For as long as the United States of America has existed, the food industry and the farmers that make it possible have been the backbone of the nation. However, with an industry as substantial and crucial as agriculture is, problems are sure to arise. Since 1862 the Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been the main regulatory body in charge of keeping the American people with full and healthy stomachs. The USDA also works in conjunction with many other civilian run organizations such as the National Cattlemen's Beef Association(NCBA) who have been working to represent the interests of the American Cattleman in Washington and beyond for nearly 130 years.
In this Special Assembly delegates will be asked to find new and creative ways to bridge the gap between corporations, ranchers, and the government in order to find their place within the American Cattle industry and create a sustainable future that works not just for one party, but for all people in the beef industry as well as the consumer. For the average rancher the way cattle are raised from birth to grave is often very different from the way it was just 30 years ago. The presence of corporations and modern technology is ever present in the cattle industry. Furthermore the supply chain for beef is more integrated than it ever has been. On any given day one can walk into their local grocery store and possibly find beef from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina among many others. Finding America's place in the international beef market, and how it wishes to operate within this place will be the main task of delegates in this uniquely delicious committee.
In this Special Assembly delegates will be asked to find new and creative ways to bridge the gap between corporations, ranchers, and the government in order to find their place within the American Cattle industry and create a sustainable future that works not just for one party, but for all people in the beef industry as well as the consumer. For the average rancher the way cattle are raised from birth to grave is often very different from the way it was just 30 years ago. The presence of corporations and modern technology is ever present in the cattle industry. Furthermore the supply chain for beef is more integrated than it ever has been. On any given day one can walk into their local grocery store and possibly find beef from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina among many others. Finding America's place in the international beef market, and how it wishes to operate within this place will be the main task of delegates in this uniquely delicious committee.