Falling off the Cliff

The end of the year is rapidly approaching.  Normally, we would all be overjoyed to prepare for Christmas, buying gifts for your family and friends, preparing food, make plans for the Holidays and more.

This year may be a little different.  Congress needs to address both the Fiscal Cliff and the Farm Bill, both of which impact nearly every American.  I don't know about you, but I have had it with Congress.  They adjourn early and they don't pass any bills.  It has been this session of Congress where some of the fewest number of bills have been passed.

Whatever happened to listening to the American people.  Now that the election is over, politicians don't have to worry about re-election.  Anyone up for re-election was afraid to make any decisions with the fear they may not get re-elected.

Bottom line, there are two major issues that need to be discussed and passed in Congress before the end of the year and with their track record, the chances of this happening is slim to none.

Vote 2012

Never have I seen so much mud slinging, bashing and negative ads during an election campaign.  I never thought I would say this as an American with a right and a privilege to vote, but it is going to be difficult to make a decision.  But I'm not going to complain!


With my political thoughts and comments set aside, it is your RIGHT and DUTY to vote.  Yes, I understand this year it may be difficult to make that decision based on personal opinions and views, but if you don't vote, you have nothing to complain about.

What's that?  I can't hear you complaining since you chose not to vote.  There are many Americans that complain about the President or Congress, but don't vote.  If you want your country to make decisions and choice based on Americans, you need to speak up and one of the ways to do this is by voting.

I will get my self-satisfaction as I cast my vote this evening.  See you at the polling location!

We're all struggling!

What a year it has been! The summer started off with great weather. There have been many ups and downs in agriculture this summer and we are still seeing some.

1) Planting was off without a hitch, then the drought began.  For many, this was a make it or break it year for many.  The drought continued on through the summer, and now, the beginning of November most are completed with harvest.  The drought map below shows how badly the drought really is.

Crop yields will be lower than anticipated when planting began earlier this year; however we will get through this and make adjustments as needed.

2) Not only are we dealing with a drought this year, but there are Governors in several states and members of Congress that are questioning the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS).  They are claiming the RFS will take corn away from food and it is increasing food prices.  There have been several studies that have been conducted showing that food prices would only decrease a few cents without the RFS.  

One of the co-products from ethanol production is distillers grains.  This co-product can be fed to livestock (beef cattle, dairy, poultry, swine) and used as a replacement for other feedstuffs in rations such as corn, soybean, some forage, and others.  There is a greater feeding value with distillers grains compared to corn.  When distillers grains is fed in the place of corn in a ration, a small amount of distillers grains is needed.  For example, if a ration would normally get 100 lbs of corn but it is being replaced with distillers grains, then only 70 lbs of distillers grains would be used.  So, corn for ethanol production is not taking away from food.  If anything, it is providing more food using less corn.

3) Congress has failed to pass a Farm Bill.  This bill isn't only for "farmers."  It should be called a job bill, food bill, school lunch bill, and more.  The Farm Bill affects every American.  There is still hope for Congress to pass a Farm Bill in the Lame Duck session but, this is a slim to none chance.  

This is just a small glimpse of what has been happening in agriculture the past few months.  We will see what the next couple of months brings!

Farm Bill Now

This summer the Senate passed their version of the Farm Bill and now it is in the hands of the House where it has been for a while. 

The five year Farm Bill expires in September.  Although you may not realize it by the name, but the Farm Bill affects everyone. 


 

 



"The farm bill has broad impact on our citizens and our economy. 



It provides healthy foods to millions of schoolchildren and nutritious

 options to families in need. It develops and expands trade with valuable

foreign markets. By reducing spending significantly compared to prior

farm bills, the proposals pending right now in Congress address the

 need to get our nation’s fiscal house in order."

 

 

Encourage your Congressmen to finish the Farm Bill.  Let them know your support and the importance of passing the Farm Bill before it expires. 

 

You can also tweet your Congressmen using the hashtag #FarmBillNow.

 



Do you Agvocate?

Last week I was at an ag planning meeting for a five state conference and I used the word "agvocate".  Everyone was impressed with the term and wanted to "steal" it to use in their vocabulary.

Their reaction to my term got me thinking.  If they haven't ever heard of it, how many people have?  So  I googled the term "agvocate" and this is what I came up with.

1. http://agvocatefarmer.blogspot.com/  A blog about a farmer being an agvocate.
2. http://www.causematters.com/ This great website about the big picture view of agriculture to serve as resources for ag and urban communities.  You will find many agvocate blogs, articles, links to other website and more from different regions of the country including several right here in Nebraska.
3.http://agchat.org/ A website about empowering agriculture advocates.

These are only a couple among the many websites, facebook and twitter accounts from agvocates.  I encourage you to check them out and learn how to be an "agvocate" using social media.  If nothing else.  Learn brush up on your agriculture.


If you aren't speaking up for agriculture, then who is?

Did you eat today?-Thank a farmer!

The other night I was at a friend's gathering.  I overheard one of her friends say, "I can't eat that.  It has high fructose corn syrup."  I turned around right away and told her there is not difference between HFCS and regular sugar.  She gave me an answer from some information she heard 5 or 6 years ago! 

She then told me all about government agriculture, factory farming, hormones in meat amongst other very false "facts".  I was floored at all the misinformation she was telling others! 

This is a larger problem than we realize.  Many city consumers don't know where their food comes from.  All they know is that they buy it from the grocery store.  They don't understand the care for the garden foods or livestock that is involved before the product reaches the grocer.  The early mornings or late nights or cold winters. 

Most livestock and crops receive better care than most farmers themselves and their families.

Agriculture has changed over the years.  Farmers are growing more with less.  On average, a corn farmer raises enough food to feed 155 people.  Farmers have to meet the demands of the growing population.  Our world isn't getting any smaller! 

We, as farmers and ag producers try to educate as many people as possible about production ag, but it takes one consumer, such as the one I ran into the other night, to give the wrong information to other consumers.

Farmers raise your food; it's their way of life.

If you have eaten today, thank a farmer!

Great Parody Song

I saw this video yesterday on Youtube about farming and agriculture. This parody video does a great job describing about agriculture and they are having fun in the video. Check it out; you might like it!