In theory, those industries have succeeded in getting their product to fit the box, which fits in the counter, which fits in the aisle, which fits in the store, which fits in the chain, which. . . It would appear that consumers like predictability and consistency, perhaps to provide an offset to their own busy life styles. In this case, the box is the best place. But the cow, which is the source of all beef products, has a hard time biologically meeting the demands of her environment while producing products that fit in a standard box. Cows will never fit.
Product has to fit.
Now that is a true definition of a dilemma. I will reluctantly concede that hens have been made to fit the cage, and sows to fit a crate. But not the cow. That is why I am overjoyed each year as our pen close out reports arrive from the feed lot. This is our annual report card and another chapter in the story of how we maintain the cow herd in virtual variance while fine tuning the product to reach maximum market value in the feed yard.