Amanda Dyer TSCRA member and Young
Leadership Series member, rancher, Fort Davis
It ’s hard to picture how r a n c h i n g
might change over the next 10 years, much less 100, but there are some key issues we face today that will no doubt con-
tinue to expand over the next century; namely lim- ited water, limited land, and an exponential growth in population. Conservation and innovation, though already top of
mind, will see tremendous advancements as it becomes more imperative that ranchers around the world utilize their resources as effi ciently as possible. I believe that much greater emphasis will be placed
on soil and grass management in order to make under- utilized areas more productive. In addition, producers will have an increasingly global mindset as countries around the world improve their infrastructures, live- stock quality and economic status. Land and water scarcity will continue to fuel some
of the industry’s most pressing issues, but aside from increased competition for land and water, ranchers will likely face a whole new set of issues. Increased global biosecurity risks will make ani-
mal traceability and monitoring a much more involved process. Many of the issues will involve defending research and production practices. As the rest of the world adopts certain practices and opinions on topics such as climate change and sustainability, producers will need to have credible, meaningful research to support their stance. Education of consumers will also be a challenge,
because it is already becoming more diffi cult to com- pete against anti-animal agriculture groups for atten- tion. It will be more important than ever for ranchers to educate employees to stay above reproach and be exemplary stewards of their land and livestock. Ranchers will face a number of challenges similar
to today’s challenges. The biggest challenges will stem from ranchers becoming a smaller and smaller percent- age of the overall population. Though it is hoped that consumers will develop a
greater appreciation for where their food originates, the ranching community will most likely become
92 The Cattleman December 2014
less politically infl uential due to continued urban encroachment. With a population even farther removed from agri-
culture, ranchers will have to be transparent as well as collaborate more than ever to have a unifi ed voice. Ranchers will have the challenge of producing more
with less. They will meet this challenge through im- proved research and technology. I also believe that this challenge will be addressed through targeted global efforts to reduce waste throughout the supply chain, especially at the consumer level. Improvements in technology and increased research
over the next century will likely revolutionize the industry, so that producers can make detailed man- agement decisions at every level without necessarily being in the fi eld. It’s not that hard to imagine that the health of each
animal could be monitored via a computer through the use of a form of electronic implant. As such, medica- tions will probably be used more sparingly and targeted on a case-by-case basis. Producers will likely have the ability to raise cattle
that meet the exact specifi cations of packers, food ser- vice companies and individual consumers. In addition, feeding cattle should be more effi cient when tools are developed to determine the exact number of days and the exact ration that will get an animal to its desired grade and weight. I hope that, in spite of the inevitable changes, the
cattle industry retains the values upon which it was founded. I hope ranchers continue to set an example for others as an industry that is resilient and works hard to overcome challenges. I hope that the heritage and tradition is passed down
and, most importantly, that the industry continues to put its faith in God. I hope that 100 years from now ranchers are even better stewards of the land and live- stock God has entrusted to them.
Derrell S. Peel Oklahoma State University
Extension livestock market- ing specialist, Stillwater
In considering the beef cattle indust ry in
2114, I begin with the pre- sumption that consumers will still be eating meat
thecattlemanmagazine.com
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