The Fab Floor glistened as the processing line moved intricately up and down the rows as the Hispanic workers sharpened their knifes, removed bones, and cut steaks to be sent for customers across the globe to enjoy a Tyson Fresh Foods Beef Product. Decked out in a frock, hair net and hard hat, I manuevered over them, high on the catwalk, watching another aspect of the beef chain take place right before my eyes.
It's hard not to think how we are all connected. Its starts with people like me, a cow-calf operator, to raise and breed genetics conducive to marbling and cutability. The calves move through backgrounders, stockers and feeders as they grow to meet the demands of the consumer. The finished cattle make their way to the packing plant, who processes the meat and delivers them to grocers, retailers, restauranters, and fastfood chains. Beef finally makes its way to the table of consumers across the globe. As consumers, we use 99% of the cow, from steaks and burgers to by-products we use each and everyday. It amazes me as I look through my cattle herd, that my family is the beginning of the American love affair with beef.
Linking the chain together, its easy to see: we are all a part of this great industry of agriculture. From the consumer to the producer, and everywhere in between, we all play a role in food production in this country. As I left the packing plant that day, I couldn't be more proud to be a link in the beef industry chain.
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