Next month’s Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) Convention
The program at next month’s Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) Convention will address future trade opportunities for the beef and dairy sectors, prospects for cattle prices in 2024 and what consumers consider before purchasing beef. KLA members and guests will gather to hear these presentations and others Nov. 29 through Dec. 1 in Wichita. Also during the organization’s annual meeting, ranchers, feeders and dairymen will have opportunities to provide input on KLA policy, exchange management ideas with other livestock producers and see the latest in technology and services.
Gregg Doud, a Jewell County native and industry veteran, will open the convention Wednesday evening during the Cattlemen’s Banquet, sponsored by INTRUST Bank, Tyson Fresh Meats and Allflex Livestock Intelligence. Doud currently is the chief operating officer for the National Milk Producers Federation, but will become president and chief executive officer in January. As part of his 30-year career in agricultural policy and economics, Doud served as the chief agricultural negotiator in the office of the U.S. Trade Representative from 2018 until 2021. He will share his experiences from that time, including his trade discussions with China and work on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement. Doud also will provide his perspective on what export markets will look like for beef and dairy products in the coming year and beyond. His presentation is sponsored by Micro Technologies and Zoetis.
Randy Blach, CattleFax chief executive officer, will reflect on this year’s beef industry economics and offer insight into his expectations for the cattle and grain markets in 2024. He will discuss where the industry stands regarding herd expansion and what that will mean for beef supplies and cattle industry profitability. Blach also will analyze some of the broader economic factors likely to affect beef producers and the demand for their product. His presentation will come during Beef Industry University, sponsored by the Farm Credit Associations of Kansas.
The Consumer Trends forum will include an analysis of the latest research on the factors impacting beef purchasing decisions. Mandy Carr Johnson, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) senior executive director of Scientific Affairs, will discuss why this information is important to the beef community and how NCBA and state beef councils, like the Kansas Beef Council (KBC), use it to help keep beef at the center of consumers’ plates. The Consumer Trends forum is sponsored by the Kansas Soybean Commission and hosted by KBC and the Kansas CattleWomen.
Todd Wilkinson, NCBA president, will highlight key victories the organization has had over the past year during his Friday morning presentation, sponsored by Elanco Animal Health. In addition, he will outline industry issues NCBA will be focusing on moving forward. Wilkinson co-owns and operates a commercial cow-calf business and feedyard in De Smet, South Dakota. He also has practiced law for more than 40 years, specializing in estate planning and agricultural law. Prior to serving as NCBA president, Wilkinson was a member of several NCBA committees as well as the Environmental, Traceability and Cattle Marketing working groups.
Various awards will be presented to KLA members during the convention. Those who have belonged to KLA for 50, 60 or 70 years will be recognized, as will top KLA membership recruiters, Kansas Livestock Foundation scholarship winners and this year’s graduates of the KLA Young Stockmen’s Academy.
The KLA Trade Show will be the site for many convention activities. Social and meal functions will revolve around the equipment, technology and service displays. This will give producers opportunities to talk with exhibitors about products and services.
A complete schedule and registration form are available on http://www.kla.org or by calling the KLA office at (785) 273-5115. All livestock producers are welcome to attend.
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