Good Food, Safe Food, Healthy Food, GMOs

Last week it was our turn to feed the Rock Creek High School junior varsity baseball team. If you have not had the opportunity to feed fifteen teenage boys, you should. I quite imagine it is somewhat like feeding piranhas in the Amazon. You toss the food out and get your hands and feet back as quickly as possible. In the period of about five minutes they made more than five and half feet of a six foot sub disappear.

We play double headers and at each game a parent is assigned to feed the team. It is usually sandwiches and fruit. Not wanting to go against the standards, I bought fruit to go along with the six feet of subs. From past experience I knew that bananas were always popular and to add variety I decided to add clementines. They have long been a favorite at our house because they are easy to peel and usually very good. For those of you who might not know, clementines are a hybrid between a mandarin and sweet orange.

I quickly set the box of subs down and backed away and watched the feeding frenzy. Soon I found myself at another picnic table keeping the clementines and bananas company. It is probably not a good idea to make eye contact with a teenager as they are feeding so I spent my time reading the bag the clementines came in.

It was all pretty routine until I got to the last line. The last line on the bag proclaimed that the clementines I had purchased were non-gmo. I supposed in the strictest of modern terminology the bag was correct, but I did find it a bit ironic that a hybrid, seedless fruit would make such a statement. It is true that it may not be genetically modified in the manner of much of our corn or soybeans but it is still genetically modified.

I know, I know, I am talking selective breeding versus transgenic but the fact of the matter is, we humans, have been genetically modifying the plants and animals we grow for food for centuries. My point is that most people do not really know what gmo means or the science behind it. This makes them easy prey for misinformation. I also admit that it is hard to read the scientific explanation of what a genetically modified organism is and much harder to understand the idea of transgenic. That makes gmo crops a fairly easy target for activists.

As farmers and members of the agriculture community we know there is an overwhelming amount of research and information that provides an undeniable assurance that gmo crops pose no risk to human health but that does little good in the court of public opinion. In the court of public opinion we are subject to hearsay, speculation, false information and flawed research. Often one of these rumors starts with a simple post on social media and takes off like wild fire. Living in the Flint Hills I do have some experience with wild fires and I know the best way to stop them is to be pro-active.

Like a fire-break, we need to get out in front of this issue. Proposed gmo bans in several states including Hawaii (which would have a devastating effect on gmo research and production) and gmo labeling laws would have a chilling effect on how we grow food and protect the environment. GMO crops have the potential now to help over 800 million malnourished people and I would suspect that number will grow exponentially in the future. The world needs the best in technology when it comes to producing food and gmo crops are one of the best technological advances we have.

However, the hysteria surrounding gmo crops and alleged, assumed (and we all know what happens when you assume) health risks will continue to make it a good marketing tactic for companies to put a non-gmo label on their food. The good news is that I think consumers are starting to pay attention and listen to some of the factual information available to them.

That is why we must be out in front assuring the consumer that gmo crops are safe and will continue to be safe. After all, safe, nutritious food is one thing we should all be able to agree on. Those of us who farm and ranch have a daunting task in front of us. We need to grow more food, with less land to feed a rapidly growing world population and I have trouble seeing how that will not include gmo crops.

Testing a Farmer's Patience

Is there anything better than a cool fall morning? Well, OK, maybe the first real warm morning in the spring. I have to say that I really enjoy fall, it is one of my four favorite seasons of the year. Did I hear a groan? Yes, I admit it, I like all four seasons equally, and I guess that is why I live in Kansas where we have four definite seasons (and sometimes all in the same day).

While I like all four seasons equally, I also must come clean that I especially enjoy the transition from summer to fall. Some of us were just not made for hot weather and the cool temperatures of the fall are a welcome relief. You can always put more clothes on but there are only so many layers of clothing you can take off. I am living proof of that.

In any case, it must be fall. Jennifer, the kids and I have spent our weekend at the Kansas State Fair, football and volleyball season are in full swing and the harvest anticipation has started to build. There is nothing like the build up to fall harvest to test the patience of a farmer. I truly think waiting on Christmas morning as a kid was training for waiting on the crops to dry down.

This year is no different; harvest can’t get here fast enough. Last month it looked like corn harvest was going to be early, we were going to be picking corn in early September for sure. It was hot, dry and the corn was maturing at a rapid pace. Then it started raining. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the rain and I am not complaining, maybe whining a little, but not complaining. The moisture certainly slowed the drying down of our corn.

