Californians participate in 2020 industry event

Remember the Alamo

Thousands gather in San Antonio to celebrate policy victories and work towards future beef industry wins

by CCA Director of Communications Katie Roberti

In early February, more than 8,000 people, including close to 200 Californians, headed south to San Antonio, Texas to participate in the 2020 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show. As with each year’s convention, many cattlemen and women made plans to see the sights of the city hosting the event. From enjoying restaurants along the San Antonio Riverwalk to taking a short drive to experience Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in Texas, there was something for everyone to enjoy. However, there is one historic landmark in San Antonio that is visited by millions of people each year and even remembered by those who haven’t ever seen it—The Alamo. Built in 1718, the Mission today is remembered mostly for the Battle of the Alamo, where for 13 days fewer than 200 Texans (in the middle of a war to gain independence from Mexico) held off a Mexican force outnumbering them by the thousands. While the Texans did lose this battle of the war, Texas eventually gained their independence from Mexico because of this historic battle and a few years later became a state. It is the Texans’ heroic ability to resist and endure as they were outnumbered in the battle that is still remembered and honored to this day. Much like the Texans were at the Battle of the Alamo, as beef producers in the United States today, sometimes it is difficult not to feel outnumbered. With less than 2 percent of our country’s population directly involved in agriculture, the number of Americans working in the beef industry is even smaller. Misinformation about livestock production in the media and attacks against animal agriculture are nothing new, but unfortunately, these battles aren’t going away. But while the Texans didn’t get help from other troops, fortunately, United States cattle producers, have backup in Washington, D.C. This backup is NCBA’s policy team that works every day on Pennsylvania Avenue to fulfill the mission “to serve the beef industry by improving the business climate and growing global beef demand.” This team—which recently appointed NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs, Ethan Lane, named the best lobbying team in D.C.—was active in leading many meetings throughout the 2020 Cattle Industry Convention, but was on full display at the D.C. Issues Update on Thursday of the event. As Lane led the update before handing it over to NCBA’s various policy teams, he started with recognizing the recent victories that led to a historic year for NCBA’s policy division—the ratification of the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement, the Japan and European Union trade deals, the Phase-One Agreement with China, the proposed reform of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and modernization of the Endangered Species Act, to name a few. Although the fruition of these wins all took place within a close timeframe, Lane made it clear these victories didn’t just happen overnight. These wins are products of years of cattle producers and agricultural allies battling and enduring on the frontlines for beef in Washington, D.C. While there was time to celebrate these wins and plenty of fun to be had at this year’s Cattle Industry Convention and in the NCBA Trade Show, the staff of NCBA’s policy division was quick to address it is now time to focus on what needs to happen next to cement current progress and ensure future wins. With presidential campaigns in full swing, the next few months are critical in Washington, D.C., as Congress will soon shift their attention to campaigning and work in our nation’s

