Beef Checkoff Celebrates 35 Years

Cindy Zimmerman

It was 1986 when the beef cattle industry came together in an effort to help itself as prices were plummeting and consumer demand was flagging. A rancher from Wacahoota, Florida by the name of Jo Ann Smith was named as the first chair of the newly formed Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB).

Fast forward 35 years and today beef prices are near record high, and consumer and wholesale beef demand are both at 30-year highs. The phrases “Real Food for Real People” and “Beef It’s What’s for Dinner” have become iconic. And the price is still just $1 per head.

As part of the 35th anniversary celebration of the Beef Checkoff at the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in Nashville last week, CBB presented its first ever Checkoff Visionary Award to Jo Ann Smith.

“Jo Ann’s tenacity, hard work and leadership turned the dream of a Beef Checkoff into reality,” said Greg Hanes, CEO of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. “She has truly been a trailblazer, and all of us in the beef industry are grateful for what she has accomplished – not just in her role with the CBB, but also with the many other local, state and national beef industry organizations she’s been involved with over the years. Truly, there’s no one more deserving of our first Checkoff Visionary Award.”

CIC2021 Interview with Greg Hanes, CBB CEO 10:12

Jo Ann was not able to attend the convention this year, but we did have the opportunity to speak with her at the 2020 convention about her role in making the beef checkoff happen.
CIC2020 Interview with Jo Ann Smith, Former NCBA President 3:02

Watch the CBB video tribute to Jo Ann Smith


Cattle Industry Convention virtual news room.

2021 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

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Marty Smith Honored for Year as NCBA President

Cindy Zimmerman

To say that Florida rancher Marty Smith had an unusual year as president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is an understatement.

“It was damn tough,” said Smith during an interview at the Cattle Industry Convention last week in Nashville.

Smith was honored for his service to NCBA during the annual Board of Directors meeting, and he had the opportunity to address two of the general sessions, as well as accept the Cattlemen’s Beef Board first Checkoff Visionary Award, which went to his mother Jo Ann Smith, who was the first chair of the newly formed Cattlemen’s Beef Board in 1986.

CIC2021 Interview with Marty Smith, NCBA past president 6:20

Cattle Industry Convention virtual news room.

2021 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

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Good News in CattleFax Outlook at #CattleCon21

Cindy Zimmerman

The popular CattleFax Outlook Seminar, held as part of the 2021 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in Nashville, had some positive news for producers last week.

The beef cattle industry is bouncing back from the pandemic, and continued progress is expected in 2022. Beef prices are near record high, and consumer and wholesale beef demand are both at 30-year highs as the U.S. and global economy recover. While drought remains a significant concern with weather threatening pasture conditions in the Northern Plains and West, strong demand, combined with higher cattle prices, signal an optimistic future for the beef industry, according to CattleFax.

According to CattleFax CEO Randy Blach, the cattle market is still dealing with a burdensome supply of market-ready fed cattle. The influence of that supply will diminish as three years of herd liquidation will reduce feedyard placements. As this occurs, the value of calves, feeder cattle and fed cattle will increase several hundred dollars per head over the next few years.

Kevin Good, vice president of industry relations and analysis at CattleFax, reported that the most recent cattle cycle saw cattle inventories peak at 94.8 million head and that those numbers are still in the system due to the COVID-19 induced slowdown in harvest over the past year.

Read more here. Listen to interviews with Blach and Good here.

CIC2021 Interview with Randy Blach, CattleFax 4:39

CIC2021 Interview with Kevin Good, CattleFax 3:57

Cattle Industry Convention virtual news room.

