Executive Committee Meetings

Let’s meet a Beef Board member and hear about his experience as an executive committee member. He’s Dean Black a cattle feeder from Iowa (pictured in center).

Dean graduated from Iowa State University with his Bachelor of Science degree in Farm Operations. He is the current county president of the Iowa Soybean Association and Iowa Corn Growers Association and past state director and Ag Policy Committee chair of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association.

Dean says that at executive committee meetings they always take a look at how collections are doing and they take a look at the budget to see if things are on track there as well as other things. When it comes to the changes in the committee structure he says that after talking with others things seem to be going well. Looking ahead he says it’s going to a battle to deal with reduced dollars to work with.

Dean also spent some time at the end of last year with the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture as a beef representative on a trip to Korea and Japan. He says they met with all the major importers. He says that Koreans prefer American beef for safety and taste. The Japanese asked if we would have enough beef for them.

You can listen to my interview with Dean here: Interview with Dean Black

Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

Producer Support of Beef Checkoff Remains High

According to Joint Producer Communications Working Group (JPCWG) Chair and a producer from Keldron, SD, Danni Beer, support for the beef checkoff remains high. That comes from a recent survey of beef and dairy producers nationwide. Support, at 76 percent, is unchanged since January 2012 and is at an historic high.

The nationwide survey of 1,200 beef and dairy producers conducted by the independent firm Aspen Media & Market Research in late December 2012 and early January 2013 found an overwhelming majority of beef and dairy producers continue to say their beef checkoff has value for them in many ways:

• Eight out of 10 producers say the beef checkoff has helped to contribute to a positive trend in beef demand.
• Seven out of 10 producers say the beef checkoff contributes to the profitability of their operations, is there for them in a crisis and represents their interests.
• Seven out of 10 beef producers believe the checkoff is well-managed.

Danni says “Interestingly the survey shows that about one-third of producers don’t consider themselves informed about the checkoff. With the fairly significant reduction in the producer communications budget for FY2013, the working group will be exploring fresh, innovative and efficient ways to communicate with producers about their checkoff and the work the program does for them so we can improve those numbers.”

You can listen to my interview with Danni here: Interview with Danni Beer

You can find a copy of the survey here (.doc file).

Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

Finding Committee Re-structuring Positive

When committees are meeting at the Cattle Industry Convention or other meetings involving the Beef Board you’ll find plenty of seating for non-members to sit and watch the proceedings. You’ll often find cattle producers who just want to see what goes on in these meetings and who want to learn more about the Beef Checkoff.

One of them I spoke with during the 2013 Convention was Patty Bikowsky who is a dairy producer from New York. Patty attended the Dairy Producer Communications Forum and says the information provided was wonderful and so was the food. When it comes to the restructuring of the committees that we saw for the first time here at this meeting she was a little skeptical at first. But after attending the Freedom to Operate committee she thinks it will work out well.

You can listen to my interview with Patty here: Interview with Patty Bikowsky

Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

Passing the Gavel

At the Beef Board business meeting we had an election of officers and the Chairman’s gavel was passed. Here’s Wesley Grau handing off the gavel to Weldon Wynn, new CBB Chairman. Other officers elected were Kim Brackett, Vice Chair and Jimmy Maxey, Secretary/Treasurer. The members of the CBB Executive Committee were also announced and they are as follows.

The 12-member CBB Executive Committee includes the Board’s three officers and eight members elected at large. The CBB elected the following members to its 2013 Executive committee: CBB Vice Chairman Kim Brackett, who will serve as chairman of the Executive Committee; and members Weldon Wynn (CBB chairman); Jimmy Maxey (CBB secretary/ treasurer); Anne Anderson of Texas; Dean Black of Iowa; Laurie Bryant, an importer; Steve Irsik of Kansas; Hank Maxey of Virginia; Sugie Sartwelle of Texas; Gary Sharp of South Dakota; and Eric Smith of Alabama.

You can listen to Wesley and Weldon as they passed the gavel here: Passing the Gavel

After the gavel was passed, new CBB Chair, Weldon Wynn, presented now past Chair, Wesley Grau, with a commemorative plaque for his service to the board.

Here’s a little bit more information on our new Chairman. He is a cow/calf producer from Star City, Ark. He is an active member of his community and industry, including service on the board of directors of the Pine Bluff National Bank of Star City; former emcee and judge of the National Beef Cook-Off; National Beef Ambassador judge; past president and active member of the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association; member of the University of Arkansas Animal Science 2000 Advisory Council; and past president, treasurer, and fair manager of the Lincoln County Fair, among many others.

On the Beef Board, Weldon served as secretary/treasurer during the first half of 2011 before being elected to fill a partial term as vice chairman during the second half of the year, then was elected vice chairman of the Board for all of 2012. He has also served on the Beef Promotion Operating Committee, the CBB Executive Committee, the Joint Advertising Committee, for which he served as vice chair in 2010, and the Joint Beef Industry Budget Committee.

Before leaving the convention today I visited with Weldon to find out his thoughts on being elected and what he sees ahead in the coming year.

