Brownfield » Rural Issues

Feds warn against anti-competitive practices

Ken Anderson — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:00:06 +0000

The nation’s largest agribusiness firms received a stern warning from the Obama administration during Friday’s ag competition workshop in Ankeny, Iowa: There’s a new sheriff in town and anti-competitive practices won’t be tolerated. U.S. attorney general Eric Holder was on the hand for the event, joined by Christine Varney, the assistant attorney general for antitrust. Both Holder and Varney said that while big isn’t necessarily bad, it can be bad if the power that comes with being big is misused.

AUDIO: Eric Holder and Christine Varney (3 min MP3)

Addressing the antibiotics and animal welfare issues

Ken Anderson — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:00:31 +0000

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

Ken Anderson — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:00:41 +0000

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

Julie Harker — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:24:21 +0000

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

Ken Anderson — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:00:25 +0000

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

Ken Anderson — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:00:16 +0000

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

Ken Anderson — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:00:30 +0000

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

Dave Russell — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:14:25 +0000

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

Dave Russell — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:32:34 +0000

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

Ken Anderson — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:00:52 +0000

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)