J. Neil Orth, Executive Vice President
VIEWPOINT
CHAROLAIS Our View From “The Hill”
It’s the least we can do
By the time this issue of the Charolais Journal reaches your mailbox, the
registered seedstock sector of the beef industry will gather in Denver for the 111th edition of the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo. On “The Hill”, the bright lights of the show ring shine on approximately 20 breeds of cattle and host a massive trade show and exhibits of virtually every animal found on a farm. Each breed will be represented by phenotypic specimens’ exhibitors believe that best represents their respective breed’s genetics. The winning result is a payday for some as well as tremendous promotional opportunities for everyone and production agriculture. Take a stroll down the steep hill, walk under the railroad bridge and into “The Yards”, the atmosphere is different but equally exciting. The old, iconic, stockyard pens are converted into bright, colorful displays of groups of bulls that will compete in pen and carload shows. Again, the breeds are
non-local sources. We simply cannot underestimate the value of historic, iconic livestock shows like Denver, Houston and Fort Worth to present our ever-shrinking story to the average citizen both here and internationally. Each host large international contingencies coming to the U.S. to learn more about the efficient, genetically superior meat animal production. Social pressure continues to demand that we must do better and we can’t turn a deaf ear. While the pressure to change production and animal husbandry practices often originates from a source outside of agriculture, with no earthly idea about how food gets from our farms and ranches to their table, we can’t ignore it. It is critical that producers evaluate production practices, be aware of the social implications, yet continue to do the right things for the right reasons.
“Social pressure continues to demand that we must do better and we can’t turn a deaf ear.”
represented by the best phenotypic specimens. These days, for some breeds, data is also factored into a multi-person judging system. The alleys and pens in The Yards are decorated with hundreds of posters and banners anchored to fences and makeshift poles, all promoting family owned ranches and spring sales around the country. The weather may be unpredictable and range from a balmy, almost spring day to blizzard conditions. But the activity and interest in the beef industry is on full display. Many believe the tenor of the attitudes during the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) to be a bellwether for the upcoming year’s market in the seedstock business. The city of Denver has hosted this magnificent event partly in celebration to agriculture, the industry that “brought them to the dance” over a century ago. Today, the NWSS is almost larger than the city of Denver. During the 16-day run, nearly three-quarters of a million people will pass through the turnstiles, many from the city with no other exposure to agriculture. School buses will bring hundreds of youngsters to see cattle, horses, sheep, hogs, goats and dogs; many seeing a live farm animal for the first time. Approximately 60% of the $115 million economic impact is attributed to
Less than 2% of the U.S. work force is involved in agriculture, yet we have developed the largest fed cattle industry in the world and are the world’s largest producer of high quality, grain fed beef for domestic and export. Family farming and ranching operations understand change. If it wasn’t for change, in fact a tectonic shift, beef production in America would have been rendered obsolete decades ago. New breeds, new science and technology and an entrepreneurial spirit have been the guiding light for us all. It’s the same spirit that brought Charolais to America in 1934. Charolais beef producers can check many boxes for having “been there and done that” toward improving the end-product consumers enjoy, while leaving sustainable genetics and a sound business model on the farm or ranch We’ve said it before and it bears repeating. If you have an opportunity to attend a national event such as the National Western Stock Show, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo or the Fort Worth Stock Show, we encourage you to show up. It’s the least we can do to promote the best that we do.
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