You can listen to my interview with Weldon here: Interview with Weldon Wynn

Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

Management Report at Business Meeting

During the business meeting of the Beef Board today Polly Ruhland, CEO, gave her management report. Polly says she’s proud of the board and the staff who have worked so hard to effect the change needed in managing the Beef Checkoff. She says we’ve made it more relevant to the needs of those we depend on most, consumers.

She said, “You succeeded in setting aside differences. You spoke loud and clear on behalf of beef producers and importers nationwide. I’m proud of you.”

You can listen to Polly’s financial report here: Management Report

Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

Financial Report at Business Meeting

The business meeting of the Beef Board was held this morning and several reports of importance were given starting with the financial report.

Giving that report was Kim Brackett, Secretary/Treasurer, of the Beef Board. I’ve recorded it for you to listen to or download if you would like.

You can listen to Kim’s financial report here: Financial Report

Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

Getting Used to New Committee Structure

Missouri Beef Industry Council board member John Ridder is serving on the joint CBB/Federation Nutrition and Health Subcommittee. He says that his committee reviewed a lot of the objectives of the Beef Board and challenges facing the Checkoff. He says they worked on narrowing their focus to accomplish those objectives. Besides the work that takes place here in meetings like this John says the opportunity to network with other cattle producers around the country is invaluable. John also told me that the new committee structure is taking some getting used to but he thinks it is a positive change.

You can listen to my interview with John here: Interview with John Ridder

Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

Beef Quality Assurance Award Winners

During the Cattle Industry Convention two producers were honored with the checkoff’s annual national Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) award and Dairy Beef Quality Assurance (DBQA) award, created to recognize outstanding beef and dairy producers from across the country who incorporate BQA principles as part of the day-to-day activities on their operations. One individual was also recognized with the BQA Marketer Award, and one individual received the BQA Educator Award. Pictured is Woody Larson, one of the winners addressing the Beef Board Dairy Producer Communications Forum.

The 2013 winners are: Billy and Reed Kempfer of Kempfer Cattle Company of Saint Cloud, Fla. (beef); Louis “Woody” Larson, Family Tree Enterprises of Okeechobee, Fla. (dairy); Larry Schnell, Stockmen’s Livestock Exchange, Dickinson, N.D. (Marketer of the Year); and Dr. John Maas, UC Davis, California. (Educator of the Year).

You can listen to an interview with Woody and his wife Grace here: Interview with Woody & Grace Larson

There are videos with all of the winners on the BQA YouTube page. Here’s one of them.

Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

Unity in the Beef Industry

Creating unity within the beef industry has been a goal of Wesley Grau, Beef Board Chairman. He says that Beef Board members have done a lot of work in the last year to set the stage for even greater unity. Some of the things that have been done include re-defining the roles of the Beef Board; giving the Federation of Qualified State Beef Councils more independence and setting the stage through having industry input groups come together to see how to enhance the Beef Checkoff. In order to achieve enhancements Wesley says you have to have unity within the industry.

You can listen to my interview with Wesley here: Interview with Wesley Grau

Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

Beef Checkoff Success Stories

2012 Beef Checkoff success stories were being shared with the ag media here at the Cattle Industry Convention by Kim Brackett, Beef Board Secretary/Treasurer.

One of those successes is the BOLD (Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet) research study that shows that adding lean beef to the most recommended heart-healthy diet can lower heart disease risk by reducing levels of total and LDL “bad” cholesterol.

Looking ahead Kim says that the Beef Checkoff is looking at the lowest revenues in FY 2013 since 1988 (projected at $39.4 million). She says that one of the ways they’re trying to address this issue is through the new committee structure which was introduced here in Tampa. She thinks that by having the Beef Board focus on beef demand drivers it will allow leaders to make decisions that will still increase demand for beef.

You can listen to my interview with Kim here: Interview with Kim Brackett

Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

Building Beef Demand Part Two

Beef Board CEO, Polly Ruhland, continued the discussion and focus on beef demand during the Cattle Industry Convention with a presentation titled, “Building Beef Demand Outlook Session II.”

Polly’s task was to talk about the transition from the “old” committee structure to the new committee structure and how that is going to make the work of the Checkoff more efficient. Additional points in her presentation are what demand means; what demand drivers are; the Checkoff budget and the role in maintaining demand; how the Checkoff accomplishes increases in demand and the updated committee structure. Polly started by saying that beef demand is not the same as beef consumption.

You can listen to Polly’s presentation to learn more here: Polly Ruhland Presentation

Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

Building Beef Demand Part One

During the Cattle Industry Convention a session titled, “Building Beef Demand Outlook Session 1, The Architecture of Consumer Demand,” provided a beginning look into this subject. The session was followed up later with a second one which I’ll share with you next.

One of the presenters in this session was John Lundeen, Director of Market Research for NCBA (pictured on right). His job was to discuss demand drivers.

You can listen to John’s presentation here: John Lundeen Presentation

Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

Looking Back at Start of Beef Checkoff

One of my favorite people from Wacahoota, FL is Joann Smith. Jo Ann was the first chairman of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. During the Beef Board luncheon yesterday, Jo Ann was asked to take a look back at how the Beef Checkoff was started and to offer some encouraging words to current members moving forward.

