Nebraska Beef Summit to highlight timely production and industry challenges

Lincoln, Neb., November 9, 2026 —Beef producers, agricultural professionals, students and industry partners are invited to attend the 2026 Nebraska Beef Summit on Dec. 9 at the Younes Convention Center in Kearney. This year's summit will be held in conjunction with the Nebraska Cattlemen Convention and Trade Show, bringing together producers, researchers and industry leaders to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the beef industry.

Organized by University of Nebraska–Lincoln students, the summit will feature university specialists, veterinarians, economists and industry representatives addressing topics across the beef supply chain, including herd rebuilding, heifer-retention economics, cattle health, carcass value and international beef demand.

Two featured afternoon presentations will examine trends influencing the beef industry's future. Ty Lawrence, professor of animal science and director of the Beef Carcass Research Center at West Texas A&M University, will present "Where Does the Growth Stop? Strategic Insights into the Trend of Continually Heavier Finishing Weights." Dan Halstrom, president and CEO of the U.S. Meat Export Federation, will discuss "Why Exports Are Critical for the U.S. Beef Supply Chain."

With producers evaluating opportunities for herd expansion, the summit will also address heifer development and retention decisions. Shelby Rosasco, assistant professor and Extension beef specialist at the University of Wyoming, will present "Positioned for Expansion: Heifer Development Strategies for Improved Retention." Tyler W. Cozzens of the Livestock Marketing Information Center will follow with an economic and market outlook for heifer retention.

Additional sessions will explore autonomous feed trucks, heart failure risk in beef cattle, mineral programs, Beef Quality Assurance, generational transition planning, bovine theileriosis and the Asian longhorned tick.

Registration and networking will begin at 8 a.m., with presentations starting at 8:15 a.m. The summit is scheduled to conclude at approximately 5:15 p.m.

Registration is coordinated through Nebraska Cattlemen. The complete agenda, registration information and sponsorship opportunities are available at go.unl.edu/beefsummit.

For more information, contact Kacie McCarthy at 402-472-6074 or kacie.mccarthy@unl.edu.