Some organizations seem to have a purpose or function that extends through time. These organizations are made up of forward-thinking people who have an ability to keep the never ending complex world organized. One such group is the North Dakota Beef Cattle Improvement Association. I turned to the group for assistance when I was asked to testify before the U.S. International Trade Commission. The request was for information related to a qualitative and, to the extent possible, quantitative analysis of the economic effects of foreign animal health and sanitary and food safety measures on U.S. beef exports. As I pondered what I might contribute, I reflected on the NDBCIA's success. The NDBCIA is one of those visionary organizations that gathered dedicated cattle producers in 1963. To this day, the focus remains.

If one was to open the original bylaws, the needs of the organization, as defined by the beef producers at the time, were clear. Before getting to all of them, one is reminded that the crispness of the paper and the original typewriter imprints and overstrikes were done some time ago.

The nine original incorporators had a vision of what the beef industry needed.

They listed seven objectives:

• Advance the use of practical and scientifically proven information for beef cattle improvement by encouraging research and education related to the total advancement of beef cattle production;
  
• Encourage and coordinate herd improvement programs on the farm or ranch;
  
• Encourage and/or provide opportunities for recognition of superior beef type and conformation;
  
• Provide guidance and supervision of market and breeding animal evaluation programs in cooperation with breed associations;
  
• Assist in processing and evaluating records obtained in a herd improvement program;
  
• Promote and advertise superior stock based on accurate records; and
  
• To become affiliated with the American Beef Cattle Performance Registry Association, thereby joining hands with sister state associations in the standardization of procedure in the measurement of the performance of beef cattle and also the recognition of cattle with outstanding productivity .

Source: Bismarck Farm & Ranch Guide