Nevada Cattlemen & Nevada Cattlewomen
Joint Convention and Trade Show

Winnemucca Convention and Visitors Authority
Winnemucca, Nevada

November 12-14, 2008

The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association works very hard each and every year to present its members with education, entertainment, and experiences that will shape the future of the industry and the lives of our members.

This year was the 73rd time producers, educators, federal agency, and state government officials joined together to find solutions to the issues that face our industry. This year our convention was held in Winnemucca at the Winnemucca Convention Center and Visitors Authority, and Events Center. We were welcomed into the community by a wonderful group of staff at the convention center, which helped make this year’s convention possible. Without the great help, hard work, and dedication of the staff most of what the participants saw and participated in would not have been possible. The staff, officers, and the board of Nevada Cattlemen’s Association would like to thank the Winnemucca Convention Center staff for making our convention seamless and smooth. We would also like to thank Ormachea’s for providing wonderful food for the entire convention and for their great service and flexibility.

Each year we are able to put on a convention that would not be possible without the dedication of our sponsors and allied industry members who participated in our trade show.

Sponsors: Owl Club and Steak House- Eureka, Tri State Livestock, InterMountain Beef, Simplot Livestock, Boyd and Audrey Spratling, Stockman’s Supply Inc., Great Basin Bank, Resource Concepts, Utah Wool Marketing, McMullen McPhee, Pinenut Livestock, Wells Fargo, American AgCredit, Bulls for the 21st Century, Newmont Mining Corporation, Smith Valley Garage, Mason Valley Equipment, Fort Dodge Animal Health, Powell Scales, Animal Health Express Inc., Pfizer, Nevada Beef Council, Wolf Pack Meats, Moly Manufacturing, John Falen- Home Ranch, NCBA, USDA Risk Management, Steve Lucas- Sand Hills Feedlot, University of Nevada Reno- College of Agriculture Biotechnology and Natural Resources, and .University of Nevada Reno- Cooperative Extension.

Door Prizes: Nevada Department of Wildlife, United Rentals, Snowbound Books, Range Magazine, IFA, Edward Jones, Fort Dodge Animal Health, and American AgCredit.

Tradeshow Venders: Pro Group Management, Ag Vet Associates LLC, Tom James Livestock, Farm Service Agency, Moly Manufacturing, Association Field Services, Animal Profiling Int, USDA Wildlife Services, Allflex USA, Genex Cooperation, Simplot Livestock, Destron Fearing, National Cattlemen’s Association, Scales Unlimited, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, USDA National Resources Conservation Services, Nevada State Department of Agriculture- Department of Animal Industry, IFA, Ridley, Cargill Animal Nutrition, Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension- Radon Education Program, Snowbound Books, Nevada Beef Council, Giant Rubber Water Tanks, Pfizer Animal Health, Nevada Rancher, Wells Fargo, Powell Scales, Intervet/Schering Plough, Society for Range Management, American Angus Association, Western Video Market, and American AgCredit.

As with each convention before, committees gathered to review, renew, amend, sunset, and bring new policies forward to shape the direction of the association. Policy in each committee was reviewed in the pre-convention committee meeting and brought forward any amendments and dropped any policies that were not longer needed. During convention at each committee meeting speakers from each federal agency spoke on the current projects, and the current issues they are facing on a state level. Many spoke of the potential of new direction that the agencies may take. For the past several weeks many of the upper level management are in a holding pattern until a new Secretary of the Interior is tapped, while at the state level activity is still high and agency folks are working on permit renewals, RMP’s, pipeline NEPA (Ruby Pipeline), and wild horse issues.

Ron Wenker State Director of BLM updated producers on these issues. He assured producers that permit renewals are top priority for the agency and that staff are working to get those completed before the designated deadline. As well as performing those duties several offices are working on completing RMP’s. These projects are ongoing and will be another priority for the offices.

Ed Monnig, Forest Supervisor also spoke about the actions and priorities of the Forest Service in the state. Permit renewals are also a top priority, along with the Forest Plan. The service also deals with the challenges with litigation and continues to do what they can while at the same time working under the constraints that are put on them by litigation. Water rights were also brought up concerning development of springs and water sources on permits. Ed made it clear that the Forest Service would not permit the development of a spring without the acquisition of part of the water right. State water law is clear that federal agencies could not hold water rights, while the federal government stating otherwise. The Attorney General is looking at this issue and some conclusion should be coming soon.

State agency folks also spoke regarding wildlife issues including sage grouse, mule deer, and elk. Ken Mayer came to the entire convention speaking and interacting with producers. He gave and update on several state issues. He felt that the sage grouse decision should be out soon, however many are in a holding pattern to see what the decision states, and learn what to do from there. Both producers and state officials are concerned about the possible listing and would like to see the bird not listed but managed for the continued success of that and all other species. Talk of the compensation tags also came up and how a review of that program might happen in the future.

Members from the University of Reno came and spoke about the wonderful programs, research, and outreach they are currently working on, and what they would like to see in the future as far as research and management applications. Tamzen Stringham presented information regarding the endowment that allowed her to be hired and conduct research through the university. She also presented some of the past work that she had completed and her vision of the future of research at the university. She has been in Nevada for over six months now and has hit the ground running, visiting producers across the state learning about what is important to them and what she can do to help create change on the landscape in a positive way. We are lucky to have a dedicated group from the university looking out for the best interests of our youth and providing a wonderful environment for learning and development, as well as for our producers that gain dramatically from the research and outreach provided by the university. Sherman Swanson also gave an update on his efforts across the state including Range Camp, range workshops for producers, cooperative monitoring, and many other activities.

