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.
“What costs most for a restaurant isn’t the meat, but an empty seat.” That statement resonates even more after rounding a year of a pandemic. But before COVID-19 shutdowns and meat shortages, serving CAB was about competitive advantages and so much more. Loyalty breeds loyalty, creating a demand not only for the product, but the company.
Data from the National Restaurant Association shows 1 in 6 restaurants have already closed and the next few months are critical for those continuing to operate. To inspire and build support for this key pillar of the high-quality beef market, the brand launched #RestaurantChallenge.
As the heavyweight champ in brand volume, retail accounts for 55% of total pounds sold, especially in fiscal 2020. But how is it done and how does it create more demand? CAB Director of Retail answers these questions and more.
“No man’s land.” Select seems to find itself there more these days. This article shares some examples of declining demand for the lower quality grade, and what that communicates to cattlemen.