The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association 75th Joint Annual Convention concluded successfully. For three days members joined together in educational forums, Cattlemen’s College sessions, policy meetings, social events, and Award Banquet.

We as NCA members join together to set policy and the direction of the association, and this year was no exception. This year 250 members traveled to Elko and participated in these important meetings. Issues such as wild horses, estate tax, youth education, water rights, wildlife, and federal land management were discussed and policy was set forth. Please see in this issue the three new policies that were passed. The membership is the backbone of the association, and without the strength of our membership we cannot tackle the issues we face as an industry. Thank you to all that participated in this year’s convention.

The theme of this year’s convention was “Today’s Challenges, Tomorrows Opportunities.” It is no secret that we face obstacles every day but the more we stand together on the issues we face the better chance of success we have.

Our convention started with the NCA Board of Directors meeting. This meeting kicks off the convention each year. The budget was discussed and approved. Updates on membership, fundraising, and legislative affairs were given along with updates from Nevada Beef Council, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and Nevada CattleWomen’s.

The first day of convention was filled with policy meetings. New and renewing policy was heard, along with updates from state and federal agencies. Issues such as water rights, wildlife, wild horses, grazing permits, brand department, animal health, and litigation were discussed during the meetings.

The first session was a jam-packed session starting with reproduction performance and weaning health. Dr. Richard Linhart spoke regarding the beef cattle reproduction and herd health to help improve reproductive efficiency. He gave a dynamic presentation that engaged producers regarding reproduction performance and health at weaning.

The next presentation was from John Lowhan. John spoke about what it means to be an advocate for our industry. He spoke about what we can do at home, on the ranch with our care and health standards with our animals. He went on to demonstrate how our decisions on the ranch affect the outcomes on the dinner plate and the overall enjoyment and eating experience of our product. With humor and sincerity he told the story that we should all be proud to tell.

The last presentation was Dr. Kynda Curtis. She presented on transition strategies for the next generation. She discussed estate tax planning and farm/ranch transition strategies to include business structures, trusts, new enterprise building, and alternative marketing strategies.

Colin Woodall from NCBA and Dustin Van Liew from PLC also made presentations to the membership during our General Session. Colin gave an update on the elections, what we can expect from the lame duck session, and what the workup the House of Representatives might look like with new leadership. Colin also touched on some of the key victories that NCBA had during the past year and how some of the bigger challenges may go away with several members not being reelected. The priority for NCBA during the lame duck session is death tax reform. It is key that legislation or an overall tax package pass before the 111th Congress leaves. A priority for the 112th Congress is the 2012 Farm Bill. The discussions regarding the upcoming Farm Bill have already begun. NCBA is involved in that process and will continue to be.

Dustin Van Liew gave an update on federal land issues and litigation PLC is involved in. PLC is engaged in the wild horse issue, permit renewals, grazing fee litigation, EAJA reform, death tax reform, and communication with new leadership in the House. Dustin also gave an update on the El Paso PLC agreement. He stated that no formal agreement has been made and no money has been taken. When an agreement has been finalized it will come before the board of PLC to vote on the agreement. Many questions were raised regarding the agreement and Dustin was able to clarify.

The second day of Cattlemen’s College was a forum on Hot Season Grazing and Grazing for Fuel Reduction. The objectives of the forum were to: update definition of grazing in NV – Put the focus on joint management by agencies and permittees, identify issues with hot season grazing, determine opportunities and obstacles for using grazing as a vegetation management tool, and re-define NV Grazing paradigm from growing beef to growing forage resources emphasizing need for joint management. There were presentations relating to the history of grazing in Nevada by Gary McCuin, what is Rangeland Readiness by Barry Parryman, and how research can be applied to everyday management and achieve results that are good for the land and good for the producer by Jake Tibbits.

The discussion then turned to grazing during the hot season. Tamzen Stringham presented on grazing the uplands and the different effects grazing can have on the habitat and on the grazing animal. She gave examples from different vegetation communities and different grazing techniques and their impacts. Sherm Swanson gave a presentation regarding riparian grazing management and the ability to have healthy streams and grazing. Active management is key to health rangelands. The final two presentations focused on active vegetation management and grazing as a tool for fuels reduction, weed control, and habitat enhancement. Lee Turner presented on the Partners for Conservation and Development. This program is designed to work together to leverage resources and increase effectiveness of conservation measures.

The forum concluded with a panel discussion to identify opportunities and obstacles to addressing hot season grazing and implementing grazing as a tool for fuels reduction, weed control, habitat enhancement, etc. Panel members included individuals from BLM, NDOW, NRCS, USFWS, UNR, and livestock producers. For over an hour audience members and panelists discussed the challenges they face, the ideas they have, and the solutions they hope will come of these discussions. Frustrations were vented regarding what has happened in the past and how we are going to get where we need to be as land managers.

