Care For the People
A focus on safety , job creation , fair compensation and management plans is critical to ensuring and maintaining a healthy workforce . Between 2005 and 2011 there was a 32 % reduction in occupational illnesses and accidents across the beef supply chain . 5 This is an achievement that is the product of many segments of the supply chain improving their safety protocols . Beyond employee safety , we recognize the importance of fair compensation of workers throughout the industry .
The long-term viability of U . S . cattle production is largely dependent on the workforce — owners , ranch managers , livestock haulers , pen riders , veterinarians , animal handlers and everyone who plays a role in the success of our industry . Success also relies on the achievements of hundreds of thousands of small businesses across the country . Making sure the industry understands the level and ability of trained individuals is the first step to ensuring the well-being of the workforce can remain a priority .
NCBA ’ s Stockmanship & Stewardship Program focuses on lowstress cattle handling and facility design to improve the safety of those working with animals . The Stockmanship & Stewardship program utilizes the resources of the BQA program , which provides training and certification promoting the latest techniques for low-stress cattle handling among other aspects of animal care . Additionally , the BQA program has enhanced online accessibility to producer education training and certification to match the scope and diversity of the beef cattle industry . BQA has grown to include important segments of the industry like transportation and calf-raisers . Through continued efforts to enhance safety and stockmanship trainings like the Stockmanship & Stewardship and BQA programs across all producer sectors , the beef cattle industry can ensure the well-being of our workforce and demonstrate a commitment to our people .
With the intention of demonstrating the care for people , NCBA focuses on the following efforts to build resiliency in our workforce :
• Promote broad access to producer education opportunities including Beef Quality Assurance , Cattlemen ’ s College , and the
Cattlemen ’ s Webinar Series .
• Develop partnerships with programs , foundations , or organizations to carry out projects , initiatives , or pilots across shared areas of interest , including rural community health and employee safety and well-being .
With this work , NCBA continues to support the safety and wellbeing of producers and the workforce , a critical step in ensuring total sustainability of our industry .
Build Resiliency
To achieve industry-wide progress toward all sustainability goals , U . S . cattle producers must remain economically viable . So much of the societal and environmental value cattle producers provide hinges on producers ’ ability to stay in business . While regulations to preserve natural areas may seek to assist in maintaining and increasing green space , they may have the opposite effect if regulations prevent a rancher from effectively maintaining their operation . Further , the implementation of practices to reduce environmental impact often build operational resiliency over time . The existence of a pro-producer business climate is imperative to ensure that cattle producers remain in business and continue to provide superior societal conservation value . When evaluating strategies to increase value , we must recognize the difference between creating value and capturing value . Not only does NCBA strive to grow the value of beef production in the U . S . but also strives to ensure cattle producers realize these gains .
22 NATIONAL CATTLEMEN DIRECTIONS 2023