THE AMERICAN
CATTLEWOMAN FALL ISSUE
JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER 2026
VOLUME LV | ISSUE III
NCBA Summer Meeting Reports Summer Business Meeting
Young Cattlemens Conference
Feed Lots to DC and everything in between
National Beef Ambassadors Sign Off
Kara, Rachel, and Natalie start a new chapter
2026 | FALL ISSUE
THE AMERICAN
CATTLEWOMAN The American CattleWoman is published quarterly: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. The American CattleWoman is designed to promote and develop ANCW programs and membership. It is a newsletter published to inform and serve the membership and individuals interested in the American National CattleWomen, Inc. association.
The American National CattleWomen, Inc. is the voice for women in the US beef cattle industry. PO Box 700038 St. Cloud, FL 34770 Email: ancw@ancw.org Volume LV | Issue III July | August | September
ANCW LEADERSHIP President Casey Matzke, TX | President Elect Debbie Chute - MN | Vice President Cheyenne Sparks - OK
To submit articles, questions, or comments contact: ANCW Communications Committee, Newsletter Editor Josey Pearce Keener communications@ancw.org
ANCW EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President Casey Matzke - TX President Elect Debbie Chute - MN Vice President Cheyenne Sparks - OK Recording Secretary Karen Smith - CO Executive Director Brandee Mills - UT Treasurer Cheryl Foster - CA Past President Nikki Weston - UT Parliamentarian Kady Porterfield - WA
The American CattleWoman is designed to promote and develop ANCW programs and membership. It is a newsletter published to inform and serve the membership and to interest individuals in the American National CattleWomen, Inc. association.
BOD Chair Kelsi Gambill - MT Region I Director Brenda Kocher - OH Region II Director Holly Newsome - FL Region III Director Donnia Besher - MO Region IV Director Linda Thorman - TX Region V Director Tani Wohlbrandt - WY Region VI Director Stephanie Teskey - AZ Region VII Director Katrin Van Zandbergen - SD
JOIN ANCW TODAY! Join the American National CattleWomen and become part of a respected network of leaders dedicated to advancing the beef industry through education, promotion, and legislative advocacy. Join online at www.ancw.org/join-or-renew.
All reports and written material are subject to editing. American National CattleWomen (ISSN1042-5233) (USPS 315 470) is published quarterly by the American National CattleWomen, Inc. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduction in whole or in part, without written consent. Marketing postage paid at St. Cloud, FL and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to American National CattleWomen, Attn: American National CattleWomen, PO Box 700038, St. Cloud, FL 34770
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On the Cover: Group Photo Photo taken of ANCW Members during the 2026 Summer Business Meeting in Denver, Colorado.
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Voice for Beef
The American CattleWoman
2026 | FALL ISSUE
ANCW PRESIDENT Casey Matzke - TX As we wrap up another successful summer for American National CattleWomen, I find myself reflecting on just how much we have accomplished together in a short amount of time. None of these successes happen without the dedication, passion, and volunteer spirit of our members. Every milestone we celebrate is a direct result of cattlewomen across the country who continue to invest their time, talents, and hearts into this organization. Our Summer Business Meetings were a tremendous success, bringing members together to share ideas, conduct the business of our organization, and strengthen the relationships that make ANCW so special. It is always inspiring to see cattlewomen from across the nation come together with a shared purpose—to educate, advocate, and promote the beef industry while supporting one another along the way. The enthusiasm and collaboration throughout the meetings left me excited for what lies ahead. One of the highlights of this year continues to be the success of our ANCW Webinar Series. Month after month, members have joined us to hear from outstanding industry leaders and experts on topics that are relevant to today's beef industry. These educational opportunities have allowed us to continue learning together regardless of where we live, and I am grateful to everyone who has presented, attended, and helped make this series such a valuable member benefit. Another exciting addition this year has been the launch of our new monthly ANCW newsletter. Our goal is to keep members better informed, connected, and engaged by sharing organizational updates, educational opportunities, committee highlights, member spotlights, and upcoming events. We hope this consistent communication helps every member stay connected to the work happening throughout ANCW. While we've been celebrating all we've accomplished this summer, our officers and staff have already shifted our focus to planning an outstanding agricultural tour for Annual Convention. We're working hard to create an experience that highlights the local agricultural community while giving members another opportunity to learn, network, and enjoy time together. Stay tuned for more details—we're excited for what's ahead! As President, I continue to be amazed by the countless volunteers who quietly give of themselves every single day. Whether you serve on a committee, organize an event, recruit new members, educate consumers, mentor fellow cattlewomen, or simply represent our industry in your community, your contributions matter. It is because of members like you that American National CattleWomen continues to grow, evolve, and make a meaningful impact. Thank you for your continued support of ANCW and for the many ways you strengthen this organization. I am honored to serve alongside each of you and look forward to all we will accomplish together as we continue building momentum throughout the remainder of the year. With appreciation,
Casey The American CattleWoman
Top: Summer Business Meeting; Second: Casey presenting; Third: Members engaged with our Beef Ambassadors presentation; Bottom: Kara, Natalie, and Rachel presenting.
