Wrap-up From CBB Chairman Wesley Grau
Posted by Chuck – February 4th, 2012
Beef Board Chairman, Wesley Grau, says the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention has been “very positive.” The record turnout of 8,217 registered has been a sign of that positive mood in the industry. He says “everyone is moving forward to communicate” and “cattlemen agree on the need to promote beef in the United States and around the world and we’re going to take those steps necessary to do so.”
The summer meeting will be in Denver and the 2013 convention will be in Tampa, FL.
You can listen to my closing interview with Wesley here: Closing Interview with Wesley Grau
CBB Management Report
Posted by Chuck – February 4th, 2012
Polly Ruhland, CBB CEO, shocked the room this morning when she started her management report by saying, “It’s time this morning for true confessions.” That will wake you up. Actually she was using the opportunity for a “confession.” That confession is that NCBA, CBB and all industry organizations are in a fight. That fight “is about you. It’s about your future. It’s about the future of your unique nutritious product. It’s about your land. . .” She says the CBB staff “is on the front line every day fighting to preserve your identity, your promise, your opportunity to feed the world.”
You can listen to Polly’s CBB Management Report here: Management Report
Financial Report
Posted by Chuck – February 4th, 2012
The financial report was given by Roger West, now past CBB Secretary/Treasurer, during the board meeting this morning. Roger thanked the Audit Committee for their work to make sure the board remains accountable to all producers and importers who pay the Beef Checkoff.
If you couldn’t attend the meeting then don’t despair. You can listen to Roger’s report at the board meeting here: Financial Report
Joint Evaluation Advisory Committee Report
Posted by Chuck – February 4th, 2012
Chairing the Joint Evaluation Committee this year is Ted Greidanus, California. During the board meeting at the conclusion of the Cattle Industry Convention he provided a report from his committee.
I spoke to Ted prior to his report to learn more about what this committee does and what were some key elements of their work recently. He says the purpose of the committee is to evaluate the programs that are funded by the Beef Checkoff. This committee reports directly to the Operating Committee. One of the main focuses of the committee was the life cycle assessment project.
Learn more about the Evaluation Committee in my interview with Ted: Interview with Ted Greidanus
Listen to Ted’s report at the board meeting here: Evaluation Committee Report
Getting To Know Board Members
Posted by Chuck – February 3rd, 2012
Let’s meet Beef Board member Genevieve Lyons. She’s pictured here during the Dairy Producer Forum with a table full of attendees. She is from cajun country.
Together, Genevieve and her husband, Daniel, own and operate a cow/calf operation and farm over 1,800 acres, as well as work ranch quarter horses, custom hay baling, and run a commercial hay business. She has been recognized and honored by numerous organizations at the local, state and national level. She has four children and eight grandchildren.
Learn why Genevieve got involved and her thoughts on the work of the Checkoff: Interview with Genevieve Lyons
Dairy Producer Forum
Posted by Chuck – February 3rd, 2012
The Dairy Producer Forum took place as a breakfast during this year’s convention and featured Dr. Michael Apley, Veterinarian at Kansas State University. He spoke on the subject of residues.
His message focused on concerns about antibiotic resistance and residues in culled dairy cows and veal calves and what can be done to get rid of them. He says that having veterinarians involved can be very helpful to dairy producers, especially in terms of making sure all procedures comply with current laws.
Interview with Dr. Mike ApleyCBB Update Session
Posted by Chuck – February 3rd, 2012
At the Cattle Industry Convention the Beef Board always holds a session called CBB Update. It’s actually an official business meeting of the board and provides anyone attending with an opportunity to listen to reports and have a voice during a discussion period. At this year’s meeting the time was mostly taken up with a discussion on the proposed by-laws changes.
We started out with an Executive Committee report by Weldon Wynn, Vice-Chair. I recorded a portion of his report for you: Executive Committee Report
Beef Advocates Perform at Convention
Posted by Chuck – February 3rd, 2012
At one of the Cattle Industry Summer Convention receptions we had a special appearance from Joey+Rory. They performed for us and then stayed around to visit. I found out that they are not only great performers but they also are passionate advocates for farming and beef.
Listen to some farm and beef advocates here: Interview with Joey+Rory
Your National Beef Ambassador Team
Posted by Chuck – February 3rd, 2012
Meet the 2012 National Beef Ambassador team – Rossie Blinson-North Carolina; John Weber-Minnesota; Arika Snyder-Pennsylvania; Kim Rounds-California and Emily Jack-Texas. They have been attending the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention.
