Opinion
Legendary Coach K once advised, “Be as tough as your mothers.” This message resonates deeply with those of us who grew up as farm kids, where our mothers proved to be the unsung heroes of our upbringing.
For the past 40 years, we’ve heard an ongoing less meat equals better health. The pragmatic evidence doesn’t support that claim.
While financial well-being is a function of the market, it is also a function of the availability of grass for grazing cattle. Both define the cattle cycle. Furthermore, grazing is critical for rangeland health.
It’s often in the moments you least expect, that someone is watching and learning from what you’re doing. As a mom of three, I think about that a lot.
The medical and scientific communities don’t always get it right – that’s especially true with conventional wisdom around dietary fat.
The packing industry is driven by throughput capacity and the utilization of that capacity. Packers compete for cattle to accommodate that capacity just as feedlots compete for feeder cattle.
Higher prices means the business now carries more value-at-risk than ever. Producers are encouraged to be increasingly proactive in pursuing measures to ensure that equity remains protected.
Meat Institute issues statement after USDA asks for more information on possible new rules under the Packers and Stockyards Act.
The market took a normal seasonal downturn into September following the Labor Day weekend pushing the question of demand and the opportunity for seasonal strength in the fourth quarter to the forefront.
Bigger weights, more days on feed, improved quality – they’re all part of a longer-run story. None of that’s likely to change. Once productivity and quality gains occur, it’s hard to ever go back.
The packing industry is much more complicated than a plant’s slaughter capacity alone. Capacity, economies of scale, labor, and debt are all critical to financial success.
The gray wolves relocated from Oregon to Colorado have a lengthy rap sheet. Maybe the secret reintroduction ceremony included a secret clemency grant from the Governor.
When making business and life decisions, energy should be spent on something meaningful, useful and productive.
Higher prices means the business now carries more equity-at-risk than ever. Producers are encouraged to be increasingly proactive in pursuing measures to ensure that equity remains protected.
Food price is real. Ask any American about their budget for groceries. However, there is another part to this story that is rarely mentioned in these news stories – the cost to produce food.
Protectionists believe international trade is the peril of the beef industry. However, it incentivizes and enables U.S. producers to take full advantage of specialization and benefit from the respective ability to produce high-quality beef.
Consistently opposing new traceability measures without proposing viable alternatives does not contribute to solving the broader issue of disease prevention and management.
Futures markets have always been a source of consternation. The reason for angst generally falls on the speculators, but that blame is often misplaced.
Just as analysts use daily reported prices to assess markets, we also rely on the government’s reporting of the state of the economy. That’s not always helpful when trying to assess the outlook for consumer demand in the face of record high beef prices.
Are you prioritizing your time on what’s best for your life and business? Or just burning daylight?
When discussing imports, it’s important to remember consumer demand is the difference maker. Consumers are the business.
As parents we get these glittering moments of watching our children grow and become independent. While it’s all that we hoped they would become, it still is bittersweet.
While I do not need the government to tell me how the cost of living has increased, the most recent data for July is now available. To be honest, I question whether the officially reported inflation figures align with what we are experiencing.
“Is this a buffalo?” asked a young 20-ish fairgoer as he stood before the Grand Champion Market Steer in the Hall of Champions at the Illinois State Fair. He looked at me – dead serious – awaiting my response.
Wherever there’s group think, there’s never much room for thoughtfulness.
When any government agency starts the rule-making process, particularly when it concerns markets, it is time to pay attention.
Productivity gains for cattle/beef are driving the industry’s competitive position – generating more dollars than ever.
The sale price of many western ranches is often not linked to their ability to support cattle production with quality forage and water resources, but rather their beauty and recreational benefits.
Farmers and ranchers are battling a “vegan mandate” as new anti-agriculture ballot initiatives go before voters in Denver and California this November.
Beef’s story since 1998 is nothing short of incredible, and across the breadth of the business and time, there’s one common thread…your checkoff.