The largest annual beef industry event is being held this week in Nashville, where more than 6,000 cattle producers, industry partners, and stakeholders are gathering for the 2021 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show. 

“I am pleased that cattlemen and women can come together in person once again,” said National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Jerry Bohn. “Producers from across the country and their families look forward to convention every year, but I think it means even more following the pandemic’s disruptions.”

The convention kicked off in Music City fashion with country music singer and songwriter, Kix Brooks. Brooks, who was recently recognized as the National On-Air Personality of the Year by the Academy of Country Music, talked about his experiences in country music as well as his passion for creating award-winning wines.

During the convention, participants gained insights on market trends during the CattleFax Outlook Seminar, hear a “State of the Industry” update from NCBA, learn about the cattle industry’s role in sustainability, and wander through the NCBA Trade Show – the industry’s largest, with more than 350 exhibitors on more than seven acres.

Annual meetings of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, American National CattleWomen, CattleFax and National Cattlemen’s Foundation were also being held.

The final day of convention included two general sessions, one of which offers a panel discussion on sustainability. Sustainability continues to be a hot topic, with environmental stewardship often making the headlines, but economic viability and social responsibility play roles as well. Session speakers discussed how the cattle industry offers solutions to the climate change conversation.

The Closing General Session on Thursday, Aug. 12, featured speaker Jason Brown, a former professional football player who turned in his cleats for a tractor. Brown left the NFL to serve others through farming and he will talk about his life-changing journey from the football field to the vegetable field.

Additional educational opportunities included the Learning Lounge, which offers classroom sessions on the trade show floor providing busy attendees valuable educational tips. The Stockmanship and Stewardship demonstration arena provided unique educational experiences featuring live animal handling and horsemanship demonstrations. And, back by popular demand was the Chutes and Scales Showdown where producers watched cattle run through chutes, side-by-side, then get hands-on experience with the equipment. Campfire Chats also provided attendees the opportunity to engage with fellow producers and industry leaders in interactive roundtable discussions.

“This is a great time to come together and not only conduct the business of the industry, but also to reconnect and network with one another,” Bohn concluded.