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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 30, 2007

BRUNNER, ALLEN ELECTED TO KLA LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

            (WICHITA ) – Fourth generation cattleman Tracy Brunner from Ramona was elected president of the Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) during the group’s annual business meeting November 30 in Wichita. Brunner will serve in this volunteer leadership capacity during 2008. Cattle feeder Todd Allen of Wichita will represent KLA’s 5,900 members as president elect.

            Brunner is a partner in Cow Camp Beef, a family-owned business that includes ranching, feeding and farming interests on the western edge of the Flint Hills in central Kansas . Cow Camp 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 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Executive Committee. Brunner served two terms on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and one as Kansas Beef Council (KBC) chairman. He is a past chairman of the NCBA New Product and Culinary Initiatives Committee. Brunner was a member of several broad-based industry groups that made recommendations currently under consideration to improve the producer-funded and directed beef checkoff.

            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 in animal science. Brunner later earned a masters degree from K-State in agribusiness.

            The Brunners have two children. Their daughter “Cat” works for Spherion Human Resources in Wichita. Son Tanner is a student at Centre High School.

            Allen is the vice president and general manager of cattle feeding operations with Cargill Beef. He started as a management trainee with Caprock Industries in 1981, worked in several of Caprock’s Texas feedyards through the balance of the 1980s and early 1990s and eventually was promoted to general manager of the Caprock feeding facility near Leoti in 1992. Allen managed Caprock at Leoti for 13 years before accepting his current position.

            He has served as chairman of the KLA Cattle Feeders Council and as a member of the KLA Executive Committee. He currently is a member of the KLA Animal Identification Working Group and has served on the Kansas Beef Council Executive Committee for 13 years. Allen represents KLA on the NCBA Board of Directors and is a member of the NCBA Executive Committee.

            Allen is a member of the Salem United Methodist Church in Wichita and is a past 4-H project leader.

            He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Central Missouri at Warrensburg in 1981. His bachelor of science degree is in ag business.

            Allen and his wife, Kathy, have five children. Todd Jr., and his wife, Amy, own and operate a business in Kansas City . Krystal is a financial controller for M&M Co-op in Yuma , CO. She and husband Josh Ballah live in Eckley , CO , and are parents to Allen’s only grandchild, Kylee. Another daughter, Katy, works for the Cerner Corporation in Kansas City . Son David is a lineman for Wheatland Electric in Tribune. Youngest daughter Kimberly is a sixth grader, 4-H member and equestrian.

            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.

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