Chairman's Message

Cattle feeding is a hard business, and it always has been.  When TCFA was formed in 1967, the two issues that brought those original 10 independent-minded cattle feeders to the table were the environment and marketing. 

 Now, 35 years later, the two issues that cause the most problems for cattle feeders are the environment and marketing.  While the specifics of these issues have changed radically during those 35 years, we're living in a period of history where issues such as the environment and marketing are not going away-they will always be with us.

 However, as the past 35 years have shown us time and again, the specifics of those issues will continue to change as our industry continues to change and continues to keep pace with a changing society.  That's one of the reasons we should give all the support we possibly can to our organizations.  They're our voice.  There's just so much we can do as an individual, and it's much, much less than what we can do in terms of working through our organizations.

 We've been blessed to have an organization with a good membership-members who are not only knowledgeable of the business but who can see both sides of an issue.  That is one of the reasons TCFA has been so successful in governmental affairs activities and why it has always done an excellent job representing not only the membership but the entire industry on a lot of issues. 

 Cattle feeding won't get any easier.  Like you, I'm very concerned about the overall, long-term economic viability of our industry.  Like you, I'm concerned that we make the right decisions regarding the major issues we face-environment, demand for our product, competing meats and how we market our cattle.  We don't have the luxury of being able to make the wrong decision.  Our industry is changing too rapidly.

And, like you, I take a measure of comfort and a strong measure of pride in having TCFA as an ally.  I feel very strongly that TCFA, as the active and effective organization it is, should take a leadership role in dealing with these issues.    As our society changes, individual agricultural producers have less of a political voice than we've had in the past and we'll probably have less of a political voice in the future, unless we have a very active, well managed, well advised organization.

That's one of the best descriptions I've seen of TCFA-active, well managed and well advised.  Rest assured your Association will continue to fight for what's best for cattle feeders and cattle feeding. 

 Sincerely:

  Paul F. Engler
          Chairman