“Conventional wisdom is that ranching isn't very profitable and that survival relies on appreciating land values, off-farm income and even then, not paying ourselves a competitive wage,” said Dave Pratt, president, Ranch Management Consultants, Inc.

In a series of seminars co-sponsored by the Nebraska Cattlemen Integrated Resource Management Committee and UNL Extension, Pratt will discuss characteristics of highly profitable ranch businesses. He will also help participants find strategies that will increase their profits and sustainability.

The seminars will outline three ways to increase profits: reduce overhead costs, improve gross margin per unit and increase turnover. Participants will learn to apply these three strategies to their own operations by working more closely with nature.

Seminars are scheduled:

• Sept. 11, at the Buffalo County Extension Office, 1400 East 34th St., Kearney 2:00 – 7:00 p.m.

• Sept. 12, Holt County Court House Annex, 128 N. 6th St., O'Neill, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

• Sept. 12, Thomas County Fairgrounds, Hwy 2 & Hwy 83, Thedford, 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.

• Sept. 13, Box Butte County Extension Office, 415 Black Hills St., Alliance, Noon – 4:00 p.m.

Security First Bank of Thedford will sponsor the evening meal at the Thomas County Fairgrounds. Sponsors have not yet been announced for meals at the other locations.

Each seminar will cost $50 per person or $60 per couple. To reserve your space in the Buffalo County seminar, call Brent Plugge, Extension Educator at (308) 236-1235. For Holt County, call Terry Gompert, Extension Educator at (402) 288-5611; for Thomas County, call Bethany Johnston, CSA Extension at (308) 645-2267 or (800) 657-2113; and for Box Butte County, call Aaron Berger, Assistant Extension Educator at (308) 235-3122 or Melody Benjamin, Nebraska Cattlemen at (308)-762-3005.

The Nebraska Cattlemen association serves as the spokesman for the state's beef cattle industry and represents professional cattle breeders, ranchers and feeders, as well as 46 county and local cattlemen's associations. Its headquarters are in Lincoln and second office in Alliance serves cattlemen in western Nebraska.