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Lawmakers hear divided testimony on Nebraska brand law overhaul

Cattle producers in Nebraska are divided over a proposal that would dismantle the state’s brand law.

During recent testimony in front of the Ag Committee, the author of the bill, Senator Ben Hansen of Blair says the legislation would create statewide uniformity. “As a businessman, I struggle with the idea that producers face different rules depending solely on where their operation is located within Nebraska. That makes little sense.”

The bill would eliminate the Nebraska Brand Committee, and move brand registration, inspection and livestock theft investigation to the state department of agriculture. It would also remove the mandatory brand area.   Currently, the western part of the state operates under mandatory branding and inspection regulations while the eastern half does not.

Cassie Lapaseotes testified in favor and says the patchwork of regulations has impacted how her feedlot conducts business with out-of-state partners. “Some have chosen to send cattle to other states to avoid the headaches they’ve experienced in Nebraska.”

The bill would also change the inspection fee for feedlots. Steve Scholz operates a large feedlot, with a 39,000 head capacity, near North Platte and says some producers are opposed because it’s too expensive, but… “A yard my size will generate probably over $200 million in gross sales every year and pay $35,000 inspection fees. Almost all of these yards pass on the brand inspection to the owner. I think that cost is pretty negligible and easy to defend.”

Matt Blackford with the Nebraska Cattlemen says the organization is opposed because it takes away local oversight. “This decision to be part of the brand inspection area has always been decided by local county governments and should not be changed by the state legislature’s decision by moving to a state voluntary system.”

The Nebraska Farm Bureau is also opposed.  

The committee did not take action but is expected to vote on it in the future.