Nominations are open for Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) delegate positions and Rocky View County ranchers are encouraged to let their names stand.
“We’d like to encourage producers to put their names forward to help provide leadership for our industry,” said Chuck Maclean, ABP Chairman. “I think it’s very important that producers work to address the challenges before the industry. We need new people with new ideas.”
Nominations are open to ranchers who have sold cattle, and have paid a check-off to ABP, in the past 24 months. Fifty-four delegates from the nine provincial zones are needed.
“Producers are the ones who run our organization,” said Lori Loree, ABP communications manager, adding that new delegates are chosen every fall. “Producers are the ones that best know their industry, and to have them make the decisions is the best way to go.”
ABP has operated the same way for more than 40 years and past delegates have included representatives from all industry sectors, such as purebred cattle farmers, cow-calf operators and cattle feeders.
The new board will help make decisions on allocating funds, marketing and promoting, communication strategies, policies and how best to work with the government.
According to Loree, the ABP has received positive feedback from past delegates.
“Everyone says, ‘I learned a ton about the industry that I didn’t know before,’” said Loree. “Delegates get a chance to network and learn from one another. There is the knowledge that you are really helping your beef industry.”
All nominations must be received, faxed or postmarked before midnight, Aug. 31. Forms are available from the ABP office, or from the ABP website www.albertabeef.org