Case IH has also launched its new Field of Deals sweepstakes promotion where on lucky grand prize winner will receive a 2012 Ram truck, plus free fuel for one year. 

Rasch fills us in.

AUDIO: Scott Rasch (5:32 MP3)

The EAJA was designed to level the playing field between small businesses and individual citizens and the federal government.  It allows plaintiffs to recover legal costs from the federal government when they prevail in a case against the federal government. 

But NCBA says although EAJA was intended to protect citizens’ rights, it has become a means for radical environmental and animal rights groups to target ranchers by challenging in court their rights to natural resource uses.  That’s why NCBA is seeking changes to the EAJA.

At the recent Cattle Industry Convention, we discussed that issue with Dustin Van Liew, director of federal lands for NCBA and executive director of the Public Lands Council.

AUDIO: Dustin Van Liew (6:59 MP3)

HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAM – Cooking Matters for Kids (1:30 mp3)

Audio: Martin Barbre, IL, Co-Chair, Commodity Classic (3:00 MP3)

Here in the Midwest, far from the “mean streets” of the big city, I often feel insulated from evil acts of terrorism. The chance that I or someone I know will fall victim to an attack of this nature is only a remote possibility, but it is a possibility, and that leaves a feeling of uneasiness in the pit of my stomach.

Along with the agricultural journalists that work for me, I have conducted interviews with representatives from state and national commodity groups, departments of agriculture, state and federal Environmental Protection Agencies, and departments of homeland security, asking them to help us help our listeners during times of heightened awareness for increased personal and farm security.

According to many of the experts we’ve interviewed, the greatest security risk to farms, greenhouses and nurseries where plants are grown is the unauthorized access to farm chemicals and application equipment. We all know that pesticides should be stored away from children and pets. Pesticides should also be secure from trespassers, vandals and thieves who may inadvertently or intentionally use these chemicals to harm themselves, other people, crop or non-crop lands and the environment. We are also encouraged to keep our eyes open for “suspicious activity.” What does that mean? Any activity “out of the ordinary” by your employees; signs of tampering with equipment or facilities; strangers showing an interest in your operation – authorized or not. For the most part, I’m told, I’ll recognize suspicious activity when I see it.

Experts tell us that good security and bio-security practices are important no matter what size of farm you have. Terrorism does occur in rural areas; on farms and ranches.

Last month, animal rights terrorists set digitally controlled incendiary devices (bombs on timers) beneath 14 cattle trucks and trailers at the Harris Ranch feed yard near Coalinga, California. All of the trucks were destroyed, but thank God no people were injured.

The cowards who committed this act of terrorism did so to protest what they called “the horrors and injustice of factory farming.”

By U.S. standards, the Harris Ranch feedlot is large. As a matter of fact, it is the 14th largest in the country with a capacity of 100-thousand head. But these animal rights terrorists don’t give a rip about size or species. They don’t care if yours is a small farm in the Midwest. They don’t care that you do not finish cattle in a feed yard. These criminals don’t care if your hens are cage free. They don’t care that you do not use gestation stalls for your sows.

They don’t eat meat and do not want you to eat meat. Many believe that an animal has the same rights as a human being.

We need to do more than stockpile duct tape, friends, because these terrorists have promised to attack again.

The latest round of “undercover” videos released by the Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) ostensibly targeted two farms – owned by Seaboard Foods and Prestage Farms – to illustrate the alleged cruelty of gestation stalls and misbehavior by farm workers. HSUS hyperbole about gestation stalls is well known, totally without scientific foundation, and use of the stalls is essentially an issue of personal belief, science, experience and perception.

However, the video – once again filmed some months ago, but held by the media-hungry HSUS until the maximum media moment – has less to do with the two farms and everything to do with intimidating their retail customers. HSUS went the extra step this time, filing complaints with the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) and the (FTC), alleging the treatment of pigs as “illustrated” by the video is at odds with company website statements and is “misleading its shareholders and the public.”

HSUS lets anyone cruising its website know Seaboard is a WalMart supplier; Prestage Farms has major retail customers as well. The strategy here is to frighten these mega retailers with an implied message: “We will continue to embarrass you by attacking your suppliers. Use the power of the purse to force them to raise pigs the way WE want pigs raised, or risk our continued wrath.”

This is an opportunity for WalMart and others to show some backbone. Resist the temptation to go with the quick public relations fix and stand with farmers and ranchers – no matter the size of their operations – and send HSUS and groups of its ilk the message that cheap video stunts and allegations to the government will not deter you from getting the facts and the using the science and experts — including real live farmers and ranchers — to inform your decisions. There are thousands of farmers who will stand with you or in front of you in dealing with HSUS trust me. Respect will grow.

This does not compromise your commitment to your customers when it comes to proper care and treatment of the animals which provide the meat for your stores. It avoids political shenanigans in DC and statehouses around the country by politicians who don’t know any better, but think they can make you happy by whacking at your farmer supplier. But most importantly, it demonstrates to your customers you have the same priorities as they – and the farmer – namely, ensuring that the best is being done in the best way by the best people.

I’m not suggesting turning a blind eye to bad practices. On the contrary, I’m advising retailers to learn as much about the producer and the process as you know about the product and the price. Set your standards based upon knowledge and practical application; weigh the options out there for your suppliers, and become an ally, not an enemy with a reputation for knee-jerk ill-advised PR responses to activist pressure.

Being responsible, showing some backbone in the face of activist political pressure gains you friends and allies. At the same time, you maintain your standards, your quality supply of product, you keep your customers happy and you help ensure there are farmers and ranchers around who will step up and work with you and for you.

Audio: Roxanne Swygart, Indiana Quarter Horse Assn. (3:00 MP3)

That legislation, the result of the an agreement between the United Egg Producers and the Humane Society of the United States, would require larger cages for egg-laying hens.

We discussed NCBA’s concerns with Woodall at the Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville.

AUDIO: Colin Woodall (2:26 MP3)

Working with Pfizer Animal Genetics, CAB and AGI developed the DNA test to evaluate marbling and post-weaning gain on high-percentage Angus cattle sired by registered Angus bulls.

CAB assistant vice president for production Mark McCully fills us in on Gene-Max and talks about the recent successes they’ve seen with Certified Angus Beef.

AUDIO: Mark McCully (5:20 MP3)

And Texas cattleman Steve Olson told us how he’ll be using Gene-Max in his operation.

AUDIO: Steve Olson (1:51 MP3)

At the recent Iowa Pork Congress in Des Moines, Brownfield’s Ken Anderson visited with Tentinger about changes he’s seen and changes he’s planning in his operation.

(Tentinger, by the way, is the newly-elected president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association.)

AUDIO: Bill Tentinger (3:00 MP3)