From the President
Buck Wehrbein
BRINGING IN THE NEXT GENERATION
As an NCBA officer, I’ ve had the privilege to meet young producers across the country who are eager to build a life raising cattle and finding innovative ways to chart a future in the business for themselves and their families. They’ ve got the work ethic, the brains and the heart, too often though, they don’ t have the backing.
We’ ve heard from the past couple of Young Cattlemen’ s Conference classes that resources for building and growing operations, beginning farmer and rancher programs, and financial planning support are all areas where NCBA can help lead. If we want this industry to be as strong 20 years from now, as it is today, then we’ ve got to get serious about making it possible, and profitable, for the next generation to carry the torch.
We talk a lot about succession planning, generational transition and preserving our way of life. Here’ s the hard truth: it’ s tough for young producers to enter this business and make a living. Land is expensive. Operating costs are rising. The rules are complicated. And financing, when it’ s available, can be daunting for those without collateral or a long credit history. That’ s why NCBA is working on strategies to bring in more young cattle producers and keep them in this business long term.
We need to expand and strengthen young producer programs. That means support for mentorships, apprenticeships, handson training and leadership opportunities that help beginning farmers and ranchers build the skills and networks they need. Our industry is built on relationships, and that includes giving young producers access to the kind of information and guidance that only comes from experience.
Our industry is built on relationships, and that includes giving young producers access to the kind of information and guidance that only comes from experience.
After months of advocacy, NCBA helped deliver the One Big Beautiful Bill and secure tax relief for family farmers and ranchers. This was a huge step in the right direction, and we should continue to push for policies that support a favorable business climate, particularly for young producers.
We need to modernize and simplify loan programs for young and beginning producers. USDA tools like Farm Service Agency loans are a good start, as are the Farm Credit system programs, but they’ re often bogged down by bureaucracy and can be complicated. We need loan products that are streamlined, accessible and built for the realities of a cattle operation managed by the next generation of producers.
We can find a way to give young producers the tools to manage risk. Whether that’ s a series of new tools, better access to Livestock Risk Protection( LRP) and disaster relief programs, or just more education about marketing and managing margins. We need to help folks build resilient businesses that can weather the highs and lows of this industry.
In my view, this is one of the best investments we can make. When we help a young producer get started, we’ re not just supporting one family, we’ re strengthening our entire industry for generations to come. I’ m proud of the progress NCBA has made, and while there’ s still more work ahead, I believe that if we stay focused and committed to bringing in the next generation, the future of cattle country will be in good hands. www. NCBA. org NATIONAL CATTLEMEN 5