2021 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

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Industry Ag News 8/13

Carrie Muehling

  • The Crop Production report issued by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) forecasted soybean and corn production up from 2020. Soybean production is up 5% from last year, forecast at 4.34 billion bushels; corn growers are expected to increase their production 4% from 2020, forecast at 14.8 billion bushels.
  • AgTech Insight is pleased to support the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit, an event connecting the global agri-food ecosystem on September 28-29.
  • The Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute invites you to the Water for Food Global Forum. The Forum is a virtual series of events held throughout October that will convene leading international experts, growers and organizations to focus on achieving global water and food security.
  • ASTA announces the hiring of Jordan Gregory as the association’s new Manager, Membership Engagement. Jordan comes to ASTA from the Texas Department of Agriculture where she served as a Policy Specialist. Gregory started with the ASTA team on August 2.
  • MachineryPete.com announced the launch of its new television show, “Machinery Pete TV Auction Edition.” The 30-minute program gives viewers an in-depth, inside look at featured tractors and farm equipment for sale on the upcoming Machinery Pete monthly online auctions. The first season premiered Tuesday, Aug 10, 2021, on RFD-TV, one week before the Machinery Pete August Auction set for August 17, 2021.
  • Case IH is partnering with Lee Brice, American country music singer and songwriter, as its newest brand ambassador. In celebration on Sept. 1, Case IH will present Lee Brice in concert, co-sponsored by Farm Progress Show, where Brice will debut his brand-new song “Farmer” in support of Case IH’s Built by Farmers campaign.
  • Culver’s announced the winners of its seventh annual FFA Essay Contest, which awards three students with funds for their FFA chapters. The FFA members chosen to receive $15,000 total from Culver’s to support educational initiatives are: First place ($7,500): Katlyn M., Clyde FFA in Clyde, Ohio; second place ($5,000): Gwen H., Cambria FFA in Randolph, Wisconsin; and third place ($2,500): Dilyn B., Elkmont FFA in Elkmont, Alabama.
  • Start making your plans to attend the 2021 NAFB Convention today. Join more than 650 agricultural industry leaders November 17-19 in Kansas City for three days of learning, newsmaker sessions, networking, and more.
  • GSI unveiled an updated brand identity and website. The changes reflect the brand’s commitment to helping make customers’ jobs easier and the work they do more profitable. The refreshed identity includes a modernized logo that evolved from the original to preserve the equity the brand has earned over nearly 50 years serving farmers and commercial grain operations all over the world.
  • The Association of Equipment Manufacturers announced that Dennis J. Slater will retire as AEM President, effective December 31, 2021. The AEM Board of Directors has selected AEM’s Senior Vice President, Construction & Utility Sector Megan Tanel to succeed Slater and serve as AEM President effective January 1, 2022.
  • As harvest begins across the country, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) reminds farmers about the importance of taking precautions to ensure treated seed does not enter the grain supply. ASTA and other stakeholder groups offer a variety of educational resources to assist those involved in the process of treating, handling, transporting, or planting treated seeds. To learn more, visit: seed-treatment-guide.com.
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NCBA Announces 2021 Beef Quality Assurance Award Winners

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association announced the winners of its 2021 Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Awards, sponsored by Cargill, during the final general session of the 2021 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show this week in Nashville.

The National BQA Awards annually recognize outstanding beef and dairy producers, marketers, and educators. Winners not only demonstrate high-quality animal care and handling principles as part of their day-to-day operations but express a strong desire to continually improve their operations through BQA.

2021 BQA Cow-Calf Award
Deseret Cattle & Citrus in St. Cloud, Florida

2021 BQA – FARM Dairy Award
Willow Behrer Farms, Spruce Creek, Pennsylvania

2021 BQA Feedyard Award
Imperial Valley Feeders, California

2021 Marketer BQA Award
The Livestock Exchange, LLC, a regional livestock auction market located in Brush, Colorado

2021 BQA Educator Award
Dr. Steve Boyles, Ohio State University

The National BQA Awards are funded in part by the Beef Checkoff program and sponsored by Cargill. To read more about each of the award winners’ operations, visit bqa.org/about/bqa-awards.

Find out more about the BQA program in this interview with NCBA Executive Director of Producer Education and Sustainability Josh White.
CIC2021 Interview with Josh White, NCBA BQA 4:23

Cattle Industry Convention virtual news room.

2021 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

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Development of NCBA Sustainability Goals

Cindy Zimmerman

From left: Jason Sawyer, Mike Williams, James Vaughn, Brantley Ivey, Ashley McDonald

The sustainability goals announced today by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) are the result of the efforts of a Sustainability Goals Task Force that was formed to evaluate the current state of U.S. beef cattle sustainability, determine which improvements are most critical and help share the story of progress.

