More than 6,700 attended this year’s convention to engage in grassroots policy process, hear from industry experts and attend the expansive tradeshow. Tracy Brunner, Kansas cattle producer, was officially elected to succeed Philip Ellis as NCBA president.

Brunner, a fourth-generation cattleman from Ramona, Kansas, expressed optimism about the organization’s momentum, saying he would continue to build on the organization’s success of the prior year.

“It’s an honor to take the reins of NCBA for the next year,” said Brunner. “We have a great organization, and the strong presence of cattlemen and women gathered this week is a demonstration of several things: the interest we have in improving our businesses, our desire to have fun and fellowship, our belief in the power of dialog to move things forward and our commitment to making this an even greater industry.”

Craig Uden of Elwood, Nebraska, was elected as NCBA president-elect, and Kevin Kester of Parkfield, California, is the new NCBA vice president. Steve Hanson of Elsie, Nebraska, was elected chairman of the NCBA Federation Division, and Jerry Effertz of Velva, North Dakota, is the new federation vice chairman. The new NCBA Policy Division chairman is Jennifer Houston of Sweetwater, Tennessee, and Joe Guild of Reno, Nevada, is the new policy vice chairman.

“The American beef industry is stronger than it has ever been,” said Brunner. “We have the right people growing the right product in the right way. And, we have the right organizational culture and structure. We have promotion and advocacy, research and education. We have public policy efforts to ensure beef producers are represented in the halls of Congress and at the table as laws are made. We are committed to not only protecting and promoting the beef business of today, but even more importantly, the beef business of tomorrow. We have an exciting year ahead as international demand for American beef continues to rise and trade remains high priority. It’s a great time to be in the beef business and a part of this great organization.”

As president of NCBA, Brunner will lead the organization’s policy work and oversee efforts undertaken as a contractor to the beef checkoff program.  

—From National Cattlemen's Beef Association news release