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ANCW PRESIDENT-ELECT Debbie Chute - MN
Mid-June found me in Bismarck, North Dakota celebrating 75 years with the ND CattleWomen! I was honored to be able to join these amazing, hardworking ladies for such a fantastic achievement. Congratulations! They have been an incorporated organization longer than American National CattleWomen! The meeting was held at North Dakota Stockmen’s Association Building. NDSA built a new facility in 2023, they moved into it early in 2024. It is beautiful and very useful. There is a “CattleWomen’s Room” displaying photos of all North Dakota CattleWomen’s presidents over the past 75 years. Speakers and updates on Friday included the North Dakota Beef Commission Resources by Jenna Paul, ND Beef Checkoff Updates and Priorities by Nicole Wardner, Building Consumer Confidence Through Education by Jennifer Haugen, Communicating Beef with Confidence by Kathryn Slavick, Bringing Beef Education into Your Community by Bridget Bullinger, Understanding the Beef Checkoff: Missions, Priorities and Partnership by Joy Patten and ND Beef Commission Panel. The keynote speaker was Yvonne Holleneck, Cowgirl Poet and Storyteller. Saturday included ND President Carol Peterson updates, Driving the Future of NDCW Strategic Planning Session with Jodi Burns, Advocating for Beef: The Important Role of CattleWomen in Legislation by Julie Ellingson, an ANCW update by me, NDCW Annual Meeting with election and installation of officers. There were a lot of speakers and important information shared over two days. Thank you, North Dakota CattleWomen, for the invitation to attend your meeting and celebrate 75 years with you! Congratulations and looking forward to celebrating many more years with you. At the end of June, I traveled to Ames, Iowa for the ANCW Region III and VII meeting. Unfortunately, I could not take part in the tours on Thursday. It sounded like a fun and interesting day! Thursday evening, we visited while enjoying a delicious BBQ meal. Friday morning, I shared ANCW updates and region elections were held. Thank you, Iowa CattleWomen, for hosting this meeting. And welcome back to American National CattleWomen Association! Mid-July found me in Aurora, Colorado for our 2026 ANCW Summer Business Meeting with many of our members and guests. We had a busy two days discussing the business needs of our organization and getting updates from our committees. Top: Region 3 & 7 attendees with the results their terrariums to enjoy at home. Left: 2026 North Dakota CattleWomen’s 75th Anniversary Celebration & Annual Meeting Right: North Dakota Cattlewomen’s 2026-2027 Executive Board L-R Alisha Nord, 2nd (VP); Kathryn Slavick, (VP); Kristen Mayer, (TR); Anissa Gregor, (S); Carol Peterson, (P) Debbie Chute, ANCW (P-E)
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The American CattleWoman
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ANCW VICE PRESIDENT Cheyenne Sparks -OK What a wonderful time we had together at the ANCW Summer Conference in Aurora, Colorado! I already look forward to seeing you all again at our next ANCW event! One of the highlights of the conference for me was the State Presidents Council. I truly enjoyed the opportunity to get to know our state leaders on a deeper level and hear about the unique opportunities and challenges they face within their affiliates. Our discussion centered on understanding who our leaders and members are so we can better support them, recognizing the importance of knowing our audience, and finding ways we can continue to grow—not only as individual affiliates, but as one united organization. The ideas, conversations, and feedback shared during that session are already making an impact! We are currently developing an ANCW State Presidents Guide that will serve as a resource for both new and returning state presidents. Our goal is to provide practical tools and guidance to help every state leader find their footing and feel confident as they serve their affiliates. As we move into the second half of the year, I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to serve as your Vice President and for the passion and dedication each of you bring to ANCW. I am excited to see all that we will accomplish together in the months ahead and look forward to continuing this journey with each of you!
Top right: ANCW Vice President Cheyenne Sparks leads the State Presidents Council at the 2026 Summer Business Meeting in Aurora, CO. Left: Oklahoma CattleWomen Meg Stangl, Debbie Powers and Cheyenne Sparks pose during the ANCW Tour at The Legacy Building. Right: ANCW Vice President Cheyenne Sparks and President Casey Matzke at the 2026 Summer Business Meeting in Aurora, CO.
The American CattleWoman
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2026 | FALL ISSUE
REGION I DIRECTOR Brenda Kocher - OH Ohio CattleWomen proudly welcomed members from across Region I for the Boots, Beef & BBQ Road Show and the American National CattleWomen (ANCW) Region I Meeting held March 27–28 at the Ohio Beef Council office in Marysville. The Road Show featured an engaging evening of beef education led by Dr. Lyda Garcia and The Ohio State University Meat Science Extension team. Participants learned how beef quality, marbling, and proper cooking techniques influence the eating experience through interactive demonstrations and a Beef Sensory Evaluation. The evening concluded with a delicious tri-tip dinner and fellowship. Above: Region 1 meeting attendees ANCW Region I Meeting: Saturday’s Region I Meeting included ANCW leadership updates, committee reports, state reports, and the election of the 2027 Region I representatives. Congratulations to our newly elected representatives: Becky Vincent – Budget Representative (2nd Term); Dee Jepson – Ways & Means Representative (1st Term); Katie Vanderpool – Communications Representative (2nd Term); Brenna Finnegan – Membership Representative (1st Term). Congratulations also to Jennie Hodgen (Indiana) on her election as the 2027 ANCW Region I Director. One of the highlights of the weekend was welcoming National Beef Ambassadors Rachel Wandell (Idaho) and Kara Tiff (Texas). During their Ohio visit, they toured Certified Angus Beef, Select Sires, SunRise Cooperative, Amish Livestock Sale Barns, and MKB Farms, where they experienced Ohio agriculture firsthand. Ohio CattleWomen Highlights: Successful Ohio Beef Expo fundraiser benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities.; Consumer education booth at the Ohio State Fair; Boots, Beef & BBQ Road Show expanded to county fairs across Ohio.; Ohio CattleWomen officially received 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. ANCW Summer Business Meeting in Denver: Region 1 members continued representing our region at the ANCW Summer Business Meeting in Denver. Members received updates from ANCW President Casey Matzke, NCBA CEO Colin Woodall, and state leadership. Committee meetings, State Presidents’ Council discussions, National Beef Ambassador presentations, and Board meetings provided opportunities to exchange ideas and strengthen our national organization. A special highlight was touring The Legacy at the National Western Center, celebrating the history and future of the beef industry. Following the ANCW meeting, members participated in NCBA meetings, including the Cattlemen’s Beef Board Checkoff Evaluation and Region I discussions focused on sharing successful programs and strengthening state organizations. Crawford County Fair Road Show: The Boots, Beef & BBQ Road Show made another successful stop at the Crawford County Fair on July 23. Fairgoers enjoyed an interactive Beef Taste Experience led by Dr. Lyda Garcia and Ohio State Meat Science students participating in a summer program from Hawaii, Arizona, and Texas. Visitors learned how marbling affects flavor and tenderness while comparing Prime and Select beef. They also received Ohio Beef Council recipes and nutrition information to help make beef a healthy, delicious choice at home. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to learn, taste, and celebrate Ohio Beef! Join the ANCW Cheer Herd! Have you joined the ANCW Cheer Herd on Facebook? This public Facebook community was created to encourage, support, celebrate accomplishments, and lift up members of the American National CattleWomen and their families through both joyful moments and life’s challenges. We invite you to join the conversation and help strengthen our CattleWomen family — one encouraging post at a time.
“Together we are stronger, and together we make a difference for the beef industry.” Left: Region 1 members at the summer meeting Dee Jepson, Brenda Kocher and Katie Kixmiller Middle: Boots, Beef & BBQ Road Show Right: NBCA CEO Colin Woodall Presenting at ANCW Meeting.
