Previously, the state Brand Committee had five members. Now, it has seven.

Gov. Jim Pillen has appointed new members to Nebraska’s Brand Committee in compliance with this year’s passage of LB 1187. Central to the new law is the formation of a new committee consisting of seven representatives.

The group now includes five cattle producers, plus the owner or operator of a feedlot and the owner of a livestock auction market. The secretary of state as well as the director of agriculture serve as ex-officio members.  

The new membership requirements and the governor’s appointments are effective as of today. The term of appointment for new Brand Committee members will be staggered to start, the governor’s office said. Following those initial appointments, members will each serve a four-year term. Any appointments to the committee are subject to legislative confirmation.

The purpose of the brand committee is to protect Nebraska brand and livestock owners from the theft of livestock through established brand recording, brand inspection and livestock theft investigation.

Members & terms:

• District 1 – Ben Holliday, 2-year term
• District 2 – Jed Connealy,  3-year term
• District 3 – Kraig Freeman,  4-year term 
• District 4 – Dr. Kip Lukasiewicz, 4-year term 
• District 5 – Jordan Feller, 2-year term
• Registered feedlot owner – Larry (Doug) Sheppard, 3-year term
• Livestock auction owner – Todd Eberle, 4-year term

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