Where It All Happens

BY RACHEL ABEH, Montana Stockgrowers Association intern

Students from Montana State University and Texas Tech University, including myself, traveled to our nation’s capital last week for a look at the impacts being made in Washington by agriculture organizations. Each of us is a student in our respective university’s college of agriculture. We went mainly to meet with the “who’s who” in the agriculture industry and learn about what their organizations are currently working on to better agriculture in politics.

We met with staff of the House Ag Committee, National Cattleman’s Beef Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, USDA-NIFA, and U.S. Wheat Counsel. These organizations welcomed our questions about the industry and offered a lot of insight from all sectors of agriculture. That week was perhaps the best to visit D.C., as the Farm Bill got rolling and biotech wheat was discovered.

A lot is happening in the industry in general and economic, legislative, and trade topics were discussed heavily by each organization. Additionally, we learned about the alliances between these organizations, which give agriculturalists an even stronger voice in D.C. This showcased to cohesiveness of agriculturalists and put into prospective the power of our industry.

I was most interested with the information we got from the National Cattleman’s Beef Association (NCBA), students from MSU and Tech alike could relate to the beef industry. NCBA discussed the future of the beef industry, and their role as lobbyist and advocates for their members. Especially in the recent work with the Farm Bill as it moves out of committee. NCBA discussed the challenges lay ahead for producers in relation to the Farm Bill; however, they remain hopeful as the Farm Bill progresses.

Ultimately, the trip to D.C. offered excellent prospective into the work that is done by the organizations in our industry. The ability to see the places and the people that are a driving force in the industry was invaluable to each of us and is an encouragement despite the negative connotations Washington sometimes holds.

 

The Beef Production Chain: It’s a Sustainable Way

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The Young Producer’s Council is proud to have creative minds who think outside the box on our team. One such team member, Megan Webb, has prepared a video with her family on their ranch that highlights the beef production chain to enter the Five Nations Beef Alliance video contest. The winner of the YouTube competition earns a trip to the FNBA for his/her own country. So please, go to Megan’s YouTube video and give it a thumbs up. It’s Mmmmm Beefy!

 

New Cattlemen’s Group Hits the Ground Running at K-State

By: John Sachse – Kansas State University Collegiate Cattlemen, YPC Member

Members of K-State Collegiate Cattlemen visit Judd Ranch in Pomona, KS

When sitting down to discuss the direction the founding members wanted to take the new KSU Collegiate Cattlemen’s Club (CCC), they envisioned a club with the purpose of promoting and advocating the beef industry and animal agriculture at the local, state and national level. They wanted an organization where members are encouraged to further expand their knowledge about the beef industry and engage with the public in a positive manner.

After the club’s first full year that mission and goal have been accomplished. The club has engaged with students on campus and has spoken with top industry producers while networking and promoting the beef industry. The founding members wanted to make sure they developed a club that would continue to make an impact on campus for years to come so they felt it was important to put together a detailed constitution and set of bylaws for future leadership guidance. One of the ways CCC helps its members build leadership and networking is the relationship it holds with the Kansas Livestock Association (KLA). Ten members attended the 100th Annual KLA Convention in November 2012. Members learned about the KLA policy making process, learned new ways to engage with consumers, heard from numerous guest speakers and networked with other young livestock industry leaders.

At each monthly meeting, CCC brings in a guest speaker to educate members on beef industry news and opportunities. The club members can utilize the education they receive in their advocating process. One member took these learned skills and created a YouTube video, “Beyond the Fence,” to showcase what beef producers do on America’s ranches. Club members spend time talking to both students and producers at events such as the 100th Annual KSU Cattlemen’s Day event, KLA Legislative meeting, participating at beef promotional events and getting involved during K-State’s AgFest. At the 2013 K- State Open House, CCC, along with close partner KSU Collegiate Cattlewomen, set up a booth themed “When a Cow is More than a Cow”. Those in attendance included KSU students and the community, many of whom have limited agricultural backgrounds, but were able to learn just how efficient our industry is with the many commercial household products that are made from beef by-products.

Members of the K-State Collegiate Cattlemen group pose with Baxter Black, cowboy poet and veterinarian, at the 100th Annual Kansas Livestock Association Convention

Collegiate Cattlemen’s also took time to tour local beef operations such as the Kansas Artificial Breeding Service Unit “KABSU” and Judd Ranch in Pomona, Kansas during the spring. Club members are also hoping to gain livestock sale experience by volunteering at local ranches. Several members volunteered their services at the Spring Kansas Beef Expo sale. These members were able to network with other cattlemen and promote our club name to those producers who sold cattle that day. The members are continuing to look to further develop their skills in the future with new opportunities and experiences. Each one of us rides for a different brand, but here we ALL ride for one brand….the beef industry!