Sharing Your Beef Story

JUNIOR CONNECTION

Sharing Your Beef Story

By Preston Dunn

As beef producers, we commonly find ourselves fighting an uphill battle sharing our beef story and reaching the right audience. Over the years, the number of people who have an on-farm connection has dwindled. Today, people don’t understand what we do on the farm. As producers, it is our duty to share our stories and passion for the industry, and make sure our information reaches the consumer audience.

One of the problems that we face as producers is “what do we talk about” and “who do we tell”. Some of us, including myself, might post something on social media talking about the importance of beef in a diet or how all beef is antibiotic free. But does that really reach the right audience? Do we really need to tell our friends in agriculture about what we do? The people we need to reach live in an apartment building that has more residents in it than my hometown. We need to reach the audience of the people that live in a metropolitan area and may choose not to eat beef because of health reasons, perceived animal welfare reasons or the fact they believe they are being carbon conscious. They do not know what goes on our family-owned operations.

Here is one of my best experiences sharing my beef story. This last summer, there were two individuals from metropolitan areas that came and worked in my hometown on a summer internship. One was vegetarian, and the other was influenced by her to eat the same way. The vegetarian was raised that way growing up and did not know any different. We invited them out to our farm and ranch during harvest and they rode in the combine and grain cart. We invited them back out to move and work cows and calves. We shared with them why we give certain vaccinations to keep animals healthy, we showed them how we work cattle in a calm fashion and how they cooperate with us. We also invited them to our 4-H carcass show, which was an eye opener for them. They really enjoyed learning about quality and yield grading and being able to see the product.

We never told them they were wrong for being vegetarian. We never forced our opinions on them because they have their own. We shared with them a glimpse of the agriculture industry and gave reason and insight about topics in agriculture. We answered their many questions. By seeing agriculture firsthand, they began to understand our passion for feeding people.

Taking the time to teach people that are far different from us is a challenge we need to take on. As beef producers, we need to reach the correct audience and share our beef story. F

Jake Renner Member & Youth Activities Coordinator 303-465-2333 • jake@gelbvieh.org Andrea Murray, Adult Advisor Kingfisher, OK • 405-368-9601 murrayfarm@pldi.net Lori Maude, Adult Advisor Hermosa, SD • 303-809-3789 lori.maude@gmail.com Tom Vehige, Adult Advisor Billings, MO • 417-772-2002 tbarscattle@gmail.com

Grace Vehige, President (2017) Billings, MO • g_vehige@hotmail.com Alexx Starr, Vice President (2018) Stapleton, NE • lexi.starr@icloud.com Madalynn Welsh, V.P. of Leadership (2019) Franklin, NE • madalynn.welsh@outlook.com Cade Cameron, Secretary (2019) Danville, IA • cameroncade15@hotmail.com Cody Forbes, Treasurer (2019) DeSmet, SD • forbesbros.livestock@hotmail.com Danielle Stock, Ex-Officio (2018) Waukon, IA • danielle.m.stock@gmail.com Brooke Nowack (2019) Bland, MO • victoria2020brooke@gmail.com Karley Rumfelt (2020) Markle, IN • karleyrumfelt2@gmail.com Rachelle Anderson (2020) Jamestown, KS • reanderson522@gmail.com Preston Dunn (2020) Saint John, KS • prestondunnksu@gmail.com