Chris Abbott is a fifth generation cattle rancher from Gordon, Nebraska and currently co-manages the family’s commercial cow-calf operation in Cherry County with his brother, Mike.  Chris is the 2012 Affiliate Director on the USCA Board of Directors.  He is also past President of Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska and is in his second year of a four year term with the Nebraska Beef Council.

Chris says his wife, Kim, is a constant helpmate on the ranch with Chris and she’s a full time grandmother to their five grandchildren.  Abbott’s children are A.J., Alicia and Carver - all of whom are married.  A.J. is a corporate pilot when not home helping with the ranching chores.  Alicia and her husband are employed with a Sandhills ranching family in the Thedford, Nebraska area, and Carver and his wife are employed with Abbott Cattle Co.

Chris recently attended an overseas tour with USMEF (U.S. Meat Export Federation) staff, along with several other ag oriented producers from across the midwestern states.  Countries toured were South Korea, China and Hong Kong.  Chris says they were given a first-hand look at the USMEF marketing efforts in the retail, foodservice, processing and distribution sectors.  With the huge population in these countries and the U.S-Korea Free Trade Agreement now in full swing, the future for U.S. beef being exported to this part of the world is very good.  Lower cuts of U.S.beef are in high demand and the Asian consumers are becoming very accustomed to the quality, stability and consistency of U.S. beef.  The fact that U.S. beef checkoff dollars cannot be used to promote and advertise our own product in the U.S. is a large concern to Chris because of the global market we are now living in.

Abbott says serving on the USCA board and representing affiliates is an honor and privilege. “Having a national organization that concentrates mainly on representing the independent producer sector of our industry is invaluable, especially with the issues and the industrial model our cattle and beef industry is confronted with today.  The hands on representation that USCA has in Washington D.C., along with the fly-ins is something we as independent cattlemen really need to take advantage of.  Passing on the history, the heritage, and this great way to make a living and raise a family to the next generation will be hard to accomplish otherwise.”