www.nefb.org AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 | VOL. 38 | ISSUE 4 FARM BUREAU NEWS 4 We Appreciate You 6 Legislative Wins CANAL FOUNDATION 9 Cattle Market BREAK TEES IT UP Task Force UPDATE PAGE 10 INSIDE 13 Drought Resources PAGE 8 Unprecedented legislative session yields significant property tax relief, other agriculture ‘wins’ hen COVID-19 brought the 2020 Elimination of this requirement could make legislative session to a screeching these lease agreements more cost-effective Whalt in March, debates about tax in rural, unserved areas. relief, business incentives and other high- Lawmakers also passed LB 996 which in- profile legislative issues were swept to cludes provisions to improve data collection the side as uncertainties surrounding the to ensure greater accuracy of Nebraska’s dangers and threat of the pandemic quickly broadband service map. The map is a criti- took center stage. As Nebraskans became cal part of broadband expansion in Nebras- familiar with words like “social distancing,” ka as it is used to determine where federal disruptions in agriculture supply chains, assistance dollars are targeted to helping slowdowns and shutdowns of meatpacking improve access. facilities and ethanol plants, and diminished “Map accuracy is critical. We’ve been markets became the immediate threats to concerned Nebraska’s map has overstated the viability of farm and ranch families. Nebraska’s broadband coverage, failing to Amid the chaos, the prospects of the accurately reflect the lack of quality broad- Legislature returning to finish the session band service as reported by our members. were as hazy as a humid summer morning. LB 996 is an important step to make im- Flash forward five months. provements in this area and bring greater Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve resources to bear in broadband expansion,” Nelson stands next to Gov. Pete Ricketts on said Fellers. the steps of the Nebraska Capitol taking part Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson (right) stands Nebraska farmers will also benefit from in a signing ceremony for LB 1107, a com- proudly with Gov. Pete Ricketts who signed LB 1107, a bill which a Nebraska Farm Bureau-supported leg- promise bill directing significant amounts provides signifi cant, meaningful and much needed property tax islative change to clarify the state’s over- of state money for property tax relief. The relief for Nebraskans. weight harvest permit requirements. The bill passed with 41 “yes” votes, far exceed- passage of LB 931 clarifies that the existing ing the 33 needed to break a filibuster, the 15% overweight permit exemption applies barrier preventing passage of substantive fully implemented. That level of relief highlighted by the challenges of the to seasonally harvested products going not property tax relief bills in previous years. could come sooner, should state rev- pandemic. only from field to storage or market, but “The fact the Legislature found the right enues exceed targets outlined in the “At a time when it’s never been also from farm storage to market. (See full combination of compromise to provide sig- bill. In year six and thereafter, relief more important to connect with oth- LB 931 story on page 6.) nificant property tax relief in the final days will continue to grow as valuations ers digitally, the Legislature passed “The Legislature’s passage of bills di- of a split session, during a pandemic, is grow,” said Bruce Rieker, Nebraska a pair of bills to improve statewide recting dollars to help repair the irrigation somewhat surreal. After years of stalemates Farm Bureau vice president of gov- broadband service,” said Ansley Fell- canal collapse in western Nebraska, ensur- in the body, the persistence and work of our ernmental relations. ers, former director of NEFB-PAC and ing Nebraska’s laws governing industrial members and our organization in advocat- “There’s more work to be done on state governmental relations. hemp production are compliant with fed- ing for tax relief has yielded meaningful re- the property tax issue and we’ll con- Among the bills passed was LB 992 eral regulations, and creating a checkoff sults,” said Nelson. tinue to look for long-term solutions which implemented several recom- for dry peas, lentils and other pulse crops, LB 1107 contains the largest amount of to alleviate pressure on property mendations from the state’s Rural are just a few more examples of positive state money put aside for targeted property taxes. With that in mind, LB 1107 is Broadband Task Force. One of the key steps forward for agriculture,” said Rieker. tax relief since 2007, when the Legislature positive progress in delivering mean- components of the bill was eliminat- “When you look at the uncertainties of the originally established and