News Update

August 4, 2016

Consumer Trends, More than Fads

Trends in the food business affect people far beyond restaurant diners and retail shoppers. They reach back to the farm and ranch to shape the way food is produced, keeping consumer demand for high-quality, sustainable beef top of mind in the country.

At the National Restaurant Association (NRA) trade show in Chicago this spring, exhibition halls were filled with chefs, culinary and other professionals, ranging from food to beverage, packaging to cookware. Midan Marketing, which encompasses the food chain from gate to plate from offices in North Carolina and Chicago, shared five beef demand trends noted at the show.

“There was a clear theme that attendees were seeking regional or local products, sustainable products and transparency between producer and consumers,” said Steve Hixon, account management director for Midan. Trends were identified from topics in common among exhibitors and presenters throughout the show, he explained.

Curious about the five demand trends? Read more in the article online.

— Adapted from a release by Hannah Johlman, Certified Angus Beef LLC.

What Food Companies Expect

Today’s consumers want to know what’s in their food, who’s producing it, how it’s produced and how it will impact their health. It’s a new day where transparency is no longer optional; it’s expected.

The latest research from The Center for Food Integrity (CFI) shows that food companies, many that have made dramatic shifts to meet consumer demand, are held most responsible.

Featuring The Hershey Co., Campbell Soup Co. and CFI consumer research, a complimentary one-hour webinar on Wed., Aug. 17, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. CDT, will explore both companies’ transparency initiatives, consumer expectations and what this transparency revolution means for the supply chain when it comes to earning trust.

Participants will come away with a better understanding of why transparency matters and specific strategies to put transparency into action.

For more information, view the news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Jana McGuire, The Center for Food Integrity.

TSCRA Policy Conference

The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) will host its annual Policy Conference Sept. 28-30 at the Sheraton Austin at the Capitol in Austin, Texas.

The conference will offer TSCRA members and guests the opportunity to participate in a broad range of sessions highlighting the intersection between ranching and public policy. Participants will include ranchers, academics and public policy makers.

Evan Smith, editor-in-chief and CEO, Texas Tribune, will be the featured speaker at the opening general session of the meeting. Smith will provide an in-depth look into Texas politics and give a forecast on the upcoming 85th Texas Legislative Session.

For more information, view the TSCRA news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Laramie Adams, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.

Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees

Sand County Foundation, in partnership with the North Dakota Grazing Lands Coalition, North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts and the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association (NDSA), is proud to announce the launch of the Leopold Conservation Award Program in North Dakota. Applications are now being accepted for the award.

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the Leopold Conservation Award recognizes extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation. It inspires other landowners through these examples and provides a visible forum where farmers, ranchers and other private landowners are recognized as conservation leaders. In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage, which he called “an evolutionary possibility and an ecological necessity.”

For more information, view the news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Chris Schellpfeffer, Sand County Foundation.

Ralco Vice President of Technical Services

Ralco announced Aug. 2 that Blaine Hansen has been appointed vice president of technical services for all species of livestock and poultry. Hansen has worked primarily as a swine nutritionist at Ralco during the past eight years and is a seasoned technical leader with significant experience gained throughout the livestock industry during his career.

Hansen will be a core member of the executive staff and play an important role as Ralco continues to grow and develop its technical team and capabilities. President Brian Knochenmus said having a strong consistent technical voice is essential to Ralco’s broader mission.

The appointment of Hansen represents a major sales support integration for the technical staff at Ralco.

For more information, view the news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Ryan Wendland, Ralco Nutrition.

— Compiled by Paige Nelson, field editor, Angus Media.

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