull's-Eye: Raids Reportedly Resume on Farms, Meatpacking Plants

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 20:50:51 GMT

After President Donald Trump reportedly ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE ) to pause raids on farms and meatpacking plants last week, new reports say the administration is reversing course again. The on-again, off-again reports regarding ICE raids is sowing confusion for those who rely on immigrant labor and already causing labor shortages due to employees not showing up for work.

There was an update again late Friday, with President Trump saying he’s looking at new immigration policy steps that would allow farms to take responsibility for people they hire.

The Washington Post first reported Monday that ICE officials told leaders representing field offices across the country they must continue to conduct raids at worksite locations, which is a reversal from guidance issued just days earlier.

Officials with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) wouldn’t confirm the Washington Post’s report, but an agricultural association told Farm Journal the article is accurate based on their discussions with the administration.

Instead, DHS told us this:

“The president has been incredibly clear. There will be no safe spaces for industries who harbor violent criminals or purposely try to undermine ICE’s efforts,” says DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Worksite enforcement remains a cornerstone of our efforts to safe guard public safety, national security and economic stability. These operations target illegal employment networks that undermine American workers, destabilize labor markets and expose critical infrastructure to exploitation.”

By Friday, there was another update. Reuters reported President Trump said he was looking at immigration policy steps that would allow farms to take responsibility for people they hire.

“We’re looking at doing something where, in the case of good, reputable farmers, they can take responsibility for the people that they hire and let them have responsibility, because we can’t put the farms out of business,” Trump told reporters. “And at the same time we don’t want to hurt people that aren’t criminals.”

According to Farm Journal’s Michelle Rook, the recent ICE raids are already creating absenteeism and labor shortages that could severally disrupt the U.S. food supply. Ag groups are again calling for immigration reform with hopes the issue will finally come to a head.

Ripple Effect of Immigration Crackdown

Joe Del Bosque, owner of Del Bosque Farms in Firebaugh, Calif., is experiencing the rollercoaster with labor, saying the shifting policy strikes fear in farmers and workers.

“There’s so much uncertainty as to what the administration’s going to do,” Del Bosque told Rook on AgriTalk this week.

Del Bosque says the raids on California produce farms are disrupting the harvest of perishable produce.

“They haven’t been really huge sweeps. They’re usually picking up a few people. But it creates a lot of fear, and people don’t show up to work. That’s just as bad as if they were taken away,” he says.

According to an exclusive report by Farm Journal’s The Packer , the ripple effect of Trump’s immigration crackdown on agriculture could be far-reaching — if the administration revives its focus on ag.

Kevin Kelly is the CEO of Emerald Packaging — the largest flexible packaging supplier to the leafy greens industry. Based in Union City, Calif., the company has been in the packaging business for 62 years. Kelly says the immigrant workforce in California is feeling uncertain and afraid.

“We’ve certainly heard folks aren’t turning up to work in the fields, and we’ve seen it in our facility. We verify everybody, so we know everybody in our facility is documented and can legally work in the United States,” Kelly tells Jennifer Strailey, editor of The Packer. “In our case, it’s brothers and sisters being deported, and other family members being afraid. Our employees are staying home to help their family members move, to take care of them or to take them to see an attorney — that kind of thing.”

Dairy operations in several states have also been raided recently. Dairy producers say they rely on immigrant labor to provide a stable year-round work force and to keep the U.S. food supply stable.

“We need these people to take care of our animals so we can produce food. Without animal care, we won’t have milk, cheese, butter — nothing,” Greg Moes, MoDak Dairy in Goodwin, S.D., told Rook.

The recent ICE arrests at Glenn Valley Foods of Omaha, Neb. have also led to absenteeism at meat processing plants.

“At the beginning of the Trump administration, we had this same worry with the crackdown — whether this was going to impact absenteeism and things like that,” says Brad Kooima, Kooima Kooima Varilek in Sioux Center, Iowa. “So, hopefully we can put that in our rearview mirror.”

