Editorial Blog

Above the Clouds

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 00:12:08 GMT

I don’t know about you, but I love looking out the window when I fly. There’s just something about seeing life from a different perspective. As my flight neared Minneapolis for the Allen D. Leman Swine Conference, I was in awe. The plane’s angle made the clouds look so small as the expanse from above came into view.

Growing up in Washington County, Iowa, pork production was a way of life. I showed pigs, horses and lambs at the Washington County Fair. I attended Black Hawk College East Campus and Kansas State University on livestock judging scholarships, and along the way met my husband, Dan.

My passion for agriculture, communications and people spurred me on to obtain degrees in animal science and agricultural journalism. During college, I interned with my local Extension office; National Swine Registry’s magazine, Seedstock Edge; and Angus Journal. After these experiences, I knew I wanted to be the editor of a livestock publication someday.

I found my way back to NSR for my first “real” job. But, it didn’t look like the editor position I had dreamed about. In fact, I wasn’t sure what I was getting into! My mission was to create a national association for youth in the swine industry. I spent nearly 10 years developing the National Junior Swine Association (NJSA) into the fastest-growing youth livestock organization in the country. I developed by-laws, organized leadership conferences, started youth swine shows, designed educational contests, raised money to fund the growing organization, and communicated the value of our association to the world.

Then, Olivia was born. And two years later, Hunter. With my growing family, my travel schedule needed to change. I gained new experience at the University of Illinois in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences as an animal sciences and crop sciences writer covering breaking news and research discoveries. My connections to the industry expanded again. I transitioned into role of Director of Communications and Marketing, leading an amazing team of people for the past seven years. During this time, we welcomed our youngest daughter, Harper.

As I consider the path that led me to Farm Journal’s PORK, I’m grateful that I didn’t find my way here right away. I needed time to develop a bigger perspective of the swine industry and learn more about how our world absorbs information.

At the Leman Conference, a former NJSA member, now a technical and production support manager at Seaboard Foods, led a session on nutritional challenges. Meanwhile in the room next door, one of my former NJSA Board members – now a veterinarian – discussed PCV3. I had another “above the clouds moment,” seeing the expanse of this industry. I’m excited to continue broadening my view as your editor. Please don’t be a stranger – I look forward to hearing from you about the information you need and stories you enjoy reading.

Ag Teachers: When Someone Believes in You

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 17:13:09 GMT

You can’t fit FFA in a box. And you can’t fit ag teachers into one either.

Ag teachers aren’t just imparting knowledge on grain farming or welding or raising livestock or public speaking or growing vegetables or wiring drones. They are helping young people figure out who they are and what they want to do in life.

How that looks is different all across the country, but the end result seems to be fairly consistent. Empowered young people that are a little bit closer to finding their dream. Through experiences outside the classroom and an investment in time beyond the school day, ag teachers are able to learn more about their students to try to figure out what makes them tick.

When I interview people in agriculture, they often share stories of how their ag teacher impacted their life. I know I will always be grateful for my ag teacher’s dedication to helping me and three other teammates get down the road to judge livestock.

I remember Mr. Van Winkle clearly saying, “I may not be able to coach you, but I’ll get you there.” You see, he wasn’t a livestock judge. And he’d be the first to tell you that. But he knew that the four of us had a passion and a little bit of talent, so he found a way to help us reach our goals. He even took us to Europe to compete.

Mr. Van Winkle invested hours upon hours driving us to workouts, contests and clinics. He didn’t care how far it was or what it cost, he always found a way. At the end of the day, he believed in us. So we believed in ourselves, too.

As E.E. Cummings said, “Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit.”

When I look back at what I learned in FFA, that is one thing I’ll never forget. If you want something in life, with hard work and dedication, there’s nothing you can’t do. That confidence and belief in yourself is something you can’t learn from a book.

Now the table has turned. As a mother, having someone invest in my children like that means the world to me. The sacrifice their ag teacher makes hits home a little harder because time is more precious to me now as a parent. It’s not lost on our family when we see the time Mr. McCabe invests away from his kids to help our kids.

So, on National Teach Ag Day, I just want to say thanks to all the teachers who take the time to inspire, encourage and help the next generation of leaders find their way in the most noble industry in the world – agriculture.

Related Articles:

10 Ways FFA Made Us Better

FFA Has-Been? No, Your Role Just Changes

Growing Deep Roots

National FFA Convention: Farm Journal’s Inside Perspective

12 Reasons Why We Need FFA More Than Ever

Go Spread a Little Good

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 15:07:04 GMT

If you are feeling a little upside-down now, just remember you aren’t alone. We are living in strange and hard times. I think that’s why we need to look for and tell more of the good stories, stories of people who aren’t afraid to let kindness lead.

I had so much fun following the #GiveAHam challenge between Thanksgiving and New Year’s and seeing all of the posts of pork producers and swine enthusiasts around the country step up to provide a ham to someone in need.

I’m grateful I had the opportunity to visit with National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) president-elect Jen Sorenson in November to learn about the campaign. I decided to challenge one of my colleagues at Farm Journal and my daughter challenged her FFA chapter when we donated a couple hams to our local food pantry right before Thanksgiving.

During our visit to the pantry , we asked what their needs were for the Christmas season and learned that they give out approximately 50 hams to families in our small town. The director shared that needs have been higher since the pandemic so she expected she might need more hams than usual.

After talking with my daughter’s FFA teacher, we thought we could meet that need for 50 hams if the FFA chapter started challenging other groups in the school and other FFA chapters in the district. Before we knew it, two hams became 10. Then 10 became 50 and when it was all said and done, around 20 organizations donated over $1,200 to purchase more than 100 hams for our local food pantry.

