A pre-veterinary student from Columbus was awarded the coveted $10,000 Beef State Scholarship at the annual mid-year Nebraska Cattlemen convention held in Broken Bow this past week. Elisabeth Loseke is a junior at the University of Nebraska, pursuing an Animal Science degree with an Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship minor. Loseke plans to apply to UNL/Iowa State University professional program of veterinary medicine.

BEEF STATE SCHOLAR: Elisabeth Loseke, Columbus, accepted the coveted Beef State Scholarship at the annual NC mid year convention in Broken Bow this past week.

"I look out over this room and I see how cattle producers are invested in their communities," Loseke said upon accepting the award at the NC Research and Education Foundation luncheon. She cited the integrity of the people in beef production and agriculture. "That's what it will take to feed nine billion people by 2050," Loseke said. "I am amazed by the selflessness of cattle producers." Loseke talked about her own plans to be a part of the industry by becoming a veterinarian. She followed her comments by offering a new syringe and her own services in assisting in processing cattle which were auctioned off, with funds donated back to the scholarship program.

The Beef State Scholarship program was established in 2014 to support outstanding junior, senior or graduate level Nebraska resident students enrolled in a Nebraska college or university pursuing a beef industry related degree.

FUTURE OF BEEF PRODUCTION: Thirty-four youths in all accepted $42,500 in scholarships at the NC Foundation luncheon.

Including Loseke's award, NC Foundation president, Jeff Heldt, Scottsbluff, awarded a total of $42,500 through 34 scholarships during the luncheon. These were selected from 120 applicants. Funds for the scholarships are raised annually through named memorials and 164 steers donated through the Retail Value Steer Challenge. Heldt noted that the program has been building for 17 years. "Ten years ago we offered eight scholarships worth $8000," Heldt said. "Today, you can see how it has just grown over the years."

Other scholarship winners included: Jayde Atkins, Broken Bow; McKenzie Beals, Friend; Sheldon Beierman, Albion; Heather Bentley, Miller; Michael Borgelt, Wisner; Krista Carter, Alliance; Shaun Christen, Anselmo; Kailey Conway, Campbell; Eric Coufal, Howells; Hannah Esch, Unadilla; John Essink, Syracuse; Gavin Harsh, Bartley; Jeremy Henkel, Campbell; Eric Klitz, West Point; Kate Knobbe, West Point; Eric Leisy, Wisner; Libbi Loos, Litchfield; Kelsey Phillips, Mullen; John Radil, Comstock; Kara Riggle, Endicott; Railen Ripp, Kearney; Savannah Schafer, Nehawka; Ryan Schroeder, Wisner; David Schuler, Bridgeport; Hannah Settje, Raymond; Ashtyn Shrewsbury, Alliance; Christina Sindelar, Wisner; Miles Stagemeyer, Page; Alex Stocker, Grand Island; Ali Stout, Burwell; Collin Thompson, Eustis; Andrea Wach, Wauneta; and Eleanor Wagner, Petersburg.

You can learn more at the Nebraska Cattlemen website at nebraskacattlemen.org.