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NCBA Celebrates 125 Years as a Producer-Driven Organization
“Coming together is beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success.” – Henry Ford
The true strength of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is found in its nationwide membership of cattle producers from all backgrounds. Whether you raise one head or 1,000 head of cattle, are first generation or fifth generation, your commitment to NCBA makes it the leading beef cattle organization in the country.
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This year, NCBA celebrates its 125th anniversary, and to recognize the accomplishments of this organization, let us reflect on how far we have come. Many issues that producers faced when this association was formed in 1898 have been resolved through hard work and a unified voice, whereas some challenges have fluctuated with changes in congressional leadership and Mother Nature.
The Chicago International Livestock Show was held in the International Amphitheater Adjacent to the Chicago Stockyards. The show was home to beef, horse, swine, sheep and dairy shows.
Photo credit - www.cowsmo.com
The emergence of state cattle and livestock associations began in 1867 with the Colorado Stock Growers Association, followed in 1873 by the Wyoming Stock Growers Association. As state associations increased, they tackled local and regional challenges like cattle rustling and state policies. However, in the 1890s, it became apparent they needed a national voice to address issues like animal diseases, marketing challenges, and government overreach.
Evolution Of The National Association
1883-1885
National Cattle Growers Association of America (Chicago)
1886-1887
1884-1885
National Cattle and Horse Growers Association of the U.S. (St. Louis)
National Cattle Growers Association of America (Chicago)
GATHERING WAS IN 1883 AT THE NATIONAL FAT STOCK SHOW IN CHICAGO AND INITIATED BY GEORGE LORING, U.S. COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE.
THE FIRST NATIONAL
It took trial and error before forming what is now the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Three attempts at assembling a national livestock group had already been made before two members of the Livestock Committee of the Denver Chamber of Commerce and Trade Board brought a lasting organization to life. These two men, Charles F. Martin and John W. Springer, had experience in writing, speech, ranching, politics and legislation between the two of them.
Martin and Springer had seen the ways the past three attempts to organize had failed, and they were determined to learn from those mistakes to create a lasting stock association. They established the National Live Stock Association (NLSA) at a business meeting in Denver in 1898 — in the peak of winter. Despite the chilly conditions, 1,185 registered delegates arrived with almost as many guests in tow. Springer made the case for a national organization in a speech to the crowd saying, “We shall, at this meeting, perfect an organization, national in its scope, broad in its objectives and absolutely free from the machinations of political promoters.” This meeting began the tradition of an annual convention to discuss business priorities and take action, which has continued today with the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show!
IN 1901, THE ASSOCIATION SET ASIDE ITS FIRST BUDGET FOR LEGAL COUNSEL. JUDGE WILLIAM M. SPRINGER (NO RELATION TO JOHN W. SPRINGER) WAS HIRED TO LOBBBY ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION.
Some of the first priorities NLSA addressed were quicker and more humane railroad transportation, competition amongst packers, national and state quarantines, and increased education on industry topics for cattlemen. Some of the challenges they faced sound familiar today, but through producer-driven efforts, the NLSA, and now NCBA, achieved many wins in these areas since 1900. For example, through numerous meetings and letters of support, NCBA worked closely with the Biden Administration, Congress and other stakeholders to prevent a national rail disruption in December 2022. And NCBA has been a staunch supporter of increasing the national vaccine bank for foreign animal diseases like foot-and-mouth disease.
Over time, the NLSA splintered into NLSA and the American Stock Growers Association. But seeing that these two groups of producers were stronger together, in 1906, they merged and were renamed the American National Livestock Association (ANLSA).
1898-1905
National Live Stock Association of the United States (First successful national association)
1906-1950
American National Live Stock Association
1951-1977
American National Cattlemen’s Association
1977-1995
National Cattlemen’s Association
1996- PRESENT
National Cattlemen’s Association
Advocating for its members and forming strong relationships with U.S. presidents and their staff has always been a priority of the nation’s largest beef cattle industry organization. During 1901-1909, when Theodore Roosevelt was president, he was a dear friend to then ANSLA President Murdo Mackenzie and association lobbyist, Sam Cowan. Roosevelt was a supporter of cattlemen and acknowledged them for their conservation of natural resources and their shaping of the American West. The work of this association and its partnerships with U.S. leadership led to wins such as the passage of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program and re-establishing trade after the BSE outbreak by negotiating acceptance of the Source and Age Verification program to trade with Japan.
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These are companies that have teamed with NCBA as corporate members, demonstrating their commitment to the beef industry. Their involvement strengthens our future. NCBA members are urged to support these partners in turn by purchasing their products and services. Those who would like to become corporate members with NCBA (securing premium booth placement at the annual convention and trade show as well as other membership benefits), please call the Corporate Relations team at 303-694-0305.
Animal Health International www.animalhealthinternational.com
Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Inc. www.bi-vetmedica.com/species/cattle.html
Caterpillar www.cat.com
Central Life Sciences www.centrallifesciences.com
ALLIED INDUSTRY COUNCIL
CHR HANSEN
Envu
Farm Credit Council
Huvepharma, Inc.
Lallemand
Corteva Agriscience™ www.corteva.com
Elanco Animal Health www.elanco.com
John Deere www.deere.com
Merck Animal Health www.merck-animal-health-usa.com
Micro Technologies www.microtechnologies.com
Moly Manufacturing www.molymfg.com
New Holland Agriculture www.newholland.com
Purina Animal Nutrition LLC www.purinamills.com/cattle www.ritchiefount.com
Ritchie Industries Inc.
Roto-Mix www.rotomix.com
Zoetis Animal Health www.zoetis.com