Becoming the bridge between agency and producer

By Cameron Mulrony, Idaho Cattle Association Executive Vice President
Republished from the June 2024 issue of Line Rider magazine with permission.

As we grow and build here at the Idaho Cattle Association, we continue to develop partnerships and working relationships with many of the agencies and allied industries that support the production of the greatest protein in the world.

In this issue, you will see an introduction to the Intermountain West Joint Venture (IWJV) outlining some of their objectives. We introduced them in a breakout session at convention in 2022 and received great feedback surrounding some of the opportunities that are available through agencies such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and others to complete projects that can benefit our membership.

Check out the original in LIne Rider magazine!

Fast forward to 2024 and there are still opportunities that could be available to our members and producers that align with the NRCS and IWJV missions. This led us to a partnership to help communicate the available opportunities to cattlemen and cattlewomen.

Following the session in 2022, it was apparent, to no one’s surprise, that “We don’t know what we don’t know!” Meaning, there were many attendees at the session who left saying they did not realize the opportunity to utilize NRCS or USFWS programs was available for that type of work. The goal of our agreement is to create awareness for our producers and create opportunities for success.

The passage of the Rangeland Improvement Act in the last legislative session (thanks to the work of past ICA president Rep. Jerald Raymond) adds another link in the chain that we feel could provide many benefits for our industry and for our operations across the state.

As we continue to build our organization, our programs, and the benefit to our membership, we see this as the start of a continuing relationship that will add value to the industry. As it is sometimes said, “knowing is half the battle.”

Look to future issues of Line Rider, convention opportunities in November, and other items as necessary that could create opportunity for you, your operation, and our industry.

On one final note, if you have success or challenges with the programs that cattlemen are eligible for, please let us know so that other producers can learn from your experiences.

The ICA and Idaho’s cattle raising families are positioned to do many good things in the space of conservation, climate, etc. We need to show the reality that we are providing a positive benefit to the health of our nation; nutritionally, environmentally, and in a manner that is sustainable for the long-term.