This past week I did notice some fields being picked and while I still saw some green in our corn, I couldn’t help myself and I picked some ears and hand shelled a sample.  I knew it was an exercise in futility but I persevered anyway. The ears were still standing upright and it took a good yank to separate them from the stalk. Dad quickly told me that the corn was way too wet as we hand shelled it off of the cob. However, I continued on because an inquiring mind has to know.

Off to town I drove with a coffee can sized sample of corn next to me on the front seat. The anticipation of harvest steadily building as I got nearer to the elevator, it was Christmas morning all over again. I walked through the door with my sample and presented it proudly to Joanne, the branch manager. She quickly looked at my sample and pronounced it too wet. By now I was relatively sure that 1) my corn was not ready and 2) I was not the first one to bring in a sample.

Sure enough the sample tested 19.3%; harvest was just going to have to wait. I was having flashbacks to being a kid and waking up at midnight Christmas Eve. I was going to have to wait but it wasn’t going to be easy. Joanne handed my sample back to me and told me to come back in a couple more weeks. We both chuckled when she said it; knowing full well that I would probably be back in with another sample in a few more days.

While those of us involved in farming are among some of the most patient people, waiting for harvest is not easy. I also know when the grain is finally dry enough and harvest hits full bore, we will wonder why we were so anxious for it to start. That is of little consolation right now and each time I drive by one of our fields I look a little harder to see some hint that harvest is getting closer. More ears hanging down, more brown leaves, anything that heralds the onset of harvest.

Well, I guess that means corn harvest will have to wait. Maybe I should take a look at the soybeans. Even better maybe I should take a sample of the soybeans in. I better get started because it sure is hard to shell out those green pods. After all, harvest season has started and I am hauling the crop to town one coffee can at a time.

Pride in a Job Well Done

Last Friday we sold our calves at the local auction. It is one of the most exciting and scary times of the year. A whole year of work boils down to just a few minutes. Dad, Ike and I watched with pride as our calves came in. The old rancher next to me leaned over and asked if they were our calves. I told him yes and he said "that's a nice looking bunch of calves". For those of you who don't do "rancher speak", that is about as good a compliment as you can get.

These were the calves that my family and I spent many cold mornings and evenings checking, tagging and caring for. We worked long hard days preparing the pastures in the spring, burning the old grass and fixing fence. Then came a hard week of running them through the chute and giving them their vaccinations.

Summer came and we went out many mornings and evenings when it was cool to check them. We filled the mineral feeders, baled hay and moved the cows and calves to new pastures. When the rains came we spent many miserable hot afternoons fixing flood gaps. Finally, came the fall gathering, hauling them from summer pasture and ultimately hauling them to the salebarn.

All of that led to the moment when the calves came into the sale ring. The auctioneer really worked the buyers, and they responded. All of this gave me a great sense of accomplishment. At that moment I think I was as proud as I have ever been to be a rancher and doing my part to provide my customers with healthy, wholesome beef.

That is why it so upsetting to me when groups such as HSUS and PETA attack our way of life. Have the very activists who spend their entire lives trying to tear apart what generations have built, ever experienced the sense of pride, accomplishment and hard work that I was at that moment. The short answer is I doubt it.

I think if they had spent the hours working in the biting cold or the extreme heat they might have a change of heart. If they had ever gotten dirt under their nails, grit in their teeth or mud on their boots, they would feel differently. If they had truly ever put the care and comfort of animals in their care ahead of their own well-being, they would have a change of heart. There is something about raising your own food and feeding others that brings meaning to life.

At that moment, I realized that the hard work of the past year, the hard work of my parents, grandparents and the three generations before them counted for something. The hours caring for my cattle and the time spent caring for the prairie was time well spent. At that moment I was truly proud to be a producer of the food we all eat.

Weather Worries

This past week has seen record breaking heat for us. I am not going to lie, watching the weather is the most frustrating part of farming and ranching. It is the one thing that we have absolutely no control over and it is the one thing that affects our livelihood more than all other factors. My wise old Father continually tells me that worrying about the weather won't do anything but give me ulcers.

I know he is right, but that doesn't keep me from watching as many different weather forecasts as possible and stewing over each rain chance. Even then it is not always about rain. Right now we are in a period of extreme heat, this comes right as the corn is tasseling. Heat hurts the pollination of the corn and therefore reduces our yields. Even the irrigated corn is hurting because, no amount of water can cool off the plant.