Not only was Christmas covered, but they now have a freezer full of pork to give out to hungry families in 2021. It’s pretty incredible what can happen when young people get fired up for a good cause. From the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the girls cross country team, to the pep club and the student council, to the junior high and neighboring high schools, kids from all backgrounds, interests and passions came together to make sure hungry people in our community had a ham for their Christmas dinner.

The #GiveAHam campaign was full of great stories like this all across the country. In Wisconsin, NPPC president AV Roth led the contributions in his state by giving 350 hams to local food pantries in his area. Governor Tony Evers as well as Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Designee Randy Romanski also participated.

“Several young producers ignited action for the #GIVEAHAM initiative like producer Brandon Weigel, former mentee Morgan Fitzsimmons, as well as FFA chapters,” shared Keri Retallick, executive vice president of the Wisconsin Pork Producers Association.

In Oklahoma, pork producers Todd and Blake Kennedy shared how friends and family pooled together to be able to provide 127 hams to deserving families in their community through food pantries, the Big Brother, Big Sister project, the police department and more.

“We had a handful of others we placed in people’s hands that work hard every day serving those of us around the community. All in all, this day was one of the most enjoyable things I’ve done approaching the holiday season. We can’t thank those of you enough who donated funds to make this happen,” they shared on Facebook.

Meanwhile, in North Carolina, Marlowe Ivey was on her way to donate hams to her local fire department and was reflecting on the crew of mostly farmers who served her rural community that included many pig farmers like herself.

“Almost by fate, there was a fire call. We quickly took our picture and out the door, they went. A few minutes later their assistant fire chief called to thank me for the hams and let me know they were called to a local hog farm down the road. They had some hay bales catch on fire.

I couldn’t help but smile, as I know someone looking down needed me to tell this story—their story. Tonight was more than just giving a ham it was about firemen, farmers, and the community they serve,” Ivey wrote on Facebook.

As I’ve reflected on this campaign and all the good it does year after year, I’m reminded that when we keep our hearts right and look for the good, we’ll find it. And hopefully, spread that good around a bit.

More from Farm Journal’s PORK:

Will You Accept This Challenge?

Worker Absenteeism in Packing Plants is No Surprise

The Importance of Waiting: 4-H Teaches That Some Things Can’t Be Rushed

Unpopular County Fair Opinion

The Ability to Remember

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 20:01:55 GMT

It’s almost time for one of my favorite holidays – a day to pause and give thanks for the many blessings in my life. In anticipation of Thanksgiving, my son asked if I was going to fix mustard ring. I’m fairly positive this creamy yellow concoction would not top Ms. Hollingsworth’s 5th grade class list of favorite holiday foods.

But in our house, ham served with mustard ring is more than a delicious main dish. It’s about memories and stories, too.

I will never forget the first time I was introduced to Grandma Doc’s Mustard Ring at a Shike family meal. I’ll admit the gelatinous texture had me a little concerned. However, I wanted to be polite, so I tried this family tradition on my ham slice. My life has never been the same since.

My husband’s mother, Jane, was gifted in the kitchen and in the art of conversation. I loved helping her cook and bake while hearing stories about my soon-to-be husband’s childhood. Not only did she teach me the trick to making a great mustard ring, she helped me discover the joy of sharing traditions and passing them on.

Sadly, cancer robbed me of getting to know my mother-in-law Jane better as she passed away 10 months after we were married. When the holidays come around now, I am so grateful for the four years I did have to learn from her. Little did I know how the hours we spent working in the kitchen would allow me to become that tradition carrier for our children, her grandchildren.

Food is a memory maker. It connects one generation to the next generation. It provides us an opportunity to share stories, to celebrate achievements, to heal from loss.

Last week I attended the funeral of Bill Couch, the father of one of my closest friends. During the service, his dear friend Jimmy Williams said, “The Lord gives us the ability to remember. It’s a gift.”

Remembering is a gift. I am so thankful for the memories that accompany the holidays – watching my mom make her pecan pie, playing cards with my dad and uncles, dressing up in Grandma Ruthie’s jewelry with my cousins, and making mustard ring with Jane.

May this holiday be one where you can use your gift to remember the good things in life while enjoying some delicious family recipes. If you’re going with ham this holiday season, here’s a picture of my son displaying our beloved mustard ring and the recipe if you want to give it a try.

Grandma Doc’s Mustard Ring
(pairs perfectly with ham)

4 well beaten eggs
¾ cup sugar
¼ tsp. salt
2 T. dry mustard
2/3 cup cider vinegar
1/3 cup water
1 envelope plain gelatin
2 T. cold water
½ cup whipping cream

Combine beaten eggs, sugar, salt, mustard, vinegar and 1/3 cup water in top of double boiler. Dissolve gelatin in the 2 T. cold water, add to egg mixture and cook over hot water until thick and creamy, stirring constantly. Cool. Whip cream and fold into cooled mixture and pour into well-oiled ring (or I just put it in a glass dish). Refrigerate until firm.

More from Farm Journal’s PORK:

4 Tips to Make This Your Safest Thanksgiving Yet

Stress: Action is Key

Margin: A Mysterious Gift

The Importance of Waiting: 4-H Teaches That Some Things Can't Be Rushed

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 00:57:37 GMT

As I watched my daughter arrange and rearrange her misshapen pumpkins on our porch, I couldn’t help but smile. In her eyes they were all absolutely perfect because she grew them, she nurtured them, she discovered them, she watched them, she waited for them and she loved them.

She didn’t see the blemishes and imperfections.

Her pumpkins were part of a small garden that she planted this year behind our barn for her 4-H Cloverbuds project. Cloverbuds is essentially the “warm-up” for 4-H. It gives young kids a chance to learn about the organization, discover what it means to be a 4-H member and hopefully get enticed to continue on.

