44 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN March 2024 POLICY NEBRASKA CATTLEMEN IN ORLANDO LAURA FIELD | NC EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Nebraska Cattlemen (NC) members traveled to Orlando, Fla., to attend the Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show, Jan. 30-Feb. 2. The meeting included motivational speakers, policy committee discussions, Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) awards, the ever-popular Cattlemen’s College and a CattleFax weather and economic forecast outlook. Tuesday afternoon, members attended the Region VII meeting to hear updates from other states in the region and share current issues from Nebraska. Wednesday morning started with a D.C. issues update where National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) staff discussed the various issues they are advocating for in our nation’s capital. Getting a Farm Bill passed was at the top of that list, and attendees heard from each staff member on the key topics they are working on for beef producers. Former NFL player and acclaimed magician Jon Dorenbos led the opening general session with a blend of magic and motivation. Policy committee meetings were Wednesday afternoon and Thursday. Nebraska Cattlemen is well represented in NCBA committee leadership with Ken Herz of Lawrence and Jaclyn Wilson of Lakeside serving as chairs of the Ag and Food Policy and International Trade committees, respectively. Mike Drinnin of Columbus serves as vice chair of Live Cattle Marketing, and Barb Cooksley of Anselmo serves as vice chair of Property Rights and Environmental Management. BQA winners were announced Thursday morning, and Nebraska was again well-represented with Adams Land and Cattle winning the BQA Feedyard Award and Power Genetics winning the BQA Marketer Award. Following the awards, attendees were entertained by futurist Jim Carroll sharing thoughts about the pace of change in the world, including technology changes in agriculture. Thursday evening was the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame banquet where Greg Wolfe of Imperial was honored with the Arturo Armendariz Distinguished Service Award. Friday morning started with the always-popular CattleFax outlook. Matt Makens shared a weather outlook for the months ahead, followed by the CattleFax team sharing projections on market conditions and cattle inventory into 2024 and 2025. The Cattle Industry Convention concluded with the NCBA Board of Directors meeting. Board members received a financial update, and the resolutions committee recommended adoption of policy matters discussed in each committee. Policy is approved on an interim basis and will be acted upon at the Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting in San Diego before being sent out for approval by the full membership. The NCBA Governance Task Force made its final recommendation for the updated policy investment schedule, following the dues increase passed by the membership in 2023. The nominating committee recommendations were approved to include NCBA President Mark Eiesle, Wyoming; President-Elect Buck Wehrbein, Nebraska; and Vice President Gene Copenhaver, Virginia. Attendees wrapped up the convention with a “Cowboys and Coasters” night at Universal Studios. The NC Executive Committee and staff will be attending the Legislative Conference, April 17-20 in Washington, D.C., followed by the Summer Business Meeting, July 8-11 in San Diego, Calif. ~NC~ 2024 NCBA officer team from left to right: Todd Wilkinson, past president; Mark Eisele, president; Skye Krebs, Policy Division vice chair; Dan Gattis, Federation Division chair; Buck Wehrbein, president-elect; Nancy Jackson, Federation Division vice chair; Gene Copenhaver, vice president; Brad Hastings, treasurer; Kim Brackett, Policy Division chair.
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