Background
With the beef industry changing so rapidly, identifying and educating leaders to help guide and strengthen the industry has never been so important. Because Oregon Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) represents the Oregon’s beef cattle industry, it is our responsibility to see that leadership development is successful. That is why we continue to participate in Young Cattlemen’s Conference & Tour (YCC).
The YCC tour has proven to be an effective vehicle in identifying and developing potential leaders. Over 500 cattlemen and women have graduated from the YCC program since its inception in 1980. Many of Oregon’s alumni participate in OCA committees and serve on the Board of Directors. This program is a unique opportunity for leadership training within the cattle industry.
Every other year, OCA chooses one young rancher to represent Oregon at YCC. To expand his/her leadership experience and involvement in OCA, traditionally Oregon’s representative becomes the OCA Young Cattlemen’s Committee Chair the following year and helps to raise funds to sponsor future representatives.
Purpose
The primary objective is to develop leadership qualities in young cattlemen and expose them to all aspects of the beef industry. The tour helps these young leaders understand all areas of our industry ranging from industry structure to issues management, from production research to marketing.
Qualifications
2008 will be the twenty-ninth year the tour has been conducted. This program has developed to such a level that these young men and women are heavily screened and only a few young industry leaders are able to attend. For an individual to participate in the YCC, he or she must be nominated by an OCA member, be between the ages of 25 to 50 and be an OCA & NCBA member. Oregon traditionally sends one participant each year.
Program
The tour takes place in early summer and will begin in Denver with a comprehensive overview of the industry. The group will take an in-depth look at many of the issues affecting our industry and what NCBA is doing to address these issues on behalf of its members. The group will then travel to western Kansas to visit various cattle producing operations in the area. From there, the group will travel to Sioux City, Nebraska to tour IBP, one of the largest beef packing and processing plants in the world. IBP will host the group and will be sharing with them their views of the beef industry from a processor standpoint. Chicago is the next destination. Here the group will visit the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, the Bruss Company- a large meat purveyor, and McDonalds Corporation at their headquarters. The participants will then travel to the nation’s Capitol. Here they will get a chance to meet with their respective Congressmen and Senators. In addition, the group will visit with a number of regulatory agencies that make decisions affecting agriculture.
Cost
Participants only cost is their airfare from home to Denver and from Washington D.C to home. OCA and other sponsors cover travel, hotel and meal expenses during the tour.
Deadline
A completed application must arrive to the OCA office by February 28, 2008.
3415 Commercial St SE, Ste. 217, Salem, OR 97302Fax: 503-361-8947 E-mail: [email protected]
Additional Information
Mark Meyer, OCA Young Cattlemen’s Chair & past YCC participant, 541-520-4591
Katie Goff, OCA Administrative Officer, 503-361-8941 x10
Young Cattlemen’s Conference – Oregon Representative Application
Must be received by the Oregon Cattlemen’s Office before February 28, 2008
3415 Commercial St. SE, Ste. 217, Salem, Oregon 97302
Phone: 503-361-8941 Fax: 503-361-8947 E-mail: [email protected]
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