The American CattleWoman
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REGION II DIRECTOR Holly Newsome - FL ALABAMA Since 1955, the Alabama CattleWomen’s Association (ACWA), originally founded as the Alabama CowBelles Association, has promoted "Beef for Father’s Day," encouraging Alabama families to celebrate Father’s Day with beef on the menu. Continuing a tradition spanning more than 70 years, leaders of the Alabama CattleWomen’s Association recently presented Governor Kay Ivey with a platter of steaks as she officially proclaimed "Beef for Father’s Day" in Alabama for 2026. This Father’s Day weekend, Alabama CattleWomen joined Governor Kay Ivey and Alabama’s cattle producers in encouraging families across the state to celebrate the fathers in their lives with a delicious beef meal. #ALCattlemen #BeefItsWhatsForDinner
Above: Alabama CattleWomen’s Summer Meeting
Alabama CattleWomen’s Summer Meeting The Alabama CattleWomen’s Association held its summer meeting on July 11, 2026, hosted by the Geneva County CattleWomen. Although the Geneva County chapter was officially established in 2024, the county’s commitment to beef promotion spans generations. County President Nikki Dyess shared that her grandmother was an active CowBelle in Geneva County decades ago, making it especially meaningful to revive that legacy through a new generation of cattlewomen. Today, the chapter supports the Geneva County Cattlemen’s and Junior Cattlemen’s Associations by baking cakes for the annual fundraising auction, providing meals and care packages for youth attending AJCA and 4-H livestock events, and encouraging the next generation of agricultural leaders. The Geneva County Cattle Queen Program serves as a cornerstone of the chapter’s efforts, with queens acting as ambassadors for the beef industry and an annual scholarship awarded to Miss Geneva 2026 Father of the Year Congratulations to Mr. Jimmy Parnell, recipient of the 2026 Alabama County Cattlemen’s Association. The chapter also promotes beef through the Geneva County Beef Cook-Off, October Beef Month CattleWomen’s Father of the Year Award. activities, and numerous community outreach events, all while Each year, the Alabama CattleWomen’s Association recognizes an supporting youth, promoting beef, and strengthening the local individual whose leadership, dedication, and commitment to family agricultural community. have made a lasting impact on Alabama’s beef community. The award honors fathers who not only invest in their own families but also devote their time, talents, and resources to mentoring the next generation of agricultural leaders. Above: Alabama CattleWomen with Governor Kay Ivey
Jimmy embodies everything this award represents. Through his steadfast leadership, unwavering support of youth livestock programs, and dedication to the Alabama Junior Livestock Expo, he has created opportunities for countless junior exhibitors across the state. His commitment to scholarships, agricultural education, and youth development has established a legacy that will continue to influence generations to come. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Jimmy is a devoted husband, father, mentor, and friend. His family describes him as a man of strong faith, integrity, and character who leads by example and has instilled the values of hard work, honesty, and service in his children. Those same values are reflected in the many lives he has touched throughout Alabama’s cattle industry. The Alabama CattleWomen were honored to recognize Mr. Parnell for his outstanding contributions and the example he has set for Above: Mr. Jimmy Parnell, Alabama CattleWomen’s Father of the Year both his family and Alabama agriculture.
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The American CattleWoman
2026 | FALL ISSUE
GREETINGS FROM THE FLORIDA CATTLEWOMEN! August: Florida CattleWomen are preparing for the Beef Short Course and the Florida Cattlemen’s Association Quality Heifer Sale. Both events provide valuable opportunities to recruit new members while sharing our passion for the beef industry. September: Following the ANCW Summer Business Meeting, plans are well underway for the FCA/FCW Fall Quarterly Meetings and Steak-Out Supper, scheduled for September 10–11 and hosted by Osceola County. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and donors, Above: Florida Members in attendance at Summer Business Meeting. several exceptional fundraising items have been secured, ensuring another successful Steak-Out Supper. We are especially excited to welcome an outstanding lineup of guest speakers, all with roots in Osceola County and agricultural backgrounds. Speakers include a Florida House Representative, Miss Rodeo Florida, and Florida’s Teacher of the Year, who also serves as our local agriculture teacher. These accomplished women represent our industry with knowledge, passion, and pride.
September/October: ANCW Legislative Days will be held in Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend as I will be caring for my elderly mother while she is with me in Florida through the end of October. November: One of our favorite consumer outreach opportunities is serving beef recipes at the Junior League of Tampa Holiday Gift Market. With thousands of attendees, this event provides an excellent opportunity to educate consumers and promote the many benefits of beef. December: Each December, Florida CattleWomen proudly host the HOPE Children’s Home Christmas Party as part of our Beef for the Holidays program. County chapters adopt two or three children each, fulfilling their Christmas wish lists for approximately 30–35 children annually. In addition, we present each family with beef gift certificates funded through the generous "Pass the Hat" donations collected during the Florida Cattlemen’s and Florida CattleWomen’s Winter Quarterly Meetings. We look forward to seeing everyone again soon. Until then, keep promoting, sharing, and advocating for the rich heritage and future of our nation’s beef industry. Love God, Family, Country, and Beef! Debora Whaley, 2026–2027 President of the Florida CattleWomen TENNESSEE
Above: Tennessee CattleWomen
Tennessee CattleWomen’s county affiliates remained active throughout the spring by hosting educational and networking events, including the Giles County Women’s Breakfast, Wilson County Women in Agriculture, and The Homestead Event in Knoxville. These programs were designed to educate, inspire, and connect women involved in agriculture.
