KLA Leadership

The trail of success

     The Kansas Livestock Association is a trade association representing 5,600 members on legislative and regulatory issues. KLA was formed in 1894 when a group of more than 100 Flint Hills ranchers met in Emporia to discuss cattle theft problems and unreasonable railroad freight rates.
     The association fought and won many battles through the early years. Issues addressed included a state indemnity for ranchers who lost animals due to hoof-and-mouth disease in 1915, alleged market manipulation by packers in 1916, the Texas Fever lawsuit against the federal government in 1926 and a beef boycott by Boston restaurant owners in 1928. KLA officers also traveled to Washington, D.C. to obtain an exemption for farm labor from the military draft in 1917.
     Through the latter part of the century, KLA continued to strive toward a better business atmosphere for ranchers and feeders. In 1975, KLA pushed a bill through the Kansas legislature calling for prompt payment on fed cattle by packers. The organization led the charge for similar federal legislation the following year despite opposition from the packing industry. KLA fought regulation of the trucking industry in 1978 because the changes would have been unrealistic for hauling livestock. In 1986, Kansas voters approved a constitutional amendment crafted by KLA and other farm groups calling for use-value appraisal on ag land and exempting farm machinery and livestock from the property tax rolls. This helped keep the state’s business climate on a level playing field with other states and is considered to be the biggest tax victory in KLA’s history.
     The organization celebrated its centennial in 1994, with special activities taking place throughout the year. A book was written to commemorate the group’s 100th year in existence by Jim Hoy, a native of the Flint Hills who is on the faculty at Emporia State University. 
     KLA is one of the nation’s most respected state cattlemen’s organizations. The leadership of KLA was instrumental in recommending and implementing the merger between the National Cattlemen’s Association and National Livestock and Meat Board. Through creation of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association in 1995, the industry streamlined operations at the national level, mirroring a unified organizational structure that has served KLA well for more than 100 years.
     Today, KLA represents the state’s multi-billion dollar cattle industry at both the state and federal levels. KLA members are involved in all segments of the livestock industry including cow-calf, feedlot, swine, dairy and sheep. Dues paid by the membership fund legislative, educational and communications activities.

KLA Leadership

Following are the 2006-2007 KLA Officers. To contact either the president or president elect, e-mail kla@kla.org. Please designate the KLA officer to which you would like the message addressed.



KLA President 
Tracy Brunner, Ramona
     

     Tracy Brunner, a fourth-generation cattleman from Ramona, is a partner in Cow Camp Beef, a family-owned business that includes ranching, feeding and farming interests on the western edge of the Flint Hills in central Kansas. Cow Camp is aligned to produce and deliver higher-value beef directly to the consumer. In addition, Brunner and his wife, Yvonne, are principals in a bonded livestock dealer business, consulting with and assisting other producers in marketing.

     His industry involvement is extensive. He is a past chairman of the KLA Cow-Calf/Stocker Council and currently serves on the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Executive Committee. Brunner served two terms on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and one as Kansas Beef Council (KBC) chairman. He is a past chairman of the NCBA New Product and Culinary Initiatives Committee. Brunner was a member of several broad-based industry groups that made recommendations currently under consideration to improve the producer-funded and directed beef checkoff.

     Brunner is active in his church and local community. He is a past president of the Centre School Board, has been a church elder and previously was a 4-H leader.

     He graduated from Kansas State University in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in animal science. Brunner later earned a masters degree from K-State in agribusiness.

     The Brunners have two children. Their daughter “Cat” works for Spherion Human Resources in Wichita. Son Tanner is a student at Centre High School.

KLA President Elect 
Todd Allen, Wichita

     

     Todd Allen, Wichita, is the vice president and general manager of cattle feeding operations with Cargill Beef. He started as a management trainee with Caprock Industries in 1981, worked in several of Caprock’s Texas feedyards through the balance of the 1980s and early 1990s and eventually was promoted to general manager of the Caprock feeding facility near Leoti in 1992. Allen managed Caprock at Leoti for 13 years before accepting his current position.

     He has served as chairman of the KLA Cattle Feeders Council and as a member of the KLA Executive Committee. He currently is a member of the KLA Animal Identification Working Group and has served on the Kansas Beef Council Executive Committee for 13 years. Allen represents KLA on the NCBA Board of Directors and is a member of the NCBA Executive Committee.

     Allen is a member of the Salem United Methodist Church in Wichita and is a past 4-H project leader.

     He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Central Missouri at Warrensburg in 1981. His bachelor of science degree is in ag business.

     Allen and his wife, Kathy, have five children. Todd Jr., and his wife, Amy, own and operate a business in Kansas City. Krystal is a financial controller for M&M Co-op in Yuma, CO. She and husband Josh Ballah live in Eckley, CO, and are parents to Allen’s only grandchild, Kylee. Another daughter, Katy, works for the Cerner Corporation in Kansas City. Son David is a lineman for Wheatland Electric in Tribune. Youngest daughter Kimberly is a sixth grader, 4-H member and equestrian.