New technology is on the horizon that will help eliminate this problem or at least lessen its effects. This will allow for a steadier income for us, as farmers, and a more stable food supply for everyone else. That is why it is hard for me to understand why non-ag people oppose new ag technology. But that is a topic for another blog.

As farmers, we watch as cool temperatures stunt our crops and too much rain drown them out in the spring. My fellow farmers watch as rivers rise and flood their land. Then we stand by helplessly as drought and heat take their toll or wind and hail level the crops all together. Sure we have crop insurance, but in many cases it only covers our fixed costs and those fixed costs do not include our living expenses.

So am I wanting your sympathy. No, this is the career path I chose and I knew the unpredictable weather was part of the deal. Rather I share this with you so that you understand that no matter how good we are at planting and caring for the crop, or how shrewd we are at marketing the crop there is much that is out of our control.

I also share this with you because even with all of the heart break of losing a crop to drought or flood, to heat or hail, I wouldn't want to live any other way. I take pride in the land I live on and the crop I grow. Even with one eye on the horizon and one on the radar screen and my fingers crossed hoping for rain and cooler temps. I am still a proud producer of the food we all need.

Rain and Uncertainty

For much of this spring we have been in an extended dry spell. That allowed us to get our work done quickly but it did inspire quite a bit of apprehension among my fellow farmers and ranchers. The weather report on the 10 o'clock news became more and more vital and more and more disappointing each night. However, that worry about dry weather quickly disappeared and was replaced by a new worry.

Over the last week we have received enough rain to bring us back to normal or a little above. Just yesterday and last night we received about 5 inches of rain. This led to a lot of flooding and damage to our crops and the flood gaps across our streams and ditches. It also means lots of expenses from replanting and repairs. But that is all part of the cost of doing business.

I jokingly tell people that the middle between the two extremes is where our averages come from. The weather is both one of the best and the worst things about farming and ranching.
My wise old Father tells me that it does no good to worry about the weather and the older I get the more I understand.

The apprehension of missing rains and watching crops wither quickly turns to relief with the first rainfall. However, it also quickly returns to apprehension as the rain continues to fall. Even though we know there is nothing we can do, I would guess many of my fellow farmers and ranchers pace and watch like I do.

So why be a part of a business where the best plans can be thwarted by something you can't control? I guess it all comes back to the fact that farming and ranching are more than a business. None of us farm and ranch to get rich, we chose this profession because it is in our blood, it is part of us. We suffer through the lows and revel in the highs because feeding the world is our passion. Along with that the uncertainty that the weather brings is just part of the core of who we are.

Sausage or Meat?

Last week I had the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. Let me first say that I love going to our nation's capital. I find our political process very fascinating, although to many it is much like making sausage. You like the end product but many don't care to watch the making of it.

However, my limit is about four days in the Beltway. The whole time I am there, I feel like part of me is missing. What was missing became obvious to me as I pulled into my driveway late Wednesday night. I missed the open spaces, the smell of the open prairie, the sound of my animals, and the bright sparkling sky above me. D.C., while breath-taking and hypnotizing, seems harsh and man-made. It mesmerizes me, but I must say in the end it lacks the depth and soul of the heartland I call home.

I missed the people who surround me each day. Obviously, I missed the love and support of my family but I also missed the men and women I am blessed to be around each day. I enjoy the networking and connecting required to lobby but those meetings lack the depth of relationships those of us in the Midwest are used to. The norm to us are deep friendships that are cultivated over many years and deep rooted.

I suppose that is the nature of the beast in the Beltway. After all, most of the people who are involved in politics are from somewhere else. They make their way to our nation's capital to provide governance but it is not home. I guess that lack of roots is what I was missing and maybe that is what is missing in our government.

Those of us in agriculture understand having roots and being from "somewhere". We have a deep tie to our surroundings, our land, our community and a love and passion for them. While we may visit other places, there is a hole that will always seem hollow in us, until we return to our ranch and our community.

My wish for those, who are firmly entrenched in the District, is to come to my little corner of the Flint Hills. To meet the hard-working men and women who live in my hometown and then they will understand what they are missing. I get the sense that they are missing something deep inside their core. I guess what I am saying is that while sausage may be fine once in a while, meat and potatoes are what sustain us.

