11/09/07 ICA doesn't lack for issue to discuss

The Idaho Cattle Association holds its annual meeting in Sun Valley next Monday through Wednesday. TEWALT "The theme for this year's convention is looking back, moving forward and telling our story of stewardship." ICA Executive Director Josh Tewalt says many producers faced the worst fire season ever last summer and all of them are paying more for feed, fuel and other related inputs. Tewalt says the meetings on the 12th, 13th and 14th give the one thousand ICA members the opportunity to set the policies for next year and while taking care of association business. He also wants producers to become more proactive about their billion dollar industry. TEWALT "There are a lot of groups out there who presume to know what we do and how we do it and they're more than happy to tell our story for us and it's often not positive." And what better way to learn that by following examples set by environmentalists. TEWALT "Take a page out of their play book. Look at how they've organized, look at what they've done well and see how we can apply that as an industry to do a better job of telling our story." Wolves, sage grouse, the farm bill, ag labor shortages, animal health, just some of the items that will be on the agenda in Sun Valley next week. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott