What is the Idaho Cattle Association?
The Idaho Cattle Association (ICA) is the official voice for all segments of the beef business in Idaho - seedstock breeders, commercial operators and cattle feeders. It is the grassroots policy development organization for Idaho's leading agricultural industry, cattle. Through the ICA, cattlemen and women work to create a positive business environment, while providing consumers with a safe and wholesome product.
This non-profit trade association was officially formed in 1983, through a merger of the Idaho Cattlemen's Association (originally founded in 1915 as the Idaho Cattle & Horse Growers Association) and the Idaho Cattle Feeders Association (founded 1963). In 1998, ICA and the Idaho CattleWomen, Inc. merged. ICA represents the $915 million in direct cash receipts is generated across the state. ICA is composed of nearly 1,500 beef producers as well as businesses that join as allied industry or local associate members.
ICA is one of many state-national partners with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA). Together, ICA and NCBA provide those services that cattle producers and feeders cannot perform as individuals. Our principal services are government affairs, public information, issues management and member education.
ICA and NCBA perform three basic functions:
- Represent the beef cattle industry to the legislative and administrative branches of government;
- Explain beef production, including product safety, use of natural resources, animal care and beef economics to the public and opinion influencers. In addition, interpret economic, social and political developments for the industry;
- Provide economic and other information to members to aid them in their own planning and management.
The ICA office is in Boise. The NCBA headquarters are in Denver with a government affairs office in Washington, D.C. Association programs are carried out by specialists in administration and management, government affairs, ag economics, communications, public relations, cattle production and marketing. The only way from your House to the Statehouse to the White House is through ICA and NCBA.
All ICA and NCBA programs are financed by dues from individual members and allied industry members.
Our Mission
The mission of the Idaho Cattle Association is to coordinate and advance the economic well being of the Idaho Beef Industry through innovative and effective political, educational, and marketing programs accepted and supported by all industry segments, partners, and coalitions.
Executive Committee
The executive committee includes the president, president-elect, vice president, and past president. The executive committee also includes the chairmen from the Cattlewomen, Cow/calf Producers, Feeder and Purebred Councils. These councils provide representation for each of the distinct industry segments.
President
Carl Ellsworth
Leadore, Idaho
President - Elect
Charles Lyons
Mountain Home, Idaho
Vice President
Richard Savage
Hamer, Idaho
Past President
Kent Mann
Parma, Idaho
Cattlewomen Chair
Lyndella Bauchman
Challis, Idaho
Cow/Calf Chair
Bruce Mulkey
Salmon, Idaho
Feeder Chair
Lee Bradshaw
Caldwell, Idaho
Purebred Chair
John Bryan
Gooding, Idaho
Board of Directors
The Board is composed of at least three representatives from each of the five geographical districts in Idaho. Board members serve three-year terms. Executive Committee members, along with a cattlewomen representative and an allied industry representative, also sit on the Board. The ICA Board makes decisions and implements policy on a state level.
District 1
Pete Wittman - Director
Lapwai, Idaho
Leon Slichter
Grangeville, Idaho
Susan Goodrich
Rathdrum, Idaho
District 2
Russell Mink
Cambridge, Idaho
Aron Bennett
Grandview, Idaho
Stephen Damele
Mountain Home, Idaho
District 3
Jared Brackett
Rogerson, Idaho
Jay Faulkner
Gooding, Idaho
John Ricketts
Jerome, Idaho
District 4
Matt Thompson
Shelley, Idaho
Scott Kesl
Tendoy, Idaho
Lisa Stephenson
Blackfoot, Idaho
District 5
Jared Simpson
Malad City, Idaho
Ron Eliason
Holbrook, Idaho
Linc Whitnah
American Falls, Idaho
Allied Industry
Ramona Ridley
Caldwell, Idaho
Cattlewomen Board Representative
Jessie Miller
Boise, Idaho
Directors at Large
Aaron Canart
Boise, Idaho
Zac Skaar
Lewisville, Idaho
ICA Staff
Natural Resources
Karen Williams
Twin Falls, Idaho
Office Administrator
Laura Sechler
Boise, Idaho
Membership Services
Marci Oakes
Nampa, Idaho
Event Planner
Katie Colyer
Bruneau, Idaho