Jo Ann is very proud of the job the members of the Beef Board are doing and also to all who have served over the years since the Beef Checkoff started. She encouraged members to “keep an open mind” especially when it comes to understanding what today’s consumer wants and needs.

You can listen to Joann’s remarks here: Joann Smith Remarks

Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

The Work of the Joint Evaluation Committee

The Joint Evaluation Committee is chaired by Ted Greidanus a backgrounder from California. I visited with him after his committee met during the Cattle Industry Convention.

He says during this convention the committee continues to work on the vision of the last several years which includes looking at changes to how evaluations are made including making them non threatening to the staff and contractors. One of he actions taken during the committee meeting was to form a sub committee to evaluate the efficiency of contractors. The sub committee will report back to the full committee. Ted says the goal of the evaluation committee is to provide the operating committee with information they can use to make good decisions with the funding of different projects.

You can listen to my interview with Ted here: Interview with Ted Greidanus

Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

Beef Ambassadors on the Road

Our National Beef Ambassador team is easy to find at the Cattle Industry Convention. It’s always a pleasure to talk with these beef advocates.

These busy young people have been on the road educating consumers about beef and beef production, as well as in their own states and local communities. During this week’s event they have freshened up their cow facts by attending the Cattlemen’s College, chatted with different producers from across the country and help spread the importance of beef by telling their story.

Next on their list of trips is the Boston Marathon where they will connect with runners and share their passion for beef, as well as exercise and being healthy.

Meet the team:
Jacquelyn Brown (Oregon)
Emma Jumper (Arkansas)
Chandler Mulvaney (Alabama)
Erin Morrison (Minnesota)
Katie Stroud (California)

Here’s an interview conducted by Jamie Johansen with the Beef Ambassadors I think you’ll enjoy: Interview with Beef Ambassadors

Follow the Beef Ambassadors on their blog.

Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

Spread the Word about the Work of the Checkoff

During this morning’s general session, the Beef Board Vice Chair, Weldon Wynn, took the stage and talked about an issue he’s very passionate about. That is the value the work of the Checkoff brings to the industry and to cattle producers.

Weldon says consumers care about what they eat, how it’s raised and how it is prepared. So they want lots of information about what they eat and that includes beef. He also asked those in attendance to go back home and tell other cattle producers what they learned about the work of the Checkoff when they were attending committee meetings here.

You can listen to Weldon’s opening remarks here: Weldon Wynn Remarks

I’ve got a lot of photos for you to enjoy and share from this year’s convention in this online album: 2013 Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album

Getting to Know Beef Board Members

Brett Morris is a third-generation Oklahoma dairy farmer, who also has a cow-calf and stocker operation. He partners with his father on the family farm. He chairs the Retail Committee.

Brett says the work of the Retail Committee is very important, as the members partner with National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) staff to look at what works and what doesn’t for retailers. The work must be paying off, as he says that some areas are seeing a $39 return on investment for every $1 of Beef Checkoff dollars! He encourages other producers to get involved in educating the general public by partnering with retailers to highlight beef in their stores.

Listen to my interview with Brett here: Interview with Brett Morris

2012 Cattle Industry Summer Conference Photo Album

Auditing and Compliance Procedures

The Cattlemen’s Beef Board goes to extraordinary lengths to make sure that the money invested by beef producers is handled and spent wisely. In the last year or so some additional and new procedures have been put into place to make sure that this continues to be the case.

To explain all the auditing procedures Katherine Ayers, Beef Board CFO, gave a report at the closing business meeting this morning.

Listen to Katherine’s report here: Katherine Ayers Report

2012 Cattle Industry Summer Conference Photo Album

Beef Board Business

Weldon Wynn is the Vice Chairman of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. He opened up the second general session at the Cattle Industry Summer Conference and then made himself available to talk with the media who are attending.

Weldon says “We’ve got a lot of things already accomplished,” when it comes to the work of the Beef Board here at the conference, including approving the committee restructuring proposal. He says it will be good for the industry. There will be a transition period but he says that for now it’s business as usual. I also got Weldon’s thoughts on how the drought is affecting the industry.

Listen to my interview with Weldon here: Interview with Weldon Wynn

2012 Cattle Industry Summer Conference Photo Album

Explaining The New Committee Structure

Polly Ruhland, CEO of the Beef Board, is making a point in answer to a question during the first Beef Board business session in this photo. I spoke with Polly to get a better understanding of the new committee structure that was approved during that session.

Polly explains the process that led to the proposal for restructuring that was presented here. She says that “What the working group came up with was a structure that relies on the industry long range plan and consumer demand drivers.” It was a big step forward in focusing Checkoff work on consumer demand. Learn more about this in my interview with Polly.

Listen to my interview with Polly here: Interview with Polly Ruhland

For a copy of the Special Committee report and explanation of the new committee structure, go to Special Committee Report, and for a visual matrix depicting the structure, visit Committee Matrix.

2012 Cattle Industry Summer Conference Photo Album