Today's interview is with one of my favorite Tennessee cowboys and this year's Vice Chair of YPC, Ben Neale.  You can read Ben's interview a year ago here.  Let's see what Ben had to say...

Describe your involvement in the cattle industry?

I was born on a small cow-calf operation in middle TN. I have been a cow-hand at larger purebred operations in the country, ran age and source sales through livestock auction markets in TN and now work in direct sales to feedyards.

Tell us about your family and what you like doing outside of your day job.

Married to Iris Neale, no children. Iris is currently teaching Intro to An. Sci at a Columbia State Community College. I am involved quite a bit at church and I generally just work on the farm. I also hike and hunt when I can.

Why did you become a member of YPC? Why do you think it is important for other cattle producers to become a member of YPC?

I believe it is important to be involved in whatever capacity you can to further a cause you are passionate about. The cattle industry will always be present but the way it will look in the years to come can be shaped by our generation. There is a large generational exodus about to occur and there will be many needs to fill. I believe we need to be active in preparing to do so.

What position are you on the YPC Leadership Board? What do you hope to accomplish in that position?

Vice-Chair. I want to support the rock-star Ben Spitzer. I also want to play an active role in structuring a needed sub group within NCBA by helping the next generation have a voice.

What do you hope YPC will accomplish in the next year? Next 5 years?

In the next year, I hope that we will be able to have a presence on a state level by publicizing scholarship(s) and recruit involvement for NCBA through existing state organizations.  In five years I would like to see past YPC members in active leadership roles within NCBA.  Also, I believe it would be beneficial for YPC to be working cooperatively with other national "young" organizations in networking to create a larger unified voice for our age group in legislation and media.

 What do you think are the top three issues that affect young cattle producers?

a. Finances – Lack thereof in the cattle business and ROI

b. Regulations

c. Family… Either passing on a current operation/ death tax, dividing among siblings or staying married long enough to make a business. Divorces have cut production or stopped a lot of farms in my area.

Do you have any advice for young cattle producers that cannot afford to start their own operation?

a. Start saving.

b. Failure is always an option.

c. Try to meet people in the business. There are mature producers that want to see their operation continue. Some would be willing to work something out for young people that have a desire to work.

If you could have coffee with an elected representative in DC and talk about anything you wanted, what would you say?

I really doubt if it would initially be related to agriculture so it probably won’t work for the blog. We are so far off basis for having men of principle standing up for the people they have been elected by, I would probably start there. Then the constitution, government spending, etc. We might get to agriculture somewhere in the second or third hour.

If you could have coffee with Michael Pollan, what would you say?

"You know the beans in your coffee, the cream and sugar were all raised by farmers just like the ones you attack. I guess they’re alright if it fits what you want." Actually, probably more time would be spent on trying to find some common ground for what we are both trying to achieve and how practically/ pragmatically he proposes his way can reach these goals.

In your opinion, what is the best way to connect cattle producers to consumers – both in rural and urban areas?

Still learning. One is media, but the best way is talking face to face. Non-farmers don’t go to the fair like they used so we must go to them. Whether that is the supermarket, farmer’s market etc. We have to let them put a face with our products to dispel the factory farm idea. That takes time, effort and little personality from us.

Did you watch Food Inc.? If so, what did you think?

About half and did not finish it. Not because of anger but because of distraction.  There will always be two sides to every story. What we have to do is work on best-selling our side and trying to provide the most consistent, honest information that we can as we educate the public so that we allow people to make informed decisions. If the public is fully informed and chooses a higher priced product with their disposable income than that is what a free-market system is about. However to mandate from legislature and subsidize advertisements gives an unfair regulatory advantage to certain segments. Government is way off of the question, I know so I won’t go into detail.