What happens when some spends time and finds muscles that when separated and sliced in a certain way are tender and tasty enough to be sold as a steak or roast. New cuts of beef are developed. Many of these cuts were previously used to make ground beef, now they can be used as steaks and roasts. This year, the Beef Check-off program, which financed the meat study, will introduce five new cuts from the chuck and four cuts from the round will be rolled out in 2010. Click here to read the full article.

The distinction between livestock and pets is important and a fact I learned early on. I owe this in part to my growing up years on a hobby farm in rural Idaho. Although my father worked full time, he still managed to raise and care for a herd of sheep. In addition we had chickens and pigs to supplement our food supply. My brother and I were told from the time these animals arrived that they were not pets and would one day be on the table. Later in life I raised steers as 4-H and FFA projects and learned first-hand the responsibility of caring for my livestock, but I was also fully aware that I would be selling them come fair time. Case in point, my steers were not pets they were raised for beef.

Although I had pets growing up, I had a different attachment to them, a realistic one. I still remember coming home to find my poor dog had been run over by a car. As Brent Murphree, a former farm kid himself, put it, “One of the first things you learn is that when the old farm house is close to a section line dirt road with no speed limit signs, speeding cars and any number of animal species are attracted to each other like magnets. Family pets are not excluded.” Although it was tragic to lose a pet, it was also an important lesson to learn that we only have our pets for so long and that we have to learn to deal with death and move on.

Fast forward to 2009 and my family farms full time in Arizona, and we still raise the occasional chickens and pigs for our own food. My brother has a family of his own, and I am the proud aunt of a niece and two nephews. Recently, one of our roosters became very aggressive and it was time for him to become “sopita” (that’s Spanish for soup – chicken soup in this case). My niece and nephew were on hand for the processing and were fascinated with everything, including the way in which the feathers were plucked. My mom also spent quite a bit of time explaining the anatomy of the chicken as she cleaned it.

I am grateful that the art of raising livestock is being passed on to the newest generation of my family. In addition to raising livestock, my niece and nephews are learning to care for pets and have already had to deal with unfortunate loss of the family dog…yes, it was run over by a car. Most importantly though, they are learning that everything has a purpose and that everything lives and dies.

~Farming for Life~

You couldn’t turn the television on the last few days without hearing the words Swine Influenza. One of the most important facts about Swine Influenza is that it cannot be spread by food. You cannot become infected with Swine Influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and products is safe. What can you do to prevent swine influenza?

-Wash your hands
-Stay in good general health
-Get plenty of sleep
-Be physically active
-Manage your stress
-Drink plenty of fluids
-Eat Nutritious food

These are all practices we should all follow to live a healthy life. For more information on Swine Influenza, visit National Pork Council and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The weather here the last few weeks has been interesting, to say the least. In North Dakota we had two big blizzards in March, one in April, flooding that wiped out an estimated 90,000 head of livestock across the state, and yesterday it was 86 degrees…dang hot for North Dakota in April. Today it was 36 and we had near-white-out conditions at times. Apparently our summer season lasted all of 20 hours this year. It was nice while it lasted, I guess.

It’s one of those things that as a farmer/rancher you have to just deal with. There are very few professions in the world where you have so little control over your actual bottom-line. Yes, you can work up a great business plan and have your marketing figured down to the last grain of wheat. You can get your rations figured out so that your calves are gaining at the best rate possible, breeding your cows to the best bulls and keeping a healthy and happy herd.

Yet, when it comes down to it, we are still at the mercy of power that we will never be able to control. Some of the cattlemen around here woke up in the middle of the night to find that their calves had all been swept downstream, in areas that had never flooded before. Farmers are finding their fields under many feet of water, where rivers diverted in ways that science cannot explain.

The greatest thing about our way of life is this…we will rally around. The next calf crop will come and those fields that are able to be planted will be. Seeds will be put in the ground, with no guarantee that all of our hard work and time will actually produce anything. Or that the crop will be harvested without enduring the hardships of flood, drought, hail or wind.

