NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Virginia cattle rancher Gene Copenhaver has assumed the presidency of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association following his election and installation during CattleCon 2026 in early February.
The organization announced that this year’s CattleCon set a new attendance record, drawing unprecedented numbers of cattle producers and industry representatives. The annual gathering serves as the industry’s premier event for conducting business, educational sessions, and networking opportunities.
Copenhaver brings extensive experience from leadership positions throughout Virginia’s cattle industry and on the national level. He views his new role as an extension of his family’s longstanding commitment to agricultural service, outlining key objectives that include maintaining successful existing programs, staying connected to grassroots concerns, keeping an open perspective, and emphasizing financial viability.
“Profitability is sustainability,” he stated.
The new president aims to ensure operations of all types and sizes remain economically feasible. His agenda includes challenging regulatory obstacles, advocating for policies that enable reinvestment, and building upon recent progress with tax-related legislation.
“We can’t build the future if every good year gets taxed away before we can shore up our infrastructure,” he explained.
The former banking professional sees his NCBA leadership as a continuation of the Copenhaver family’s agricultural heritage, which began when his ancestors established themselves in Washington County, Virginia, around 1850.
Approximately 75 years ago, Gene’s father and uncle established Copenhaver Brothers Farms, creating a varied agricultural enterprise that included tobacco, hogs, sheep, cow-calf operations, and stocker cattle.
“It was a model built on spreading risk and making use of every acre,” he noted.
The tobacco buyout program became a turning point for the Copenhaver operation and Southwest Virginia’s agricultural landscape overall.
“A lot of buyout money went into cattle genetics,” Copenhaver remembered. “It really changed the type and quality of cattle we have in Southwest Virginia.”
This transition also prompted his family to refocus their efforts. The operation eventually specialized entirely in stocker cattle, capitalizing on the region’s natural advantage in grass production.
Source: https://americanfarm.com/articles/delmarva-farmer/copenhaver-ready-to-lead-ncba-in-26/