By the Numbers: A Heavy Reliance on Immigrant Labor
The news this week of the Trump administration putting a pause on raids of farms and meat processors is welcome news for those in agriculture. From dairies and produce farms, to meatpacking plants across the U.S., these sectors rely heavily on immigrant labor.

Immigrant labor makes up a substantial portion of the meat processing workforce, with estimates ranging from 37% to over 50%. However, states like South Dakota and Nebraska have even higher concentrations of immigrant workers in meat processing — reaching 58% and 66%, according to the nonprofit Migration Policy Institute.

And a large portion of U.S. dairy farms rely on immigrant labor, with estimates indicating that over half of all dairy workers are immigrants. Specifically, these workers account for 51% of the total dairy workforce and are responsible for producing 79% of the U.S. milk supply.

Farmworker Justice estimates 70% of the produce industry’s farmworkers are immigrants. USDA’s estimates are lower — closer to 60%.

Latin American Meat Buyers Attend Processing Seminar and Tour Nebraska Meat Lab

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 18:43:11 GMT

The U.S. Meat Export Federation recently brought importers from Mexico and Central and South America to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for a global meat processing seminar. The event was supported by the National Corn Growers Association and the South Dakota Soybean Checkoff. Participants had an opportunity to meet with industry leaders, including USMEF Secretary/ Treasurer Dave Bruntz, a farmer and cattle feeder from Friend, Neb.

The attendees were invited to learn about the U.S. beef and pork industries. They also examined meat and livestock production trends, new techniques for processing, packaging and merchandising, and safeguards for ensuring product safety.

“It’s good to make these relationships,” Bruntz says. “Most of these countries represented here are from Mexico down through Central America - good trading partners. You know, if we can’t trade with our neighbors, who are we got to trade with? Glad to have them here on the University of Nebraska campus.”

In addition to classroom instruction, the buyer teams also took to the meat lab to explore new product development ideas. This was a highlight for Columbian importer Valery Ways.

“We had a workshop where we were presented a problem and we had to develop a strategy and a solution right there and then and get to work,” Ways says. “So the part that I enjoyed the most, was the workshop, and that really broadened my mind to see what else we can invent, what else we can create to better our customer experience and to better our business as well.”

The delegation also made retail visits and toured processing plants operated by Certified Piedmontese and Wholestone Prestage. Chilean importer Jose Manuel Jarpa was already a Wholestone Prestage customer, but says the plant tour solidified his confidence in their products.

“We purchased some containers of spareribs from Wholestone like in January this year,” Jarpa says. “We thought that the product was spectacular. It stood for our business like 100%, so today in the visit, I am amazed about this plant. Like this facility is awesome. The people working here, the quality of the products, they really have the whole package. So I’m very confident that this commercial relationship with Wholestone through USMEF is going to be long term, and we are really happy that we can work with them.”

Buyers also attended from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Peru.

Stolen Semi-Trailer Full of Beef Worth $275,000 Reported in Nebraska

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 12:15:11 GMT

A semi-trailer carrying $275,000 worth of beef from the JBS USA processing plant in Grand Island, Neb. did not make it to its Virginia destination, says a local news source, with the company reporting the incident of theft to the police earlier this week.

A driver of a subcontracted trucking company picked up the shipment on March 20 from the facility and “cut its GPS tracker shortly after,” the article says.

The incident comes less than one year after a string of approximately 45 thefts totaling over $9 million in losses occurred across six Midwest states, including an incident where three semi-trailers loaded with beef were stolen from this same Neb. plant in June 2022.

While three Florida men were arrested for the previous thefts described by investigators as a “sophisticated and ‘highly organized criminal enterprise,’ police investigating the recent incident say this case is different.

The subcontracted trucking company is a legitimate business, said Captain Jim Duering of the Grand Island Police department in the article.

The name of the company has not been released at this time, as it is cooperating with investigators.

