Kansas

Beef producers will be exposed to information that will help them establish or modify their business plan during the Kansas Livestock Association Convention, Dec. 1 and 2 in Wichita. Speakers will focus on issues that affect the business and consumer climate faced by the beef industry, while policy meetings will rely on extensive KLA member input to develop resolutions that protect the interests of beef producers.

Jim McAdams, National Cattlemen's Beef Association president, will lead off the Dec. 1 session's of KLA Beef Industry University, sponsored by the Farm Credit Associations of Kansas. The Adkins, Texas cattleman will discuss opportunities available to producers as a result of changes occurring in the beef industry. His list will include the producer's role in expanding beef exports and what a full repeal of the federal death tax could mean for multi-generational ranching families.

Washington, D.C., insider Jim Wiesemeyer will talk about provisions in the pending farm bill that could directly or indirectly affect Kansas livestock producers. As the vice president of policy and trade for Informa Economics, Wiesemeyer will share his unique insight on issues of the day in the nation's capitol. Some producers also may recognize Wiesemeyer as the Washington, D.C., consultant to the ProFarmer newsletter.

Closing out the panel will be Kendal Frazier, NCBA vice president of public opinion and issues management. The Kansas native and former KLA employee will explain how producers benefited from years of planning when the first case of BSE was diagnosed in the U.S. Issues management efforts spearheaded by Frazier and NCBA helped maintain consumer confidence in beef safety, protecting the industry from a demand disaster. He will explain how similar public information strategies would be set into motion in the event of a potential case of foot and mouth disease in this country.

U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts will bring KLA members and guests up-to-date on the status of his bill that would implement economic sanctions on Japanese products if Japan doesn't open its market to American beef by Dec. 15. He will also draw on experiences as chairman of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence to discuss food security issues. The senator's presentation will come during a Friday morning session sponsored by MicroBeef Technologies.

Roberts' leadership role in preventing agriterrorism almost certainly will cross over into the comments of Jon Wefald, Kansas State University president. He will discuss the importance of agriculture at K-State, exemplified by the creation of a National Agricultural Biosecurity Center on the campus.

Three different morning workshops on Dec. 2 will comprise the Industry Information Sessions, sponsored by Elanco. Parthy Evans and Ken Dannenberg with Stinson, Morrison, Hecker, LLP, will discuss the importance of producers developing a business succession plan. A second session led by Kim Essex, NCBA vice president of communications, will show producers how to become effective advocates for their businesses by delivering positive messages that enhance consumer perceptions of beef and the industry. The third presentation will feature a panel of producers offering reasons for implementing a source verification program at the ranch level, and providing tips on how to do it.

"Attending the KLA Convention and listening to the speaker presentations is one of the best investments a producer can make in his or her business," said KLA president, Tom Toll, a cattleman from Lindsborg.

Toll encourages KLA members to "make their voices heard" during policy discussions at the convention. Members can propose resolutions and provide input during the Dec. 1 committee and council meetings. Issues certain to be discussed will include attempts to curb the threat of eminent domain, the effect of education funding on property taxes, preventing agriterrorism, protecting producer confidentiality as part of individual animal identification and conservation funding prospects in the next farm bill.

Four scholarship winners and six members who joined KLA 50 years ago will be among those honored during the convention. Top membership recruiters will be recognized as well.

Nearly 100 businesses will display equipment, technology and services during the trade show at the KLA Convention. Those attending can use the trade show as an opportunity to test products and services that could potentially make their livestock operations more efficient and profitable.

When the trade show closes Dec. 1, KLA members and guests will be entertained by Nashville recording artist and 2005 Colgate Country Showdown national champion Heather Shelley. Her performance is sponsored by Vista, the latest breakthrough in cattle vaccines from Intervet.

More information on the KLA Convention is available at www.kla.org or by calling 785-273-5115. All livestock producers are welcome.

Founded in 1894, KLA is a trade organization working to advance members' common business interests on legislative, regulatory and industry issues affecting producers at both the state and federal levels. The association's work is funded through voluntary dues dollars paid by its members.