History of MCA
Missouri Cattle Feeders'
Association, the predecessor of the Missouri Cattlemen's Association, was
established in January 1911 when cattle feeders from central and northern
Missouri met during the University of Missouri Farmers' Week. This
organization, the first livestock commodity group in the state, would be both
educational and protective in purpose, with a primary mission to promote and
protect the beef-producing industry. The newly formed association met once a
year during Farmers' Week.
In 1916, representatives from
Missouri Cattle Feeders' Association, Missouri Sheep Feeder and Breeder
Association, Missouri Draft Horse Breeders' Association, Missouri Saddle Horse
Association, Missouri Hampshire Swine Breeders, Missouri Chester White and
O.I.C. Breeders' Association, Missouri Poland China Swine Breeders' Association
and Missouri Duroc Jersey Swine Breeders' Association met in the office of University
professor E.A. Trowbridge. Professor Trowbridge, as temporary chairman,
stressed the need for a strong combined livestock group. The meeting created
the Missouri Live Stock Producers' Association, under which all the
organizations would be auxiliary members.
In 1925 the association dropped
"Producers" from its name, becoming the Missouri Livestock
Association.
Throughout the 1950's member associations of the Missouri Livestock Association
began to detach from the umbrella organization and form their species-specific
organizations.
The original Missouri CattleWomen's group, the Missouri CowBelles, was
organized in 1953.
In September of 1964, several Missouri cattle and hog producers incorporated
the Missouri Livestock Feeders Association to be affiliated with the National
Livestock Feeders Association while the original Missouri Livestock Association
would be affiliated with the American National Cattlemen's Association.
On March 9, 1968, Joe Ewing of Joplin was elected the last president of the
Missouri Livestock Association. The next day, Ewing was the first president of
the re-formed Missouri Cattlemen's Association, but only long enough to preside
over the general business session and election of officers. Then Ewing passed
the gavel to his successor, C.W. Caldwell of Mexico Missouri the first official
MCA President.
MCA's Focus
Much of MCA's focus is on government affairs. It is our strong belief that producers, as citizens, should be tireless in their protection of their rights and their business. MCA operates through membership dollars. MCA receives NO from the beef checkoff program.
Missouri Beef Industry Council
MBIC is a nonprofit organization for administering programs of promotion, education, research, and consumer and industry information. The MBIC is part of a coordinated state/national effort funded and controlled by beef producers who are assessed $1-per-head each time a beef animal is sold.
Missouri's Cattlemen Foundation
The mission of MCF is to promote the educational development of rural youth by aiding injured children, providing farm safety training, leadership programs, and scholarships.