Illinois cattleman Willrett elected president of Cattle-Fax
David Wood of Harris Ranch to serve as president-elect

DENVER (Feb. 21, 2008) — Illinois cattle producer Jamie Willrett has been elected as the new president of Cattle-Fax, a member-owned and member-directed cattle market information and research organization.

Willrett is a partner in J. Willrett Farms, a diversified farming and cattle feeding operation located near Malta, Ill., about 70 miles west of Chicago. He is also co-owner of Beef Performance Technology, which provides ultrasound technology as a management tool for cattle feeders.

Active in both state and national cattlemens organizations, Willrett has held many leadership positions with the National Cattlemens Beef Association (NCBA). He served on the NCBA Executive Committee from 2001 to 2003, and chaired the NCBA International Markets Committee in 2004 and 2005. He currently serves on the NCBA Live Cattle Marketing Committee.

Willrett co-chaired the Industry-Wide Checkoff Task Force Committee in 2006, a group that developed a list of recommendations for enhancing the Beef Checkoff Program. He has also served on the U.S. Meat Export Federation Executive Committee (2004-05) and the Illinois Beef Association Executive Committee (1996-99). He twice served as president of the Illinois Beef Association (1993 and 1999), and was president of the DeKalb-Kane County Cattlemens Association from 1985 to 1988.

Willrett is active in the Malta United Methodist Church. He holds a bachelors degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Illinois.

David Wood of Coalinga, Calif., is the new president-elect of Cattle-Fax. Wood is chief operating officer and Beef Division chairman for Harris Farms, Inc. Harris Farms operates Harris Feeding Company, the largest cattle feeder on the West Coast with a capacity of 250,000 head. Harris Ranch Beef Company is Californias largest beef processor, and has been an innovative leader in developing fully-cooked, heat-and-serve beef entrees.

Wood owns a 4000-head cow/calf operation, and runs approximately 20,000 yearlings annually in four Western states. He is also a partner in a farming operation that produces almonds, pistachios, wheat, alfalfa, cotton, garlic and vegetables.

Wood has served as chairman of the Cattlemens Beef Board (1995), the California Cattle Feeders Association (1997-98), the California Beef Council (1990) and the Western States Meat Association (1992-94). He has also served on the U.S. Meat Export Federation Executive Committee.

Wood has won numerous cattle industry awards, including NCBAs Cattle Business of the Century Award and National Environmental Stewardship Award. He was also named California Livestock Man of the Year in 2001, and was honored by the National Cattlemens Foundation with the 2003 Beef Industry Vision Award.

Wood is an active volunteer with local FAA, 4-H and youth sports programs. He holds a bachelors degree in Animal Science from Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo.

For more information on Cattle-Fax officers and directors, please visit www.cattle-fax.com.

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Cattle-Fax is a member-owned and member-directed market information, analysis, research and educational service organization, serving beef producers in all segments of the industry.  A subsidiary, CF Resources, provides research services, educational programs and economic data for agri-business companies serving the beef industry.