Colorado livestock industry comes together at CLA Annual Meeting

Colorado Livestock Association hosted more than 200 livestock producers, agribusiness partners, elected officials and agency reps during their annual meeting during mid-July in Black Hawk, Colorado.

Breakout sessions, council meetings and other segments featured speakers who shared market insights, insider perspectives and farm policy discussions. Rachel Gabel, author and agricultural journalist shared a historical perspective of the life of Dr. John Matsushima. The 103-year-old is a pioneer in the cattle feeding industry and has a rich history in Colorado.

A slate of officers and directors were elected at the annual membership meeting, along with reports about CLA’s finances and legislative efforts. The members elected the following: President, Kory Kessinger, Kessinger Livestock, Akron, 2-year term; President-Elect, Britt Dinis, Empire Dairy, Wiggins, 2-year term; Treasurer, Brett Rutledge, Triple R Farms, Yuma, 1-year term; Director, Kristie Docheff, Blue Sky Dairy, Mead, 2-year term; Director, Toby Johnson, Collins Ranch, Kit Carson, 3-year term; Director, Ian Mackay, Seaboard Foods, LLC, Holyoke, 3-year term; Director, Ed Wilgenburg, Wildcat Dairy, Fort Morgan, 3-year term; and Industry Partner Council Ex-Officio Board Representative, Wes Stribling, Merck Animal Health, Rye, 1-year term.

Retiring leaders were recognized and thanked for their service and efforts. Those included: Immediate Past President Dwain Weinrich, Yuma; retiring Feeder Council Chair Luke Lind, Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, Johnstown; Industry Partner Council Ex-Officio Board Representative Ben Fritz, Cattlenomics, Nunn; Industry Partner Council Chair Steve Withkowski, Animal Health International, Greeley.

CLA council members elected Tanner Pickett, Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, Kersey, Colorado, as Feeder Council Chair and Todd Sigmon, Elanco Animal Health, Fleming, Colorado, as Industry Partner Council Chair.

At the Past President’s luncheon, the Top Choice Award was presented to Chris Whitney for his leadership as Colorado’s Brand Commissioner for the past 12 years. Kenny Rogers, the 20th President of CLA was recognized for his service, attending countless stakeholder meetings, and standing up for producers at town hall meetings.

For more information about CLA visit coloradolivestock.org/.

Kylene Scott can be reached at 620-227-1804 or [email protected].