Preparing Future Leaders for the Beef Industry Continued...

Have Sales and Networking Skills: As unappealing as “sales” jobs appear to be for most young people, it’s amazing that nearly every occupation (with the possible exception of manual labor jobs) requires skills in “selling”. These skills can be developed by young people if they build a network of contacts in the industry. Join, be active in, and work with an industry association, organization, or group. In addition to learning how to “sell” yourself, these opportunities can enhance information sharing, teamwork, and collaboration.

Leaders for the Beef Industry Continued...

unappealing as people, it’s h the possible skills in “selling”. people if they build Join, be active in, and organization, or group. yourself, these haring, teamwork, becoming computer-generated data. analysis and rarely done, making. General skills in data using Unfortunately, limited collected today compared industry moves slowly, it is intimately understand includes learning rounder/stocker/ food service sectors, other. extremely volatile to be vital to includes how management, and More market time in history –future.

Acquire Database Skills: Cattlemen are becoming swamped with information and computer-generated data. Though data can be simple to collect, the analysis and evaluation of data is more difficult and rarely done, including using data to in decision making. General computer proficiency should complement skills in compiling, summarizing, and interpreting data using spreadsheets and database software. Unfortunately, limited value is being extracted from data collected today compared to what is ultimately possible.

Understand Planning and Supervision: For a variety of reasons, there has been strong interest in recent years by non-beef industry participants to develop and implement business and marketing plans for potential beef cattle operations. Industry newcomers are seeking young individuals who have the ability to plan and execute while also supervising others. During the summertime don’t just work in manual labor jobs and learn only animal husbandry skills. Become competent in interpersonal interaction and the oversight of employees. Supervisory skills can’t be taught – they must be developed through experience.

Understand Planning and Supervision: For a variety of reasons, there has been strong interest in recent years by non-beef industry participants to develop and implement business and marketing plans for potential beef cattle operations. Industry newcomers are seeking young individuals who have the ability to plan and execute while also supervising others. During the summertime don’t just work in manual labor jobs and learn only animal husbandry skills. Become competent in interpersonal interaction and the oversight of employees. Supervisory skills can’t be taught – they must be developed through experience.

In Summary

Study EVERY Segment: As the beef industry moves toward some type of integration, albeit slowly, it is becoming increasingly important to intimately understand every segment of the beef industry. This includes learning about the seedstock, cow/calf, backgrounder/stocker/ yearling, feedyard, packing, retail, and food service sectors, including how they interact with each other.

In Summary

Today’s beef industry is offering a tremendous opportunity for young people. However, compared to traditional beef production, a vastly different set of skills, ideas, innovations, and knowledge is needed. Progressive youth should embrace this opportunity and self-direct their education, including building a set of skills that includes proficiency in communication, sales, networking, planning, and supervision. In addition, an in-depth knowledge of the global economy, all commodity markets, and every beef industry segment will be required for leadership positions. Proficiency in a foreign language and database management will also be necessary to ensure success.

Know Commodity Markets: Due to extremely volatile prices for all commodities, it will continue to be vital to understand commodity markets. This includes how commodities are bought and sold, risk management, and management of cash flow and debt loads. More market information is available today than at any time in history –and this will continue to be the case in the future.

The strength of our nation and its democracy depends on a strong, viable, and progressive agricultural industry. And, the beef industry is the largest single segment of U.S. agriculture, in terms of cash receipts. With a major generational transfer of farms and ranches currently underway, our youth are being given a major responsibility. However, they must enter the industry embracing a new set of skills acquired under a new set of paradigms. Today is truly an exciting time for young people that want to be involved in beef production!

Save the Date

4th Annual PAC Beef Summit

Wednesday, July 8th Gateway Civic Center Oberlin, KS

Today’s beef industry is offering a tremendous opportunity for young people. However, compared to traditional beef production, a vastly different set of skills, ideas, innovations, and knowledge is needed. Progressive youth should embrace this opportunity and self-direct their education, including building a set of skills that includes proficiency in communication, sales, networking, planning, and supervision. In addition, an in-depth knowledge of the global economy, all commodity markets, and every beef industry segment will be required for leadership positions. Proficiency in a foreign language and database management will also be necessary to ensure success.

The strength of our nation and its democracy depends on a strong, viable, and progressive agricultural industry. And, the beef industry is the largest single segment of U.S. agriculture, in terms of cash receipts. With a major generational transfer of farms and ranches currently underway, our youth are being given a major responsibility. However, they must enter the industry embracing a new set of skills acquired under a new set of paradigms. Today is truly an exciting time for young people that want to be involved in beef production!

Newest PAC Member...

Born October 14, 2014

Mom: Mary Snell from Gottsch Feedyard