Speakers defend cattle industry

“We are here to recognize and celebrate the production of agricultural products throughout the country and the cooperation it takes to get those products to the consumer,” Wayne County Extension Coordinator Mark Frye said. Frye was speaking at the Farm-City Luncheon at Sybil’s Family Restaurant Tuesday.

Before the presentation, former Wayne County Extension Office Coordinator Randy Franks was recognized for his years of service to the community. County Commissioner Ed Jeffords presented Franks with a plaque, proclaiming Nov. 24 Randy Franks Day.

William Nutt, president of the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association, was the guest speaker for the luncheon.

“There are fewer cattle now than in years past, but we have more production than before,” said Nutt. “We have increased efficiency, offering more pounds of better, safer beef.”

Nutt said that while the current demand for beef is down, the Cattlemen’s Association is looking for that to change.

He also addressed a current challenge to the beef industry, animal-rights activists.

Nutt explained that many people lack a full understanding of the agricultural industry.

“Ninety-eight and one-half percent of the U.S. population is not involved in the production of agriculture,” said Nutt.

He added, “The best thing we can do in the agricultural world is to do things right, to produce good, safe food products and keep the confidence of the consumers.

“We also need to exercise conservation and practice good stewardship of the land.”

John White, executive vice president of the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association, spoke of the advantages of cattle.

“They convert low-quality, high-fiber grain into energy. The beef is nutrient-dense with vitamin B and protein, and cattle can live in differing areas, from swamp land to rocky terrain,” said White. “Cattle are an amazing creation of God.”

White also discussed the campaign against the beef industry from animal-rights groups.

“They run high on emotion and short on logic, and we need city leaders and businesses with common sense to help us in this fight,” said White.

He contended that many of the activists are of a socialist mindset with a mystic, Eastern philosophy, which attributes emotions to animals. Their campaign is waged more intensely in urban areas, he said.

“We are all out for the humane, healthy treatment of animals. It is in our best interest to treat them well and keep them healthy,” said White.

The luncheon was the culmination of Farm-City Week activities, which also included the Farm-City Week Food Buy and Farm Day at the T.G. Ritch Pre-K Center.

The cost of the luncheon was $2, which, according to Frye, approximately represents the portion of the meal cost that goes to farmers.

Farm-City Week activities were sponsored locally by AgSouth Farm Credit, Altamaha Federal Credit Union, BB&T, Heritage Bank, Interstate Unlimited Federal Credit Union, Jesup Milling, Patterson Bank, PrimeSouth, Satilla Rural EMC, Southeastern Gin & Peanuts, and Wayne County Farm Bureau.

State sponsors include the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation, the Electric Cooperatives of Georgia, the Georgia Agribusiness Council, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service.

Story in The Press-Sentinel