Jon Angell

Have you ever experienced a Western dude ranch? The feature this month highlights one such ranch similar to the one I experienced.

The story tells of a small family run operation and explains what we think of as traditional dude ranches are fading away.

Like so many things that are consolidating and changing, it almost sounds like this is one of those experiences we should check off the bucket list sooner rather than later. Later it may not be there, or at the least only an artificial substitute of what it could have been.

In our current situation with limited domestic cattle supply and strong demand for beef, I find interesting the developments that it drives. Of course you have the traditional response of a trend to retain heifers to grow the herd, but what is your response as a retailer or beef supply chain participant? Processing efficiency and substitution will rise to the top of options.

Pressure to close old inefficient processing plants and investing in new will continue to be the response. I find these changes interesting and it often causes me to wonder what other effects will develop.

The new Thomas Foods (story bottom page 1) plant in Jacksonville Fla. talks about a half million pounds of hamburger per week with one shift, with a goal of adding a second shift as soon as possible.

The plant will utilize robotics and is all about efficiency, and I am mostly sure labor expenses and problems are vastly minimized compared to what we normally think of in food processing.

Then you go on to its access to two major ports and Thomas Foods home office in Adelaide, Australia, I am sure isn’t about advancing domestically raised beef.

In advancing domestic efficiency, there is a story on page 5 about Emperical. It is touted as “one of the most technologically advanced food plants in the world.”

Once again, this new facility is all about efficiency. This plant’s efforts are focused on squeezing more value out of domestic cattle industry. In the heart of the cattle feeding belt.

These two examples highlight how our beef supply chains are rapidly changing. Between the two, my feeling is that the Emperical plant opening is a very positive development that could benefit domestic cattle producers now, and even down the road when things are not near as profitable for us.

The Thomas plant is one of more concern. This plant makes substitution of domestic sources for foreign protein sources very practical now and I suspect an ongoing problem of domestic production later.

I find all these things interesting. I know that things don’t happen in a vacuum, change has a way of causing chain reactions far removed from the initial starting point. I enjoy watching, anticipating, and speculating how things will evolve. This all plays into some of my news/story choices.

Another theme in my story selection this issue has to do with the war we are waging against the occupational forces and political regime in Iran. Did you catch all of those loaded words and phrases? This war will be filled with chain reactions and consequences to energy, trade, and security/political interests.

The impact on energy and fertilizer prices is already making big moves. The world is so connected now, and prices are subject to far flung supply and demand forces with volatility hitting right away.

It will be hard to keep on top of the wholesale changes the war and its effects will make.

I’m reading where a lot of the ships bound in out of the Strait of Hormuz are being diverted to alternate locations, such as United States ports. If we must suffer rising energy prices, at the very least, the United States will derive some benefits from being one of the suppliers of energy.

Thank goodness in recent years we have moved away from offshoring energy exploration, production and refining.

In fact, the idea of world trade with little consideration of long-term national interests and national security has proven to be a failed experiment or at least a dangerous policy.

In some recent reader feedback, one reader commented, “I think you are too supportive of Trump.” I can understand those who don’t care for DJT, but I can’t imagine how sunk we would have been with the leadership of the alternatives offered.

It is easy to understand why many of us might not like his personality, his tactics, and general style, but I sure do like the results he is delivering.

I agree with most of his policy ideas. Keep in mind he is one of the few political figures that plainly campaigned and followed through on his promises.

I like that.

We are living through a time when all around us we are seeing extreme change in the way the world is going to work going forward. There will be a mixture of good things and of horribly bad things we are facing, but changes are being forcefully made.

There is an old saying paraphrased: “if there is to be hard times and war, let it be in my time so that my children and grandchildren can live in peace and prosperity.”

I think too many of our leaders and ourselves have been too supportive of kicking our self-created problems for our children and grandchildren to deal with and suffer through. I find that unwise and am supportive of those among us willing to take on problems now while we can deal with them.

On page 6, MU Extension announces the release of its most recent custom rate survey. This is one of the most valuable reports that Extension does. I think it is very helpful for benchmarking costs. I have downloaded and enjoyed looking through the range in prices.

If you plan on using this report over the next few years, I would suggest reading the commentary from the report authors on the website. They do a good job of explaining how the rate guide was created and giving suggestions on how to interpret the report.

This is a prime example as to how context matters. Don’t get yourself in trouble by not understanding the report in context.

Once again, I think you will find an eclectic mix of reading in this issue that you will enjoy. Don’t keep us a secret, share us and tell your friends and neighbors about us.

Thanks for taking us along with you and taking the time to read – supporting us and our advertisers.

Send questions, story ideas, criticism, encouragement to:
Jon Angell
Publisher CA
PO Box C
Centralia MO 65240