“Use your head more than your hands.”

One of the farmers speaking at an event I attended in Nashville, Tennessee last week prior to Commodity Classic shared that nugget of wisdom. It reminds me of the phrase “Work smarter, not harder.”

Another great piece of wisdom I heard last week came from Arlene Cotie. Arelene is Communications Manager with Bayer CropScience, and a farm girl from Alberta, Canada. We were discussing the growing problem of herbicide resistance in weeds. Like many of us, Arlene spent time in the family fields (mine were soybean fields while hers were sugar beet fields) with a weed hook or a hoe. Preserving herbicide technologies is a passion for her.

“Go back to your basics,” Arlene said. “Use all the tools available to you. Abuse of any one product will destroy that tool.”

I picked up 4 or 5 corn knives for a song at a farm auction last year. I was not in the market for them, but wanted some hitch pins with which they were selling. If farmers aren’t proactive and use some preventative management, corn knives, hoes and weed hooks might start bringing a little more money at auctions.

Arlene said that some palmer amaranth and waterhemp plants can produce a minimum of one hundred thousand seeds to as many as a million seeds. . .per plant! What begins as one plant the first year can turn into a patch the second year. That single plant could take over an entire field and your crop in its third year.

There was a lot of talk about sustainability at Commodity Classic. Many companies have at least one person and sometimes an entire team whose role it is to find innovative ways to do more with less. That might mean using less water or fossil fuels, ramping up recycling programs or initiating programs to be more wildlife-friendly.

Nick Hamon, Head of Sustainability for Bayer CropScience said a classic definition of sustainability is “Living and doing business in a way that meets the needs of the present without compromising the abilities of future generations to meet their own needs.”

That’s not a bad piece of advice socially, environmentally or economically.

The last nugget I’ll share came from Dennis Treacy, Executive Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer with Smithfield Foods, Inc.

“Was the decision to transition from individual gestation stalls based on consumer demand or was it made because Smithfield believes this to be the best animal husbandry practice?” I asked.

Treacy said that was an easy one to answer. It was done because customers wanted it. Smithfield does not believe that one form of housing has any benefit over the other.

The nugget, and I’m paraphrasing, is “The customer is always right.”

I have to wonder if things might have been different if we as an agricultural industry had done a better job over these past 2 decades of communicating our story.

If we use our ears to listen to our customers, and our heads to educate them, perhaps the experts in animal husbandry and not the marketers for fast food restaurants will guide future decisions on how animals are raised in this country.

Commentary. 

One of the founders of the company for which I work became well known in his later years for pointing out the lack of common sense in today’s society. Although Derry Brownfield had not been an owner of Brownfield Ag News since 1984, it still bears his name. There were times over the years when Derry would let me know in no uncertain terms that he was none too pleased with some of the programming decisions I had made, and that perhaps I was letting “big ag” influence my decisions. I would explain that I was determined to cover all sides of a news story and that meant big ag, small farms and everything in between. He would just smile and shake his head. I wasn’t going to change his mind and he wasn’t going to change mine, and that was alright.

Derry passed away a year ago March 11, but I can still hear his voice as clear as a bell in my memories, “Why, that’s just ignorance gone to seed.”

I agree with Derry in that common sense – or as we always called it growing up – good old fashioned horse sense – is lacking in many aspects in today’s society. You don’t have to look far and you don’t have to look hard to find examples:

I wish someone could tell me why the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) requires me to purchase flood insurance for a barn on my property that sits at an elevation that will only be flooded if it rains for 40 days and 40 nights and said rainfall is of Biblical proportions.

Why is it that anti-animal agriculture and animal rights groups are recognized and influential in determining how animals are treated on farms? Why is it that those who don’t eat meat and don’t want us to eat meat have a voice in how meat animals are fed, watered, sheltered, transported and processed?

Why do my tax dollars go toward the groceries for the woman standing in line in front of me while she pays cash for cigarettes, whiskey (not the cheap kind), the latest gossip magazine and lottery tickets?

If people want to buy and sell and drink raw milk, fine. Let them. But you and I shouldn’t have to pay their medical bills when they are lying in a hospital bed suffering from an illness brought on by a bacteria that could have been killed if the milk had been pasteurized.

Why is it that in a country founded on religious freedom are our children not allowed to pray in school?

