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SEPT 14 JERRY NINE(Sept. 9)--They tell me at the grocery store a lot of the beef will say that it is either U.S. - Mexico or Australia origin. To me, that is very contradictory as at the sale barn if we sell Mexican cattle we are supposed to identify them. In fact, we had a set of steers this past week that was unclear whether they had a M brand on their hip or not. So, we went back out to be sure they were not Mexican. We also had a set that probably came from Arizona originally, but still had a metal clip in their ear making some buyers very concerned to be sure they were U.S. origin. As long as that steel ID tag was only an identification for the past owner, then I would definitely remove it, so no one would suspicion anything. And if I branded with an M on the hip, I would definitely change my brand. There is no reason to give any buyer a reason to not bid. And some would simply not take the chance, just to be safe. I am not promoting Mexican cattle. In fact, I prefer our native cattle. But, I do think it is ridiculous--for the difference in price--when the retailer or packer has the option of putting that beef in with ours and not have to identify for sure where it originated. I would like to see the feedlots all decide they would make the packer and retailer identify our meat as U.S. only and not whatever, when they sell their fat cattle to them. But, probably, they would then try to enforce a lot more proof of U.S. origin. Simply so they could keep on doing what puts more money in their pocket. I imagine you may think I am anti-packer and retailer. That is not true. They play a very important part in the meat process. In fact, you would have to admire their foresight to change the way of buying fats on a competitive bidding process to a, "I'll give you a little more than your neighbor if I do not have to bid on your cattle." That there, in my opinion, may be the domino effect that is the ruination of the cattle industry. A lot of feedlots will say, "I cannot do anything by myself to change that." Look at the number of feedlots for sale and see if you can afford not to.
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