I want to start my inaugural message by a very sincere thank you to all the members and leadership of Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, who have the confidence in my ability to take the helm of our organization. It has been and continues to be a true privilege, to be a member of a group that represents the finest people in the world, a heritage rich with ambition, ingenuity in meeting challenges, and producing the finest protein source in the world. All this while taking care of our natural resources so that generations to come will have the sustainability to feed a growing world population AND maintaining our environment for society to enjoy.

I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge and thank past leaders, Bill Hoyt, Bill Moore, Sharon Livingston, Coy Cowart, and Bob Skinner, just to name a few, that advanced our cause and continue their involvement so that our culture will continue. Add to that our great staff, Kay Teisl, Katy Wunsch, Jim Welsh, who provide the continuity, research, day to day operations, and most times, the initial contact person. How can we not achieve our goals and have our theme of “WE CARE” accepted as truth by our urban cousins?  

Thanks to our District Vice Presidents, committee chairs for the hours involved in travel and commitment to the multiple concerns of our association. To Murray Fretz for his attendance and expertise in publishing our Oregon Beef Producer to communicate, in a very professional manner our news and interests. Thanks also to our Associate Council, with the participating vendors, who are an invaluable piece to our program and advancement of new, innovative products for our operations. What this exemplifies, and I want to sincerely promote, is teamwork as being the key to success to meet the challenges we face. Whenever Oregon Cattlemen’s Association is mentioned, it is viewed as an engaged, knowledgeable, committed group dedicated to whom and what we are, promoting the truth that we are doing what Oregonians want Oregon to be.

President Curtis Martin