Straight Talk

with Mike Deering

Another January

The Christmas holiday is behind us. A new year is underway. It’s another January – the beginning of many things.

We are about to see nearly 1,000 people at the 55th Annual Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show. Our goal is to provide the best experience we possibly can for all attendees. We facilitate discussions. We provide the agenda. Then we get the hell out of the way. This is where “grassroots” is more than a buzzword. This is where it truly comes to life and anyone who is a member can engage in the development of policies and help chart the course for the coming year. This is where we cuss and discuss ideas. Debates can be lively, but we leave the convention united and prepared to deliver on the priorities established by MCA members.

The policy development process is essential. We must craft policy that helps advance the beef cattle industry in the state and helps create a regulatory and legislative environment that is conducive to growth. This process starts with the MCA Policy and Legislative Affairs Committee and advances to the annual convention for further discussion and review prior to a final vote of the full membership at the annual meeting.

It is important our leadership leaves convention with a clear picture of our legislative agenda for the coming year as the Missouri General Assembly convened January 4 and will conclude May 13, 2023. Many people dread January because that’s when the hallways of our Capitol fill up with legislators and lobbyists. What they don’t dread is when “real” people convene to make their voices heard. You can ask any elected

Executive Vice President

leader of either political party if they look forward to the sound of clicking bootheels or the flood of hats they see every Wednesday of legislative session and they will undoubtedly tell you it is a highlight of their week.

January is also when the transition of leadership occurs for the association. Bruce Mershon served the association very well as president this past year. He is a fighter with an undeniable passion for this industry. He now turns the reins over to David Dick from Sedalia. David is no stranger to the association and has been active at the state and national levels for over four decades. Chuck Miller will assume the role of presidentelect, and a new vice president will be elected at the annual convention. Attitude reflects leadership, and it is critical we elect individuals to leadership at the county and state levels who will truly be servants to the farm and ranch families who are members of this association.

It’s just another January, but it is also a new beginning. We learn from our mistakes. We build on our successes. We start fresh with a clear vision for our association and our industry. Thank you for investing in your farming operation by being a member of this association. We do not take your trust for granted. We encourage you to bring new members into this association in 2023 – we cannot do this alone.