dedicated annu- ingful tax relief that we’ve been seek- ing a requirement that state agencies session when things closed down in March al funding to the Property Tax Credit Fund. ing,” said Nelson. or political subdivisions remit 50% to the progress made on key issues when (See full LB 1107 analysis on page 7.) Outside of property tax relief, the of the profit from a dark fiber lease the Legislature returned in July, there’s no “At a minimum, farmers and ranchers Legislature passed several other bills agreement to the Nebraska Universal question this was a very successful legisla- can expect to see a 15% reduction in prop- in areas of high priority to the Ne- Service Fund (NUSF) in places lack- tive session for agriculture and our state’s erty taxes paid to schools when LB 1107 is braska Farm Bureau, including ones ing access to 25/3-speed broadband. farm and ranch families.” 2 OPINIONS NEBRASKA FARM BUREAU NEWS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson announces his retirement n December of 2011, I was blessed to have been to stop kids from working on farms. We’ve advanced appreciation to all those who have helped and provided given the opportunity to serve as president of measures to grow our livestock industry and turned support to make these achievements reality. Ithis wonderful organization. Over the past nine back animal rights extremists, while protecting With that in mind, it’s the right time for change. years that blessing continued in being able to work water resources for agriculture, and making progress Organizationally, it’s time for new leadership. At with tremendous people who share a on key agriculture transportation issues. home, it’s time for Elma and me to start a new passion for Farm Bureau and our mission And while there’s still work to be done on chapter in our life. As such, I will not seek re- of enriching the lives of Nebraska’s farm property taxes, we just helped pass one of election, opening the door for new leadership and a and ranch families. the largest property tax relief bills in the new era for this great organization. We have been through a lot together. history of the Nebraska Legislature. Please know I will continue to put forth my energy Drought, blizzards, historic flooding, These are just a few things that quickly and efforts in finishing up this term to the best of my and now an unprecedented pandemic. come to mind from a long list of our abilities. There is a lot on the plate in the remaining Through it all, Farm Bureau has shined collective accomplishments. months, and I vow to do whatever I can do to advance in the face of adversity, doing great Organizationally, we’ve invested our cause during that time. It has been an honor to things together for our members and resources in supporting our county Farm serve Farm Bureau members in this capacity, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity. Nebraska agriculture. Steve Nelson Bureaus, leadership development and We’ve helped open new markets youth programs to grow agriculture’s base Elma and I will always cherish the relationships PRESIDENT, of leaders and influencers. We’ve charted and treasure the memories of our time together with by expanding agricultural exports NEBRASKA through new trade agreements and FARM BUREAU out a path for the organization’s future all of you. Thank you for your friendship, hard work updating old ones. We’ve secured farm through our new Long-Range Plan, and and dedication to our organization. bills and major federal tax reform. We’ve stopped we’ve built and grown a successful Foundation to overreaching regulations like the “Waters of the expand agricultural awareness. Steve and Elma U.S.” Rule, and the Department of Labor’s effort Words will never do justice in expressing my great Each year, Nebraska Farm Bureau recognizes three outstanding young farmers & ranchers! Apply today! EachEach year, year, Nebraska Nebraska Farm Farm Bureau Bureau recognizesrecognizes three three outstanding outstanding young young ApplyApply today! today! farmersfarmers & ranchers!& ranchers! TylerTyler and and Alysha Alysha Ramsey Ramsey BradyBrady Revels Revels RandyRandy and and BrenDee BrenDee Reinke Reinke Adam/WebsterAdam/Webster County County DouglasDouglas County County AntelopeAntelope County County 20192019 Winners Winners 20192019 Winner Winner 20192019 Winners Winners Tyler and Alysha Ramsey BradyBrady RevelsRevels Randy and BrenDee Reinke Adam/Webster County AchievementAchievementDouglas Award Award County DiscussionDiscussion Meet Meet AntelopeExcellence CountyExcellence in Agriculturein Agriculture Award Award Adam/Webster County RecognizesRecognizes aDouglas successful a successful County young young DiscussesDiscusses current current agriculture agriculture Antelope Recognizes CountyRecognizes a successful