Affiliates
The Iowa Cattlemen's Association (ICA) works with several other organizations that also support the beef industry.
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County Cattlemen's Associations
The grassroots of the ICA is its county organizations. There are 97 active county organizations involved in a wide variety of activities throughout the year.
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Staff and Leadership
The ICA Board of Directors consists of an Executive Committee, 20 District Directors representing all 97 county organizations, as well as several Directors At Large.
Several staff members work at the Iowa Cattle Industry Headquarters in Ames, with several others serving as field staff across the state. Click 'learn more' to meet the team.
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ICA Store
The ICA works with Iowa vendors to order branded items like hats, clothing, blankets, and bags. Click 'learn more' to purchase ICA merchandise.
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ICA Membership
There are two types of ICA memberships. A Producer Membership, which is reserved for those active in cattle production. This includes cow-calf production, backgrounders, feedyards, and seedstock producers.
Friend of the Industry Membership is for those people and businesses that are supporters of the beef cattle industry. This includes retired producers, input suppliers, restaurants, and those who appreciate the economic value cattle production brings to their communities.
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The Iowa Cattlemen's Association works to grow Iowa's beef cattle business through advocacy, leadership, and education.
The Iowa Cattlemen's Association (ICA) is an organization of nearly 9,000 Iowa beef cattle-producing families and associated companies dedicated to the future of Iowa's beef cattle industry. At ICA, we connect you to the resources that help you grow your business.
Join 'The Voice' of the Iowa Beef Cattle Industry
At the state level, ICA has three primary missions:
- individual member services
- communications
- legislative and regulatory influence
ICA is also associated with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) which works on national issues of interest to the beef cattle industry. ICA provides cattle producers the opportunity to join forces and speak with one voice about a variety of issues, including regulatory ones. Members also provide input on educational needs, ICA services, and a social network for farmers who have a common goal – strengthening Iowa’s beef cattle business.
For "Strength in Numbers," join the Iowa Cattlemen's Association and be a part of "The Voice" for your beef cattle industry.
“As cattle producers, we have one organization solely dedicated to telling our story, advocating for our families, and keeping us informed and involved in the policy of tomorrow at a state level and beyond. That’s the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association.”
- Dan Hanrahan
ADVOCACY
ICA members are kept informed about legislative and regulatory issues and marketing rules through the policy newsletter, regional and district meetings, and the Iowa Cattleman magazine. Currently, ICA is focused on the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers Waters of the US (WOTUS) Rule, cattle market volatility, the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, and protecting Iowa's fence law.
LEADERSHIP
ICA members who raise their hands to be more involved in leadership have several opportunities to grow their leadership skills from a hands-on perspective. ICA leadership opportunities include the Iowa Cattlemen’s Leadership Program, ICA board of directors, grassroots committees, county leaders, and special task force groups.
EDUCATION
Continual improvement is necessary for any business to remain successful, and that is true in the cattle industry. ICA provides educational programs for its members to strengthen their individual businesses as well as the cattle industry as a whole. Educational programs include regional forums, special meetings, Leadership Summit, and Annual Meeting. We also have a strategic partnership with the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers.
Strategic Priorities & Goals
Represent ICA Members
Goal: Be the definitive voice of the Iowa beef industry.
Have a Legislative and Regulatory Presence
Goal: Influence the outcome of government actions to the most positive outcome for cattle producers.
Support Leadership Development of Members
Goal: Strengthen the leadership capacity of ICA members with a special emphasis on developing young leaders.
Provide Staff Support to County Affiliates
Goal: Develop tools and training for county affiliates to effectively implement local activities.