Keep Up To Date With Beef Checkoff Committees
Posted by Chuck – February 4th, 2012
The 2012 Cattle Industry Convention has concluded but I still have more stories to share in coming days. Please check back to hear from more Beef Board members and learn more about some of the committee work that is done at the convention.
I’d also like to remind you that you can find lots of information on the various committees of the Beef Board with this link: Beef Checkoff Committees. You’ll find agendas and minutes.
If you’d like to see photos from this year’s convention, including many from Beef Board activities then please feel free to visit this photo album: 2012 Cattle Industry Convention Photos.
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
New Beef Board Members Sworn In
Posted by Diane – February 3rd, 2012
USDA Ag Marketing Services representative Craig Shackelford swore in newly appointed and reappointed members of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board on Thursday, during the CBB Update Session at the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention.
You can listen to the ceremony here: New Member Swearing In
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced 29 appointments to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board on Dec. 28, 2011, noting that the appointments “represent a cross section of the beef industry, and I am confident that beef producers and importers of cattle, beef and beef products will be well served by them.”
Congrats to the following new and reappointed members, who participate officially in their first business meeting of their new three-year terms tomorrow (Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012) at the convention in Nashville:
- Hughes Abell, Texas
- Thomas Alger, Texas
- Patrick Becker, S.D.
- Kim Brackett, Idaho
- Joyce Bupp, Pa.
- Andrew Burtt, importer
- Sarah Childs, Fla.
- Stephen Edwards, importer;
- Wesley Grau, N.M.
- Ted Greidanus, Southwest Region.
- Kim Holzner, importer
- Cristobal Hutton, importer
- Barbara Jacques, Okla.
- Leon Kreisler, Mo.
- Paul Looney, Jr., Texas
- Hank Maxey, Va.
- Stacy McClintock, Kan.;
- Linda Nielson, Mont.
- Perry Owens, Kan.
- Lyle Peterson, Mont.
- Sugie Sartwelle, Texas
- Gary Sharp, S.D.;
- Daniel Smith, Ky.
- Phyllis Snyder, Colo.
- Leo Sutterfield, Jr., Ark.
- Doug Temme, Neb.
- Sherry Vinton, Neb.
- Richard Winter, Texas
- Terry Wyatt, Okla.
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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Welcome to 2012 Cattle Industry Convention
Posted by Chuck – February 1st, 2012
Hello and welcome to the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention taking place in Nashville, TN. The place is very active and it’s looking like we’ll have a big crowd attending this year. The weather is being much more cooperative than last year!
I’ll be your Beef Board Blogger again this year and will be bringing you photos and interviews on all the Beef Board activities.
I’m collecting photos from the convention here: 2012 Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album. Feel free to check them time to time and share them with your friends.
Time to Roll Up Our Sleeves
Posted by Diane – January 23rd, 2012
Dear Fellow Beef Producers and Importers,
I am looking forward to the 2012 Cattle Industry Annual Convention in Nashville Feb. 1-4. I hope to see many of you there and look foward to working with you to help continue creating opportunities for a bright future for our industry. I don’t think that anyone would argue with the fact that we’ve had a rather difficult year, but this convention marks tremendous opportunity for us to come together and plan for smoother times ahead.
The good news is that our Beef Checkoff Program has remained on track throughout the industry challenges of the last year or so, and we’ve seen some terrific results for all of us who invest our hard-earned dollars into the program. Our promotion, research, education and information programs are doing as intended, keeping beef center-of-plate with consumers worldwide.
As we gather in Nashville, those of you who volunteer your service on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and the Federation of State Beef Councils will meet jointly in checkoff committees to learn about ongoing program results for the current year, and will begin setting priorities for next year. As most of you are aware, we already know to expect tight checkoff budgets for at least the next several years, so it will be critical to focus on the most important priorities for our checkoff investments.
As individual producers and checkoff committee members, each of us must be prepared both to discuss the issues and – maybe most important – to listen and be open to others’ ideas, even if they are different from ours. As Winston Churchill once said, “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”
With that in mind, I suggest that we all dig deep for our courage, keeping in mind that our fellow cattle producers and importers across the country have entrusted us with their checkoff investments, and we owe them our best. And while we may be volunteers in terms of our service on checkoff boards and committees, the work we do at our convention is directly tied to the success of our personal operations, our industry – and our very ability to keep our heritage alive for our children and our grandchildren. We owe them our best, too.
So we have a lot of work to do, but we have tremendous opportunity, too. Let’s make our fellow producers – and the future generations who are counting on us – proud of what we are building for them. I’ll look forward to working with those of you in attendance toward that goal.
And if you can’t be on site for the convention, stay tuned right here to this MyBeefCheckoff Meeting Blog to get updates on the goings-on at the convention and to add your own comments and questions wherever you see fit.
Sincerely,
Wesley Grau
Chairman
Cattlemen’s Beef Board
No Cost to Attend Checkoff Meetings
Posted by Diane – December 7th, 2011
All beef checkoff meetings are open to every person who pays the checkoff.
During the upcoming 2012 Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 1-4, these meetings include meetings of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday); Federation of State Beef Councils (Thursday) and joint committee meetings (Friday).
Registration closed in December, so if you would like attend checkoff meetings only, at no cost, you will need to go to the convention registration desk when you arrive in Nashville and let them know that you need a no-charge nametag to attend checkoff-only meetings. To learn more about other meetings and activities, click here.
If you can’t attend the convention in Nashville, Feb. 1-4, or other checkoff meetings, get the latest updates here on the MyBeefCheckoff Meeting blog throughout the meeting and afterward.
Contact dhenderson@beefboard.org if you have any questions, or post them below.
