Colin Woodall , NCBA CEO

Taking Stock of Our Direction

We like to fight , and for 125 years fighting has been one of this association ’ s badges of honor . We take on the virtuous fights against fake proteins , animal extremists , regulatory attacks and the daily barrage of misinformation about cattle production . Taking a stand and putting up a fight is why our association has been successful and enjoys the reputation it does . However , we rarely take the time to lay our fights aside and take stock of what we have accomplished and where we have taken our association and this industry . Our fights have resulted in some amazing wins that we need to take credit for and appreciate .

As we continue to celebrate the 125th anniversary of NCBA , I believe this milestone is the best start to appreciating our accomplishments . I am not sure that longevity was on the minds of the livestock producers who attended the first convention in 1898 , but the foundation they set was firm and one we have built upon . Think about all the industry issues which have divided us across the years . Regional issues , marketing issues , trade and more . Any one of these could have dissolved our association , but the internal fights led to actions and policies which made us better . The simple fact that we are here and still putting up wins for cattle producers is something we need to be proud of .

On the policy front , our tenacity and fortitude are serving us well . This year ’ s Supreme Court decision on the definition of Waters of the United States included arguments made by NCBA on what should , or should not , be considered a WOTUS . After close to two decades of fighting against this brazen show of EPA overreach , the Supreme Court decision proves that fighting for the right thing is worth every year and dollar we spent to protect your property rights . This is just one of many victories we have had in the environmental arena . When President Biden signed an executive order on climate change his first day in office , we knew we were going to be plagued with bad rules based on the wrong information about our impact on the environment . For close to three years , we have kept the administration at bay by showcasing we are part of the solution , not the problem , when it comes to greenhouse gases and environmental stewardship . Regarding green house gas regulations , NCBA can still win even when the political environment is unfriendly . The President ’ s 30x30 initiative also concerned us , especially when it came to our right to graze public lands . Even with an effort to rebrand 30x30 as “ America the Beautiful ,” NCBA played a role in marginalizing that initiative and burying it deep .

We can deliver these wins because of what we stand for and how we operate . Members of Congress and executive branch departments and agencies know that when NCBA knocks on the door , we are working on issues you have identified as critical to your ultimate success . That is why we were successful in getting Congress to include the Foot and Mouth Disease ( FMD ) vaccine bank in the 2018 bill and why they are supportive of maintaining it in the new Farm Bill we are working on . Our influence and success does not stop at the border . As a result of NCBA ’ s officers engaging with the Canadian Cattle Association during their conference last year , the Canadians established their own FMD vaccine bank . This year , the NCBA officers pushed the Mexican cattlemen ’ s association , CNOG , to do the same . Our international engagement has also focused on the European Union and the United Kingdom as we continue our work to open new markets and eliminate barriers to export our beef .

NCBA ’ s efforts have also been successful in ensuring our consumers remain beef fanatics . Our engagement to expose plant-based , or fake meat , products has thwarted the efforts of brands like Impossible Foods or Beyond Meat from relegating us to the discount bin . Our work fighting lab-grown protein provided a win by ensuring that these products are inspected by USDA , just like we are . There is nothing like beef the way nature intended , and our consumers see it that way , too .

There will always be things that challenge us , but through it all , there is a lot of good news and optimism in our industry , much of which is due to the victories NCBA has achieved working on your behalf at home and abroad . We are committed to staying the course , fighting the fight , and winning the tough battles to keep America ’ s cattle and beef industry strong .

6 NATIONAL CATTLEMEN DIRECTIONS 2023