NCBA suspends governance change discussions

Washington Ag Today June 28, 2010 The leadership of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has announced it is suspending plans to proceed with changes to its governance structure. The reason is to allow the
Federation of State Beef Councils an opportunity to clarify its role and intentions to all industry shareholders.

The announced time out by Scott George, division chair of NCBA’s Federation, comes on the heel of a unanimous vote by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board executive committee recommending a complete separation between the NCBA and the Federation of State Beef Councils.

Patti Brumbach, executive director of the Washington State Beef Commission, participated in the teleconference making the announcement. She said delaying NCBA’s governance discussions is necessary until the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and other “vocal” industry groups fully understand the role and wishes of the Federation.

Brumbach: “If we are really to act in the best interest of all the producers who pay the bill, our focus should not be on defending our relationship with NCBA. What we really need to be doing is working more closely with them and all of agriculture to protect and defend the grassroot beef producer.”

Brumbach said consumers are bombarded everyday with misinformation about beef, and the only way for producers’ story to be heard is through the Federation’s coordinated efforts.

Brumbach: “I think the thing that many people really don‘t get is that we build our programs together. The national program together. We collaborate and we learn from each other. We are the feet on the street as beef councils. Our national program delivers expertise that we can‘t afford in our own state.”

I’m Bob Hoff and that’s Washington Ag Today on Northwest Aginfo Net.