Why do we put ourselves through all this? We do it because in my mind there is no better way of life. We are doing what we love, and producing the best, safest product that we can. Our children are being raised in a way that we feel blessed to be able to offer them, with experiences that are second to none. And somehow, through all of the trials and turmoil, the bad publicity and people that condemn our way of life without understanding it, we continue on.

It’s what we do.

“Out of the mouths of babes…” I’m pretty sure that we’re all familiar with the quote. Those of us who have the privilege and duty of being parents, we live by it. My husband, Mark, and I are blessed to be expecting our fourth child any day now. (I’ve been hoping sooner, rather than later, but this child already has his father’s sense of time.) With the weather being as lousy as it’s been here, the boys and I have been spending a lot of “quality” time together indoors. I have to say that I’ve been blessed to hear some pretty interesting thoughts that come from children raised on a farm in a very rural area.

For example, the other day my oldest (6) was putting on a puppet show for our youngest (2). As he was slipping on the puppet, he looked up at me and said, “You know, this is kinda like how Dad helps the cows have their calves.” As he went about his play, I was trying to recover without offending him.

I guess I take for granted what it is that my children are exposed to on a daily basis. Yes, I didn’t quite intend for him to see “all” that the farm has to offer, but I knew that he would always know that burgers come from our cows and bacon comes from pigs. He knows that chickens are needed to lay the eggs he so loves and that dairy cows are different than our beef cattle. (He also knows that bulls don’t have udders and are NOT milked…no matter what you see in cartoons.)

I was a little leery about him being too involved in viewing much of calving season this year, due to my own situation. I get enough comparisons between my pregnancy and calving season from his father; I don’t need to hear from my 6-year-old about the importance of using calving sleeves and the grossness of afterbirth. I also was trying really hard to avoid any public references to either. (Church is always a really great place for these “ponderings” to be said out loud, especially during the sermon, when the rest of church is sooooooo quiet!)

But through all of my worries and concerns about my own comfort, I forgot to take comfort in knowing that my son doesn’t have to learn all of this in a book. He will never have to wonder what it feels like to be kissed by a new calf, or if calves really do frolic and play like they say in the books. And for that, I’m eternally blessed.

Everyday I hear of economic despair and businesses of long term closing because of the lack of revenue generated. Recently I saw a sign that said "It's been real....It's been fun...but it's real times and we can't keep going." So it brings me to the question is this a good time to start or enhance business? OR should we take cover and hope for the best? OR is this the perfect opportunity to grow a business in this climate? Prices are dropping and it seems that supply is there and possibly a surplus. Luckily, Maine Maple Sunday at our sugarhouse in North Baldwin, Maine, was a fantastic day and there were no signs of a recession, but we also didn't gross a million dollars either. Are we ever going to go back to the same financial standard that people are used to, or are we going to have to adjust our lifestyles and businesses to accomodate the new economy? I hear people say...the economy isn't doing anything...well...is the economy doing this job? Is every business suffering?

I think this whole economic situation is the road that might lead people back to their foundations. Let's just say a person makes $2500 a week and then loses their job. Does this person take the risk and go into business or do they take unemployment? Which would work better for the "system"? I would rather see jobs created by the private sector rather than paying out unemployment. Is there a place for this type of situation?

Do you think agriculture plays a huge role in this whole senario? Where do we go from here? Let's talk shop.

Recently, Dustin Pedroia, a local boy and second baseman for the Boston Red Sox, was quoted saying that his hometown was “a dump.” Within two days of the story running in local papers, Dustin retracted his comment stating that it was taken out of context and that he was only joking around. This got me thinking about how careful we need to be when speaking with the media.

Those of us in the know are the spokesmen for agriculture. It is a huge responsibility that really should be taken seriously. For some of us, me included, we use humor to relay our message. Most often, humor is great way to get our point across. We are able to talk about the stresses and concerns that we have about our operations and our livelihoods. Humor is a fantastic tool to use when talking with people who have an understanding of the subject at hand. But when we are expecting a reporter to know what we meant, there is a good chance that we are going to be misquoted.

