Doing Our Part

GW GW VIEW FROM THE BOARD

Doing Our Part

By Dan McCarty

“Everybody works for somebody. Me, I work for everybody in these United States that steps into a butcher’s shop for a T-bone

The list of consumer demands and desires has continued to grow as an evolving consumer has more disposable income and more free time to think about things like the environment and carbon footprints. Grass-fed, organic, humanely raised, all-natural, sustainably produced, locally sourced, antibiotic and steak…” - John Wayne in McLintock! hormone free–these are just a few of the attributes that certain segments of consumers now look for when

Although the movie is nearly sixty years old, the making purchasing decisions. Once again, the industry character played by The Duke understood his took those market signals and now you can find products place in the beef supply chain and the importance of with several, if not all these label claims in nearly every the consumer. The advent of social media has certainly store in the county. put a spotlight on the need for production agriculture Across the county, May is celebrated as Beef Month, to connect with consumers. Some even make it sound and this provides a great opportunity for producers to like this is a new idea, the spread the message to consumers about sentiment started not long after the Great Depression when many Americans migrated to suburban areas looking for work and the number of people It doesn’t matter if you are a junior with one heifer or the positives of beef and beef production. Not only do our cattle convert grass to a naturally nutrient-rich food providing high quality protein, iron, zinc and B-vitamins, but we can also celebrate directly involved in production the largest Gelbvieh our impact on rural communities and agriculture declined rapidly. Just like any business that sells a product or service, progress breeder in the county, we all play a part in the nation’s economy. Cattle production also provides open space, wildlife habitat and nutrient cycling. Additionally, the in the beef business has evolved the beef supply chain... by products from cattle processing are from consumer signals to the included in nearly every consumable market. The push for increased product we utilize in our daily lives. carcass quality over the past several decades was a direct It doesn’t matter if you are a junior with one heifer response to the desire for a more consistent, higher or the largest Gelbvieh breeder in the county, we all quality eating experience by consumers. In response, play a part in the beef supply chain and are ultimately cattle producers put more emphasis on carcass traits responsible for the beef product we provide. We are the and began to utilize carcass data included in EPDs experts. Take time this month to actively participate in in selection criteria. Because of that, progress was promoting our product or dispelling the myths activists made relatively fast and prime beef production, which use when arguing against livestock production. It doesn’t historically accounted for 2% to 3% of all fed beef, has have to be anything complicated or highly organized. increased to between 6% and 8% and continues to grow. We all have that friend that texts us from a steak house asking what cut they should order. Answer that text and thank them for choosing beef! F