Welcome from CBB Chairman Al Svajgr

2006 Cattle Industry Convention
Denver, CO
Feb 1 – Feb. 4, 2006

We certainly enjoyed another good year in the beef industry, with strong cattle prices throughout 2005 and consumer confidence in the safety of our product remaining extremely high. And while the sustained price strength has been a welcomed opportunity for producers who have seen some rough times over recent decades, we must not rest on our laurels because a strong beef industry does not happen without continuous effort on our part.

The Beef Checkoff Program enjoyed continued success during the year as well, led by the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that the checkoff is, in fact, constitutional. With that ruling in place and the ensuing dismissal of the similar Charter case in Montana, we have the opportunity to renew our focus on building demand for beef and, as a result, continue to create opportunities for improved profitability for producers.

During meetings through the summer and fall of 2005, producers who sit on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, state beef councils, and joint advisory committees for the checkoff helped set priorities for the current fiscal year and reviewed project proposals from numerous beef industry organizations to achieve those priorities.  In September, the Beef Promotion Operating Committee and USDA approved the final slate of promotion, research and information projects for checkoff funding in the fiscal year that began Oct. 1, 2005.

At the 2006 Cattle Industry Convention in Denver – where we’ll kick off another year-long planning process  for the Beef Checkoff Program – we have the opportunity to celebrate our successes and work on solutions to our challenges. With the Supreme Court’s decision in place, let’s make a concerted effort to cooperate – to work together to identify the priorities for investment of our $1-per-head checkoff.

Part of our joint efforts at this convention will include producer review of a newly recommended Beef Industry Long Range Plan to identify our direction and goals for the next five years. It’s important that all producers get involved in reviewing and setting these long-term goals, so I encourage you to share your thoughts and be part of the process. With that in mind, I look forward to working with you at this convention toward building a strong future for ourselves and for future generations.

Sincerely,

Al Svajgr
Chairman, Cattlemen’s Beef Board
Cozad, Nebraska