Cattle Group to Be Strengthened, Not Changed

February 12, 2002

Wythe Willey, a cattle producer from Cedar Rapids, IA, the new National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) president, says he will enhance the group's strength, not change its mission. His remarks came during the NCBA Stakeholder's Congress at the 2002 Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show in Denver. "We don't need to alter the direction of this organization," Willey told the audience. "What we do need, however, is an extended and expanded effort to help others in our industry see our vision and bring them onto our team."

According to Willey, all segments of the industry should join together to make this happen. "We must break down the barriers that have cannibalized our profit opportunities and destroyed the flow of information," he said. "We must improve the link between cow/calf operators and feeders, and feeders and packers, and reach out to the final users of our product -- who are the source of all new wealth in our industry."

Willey said that everyone in the industry must assure that those who produce, process and market beef do it as well as possible to better capitalize on its popularity and potential. Previously NCBA president-elect, Willey served as vice chair NCBA's Blue Ribbon Commission and in several leadership positions on NCBA committees. He has been an NCBA "Top Hand" member every year since the group was founded, and in 1996 received the Top Hand Award for the most memberships sold.

A life-long cattleman and farmer in Jackson, Cedar and Clayton Counties in Iowa, Willey was president of the Iowa Cattlemen's Association in 1995 and 1996, and served five terms on that organization's board of directors. He holds a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University and also is a graduate of the University of Iowa Law School. He and his wife, Susan, have five children.