USMEF, Nebraska Cattle Producers Host French TV Journalist
USMEF, Nebraska Cattle Producers Host French TV Journalist
For an upcoming documentary on global meat production, French television reporter Anthony Orliange wanted to gather factual information about America’s cattle feeding system. With assistance from USMEF, he found informative hosts in Tom and Cindy Williams, owner/operators of the Chappell Feedlot near Chappell, Neb.
“Tom was very open with us and did a thorough job of answering all of our questions,” Orliange said. “We were able to get excellent footage of all aspects of the feedlot operation – a system that we don’t really have in Europe. It provided a perspective on the advantages of a concentrated feeding system.”
Chappell feedlot is primarily a retained-ownership operation, so Williams explained the main reasons why producers from many different regions of the country choose to place cattle there. This included a discussion of the nutrition system, which is customized to fit the genetic profile of the cattle and maximize carcass quality, as well as services such as ultrasound imaging and marketing assistance, which help provide the producer with a higher return.
Tom Williams of Chappell, Neb., explains the management practices of his feedlot to French TV journalist Anthony Orliange (far right)
Williams also discussed the environmental aspects of the operation, which are often misunderstood by those unfamiliar with feedlots. This included an explanation of how cattle are fed byproducts from local ethanol and sugar beet plants, the lagoon system that completely protects nearby properties and waterways from runoff, and how manure from the feedlot is composted and utilized as fertilizer by area farmers.
“Environmentalists try to say that grass-fed cattle are the solution to reducing the environmental impact of beef production,” Orliange said. “But if you really look inside the situation, it’s much more complicated than that. Producers who use these grain-fed techniques have strong arguments that if you want a less-polluting cow, you need a more productive cow. So we are pleased to be able to gather this information as it allows us to be as accurate as possible in explaining the various aspects of cattle production.”
A section of Chappell Feedlot is dedicated to non-hormone treated cattle (NHTC), which are produced primarily for the European market. This is another of the operation’s attributes that Orliange feels will be of interest to his viewers.
“The recent agreement between the EU and the U.S. regarding import of beef from non-hormone treated cattle is something that few people in France even know about,” he said. “For the moment, it appears that most producers are waiting to see if the return is high enough to offset the higher cost of NHTC. But if they see other producers getting enough of a premium, they might follow suit – and maybe we can enjoy Prime American steaks back in France.”
Williams viewed the film crew’s visit as an opportunity to show overseas consumers the attention to detail required to produce high-quality beef, and to counter many common misperceptions about cattle feeding.
“Obviously if this visit helps promote beef overseas, that’s a plus,” Williams said. “And we want to be sure to get the correct story to consumers in Europe. We know that many times the information they are getting isn’t correct, and that it’s often based on perception rather than science. So if we can dispel some myths and set the record straight – that’s why I’m willing to talk to Anthony and allow him to film here.
“He (Orliange) seemed very interested in how we operate every day, and how involved we are with the cattle,” Williams continued. “I wanted him to realize all the details that go into the daily management of the feedlot, and he seemed to appreciate that.”
While in southwestern Nebraska, Orliange also spoke with John Widdowson of SandPoint Cattle Company near Lodgepole and Joe Van Newkirk of Van Newkirk Herefords near Oshkosh. Widdowson and VanNewKirk explained the business relationship between seedstock producers, cow/calf operations and cattle feeders. Both noted the importance of each sector of the industry providing expertise and efficiency that would be impossible for a single producer to duplicate.
Orliange also interviewed USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng on the role and mission of USMEF and the specifics of the EU-U.S. beef agreement. Seng also addressed the growing demand for high-quality protein throughout the world, and the important role scientific advances will play in meeting this demand.
Orliange interviews Philip Seng at USMEF headquarters in Denver
This week Orliange will discuss the issue of livestock production and greenhouse gas emissions with Dr. Frank Mitloehner, associate professor and air quality specialist with the animal science department at the University of California, Davis. Mitloehner is a co-author of Clearing the Air: Livestock’s Contributions to Climate Change, a scientific analysis that refutes many exaggerated claims about the impact of livestock on climate change.
Orliange’s documentary is scheduled to air on Canal+ – a Paris-based television network with a format similar to HBO – in December 2010. His research for the film will also take him to Brazil, Canada and Benin in west-central Africa.
“We’re also going to visit with environmentalists who have a very different view of meat production,” Orliange said. “But our main objective is that if we are going to talk about issues like cattle feeding and greenhouse effects, we need to have both sides of the story in order to do quality journalistic work. It’s always easier to just get one side of an issue, but I think viewers should have all the information and make their own judgments.”
# # #
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry. It is funded by USDA; the beef, pork, lamb, corn and soybean checkoff programs, as well as its members representing nine industry sectors: beef/veal producing & feeding, pork producing & feeding, lamb producing & feeding, packing & processing, purveying & trading, oilseeds producing, feedgrains producing, farm organizations and supply & service organizations.
For more information, contact Jim Herlihy at jherlihy@usmef.org.
USMEF complies with all equal opportunity, non-discrimination and affirmative action measures applicable to it by contract, government rule or regulation or as otherwise provided by law.
