Big Country Genetics 46 Slippers Lane Cody, WY 82414
The State of the Industry
By Justin Tupper, Vice President, U.S. Cattlemen’s Association Thank you to Big Country Genetics for the invitation to comment on the current state of the industry. If there’s a team that knows how to produce profitable cattle that perform under all range conditions and still yield desirable terminal traits, it’s Jimmy and ShayLe! We’re thankful for their tireless service to advancing the U.S. cattle industry - whether it’s regular market video reports through ShayLe’s weekly Cattle Market News, active participation in industry policymaking, or maintaining a herd of exceptionally bred cattle. The energy of this young ranching family is what keeps me hopeful for the future. This year, in my role as Vice President of the United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA), I had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. and testify in front of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry in a hearing titled, “Examining Markets, Transparency, and Prices from Cattle Producer to Consumer.” USCA was founded on the principle that a grassroots effort by independent cattle producers can work positively and effectively with Congress and the Administration to reform U.S. agri-
culture policy and ensure a fair, competitive marketplace. However, increasing consolidation and foreign ownership in the meatpacking sector has eroded the foundation of the U.S. cattle market. My testimony before the Senate Agriculture Committee reminded those Members of Congress that they hold the necessary power and tools to restore solid ground beneath the boots of U.S. cattle producers. In 1977, the number of cattle slaughtered by four firms accounted for only 25 percent of total slaughter capacity. Over the course of two decades, that number increased to 71 percent. Today, four companies slaughter about 85% of U.S. fed cattle, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) . Two of those
companies – JBS USA and National Beef – are owned and operated outside of the United States, in Brazil. It is a wholly unsustainable model for the U.S. beef production chain to rely on such a concentrated number of players, especially when half are foreign owned. Though the industry has been steadily building to this boiling point, three separate events in 2019, 2020, and 2021 served to heighten awareness of the increased level of concentration in the meatpacking sector. On August 9, 2019, a fire broke out at one of the largest beef packing plants in the U.S. The Finney County Beef Plant in Holcomb, Kansas, owned by Tyson Foods, accounts for nearly six percent of the nation’s slaughter capacity.
8156 will be selling on November 13th in the GrazeMaster sale in Nebraska. Big Country Genetics will have more females like her for sale.
Save the Date
Big Country Genetics Bull Sale Saturday, April 2, 2022 | Cody, WY Selling 200 +_ Head
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SCC X/L Trail Boss 814E (herd sire at BCG and sired by Cow Boss) out breeding cows in the Spring of 2021.
Our females are expected to graze at least 10 months out of the year!