2015 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Registration Opens Today

Registration for the 2015 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Trade Show is underway. The 117th Annual Convention will be held in San Antonio, Texas, Feb. 4-7, 2015. Advanced registration is open until Jan. 10, 2015.

Convention participants will hear from industry leaders, gather insight on industry trends, and enjoy an evening at the Cowboy Comedy Club & Mustache Bash After-Party. NCBA President Bob McCan said this convention is a must for everyone involved in the cattle industry.

“The Cattle Industry Convention is the oldest and largest, national convention in the cattle business,” McCan said. “It is a unique opportunity to join other leaders in the industry to network, discuss policy, and visit with the many trade show participants. Plus, San Antonio is a hard location to beat!”

In addition to access to all of the 2015 convention events, registrants for the full convention will receive a 50 percent off coupon for Roper and Stetson apparel and footwear at the NCBA Trade Show.

To register for the 2015 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show, visit www.beefusa.org or e-mail meetings@beef.org.

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IBA Summer Conference

Cattlemen across Illinois should mark their calendars to attend the 2014 Illinois Beef Association (IBA) Summer Conference June 18-20, at the Isle of Capri Hotel Casino in Bettendorf, IA. Aside from the opportunity to fellowship with cattlemen that represent all sectors of the industry in Illinois, attendees will also get to meet and hear from leading cattle industry experts from around the country, and take part in unique tours.

The awards dinner and fundraising gala will officially kick off the conference and is scheduled for June 18, at 5 p.m. IBA scholarships, Seedstock Breeder of the Year, Commercial Breeder of the Year, Environmental Steward of the Year, Farm Family of the Year, and IBA membership awards will be presented.

The IBA Annual Meeting takes place on day two, June 19, at 8:30 a.m. and features the announcement of dues directors and IBA Checkoff Director elections, the approval of the IBA strategic plan, and the election of the Association president and vice president.

The Zoetis Cattlemen’s College will follow the annual meeting with a day of educational seminars. The speaker lineup will offer something for everyone from the feeder to seedstock producer and even grain farmers and political junkies. Speakers include Ron Hanson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Don Close, Rabo AgriFinance; Chris West, Frank & West Environmental Engineers, Inc.; Tom Brink, and Colin Woodall, NCBA vice president of governmental affairs. Following the Zoetis Cattlemen’s College, dinner will be served at the River Music Experience at 5:30 p.m.

To top off the whole event, tour destinations on day three, June 20, will visit Tyson Foods in Joslin, Werner Angus, and US Army Corps of Engineers Mississippi River Visitors Center Locks and Dam 15.

For more information on the 2014 IBA Summer Conference and to register visit www.illinoisbeef.com.

Schedule:

Wednesday, June 18

1 p.m. Trade show exhibitor set up

3 p.m. Registration opens – Isle Prefunction

5 p.m. Social in the trade show – Isle Center Corridor

6 p.m. Awards Dinner and Fundraising Gala – Isle Center Salon A

Thursday, June 19

7:30 a.m. Breakfast Buffet – Isle Center Salon A

8:30 a.m. Illinois Beef Association Annual Meeting – Isle Center Salon B/C

10 a.m. Zoetis Cattlemen’s College
     So you Thought you were Buying the Family Farm – Guess Again!

     Ron Hanson, University of Nebraska – Lincoln

     Economic Trends in the Beef Business
     Don Close, Rabo AgriFinance

     Keeping up with Environmental Regulations
     Chris West, Frank & West Environmental Engineers, Inc.

12:30 p.m. Lunch Buffet – Isle Center Salon A

1:45 p.m. Continue Zoetis Cattlemen’s College

     Legislative Update from Washington D.C., 

     Colin Woodall, NCBA

     Keeping Your Farm In The Family For The Next Generation - Is There A Succession Plan?
     Ron Hanson, University of Nebraska – Lincoln

     The Future of the Beef Industry 

     Tom Brink

4:30 p.m. Dismiss

5:30 p.m. Reception & Dinner – River Music Experience


Friday, June 20

7 a.m. Breakfast – Isle Center Salon A

8:30 a.m. Buses leave for tour

Bus A arrives for US Army Corp of Engineers Mississippi River Visitors Center Locks & Dam 15
Bus B arrives at Tyson, Joslin

11:45 a.m. Both buses arrive at Werner Angus, Cordova

Bus B departs for US Army Corp of Engineers Mississippi River Visitors Center Locks & Dam 15
Bus A departs for Tyson, Joslin

5 p.m. Both buses arrive back at Isle Convention Center

Giving Youth the EDGE

The Illinois Junior Beef Association (IJBA) is looking to give youth the edge needed to excel both professionally and personally for a future in the cattle and agriculture industry. The IJBA EDGE Conference is open to all juniors ages 8-21 at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on June 9.

