J.D. Alexander Photos by Kasey Miller
Incoming Officers Rally
Producers to Cause
by Troy Smith for Angus Productions Inc.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 2, 2012) — Rallying their troops to a common cause, officers of the National Cattlemen'’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board (CBB) addressed Thursday’s general session of the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville, Tenn. NCBA 2011 Vice President J.D. Alexander and CBB 2011 Vice Chairman Weldon Wynn urged beef producers in attendance to become fully engaged in developing policy and programs at the convention, and to encourage involvement among producers “back home.”
Borrowing from a previous convention speaker, former Navy SEAL Marcus Lutrell, Alexander exhorted the audience to be “fearless, determined and motivated” in attacking the work ahead. The Nebraska cattle feeder said the convention had attracted record attendance, and active member participation is needed for NCBA to be most effective in defending cattlemen’s interests.
“If you’re not at the table, you risk being on the menu,” stated Alexander. “If you want a voice, get off the sidelines and become actively involved in the organization. Help prevent our industry from being the main course at big government’s café.”
Alexander reviewed successful NCBA efforts to halt onerous government regulation, including USDA’s proposed GIPSA rule, overly ambitious Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) dust regulation and an attempt to make commercial drivers’ licenses a requirement for agricultural producers and employees. He said the coming year will find NCBA pushing for elimination of estate taxes that can keep farm and ranch operations from being passed to succeeding generations.
Weldon Wynn
Wynn, an Arkansas cattleman, urged producers to help shape the future by influencing decisions related to CBB investment of beef checkoff dollars for promotion and education. He suggested they “make it personal” by becoming ambassadors for the industry.
“There’s a role for every one of us,” said Wynn. “I suggest you participate in our Masters of Beef Advocacy course and get your own ‘MBA.’ Stand up; be proud of what you do and how you do it. Share it with consumers. Tell the media. And tell the positive story about what the checkoff is doing to your fellow cattlemen. They contribute to the checkoff, so they are part of it.”
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