Several members of the National Resource Conservation Service also presented information regarding some new directions that the agency is going to move. Norman Vigil has been working as an acting state conservationist for the past several months and brought some great ideas from his home state of New Mexico. Norman has worked hard to help bridge the public/private land barrier that has been a problem for public land states like Nevada. With Norman’s help there is a new direction within the state to move more projects onto public lands. Our new State Conservationist also joined us at the meeting. Bruce Peterson will start in January in the full time position. His latest position was assistant conservationist in Wyoming. He will bring his knowledge and understanding of resource issues and the importance of the public/private land connection.

During our general session we had three great national speakers Ann Wright from Senator Reid’s office, Dave White from NRCS, and Winnemucca’s own Jill Davidsaver from NCBA. Ann and Dave spoke to the Farm Bill and the benefits that it has for the West. Ann has worked hard on this farm bill to incorporate benefits that would work well for producers in Nevada. She explained some of the new programs and existing programs that they are hoping will help make a difference to producers and the landscape. Ann explained the benefits of the LIP and the drought payments available to producers. She encouraged producers to contact their local offices and see how measures in the farm bill can help with projects and issues.

Dave spoke to the successes of projects in Montana where he was formally the State Conservationist. He talked about a shift nationally with NRCS to work to help ranchers in the west who may have public land joining their private and understanding that these lands are connects and interdependent. His new position is with NRCS in Washington DC to work specifically on these issues. He feels strongly that ranchers in the west should be just as able to access EQIP and other farm bill programs as someone in the East.

Jill Davidsaver from NCBA spoke on many topics including the current happenings in Washington and how the president-elect is transitioning into power and some of the topics that will be hot topics for the new administration. She informed us that NCBA will be continuing to work for producers from across the US and the west is not being forgotten. Jill spoke about the work of NCBA in giving recommendations with regards to the appointments of key secretaries in the new administration and asked producers to also come up with suggestions and pass them along to NCA and NCBA.

After the business was done the fun could begin. On Thursday night Western Fun night began with a prime rib dinner catered by Ormachea’s. The event that was co-sponsored by American AgCredit and Wells Fargo Bank offered an evening of dancing and camaraderie for the whole family. Each year we relax with a great dinner and dancing. This year we were swinging and two-stepping to the music of David John and The Comstock Cowboys who perform original music, written by David John, as well as powerful songs about America, when our moral values were honest and strong. In their unique style, they sing about cowboys, horses, soldiers, the west, and nature. Everyone from the youngest to the oldest enjoyed the music and the dancing helping them unwind from a long day of policy setting and presentations.

For the final night’s event we held our annual Awards Banquet to honor cattlemen and cattlewomen who have achieved great things in their lives and for the industry. The ceremony opened with the pledge to the flag led by three of the state officers of Future Farmers of America.

The first award of the evening was given to the Teacher of the Year and it was presented by Sue Hoffman of the Nevada Agriculture Foundation. Sue presented the award to Loretta Reed, of Spring Creek High School. Reed was being honored for her dedication to the ranching industry through promotion and education. Each year Loretta takes her students out for tours of ranches in the area where they document through pictures the events they see and get to participate in. They are required to ask questions and take notes to learn more about the events and traditions that are practiced. The Nevada Agricultural Foundation donates $1000 each year to the Teacher of the Year for supplies and the continued promotion of agriculture in the classroom. We thank both Loretta Reed and The Nevada Agriculture Foundation for helping to promote and educate our youth about ranching and agriculture.

 

 

The next award brought a tear to nearly every eye in the place. The 100,000 mile award is given each year to an individual who rides 100,000 in a lifetime. This year’s recipient was Evan Zimmerman. A heartwarming speech by his granddaughter Rachel Buzzetti gave us a brief look into the long ranching career of Evan. The room rose to their feet as the 87 year old rancher walked to the podium. This unique award honors the passion and dedication of individuals in our industry that have for years worked hard and gone that extra mile.

 

The award for CattleWoman of the year was given to Susan Casey for her hard work and dedication to the beef industry from for years and not to mention her past two years as President of the State CattleWomen. She was presented the award by Janice Connelley who was herself a past president of both the state and national CattleWomen. Susan had worked tirelessly for the industry promoting the wonderful nutritional and taste benefits of beef for many years on both a state and local level. The state of Nevada has been lucky to have someone of the caliber take on the roll as president.

 

The President’s award is given each year by our President. President Gralian found it easy to pick this year’s recipient. He presented Bill Wright with the award for all the positive things he has done for Nevada Cattlemen and for the special relationship that Gralian has with him. Gralian reminisced about the first Cattlemen’s Convention he and his wife attended and how he spent hours talking with Bill about mining and ranching, and everything in between. President Gralian talked of how Bill made a difference in his life and was happy to present him with the award.

 

John Marvel received this years Cattleman of the Year award, although due to health problems was unable to attend this year's awards banquet. His son John Marvel accepted the award in his place from Ray Connelly from American AgCredit. Each year American AgCredit sponsors this award by providing a custom hat to the recipient showing special recognition to an individual that has done so much for the industry and for the state. It was with great pleasure that this year the association was able to recognize John Marvel.

Thank you again to all our sponsors and tradeshow vendors without your participation an event like this would not be possible