Gov. Pillen Hosts USDA Secretary Rollins for Nebraska Cattle Industry Roundtable
LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen hosted U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins Monday evening for a roundtable discussion with Nebraska cattle producers to address key economic and environmental challenges facing the cattle industry. The event followed a visit by the USDA Secretary to the Nebraska State Fair where she announced a platform of initiatives aimed at addressing beef prices for consumers, expanding the nation’s cattle herd, as well as processing capacity.
During the one-hour meeting hosted in the Governor’s Hearing Room at the State Capitol, Gov. Pillen and Sec. Rollins heard from nearly 15 invited ranchers from across the state who offered their perspectives, as well as suggestions for supporting their industry.
“We want to ensure that Sec. Rollins hears directly from Nebraska cattlemen. Agriculture is the lifeblood of our state, and when our cattle industry thrives, all of Nebraska thrives,” said Gov. Pillen. “Agriculture is the top of the spear of our economy and if our producers are doing well, everybody is doing well.”
During the meeting and speaking later to invited media, Sec. Rollins outlined the USDA’s Ranchers First Initiative, a federal effort aimed at rebuilding the nation’s cattle herd, which now sits at a 75-year low.
“We hear this over and over, that if we lose more ranches, if this trend continues, then we will lose freedom in this country. Where there is beef, there is freedom. If we’re not able to feed and fuel ourselves, we will no longer know the American dream,” Rollins said.
The USDA’s actions build on the department’s October 2025 Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry and are designed to provide ranchers with additional risk management tools while addressing processing capacity and market concerns. The five-point plan includes expanding support and resources for new ranchers, including veterans; expediting recovery from natural disasters; a heifer retention program for boosting breeding herds; prioritizing the availability of American beef in schools, hospitals, prisons and other institutions; and strengthening small and regional processing facilities.
“I’m grateful to Sec. Rollins for being here to listen directly to our ranchers. I know how hard she is fighting for America’s producers and in particular, Nebraska’s,” said Gov Pillen. “I am proud to partner with her as we plow ahead together to strengthen our ag economy.”
LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen hosted U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins Monday evening for a roundtable discussion with Nebraska cattle producers to address key economic and environmental challenges facing the cattle industry. The event followed a visit by the USDA Secretary to the Nebraska State Fair where she announced a platform of initiatives aimed at addressing beef prices for consumers, expanding the nation’s cattle herd, as well as processing capacity.
During the one-hour meeting hosted in the Governor’s Hearing Room at the State Capitol, Gov. Pillen and Sec. Rollins heard from nearly 15 invited ranchers from across the state who offered their perspectives, as well as suggestions for supporting their industry.
“We want to ensure that Sec. Rollins hears directly from Nebraska cattlemen. Agriculture is the lifeblood of our state, and when our cattle industry thrives, all of Nebraska thrives,” said Gov. Pillen. “Agriculture is the top of the spear of our economy and if our producers are doing well, everybody is doing well.”
During the meeting and speaking later to invited media, Sec. Rollins outlined the USDA’s Ranchers First Initiative, a federal effort aimed at rebuilding the nation’s cattle herd, which now sits at a 75-year low.
“We hear this over and over, that if we lose more ranches, if this trend continues, then we will lose freedom in this country. Where there is beef, there is freedom. If we’re not able to feed and fuel ourselves, we will no longer know the American dream,” Rollins said.
The USDA’s actions build on the department’s October 2025 Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry and are designed to provide ranchers with additional risk management tools while addressing processing capacity and market concerns. The five-point plan includes expanding support and resources for new ranchers, including veterans; expediting recovery from natural disasters; a heifer retention program for boosting breeding herds; prioritizing the availability of American beef in schools, hospitals, prisons and other institutions; and strengthening small and regional processing facilities.
“I’m grateful to Sec. Rollins for being here to listen directly to our ranchers. I know how hard she is fighting for America’s producers and in particular, Nebraska’s,” said Gov Pillen. “I am proud to partner with her as we plow ahead together to strengthen our ag economy.”
