The state of the economy is a heated topic of discussion these days, as Republican presidential nominees debate their strategies to cure the nation’s woes and President Obama offers his solutions if given another four years in office. At the end of the day, Americans are spending more on basic living essentials -- food, gas, health care and utilities. As consumers tighten their belts, they are splurging less on steak dinners, and they are saving more pending a deepening of this financial crisis. How can agriculture turn this trend around? As the backbone of the U.S....More

We’re one month into 2012 but it’s not too late for me to share my wish list for the U.S. beef industry for this year. Topping my list, as you might expect, is my hope that Americans continue to support beef as much as they did last year. For we all know that demand, not supply, will determine how high beef and cattle prices go this year. My other wishes for 2012, in no particular order, include:...More