Contact:            Joe Schuele      720-987-4783     jschuele@beef.org

Cattlemen “Rush to Reno” for 2008 Cattle Industry Annual Convention

Agriculture Secretary Schafer to address convention on Friday

Reno, Nev. (Feb. 5, 2008) -  More than 5000 cattle producers from across the nation are arriving in Reno for the 2008 Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Trade Show. This year’s event – themed “Rush to Reno” - is hosted by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, American National CattleWomen, Cattle-Fax, and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation.

Activities kick off Wednesday, Feb. 6, with Cattlemen’s College®, a full day of producer education workshops. Wednesday afternoon will also mark the opening of the cattle industry’s largest-ever trade show. The NCBA Trade Show has attracted over 270 exhibitors this year, in addition to a new demonstration area featuring cattle dog training, chuteside techniques, and ranch horsemanship. The NCBA Trade Show runs through Friday, Feb. 8.

Thursday will feature the annual Cattle-Fax Outlook Seminar, which will examine underlying trends and issues affecting cattle producers’ profitability in the coming year. Experts from Cattle-Fax will offer analysis on cattle and beef inventories, feedgrain supplies and costs, and global trade opportunities, as well as a long-term national weather outlook.

Friday’s keynote speaker will be newly confirmed U.S. Agriculture Secretary Edward Schafer. Schafer was appointed by President Bush on October 31, and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate last week. The former North Dakota governor replaced Mike Johanns, who resigned as agriculture secretary in September.

“As governor of North Dakota, Secretary Schafer worked actively to expand overseas markets for U.S. products,” said NCBA President John Queen, a cattleman from Waynesville, N.C. “He also took a strong leadership role on many ag issues with the National Governor’s Association. So cattlemen look forward to hearing from him on Friday, and to working with him as the new leader of USDA.”

The convention concludes Saturday, Feb. 9, with meetings of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and the NCBA Board of Directors. NCBA also holds its annual membership meeting Saturday afternoon. A complete convention agenda and schedule of events are available at: http://www.beefusa.org/convscheduleofevents.aspx.

Updates on convention news and activities will also be posted at www.beefusa.org.

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The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is the largest organization representing America’s cattle industry.  Initiated in 1898, NCBA is the industry leader in education, influencing public policy to improve producer profitability and in preserving the industry’s heritage and future.  Efforts are made possible through membership contributions. To join, contact NCBA at 1-866-BEEF-USA or membership@beef.org.