Cattlemen From Lewis, Ramona Elected By KLA Members

KANSAS - A cow-calf producer from Edwards County became president of the Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) during the group’s annual business meeting December 1 in Wichita.

2 December 2006

3 minute read

North America

David Cross, a fourth-generation rancher from Lewis, will represent the association’s 5,500 members in the volunteer leadership position. Tracy Brunner of Ramona was chosen by KLA members as the new president elect.

Cross came home to work on his family’s ranch after graduating from Fort Hays State University in 1974. Today, he and his son, Aaron, are partners in a cow-calf and stocker venture. Their decision to sell, background or finish the calves in a commercial feedyard is based on market conditions. Cross is a charter member of U.S. Premium Beef. The father and son’s farming business includes corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa. Crop residues are a key source of feed for cattle owned by the father-son partnership.

The list of volunteer leadership positions held by Cross covers state and national organizations. He has served on the KLA Executive Committee and is on the KLA Animal Identification Working Group. Cross is a past chairman of the KLA Stockgrowers Council and KLA Water Committee, and is a past Kansas Beef Council (KBC) Executive Committee member. He represents KLA on the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Ag Policy Committee and the NCBA Board of Directors.

Cross is a director for Star Alfalfa of Lewis and a past director for the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers. He has served as a school board member in USD #502. Cross has been a trustee for the United Methodist Church of Lewis. He graduated from the first Kansas Ag and Rural Leadership Class.

His wife, Linda, teaches first grade in the Lewis school system. In addition to son Aaron and his wife (Bobi), the Crosses have two daughters, Carolyn McGregor, who lives with her husband (Amos) in Charleston, SC, and Aimee Rottinghaus, who resides in Garden City with her husband (Josh).

Brunner, who lives in Dickinson County, also represents the fourth generation of his family in the beef business. Cow Camp Beef includes ranching and feeding interests on the western edge of the Flint Hills in central Kansas. The business is aligned to produce and deliver higher-value beef directly to the consumer. In addition, Brunner and his wife, Yvonne, are principals in a bonded livestock dealer business, consulting with and assisting other producers in marketing.

His industry involvement is extensive. He is a past chairman of the KLA Cow-Calf/Stocker Council and currently serves on the NCBA Executive Committee. Brunner served two terms on the Beef Board and one as KBC chairman. He is a past chairman of the NCBA New Product and Culinary Initiatives Committee. Brunner was a member of the Industry-Wide Checkoff Working Group that made recommendations earlier this year to improve the producer-funded and directed program.

Brunner is active in his church and local community. He is a past president of the Centre School Board, has been a church elder and previously was a 4-H leader.

He graduated from Kansas State University in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree animal science. Brunner later earned a masters degree from K-State in agribusiness.

The Brunners have two children. Their daughter “Cat” works in management for Abercrombie and Fitch Clothiers in Overland Park. Son Tanner is a student at Centre Junior High.

KLA is a trade organization representing the state’s livestock business on legislative, regulatory and industry issues at both the state and federal levels. The association’s work is funded through voluntary dues dollars paid by its members.