Counting My Chickens Before They Hatch

Right now I have 11 dozen eggs in 11 different incubators in 11 different classrooms and I am excited to be a poultry producer. Each year I teach chick embryology to second graders in Pottawatomie County, and it is truly one of the things i enjoy most about my job. Oh sure it has its highs and lows. One year we hatched nearly all of the eggs and the next we only hatched 1 or 2 out of 120.

OK, I can hear the questions already. Why would a known beef producer be so eager to teach young children about chickens and even like it? Well folks, even though we compete for space in the meat counter and compete for your dollars at the check-out counter, it is all animal agriculture.

One of my passions in life is to talk to kids about agriculture. I love being part of the great system of farms and ranches that feed our great nation and I want everyone (especially kids) to know all about it. I love sharing the basics of our business, the science of what we do and how that all relates to the food we all eat.

I start this project by talking to the kids about the embryo's development. I show them and tell them about how the chicks develop each day. Then after two weeks I take a candler into the classroom and we candle the eggs. As I said earlier, sometimes this can be a really disappointing part of the unit. When this happens we talk about how this relates to both agriculture and real life.

During this unit I talk to the kids about the purpose of the chickens they are hatching and ultimately what will happen to them. I tell the teachers ahead of the unit that I will be taking the chicks home to my farm. The kids know that the hens will be kept for egg production and the roosters will be harvested for meat.

Most of the time this leads to an interesting discussion with the kids. However, I truly believe it is important for the kids to understand production agriculture and know where their food comes from. I hope as my years in Extension go on that I can at least make a difference one classroom at a time. I hope that each of those kids leave knowing where their food comes from, how it is raised and why we raise certain animals.

Then maybe they will relay the information to their parents, neighbors and friends. This kind of education used to be part of every child's upbringing through interaction with parents, grandparents or aunts and uncles on the farm. Now as generations are grow up far removed from the farm, it is our duty as farmers, ranchers and those involved in agriculture to make sure this basic knowledge of agriculture is in place. That, friends, is why I am counting my chickens even before they hatch.

Its Easy Being Green

Everywhere I go today I see green, that is probably because it is St. Patty's Day. However, as a farmer/ rancher I see green everyday. This week is Kansas Ag Week and each day had a theme, today's theme is Agriculture and Conserving Natural Resources.

I maintain that farmers and ranchers started the original green movement. Agriculture does more to preserve and improve the air, soil and water than any other business I know of. Sure big lobbying groups like the Sierra Club and the Environmental Working Group would say otherwise but they will say anything to get your donation. The real truth of the matter is that farmers and ranchers work hard to protect the environment.

Soil conservation has long been a focus in agriculture. Farmers started using terraces, water ways and other conservation practices almost 100 years ago. Today soil conservation has evolved into no-till farming and the immense technology behind this practice. The soil loss off of a field with conservation structures, farmed no-till is very minimal and very close to that of the native prairie. As farmers we realize that the soil is our lifeblood and we need to keep it in place.

Water quality is another area that farmers and ranchers are deeply committed to. Our creeks, rivers and ponds may be cleaner in some instances than they were before the plains were settled. Buffer strips, sedimentation basins, pond exclusions and fencing off of waterways have improved water quality and safety exponentially. Farming practices such as no-till have lowered the use of herbicides, new plant genetics have reduced the need for insecticides and better soil testing has led to more targeted and efficient application of fertilizers. This all results in less run off and cleaner, healthier creeks, rivers and ponds.

Air quality has become a hot button issue and our very own Flint Hills ranchers are working to make the air quality in places like Wichita and Kansas City better. The new Flint Hills Smoke Management plan will help reduce the amount of smoke drifting over our urban neighbors from our beneficial prescribed burns. This is a voluntary plan, implemented because we want to be good neighbors. Other practices like no-till have reduced the dust in the air and the amount of wind erosion. Modern swine, poultry, dairy and beef production systems greatly reduce the odors they give off and help to improve the quality of life for their neighbors also.

I am the proud producer of the food and fiber we all need, but this day has made me aware of something else also. Because of the great advances in technology and the dedication of my fellow farmers and ranchers, I can also say that I am a proud environmentalist dedicated to preserving the natural resources from which I make my living.

