Board Commentary

from May/June 2021 - Red Angus Magazine

by Red Angus Association of America

to Be Better Stewards

RAAA Board of Directors

President

Johnny Rogers Roxboro, North Carolina jrrogers1968@gmail.com

First Vice President/ Area 1 Director - West

Sam Lorenzen Bend, Oregon lorenzensam@gmail.com

Second Vice President/ Region A Director

Chuck Feddes Manhattan, Montana feddesredangus@gmail.com

Region B Director

Connie Mushrush Strong City, Kansas redcows@mushrushredangus.com

Region C Director

Jeff Pettit Sebree, Kentucky jp@noashconstruction.com

Area 2 Director - Montana/ Board Secretary

Kay Klompien Manhattan, Montana klmpnra@gmail.com

Area 3 Director - Rocky Mountain

Aaron Kravig Karval, Colorado akravig@kravigredangus.com

Area 4 Director - Southwest

Tony Ballinger Morgan Mills, Texas anthony.ballinger@adm.com

Area 5 Director - Northern Plains

Steve Koester Steele, North Dakota koesterredangus@gmail.com

Area 6 Director - Great Plains

Newley Hutchison Canton, Oklahoma newley@chainranch.com

Area 7 Director - Northeast

Rob Hess Hershey, Pennsylvania hessfarm@verizon.net

Area 8 Director - Southeast

Jim Yance Columbia, Alabama jim@jyjredangus.com

Area 9 Director - Midwest

Stuart Gilbert Stockport, Iowa redcowrelocators@gmail.com

by Rob Hess, Area 7 – Northeast Director Stewardship is All-Encompassing

Hello from Pennsylvania,

If you’re reading the Red Angus Magazine, it’s likely you are passionate about the success of the beef industry and want to be a good steward of the cattle and beef industries. I’m excited to share my take on stewardship in this issue. I believe no matter how big or small your ranch or cattle operation is, we all have the same opportunity & obligation to be good stewards of our industry.

Stewardship may look different to all of us, some of us may think of stewardship of land or the environment. Some of us might think of being stewards of cattle management, to the economic viability of our ranches or even stewards of the breed association. I believe it’s all these things.

Some topics may seem more important to certain members, or commercial cattlemen, but all variables are equally important, and none should be dismissed by any one of us. We may have differences based on where we fi t into this industry and the supply chain but every member and ranch is equally important in infl uencing the consumer’s perception of how beef is produced.

Ultimately, the consumer’s perception of the sustainability, nutritional value, quality and safety of beef will determine the success of our industry, our farms, our ranches and our communities. As producers, we need to tell the story of how beef is really produced. We don’t want others telling that story for us.

Geographic location and the type of operation each of us has may play a role in the specifi cs of how we tell our part of the beef lifecycle. There are factors that may rank higher in importance in certain locations but it is our obligation to share with consumers what we’re doing individually to care for the land and cattle and improve sustainability.

To some producers, this might be data collection and improving genetics. To others it might be conveying information about animal welfare, the environment and land management. There isn’t necessarily a right or wrong topic. All facets are important to the consumer and will infl uence the success of our industry moving forward. We need to share with the American people all the things we do to produce beef in the most effi cient and humane manner.

As a Pennsylvanian with around 100 head of cattle that operates on several hundred acres, I used to question how I could have a positive impact on the overall beef industry. It wasn’t until the past several years that I realized, what I thought was an obstacle could be an advantage.

Approximately 75 million people reside in Area 7 and upwards of 25% of US beef is consumed in the northeast. As a producer that markets beef directly from the farm, I’m fortunate to have weekly interaction with numerous culinary professionals, chefs and dozens of consumers.

Each of these interactions offers me the opportunity to instill confi dence and pride in American beef by highlighting the work and advancements producers all across the country make to improve quality and to ensure our beef is the most effi cient, nutritious and the safest in the world.

I can tell you, most of the individuals I communicate with simply want clarity and to understand the topics they see and hear in the media. Keep in mind, most consumers rarely get to speak with a rancher and know very little about how beef is produced.

But what I’ve discovered is most important to the consumer is the relationship. We all know how important relationships are in business.

Consumers want a relationship with those they do business with as well. A relationship provides trust and creates greater respect and appreciation for your product and how you produce it.

There’s a small percentage of consumers that might have preconceived notions, but the majority legitimately want to hear from us rather than receive secondhand information from outside sources that might have an agenda. Today, even if your closest neighbor is miles away, through social media most of us have the opportunity to engage with consumers and make a difference in an honest and meaningful way.

Developing a relationship with consumers is an investment of time, energy and dedication, but it will provide a great return on that investment.

To me, stewardship is not only using best management practices with respect to animals and the environment - it’s about being able to convey the truth and facts about beef production in the United States and having relationships with our customers, the people eating beef in our country. n