In her 6-year-old mind, her pumpkin project was about those misshapen pumpkins on our porch. But I know that the true growth was in the journey to that beautiful display on our porch – the hours she spent preparing the soil, planting the seeds, watering the seeds and waiting.

Waiting is a hard lesson to learn. It’s a lesson that seems more elusive than ever in our instant gratification world. I appreciate that 4-H has taught our kids the importance of waiting and observing what they learn through that time.

Whether it’s waiting on a garden to grow or feeding an animal to market weight, 4-H has taught our kids that you can’t rush some things, but the end result is worth the wait. They discover the joy of expectation, of hope for what’s to come.

I think that’s one of the understated benefits of 4-H.

Life doesn’t always roll out just like you expect. Sometimes we get stuck waiting for something we want to happen. Believe me, I’ve been learning and relearning that lesson since I was in 4-H.

In celebration of National 4-H Week, let me know how 4-H has benefited your life. Email me your reflections of imperfect pumpkins and more at jshike@farmjournal.com.

More from Farm Journal’s PORK:

5 Things No One Tells You About 4-H

4-H and FFA Members Lend Talents to COVID-19 Fight

Overhe(a)rd: Screenhouses and the State of State Fairs

#FarmON Benefit Concert Showcases 4-H and America’s Farm Families

A Little Peace in the Struggle

5 Hard Lessons Learned from a Year of Virtual FFA

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 00:56:24 GMT

As I shut the door behind me and gave her one last smile, I felt the nerves set in. I wandered around aimlessly for a while, watching the minutes pass by. Virtual FFA contests are a little weird, especially if you are a parent. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to “get lost” this past year during my daughter’s FFA activities. Instead of helping quell her nerves about in-person judging and how to “enter the room,” we’re trying to help her figure out lighting, country internet and chairs that don’t squeak or swivel to prepare for another Zoom chat.

At times I get bummed out for her – nearly her entire FFA experience has been virtual due to the pandemic. As a former FFA member, I believe some of the best parts of FFA were getting to know my fellow FFA members on long van trips to a judging contest or meeting up with other chapters in our section for contests and leadership clinics.

FFA centers around community – whether it’s meeting some of your best friends, building young people to be future leaders in agriculture or participating in competitions and being exposed to a wide network of industry leaders.

A virtual FFA community can only fill the gap so far. While I am extremely grateful FFA has worked hard to find alternative solutions and create opportunities for its members during the pandemic, I believe the very things FFA members have missed out on this year drive home the biggest reasons why FFA is so important.

1. FFA is for everyone.
As a young child, Emily Webel decided she would not be in FFA because the jackets weren’t pink. Even though her dad was an ag teacher and she grew up in an FFA family, she didn’t want to pursue a career in agriculture so she says she didn’t see the need to be in FFA. But then she met her husband Joe, an “FFA lifer” as she affectionately calls him. Since then, she’s watched how FFA has impacted her older children and she says she gets it now.

“This is a place for lots of kids – lots of kids who may not have had a place otherwise. This organization is a place where you can turn your hobby or passion or skill or just something new into a tangible path for career development. We all may not play in the NBA, but we all need to learn how to speak in public and run a meeting properly. We need welders, someone to care for animals and, you know, feed us. Those are skills that are important,” says Emily, who’s raising her family on a farm near Farmington, Ill.

2. FFA opens doors to mentors.
There is something completely hard and completely wonderful about trusting people to mentor your children. When our daughter joined FFA, we vowed we would take a step back and let her experience what it’s like to have someone besides your parents invest in your life. Why? It’s so important for kids to begin expanding their network while they are at home. As parents we play a pivotal role in bringing up our kids. Still, when someone from the outside decides to pour into you, it gives you a confidence that you just can’t get from your parents.

FFA creates many ways for mentors to interact with our young people through competitions, tours, workshops and interviews. Their advice, insight and suggestions for improvement help FFA members learn one of the most valuable lessons in life – successful people are always learning and growing.

Can you experience mentorship over Zoom? Sure. Wherever two people gather – even if it’s virtual – creates a space for growth. But as Emily points out, you just can’t replicate that same experience in a virtual space.

“Just going through pictures of our girls meeting officers at state convention is one knife to the heart that is twisting...we need people. FFA, and the ag community as a whole for that matter, is about relationships and legacies being built. We are missing that portion big time,” Emily adds.

3. FFA builds perseverance.
Eudora FFA president Cody Loganbill of Eudora, Kan., admits his FFA experience online has been a struggle at times.

“I would love to say my FFA experience has been close to perfect after being online for the past year. However, that is simply not the case. Similar to the other organizations I am involved in, communication and the desire to do new things has decreased substantially while going virtual,” Loganbill says. “Every online contest and convention has changed from an amazing opportunity to meet new people, to a chore that fewer and fewer members are willing to participate in.”

Although he is a huge supporter of FFA, he says it’s a completely different experience on a computer screen. Still, he has learned many lessons this past year.

“Virtual FFA has taught me to persevere through hard times. I believe that when our organization gets back to normal, FFA members will be more thankful for the hands-on experiences and members will be more active than ever before in contests and conventions,” Loganbill adds.

4. FFA invites collaboration.
Moving a 600-student ag department from an in-person to virtual environment was not an easy task, says Doug Simms, animal/vet science instructor at Manor ASD in the Austin, Texas area. Because Austin was considered a “hotspot,” they’ve had very little in-person learning opportunities since the pandemic struck.

Although everyone can’t wait to return to “normal,” Simms says this experience has helped him become comfortable with Zoom and has allowed him a new way to connect students with industry leaders. Google Classroom has also been a highly effective way for students to have interactive coursework.

