CATTLEMEN'S CENTENNIAL OPENING HIGHLIGHTS

DENVER, Colo., Dec. 10, 1997 -- A celebration of 100 years of history continues for the cattle industry as it readies its Centennial Convention and Trade Show, to be held Feb. 4-7, 1998, in Denver.

An impressive list of well-known speakers and guests will kick-off the convention during the Opening General Session, sponsored by Fort Dodge Animal Health, Feb. 4 from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) President-elect Clark Willingham will emcee the Session, which will begin with a rousing performance by Up With People! The Denver-based singing and dancing group is known for its high-energy, crowd-pleasing routines.

Elmer Kelton, one of the best-loved and most widely read writers of the West, will share his unique perspective on the Cattlemen's Centennial as the keynote speaker. With a writing career spanning four decades, Kelton is a six-time winner of the Golden Spur Award and has authored such memorable novels as The Day the Cowboys Quit, The Far Canyon and The Good Old Boys.

Convention attendees will receive a special video welcome from President Clinton, and Tommy Lee Jones will share his greetings and thoughts on the Centennial as a fellow cattleman. The Oscar-winning actor owns a 4,000-acre ranch near San Saba, Texas, where he raises commercial Brangus cattle and polo ponies.

Other highlights of the Opening General Session include the announcement of the winner of the New Product Award by NCBA Vice-president George Swan, opening comments from Cattlemen's Beef Board Chairman Bob Carter and American National CattleWomen President Nancy Forth, and a very special Colorado welcome.

The Opening General Session will commence four days of beef industry committee and board meetings at the Colorado Convention Center. Registration and meeting information are available through the NCBA Conventions and Meetings Department at 303/694-0305.

Initiated in 1898, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association is the national marketing organization and trade association for America's one million cattle farmers, ranchers and feeders. With offices in Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C., NCBA is a consumer-focused, producer-directed association representing the largest segment of the nation's food and fiber industry.