Addressing the antibiotics and animal welfare issues

We continue our conversation with Cozad, Nebraska cattle feeder Anne Burkholder.  As we discussed yesterday, Anne brings a unique perspective to the cattle industry, having grown up in urban Palm Beach County, Florida.  We asked Anne, a former recipient of NCBA’s Beef Quality Assurance Award, for her thoughts on the hot issues of antibiotics use and animal welfare.

AUDIO: Anne Burkholder (3 min MP3)

Passionate about Beef Quality Assurance

Cattle feeder Anne Burkholder of Cozad, Nebraska is considered one of the rising stars in the cattle industry.  Anne’s only been in the feeding business for 13 years—she grew in urban Florida—but in that time she has become a strong advocate and spokesperson for the beef industry.  In 2009, Ann received the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Award from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.  Brownfield’s Ken Anderson caught up with Anne at the recent Cattle Industry Convention in San Antonio and visited with her about her unique background and her passion for the BQA.

AUDIO: Anne Burkholder (3 min MP3)

Missouri action seeks to preempt HSUS action

A proposed constitutional amendment has moved forward in the Missouri legislature that would protect livestock care practices in Missouri. A resolution passed the Missouri House last week. If it passes the senate, the measure would go before Missouri voters in the November general election.

AUDIO: Leslie Holloway, Missouri Farm Bureau (3 min., MP3)

Pressure mounts to complete Free Trade Agreements

Agricultural interests continue to express frustration with the lack of progress on pending free trade agreements (FTAs) with Columbia, Panama and South Korea.  Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, for one, has criticized the administration’s “apparent lack of urgency” in resolving outstanding issues with those countries.  An official of USDA’s Foreign Ag Service, deputy undersecretary Darci Vetter, spoke at an ag conference in Nebraska last week.  Vetter agrees the FTAs would be very beneficial to agriculture.  But in each case, she says there are other issues involved.

AUDIO: Darci Vetter (3 min MP3)

Dairy a good fit in obesity and vitamin D initiatives

A couple of health issues that have really come to the forefront in recent months are childhood obesity and vitamin D deficiency in children.  Both of those initiatives seem tailor-made for the dairy industry.  Brownfield’s Ken Anderson talks to Beth Brock-Upton, director of nutrition affairs with the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council of Nebraska. 

AUDIO: Beth Brock-Upton (3 min MP3)

Ohio agriculture prepares for another battle with HSUS

It looks like Ohio’s ag industry, fresh off its resounding Issue 2 victory last fall, will have another battle on its hands in 2010.  The Humane Society of the United States is driving an effort to force Ohio’s new Livestock Care Standards Board to implement tough animal care regulations, similar to those enacted in California and other states.  HSUS has been cleared to circulate petitions to put such a measure on the ballot in Ohio this fall.  David White, senior director of issues management with Ohio Farm Bureau, says he expects the next round to be every bit as intense as the Issue 2 battle was last fall.

AUDIO: David White (3 min MP3)

Making sure there are researchers

While the emphasis of the United Soybean Board’s production committee remains soybean yields, committee chairman Rick Stern of New Jersey says the need for soybean researchers became evident about four years ago so the USB began funding a Research Fellowhip.

Audio: Rick Stern, Chairman, USB Production Committee (3:00 MP3)

Handling stored grain – safely

Moldy corn is not only a concern for livestock, but farmers too, which is why Dee Jepsen, an Ohio State University Extension safety leader says extra safety precautions are needed as farmers manage their stored grain. Precautions that include wearing a respirator or dust mask and making sure you understand the safety precautions associated with grain bin safety.

Audio: Dee Jepsen, Ohio State Univ. Extension safety lead (3:00 MP3)

Iowans discuss how to deal with animal rights movement

Wary of what animal rights activists are doing in other states, Iowa farm groups are formulating their own strategy.  Iowa Farm Bureau is leading an effort to establish a voluntary “Iowa Farm Care” program.  Working with the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, it would define best practices for livestock, dairy, poultry and egg production in the state.  Iowa Farm Bureau president Craig Lang tells Brownfield that this program of “farmers policing themselves” is preferable to creating more government bureaucracy. 

AUDIO: Craig Lang (3 min MP3)

The latest food trends

Kim Galeaz a Registered Dietitian and consultant to the National Pork Board says there are literally dozens of food, nutrition and eating trends and a couple of those are what Kim describes as “perfect” for pork.

Audio: Kim Galeaz, RD/Consultant to National Pork Board (3:00 MP3)

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