NCBA Needs You

By Kendal Frazier, NCBA CEO
Photos courtesy of National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

  We had an incredible week in Nashville to kick off February, at the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. The fact that more than 9,300 members of our industry turned out to participate in conversations and decision-making that will move the beef community forward, made me proud to serve this great industry. The fact is, we need every member of the beef family to work together and ensure that our voices are heard.  
  The record-breaking crowd in Nashville was an outstanding display of involvement, and the number of younger cattlemen and women is truly an encouraging sign. It wasn’t too long ago that we’d see very few young men and women participate during the week and we’d often hear that kids weren’t coming back to the family operation. Fortunately, I’d say that trend appears to be changing and the signs look positive for the next generation of agricultural producers and for America itself.
  Now cattlemen and women need to stay focused on the momentum we built in Nashville and keep it going during the year ahead. There is a tremendous amount of work to be done and it’s going to take each of us standing together to make it happen. We’ll need you to play an active role if we’re going to draw a line through every item on our to-do list in 2017.
  One of the most important documents we craft each year is the Policy Priorities document and it outlines our goals in Washington, D.C. In 2017, we have a significant list that includes expanding international trade; WOTUS repeal; protecting our ability to use antibiotics in livestock production; reforming the Antiquities Act and repealing Bureau of Land Management’s Planning 2.0 rule; tax reform; border security and finally, preparing for the 2018 Farm Bill.
  Every single issue on the priorities list has the potential to have a major impact on each and every farmer or rancher in the United States. As you’re probably aware, the political landscape in our nation’s capital is extremely fragmented today, perhaps more so than any time in a generation. To rise above the background noise and have our voices heard, we must stand together. We’ll need cattlemen and women to contact their elected officials. We will need you to call, write, email or engage on social media. The list goes on, but my point is that we need you to participate on behalf of the beef community.
  No matter your opinion on the issues or politics, this country is great because we all have a say in our future and it’s time to exercise that right and make your voice heard, so our positive future continues to brighten for the next generation. Thank you once again to each of you who made the investment of time and resources to travel to Nashville; we hope to see you again in Phoenix. To those of you who haven’t joined us, we hope you’ll consider it next year. For now, though, please join the conversation online, speak with your elected NCBA officers when you see them at your state cattlemen’s convention, or take the time to recruit a new member to join the fight.