Ritchie welcomes National Cattlemen representatives
T-R PHOTOS BY LANA BRADSTREAM — National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Chief Executive Officer Colin Woodall speaks to Ritchie Industries employees during a Monday visit. The association learned about the production operation in Conrad, and provided a beef fajita lunch.
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Chief Executive Officer Colin Woodall speaks to Ritchie Industries employees during a Monday visit. The association learned about the production operation in Conrad, and provided a beef fajita lunch.
T-R PHOTOS BY LANA BRADSTREAM — National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Chief Executive Officer Colin Woodall speaks to Ritchie Industries employees during a Monday visit. The association learned about the production operation in Conrad, and provided a beef fajita lunch.
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Chief Executive Officer Colin Woodall speaks to Ritchie Industries employees during a Monday visit. The association learned about the production operation in Conrad, and provided a beef fajita lunch.
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CONRAD -- Ritchie Industries played host to an important partner on Monday -- the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA).
Ritchie Sales and Marketing Manager Jeff Miller said it first started when they met with NCBA officials in May. Ritchie learned, as a result of the partnership and sponsorship, they could get an NCBA visit.
"We thought, 'Oh, yeah. That would go over big time,'" Miller said.
As a result, Miller said they started organizing, taking into account the office remodeling that was underway. He said they wanted to plan the visit so the NCBA officials could see the new space. The visit would also help teach Ritchie employees about the NCBA, Miller said.
"We're trying to paint the bigger picture," he said. "Yeah, we manufacture livestock waterers, but what we're trying to show them is the role our products play in the livestock industry. That was what the big intent of this was."
Traveling from Denver, six NCBA representatives toured the factory and newly-remodeled offices before serving the Ritchie crew a lunch of beef fajitas. Colin Woodall, the NCBA chief executive officer, thanked everyone at Ritchie for bringing them to Conrad.
"It's our first time to Ritchie," he said. "We wanted to bring our beef and show our appreciation by cooking a good meal for them today."
Without Ritchie, Woodall said they would not have been able to provide a quality meal. The NCBA is the largest and oldest -- established in 1898 -- national association for cattle producers. He said their role is to focus on the things cattle producers do not have time for – animal activist groups who want more people to switch to vegetarian or vegan diets, or Washington D.C. politicians trying to enforce more agriculture rules and regulations.
"We as an association are the ones to pick up that mantra for our membership and go fight for them," Woodall said. "Again, everyday, you all know this -- up early, bed late, there's a lot to do to take care of cattle and farms and ranches. There's any number of people who are trying to come after us and shut us down. The NCBA is that voice, but we can't be that voice without you."
The sponsorship and partnership the NCBA has with other businesses is critical. It allows the association to engage in necessary national battles. Woodall said the NCBA has 18 people in Washington, D.C. everyday to fight those fights. Woodall added Ritchie provides vital products for the beef industry and an important partnership with the NCBA.
"We're focused on being good stewards of the land," Woodall said. "That is not only using the resources accordingly, but also conserving the resources. One of those is water, and that's where this partnership with Ritchie comes in. With their water products, we know we can have a safe supply. We can conserve that supply, and in the winter we can make sure that supply doesn't freeze up. It really plays a huge role in the beef industry."
Ritchie products also come in handy during times of drought. The U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that half of Grundy County is in severe drought, and the other half is extreme. Woodall said the Ritchie products seal the water off so there is not as much evaporation during the day.
"In drought times, every single drop counts, and that's where Ritchie comes in and helps us as cattle producers," he said. "It's great technology. We had the chance to get to come in and see the manufacturing process, and see firsthand the amount of effort that goes into the design, manufacture and quality of this product. It's one thing to see these out in pastures. They're very distinctive with the yellow bottoms and red tops. But to see how well they're constructed, gives us more faith in the great work they're doing to provide a high quality product to cattle producers across the country."
Woodall is confident every drop of water in a Ritchie product makes it into the mouth of cattle.
"We can also be an advocate for you," he said. "What we're doing with the work that we conduct in Washington, D.S. and Denver ensures that farmers and ranchers get to stay on their land and continue to be farmers and ranchers. That way, there is always a steady stream of customers for Ritchie."
Woodall thanked the Ritchie employees for the quality of the products and work. He said they had to get back to Denver after their visit, but look forward to returning someday.
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Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or
lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.