Investing in the future continues to be a priority through the Tennessee CattleWomen Scholarship Program. This year, the organization raffled a Henry .22 rifle, with proceeds supporting scholarships for students pursuing careers in agriculture and the beef industry. The popular Biscuits and Milk event at the Tennessee Beef Expo continues introducing youth and families to the nutritional benefits of beef and dairy. This August, Tennessee CattleWomen will also partner with the Tennessee Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee during the Grassroots Conference, continuing their commitment to educating and empowering women in agriculture. Looking ahead, Tennessee CattleWomen are planning several exciting initiatives. In recognition of the International Year of the Woman Farmer, regional events in East and West Tennessee will celebrate the invaluable contributions of women in agriculture. Additional plans include a hands-on educational event for women, by women, in East Tennessee and a partnership with Sigma Alpha in West Tennessee to host the Know What You Grow Conference, connecting consumers with modern agriculture and the people who produce their food. Members also look forward to participating in the Wilson County Cattlemen’s Convention and celebrating Tennessee Agriculture Literacy Week. Together, Tennessee CattleWomen remain committed to educating consumers, supporting producers, and developing the next generation of agricultural leaders across the Volunteer State. Submitted by: Madison M. Executive Director of Tennessee CattleWomen Left: Tennessee CattleWomen with FFA Members Right: Tennessee CattleWomen at the Biscuits and Milk Event
The American CattleWoman
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REGION IV DIRECTOR Linda Thorman - TX Oklahoma CattleWomen Ag Literacy Initiative: Reached all 77 Oklahoma counties by placing an accurate agriculture book with an educator in every county— surpassing their original goal of 30 books. Educators, libraries, and homeschool groups interested in receiving a book can contact Amy McKinney. Convention & Awards: Celebrated key honors at the July OCW State Convention in Tulsa: Debbie Prater Powers: 2026 Oklahoma CattleWoman of the Year Virginia Rogers (Pawnee): 2026 Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association Cattleman of the Year Leadership & Collegiate: Courtney Gagan stepped in as Northeast District Representative. Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton is exploring forming a new collegiate chapter. Texas CattleWomen Fall Convention: The 2026 TCW Fall Convention ("The Legacy of The CattleWomen"), hosted by Big Country CattleWomen, takes place October 23–24 in Abilene. New Chapter Development: High interest in forming a new local chapter in the Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) area, with organizers currently drafting a Constitution and Bylaws following outreach at a Texas A&M AgriLife event. Arkansas CattleWomen Outreach & Education: Connected with about 8 educators at the Family Consumer Science Teachers Conference. Scholarships: Awarded four $1,500 scholarships, announced during the ACA Convention in early August. Collegiate Chapters All state collegiate chapters are actively preparing for the upcoming fall semester.
Thank you to our WIRED sponsor
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The American CattleWoman
2026 | FALL ISSUE
REGION V DIRECTOR Tani Miller Wohlbrandt - WY REGION MEETING RECAP Thank you so very much, Washington CattleWomen, for starting our summer season off by hosting the Region V Meeting this year, and to everyone who attended. Washington State President, Pam Lewison, provided a recap of this wonderful event, and since I couldn’t say it better myself, I’d like to share some of it with you here:
Above: States Report at Summer Business
“We had approximately 60 people register and 55 in attendance for the duration of the event. In addition to the scheduled program that included keynote speaker Danielle Kartes, we heard from Miss Rodeo Washington, our National Beef Ambassadors Rachell Wandell and Ava Budde, Ben Tindall of Save Family Farming, and Stevens County Sheriff's Deputy Jeff Flood on predator management solutions. We elected new Region V committee members –Joanie Shoemaker, CO (Ways & Means), Riata Ready, OR (Communications), Joanne McEndry, WY (Membership). The final day of the meeting included tours with stops at Entman Brothers Farms in Valleyford, WA, and Owens Farms in Spokane, WA, where we had a special tasting menu of Owens Farms Piedmontese beef prepared by Chef Chad White. We finished off the tour day with a quick trip to Idaho and a cruise along Lake Coeur d'Alene.”
I want to thank all of the ladies who attended the Region V meeting at the end of April/beginning of May. We are truly thankful to all of you for taking time away from your busy lives to join us in Spokane Valley and see a little bit of what our state is all about. I would also like to say a special thank you to the planning committee -- Kady Porterfield, Bev Cridlebaugh, Gail Shelton, Jeannie Keihn, and Jorden Kuehl -- without whom the Region V meeting would not have happened because I am not an event planner. Many thanks to all the wonderful sponsors who helped make this event happen. We are pleased to announce that Colorado President, Christie Hawk, agreed to serve as our Region Representative on the Budget Committee. Thank you, Christie! It was brought to our attention that Region V needed only one more member to equal a full third of ANCW membership, so Idaho member Ruby Rylaarsdam’s husband Bob joined us. Welcome! We appreciate your support. SUMMER CONFERENCE In July, the ANCW Summer Conference was held in Aurora, Colorado. We had a very productive meeting and a lovely tour of the new National Western Stock Show facility. The Colorado ladies brought delicious snacks, and it was good to see so many familiar faces and get to know some new ones! On a more somber note, at the time of this writing, much of our region is devastated by fire again. Other regions are experiencing the same. Some folks may still need donations of hay, if anyone has it to spare. You are all in our hearts and our prayers. I can’t wait to see you all in Nashville this winter. May you and yours all be in good health. Safe travels, everyone.
SAVE THE DATE
You are all personally invited to join us at our next Region V meeting in Gillette, Wyoming, April 15-17, 2027, so please come! Above: Region V members at Summer Business Meeting
The American CattleWoman
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2026 | FALL ISSUE
REGION VI DIRECTOR Stephanie Teskey - AZ This summer was a busy one for Region VI! Many of our affiliates gathered in person for their mid year meetings and also put on some incredible beef promotion activities. Many of these ladies also joined us in Denver for our ANCW Summer Meeting. ARIZONA Arizona hosted their annual “Influencer Tour” at Barbara Jackson's ranch. The group welcomed executive chefs from southern AZ and gave them a behind the scenes look at where their beef comes from. The day concluded with attendees cooking their own steak lunch with a killer spice bar available to customize their take on a perfect steak. CALIFORNIA California had their mid-year meeting and had a wonderful turn out. The highlight for their event was announcing this year's California Beef Ambassadors who will begin their year of learning and beef promotion soon. Nevada hosted their annual Beef & Wine Pairing event where guests sampled 8 different cuts of beef, seasoned with a variety of flavors and paired with a complementary wine. This was a fun way to show the versatility of beef and create a fun experience for everyone who attended. NEW MEXICO New Mexico also had their mid-year meeting in Ruidoso and reported it was a great success. UTAH Utah currently has applications open for their Utah Beef Ambassador program and look forward to welcoming the next cohort of beef advocates. I am so proud of all of our affiliates and enjoy working with this group of amazing women. All of them advocate for the industry in their own way and set a great example of what is possible when we all come together.
Left: CattleWomen visiting the National Western Stock Show facilities during the Summer Business Meeting Right: CattleWomen Group Photo - the backdrop is Charolais hides dyed and patched together to make the stunning scene
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REGION VII DIRECTOR Katrin Van Zandbergen - SD NORTH DAKOTA The end of July they set up a beautiful booth at the North Dakota State fair where they had a build a beef burger game. While they were in Minot for Military Appreciation Lunch at the state fair they also stopped at the Minot Public Library to deliver the new beef chapter books. They also donated Vet Kids Cattle Club books to the Washburn library. They were also busy in June Serving up burgers along with beef trivia at the annual Hamburger Days in Killdeer.
