Beef just wasn’t on the menu for the Glenn-Colusa Cattlewomen and Cattlemen’s gathering on Friday – it was the subject of conversation.
The outdoor dinner was held at the O’Connell Ranch in Colusa on Friday, just yards from where a fire ripped along the levee a few days earlier.
The event was a reminder of the hard work of ranchers and beef producers to provide protein-rich food for American tables and those around the world.
“Here at the Glenn-Colusa Cattlemen and Cattlewomen’s Association, we have four focuses,” said GCCA President Daniel O’Connell, who served as master of ceremonies at his parents’ produce farm. “One, is to keep our members informed and involved with the issues facing livestock and agriculture industries; two, to advocate for livestock and agriculture; three, to support and encourage the kids and next generation of ranchers and farmers; and four, to have fun.”
Making up for cancellations the past two years, the event served to recognize several of their own who have dedicated their lives to the cattle industry.
Cattleman of the Year Ed Owens, Cattleman of the Year E. Dan O’Connell, and longtime Cattlemen’s Association Secretary Marsha Bucke were given well-deserved recognition from Congressman Doug LaMalfa and Stephen Heeter, field representative for Sen. Jim Nielsen, who also presented for Assemblyman James Gallagher.
“I appreciate it,” said Owens, a long time Colusa County cattle rancher, after receiving his awards, which included a belt buckle from the Cattlemen’s Association. “I started in 1949 when I was 8-year-old – and just quit last November.”
Bucke, of Orland, said serving the Cattlemen’s Association for so many years has been a labor of love.
“I thought I would have to quit because of my Parkinson’s, but I rallied,” Bucke said. “Now they’re stuck with me a while longer.”
LaMalfa said people of the country are not only starving for beef, but starving for the truth about where food comes from and the difficulties food producers worldwide face.
“We’re in worldwide food shortages,” LaMalfa said. “What I’m trying to emphasize with everybody that would make policy or listen, is that ss we’ve seen our water disappear for our colleagues up in the Klamath Basin and here on the westside of the Sacramento Valley and especially farther down, hundreds of thousands of acres being fallowed. So, if we won’t be growing food here in 2022…what’s everybody going to eat in 2023?”
On behalf of the 1,872 members of California Cattlewomen, President Julie Barnett spoke about the effort of the association in promoting the beef industry and the sustainability of ranching and agriculture.
“This army of California Cattlewomen does amazing things in their communities and out there in the public promoting beef and promoting all of the people who produce it,” Barnett said. “I’m really proud of these gals because they’ve done so much this year. We are starting to use more and more technology to be a voice…This group is powerful and they’re dynamic.”
Kori Dover, director of food and nutrition of the California Beef Council, also spoke at the event, talking about the importance of beef in diet and nutrition, and the need to keep beef in school lunches.
“Beef is really impactful when it comes to hunger,” Dover said. “In a 3-ounce serving, you’re getting about 170 calories and 10 essential nutrients. It serves a very important role in children’s diet. It plays a very important role in infants’ diets and plays a very important role in our diets.” The event was hosted by Barbara O’Connell, president of the Glenn-Colusa Cattlewomen’s Association. ■