Not forced to love it 

But when more than 500 professional in the ag communications business get together, you can bet there’s a whole other round of learning going on in the hallways, during breaks and social hours. Everyone shared drought stories, from their own experience or places they’d been. We talked crop conditions, markets, cow numbers and politics—not unlike a bunch of producers meeting for their morning cup of coffee down the road, except the hotel coffee was more expensive. And we were wearing slacks and skirts. But otherwise, pretty much the same.

During one of those chats a friend and I were talking about writing for ag papers (which we both have done at one point in our lives) and writing for companies and breed associations.

I commented that I love the writing at CAB, because of the combination of Steve’s background (former editor of Beef Today and Grass & Grain) and our leadership team’s philosophy that make it feel like I’m just a regular ag journalist. I don’t have to write about things I don’t believe in. I’m not instructed to “push” things. Sure, my work always has to have a connection to high-quality beef, but c’mon, who wouldn’t believe in that?

I’m not sure if he bought that or not, so I thought I’d pull this one out of the archives:

Myth—The CAB supply development team just spews Angus propaganda, regardless of the facts.

Fact—We do want you to use more Angus in your herd, but only because we truly believe it will lead you down the trail of profitability.

And it takes a lot to make us “believe” because our team is made up of scientific minds who take a hunch and then find the hard-core data to back it up. We’re not easily swayed by popular opinion. We want to know the numbers, the supporting facts and then firsthand accounts from ranchers and feeders.

Almost all of us come from a production background and most of us continued that early education with advanced study in the agriculture field, some holding masters and doctorates. Heck, our president isn’t just a marketing whiz. Dr. John Stika is a Kansas farm boy, still firmly grounded by his advanced study of meat science.

We have looked at the numbers on everything from how having more Angus-influence in your herd affects quality grade to how the breed has improved its growth traits. When somebody asks us about implant recommendations, we crunch the numbers and then ask for outside opinions.  

We lean on a wide and varied network of university and private researchers to provide us with information that we can share with you.

Of course it’s always going to include talk about quality. We are paid to increase the long-term supply of Certified Angus Beef^® but I certainly didn’t take this job to spew propaganda. I’m sure my teammates would agree: We all want you to succeed. If you want to do that by producing a darn tasty product, we’re here to share with you all that we know (and all that the true-blue experts know) about getting that done.

I get to look at things from all angles. I get to wear a critical thinking hat and talk with experts with diverse opinions. And then I get to share that with you.

Sounds kind of like my first paid writing gig freelancing for The Land. Except now I get some fringe benefits (read: CAB for breakfast, lunch and dinner).

That said, if there’s anything you’d like us to dig into….let me know. I’d love to hear your questions.

May your bottom line be filled with black ink,

~Miranda

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