June 20, 2005

Dear Fellow Nebraskans:

I traveled to Bridgeport recently for what I hope will be the first of many announcements taking place across Nebraska. Officials in Morrill County recently applied for designation as a Livestock Friendly County under the regulations approved last September.

In so doing, Morrill County became the first in the state to be certified as a Livestock Friendly County and has taken an important step in efforts to support rural economic development.

With nearly 65 percent of our state agricultural receipts coming from livestock producers, this industry has a strong effect on local economies not only through equipment and supply purchases and contracts for professional services, but by contributions to the local tax base.

The Livestock Friendly program provides each county the opportunity to show support for Nebraska’s livestock producers and address key issues needed for boosting rural development and supporting continued growth of our state’s largest industry.

This program is part of our larger effort to support economic development opportunities across industries. For many agriculture-based communities, attracting businesses that contribute to the success of local producers will be the key to long-term economic stability. Nebraska’s vast natural resources make agriculture a natural economic driver, and we need to ensure that our producers and agricultural communities have the tools to foster local economic growth.

Nebraska counties that become “livestock friendly” will benefit from not only added local markets, but also more jobs. Long term, this program could help attract other segments of the ag industry to many of our smaller rural communities.

Administered by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, the Livestock Friendly designation program was developed in response to requests from producers to provide them with up-front information on ways to maintain and grow their businesses. It’s important to note that the local and county authority to regulate livestock has not been changed as a result of this program. County officials and others were very clear that local control over zoning regulations would be vital to success in efforts to expand and attract new businesses.

By applying to become the first Livestock Friendly County, Morrill County has recognized the important impact the area livestock industry has on rural development. The industry contributes to local economies, by serving as a valuable market for grain and the feed co-products produced by local ethanol plants, and it expands both the local and state tax base for the benefit of our schools, local governments and quality of life. The livestock industry also makes significant contributions to our state economy by providing high-quality products that are in demand by consumers around the world.

As we have been reminded during the past few years of drought, trade barriers and concerns about the need to protect our nation’s food supply, there is no shortage of important issues facing our livestock producers and the agriculture industry overall. These issues have a very real impact on our producers, and I am confident that the Livestock Friendly program will have a positive impact in helping attract other segments of the ag industry to Nebraska’s many rural communities.

Livestock production has long provided a wide range of benefits for local communities and for our state as a whole. As the first Livestock Friendly county, Morrill County joins producers and companies contributing to their success in signaling the value of this industry, and serves notice that the success and vitality of agri-business is important to Morrill County.