By Jamie Martin
The Midwest Regional Summit held in Omaha gathered livestock producers and agricultural leaders to address key challenges and opportunities in the livestock sector. Organized by the Common Ground Coalition, the event focused on creating solutions to support the industry and rural economies.
Nebraska cattle producer Doug Shepperd emphasized the importance of helping producers enter and stay in the livestock business. “It’s all about finding a path that allows producers, especially at the cow-calf level, to enter into and continue to grow in this business so we can preserve this industry for the future,” said Doug.
Summit discussions highlighted major areas of focus, including improving access to capital and land, strengthening workforce development, and enhancing risk management programs. Participants agreed that these priorities are critical for building a resilient livestock sector.
Improving financial access was a top concern. Attendees recommended updates to Farm Service Agency programs to provide more flexibility for beginning and emerging producers. They also explored new funding opportunities that could bring in investment and expand access to affordable capital.
Risk management tools were also discussed. Leaders proposed expanding Livestock Risk Protection coverage to include more cattle categories and increasing program awareness to encourage adoption.
Workforce development was another key issue. The summit emphasized the need to expand training opportunities, internships, and partnerships with schools and colleges. Participants also supported improvements to the H-2A labor program to ensure a stable workforce for year-round livestock operations.
Other important topics included improving rural healthcare access, updating tax policies to support farm investments, and increasing land availability through better use of conservation programs and public lands.
“As participants, we were challenged to look beyond our individual operations and focus on solutions that could deliver lasting, generational impact — ensuring livestock producers, especially ranching families, have the opportunity to grow and remain on the land for years to come,” said Wyoming rancher Andrew Wasserburger.
Overall, the Omaha summit outlined clear and practical solutions to strengthen the livestock industry and support future growth in rural communities.
“There are thousands of people we could invite,” said founding coalition member and summit moderator Jake Parnell. “But, to make these conversations most effective, we bring together a smaller group of people who represent different perspectives and can take these ideas back to their communities.”
Photo Credit: istock-fangxianuo
Categories: National