With the addition of Jefferson County, there are now 13 counties certified as Livestock Friendly in the state, including: Adams, Box Butte, Dawes, Deuel, Garden, Hitchcock, Keith, Lincoln, Morrill, Sheridan, Wayne, and Webster Counties.

“In seeking this designation, these county officials have demonstrated their commitment to rural economic development and agriculture,” Gov. Heineman said. “The Livestock Friendly program recognizes the positive economic impact the livestock industry has on communities across our state. Our livestock producers represent approximately 56 percent of agricultural receipts in Nebraska, so we know the important impact of this industry on the ability of Nebraska’s economy to grow. The Livestock Friendly designation is a sign that counties are ready to pursue new opportunities in agribusiness.”

Gov. Heineman presented the Livestock Friendly designations to Jefferson County Board of Commissioners Tony Liken, Marvin Yost and Michael Dux. The county will also receive road signs bearing the program logo to display along highways. The program is coordinated by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA).

To apply for a livestock friendly designation, a county must hold a public hearing, secure a declaration acknowledging the importance of livestock to the well-being of the county, submit a narrative that describes how the county meets the intent of the Livestock Friendly County program, and provide copies of the documents and regulations associated with site-selection criteria for livestock operations in a given county, if applicable.

Additional information about the Livestock Friendly County program is available by contacting NDA toll free at 800-422-6692, or by visiting the NDA website at http://www.agr.ne.gov and clicking the Livestock Friendly County box.