I visited with them when they were doing a series of media interviews and asked why they wanted to become ambassadors and what they’ve been up to so far.
Listen to some passionate advocates for beef here:
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Rousing The Troops During General Session
Posted by Chuck – February 2nd, 2012
Cattlemen’s Beef Board Vice-Chair Weldon Wynn took the stage this morning and had a very strong message of encouragement for attendees at the Cattle Industry Convention.
Weldon pointed out the National Beef Ambassadors and said that after working with them “most of us older cowboys and girls can learn a thing or two from these youngsters when it comes to advocating for beef.” He then asked everyone to spend time talking with others and to be advocates themselves.
I recorded Weldon’s comments for you:
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Before the session I spoke with Weldon to learn what the Executive Committee worked on yesterday. He said they spent time on the proposed by-laws changes and rules and responsibilities. He said change is going to be good for the industry.
Listen to my interview with Weldon here:
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Welcoming Remarks At Opening General Session
Posted by Chuck – February 1st, 2012
The opening general session of the Cattle Industry Convention featured welcoming remarks from the Bill Donald, President of NCBA, as well as Wesley Grau, Chairman of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board.
Wesley quoted CBB CEO, Polly Ruhland, from last summer’s meeting saying, “We are truly blessed.” He encouraged everyone to take full advantage of all the opportunities this convention provides. He says, “It’s all part of keeping our heritage alive for our children and grand children.” Saying that we’re in the middle of some changes in our industry and Beef Checkoff program he followed up with “Change is never easy but it has a reputation for being a pretty strong catalyst for growth and progress.” The session included showing of a video featuring past NCBA President Steve Fogelsong and his sons. The video was featured by McDonald’s and is well worth watching.
I recorded Wesley’s comments for you. His comments followed remarks from Jill Ginn, President, American National Cattlewomen:
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Opening Thoughts From The Beef Board Chairman
Posted by Chuck – February 1st, 2012
The Beef Board Executive Committee got down to business today. I caught up with Beef Board Chairman, Wesley Grau, New Mexico, before they got started to get his perspective on the work that will be taking place here this week.
Wesley says the two main things to be discussed are “our new proposed committee structure and also an update of the by-laws.” He says it looks like there will be a reduction of committees which will save the CBB some dollars. The budget it tighter than ever as cattle numbers have dropped. The mood though is “positive” he says and perhaps prices are bringing a smile to cattlemen’s faces right now.
Listen in on my interview with Wesley here:
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Working On Structural Changes
Posted by Chuck – February 1st, 2012
One of the key issues being dealt with by the Beef Board at the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention is restructuring of the joint committees. Hank Maxey, Beef Board member, is chairing a special committee on the Board’s Joint Committee Coordination Agreement with NCBA’s Federation of State Beef Councils. This is another committee coming out of actions taken at last summer’s meeting. Hank says that the special committee of the CBB and the task force set up by the Federation of State Beef Councils sat down reviewed the agreement and made some changes. Those are being presented here for vote by both organizations. Both have to pass the same agreement for it to work. Actual final action as the result of an agreement will not take place until after this year’s summer meeting.
Listen in on my interview with Hank here:
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Hank is pictured on the right being interviewed in the Cattle Industry Convention media room this morning.
Proposed Changes to Beef Board Bylaws
Posted by Chuck – February 1st, 2012
Virginia cattleman Joe Guthrie, a Beef Board member, has had a big task in recent months. He’s chair of a special committee to study the CBB Bylaws. Here at the Cattle Industry Convention, his committee will present results of their work. Joe is being interviewed in the photo by one of the many ag media representatives covering the convention.
Joe says this special committee was formed at the summer meeting in Orlando after a motion was made on the floor to change the appointment process for the Nominating Committee. That motion was narrowly defeated but, as a result of the issue raised, this special committee was formed to take a hard look at the organizational bylaws. He says the revisions they’ve proposed will be presented at the business meeting/CBB Update Session on Thursday for a vote. He believes they will improve the structure of the Beef Board.
Listen in on my interview with Joe here:
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Preview of Beef Board Activities
Posted by Chuck – February 1st, 2012
To get a look at the work of the Beef Board during the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention I spoke with Polly Ruhland, CEO, seen visiting with Ron Hayes, Oklahoma Farm Report.
