Does the united States need a beef export market ?

[Ben Roberts]

Ben, do you honestly believe that the five packers that control over 90% of fed cattle processing capacity will be willing to work with a producer organization the way my packer works with me? You have well documented the low opinion of producers these packers have...aren't they going to do everything in their power to crush such an organization? And with their pork and poultry income, they have a lot of power! Not saying it can't be done, but we will have to have a different attitude from producers and government.

Yes I do, today, I believe three of the five would, last year I would have said four of the five, by 2010/2012 no, they won't have to, by then they will control the red meat protein in the world!

Best Regards
Ben Roberts

 

[mrj]

Sandhusker, you harp often about how bad it is that Creekstone is not allowed to test for BSE. How would that testing help cattle producers?

mrj

 

[Sandhusker]

Sandhusker, you harp often about how bad it is that Creekstone is not allowed to test for BSE. How would that testing help cattle producers?

mrj

More sales of beef, some people want tested beef. It's much the same concept as auto makers adding options.

 

[Sandhusker]

Sandhusker, i'm not going on this merry-go-round with you again!

Well, Ben, you can call anybody any name you want if accuracy is not an issue.

 

[RobertMac]

Ben, do you honestly believe that the five packers that control over 90% of fed cattle processing capacity will be willing to work with a producer organization the way my packer works with me? You have well documented the low opinion of producers these packers have...aren't they going to do everything in their power to crush such an organization? And with their pork and poultry income, they have a lot of power! Not saying it can't be done, but we will have to have a different attitude from producers and government.

Yes I do, today, I believe three of the five would, last year I would have said four of the five, by 2010/2012 no, they won't have to, by then they will control the red meat protein in the world!

Best Regards
Ben Roberts

But, Ben, where is the money in the processing segment...

Is it in the action of slaughtering and fabrication?
or...
Is it in adding value by turning a live animal it into a consumable product?