American consumers have never had a safer supply of beef, but there’s always room for improvement, according to Dr. Guy Loneragan, professor of food safety and public health at Texas Tech University, At the recent Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville, Guy presented some of his recent research to committees of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). “Our research focuses on …
Lowell Catlett Sees Bright Future for Ag
Dr. Lowell Catlett, New Mexico State University economist and futurist, has been looking into the agricultural crystal ball for nearly 30 years. I remember seeing him speak back when Timbuk3 had their one-hit wonder “The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades” and Lowell used to gallop on stage to that tune wearing sunglasses. That song was a hit back …
Busy Year for Federation of State Beef Councils
There was a changing of the guard for the Federation of State Beef Councils during the Cattle Industry Convention last week after a busy year for the leadership working on changes in the Joint Committee structure between the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB). “It’s obviously been a year of identity,” said outgoing Federation chairman …
NCBA Says Egg Deal Opens Pandora’s Box
If there was one issue that was most talked about at the Cattle Industry Convention, it was probably eggs – and producers are definitely not sunny-side up on the proposed agreement between the United Egg Producers (UEP) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) that would require larger cages for egg-laying hens. “You might ask why we as …
Orange County Choppers Paul Sr. Unveils Biodiesel Bike
The big news today at the National Biodiesel Conference was the unveiling of the biodiesel bike built by Paul Teutul, Sr., Orange County Choppers. The bike was built in partnership with CIMA Green. Today the bike debuted on stage driven by former NBB Chairman, Ed Hegland. Then Paul Sr. himself drove it onto the biodiesel vehicle showcase floor where he …
NCBA Priorities Include Justice and Transportation
Two of the top policy concerns for National Cattlemen’s Beef Association in 2012 involve justice and transportation issues. The Equal Access to Justice Act is one issue that many may not be familiar with – I know I wasn’t. NCBA Government Affairs Vice President Colin Woodall explains. “This is a long-standing government program that was put in place to allow …
AgriTalking With Mike Adams
Sometimes the host becomes the guest. In this week’s program that’s what happens when I chat with Mike Adams, host of AgriTalk. Cindy and I have really enjoyed the fact that Mike and producer John “follow” us around to events all over the country :). I’ve actually been on AgriTalk before! I think that between us we cover more miles …
NCBA CEO Sees Strong Momentum for Cattle Industry
The CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association sees the current status of the cattle industry as the opportunity of a lifetime. “There’s a whole lot of market signals in place for growth in this industry,” Forrest Roberts said in his report to the NCBA membership during the annual business meeting at the Cattle Industry Convention on Saturday morning. “NCBA …
National Biodiesel Conference Opening Speech
Joe Jobe, CEO, National Biodiesel Board, welcomed attendees to the 2012 National Biodiesel Conference this morning. He started out by telling a story about what biodiesel means to him and how he got involved in energy, politics and history. One of the things that really got him interested in the industry was, “I wrote a paper for my high school …
ANCW President Addresses Cattle Industry Convention
Jill Ginn of Texas addressed the general session of the Cattle Industry Convention last week as one of her last acts as the 60th president of the American National Cattlewomen (ANCW). “I’m proud to say that this national voice has had a major impact with consumers, politicians and other cattle producers for 60 amazing years,” Jill said. “In 2011, nearly …