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"The Industry Wants YOU!"
Jan Lyons, Lyons Ranch & NCBA president
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Representing cattlemen’s interests
NCBA President Jan Lyons, shared with conference attendees current NCBA initiatives and how the organization works to serve its members. |
It’s important for cattlemen’s interests to be heard in a nation where policy makers and government officials may not understand the beef industry, Jan Lyons, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) president and Angus breeder, told producers at the conference.
“Reason must dictate our actions, and fact and science must guide our decisions,” she said. “You and I know how to take care of our cattle. … We can’t allow outside interests to dictate what we do as producers.”
Representation through organizations like NCBA is important in an industry where most producers dream of handing their operations down to the next generation, Lyons added, encouraging participants to join and actively participate in groups committed to lobbying for the interests of beef producers.
“If it affects you back home, you have to have someone you can go to,” she said. “Someone has to monitor and defend your interests, and [we cattlemen] don’t always have the opportunity to lobby for our own interests.”
Lyons said beef organizations will also be important in determining the status of future export markets. She said opening export markets will be only half the battle — building U.S. beef demand will be key.
“Demand has been a critical factor in the success of our bottom line,” she said. “By working with different groups and targeting demand, we’ve been able to improve the demand for beef … and when we get the markets open, we’ll be in a good position.”
by Crystal Albers
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