Read how the cattlemen are reacting to the administration's plan to import ground beef to provide for the U.S. cattle herd to rebuilding, in this week Tribune.
An overnight breakdown at the printing plant has caused a delay of delivery until after lunch today.
Papers will be delivered as soon as they are brought to the office!
Sorry for the delay!
-Brook
Papers will be delivered as soon as they are brought to the office!
Sorry for the delay!
-Brook
Today is National Volunteer Firefighters Recognition Day! Thank you to the the members of the Niobrara Volunteer Fire Department! We appreciate you and salute you!!!
The Niobrara Village Board is asking for the public
s help in finding a water leak in Niobrara. If residents notice dark green spots on their lawns where there might possibly be a leak, or anything else suspicious, they are asked to call the village office. Read more in this week's edition.
s help in finding a water leak in Niobrara. If residents notice dark green spots on their lawns where there might possibly be a leak, or anything else suspicious, they are asked to call the village office. Read more in this week's edition.
Read about Niobrara's Memorial Day Program, in this week's Tribune. See photos as well.
Lady N/V Cougars, Delani Runnels, and Taylen Stark, shined at the State Track Meet in Omaha. Read the report in this week's Tribune.
The Niobrara Village Board , at its regular meeting earlier this month, had the third reading of a new zoning ordinance for setbacks along private roads in the Extra-territorial jurisdiction located within one mile around the village, where village setbacks may not apply. Read the story in this week's Tribune.
WESTWARD ROAD FAMILY WILL BE LIVE IN CONCERT AT NIOBRARA-The "Westward Road" family will be live in concert Tuesday, May 12 at 7 p.m. at the Niobrara-Verdel Presbyterian Church in Niobrara. This stop is on their City of Light Tour and is being sponsored by Faiths United Parish. All are welcome to attend.
A new garden center opens in Niobrara this Friday. Read this week's Tribune for all of the details.
See a full page of the NHS 2026 Junior-Senior Prom in this week's edition.
See where all of the Bargain Buyway garage sales are taking place in Niobrara, in this week's edition.
Read about all of the fun that was had at the Fourth Annual "Ladies Quarter Mania," in Niobrara Friday night at the Niobrara Community Hall. Over 200 ladies attended the fun-raiser, which raised funds for the Memories of Old Niobrara digital newspaper project, and community signs.
A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH has been issued from the National Weather Service. In Nebraska, this watch includes Cedar and Knox counties in Northeast Nebraska. Valid from April 13, 2026 at 4:39 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. This includes the cities of Niobrara and Verdigre in addition to Bloomfield, Coleridge, Creighton, Crofton, Hartington, Laurel, Randolph and Wausa.
A new drone spraying service has launched at Niobrara, offering new solutions to the ag community. Read this week's Tribune for details.
The Easter Egg Hunt at Niobrara Saturday turned out to be an Egg "Dash" as youth wrapped up the event in record time as chilly weather sped up the search! See photos and highlights in this week's Tribune!
Avera Niobrara Medical Clinic will be closed for a two-month renovation. A new sidewalk renovation is currently in progress in front of the clinic. The closure of the clinic is expected to extend until June 1. Read more in this week's Tribune.
"Rooted in Nebraska," Niobrara's entry in the Nucor Steel Ken Iverson Project contest, won first place honors. Fourteen area high schools participated in the steel sculpture making and welding competition. The winners were announced on Monday. Read more in this week's edition.
The N/V Powerlifters are Class D state champions. The 2026 Class D High School Powerlifting Championships were held at the Harvard High School Saturday, March 21. For a full report, read this week's Tribune. On sale at news stands now.
The candidate filing deadlines for the 2026 Primary Election have now passed. Six have filed for the Niobrara School Board. They will not appear on the Knox County Primary Ballots, but will advance to the General Election. Read more in this week's edition.
