The Federation of State Beef Councils adopted a charter that details its financial and decision-making independence from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).
The 12-point “Federation Charter of Principles” details independent functions, such as financial practices, while also retaining beneficial business ties the two entities have shared during their 15-year relationship. A Federation Structure Working Group drafted the charter in response to a resolution passed by Federation directors at the summer 2010 cattle industry conference.
“The board gave us the job of finding a way to better communicate how we operate independently from NCBA, without ending our long partnership,” said Scott George, a Wyoming dairy and beef producer who chaired the Federation in FY 2010 and led the working group. “This charter spells all that out in black and white, so our intentions and operations are transparent to our fellow beef producers and stakeholders.”
Listen or download my interview with Scott about the Federation here: Interview with Scott George
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.
I’ve talked with David a couple of times over the past year for the Missouri Beef Industry Council about the Federation structure. He says the Federation spent a good deal of time working on this charter to clarify their role, but there is still some work to be done. “We need the framework and then we have to put the details in that,” he said.
Listen or download some comments from David Dick about the Federation charter here: David Dick
2011 Cattle Industry Convention Photos
See more coverage on BeltwayBeef.org.
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 
Karl Rove helped the 
The proposed GIPSA regulations and the impact of the recent Eastern Livestock bankruptcy case were the top issues on the agenda for the 
“I would tell any cattle producer today, there’s nothing wrong with writing contracts, they’re not hard,” she told me. However, she acknowledges that goes against the grain of the people in this business. “The handshake is the hallmark of the cattle industry,” she said. “For the vast majority of them, they’re honest and hardworking and their word is their honor.”