Being misquoted or appearing to be “the idiot” talking to the news reporter is what keeps many of us from sharing our stories. These stories are the stories that need to be told; the everyday chores and responsibilities that we think are mundane. So much of our country’s population longs to hear stories from the farm; they long to know how their food is produced and who is doing it. So why not share agriculture’s story? Find positive ways to share what we are doing to better our world by feeding it and clothing it.

And if you are like me, might I suggest jotting down a few important things you want to say before actually talking with the reporter...it tends to cut down on those “idiot” moments.

My husband grew up around agriculture - his grandparents farmed when he was little. So naturally, when he got old enough, he wanted to farm, too. At this point in time, we farm because we want to raise our children in an agricultural lifestyle, not to support our family (both my husband and I have off-farm, full-time jobs).

Our lifestyle farm mainly consists of purebred, registered shorthorn beef cattle. This past fall, I convinced Jim that we needed to expand and diversify our operation. I had this great idea, that if we purchased a dairy cow, we could use her milk at home and make cheese, butter, drink fresh milk, etc. After going online to Ebay to purchase all of the required equipment (bucket milker, 2 gallon pasteurizer, butter churn, cheese press, etc), Dolly the Holstein cow arrived and became part of the family.

When we bought her, Dolly was bred and close to the end of her production cycle. She was producing about five gallons of milk each day, and we could barely keep up processing and drinking! I knew that once she calved, we would never be able to use all of her milk ourselves, so we decided that we would purchase some calves to feed as veal.

Currently, Dolly is feeding three calves. Our first calf goes to slaughter at the end of next week. Although our children have named all of the calves, they understand that those calves will all leave the barn eventually, and make room for new animals that will be born.

Yesterday afternoon, as we entered the barn to do chores, we spotted four new animals in the barn - one of our cats had kittens - right in Dolly's stall.

It's all part of the circle of life.

Last night I stumbled upon a commentary in the Columbia Tribune which attacked modern livestock farming practices. The commentary started out attacking Sen. Bond for supporting a $250,000 public investment to research odor abatement on livestock farms. But the commentary talked very little about the study. Instead, the commentary claims modern livestock farms increase child abuse, spousal abuse and crime rates. It also claims modern livestock farms are a "disaster for rural economies." As someone who lives on a farm and in a rural community, I know first hand the inaccuracies of this commentary.

I live on a modern livestock farm with my husband and children. Our family farm employs local citizens who were born and raised in our community. Additionally, we purchase corn from more than 200 local farmers to feed our livestock. This is an added market for area grain farmers. It supports prices and puts more money in their pockets. Our farm purchases our farm supplies, fuel, and electricity locally. My family farm contributes to the local economy by paying local property taxes on our farm, equipment and livestock. The property taxes from our farm help to pay the salary of one teacher in our school district.

Our family livestock farm has no influence on local residents to abuse their children, spouses or to commit crimes.

The results of this odor abatement study will be used by the entire livestock industry, including family farms, to ensure livestock farms are good neighbors. Rural economies deserve the same economic development dollars as urban communities.

American farmers and ranchers work diligently to produce safe food for Americans while protecting our environment, our land and our livestock. Americans spend less than 10 percent of their disposable income on food, while other countries spend over 20% of their disposable income on food. Public investment in agricultural research, such as the odor odor abatement study Sen. Bond is supporting, and ongoing work at the University of Missouri, is one of the reasons we have a safe and nutritious domestic food supply. Our state’s hard-working farm families are another. They deserve and are thankful for your support.

I read the following article from Time Magazine online: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1883742,00.html

I am outraged. I can't believe that someone would say that they are so pro-animal rights, yet be so hypocritical. The individual in the piece, "Pete," admits that he has crossed the line and actually abused animals himself during the course of employment at some farms. He also expects us to feel sorry for him, because his chosen this line of work that causes him to be a habitual liar. He says he moves frequently and doesn't have a social life. Boo hoo.

