membership BENEFIT ME?

While you may know that membership is the most important column of our organizational structure, many may have had the common thought pass through their mind ‘What’s in it for me?’

A lot of people aren’t privy to the day to day happenings inside our offices in Boise – it’s not that we wouldn’t tell you about it, but a lot of it is, seemingly, minutia. From the outside looking in, we send a lot of mail, do some typing, talk on the phone and probably go to some meetings. All of which would be true, but I’d like to share through a slightly different lens as to how this relates back to what you gain from your membership in the Idaho Cattle Association.

Have you ever thought about what it may look like if you had to:

• take the time to read proposed policy (in a timely manner- legislation can move fast!),

• figure out what it meant,

• set an appointment with a legislator (or many!),

• visit and find your way around the statehouse,

• communicate an informed perspectiv e on said policy,

• attend committee meetings,

• read media communications around this policy impact,

• write any briefs,

• form relationships with supporters or opposition (depending on the policy) and then, after all of this,

• go back home and tend to your operation?

Multiply this single example by an exponential number of separate, yet also related, issues & proposals and you’ll soon have more than your share of work cut out for you! One life lesson I’ve gleaned over time is that YOUR time is valuable – I think we can all admit to saying ‘I’d rather pay ‘so and so’ x amount just so that I don’t need to do it/learn how/be the expert’! Well, simply put, that’s what we do at ICA! In fact, as staff and leadership, we attended (literally) hundreds of meetings & events in one year’s time – all related to driving support of Idaho’s cattle industry. Whether it was collaborating with agencies, meetings at the Capitol, providing updates around the state to members or even just further forging relationships in support of our member’s goals, our staff & leadership work year-round so that we can be armed with the best information, the most current insight and have the strongest relationship in the room when it comes to Idaho beef.

And it doesn’t end there, folks! Every issue of Line Rider is cultivated to provide education & updates that are current and relevant. Every Executive Update is positioned to give you an outlook on what you could see happening in our state, what issue may be on the horizon or what major policy change happened while you were out gathering/calving/shipping the week before. Every annual event has months of planning put into it so that each detail from the general session to the breakouts provide the most beneficial content & networking. Every bull sale attended is not only to support a producer’s dream, but so that our leadership can have just one more opportunity to talk with you about the issues you’re facing.

We’ve recently been able to add a few more “tangible” benefits for members- benefits that maybe even help your bottom line. These new perks include complimentary access to Performance Livestock Analytics Cattle Krush mobile app, as well as the ability to receive a $0.06/gal fuel discount at Maverik stations. The Cattle Krush app is designed to be an advisory tool that can assist you with predicting & capturing profit opportunities. By integrating price of feeder calves, cost of gain and market price, you’ve got one more resource in the toolbox at your fingertips. And it’s no secret that we’ve all felt pain at the pump this past year. Maverik is now offering current members of ICA the invitation to set up a fleet fuel account and receive an automatic $0.06/ gal discount on fuel at their stores! Additionally, ICA will continue to mail Line Rider magazine to members, as well as offer advertising discounts to our members.

Your membership with the Idaho Cattle Association provides many benefits, but one thing I haven’t yet spoken to, is the weight behind being part of an organization as large and respected as ICA. We aren’t magicians and aren’t going to be “everything to everyone”, but one thing to keep in mind is that our goal is to “Preserve, Promote, Protect” Idaho’s cattle industry. At times, this comes in the form of supporting your individual operation in the case of certain disputes. While we can’t promise to resolve an issue for you (or in your favor), one thing to keep in mind is that if you aren’t a member PRIOR to a dispute or legal challenge, ICA most likely won’t be allowed by our court system to lend our resources or aid if you aren’t a current member or become one just to get through legal proceedings. In this example, I’d encourage you to view ICA as an insurance policy – one that does the work you don’t like to do at the Capitol, and also one that can provide great value if the need arises.

In closing, if you see fit, I’d ask you to consider cutting out this article and sharing with a neighbor or other non member you may know. There’s room for all types of supporters! Are you an Ag teacher with no cattle? You can still be an industry supporter level member! Are you a veterinarian new to practice? You can be a local associate member! Extension agent with a large herd and dreams of a direct to consumer beef sales business? CowCalf member! Did you grow up on a ranch, now work behind a desk but still love a good steak? Industry supporter!

Value comes in lots of package- I hope you’ll continue to see value in the Idaho Cattle Association and let us be your voice in support of Idaho’s beef cattle industry.

Member Testimonials

District 1: Diana Graning, Graning Ranch in Keuterville, ID (cow-calf)

“I feel the ICA is the ranchers best defense against policies that would negatively impact the beef industry.

I am a member of the ICA because of the positive agriculture influence they hold in our state capital and their efforts to protect the Idaho beef industry.”

District 2: Kent Mann, M&M Feedlot in Parma, ID (feeder)

“Our membership with ICA is important because it keeps us informed of what is happening, both in our State Legislature and also in the United States Congress. Without this information we might not be aware of what is happening before it is too late to respond. We value that ICA follows member direction and keeps the Idaho beef industry’s best interest front of mind.”

District 3: Doug Haynes, DL Evans in Burley, ID (Allied Industries)

“For us being a member of the ICA, we stay involved with what is going on in the cattle industry, not only in Idaho but nationally. It also allows us to meet the wonderful people of the cattle industry. By being a member of the ICA, we can also see what is going on in the political realm of the industry. Most of all what the ICA represents and who it represents for our changing world.”

District 4: Mary Cerise, Cerise Ranch in Salmon, ID (cow-calf, direct to consumer sales)

“ICA is an integral part of helping us navigate the challenges we face as cattle producers in rural Idaho. The folks at ICA keep us up to date on information regarding legislation that affects us directly. We feel a strong sense of community by being involved with the ICA, knowing we’re not alone facing larger issues and having resources available to us through meetings and newsletters, as well as the website.”

District 5: Joe Daniels, 101 -D- Ranch in Malad, ID (cow-calf)

“I’ve been a member for as long as I can remember, even serving on the board of directors at one point. If you listen, they (ICA) will work to come up with solutions to all types of scenarios. While things have naturally changed over the years, its been for the good of the industry.”

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