“I really believe that the virtual component will continue to help further FFA by connecting programs large and small to one another and will further empower our young people to be the future leaders of agriculture,” Simms says.

The virtual learning environment helped FFA members become more self- sufficient and discover new ways to collaborate, says Joe Webel, lead grain originator, nutrition services at The Maschhoffs and a member of the Illinois FFA Foundation Board of Directors.

“The state and national FFA organizations have done as good of a job as possible to find ways to provide online positives for their memberships. However, it’s a real shame for those young people elected to serve as state and national officers that they are not getting the normal experience either,” Joe says.

5. FFA is a bridge to more.
Sadly, the time FFA members lost during the pandemic won’t be returned. But that said, Joe believes the strongest leaders and top students with committed teachers have found a way to overcome the challenges of the pandemic and have continued to do so.

“Some students have spent the time individually to prepare and compete in the altered environment and have been able to get a positive experience from that. The top 10% of kids that would thrive in the previous normal environment have found a way to be involved and continue to build their skills, even in this ‘altered’ environment,” Joe says.

He is concerned this virtual environment has not been able to serve the giant “middle of the pack” with positive experiences they would have had during a normal year. For example, he describes the kids that go along for the ride one time to fill out a team and realize they like the experience they received. This discovery can start a chain reaction of greater service and engagement.

“These kids represent a big chunk of our schools, and during the COVID shutdown, they didn’t get anything. No matter how much coaxing and urging the instructors on the other side the camera pleaded that ‘We’re all in this together,’ they didn’t answer the call,” Joe says. “Maybe they lack the support and push at home to be a self-starter, or just need that daily in-person contact with a teacher to remember they are cared for, but those souls are the ones that have been left behind during this year.”

Of course, this is not just an FFA issue, he adds. It will be interesting to see what happens when more activities can be held in person and a sense of normalcy returns.

I don’t know when or if normal will return. But if you believe in the life-changing power of FFA, find someone in the middle of the pack (or on the fringe) you can encourage to get more involved. Take time to check in on them and link them to other kids in FFA, ask questions about their supervised agricultural experience, encourage them to try a career development event or simply share your FFA story and how the things you learned through FFA have made a difference in your life today. Sometimes the best thing we can do is reach out and invite others to experience more.

Read more from Farm Journal’s PORK:

Ag Teachers: When Someone Believes in You

5 Lessons FFA Taught Your Mother

Unpopular County Fair Opinion

More Than a Jacket: Karlene Krueger’s FFA Journey

It Takes All of Us

A Little Peace in the Struggle

The Secret is Out

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 00:55:44 GMT

I’ve been keeping a secret.

I was recently offered an exclusive interview with the National Pork Board’s new celebrity mythbuster. All I knew was I would have 15 minutes to interview this celebrity. No name. No details. My response? An enthusiastic “yes” and maybe a bit of a happy dance in my quiet office.

Every day I get the opportunity to interview amazing people in the pork industry. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing I truly love more – from incredible conversations with industry legends like Roy Poage to current thought leaders like Clint Schwab , who are both featured in the June issue of Farm Journal’s PORK. But, I couldn’t deny this chance to step outside of my box was intriguing.

I couldn’t wait to find out who this celebrity would be. My mind wandered. I won’t lie that thoughts of Matthew McConaughey and Mike Rowe danced in my head.

But they don’t hold a candle to the new face of modern pig farming mythbusting. Not only is he a fellow graduate of Kansas State University, he also grew up raising and showing pigs. To say we were instant friends is no lie (according to me).

However, what stood out the most to me from our interview (which I’m proud to say went on for 28 minutes, but who’s counting?) was his sincere desire to bridge the gap between his rural roots and urban consumers.

With 98% of our population disconnected from the farm, it’s no wonder that it’s confusing to be a consumer these days. There are a lot of loud voices out there about how food should be raised, especially animals.

He discussed wanting to help consumers understand how you can love animals, and at the same time, recognize their very important role in feeding our world. It’s not a one or the other.

I think it’s easy to forget how it feels to be in the consumer’s shoes. Many of us have had the luxury of growing up in agriculture or coming into it at some point in our careers. It’s hard to explain, but we know what it means to care and respect for animals and their wellbeing, and at the same time recognize their end point and greater purpose on earth.

As this mythbuster said, “I’ve always loved pigs and how smart and wonderful they are. But it goes without saying, I’m a carnivore and I enjoy pork.”

Now do I have your curiosity piqued yet? Go check out the industry’s newest modern pig farming mythbuster here .

Break the Stigma: It Starts With You and Me

Tue, 10 May 2022 13:00:00 GMT

I will never forget when one of my close friends told me she attempted suicide. It shook up my world and left it in a state that will never quite be the same. I’ve spent a long time trying to figure out how to neatly package my thoughts on this growing public health problem, but I can’t wrap my head around it.

When I was a kid, nobody talked about mental health. To a large degree, we didn’t know what we didn’t know about mental health. Now, my generation is trying to raise the next generation with more awareness, but we’re still struggling to process it ourselves.

In 2020, 46,000 people died by suicide. Illinois farm girl Maddison Caldwell was almost one of those numbers.

For years Maddison thought there was something wrong with her. She did what any good farm kid would do — she tried to be tough until the time came when she felt there was no way out of her pain.

As hard as it is to understand the complexity of mental illness and suicide, I think it’s important we try. That’s why I asked Maddison a hard question: Would you share your story with me?

After she said yes, we set out on a journey that was raw, painful and complicated. As she opened up about her shame and brokenness, I felt more okay sharing mine. I learned a lot about myself, about being a parent and about being a more observant friend.

Her story took a very long time to write. Truthfully, it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Not long after I finished the story, my daughter lost a 16-year-old classmate to suicide. I was reminded again nothing can take away that kind of pain.

