(West Point, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman today announced the official designation of Cuming County as Nebraska's newest Livestock Friendly County. With the addition of Cuming County, there are now 18 counties designated as Livestock Friendly through the state program, including: Adams, Box Butte, Dawes, Deuel, Gage, Garden, Grant, Hitchcock, Jefferson, Keith, Lincoln, Morrill, Saline, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, Wayne, and Webster Counties.

"In receiving this designation, Cuming County has shown it is committed to supporting the county's livestock industry and related economic development," said Gov. Heineman. "Being part of the Livestock Friendly program is a way to recognize the tremendous impact the livestock industry has on Main Streets and the local economy. It provides jobs for those working with animals and a marketplace for grain and hay producers, while also adding value to those products. With this designation, Cuming County has demonstrated it is open to agribusiness and the benefits that come from responsible livestock production."

Gov. Heineman presented the Livestock Friendly certificate to Cuming County Commissioners Clarence Tichota, John Ross, Leslie Ott, Steve Meister, Glen Wiechman, Steve Sill, and Judy Mutzenberger. The county will receive road signs bearing the program logo to display along highways. The program is coordinated by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.

Department of Agriculture Director Greg Ibach said the official designation makes a positive statement about Cuming County. Dir. Ibach stated, "It was clear from the submitted materials that Cuming County officials have given some purposeful thought to supporting the livestock industry."

To apply for a livestock friendly county designation, the county board must hold a public hearing and pass a resolution to apply. A completed application is then submitted to Department of Agriculture for review. Local producers or community groups can encourage their county board to submit a livestock friendly county application.

Additional information on the Livestock Friendly County program is available by contacting NDA toll free at 800-422-6692, or by visiting the Department of Agriculture website at www.agr.ne.gov and clicking the Livestock Friendly County link.