Fall is in the air, well not really, it was still almost a hundred degrees here on the banks of the North Platte last week. For as dry as this year has been, I have to admit late summer rains have really brought this country back to life. The gramma grass looks like tiny green flags waving in the wind all headed out. The calves have really put on a shine and are putting on the last few pounds off their mothers’ milk before they get sorted into the weaning pens and have to learn how to eat and take care of themselves. It’s been a crazy summer. Seemed like we were moving cows every time we turned around, and we spent a lot of time in the tractor chasing bales that never seemed to be there. Our meadows were about half of what they normally produce, and it seemed like twice the work for not near the reward trying to get them put up.
This year has shown us a lot. Somehow the American beef industry is in the news more than ever lately. That’s not always a bad thing. For too long we have taken a back seat when it comes to policy decisions in this country. There is no doubt that the product we produce is getting really hard on the wallet when you go to the grocery store. But honestly, so is everything else. Fuel prices and the overall cost of living seem to keep going higher and higher. Something has to give. I am all for supporting American companies, American agriculture and labeling our products so that the consumer knows where their food is coming from. Years of drought have declined the American cow herd, this along with record cattle prices have hindered the rebuilding of it. This hasn’t helped the consumer in the least bit. Beef demand is in the drivers seat and we as producers have to find a way to fill the need.
It wasn’t very many years ago that corn prices went through the roof. Every piece of pasture ground that was flat enough to drive a tractor on was torn up and planted to corn. When the bottom fell out of the corn market, there was a lot of really marginal farm ground being farmed that would have made a lot better pasture for cattle. Programs like CRP have placed farm ground back to grass, but only allow for grazing during certain conditions. We have a growing world population that demands food. Maybe instead of farming marginal ground or being paid to let it sit idle, we as producers should find ways to utilize this ground in a better way.
Less than 2% of the American population feed the other 98%. Do you think that maybe there is a disconnect between the consumer at the grocery store and the guy doing the work in the pastures and field? We as producers should not only be promoting our product, but educating consumers about why we do the things we do. Knowledge is power. I truly believe that if we continue to go about things the way we are, we might be a nation of hungry individuals before too long. The further the population gets disconnected from the farm, the harder it is to help them understand things that affect our way of life.
That’s all of my rambling for this week. If you ate today, thank a farmer or rancher. If you think maybe it’s time those duly elected officials start doing their jobs and remembering who they represent, give them a call and raise a little cane. Remind them that they can be voted out if they don’t follow through on their promises. Keep tabs on your side of the barbed wire and God Bless.