As a parent, I am grateful to the Caldwell family for their willingness to share. Because of their vulnerability, our family has been able to keep talking through this incredibly hard time. It doesn’t diminish the sorrow that comes with losing a loved one to suicide, but it opens an important door to connection.

So, what would it look like for suicide to be a topic we don’t avert our eyes to? I think it starts with understanding and a willingness to break the stigma. It starts with you and me.

You can find online resources on how to prevent suicide from the Centers for Disease Control website or by calling the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255.

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, raising awareness about mental illness and related issues in the U.S., and helping reducing the stigma so many experience.

Read Maddison’s story:

By Her Own Hand: A Farm Girl’s Miraculous Journey from Death to Hope

Breaking Taboo: Parent’s Worst Nightmare, Child’s Near-Fatal Decision

More Resources on Mental Health Wellness:

Pay Attention to Warning Signs of Stress

Toxic Grit: Is Our Greatest Strength Our Greatest Weakness on the Farm?

Stress: Action is Key

Farmers, Ranchers Have Ways to Manage Stress

Suicide Prevention: Your Worth Isn’t Measured By The Markets

Don’t Let Social Distancing Lead to Social Isolation

Connect With Farmers In-Person On Mental Health

Simple, Daily Habits to Help Manage Stress

Pay Attention to Warning Signs of Stress

When Your Trampoline Breaks: Avoid Isolation

7 Steps to Reduce Farm and Financial Stress

How and Why to Laugh, Even When it’s Hard

Watch for Signs of Suicidal Risk on Your Farm

When You're A Little Uncomfortable

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:26:03 GMT

Something I never thought I would do: judge a llama show.

When my former boss, Darrell Anderson, asked me to judge at one of the country’s largest llama expositions with Kade Hummel, my old partner in crime at the National Swine Registry, I didn’t want to say no. When I found out this would be the last March Llama Madness that the Andersons would organize, I couldn’t say no. But I had to be honest with myself; my llama experience was limited to say the least.

The show was set up “Olympic-style” with five judges ranking each llama on a score of 1–10. It was intimidating at first, but I quickly found my rhythm drawing upon both my livestock and horse judging backgrounds. Good stock are good stock.

I was reminded of how important it is to get a little uncomfortable in an attempt to learn, and to prioritize people. I laughed, I even cried a little and I savored every minute.

The older you get, the more you realize how fast life goes. As a mom who doesn’t make much time for herself, I needed that day more than I realized.

Farm Journal’s PORK continually features stories that emphasize time and time again how important it is to stretch yourself and try new things — and the May issue is no exception! From Scott Dee stepping out of his comfort zone to make groundbreaking discoveries in swine health to Lexi Ammann’s decision to show a pig and then pursue a career in production animal agriculture, it all starts when we get a little uncomfortable in our status quo.

One of my favorite stories of the spring was of Caroline Gaye reminding us there will be days we don’t feel like doing the hard work to make ourselves better, but we’ve got to keep going.

A quick picture after the March Llama Madness with my first boss and former CEO of the National Swine Registry, Darrell Anderson, and my former co-worker Kade Hummel.

Your Role in Pork’s Future

As an industry, we’ve had to fight a lot of battles lately, and you’ll find those stories on PorkBusiness.com as well. It’s tempting to want a time out to catch our breath, but our future generations need us to keep forging ahead making new discoveries, incorporating more technology and doing whatever we can to make pork production better.

Economist Dennis DiPietre is one of many outstanding leaders in the global pork industry who will discuss ways the industry can get a little uncomfortable and pursue improvement during United Pork Americas in Orlando, Fla., on Sept. 7–9. Register now at UnitedPorkAmericas.com .

Pay attention to PORK Daily, our eNewsletter, for details on the United Pork Americas Symposium Series that will kick off on May 25. The first webinar will delve into global markets and opportunities for advancement.

It’s a great time to push forward!

Check out the May issue of PORK online.

More from Jennifer Shike:

Look at the Person, Not the Mistakes: Tosh Farms Opens New Doors for Women in Ag

Stop Calling Nolan DeWall a Pig Farmer

Numbers Matter: How Will You Crush Your Goals This Year?

Unpopular County Fair Opinion

Wed, 23 Feb 2022 21:09:36 GMT

I watched my teenage daughter walk back to our pens with her Hampshire barrow last week at the National Junior Summer Spectacular in Louisville and couldn’t help but tear up. She had just been named Reserve Champion in the Hampshire show and there’s no question that I was proud of her and happy about the win. But that didn’t cause the misty-eyed response. I teared up because not too far behind her carrying the banner was her sweet friend, Makayla.

I’ve watched these two girls and their friendship grow over the past few years. They live in different states, separated by more than 100 miles. However, their connection formed through showing pigs is one that just doesn’t come along every day. They compete against each other, but the joy they have for each other’s victories and successes is real. There’s no faking those hugs and smiles.

If Makayla is in the ring, Olivia (my daughter) is watching nearby. If Olivia is showing, Makayla’s cheering. That’s one of the neat lessons that showing livestock provides – an opportunity to learn how to win well and how to “not win” well.

Life’s a lot more fun when you’re sharing in each other’s joys rather than picking apart people’s success.

This week, a tweet from Lynsee Pullen, keeps popping into my mind. “Unpopular County Fair Opinion: The champion deserved it and I’m happy for that family.”

What a sad truth. How often are we truly happy for the one that wins?

“It’s easy to get caught up into thinking that everything is a once in a lifetime opportunity or that other people’s success means you can’t succeed too. But in reality, very few things in life have a limited supply,” says Amy Morin , an international bestselling mental strength author.

We are in the thick of county fair season and competition abounds for blue ribbons and champion banners. Some will take those ribbons and banners home, and some won’t. I’ve been on both sides.

