REGION REPORTS
REGION l
By Frank Stoltzfus
The Region I Leadership Conference was held Sept . 26-27 at Great Lakes Sire Service in Bronson , Michigan . There were 48 attendees with all eight affiliate organizations represented as well as several state beef councils ( SBCs ). One of the goals was to provide time for networking between all the organizations as well as the NCBA staff who were present . The conference began with Todd Johnson , NCBA senior vice president of Federation Services , giving an overview of NCBA and opportunities for SBCs and state affiliates . Following that discussion , we moved into a policy and Farm Bill session led by Ethan Lane , NCBA vice president of Government Affairs . Our final panel discussion was led by NCBA Vice President Gene Copenhaver , Todd Johnson and Ethan Lane , and it focused on ways to enhance the federal and state Checkoff programs . We closed out day one with a networking reception and dinner at Woodland Acres .
Day two of the conference began with a tour of our host facility led by owner Earl Souva . We had a discussion on the “ beef on dairy ” trend , a growing practice , and its effects on NCBA membership and the Checkoff . Our final session for the conference was an open topic discussion which led to a discussion on the underserved areas for large animal veterinarian services and what can be done to resolve it . We also worked on revising our election procedure for Region I leadership . We will be finalizing the procedure at CattleCon 2025 .
I ’ d say we had a successful annual conference , and I look forward to the next one in 2025 in Virginia .
REGION ll
By Joe Hancock First , our heartfelt prayers remain with our friends across the Southeast impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton . Losses to family members , property and animals were catastrophic .
In Florida , they have been in hurricane recovery mode following storms Debby , Helene and Milton . Part of this involves distributing hay , feed , fence material , as well as dispatching volunteer work crews to help ranchers patch fence , move trees off fences and roads , complete chainsaw work and skid steer hours . We want to help folks find some sense of normalcy and help cattle get off roadways and have access to clean water . Florida Cattlemen ’ s Association ( FCA ) is working with USDA , NRCS and the Farm Service Agency to discuss the best ways to utilize disaster programs . FCA is working with the state Department of Agriculture to secure truck weight restriction waivers to allow more cattle on trucks , getting them out of wet , stressful conditions .
Meanwhile in North Carolina , they are focused on helping farms recover from significant storm damage . This support is crucial to ensuring producers can rebuild and continue to thrive despite adversity .
They are also working closely with their state Department of Agriculture , Cooperative Extension , and large animal practitioners to expand programs that enhance the health and sustainability of our industry . For example , continuing to strengthen the Beef
Quality Assurance ( BQA ) program to ensure producers uphold the highest standards in cattle care and management . Additionally , they are actively promoting the Secure Beef Supply Plan , which helps producers develop continuity of operation plans to protect the beef supply in the event of an animal disease outbreak . Together , these efforts are strengthening the industry and ensuring that future generations of producers have the tools and resources they need to succeed .
REGION lll
By Charlie Besher
Beef producers have historically kept family at the center of all our work , with many programs geared toward our youth . Their involvement is what truly makes our industry sustainable . If our kids and students do not stay or return to the family operation , then what happens to it ? Maybe we don ’ t want to think about it .
Region III has done a great job developing programs focused on their junior members . Many of the states have programs to work with youth and build their knowledge of the industry , with training to be an advocate for the industry . I am proud to say all the state affiliates in Region III have some form of a young cattlemen ’ s college . They each look a bit different , but all have the same outcome — teaching youth the importance of the beef industry to our country .
Youth get to be involved by going to their state capitol and speaking to their elected officials on each of the state ’ s policy priorities . Many of these visits include state industry tours and some even have a trip to Washington , D . C ., to reinforce their stance on national policy . These programs are developing our future industry leaders . Being a graduate from NCBA ’ s Young Cattlemen ’ s Conference , I have seen the impacts these programs have . Some examples of state junior show programs are Missouri , Iowa ’ s Governor Charity Steer Show , and Illinois ’ Points Show Program . Each state has many scholarship opportunities up for grabs . It is hard to capture all the good things put into place for youth in our region , but your state affiliates would be glad to talk to you further about opportunities they have available . Have a blessed Christmas , and I will see you in San Antonio !
REGION lV
By Scott Anderson
What is community ? Merriam-Webster defines it as “ a unified body of individuals with common characteristics or interests living together within a larger society .” The four policy affiliates within Region IV serve their broader community daily through everything from support / resources in disasters to mentoring tomorrow ’ s leaders .
The wildfires across the Texas Panhandle and into western Oklahoma early this spring were devastating . In response , the disaster relief funds from both Texas Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association ( TSCRA ) and Oklahoma Cattlemen ’ s Association ( OCA ) started coordinating receipt of donations , both physical needs and monetary donations . In total , nearly 1,500 donors raised more than $ 2.5 million to help affected ranching families and volunteer fire departments . Now that ’ s community .
Affiliate members and leadership also support their communities daily — including the kids ! Arkansas Cattlemen ’ s Beef Project provides beef to local food banks . Texas Cattle Feeders Association
16 NATIONAL CATTLEMEN www . NCBA . org