The 2011 Cattle Industry Convention wrapped up on Saturday in Denver for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) with a new slate of officers and a new vision for the future. The industry unanimously voted to approve the new Beef Industry Long Range Plan with a vision statement of “An industry united around a common goal of being the world’s most trusted and preferred source of beef and beef products.”
Bill Donald, a third generation, pony-tailed Montana rancher, was officially elected as president of the NCBA. Bill says putting the long range plan into motion is the organization’s first order of business this year. “We’re going to have an executive committee meeting in about three weeks and make sure our strategic plan is aligned with the long range plan and then we’re going to get to work and get that implemented,” he said. Like anything else, meeting the goals of the plan will require funding, and Bill says NCBA is prepared to meet that challenge. “We passed a resolution to increase total revenue, both checkoff and non-checkoff, to have $150 million annually. That’s about double from where it is right now.”
NCBA doubled its individual dues to $100 last year and lost some members as a result, but still ended up with more dollars at the end of the year. “We just have to have an outreach program and show them the value of a $100 membership,” he said. “That’s only a little less than $2 a week. HSUS asks for $19 a month and all we’re asking for is $2 a week, and we have to go head to head with them.”
Listen or download my interview with Bill here: Interview with Bill Donald
J.D. Alexander, cattle feeder/farmer from Nebraska, moved up from vice president to NCBA president-elect at the conclusion of the business meeting. J.D. says the cattle industry is in a good position right now as far as profitability is concerned. “We’re very optimistic and from the CattleFax information at the convention, our market is still on the right track and doing well,” he said, adding that NCBA’s top priority will continue to be looking out for producer interests on the national level.
J.D. is hopeful that the future will bring more unity within the cattle industry. “We’re in a minority here and you cannot have your own organizations within your industry not working together,” he said. “I think it’s imperative that we all somehow work things out. We’re not going to agree on all items, but my wife and I don’t always agree on everything either and we’re still married!”
Listen or download my interview with J.D. here: Interview with J.D. Alexander
Scott George, a dairy and beef producer from Wyoming was elected as the new vice president for NCBA, switching over from leadership within the Federation of State Beef Councils where he just finished a year as chairman. He is optimistic that a unified beef cattle industry can accomplish all that is in the long range plan and more. “If we all can figure out where we fit in this and start working together, the industry will prosper,” he said. “We’re at a cross roads where the industry can really move forward in the next few years.”
Listen or download my interview with Scott here: Interview with Scott George, NCBA VP
2011 Cattle Industry Convention Photos
See more coverage on BeltwayBeef.org.
They say that nothing is sure in life except death and taxes, so you should be prepared for a combination of both in the end. 
Another sure thing for agricultural producers in this day and age is environmental regulations and one of the latest is the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) plan to implement the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) rule. 
The 
Scott has switched hats now as he was elected to be vice president of NCBA. The new chairman of the Federation is David Dick, a cow-calf producer from Sedalia, Missouri. 
The last business conducted during the Board of Directors meeting of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board was the electing of new officers. The nominating committee announced their slate and a vote passed their nominations.
At the Cattle Industry Convention a lot of work gets done but there are social enjoyment opportunities. At this year’s convention that included the Cowboy Comedy Club and comedian Larry The Cable Guy. Larry was funny I don’t care who you are. He got ‘r done.
The now, just past, Chairman of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board is Dan Dierschke, Texas, pictured being interviewed in the media room at the Cattle Industry Convention. One of the officer duties is to be available to the media during the summer meeting and annual convention. Hopefully, it’s a mostly enjoyable task!
During the CBB Update Session at the Cattle Industry Convention Tom Ramey, CEO, gave his management report. He started out by saying that as a new year begins with new members coming onto the board, he can’t imagine any that will work any harder than those he’s had the honor to serve this past year. Tom says that some CEO’s are drivers of change in their organization and forces to be reckoned with. He, however, sees himself as a servant leader, serving all beef producers across the country. He believes he’s put together a professional staff that he’s extremely proud of and thinks producers should be too.
Members of the new team of National Beef Ambassadors showed up at the Cattle Industry Convention. Pictured are (l-r) Kelli Fulkerson, Michigan, Jessica Sweet, California, Kristen Stufft, Pennsylvania and Austin Joyce, Texas. Not with us is Maddy Ruble, South Dakota. I interviewed them all together.
Government activities that affect cattle producers and cattle health were among the topics discussed at the