Opportunities Abound At Summer Conference

Dear Fellow Beef Producers, 

As we come together at the 2011 Cattle Industry Summer Conference in less than two week to continue planning our national beef checkoff investments for the coming year, we are riding through a particularly tough year.

I’m sure most everyone is aware that we have been experiencing some differences of opinion within our industry about the structure of the checkoff, accompanied by plenty of press. On that note, we have a choice: We can let the emotions of the day pave their own route – or we can come together and do the right thing: Keep our grip on the goals of this program and lead with our heads to develop the checkoff programs for Fiscal Year 2012 that will give us the best return on our $1-per-head checkoff assessments. I think we owe the latter to all of the folks out in the country who invest their hard-earned dollars into this program. 

As acting chairman of the Beef Board, I have been proud to watch so many of my fellow producers volunteer their time and efforts to the overarching goal of our checkoff program – to build demand for our end product. In your volunteer efforts for the checkoff, you’re talking to your neighbors and communities about our checkoff, and about our industry. You’re teaching consumers about the care that producers take in raising beef for our own families, for theirs, and for a hungry world. You’re participating both in your checkoff and in your own personal efforts on behalf of this industry.

So, our checkoff is, indeed, alive and well, and the Cattlemen’s Beef Board remains intent on using your money wisely to fund beef promotion, research, information and education programs that respond to the needs of today’s busy lifestyles and consumer demands for safe and healthy products.

No doubt, we have some decisions to make during this summer conference, but let’s make ourselves, our families, and our industry proud by taking the high road as we debate our differences of opinion. Let’s stick to the truth and lead with cool heads.

Sincerely,

Wesley Grau
Acting Chairman, Cattlemen’s Beef Board
Grady, NM

Executive Committee Gets R&R Update

In a teleconference call on July 11, the Cattlemen’s Beef Board Executive Committee:

• Heard an update from the Roles and Responsibilities special committee
• Addressed the election process for appointing a new CBB chairman
• Discussed a proposed bylaws change regarding the Nominating Committee

For a more detailed summary of the meeting, visit July 11 EC Conference Call.