By Scout Nelson
Buck Wehrbein, a seasoned cattleman from Nebraska, has taken on the role of president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) during CattleCon 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. With 45 years of experience in cattle feeding, Wehrbein brings extensive industry knowledge and leadership to his new position.
The NCBA board of directors approved the 2025 officer team at the convention. Gene Copenhaver of Virginia was named president-elect, while Kim Brackett of Idaho became vice president. Skye Krebs of Oregon will serve as chair of the NCBA Policy Division, with Kenny Rogers of Colorado as policy vice chair. Nancy Jackson of Mississippi and Travis Maddock of North Dakota were chosen as chair and vice chair of the NCBA Federation Division, respectively. Brad Hastings of Texas will continue his role as NCBA treasurer.
Wehrbein sees both challenges and opportunities for cattle producers in the coming year. He believes NCBA plays a crucial role in uniting farmers and ranchers to address industry concerns. His focus is on creating better profit opportunities and ensuring the freedom to operate without excessive regulations. Additionally, he is committed to securing tax relief measures that support agricultural businesses.
“The tax issue is critically important for agriculture,” said Wehrbein. “A few years ago, there was talk of doing away with the deduction of expenses, and that would have been devastating. We also have to keep pushing on the Death Tax. With what land values have done, if families are forced to sell or split up land to pay taxes, it would put a lot of people out of business.”
Wehrbein’s leadership is deeply influenced by his faith, family, and lifelong dedication to the industry. Married to his wife Sandy for over 52 years, he values the support of his family, including his daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He looks forward to working with NCBA members to build a stronger future for the cattle industry.
“The overarching principle and aim of NCBA is to make things better for our members and create an environment where each of us focus on our farms and ranches,” said Wehrbein. “That’s a big strength of NCBA—we’re not just big feedlots or big ranches. We’re everybody."
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski
Categories: Nebraska, Business, Livestock, Beef Cattle