Alliance, Neb. – The City of Alliance isn’t the only entity celebrating a 125th anniversary this year.
The Nebraska Cattlemen, known to many in western Nebraska by its former name of the Nebraska Stock Growers Association, is 125 years old as well and was established in Alliance, in 1888.
To honor the Nebraska Cattlemen, the Ag Committee of the Alliance Chamber of Commerce recently saluted the statewide organization with a resolution sent to the Nebraska Cattlemen’s 2013 Mid-Year meeting, said Steve Engelhaupt of Gregory’s Insurance.
“It is fitting that we congratulated the Nebraska Cattlemen on its heritage and longstanding importance to Alliance and surrounding area,” said Engelhaupt, co-chair of the Alliance Chamber’s Ag Committee. “The cattle industry is vital to all of Nebraska.”
First established due to cattle rustling, the Stock Growers formed when rancher and banker R.M. Hampton and other ranchers met to address the thefts and financial losses. They joined forces with brand inspectors of the Wyoming Stock Growers, and sought recovery of cattle stolen from Nebraska ranches, according to Nebraska Cattlemen historian and longtime staffer, Robert “Bob” Howard of Alliance, now deceased.
The resolution reads:
Whereas initial discussions regarding the Nebraska cattle industry, its economic importance, and private ownership protections were considered by R.M. Hampton, an Alliance, Nebraska area banker and rancher, with other area ranchers at Mr. Hampton’s Alliance bank in 1888; and,
Whereas these discussions centered on deterrents to cattle rustling such as the review of cattle brands at shipping and marketing, along with the establishment of coordinated efforts to recover lost or stolen cattle from Nebraska ranches; and,
Whereas the organized effort resulted in a coordinated like cause between Nebraska and the Wyoming Stock Growers to hire an association secretary to record ownership and collect membership fees; and
Whereas the first convention of the Nebraska Stock Growers was held in Alliance, Nebraska, and longtime offices were located there; and
Whereas, for the past 125 years the Nebraska Stock Growers Association and later the Nebraska Cattlemen have maintained an office or operational presence in Alliance, Nebraska, to serve western Nebraska members and the industry; and
Whereas, Nebraska’s beef cattle industry is a top economic business in American agriculture, and is ranked #1 in U.S. commercial, red meat production;
Be it hereby resolved, the Alliance Chamber of Commerce Agri-business Committee salutes the Nebraska Cattlemen organization for its 125th anniversary and applauds its members for policies and production practices which enhance the community and region as a whole.
Signed this day, June 3, 2013:
Committee Co-Chairman, Steven A. Engelhaupt and Matt Harris
The Chamber’s Ag Committee meets the first Monday of each month, and welcomes agricultural producers and businesses to join the Alliance Chamber of Commerce. The Ag Committee coordinates events to recognize area farmers and ranchers, and hosts several fundraisers to benefit college scholarships for area youth. The committee is co-chaired by Matt Harris of Wells-Fargo Bank with Mark Placek of Alliance Tractor as secretary.