A task force for the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) have looked at the pressures to change livestock rearing methods, evidence to support the direct public health impact on human illness days, and food safety and inspection service regulations. They (and you and I) know that many groups in society, including politicians, activists, […]
modern agriculture
Why can’t the money just be spent on the animals?
This might be a “humane” rant, but there is too much bologna going on not to mention. And I like my bologna and want to keep it in the food supply. Opening my email this morning put me in a sour mood. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), is putting good money that […]
Producing enough sustainable food
Ahhh. Sustainable. A word that is so overused, yet so important to agriculture. And also to consumers who want to use it as much as possible when it comes to their food. And we’re taking food. Everyone wants it. Everyone needs it. This YouTube video came out yesterday and it does pretty darn good job […]
Why do we use antibiotics in food animals?
The last few days have been fluttering with information about the Food and Drug Administration announcement last week which called on drug companies to help limit the use of antibiotics in farm animals. Why is this an issue: The FDA has struggled for decades with how to tackle the problem because it’s so important to […]
REAL Hunger Games
I’ll admit, I’m a huge fan of the Hunger Games novels. And I’m going to see the movie tomorrow…totally thrilled! For those of you unfamiliar with the Hunger Games series, there are 12 Districts, each of which has a specialization. Even though Katniss, Gale and Peeta are all from District 12, I’m a fan of […]
Firefighters care about ag, too
This last Sunday was the Goehner Volunteer Fire Department’s 55th Annual Spaghetti feed in Goehner, Nebraska. This isn’t just some jarred spaghetti sauce, it’s famous for a recipe that hasn’t changed since 1957 when it was given to the firemen by a priest in a neighboring community. The annual spaghetti feed raises funds for the […]
Bill Gates, a voice of reason for modern agriculture
With all of the negative media and crazy animal activists, it’s good to have a voice outside of agriculture serving as a great spokesperson. That’s why I was more than pleased to see a common household name, Bill Gates, as one of those voices. An article from Drovers CattleNetwork says yes, the Microsoft founder is […]
What the Panama Canal means to agriculture
What does agriculture and the tropics have in common? The Panama Canal – the highway of agricultural products from the Atlantic to the Pacific. I had the great opportunity to experience it this past week. As my involvement with the US Grains Council has increased, so have my opportunities to see the importance of agriculture […]
Today’s Agriculture
Modern agriculture. Kind of hard to really “show” all of modern agriculture and the new technology farmers & ranchers use in a fair/trade show type of setting. But Pennsylvania did it. At the 2012 Pennsylvania Farm Show, the “Today’s Agriculture” exhibit put together an “experience” – an innovative display that brings the farm to families. […]
Branding Cattle in Colorado
I’ve had some questions about branding cattle, so I thought I would share some facts along with pictures from our recent branding cattle work with weaned calves. What is a brand for? A brand is a permanent identification marker. Each ranch or cattle-owner has their own unique brand to identify their cattle. My state doesn’t […]
