REGION REPORTS
REGION l
By Frank Stoltzfus
I am so appreciative for the opportunity that the eight NCBA affiliates from the northeastern states have given me to represent them as the Region I Policy Vice President. Since I started producing cattle almost 60 years ago, I have always tried to contribute to the industry as much as possible. This opportunity on the Executive Committee has given me the platform to participate in the decision-making process at the highest level.
My philosophy and mission have always been very simple: Take blue sky and green grass and make red meat( BEEF). From there, my goal has been to produce beef efficiently and effectively, leading to the challenge of producing beef profitably. I have taken that mission, goal and challenge to the board room and used them to represent all members of NCBA.
Working with some of the best cattle producers and industry leaders in the nation, we have come together to make good decisions, not only for the betterment of the association but especially for cattle and beef producers. I have personally been able to broaden my view of our industry because of the wide variety of personalities serving in this capacity.
As my three-year term concludes, I want to thank the NCBA officers and the members of the Executive Committee for allowing me the opportunity to help formulate the direction of this, the best cattle organization in the nation. Also, a special thanks to the tremendous NCBA staff. Thank you ALL.
REGION ll
By Joe Hancock Happy New Year from Region II! As we enter 2026, southeastern cattle producers remain cautiously optimistic about our industry’ s future. With tight national supplies supporting firm prices and strong export potential in emerging markets, producers are hoping to enhance their profitability.
Our diverse pasture soils, with proper management and cooperation from mother nature, allow native warm season grasses to thrive on these varied soils, from sandy uplands to heavy clays, providing an extended grazing period.
However, despite our large cattle producing land acreage, much of these lands are being threatened as the southeast continues to outperform the national average in population growth, primarily due to accelerated migration to the region. Many producers are being pressured out of production by urban growth and strict regulations. Other concerns of the southeastern producers, as with the rest of the country, are high input costs, shrinking processing capacity, and annual management of pests which currently includes the rising New World Screwworm threat.
One of the biggest challenges we as producers face are bureaucratic rules, regulations, and directives created by government agencies to implement and enforce laws which negatively impact producers. NCBA has proven to be a successful guiding force in leading opposition of such government interference against producers. I remain proud of being a part of NCBA and look forward to serving another year on the Executive Committee, and thereafter a supporting member. God Speed.
REGION lll
By Charlie Besher
Wishing everyone a prosperous New Year. The past year has given us much to appreciate— robust markets have contributed to positive sentiments throughout our community, and we are achieving record results in our sale barns following a brief downturn in the final quarter. We welcomed the opening of America’ s Heartland Packing, operated by American Food Groups, a state-of-the-art processing facility. Currently, the facility processes 1,200 cows per day and intends to begin processing graded cattle in late spring, which will bring significant benefits to many individuals both locally and beyond.
The outlook remains optimistic but we are not without our share of challenges. The advance of the New World Screwworm is of concern, and certain areas are contending with bovine theileriosis, a tick-borne illness caused by Theileria. This bloodborne protozoan parasite affects domesticated animals, and there have already been confirmed cases in our region. These ongoing cattle health threats are compounded by widespread drought conditions. Every state in our area is currently experiencing some degree of drought, with portions of east central Illinois in a D3. Such conditions pose considerable difficulties, as stockpiled forages are minimal due to being a dry late summer for most.
These challenges are not unfamiliar to most in our industry. We continue to manage these challenges with diligence and optimism. Notably, our industry is steadily improving its capability to deal with these challenges with all the research and technology advancements we are seeing. We remain committed to persevering in this industry and supporting one another to have something to pass on to the next generation and move our industry forward.
REGION lV
By Scott Anderson
It has truly been an honor to serve the last three years as the Policy Vice President for Region IV. I would sum up the attributes of the producers in this region in one word, resilient. Issues producers have faced range from pushing for right-to-farm legislation, to border issues and landowner rights, to questions surrounding Tribal Sovereignty, and now concerns related to the New World Screwworm with its related challenges.
The best example of resilience demonstrated came in the aftermath of the horrific wildfires in the early spring of 2024. More than 1.2 million acres burned with an estimated $ 123 million in losses. BUT … more than 1,500 donors raised more than $ 2.5 million in relief funds for affected ranch families and rural fire departments in the Panhandle of Texas and western Oklahoma. Efforts carried into legislative activities in 2025, creating support for wildfire prevention and response measures including resources for rural volunteer fire departments to be better equipped.
One of the great opportunities of being a Region Vice President was involvement with the Environmental Stewardship Award Program( ESAP). This program highlights the great ways
16 FEBRUARY 2026 www. NCBA. org