Read More on Meat Thefts:

Reefers on the Run: Trailers with Over $200,000 of Beef Stolen, One Still Missing

$9-Million Loss In 45 Packing Plant Thefts Uncovered, Three Suspects Arrested

Thieves Drive Off with $100,000 of Pork Stolen from JBS Plant

Wholestone Farms Shares Big Plans of Renovation and Expansion in Fremont

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 18:00:07 GMT

The Wholestone Farms pork processing plant in Fremont, Neb., plans to double its capacity per year and add a second shift, upon completion of a plant renovation and expansion, said a company official, according to a local news source .

The company, owned by 200 farmers in several midwestern states, acquired the plant from Hormel in 2018 and has been renovating it since.

Receiving a $25 million federal grant through the USDA Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program , the company will use the funds to pay for a portion of the costs. However, the total costs of the project are “well above” the grant amount, Luke Minion, interim chief executive officer and board chairman of Wholestone Farms, said in the article.

While the plant has been operating for decades, the company has planned and started construction on a number of projects, including a new wastewater treatment plant, a rendering facility and a new cut floor, which will be finished in September of this year, Minion explained in the article.

The location currently employs around 1,300 and can process approximately 11,000 pigs per day with one eight-hour shift, totaling around 2.8 million pigs per year.

Upon completion of the project, the plant will be able to run 16 hours per day, utilizing a second shift with the addition of between 800 and 1,000 employees, and will raise its annual capacity to approximately 5.6 million pigs per year.

Despite a labor shortage across many industries in the U.S., Minion told the local news source that he’s confident that with some planning, the company can staff the second shift from within the area.

“This facility has been in this town for a very long time,” Minion added in the article. “And so there’s a lot of people familiar with this work, familiar with this workforce, and now the facility is really all new and so it’s a great place to work.”

Along with the increase in processing capacity, customers should start to see the Wholestone Farms brand more often in retail markets, the article said.

Selling all of its products from the Fremont plant to Hormel from 2018 to 2021, the company expanded their selling to include Hormel and others in 2022. Since Jan. 2023, for the first time, the company has started putting their own label on retail products.

As 85% of the pork supply chain in the U.S. is owned by four large meat packing companies, Minion said in the article that their project is not only an expansion of capacity, but its also diversifying who’s in control of the pork supply chain.

$9-Million Loss In 45 Packing Plant Thefts Uncovered, Three Suspects Arrested

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 14:46:15 GMT

Uncovering approximately 45 thefts totaling over $9 million in loss, three Florida men have been arrested for stealing semi-loads of frozen beef and pork from packing plants across the Midwest.

Starting June 27, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office began investigating the events occurring in Nebrask a.

Soon realizing the case reached further than Nebraska, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, along with Homeland Security Investigation (HIS) Omaha identified approximately 45 thefts totaling $9 million in loss beginning in June 2021. Investigators described the theft ring as a “sophisticated and ‘highly organized criminal enterprise,’” reports a local news source .

Additionally, the investigators determined the criminal enterprise to be based in Miami and targets beef and pork packing plants specifically in Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.

While investigation began in June, thefts continued to occur across the region. In September, more than $100,000 in pork products were reported stolen from the JBS plant in Ottumwa, Iowa .

Utilizing cell phone records and GPS tracking devices, on Oct. 20, investigators identified and arrested three targets in the enterprise, recovering three semi-trailers with stolen merchandise valued at $550,000, says the news source. Yoslany Leyva Del Sol, Ledier Machin Andino and Delvis L. Fuentes were charged with the transportation of stolen goods and money laundering in Florida’s federal court.

A Minnesota news source reports each of the men possesses a valid Class A commercial driver’s license.

At this time, it is unknown what the men did with the stolen meat, however, the investigation remains ongoing.

