J. D. Alexander

Nebraska cattleman J.D. Alexander was named 2012 president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) during the organization’s annual meeting in Nashville. Alexander officially took the reins of NCBA from Bill Donald, a rancher from Melville, Mont. 

The 2012 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show attracted a record 8,216 attendees. The attendance eclipsed the old record of just less than 7,000, set at NCBA’s 1998 centennial celebration. 

Elected NCBA president-elect was Scott George, a second generation Wyoming farmer. Also elected to NCBA posts at the meeting were Bob McCan, Texas, to vice president; Craig Uden, Nebraska, federation division chair; Richard Gebhart, Oklahoma,  federation division vice chair; Don Pemberton, Missouri, policy division chair; and Phil Ellis, Wyoming, policy division vice chair.    

Alexander said the turnout was representative of the enthusiasm in the industry.

“If you want a voice, want to make a difference and want to ensure that your family operation stays in the family, you must step up to the plate, get off the sidelines and become actively involved in your industry,” he said. “Together – with our state and national partnership – we will be at the table and off the menu.”

Alexander has served as chairman of the federation division and on numerous NCBA committees. George was previously NCBA vice president and has also served on the Beef Promotion Operating Committee and as chair and vice chair of the federation division.

The next generation of cattlemen and women took an active role in the convention, with more than 1,000 young people registered to attend. Marketing, public speaking, quiz bowl and livestock judging contests were held for youth of all ages.

In addition, more than 250 companies and organizations exhibited at the NCBA Trade Show – another record. While convention attendees spent a great deal of time in meetings and at educational seminars, there were multiple entertainment events for them to attend. A Cowboy’s Night at the Grand Ole Opry, with performances by the Oak Ridge Boys, Josh Turner, Charley Pride and others was a highlight of the convention.

Alexander called the 2012 Convention and NCBA Trade Show “a convention of a lifetime.” He said it exceeded expectations.       

“There was a lot of optimism and positive energy at this convention,” Alexander said. “We saw a lot of ranchers and farmers – both young and old – looking to the future and the possibilities it holds. We’ve got a lot of momentum in this industry and in NCBA.”

“For America’s cattlemen and women, conservation and environmental stewardship is a must. At the Masonic Village Farm, they have raised the bar by partnering with local, state and federal governmental and private organizations to implement innovative practices and technologies that will leave the land and its resources better for future generations of beef producers,” said NCBA Chief Executive Officer Forrest Roberts. “As the entire industry works to continually improve our environmental sustainability, the Masonic Village Farm is a shining example that we should all strive to achieve. It is an honor to recognize the leaders at the Masonic Village for their willingness to go the extra mile in the name of environmental stewardship.”

The Masonic Village Farm, which has been in operation for more than 100 years, raises 180 cow/calf pairs, maintains a feedlot that finishes approximately 200 steers annually, grows corn, soybeans and hay land. The Village implements rotational grazing to maintain its pastures; uses manure from feedlots to fertilize its fields; and innovative watering systems throughout the farm. Additionally, the farm invites the public to tour the facilities and learn more about the possibilities of stewardship in agriculture.

The Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP), now in its 21 year, was created to recognize beef producers who make environmental stewardship a priority on their farms and ranches while they also improve production and profitability. The ESAP award is sponsored by Dow AgroSciences; the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; NCBA; and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation. Dave Owens, the range and pasture portfolio leader for Dow AgroSciences, said the award recognizes the work beef producers do to conserve and improve the land and its resources. Dow AgroSciences has sponsored the program for the last 13 years.

“All the winners are outstanding. They showcase the types of innovative work that takes place on farms and ranches nationwide,” Owens said. “The work they are currently doing not only benefits their operations today but will continue doing so for years to come.”

The Masonic Village was nominated by the Pennsylvania NRCS and was recognized during the 2011 Cattle Industry Summer Conference as one of six regional ESAP winners.

“It has been spoken by more than one person at The Village that they take blue sky and green grass and make red meat,” said Denise Coleman with the Pennsylvania NRCS, which nominated the Masonic Village Farm. “In doing so, they seek a balance between the land, the cattle, the crops, the residents and the environment to remain a profitable, productive and viable agricultural operation.”

