California Cattlemen’s Association OFFICERS PRESIDENT
Tim Koopmann, Sunol
AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT Billy Flournoy, Likely
SECOND VICE PRESIDENTS Fred Chamberlin, Los Olivos David Daley, Ph.D., Oroville Rich Ross, Lincoln
TREASURER
Jack Hanson, Susanville
STAFF
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Billy Gatlin
VICE PRESIDENT GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Justin Oldfield
DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Kirk Wilbur
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Lisa Pherigo
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS Stevie Ipsen
ASSOCIATE DIR. OF COMMUNICATIONS Malorie Bankhead
Office Administrator
Katie Almand
PUBLICATION SERVICES OFFICE & CIRCULATION
Office: (916) 444-0845 • Fax: (916) 444-2194
MANAGING EDITOR
Stevie Ipsen stevie@calcattlemen.org
ADVERTISING SALES/FIELD SERVICES
by CCA Second Vice President David Daley, Ph.D.
With 2014 now in full swing, all of the California cattle community has been focused on the historic drought and the challenge of finding (and affording) pasture, supplemental feed and water. The recent series of storms brought welcome relief to parts of the state, although we all realize that we have not come close to solving the problem. In Butte County, east of Oroville, early February’s storms ended up bringing 10 to 15 inches of rain, with the foothills (cattle country) only getting 3-5! With that said, Lake Oroville which is a cornerstone of the California water project is at historically low levels. We can only hope that the rest of the spring can add to the total precipitation. It becomes easy to focus on the negative and quickly forget the many blessings that we have as cattle producers. Markets remain remarkably high. If you are going to have to cull/reduce/liquidate part or all of your herd—at least it is with a cattle market that few of us have ever witnessed. When you see big steer calves sell for over $1100 a head (and sometimes more), it all can’t be bad! Demand for beef products is stable and we are seeing a slight upward tick. If the price doesn’t get too high for the consumer, that demand will continue to grow. Consumers enjoy beef and the export market continues to expand, adding significant value to every animal we produce. It is not just American consumers who like our beef, it is the world! And, finally, I am optimistic about the future of our cattle business because of the bright, hardworking college students I see every day who are interested, committed and capable. They are the face of the future and that gives me great confidence. It is easy to become pessimistic when we see the challenges we face, but it is always important and humbling to put it in context.
Matt Macfarlane (916) 803-3113 mmacfarlane@wildblue.net BILLING SERVICES Lisa Pherigo lisa@calcattlemen.org
A few years ago, I stopped to feed very early one morning at one of the ranches. My parents met me there--(probably making sure I did it the right way). It was raining, muddy, cold and things looked a little bleak. Not a good day to be an optimist. My dad, who was in his early 80s at the time, pulled a paper from his worn Carhart jacket, handed it to me and said… “it’s never as tough as you think.” When I unfolded the neatly kept document, it was a receipt from 1933, when he was just a 7-year-old boy. His father (my granddad) had sold 500-pound calves that fall for 3.5 cents per pound—about $16 per animal. And the cull cows on the same tag brought 1.5 cents per pound for an 1100 pound cow—$16 again! I realize our expenses today are much higher, but if you have the privilege of knowing someone raised in the depression, they really understood tough times! When you were raised in the depression, have seen droughts, floods, highs, lows and everything in between, it certainly gives perspective. Look at the current markets, the demand, the export opportunities and the bright future of the next generation. As Dad said, we don’t have it as tough as we think. Life is not about avoiding the ruts in the road. Life is the ruts in the road. It is how you navigate them that counts. As always, you have a great CCA staff committed to working to solve your issues and promote the viability of the California cattle community. I know they welcome your calls, and if I can be of any assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me or one of your CCA officers.
SERVING CALIFORNIA BEEF PRODUCERS SINCE 1917 Bolded names and businesses in editorial represent only current members of the California Cattlmen’s Association or California CattleWomen, Inc. For questions about your membership status, contact the CCA office at (916) 444-0845. The California Cattleman is published monthly except July/August is combined by the California Cattlemen’s Association, 1221 H Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, for $20/year, or as part of the annual membership dues. All material and photos within may not be reproduced without permission from publisher. National Advertising Group: The Cattle Connection/The Powell Group, 4162-B Carmichael Ct, Montgomer, AL 36106, (334) 271-6100. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: California Cattleman, 1221 H Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
4 California Cattleman March 2014