Wednesday is Wear Green for Ag Day

It's March and I am looking through my closet for green. No, its not what you think. I am not putting on the green for St. Patty's Day. Rather I am putting on my green for the 2nd Annual Wear Green in Support of Ag Day. My friend Barrett Smith came up with this great idea last year. I encourage you to wear green also and here is why.

Those of us living in the United States have the incredible blessing of living in a nation with the safest, most wholesome, most abundant food supply in the world. We live in a nation with a system of farms and ranches that produce more food than we consume. We live in a nation where one farmer feeds themselves and 159 others. We truly feed the world.

The network of farmers and ranchers who produce the food and fiber we all need, do so in a manner that is both safe and sustainable. We protect the environment, the soil we live on is preserved, our air is cleaner and the water is purer than ever. This is all because we employ the most technologically advanced methods to produce the nourishment we all need while protecting the world around us.

I will wear green to honor my fellow farmers and ranchers, many whom are four and five generations on the same piece of land and most of whom are family farms and ranches. The men and women who produce your food do so out of a love of what they do. I promise you they do not farm and ranch to get rich. We chose our career paths because it is our calling.

That is why I am asking you to wear green this Wednesday. I am also asking you to pass this on to all of your friends, it would be my wish that everyone I see on Wednesday would be wearing green. After all I am a proud producer of the food we all eat.

The View from My Office

This morning was one of those mornings that reminds me of why I do what I do. Let me share the "view from my desk". The mornings are starting have that twinge of spring. I am not sure if it is the moisture in the air or the slightly warmer temperatures but it is obvious changes are on the way. It just feels like spring in the air.

We are deep in the heart of lambing and calving. There is nothing I love more than to go out early in the morning and watch the lambs and calves. Chores take on the added excitement of finding newborn lambs or calves. It seems as though there are more birds singing and the sounds of spring are in the air.

When the barn doors are opened into the outdoor pens the lambs buck and run and it is one of my favorite things to watch. Ewes are momentarily distracted by the feed being dumped into the feed bunk, but are quickly back to looking for their lambs. Each ewe has a distinctive noise they make to find their lambs. By the end of lambing season, I can almost tell which ewe is looking for her lamb by the sound.

The calves are much the same. During calving, I often unroll bales. When I do this the calves will also run and buck as the bale unrolls. Like the ewes the cows are easily distracted by the hay and soon go looking for their calves.

All of this activity is framed in the heavy, damp, earthy air of spring, soon the hills will start to show tinges of green and the trees will start to bud. I am not sure how to explain it but watching the new calves and the lambs gives one a sense of well-being, you know winter is near its end and spring is coming.

This is all infused with the sunshine coming up over the hills and touching the whole panorama. That is the scene I wish I could share with each of you. It is a scene that makes you feel good about the world we live in and one that makes you feel good about our farmers and and ranchers.

Farmers and ranchers live this scene every morning and that is why we work so hard to preserve it. We work to protect the environment around us and the animals we raise. This scene and experience is one that I never get tired of and one that I want my children and my grandchildren to experience. That, my friends, is why I love what I do.

Food Checkout Week

Events this past week have underscored just how important food is. The unrest in much of Africa stems from high food prices. Just this week a study came out indicating that we must increase our food production by 40 times. While oil seems to drive the world economy, food is far more critical. I promise that the men and women who have dedicated their lives to their farms and ranches will meet the challenge.

We, in the United States, are so blessed to have the agricultural infrastructure that provides the food and fiber that we all need to survive. Our farmers and ranchers utilize the technology advances available to them to feed themselves and 129 other people.

Not only do we provide the food and fiber needed by those 129 other people but we do it in a sustainable, environmentally friendly manner. The advances in agronomy and animal science have allowed us to use fewer resources to produce more food. All the while protecting the soil we walk on, the water we drink and the air we breath.

That is why we celebrate Food Checkout Week. We have the safest, most wholesome, most affordable food in the world. I think we take this for granted. Only in the United States would we have groups that are critical of the family farmers and ranchers who grow their food. In most of the world they are grateful to those who produce their food.

Some of the blame falls on the shoulders of my fellow farmers and ranchers. We are very good at producing the food that fuels our nation, but we are not very good at sharing why we do what we do. That is why we make our way to grocery stores during this week. Chances are that Farm Bureau will be in your local grocery store.