Three members of this working group joined NCBA Senior Director for Sustainability Ashley McDonald and researcher Jason Sawyer to talk about the goals and how they were developed. Brantley Ivey from Virginia, James Vaughn from Georgia, and Mike Williams of California discussed the environmental, economic and social sustainability goals they helped to craft.

Listen here:
CIC2021 Sustainability goals press conference 26:30

Cattle Industry Convention virtual news room.

2021 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

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Cattle Industry Commits to Climate Neutrality by 2040

Cindy Zimmerman

Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) released U.S. cattle industry sustainability goals to set targets that can demonstrate to the world that already sustainable beef producers are committed to continued improvement.

The goals for the U.S. cattle industry include:

Demonstrate climate neutrality of U.S. cattle production by 2040.
Create and enhance opportunities that result in a quantifiable increase in producer profitability and economic sustainability by 2025.
Enhance trust in cattle producers as responsible stewards of their animals and resources by expanding educational opportunities in animal care and handling programs to further improve animal well-being.
Continuously improve our industry’s workforce safety and well-being.

“Cattlemen and women have demonstrated their commitment to sustainability for generations. They work tirelessly to protect the land, water and air resources in their care. Through countless improvements in genetics, grazing management, manure handling and the adoption of many other technologies, this is just the next step on our industry’s path,” said Marty Smith, a Florida cattleman and NCBA past president. “Producers deserve recognition for their use of cutting-edge practices and technologies that minimize environmental impact. By setting goals, we’re publicly committing to continuous improvement and setting targets that allow us to measure and document those efforts.”

These goals are the culmination of a grassroots, rancher-led process. The Sustainability Goals Task Force was formed in 2021 to evaluate the current state of U.S. beef cattle sustainability, determine which improvements are most critical and help share the story of progress. Members of this working group – cattle farmers and ranchers from across the U.S. – led the process and made all decisions, including setting the sustainability goals.

To learn more about the cattle industry’s sustainability goals, go to ncba.org/sustainability.

NCBA CEO Colin Woodall talks more about the sustainability focus of the industry in this interview.
CIC2021 Interview with Colin Woodall, NCBA CEO 4:05

Cattle Industry Convention virtual news room.

2021 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

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Precision Ag News 8/11

Carrie Muehling

  • AgLaunch and Farm Journal are pleased to open applications for the third Row Crop Challenge to select leading startup companies addressing the biggest problems in production agriculture. Applications are being accepted through September 6. Start-up companies who are interested in the AgLaunch365 accelerator can apply here.
  • John Deere has added the 6120EH Tractor to its lineup to meet the needs of high-value crop growers who require high clearance and reduced speeds to match the speed of field workers.
  • Precision Planting, LLC, a subsidiary of AGCO Corporation, announced an agreement to acquire the business and assets of Headsight, Inc., a leading precision agriculture harvesting solution company.
  • Be a part of the fun and enter the National Corn Growers Association National Corn Yield Contest by the August 18, 2021 deadline.
  • Bianca Moebius-Clune, PhD today joins American Farmland Trust and will lead AFT’s Farmers Combat Climate Change Initiative, which strives for a future where farmers and ranchers embrace regenerative management systems to combat climate change, build healthy soils, minimize greenhouse gas emissions, make operations more resilient to climate disruptions like drought, floods, and disease, and ultimately become more profitable, productive and viable. The initiative also works to protect farmland and promote compact growth, and to advance smart solar siting.
  • The non-profit Soil Health Academy announced that it has received a $1.2 million grant from global food company General Mills to provide education and assist wheat and oat producers in targeted regions of the U.S. and Canada as they transition from conventional agricultural practices to soil health-focused regenerative agriculture systems. The grant also funds a regenerative dairy project for several dairy producers in Wisconsin that supply to General Mills.
  • The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is accepting online applications for the 2022 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge through Aug. 20.
  • The Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute is pleased to invite you to the Water for Food Global Forum. The Forum is a virtual series of events held throughout October that will convene leading international experts, growers and organizations to focus on achieving global water and food security.
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Meister Media Pleased with Inaugural Tech Hub LIVE

Cindy Zimmerman

Attendees at the first-ever Tech Hub LIVE Conference & Expo addressed digital data-driven agriculture from all angles at the premier event. Nearly 600 agriculture and technology professionals gathered in-person last month for the first-ever Tech Hub LIVE Conference & Expo to gain actionable, practical knowledge and to connect with others across the entire precision community.

