March 10, 2010
LATEST NEWS
Ag producers fight activist fire with fire
Agricultural producers in the United States are fighting anti-ag messages by using the same tactics that activists have proven effective. By making their voices heard via Facebook and Twitter U.S. farmers and ranchers have persuaded Yellow Tail wine and Pilot Travel Centers to divert donations to the Humane Society of the United States. Both companies were flooded with posts informing them of the HSUS’ quest to end animal agriculture. The uproar prompted Yellow Tail to earmark its $100,000 donation specifically for animal rescue, and Pilot Travel was persuaded to redirect its money to an organization focused specifically on animal rescue. The Missouri Beef Industry Council is also utilizing the Internet to combat activists. A new Web site, farmerfreedom.com, features blogs and e-newsletters informing producers of the latest anti-ag efforts and what they can do to protect against them.
Agricultural producers in the United States are fighting anti-ag messages by using the same tactics that activists have proven effective. By making their voices heard via Facebook and Twitter U.S. farmers and ranchers have persuaded Yellow Tail wine and Pilot Travel Centers to divert donations to the Humane Society of the United States. Both companies were flooded with posts informing them of the HSUS’ quest to end animal agriculture. The uproar prompted Yellow Tail to earmark its $100,000 donation specifically for animal rescue, and Pilot Travel was persuaded to redirect its money to an organization focused specifically on animal rescue. The Missouri Beef Industry Council is also utilizing the Internet to combat activists. A new Web site, farmerfreedom.com, features blogs and e-newsletters informing producers of the latest anti-ag efforts and what they can do to protect against them.
USDA plans to increase US agriculture exports
On Friday Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced USDA plans to increase agricultural exports to $100 billion annually. Vilsack explained that the plan – part of President Obama’s National Export Initiative, which was discussed in the State of the Union address – will differ from traditional trade strategies that are based on geographic regions. This export effort will instead develop strategies aimed at specific markets where there is opportunity to increase trade, such as potential growth markets, restricted access markets and rapid growth markets.
On Friday Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced USDA plans to increase agricultural exports to $100 billion annually. Vilsack explained that the plan – part of President Obama’s National Export Initiative, which was discussed in the State of the Union address – will differ from traditional trade strategies that are based on geographic regions. This export effort will instead develop strategies aimed at specific markets where there is opportunity to increase trade, such as potential growth markets, restricted access markets and rapid growth markets.
Proposed mandate on federally purchased meat
A bill, recently proposed by U.S. Reps. Diane Watson (D-Calif.) and Elton Gallegly (R-Calif.), would require that all meat purchased by the federal government come from animals raised in accordance with the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act. More than $1 million is allocated annually for the purchase of meat for federal programs.
A bill, recently proposed by U.S. Reps. Diane Watson (D-Calif.) and Elton Gallegly (R-Calif.), would require that all meat purchased by the federal government come from animals raised in accordance with the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act. More than $1 million is allocated annually for the purchase of meat for federal programs.
WORKING RANCH BLOGOSPHERE
ARTICLES
The "GET ON" with Curt Pate
We do it twenty times a day. We probably do it more than anything else in a ten-hour stretch, except maybe tell a tall tale or pry the lid off a snoose can. But still, it’s a remarkable element of ...
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We do it twenty times a day. We probably do it more than anything else in a ten-hour stretch, except maybe tell a tall tale or pry the lid off a snoose can. But still, it’s a remarkable element of ...
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Kick Those Liver Lovin' Flukes Off the Ranch
Challenging economic times are forcing producers across the cattle industry to pay attention to efficiency. Recent studies have shown that ...
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Challenging economic times are forcing producers across the cattle industry to pay attention to efficiency. Recent studies have shown that ...
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Using the winning edge - Colorado’s Broken Spear Ranch and San Jose Ranch Team Up to Clean Up
For rancher Gail Allen of the Broken Spear ranch rodeo team in La Junta, Colorado, and his wife Millie, competing in ranch rodeo is just one more way their family strengthens its close ties. That would apply to ranch rodeo teammates ...
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For rancher Gail Allen of the Broken Spear ranch rodeo team in La Junta, Colorado, and his wife Millie, competing in ranch rodeo is just one more way their family strengthens its close ties. That would apply to ranch rodeo teammates ...
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Nothin' Worse than Colic
We were branding calves in July, 1976 out on the OwyheeDesert. I was working for the Petan Ranch in Tuscarora, Nevada and it had been a hot, dry summer that year. We were catching horses ...
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We were branding calves in July, 1976 out on the OwyheeDesert. I was working for the Petan Ranch in Tuscarora, Nevada and it had been a hot, dry summer that year. We were catching horses ...
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Is Your Pasture Getting Enough Rest?
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“In this part of the world, it is a small ranch,” explains Ty Cleavinger, foreman of the Dammier Ranch. Composed of thirty sections located near the community of Wildorado in the Texas Panhandle, he adds, “This ranch was ...
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What you don't see in your horse's mouth can make or break your ride
I remember sitting in the bunkhouse in the wintertime, the smell of wood smoke and Bull Durham tobacco, late in the afternoon, waiting for the cook to ring the dinner bell. An old buckaroo sitting on a wooden chair tying buttons on a set of rawhide reins, a new Garcia spade bit with a new headstall hanging from a nail on the wall, awaiting ...
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I remember sitting in the bunkhouse in the wintertime, the smell of wood smoke and Bull Durham tobacco, late in the afternoon, waiting for the cook to ring the dinner bell. An old buckaroo sitting on a wooden chair tying buttons on a set of rawhide reins, a new Garcia spade bit with a new headstall hanging from a nail on the wall, awaiting ...
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