Raising The Steaks

Well folks, the day is finally here.  Starting on Tuesday, September 30, the meat case at your local grocery store may never be same.  Ok-so maybe I’m being a little too over dramatic, but the new implementation of Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL), will change the way that producers market meat, and the way consumers purchase it.

What is this COOL that we speak of?  Country of Origin Labeling has been simmering on the back burner for quite some time now.  The first successful stride taken in its effort was made in 2004 when the USDA finally began implementing its National Animal Identification System (NAIS).  The National Animal Identification System is a voluntary program that allows producers to register their premises.  Once registered, it helps track and maintain animals as they move off the farm more effectively.  Though the program has had its setbacks, there has been some progress.  Currently, 33 percent of livestock farms have been registered. 

So where does MCOOL tie into this?  These first few steps proved that American beef producers could in fact produce a product that makes it possible to trace meat products on your dinner table back to the ranch that it came from.  Although we are still a long way from achieving this, with the passing of the 2008 Farm Bill we came one step closer.

On August 1, 2008, in a 233 page report, the USDA published its final ruling on MCOOL.  This mandated that on September 30, 2008, all meat items produced for retail will be required to have one of five labels telling consumers where the meat was produced.  However, it’s not only the beef industry that has been affected by this, but also meat coming from lamb, pork, chicken, and goat and perishable commodities such as fruits and vegetables, and macadamia nuts, percans, ginseng, and peanuts all have to abide by the new law.  On your next visit to the grocery, you will find meat products sporting one of five labels.

These five labels are:

1. US Country of Origin.  This label will be used for animals that were born, raised, and slaughtered in the US. 

2.Multiple Countries of Origin.  Products with this label came from animals that were born and raised in a different country or countries and slaughtered in the US.  The labeled product will specify those countries involved.

3.Imported for Immediate Slaughter.  Animals that are raised in one country and slaughtered in the US qualify for this label.

4.  Covered Commodity that is foreign country of Origin.   Meat products that are entirely from another county.  The labels for these products will specify from where they were derived.

5.  Ground meat products with product of multiple origins.  The label on these products will list all the countries or possible countries from where the meat was raised and processed.

Feeling a little overwhelmed?  The United States is not the first country to test out a form of animal identification.  The cattle industries in Australia, Brazil, and Canada have all been testing, innovating, and enforcing animal identification systems for several years.  Has it worked for them?  With a few bumps and trials, yes, it has.

This new MCOOL mandate is not going anywhere.  While it will only affect beef that is sold through grocery stores, or about 33% of the beef produced in the country, it is something that is going to reshape the way we produce our beef.  Bottom line:  You, as our consumer, have even more options when it comes to buying the beef you want to feed your families.

For more information on MCOOL, click here.

Last week, 35 national beef check-off programs with stood the process to gain approval of allocated funds to continue for the next year.  Unfortunately, the National Beef Ambassador Program was not one of them.   

“How can this be,” I thought, as my mind drifted back to our summer conference in Denver over the summer.  It was here that our program passed its initial test of approval.  I remembered sitting in our committee meeting room and stepping up with my advisor, Carol, and fellow ambassador, Jenny, ready to defend our program to a room full of CBB members.  It wasn’t easy.  In fact, I was a little intimidated and held my breath for a minute as they debated whether or not to approve our program.  As our program passed, I thought, “For sure, it can make it the whole way through.”

Then our advisor sent us the news last week.  I was shocked, and I didn’t know how I should respond to it.  Unfortunately, it took me a week and some motivation from my team member Caitlin to get a move on it.  But after listening to the arguments, I believe that our program can prevail!

While rarely am I a pessimist, with news of the economy, a cut budget, and hard times facing the beef industry, at first I thought that there was no way out.  As Carol told us, if there isn’t a solution, our program will have to phase out by this December.  I believe that it is no coincidence that as I sat down to write this blog, Merle Haggard’s “If We Make It Through December” started playing.  So our solution:  Do what Beef Ambassador do best, work to make a difference.

Amanda Nolz is the head of the pack, where she is encouraging writing letters and fight for what you believe is right.  The National Beef Ambassador Program I believe has benefited the beef industry in two ways:  It is helping make future leaders while at the same time working to promote beef where the beef community has traditionally had no foot hold.  Thinking about losing this program, I am reminded of the American Cattlewomen who have worked so hard to push this program through.  I am reminded of the work of those dedicated individuals such as Carol Abrahamzon and Trent Loos who have poured hours into keeping this program growing.  I am reminded, everyday when I look into the mirror, of students just like me who have grown through this program by becoming more passionate, educated, and proactive towards the beef industry.  We can’t let this program get away from us.  Please, help us make a difference.  It’s often been said that the best investment we can make is in our future, and that’s exactly what the National Beef Ambassador Program is.

