Those numbers come as no surprise to beef producers. Representing area cattlemen at the Eggs and Issues breakfast meeting at which the study results were discussed, last year's president of the Missouri Cattlemen's Association Howard Hardecke said, "I'm proud to be part of this industry. We feel like we're important in what we're doing. I appreciate that the chamber did this study that proves what we've believed all along."

Hardecke, a Bolivar beef producer, was among four panelists who addressed questions from about 60 chamber members, guests and area cattlemen at the 7:30 a.m. breakfast in the chamber's office. Also on the panel were Larry Ellison, a small beef producer and shareholder with Kirkpatrick, Phillips & Miller, PC; Don Lucietta, agriculture and agri-business specialist in the office of 4th District U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt; and Dr. Tommy Perkins, professor of animal science at Missouri State University.

Brian Hammons of Hammons Products in Stockton moderated the discussion and presented a summary of the study.

Source: Buffalo Reflex