Photo courtesy of Masonic Village Farm

NASHVILLE, TENN. – “The estate tax kills small business and jeopardizes the future of our family farms and ranches throughout the country,” said Kent Bacus, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) associate director of legislative affairs. “2012 will be the year where permanent relief is within reach.”

Featured photo courtesy of Beltway Beef

Durkin said MF Global violated the system and it was a blow to the entire industry.

Durkin said the CME Group had established the $100 million Family Farmer and Rancher Protection Fund to protect individual investors in the event of another MF Global type event. In the event of a loss the fund would provide up to $25,000 to individual farmers and rancher or up to $50,000 for eligible cooperatives. Rules to determine elegible losses for the Family Farmer and Rancher fund are still being developed.

The fund should be available by March 1, according to Durkin.

“We understand the significant risk you face everyday and it is our responsibility to restore your confidence,” Durkin said.

Featured photo courtesy of Beltway Beef

Randy Blach, CattleFax CEO, and his staff gave their annual cattle market update to a packed house the Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville, Tn. As the U.S. begins to rebuild its cow herd Blach said cow/calf producers will be in the drivers seat. (Journal photo by Doug Rich.)

If you had trouble getting a cell phone connection at around 10:00 a.m. CST today blame it on the Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville, Tn. The CattleFax Update concluded about that time and every cowboy in the room was calling back home with orders to buy or sell depending on their position in the cattle market.

The news was bullish for cow/calf producers. Randy Blach, CattleFax CEO, said cow/calf producers will be in the drivers seat for the next few years as the U.S. cow herd begins to rebuild from record low numbers. Shrinking cattle supplies and higher input costs could mean consolidation in the feedlot and packing industries.

“We will grow the herd no doubt if we get enough moisture,” Blach said.

Art Douglas said world weather patterns have started to shift away from La Nina to El Nino. Douglas said very warm temperatures will continue through February for much of the U.S. Expect cool, wet conditions in the Midwest this spring which could lead to late planting and delayed maturity of the corn crop if those conditions persist through the summer months.

The big variable in the price of corn continues to be ethanol. The export market for U.S. produced ethanol will continue to grow for the next few years putting additional pressure on corn supply to use ratios. According to CattleFax, corn will win the battle for acres and expand to 94 million acres in 2012.

You may now assume normal cell phone activity.

2012 Beef Ambassador team, pictured left to right: Kim Rounds Grass Valley, Calif.; Rossie Blinson, Buies Creek, N.C.; John Weber, St. Paul, Minn.; Emily Jack, Giddings, Texas; and Arika Snyder, Lewistown, Penn. (Journal photo by Kylene Scott.)

Five youth from across the United States are excited to be promoting beef as part of the National Beef Ambassador Program.

The 2012 team includes: Kim Rounds Grass Valley, Calif.; Rossie Blinson, Buies Creek, N.C.; John Weber, St. Paul, Minn.; Emily Jack, Giddings, Texas; Arika Snyder, Lewistown, Penn.

In their short time as ambassadors, the group has already traveled to visit the Certified Angus Beef headquarters in Ohio, a major farm show on the east coast as well as leadership training in Denver, Colo. Other trips are planned for the remainder of their term.

Emily Jack said the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Cattle Industry Convention has been the highlight of her experience thus far.

“I really just enjoy traveling and getting to know other members on the team,” Jack said. “I think this one might have topped the list. This is really fun.”

Team member, Kim Rounds said one of the lessons she has taken home was learning how to work as part of a team.

“We each discover we each have our own strengths, knowing when we talk to a consumer, how to pass it off to someone who might know more about that area,” Rounds said.”Its been really fun learning how we all work as a team, and how to talk to consumers.”

Of importance to Ambassador Rossie Blinson was learning how to interact with consumers.

“We’ve learned how to talk to consumers is one big thing (I’ve learned),” she said. “Since we do a lot of consumer promotion we need to know how to get the good word out about beef.”

The team expressed gratitude to all those who have helped them on the journey thus far, especially those directly involved in the beef industry.

For more information on the Ambassador team visit www.nationalbeefambassador.org.