USMEF, Nebraska Cattle Producers Host French TV Journalist
For an upcoming documentary on global meat production, French television reporter Anthony Orliange wanted to gather factual information about America’s cattle feeding system. With assistance from USMEF, he found informative hosts in Tom and Cindy Williams, owner/operators of the Chappell Feedlot near Chappell, Neb.
“Tom was very open with us and did a thorough job of answering all of our questions,” Orliange said. “We were able to get excellent footage of all aspects of the feedlot operation – a system that we don’t really have in Europe. It provided a perspective on the advantages of a concentrated feeding system.”
Chappell feedlot is primarily a retained-ownership operation, so Williams explained the main reasons why producers from many different regions of the country choose to place cattle there. This included a discussion of the nutrition system, which is customized to fit the genetic profile of the cattle and maximize carcass quality, as well as services such as ultrasound imaging and marketing assistance, which help provide the producer with a higher return.
Tom Williams of Chappell, Neb., explains the management practices of his feedlot to French TV journalist Anthony Orliange (far right)
Williams also discussed the environmental aspects of the operation, which are often misunderstood by those unfamiliar with feedlots. This included an explanation of how cattle are fed byproducts from local ethanol and sugar beet plants, the lagoon system that completely protects nearby properties and waterways from runoff, and how manure from the feedlot is composted and utilized as fertilizer by area farmers.
“Environmentalists try to say that grass-fed cattle are the solution to reducing the environmental impact of beef production,” Orliange said. “But if you really look inside the situation, it’s much more complicated than that. Producers who use these grain-fed techniques have strong arguments that if you want a less-polluting cow, you need a more productive cow. So we are pleased to be able to gather this information as it allows us to be as accurate as possible in explaining the various aspects of cattle production.”
A section of Chappell Feedlot is dedicated to non-hormone treated cattle (NHTC), which are produced primarily for the European market. This is another of the operation’s attributes that Orliange feels will be of interest to his viewers.
“The recent agreement between the EU and the U.S. regarding import of beef from non-hormone treated cattle is something that few people in France even know about,” he said. “For the moment, it appears that most producers are waiting to see if the return is high enough to offset the higher cost of NHTC. But if they see other producers getting enough of a premium, they might follow suit – and maybe we can enjoy Prime American steaks back in France.”
Williams viewed the film crew’s visit as an opportunity to show overseas consumers the attention to detail required to produce high-quality beef, and to counter many common misperceptions about cattle feeding.
“Obviously if this visit helps promote beef overseas, that’s a plus,” Williams said. “And we want to be sure to get the correct story to consumers in Europe. We know that many times the information they are getting isn’t correct, and that it’s often based on perception rather than science. So if we can dispel some myths and set the record straight – that’s why I’m willing to talk to Anthony and allow him to film here.
“He (Orliange) seemed very interested in how we operate every day, and how involved we are with the cattle,” Williams continued. “I wanted him to realize all the details that go into the daily management of the feedlot, and he seemed to appreciate that.”
While in southwestern Nebraska, Orliange also spoke with John Widdowson of SandPoint Cattle Company near Lodgepole and Joe Van Newkirk of Van Newkirk Herefords near Oshkosh. Widdowson and VanNewKirk explained the business relationship between seedstock producers, cow/calf operations and cattle feeders. Both noted the importance of each sector of the industry providing expertise and efficiency that would be impossible for a single producer to duplicate.
Orliange also interviewed USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng on the role and mission of USMEF and the specifics of the EU-U.S. beef agreement. Seng also addressed the growing demand for high-quality protein throughout the world, and the important role scientific advances will play in meeting this demand.
Orliange interviews Philip Seng at USMEF headquarters in Denver
This week Orliange will discuss the issue of livestock production and greenhouse gas emissions with Dr. Frank Mitloehner, associate professor and air quality specialist with the animal science department at the University of California, Davis. Mitloehner is a co-author of Clearing the Air: Livestock’s Contributions to Climate Change, a scientific analysis that refutes many exaggerated claims about the impact of livestock on climate change.
Orliange’s documentary is scheduled to air on Canal+ – a Paris-based television network with a format similar to HBO – in December 2010. His research for the film will also take him to Brazil, Canada and Benin in west-central Africa.
“We’re also going to visit with environmentalists who have a very different view of meat production,” Orliange said. “But our main objective is that if we are going to talk about issues like cattle feeding and greenhouse effects, we need to have both sides of the story in order to do quality journalistic work. It’s always easier to just get one side of an issue, but I think viewers should have all the information and make their own judgments.”
# # #
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry. It is funded by USDA; the beef, pork, lamb, corn and soybean checkoff programs, as well as its members representing nine industry sectors: beef/veal producing & feeding, pork producing & feeding, lamb producing & feeding, packing & processing, purveying & trading, oilseeds producing, feedgrains producing, farm organizations and supply & service organizations.
For more information, contact Jim Herlihy at jherlihy@usmef.org.
USMEF complies with all equal opportunity, non-discrimination and affirmative action measures applicable to it by contract, government rule or regulation or as otherwise provided by law.