More in Industry Structure

  • Dec. 19, 2012
    blog

    The Beef Industry Vs. The NFL Model 6

    Today, countries with a higher standard of living are looked upon less favorably; the thinking goes that they must have prospered at the expense of others. The world’s economy and wealth is seen as a zero sum game, with the success of one player only coming at the expense of others. The call is for a new era and a shifting of power from the marketplace to an authority with higher moral standings and leanings than what is reflected in the pursuit of a positive bottom line. Thus, rules and controls are needed to constrain men....More
  • flock of geese - USDA
    Dec. 14, 2012
    blog

    Are You Running In A Pack Or A Flock? 5

    Society will always produce the occasional lone wolf, or solitary eagle. But, in general, we are served by working together. The question is whether you decide to join a flock or a pack; after all, picking one over the other will determine to a large extent whether you are the hunter or the hunted. Both provide security, but it’s a false security for members of a flock....More
  • Dec. 3, 2012
    blog

    Step Outside Your Pasture Gate And Get Involved 1

    Today, I’m headed to my first South Dakota Beef Industry Council meeting as a member of the board of directors. I’m a representative from the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Auxiliary; as a new director, I will serve on the Budget and Executive Committees. I’m excited for this opportunity to take an active role in how our state’s checkoff dollars are used, and I hope it’s a productive meeting, where we can all work toward our main goal of promoting beef....More
  • Nov. 29, 2012
    blog

    Perhaps The Industry Needs New Allies 4

    Perhaps our industry’s failing is that we’ve spent too much time trying to speak with one unified voice within our industry. While it certainly would be beneficial for the industry and increase our clout, the advantages probably pale in comparison to finding and collaborating with those groups who agree with us....More
  • Nov. 29, 2012
    blog

    Checkoff Nominating Process Is A Nightmare 5

    The checkoff shouldn’t require precious political capital expenditures on behalf of the industry to make sure they are not attacked from within. Diversity is a good thing, but the overwhelming majority should also have a seat at the table....More
  • American Flag
    Nov. 9, 2012
    blog

    $2-Billion Election Essentially Changed Nothing 6

    A second Obama administration faces some daunting issues. With a $2-billion political campaign now ended, the power structure remains unchanged, with Democrats controlling the White House and the U.S. Senate. It also leaves a nation sharply divided among racial and ideological lines; that’s not a set of circumstances conducive to compromise....More
  • JBS Purchases Canada's XL Foods
    Nov. 2, 2012
    blog

    JBS’s Canada Move Cements Its Beef Dominance

    The acquisition of XL Foods by JBS is likely to mean that the readjustment of the big four packers appears to have found an equilibrium. I don't expect we'll see much change in this hierarchy until something dramatically alters the economics of the business for another player to emerge and/or replace another....More
  • Beef Producer Using Antibiotics On Calf
    Oct. 19, 2012
    blog

    A “What If” Question On Antibiotics

    Consumers Union is recommending that all supermarkets move toward offering only meat and poultry raised without antibiotics. But broad, sweeping recommendations such as these simply sound appealing to the uninformed. If treated calves can’t be marketed for consumption, what does CR suggest we do with them?...More
  • Beef Industry Discusses Next Front Burner Issues
    Oct. 19, 2012
    blog

    What Are The Next Beef Industry Front Burner Issues? 5

    Drought, shrinking supplies, more costly inputs, consolidation – these are all big areas of current concern. But history and logic tell us it will rain again, cattle numbers will expand, market equilibrium will return, and margin considerations will once again be paramount to profitability. But what other big drivers are out there that we should be contemplating?...More
  • Sep. 21, 2012
    blog

    Heavier Carcasses Minimize Effect Of Low Cattle Numbers

    As the beef industry counters shrinking cattle numbers with more pounds per animal, the all-important question is: How much bigger and heavier can fed cattle get? At what point does it become physiologically impossible or economically impractical to do this?...More

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