Fourth Annual PAC in the Pasture a Resounding Success

MULLEN – The Nebraska Cattlemen (NC) held their 4^th annual PAC in the Pasture on August 9. Funds of the Nebraska Cattlemen State Political Action Committee (PAC) support the elected officials who support the cattle industry.

The PAC in the Pasture commences on a beautiful August afternoon. Photo credit: Terri Licking

According to the Nebraska Cattlemen website, “The Nebraska Cattlemen State PAC helps ensure that interests of beef producers are enhanced in Nebraska. The aim of the Nebraska Cattlemen State PAC is to support candidates who champion the beef industry by making decisions about laws and regulations that enhance the business climate for profitable beef production in Nebraska and foster opportunities for expansion. We will always be judicious with our contributions to support the strongest candidates regardless of party.”

Hosts for this year’s PAC in the Pasture were John and Julie Kraye of Mullen. Kraye is vice-chair of the Seedstock council of the NC and ranches south of Mullen, raising black Angus and holding an annual bull sale every spring.

BJ Jamison sings, plays the guitar and keeps rhythm on the drum with his foot. He is a 2022 graduate of Hyannis High School.When not playing solo, he is part of the Twin River Band. Photo Credit: Terri Licking

Food and drink were provided by a set of Mullen residents: the cash bar by Chuckwagon ‘N Jug owners Gregg and Dawn Mallory, and steaks by Dave Vest’s Highway 2 Bar-B-Q, with assistance from C.R. Jewel. The evening entertainment was provided by B.J. Jamison of Ashby.

Left to right: NC President Brenda Masek, entertainer BJ Jamison, and NC Board member, John Ecklund from Atkinson, who gave the blessing. Photo Credit: Terri Licking

A legislative recap of the 107th session of the Nebraska Unicameral was given by Jacey Schafer, Director of Government Affairs. Some 38 bills of the several hundred introduced were followed closely by the NC. After Schafer’s recap, NC President Brenda Masek of Purdum welcomed the fifty-plus in attendance. Masek had scheduled an NC board meeting earlier that day at the Community Center on the Hooker Co. fairgrounds, so several board members and staff stayed to enjoy the evening festivities.

Seven items were up for auction, including a golf outing with NC President Masek and her husband, to lunch at the NC office in Lincoln with the winner’s state senator. A Husker volleyball package for two was the top seller at $600. Cumulatively, the items added $2925 to the PAC fund, which did not include the sale of raw steak that went home with a few of the attendees.