Washington Cattlemen's Association

The Washington Cattlemen's Association (WCA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting, protecting, and advancing the interests of the cattle industry in the state of Washington. Originally established as the Washington State Cattle and Horse Raiser's Association in 1926 in Okanogan County, the association has a rich history rooted in the state's agricultural heritage.

Objectives and Activities

The WCA's primary objectives include encouraging, promoting, and advancing the cattle industry through various means such as education, leadership development, improvement of ranch facilities, prevention of disease, theft detection, and branding identification. The organization also focuses on sponsoring sales, arranging shows and exhibitions, and providing marketing support. It cooperates closely with state, county, and federal agencies to achieve these goals.

One of the association's prominent activities is the selection of the "Cattleman of the Year," an annual award that recognizes outstanding contributions to the industry. This award involves a rigorous evaluation and inspection process.

Structure and Membership

The Washington Cattlemen's Association is a voluntary membership organization without stockholders. It is composed of county cattlemen's organizations affiliated with the state association, maintaining close communication with both county and state-level activities. The WCA is also a member of broader national organizations, reflecting its commitment to broader industry engagement.

Membership in the WCA is diverse, encompassing cattle owners, ranch workers, suppliers to ranchers, land stewards, large animal health care professionals, and supporters of the cattle industry. This diversity ensures that the association represents a wide spectrum of interests within the industry.

Issues and Advocacy

The WCA engages in various advocacy efforts, addressing issues such as environmental regulations, animal health, food safety, nutrition education, water rights, disaster relief, international trade, taxation, property rights, public lands access, and species conservation. Through these efforts, the association seeks to protect and strengthen the cattle industry in Washington state.

History

The Washington Cattlemen's Association has been active since its inception in 1926, with earlier attempts to form state-level associations dating back to 1916. It was officially incorporated in 1952 to solidify its organizational structure and objectives. Over the years, the association has evolved to address changing industry needs while maintaining its core mission to support cattle producers across Washington.