BUSINESS MEMO: SUMMIT SCHEDULED

A beef states summit will be held at Omaha July 9.

Experts from the beef industry will help officials from several states seek solutions for the troubled industry.

The meeting called by Gov. Ben Nelson to address the causes of the depressed beef market will feature a diverse group of panelists.

Nelson said low beef prices are hurting producers across the country, and to find solutions it is important to involve all the affected parties.

One panel will address domestic cattle supplies, including the ways meatpackers obtain cattle and meatpacker concentration issues. It will feature Jim Baker of the USDA Packers and Stockyards Division; Dale Cochran, Iowa secretary of agriculture; state Sen. M.L. "Cap" Dierks of Ewing; Alan Janzen of the Nebraska Cattlemen; John Lacey, National Cattlemen's Beef Association president; and Eddie Nichols of Wauneta of the USDA advisory committee on agricultural concentration.

A second panel will focus on the impact of international trade agreements on the U.S. cattle industry. Panelists include Lisa Hardy-Bass, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service; a representative from the Canadian Consulate; and an assistant U.S. trade representative.

A final panel will look at marketing strategies to increase domestic and international sales of U.S. beef. Members are Keith Dellaan, Beef America; Greg Ibach, Nebraska Beef Council; Jeff Pribbeno, Nebraska Cattlemen; Steve Sands, Standard Meats; Charles Schroeder, National Cattlemen's Beef Association; Stephen Simon, Omaha Steaks International; Larry Sitzman, Nebraska Department of Agriculture director; and Ron Willis, U.S. Meat Export Federation.

The daylong meeting is open to the public and no formal registration is required.