The EDGE Conference is designed to give youth the opportunity to learn more about the beef industry and sharpen skills needed for a future education and career in agriculture.

“We are excited to bring this educational conference to youth interested in the cattle business,” said Jill Johnson, IBA director of communications. “It's a chance for juniors to network while developing leadership potential and an awareness of information and issues facing the beef industry.”

Youth will attend sessions geared toward education and careers in the beef industry. They will learn tips on how to be an effective communicator and advocate from Christy Lee, photographer and owner of Cee Lee Communications, and Holly Spangler, associate editor for Prairie Farmer.

A carcass grading and beef safety skills lab will be conducted at the U of I Meat Science Lab. Participants will also tour the Beef Research Center learn from graduate students about opportunities to help conduct research at the student level.

Conference space is limited, and registration is required by May 15.

The registration form is available online at www.illinoibeef.com. For more information, contact Jill Johnson at 217-787-4280 or jill@illinoisbeef.com.

A schedule follows:

8:00-8:30 a.m.: Registration & Breakfast - U of I Meat Science Lab

8:30-8:45 a.m.: Welcome and IJBA Overview

8:45-9:15 a.m.: College 101
                All you need to know about preparing for an education in the agriculture industry and beyond

9:15-10:00 a.m.: Doing What You Love, Loving What You Do—Careers in Agriculture Panel

10:00-10:45 a.m.: Sizing up Social Media

                Utilizing Social Media for Advocacy with Holly Spangler 

10:45-11:30 a.m.: Speeches Worth Saluting
                Public Speaking Workshop

11:30-12:15 p.m.: Commanding the Camera
                Photography Workshop with Christy Couch Lee 

12:15-1:00 p.m.: Lunch

1:00-3:00 p.m.: Making the Grade—Evaluating Beef Carcasses and Beef Safety Demonstration

3:15-4:30 p.m.: What’s New with Research—Beef Research Farm Tour

Calling all Young Beef Leaders

Entering the beef industry in a time of diversity and opportunity is exciting. Global challenges in agriculture are exploding. Whether it be the growth and debate of genetically modified organisms or food safety and animal welfare, young beef industry enthusiasts have the opportunity to make an impact and convey a message.

The industry needs young cattle enthusiast that can grow and thrive in an ever-changing industry and it’s the mission of the Illinois Beef Association (IBA) Young Beef Leaders to shape our industry’s future leaders.

“Young beef enthusiasts are our future, and it is important to expose them to all segments of the business,” said Shelia Stannard, IBA director of industry programs. “We hope this Young Beef Leader Training Program will give more of our producers a big picture perspective of the beef industry while providing leadership development and networking opportunities.”

Through a series of field days designed to expose members to all aspects of the industry, the IBA offers Young Beef Leaders the opportunity to further explore our business, gain essential information and network with fellow IBA members. This program offers participants the opportunity to visit leading agribusinesses and learn from industry experts. Through the development of Beef Checkoff programs, Young Beef Leaders can engage and educate consumers about the nutritious product cattlemen produce and the beef farmer’s commitment to animal care and the environment.

For an individual to participate in the Young Beef Leaders training program, he or she must be an IBA member between the ages of 21-40 and submit an application to the IBA by May 15. The application and a schedule of events can be found on the IBA website, www.illinoisbeef.com.

Grilling Up Success

The Tri-County Cattlemen’s Association is made up of cattlemen and cattle industry supporters in Henderson, McDonough and Warren counties. Led by a board of directors, the affiliation is well known in the west central Illinois area for grilling high quality steaks and burgers for private parties, banquets, picnics, open houses, field days, and more. In 2013 alone, the Tri-County Cattlemen’s Association fixed 5,525 ribeyes and 2,360 hamburgers for groups like the McDonough County Employees, Monsanto Learning Center, Avon FFA Chapter, Barn Crawl, Birkey’s Farm Store, Henderson County 4-H and Warren County Fair to name a few.

