Wyoming Strong

This week I wrote this column from Nashville, Tenn., as I was there for National Public Lands Council meetings during the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) Cattle Industry Convention. I realize that is quite a title, but it is what it is. 

I’m hearing reports of around 8,000 attendees at this convention, with over 100 strong from Wyoming. That is strong representation, considering the obstacles everyone from Wyoming had to overcome with the flight delays and terrible weather conditions for traveling. We were all met in Tennessee by – not below zero temperatures you at home experienced – down-pouring rains. These were rains that we haven’t seen in years. During the convention those of us from the West were comparing cold temperatures at home, and someone always was colder, so we said a silent prayer for those at home tending to business.

With 8,000 optimistic cattlemen in one room, we liked what we heard about the future of the cattle industry in the next few years. CattleFax, Rabo AgriFinance and others all gave optimistic reports on cattle prices, the weather and consumer demand. Hopefully the drought in the far West will ease up, along with that in southwestern Wyoming. 

The rebuilding of the nation’s cattle herd has started where the drought in the southwest has let up, but for those who are rebuilding, it’s going to cost. A truck load of good black reputation heifers are bringing the same, or maybe higher, prices than steers in some places. We don’t see that often, do we? 

Some who have extra hay are also looking to buy, as are those farmers who want to return back to feeding some cattle instead of just selling their corn, as they have in the past years. It’s going to be a interesting next couple of years. 

We should be proud of the of the Wyoming cattlemen who serve in leadership positions in NCBA, and when you see them, give Scott George and David True a big thank you. 

Scott George from Cody is ending his term as President of NCBA, and Dave True of Casper has served his year as Treasurer. Both of these positions require many hours away from home and their businesses as they help us all in the cattle business. The years of work leading up to being an officer takes years of commitment, and we’re proud to call them neighbors in Wyoming.

But we’re not done yet, Wyoming is still in the leadership. Phillip Ellis has been elected as President-elect. Being from Wyoming, our fellow cattlemen often joke that Wyoming is taking over NCBA, but that is something everyone is proud of and ok with. They are proud of the leadership capabilities these men have shown to have. Along with Phillip, Irv Petsch from Meridian just joined the Operating Committee. We thank Scott and Dave for their service over the past year and wish best of luck and congratulations to Phillip and Irv. 

As usual, we are Wyoming strong on the national scene, and the rest of the nation’s cattlemen and women are pleased with it.