2003 News Archive

 

Beef Industry Issues, Strength Discussed At Town Hall Meetings

Note to Editors: A digital photo of the Pleasant Grove town hall meeting may be downloaded by clicking on the following caption: Stokes in Pleasant Grove, GA

MACON, Ga. (September 12, 2002) – Georgia beef producers discussed industry issues with National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Chief Executive Officer Terry Stokes and leaders from the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association at two town hall meetings Monday and Tuesday night. The open forums, which also looked at methods to strengthen the beef industry, were held in Calhoun, Ga., and Pleasant Grove, Ga., respectively.

“These intimate town hall meetings are an excellent way for producers to come together to talk about issues critical to the beef industry and to provide input so that NCBA can better meet their needs,” said Stokes. “They also provide a means to strengthen our industry by building membership and representation in state and national beef industry organizations.”

Key industry issues discussed at the town hall meetings included drought relief, international trade, beef safety, private property and water rights, and market issues such as country-of-origin labeling and cattle ownership by beef packing companies. The value of NCBA membership was also discussed.

Cattle producers attending the meeting seemed impressed with NCBA’s efforts to improve the industry, said GCA Executive Vice President Bobby Freeman. “It was clear from Terry’s presentation that NCBA is making great progress on a variety of issues important to our industry,” Freeman said. “It is great to know that we have an advocate like NCBA working for us.”

In Calhoun, University of Georgia (UGA) agriculture economist Dr. John McKissick gave an update on the current cattle market. Nearly 50 people were in attendance at the meeting.

In Pleasant Grove, UGA extension livestock economist Dr. Curt Lacey spoke to the more than 70 people who attended the meeting. He provided an overview of the future direction of the cattle market and trends affecting the industry.

Both the Sept. 9 meeting in Calhoun and the Sept. 10 meeting in Pleasant Grove were led by GCA members. The Georgia meetings are part of a nationwide series of visits by NCBA leaders to gain greater insight on the thoughts and concerns of members, as well as to share the vision and philosophies of the national organization. The meetings are designed to help provide input for future direction for NCBA in the legislative and regulatory arena, as well as in the global marketplace.

“In today’s cattle industry, it is especially important that producers keep themselves informed, involved and unified,” said Freeman. “Through working with NCBA, these town hall meetings have proven to be an effective step in that direction.”

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