Polly says there are two main governance issues being dealt with by special committees that were formed after last summer’s meeting. One of those is to review the by-laws. That special committee has presented changes to the Board and those will be voted on during the CBB Update session on Thursday. The other special committee focused on the joint committee structure and will be making recommendations during that same business session.
Get a full preview of Beef Board activities from Polly in my interview with her here:
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Getting To Know Board Members
Posted by Chuck – August 13th, 2011
Mike Stahly is a Beef Board member who I caught doing a farm broadcaster interview at the summer conference. Let’s learn more about him.
Mike is a 4th generation rancher. He is the past president of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association, past president of Central South Dakota Cattlemen’s Affiliate, past president of the South Dakota Hereford Association and county board member for the South Dakota Farm Bureau. Mike is also an Army veteran.
Mike says about working on the Beef Board, “it’s an interesting experience.” He had served on the Federation board so he felt like that kind of prepared him for the experience. For cattlemen who are considering getting involved he says, “It’s well worth it. You’ll meet people that you’ll never get to meet elsewhere, from all walks of life. I just got done eating dinner sitting beside the meat buyer for Wendy’s. Just to listen to him for a half an hour was fascinating.”
You can listen to my interview with Mike here.
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Getting To Know Board Members
Posted by Chuck – August 13th, 2011
It’s time to meet another member of the Beef Board. This time let’s talk with E.B. Harris. He attended the summer conference where he could interact with other members from around the country.
Ernest “E.B.” is a third-generation cow-calf beef producer on a family farm established in 1916 in Warrenton, NC. He is also president and owner of E. B. Harris, Inc./Auctioneers, which launched in 1977. He is responsible for the farm sales of equipment, cattle, logging equipment and real estate.
E.B. says that Beef Checkoff advertising dollars help increase beef demand which is important to him since he’s in an area where they produce more than can be consumed locally. Besides his financial investment in the Beef Checkoff he says that investing his time working on Beef Board activities is worth it. He also feels very positive about “moving forward” to get beyond some of the recent challenges within the organization and industry. To other cattle producers he says, “Get involved. If you pay that one dollar Checkoff, get involved.”
You can listen to my interview with E.B. here.
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Getting To Know Board Members
Posted by Chuck – August 12th, 2011
Let’s meet another member of the Beef Board. He’s Larry Oltjen. Like the folks you see at work in this committee meeting Larry was attending the summer conference.
Larry is a fourth-generation farmer/feeder/stockman in Brown County, Kansas. He grows about 4,000 acres of corn, soybeans and alfalfa and also runs a 260-head commercial cow herd in partnership with his father and son. In addition, he feeds out the calves and feed in various feedlots in Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas.
Larry says that he gets the feeling that everyone is ready to look forward to the future. He says his time on the Board has been important since it has allowed him to get to know people across the country. He says that if you’ve got the time it’s well worth it to attend these meetings and get involved.
You can listen to my interview with Larry here.
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Getting To Know Board Members
Posted by Chuck – August 12th, 2011
Here are Beef Board members in action during one of the summer conference committee meetings.
I visited with one of them, Chris Schluntz, Republican City, NE, out in the hall in between meetings. Chris is part of the 4th generation to farm where his great grandfather homesteaded in south central Nebraska. He farms with two brothers, an uncle and two nephews. The farm consists of a commercial cow/calf herd, a feedlot and irrigated and dryland crops.
He says serving on the Beef Board has been very educational to him. It has helped him learn how the process works and how to serve the industry by promoting beef. He’s on the Joint International Markets Committee which he says has helped his business by building demand for his product and creating new markets. He encourages any cattle producer to get involved.
You can listen to my interview with Chris here.
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You’re A Blessing
Posted by Chuck – August 4th, 2011
Polly Ruhland, Interim CEO for the Beef Board started off her report during the board meeting with a question.
I’d like to start with a question.
How many of you are BLESSED?
Look around this room, at your neighbor and across the rows. This is an incredible group of people, jam-packed with blessings.
Now, another question.
How many of you are BLESSED to be here, right here, right now, doing what you are doing?
Take another minute to look around you. Nearly everyone in this room recognizes that they are blessed to be here.
I know why.
Every person in this room has been chosen to be here. You are here for a purpose.
What is that purpose?
To lead. To imagine what could be. To make it happen.
To make decisions. Even decisions, especially decisions, that are debatable…difficult…even dumbfounding. You were chosen to do that.
The Checkoff itself is a blessing…don’t you think so too?
You can listen to Polly’s report here.
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