Cattlemen of All Ages Attend NCBA Convention and Trade Show
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) annual convention and trade show again garnered the interest of the cattle industry with approximately 5,300 people attending the annual event in Phoenix, AZ. The convention and trade show, which ran from January 28th through the 31st, included an expansive trade show, meetings which established policy and checkoff direction for the future and re-established personal and business relationships among fellow cattle producers and industry leaders.
The NCBA board of directors and annual membership meeting elected new leadership for the upcoming year. Gary Voogt of Mich. was officially elected to succeed Andy Groseta as NCBA president in 2009. Member-led meetings also resulted in a number of policy directives and recommendations for 2009.
In the area of Cattle Health and Well Being, members engaged in a productive conversation with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regarding an updated and workable approach to animal disease programs, particularly bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis. They also discussed the severe exacerbation of disposal issues producers are already experiencing due to the enhanced feed ban, months before it even goes into effect. Finally, members reaffirmed the industry’s commitment to humane care and handling of cattle.
The Federal Lands committee members resolved to encourage local, state, and federal agencies to consider livestock grazing as the first solution for fuel load reduction in order to reduce wildfire potential and improve livestock and wildlife habitat.
Agricultural Policy members resolved to oppose the Employee Free Choice Act and any other effort that would take away an employee’s right to privacy. Specifically, the resolution expresses opposition to: allowing a Card Check system instead of secret ballot voting to organize a union; forcing collective bargaining upon businesses and their employees; and requiring forced arbitration to determine wages and benefits without ratification vote by employees.
Also under agriculture policy, members voted to amend current policy with respect to the Beef Checkoff Program to allow promotion of U.S. beef and ensure the program remains fair, cost-efficient, and coordinated in order to achieve long range goals.
With regard to international markets policy, members resolved to increase the age restriction for trade with Japan from 20 months to 30 months.The currentage restriction into Japan is limiting American producers to about 25% of our potential sales there, which means U.S. beef producers arestill missing out on $1 billion in exports annually.
All policies adopted are now subject to approval by more than 30,000 NCBA members nationwide. Convention results will become official after a mail-in ballot process concludes in March.
Members also voted on new officers for the upcoming year. In addition to Voogt’s election as president, Steve Foglesong of Ill. was chosen asNCBA president-elect, and Bill Donald of Mont. was elected as NCBA’s Vice President. Becky Walth of South Dakota was elected as a Federation Division Representative to the Beef Promotion Operating Committee.
The NCBA convention also included the 16th annual Cattlemen’s College which was attended by more than 700 cattlemen. The college offered more than 20 sessions, covering all aspects of cattle production and marketing. Among the topics addressed were animal handling, measuring feed efficiency, range and pasture monitoring systems, cost management strategies, and beef fabrication to enhance beef’s value. Session presenters included experts in a wide variety of cattle and meat industry areas.For those who were unable to attend the sessions, summaries are provided at the Cattle Industry Learning Center at http://www.cattlelearningcenter.org/.
The newly created Young Producers Council held its first meeting at this year’s convention. The YPC was created in 2008, and is open to members ages 18 to 35. It is intended to promote youth participation in both the beef industry and NCBA.
Newly elected YPC Chairman Dustin Dean of Texas said that the top three goals of the YPC would be decreasing the average age of NCBA membership by recruiting young members, creating an attractive environment within NCBA for youth involvement, and developing YPC as a strong and influential voice within NCBA. Already, the YPC is seeing substantial interest from young people in the cattle industry. On the social networking site Facebook, the group has more than 800 members.
The annual NCBA Convention and Trade show again succeeded at bringing industry producers and business leaders together to share ideas, learn new technology and increase understanding and cooperation among the industry.