Nevada Cattlemen Discuss Industry Issues With NCBA CEO

ELKO (October 7, 2002) - - About 100 cattlemen from across Nevada had a an open dialog about industry issues with National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Chief Executive Officer Terry Stokes during several outreach meetings the first two days of October.  The first of a series of meetings was held in Fallon followed by a meeting in Paradise Valley, and Elko. 

During these open forums producers had a chance to air their concerns, which centered around  free trade, the beef checkoff, public lands, and what NCBA is doing for them as an organization. Stokes shared his goal, which is to “enhance profitability and viability for all cattlemen.” 

Stokes also said, “I cannot guarantee profitability, but NCBA is working on issues that influence it.” Some of the actions NCBA has taken on behalf of cattlemen, he said, included defeating the “death” tax, working to improve food safety, creating a profitability think tank, and defending property rights.

Several cow/calf producers questioned how well they were being represented at NCBA and Stokes replied that “if the cow/calf producers could come to a consensus they would have a simple majority.” He said that while NCBA is “industry inclusive,” 63 percent of the policy board of directors are cow-calf producers, 30 percent are feedlot operators, 6 percent represent allied industry, and 1 percent are packers.

Among other issues discussed at the meetings was public lands grazing.  Stokes assured producers that NCBA would work hard in Washington, D.C. to protect public land rights because if they are lost, private land rights will be next.

Stokes answered several questions on Free Trade.  “You can’t have free trade without fair trade and that is NCBA’s philosophy,” he said.    

Stokes shared the tour with Steve Boies, president of Nevada Cattlemen’s Association. “It is important for producers to share their concerns and Terry Stokes provided that opportunity this past week,” said Boies.  “The discussions were very informative and I look forward to working with Terry as a leader of the industry.”

NCBA is working with state cattle organizations to hold a series of town hall meetings across the country. The purpose of the open forums is for NCBA to hear what’s on the minds of producers so the association can meet their needs and better represent them, said Stokes, and to gather feedback on the national organization’s vision and philosophies.

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