Beef Board Meeting » Annual Convention

Wrap-up From CBB Chairman Wesley Grau

Chuck — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:56:53 +0000

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

2012 Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album

CBB Management Report

Chuck — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:46:30 +0000

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

2012 Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album

Financial Report

Chuck — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:17:38 +0000

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

2012 Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album

Meet New Board Members

Chuck — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 03:02:16 +0000

A new group of cattle producers were sworn in at the Cattle Industry Convention. Let’s meet three of them. Pictured are (l-r) Linda Nielsen, MT, Sarah Childs, FL and Patrick Becker, ND.

I asked them what motivated them to serve on the board. Linda says she feels like “this is where I should be” since she’s so involved with her livestock auction market. Serving provides her an opportunity to have personal input. Sarah says she’s been involved with industry organizations for many years and has never wanted to get out of the business of promoting beef. Patrick says he believes the Beef Checkoff is important to the industry and he’s impressed by the programs that are available and he’s seen more than he expected to see here at the convention.

Listen to these new Beef Board members here: New Beef Board Members

2012 Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album

Getting to Know Beef Board Members

Chuck — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:24:28 +0000

Willie Bylsma, CA, is in the dairy business and says he also raises dairy beef. He is serving on the beef safety committee.

Willie says that they’re trying to make sure consumers feel like beef safety is number one within the industry. He’s concerned about beef safety and wants consumers to get a quality product. He wants to help get the message about how important this is to other dairy producers. He encourages other dairy producers to get involved.

Listen to my interview with Willie here: Interview with Willie Bylsma

2012 Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album

ANCW National Beef Speakers Bureau

Chuck — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:41:56 +0000

Did you know that there is a ANCW National Beef Speakers Bureau? Well there is and one of the members is Malorie Bankhead, former National Beef Ambassador. The program is supported by the Beef Checkoff. Malorie says there are twenty speakers in the program.

Malorie says they are charged with the task of targeting consumers who are not familiar with agriculture to educate them about farming and the beef industry. They talk about things the average consumer wouldn’t normally know. I visited with Malorie during the Cattle Industry Convention to learn more about the program.

Listen to my interview with Malorie here: Interview with Malorie Bankhead

2012 Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album

Communicating With Producers

Chuck — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:12:29 +0000

Here’s a picture of one of the committee meetings that took place during the convention. This is where the grass roots in action comes alive.

I visited with Beef Board member Chuck Kiker, TX, who is serving on the Joint Producer Communications Committee (pictured 2nd from right). He says his committee is tasked with informing producers about what the Beef Checkoff is doing for them which he says is more difficult than you might think. In order to use Beef Checkoff funds economically he says technology is being used that he’s just learning about. One of those is the use of QR Codes, (abbreviated from Quick Response Code). These can be used by apps on today’s smartphones to link to information of any kind. Chuck says they also have pamphlets and other information that is being distributed in sale barns and other locations. Chuck says the Beef Checkoff is more than just hi-tech. He talks about the research and promotional work that is being done to reach the right audiences with a positive message about beef.

Listen to my interview with Chuck here: Interview with Chuck Kiker

2012 Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album

Keep Up To Date With Beef Checkoff Committees

Chuck — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:09:46 +0000

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.

Joint Evaluation Advisory Committee Report

Chuck — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:53:25 +0000

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

2012 Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album

Masters of Beef Advocacy

Chuck — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:38:48 +0000

Daren Willams manages the checkoff’s Masters of Beef Advocacy (MBA) program. I got an update from him about how the program is going during the Cattle Industry Convention.

Daren says the program has 3,000 graduates in three years. They are in every state in the country. Graduating isn’t the end of the program though. He says they offer alumni continuing educational opportunities and resources. Listen to my interview with Daren to hear a great anecdote about how one of the MBA grads is doing advocacy in his hometown.

Listen to my interview with Daren here: Interview with Daren Williams

2012 Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album

Getting to know Beef Board Members

Chuck — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:35:52 +0000

Let’s meet another Cattlemen’s Beef Board member, Anne Wirtz, TX.

A cow-calf operator in Texas, Anne grew up in the cattle business and has owned cattle herself since childhood. She was nominated to the Beef Board by the Texas CattleWomen, of which she has been a member since 1977 and has served on the Executive Board. I asked her why she got involved. “We’re very concerned that we need our youth talking to youth about the good nutrition of beef and that’s why I decided to serve.” She says that cattle producers need to be telling their stories to those in urban areas.

Listen to my interview with Anne here: Interview with Anne Wirtz

2012 Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album

Committee Work Gets Tasty

Chuck — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:14:10 +0000

I think it’s like incentive to serve on the Beef Board. Depending on the committee you work on, beef sampling is part of the job! Here’s Steve Lee, NCBA Retail Team and Shenoa French, Associate Director, Culinary Innovation Center getting some samples ready for joint committee members during the convention.

Shenoa says they prepared one of the recipes from the Sam’s Club National BBQ Tour. The committee talked through the promotion and then sampled two recipes, sesame crusted New York strip and garlic and thyme ribeye with blue cheese butter. This promotion was partially funded by the Beef Checkoff.

Listen to my interview with Shenoa and Steve here: Committee Work Gets Tasty

2012 Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album

Getting to Know Beef Board Members

Chuck — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:58:17 +0000

One of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board members is Terry Detrick, OK. He’s seated on the right during one of the committee meetings at the convention. I spoke with him (walking down the hall) before things got started to learn how and why he got involved. In the photo, the committee was having a chance to sample some beef products.

Terry says he was nominated by American Farmers & Ranchers and he was raised on a beef and dairy farm and has a cow-calf/stocker and farming operation of his own. So he has a serious interest in the future of the industry. Regarding encouraging other cattlemen to get involved he says, “We have got to get used to thinking in a global environment and anybody that is at home and they just won’t get out, they won’t educate themselves, they won’t keep up, they can’t see past their own corral gate, are going to really have a lot of trouble in the future.”

Listen to my interview with Terry here: Interview with Terry Detrick

2012 Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album

Improving Beef Quality

Chuck — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:23:19 +0000

During the Joint Product Enhancement Committee meeting at convention members got to do some taste testing. Pictured is Bridget Wasser, Senior Director, Meat Science & Technology, Beef Innovations Group, which is funded by the Beef Checkoff. I spoke with her prior to the meeting to learn more about it.

She says the committee’s total focus is on beef quality and using Beef Checkoff funds to support research to improve it. It’s all about taste, tenderness and consistency. She says the better quality product produced for consumers then the better their eating experience will be and that will enhance beef demand. In the committee meeting members listened to presentations from different researchers working on Beef Checkoff funded projects.

Listen to my interview with Bridget here: Interview with Bridget Wasser

2012 Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album

Getting To Know Board Members

Chuck — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:37:32 +0000

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

2012 Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album

Dairy Producer Forum

Chuck — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:26:00 +0000

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 Apley

2012 Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album

CBB Update Session

Chuck — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:01:51 +0000

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

2012 Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album

Beef Advocates Perform at Convention

Chuck — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:51:54 +0000

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

2012 Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album

New Beef Board Members Sworn In

Diane — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:50:19 +0000

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

Chuck — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:31:46 +0000

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:

2012 Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album