Looking Back & Looking Ahead At 2026 With TCA President Gary Dering

Tenn. State Veterinarian Dr. Samantha Beaty Discusses New World Screwworm

This special edition of TCA Talk features a New World Screwworm update with perspective from Dr. Samantha Beaty, the state veterinarian for Tennessee. With the recent news of the New World Screwworm fly cases in Texas and New Mexico, we wanted to get the latest insights from Dr. Beaty, who covers the current status of NWS in the U.S., the risks associated with NWS and the prevention strategies that are in place in the affected areas of the country. We also get an update on Tennessee’s preparedness plan, and what steps the state will take if New World Screwworm cases are discovered in Tennessee. As Dr. Beaty shares with us, while NWS has NOT reached Tennessee, the state has implemented movement restrictions and enhanced health certificate requirements for animals traveling from infested zones. Dr. Beaty also notes the important role that cattle producers play in controlling the spread and impact of the NWS fly through employing best practices in managing your herds. Dr. Beaty offers a number helpful tips, including staying vigilant and proactive with regular animal checks, employing fly control when possible and staying on top of wound management. To learn more about the Tennessee Cattlemen's Association and how you can become a member of TCA, please visit, TNCattle.org [https://www.tncattle.org/].

TCA Goes To Washington: Discussing Key Issues With Lawmakers

Dale Parker, the Executive Vice President of the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association, returns to TCA Talk to look back on a recent trip he made with other members of TCA leadership to Washington D.C. As Dale shares with us, the visit to the Capitol Hill provided TCA with an opportunity to meet in-person with Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn as well as several members of Tennessee’s Congressional delegation. The issues that the TCA delegation discussed with lawmakers during their time in Washington included international trade and the need for equitable trade agreements to meet the high demand for U.S. beef. They also talked with Tennessee’s representatives in the Senate and in Congress about addressing the impact of the Asian longhorn tick on livestock, and they pointed out the need to explore changes in laws or federal regulations that would protect livestock from black vultures, which are currently protected by law. Dale also shares with us that many of the discussions the TCA delegation had in Washington were inspired by feedback from the TCA Membership. As Dale notes, TCA relies on its members to serve as the "boots on the ground" and encourages producers to become active members to ensure their voices are heard. To learn more about the Tennessee Cattlemen's Association and how you can become a member of TCA, please visit, TNCattle.org [https://www.tncattle.org/].

Award-Winning Advice On Balancing Cattle Production, Outside Careers and Parenthood

Jessica Young returns to TCA Talk as we continue to get her perspective on how the younger generations of cattle producers are meeting the challenges of balancing the demands of work on the farm, outside careers and raising a family. As you will hear, Jessica understands that being a beef producer is driven by a deep passion for the industry and the vital role of feeding the world. Despite challenges such as long hours, tough conditions, and rising input costs, she views the community as a tight-knit group that supports one another. Jessica has been recognized as an emerging leader through work as an Extension Agent in Wilson County, being named the 2026 Outstanding Agent of the Year by Tennessee State University. She was also recently honored as the 2026 Tennessee Cattle Woman of the Year by the Tennessee Cattle Women’s Association. Looking toward the future, Jessica believes that the industry must be open-minded and adaptable to succeed. This includes exploring different production methods, such as direct-to-consumer sales or seed stock production, to create multiple income streams. Jessica also encourages everyone to "open the gate" for others, acting as a mentor to help the next generation enter or advance in the industry. To learn more about the Tennessee Cattlemen's Association and how you can become a member of TCA, please visit TNCattle.org [https://www.tncattle.org/].

Jessica Young Blazing Trails While Balancing Important Roles

Jessica Young joins us on TCA Talk to share her personal and professional journey into production agriculture. Through the first part of our conversation, we’ll learn how Jessica is balancing her role as an Extension Agent in Wilson County for the University of Tennessee with her home life as a wife, mother and cattle farmer.  Although she grew up in the Atlanta suburbs, Jessica developed a passion for agriculture through visits to her grandparents' farm and by farm-sitting for others. By the time she reached college close to home and initially sought to be a large-animal veterinarian, Jessi found her best path when she transferred to Middle Tennessee State University, becoming deeply involved in the school’s agricultural programs and farm laboratories. Jessica’s hands-on experience at MTSU included working with the dairy, beef, swine, and crops units, eventually serving as a student farm manager. She earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science with a concentration in horse science, followed by a master’s degree in agricultural education leadership. Jessica tells us the humorous story of how she was formally introduced to her husband, Chad. These days, the couple maintains a farming operation in Wilson County, which focuses on hay production and raising registered Angus cattle. You’ll learn how Jessica and Chad are taking the time to teach their two young sons about life on the farm, creating opportunities to build family traditions. While she is part of the farming operation, Jessica has a full-time position with the University of Tennessee as an Extension Agent for Wilson County. In her position with the UT system, Jessica coordinates a host of educational programs as well as offering support for producers with livestock and crops. Jessica shares with us that she views her job as an Extension Agent to serve as a resource and find answers to questions that come through her office. To learn more about the Tennessee Cattlemen's Association and how you can become a member of TCA, please visit TNCattle.org [https://www.tncattle.org/].

Getting Insights From Vendors In Our Convention Wrap-Up

In this edition of TCA Talk, we will share the remaining interviews from the collection of 15 Q&As that we did while we were onsite at the 2026 TCA Convention in Franklin. You will hear feature interviews with three vendors who had display areas at the convention. Our first stop on our vendor visits was to the Summertown Metals booth, and we learned how the Summertown Team utilizes the opportunities offered at the TCA Convention to network with producers to go into some depth on their range of services and offerings, which includes barn construction. Our second vendor visit happened at the Corteva Agriscience booth. We learned that the company specializes in crop protection and seeds, specifically offering broadleaf and woody stem weed control solutions for pastures and hay land. We also learned that 90% of effective weed control is identifying the specific weeds present, a process Corteva facilitates for producers through photos, text messages and physical samples.  Our final stop in this edition of TCA Talk happened on the floor of the Franklin County Ag Center. We got a chance to visit with Dave Green, the Plant Manager for KieferBilt Trailers. Located in Sneedville in the upper part of East Tennessee, KieferBilt produces heavy-duty, all-aluminum stock trailers that are designed to help today’s production agriculture operation. To learn more about the Tennessee Cattlemen's Association and how you can become a member of TCA, please visit TNCattle.org [https://www.tncattle.org/]