Temme's Lifetime Commitment to Many Types of Cattle

Temme now operates the family dairy with his wife, Mary, and son, John. The Temme family completed a new cross-ventilation free stall barn nearly a decade ago and have continued expanding their herd. Since then, Temme says he has slowly phased out from buying feeder cattle and focuses on dairy.

Temme is a past president of the Nebraska State Dairy Association, served on multi-state dairy boards and has been on his local milk co-op board for over 20 years. When an opening on the Nebraska Beef Council board of directors came open, Temme took the opportunity to represent dairymen within the state. Now in his second term and sixth year on the board, Temme says he has enjoyed his involvement in seeing the success of beef promotions via the checkoff. 

“For the nutrients you get in just a few ounces of beef, I wish consumers knew what a good buy it is, and that whether it is beef or dairy, farmers all take good care of their animals,” Temme said.

On a trade mission to Japan several years ago, Temme notes how important cuts of uncommon beef to the American diet are to some foreign countries, and the high demand for Nebraska beef.

“Once you’re on the board you see how much research goes into all we do, and the importance of far-reaching international beef promotions,” Temme said.

Research is the checkoff program Temme says has been most beneficial to the beef and dairy industries. That it is somewhere the Nebraska Beef Council can quantify a return because of the strong data foundation in place. 

He says that listening to in-depth research proposals and choosing how to spend checkoff dollars has been the most rewarding to him. 

“The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, vets our proposals before we see them. I’m proud to see how much of the research is done at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, or the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center.”

Temme says he hopes that beef and dairy producers across Nebraska know what a great deal the beef checkoff affords them. He recalls a saying from his father from when the checkoff began that, “If you want to promote your product, you’ve got to pay up.” The saying sticks with Temme to this day as dairy and beef promotion is second nature to Temme, as he follows in his father’s footsteps in promoting dairy for 30+ years. 

Temme now serves as the district three seat, representing producers from Cedar, Dixon, Dakota, Pierce, Wayne, Thurston, Madison, Stanton, Cuming and Burt counties.