Greenville Livestock Auction
December 14, 2024
Total: 147
Feeder: 0 (0.0%)
Replacement: 100 (100.0%)
Trade: Active Trade, Good Demand
Fairview Sale Barn
December 12, 2024
Total: 2,189 Slaughter: 2,189 (100.0%)
Trade: Good to excellent demand with high trade
United Producers
December 17, 2024
Total: 430
Breeding: 0 (0.0%)
147 (4.1%)
IBA has been so many places, done so many things; and is going so much farther in the coming year.
If I could sum up 2024 in one word, I would use the term ‘progress’ in reference to Illinois Beef Association’s last year. Our membership has grown, and we have expanded our membership categories and outreach to new producers in different sectors. In our state and federal policy efforts, through partnerships with other commodities and state agencies, what is being done in the office and outside the office is all the result of focusing on growth and making progress as an organization.
This year, the Illinois Beef Association grew its membership and even added a new membership category for collegiate student members, targeting a younger demographic between junior members and on-farm producers. This exciting new membership opportunity has sparked a new wave of members and outreach among the younger generations of cattle enthusiasts and beef industry supporters.
Beyond membership, our policy efforts kept beef front of mind with legislators and state officials, focusing on the important role we play in the state’s economy and in the consumer supply chain. Our leaders and members stayed engaged with elected officials, telling their stories of family cattle
farms, and advocating to maintain our freedom to operate and promote beef across Illinois. Our partnerships with state agencies, like the Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Office of the State Veterinarians have allowed IBA and our producer members direct access to a variety of resources and information in 2024. The 840 tag program distributed over 80,000 electronic identification tags at no cost to producers, supporting adoption of electronic identification for USDA’s revised animal disease traceability rule. Other animal health topics, like Asian Longhorned Tick, H5N1, and even now Mexican screwworm, are all topics that have been closely monitored and addressed on behalf of cattlemen, through IBA’s work with IDOA and the Bureau of Animal Health at the agency.
Producers experienced continued market volatility in 2024, and IBA has offered support and information on marketing, risk management, and access to outlooks helping our farmers navigate the complex economic environment we have experienced. Resources available from economists for market monitoring, and even livestock risk protection and other
by Devin Bollman
on-farm tools have been made directly available to any and all producers wanting to dive deeper into protecting their profit.
Of course, we cannot recap the year without mentioning the many producer education events hosted by the association, like the four Cattlemen Connect Education Series sessions, more than a dozen Beef Quality Assurance trainings, and many other local Beef Checkoff events that have connected producers and the Association. Outreach has also supported non-farm stakeholders including12 Summer Ag Institutes sharing materials with teachers through the state in our partnership with Illinois Ag In The Classroom.
This list could go on and on, but our “Across the State, From Pasture to Plate” listing below just scratches the surface of where we have been and what we have done as an organization this year. We are proud of the progress we are making and hope to continue to serve you and all of the Illinois beef industry to the best of our abilities. What we are most proud of however, is the continued support from our members, Board of Governors, staff, partners, sponsors, and everyone else who makes the Illinois beef industry what it is.
Top Recruiter Program BA has partnered with Purina Animal Nutrition to offer a unique opportunity for an IBA recognized affiliate to win a trip for ten members to attend the Purina Research Farm in Gray Summit, Missouri. While at the farm producers will learn about topics including cow/calf nutrition, emerging technologies, matching forage resources, and so much more! For more information view the link here, or contact IBA Membership Manager, Devin Bollman.
Illinois Beef Association Membership It’s time to renew! Don’t forget to renew your IBA membership for 2025. This year IBA offers new membership benefits, as well as partnered with several businesses to bring IBA members elite access to discounts and gifts, including Merck Animal Health, Logan Ag and Purina! Renew or become a member online at https://www.illinoisbeef.com/membership