As an employee of a poultry farm, I know that our employees go to great lengths to care for our animals. Every individual who works at the farm is advised of our animal care procedures during orientation and is required to sign guidelines on animal care that we call our "pledge of excellence." Each cage is checked on a daily basis to make sure the chickens have everything that they need. The chickens are our livelihood. If they are not happy, healthy, and well-fed, they will not produce.

I wonder how much of what is seen in the videos that are taken undercover are actually true. Yes, there are "bad eggs" out there, but they are few and far between the successful producers who care for (and about the health of) their animals.

The United States of America is a great nation!! There is no doubt about it. I feel so incredibly blessed to call it my home!

One of the many reasons that make America great is our safe and abundant food supply. The American farmer is one of the most innovative and productive people. In 1940, one farmer produced enough food and fiber for 19 people. Today he provides enough for 143 people, with fewer farms and less acreage.

America is such an agriculturally diverse country. Looking at a map detailing all of our commodities, I am impressed. Some of our top states in their respective categories are - hogs of Iowa, cattle of Texas, wheat of Kansas, dairy of California, broilers of Georgia, and potatoes of Idaho.

My chapter in American agriculture is that of a cow/calf producer. As I was out today, checking our cows and watching the newborn calves, I thought about all of the other ranchers out doing the exact same thing. The first step in the production of our nation’s beef is crucial to the overall beef supply. If it wasn’t for hardworking ranchers giving it their all, regardless of the weather, time, conditions, or economy, America wouldn’t have meat in the meat counter.

As we sit down this Sunday with our family and friends, I first hope you will give thanks to our Wonderful Savior, Jesus Christ. I hope you also say a prayer for the American farmer, the one who produces the food which graces your table.

Happy Easter to Everyone!

This morning we woke up to a mixture of rain, sleet, snow and a North wind that was blowing hard. In short it was a really nasty start to the day. As I waited for the sun to come up, I heard the sleet hitting the windows and really didn't want to go outside. But any of us who have livestock know that is not an option. So at 6:45 a.m., I put my chore clothes on a headed out.

During my rounds I came across a calf that was born two days ago, laying all by herself with no mama in sight. The easy thing to do would have been to go on, but again we all know that is not what we do. So I went to the place where I had unrolled a bale to provide place that was warm and out of the wind for the cows and calves to ride out the storm. I found the wayward cow and started to drive her into the wind toward her calf.

As the sleet stung my face and the wind went right through my layers of clothing, a thought occurred to me. Where are all the "animal welfare advocates" of the HSUS, PETA and related groups. My guess is they were at home, probably asleep and not giving animals a second thought.

Before we start calling certain individuals (Carrie Underwood for one) advocates for animals and their welfare, they should have to prove themselves like the hard working men and women who spend their lives attending to the health and well-being of the animals on our farms and ranches. It is easy to talk a big game in the climate controlled comfort of an office or a meeting room, but entirely something different to spend a morning like this proving it.

That is why we as producers need to open our farms and ranches to the public. That is also why those who don't live on a farm or ranch need to go visit one.

As a livestock producer and resident of Wyoming, I have heard many wolf concerns and experienced some myself. Did we lose any cattle/sheep to wolves? Are they interfering with my breed back? Why are some of my bulls missing their tails? Do the wolves have my stock so stirred up that they can’t gain weight? Can the kids safely play outside? Why is wildlife absent from some areas with pitiful reproduction rates? These are legitimate and real concerns of my fellow Wyomingites.

About a year ago, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service published the final delisting of the wolf making it a trophy animal in the Greater Yellowstone Area and a predator in the rest of the state. Then, last July, Judge Molloy published a temporary injunction, putting the wolves back on the endangered species list. He claimed the wolf recovery standards hadn’t been met, including interbreeding of wolves among the states, to insure healthy genetics.

