June Loseke is a cattle producer, feedlot owner and veterinarian in addition to being a wife, mother and grandmother. Yet she still finds time to give back to the industry. 

June grew up on a ranch in northern Nebraska before she went to veterinary school. There, she met her future husband, Ryan, and the couple was offered an opportunity to buy a small feedyard right before they were married. In the midst of last-minute wedding details, June agreed to get into the feeding business. June and Ryan married, became veterinarians and started their feedyard, and their new life, together in Columbus, Nebraska.

Both veterinarians, June and Ryan own a mixed-animal practice, provide feedlot and cow-calf consulting as well as own and operate Loseke Feedyard, which can hold up to 4,000 head of cattle. The couple also farms 1,700 acres of row crops, primarily corn to feed their steers. Efficiency is key when involved in so many aspects of the cattle business. 

“In order to do all those things well, we need to be efficient, so we consult with experts to help us utilize the resources we have in the region,” June said. “For example, we work with a nutritionist to balance all feedyard rations and source ingredients locally.”

Even though their plates are full with family and business responsibilities, June and Ryan find time to actively engage in cattle organizations at the local, state and national level. They are involved with the Platte Valley Cattlemen’s Association, Nebraska Cattlemen and NCBA. June has served on the Nebraska Beef Council for the last five years and is the current vice chair. 

June is also on the Research Checkoff Committee and has served as co-chair of the Stakeholder Engagement Checkoff Committee. She also serves as a Federation member of the Beef Promotion Operating Committee, which is responsible for creating plans and programs in the areas of promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing and producer communications. For June, the Federation of State Beef Councils continues to be vital because it is grassroots and brings the needs of farmers and ranchers to the conversation. 

“Being a real face and explaining that this is who I am, this is what I do. I am riding pens every morning. I am taking care of our cattle well. I am bringing the producer's voice to the table, that’s what it is all about,” June explained. “And because of what I know and what I'm hearing from producers in the country back home, I can tell them we are really working hard to stretch our resources as far as we can through promotion, research, education and safeguarding our amazing beef product.” {Hear from June.}

A cornerstone program in Nebraska is educating health professionals about beef’s nutritional profile. The Nebraska Beef Council works alongside cardiologists and cardiac nurses to raise awareness of how beef can be part of a healthy lifestyle. June appreciates the work of the Federation in bringing a positive story about beef and cardiac health.

“It is amazing what we can do with that one dollar per head,” June said. “Because of the Checkoff, and the partnership through the Federation of State Beef Councils, our investment has made beef king, and I just think what a great way to use our time, our resources and our dollar.”