Record attendance expected

Based on pre-registrations, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is projecting more than seven-thousand people could attend the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville.

If that happens, it would break the 1998 Centennial Convention record.

NCBA communications director Mike Deering says that is representative of the overall enthusiasm and optimism in the U.S. cattle industry.  And Deering believes some of that enthusiasm stems from NCBA’s 2011 policy successes.

“In an administration where “regulatory rampage” was a common phrase that we used, we were able to push back and take the steam out of the GIPSA rule—and push back on EPA doubling the stringency of the current dust standard,” Deering says. “We were also able to push back on the Department of Transportation from requiring cattlemen to have commercial drivers’ licenses.”

Deering says high domestic demand and projected record exports for 2012 also have cattlemen excited about the months ahead.

Of course, record cattle prices and a very open winter in most parts of the country are supporting the positive mood as well.

A conversation with Colin Woodall

Colin Woodall, National Cattelemen’s Beef Association’s, Vice President of Government Affairs was in Ohio over the weekend, speaking at the OCA’s annual meeting. Brownfield’s Dave Russell sat down with Woodall and talked about some of the issues facing the cattle industry, many of which will be discussed in Nashville at the NCBA annual meeting.

Audio: Colin Woodall, VP, Government Affairs, NCBA (8:15 MP3)

 

Cattle industry comes together in Nashville

The 114th annual Cattle Industry Convention takes place in Nashville this week. 2012 convention participants will hear from industry leaders, gather insight on industry trends, take part in NCBA’s grassroots policy process and enjoy a Cowboy’s Night at the Grand Ole Opry. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) president and Montana rancher Bill Donald said the convention is a must for all cattlemen.

“The Cattle Industry Convention is the oldest and largest convention for the cattle business,” Donald said. “The convention and trade show create a unique environment for cattle industry members to come together to work toward the future of the industry and have some fun.”

Discussing issues with NCBA’s next president

J.D. Alexander, a cattle feeder from Pilger, Nebraska, is ready to take the reins as president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).

Alexander will lead NCBA in 2012 and, ahead of the convention in Nashville, Brownfield’s Ken Anderson visited with him about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the cattle industry.

AUDIO: J.D. Alexander (8:46 MP3)

 

Novartis unveiling two new BRD vaccines

Brownfield’s reports from the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Tradeshow are sponsored by Novartis Animal Health.

Novartis will be unveiling two new cattle vaccines at the 2012 NCBA convention. Both new products can help producers reduce the risk of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) complex within their herds.

Doug Scholz, DVM, directory of veterinary services for Novartis Animal Health, says that BRD is a primary cause of calf pneumonia and one of the most costly diseases in the cattle industry. “Twenty-nine percent of all U.S. cattle deaths are attributed to BRD with annual losses to the industry estimated to approach $3 billion,” says Scholz. “Calves that survive BRD commonly experience reduced weight gain and limited performance.”

“Prevention is always more cost-effective than treatment,” added Scholz. “Ensuring calves are vaccinated prior to periods of higher risk due to movement, commingling or any stress-related event is the best prevention strategy.”

Stay tuned to Brownfield’s NCBA coverage for more information about the new products from Novartis Animal Health that can help prevent BRD complex.