I think we have too many laws. I think we have too much government. At some point, the citizens of this great nation are going to have to be accountable for their actions or lack thereof. Let’s face it: You can’t legislate the laziness, irresponsibility, carelessness, meanness, selfishness and stupidity out of people.

You can’t legislate common sense.

Commentary.

One of the founders of the company for which I work became well known in his later years for pointing out the lack of common sense in today’s society. Although Derry Brownfield had not been an owner of Brownfield Ag News since 1984, it still bears his name. There were times over the years when Derry would let me know in no uncertain terms that he was none too pleased with some of the programming decisions I had made, and that perhaps I was letting “big ag” influence my decisions. I would explain that I was determined to cover all sides of a news story and that meant big ag, small farms and everything in between. He would just smile and shake his head. I wasn’t going to change his mind and he wasn’t going to change mine, and that was alright.

Derry passed away a year ago March 11, but I can still hear his voice as clear as a bell in my memories, “Why, that’s just ignorance gone to seed.”

I agree with Derry in that common sense – or as we always called it growing up – good old fashioned horse sense – is lacking in many aspects in today’s society. You don’t have to look far and you don’t have to look hard to find examples:

I wish someone could tell me why the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) requires me to purchase flood insurance for a barn on my property that sits at an elevation that will only be flooded if it rains for 40 days and 40 nights and said rainfall is of Biblical proportions.

Why is it that anti-animal agriculture and animal rights groups are recognized and influential in determining how animals are treated on farms? Why is it that those who don’t eat meat and don’t want us to eat meat have a voice in how meat animals are fed, watered, sheltered, transported and processed?

Why do my tax dollars go toward the groceries for the woman standing in line in front of me while she pays cash for cigarettes, whiskey (not the cheap kind), the latest gossip magazine and lottery tickets?

If people want to buy and sell and drink raw milk, fine. Let them. But you and I shouldn’t have to pay their medical bills when they are lying in a hospital bed suffering from an illness brought on by a bacteria that could have been killed if the milk had been pasteurized.

Why is it that in a country founded on religious freedom are our children not allowed to pray in school?

I think we have too many laws. I think we have too much government. At some point, the citizens of this great nation are going to have to be accountable for their actions or lack thereof. Let’s face it: You can’t legislate the laziness, irresponsibility, carelessness, meanness, selfishness and stupidity out of people.

You can’t legislate common sense.

Do you know what an enriched cage looks like? How about a battery cage? Well, neither did I before doing a little research, but apparently 2,000 consumers responding to a study conducted by an independent research company do. By a margin of 4 to 1 those polled said they would support federal legislation to move egg production from the existing conventional egg-laying hen cages to enriched cages. Those polled also prefer federal legislation over state legislation.

The results of this teeny-tiny litmus test of public opinion came out about the same time that the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and a handful of animal protection groups joined the United Egg Producers (UEP) and several other egg and farm groups to present a bill to Congress (H.R. 3798) that, if passed, would create the first federal legislation that outlines specific treatment of animals on a farm.

The chickens my husband and I raise are in neither battery nor enriched cages. As a matter of fact, there are no cages. Quite frankly, you could say that I don’t have a rooster in this crowing contest. However, I think a very dangerous precedent is being set when an anti-animal agriculture group has any role whatsoever in determining how livestock and poultry are raised on farms in the United States of America!

Several agricultural organizations have spoken out against this proposed law, but the cooperative of egg farmers whose membership represents approximately 95% of all the egg-laying hens in the United States, stands together with HSUS on this proposal of federal control over everything from specific housing requirements to specific labeling requirements to prohibiting the sale of eggs and egg products nationwide that do not meet these requirements.

Men and women of animal husbandry in this country have been making improvements in the way animals are fed, sheltered, treated and handled for generations. It is always in the best interest of the farmer to do what is right on his or her farm not only because it is right, but because a farm is a business and poor business practices lead to poor economic returns.

If UEP and the other egg and farm groups joining with HSUS want to move their egg-laying hens to enriched cages, I say “just do it.” The customer will let us all know what they want. They will vote with their pocketbooks when given a choice.

Congress needs to stay out of it. Pick up the phone and tell those who represent you in Washington, D. C. to throw this proposed federal legislation/overreach out the window.

