STATE OF NCBA Continued from page 14
provides HSUS and others with the opportunity to use the court system to weaken the beef checkoff which enjoys the support of most beef producers. The animal rights activists at HSUS know that weakening the beef checkoff will lessen consumer demand for beef and consumption will decline. By dividing our industry and weakening producer-directed programs, removing beef from the plate and cattle from the land will occur much faster than they could otherwise achieve by mandating production practices one state at a time. HSUS and other activist groups are constantly working to divide beef producers and it’s time for every cattleman and cattlewoman to step forward and stop their work. The beef checkoff is the only producer-directed, selffunded effort that directly benefits our industry. We must protect the checkoff and defend it against these well-funded attacks by HSUS and others. Without it, the future of beef demand is certainly in question and that’s exactly what the activists expect.
16
NATIONAL CATTLEMEN
More Work Ahead As beef producers, we know that there is always more work to be done and that applies to the volunteer leaders and staff at NCBA too. We know that many of our policy priorities take years to achieve and each requires the significant assistance of our members, state partners, volunteer leaders and stakeholders to get them across the goal line. We’re grateful to have your outstanding support, so I’d like to extend a heartfelt ‘thank you,” to each of you. We wouldn’t be successful without your support. If you’re reading this and you aren’t yet a member of NCBA or your state and local cattlemen’s association, please take a moment and join today. Your investment is crucial to the ongoing success of each organization. If you’re already a member, we thank you again and challenge you to recruit a new member now. The investment you make in the future of the beef community goes a long way to ensuring a brighter future for you, your family and the next generation of cattlemen and cattlewomen.
DIRECTIONS 2017