Conversations with E.A.S.E.

Conversations about how beef is raised are happening in our local and virtual communities, and farmers and ranchers need to be engaged. Check out the new My Beef Checkoff pocket guide for tips for engaging in beef conversations as well as key messages, tough questions and facts to share, as well as providing you a list of additional resources you can access to quickly get more information. 

One of the best ways to begin your conversations is to follow the simple ‘E.A.S.E.’ outline: Engage, Acknowledge, Share and Earn Trust. Click here to get details about each step.

NCBA Policy Update

National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) Vice President of Government Affairs, Colin Woodall, gives an update on policy issues affecting cattlemen and women as the lame duck session moves forward.

IBA PAC Report

As a two-hat organization, IBA spends time promoting beef through The Beef Checkoff and also representing cattlemen and their right to operate through member dues. An additional way IBA operates in the representation arena is by supporting candidates and causes through its federal PAC, which is administered by the IBA PAC/Legislative task force.

The following is taken from the operating policy of this group: "The allocation of funds shall be based on the best interest and best net benefit of IBA members. Funding and support decisions will be determined without consideration of party affiliation or incumbency. Any IBA member may submit support requests to the PAC/Legislative Task Force. IBA will not make official endorsements of candidates, but rather use its PAC funds to help support the candidacy of those with a history of support for the beef industry in Illinois. The IBA PAC/Legislative Task Force will make regular reports and provide financial accounts of PAC expenditures to the IBA Board of Governors."

IBA leaders were hard at work this fall representing Illinois cattlemen and supporting candidates with a history of backing the Illinois beef industry.

Illinois Beef Association leaders attended an event held for Congressman Adam Kinzinger on Oct. 22. Pictured L to R: Terry Mefford, Bill Graff, Alan Adams, Congressman Kinzinger, Dale Pfundstein, Liz Novotny, Jeff Beasley, Reid Blossom, and Kent Wesson.

Reid Blossom and Bill Graff spoke to Congressman Rodney Davis about the interests of Illinois cattlemen and showed support of Congressman Davis at Bill Graff's farm in Middletown, Ill. Picture L to R: Reid Blossom, Congressman Davis, and Bill Graff

Below is a listing of all state and federal candidates receiving IBA PAC support in 2012:

Jason Barickman             Chris Lauzen

Mike Bost                          Dave Luechtefeld

John Bradley                     Frank Mautino

Dan Brady                         Rita Mayfield

Kelly M. Burke                   Sam McCann

John Cavaletto                  Kyle McCarter

Jerry Costello II                  Don Moffitt

Tom Cross                         Michael Noland

Rodney Davis                    Brandon Phelps

Lisa Dugan                        Jason Plummer

Mary E. Flowers                Bob Pritchard

Jack Franks                       David Reis

Michael Frerichs                Sue Rezin

Brad Halbrook                   Mitt Romney

Norine Hammond              Wayne Rosenthal

Kay Hatcher                       Jim Sacia

Chad Hays                         Martin Sandoval

Linda Holmes                    Bobby Schilling
Randy Hultgren                  John Shimkus
Toi Hutchinson                   John Sullivan
Mike Jacobs                      Patrick Verschoore
Tim Johnson                       Joe Walsh
Adam Kinzinger                 A J Wilhelmi
Dave Koehler