livestock industry challenges
If beef producers were to give advice to industry officials, what might they say?
(January 29, 2010) - January is meeting month for agricultural producers: producer group meetings, general farm organization meetings, and all the dealer meetings. At most of these meetings, industry officials and other experts offer advice to producers on ways to increase profitability through improved production practices and more attention to marketing.
Independent livestock producers are reminded that marketing begins with decisions about which heifers or gilts to retain for breeding and which bulls or boars are purchased. Providing what the consumer wants is paramount, and all decisions should take that into account.
Livestock producers are also encouraged to develop relationships with their buyers or brokers long before their livestock are ready to sell. Such reminding and advice are aimed squarely at the grass-roots, individual-producer level.
Industry experts also communicate directly with consumers via public relations campaigns, lobbying, advertising, and news releases, depending on the type of organization. They do these activities as representatives of one or more of the various segments of the livestock industry, including livestock ranchers and farmers, slaughter or packing houses, processors, wholesalers, and retailers.