By Scout Nelson
The Nebraska Brand Committee voted Wednesday to increase cattle inspection fees and appoint a new interim executive director as it prepares for changes under recently approved state legislation.
Committee members selected Chief Inspector Tom Hughson as interim executive director following the resignation of former director Don Arp earlier this month. No immediate details were provided regarding Arp’s departure.
The fee changes follow the passage of LB1187, a law that adjusts inspection fee limits and modifies how registered feedlots are charged. Previously, cattle inspection fee caps were set at $1.10 per head. Under the new legislation, the cap increased to $1.50 per head. The committee voted to set the inspection fee at $1.40 per head for cattle producers.
In addition, brand renewal fees increased from $100 to $200. Committee members said the adjustments help support the continued operation of Nebraska’s livestock identification and inspection program.
The legislation also changes fees for registered feedlots. Previously, feedlots paid annual fees based on the total number of cattle in their operations. Under LB1187, those fees will be calculated using 25% of the cattle inventory. However, because the law does not take effect until July 17 and annual fees are due before that date, the committee voted to keep current feedlot fees unchanged until the law officially begins.
Rancher Spike Jordan said the decision represented a compromise for all parties involved.
“In order for everybody to be fair, if the herd fee is increasing in the cow-calf sector, I think as the law currently is, those registered feedlots should still pay the same rate,” Jordan said. “The law hasn’t changed yet.”
Jordan noted that many producers may be able to absorb the increased fees because they help maintain the state’s brand inspection program. He also pointed to rising healthcare and transportation costs that have affected the committee’s budget.
“The matter of fact is they’ve gone about putting this together way too hastily,” Jordan said. “They should have tabled it till they had more time to debate the finer points.”
The committee also faces upcoming leadership changes, as several members are nearing the end of their terms. Governor Jim Pillen is expected to appoint seven new board members later this fall.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-diane-kuhl
Categories: Nebraska, Livestock, Beef Cattle