We will be there handing out information about agriculture and more importantly talking to each of you. We will be sharing our love of agriculture, the world around us and our pride in feeding our fellow man. I would encourage you to take time to stop and visit, I promise you will come away feeling good about the food in your cart.

Oprah You Just Don't Get It

I just finished watching the Oprah show where Oprah and much of her staff went vegan for 7 days. While I find veganism puzzling I also acknowledge that it is a lifestyle choice, this is a free country and everyone should have the right to live as they chose. However, I do take exception to something Kathy Freston, self proclaimed veganist, said.

In this episode Cargil allowed a segment to be taped for the show from one of their plants. If you can find it I encourage you to watch it. Their employees did a wonderful job of explaining the harvest process and the measures they take. However, the veganist said she was troubled by the video because she was more evolved and had more compassion for the animals. That is where I really took offense.

You see this all happened during one of the worst winter storms in many, many years. Most of the hardworking farmers and ranchers who were taken to task by this lady could not watch the show. Why you ask? They were out in bitter cold conditions making sure their livestock was properly cared for. They were risking their own health and well-being to check on the welfare of those animals and to provide them with feed and water. Just exactly who is lacking compassion?

Meanwhile, Miss Freston was in a studio warm and comfortable taking shots at my friends and neighbors. Make no bones about it, what Miss Freston and Oprah did today is an insult to the very people who feed you. From the farmers and ranchers who raise the crops and livestock, to the hardworking men and women who work for Cargil, Tyson and others. They are the ones I count as friends not Freston or Oprah.

The show can be summed up the best by the reporter who visited the Cargil plant. Her comment was that she planned to continue to eat beef and now she knew better where it came from. That is all those of us in agriculture ask. Please become educated, not by false experts like Kelly Freston, but by those of us who live, breath and are agriculture producers. Then and only then you can make an educated choice about what you eat.

Ruffling my Fur

As many of you know, recently I have had the opportunity to spend many hours watching daytime TV. This has been an interesting study into why many people develop the beliefs they have. You see, daytime TV is littered with many programs featuring celebrities with lots of opinions and little in the way of facts.

I suspect many of these celebrities have good intentions but fall prey to the need for higher ratings and more sensational topics. This makes them easy targets for animal rights and environmental groups who rely more on emotions than facts.

Earlier I saw Rachel Ray promote cage-free, organic eggs as more healthy. She did not have any facts to back up her assertion. How do I know? Because there is no scientific proof that cage-free or organic are healthier than commercially produced.

Then today I watched "The Talk". Sharon Osborne interviewed an actress (who I did not recognize), the discussion quickly turned from her new movie to her ad campaign for PETA. The actress said she decided to become a spokesperson for PETA because of a documentary about fur. She claimed that animals were skinned alive and she related this to her dog. Sharon then asserted that most fur collars come from dog and cat fur.

This sheds a lot of light on typical PETA propaganda. First, they reach people who's only contact with animals are pets. Animals raised for food or for fiber are different from pets. The animals are well cared for but they are raised for the purpose of food or clothing. When the proper time comes they are ethically harvested for items we need. It is not cruel, but rather the cycle of life.

Second, Sharon stated something that was more sensational than true. I have never seen anything would indicate what she said was true. In fact, my guess (yes it is my opinion) most of that fur is faux, fake, man-made. PETA and their mouth pieces are never hindered by the truth or facts. They will say anything that will make their point, sway more people and ultimately raise more funds for their own use.

My daytime TV watching may have cost me some brain cells and several points on my IQ but it did make me realize that those of us in agriculture need to get out and tell our story. Too many actors look for "causes" and are hooked by slick characters from fund raising groups like PETA and HSUS. We need to reach them and at least educate them about the truth.

The truth is that we are incredibly lucky to have the safest, most abundant food supply in the entire world. We have an amazing network of farmers and ranchers who work tirelessly to produce food and fiber in an environmentally sustainable manner. Without the agriculture backbone of our nation we would not have actors, celebrities or daytime TV.

What is the answer to this dilemma. Each time something outrageous about agriculture is presented, we need to be ready and willing to answer it. We also need to go the extra step and try to reach people before our opponents do. If you are one who is watching daytime TV, I ask that you contact me or one of my fellow farmers and ranchers to learn the truth about animals, the environment and your food. The truth will set you free and free is much different than what PETA and HSUS have in mind.

