CATTLE CON RECAP

Illinois Beef Producers Get Jazzed At 2023 Cattle Industry Convention And Ncba Tradeshow

Devin Bollman

Seedstock Report

Cattlemen and women gathered earlier this month in New Orleans for a week of education, enlightenment and networking. Several cattle industry leaders represented Illinois at NCBA’s Cattle Industry Convention and Tradeshow.

The dust has settled from the excitement down in NOLA, which was home to the 2023 Cattle Convention. We can finally reflect on what an amazing week it was; more than thirty cattlemen and women represented Illinois and our beef industry at the policy meeting and trade show of the U.S. beef industry.

IBA leaders such as Dr. Paul Walker, Dave Duzan, Lou Lamoreux and Larisa Willrett represented IBA membership and Illinois producers during the convention’s Policy and Checkoff meetings. Other Illinois attendees took part in Cattlemen’s College where like-minded young cattle producers discussed relevant topics like the importance of developing heifers. Illinois cattlemen also tuned in to forums, including the sustainability forum where cattlemen from various sectors of the beef industry discussed the implementation of strategies to improve sustainability and the Beef Quality Assurance producer forum to learn about the evolution of the continuous educational opportunities. serves as the IBA President where he has shared his vast knowledge and insight with the Illinois beef industry.

Producer Events

Tri-County Cattlemen

Another cattleman continued his legacy of representing our state on the national stage at NCBA. Al Lyman of Cambridge was re-elected for another term as a Federation of State Beef Councils representative on the national Beef Promotion and Operating Committee. The BPOC is the body responsible

“COOL TO BE COWBOY” -

TAYLOR SHERIDAN

The opening session of 2023 Cattle Con featured screenwriter and director, Taylor Sheridan. He shared his views on the cattle industry and his goal of sharing that story with the world through “Yellowstone” and his own life story.

Justin Rahn of Mount Carrol completed his term representing Illinois on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. The CBB oversees the collection and spending of Checkoff funds in conjunction with the USDA. Rahn served on the Consumer Trust Committee — a committee aimed to grow consumer trust in beef and beef production through greater adoption and understanding of industry best practices.

Dr. Paul Walker of Danvers has been named as the new Illinois delegate to the CBB, starting this spring. Walker has spent his life involved in agriculture, beginning with his early years in raising show hogs and show steers with his brother and working on major show operations. Walker’s passion for agriculture led him to his over three-decade long tenure in higher education. Walker now for developing the annual budget, which must be approved by the full Beef Board and USDA, for developing plans and programs in the areas of promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing and producer communications.

Annual Banquet - Western Illinois University Grand Ballroom

February 18, 2023 - This year the banquet will feature a social hour, ribeye dinner, an auction to raise funds for scholarships and a keynote speaker. Tickets and sponsorships are available for purcase online at www.tricountycattlemen.com/banquet

Crossroads Beef Producers

February Meeting

February 23, 2023

Guest speaker is James Davison with CattlActive

Henry County Beef Association

Annual Banquet - Lavendar Crest Winery

March 25, 2023

Prairie Beef Association

2nd Annual Prairie Beef Assn. Showcase Jackpot Show - DeWitt Co. Fairgrounds

April 2, 2023

Association News

Renew your Membership!

IBA membership is due for renewal. You can renew online at www.illinoisbeef.com or contact Devin Bollman. devin@illinoisbeef.com | (217) 787-4280