Cattle Producer’s Forum to feature panels on industry outlook

WASHINGTON

– The 2016 Cattle Producer’s Forum, hosted by the United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) and in partnership with the Intertribal Agriculture Council, Montana Cattlemen’s Association, Bitterroot Stockgrowers, Beartooth Stockgrowers, and the Marias River Livestock Association, will feature panels focused on the future of the U.S. cattle industry.

Following the USCA Annual Meeting on Friday, Sept. 9, the Forum will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10.  Producers, students, industry representatives, media and members of the general public will participate in roundtable-style discussions lead by industry professionals.

The day’s agenda will include industry updates on the following topics: Beef Exports with Dan Halstrom, Sr. VP Global Marketing, USMEF; Independent Commercial Livestock Hauling updates from Tim O’Byrne, Editor, Working Ranch Magazine, and Chelsea Good, Vice President of Government & Industry Affairs, Livestock Marketing Association; in addition to legislative updates from Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester.

The Forum will also serve to host “The Next Generation of Producers & Consumers”, a panel featuring David Cooper, Editor, Progressive Cattleman, Whitney Klasna, Owner/Operator, Klasna Farms, Amanda Radke, Contributor, BEEF Magazine.

Following that conversation, Dr. Shannon Neibergs, Director, Western Extension Risk Management Education Center, Washington State University Extension, Terry Stewart, Managing Partner, Stewart and Stewart, Sheridan McKinney, Vice President, TRADEWINS, LLC, and Meredith Rutherford, Senior Advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for   Policy and Negotiations, Department of Commerce will discuss trade issues on the panel titled “WTO, NAFTA, TPP – Beyond the Acronyms”. Questions to be answered include: How do 21st century cattle producers compete in a globally traded beef marketplace? What factors have other industries experienced, what trends are currently affecting cattle producers, and what are the solutions?

The day will culminate with a summarizing discussion on identifying industry pressure points and outlining the steps to modernize legislation and regulations to ensure competition, transparency and true price discovery. “Cattle Markets in Peril” will feature Craig Morris, Deputy Administrator, Livestock, Poultry and Seed Program, USDA Agricultural Marketing Services and Dow McVean, Managing Partner, McVean Trading & Investments.

The Forum, presented by leading sponsor Silveus Insurance, will also feature an industry-wide trade show, presentation of USCA’s 2016 Top Hand awards and will conclude on Saturday evening with a Social Hour powered by Western Ranch Supply.

Additional information on meeting details, online registration, hotel accommodations and more may be found online at www.cattlemensmeeting.com.

Sponsorship opportunities and vendor booths for the Forum are still available! Please contact Lia Biondo at lia@wssdc.com or 202-870-1552 for more information.