Brand Update 2019: Year in Review

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE
There’s no other way to put it. Mother Nature
has made it challenging this year, from a
severe winter to extremely wet spring with
both floods and blizzards. Cattlemen have
been selling fewer calves, at prices that are not
as good as they have been, and yet the mood
in cattle country is hopeful.
There’s always light at the end of the tunnel.
We know averages usually play out pretty
true, and historically we’ve seen that when
cattlemen rebuild herds, they reload with
better genetics. I think we’ll see an even higher
marbling herd, set up for more profitability
down the road.
I’ve been impressed with what my fellow
cattlemen have done, raising a record supply
of the Certified Angus Beef ® brand, but I’m
equally impressed by those who market the
product. I want to send out a huge thank you
for all you do.
As cattlemen, we really do take a huge amount of pride in what we’re doing, and in seeing the Certified Angus
Beef ® brand logo anywhere—on a menu, on a truck driving down the highway, or in a grocery store—there is a
surge of pride in knowing we are producing the best, and you’re then taking that to market.
The economic signals you send all the way back down the chain say we need more high-quality, high-marbling
product that qualifies for the brand. That makes my life and my family’s life a whole lot easier. We’re able to
sell high-quality Angus bulls at a premium, and our customers can do the same with their calves. Keep sending
that signal to us, and we’ll make more of the product you need.
Looking ahead, I’m excited for the growth of the brand, both domestically and internationally. There are a
lot of possibilities as we expose people in different countries to the brand and give them the opportunity to
experience what we’ve experienced here in the States.
As I write this, I’m selecting bulls with an eye on better positioning my herd and the Angus breed. I’m thinking
about the future and, ultimately, I’m excited to produce more cattle that meet the brand’s standards down the
road. I’m thankful to be part of this team effort.
Respectfully,
Jerry Connealy
Whitman, Neb.
Chairman, 2018-19 Certified Angus Beef LLC Board of Directors