Cevin Jones, a feedlot owner and operator from Eden, Idaho, was elected vice chair.   

In recognition of its 50th anniversary, the Federation unanimously voted to reaffirm its historic vision statement and statement of beliefs, which outline support for a unified state-national checkoff partnership, with producer control of checkoff funds as its foundation.

Click here to view the statements.

"The Federation was formed in 1963, as the Beef Industry Council of the National Live Stock and Meat Board. Now, in its 50th year, the Federation continues to be a vital component of successfully bringing together state beef councils and focusing checkoff resources on increasing beef demand," noted then-Federation chair Uden, speaking at the Federation Forum on Feb. 7.

In other business, the Federation elected two new regional vice presidents to the NCBA Executive Committee: Tod Fleming, Wisconsin, Region III; and Steve Hanson, Nebraska, Region VII. They join existing RVPs Garry Wiley, Michigan, Reg. I; Jennifer Houston, Tennessee, Reg. II; Clay Burtrum, Oklahoma, Reg. IV; Sid Viebrock, Washington, Reg. V; and Jane Frost, New Mexico, Reg. VI.

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Jurian Bartelse, a New York veal producer, replaces Richard Ayers as the Federation's veal representative to the executive committee.

The Federation also selected eight of its 10 representatives to the Beef Promotion Operating Committee, which submits the national checkoff program plan each year for final USDA approval.

As Federation chair and vice chair, which are standing BPOC seats, Gebhart and Jones will serve, as will 2013 Federation members Dawn Caldwell, Nebraska; Terri Carstensen, Iowa; Jennifer Houston, Tennessee; Jerry Effertz, North Dakota; Dick Sherron, Texas; Steve Hanson, Nebraska; Irv Petsch, Wyoming; and Becky Walth, South Dakota.

The Federation Executive Committee announced $105,280 in grant funding for promotion and education projects in nine states. Since its inception in 2006, the Federation Initiative Fund has awarded more than $2.5 million for targeted beef activities in states with high consumer populations.    

New grant recipients include:

  • California Beef Council: Farm tour for foodservice professionals
  • Florida Beef Council:  Farm tour for health and nutrition influencers
  • Georgia Beef Board: Outreach to the Georgia Nurses Association
  • Indiana Beef Council: Veal grilling promotion
  • Michigan Beef Industry Commission: Farm tour for culinary instructors and operators  
  • Minnesota Beef Council:  Sustainability workshop and tour
  • New York Beef Industry Council/Pennsylvania Beef Council: Veal consumer outreach
  • NYBIC: Statewide best burger promotional contest
  • Wisconsin: Farm tour for nutrition and culinary professionals  end mark

—From Federation of State Beef Councils news release

PHOTO
Cattlemen Richard Gebhart, chair, and Cevin Jones, vice chair, will lead the Federation of State Beef Councils in fiscal year 2013-2014. Photo courtesy of Federation of State Beef Councils.