History I Purpose and Activities I Officers and Staff I Membership Information

The Mississippi Cattlemen's Association was developed by Paul Newell, a former MCES (Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service) leader in animal science, and Charles Whittington, a cattleman from Greenwood, MS. The two men presented their idea at the first annual cattle field day at the Mississippi State College on May 16, 1946. With overwhelming response, the idea was voted on and passed.

At the field day, officers were elected and the Mississippi Cattlemen's Association was established. Charles Whittington was elected president, Walter Swoope was vice president and Paul Newell, secretary. Annual dues were set at three dollars. Amazingly, 250 members joined that very day and the association work began.

Since the early days MCA has continued to grow and has seen tremendous accomplishments in many areas. MCA was instrumental in establishing the Dixie National Livestock Show which today has grown into one of the premier livestock shows in the United States.

Through many untiring hours, MCA employees have worked to secure the passage of dozens of bills that protect the best interests of Mississippi cattlemen. One such bill is the 1983 Dog Law which made it legal for cattlemen to destroy dogs that kill livestock and to hold the dogs' owners responsible for the damage. Another is the Property Owner's Rights bill. MCA helped to defeat legislation imposing federal land use planning on ranchers and farmers.

MCA also helped to defeat the USDA proposal to collect fees on all cattle marketed to pay for the Brucellosis eradication program. Another accomplishment of MCA was to help create the Livestock Theft Bureau which went into effect July 1, 1993.

After a three-year effort by the staff and officers, 1998 saw the repeal of sales tax on vaccines, dewormers and other animal health products used by cattlemen.  Since then, Mississippi producers have saved hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes.

In 2002, Mississippi passed one of one of the first beef labeling laws in the U.S. thanks to the initiative of MCA. 

MCA has certainly outgrown its forefathers expectations. Today, your state cattlemen's association represents over 3800 members. MCA is facing some of its toughest challenges ever, with such issues as animal rights, environmental concerns, foreign animal diseases and private property rights. We must battle every day for your protection. We are proud of the progress that MCA has made and we look forward to many successful years serving Mississippi cattlemen like you!

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MCA has a long history of dedication and service to its members and the welfare of the beef cattle industry since 1946. Its members come from all walks of life but have one common interest: cattle. MCA works closely with dozens of other agricultural organizations, exchanging ideas and experience in order to ensure a solid voice for Mississippi's agriculture industry. As a member of MCA, you're a vital part of an organization that works with the following national organizations:

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association
The Cattlemen's Beef Board
The American National CattleWomen
The U.S. Meat Export Federation

MCA is looking out for cattle producers in Mississippi while NCBA monitors the legislative and regulatory activity in Washington, D.C. we're working every day to influence producer legislation in a manner that benefits cattle producers.

Some of the issues we're telling your side of the story on:

Estate Tax Reform - The elimination of death taxes is a priority, and MCA is supporting legislation that would repeal the death tax. Family businesses now have a combined unified credit and exclusion of $1.3 million per entity. Using an example of a $3 million estate, the estate tax reform now saves producers $358,738.

Capital Gains Reform - The rate for capital gains will drop to 20 percent in the top bracket and 10 percent in the bottom bracket for investments held at least 18 months. A producer selling 20 bred heifers at $900/head would save $45 to $72 per head in in capital gains tax.

Animal Health Tax Exemption - Since July 1, 1998, purchases of animal health products for cattle have been tax exempt. MCA members and staff worked for several years to secure this legislation to reduce cattlemen's operating costs.

Property Rights - MCA supports the protection of private property rights. MCA favors legislation under consideration that would require agencies to prepare takings impact analyses and identify alternatives to proposed agency actions that would result in a taking of private property, as well as expand access to courts by allowing property owners to file civil actions against the agency that has caused a taking in either a local U.S. District Court or the U.S. Court of Claims.

Risk Management - Income averaging and net operating loss carryback provisions now provide some assistance to cattlemen faced with the cyclical nature of farming. MCA is supporting additional legislation that would allow producers to place up to 20 percent of their farm income into special tax-deferred account up to 5 years.

Local Livestock Facilities - MCA was the primary lobby to secure $15 million in state matching funds for the renovation, addition, and/or construction of local multi-purpose livestock barns. Many Mississippians currently enjoy these facilities, and local communities are benefiting from the economic development they create.

Livestock Theft Bureau - The Agriculture and Livestock Theft Bureau is an investigation unit of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture with an officer in each of the nine Highway Patrol Districts. The goal of the Bureau is to investigate theft and other crimes on the farm, which otherwise might go uninvestigated.

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