In the Beginning … We Were all Naked Vegetarians March 9, 2010
Well, at least Adam and Eve
By Julie Murphree
Today’s American food debate, specifically about meat protein, has so far come off like a one-sided discourse. Really, a lecture. The lecture comes from the self-appointed apostles of the meat-free food movement. Often using misinformation, they’re preaching a new religion.
And, some of these apostles are literally using religion to guilt Americans (especially the young) into a meat-free diet.
For a quick example of this religion slant, check out Humane Society of the United States’ (HSUS) new Animal and Religion program. To quote, “One of the major initiatives of the Animals …
Agricultural Productivity is Critical March 5, 2010
By Stewart Truelsen, American Farm Bureau Federation
The president’s 2010 budget proposal calls for canceling NASA’s Constellation program to return astronauts to the Moon by 2020. In these tough economic times it is harder to justify sending astronauts into space.
Agriculture is earthbound for the foreseeable future. There’s no need to worry about farming on the Moon or Mars either. Meeting this world’s future needs for food, fuel and fiber is a big enough challenge for farmers and ranchers.
Before he passed away last September, Nobel laureate Dr. Norman Borlaug wrote the preface to a CAST (Council for Agricultural Science and …
Budget Cuts could put Your Food Safety at Risk February 22, 2010
By Tim Dunn, Arizona Farm Bureau Vice President, and Chair of the Advisory Council for the Arizona Department of Agriculture.
Desperate for a balanced state budget, some have recently suggested that we waive a wand and make the Arizona Department of Agriculture (ADA) disappear. These same people suggest that ADA subsidizes Arizona farmers and ranchers and that it’s done out of general fund monies.
The sanguinity of that magic wand is floating everywhere in our imaginations as we look at ways to cut costs in a state that’s hemorrhaging from burdening budget obligations.
But to ax the ADA would be to put our …
Agriculture Needs Fair Access for Exports February 19, 2010
By Dal Grooms
When it comes to balance of trade, U.S. agricultural exports have been in the black for many, many years. A new report from the Agriculture Department predicts U.S. farmers will rise to the task again, putting $22 billion of black ink onto the spreadsheet in fiscal year 2010.
Perhaps there will be additional opportunities to export not only raw commodities, but value-added ag products through the National Export Initiative introduced by President Barack Obama in his recent State of the Union speech. That initiative is supposed to foster government-wide support for all exports, not just those in agriculture. The …
Continuing the Conversation on Animal Agriculture’s Antibiotic Use: The Poultry Industry February 12, 2010
By Julie Murphree, Arizona Farm Bureau
Thanks to Dr. McClure’s insightful editorial “Animal Agriculture and Responsible Antibiotic Use”we understand a lot more about antibiotic use in animal agriculture. But let’s keep the conversation going!
So, we know that antibiotics are administered in animal agriculture. And, the more we learn about the use the more we understand that antibiotics are for the animal’s welfare and ultimately ours.
Let’s go next steps and take a deep dive into antibiotic use in the poultry industry.
Starting with the Basics
Just like humans, animals get sick and rely on antibiotics for treating, controlling and preventing disease to …
Animal Agriculture and Responsible Antibiotic Use February 10, 2010
By Alyn M. McClure, DVM with Herd Health Management, LP
Recently, CBS News producers created a special report on the use of antibiotics in livestock production. The piece, reported by Evening News anchor Katie Couric, is not a factual representation of the scientific, safe and careful use of antibiotics in animal agriculture.
My lifetime of experience in animal agriculture makes their report seem to me biased and misleading. My parents who migrated from family farms in Oregon raised us in a small Southern California community with chickens and rabbits for meat and eggs. I worked my way through high school …
“Hug a Farmer” Campaign Takes Off this Week February 8, 2010
By Julie Murphree
Being the sentimental type I am, I wanted to do something special for Farmers and Ranchers this week since we’re coming up on Valentines. So we launched the “Hug a Farmer” Campaign. To get all the details go to the Fill Your Plate Blog:
Of Note: I did hug my farmer Dad and Mom this weekend, but being employed by Arizona Farm Bureau I’m not eligible to play. But pass on to friends and family, you could win two free Harkins tickets to take your valentine out this weekend.
Happy Birthday Rick, Jim and Mom …. and Alice February 3, 2010
By Julie Murphree
This week is kind of fun in the birthday world for the Arizona Aggie community. Rick Lavis with the Arizona Cotton Growers had a birthday Monday, February 1. So Happy B-Day big guy.
Jim Klinker with Arizona Farm Bureau (and my boss) had his birthday today. He gets to tout the fact that he’s younger than Rick. J We had a cake with candles that refused to blow out … came close to sounding off the alarm. No the candles were not my idea. We did have fun though.
And then Mom. It’s one of the big ones but I’m …
The Professor, the Farmer and the Extension Agent: Why the Partnership Works (Part II) February 2, 2010
Second in the two-part Series. First article here.
By Julie Murphree, Arizona Farm Bureau
The way modern-apostles of the food movement tell it, you and I might conclude today’s agriculture is evil and lacking in rational science and research-based practices. That’s simply not the case. And, the relationships between professors, farmers and extension agents prove it.
The Professor and Farmer
University of Arizona’s Andrade-Sánchez says, “Our role as applied researchers is to test the limits of new commercially-available technology in solving real problems of farmers as they attempt to grow plentiful, affordable and wholesome food. But that’s not the end, …
A Professor, A Farmer and an Extension Agent … February 1, 2010
Three Guys Walked into a Test Plot
A Professor, a Farmer and an Extension Agent …
Why agriculture technology advances depend more than ever on relationships to protect and advance our healthy, abundant and economical food supply. First of a Two-part series
By Julie Murphree, Arizona Farm Bureau
Around the breakfast table before the sun’s rise, one Midwest farmer explains why even the simplest of technology advances are important and helped keep him in agriculture. “Without the enclosed cab on tractors, I may not have followed my father into farming. Growing up I froze in winter when driving the tractor and melted in the …
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