Riding Shotgun
Random Thoughts
As we travel the highways and by-ways of the Limousin family and breed we often cuss and discuss the cattle business , sports , politics , great cheeseburgers and most of the time , the promotion and marketing of Limousin cattle .
Through “ Riding Shotgun ” we invite you to join us in the righthand seat , so that we can let you in on what we find to be our marketing pet peeves , shortcuts and some of the favorite habits of top-flight professional producers . Grab a cup of coffee and take the ‘ shotgun seat ’— we are pleased to have you riding along .
As I sit here and ruminate the day before Thanksgiving and
look back at 2020 , it ’ s easy to ask “ What in the world do we have to be thankful for ?” Believe it or not there are lots of things . No matter which side of the argument you are on , be thankful you have the right to argue . You have the right to disagree and that ’ s great , just don ’ t let your own disagreement eat YOU up . Be thankful you are in a profession that is also an avocation , you get to see God ’ s plan up close almost everyday . The world would have to slow down if everyone had livestock , if everyone was involved in some phase of agriculture . Think about that word , AGRI-CULTURE . The culture of agronomy . ( I maybe made that up , but I like it .) If everybody started every day watching things grow instead of tearing them down , we would be a better world . And finally , 2020 has taught us to be thankful for family and close friends , we need them and they need us more than ever .
So as you read this , Thanksgiving , Christmas and even 2020 , are all in the rear view . The world moves on and here we go . We have a new start and need to use the past to plan for the future . We know that America loves animal protein and we also know we aren ’ t alone in the protein production line . We are however first in line , we PRODUCE the protein , but we learned that feeders , processors , and retail outlets are in the game with us . Hopefully in a new start we ALL try to make sure each segment appreciates the others . Calves are going be born in 2021 . I ’ m going to hear from excited breeders that they have the best calf they have ever seen and we will be planning for 2022 , 2023 and beyond . So here we go , in the words of racing ... Gentlemen , Start Your Engines !
As I look to the future , I would like to take this space to thank the NALF Staff and NALF Board for continuing to reform and refine the breeding tools we have to work with . If you haven ’ t noticed the new BOLT EPDs and the new adjustments made to carcass numbers , I challenge you to study your lessons . The staff and board spent many days trying to get it right and I want to commend and thank them for holding the line . I think our numbers are the best we ever had and the quality of the cattle show the improvement . Continue to strive and learn .
We are working our way out of several negative things in the beef business as a whole . Lots of supply , a pandemic and an election . Let ’ s keep the faith and work to make our product a product for the future . I think Limousin and Lim-Flex genetics are in the best shape they have ever been in for the cattle business . Phenotypically , number profiles , convenience traits , and structure , these cattle can work for commercial industry , youth projects and progressive breeders . We have a lot to be proud of , use the new year to tell people about it .
We are going to be out and about this spring , please let us know if we can be of assistance , be it marketing , breeding or good choices for restaurants . This is our 42nd year traveling this great country , I have never been more proud of the Limousin Breed , Limousin Breeders and AGRI-CULTURE . Be proud of yourselves , enjoy yourselves , you have cattle to produce , cattle to improve , a world to improve . The shotgun seat is always available , if you think you might want to ride along , bring your bag .
See ya out there . Smitty
CONTACT THE AUTHOR Mark A . Smith email : grgenetics @ aol . com phone : 515-229-5227
20 • JANUARY 2021