Sustainability is a new target for producers. While there are no plans to meet these goals yet, there is interest in how cattle can be part of the solution. It comes down to the adage, “trust but verify,” and verification will need to come from those raising beef.
Sustainability is an all-encompassing term for social, environmental and economic business needs. The popular, updated term describes many of the same best practices cattlemen have put to work for generations.
More than forty years after selling the first pound of branded beef on October 18, 1978, Certified Angus Beef continues to deliver for consumers and producers. The brand closed fiscal year 2021 with a few new records and another billion on the books.
In the rapid changing space of sustainability, finding clarity on what to do is challenging. At the 2021 Feeding Quality Forum, Dr. Kim Stackhouse-Lawson offered insights on what can be expected of producers moving forward.
From the moment his boots hit the dirt on the way to the barn, to switching off the lights and locking the door of the Hickory House Restaurant, Jonathan Perry is committed to the beef business. The 2021 CAB Chairman brings a unique perspective to the table. By day, he’s a cattleman. By night, he’s a meat cutter.
Telling their story to the cattle curious was awkward at first for John and Gaye Pfeiffer. Now, they look forward to hosting hundreds of people every year, sharing everything about the beef cattle life cycle and why they choose Angus cattle on their central Oklahoma farm. Their dedication to teaching and connecting with those further down the supply chain earned them the 2021 CAB Ambassador Award.
After the last 18 months, what we would pay for a crystal ball that could help us predict the future! They don’t have any magic prediction powers, but leading minds shared their outlook on key beef production areas at this year’s Feeding Quality Forum.
Retail beef sales during the pandemic displaced much of the trade usually enjoyed by foodservice. Grocery stores and restaurants around the world had their business plans radically changed in just a few days, but the demand for beef remained.
Selling U.S. beef to buyers in other countries means carefully maintained contacts and planning to avoid sea squalls. Adding COVID to that scene creates a perfect storm that can wreck the best plans. For those skilled in navigating the waters, however, it’s just another day on the boat.