Nebraska Panhandle News

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) celebrated the inauguration of a new Sustainable Beef processing facility. During a ribbon-cutting ceremony held last week, Ricketts addressed Nebraska media, expressing his views on the significance of the new facility.

“Sustainable Beef is a huge win for North Platte, for Nebraska, and for the entire beef industry,” Ricketts stated. He emphasized the broader impacts on the local community, saying, “Local businesses in North Platte are expanding. More families are moving in. This is what happens when we invest in agriculture. This is what value-added agriculture looks like. It’s taking our products and processing them to capture more of the economics.”

Ricketts also highlighted the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the risks of relying on foreign nations for essential supply chains. “The COVID-19 pandemic showed us how dangerous it is to depend upon Communist China for critical supply chains,” he said. “Without our farmers and ranchers, America would depend on other countries for the food we eat. That’s why facilities like Sustainable Beef are so important. They strengthen our economy, defend our way of life, and protect our domestic food supply chain. With the dedication of Nebraska’s producers, the future of our beef industry is bright.”

The senator reiterated Nebraska’s agricultural significance, noting, "Agriculture is the heart and soul of what we do in Nebraska." He shared that “One in four jobs in Nebraska is related to agriculture,” and emphasized the state's prominence in the beef industry, revealing that “Last year, Nebraska led the nation with over $2 billion in beef exports.”

The newly opened Sustainable Beef plant is expected to process around 1,500 head of cattle daily when fully operational, creating approximately 850 jobs and contributing $1 billion annually to the local economy. Ricketts praised the collaborative effort of Nebraskans in making this facility a reality.

Reflecting on the development of the plant, Ricketts shared that its inception began years ago from discussions with Nebraska cattle producers during his tenure as Governor. He told them that competition was key to addressing market challenges, which inspired the launch of Sustainable Beef.

Highlighting sustainability efforts, Ricketts asserted that "Nebraska ranchers already lead the way in sustainability," and assured that the plant would adhere to responsible production practices, underscoring the link between food security and national security.