Response to Article from Men's Health

The following is my response to an article published in the men's health section and posted on the Fox News website. Please read and respond. The article is inaccurate and unfair.

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I am a fifth generation rancher in the Flinthills of Kansas and I am also one of the small producers that the article speaks of. However, I feel the need to stand up and say that the article is both misleading and inaccurate and the facts must be set straight. The meat in the grocer case is both safe and nutritious. Most importantly it is affordably priced for all consumers.

I direct market a significant number of the beef cattle I produce locally. The beef I market is a premium product priced at a premium level. My customers are middle to upper class and can afford my product. However, many cannot and that is why we need larger farms producing a more affordable product.

The safety of meat is also questioned in this article. That is absolutely false. E-coli can simply be avoided through proper handling and cooking of meat. Consumers who properly handle meat making sure to clean utensils after each step in the cooking process and who cook their meat to the proper internal temperature are protected from e-coli. The truth is that e-coli were much more prevalent 80 years ago when production practices were more closely aligned to the ones supported by the article.

The truth of the matter is that there is a need both for locally raised, premium foods and for the products produced on a larger scale for distribution in larger stores. Small farms simply cannot produce enough food for the ever growing, ever more urban population.

We are incredibly blessed in this nation to have a safe and abundant food supply. Farmers and ranchers produce more food , cheaper, with fewer inputs in a more environmentally friendly manner, each year. The need for nutrition in this country has led to the creation of the greatest most efficient agriculture system in the entire world. All I ask is that the readers of this article take the time to get to know the great men and women who produce the food and fiber we all need. Do that and they will have a greater appreciation and trust in our shared food supply

Trust the Professional

Today I received a call from a family farmer friend of mine who raises pigs. During our conversation he mentioned that he was trying to become certified as humanely raising his pigs. However, he was having trouble with this certification because it was both expensive and in some ways unrealistic.

Most of the groups wanting to do the audit insisted that the pigs not be in modern facilities. By this I mean no farrowing crates and baby pigs must be allowed outside. I suppose that all sounds good until you understand swine behavior.

Sows were placed in farrowing crates ( this is a structure that does not allow them to turn around) to protect the baby pigs. Until the advent of farrowing crates a large number of pigs were crushed by the sow. Baby pigs being allowed to roam the outdoors sounds good until you realize what a modern hog barn is like. It is a constant temperature (unlike the baking heat of summer and the bitter cold of winter), free from predators (even hawks, cats and dogs are predators of baby pigs) and free of disease carried by birds and other animals.

Basically what the "humane certification" dictates is that he has to operate his farm utilizing the same methods that were deemed obsolete in 1950. That got me to thinking. As many of you know I recently injured my Achilles tendon. Until this injury I knew nothing about Achilles tendons, therefore I sought the treatment of an orthopedic surgeon.

Now imagine if I had went into my surgeon and insisted that I knew that the way this injury was treated in the 50's was far better than today. You (and my doctor) would tell me that modern medicine has made many advances and the treatment today is vastly different and better than it was 60 years ago. Furthermore, how dare I question someone with extensive training, many years of experience and the advantages of on-going professional development. You know what? You would be absolutely right.

I went into my doctor's office confident that he knew what he was doing. Had I known enough about Achilles tendons to treat myself, I would have. However, while he was in medical school, serving as an intern and practicing medicine, I too was learning about my chosen trade, agriculture.

My fellow hog farmers are no different. They have gone to college to learn modern animal husbandry, many have worked for more experienced farmers, and all continue to attend workshops and other professional development to advance their knowledge. They are experts and professionals in their chosen fields.

Does that mean I should blindly follow my doctor. No, I did some research and made myself aware of the basics of the Achilles tendon, my injury and treatments. However, that knowledge did not make me an expert, it gave me a better understanding of what the expert was telling me. Every farmer I know welcomes the consumer becoming more educated about agriculture.

What is the bottom line in all of this. Trust the professional. Just as I listened to my doctor and my leg is getting better, trust the hard-working men and women that produce your food. We care about our animals and the changes we make to our farms are there to improve the life of our livestock. Because of the changes in modern medicine I will be healed in 12 weeks. Because of the changes in modern agriculture we can feed an ever-growing world population by producing livestock more ethically, with less stress, more economically and that means more wholesome, safe nutritious food on your plate.

