 |
 |
|
NCBA Works to
Increase Profit
Opportunities
for Cattle/Beef
Producers
NCBA
Works to Increase Profit Opportunities for Cattle/Beef
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association’s (NCBA) mission is
to increase profit opportunities for the cattle and beef industry
by enhancing the business climate and building consumer
demand.
Since its inception in 1898, NCBA has served as the primary
marketing and trade association for America’s cattle ranchers.
Through the years the association has been known by many
different names, with each evolution aimed at improving cattle
producers’ bottom line.
Today, NCBA’s state and breed affiliates represent 230,000 cattle
producers. Ninety percent of NCBA’s 27,000 individual
members are cow/calf producers, stockers and feeders. The
remaining represent other sectors of the industry, such as market
operators, dairymen and agriculture businesses. The association
represents producers who control 90 percent of the U.S. fed
cattle market and 18 million beef cows.
NCBA is solution-oriented and the only association addressing
all issues facing cattlemen. NCBA has offices in three cities. The
headquarters in Denver houses member services, research,
education, issues management and consumer marketing. In
Washington, D.C., NCBA manages the largest agriculture lobby
in the capital, working on issues such as the environment, taxes
and trade. The New Product and Culinary Center in Chicago
develops great tasting beef and veal products and recipes, and
works to help meet the needs of today's consumer.
NCBA has two distinct divisions – the Policy Division and the
Federation of State Beef Councils or Checkoff Division.
Policy efforts
The Policy Division is the industry’s largest membership
organization. It influences national beef industry policy and
provides producer education to members. NCBA member dues,
allied industry and product council investments, and other non-
checkoff revenue sources fund the Policy Division.
NCBA policy positions come from producers through their state
and breed organizations to NCBA national meetings. Policy is
proposed to the appropriate committee and if approved is sent
to the NCBA Board of Directors. At the annual membership
meeting members may, by a simple majority, ratify or reject any
policy brought forward by the board. After the annual meeting,
all members may vote on policy by mail ballot. The one man,
one vote principle applies.
NCBA’s history, reputation and membership ensure attention
from the nation’s lawmakers. In an increasingly urban Congress,
it is important to educate members of Congress about the
complexities of life on a cattle operation.
These are some of the recent issues championed by the
association. NCBA member-funded efforts:
•
Moved quickly to change the tide of negative press related to
the isolated case of Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)
in Washington state before it could have a substantial impact
on domestic beef producers.
•
Work to create new markets and reopen closed markets for
American beef. With 96 percent of the world’s population
living outside U.S. borders, foreign markets present great
growth opportunities.
•
Continue to push for animal health programs, preventing the
introduction and spread of foreign animal diseases, and
educating lawmakers about the importance of cattle health
research.
•
Are helping develop a national animal identification system
that will aid in the surveillance of animal health.
•
Have successfully pushed for changes to the tax code that save
farmers and ranchers an estimated $4 billion.
•
Work with federal agencies to create science-based laws
regarding the environment.
•
Resulted in a five-year provision to maintain grazing rights
for public lands users.
•
Are dedicated to creating a successful, voluntary and
producer-driven country of origin labeling program.
•
Helped obtain relief from Congress for drought- and
disaster-stricken areas.
In addition, NCBA is a premier source of production education
information to help producers be as efficient and profitable as
possible. Some of the educational opportunities made available to
members include the Cattlemen’s College, Beef Quality Assurance
program and the Integrated Resource Management initiative.
NCBA also works with states to sponsor local workshops.
Checkoff-funded efforts
The Federation of State Beef Councils coordinates with the
Cattlemen’s Beef Board to implement the industry’s Long-Range
Plan and contracts with the Beef Board to conduct specific
checkoff programs. The Beef Board has no connection with
NCBA’s policy division, and no checkoff time or money is
invested for policy purposes, nor is any Beef Board contractor
permitted to profit from checkoff work.
The Federation oversees beef promotion, research, consumer
information and related activities funded by voluntary
investments from state beef councils through their portion of the
checkoff. State beef councils appoint members to sit on industry
advisory committees and the Federation Board of Directors.
As a Beef Board contractor, NCBA implements national
programs including advertising, channel marketing and educating
influencer groups. It manages issues that threaten consumer
confidence in beef and serves as a catalyst in research to ensure
beef safety and meeting consumer expectations.
In 1980 beef demand began a 20 year slide. The advent of the $1-
per-head checkoff in 1986 gave cattlemen a tool with which they
could change the industry to more closely meet consumer
expectations. In 1998 the drop in beef demand leveled off, and
demand has been on the rise ever since.
Today, beef is more convenient than ever. It is leaner and can be
purchased guaranteed tender. It's easier to find in the grocery
store and easier to learn how to cook. Today, beef is just about
anything the customer wants, and more importantly for
cattlemen, "it's what's for dinner," just as the checkoff-funded
advertisements say.
NCBA's consumer marketing team takes the research findings
conducted with checkoff dollars and helps the retail and
foodservice sectors convert them into beef products that
consumers want. This team helps consumers see beef as a meal
solution.
Most importantly, NCBA’s consumer marketing program is about
looking ahead and making sure consumers always have the beef
they want.
For more than a hundred years, through mergers, reorganizations,
world wars, international depressions, ever-changing politics, and
the ebb and flow of consumer tastes, the National Cattlemen’s
Beef Association has persevered to keep the voice of the American
cattle industry strong. NCBA looks forward to the future!
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
9110 E. Nichols Avenue #300
Centennial, CO 80112
303/694-0305
www.beefusa.org
Visit the Cattlemen to Cattlemen show
|
| |
|
 |
|
|
|
| Followed By |
Equestrian Nation |
|
|
|
|
 |
