ZANE GROSS, ASHLAND COUNTY ATTENDS NCBA YOUNG CATTLEMEN’S CONFERENCE

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Young Cattlemen’s Conference (YCC) program concluded its successful relaunch after a three-year hiatus. This year’s class included 71 leaders from across the nation and every segment of the beef industry. After nine days of intensive leadership training and a five-city tour which showcased every facet of the beef industry, these leaders completed their trip with a full day of representation in Washington, D.C. The event, which is sponsored by Corteva Agriscience, Elanco, Farm Credit, Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, John Deere, Tyson and NCBA, is designed to give participants exposure to the full supply chain. Completion of YCC prepares participants to serve as leaders within their state associations in addition to being advocates for NCBA and the beef community.

Gross, Ashland, Ohio represented OCA on the national YCC trip that was made possible through the Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation.

Gross was the recipient of the 2022 OCA Young Cattleman of the Year award.

He, and his wife, Courtney, operate Buckeye Creek Angus. In addition, Gross is the operations manager for E.R. Boliantz Co.

The 2023 class began its journey in Denver, Colo., with classroom sessions designed to provide background knowledge about NCBA and the work it conducts on behalf of its members and the beef community. In Denver, participants took part in leadership development sessions, media training, and hands-on demonstrations of the work NCBA does as a contractor to the Beef Checkoff. The group also made a visit to Greeley, Colo., to tour Five Rivers Cattle Feeding’s Kuner Feedyard and enjoyed an evening with Trent Johnson and the outstanding staff at Greeley Hat Works.

“The challenges facing cattle and beef producers increase every day. Part of NCBA’s role, and an important part of our success, is the ability to identify and develop leaders while also preparing them to meet these challenges head-on.

YCC is a crucial part of this process and we are thankful to each of our sponsors for helping us conduct this important program,” said Wyoming cattle producer and NCBA president-elect Mark Eisele, who also participated in the trip.

In Nebraska and Ohio, YCC participants had the opportunity to visit Tyson Food’s Dakota City beef processing plant, the headquarters of Certified Angus Beef and Wendy’s restaurants. Stops in these locations allowed the group to gain a better understanding of the full beef value chain, from processing through marketing and consumer outlets for beef.

The 2023 YCC class finished its itinerary in Washington, D.C., where participants learned how NCBA’s policy work impacts their operations and the broader industry. After an in-depth policy issue briefing from NCBA’s lobbyists and staff experts, participants took to Capitol Hill, visiting more than 200 congressional offices to advocate for industry policy priorities.

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