Late spring is always a time for cattlemen and women across Nebraska to come together and talk beef, markets and grazing. It is also a time for networking and important fellowship.

For many producers, these important meetings offer learning opportunities and a chance to meet up with old friends. Here are two upcoming events:

1. Sandhills Cattle Association. The Sandhills Cattle Association, organized in the late 1930s, brings together cattle producers and feeders from across the 19,300 square miles of Nebraska’s Sandhills for the group’s annual summer convention, set for May 26-27 in Atkinson, Neb.

SCA’s 25th annual golf classic kicks things off May 26, with 18 holes of golf at the Atkinson Stuart Golf Course. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., and tee time is at 10 a.m. This is a four-person scramble with a shotgun start.

As a bonus, there is a $10 buy-in for a $10,000 hole-in-one contest, and supper is provided. There is a limit to 18 teams, so register early by visiting sandhillscattle.com.

The SCA 83rd annual convention and trade show starts at noon May 27 at the Atkinson Community Center. Featured speakers this year include “Shark Farmer” Rob Sharkey and well-known beef writer and speaker Amanda Radke.

After welcoming remarks, the scheduled program starts with a talk by Scott Ruzicka, Suther’s Feed, followed by other sessions by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and the Nebraska Brand Committee. Judging of the popular Pen of Three competition also takes place in the afternoon.

At 3:30 p.m., Radke, a fifth-generation rancher from Mitchell, S.D., takes the stage. Radke travels across the country weaving humor, personal stories and timely agriculture topics into her presentations.

The rest of the afternoon includes an ice cream social and the annual SCA membership meeting and announcement of scholarship winners, before Rob Sharkey, “the Shark Farmer,” takes the main stage. Sharkey is not your average Illinois grain farmer. A speaker, podcaster and agriculture influencer, Sharkey brings his no-nonsense antics to the stage for SCA.

After supper and the scholarship benefit auction, Twin Rivers Band takes the stage for a dance to cap the evening. In addition to the speaker schedule, participants always enjoy a large trade show throughout the afternoon.

Learn more about how to register for the annual SCA convention at sandhillscattle.com.

2. Nebraska Cattlemen. The Nebraska Cattlemen midyear meeting is set for June 9-10 in Valentine. Things kick off at 11 a.m. June 9 with a golf tournament at Frederick Peak Golf Club, a unique 10-hole course located along Minnechaduza Creek in Valentine.

For those not interested in golfing, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. there also will be area industry tours scheduled, beginning at the Cherry County Fairgrounds and traveling to Cody to visit small businesses such as George Paul Gourmet Vinegars and concluding at Niobrara Valley Vineyard in Nenzel.

A third option on June 9 is a floating excursion with Brewers Canoers and Tubers for those who want to take part in a float trip down the Niobrara River. The Nebraska Beef Ambassadors Contest takes place that same afternoon, followed by a welcome reception at the Cherry County Event Center at the fairgrounds.

On June 10, Valentine High School serves as headquarters for committee meetings and information sessions throughout the day, with the annual Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Luncheon at noon in the high school gymnasium.

There are several packages available for members and nonmembers to buy in order to take part in the activities. If you are interested, go online for details and prices at nebraskacattlemen.org.