Farm Bureau Testifies Against Changes to Nebraska Livestock Brand Act
Nebraska Farm Bureau testified in opposition to LB1258during a six-hour public hearing before the Legislature’s Agriculture Committee, raising serious concerns about the future of the state’s long-standing livestock brand inspection system.
Testifying on behalf of himself and Nebraska Farm Bureau,Cherry County rancher Seth Hanna urged senators to reject the bill, which would transition Nebraska to a statewide, voluntary brand inspection system. Hanna said the proposal would effectively dismantle a program that has protected livestock owners and property rights for more than 85 years.
“The brand inspection program exists today for the same reason it did when it was created in 1941—to protect the livelihoods of Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers,” Hanna told the committee. “LB1258 would undermine those protections at a time when they are still critically needed.”
Hanna noted that more than 75% of Nebraska’s beef cow inventory is located within the current brand inspection area, including four of the nation’s top 10 beef cow counties; Lincoln, Custer, Holt, and Cherry County, which ranks first in the country. These regions rely on mandatory inspection to prevent theft, resolve ownership disputes, and manage issues like strays and commingling that are more common in large, open-range pastures.
In his testimony, Hanna emphasized that brand inspection is not just an administrative function, but a cornerstone of property rights for livestock owners. Without mandatory inspection, he said, those rights cannot be reliably guaranteed.
Hanna also shared a personal connection to the issue. His great-great-grandfather, Don E. Hanna Sr., was among the legislators who helped establish the Nebraska Brand Committee in 1941. “It is an honor to be here continuing that legacy and defending a system that still serves Nebraska agriculture today,” he said.
Thomas County Farm Bureau member Katie Keller also testified in opposition.
Nebraska Farm Bureau remains opposed to LB1258 and continues to advocate for keeping brand inspection mandatory, allowing the Brand Committee to function as it does today to protect producers, property rights,and the integrity of the livestock industry.
“Nebraska Farm Bureau continues to be a strong supporter of the work of the Nebraska Brand Committee, including its important role in mitigating cattle theft in our state. While we have been open to discussions centered around modernization to ensure the current fee system is equitable for program participants, our members have made it clear that they are not supportive of changes that would effectively end the mandatory brand inspection program as it exists today in favor of a voluntary statewide system as proposed in LB 1258, legislation introduced by Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair. Given the volume of questions we’ve received about the legislation, we felt it is important to be clear that Nebraska Farm Bureau is opposed and will actively work to stop any effort to implement a statewide voluntary brand inspection system,” said NEFB President Mark McHargue in a statement released earlier this month.