Be a good friend, youth exhibitors. Parents and supporters—be good role models. All of these kids work hard. There will always be someone who works more and someone who works less, but who are we to judge what’s fair?

Look for opportunities to celebrate the success of others. Then, go seek out the kids who get sent back to the barn with no award and point out the good that you saw in them. You won’t have to try hard in finding grounds for a compliment. Sometimes it’s simply showing up.

Don’t let the success of others take away from the good you have in yours. Find people to surround yourselves with who share in that “unpopular” county fair opinion. Friendships last way longer than banners.

More blogs from Jennifer Shike:

It Takes All of Us

Emerging Technology, Emerging Leaders

Is U.S. Pork Safe to Eat?

5 Lessons FFA Taught Your Mother

5 Lessons FFA Taught Your Mother

Wed, 23 Feb 2022 21:02:34 GMT

I watched her from across the room as she intently focused on the screen, nose wrinkled in concentration. Olivia was getting ready for her first FFA Week, working on questions for a school-wide trivia game.

She’s now an official junior high FFA member, and she’s loving it. From attending her first career fair to helping organize a petting zoo to teach kids about agriculture, it’s fun to see her jumping into new territory.

She sees the world through such a unique view right now. At times, I just want to bottle up her 12-year-old perspective so she never loses her curiosity, confidence and trust. But life happens, reality hits and there will be tough lessons learned over the next few years that will further shape her character and help her develop into a wiser young woman.

I know, I know. I can’t control how these next years unfold. As I sit here today thinking about what’s ahead for her, I can’t help but share a few lessons I learned along the way. Here’s what I want her to know.

1. It’s OK to shake in your boots a bit.
One of the most important lessons I learned was that being nervous is OK. FFA will challenge you to get a little uncomfortable. Use your voice anyway. Don’t be afraid to tell your story. It matters. Everyone gets nervous, so don’t let that stop you from going after your goals.

When I boarded the plane to head off to Scotland with my FFA judging team to compete in the International Livestock Judging Contest, I was a little scared. I had never flown before and that was one long flight over the ocean. But guess what? I discovered that flying was pretty fun and that little bit of shaking didn’t last long. You won’t know unless you try.

2. Find your “sweet spot.”
What’s your “sweet spot”? It’s that feeling you get before something great happens. By participating in livestock judging contests, parliamentary procedure competitions, public speaking events and more, I found myself in that sweet spot often. I learned how to tame my nerves and to quiet my inner anxiety as I stepped into the competition room. I realized that I could do anything if I put my mind to it.

I’ll never forget giving my first set of market hog oral reasons at a livestock judging contest. I walked right up to Tim Marek, a well-respected hog breeder in Washington County, Iowa. With all the confidence I could muster, I told him why I placed the class the way I did. I got through the set. I only mentioned horse terms like “gaskin” a few times. It wasn’t amazing, but it was a pretty good start. I walked away knowing I had found my “sweet spot.”

3. Look up to somebody.
I can assure you that FFA is full of amazing people. Find one of those people and get to know them. Ask questions and listen to their answers. One of the best tools you have in life is your network. Use this time to find role models, create connections and expand your circle of influencers. Life is so much better lived when you are walking through it with amazing people you admire and can learn from.

My mentors have helped me achieve so much more in life than I could have on my own. They’ve encouraged me, challenged me and pushed me to do more than I could have imagined. You will need someone to watch — choose wisely.

4. Don’t be afraid to fail.
I believe failure helps us grow. But I won’t sugarcoat it. Failure stings. It can be embarrassing, hurtful and even a little scary. As a mom, this is the hardest one for me. I want to protect Olivia from learning lessons the hard way like I did. However, that would be a disservice to her. No one gets it right all the time. She won’t either, and that’s a good thing.

As I look back on all of the competitions I was in, I did not win them all. There were many hard nights of feeling like I failed or that I disappointed my family by not capturing the first-place prize. I liked to win, and getting second wasn’t good enough. But try as I might, those moments have dimmed in my memory. I don’t remember the “failures,” I remember the things I learned along the way. Fortunately, the sting of failure fades with time.

5. Be the difference.
FFA will put you in a position to influence the lives of others, whether it’s in the ag classroom or when you visit a local elementary school to talk about where food comes from. Make the most of those moments and don’t take them for granted.

My FFA experiences helped me learn how to share my “what I do and why it matters” on the microphone, approach a sponsor about making a donation and write a gracious thank-you letter. Those are all skills that I carried with me into my first job that allowed me to have a greater impact on the lives of others.

Olivia, FFA is going to provide you with building blocks that will help shape the rest of your life. Don’t miss the opportunity ahead of you to build something amazing.

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The Night My Husband Tore Down the Barn to Save a Cat

Mon, 14 Feb 2022 16:00:51 GMT

Yes, he did. But I’ll get to that in a minute. To truly appreciate my husband’s heroic act, I need to take you back in time a few years (OK, maybe 20). In college, my husband, Dan, and I were in a literature class. Our assignment was to write a persuasive paper. We knew our professor loved cats. Dan, on the other hand, did not. But he chose to write a paper on why cats were truly man’s best friend. The professor loved it and it goes down as one of our favorite stories to laugh about when we remember our college days.

Fast forward to 2017. Our son had been begging to get a dog for years. Dan and I both had dogs growing up and hope we do get a dog someday. However, due to our family’s travel schedule, we decided a dog would not be very happy with its owners gone all the time.

Now a cat? Well, that’s a different story. After many attempts to persuade us into buying a dog, including a ploy to get a baby brother if he couldn’t get a dog, we finally agreed to start up our own herd of barn cats.

