UNL Beef Innovation Annual Fall Workshop 

October 23-24, 2024 

Great Plains Rooms B-C, East Campus, Lincoln 

Workshop goals 

• Stakeholders leave equipped to discuss the Research-Teaching-Extension land grant mission University of Nebraska-Lincoln has in Beef Innovation’s strategic areas, the value the university is adding to the beef industry, how it intends to continue contributing into the future, and how the industry can support Nebraska’s work. 
• Nebraska Beef Innovation Community members leave with specific direction, committed to addressing the issues facing Nebraska’s beef industry and providing data and scientific solutions accompanied by social and communications support. 

Wednesday, Oct. 23 

9:00 – Coffee and Informal networking 

9:30 – Welcome – Led by Derek McLean and Galen Erickson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 

9:45 – Conversation with the NU President – Insights around rural health and prosperity, and his vision as President. Dr. Jeffrey P. Gold, Ninth President of the University of Nebraska 

10:30 – Session 1 – Key Issues & Opportunities for the Hub. Led by Galen Erickson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Jud Jesske, Farm Credit Services of America 

• Current Beef Industry Fundamentals and Cow Herd Expansion Snapshot. Jeff Stolle, Nebraska Cattlemen 
• Rural Prosperity Nebraska, another Hub of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources: examples of assets and opportunities which help communities begin to address rural issues. Jordan Grummert Rasmussen, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
• Additional topics as suggested through the pre-workshop survey, as time permits 

12:00 – Lunch buffet & Beef Innovators Student Presentations. Led by Emily Eilers & Anna Kobza, University of Nebraska-Lincoln students 

1:00 – Session 2 – Highlights of Successes in the Hub Community. Led by Jessica Sperber, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Laura Field, Nebraska Cattlemen 

• "A Day in the Life" videos to promote workforce recruitment and retention. Jessica Sperber, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
• Key Extension Programs. Jessica Sperber, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
• Strategic Initiatives and updates from CASNR. Tom Burkey, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
• Strategic Initiatives and updates from Nebraska Extension. Charles Stoltenow, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
• Communication efforts and impacts. Maria Tibbetts, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
• Haskell Center for Heifer Development. Connor Biehler, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
• Collaborative Adaptive Management at the Barta Brothers Ranch. Craig Allen and Jerry Volesky, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
• Infrastructure supporting Beef Innovation research, teaching, and extension: The Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center at ENREEC. Galen Erickson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
• Highlights of Successes in the Hub Community. Galen Erickson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
• Open the floor to other highlights and discussions as time permits. 

3:00 – Break 

3:15 – Session 3 – Highlights of Current Environmental Sustainability Work in the Hub Community. Led by Galen Erickson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Warren White, Prime Pursuits 

• Introduction, Galen Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnL 
• Long Term Agroecosystem Research Network. Virginia Jin, USDA ARS 
• Understanding host, microbial, environmental, and management factors towards methane mitigation. Paul Kononoff, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
• Increasing capacity for methane data capture: Global Methane Hub proposal. Matt Spangler, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
• Taking Action: Utilizing Pollution Grant Dollars to Provide Nebraskan Producers with Value-Added Opportunities. Andrew Dunkley, NDEE, and Hank Robinson, Aksarben Foundation 
• Measuring Nebraska Agricultural Carbon Intensity, Greg Ibach, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
• Advancing Development of Assessments, Practices, and Tools (ADAPT) to Produce Climate Smart Beef in Grazing Systems, A University of Nebraska-Lincoln Grand Challenge, Galen Erickson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 

5:00 – Day 1 Wrap-up, Take-Home Messages, Action Items. Led by Galen Erickson, Maria Tibbetts, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Chris Kalkowski, First National Bank of Omaha 

6:00 – Happy Hour (hosted by Beef Innovation members), and Networking Dinner 

Thursday, Oct. 24 

8:30 – Continental breakfast & informal networking 

9:00 – Session 4 – New Directions for the Beef Innovation Hub 

Led by Ruth Woiwode, UNL and Jess Hinrichs, Zoetis 

• One Health: a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach for enhancing human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health. Liz VanWormer, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
• H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza: Impacts on cattle health and zoonotic potential. Matt Hille, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
• Bovine respiratory disease pathogens and antimicrobial resistance- what is new? Dustin Loy, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
• Advancing animal welfare in Nebraska. Ruth Woiwode, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
• Prime Education: Introduction to Butchery and Meat Processing. Gary Sullivan, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 

11:00 – Session 5 – Research and Funding Priorities: How they are set & how to influence them. Discussion led by Derek McLean, Dean, Agricultural Research Division 

12:00 – Lunch buffet 

1:00 – Workshop Wrap-up, Take-Home Messages, and Action Items. Led by Session leaders. 

2:00 – Adjourn with optional time for additional discussions