Livestock is important to Kimball’s economy.

That idea may not seem at all radical, but Morrill County commissioner Jeff Metz was present at the most recent meeting of the Kimball County board meeting, joined by a group of local ranchers, to spread just that message.

Morrill County, after all, was Nebraska’s first designated Livestock Friendly Community, part of a state program approved by the legislature in 2003 to boost the image of ranching and livestock-related industries. Fifteen counties are now actively part of the program.

“It’s a marketing tool,” explained Steve Martin, agriculture promotion coordinator for the state. “It’s hard to put a dollar value on it.”

But according to Metz, the designation has been beneficial to Morrill County. “We have been in contact with two different dairy companies, one from Colorado and one from California, that are considering locating in Morrill County because of our Livestock Friendly Community status,” he said.

“We want those types of businesses to come to our county,” he continued.

The Nebraska Livestock Friendly County (LFC) is a voluntary program that recognizes counties actively encouraging the livestock industry.  Directed by the Nebraska Legislature, NDA uses the LFC program to assist counties and agricultural producers promote the livestock industry. To achieve the status, counties must complete an application process that includes public hearings. The purpose of these is to determine the specific nature of a county’s needs and identify any issues affecting the livestock trade. Once this is accomplished to everyone’s satisfaction, the state issues the designation.

“The state supplies signs and a logo,” Martin said. These are similar to signs placed by other programs, such as Tree City USA.

It doesn’t sound like much, and counties involved must reach out to national and global industries on their own. But the state, as part of the effort, lists each designated county on a website. Coordinators like Martin are then able to direct those involved in the industry to livestock friendly counties.

It’s an educational and promotional program,” explains Metz to the commissioners, “Governor Dave Heineman is a strong supporter of this program. It doesn’t cost the county anything to be a part of this.”.  Banner County is also in the process of considering the program. Their county board has set a hearing date of  March 6 to consider inclusion in LFC.

“This program recognizes the positive economic impact that a viable livestock industry has on communities across the state,” Governor Dave Heineman said. “Pursuing Livestock Friendly designation is evidence that local officials view their local livestock industry as a vital part of their future, and it shows they are prepared to pursue new opportunities.”

Livestock is Nebraska’s largest industry within the agricultural segment, with nearly 50 percent of all agriculture receipts originating from livestock sales. Although “Cornhusker” is the image many Americans apply to Nebraska, implying a state devoted to farming and grain storage, over one-third of the grain produced in Nebraska is fed to livestock, both in the state and around the country.

Tim Horn of the Nebraska Farm Bureau believes such marketing arms are necessary to protect as well as promote the industry, particularly in the wake of recent campaigns.

“We have a lot of organizations out there, especially of the animal welfare or animal rights groups that would like to see livestock go completely extinct.” he explained. “They figure we can all live on lettuce, I guess.  There’s nothing wrong with vegetables, but I like a little meat with my meal too.

“We joke about it, but the threat is real.”