Gerald BeattieJesse Gerald Beattie

Jesse Gerald Beattie was born June 20, 1918 at Sumner, Nebraska to Francis and Mayme Beattie.  He was the oldest of four children which included his brother, Howard, and sisters Mary Ellen and Wilma Jean.  He graduated from Sumner High School in 1936, farmed with his father for two years, then enrolled at the University of Nebraska where he was in ROTC program.  Gerald graduated from the Ag College in 1942 and then served 3 ½  years in the Army.  Gerald was married to Lt. Mattie (Army) Armstrong in London, England in May of 1945.  Army met Gerald while she was a 1st Lt. Army Nurse.

They returned to Nebraska where Gerald worked with the Soil Conservation until 1948 when they bought the 320 acre farm near Sumner.  The farm has since expanded to about 3,000 acres, along with cattle and hog operations known as F.L. Beattie, Inc. and Hamlot Inc.  The family corporation was formed in 1960 and today includes sons Jeff and George.  Jeff has the cattle and George the swine.

Gerald, described as an innovator in the pork industry, has experimented with various feeding techniques and operations.  The Beatties currently use a feeding system that adds water to the feed.  He also utilizes various types of buildings, floors and slats, and refuse systems in his growing operation.  Beattie, Inc. produces 7000 pigs per year.  Beatties farm 700 acres of irrigated corn and alfalfa.

Since Gerald can rely on his sons and other employees to maintain the farm and it's operations, he is able to concentrate on serving the pork industry by devoting time to travel to meetings and working for both the state and national pork organizations.  Gerald was one of the founders of the Nebraska Pork Producers Council and served as President 1968-1969.  He was elected to the Executive Board of NPPC in 1970 and was Vice President in 1972.  He served as the NPPC president from 1974-1976.  The Beattie family continues to play an active role in the state and national pork organizations.

Gerald has been very active in many local and state organizations.  He has served on the Boards of the Dawson County Livestock Feeders Association, Farm Bureau, Dawson County Soil Conservation, American Baptist Churches of Nebraska and the Sumner, Eddyville and Miller schools.  He is also affiliated with the Dawson County Sparerib Club, Top Farmers of American, American Legion, Nebraska Swine Seminar and Sumner Baptist Church.

Gerald was active in organizing the Sumner and Eddyville Coops and in the redistricting of the Sumner, Eddyville and Miller Schools.  He has taught Sunday School for over 30 years and has worked with 4-H and Scouting programs.

Gerald served on the National Livestock and Meat Board from 1976-1979 and recently completed his term on the Multilateral Trade Negotiation Committee.  He has supported the University of Nebraska whole-heartedly through the NPPC and serves on the Medical Center Board of Councilers.

Gerald has been named a Top Ten Winner by the Nebraska Agri-Business Council, received an Agricultural Award from the Lincoln Agri-Business Awards, received the Nebraska Pork Chop award in 1966, was presented the Public Service to Agriculture award from the Nebraska Agri-Business club in 1974 and was honored at the 1980 American Pork Congress by the National Hog Farmer for Outstanding Service to the Pork Industry.