Steve Hanson elected as US Beef Councils chief
The Federation of State Beef Councils (FSBC) is a US body that looks after the interests of beef councils across 50 US states. It is also a division of the NCBA, which in turn receives directional oversight from the US Department of Agriculture.
Hanson and his wife, Susan, operate a family-run farm in the south-west of Nebraska with their son, Nick, who is the fifth generation of beef farmers on the land. Hanson adheres to biodynamic principles as he feeds his livestock corn that has been grown on his Nebraska farm.
Federation Initiative Fund grant recipients
Indiana Beef Council – $2,200
Michigan Beef Industry Commission – $4,700
New York Beef Council – $18,000
Ohio Beef Council – $5,000
Pennsylvania Beef Council – $25,500
Prior to Hanson’s appointment, he was a well-known figure in the higher echelons of the FSBC ranks, according to the Federation. The beef rancher previously served as the chairman of the Nebraska Beef Council, as well as briefly serving as the Federation’s vice-chairman.
His new duties will include serving as vice-chairman of the Beef Promotion Operating Committee (BPOC), which funds beef checkoff projects at a national level.
Jerry Effertz, from North Dakota, was also given a position of power within the FSBC and will serve as vice-chairman of the council.
Effertz runs the Black Butte Acres Limousin Ranch in Velva, North Dakota, and raises seedstock cattle and feeder calves. He also runs a series of outdoor adventures across his land to educate people on the cattle business and stewardship of the land.
His previous roles include leadership positions within the North Dakota Beef Commission, the US Meat Export Federation and several beef checkoff committees.
At the trade show last week in San Diego, the federation also announced the approval of six grants to five state beef councils worth $55,400 (£38,000) through its Federation Initiative Fund program.
