100-Cow Program example of much-needed innovation

According to Nebraska population estimates released today, the state grew by nearly 11,000 people in the past year, more than it has since 1997.

That means there are now about 1.77 million of us who call the Cornhusker state home.

The difference between births and deaths -- there were 12,000 more births than deaths last year -- was the largest natural increase since 1982.

We don't have the breakdown, but we're sure most of the growth took place in Omaha, Lincoln, and along the I-80 corridor.

Unfortunately, that leaves the rest of us lucky to be holding our own. We've lost population in previous estimates, but if McCook does hold its own population-wise, we can thank industries like Parker Hannifin, Valmont -- and even Community Hospital, the McCook Public Schools and Wal-Mart, who comprise the top five employers in McCook.

The sales tax for economic development was a step in the right direction. We need the money to attract new industries and support ones already in place.

We also need innovation like a program being offered at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, which hopes to take students "back to the future" by setting up young NCTA grads with 100-cow herds.

The program is a partnership between the USDA Farm Service Agency, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, the Nebraska Cattlemen and the Nebraska Farm Bureau.

The program couples ranchers willing to give NCTA graduates room for their 100-cow herds. They are also given a chance for low-interest FSA loans, business plans and other tools to make their operations a success.

The need is real. Since 1974, Nebraska has lost almost 17,000 ranches, 287,000 cows and the human populations they support. About 40 percent of Nebraska communities maintain a population of 300 or fewer.

Currently, there are twice as many farmers over the age of 65 than there are under 35, and over the next 20 years, 70 percent of all agricultural land in the United States will change hands.

Rather than just continue the effort to transfer agricultural enterprises from one generation a family to the next -- a guaranteed way to reduce farm and ranch population -- the new effort seeks to infuse new blood into the ranch industry.

"We have now designed a program that will return our graduates to ranches with a sizable enough asset to ensure they can be partners rather than hired hands," NCTA Dean Weldon Sleight said. "This will create a career path enabling these young ranchers to one day become owners of sustainable cattle operations.

A seminar on the program is set for 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 15 at the NCTA Veterinary Teaching Hospital Amphitheater in Curtis. Interested ranchers, bankers, FSA directors, county extension educators, high school agriculture teachers, community leaders and others concerned about the future of Nebraska's rural communities are encouraged to attend.

Southwest Nebraska started as cattle country, and drought and water restrictions make grassland an attractive option for certain operations.

In light of agricultural uncertainty, the 100-Cow Program is a good card to have up our sleeves.