A coalition of agricultural groups including American Farm Bureau Federation, American Sheep Industry Association, Egg Farmers of America, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Farmers Union, National Milk Producers Federation, National Pork Producers Council and National Turkey Federation believe, if passed, this legislation could cost in the neighborhood of $10 billion and eliminate jobs. But hey, HSUS has agreed to stop pursuing state voter ballot initiatives. Sounds like a good thing, right? Not so much, since the initiative process is not available in many of the largest egg-producing states.

Now this animal rights group can invest all of its resources toward passing a single precedent-setting law that will get HSUS over the fence and onto your farm.

I wonder how many people have duct tape stockpiled in an effort to be prepared for a bio-terrorism incident in the United States? I know many people who have water and food stored in case of some sort of emergency. If it brings those who do a sense of security for themselves and their families, I say “good for them.”

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.

My husband and I took a quick trip to Denver recently where Jim entertained (played guitar and sang) prior to the Simmental breed embryo sale and prior to the national Simmental breed cattle sale held during the National Western Stock Show. In addition to tagging along to his “gigs” I wore my journalist cap and generated a story or two for Brownfield Ag News.

 For anyone who has been to the National Western, you know the thrill of walking through the historic Denver Union Stockyards on a crisp January morning where people from Ohio, North Dakota, Georgia, Alberta (Canada that is) and many other states are promoting their cattle. There are Shorthorns and Longhorns, Gelbviehs and Galloways, Simmentals and Salers, and every other breed imaginable. Some bring cattle to compete in the pen show in “the yards.” Others bring cattle to compete in the arena on “the hill.” Some bring cattle to sell while others bring bulls to promote semen sales.

 During the 16-day run, 15,000 head of horses, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, llamas, alpacas, bison, yak, poultry and rabbits were on the grounds at the National Western Stock Show. The show, which closed its 105th run on January 22, is often referred to as “the granddaddy of them all” when compared to other stock shows.

 People from around the world came as spectators and buyers of cattle, embryos and bull semen. The National Western Stock Show is noted for hosting the world’s only carload and pen cattle show, held in the Denver Union Stockyards.

 Despite the rich history of the show, the opportunity to catch up with many friends who have cattle at the show, and the chance to see some of the best cattle in our breed, it is something else that impresses me most about the National Western Stock Show. It is how almost every aspect of the National Western Stock Show is used as an opportunity to educate those not directly involved in the livestock business.

 At every turn, there is a sign or a banner that tells the story of a particular building, area, or event. The Denver community embraces the National Western. Those who live in the city, who have never set foot on a farm or ranch, come out each year with a sense of ownership for this very non-city event. Over the course of the 16-day show, nearly 20,000 school children from the Denver area will visit and participate in an educational tour.

 I talked with a friend from Illinois who with her husband and 10-year old son brought 3 head to compete in cattle shows on “the hill.” Not only, she explained to me, is this an opportunity for the “city visitors” to get an education. Her son, appalled that someone had run into a neighboring stall to pat a bull’s rump, complained that the person wasn’t very smart. The incident was the perfect opportunity for her to help her son understand how to communicate a positive story about animal agriculture to those who have not been exposed to it.

 My friend told her son that in this situation, he has the opportunity to explain to a visitor that the bull might not intentionally hurt them, but if spooked, an animal weighing in at nearly a ton, could indeed hurt someone.

 If, at every county and state fair and stock show, we would each reach just one consumer unfamiliar with animal agriculture, we could make a difference.

Commentary. 

I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when a friend of mine recalled “roommate stories” from her years as an undergrad at University of California – Berkley. This friend, now a science teacher, moved from the Midwest to the West Coast in the early 90′s to pursue an education in the field of science. Her roommate, who came from the East Coast, had apparently come to U.C. Berkley with an interest in science, as well. The roommate had a penchant for chemistry. Or perhaps better stated, a penchant for chemicals.

The roommate greatly enjoyed experimenting with a variety of drugs. She was enthralled with the whole counter-culture movement of the 60′s and fancied herself a free thinker. The roommate’s antics are central to many of my friend’s memories from her first year at Berkley.

As a free thinker, the roommate, although already a practicing vegetarian, decided that she could not bear the thought of using animal products in any way.

I am a firm believer that it is an adult human’s right to choose what they eat and what they drink. And if they want to practice veganism, that is 100% their choice.

