Editor’s note: Husker Harvest Days is Sept. 10-12 in Grand Island, Neb. Visit HuskerHarvestDays.com.

By Charlotte Brockman

New ideas can come from anywhere, and the long-standing cattle-handling demonstrations at Husker Harvest Days offer an innovation opportunity for beef operations.

The event that started at Dr. Joe Jeffrey’s kitchen table 39 years ago continues to give producers a front-row seat to see the latest cattle chutes. While he intended the demonstration to inform producers and add a little entertainment, it drew attention from passersby. Since then, the crowds and chute numbers in the arena have increased.

“I was always impressed by the innovation,” the Nebraska native says. “The improvements are unbelievable in handling livestock.”

Jeffrey returns to moderate the live cattle-handling exhibition as part of this year’s new BEEF Showcase at Husker Harvest Days, which encompasses the entire northwest quadrant of the showgrounds.

Beef producers will find everything beef related from First Street to Fifth Street, including exhibitors and educational seminars.

Focus on beef production

It all starts with cattle with this year’s HHD theme of “Cattle. Crops. Community.” Western Nebraska is beef country. Jeffrey says that is why the live side-by-side cattle chute comparisons have become, over the years, such a mainstay for show visitors.

It allows beef producers to watch hydraulic and manual chutes in action and hear about the latest new technology. After the cattle leave the arena, many step inside the arena to visit with company representatives and get a feel for their favorites.

Jeffrey praises the chute operator for making safety during the demonstrations a high priority for the animals and the crowd.

Cattle-handling demonstrations will take place twice daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Brockman writes from Lincoln, Neb.