The Washington Cattlemen's Association (WCA) was established as the Washington State Cattle and Horse Raiser's Association in 1926 in Okonogan County where the first county cattlemen's association had been organized in 1915. Although an earlier state association was started in Okonogan in 1916, it was unsuccessful. E.F. Banker was elected as the first president in 1926.
The expressed objectives of the Washington Cattlemen's Association are to encourage, promote, and advance the cattle industry through education, dissemination of literature and information, development of leadership, improvement of range and ranch feeding facilities, prevention of disease, detection of theft, identification of brands and marks, paying rewards, sponsoring sales, providing for marketing, arrangement for shows, exhibitions and contests and suitable awards, and to cooperate with all State, County, and Federal agencies and organizations for carrying out these purposes. The Association was incorporated in 1952 with these objectives.
One of the major activities of the WCA has been the selection of the state's Cattleman of the Year, selected from the County Cattleman of the Year. These cattlemen and their ranches are thoroughly inspected and rated for the award each year.
The WCA is a non-profit voluntary membership association of livestock producers with no stockholders. County cattlemen organizations are affiliated and maintain close contact with the state organization. The WCA is a member of the American National Livestock Association.
From the guide to the Washington Cattlemen's Association Records, 1936-1978, (Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections)