Fast forward to April 2, 2009 - The Fish and Wildlife Service removed the wolf from the endangered species list in Montana and Idaho, but left Wyoming out in the cold, despite their above goal recovery numbers and a wolf management plan supported by the state legislature and approved by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Wolves in Wyoming currently remain protected throughout the state. Wyoming's agriculturalists can applaud the numerous groups and individuals diligently working on the delisting issue.

Bringing the story back to the home front, I am left wondering what the people of Wyoming are to do. Sound science is on our side. The government needs to let Wyoming manage the wolves as needed, returning them to a dual status in the state. Wyoming’s agriculture community shouldn’t have to live in fear that their pocketbook and lifestyle will be wrecked because of politics and personal beliefs.

As a new parent, I wonder exactly what the future will bring for our son. Being married to a fifth generation farmer, we have chosen to diversify in order for the farm to support our five families. Starting with row crops, and diversifying farther to incorporate straw and hay, and even farther to bring in hogs and cattle, we have seen our farm change so much in just the seven years that I have been around. With teaching our children responsibility along with accountability, farming is not just a job, it’s a way of life.

Yes, it is a different and at times difficult life. There is no such thing as a 9-5 day. You may be eating family meals at 9:30 at night, or in a tractor cab, or in a dusty shop as you are dumping grain. You may go 2-3 days without seeing each other, unless you are fortunate enough to be able to do it together. But how rewarding it must be, thinking about how in 50 years you can look at your grandchildren and tell how much things have grown and changed in your lifetime. And how exciting it is to think that they are farming your ground, and carrying on your family traditions.

So what can we do to be sure that our children and grandchildren can continue this life that we were so fortunate to be apart of, and more often than not take for granted? We need to be sure to speak up and speak out about what we so firmly believe in. We also need to educate outsiders and criticizers about why we do what we do, that way some day our children can continue this way of life.

Well, once again the egg industry is in the spotlight in Maine. Quality Egg, which was formerly known as DeCoster Egg Farms, hired an undercover worker from Mercy for Animals who came into their hen houses and taped secret footage about the mistreatment of hens in their cages.

For the past 20 years I can remember this egg farm being in the news for one reason or another. Does this treatment happen at other farms? Does Grandpa's Eggs, Dorothy Egg Farms and Radlo Eggs have the same issues? I would hope not. How come I have never seen much of anything in the news about them? Why does this facilty seem to always make the news? Could they be a "hot spot" for activism? Do you think there are specific places and animals that are targeted by animal activists or is the farm being negligent and not in compliance?

So, where do we go from here? If at the end of the investigation there is mistreatment found, does the farm shut down? Where do we go from here because the show doesn't seem to want to end. Here is the link to the article: http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=248558&ac=PHnws.

Times are tough on the dairy farm these days. Our milk price is so low, the word "low" doesn't do it justice. Feed and fuel costs have dropped but are still hammering our pocketbook, and it seems as if working 60-70 hours a week is only about half enough. The weather is both our best friend and our worst enemy; it's growing a very good spring forage crop but the frequent rains could really impact our harvest and our summer plantings. Add in the fact that the hot, humid, milk-zapping Alabama summertime is only a couple of months away and you can see that there's plenty to be stressed about around here.

But despite it all, I'm blessed almost beyond words to be a dairy farmer.

My day starts off with the opportunity to gaze into a beautiful early morning sky full of stars. My workspace isn't confined to a cubicle, but rather is spread across 600 acres of rolling Alabama countryside. I can take my kids on a tractor ride anytime I want to, and I know that they'll have experiences growing up that many of their friends will only dream of. And when I lay my head down at night, I can take pride in knowing that my farm provided about 25,000 people with a tasty, nutritious glass of milk that day.

Yeah, times may be really tough in the dairy business right now, but life on the dairy farm is really good! I guess you could say my teat dip cup runneth over.