Cattle call at the Reed Center

Posted by

on July 31, 2008M at 10:49 pm

I sat in on a Cattle Producers Committee business meeting at the annual Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association convention Thursday and found out some interesting things.

First, the cattle producers don’t want to hear anyone talking about the price that “fat cattle” are bringing any more.

The politically correct term is “fed cattle.” That takes away any concerns that consumers may have about not getting “lean beef,” although fat cattle only refers to cattle that have been fed at a feed lot and are ready for slaughter. Oh, sorry, I mean “harvest.”

Anyway, heard some discussion on ethanol and other items of concern, along with a report from State Conservationist Ron Hilliard on how certain aspects of the new farm bill will affect cattle producers.

Then I wandered through the trade show and exhibition and took some snapshops. Here are a few.

At the top is Monty Baker of Agri-Services in Taft. He’s showing off a hand-made, leather saddlebag that was produced by female inmates at the Eddie Warrior Correctional Insitute in Taft. The exhibit booth had all sorts of cool leather items, including some beautiful saddles.

Above left is Dallas Moore of the OCA staff as she prepared silent auction items that cattle producers will bid on throughout the convention.

Below is a photo of Hilliard in the exhibit area, along with Terry Fry of Agri-Services and a view of some portable cattle chutes on display outside the Reed Center.

Jim Stafford

Business Reporter