Left: Booth of build a beef burger game; Middle: Members serving up burgers on Hamburger Days; Right: Delivery of beef chapter books at the library
SOUTH DAKOTA Are gearing up for cooking demonstrations at the South Dakota State Fair next month as well as advertising their new Beef Cards. NEBRASKA Looking forward to the Nebraska State Fair next month where they participate in Nebraska’s largest classroom. They will have a display for 3 days and will give teachers a classroom kit that contains a student project learning about cattle production and Beef. Usually, 4,000 students participate in this event. KANSAS: Hosted their first summer business meeting the end of July in Dodge City with 38 ladies attending. They had a great group representing different areas of the beef industry from throughout the state which made for some valuable conversations and connections throughout the day.
Above: ANCW members on ANCW Tour before the 2026 CattleCon.
The American CattleWoman
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NATIONAL BEEF AMBASSADORS KARA TIFFT, RACHEL WANDELL, NATALIE DIETRICH As the 2025–2026 National Beef Ambassador Program comes to a close this August, our team has spent the past year traveling the country, connecting with producers and consumers, and sharing the story of beef with audiences of all backgrounds. From campus classrooms to national industry meetings, every experience has strengthened our passion for agriculture and our commitment to serving as advocates for the beef community. One of the highlights of our term was attending the American National CattleWomen WIRED event in Hawaii this past April. Surrounded by the rich history and unique production systems of the islands, we had the opportunity to learn from local ranchers, industry leaders, and fellow advocates while gaining a greater appreciation for the diversity of the U.S. beef industry. The event reinforced the importance of building relationships and celebrating the people who work every day to provide safe, wholesome beef. This semester also provided opportunities to continue growing our industry knowledge through educational experiences with Certified Angus Beef at the American National CattleWomen Region I Meeting in Ohio. Learning directly from beef producers, educators, and industry professionals offered valuable insight into consumer engagement, beef quality, and the many ways organizations work together to strengthen the future of agriculture. These experiences challenged us to think beyond our own operations and communities while expanding our understanding of the national beef industry.
Above: Beef Ambassadors posed in front of a a beautiful work of art; this art is actually Charolais hides dyed and patched together to make the cowboys and scenery displayed. Located at the National Western Stock Show Center in Denver, CO.
Our journey continued at the American National CattleWomen Summer Business Meeting in Denver, where we were honored to connect with cattlewomen from across the country. The meeting provided opportunities to celebrate accomplishments from the past year, discuss the future of beef advocacy, and witness the incredible dedication of volunteers and leaders working to promote the industry. Being surrounded by so many passionate individuals reminded us that advocacy is most impactful when people work together toward a common goal. This spring, we also had the opportunity to bring beef advocacy directly to our own campuses through a variety of outreach events. Through classroom presentations and guest lectures, Rachel engaged students on topics ranging from beef production practices to sustainability and nutrition, helping connect academic learning with real-world agriculture. These conversations often sparked thoughtful questions and meaningful dialogue about where food comes from and the people behind it. Left: Beef Ambassadors with a group
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The American CattleWoman
2026 | FALL ISSUE In addition, we hosted interactive tabling events across campus where we connected with fellow students in a more informal setting. These events allowed us to share beef facts, answer consumer questions, and provide educational materials in a welcoming and approachable way. By meeting students where they are, we were able to break down misconceptions and encourage curiosity about the beef industry. We also organized on-campus beef cookouts and culinary demonstrations, including Kara’s Grilling 101 event, which welcomed 70 consumers who were not directly involved in production agriculture. By showcasing beef in a hands-on and delicious way, we were able to highlight its versatility, nutritional value, and role in everyday meals. These events not only brought people together but also created lasting memories tied to positive beef experiences.
Above: Rachel Wandell, Natalie Dietrich, Kara Tifft, and ANCW President Casey Matzke
Above: Beef Ambassadors at Greeley Hat Works in Denver, CO.
Above: Beef Ambassadors at Greeley Hat Works with thier new hats in Denver, CO.
Natalie also had the opportunity to lead nutrition-focused education in partnership with the Cattlemen’s organization, sharing the role beef plays in a balanced diet and discussing its nutrient density with consumers. These conversations helped bridge the gap between agriculture and health, allowing us to connect science-based information with everyday food choices. While national travel created unforgettable memories, our greatest impact came through serving our local communities. Throughout the year, each ambassador developed advocacy projects that educated consumers, engaged students, and encouraged meaningful conversations about beef production. Whether speaking in classrooms, hosting educational workshops, participating in producer events, or connecting one-on-one with consumers, these opportunities reinforced the importance of sharing agriculture’s story with honesty, passion, and purpose. As our term concludes this August, we are incredibly grateful for every person who supported us along the way. We are thankful to American National CattleWomen, the National Beef Ambassador Program, our state affiliates, industry partners, mentors, sponsors, and the countless producers and volunteers who invested in our growth throughout the year. The friendships, mentorships, and professional connections we have made will last far beyond our year of service. Although our time as the 2025–2026 National Beef Ambassador team is coming to an end, our passion for advocating for the beef industry certainly is not. We look forward to remaining involved with American National CattleWomen and continuing to serve the industry that has given each of us so much. Thank you for allowing us the privilege of representing America’s beef producers and American National CattleWomen, it has truly been an honor.
The American CattleWoman
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2026 | FALL ISSUE
GOLDEN COWBELLES’ Written by Fita Witte - ANCW 2008 President
Understanding our Past Helps Build the Future I was raised on a ranch in central New Mexico that has been in the family for seven generations. My father was a farmer, rancher, and Chimayo weaver. My mother came from a prominent Hispanic family whose ancestors founded the city of Albuquerque. My husband, Jerry, was raised on a ranch in north-central New Mexico that belonged to his family for five generations. Jerry and I ranched in Lamy, N.M. and in Arizona until Jerry’s father retired in 1974 and we moved back to Rowe Mesa and ran the Witte Ranch. We retired from the ranch, and we now live in Las Cruces. Together, we raised two sons who continue to work in agriculture. Jon lives in Clint, Texas with his wife Staci where they raise cattle, cotton, and pecans. Jeff is the New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture and lives in Las Cruces with his wife Janet where they raise miniature Hereford cattle. I am most proud of my 4 grand kids and 2 great grand kids. My life in CowBelles Cattlewomen started early as I joined Roadrunner CowBelles in Santa Fe, NM along with American National CowBelles (ANCB) in 1962. I served as President of Roadrunner CowBelles, joined Mojave CowBelles when we lived in Arizona. Once back in New Mexico, I served as State Cook Off Chair, State Treasurer and State President (and probably a few more offices and boards along the way). I served in several offices in American National Cattlewomen (ANCW) including Region VI Director, Vice President, President Elect and President. I served on the National Beef Cook Off, Cattleman Beef (the ones who handle the check off $), and National Beef Ambassador Program Boards. I also served as the Chairman of the Public Relations Committee of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. I traveled to several states speaking to Cattlemen and Cattlewomen including speaking at Alaska and Hawaii Cattleman Meetings. I attended he National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Operating Committee meetings where I told them what American National Cattlewomen do to promote Beef. They were very interested in learning what we do because several of them had no idea. I was named Outstanding Cattle Woman of the Year by the organization in 2015. I now serve on the ANCW Foundation as Vice President.
