Dairy farmers welcome new executive director
Kris Bousquet takes leadership role with the Nebraska State Dairy Association.

Rod Johnson, longtime executive director of the Nebraska State Dairy Association and Nebraska division of Midwest Dairy, is retiring from his post this spring. After a legacy of hard work on behalf of dairy farmers, Johnson hands over the reins to a new guy.

Kris Bousquet from South Sioux City, Neb., became executive director in March. Bousquet was making the rounds in February at the Nebraska State Dairy Convention in Columbus, meeting dairy farmers from around the state and introducing himself to those in the dairy industry.

“I grew up on my family dairy at South Sioux City where my dad, Rick, and my uncle Robert are partners on our diversified operation,” Bousquet says.

“You could almost say that I was raised in the milking parlor,” he adds. “Along with my brother Tyler, we milked and did chores on weeknights and weekends during the school year, and during the summer, we did that every day.”

Along with serving as an aircraft mechanic with the Nebraska Air National Guard and serving the country in U.S. Air Force operations around the world, Bousquet also found time to obtain his bachelor’s degree in diversified agriculture from the University of Nebraska. He is now pursuing a master’s degree in animal welfare and behavior from UNL.

"I hope I can be a source of knowledge to consumers of dairy products on the science behind animal handling and comfort,” Bousquet says. “I started my civilian career in 2016, working for Dairy Farmers of America as a field representative in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. During my time with DFA, I was able to build relationships with farmers, state regulatory officials and other industry representatives in which I am lucky enough to keep working with in my new position with NSDA.”

Bousquet knows that Nebraska dairy farmers are a tight-knit group.

“As I continue to form new relationships with dairy farmers in the state, I can’t help but to feel at home with these great people, because it just feels like family,” he says. “As the consumer relationship to production agriculture is getting more distant, I hope to help people realize the great benefits of dairy products in their lives. I also hope to ensure that the dairy farmer’s voice is heard in our local and state government.”

He says that Nebraska dairy farmers have some advantages.

“Nebraska dairy farmers are vitally located in the middle of the country, which makes it easy to transport products north and south along Interstate 29, and east and west along Interstate 80,” he says. “This geographical location gives the processors of dairy a great logistical advantage as opposed to other surrounding states.”

Nebraska farmers also have an advantage of access to water and feed availability, with plenty of corn, soy and hay, making it easier to control input costs.

Bousquet married his wife, Michelle, last June. The couple makes their home in Lincoln, Neb. He says he is honored in his new role.

“Agriculture is our No. 1 industry, and dairy needs to continue to be at the table, discussing the changes and legislation that affect them,” Bousquet says. “I know how and why dairy farmers work as hard as they do, because I’ve walked in their shoes. Going forward, I will not forget where I come from and the interests of our dairy farmers.”

Kris can be contacted at 531-207-4291 or krisbousquet@NebraskaMilk.org.

Nebraska 4-H Dairy Judging expands opportunities
More than likely, the majority of you reading this article are familiar with dairy judging. Providing judging opportunities for 4-H youth can help grow their confidence and cultivate good character. As a result of learning how to judge, youth gain life skills such as communications, decision making and the art of defending their own decisions.
For Nebraska 4-H members the opportunity to compete at the state 4-H Dairy Judging Contest happens in August during the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island. In addition to judging competitively on a state level, 4-H members have a chance to represent Nebraska on a national level. Through the years, Nebraska has attempted to send a team to the National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest held during the World Dairy Exposition (EXPO) in Madison, Wisconsin. Although Nebraska will still compete nationally, the opportunity will vary from past. The new opportunities are highlighted below.
The goal of the changes is to provide a stronger framework that will better prepare our 4-H members representing Nebraska on a competitive level. As a result, the program will increase 4-H members’ dairy industry knowledge as well as influence the development of communication, decision-making, problem solving, self-discipline, self-motivation, teamwork, and organization.
NEBRASKA STATE 4-H DAIRY JUDGING - AWARDS AND TEAM REPRESENTATION:

1. The top four highest scoring Senior Division individuals will be selected to represent Nebraska at the following two contests that will alternate each year:

   1. Even Years: National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest held during the World Dairy Exposition (EXPO) in Madison, Wisconsin.

   2. Odd Years: Dairy Judging at the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) in Louisville, Kentucky.

2. If the top highest scoring Senior Division individuals are ineligible or unable to compete at NAILE or EXPO, the next highest scoring Senior Division individuals will be selected to compete on the Nebraska team (of four).

3. To be eligible for an invitation youth must have scored in the top 10 and received a purple ribbon. 

4. If a full team cannot be comprised within this criteria, Nebraska will not name a national team for this year.

5. To represent Nebraska at either NAILE or EXPO, 4-H members must have reached their 14th birthday and not passed their 19th birthday by January 1 of the current year.

6. Once a youth has competed at NAILE, they are ineligible to compete at NAILE again, but are still eligible to earn an opportunity to compete at EXPO should they qualify at a future state contest.

7. Once a youth has competed at EXPO, they are ineligible to compete at both the North American International Livestock Exposition and the National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest.

8. Final decisions regarding team invitations will be at the discretion of the Nebraska State 4-H Office and Contest Superintendent.

 For more information about the Nebraska State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest, go to: https://4h.unl.edu/fairbook/contests/dairy-judging or contact Tracy J. Behnken, Nebraska Extension Educator and 4-H Dairy Judging Contest Superintendent at tbehnken2@unl.edu