FULL STEAM AHEAD
2024 CCA Executive Committee Share Their Outlooks compiled by CCA Associate Director of Communications Maureen LaGrande While the California Cattlemen’s Association headquarters are located in Sacramento, the Associations members are actively involved throughout the state. Amongst CCA’s membership, there are a handful of individuals who step up and serve on the CCA Executive Committee and as CCA Committee Chairs. To better understand the various committees, their leaders and outlooks for the coming year, this Q&A article has been composed. Hear from executive committee members, committee chairs and members involved. Jack Lavers, Kern | Tax and Credit Committee Chair
of shipping my steers this spring. It was so wet, we had to push back when we were going to ship more than once. I ended up averaging 950. If I hadn’t been paying attention and been flexible on my ship dates, my steers could have ballooned well over 1,000 pounds really impacting my cost of gain. Like our steers, we will need to diligently watch our legislature to ensure there are no new taxes thrown at us. And if there are, we can be prepared to address them head on. As Benjamin Franklin said, “Nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”
Q What are you most optimistic about for the
Cindy Tews, Fresno – Kings | Zone Director 6 Alternate and CCA Committee Member
A I hope
What is one thing CCA members should know about the various committees?
year ahead?
everyone is having an amazing start to their new year. As I look ahead for the Tax and Credit committee as well as Cattle PAC, I am optimistic for 2024. Although the state is facing a budget deficit of over $68 billion, I feel we are in a good position to pass key asks of our association to the legislature as well as helping to elect individuals who are more inclined to be fiscally conservative. Especially given the deficit… There are certain truths in any industry. For instance, unless you are part of a grass-fed program, selling 1200-pound steers off grass is not something to brag about. By the time those steers finished, the ribeye would be hanging off the plate. So, those steers would probably need to be killed early sacrificing quality. Either way, you have cost yourself money by holding your steers for far too long. I faced a similar dilemma 36 California Cattleman February 2024
Q A
It is an honor to serve my fellow producers, and I welcome the opportunity to answer questions when asked. Each year after CCA Convention, I return back to the Fresno Kings County board and membership with a report from the meetings I sat in on. As a member of the finance committee, I know each of the fellow committee members possess backgrounds within the cattle industry. We come from all regions of California and sit at the table with the best interests of all segments of cattle raisers. Not all discussions are easy, but they are often necessary. Different regions require different types of solutions and using everyone’s problem solving skills is a huge benefit! ...CONTINUED ON PAGE 38