Hoefer Joins Nebraska Pork Producers Association as Allied and Producer Services Director

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 00:53:58 GMT

Steve Hoefer of Lincoln, Nebraska has joined the staff of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association (NPPA) as the Allied and Producers Services Director. He has been involved in the pork industry for forty plus years since growing up on a diversified crop and livestock operation in northeast NE. Hoefer attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and received his degree in Animal Science with a production option.

Hoefer’s responsibilities, as NPPA’s Allied and Producer Services Director, include managing all Allied Industry memberships, events, and meetings, as well as soliciting new members. He will also be working with the National Pork Producer Council (NPPC) in managing the Strategic Investment Program (SIP), maintaining producer investor relationships, and the recruitment of new members.

Hoefer brings with him an extensive background in all facets of the swine industry including farm experience, sales, consulting on facility construction, genetics, nutrition, pig flow, ventilation, and PQA audit preparation. Prior to joining NPPA, Steve was a Livestock Disease Traceability Coordinator for the State of Nebraska. In this position he was responsible for disease oversight of all livestock entering and leaving the State.

Hoefer assumed his position with NPPA on June 6 and stated that he “has a passion for pork production and believes he can be a resource in growing Nebraska’s pork industry.”

Real MEAT Act Senate Version Introduced

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:53:42 GMT

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, introduced the Real MEAT Act, which aims to clarify the definition of beef and plant-based meat alternatives on product labels. Fischer’s proposed legislation is a companion bill to bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House called The Real MEAT (Marketing Edible Artificials Truthfully) Act, sponsored by U.S. Reps. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., and Anthony Brindisi, D-N.Y.

Fischer, who ranches near Valentine with her husband, said, “Beef is derived from cattle—period. Under USDA, beef undergoes a rigorous inspection and labeling process, but plant-based protein products that mimic beef and are sometimes labeled as beef are overseen by the FDA instead. These products are not held to the same food safety and labeling standards as beef. Americans deserve to know what’s on their dinner plate. The Real MEAT Act will protect consumers from deceptive marketing practices and bring transparency to the grocery store.”

Fischer’s views about fake meat are posted on her website.

In a study conducted by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, 55% of consumers said they did not understand that “plant-based beef” wasn’t beef at all, but instead an entirely vegan or vegetarian product. Supporters of the bill say it would help clear the confusion by codifying a definition of beef for labeling and allowing USDA to take action against misbranded products.

NCBA applauded Fischer’s action on fake meat, and in a statement, NCBA president Jennifer Houston said, “It’s clear that fake-meat companies are continuing to mislead consumers about the nutritional merits and actual ingredient composition of their products. We commend the efforts of Senator Fischer on introducing this legislation, which would end deceptive labeling of fake meat products and allow cattle producers to compete on a level playing field.”

Nebraska Cattlemen president Ken Herz said, “Real beef, raised by actual farmers and ranchers in the state of Nebraska creates $13.8 billion total economic impact to our state. Protecting the legacy of these farmers and ranchers by ensuring imitation proteins do not capitalize on beef’s good name and reputation is, and will continue to be, a priority for the Nebraska Cattlemen.”

Specifically, The Real Meat Act will:

1. Codify the Definition of Beef for Labeling Purposes

Establish a federal definition of beef that applies to food labels;
Preserve the Congressional Intent of the Beef Promotion and Research Act;

2. Reinforce Existing Misbranding Provisions to Eliminate Consumer Confusion

FDA has misbranding provisions for false or misleading labels;
Prevent further consumer confusion with alternative protein products;
Clarify the imitation nature of these alternative protein products;

3. Enhance the Federal Government’s Ability to Enforce the Law

FDA will have to notify USDA if an imitation meat product is determined to be misbranded;
If FDA fails to undertake enforcement within 30 days of notifying USDA, the Secretary of Agriculture is granted authority to seek enforcement action.

Related stories:

Fake Meat, Real Money

AgriTalk: Real MEAT Act Calls For More Answers

Worldwide Hog Industry on Alert for ASF; Flood Wipes Out NE Cattle

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:23:17 GMT

As headlines about African swine fever in China continue to grow, the U.S. and other countries around the world are stepping up measures to prevent the disease from entering their borders.

