Here are some pictures from the last two Cattle Call's we've been on.  Pictures one - five are at Eisenmenger Farms in Humphrey.  Joe in pics 1-2, brother John in three-four, and us in the office on pic five.  We discussed expansion challenges an opportunities.  They recently expanded from 5500 to 7500 cattle on feed, and are permitted to go to 12,500 if they want.  Pictures six - nine are at Burbach's Countryside Dairy in Hartington.  They bottle milk in pints, quarts, and half gallons on the farm.  What's really unique is they use glass bottles.  Pic 6 is Dean Burbach, he, his wife, Lisa, and one hired hand run the operation.  Pics 7 is the cream separator, 8 is the pasteurizer, and 9 the bottling machine.  

Here are some of the speakers at this year's UNL Water conference... 1-2 Purdue University Professor Otto Doering who talked about biofuels impact on water quality.  4- Wetlands Initiative President Donald Hey who talked about a concept called nutrient farming, allowing wetlands to harvest nitrogen, phosphorous, and other nutrients from river water.  5-6 Former Secretary of the Interior, Bruce Babbit, who discussed issues related to the Republican River Basin and water agreements between states.  7- USGS Scientist Jennifer Stanton discussed a comprehensive groundwater study on the great plains.

Thursday, April 10th was another rainy day, as it was for the past few Cattle Calls, but today we were at Faltin's Meat Market in Howles to visit with proprietor Ryan Baumert. Ryan attended UNL in for Animal Science, then specialized in Meat Science and earned his masters. Ryan was attending UNL and was part of the NCBA muscle profiling study that was being conducted, which lead to the introduction of many high value cuts of beef, of which the most recognized is the Flat Iron Steak. Ryan worked at Faltin's while in high school, and purchased the business in 2006. On today's Cattle Call, we talked about muscle profiling, what goes into that type of research, changes in beef carcasses over the years, and some things producers can do to add more value to the carcass, including some best management practices. Here are some pictures from the Cattle Call... 1) our new Monsanto Processor Preferred E-85 pickup outside Faltin's. 2) "Faltin's, a HEAD above the rest!" 3) Ryan behind the meat counter in the store front. 4) Notice the numerous awards over Ryan's left shoulder. Faltin's has placed in a number of Nebraska Association of Meat Processor contests for their hams, dried beef, and sausages. 5) During Ryan's interview. 6) Pork and beef carcasses ready to be processed. 7) Ryan's smoker. 8) Employee Scott. 9) Employee Donna wraps some finished cuts.

When Al Meister plans a last hurrah, watch out!  The annual Cuming County Feeders Association spring banquet in Wisner was once again a sell-out, great attendance, great food, great video presentations, and ?great? entertainment!  One of the video's shown Sunday night highlighted businesses in the area that rely on cattle feeding, including implement dealers and manufacturers, truckers, and hay grinding services.  Here are some photos of Sunday's event...  1) Nebraska Cattlemen's Michael Kelsey and NE Beef Board's JD Alexander visit with Congressman Jeff Fortenberry.  2) Sen. Chris Langemeier (District 23, Schuyler)  3) Tom Feller tries to make a point with US Senate Candidate Mike Johanns.  4) NCBA President Andy Groseta of Arizona, CCFA Past President Al Meister, and NC President Larry Smith.  5) Gov. Dave Heineman and First Lady Sally Ganem.  6) Al Meister, Scott and Patty Knobbe visit with the evening's entertainer, "Bill Clinton".

Apologies for not getting these pictures up earlier, but better late than never!  On March 20 we went to the farming operation of Larry Smith in Ashland.  He is currently the President of Nebraska Cattlemen.  That day we highlighted NC's four priority bills in the unicameral, and we also discussed Larry's recent trip to Mexico to help promote US Beef.  Here are some pictures at Larry's operation, including some pretty new calves...