My Wife's Snow Day

This morning was our first winter storm and that meant a lot of work. Well, it meant a lot of work for Jennifer and the kids since I am currently on the physically unable to perform list to put it in NFL terms. Winter storms, especially during lambing season, take a lot of preparation before and even more work during.

Yesterday, Jennifer and the kids sorted the ewes by when they would lamb. How do we know when they will lamb. Early this fall our ram was fitted with a marking harness that leaves a paint mark on ewes when he breeds them. We keep track of when he marks the ewes. That way we know when they will lamb.

Utilizing this knowledge, Jennifer put the six ewes most likely to lamb in our new lambing barn. She made sure they had water, feed, that they were bedded down on straw and had a heat lamp to keep their newborn lambs warm. Having ewes in the lambing barn also means she needs to check them at regular intervals during the night.

The other ewes were split up in two groups depending on when they are due to lamb. That also meant rearranging feeders and water tanks. When that was done the water tanks for the cattle and horses needed to be filled in anticipation of the freezing temperatures. She made sure we had enough hay to get through the storm and made sure the feed truck had enough fuel to get through also. She came in after dark last night, very cold, dusty and tired.

Then this morning she and the kids woke up early and checked the ewes in the lambing barn. They then proceeded to fill all the hay feeders for the cattle, sheep and horses and gave all of them extra grain because of the cold, wet conditions. Extra time was spent checking the well-being of all our animals. Chores that normally take 30 minutes took two hours today.

This evening she and the kids returned outside to check the animals, fill water tanks and make sure everything is healthy and happy. This was in addition to the usual chores of make sure buckets of grain are ready for chores the next day and feed pans and bunks are in place for the morning. All of this led to a very exhausting "snow day" for her and the kids.

Sure, Jennifer would have liked to be inside warm and dry. I am quite sure she would have liked to sleep in this morning. I am also just as sure that she had other things she would have rather done. I am also just as certain the kids had other more fun things they wanted to do on their free day from school. However, our animals always come before our comfort. It doesn't matter what the weather conditions are, if everyone is healthy or what else is on our to-do list our livestock are our number 1 priority. This farm is truly a family farm and everyone pitches in.

My story is no different than any others around me, irregardless of the size of the farm or ranch, or the type, the livestock is always first to receive care. Farmers and ranchers put the care and comfort of their animals first, period. As you sit down to your meal tonight, remember that many dedicated farmers and ranchers spent countless hours in harsh conditions to bring that meal to you.

I am Responsible for What I Eat

I am hungry. Not because of a lack of food but because I need to be. You see while I am on my injured reserve I have decided that I need to cut back on my food consumption. I think this is a problem that is uniquely American and it is both a blessing and a curse.

I have battled my weight for many years and it is due to a definite lack of will power. It is my problem and not the fault of anyone else, I ate my way into this problem. I do not blame my fellow farmers and ranchers for my weighty problem, nor do I blame food processors or even the fast food restaurants. Therefore, it is my responsibility to change my habits.

Only in America would we have a problem with too much food. Only in America would we have enough food that we could over-process food into snacks and only in America could we blame the farmers, ranchers, processors and restaurant owners for our over-eating. When in reality it is our own fault.

We have a choice of the most healthy, nutritious foods and often they are right at our fingertips. We should have the best diets of any people in the world, however, we chose to eat poorly. I admit it, I love to eat. I enjoy a great diversity of food. I eat my fruits, veggies, lean meats (including beef and pork) and whole grains but I also have a fiendish sweet tooth and an attraction to unhealthy foods.

So we now hear about the need to regulate foods, tax unhealthy offerings and remove all sweets from our schools. Anything remotely unhealthy is ostracized. I ask, what happened to personal responsibility? When I was a child those foods were there, but my mother understood nutrition and only let us have them on special occasions. Now we feel that the government must make our choices for us and our children because we are not able too.

I don't know about you but rather than relying on our government to regulate our nutrition, I think we need to take responsibility for our own health. I plan to use my current immobility to combat my weak will power and change my habits. Foods do not need to be banned or taxed, rather we need to realize our eating habits are a personal decision and not a subject for government regulation.

What is my point? I think three things need to happen. First, our farmers and ranchers need to be praised and revered not scolded and criticized for producing the bounty we have in this country. Second, it is not the government's place to be the food cops. Finally, we need to each be responsible for our own choices and the choices of our children. Then and only then, we will each defeat the problem of obesity.