Missouri
beef brand: recognizing excellence
Jena
Thompson, posted Oct. 2, 2006
 |
Mizzou's
South Farm is home to many head of beef cattle and provides
students with experience needed for a future in the
industry.
Photo
by Jena Thompson
|
Beef
cattle can be found all over the state, grazing the Ozark
hills, scattered about the Northern prairies and everywhere
in between. It’s no falsehood that Missouri is considered
one of the top beef-producing states in the country. Currently,
Gov. Matt Blunt is working on an initiative that will help
increase the value of Missouri beef and give the industry
the recognition it deserves.
“Today we
are charting a new course for Missouri beef, one that recognizes
the full value of Missouri beef cattle,” Blunt said
Aug. 17 when meeting with industry leaders in Sedalia, according
to a press release issued by the Governor’s Office.
“We have the potential to become the nation’s
best and most-profitable beef industry. When people think
of quality beef, they should think of Missouri.”
Mark Hitt, manager
of the International Marketing Program for the Missouri Department
of Agriculture, is playing a key role in a committee formed
by Blunt and believes it is something that needs to be done.
“Missouri's farmers and ranchers utilize good genetics
that produces high-quality beef calves. Because these calves
are shipped to other states for fattening and processing,
they lose their Missouri identity and therefore any premiums
for high quality.”
Once implemented,
the program could bring about many changes for the industry.
“Farmers, who earn a premium for quality, will motivate
their neighbors to strive to produce high quality calves.
There is also potential for more farmers to keep their cattle
and feed them in Missouri,” Hitt said.
The committee,
the Working Group for Missouri Beef Initiative, has been formed
by representatives from organizations such as the Missouri
Beef Industry Council, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association,
University of Missouri Animal Science Research Center and
the Missouri Department for Economic Development.
Brent Bryant, executive
vice president of the Missouri Cattlemen's Association, is
a member of the committee and believes the first steps are
going smoothly. “The initial planning is going well;
we have divided the areas of responsibility up between different
sub-committees.”
The goal of the
committee will be to develop a plan to create a Missouri beef
brand. As stated in the press release by Blunt’s office,
the plan would consider how Missouri can best capitalize on
the high-quality beef produced, the types of marketing relationships
that might be needed, potential key private sector partners
and the state’s role.
“I believe
we are making progress on the task the Governor has set before
us,” Bryant said.
But, this will
not be a simple task. Decisions made will affect more than
67,000 producers who own of about 2.161 million head of beef
cattle throughout the state that contribute $1.5 billion annually
to the state’s economy.
“A large
portion of Missouri's agricultural economy is built on cattle
production,” John Kleiboeker, executive director of
the Missouri Beef Industry Council and a member of the committee,
said. “Missouri is the second largest cow-calf state
in the nation, meaning we have more beef cows than any state
other than Texas. We are also the largest purebred production
state in the nation. ”
Producers would
agree that it is time Missouri is recognized for its beef
industry.
“I believe
it is important to continue to add value to the largest segment
of Missouri's agriculture – the Missouri cattle industry,”
said Bryant. “And, this is a great way to accomplish
it.”
