Retailers, Producers Honored for Excellence

In the beef industry, as with any successful industry really, a great deal of people are working behind the scenes at any given time to better market their products, improve messaging to consumers, and exceed quality assurance expectations, among other initiatives. So it’s always refreshing at annual convention time to see individuals recognized for their hard work and ingenuity.

At the 2011 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show, which was held last week in Denver, Broulim’s Fresh Foods, Sentry Foods, Harris Teeter, and HAC, Inc. were honored with the 4th Annual National Retail Beef Backer Awards for their excellence in promotional partnerships, beef merchandising and education programs.

Margie Hande, a cow-calf operator in Amidon, N.D., and chair of the Beef Checkoff's retail committee, noted, “I'm continuously amazed and impressed with the initiatives these innovative, industry-leading retailers take in their stores to increase beef demand and sales.”

Separately, two producers were presented with the annual national Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) award. John Ligo of LiTerra Farms of Mercer, Pa. was the dairy winner, while Mike Milicevic, Lykes Bros. Inc. of Okeechobee, Fla. won in the beef category.

Their stories are inspiring and seem to hint at the direction the industry is moving, as consumers become more concerned about how food is produced and how the business impacts the earth and its resources. Read on to learn more.