74th Annual Convention Held in Atkinson

The Sandhills Cattle Association 74th Annual Convention was held in Atkinson, Ne., on Thursday, May 23 at the Atkinson Community Center. Over 125 people attended the event.

Five speakers gave four presentations throughout the day including: Don Blankenau, an attorney from Lincoln, Ne., “Water Law for the Sandhills”. Ann Marie Bosshamer, executive director for the Nebraska Beef Council, and Dave Hamilton, Chairman of the Nebraska Cattlemen Checkoff Task Force, teamed up to discuss the beef checkoff. Bosshamer gave an overview of the Nebraska Beef Council and how the beef checkoff funds are spent. Hamilton discussed the proposal to implement a state beef checkoff in addition to the national beef checkoff that is currently in place. Time was allowed for a question and answer session. Connee Quinn’s operates Quinn Cow Company, a commercial cow/calf enterprise, with her husband Reuben. Quinn also does consulting work for the company Micronutrients. "There’s More to Mineral than Mineral" was the title of her presentation.  R.P. Smith, wrapped up the day’s speakers with his program Horses, Heroes & High Hopes: Hanging with Nebraska’s Home Grown Humorist. Smith is the fourth generation to raise cattle on the Pine Crest Ranch in Custer County.

The annual SCA membership business meeting was also held with new directors and officers elected, and scholarships presented. Mike Tasler auctioneered the benefit auction which was held in the evening and raised over $3,000 for the scholarship, educational and promotional programs of the Association. The convention concluded with participants visiting the more than 40 exhibits in the trade show.