Amended Feedlot Bill Gains Support

By Scout Nelson

This week, a legislative proposal known as LB646, which sought to provide exemptions for certain feedlots under the Livestock Brand Act, moved forward in Nebraska’s legislative process. Introduced and prioritized by Senator Teresa Ibach of District 44, the bill advanced from the Agriculture Committee to the full Legislature with a 6-0-2 vote. It included Amendment 638 (AM638), which made several key changes to the original proposal.

Initially, the Nebraska Cattlemen opposed LB646, as the original version aimed to exempt a specific sector of the livestock industry from mandatory brand inspections. However, throughout the legislative process, Senator Ibach and the Agriculture Committee ensured that Nebraska Cattlemen had an opportunity to express concerns and contribute to discussions about the bill.

Amendment 638 addressed many of the concerns raised by Nebraska Cattlemen. It added clarity regarding the need for satisfactory proof of ownership when livestock enters a grow yard or the newly proposed category of exempt feedlots (EFLs). The amendment also introduced quarterly audits for these feedlots and included changes to brand renewal fees to better reflect services provided.

Back in February 2025, Nebraska Cattlemen had identified LB646 as a priority issue, opposing its original form but expressing a willingness to work on amendments. Their goal was to modernize the brand inspection system while ensuring that all sectors of the livestock industry were treated fairly.

An official stance on the amendment has not yet been finalized. The Nebraska Cattlemen’s Board of Directors planned to meet on April 1, 2025, to take an official position on AM638. Until then, the association’s stance remained unchanged, pending direction and a formal vote from its leadership.

This issue remained important to many stakeholders within the Nebraska livestock community, and discussions were ongoing to find an acceptable resolution.

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