"We work every day...not just sale day!"

Saturday, January 28, 2012

SALE SEASON

Over the next 90 days we'll see thousands of bulls and a good number of replacement females go over the block as production sales unfold around the region. Seedstock producers are doing their homework and providing a product packed with performance and backed by numbers. There'll be a lot to pick from and good ones at every bend in the road. For the record, this cattle market's been picking up steam daily so I'd suggest makeing a plan and getting to it, in so far as your bull battery is concerned.

Wish I had time to attend the NCBA Convention this year. Bet it'll be one of the most exciting and well attended conventions in their history. Livestock events are experiencing record attendance. Good times are upon us! How can we help assure our current level of prosperity? By paying attention to detail and staying informed on issues that affect our industry. Join a livestock industry association, what ever it is, and become involved. Until you do and if you don't, in case you didn't know, we're outnumbered!

Monday, January 16, 2012

INTERNATIONAL LIVESTOCK CONGRESS

I was fortunate to be able to attend the International Livestock Congress while in Denver for BQA Updates. The topics were critical to the current state of our industry and the speakers were tops with the theme for the day, Producing more beef from less land.

From Grass Fed vs Grain Fed to Sustainability, Traceability, and Productivity, you name it, it was covered and covered well. Statements like, "Certified Tender programs are being asked for" or "Water is our number one problem, it will be the next oil" caught my attention. Then, how about the "U.S. will be an oil exporting nation by 2020, and a big one"? Or, "The feed business is the garbage business".

At any rate, it was a RED LETTER day for me and the take home from it all...by the year 2050, the world will demand twice as much beef as we are currently producing. Might I suggest, the train is leaving the station, regulations, politicians, activists groups, and all. It's a great time to be in the cattle business, however, the pace has drastically picked up!

Saturday, January 7, 2012

TOO MANY REGULATIONS?

Our industry is a buzz about regulations and we're not alone. It's rampant in every industry. Everywhere I go and everyone I talk with expresses much concern over too much regulation. Business folks are finding it difficult to grow an economy laden with regulation. I, like most of you out there, feel some regulation is good but where will it end?

If you didn't see the January 4th article in the Washington Post indicating that FDA is looking to take antibiotics away from the livestock industry, you need to go on line and take a look. We could maybe live with a change in how and what we use for antibiotics so long as it gradual and grandfathered so as to give us a fighting chance to seek alternative solutions. Speaking of solutions, those developing and defining the regs are good at identifying the problems but give no time nor thought to possible solutions. The very issues they propose to regulate were at one time solutions to economic problems. Solutions driven by industry research, not environmental nor social whims.

Our market is strong, our product is good, and it is in demand. Let's not let our guard down on issues that could take us out of the business in a lesser market!