What Time Does the Superbowl Start and Did Punxsutawney Phil See His Shadow?

When I woke up this morning my Twitter and Facebook news feeds were blowing up with people talking about #SuperBowl 48 or #GroundhogDay. But my first thought this morning was that today kicks off the Annual Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show (#Beefmeet)! Yep, while everyone else is contemplating how many more weeks of winter #PunxsutawneyPhil predicts and #WhosGonnaWin the big game, today begins a pilgrimage of more than 7,000 farmers and ranchers from around the country to the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

My friend Dan McCarty (@McCartyCattle) tweeted this pic of newborn calves on his Colorado ranch as he headed out to Nashville for #Beefmeet

"So what's the big deal," you ask? This is the meeting where the entire beef community gets together to talk about better ways to produce great-tasting beef that is safe, nutritious and sustainable for the future. This is where animal health experts, veterinarians, and nutritionists share the latest information on how to provide the best care for cattle, even in the midst of a winter storm.


One 3 oz. serving of lean beef provides more than 10% of 10 essential nutrients and vitamins for less than 10% of your daily calories.

We also have a pretty amazing lineup of speakers and once-in-a-lifetime entertainment events for the cattlemen and women who make the journey. Captain Richard Phillips will be there, along with Archie Manning, father of Peyton and Eli Manning. Interestingly enough, last year we had Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, the real "Blindside" parents of Michael Oher, who played (and won) in the Super Bowl that week with the Baltimore Ravens. Wonder if that bodes well for Peyton and the Broncos? (See, there is a Super Bowl connection here!)

For many, this is their vacation. It's tough to leave the farm or ranch when you care for animals. When I go on vacation I take my black lab, Casey, to Camp Bow Wow. There is no Camp COW Wow! Caring for farm animals is a huge obligation that requires 24/7/365 commitment. But that's what they love doing, which is one reason I love working for farmers and ranchers.

The main reason I look forward to this week every year is that I get to reunite with so many of my beef community friends from around the country, enjoy some great beef, shoot the bull in the bar :)


By the way, Phil saw his shadow and the game starts at 6:30 p.m. eastern. Speaking of the game, these beef and blue cheese stuffed mushrooms will impress your friends at the party!

Ride on!

Daren