The British Columbia Cattlemen's Association (BCCA) has been the official voice of cattle ranchers throughout British Columbia since 1929. For more than 75 years, the Association - whose membership is close to 1,300 ranchers - has represented the interests of beef cattle producers in the British Columbia.
The BCCA is comprised of 56 local associations, which combine to form 15 regional associations. It is from within these regional groups that directors to the BCCA are elected. Today there are 29 directors who usually meet 3 times a year. Meetings are held in spring and fall and at the Association's Annual General Meeting, generally held during the latter part of May each year in a different region of the province. The directors from within their group, elect an Executive Committee of seven that includes the president, past president and vice president. Cattle producers, through membership in the BCCA, also have representation and a voice at the Canadian Cattlemen's Association and the British Columbia Agriculture Council. BCCA members receive a subscription to Beef in BC, the bi-monthly magazine produced by the BCCA to keep members informed and up-to-date on issues important to cattlemen.
Funding is provided by membership fees, interest earnings and assistance provided by check-off dollars collected by the Cattle Industry Development Council. The Beef Cattle Industry Development Fund contributes funding for specific projects carried out by the BCCA.
Our mission is to maintain a healthy cattle industry that provides quality beef products to consumers and is guided by strong volunteer membership, environmental stewardship, respect for stakeholders and excellent business practices.
The purpose of the BC Cattlemen's Association is to promote, encourage, protect and develop the cattle industry in British Columbia, in an environmentally responsible manner. Although times have changed since 1929, the BCCA's direction remains the same: To maintain and strengthen the sustainability of the BC beef industry.
Our objectives are: To promote, encourage, develop and protect the cattle industry in BC. To represent the producers of cattle in all matters in which they are generally interested. To work with associations, societies and organizations having objectives similar to those of the BCCA. To work with Federal and Provincial governments to ensure the enactment of necessary legislation; the enforcement thereof and the improvement of transportation and market conditions in connection with the industry. To be proactive on beef issues relating to the public and the government. To enhance strategic alliances within the beef inudstry and maintain a credible, broad-based beef organization.