“This ASF (African swine fever) thing is really gaining in the multiplicity of stories, not only from a U.S. perspective, but around the world. So now it’s either No. 1 or No. 2 relative to China,” said Jim Wiesemeyer on Agritalk last week.

The recent discovery of an illegal shipment of pork from China is even more concerning. Friday, March 22, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents clarified they seized 1 million pounds of food products from China this month, rather than 1 million pounds of pork as they had previously announced on March 15.

The seized containers also had noodles and tea bags that were used to facilitate the unlawful import of pork products, said Anthony Bucci, CBP spokesman. No fresh pork was discovered in the shipment .

But even the shipping manifest said the pork products were from China, Wiesemeyer told Agritalk host Chip Flory, which puts the worldwide hog industry on guard against similar shipments.

While there is no vaccine for the disease that causes a 100% mortality rate, researchers might be able to use gene editing to find a new control, Wiesemeyer said. He added that some researchers are investigating why some animals in herds have not gotten sick.

“The best people I’ve consulted say it’s almost impossible to come up with the vaccine. I hope they’re wrong,” he said. “But this thing is far different than most any other disease that we’ve handled.”

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Flooding in Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri

Disaster relief will come later, rather than sooner, because this is ongoing, Wiesemeyer said. The flooding is likely to hit cattlemen hard, as well as row crop farmers.

“[Sec. Sonny] Perdue actually set a number that seemed high to us at Pro Farmer—up to 1 million calves in Nebraska,” he added.

Listen for more of Wiesemeyer’s insight on other policy issues, including Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and the EPA’s small refinery exemptions for the Renewable Fuels Standard on the player above.

Executive Order Aids Nebraska's Flood Impacted Livestock Producers

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:23:06 GMT

Two new executive orders have been issued by Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts to aid flood impacted areas of the state, with one specifically relieving livestock producers.

Farmers and ranchers in Nebraska are being given a reasonable amount of time via Executive Order 19-03 to dispose of deceased livestock following a severe winter storm that brought widespread blizzard conditions and flooding to the state.

There is also a temporary suspension of requirements for trip permits and fuel tax permits for certain vehicles engaged in flood relief through Executive Order 19-04.

“In light of the historic flooding and devastation our communities have experienced, the Governor’s Office is working to cut red tape,” says Taylor Gage, Director of Strategic Communications for Gov. Ricketts. “These executive orders will help our communities as they work to recover and rebuild after the most widespread natural disaster in state history.”

Both orders allotted on March 20 are in addition to an emergency declaration that Gov. Ricketts issued on March 12.

Gov. Ricketts issued another executive orders on March 15 that directed the Nebraska State Patrol to temporarily waive certain requirements for trucks traveling in and through Nebraska in support of efforts to the response to severe flooding.

“The state has temporarily waived the length and weight requirements for trucks traveling in and through Nebraska,” says Gov. Ricketts. “This will help move materials more efficiently around the state as we work together to respond to the impacts of the flooding and severe weather.”

In agriculture, waiving of truck lengths and weights would help those who might be hauling hay to farmers and ranchers in need.

All of the directives from the Governor are effective immediately and last until April 15, 2019. Gov. Ricketts encourages other states to temporarily ease restrictions that might aid during the recovery efforts.

The Governor’s Office, Nebraska Department of Agriculture, and Nebraska Emergency Management Agency are staying in touch with Nebraska’s agriculture associations on a daily basis to assess emerging needs. State agencies are providing assistance as requests are made by local emergency managers.

The executive order can be read by clicking here .

Nebraska Lifts Only Ban on Packer-owned Hogs in US

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 03:29:22 GMT

The nation’s only ban on meatpackers owning hogs has ended due to a new Nebraska law that allows processers to control the animals from birth to slaughter.

Gov. Pete Ricketts signed the measure Thursday.

