Joe Schuele and Grace Webb, NCBA, say hello from the news center at the Reno/Sparks Convention Center where the Cattle Industry Convention is getting kicked off.

I really didn’t expect anyone to be there working early this morning but there they were with the media room all set up and hot food and coffee. It did start out at a chilly 17 degrees here this morning. Most of the activities will take place at the convention center but some of the Beef Board meetings I’m covering are at the Grand Sierra Resort where I’m staying.

I did a short interview with Joe and Grace to find out what the main issues are and what ag journalists can expect when they attend this year’s convention. For one thing Joe says our new U. S. Secretary of Ag Ed Schafer will be speaking on Friday.