For information on how to get involved, visit Amanda Nolz’s blog.

Last month thousands of Greenhand Agricultural students walked to the front of the class to perform their first duty as new members of the FFA:  Recite the FFA Creed.  Although it’s been seven years since I nervously stood in front of my Agriculture I class to recite the 257 words in the five paragraphs of the Creed, they still hold true to me.  They helped me realize the direction where the agriculture industry is headed while embracing the past that is behind us.  Though just words on the surface, the meaning behind them is embedded in tradition, focused on a clear future, and defines the role that we as producers play in our community, economy, and world.

“I believe in the future of agriculture…” my little shaky voice begins to recite to the 40 plus students in my class.  The first seven words of the creed start out as a bright look to the future.  Why do I believe in the future of agriculture?  Well, for several reasons.  First, and foremost, I have full confidence that we as agricultural producers are working as hard as we can to ensure that we deliver the highest quality product to our consumers that they can enjoy.  Although beef has been a constant, the product line has grown extensively.  Look at how dedicated Certified Angus Beef is to serving their customers.  Through research and integrity, they have remained on the cutting edge of innovation to ensure that demand for their products will not only remain stable, but continue to grow.  Their leadership has set the bar on how the beef community will continue to grow and serve our consumers in the future.

“I believe that to live and work on a good farm is pleasant as well as challenging…”  As I move into the second paragraph, the words that flow out of my mouth, written decades before, relate to directly to my life today.  Growing up on a cattle ranch, I am well aware from first hand experience about the good, the bad, and the ugly that ranchers experience on a daily basis.  I have yet to experience a greater feeling of accomplishment and awe than that of helping a first time heifer through a calving.  Then, we have those days that feel like everything that could go wrong, will go wrong.  Just like that one day that it took us eight hours to pull a water well that should have taken two hours to pull, or the day that all of the fresh cut hay got ruined because a sudden rain shower.  What did we have to gain from these hard days of labor?  How about an appreciation for clean, fresh water coming out of the pump or the promise of a green pasture.  I’ve learned that no matter how hard or how bad the situation at hand may seem, at the end of the day, we can lay our heads down knowing that we worked hard to make the best difference we could.

“I believe in….uh….leadership from ourselves and respect from others.  Hmm….I believe in my own ability to work efficiently and think clearly…”  I stumble through the beginning of the third paragraph which talks about agricultures role.  Through its leadership, the beef industry has worked hard to serve “the public interest” when it comes to delivering a safe, quality, enjoyable product.  It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what the “public interest” is because it varies from day to day and year to year.  What I do know is that beef producers have always worked hard to provide you with the information you want and need to know about beef.  It may be information about safe handling of beef, or the role that beef plays in your life, whatever the questions are, we are sure to give you an answer because we are dedicated to being efficient in serving you.

As I move through the fourth paragraph, I share that “I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining…”  Written during the Great Depression, E.M. Tiffany clearly shows what agriculture did to work its way out of a problem and what our agricultural producers today do as well.  Between private property land ownership rights and the implementation of endangered animals, ranchers have definitely been forced to work with the land and people pushing these laws instead of against them.  We have been able to find middle ground, where both sides can have a say and reach a mutual agreement.

Down to the last paragraph and I deliver the first part, “I believe that American agriculture CAN and WILL hold true to the best traditions of our national life…”  It never ceases to amaze me how much tradition is imbedded into the agricultural lifestyle.  For me, next to Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving, the other three huge family holidays were branding and shearing in the spring, and shipping in the fall.  These three events were occasions that brought my family and our neighbors together where we learned to rely on each other, and the ethics of pulling our own weight.  Beef plays another important role in our national holidays.  The Fourth of July and Labor are the two biggest grilling holidays for Americans.  I hope that you had your chance to fire up the grill this past weekend, and maybe even tried out some amazing new beef grilling recipes.  Don’t forget that county and state fairs play a part of these national traditions either.  As fall rolls around, I couldn’t imagine life without these expos where we can celebrate agriculture in enjoying a cattle show or something different like a hot beef sundae.  

Closing with confidence, I explain that “I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.”  It’s not always easy standing up for what I believe in, and yet I know that it’s the right thing to do.  This year my team mates and I have gotten both slaps on the back and slaps in the face for sharing our beliefs about the role that beef plays in our lives.  I can assure you though, that every minute has been worth it.  Just as the over 500,000 FFA members of today have stated it, there is a future in agriculture and that future starts with each of us in what we say, the products we produce, and the message we spread.