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"Beef State" in the 21st
Century
with John Carter
7:00 p.m., Thursday, February
11
Union College, Dick Administration Building
Graphic - Nebraska ETV
As of 2006, Nebraska had the top three beef cow counties
in the U.S. with Cherry County having nearly 165,000 cows,
Holt County with 101,000, and Custer County numbering 93,000
head. Also among the top counties in the nation was Lincoln
County at number 15 with 69,000 cows.
That same year, cattle outnumbered Nebraskans nearly 4 to
1. Cows numbered 1.93 million compared to human residents
with just 1.7 million. Those cows plus the 4.7 million head
that were sent here to be fed annually totaled nearly 6.64
million cattle.
The cattle industry continued to be Nebraska’s largest
industry, with nearly $7 billion in direct sales; including
all other businesses that supported the cattle industry (like
veterinary medicine), that number jumped to just over $12
billion.
There were about 4,500 feeding operations in Nebraska in
the early 2000s, and while some lots were enormous, just
fewer than 800 of them took care of more than 1,000 animals.
That meant there were over 3,700 feedlots that each held
less than 1,000 animals at a time.
Nebraska led the nation in beef exports, and world trade
was growing, linking Nebraska to a much larger global economy.
Nebraska has had only two official
names in The Tree Planter State (1895-1945) and The Cornhusker
State (1945 to present). However, beef had become so important
to the state’s
economy by the 1950s that from 1956 through 1965 the Nebraska
license plate carried the motto “The Beef State.” That
title was never an official name by act of the legislature,
but it carried an important place in the hearts of Nebraskans.
Beef had become the center of attention in Nebraska, not
only at our tables, but in our pockets, as well.
John Carter‘s presentation will look at the environmental
transformation of the Great Plains as cattle rapidly replaced
bison as dominant ungulate. It is human history and natural
history—and it is surprising.
 Carter
has told Nebraska’s stories for over 30 years.
He has published two books, Solomon
D. Butcher: Photographing the American Dream and Eyewitness
at Wounded Knee. He has also
authored countless articles and essays for both the popular
and scholarly audiences. Appearing in over two dozen state
and national television documentaries, John was consultant
and co-producer of the recent NET documentary, “Beef
State,” an in-depth look at Nebraska’s most important
industry. John is a well known speaker who blends history
and humor to explore the amazing place that is Nebraska.
He is Senior Research Folklorist and Associate Editor of
Nebraska History magazine at the Nebraska State Historical
Society.
The chapter meeting will
be held at 7:00 p.m. in Room 03, lower level of Union college's
Dick Administration Building, 3800 South 48th Street in Lincoln.
From 48th and Calvert streets, go one block south to Bancroft
Avenue and turn east onto campus. Continue for two blocks
and park in the lots on the south. the large building to
the south and west is the Dick Building. Look for Audubon
signs on the doors. Refreshments will follow this free public
presentation.
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