Lessons Learned at Cattlemen’s Convention
Yesterday, I spent the day at the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Convention in Huron, SD. Every year, my South Dakota colleagues get together to discuss the big issues facing the beef industry today. More than that, my South Dakota friends get together every year to rekindle old friendships and enjoy each other’s company away from the daily grind of cattle feeding chores.
Taking it all in, I didn’t realize how much I learned throughout the day until I arrived at home. The day kicked off with Troy and Stacy Hadrick giving a presentation about animal rights activists and how it’s time to stand up and speak out, before our industry changes forever. These Advocates for Agriculture truly did an outstanding job of setting the tone for the rest of the day, and I could see the fire they lit in the eyes of the ranchers around me. I know they make a difference.
Another speaker that stuck out throughout the convention was Gregg Doud, NCBA’s Chief Economist from Washington D.C. Although I was a little weary when he told the luncheon crowd that he had 118 slides to go through, Doud blew me away with his passion, his foresight into the future of the industry and his uncanny knack to make squiggles on a ton of charts make sense to everyone in the room. He taught me the meaning of BRIC: Brazil, Russia, India and China—the four countries that are taking the global marketplace by storm. He explained the economic turmoils of more than just the beef industry; Doud dived into how the poultry, pork, commodity and even crude oil markets were affecting beef prices. I think the entire crowd could have listened to him speak all day. I know that Gregg will play an influential part in the future of our industry.
Aside from speakers, the day wouldn’t have been complete without a cowboy auction, good food, Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament and a magician. The day was certainly filled with lessons to be learned, fun to be had and friends to make.
At the end of the day, I realized one thing: it’s much easier to stay home to work than to travel to attend a conference that help you through the tough economic times of the day. I know a lot of cowboys that stayed home because money is tight, and they feel it’s not worth it to get out and listen to experts on how to handle our current situation. My grandpa told me that it’s in the worst times when it’s the best time to be involved. I think he’s right. So, if you have a convention, university workshop or conference that you are on the fence about attending, ask yourself if it’s worth it to miss out on the tools that will help you become successful in the next era of the agriculture industry.
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December 7th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Amanda, your grandpa is a wise man! But it’s a good bet you already knew that. It is hard to make time to attend such meetings, but we’ve never been to one yet where we didn’t learn something of value to our business. Not always things we like or want to hear, but important to survival and success in the cattle business.
That “magician” made some serious points with his fun magic tricks. Maybe most importantly, don’t be fooled by ‘magicians’ telling you various foods, ag practices, etc. are dangerou or harmful to people, environment, or whatever. Search out credible experts in whichever field was challenged and see how their research compares with claims by nay-sayers with an agenda.
The “magician” in reality, is Dr. Joe Schwarcz, Montreal McGill University, who spoke on “The Age of Anxiety”. He pointed out how the public is confused about various ’studies’ claiming that environmental contaminants pose a risk to public health. Dr. Schwarcz pointed out that proper perspective includes a seicntific, rather than emotional, evaluation of facts to clear confusion and provide a proper framework for appropriate regulations. That may well have been one of the top subjects and speakers, given todays’ use by many groups with an agenda to change what we can produce and what consumers are allowed to eat.
Your assessment of the Hadricks talk and Dr. Greg Doud are right on track, too. It was an exciting convention with speakers giving talks of real substance and value to our cattle industry.
M. Jones
December 8th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
You are absolutely right about attending these types of meetings. We will never have time if we don’t make time. The things we do off our farms and ranches, like getting involved with ag organizations, will contribute as much or more as the work we do every day at home.
December 8th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
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