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Absence of Tension

by Troy Smith for Angus Productions Inc.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 4, 2012) — While performing his final duties as president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Bill Donald called the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention a “historic” event, noting the record-breaking 8,217 registrants in attendance. On the final day of the Nashville, Tenn. convention, Donald and Wesley Grau, chairman of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, led attendees through the joint meeting of their respective organizations’ boards of directors.

 

In an address to the joint group, Oklahoma Radio Network broadcaster Ron Hays commented on the absence of the tension of internal strife that tainted 2010 meetings.

 

“The dynamics have changed. Members and leadership here are more positively motivated,” observed Hays, calling it a reflection of increased trust in the organizations and greater optimism for the industry.

 

Donald and other officers recounted NCBA’s successes on Capitol Hill, during 2011. Reporting a positive shift in membership numbers and improved financial standing was Victoria, Texas, cattleman and membership chairman Bob McCan. NCBA directors later elected McCan to serve as the association’s vice president for 2012. Advancing from that post to president-elect was Scott George, a dairyman and cow-calf producer from Cody, Wyo. Succeeding Donald as NCBA president was cattle feeder J.D. Alexander, of Pilger, Neb.

 

NCBA directors also approved a number of resolutions and policy directives, for presentation to the general membership meeting scheduled for later in the day.

 

Specific to CBB business was a financial report indicating income from beef checkoff assessments had declined, in keeping with lower total U.S. cattle numbers. Retiring CBB Secretary-Treasurer Roger West of Florida said 2011 assessments totaled $41,918,000, compared with $42,136,000 in 2010.

 

“Income was down and expenses were up. But, at year-end, we spent $489,000 less than we collected. Investment in programs for beef promotion, research and education totaled $39,448,000, and administrative costs were below the 5% (of total income) required by law,” said West, adding that projected checkoff revenue for 2012 is $40,870,000.

 

Having fulfilled the last few months of the term vacated by his predecessor, Grady, N.M., seedstock producer Wesley Grau was elected to a full term as CBB chairman. Chosen as vice chairman was Star City, Ark., cattleman Weldon Wynn; and Kim Bracket of Castleford, Idaho, was elected secretary-treasurer.