Back when I was a student at Oklahoma State University, there was a cartoon in the campus newspaper that inadvertently predicted the cattle feeding industry at the turn of the Millennium.  Professor Snarf's secretary comes running into his office and says, "Professor Snarf, do you realize that you've asked the same questions on this year's final exam that you asked on last year's final exam?" And the professor says, "Yes, I realize that. But this year, I changed all the answers!"

There's a lot of truth in that. The questions that face cattle feeders are generally the same questions we've always had to face. The answers, however, are completely different. And just as the answers are different today than they were five years ago, the answers will be different again five years from now.

That's what makes this an endlessly fascinating industry and that's what makes TCFA a critical part of any cattle feeder's game plan as we seek and find the many questions, answers and challenges that face our business. We'll rely even more heavily on TCFA as a reference, a source of information and a rock of stability as we try to make sense of all the change that is swirling around us.

It is my hope, and the direction that my efforts will take as your Chairman, that those changes will result in a beef production process that works more smoothly for everybody-a beef production process that allows us to come with a better product that is more efficiently produced. And a process that allows all of us to share in the rewards of producing a better product in a more efficient system.

The future for our industry is bright. We have some momentum behind beef in the consumer's mind and now is not the time to back off our efforts to promote our product. And if we hope to have any influence over the changes that are facing us, we must continue to be a part of TCFA and NCBA and use our associations to nudge the ball in a direction that benefits cattlemen.

Not only am I positive about the future of our industry, but I'm positive about Cattle Feeding Country's place in the industry. There's a reason why cattle feeding grew in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Our climate, grain availability, feeder calf availability-those things haven't changed. They will be with us always, and that means Cattle Feeding Country will continue to play a major role in the world's beef complex.

But we can't do it alone. The officers, directors, committee members and staff at TCFA need your help. We're pretty sure we know what the questions are. Help us find the answers.

Sincerely,

Paul H. Hitch

Chairman