The roommate told my friend that as an ethical vegan, she saw veganism as more than a diet. Veganism, she explained, had become her lifestyle. It was her philosophy of choice.

My friend smiled as her roommate cleaned out her closet, tossing all clothing containing animal products. The roommate tossed her leather belts, bags and shoes. My friend noticed that the roommate kept a wool scarf that she would need for a winter visit back to the East Coast.

The roommate continued to burn beeswax candles that she lit with wooden matches. Although the roommate enjoyed chemistry/chemicals, she also loved photojournalism. In that time before digital cameras had taken over, many a roll of film was purchased and developed by the roommate. My friend didn’t mention to the roommate that beeswax, matches and camera film are all made of animal products.

Truly being a vegan cannot be easy. Many of you have probably seen the list of products made from cattle and hogs. From instrument strings, tennis racquet strings, hormones, enzymes and vitamins from the internal organs; to pasta, cake mixes, medicines, adhesive, dyes and inks from the blood; to emery boards, wallpaper, plywood, shampoo and conditioner, photo film and adhesives made from the hooves and horns; there are many products used every day that come from cattle that we do not eat.

Products made from swine are also abundant. There is the calcium used to fortify yogurt, hemoglobin from blood used in cigarette filters, bone ash in train brakes, heart valves to replace human heart valves, gelatin from the skin and bones used by a weapons manufacturer to help distribute powder to bullets, and fatty acids derived from pork fat used as a hardening agent in crayons which also gives them that distinctive smell.

Animal products are used in everything from porcelain to chewing gum; deodorant to bio diesel; and antifreeze to insulation.

As I said, I believe it is an adult’s right to choose. I just find it hard to believe that there are very many “true” vegans when there is a use as well as a need for everything except the oink and moo.

Commentary.  The Endangered Species Act will turn 40 years old in December. I learned during a couple of PBS documentaries aired recently, about a few species on our planet that have been rescued because of this legislation officially enacted in 1973. I’m glad to see the peregrine falcon and the small key deer that live in south Florida have not vanished from the face of the earth.

For the most part, I believe we all, at some level, appreciate the birds and the wildlife that share this planet with us. But like many of you, I cringe when I hear the horror stories of farmers in California fighting to keep their land because of the presence of an endangered mouse or salamander. Talk to anyone with farm land along the Missouri River and you’ll learn they feel less important to the U.S. Government than the pallid sturgeon, least tern and piping plover. Mention black prairie dog to cattlemen in Nebraska and you will learn what a nuisance these animals have become to those involved in livestock production. Mention spotted owl to those involved in the timber industry in the Pacific Northwest, and they will tell you those owls have plenty of habitats. Wolves in Yellowstone? Ask the shepherds and ranchers running livestock nearby how many lambs and calves they’ve lost to this endangered species.

Many years ago, when Clayton Yeutter was Secretary of Agriculture, I was interviewing him about what seemed at the time to be a very important agricultural issue. More than 2 decades have since passed, and the “critical issue” has long since been forgotten, but a comment he made stays with me to this day. The former secretary said “Cyndi, this issue is of great importance to all of us involved in agriculture, but it is a cup of tea compared to the plight of the spotted owl. Our issue will long be forgotten and the spotted owl will long be remembered in America’s history.”

I believe that most farmers are good stewards of the land. That means that you will leave the land in good condition when you go, and you do not set out to destroy the wildlife. Many of you have incorporated some sort of wildlife conservation plan on your farm or ranch. Perhaps it was more appealing because of the government payment that comes with it.

This is a topic that causes me great concern and consideration.

I like having plentiful game on my land so that we might enjoy turkey, quail, deer and rabbit hunting, and we have worked to provide food and cover for those birds that are currently few in number. We must remember though, in nature, when there is plentiful game, it will be hunted. We are not the only hunters here. It might be coyotes. It might be bobcat. It could even be mountain lions (which we are told are not present, yet we continue to hear of confirmed sightings not far away.) Many of the predators following the game we so desire will also take down a calf or a lamb.

Let us learn from our fellow farmers and ranchers in other areas of the United States of America. Maintain a dialogue with the conservation “community” and lawmakers at the local, state and national level. Show them what you are doing on your farm to be “wildlife-friendly” and if you are dissatisfied with their actions, vote them out of office.