PROGRESSIVE PRODUCER
INVESTING IN OUR YOUTH
CBCIA SPONSORS YOUNG PRODUCER AWARD by Tracy Schohr, University of California Cooperative Extension The California Beef Cattle Improvement Association (CBCIA) is an affiliate of CCA that fosters beef cattle improvement and economic production. The producer driven organization supports beef producer education and research focused on genetics, breeding and herd management, nutrition and ethical and humane practices. Since 1972, the organization has recognized outstanding seedstock and commercial cattle producers who are progressive in implementing breeding and management practices in their operation. CBCIA has also recognized youth through carcass of merit and carcass of merit gold awards across the state, offered collegiate scholarships and held a contest to recognize progressive young cattle producers. The CBCIA Young Cattle Producer Award is a relatively new addition to the organization. This contest is designed to showcase what California young cattle producers are doing at home, and their future goals in the beef industry. “In 2015, the CBCIA board was exploring options to engage youth who were showing and raising cattle more with the industry,” recalls CBCIA President Ryan Nelson, Five Star Land and Livestock, Wilton. “When we created this contest, we focused on cattle industry elements and professional development skills. We have cattle producers and industry affiliates serve as judges and do not include showring placements in competition scoring.” The contest has most recently been held in conjunction with the Cal Poly’s Western Bonanza Junior Livestock Show each February. However, this year CBCIA is holding the contest virtually with a few different elements in light of the cancellation of Western Bonanza. “It was a difficult decision for Cal Poly to cancel the 2021 Western Bonanza Jr. Livestock Show due to the
ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This will be a missed opportunity for our students, community, and livestock youth,” said Zach McFarlane, Ph.D. Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. “However, this presents an opportunity to redesign the CBCIA contest and allow all eligible youth to participate, not just those who would have exhibited at Western Bonanza.” The CBCIA Young Producer 2021 Contest will award $1,750 in cash prizes and includes three elements for the competition: 1. Beef Industry and Care Educational Video (15-55 seconds) 2. Herd Book, including a 1-page cattle advertisement 3. Online interview (for those selected) The application is due Feb. 12, 2021. For the complete contest instructions and rules please visit https:// calcattlemen.org/portfolio-items/cbcia/. “I admire CBCIA for being creative in developing this young producer award that is based on multiple facets of the industry,” states 2020 contest judge, Cara Crye, CEO of Farm Supply located on the Central Coast. “As a judge I was inspired by the youth who went above and beyond last year to create a professional book to market their beef program, create an industry educational display and practice their interview skills. The contest provides many opportunities to enhance practical life skills that will help each contestant to be successful in their future careers.” The 2020 CBCIA Young Cattle Producer Award Winners were 1st Place $1,000: Ashley Porter, Livermore; 2nd Place $500: Kayla Hurl, Shandon; and 3rd Place $250: Rose McPhee, Lodi. ...CONTINUED ON PAGE 52
Cal Poly’s Zach McFarlane, Ph.D., presents each of the 2020 Young Producer Award Winners (L to R: Ashley Porter, Kayla Hurl and Rose McPhee) with their official certificates at the 2020 Western Bonanza Junior Livestock Show. 50 California Cattleman February 2021