Business and farming groups say the measure will help Nebraska’s hog industry, which has grown slower than in other states.

Opponents have said the bill would give meatpackers too much leverage over farmers and make it harder for farmers who don’t contract with big meatpackers to sell their hogs.

They also criticized Smithfield Foods, a Chinese-owned pork processor that has quietly advocated for the bill and contributed to at least 20 state lawmakers, Ricketts and Attorney General Doug Peterson.

Nebraska Names Four to 2019 Pork Leadership Program

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 03:21:01 GMT

The Nebraska Pork Producers Association is proud to welcome participants in the 2019 Pork Leadership Program. Each participant shares unique experiences that shape their perspective based on their particular career path as well as their personal involvements and interests.

Participants in the Pork Leadership Program will participate in six meetings and activities over the course of a year, where they will learn about various aspects of the pork and agriculture industries.

Participants in the Pork Leadership Program will learn more about:

Current and diverse pork production methods
Current research efforts to improve pork production as it relates to overall pig health and well-being
Current domestic issues and their impacts on the pork industry as it relates to economics and trade
Current policy and regulations being developed on the local, state, and national levels

Participants in the Pork Leadership Program will:

Interact with the general public and elected leaders and will serve as positive advocates for the pork industry

Define their personal leadership style and know how to work with different leadership styles in a group
Develop a working knowledge of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association and other key organizations that agriculture groups can work with to broaden perspectives and build coalitions

The Pork Leadership Program was created to build awareness, interest, and involvement in the pork industry. Members will further develop their skills as leaders and will naturally emerge as the next wave of active and engaged members of committees and board members at the local, state, and national levels.

Participants in the 2019 Pork Leadership Program are:

Aaron Holliday of Columbus, with Pillen Family Farms provides oversight to five nursery barns and six finishing barns, totaling 78,000 pigs.

Allison Zabel of Papillion, with PIC, works as a Customer Service Specialist to enter orders, organize transportation and provide support for customers.

Joel Kaelin, with DNA Genetics, is the lead officer for the Fairbury Nucleus, managing growth of pigs from farrow to finish.

Zachary Lubeck of Omaha, with Quality Pork International, works to negotiate raw materials prices and manage relationships with suppliers.

Worldwide Hog Industry on Alert for ASF; Flood Wipes Out NE Cattle

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 05:07:28 GMT

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Flooding in Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri

NE Producer Travels By Boat To Take Care of Hogs Due To Flood

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 05:07:24 GMT

The Missouri River is roughly a mile over its banks. That’s forcing livestock producers near the river to take extreme measures to take care of their animals.

One producer in Blair, Nebraska has to travel by boat to get to his hogs. Luckily, his hogs are safe on higher ground. Fortunately, there are roughly 1,000 head in the barn and they are all a smaller weight. It’s helpful since loading feed won’t be as difficult and the livestock won’t be ready to go to market just yet.

AgDay national reporter Betsy Jibben shares the story of John Tyson in Blair, Nebraska.

Pillen Family Farms Purchases Nebraska Farms From The Maschhoffs

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 05:04:09 GMT

Pillen Family Farms has agreed to purchase 16,000 sows along with the associated nursery and finishing farms in eastern Nebraska from The Maschhoffs. Also as part of the purchase, Pillen Family Farms acquired a truck wash in Columbus, Neb., and a number of contract finishing farms.

The acquisition sets Pillen Family Farms up for long-term success in eastern Nebraska.

Pillen Family Farms’ multi-generational owners Jim, Sarah and Brock Pillen are investing in the future with this purchase. “We are extremely excited to add these farms to our core footprint in eastern Nebraska,” says Dr. Jim Pillen, CEO of Pillen Family Farms. “We’re also thrilled to have this dedicated team join our family. It’s a win-win situation for us.”

The Maschhoffs acquired this network of sow farms in 2011 when the company purchased them from Nebraska Pork Partners (NPP). Dr. Bradley Wolter, president of The Maschhoffs, says the sale to Pillen Family Farms makes sense for both of the family-owned companies.

