Press Release
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03) announced David Briggs, CEO of Sustainable Beef in North Platte, as his distinguished guest at this year’s State of the Union address.
“Nebraska is the Beef State, and nowhere is that more evident than in the Third District, where we lead the nation in cow-calf production. I’m proud to recognize our state’s leading economic industry by welcoming David Briggs, CEO of Sustainable Beef in North Platte, as my State of the Union guest. Sustainable Beef is a rancher-owned processing plant built by producers who wanted more control over their product and a stronger future for their families and communities. “That same principle of empowering hardworking Americans with more control over their livelihoods has guided my work in Congress. Over the past year, I have advanced policies aimed at cutting red tape, expanding market access, strengthening domestic processing, and supporting the producers who feed and fuel our nation. David represents the very best of Nebraska’s grit, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit, and I’m honored that he accepted my invitation.”
BACKGROUND: David Briggs was raised on a diversified farm and ranch and has spent nearly 40 years supporting producers and strengthening the agricultural industry. As CEO of Sustainable Beef in North Platte, he is leading the development of a rancher-owned, producer-focused processing facility in the heart of the Nebraska Sandhills, home to some of the world’s finest cattle. Sustainable Beef brings cattlemen and investors together in a vertically integrated model designed to expand processing capacity, strengthen the supply chain, and better align producers with retailers and consumers. Following their grand opening in March of 2025, Sustainable Beef now employs 1,000 people and processes 1,500 cattle a day. This new state-of-the-art facility is projected to drive $1.2 billion in economic activity annually, benefiting communities and families across Nebraska.