Idaho Beef Council: Beef checkoff programs: Embracing change to maximize ROI on checkoff dollars

Members Meet in Pocatello to Connect on Industry Topics

Article by Morgan Bayes, ICA Summer Intern and Morgan Lutgen, Dir. of Membership & Industry Engagement

ICA’s Annual Summer Round Up event has once again come and gone. Members from all over the state met in Pocatello to attend a 2 day meeting which encompassed education and industry updates, flanked by networking with producers and supporters alike. With nearly 200 in attendance, sessions and events had great interaction & representation from all segments of the industry. During the opening session, ‘Being Good Neighbors and Idaho Fence Laws’ panelists Cory Kress, Chairman of the Idaho Wheat Commission, Idaho wheat/barley farmer Jake Ozburn and Mark Pratt, current President of the ICA discussed the interpretations of fence liability as open range laws are more frequently seeing debate in tandem with Idaho’s growth. The topic of Idaho’s fence laws has grown more prominent as new neighbors aren’t always willing to take responsibility for their legal half of boundary fences. Audience members also chimed in on the delineation between reality of cattle getting out and rancher negligence.

In the Idaho Beef Council session, information was presented in combination by Bill Lickley, T.K. Kuwahara, and Trish Dowton surrounding how your checkoff dollars are being put to work in the consumer space. One highlight was the partnership with the NCBA to utilize their expertise on commodity and retail resources,

as well as experience. The Idaho Beef Council is continually seeking information in the retail and food service sectors to help guide their decisions and the Beef Checkoff program is also taking note of their demographics by utilizing data analytics to advertise to a uniquely Idahoan audience.

FEEDER

The feeder workshop opened with an announcement from Executive Vice President Cameron Mulrony on the CAFO improvement fund. The application for the 60/40 cost share program will be open from July 1st through August 30th 2022. The program is designed to utilize $5 million of Idaho’s surplus tax revenue designated for environmental projects. There will be a $1 million limit per owner and funds will come by way of reimbursement at the conclusion of the project. Examples of projects that are applicable include but are not limited to; lagoon improvement, lining, flow meters, and compost turners. Mulrony also discussed the comments the ICA submitted regarding WOTUS implementation discouraging the regulation of water that is isolated and non-navigable such as secluded wetlands and ponds. ICA signed onto the Sackett v EPA brief where NCBA requested a standard be set that would not change with each administration. Oral arguments for the Sackett decision begin in October.

COW-CALF

Dr. Scott Barnes discussed the negotiated rulemaking for trichomoniasis (still open for public comment at time of meeting through the ISDA website) and how Idaho has one of the oldest trich testing programs in the West. At this point, producers have the option to utilize PCR testing or culture testing, but PCR is more efficient and identifiable, which eliminates human error. Also brought before this session were negotiated rulemaking updates surrounding CAFO and dead animal disposal.

As part of the Idaho Politics general session, Speaker of the House Scott Bedke reflected on his time as an Idaho rancher and past ICA president while encouraging the audience to engage in building a political relationship with their local legislators. Additionally, he discussed the importance ICA’s track record of good maintenance of vital relationships with legislators in the state to keep the voice of cattlemen on the forefront of political conversations, as well as the need to educate new incoming legislators on Idaho agricultural interests.

The Monday evening Cattle Baron’s Bash included an award to the Grass Futurity entrant with the top carcass was awarded to Bill & Laurie Lickley by Logan Peters of Agri Beef. Plenty of fun was had by all with Calcutta auction event as well!

WINNERS AT THE 2022 GOLF TOURNAMENT

Tuesday morning saw an update on the national level, with Tanner Beymer from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association presenting on pertinent topics including the Cattle Prices Transparency Act hearing in the US senate, which revealed a bipartisan list of supporters and opponents to this bill. This is something NCBA is utilizing to help push this bill forward. He also discussed the Cattle Contracts Library Act purpose and future, which will allow for a database of cattle contracts available for one full year beginning in September 2023. This now passed act will allow producers to see the types of contracts the packers are making regarding hormone free, grass-fed, and other marketing programs.

PUBLIC LANDS

Attendees of the Idaho Public Lands session were introduced to the state’s new BLM Director, Karen Kelleher. Director Kelleher covered discussion in the area of drought & wildfire, including funding from the infrastructure bill that will assist with fuel breaks and treatments. Also covered in this session were the topics of renewable energy in the state, as an initiative of the current administration and BLM’s current capacity limitations in managing increased demand for recreation. Thadd Strom, Range Program Manager with ISDA presented on the Range Monitoring Program, which is now available for collaborative permittee monitoring with new technology making this more accessible.

In a separate session, Beymer and John Nalivka of Sterling Marketing presented on updates/current changes in prices and implications of the USDA Contract Library. The pilot program is anticipated to portray some transparency in the industry. The intention is to allow producers to view the terms and conditions of packer contracts. Nalivka also detailed shifts in demand, profits, slaughter rates and inventory, as well as forecasting for 2023.

Clinical Accounting professor Brody Fitch of ISU discussed growing owner’s equity through revenues and expenses by way of contributing money from our own pocket, or taking a dividend. Fitch drove home sound accounting practices, including the philosophy that every operation have a chart of accounts to design an accounting system that utilizes assets, liabilities, equity, revenues, and expenses and speaking to how awareness of notes payable, lines of credit, and financial obligations will also help you reach your financial goals.

Following lunch, attendees chose to attend either the Range Tour, which toured the Portneuf Wildlife Management Area, or Annual Golf Tournament (held in American Falls) to wrap up a fun and educational Summer Round Up 2022!

As the seasons change, so do your needs.

We are here to meet them.

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