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Todd Allen begins year as president of KLABy Doug Rich
Todd Allen, Wichita, began his duties as president of the Kansas Livestock Association at the group's annual convention Dec. 4 and 5 in Wichita, Kan. Allen said renewable energy and livestock are two issues that he would like to address during the next year. "We continue to have controversy with the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) as far as its impact on our feed stock," Allen said. "We need to get back to market- based competition for feed stocks." Allen said subsidies distort the market. This distortion creates volatility that does not reflect the true marketplace. The price of corn has gone from $3 to $7 and back to $8 in recent months and this has been very detrimental for livestock producers. "We believe in renewable fuel; we support renewable fuel, but it has to be market-based," Allen said. KLA approved a resolution supporting a transition to a market-based approach for renewable fuels derived from commodities used as livestock feed. Allen said the livestock industry has fallen asleep at the wheel when it comes to animal welfare or animal care. Most producers run their operations efficiently, using accepted animal handling procedures, without thinking much about telling their story to the general public. "It is in our best interest to take care of our livestock in the best way we can and provide the best environment for our livestock," Allen said. "That is how we make our money." The industry needs to do a better job of telling that story, Allen said. Livestock producers need to engage all forms of media. "If we don't, Proposition 2 type legislation may eventually drive our food production offshore, our production costs will go up and we will lose our competitive advantage," Allen said. During their annual business meeting, KLA members passed new policy which recommends producers implement industry-approved best management practices for cattle care and handling. The resolution emphasizes the importance of livestock producers taking the initiative to share with consumers their round-the-clock commitment to providing quality animal care. Todd Allen is president of cattle feeding operations for Cargill Beef and is vice president on the Cargill Board representing live production. Allen said Cargill feeds 725,000 head of their own cattle, which is about 10 percent of their packing plant capacity. This production is totally focused on their branded products supply chain. Allen graduated magna cum laude from the University of Central Missouri in 1981 with a degree in ag business. Mark Smith, Sharon Springs, was elected by the membership to serve as president-elect. Smith has a stocker cattle program, feeds cattle, and farms. The Smith family received the NCBA Environmental Stewardship Award in 1994 for outstanding care of natural resources. Smith graduated from Kansas State University in 1976 with a degree in social science. Doug Rich can be reached by phone at 785-749-5304 or by e-mail at richhpj@aol.com. 12/22/08 Date: 12/18/08 Advertisement
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