On Christmas Day 2017, Honey entered our lives. She is an amazing cat. She is one of the best mousers I’ve ever seen and guards our barn very seriously. She follows our son around like a dog would and has done her best to compensate for her species type. She even blessed us with three beautiful babies last fall. Hunter takes his role as barn cat herdsman seriously and manages a daily check or two of everyone’s status.

My son, Hunter, and two of the mischievous kittens.

Two nights ago, Dan heard the most horrible yowling ever when he was doing chores. After a quick inventory of the crew and some searching, he realized that the fattest and least tame of Honey’s kittens, Tigger, was stuck in the wall of our barn.

He determined that although there was a path out of Tigger’s predicament, the poor cat was just too scared to figure it out. So he employed Honey to help and opened up the barn for the night, hoping she could coerce Tigger to come out. However, that plan didn’t work.

When the guys got home from wrestling practice last evening, they popped into the house quick to announce they were going to tear the barn apart because Tigger was still stuck and it didn’t look good for the cat.

After quite a while of troubleshooting and exploring the situation, Dan discovered that the cat had climbed her way to the top of the barn between the wooden posts located in between the two sheets of aluminum siding.

Two hours later, my sweet husband walked back into the house and explained that the problem was solved, but the barn may need some fixing. In order to save the cat, he had to pull the aluminum off the barn in a few spots, climb up the beams and basically knock the kitten down so she could find the new hole to escape. Tigger was finally free.

I realize this may not sound like every woman’s dream Valentine’s Day gift, but for me, there isn’t anything better. The cat is saved. My children are ecstatic. Sure, the barn needs a little work and Dan’s plans for the evening were definitely foiled, but everyone went to sleep with peaceful hearts. I’ll take that over roses any Valentine’s Day.

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Why the Pork Industry Needs to Build a Toothbrush

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 16:43:52 GMT

Every day we are flooded with stories that show the disconnect between consumers and farmers. As I listened to Mohan Sawhney, a professor at Northwestern University, discuss growth and innovation during a webinar hosted by the National Pork Board, I was reminded of the great challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the pork industry.

Today’s consumers, especially millennials, want to know where their food was raised and how. If we want to improve our market penetration, salience and ultimately, our relevance, we need to start asking ourselves hard questions.

Perhaps one of the biggest points I took home about how to grow pork consumption was a lesson Sawhney learned from Facebook and Google: Build a toothbrush.

“If you build a habit, something they will do day-in and day-out, you’ve got a great business. Google is a toothbrush. Facebook is a toothbrush,” he said. “We’ve got to make pork into a toothbrush – not something that’s exotic, that you do occasionally.”

No wonder why ground pork became so much more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s easy to prepare and practically fool proof. It goes with anything. How can we get more pork products into consumers’ weekly “habit” of go-to meal ideas?

He outlined three pillars for profitable and sustainable growth – the same concepts he shares with companies like McDonalds and Microsoft.

Innovation That Creates Value
“Think about innovation and all of its grand possibilities, not just limited to thinking about product or thinking about how we improve our efficiency in our operations,” Sawhney said.

Innovation creates new value – it is useless unless someone wants to pay for it. He says innovation is more about new combinations, not radical redefinition. Although you can borrow innovation ideas (and you should), remember it’s not copy and paste. “It’s copy, translate and paste,” he added.

A Focused Growth Mindset
Growth is important in business. But he urges the pork industry to remember to stay focused and disciplined. Don’t pursue growth for growth’s sake.
“I love the story a CEO shared with me some time ago. He said, ‘I never met a revenue dollar I did not like, but all dollars are not equally green.’ All growth is not good, sometimes growth can become toxic,” Sawhney said.

Unruly growth that is unchecked can be problematic. Growth should never be a strategy, he warned. It’s a tactic. Successful businesses find ways that growth can be profitable, sustainable and disciplined.

Consumer Centricity
Growth and innovation will be meaningful when focused on the customer, Sawhney emphasized. How will trends like the rise of convenience, food delivery, veganism, multi-cultural cuisine, dining and meal habits, among others, impact purchasing behavior?

In addition, Sawhney said we must make pork less intimidating to cook. I’ve heard that come up in a few conversations lately. For example, as much as I love pork ribs, they are not easy (for me) to prepare. As a busy mom of three kids, I’m looking for convenient, fast ideas because my time is pretty limited. How can we innovate ways to make pork easier to get from the meat case and on to more tables?

I recently shared how two Iowa farmers borrowed a concept from Etsy and built an online meat store during the pandemic that allows consumers to order directly from the farmer.

Consumer Greg Leichty of Denver, Colo. , said he hopes this concept grows to “allow more consumers to have this higher-level of choice and the option to be more knowledge about the products and people who produced them when they purchase the food that they put on their table.”

In our latest Pork Perspectives , Hog Slat’s David Herring said people don’t want to spend a lot of time preparing food.

“I think we need to learn more about what our consumer wants and design products that are more desirable to them. I see it in other proteins, but pork is not leading the race in product innovation. I think this presents a great opportunity for the pork industry to increase pork consumption through new innovation,” Herring said.

As consumers find a new rhythm post pandemic, how will the pork industry innovate to build pork into that toothbrush for more consumers?

More from Farm Journal’s PORK:

PORK Perspectives: A Minute with David Herring

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Will You Accept This Challenge?

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 19:24:13 GMT

Struggling to find joy this holiday season? I will admit I was, but something changed.

2020 has been disappointing to say the least (especially for someone like me who loves to be around people). The thought of not spending the holidays with our extended family has been the icing on the cake of 2020 despair.

I needed a reality check – a reminder of how blessed I am. After helping my daughter Olivia with a high school student council project and a visit to our local food pantry, I’ve had just the push I needed to realign my thinking in preparation for the holiday season.

