11/25/08 New Washington Cattlemen's President says producers are good land stewards

Washington Ag November 25, 2008 When asked to describe the current state of cow-calf operators in the state, the new president of the Washington Cattlemen's Association, Dick Coon Jr. of Benge, says producers like everyone else in the country are shocked by the economic turmoil that has occurred. He says cattlemen also wonder how an Obama presidency will affect their businesses'. Coon: "There will be a whole set of regulators and new judges. It is certainly going to be decidedly more environmental spin on a lot of things we have to deal with. I'd have to say I am confident out stewardship of the land is first rate and I don't think we have to apologize for how we manage the resources of this country." But Coon says there is a perception among the public that cattle damage the environment, which he says doesn't hold up to close examination. Coon: "It is left for us to do a real good job of telling our story." And Coon has a story to tell about his own operation and the results of managed grazing. That's coming up tomorrow. I'm Bob Hoff.