The Bruntz’ helped shape Nebraska’s beef industry by utilizing a diligent work ethic in their business approaches. Not only leaving a footprint in Nebraska, David and Ann participated in agricultural trade missions throughout Asia and South America. This “power couple” played a pivotal role in promoting Nebraska beef and were the type of confident volunteer leaders every organization wanted on their team.
David D. Bruntz and Ann K. Ramm met while attending the University of Nebraska’s School of Technical Agriculture in Curtis. Dave majored in Production Agriculture and Ann in Veterinary Technology. They both were very interested in the agriculture industry, but their love for agriculture started right out of the womb.
Dave grew up on a family farm near Friend, Nebraska where he loved feeding cattle with his father, Dwaine, and tagging along to the stockyards in St. Joe and Omaha.
Ann was raised on a family ranch near Stuart, Nebraska where she enjoyed helping on the ranch, showing her calves and riding horses, while participating in many 4-H activities.
After they graduated from college, Dave and Ann were united in marriage on July 10, 1971. They started their life together in Friend and began their farming operation—Bruntz Farming & Feeding, Inc. The farm consisted of corn, soybeans, milo, alfalfa and cattle, and involved Dave’s brother Bill, sister-in-law Brenda, and nephew Alan. Also during that time, Dave joined the Nebraska National Guard based in York, Nebraska, and served for many years.
In addition to his experience running cows, feeding cattle and farming, Dave has gained perspective from serving in several key volunteer leadership service positions, including chairman of the Nebraska Cattlemen Farmer/Stockman Council, and president of the Nebraska Cattlemen Research and Education Foundation. He is also a past president of the Exeter Feeders and Breeders and has served on the ag policy and resolutions committees of both the Nebraska Cattlemen and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), including service on the NC Merger Task Force. On the national level, Dave has participated in the Young Cattlemen’s Conference, Texas Beef 706 course, and the NCBA Leadership Institute. Dave was Region 7 Vice President for NCBA and also the Cattlemen’s tour representative.
Ann’s volunteer leadership in the beef industry has had major impact as well. She served as president of the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Research & Education Foundation, as well as Chairman and board member for two terms of the Nebraska Beef Council. She served as President of both the Nebraska Livestock Feeders Auxiliary and the Nebraska Cattlewomen. In 1999 Ann served as Treasurer for the National Beef Cookoff which was held in Omaha, and in 2003 Ann was honored with the Nebraska Cattlewomen of the Year award.
On the national level Ann has been involved with the American National Cattlewomen, Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion Board, Issues Management Committee Chairman, Public Relations Committee Chairman, and Cattlemen’s Beef Board Operating Committee.
Dave and Ann are also very involved in many other organizations, including the Nebraska Agribusiness Club, Agriculture Builders of Nebraska, Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement, Farmers Union Cooperative, Friend Chamber of Commerce, and Friend United Methodist Church. Both have served in many capacities for these organizations. Dave was the founding member and President of the Friend Area Fund. He also serves on the Friend Community Redevelopment Committee. Dave was appointed to the Nebraska Corn Development Board in July 2013. He has served as Treasurer and now Vice Chairman of the Corn Board. Both were inducted into the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Hall of Fame in 2013. Ann was honored with the Engler Medal for her work the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program, the UNL Rodeo Club Gold Buckle Award, the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) Alumni Association Service Award, and both were awarded the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) Outstanding Alumni Award. Ann and Dave are both recipients of the Exeter Feeders & Breeders Achievement Award.
Ann currently is a member and past president of the Kregel Windmill Advisory Board in Nebraska City. She was appointed in December 2017 to the Nebraska State Historical Society Board of Trustees and was recently elected secretary of the Agriculture Builders of Nebraska.
Two annual fundraising events hold a special place in the Bruntz’ hearts – the Nebraska Cattlemen Beef Pit Committee and the Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska. Dave and Ann served as members of the Beef Pit Committee for over ten years, helping plan and execute the 10-day run of the Beef Pit restaurant at the Nebraska State Fair each year, and Dave was a founding member of the committee. The Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska is an annual event that is held at a different ranch or farm each year to raise cancer awareness and as a fundraiser for cancer research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Ann served as Executive Secretary for the Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska Advisory Board from 1999-2006, and then as a member of the Ball Advisory Board until 2017.
Dave and Ann not only spend time promoting beef in Nebraska and the United States, they have also spent time sharing information about beef, corn, and agriculture to those outside our borders. They were members of trade missions to Hong Kong, China, Japan, Argentina, and Panama. They continue to share the joys of agriculture around the world, most recently having become involved with the UNL CASNR Undergraduate Scholarship Program, developing the next generation of Rwandan agricultural leaders, and opening their home and farm to many visits with the students.
Travel continues to fill spare time as Dave and Ann slowly move out of everyday agriculture. Ann is an ambassador with “Women of Nebraska,” a travel group that just launched.
In 1997 the Nebraska beef industry was privileged to have Dave serve as President of Nebraska Cattlemen and Ann as President of Nebraska Cattlewomen, during which this “power couple” played a pivotal role in helping Nebraska Cattlemen and Cattlewomen be the voice of the Nebraska cattle industry, as well as promoting Nebraska as the beef epicenter. Those who worked alongside Dave and Ann said they were leaders with great confidence and strength, and they are true definitions of highly respected leaders.
Currently, Dave and Ann are part of the family farming operation near Friend, and Ann has retired from the University of Nebraska Foundation as the Senior Development Director for UNL’s world-renowned Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Dave and Ann are the proud parents of the late Julie Bruntz and the late Andrew Bruntz. After the loss of their son in 1997, the Nebraska Cattlemen Research and Education Foundation established an endowed fund, the interest from which provides $1,000 annually to a student in Animal Science at UNL/CASNR with an emphasis in beef production in memory of Andrew Bruntz. After the loss of Julie in 2016, they established the Bruntz Teaching Award at NCTA in her memory.
Grandchildren Sam and James McArtor and their family of Grant, Nebraska are also an integral part of their lives.
Dave and Ann are the type of leaders that every organization wishes to have. Diligent, steadfast, assertive, and yet humble as servant leaders, are just a few of the qualities that make this Nebraska couple such an asset to our agriculture. They are truly an inspiration to all those involved in making beef the center of the plate in an industry stewarding God’s resources for His people.
