Stimulating Discussions Expected At Conference
US - Healthy discussions and planning for programmes that will impact the future of the cattle industry are on the agenda as the 2011 Cattle Industry Summer Conference kicks off in Kissimmee, Florida, this week.
3 August 2011
2 minute read
Among speakers lined up for the event is Herman Cain, a presidential candidate who has significant experience in the food industry, having served in leadership positions with Burger King, Godfather’s Pizza and the National Restaurant Association.
Bill Donald, a beef producer from Melville, Montana, and president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA)said: “With the array of both industry policy and beef demand issues facing our industry, we expect this meeting to be stimulating and thought-provoking. Attendees can expect to have insightful and challenging discussions during the meetings, and at the same time enjoy fellowship with fellow beef producers from around the country.”
As keynote speaker, Mr Cain will speak to more than 500 attendees on Tuesday the second of August, sharing his outlook on the economy, agriculture and global and domestic food production. On Wednesday the third of August, at a session sponsored by Bayer Animal Health, W.D. Farr Scholarships will be presented to two graduate students by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation. Also at that session a presentation describing the US Farmers and Ranchers Alliance, a new voice for agriculture, will be made.
During the week, meetings will be held by the NCBA Federation of State Beef Councils and the Cattlemen’s Beef Board to discuss Beef Checkoff Programme priorities.
NCBA’s policy division will also host sessions to discuss issues impacting cattlemen and women. Also participating in the Summer Conference are the American National CattleWomen and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation.
In addition, joint committees and subcommittees will meet to develop proposals for research, education and promotion programmes. These groups are helping plan Checkoff-funded work for the 2012 fiscal year, which begins on the first of October. A session for all committee members will be held prior to those meetings to discuss how the 2011-2013 Beef Industry Long Range Plan can fit into their deliberations.
Mr Donald said much of the attention during policy discussions will focus on the administration’s overregulation, which includes the US Department of Agriculture’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration’s proposed rule on livestock and poultry marketing; a slew of regulations proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency; and government mandates for ethanol production.
During these policy committees, members will vote on interim policy that will be voted on for full approval by NCBA members in Nashville, Tenneessee, during the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention and Tradeshow.
“Both our hands-on Summer Conference and the larger Annual Convention are key meetings for our industry,” said Mr Donald.
“The challenges we face our real, and these sessions provide an opportunity to meet them head on-with tangible solutions. We know our producer leaders will come to Florida ready to learn, deliberate and work hard to help improve our industry.”
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