The Idaho-Lewis County Cattle Association is one of the largest local organizations of cattle producers in the state of Idaho, including membership from Idaho and Lewis Counties. This association is dedicated to furthering the best interests of the Beef Industry and to correlate those interests with those of our local communities and our state.
This year's annual meeting was held October 16th at the Nezperce Legion Hall. The evening included several informative speakers, a great dinner prepared and served by the Clearwater Valley Rodeo Association, and of course lots of drawings for door prizes.
The meeting portion of the evening began shortly after 5 pm with a discussion on the steer of merit for this year. Idaho County sent the steers in for testing of the carcass data this year as that provideds more accurate information for the award to be based on. Unfortunately, when the data was returned, it didn't match up to the animals so Jim Church forgo doing the award this year. Lewis County directors once again expressed an interest in having the steer of merit award available at their fair as well. Jim is willing to work with the fair board to decide the best way to proceed with that. He prefers getting carcass data rather than ultrasound data, but several directors weren't sure that would work as many animals aren't processed right away after the fair. The directors stated that they liked having local producers recognized, but that it shouldn't add a cost to the kids when they sell their animal (ultrasound costs $10 per head, plus travel for the technician). We will work it out throughout the year to find the best option for both fairs and consider funding that option when the time comes.
Below: Mike Howard, Leon Slichter and Wyatt Prescott chat during the social hour.
Wyatt Prescott, executive VP of the Idaho Cattle Association, spoke next. He is a graduate of the University of Idaho and as a student there decided he owed more to the cattle industry than what he could pay back as a producer, which led to his career choice. He pointed out that people don't understand how their steaks got on their plate, and that these same people are being voted into office and writing legislation about the cattle industry. He admits that the industry is partly the blame because of their lack of outreach, which the ICA is trying to change.
Wyatt also stated that "right, wrong or indifferent" the ICA represents the cattle industry and they need each producers voice to represent it properly. He spoke about new GIPSA rules which will affect the industry by in increasing costs. Information on the proposed changes and how they will affect cattlement can be found on the ICA website: www.idahocattle.org. Wyatt urged comments be sent to GIPSA before the deadline of November 22.
Leon Slichter's term as representative at the ICA is ending this year. The executive committee met in September and chose Ken Forsmann as his replacement. The association voted to cover his travel expenses for the year. Leon has provided updates at each director's meeting about what's going on at the state and national level.
Checks totaling $1500 were presented to Cindy Webb from the Kamiah Food Bank and Leta Akins from Grangeville which is to go towards purchasing beef for needy families.
We retained two directors with expiring terms for another three years as both Frank McIntire and Drew Leitch took another term. Diana (Geis) Graning was voted in as the third director with a term ending in 2013. She is currently a student at the University of Idaho and is from Keuterville. The ILCCA helped fund her trip to the National Cattlemen's Beef Council this past year, which she spoke about during the dinner portion of the evening. She is the vice president of the Student Idaho Cattle Association at UI, which is one of the most involved club's on campus. They attend the ICA convention in the fall and take a spring tour each year as well. The spring tour can include anything from a ranch or feedlot, to a treefarm, potato packer, winery or brewery. Diana explained to us that all of these relate to the cattle industry in some way, even if it's a bit far-fetched. She wants to be a part of the decisions made (in the cattle industry) in order to affect people in her hometown for the better. Her last point was that organizations are run by the people who show up.
Above: Phil Pucket, Frank McIntire, Ken Forsmann and Wyatt Prescott
Our final speaker of the evening was Catlin Davis from the Idaho Beef Council, also a UI graduate. She spoke about what has been done with the $.50 increase in the Beef Checkoff that started within the last few years. The ICF was the protein sponsor of the Ironman 70.3 Boise Triathalon this year. There were 1600 athletes at the event and 10,000 spectators. Beef was visible throughout the event including: at an expo beforehand, at the beef aid station which provided water (and a few hamburgers) to athletes, at the meal served after the race, and with the "Team Beef" racers which competed.
The Beef Counts program which acts as a means to provide beef to Idaho Food Banks was funded through the Checkoff increase. To date $25,000 has been raised for Beef Counts.
Also funded by the increase were popup timers for prime rib sold in select (as in SOUTHERN ID) markets last year. This was to compete with the popup timers commonly found in turkeys. The ICF provided chefs with a tour of the beef industry from ranch to feedlot to kill floor which was an eye opening experience for all of them. They all enjoyed seeing the beef industry as a whole and had recommendations on who to take on the tour the next year.
Catlin closed by saying the ICF loves visits, comments and questions. Their number is 208-376-6004.
I'm sure all in attendance would have liked to see how our money was being used to the benefit and education of those in Northern Idaho as well.
Dinner was delicious - the door prizes were fun - and the music was great. Too bad if you missed it.
The Idaho-Lewis County Cattle Association is one of the largest local organizations of cattle producers in the state of Idaho, including membership from Idaho and Lewis Counties. This association is dedicated to furthering the best interests of the Beef Industry and to correlate those interests with those of our local communities and our state.
Wyatt Prescott, executive VP of the Idaho Cattle Association, spoke next. He is a graduate of the University of Idaho and as a student there decided he owed more to the cattle industry than what he could pay back as a producer, which led to his career choice. He pointed out that people don't understand how their steaks got on their plate, and that these same people are being voted into office and writing legislation about the cattle industry. He admits that the industry is partly the blame because of their lack of outreach, which the ICA is trying to change. 
We retained two directors with expiring terms for another three years as both Frank McIntire and Drew Leitch took another term. Diana (Geis) Graning was voted in as the third director with a term ending in 2013. She is currently a student at the University of Idaho and is from Keuterville. The ILCCA helped fund her trip to the National Cattlemen's Beef Council this past year, which she spoke about during the dinner portion of the evening. She is the vice president of the Student Idaho Cattle Association at UI, which is one of the most involved club's on campus. They attend the ICA convention in the fall and take a spring tour each year as well. The spring tour can include anything from a ranch or feedlot, to a treefarm, potato packer, winery or brewery. Diana explained to us that all of these relate to the cattle industry in some way, even if it's a bit far-fetched. She wants to be a part of the decisions made (in the cattle industry) in order to affect people in her hometown for the better. Her last point was that organizations are run by the people who show up.
