3 minute read
Message from the EVP
BY CAMERON MULRONY ICA Executive Vice President
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Iam sure as you read this, you thought of every time your parent or grandparent spoke that phrase. It is just as true today as the first time it was ringing across your ear drums.
As we look at our industry and the changes across our state, I continue to look and think, “We can’t help those that won’t help themselves”. The population is changing and becoming more and more distanced from the land, agriculture, and from the very things that maintain life.
Our industry itself is not always immune from this. From time to time, opportunities are presented in our local communities, statewide events, and even at times national level, where producers have the opportunity to tell our story in a way that is beneficial to our own operation, as well as our entire industry. We need to continue to tell our stories and create opportunities to help ourselves! The media continues to cast shade on our industry through the climate change discussion. Our association has been working with our partners to send the message of the benefits of cattle grazing on both soil health and our environment. Public perception then becomes reality when there is no attention given to the other side of the issue.
I have been told since I was young, and again from time to time as I have gown older, “If you do something good, you don’t have to tell people- they will see it.” I believe this to still be true, but the problem lies in the fact that no one is looking. We are going to have to shamelessly brag on ourselves, our industry, and our successes or no one will notice.
Idaho Cattle Association’s longtime partner, the Idaho Range Land Resources Commission (IRRC), recently completed a statewide survey on acceptable uses of rangelands. When it came to our industry, the number of respondents who marked “Don’t Know” continues to increase. Our new neighbors who have moved to our rural and ranching communities, either from out of state or elsewhere in Idaho, are not necessarily coming with preconceived notions of our industry. However, as they arrive, it becomes our duty to inform them about the benefits of our industry how we as cattlemen, are good neighbors and stewards of the land. We are standing at the trough each time we meet a recently landed Idahoan, and if we handle it correctly and drink a bit (tell our story), we are helping ourselves and our industry. We can quickly change an “unknown” to an ally if we will take this opportunity to help ourselves.
Again, perception becomes reality- if you can not see the good, or at times have it pointed out to you, the change in perception may become err to the negative, even in your own back yard.
When you are led to the water, take a drink! And by drink, I mean introduce yourselves, tell your story, talk about all the positives you (and your operation) bring to local society. Paint the reality of the benefits that Idaho’s cattle industry provides to our neighbors. By helping yourself, you in turn help everyone in the beef industry. Don’t let the perceptions smear the painting of reality. Whether it be an industry development or exciting expansion, we need to tell our partners in the industry and boast to the public at large, as it relates to the benefits we provide our state and citizens.
If the life of a cattleman or cattlewoman was easy, everyone would do it. It’s the hard work and determination of all involved in our industry that keeps it alive and thriving each and every day.