“No matter where you are on the precision agriculture journey, there were informative education sessions, innovative Tech Talks, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities to help you put innovation into practice,” says Paul Schrimpf, conference chair of Tech Hub LIVE and group editor of the Agribusiness Group at Meister Media Worldwide.

Attendance exceeded expectations, showing that the industry is excited to be meeting in person again. “We’re glad to be back together, knowing that those valuable relationship-building experiences happen over lunch, at a casual reception or field-day tour,” Schrimpf says.

“I think it’s a great turnout. I’m really impressed with the turnout of the ag retail sector and the ag technology industry. Some of the best players in the industry are here. This is a great event to really get the technology industry together, compare notes, and help each other understand what’s next,” Jason Weller, President, Truterra LLC, said during the event.

Sponsors and exhibitors supporting Tech Hub LIVE said the energy on the floor and connections forged made Tech Hub LIVE a unique opportunity. Consisting of over 70 booths across all agriculture technology sectors, the tradeshow floor showcased the latest products and solutions, along with demonstrating technologies and educating attendees.

“I’m really pleased to see the large turnout,” said Ernie Chappell, Founder and President, EFC Systems, Inc. “A good number of retailers and tech providers are here. As Tech Hub LIVE is the intersection of agriculture and technology, I’m very pleased to see that the crowd and the educational content is phenomenal.”

The education was practical, applicable and relevant, from addressing “The Top 10 Technologies You Need to Know Now” to topics related to recruiting, robotics, sensors, and operational efficiency.

“We started a new tradition with Tech Hub LIVE by introducing an event that cuts down industry silos and convenes precision agriculture professionals who share a common desire to advance their agronomic program and position their business for success in a digital age,” Schrimpf says. “With this successful debut, we look forward to building the momentum with Tech Hub LIVE 2022 and continuing to engage through the year the community of professionals that is committed to innovation in agriculture.”

See and hear a recap of the 2021 Tech Hub LIVE

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Colorado Ranch Receives Environmental Stewardship Award

Cindy Zimmerman

Beatty Canyon Ranch in Kim, Colo., was named the national winner of the 2020 Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) on Tuesday evening at the 2021 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in Nashville. The annual award recognizes the outstanding stewardship practices and conservation achievements of cattle producers.

Owned and operated by Steve and Joy Wooten and Brady and Arin Burnham, Beatty Canyon Ranch (BCR) manages 125,000 acres and has the fourth, fifth and sixth generations of land stewards involved in day-to-day operations. The ranch is a family and faith-based business with its focus on land, livestock, recreation and community.

“Judicious management of our natural resources has sustained the ranch through hardships across generations,” said Steve Wooten. “We are so honored to be recognized for our family’s efforts to preserve the environment, support communities and share our quality of life with others.”

Established in 1991, ESAP identifies outstanding land stewards in the cattle industry. Each year, seven families are recognized with regional Environmental Stewardship awards, with one being honored as the national winner. BCR was selected as the national winner from the following 2020 regional winners:

Region I – SK Herefords, New York
Region II – Southern Cross Farm, Mississippi
Region III – Euken-Myers Family, Iowa
Region IV – Double C Cattle Company, Oklahoma
Region V – Beatty Canyon Ranch, Colorado
Region VI – Boies Ranch, Nevada
Region VII – Johnson Farms, South Dakota

Listen to an interview with Wooten after being named the national winner.
CIC2021 Interview with Steve Wooten, Beatty Canyon Ranch 1:44

Cattle Industry Convention virtual news room.

2021 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

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