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 2008-2009 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 
Mark Smith, Sharon Springs
     

     Mark Smith has a stocker cattle program, feeds cattle and farms in Wallace and Greeley counties. His cattle business is dictated by market conditions. He owns a cow-calf herd and, in the past, has purchased cull cows to breed, calve and sell. Smith has a growing yard to start cattle for summer pasture and winter grazing. The farming business produces corn and wheat.

His family earned the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Environmental Stewardship Award in 1994 for the enhancement of natural resources. He has been presented many regional awards for grassland and soil conservation and preserving wildlife habitat.

     Smith’s leadership capabilities are well-documented. He has represented Greeley County on the KLA Board of Directors, is a past vice chairman of the KLA Natural Resources Committee and was chairman of the KLA Stockgrowers Council in 2007. Smith served the past year as KLA president elect. He represents KLA on the NCBA Board of Directors.

     Smith also is active in his community. He has served on the Greeley County School Board and as a past local 4-H beef leader. Smith serves on the Fort Wallace Memorial Association Board of Directors.

     He graduated from Kansas State University in 1976 with a degree in social science. Smith also earned a degree from Kemper Military College in Boonville, MO.

     Smith and his wife, Cindy, have two adult daughters. Angie works in the healthcare industry and is married to Edward Robson, who is employed in the Smith family’s grain storage business. Valarie Smith is a Western State College of Colorado graduate and currently is pursuing a master’s degree in art therapy.

 

KLA President Elect 
Ken Grecian, Palco

     

     Ken Grecian and his wife, Barb, own and manage a grain and cow-calf business in Graham County. They background calves at home from the Angus-based herd and retain part interest when the cattle are sent to a commercial feedyard. The cattle are sold through U.S. Premium Beef. Part of the sorghum acreage is used to produce feed for the cowherd. About half of the wheat crop is grown and marketed as certified seed.

     The Grecians were presented the Grassland Award for Conservation Practices in 2008 by the Graham County Natural Resources Conservation Service. They received the Kansas Master Farmer and Master Farm Homemaker Award in 2002.

     Grecian’s involvement in beef industry organizations is extensive. He was the 2005 KLA Stockgrowers Council chairman. Grecian is a member of the KLA Executive Committee, the NCBA Board of Directors and the NCBA Tax and Credit Committee. He currently is serving on the Kansas Animal Health Board.

     Grecian is an active member of Kansas Farm Bureau. He has served as president of the Unified School District #269 Board of Education. Grecian currently serves on the local township board and as a trustee for the Bogue United Methodist Church .

     The Grecians have three grown children. Son Brent, employed by Wells Fargo Bank, and his wife, Stacey, live in Leawood with their daughters, Faith and Maci. Daughter Jennifer Durbin and her husband Derek, a dentist, live in Topeka with children Taryn, Petra and Blaine. Youngest daughter Stephanie Siders, who works for Country Club Bank in Kansas City , and her husband, Aaron, employed by Commerce Bank, live in Prairie Village .