If you’re a producer of beef, this is a good time for you.

Beef prices are going up and it looks like they’re going to stay that way for a while.

Woody Clark, president of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, attributes the increase beef prices to an increase in demand from foreign countries.

“Realistically, I expect those higher beef prices to continue for the next five years,” Clark said Saturday during the annual meeting of the Morgan County Cattlemen’s Association at Hartselle High School. “Sixty million people have moved up to the middle classes in foreign countries. They want more protein in their diet and they love our beef.”

Clark told us at the Cattlemen’s Association Meeting on Saturday Alabama beef is making its way into numerous foreign markets, even through the “back door” of China. The Alabama beef industry has an economic impact of $524.5 million and creates 10,000 jobs.

In January 2014, Alabama’s cattle was worth $873 million and ranked the ninth largest in the U.S.

This is great news for our local economy. Beef producers have struggled over the last few years, through low prices, droughts and other issues with the market that goes along with the business.

I’d like to give recognition to all of you who help put beef on our tables every day. Thank you for what you do. There’s no way our society could survive without your hard work.

On that same front, I’d like to congratulate Gerry Holmes and Mike Bryant for their Morgan County Cattlemen of the Year awards.

Holmes with Hillview Beefmaster Farms was awarded the Master Cattleman of the Year honor. This award recognizes successful individual cattle growers for having mastered the skill of raising cattle while demonstrating excellent stewardship over both the animals and the land in their care.

Bryant of Liberty Farms was named the Innovative Cattleman of the Year. This award recognizes the successful individual cattle growers for implementing innovative ideas and processes that improve cattle genetics, soil and water conservation practices used in raising quality cattle while demonstrating excellent stewardship over both the animals and the land in their care.

Congratulations to both of you.

Brent Maze is the managing editor of the Hartselle Enquirer.