Mythbuster Monday says where there is a will, there is a way

A few years ago I wrote a story on the value-discovery programs put on by Extension and breed associations across the United States. At that time I found 22 futurities or feedouts, and I’m sure there were others.

I dedicate this edition of Mythbuster Monday to all the hard-working folks who manage those programs.

It’s the last day in February and the last day I’ll bring you a myth from my time in Denver last month. In a casual, elevator conversation with a cow-calf producer he mentioned that it was too bad that he had no way to know how good (or bad) his calves are as fed steers and heifers. He does all his homework picking bulls and caring for the cows and after the critters leave the salebarn, the only thing he knows is how they sold there.

That’s sort of like building a house and never getting to live in it, or teaching your child all the lines to the school play without watching the performance. It’s like planting your crops and, okay, okay—you get the idea. Nobody likes to work hard toward an end without getting to see the final results. If you fall into that camp, this post is for you. Continue reading “Three ways to learn about what you produce”

Mythbuster Monday addresses a common issue

“They’re only trying to flatter us,” I remind myself as I bust this myth yet again. It’s one I tackle at every industry event and during lots of ranch visits and at every church potluck, on every airplane ride and at nearly every community gathering. In short, it’s probably the most common one we get.

The beginning is always very similar to how it came up at the Cattle Industry Convention earlier this month:

“I’ve got to give you Certified Angus Beef folks credit,” an industry professional said. “Your beef is everywhere from the high-end steakhouses to Burger King and now McDonald’s.”

Oh, noooooo. Must think fast. He believes all Angus programs=CAB. Continue reading “Flattery, shmattery…it’s just Angus confusion”

When I was hired by CAB in 2006, I was stoked. I was finishing my senior year of college and like the typical fresh-faced grad, I knew it all. I knew I was joining an enthusiastic team that promoted the world’s largest brand of beef. I knew they were going to pay me to do what I loved: writing about and for the livestock industry. I knew CAB was a quality product. (They fed me well during my training!)

But, I didn’t know how much I didn’t know.

I soon began to hear rumblings from classmates, neighbors back home and even my own family, like, “Isn’t that just a black-hided program?” or “Don’t a lot of dairy cows qualify?” Well, the quick answers are “no” and “no.” But one more thing I knew? Those two letter answers never satisfy those who truly want to understand. Continue reading “A new tradition: Mythbuster Monday”