Contact: Melissa Tessitore, 303-694-0305 or mtessitore@beef.org

Cattlemen from Coast to Coast to Get Live Look at

 2009 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show 

RFD-TV Program to Capture Flavor of Event from Phoenix Jan. 28

DENVER (Jan. 19, 2009) – Cattle producers across the country will be able to “virtually attend” the 2009 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in Phoenix Jan. 28 when RFD-TV carries a live two-hour show from the trade show floor. RFD-TV and NCBA Live! will run from 6 to 8 p.m. MST (8-10 p.m. EST) on RFD-TV.

“This annual event is the premier occasion for cattlemen throughout the United States,” says Melissa Tessitore, executive producer of NCBA’s award-winning Cattlemen to Cattlemen television program on RFD-TV.  “We’re thrilled to be able to partner with RFD to bring a small segment of the convention and trade show to those who aren’t able to be with us in person.”

The program will carry interviews with new National Cattlemen’s Beef Association CEO Forrest Roberts and President-elect Gary Voogt. Tom Field, NCBA director of producer education, will provide producer education tips and NCBA Executive Director of Legislative Affairs Colin Woodall will summarize cattle industry needs as a new administration and congress gets rolling in Washington, D.C.

In addition, the program will allow viewers to visually stroll through the massive trade show, where 260 exhibitors will be sharing their wares and services. The industry’s largest and most comprehensive trade show, the event annually brings together the most innovative products and services for farmers, ranchers and others involved with cattle.

More than 5,000 people involved in the cattle industry are expected to attend the convention and trade show, held at the Phoenix Convention Center Jan. 28-31. In addition to the trade show, meetings will be held that will help establish policy and checkoff direction for the future while attendees are able to re-establish personal and business relationships with their fellow cattle producers.

 “Obviously, this show is not the same as on-site participation,” says Tessitore. “But not everyone can be in Phoenix. We’re proud to be able to share many of the event’s experiences in this way. We know producers watching will be both informed and entertained.”

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) has represented America's cattle producers since 1898, preserving the heritage and strength of the industry through education, public policy and beef research and marketing.  As the largest association of cattle producers, NCBA works to create profit opportunities for producers and increase demand for beef. 

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