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Ranchers.net

Ken Hughes, herd manager at Camp Cooley Ranch located in Franklin, gives a tour of the ranch during the Young Cattleman’s Forum that was June 27-29. A variety of speakers gathered to discuss cow herds and the future of the cattle industry
— Photo by Mindy Poehl

July 13, 2006 - An 11,750-acre ranch, located between Franklin and Marquez, is home to 3,500 Brangus, Angus and Charolais cattle. This ranch, named Camp Cooley Ranch, is an advanced beef operation that includes registered cows as well as embryo-recipient cows. Camp Cooley’s responsibility is to provide performance-driven genetics, marketing advantages, superb customer service, and the knowledge of a professional staff that will help turn ranches into a profitable venture.

On June 27-29, Camp Cooley Ranch hosted the Young Cattleman’s Forum, in which participants and speakers from across the country discussed where the beef industry is headed and learned about challenges facing their cattle operations.

Producers have many tools available to use in making genetic improvement, but the trick is to know which tools are appropriate for their operations. To help make those choices, a producer must first identify goals for the operation.

“A reasonable goal for the beef industry is to produce low-cost, high-profit cattle that yield competitively priced, highly palatable, lean products while conserving and improving the resources utilized,” said Dr. Tom Fields, professor of animal science at Colorado State University.

Several factors, such as consumer marketplace, structural challenges within the beef production system, the cost-effectiveness of the program and the availability of genetic tools, must be taken into account to determine how to best reach the goals you set, explained Fields. He said there are three primary genetic tools available to cow-calf producers — selection pressure, breed differences and mating systems.

“Crossbreeding is one tool that can maximize genetic benefits by exploiting breed differences and creating heterosis because no breed does all things well; careful matching of breed strengths and weaknesses can yield optimal trait combinations, hybrid vigor provides a buffer against environmental stress; and the advantage of heterosis is greatest in reproductive performance,” Fields said.

However, if the crossbreeding system is not designed properly, it could yield less-than-desirable results.

Fields provided four primary reasons crossbreeding systems might fail: 1. The overuse of independent cattle breeds that have too much in them, such as milk, birth weight, mature size, etc.; 2. Using a system that is too complicated or not implemented in a systematic way; 3. Seedstock producers’ failing to develop the expertise and a service orientation to assist in developing a good crossing system; and 4. Using poor-quality bulls.

Fields discussed the future of the beef industry.

“The good news is that the bad news is wrong,” he said.

Fields believes 2007 will be a time of strong business expansion. The main reasons for this growth, he noted, are the demographics of U.S. consumers, predicted low interest rates and the incredible productivity of the U.S. workforce.

Fields mentioned the importance of lowering taxes and of government deregulation.

“Freedom is the main spring of economic prosperity,” Fields emphasized. “For the cattle industry, that means the golden age of the American beef industry is in front of us, not behind us. Good things do not come without hard work, and not one of us is doing this by ourselves.”

Joe Fuller, vice-president of marketing with Camp Cooley discussed a variety of topics.

“Agricultural trade exports are forecasted to reach $64.5 billion this year - that’s 25 percent more than in 2000,” Fuller stated.

He pointed out that 95 percent of the world’s population lives outside of the United States, which means, “95 percent of our potential customers cannot be reached through domestic sales,”
Fuller said. “We are experiencing unprecedented change in the beef industry. We can either direct it, or let it direct us.”

Troy Marshall, editor of Seed Stock Digest said, “It is time that we stand up for what we do well - care for our natural resources, raise strong, hardworking families and produce safe, healthy food for the world. It is time that we learn to stand up against misinformed consumers who are scared into believing that food is contaminated because of our production techniques.”

The greatest risk of food-borne illness lies beyond the production phase. Food-borne illnesses are caused by: improper holding temperatures (59 percent); poor personal hygiene (35 percent); inadequate cooking (28 percent); contaminated equipment (18 percent); and unsafe food sources (11 percent), explained Marshall.

“We’ve got to be proactive to make sure we win the battle of consumer confidence,” Marshall said. “We’re part of a global economy, and there’s nothing we can do about it but participate.”

Fuller concluded by saying, “The future of our industry depends on our young people. We must develop an atmosphere of pride and success in our professions so that we may pass on this legacy to our future generations,” he said. ”We need to continue to encourage our young people to stay involved in agriculture, to tell the proud stories of their family's operation and to speak up for a lifestyle that they love.”

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I agree with Mr Fuller's statement,that 95% of the worlds population lives outside the UNITED STATES,but what he fails to mention is..........95% of that 95% can not afford shoes ,much less beef.
The beef market is right here in the good ole USA,youngsters need to know that, and they need to protect their way of life for future generations...........good luck
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