Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Randy West Family Hosts CHAMBER PICNIC
Tyson Vice President Drew Mcgee Addresses Prairie Grove Chamber of Commerce Members During Picnic Lunch
PRAIRIE GROVE — After a scenic picnic lunch held under a shady grove of trees on a family farm, Drew McGee said “the future is bright for American agriculture, the family farm and Tyson Foods.”
McGee, a senior vice president and manager of the raw poultry division for Tyson Foods, Inc., was the noon speaker at the second annual “Focus On Agriculture” picnic sponsored by the Prairie Grove Chamber of Commerce.
“We are, as you all know a “home grown” company with a world focus on feeding people,” he said.
McGee outlined the company’s humble beginnings in the region and praised area farmers, growers and producers for helping make Tyson Foods the success it enjoys today.
“This farm, right here, is a key to our success,” McGee said, recognizing the Randy and Cheryl West farm, where the Chamber meeting and picnic lunch was held. The Wests have been Tyson producers for years.
The Prairie Grove Chamber held its meeting outside its normal clubhouse confines as a picnic in the scenic shaded back yard of the West home, as temperatures hovered around the 100-degree mark, said Chamber president Maylon Rice, who arranged the on-farm meeting.
“We enjoyed being outdoors and on the farm, but I wished for June — not August weather,” Rice said.
McGee, in his remarks, also praised the Chamber for “your recognition of agriculture as a driving economic force for our state and our nation.”
McGee said Tyson’s economic impact on Arkansas, “is in the $8-$9 billion range each year. And across America the economic impact of our company is in the $20-$25 billion range.”
Despite the recent economic downturn, McGee said, “under our leadership from Donnie Smith, the CEO of Tyson Foods, we have advanced our brands, diversified our product lines and are working to keep our company strong.” McGee then highlighted some of the diversification that many don’t seem to know, he said.
“We are the number one maker of pizza crust and a leader in pizza toppings in the nation,” McGee said. “We are also the largest maker of soup in the country — those are some things that we don’t see or hear a lot of here in Northwest Arkansas, but Tyson Foods is also one of the largest makers of taco shells and corn chips.”
The prices that Tyson pays for grain has been a challenge this year, McGee said. “We are paying more than $2 million more each week than we did back in January for the same grain. But our management team has found a way to do that. We must have the feed supply for the poultry and animals we are feeding.”
McGee talked of expanding the U.S. markets in such corners of the world as China and India for the future of the company. “We have the ability, not only to feed the U. S. but to be a player in feeding the world.”
One noticeable trend of the economic downturn was that families are buying more “dark” meat products than “white meat” selections due to the cost.
McGee also praised the 2012 Farm Family of the Year for Washington County — the Scott and Cassie Davis family — for their continuing the tradition of the farm family for their dairy operation near Prairie Grover
The Davises were given certificates for their accomplishments which also include being the 2012 Northwest Arkansas Farm Family of the Year.
The next meeting of the Prairie Grove Chamber of Commerce will be at noon on Thursday, July 26, Rice said.