We live in what is often referred to as the “information age” but it is good old-fashioned communication that makes me the most excited about the upcoming Cattleman’s Choice Loomix, National Dealer meetings in Colorado Springs, scheduled for Aug 11-13, 2009. In an era when farmers and ranchers are driving tractors while they are tweeting, we are all getting told that we must be online with YouTube and Facebook, we send text messages and emails and all these other modern age communications, it is still the face-to-face discussions that make the most lasting impact.
I don’t think I need to tell you that we are receiving attacks on every front in American Agriculture from environmental concerns to animal welfare to the nutritional content of the meat products we produce. I am reminded of a quote from the late President Ronald Reagan when he spoke in 1969 in Sacramento. He said, “The problem with our nation today is not what people know but rather too much of what we know isn’t so.” I believe that summarizes the challenges we all have in animal agriculture today.
The absolute best method for informing the 306 million Americans who are being grossly misinformed is to become more empowered ourselves and to set the record straight.
For example, how many know that 85% of the land mass of the United States is not fit for anything other than a ruminant animal? The ruminant animal takes a resource, cellulose material otherwise good only for fire, and generates the human essentials of life in food, fiber, pharmaceuticals and fuel. At Loomix, we are in the business of improving the digestibility of that cellulose material which really puts us in the lead in making the whole process happen. From the pasture to plate, misconceptions are running rampant and I find that individuals who can set the record straight are in the driver’s seat.
So while we all may believe that we do live in the information age, I look forward to getting to know the absolute best vehicle in getting our information conveyed to the public - you the people.
Without reservation, I am excited about the relationship I have with Cattleman’s Choice; we are in the business of providing innovation and imagination with its advanced quality controlled products, programs and education. Combine this mission with the people we have in the system and you can see exactly why the Loomix annual meeting is going to be the best crystal ball for showing us who directs the future of our business. If you haven’t noticed when you glance into a crystal ball, the first vision you find is that little reflection of yourself. What does that tell you about who controls your future?
