Over the past 18 months the LMAC Board of Directors have debated and discussed the benefits of moving from an associate member to a full voting member of the Canadian Cattle Association. For the 6 years Rick Wright has been attending the CCA meetings on behalf of LMAC. Current President Craig Jacklin has also been attending for the past 2 years. After much encouragement from the Alberta membership, supported by Manitoba and Ontario, an official request to become a voting member was sent to CCA.

The membership application was discussed at various committee and executive levels during the CCA Annual Meeting held in Ottawa March 17 to 20.  The application made the agenda for the CCA Board meeting. Rick Wright addressed the CCA board on behalf of LMAC and their request.  Jack Chaffe from Ontario, Mathew Atkinson from Manitoba, Kirk Jackson from Quebec and in coming President Tyler Fulton all spoke in favour of the motion.  After a unanimous vote in favour of the request, President Nathan Phinney welcomed LMAC to CCA.

Phinney referred to the membership “ as partnership” and recognized the value and expertise that LMAC now officially brings to the table.

Rick Wright

Wright said that “LMAC wanted to be at the table during these trying times, with tariffs, declining cow numbers, anticipated traceability and movement reporting requirements around the corner, LMAC needed to be part of the final decision-making process.”

“It was also important moving forward for both LMAC and CCA to have a clear definition of LMAC’s position at CCA.  The current relationship was great but delegates and staff at both organizations are constantly changing. It was important moving forward the current working relationship was not lost in the transition within the organizations.”