Association Focus

Paul Walker, Illinois Beef Association President

Wow! It was great to have an in-person Illinois State Fair. Renewing friendships, exhibiting great cattle, watching our children excel, promoting beef and showcasing the cattle/ beef industry — that is the Illinois State Fair. On Tuesday, the IBA kick-off started the fair with the Illinois Junior Beef Association (IJBA) annual meeting. A little over 150 junior members attended – and most impressive was that 15 juniors ran for the seven open director positions on the IJBA Board. Interest in the IJBA is growing as we continue to offer more activities for the juniors. Following the IJBA board meeting, the IJBA served over 300 hamburgers to junior exhibitors and parents. IBA staff and officers were busy during week one of the fair supporting the junior beef show, manning the Ribeye Corral, and providing tours and introducing key state officials to various exhibitors and their parents. The Illinois State Fair Beef Shows are truly family affairs.

Did you know that IBA is a co-sponsor of the Showmanship Contest, Master Showmanship Contest, Junior Heifer Show, Junior Steer Show and the IJBA Jackpot Heifer Show? Part of IBA’s strategic plan is to promote junior programs and the Illinois State Fair is part of the action strategies. The IBA also provides cash awards to the Grand Champion and Reserve Champion Junior Steers. This year those donations provided a photo-op and brief conversation with Governor J.B. Pritzker. Every opportunity to have a positive interaction with those who impact the rules and legislation that affect cattle production is beneficial for the Illinois cattle industry. Hats off to Larry Wilson and his staff for a job well done; holding the Showmanship Contest and the Jill Walker Supreme Champion Heifer Drive in the Livestock Center was a great improvement. We noted a few bugs to improve next year but the excitement of showing in the Livestock Center was great! When we started the Jill Walker Supreme Heifer Championship 15 years ago, we were exhibiting around 400 heifers. This year we exhibited 575 heifers, pre-Covid we exhibited as high as 680 heifers. We must always remember that enthusiasm creates more enthusiasm. A big thank you to the David Kerns family who sponsor the Supreme Champion Land of Lincoln Heifer Award each year in memory of Mary Lou Kerns and to the Fred Killam family who sponsor the Junior Show Supreme Champion Cow-Calf awards.

Week 2 of the fair found IBA staff, affiliate members and other volunteers still promoting beef at the Ribeye Corral. Everyone should thank Betsy Pech, Policy Board of Governor representing district 5, who served as the volunteer manager of the Ribeye Corral and spent over 12 days going above and beyond. Thank you, Betsy. During week two, Josh, David and I met with numerous national and state legislators explaining the Illinois cattle industry’s policies and reenforcing valuable friendships. IBA had a meaningful presence on the Illinois State Fair Directors Lawn for Ag Day, Governor’s Day and Republican Day. Josh is an excellent, talented spokesperson for all things beef - you should view him in action – the right person for the right job. A highlight of Ag Day for me was the recognition of the Cimeron Frost family as the IBA Farm Family of the Year. We sure do appreciate all those years of service to the Illinois beef cattle industry, Cim.

Congratulations to several Board of Governors members

that successfully exhibited cattle at the Illinois State Fair. I am so pleased that our board members are in touch with all segments of our great industry. Showing cattle is a lot of things and perhaps it is our greatest showcase of the cattle industry. At-Large Policy Director, Cody Lowderman, understands this concept. The Lowdermans sold a heifer to Brad Underwood, University of Illinois Basketball Coach, and arranged for Coach Underwood to show his heifer during the Hereford Open Show. Not only is Brad a great coach but he is a great guy. Following his stint in the show ring, Coach Underwood addressed the crowd and provided a photo-op and numerous interviews. It was a great and fun experience. Thank you to the Lowderman family for all they do in promoting the cattle industry.

If you have not met the Illinois Director of Agriculture, Jerry Costello, and have an opportunity to do so – do it. Director Costello is genuine in his support for agriculture, including the cattle industry. He is a breath of fresh air among public servants. Director Costello wanted to meet some of our junior exhibitors and families in the junior barn and adult exhibitors in the open barns. Josh and I introduced him to several exhibitors and their families. Thank you to those of you who visited with Director Costello, as he expressed later, he very much enjoyed the interaction. Director Costello has overseen several improvements on the Illinois State Fairgrounds, including the ceiling fans over the junior barn showring (they do make the showring a lot cooler); and installing ceiling fans, repairing the electric outlets and exhaust fans and painting the ceilings in cattle barns 25P, O and Q. The Director’s plans include making these improvements in the rest of the 25 barns. While these improvements are small, they are a step in the right direction, and long overdue.

Not only did IBA have a meaningful presence at the Illinois State Fair, but IBA was well represented at NCBA Convention in Nashville, Tenn. We are fortunate that IBA has a talented staff and board so we can have a significant impact in two places at once. Mareah, David, Terry, Al, Bruce and Justin represented IBA regarding policy issues. In all, 151 people from Illinois registered to attend NCBA Convention, including IBA members, producers, spouses, vendors and trade show participants.

Thank you to the many people who have congratulated me regarding how professional the Illinois Beef magazine has been lately. Our magazine is the responsibility of Betty and all credit for this publication goes to her. Thanks for a job well done, Betty. If you called the IBA office during the two weeks of Illinois State Fair and did not get a real person, that is because all our staff including Nancy were carrying out activities at the fair. When you read this narrative, the office will be back to normal.

All in all, IBA had a significant, busy and productive Illinois State Fair. IBA was highly visible doing what IBA does best – promoting beef, supporting our youth, and lobbying our legislators on behalf of the Illinois cattlemen and women. Did I state that IBA had a meaningful presence at the Illinois State Fair? Yes, meaningful on so many levels describes the 2021 Illinois State Fair for IBA.