Cattle Industry Convention Continues in New Orleans

By Carey Martin, The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture Radio Network

Louisiana’s own Terry Bradshaw throws souvenir footballs to the crowd at the 2019 Cattle Industry Convention in New Orleans.

NEW ORLEANS - The 2019 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show is now in full swing at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

Louisiana native and four-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Terry Bradshaw spoke the crowd’s language during the opening session Wednesday, telling the story of how he got into the cattle business in Grand Cane, Louisiana in the 1970’s.

“I was only making $25,000 a year playing football, unlike the guys playing today,” said Bradshaw. “I went to the Federal Land Bank and borrowed the money on my NFL contract.” Bradshaw used the loan to buy 400 acres of land and 220 heifers, 17 heifers, a tractor and hay equipment.

Bradshaw continues to be a cattleman today, producing 250 Angus and Brangus cows and 150 horses.

Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Bobby Hebert visits with Terry Bradshaw during an on-stage question and answer segment.

Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Bobby Hebert hosted the afternoon session, telling convention attendees that he grew up raising cattle in the middle of South Louisiana sugarcane fields in Lafourche Parish.

Leaders of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Cattlemen’s Beef Board also addressed the convention.

California cattle producer Kevin Kester has served as President of the NCBA for the past year, and told the crowd that they have strong representation in Washington D.C. “I am so proud of our staff on Pennsylvania Avenue . We have a young, energetic, engaging staff. While we’re home on our farms, we know we have someone watching out for us in Washington D.C.

The Cattlemen’s Beef Board is responsible for administering the Beef Checkoff, and is chaired by Nebraska cattle producer Joan Ruskamp. “I’ve personally witnessed the dedication to excellence our staff and our contractors have,” she said. “The Beef Checkoff program is all about being there for all of us and keeping us relevant.

United States Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Purdue is scheduled to address the Cattle Industry Convention on Friday.

Louisiana native and football legend Bobby Hebert visits with cattle industry leaders during the opening session of the 2019 Cattle Industry Convention in New Orleans.