My many boards and positions have taken me many miles, from road trips around our State to National trips requiring air miles. On one such trip, my row mate behaved very nervously, finally leaving the plane only to return, then to be removed by security. On another trip, my row mate acted very nervous, finally leaving and they shut the door so he could not return. That resulted in a search of the plane for any carry-on and checked luggage to verify he left nothing on our plane. Throughout my years promoting beef and supporting agriculture in general, through many organizations that support agriculture. My theme has been “Tell our Story - if we don't tell our story, no one else is gonna tell it for us, and who knows our story better than we do.” I am still active in Mesilla Valley CowBelles, NM Mexico CowBelles and ANCW and would like to see women who are involved in agriculture become mentors for younger women looking for an active role in the farming and ranching industries. I also want to see more emphasis on agriculture in the classroom.
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2026 | FALL ISSUE
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE Cheyenne Sparks - OK As we move into the second half of the year, I want to take a moment to thank each of you for being an important part of the American National CattleWomen. Whether you've been a member for decades or recently joined our organization, your involvement is what keeps ANCW strong. In the coming months, members will receive a survey as we begin collecting information for ANCW's 2026 Annual Impact Report. This report will highlight the incredible work being done across our committees, state affiliates, and membership. Your participation is essential—every volunteer hour, educational program, beef promotion event, and leadership opportunity helps tell the story of ANCW's impact! After discussion at the Summer Business Meeting the committee is looking to get creative with our membership campaigns. One suggestion is centered around one simple question:
“Why are you a CattleWoman?" Your story is one of our greatest recruitment tools. We encourage you to share your "why" and invite others to become part of our ANCW family. Personal connections continue to be the best way to grow our membership! Finally, I'm pleased to announce two exciting changes within the Membership Committee structure. The Golden CowBelles have officially been placed under the Membership Committee as a subcommittee, and we've established a new Collegiate CattleWomen Subcommittee. This new group will be chaired by our Board of Directors Collegiate At-Large, Kara Tifft of Texas, and will focus on engaging, supporting, and developing the next generation of CattleWomen. Thank you for your continued support of ANCW! Together, we're growing our organization and ensuring a bright future for generations of CattleWomen to come!
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2026 | FALL ISSUE
Award Nominations DUE OCTOBER 15th Do you know an ANCW member in your state who is leading with excellence? Who is promoting beef with passion? Who is educating and making a lasting impact?
Beef Promoter of the Year Educator of the Year CattleWoman of the Year Nominations are due October 15. Award recipients will be recognized at the Annual Cattle Industry Convention. Nomination forms are available at ancw.org through the Member Login Portal Member Resources Applications & Forms. Questions? Please contact Awards Committee Chair Ruth Coffey at ruth.coffey@cccattleco.com.
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www.ancw.org/awards-committee
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2026 | FALL ISSUE
WIRED COMMITTEE Katie Spanyers - AZ
Women in Ranching Education & Development SHAPING THE FUTURE OF WIRED With the Summer Business Meeting now behind us, the WIRED Committee is looking ahead to an exciting new chapter. Katie Spanyers of Arizona was appointed chair of the committee, with Lauren Moylan of Kansas serving as vice chair. During the committee meeting, members shared great ideas for taking a fresh approach to WIRED events and expanding the opportunities they provide to participants. Ideas included offering both standard and advanced tracks to accommodate varying levels of knowledge and experience, as well as developing region-specific events that highlight the unique aspects of the cattle industry across the country. A wide range of topics were discussed, including marketing, rangeland management, nutrition, disease management, and many more. The goal is to provide participants with a broad array of practical knowledge and resources they can take home and apply to their own operations. To get started, the committee will be reviewing and updating the WIRED Toolkit. This resource will serve as a guide for state affiliates interested in hosting a WIRED event, providing information on how to plan and organize a successful event. For those interested in participating on the WIRED Committee, upcoming meetings will be held: August 13 at 3:00 p.m. Central September 24 at 3:00 p.m. Central We welcome your ideas and involvement as we continue building the future of WIRED. Please reach out with any questions or if you would like to get involved! WIRED@ancw.org.
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Above: A WIRED from 2025
Below: WIRED Event 2026 in Hawaii
The American CattleWoman
2026 | FALL ISSUE
EDUCATION COMMITTEE Debbie Torres - CA “Children are our future. We need to invest in them now. Plant the seed of Agriculture Early” The ANCW K-12 Education Committee continues to find new ways to encourage young people to learn about agriculture, cattle, and the people who make up our industry. We are grateful to everyone who participated in our Education Committee Round Table. The ideas, experiences, and enthusiasm shared by committee members continue to shape the work we are doing for ANCW youth members. Cattle Country, our new quarterly Junior Member Newspaper, has officially received Executive Board approval! Designed for ANCW youth members in 8th grade and younger, the first edition is scheduled to be mailed in October. Following the first issue, we hope to make Cattle Country available digitally to ANCW membership through the ANCW website portal and as a printable classroom resource. If you are interested in your Junior member receiving a mailed copy, sign them up as a Junior member today at ancw.org/membership. Our Authors as Readers Program is also moving forward. All participating authors have been contacted, and three of the four videos were nearing final release at the time of this newsletter. We are excited to soon share these author connections with our young readers. The videos of the authors reading their books will be available soon through the ANCW website and YouTube channel. A special thank-you to Connie Tabor for her invaluable help and outstanding skill in bringing this program together. This project is made possible through a grant from the ANCW Foundation. Reading remains at the heart of our committee's work. Our July book list celebrated America, with additional recommendations for August and September available on the ANCW website. The CJ Brown book donation is also being distributed to state presidents. Additional books will be made available to Ag in the Classroom chairs and the general membership. If your state president has not received one of the books, please reach out to ANCW for one. The Education Committee is proud of the momentum behind these. We are continually looking for meaningful ways to reach young people and help them understand where their food comes from, the importance of agriculture, and the people behind the beef industry. We are grateful to the Executive Board for your continued support and to every Education Committee member who contributes ideas, time, and energy to this important work. Together, we are planting the seeds of agriculture early and helping grow the next generation of agriculture advocates. Be watching for more information about our upcoming projects and our next committee meeting.
