On November 30 – December 2, 2022, NCA members and affiliates joined together from across the state to participate in the 87th Annual Nevada Cattlemen’s Association (NCA) Convention in conjunction with the California Cattlemen’s Association, held at the Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks, Nevada.
If you attended, I am sure you would agree that it was a great way to be updated on current issues affecting our industry, attain new contacts and enjoy good company that share similar views. This joint convention brought together Cattlemen, Cattlewomen, and Wool Growers from across Nevada and California.
Throughout the convention, committee meetings took place to discuss issues of importance and to establish policy. Various educational, informative, and inspirational sessions were held. The Opening General Session opened with a weather outlook with Brian Bledsoe, Meteorologist from KKTV 11 News in Colorado Springs. The weather outlook was followed by a livestock market discussion with Dr. Stephen Koontz, economics professor from Colorado State University. Dr. Koontz’s presentation surrounded cash negotiated trade, alternative marketing agreements, and the economic side of marketing your cattle using several different methods.
At the Second General Session we heard from Tony Toso, California Cattlemen’s Association Immediate Past President as well as Jon Griggs, Nevada Cattlemen’s Association President. The Second General Session wrapped up with a report on global beef markets from Brett Stuart, founding partner of Global AgriTrends. During General Session 3 we heard from NCBA CEO, Colin Woodall, in regard to NCBA’s ongoing efforts on several key livestock issues.
Attendees also had the chance to hear from Kaitlynn Glover, Executive Director of the Public Lands Council on public lands issues important to Nevada and California alike. The convention capped off with an update from Patrick Linnell with CattleFax.
The tradeshow was filled this year with great businesses and agencies that support and enhance our industry. The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association would like to thank the following trade show participants: Allflex, American Angus Association, Anipro XtraFormance Nutrition, Arizona Grain, Bar Ale, Bayer Enviromental Science, Big Bend Trailers, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cal Poly Animal Science, California Beef Council, California Cattlewomen, Cambridge Technologies, CBCIA, CCA Shoe Shine, CCA Silent Auction, CCA Trading Post, D Bar D Leather, Elanco, Farm Credit, Freewave Technologies, Greenway Seeds, Huvepharma, Inc., Hygieia Biological, Kirby Mfg, Laird Mfg., Merck Animal Health, Multimin, Neogen, Nevade Dept. Of Agriculture, Norbrook, Pacific Intermountain Mortgage Co, PG & E, Point Blue Conservation Science, Powder River, Ranchbot, Ranchers Connecting Ranchers, Scales NW LLC, Scales Unlimited, Simplot, Snyders Pinenut Livestock, Staff Tuff Fence, Superior Livestock Auction, The Rising B/SweetPro Northwest, UNR College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural, US Fish & Wildlife Service, USDA – ARS, USDA – Nevada FSA, USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, USDA NASS, USDA-RMA, Vaxxinova/Newport Labs, Vintage Angus, Vintage Cowboy Winery, VSI, Western Livestock Journal , Western Video Market, Westway Feed Products, WSR Insurance, Y2 Consultants, Y-Tex, and Zoetis. Thank you again for your continued support of the association and industry.
The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association also thanks the policy committee chairs for their dedication and hard work in putting on the committee meetings. Preparation not only consists of reviewing expiring policy resolutions, but it also includes presenting relevant information that pertains to the committee in which they are representing. Five committees held meetings at this year’s convention: Public Lands, Research & Education, Private Lands, Wildlife & Environmental Management, Legislative Affairs, and Animal Health & Livestock Issues. Along with reviewing and changing policy, the lineup of speakers presenting at the committee meetings were very educational. These speakers were either NCA members or partners of the NCA working to achieve one goal, maintaining a successful Nevada livestock industry.
The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association would also like to thank our generous sponsors for making this convention a success: Agri Beef/Performix, American AgCredit, Bayer Environmental Science, Laird Manufacturing, Eide Bailly, S & L Trailers, Utah Wool Marketing, Western Video Market, WSR Insurance, Elanco, McMullen McPhee & Co., MWI Animal Health, Nevada Agricultural Foundation, Pro Group Management, and Resource Concepts, Inc. We encourage you to visit these businesses and thank them for their continued support of NCA and our industry.
Lastly, a big thank you the California Cattlemen’s Association for their assistance in planning for the joint event and to all who attended our convention and helped to make it another successful year.
We look forward to working with each and every one of you throughout the year. Please feel free to contact the NCA office at 775-738-9214 with any suggestions, comments or concerns to help make next year’s convention just as successful if not better!
by Martin Paris | NCA Executive Director
2022 NCA Annual Awards Banquet
During the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association (NCA) Convention Annual Awards Banquet held in Sparks, Nevada, President Jon Griggs announced this year’s recipients for the 2022 President’s Award, 100,000 Mile Club Award, Allied Industry Award, and the Teacher of the Year Award. These awards are given annually to individuals in recognition of significant contributions to NCA, their community, the land, and the beef industry.
Teacher of the Year – Amber Johns (Photo by Leana Carey). From left to right: Erica Freese, Amber Johns, Jon Griggs.
Teacher of the Year
NCA would like to congratulate the 2022 Teacher of the Year, Amber Johns, who teaches 5th grade at the Elko Institute for Academic Achievement in Elko, Nevada. Mrs. Johns will receive a $1,000 stiped to use on school supplies, donated by the Nevada Agricultural Foundation. Teacher of the Year candidates must utilize agricultural information and/or materials within their classroom curriculum in an effort to assist students in learning the importance of agriculture. NCA salutes Amber in educating the students in her classroom on where their food comes from, the importance of grazing, beef byproducts and animal husbandry.
President’s Award – Maureen Weishaupt (Photo by Leana Carey). From left to right: Maureen Weishaupt, Jon Griggs.
President’s Award
Each year, the President honors individual(s) who they feel have served the industry with dedication and passion by presenting them with the President’s Award. The 2022 President’s Award was given to Maureen Weishaupt. Maureen is the past Chairman of the Fallon All-Breeds Bull Sale Committee and helped put on numerous successful sales during her tenure. Maureen is also a leader in her community and a staunch advocate for Nevada’s livestock industry.
100,000 Mile Club Award – Diana Vesco (Photo by Leana Carey). From left to right: Jon Griggs, Diana Vesco, Vance Vesco.
100,000 Mile Club Award
The 100,000 Mile Club Award recipient this year was Diana Vesco. This award goes to cowboys and cowgirls that have traveled 100,000 miles horseback over their lifetime. Diana and her family have operated the Pierce Ranch in Pleasant Valley for almost 50 years. You can find Diana on a horse during the gathering and weaning season in the fall and always during shipping days. NCA would like to congratulate Dian on reaching such a prestigious milestone.
2022 NCA Allied Industry Award
The 2022 NCA Allied Industry Award was presented to Fallon Livestock LLC, owned and operated by Tommy and Nora Lee. Accepting the award on behalf of Fallon Livestock LLC was David Stix Jr. NCA greatly appreciates Fallon Livestock LLC for their support of NCA’s Fallon All Breeds Bull Sale as well as the Silver State Classic Feeder Sale. Tommy and Nora go above and beyond in their efforts to assist cattlemen and women from all over and their efforts are greatly appreciated.