The money raised from these events and activities goes directly into the Tri-County Cattlemen’s Scholarship Fund, which is open to high school seniors in the three counties that plan to major in agriculture or pursue an agriculture career. Over the past several years the affiliate has given six $500 scholarships. The scholarship fund is also supported financially by an auction held each year at the annual banquet. The auction features items such as Cardinals baseball tickets, mineral feeders, semen packages, breeding services and artwork – which banquet guests can bid on to help support the scholarship program. The annual banquet is a great way for cattlemen and industry supporters to gather for an enjoyable evening! For the past several years the banquet has been maximum capacity at the Western Illinois University Grand Ballroom with entertainers such as Baxter Black, Tim Cavanaugh and Drew Hastings. The affiliate would not be where it is today if it weren’t for the support they have received over the years; in 2013, 113 sponsors graciously supporter their cause.

Tri-County Cattlemen's Association Board of Directors

All in all, the quality beef products the Tri-County Cattlemen’s Association provides for different events and activities throughout the year is promotion for the beef industry. The group encourages anyone that has a general desire to promote the beef industry and be involved to contact a board member for more information. Board member contact information is listed on the Affiliate Chapters page at www.illinoisbeef.com.

IJBA Board of Directors Attend YBIC

The Illinois Junior Beef Association (IJBA) Board of Directors attended the 2014 Youth Beef Industry Congress (YBIC), March 27-29 in St. Louis, Mo. The biennial event gathered more than 125 junior members of national beef breed associations and state cattlemen organizations.The 2014 YBIC was offered thanks to the following sponsors: Purina, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Allflex®, GeneSeek and Ranch House Designs. 

“The YBIC conference is a great opportunity for the IJBA Board of Directors to create relationships amongst fellow beef leaders and industry professionals who will help them lead to a better future,” said Jill Johnson, Illinois Beef Association director of communications. “The junior board today will be the beef industry leaders of tomorrow, and we need to prepare them with the adequate knowledge and experience to make them successful.” 

While attending YBIC, IJBA Directors met with GeneSeek representative Gary Felger, toured the Monsanto world headquarters, and visited Purina’s Longview Animal Nutrition Center. They also learned about the importance of beef feed efficiency from Jared Decker, University of Missouri, and Megan Von Emon, Iowa State University. Motivational speaker, Eddie Slowikowski, taught attendees the importance of living each day to its fullest and becoming a confident leader. 

In addition, participants were given time to share ideas about how to improve their respective groups and better serve their memberships. They also discussed current issues facing agriculture and how to be a positive leader in all aspects of their lives. 

Pictured L to R: Tyler Pokojski, Zadok Graff, Marie Lock, Kagney Collins Mary Kline, and Taryn Adcock

IJBA Directors participating in the event were: Marie Lock of Avon, Taryn Adcock of Assumption, Tyler Pokojski of Centralia, Kagney Collins of Flanagan, Zadok Graff of Middletown, and Mary Kline of LeRoy.

Steering Your Ship Through Rough Waters - Lessons on Leadership

Keynoting the opening general session of the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show was Captain Richard Phillips, the inspiration for the movie Captain Phillips, starring Tom Hanks. The movie is based on Phillip's book A Captain's Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy Seals and Dangerous Days at Sea, a fascinating and suspenseful recounting of the first hijacking of a U.S. ship in more than 200 years.

It's the incredible story of a regular man who found the courage to lead his ship and save his crew while besieged by Somali pirates for five days. Phillips not only shared his compelling story as a "floating CEO" in charge of the day-to-day operations of a multi-million dollar ship and its crew, he also drew lessons from the dramatic events that can help you survive and thrive. He discussed the vital importance of leadership and teamwork, combined with a belief that power and potential of yourself and your team, as seen through the eyes of an unassuming hero who conquered one of the world's most extraordinary challenges.

Captain Phillips' Key Takeaways:

1. A successful leader must always hope for the best, but also plan for the worst.

2. As a manager, take care of the little things/details. The small things that go ignored can often become the crisis.

3. A dedicated and focused team can solve any problem.

4. Commit yourself to see a situation through - don't quit or give up.

5. You are much stronger and can do more than you think you can.

6. When you are in a tough situation, it's best to pray for stength and patience rather than rescue.