March 2020 California Cattleman 11 capital will come to a hault, Lane said. NCBA’s D.C. staff echoed this, as one-by-one they gave updates on what is being worked on now in Congress and the Administration. Outlined priorities for the implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill, transportation issues, animal disease traceability, fake meat, trade and market access and public lands were all discussed. Still, three opportunities for producers to help now stood out. 1. Ask members of Congress to support H.R. 4919: The Responsible and Efficient Agriculture Destination Act (TREAD Act). NCBA’s Executive Director of Government Affairs, Allison Rivera explained how this bill would improve the Hours of Service rules for agriculture haulers and the other transportation issues it would fix. The bill currently has 17 cosponsors, including Californians Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA); Rep. Doug LaMalfa (RCA); and Rep. TJ Cox (D-CA). 2. Encourage your member of Congress to cosponsor S. 3016/H.R. 4881: The Real Marketing Edible Artificials Truthfully (MEAT) Act. According to NCBA’s Senior Director of Government Affairs, Danielle Beck, the Act would codify the definition of beef, reinforce existing misbranding provisions and enhance the federal government’s ability to enforce the law by granting the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) additional authority. 3. Submit your comments in favor of reforming NEPA. NCBA is encouraging ranchers and livestock producers to express their support for NEPA reform by submitting comments at policy.ncba.org by March 10. Although recent D.C. victories were a buzz around this year’s convention and policy was a focus of many meetings, there was business and fun beyond policy to be had in San Antonio. Other highlights included visits from USDA Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and former NASA astronaut, Cpt. Scott Kelley at the opening general session, the always informative and well-attended CattleFax Outlook Seminar, the NCBA tradeshow spanning eight acres of ground filled with a maximum capacity of exhibitors and entertainment including a private NCBA Professional Bull Riding Invitational. Additionally, Californians had highlights of their own at this year’s convention. CCA President Mark Lacey received the first place Top Hand Award for recruiting 14 new NCBA members. This is the third year Lacey has been in Top Hand Club, NCBA’s member-driven recruitment program. Additionally, Paige Stanley, a Ph.D. student at the University of California, Berkeley, was awarded one of two $15,000 W.D. Farr Scholarships. With a background in animal science, Stanley is studying the relationship between grazing management and ranch viability in the U.C.’s Environmental Science Department. Finally, to close out the Convention on Friday, Western Video Market (WVM) of Cottonwood, was awarded the 2020 Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Marketer of the Year Award. Each year, these awards recognize industry leaders who have a strong commitment to establishing BQA in their operations while encouraging others to take part in BQA as well. NCBA, a contractor of the Beef Checkoff, released the following statement announcing WVM as this year’s winner of the BQA Marketer of the Year Award. “Founded in 1989, WVM has been a proponent of BQA programs and guidelines for nearly as long as BQA has been around and encourages adoption of BQA practices with its producers, buyers, and auction partners. During broadcast auctions where buyers are limited to seeing video of cattle, having a BQA certification shows that producers follow industry standards for high quality animal handling and health care. As BQA programs have grown in recognition throughout the U.S., WVM has seen that lots of cattle from BQA certified producers are more likely to be sold at a premium, yielding benefits to both producers and buyers who recognize the value of the program.” Jill Scofield, director of producer relations and BQA coordinator with the California Beef Council shared further support for WVM and the commitments they have made to incorporating BQA. “I can think of few other marketers, sales yards or organizations that serve as industry leaders in the area of promoting the value and importance of BQA to beef producers as much as WVM,” Scofield said. As the industry looks ahead to future wins, there will be challenges to overcome. But as obstacles are faced, let the symbol of the Battle of the Alamo and recent successes of the beef community be a reminder that our industry is more prepared to deliver the victories of tomorrow when the work is endured together. One of the highlights of the week was California-based Western Video Market being honored with the national BQA Marketer of the Year Award. Accepting the award were WVM’s Col. John Rodgers, Callie Wood, Brad Peek, Holly Foster and Justin Niesen. CCA members convene before the Board of Directors Meeting. From left to right, Dave Daley, Tom Talbot, Tony Toso, Mike Williams and Tim Koopmann.

Sam Avila and Cindy Tews attend the Region VI meeting.

Art and Heidi Richards catch up with Rob von der Lieth after attending the Region VI meeting. Wesley Woolery of Hat Creek and Bailey Morrell of Willows take a break from working at the Colorado State University booth and explore the NCBA Tradeshow.

The Hanson family of Susanville takes advantage of all 8 acres the NCBA Tradeshow had to offer. From left to right, Brad, Robin, Darcy, Jack and Wyatt.

Karen and Darrel Sweet take a break between the Region VI meeting and start of policy meetings on Thursday. Tracy Schohr and Carolyn Roberti receive their free Quarter Pounders provided by McDonalds at the McRig.

Daniel, Barbara and Dan O’Connell take time for a family photo between meetings.

Natalie Koopmann and Angela Faryan, represent Zoetis in their booth at the NCBA Tradeshow.

Western Video Market’s Justin Niesen, Col. John Rodgers and Holly Foster make their way around the NCBA Tradeshow.

WARD RANCHES

14 th Annual Bull Sale Saturday, March 21, 2020 1 p.m. at the ranch near Gardnerville, Nevada 1155 Foothill Road Gardnerville Nevada Selling 80 registered Angus bulls and several with Salers influence. All bulls DNA tested!

Guest Consignors: Rancho Casino • Dal Porto Livestock

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Plus sons of: Connealy Rock, Connealy Black Granite, Baldridge Titan, Jindra Acclaim and DPL All In S74 Casino Bomber LD Capitalist 316 WAR Broken Bow B344 T219

PERFORMANCE DATA SCROTAL MEASUREMENTS SEMEN TESTED ULTRASOUND MEASUREMENTS VOLUME DISCOUNT ON 5 OR MORE BULLS!

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