Time To Roll Up Our Sleeves and Work Together

Dear Fellow Producers,

This has been a challenging year for the beef industry and our nation’s economy – even the global economy. It is in these difficult times that we are even more aware and grateful for the national self-help program provided by the beef checkoff. Through your checkoff dollars, we are able to perform the vital tasks of marketing, research and information that are even more essential in these challenging times.

As we gather in Phoenix for our 2009 Cattle Industry Convention, those of you who volunteer your service on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and the Federation of State Beef Councils will meet in program committees to learn about ongoing efforts and to begin setting priorities for next year. We already know that we are going to have another tight checkoff budget in the coming year, so it will be critical to focus on the most important priorities for our checkoff investments.

This is no small challenge, but this convention provides a format for face-to-face discussion and discernments as we work together for the best possible solutions to achieve our goal of increasing beef demand. We have many successes to celebrate and programs that have been very effective, but it is imperative that we continue to tighten our focus as we face difficult choices.

It is vitally important that as producers and checkoff committee members, we come prepared both to discuss the issues and, more important, listen to each other as we attempt to provide the best programs possible with our limited resources. Behind every obstacle is an opportunity waiting to be discovered. This convention provides precisely those opportunities, and we need to be intent on pursuing them.

I am deeply honored for having the privilege of serving as your chairman of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board during this last year. I am proud of the accomplishments that have been attained and look forward to future accomplishments. Thank you for the privilege of serving this industry, and let us continue together to build a strong future for generations yet to come.

Below you will find a list of convention highlights for Beef Board members. Remember to check back on this blog later for details of the goings on during the convention.

Sincerely,

Dave Bateman
Chairman, Cattlemen’s Beef Board
Oregon, Illinois