Dear editor,

In response to a recent letter unjustly labeling the meat industry in a negative light, I would like to offer my opinion as a cattle farmer and representative of Mississippi’s 16,000 cattle producers.

The entire beef community works every day to produce high-quality beef for consumers. Farmers and ranchers are committed to raising animals responsibly and dedicate their lives to continuous improvement. Through programs like Beef Quality Assurance—guidelines and best practices for raising beef, and by using important technologies like antibiotics—cattle producers are guided by veterinarians, animal scientists, meat scientists and cattlemen from across the United States. Additionally, as stewards of our natural resources, beef farmers and ranchers have been working for generations to reduce water use and improve soil quality, for example. Today, beef is produced using fewer resources than ever before. Most importantly, consumers should feel good about eating beef because of the commitment toward producing safe and wholesome product for families around the world.

 

Sincerely,

 

Andy Berry

Executive Director

Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association

Mississippi Beef Council