• PLATINUM SPONSORS: American AgCredit, Fronteergold, Nevada Beef Council, Nevada State Bank, Newmont Mining Corporation, Pfizer Animal Health, USDA Risk Management Agency, Utah State University Extension.
• GOLD SPONSORS: InterMountain Beef, Pinenut Livestock Supply, Utah Wool Marketing, Westway Feed Products.
• SILVER SPONSORS: Animal Health Express, McMullen McPhee & Company, LLC, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Resource Concepts, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Western Video Market, Goicoechea Ranches, and Eureka Vet Service.
• Registration Packets Sponsored By: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
• Registration Desk Sponsored By: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
• Our trade show exhibitors included: Agri-Labs, American AgCredit, American Angus Association, Boss Tanks, J. M. Capriola Co., Genex/North West Labs, Giant Rubber Water Tanks, Hope on the Range, Integrated Biological Systems, Inc., Intermountain Farmers Association, Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, Moly Mfg., Inc./Silencer, Nevada Dept. of Agriculture/Division of Animal Industry, Nevada Section Society for Range Management, Nevada State Bank, Pro Group Management, Ridley Block Operations, Snowbound Books, Stockman’s Supply, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, USDA APHIS Wildlife Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service,
• Door Prizes: American AgCredit, Range Magazine, Snowbound Books, Pinenut Livestock Supply, Merial, Edward Jones, and J.M. Capriola’s.

The Association thanks these allied members of Nevada Cattlemen’s Association who help to make events like this possible. We appreciate all your support and dedication to our producers and members.

The final event of convention each year is the Awards Banquet. This annual event honors individuals in our industry that have gone above and beyond to represent what our industry stands for. This year we had five award recipients.

The first presentation of the evening was to the members of the association who have served on boards and commissions in the state. Harvey Barnes served on the Nevada Board of Agriculture, Pete Mori (pictured at left with J.J. Goicoechea)  served on the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners, and Dave Cassinelli served on the Nevada Board of Agriculture. President Elect J.J. Goicoechea presented these gentlemen with plaques and certificates from our Congressional Delegation and thanked them for their service and dedication. We appreciate their willingness to serve our industry and the sacrifices they have made.

An award was also given to Chris Collis for his 32 years of service to the Nevada Department of Agriculture Division of Animal Identification. Chris worked hard as an inspector, investigator, and administrator for the Division. Chris received a plaque and certificates from the Congressional Delegation.

Each year we recognize a member who has gone above and beyond, by recruiting members. This year Tracy Vigil was given this recognition as he has been working hard to grow the allied industry portion of Nevada Cattlemen’s Membership. We appreciate Tracy’s dedication to the association and we look forward to serving the members he has recruited. Tracy was awarded a Grilling Basket, and huge thanks from the staff and leadership of NCA.

Another mile stone award is the 100,000 mile award. Each year this award is given to an individual that has spent a lifetime in the saddle. This year we had two recipients Betty Bear (pictured at left with John Wright and Paula Wright) and Merilyn Sustacha (pictured at far left with Bill McKnight). Paula Wright presented the award to her mother Betty Bear. She spoke of the cattle drives, the travels, and trips she made horseback, the many horses she owned and rode. She had many great memories and adventures with her horses. Bill McKnight presented Merilyn Sustacha with her award. He told stories of her past and the adventures they have had together. Both of these women lay claim to 100,000 miles horseback, and we are proud to recognize their accomplishments.

Sue Hoffman from Nevada Agriculture Foundation presented the 2010 Teacher of the Year Award to Kim Jung (pictured at left: Jon Griggs, Kim Jung and Sue Hoffman). Kim Jung incorporates Agriculture into her classroom in several exciting and educational ways. Mrs. Jung’s units of study include, but are not limited to: Cowboy theme, Farm theme, How Agriculture has played a large part in local and state history, Seed and Planting theme, along with fruit and vegetable theme. The Nevada Agriculture Foundation presented Kim with a $1000 donation to be used towards future Ag in The Classroom activities. We thank Kim for helping to share the message of agriculture to our youth. And we thank Nevada Agriculture Foundation for their continued support of this award.

Each year a Cattleman of the Year is presented to an outstanding individual who represents industry, Nevada, and the elements that make a great cattleman. This year the award was given to Ron Torell (pictured at left with representatives from American AgCredit). There are many people in our association that do not receive the recognition they deserve. Many members work hard to represent the association and advocate for the association and don’t receive any recognition. Without ever being asked Ron steps up to the plate and does whatever he can. He is creative in fundraising techniques, membership recruitment, and is always there to lend a hand no matter what the event or time commitment. We appreciate his investment into the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association and into the industry, and we understand we would not be as successful without his support and dedication. Ron was awarded a hat donated by American AgCredit. Each year American AgCredit donates a custom hat to the Cattleman of the Year recipient. Again thank you Ron for all your hard work and American AgCredit for their continued support of our industry’s leadership.

The final award of the evening was the President’s Award. This award is chosen by the President of the association and given to someone who they feel has impacted the industry in a positive way. This year Chris Gansberg was chosen for the award. Chris has put countless hours in every year to put on the Fallon Bull Sale. This event brings exposure and revenue into the association. Without his dedication and leadership this event would not be possible. For over 25 years Chris Gansberg has dedicated himself to putting on a great Fallon Bull Sale. As times have changed so has the sale and with his leadership we continue to have a great sale. This year will be the 45th Annual sale. Chris received a custom pad folio engraved with his name and brand. Again we thank him for his service to the association, consignors, and membership.