National Effort Places Renewed Focus on Young Beef Leaders

National Effort Places Renewed Focus on Young Beef Leaders

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – A new program from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is placing renewed focus on this country’s young beef producers. The NCBA Young Beef Leader (YBL) program, which involves state affiliates from across the country, will give young people 21-35 years old opportunities for education and increased involvement in local, regional and national industry efforts.

The initiative was announced following an NCBA YBL Roundtable Feb. 5 during the 2015 Cattle Industry Convention in San Antonio, Texas. Included in the roundtable, sponsored by Caterpillar and attended by representatives from 36 state and breed affiliates, was a state sharing forum and discussion of what the new program would include and how it would be conducted. In addition, representatives from seven regions were elected to serve on a Steering Committee for the new program.

Elected chairman of the new YBL Steering Committee was Keith Nantz of Maupin, Oregon. Nantz said the program has an important function in today’s beef industry.

“We need to engage the next generation in a way that keeps them involved and gives them opportunities,” said Nantz. “This effort will open the door to our youth in the areas of production, policy and leadership.”

Elected to the Steering Committee were Chris Jeffcoat, Pennsylvania, American Angus Association (Region I); Jacob Nyhuis, Georgia Cattlemen’s Association (Region II); Ben Novack, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (Region III); April Bonds, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (Region IV); Matt Hunt, Colorado Livestock Association (Region V); Amber Miller, Nevada Cattlemen’s Association (Region VI); and Jaclyn Wilson, Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association (Region VII).

The NCBA YBL program will place particular attention on creating a strong state/national partnership, with NCBA state and breed affiliates playing a key role both in guiding the new program and in developing the young leaders in the future. Funding and staff support from NCBA will make additional state initiatives possible. Ryan Goodman is participating in the program on behalf of the Montana Stockgrowers Association.

A social for those interested in supporting the program, also sponsored by Caterpillar, was held Feb. 4.

Nantz encourages other young producers to get involved in this effort. “It’s a chance to strengthen relationships and networking, enabling growth on both the personal and industry levels,” he said.

For more information on the NCBA YBL program, contact Sara Arp at [email protected].