Now Go Forth and READ!
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2026 | FALL ISSUE
NCBA: Young Cattlemen’s Conference Debbie Chute - MN It’s been another busy few months with traveling and representing ANCW across our country! May 28th found me in Denver, Colorado for the start of the 2026 NCBA Young Cattlemen’s Conference (YCC). I was one of 69 participants. We spent the next eight days traveling halfway across our nation. We also had two NCBA staff, coordinators of YCC, along for the entire eight days. Thank you, John Robinson and Jill Johnson, for your hard work and connections to make these eight days so amazing. What an experience! People talk about those “once in a lifetime experiences”. I thought I had mine when I was part of MARL Class 5 (Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership). MARL was like grade school compared to YCC! Everyone who participated in YCC is involved in the beef industry. We had people from Tyson, Merck, CattleFax, Zoetis, Certified Angus Beef, Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, Cattlemen’s Associations from numerous states, a dairy producer, numerous breeders’ associations, cattle feeders, livestock nutrition consultants, NCBA President-Elect, NCBA staff and of course – American National CattleWoman President-Elect. I was very proud and honored to represent ANCW on this journey! We had attendees from Pennsylvania to Hawaii, and I think every state along the way. The first two days were spent at NCBA’s Denver office. Of course, first were introductions. Colin Woodall shared an overview and history of NCBA; we had a very interesting CattleFaX Outlook; and an overview of NCBA compliance. NCBA is one of nine contractors of CBB (Cattlemen’s Beef Board). There are very strict rules and regulations on how checkoff money can be spent and how the accounting of those funds are handled. We also had spokesperson training and reviewed our Clifton Strengths results. While in the Denver area, we toured Five Rivers Cattle Feeding Kunar Yard and Greeley Hat Works. The amount of feed per day that Kunar Yard mixes for the beef in their pens is mind-blowing – over 2 million pounds! Thank you, Greeley Hat Works, for showing us how hats are custom made to each person’s individual likes and order.
Above: NCBA YCC participants at Five Rivers Feedlot tour
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2026 | FALL ISSUE After Denver, we traveled to Sioux City, Iowa. We toured the Tyson plant and Empirical Foods. Again, the numbers that were shared with us at Tyson are so hard for a small cow-calf rancher who feeds out 45-50 feed per year to comprehend! 28,000 head per week go through this one plant. There are 1,100 employees on the “cut floor” per eight-hour shift, 4,300 total employees at this location. They are currently running two 8-hour shifts. There are over 30 different languages spoken by employees. On an average day, there are 150 trucks coming onto their property and 100 trucks going out. Empirical Foods uses technology, innovation and tenacity to solve complex problems and work towards the simple belief that every person, at every economic level, deserves access to quality, affordable, great-tasting beef – “Good food for all”. Then it was traveling further east to Wooster, Ohio for a visit to Certified Angus Beef. We learned about CAB, received a tour of their facilities, and enjoyed delicious meals prepared by their chefs. When there are celebrations, people reach for beef. Beef is the protein of celebrations! While in Wooster, we also visited the meat counters of two retail grocery stores. Onto our last stop – Washington, DC. The first day was getting DC updates from NCBA staff and preparing for visits to the Hill. Our second day in Washington was spent on Capital Hill with visits to our Senators and Representatives. On our final evening, we enjoyed a reception at NCBA offices and an auction to raise funds for NCBA PAC.
Above: 2026 NCBA YCC participants in Washington, DC
You hear about the “Wow Moments”, the great takeaways. I would say mine were the Five Rivers Cattle Feed Yard and the Tyson plant. And, of course, my fellow YCC 2026 Class members! What a fantastic experience. Thank you ANCW and ANCW Foundation for your support to allow me to participate in the 2026 NCBA Young Cattlemen’s Conference! As I share when I am speaking to cattlewomen across our nation, I know cattle producers from one side of our country to the other. I have people I can call if I have questions about what is happening in their state, or if I am traveling and need assistance. I now have 70 additional people I can reach out to, just as they can contact me if they are in Minnesota or have questions about my state. If you ever get the opportunity to participate in NCBA’s YCC, I would highly recommend it. Many of my classmates had the same thought that I did. “How can I be gone from our ranch, job, family for eight days? Who will handle the problems and issues that come up?” Yes, it took a little planning ahead and some prep work but it was so worth the time and effort. Go for it!
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2026 | FALL ISSUE
NCBA: Check Off Promotion Submitted by: Nikki Weston With the redistribution of the Promotion Committee’s responsibilities to better align with the industry's long-range plan, two familiar Authorization Requests (ARs) were presented at the Summer Business Meeting. The remaining requests were shifted to other committees. The Meat Institute and the New York Beef Council requested $304,000 to increase awareness and improve perceptions of veal among higher-income Gen Z and Millennial consumers in the Northeast and Southeast markets. They have certified most veal producers in Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) and plan to reconvene the program in 2030. They report a return on investment (ROI) of $1.27 for every dollar spent. Their efforts include engaging with chefs in the New York area, conducting surveys to measure effectiveness, hosting a Veal Consumer Event in conjunction with Food Network and the Pennsylvania Farm Show, and implementing a digital marketing campaign. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association's AR requests $11,090,100 to build and share consumer-focused content through the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand. The request is divided into three activities based on the pillars of Inspire, Educate, and Build Confidence in Beef. The goal is to increase consumer knowledge about beef while providing content that can be shared with 36 state beef councils, including the Route 66 campaign that directs consumers to beef experiences along the nostalgic highway. The brand-focused request also supports programs such as Beef 101 at the Culinary Center, partnerships with Little League Baseball, and expansion of those partnerships to the state level. I would like to see more national organizations submit ARs for Beef Checkoff promotion dollars. ANCW’s Beef Ambassador Program could be a viable contender, given its expanded social media reach and the many events its ambassadors attend.
