By Scout Nelson
The Nebraska Farm Bureau has voiced strong opposition to proposed legislative changes, specifically LB646 and AM638, which aim to introduce a new category of “Exempt Feedlots” under the Livestock Brand Act. While the organization supports updating the fee structure related to livestock branding, it cannot support removing feedlots from the Nebraska Brand Inspection Act.
For more than 80 years, Nebraska’s Brand Committee has played a crucial role in ensuring accurate livestock brand registration, enforcement, and proof of ownership. The proposed exemption would, according to the Farm Bureau, disrupt the system’s balance and weaken the brand inspection program’s core purpose—confirming livestock ownership during sales. Such changes, they say, go against long-standing member policies and could harm the integrity of the state’s livestock identification system.
The organization believes that exempting feedlots could lead to uncertainty in livestock transactions and threaten the trust and transparency essential for Nebraska’s beef industry. The Farm Bureau emphasizes the importance of maintaining a system that supports fairness and traceability for all livestock producers.
Although the Bureau remains open to discussions on finding a mutually acceptable solution, it cannot back LB646, AM638, or FA52 in their current form. The group hopes ongoing dialogue will lead to a proposal that protects both the state’s livestock inspection system and the competitiveness of the Nebraska beef industry.
Photo Credit: nebraska-farm-bureau
Categories: Nebraska, Government & Policy, Livestock, Beef Cattle