CALF_News_December_2019_January_2020

28 CALF News • December 2019 | January 2020 • www.calfnews.net By Larry Stalcup Contributing Editor D on’t fix that broken record. The message of “tell your ranch, feedyard or farm story” is one that must be repeated over and over to offset anti-beef manure that’s being spread. That was the theme at October’s Texas Cattle Feeders Convention (TCFA) in Fort Worth. Fake claims about beef ’s impact on health, fake claims of beef ’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emission, fake media and fake beef were hot topics. But nothing was fake about the factual information on beef safety, quality, promotion and research pre- sented by numerous speakers. Guest speakers included a wound- up Karl Rove, the brains behind the successful George W. Bush presidential campaigns. Also on the program was National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Jennifer Houston, whose update on promising beef promo- tion and marketing were welcomed during what was then a depressed market. TCFA has never balked at having speakers who cut to the chase. Rove and Jim Messina, a Democratic strategist who helped Barack Obama stay elected in 2012, faced off in a serious, but comi- cal debate. While digging at each other on why Donald Trump will or will not get re-elected, both had good advice for the beef industry and its communication with unfriendly forces. To offset false claims that cattle hurt the environment, Rove encouraged pro- ducers and feeders to ask environmental activists,“What is your beef with beef? Remind them the U.S. is the only major country that is reducing greenhouse gases (GHG). And as opponents of the Green New Deal, go head-on with them. What is the cost in jobs, the economy, etc.?” Messina said Demo- cratic candidates who lean toward more strict environmental policy “should shut up and listen” to livestock producers and farmers.“There needs to be more non-political discus- sion,” he said.“Everyone loves their hamburgers.” Raising the ‘steaks’ on nutrition A panel of dieticians, ag academics and fitness specialists discussed beef ’s importance in a proper diet.“The public has questions on how food is raised,” said panel moderator Shalene McNeill, NCBA executive director of Human Nutrition Research.“Beef ’s place on the plate will always be a challenge.” Amy Miller, registered dietician and president of Farmer’s Daughter Con- sulting, stressed that most consumers remain uninformed about cattle produc- tion.“I’m an advocate for farmers and ranchers. It’s not hard for me to get in the fight mode for food,” she said. “Most of what cattle eat is what humans can’t eat. People don’t know this. However, consumers trust farmers. Farmers need to share their stories with them. Your most powerful tool is a great story. Share more of your expertise.” New TCFA Chairman Paul Defoor, left, congratulated out-going Chairman Levi Berry for his service to the association the past year. Karl Rove had lots of laughs with cattle feeders, and urged them to take on anti-beef crowds with facts about cattle and their little impact on GHG. 52 nd Annual Convention in Fort Worth Continued on page 30  Jim Messina, Democratic strategist, said fewer politics is needed when talking facts about beef. TEXAS CATTLE FEEDERS ASSOCIATION