Governor Heineman Announces Scotts Bluff County Designation As Livestock Friendly

Press Release

Governor Dave Heineman today announced the official designation of Scotts Bluff County as Nebraska's newest Livestock Friendly County. With the addition of Scotts Bluff County, there are now 16 counties designated as Livestock Friendly through the state program, including: Adams, Box Butte, Dawes, Deuel, Gage, Garden, Grant, Hitchcock, Jefferson, Keith, Lincoln, Morrill, Sheridan, Wayne, and Webster Counties.

"In receiving this designation, Scotts Bluff County has shown it is committed to supporting the county's livestock industry and related economic development," said Governor Heineman. "Being part of the Livestock Friendly program is a way to recognize the tremendous impact the livestock industry has on Main Street and the local economy. It provides jobs for those working with animals and a marketplace for grain and hay producers, while also adding value to those products. With this designation, Scotts Bluff County has demonstrated it is open to agribusiness and the benefits that come from responsible livestock production."

Governor Heineman presented the Livestock Friendly certificate to Scotts Bluff County Commissioners Mark Masterton, Mike Marker, Steve Stratton, Sherry Blaha, and Ken Meyer. The county also will receive road signs bearing the program logo to display along highways. The program is coordinated by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA).

NDA Director Greg Ibach said the official designation makes a positive statement about Scotts Bluff County. "It was clear from the submitted materials that Scotts Bluff County officials have given some purposeful thought to supporting the livestock industry."

To apply for a livestock friendly county designation, the county board must hold a public hearing and pass a resolution to apply. A completed application is then submitted to NDA for review. Local producers or community groups can encourage their county board to submit a livestock friendly county application.

Additional information on the Livestock Friendly County program is available by contacting NDA toll free at 800-422-6692, or by visiting the NDA website at www.agr.ne.gov and clicking the Livestock Friendly County link.

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