“The team in northeastern Nebraska is excellent,” says Dr. Wolter. “The Pillen family is perfectly suited to ensure these farms are successful in the long-term. It’s a great example of two farm families working together to create long-term success for the Nebraska pork industry.”

Northwest Iowa Pork Plant Raises Hopes For Rural Economy

The Inventor: Dave Klocke Makes Pork Production More Efficient

Lawmakers Pass Bill to End Ban on Meatpacker-owned Hogs

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 05:01:55 GMT

The nation’s only ban on hogs owned by meatpackers was expected to end after Nebraska lawmakers voted Friday to repeal a state law designed to keep large processors from exerting too much leverage over small farms.

Senators gave the measure final approval with a 34-14 vote, despite sharp divisions among the state’s farm groups and rural senators. Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts’ spokesman said the governor intends to sign the bill.

Supporters touted the measure as a way to help Nebraska’s slowing hog industry. As of last year, Nebraska’s hog production had matched the national growth rate at 14 percent over a decade, while South Dakota’s increased by 53 percent, Iowa 30 percent, Minnesota 25 percent and Missouri’s 22 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

But critics said the bill would give meatpackers too much leverage over farms by allowing them to own the animals from birth to slaughter. With their own captive supply, processors don’t have to bid as often on the open market, leaving producers with fewer buyers for their hogs and driving down prices.

Sen. Ken Schilz of Ogallala said he introduced the bill to keep Nebraska’s hog industry competitive. Schilz, a farmer and chairman of the Legislature’s Agriculture Committee, said the 1998 ownership ban applies only to in-state meatpackers, which creates an incentive for them to leave Nebraska.

Schilz said the bill could help new farmers enter the market because contracts offered by meatpackers give lenders confidence that a producer will be able to service a loan.

“This will give opportunities for the folks who want to take advantage of that,” Schilz said after Friday’s vote. “I would guess that in the next two to three years, we will see an impact.”

John Hansen, president of the Nebraska Farmers Union, said contracts offered by meatpackers impose tight controls on how the hogs are raised and place many of the risks and expenses onto producers, who are often saddled with debt to build their operations. Farmers who complain about a meatpacker’s demands risk losing the contract on which their livelihoods depend, Hansen said.

“When you enter into a contractual relationship with these people, you learn to keep your eyes down and your mouth shut,” Hansen said. “The last thing you want to do is be flagged as a troublemaker.”

Hansen said his group fears that the repeal could open the door to similar action with cattle operations, one of the state’s biggest industries.

Opponents have repeatedly leveled criticism at Smithfield Foods, a Chinese-owned pork processor that quietly lobbied for the bill. Smithfield Foods also donated money to the campaigns of at least 20 current state lawmakers, Ricketts and Attorney General Doug Peterson.

Even some of the Legislature’s most conservative, business-friendly senators railed against the bill.

“I am getting email after email from small ranchers, small producers who are against this,” said Sen. Mike Groene of North Platte. “But small doesn’t count. The little guy doesn’t have a voice.”

Business groups said the bill would allow farmers to diversify their operations, enter into voluntary contracts and boost the state economy.

“This is a common sense measure that evens the playing field for Nebraska companies,” said Barry Kennedy, president of the Nebraska State Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

But the bill divided Nebraska’s leading farm groups. The Nebraska Pork Producers Association, the Nebraska Farm Bureau and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture endorsed the legislation, while opponents include the Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska, the Center for Rural Affairs and the Nebraska Farmers Union.

Sen. Lydia Brasch of Bancroft, a Nebraska Farm Bureau member, said the group’s support doesn’t mean all its members felt the same way. Brasch said she and others had serious concerns about Smithfield Foods’ alleged ties to the Chinese government, which the company denies.

“This is a game changer, and this is not a game,” Brasch said. “This is very serious.”

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