NCBA: Cattle Health and Well Being Submitted by: Stephanie Teskey REGINALDO G BASTOS, DVM, MS, PHD Asian Longhorn Tick, Theileria Orientalis genotype Ikeda Originally found in Asia and has spread across the globe. Found in Australia in 2006, moved to NZ in 2012, found in the US in 2017/2018 Working on research for treating infections at Washington State University, Animal Disease Research Unit. This facility is currently working on thielierosis, bovine babesiosis, bovine anaplasmosis, transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, respiratory disease, and malignant catarrhal fever. Theileria Orientalis genotypes include - Ikeda (severe) Chitose (mild or no disease) - Buffalo (no disease) Defined as a tick borne apicomplexan blood protozoan parasite. Primary transmission is through tick bites however secondary transmission can occur through contaminated equipment (needles), or through other insects like lice and flies. Transmission can also sometimes occur from cow to calf (vertical transmission) Symptoms include decreased production, anemia, abortion, and death. The mortality rate for infected herds is thought to be around 5%. Animals who become infected are lifelong carriers and can have relapsed symptoms later usually triggered by stress. There are currently no diagnostic tools available or treatment options. Dr. Bastos has been doing experimental drug treatments and has had limited success. Trials using the drug buparvaquone showed some transient suppression but the infection returned after treatment stopped. There is also a long withdrawal period on this drug. DR. ALAN HUDDLESTON, CHIEF VETERINARIAN USDA APHIS Asian Longhorn Tick - Has potentially been in the US since 2010. Studies show this was introduced by 10 independent instances. The first confirmed detection was in NJ in 2017 - Currently in 27 states and 96 counties. (As far west as Oklahoma) - Expected to cause up to 800 million dollars in damages per year NWS -Currently producing about 100 million flies per week. We need about 500 million flies to push this back to the Darion Gap - The Matapa facility has opened in Mexico and is producing 30 million flies per week, expected to ramp up to 100 million - The Texas facility is expected to start production fall of 2027. The challenges are that these facilities use radio active cobalt and are designated as level 3 biosecurity facilities. - The NovoFly is a technology that would produce exclusively male flies and would double our production capabilities overnight. Currently with the EPA for approval. Emerging Cattle Health Research and Herd Security Committee Report (Kevin Miller) Precision breeding research is being done using crispr technology to create BVD resistant cows. The first animal born using this technology has proven to be 100% resistant to BVD and her calf is performing similarly. Working on addressing digital dermatitis in feedyards. This disease causes a decreased rate of gain. Trialling foot baths in the yards which are showing some success.
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2026 | FALL ISSUE
NCBA: Tax and Credit Submitted by: Janet Crow Chairman Jeff Magee called the meeting to order. Minutes from CattleCon 2026 were approved. Washington Update: Kent Bacus reported on the Working Families Tax Cuts Act and the Corporate Transparency Act. Rural Credit: CoBank reviewed current economic and lending conditions affecting cattle producers. Policy Renewals: The committee renewed six existing policies covering natural resources, capital gains rollover, income taxes and business deductions, capital gains, Social Security exemptions for conservation payments, and cooperative distributions. Main Topic: Hobby Farm Rules - Jeff Magee, CPA, and Tom Bryant discussed IRS hobby farm rules for livestock operations. NCBA has a white paper available on this topic. Key Takeaway: Farm size does not exempt an operation from IRS review. Producers with recurring losses should document that their operation is managed with the intent to make a profit (see IRS Nine Profit Factors).
IRS Nine Profit Factors 1. Business-like manner of operation. 2. Producer expertise or professional advice. 3. Time and effort devoted. 4. Appreciation of assets. 5. Past business success. 6. Income and loss history. 7. Response to profits and losses. 8. Overall financial status. 9. Personal enjoyment versus business purpose.
Conclusion: Good documentation throughout the year is essential. No new business was presented, and the meeting was adjourned.
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Top & Bottom: Beef Ambassadors during the 2025 ANCW Legislative Days in Washington, DC .
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2026 | FALL ISSUE
NCBA: Federal Lands Submitted by: Stephanie Teskey STEVE LOHR, USFS ACTING ASSOCIATE DEPUTY CHIEF Steve shared that the agency is currently shifting priorities, updating regulations, and reorganizing the agency. The USFS duty is to protect watersheds, provide timber, and provide forage. USFS recognize that these lands are working lands. The agency has lost over 6,000 non fire employees, the fire division remains fully staffed. There has been a large focus on grazing as a priority and a grazing MOU was recently signed by Secretary Rollins . GRAZING ACTION PLAN The agency participated in 13 roundtables to learn from stakeholders what needs to be done better . The feedback received addressed a lack of consistency across forests, the need for increased flexibility for grazing, increasing conflicts with recreation, requests for more consistency with BLM management, many shared frustration with staffing levels, high turnover, not having a range con, lack of access to vacant allotments, and issues for new producers to get grazing permits. Vacant Allotments: There are a total of 95 million acres of available USFS permits, 83 million acres are currently stocked. After performing an assessment they anticipate opening up 1.6 million acres in the next 18 months. Updated regulations are expected to be published in October. Fire: This has been a rough fire season so far. We are currently in a preparedness level 4, a status that was not reached until September last year. 3.4 million acres have burned so far this year which is up from 2.3 million acres this time last year. The agency is currently conducting an impact study to move fire responsibility to a new agency (US Wildland Fire Response under Dept of Interior) Reorganization of USFS: The agency is working to decentralize and reprioritize. Change is difficult for the agency but Steve expressed a need to deliver better outcomes. The reorganization will establish 15 state directors instead of regional directors. They are also working to establish operation support centers to cover gaps and get work done. The positions for state directors have been advertised and interviews are in progress. The plan for the senior leadership has been approved and the state directors will be more integrated with on the ground efforts. Work is being done to revise and rescind the travel rule to establish more access to the forests. They are aware of the impact that could have and are working to minimize as much as possible. There has been no net loss of AUMs on the forest this year and they are hoping to expand that by 500k AUM. The USFS is also looking to expand timber harvest but are facing infrastructure challenges. BLM, MARLO DRAPER, DIVISION CHIEF FOR RANGELAND AND VEGETATION Proposed Grazing Rule update, public comment period closed. Partnered with PLC to establish a monitoring MOU in conjunction with USFS as a part of the grazing action plan. BLM attended 11 of the grazing roundtables with PLC and are currently working through the feedback received from stakeholders. Megan Brown has been hired as a Range Implementation Lead and has been tasked with addressing the feedback and also working on the grazing regulations. The public lands rule has been rescinded which would have designated conservation as a land use type. Conducting an impact assessment on the creation of the US Wildland Fire Service. 14,000 horses and burros are to be removed this year, 5,300 captures so far with 600 placed in homes. Adjustments have been made to clarify permits are intended for operations to provide food and fiber. Animals need to be for production or support production.
Above: 2024 ANCW Participants in Legislative Days in Washington, DC .
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