Beef Tour Connects Producers, Strengthens Farm Bureau and Industry

Agriculture is one of the most rapidly changing industries in the nation. With that in mind, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation staff and members loaded up and headed to Florida, see firsthand how Florida beef producers manage everything from their land to feed to the cows themselves.

“We have a responsibility to our members to educate and make them a better producer and being able to have the resources and the time and the expertise to get them around and see some of the more progressive cattle operations around the United States is something Farm Bureau really does really well,” said Mike McCormick, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation president.

For Ron Melancon, a Hereford/Angus producer and Wilkinson County Farm Bureau member, says he’s on the tour because there’s always more to learn in the beef cattle business.

 “You get to see a broader spectrum of how other operators operate,” said Melancon. “We can share our stories of what we do and then compare and add new projects and new initiatives and new practices in our operations.”

“We all have similar problems as far as stocking rates, grass, drought, and water problems. It’s just interesting to see different techniques they use that might work for us. It’s hot and humid here as well, but it’s also different at home for us with the different soil types and stuff,” said Thompson.  “Just good to network and meet new people and look, every guy that we’ve talked to, ladies as well, if we have a question, they’ve all said reach out.  We would love to talk to you.”

From Ocala to Okeechobee to Gainesville to Wewahitchka in the Florida Panhandle and Hope Hull, Alabama on the way home, these producers were welcomed at every stop to talk beef.

Kempfer Cattle Company in Deer Creek, Florida even raised cattle in Macon, Mississippi where they noticed the benefits and differences in Mississippi grass compared to their Florida operation.

“The soils are so much stronger and richer up there and it was amazing how cattle, I mean when you can grow grass, the performance of the cattle there versus what we could do here in Florida was pretty significant,” said George Kempfer, Owner, Kempfer Cattle Company.

For Farm Bureau President Mike McCormick, this tour reinforces for him how many organizations are working together to make beef production work for the farmer’s benefit and in turn the consumers.

“Our staff and the university staff at Mississippi State and University of Florida are obviously corresponding with each other and talking about the things that we have going on,” said McCormick. “Trading tips on what we’re seeing in the cattle industry, and the more you can do that, the better off you are.”

But no matter where your operation sits, Mississippi, Florida, or Alabama, or the commodity you produce, Farm Bureau is there to give you a voice from your county to your State Capitol, all the way to Washington D.C. Sutton Rucks runs Milking R Dairy in St. Cloud, Florida.

“I think Farm Bureau is a vital tool we as farmers have in our toolbox to try to get our messaging across and our concerns and desires to our folks that have the political role and even be a bridge for some of our anti‑Ag type people,” said Rucks.

 “It’s very important because it’s grassroots,” said Melancon. Farm Bureau is made of the members, and they advocate and talk on our behalf.  The farmers, unfortunately, stay busy on their farms making a living and can’t go and make policies and be there. We know Farm Bureau will be there to address our concerns and speak for us.”

“Farm Bureau is a large group of just everyday people working together to get a common goal accomplished and that’s what I love about it,” said Thompson.  “It’s not just networking through all the different trips and the Young Farmers and Ranchers board, and things like that, but you genuinely make some great friends and you get some great advice from people that have done this a little bit longer than you.”