The Iowa Cattlemen's Leadership Program (ICLP) is brought to you by the Iowa Cattlemen's Association and Iowa Beef Industry and supported by the Iowa Cattlemen's Foundation.
The goal of the program is to develop future leaders of Iowa's cattle industry. ICLP participants are educated on the structure and function of the Iowa Cattlemen's Association (ICA)T, Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC), and the Iowa Cattlemen's Foundation (ICF). Participants take part in educational opportunities to enhance their communication skills, strengthen their leadership abilities, build their understanding of the legislative process, and diversify their knowledge of the Iowa and U.S. beef cattle industries. At the completion of the program, our hope is that participants have learned valuable information that they can use to their advantage in their own operation or in support of the Iowa beef cattle industry.
Session Dates & Topics
The ICLP group will meet multiple times throughout the year, each showing you an important sector of the beef cattle industry.
*Please note that these are expected dates; however, there may be some adjustments due to unforeseen circumstances.
January 12 - 13
Introduction to ICA, IBIC, and ICF
Leadership focus: What is leadership
Beef industry advocacy training
*Led by ICA/IBIC/ICF
February 23 - 24
Tour of the VDL at Iowa State University
Leadership focus: Shaping what's bigger than us
Iowa Capitol Visit
*Led by ICA
March 23 - 24
Trip: Denver, Colorado
Deep-dive into the beef checkoff
Industry visits
*Led by IBIC
May 13
Webinar: Beginning Farmer Resources
Leadership focus: Farm where you lead
*Led by ICA
June 10 - 11
Carcass Challenge Banquet
Beef Carcass Data Review
Leadership focus: Guiding trust
Iowa State Meat Lab
*Led by ICA/IBIC
July 20 - 21
Industry Tours
Leadership focus: Building better leaders
*Led by ICASeptember 14 - 16
Trip: Washington, D.C.
Lobbying for Iowa cattlemen on the Hill
Leadership focus: Your voice matters
*Led by ICA
November 4 - 5
IBIC Checkoff Research
Leadership focus: Leadership at the center of the plate
*Led by IBIC
December (TBD)
ICLP Graduation at the Iowa Cattle Industry Convention
Leadership focus: Leading with purpose
*Led by ICA/IBIC/ICF
Important Program Details
- The ICLP class will meet nine times throughout the year.
- Most sessions will be two-day sessions; trip sessions will be 3-day events.
- This program and your relationship with other participants are based on your full participation.
- Travel to and from sessions will be at your expense; flights for trips will be reimbursed.
- Hotel rooms for program commitments will be covered.
- A minimum of 5 steers need to be recruited for the ICA Carcass Challenge (Iowa's premier fed-beef competition that helps support the ICLP and additional ICA programs).
- You must be between the ages of 23 - 45+.
- At the start of the program, you must be a current member of ICA.
Apply Today!
This year-long program is open to cattlemen and women, ages 23 to 45+ years, who want to develop their skills to become better producers and members of the beef cattle industry. Applicants must be current members of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association prior to the start of the program. We will be selecting up to 15 participants from the applicants that we received by October 15, 2025.