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SAN ANTONIO, WHERE THE ILLINOIS BEEF INDUSTRY MEETS
February 2025 brought IBA staff and Illinois cattle folks down to San Antonio where we all pulled on our “business” boots and grabbed our notepads for a grand time of fellowship, growth in knowledge of current issues and even a bit of Texas-sized fun.
Beginning the night before day 1 of the event, Region III (that’s us) had their annual CattleCon meeting lead by Charles Bersher. A warm welcome from the now presidentelect Gene Copenhagen was given where he touted increased profitability for producers. Various states in the region gave updates on their staff happenings, including IBA EVP Josh St. Peters, who shared the encouraging stat that Illinois currently has five IBA members serving as elected officials in the state. Another thing to note from the meeting was the nomination and election of Purina’s own Amy Redunes to serve as the next President of Region III.
The evening ended on the Riverwalk at County Line BBQ where IBA hosted all Region III associations and councils for a night of fellowship and chatting about successes.
The following morning was kicked off bright and early with the annual D.C. Issues Update where each member of the NCBA D.C. office staff detailed the issues at the fore-front of their mind when it comes to all things cattle politics in our nation’s capital.
In the meeting, NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs, Allison Rivera, talked about labor and border security, transportation and the Farm Bill — which you can learn more about if you flip forward just a few pages.
NCBA Chief Veterinarian, Kathy Simmons, was prepared to share what is on the forefront of her mind in the current political season, including animal disease, and the incoming issue of New World Screwworm. Imports are effected by this threat but Mexico is prepared to do what they can to eradicate the issue with sterile flies, as was done once before.
NCBA Senior Director of Government Affairs, Sigrid Johannes, is honed in on health-specific topics like the new Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., dietary guidelines, animal rights and lab grown meats.
The Corporate Transparency Act, tax reform and, especially, trade were discussed by Executive Director of International Trade and Market Access, Kent Baucus. He says the new Trump administration is focused on trade deficits and that “tariffs are the tool of choice for this administration” when it comes to international relations.
Executive Director or Government Affairs, Tanner Beymer, was the last team member to be questioned. He shared the encouragement that there is motivation to get a new Farm Bill by the end of the year and that most new appointees at the United States Department of Agriculture are there for the “right” reasons.
Later that day were committee meetings evaluating and discussing current policy, and the Opening General Session began at 3 p.m., where Lieutenant Colonel Dan “Noonan” Rooney delivered an inspirational message about purpose. “You never have to be more than you are, but you must always be all that you are,” says Rooney. He encourages folks to answer three questions when searching for their purpose: What do you love? What are you good at? If both are the same thing, how can you use it to make a difference?
The following morning began with General Session II − Building a Resilient Future for Ag with Shannon Ferrell, who encouraged producers to be ready at all times for the next generation to take over the operation. Some ways to do that include beneficiary designations, health care planning, building a trust, and life insurance, to name a few.
Following this session was the Checkoff Highlights Session where various Checkoff-funded projects were detailed by those like the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, Cattlemen’s Beef Board, US Meat Export Federation and the American Farm Bureau. It is safe to say, your Checkoff dollars are being used in such a variety of ways, it would blow your mind.
That afternoon was busy like it always is with IBA board members and staff scattered across the convention center attending various NCBA Policy Committee meetings and Checkoff Committee Meetings. Notable was IBA Checkoff Division Chair, Jamie Martz, who attended the Checkoff Nutrition and Health Committee meeting where past IBA President, Dr. Paul Walker, was also present as a member of the committee where he serves as a member of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board.
This was Martz’s first time attending CattleCon. She says she has already had the opportunity to reconnect with some of the folks she met. “The industry is going in the right direction,” she says. “There are a lot of people passionate about the industry and good people in the right positions right now who are leading.” She expressed that it was easy for her to sit in the conversations she did after having previous experience with Checkoff programs Illinois does, such as involvement with Illinois Farm Families. “I feel like I brought home ideas too,” Martz says.
Day two ended with “Big TX Fest” at The Espee where CattleCon attendees enjoyed various BBQ dishes, deserts, drinks and games. IBA Board Members and Staff connected to join in on the fun.
The final day of NCBA convention is always bitter sweet. Though attendees are looking forward to a Friday “siesta,” there is yet a little more business to finish up.
The final General Session, the CattleFax 2025 U.S. & Global Protein & Grain Outlook Seminar, is a favorite among attendees every year.
Meteorologist, Matt Makens, says there will be cool pockets in May-July throughout “corn country” with a dry mid-summer. He also make producers aware that since 1998, it seems we will continue to have droughts more frequently.
Next to the stage was CattleFax Vice President of Industry Relations, Kevin Good, who says we are still in a liquidation phase in the industry, with a harvest of 1 million less cows in 2024. Good says beef and heifer replacements continue to be historically low, though there are signs this is starting to slow. Heads up though, beef continue to hold the majority of market share compared with the other popular proteins of pork and poultry.
CattleFax Chief Operating Officer, Mike Murphy, says demand is the key, as long as we still have a mission to produce high-quality, sustainable, cattle we will keep that demand.
To finish out the seminar, CattleFax Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, Randy Blach, reminded producers of the historic profitability in the industry right now, and the quality of beef is ever increasing. Last year, beef demand was the second strongest year in 37 years, Blach says. “The only place we get new dollars is through the consumer,” he expresses.
After this final general session wrapped up, other meetings were carried on throughout the afternoon, most notably the NCBA Board of Directors meeting where Illinois was once again well-represented (see photo).
One last festivity is always on CattleCon attendee’s minds, and that’s the final-night event. This year, it was “Cowboy’s Night at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. Beginning in a “round-up” area, Illinois Cattlemen enjoyed drinks and food and then made their way to the arena. After a full rodeo, country music singer, Scotty McCreery played his hits like “Five More Minutes” and “This Is It.”
