Illinois Cattle Producers Go Onward to Orlando

What do oranges, cowboy hats, roller coasters and cattle have in common? I will give you a hint, it is the annual event that draws cattlemen and women from across the United States for knowledge, fellowship and fun. Illinois Beef Association members and staff left their mark in Orlando at the 2024 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show held January 30 through February 2. Industry members and cattle producers alike enjoyed encouraging sessions, attended policy meetings, learned about what is to come for cattle industry members and gained understanding about today’s beef consumers.

Henry county’s Al Lyman was re-elected for another year to the NCBA Beef Promotion Operating Committee, elected by the Federation of State Beef Council’s Board of Directors and responsible for developing the annual Beef Checkoff budget.

Before the main events began on January 31, the day prior featured the Region III meeting. Region III includes our state, plus Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Both association and beef council staff from each state presented updates on the past year’s work. IBA Executive Vice President, Josh St. Peters, remarked on channel marketing resources and Summer Grilling campaigns and their return on investment on the Checkoff side of the IBA. Regarding the association side of our organization he remarked on the hot topic of tax revisions and also mentioned IBA President Dave Duzan was recently elected to serve on the Illinois Farmers Council. NCBA President Todd Wilkinson presented his focus for the convention was on the gift tax and the need for new tax legislation, especially for farmers who want to secure a succession plan. He also mentioned the pressing issues of traceability and protein alternatives. NCBA VP of Government affairs, Ethan Lane, said they are expecting the USDA will categorize meat from that which is lab grown, and went on to discuss the fair labels act and the necessity to prevent lab grown meat labels from using words like “slaughter free” and other terms likely to increase misinformation about the quality of beef and other animal proteins.

Opening day of convention included policy committee meetings and the opening general session. The meetings were attended by IBA board members and staff to ensure Illinois producers were represented.

Beginning at 9 a.m. was the D.C. Issues Update with staff from NCBA’s D.C. office. Issues covered in this meeting included, but were not limited to, beefpassport.com, the upcoming Farm Bill, truck weight increases and the Fair Labels Act and NCBA to force same standards and qualification processes on lab grown meat. Executive Director of Government Affairs, Kent Bacus, talked about the Biden administration’s unuse of using trade to offer incentives to foreign markets and the massive amount of meat being imported that affects the trade situation overall. He also covered the death tax. NCBA Senior Director of Government Affairs, Tanner Beymer, talked about appropriations and the likely government shutdown in the near future which would mean no access to LMR reports. He went on to stress the future importance of remote quality grading in order to increase processing capacity. Other topics and questions posed include litigations on items such as WOTUS – thanks to NCBA, environmental groups are counting this as a loss –and Prop 12, emissions reporting and the delisting of wolves. Please note if there is a government shutdown, this time LMR reporting will stop – NCBA staff is preparing a 12-page document for producer convenience.

The opening general session featured Jon Dorenbos, Magician and Former American Football Player, who shared his inspiring story of hardship, talent and hope.

The first evening concluded with the Flamingo Fiesta Welcome Reception in the Trade Show and the NCBA-PAC Reception and Live Auction, held each year to continue advocating for cattle producers in Washington D.C. and elsewhere.

Day two began with the second general session honoring BQA Award winners and featuring Jim Carroll, Futurist, Author, Innovation Expert. Carroll believes we should look forward to innovation, and recognize the hyperconnectivity we have in our world today through mobile devices. He recognizes the speed of technology and scientific discoveries. Carroll also spent time discussing Artificial Intelligence and how to adapt to new technology. Examples included genomic medicine, and “the hyperconnected cow.” “Think big. Start small. Scale fast,” Carroll says.

The third general session was the CattleFax 2024 Industry Outlook Session. This year they are expecting La Nina to make its way back around, meaning colder temperatures in the North and drought in the South. Meteorologist Matt Makens predicts corn will have a slow start this year from drought. Makens said this last year saw the fourth strongest El Nino since 1980. April through June will be slightly warmer than usual and Illinois will be drier than usual. Also in our state, Makens predicts Spring to see neutral precipitation, summer to have slightly increased moisture and fall to have drought again. If La Nina does not “roar in,” as Makens says, there will probably be a few years of more neutral precipitation versus drought, cold Springs, and corn benefiting from later season moisture – these predictions cover the country. Next in the session, Troy Bockelmann gave a grain outlook. Make note of 2024 having less acres but increased yields, oil production consumption records yet equilibrium production and the correlation between tallow and crude oil production(Bockelmann). Kevin Good says cattle production continues to grow though there are less cattle, and cow slaughter is down substantially. The coming year will see continued liquidation, but beef on dairy production is growing. Good says factors like drought, heifer placements, Mexico imports and slow turnover will decrease the number of head on feed. Other notes from Good include more imports and less exports in 2024, and keep an eye on inflation. “Beef prices within go up as fast as the combination of inflation and declining supplies would suggest.” Mike Murphy went on to say fed cattle versus bred cows are always in correlation to one another, though fed cattle usually lead, in today’s climate both are worth the investment. Randy Blach gave the final executive summary saying beef demand is still growing faster than inflation because of beef quality and consumers that like the taste of high-quality, grain-fed beef, though other market segments are being well-filled by producers as well.

Other meetings were held throughout the day on Friday with the night culminating in “Cowboys and Coasters.” This special event featured food, the Bellamy Brothers and roller coasters all reserved for Cattle Con attendees in the heart of one of Orlando’s most beloved theme parks, Universal Studios.

Illinois cattlemen and women from all segments of the industry came together as leaders to represent our state well. Illinois cattle industry leaders enjoyed education and fellowship during the 2024 Cattle Industry Convention. See you in San Antonio for CattleCon 2025!