Antelope County To Be Named 'Livestock Friendly'

The Antelope County Board of Supervisors moved to designate Antelope County "Livestock Friendly" at Tuesday's meeting.

The Nebraska Livestock Friendly County program is a voluntary program, started in 2003, that recognizes counties that actively support the livestock industry.

Directed by Nebraska Legislature, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture uses the program to assist counties and agricultural producers to promote the livestock industry.

The program was brought to the supervisors attention at a board meeting last month by two Antelope County residents who supported it.

The issue was heard at a public hearing last week and was continued Tuesday morning after several questions were raised about the program.

Supporter Robert Johnston, of Orchard, addressed the board answering some of those questions.

"The whole program is really set up to be a promotional, a program to promote the state, to promote the livestock industry," Johnston said.

Many local residents were also in attendance at the meeting in support of the Livestock Friendly program.

The board voted unanimously to sign the resolution and designate the county Livestock Friendly.