NCBA officers

Gary Voogt, a Marne, MI seedstock producer, is the new president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA). Read more about him at: beefmagazine.com/people/0101-voogt-plan-success/. Voogt succeeds Andy Groseta, a cow-calf producer from Cottonwood, AZ.

Steve Foglesong, who operates a cow-calf, stocker, feedlot and replacement heifer development program in Astoria, IL, was chosen as NCBA president-elect; Bill Donald, a third-generation rancher from Melville, MT, is vice president.

Elected to the NCBA executive team are: J.D. Alexander (NE), Federation Division chairman; Scott George (WY), vice chairman; Eric Smith (AL), Policy Division chairman; and Tracy Brunner (KS), vice chairman.

NCBA members also bid farewell to CEO Terry Stokes after 13 years of service. He is replaced by Forrest Roberts, who lists among his priorities: growing domestic beef demand, expanding access to foreign markets, and protecting the U.S. beef industry from actions that could impede a favorable business climate.

Trailblazer award

The Trailblazer Award, sponsored by Deere & Company, is bestowed annually by BEEF editors on industry volunteers whose contributions and farsighted leadership were instrumental in moving the industry forward. The 2008 award was presented to Mike Milicevic, general manager of Lykes Bros. Ranch, Okeechobee, FL. He spearheaded the development of a manual of best-management practices — produced in a consensus between producers, regulatory agencies and academia — that will soon serve as both a roadmap and vehicle to enhance and protect water quality in Florida. Read more at beefmagazine.com/people/award-winners/1101-milicevic-leads-regulations/.

CBB officers

New Cattlemen's Beef Board officers are: chairman, dairywoman Lucinda Williams (MA); vice chairman, cow-calf producer Dan Dierschke (TX); and secretary/treasurer, cattleman Tom Jones (AR).

Young Producers' Council

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) held the first meeting of its newly formed Young Producers' Council (YPC) at the 2009 Cattle Industry Annual Convention. Created in 2008, YPC is open to members ages 18 to 35 and is intended to promote youth participation in both the beef industry and NCBA.

Dustin Dean, 32, Southwest regional director of Pfizer Animal Genetics in Pleasanton, TX, was elected YPC chairman. Steven Yardley, 25, of Yardley Cattle Company in Beaver, UT, is vice chairman.

Checkoff feedback

Producers continue to have a favorable opinion about the Beef Checkoff Program. A representative survey of 1,200 producers found 68% approve of the checkoff, down from 72% a year ago. The late December-early January survey also found that 83% feel the checkoff program has helped contribute to a positive trend in consumer demand for beef. About the same number believe the program has value in weak economic conditions and are confident the checkoff is on their side during a crisis. Roughly 70% of respondents feel the checkoff has contributed to the profitability of their operations. See the report at: www.beefboard.org/news/files/Checkoff%20in%20the%20news/Beefmemo0901b2.pdf.

National Stocker Award

Father-son team John Frank Pendergrass and John Paul Pender-grass, Charleston, AR, were formally recognized as 2008 National Stocker Award honorees. Sponsored by BEEF magazine and Elanco Animal Health, the program recognizes the nation's top practitioners in three categories: summer grazing, fall/winter forage and backgrounder/drylot. Open to any stocker or backgrounding operation that derives the majority of its cattle-based income from the stocker and backgrounding businesses, the 2009 nominations are now open at: www.nationalstockeraward.com. Read more on the Pendergrasses at: beefmagazine.com/people/ranch-profiles/1001-pendergrass-name-grown/index.html.

Top CattleWomen

Kristy Lage, Arthur, NE, is the 58th president of the American National CattleWomen, Inc. (ANCW). Lage has served ANCW and the beef industry on the local, state and national level. She and her husband Ron have a diversified farming and ranching business near Arthur, NE, with cow-calf and backgrounding, plus irrigated corn, alfalfa and pasture.

Ginny Lee, Valentine, NE, was named ANCW's 2008 Outstanding CattleWoman of the Year. An active member for 40 years, Lee has served on the board of directors, as secretary, on various committees and as vice chair and chairman of the National Beef Cook-Off Committee.

Beef backers

The National Beef Backer Award recognizes chain and independent restaurant operators that excel in menuing and marketing beef. This year's national winners include: Cattlemens Restaurants (Santa Rosa, CA) in the “Independent” category; Charlie Brown's Steakhouse (Mountainside, NJ) in the “Chain” category; and Merriman's Restaurants (Kamuela, HA) as the “Innovator of the Year.”

Beef quiz bowl

Penn State University (PSU) is the 2009 National Collegiate Beef Quiz Bowl champion, presented by the National Cattlemen's Foundation. Team members include: Kristina McAllister, Amy Shollenberger, Jennifer Rassler and Elizabeth Smith, and advisors Dan Kniffen and Christopher Raines.

Four regional championship teams participated — PSU, Kansas State University, University of Kentucky and the University of Wyoming. Each team was comprised of four animal science students who answered a series of questions relating to all areas of the beef industry during a double-elimination competition.