CATTLE GROWERS' REPORT
Letter from the Director One of the things I enjoy most about being an executive director is the opportunity to travel throughout the state and meet with new members in new places. Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the Coconino County Annual Meeting, in Williams, Arizona. The morning started off with a quick business meeting, followed up by a roping. Normally, a barbeque luncheon is served, but unfortunately due to Covid19, the lunch had to be canceled this year. After the roping was concluded, a joint meeting with the Coconino Farm Bureau and Cattle Growers took place in the grandstands of the roping arena. I had the opportunity to meet with many of our members, of whom I hope to get to know better moving forward. I had the pleasure of having a long conversation with United States Congressman Paul Gosar, who has served the Arizona 4th Congressional District since 2013. Gosar’s district includes most of rural western Arizona, as well as several Phoenix suburbs. We discussed a broad range of issues affecting Arizona ranchers, particularly Mexican gray wolves. I would appreciate the opportunity to attend as many county annual meetings as possible this coming year. Please send an invitation to the office well in advance of your annual meeting, so we can get it on our calendar. I am more than happy to do a slide presentation and a question and answer session if you would like.
Jerome Rosa
Executive Director Arizona Cattle Growers' Association
jerome.rosa@azcattlegrowers.org 602.267.1129 leg. & 1811 S Alma School #255
On another front, President Billy Elkins, second Vice President John Ladd, and I attended the NCBA Summer Conference in Denver, Colorado, from July 27th-29th. The main topic of discussion at the meeting was a proposal brought forward by several mid-western states regarding an increased level of negotiated mandatory cash trade. This proposal was signed by twenty states, including the Arizona Cattle Growers. After a lengthy (six hour and 22 minute) discussion that was extremely contentious at times, the proposal was defeated. Unfortunately, a couple of states with a large number of votes were able to hold off the proposal until after October 1, 2020 at which time, if agreed upon triggers are not met, then legislative efforts seeking mandatory levels of cash trade will begin. In addition, we had the chance to attend meetings on both private land and public land issues as well as a host of other topics that affect cattle ranchers. Finally, it is a priority of mine to make sure that ranchers from every corner of the state, regardless of ranch size, are represented by ACGA. Feel free to call me anytime with questions, comments, or concerns.
Pictured from left to right attending the Coconino County Farm Bureau & Cattle Growers' Annual Meeting. Emmett Sturgill, 1st Vice President of Arizona Cattle Growers' Association, U.S. Congressman Paul Gosar, representing Arizona's 4th District, Jerome Rosa, Executive Director of Arizona Cattle Growers Association.
8 - September 2020