A humbling moment
Last Saturday morning, Olivia and I set out to deliver non-perishable food items, purchased with money raised by our local high school students, to families who could use a little help this holiday season.

We’ve been on a lot of adventures, but the most meaningful time we spend together is hands-down when we serve others.

I’ll never forget the look on her face when we pulled up to one house and heard squeals of laughter from the other side of the front window. The house was full of little kids dancing and jumping up and down.

“Mom, look outside! They brought us food! Our Thanksgiving box is here!”

Now if that doesn’t cause you to pause, I don’t know what will. I can’t remember the last time my family jumped for joy when I stocked our pantry full of green beans, rice and cream of mushroom soup.

It was a humbling moment.

I’ll never forget their big smiles through the window. When we got back in our warm vehicle, I turned to look at Olivia. We both had glassy eyes and we drove in silence for a while.

Our stops were all different and the needs ranged. We pulled up to worn-down houses and nice homes. We delivered food to a range of households from an older single man to a family of 10. My point? Don’t assume you know what others are going through right now.

Jan Blaney (right) shows Olivia how the food pantry works and discusses the items that are in high demand now due to changes brought on by the pandemic.

The needs are high
About four years ago, Jan Blaney decided to start helping at the Tolono Food Pantry at St. Patrick’s Church in Tolono, Ill. She quickly found herself running the pantry – not a job she set out to find at first.

It’s not easy. She fields countless phone calls each day and spends hours upon hours serving this community of 3,500 in eastern Illinois. The food pantry might only be open for a few hours each week, but the hours she invests far outweigh when the pantry is “open” serving the community.

But she’ll be the first to tell you it has been a life-changing opportunity. She says she gets more than she gives.

“It’s not just about getting folks fed,” she said. “After a while, you get to know the families and their needs that go beyond food. ‘My daughter tested positive, can you deliver to our home? My son just got deployed, can you pray for him?’ You get to do more for them than meet a food need.”

And the needs are great now. Every time the food pantry is open, they get more people coming in for food, she said.

“Families are having to make hard choices,” Blaney said. “It’s getting cold outside. You have to pay the heat bill, so you don’t eat. You need gas for your vehicle to drive to work, so you don’t buy groceries.”

Hunger in the U.S. alone has grown from about 37 million people before the pandemic to more than 50 million Americans who will experience food insecurity in 2020, according to the nonprofit Feeding America.

Is it enough?
During a recent visit with Jen Sorenson, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) president-elect, she teared up sharing about NPPC’s #giveaham project, a social media campaign that encourages people to “give a ham” to their local food pantry to serve food-insecure families during this holiday season.

“You’ve got to be realistic and look at the challenges of low-income families,” Sorenson said. “They have the same values as pork producers: to bring their family around the table for a meal. Providing that meat entrée gets them started – you’re giving them a shot at a holiday meal they wouldn’t otherwise have.”

During a time when families – of all kinds – are struggling to put food on the table, I can’t help but ask myself if I am doing enough to help those in need?

Thanks to NPPC’s challenge, Olivia and I met Jan this week and got to see a beautiful soul in action serving others. She doesn’t want credit – she isn’t looking for fame; but I venture to guess she’s the hero in many people’s homes in our community this week. She gave them a little more space to breathe, a chance to have a meal they wouldn’t otherwise have, and an opportunity to be grateful.

How can you show your gratitude for the blessings in your life? Olivia and I challenge you to end 2020 by “giving a ham” to your local food pantry of someone in your community in need. The hunger problem is overwhelming, but every gesture makes a difference and gives someone else hope for another day.

More from Farm Journal’s PORK:

Pork Industry Challenges You to “Give-A-Ham”

Beyond Meat ‘Tastes Like Overpriced Falafel'

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:49:48 GMT

George Atuan has some interesting and astute observations about your competition, and a vision that may impact your financial success. His latest column is titled “Beyond Meat: An Overpriced Falafel.”

Wait…this is more than just a carnivore’s rant about fake meat. Atuan is a financial columnist for Seeking Alpha, and his study of the plant-based protein startup was designed to help him offer sound investment advice for Beyond Meat stock.

I, along with other card-carrying members of the Heartland Chapter of GCA (that’s Gravy Connoisseurs of America) am convinced fake meat will remain a niche player in the meat industry for the foreseeable future. But how fast these fake meat products capture market share is dependent on money from investors, so the observations of someone like Atuan are important.

George Atuan is the founder and portfolio manager at RedFox Capital, Santiago, Chile , which offers investment advice to high net worth individuals and institutional investors. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of Toronto, an MBA from York University and he speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic. Whew.

He writes as a free-lance contributor to Seeking Alpha, which offers market insights and financial analysis, investment ideas and stock research written by finance experts.

Atuan is not a dietician or a chef. But, after an in-home comparison of beef burgers and Beyond Meat, Atuan declared the plant-based stuff tasted like “overpriced falafel.”

That word sent me scrambling for a dictionary, because (for me) Atuan might as well have been using Arabic words. Falafel, according to Webster, is “a small croquette made with ground chickpeas or fava beans and spices, often served with salad and tahini in pita bread.”

Here’s Atuan’s description of his first bite of the Beyond Burger:

“At first, I couldn’t pin it, but the second bite took me to my teenage years back in Bethlehem in the Middle East... that is when I realized that Beyond Burgers are just glorified Americanized falafels.”

But, while we may like his comparison, we’re not interested in Atuan’s taste buds. His financial and stock expertise is what we want. Well…if you’re anti-fake meat, Atuan doesn’t disappoint.

Indeed, he offers seven reasons for not buying Beyond Meat stock. Here’s the list:

Problem #1: Tasty, but far from tasting like a real burger.

Problem #2: No moat. Meaning – when better products are made the competition will quickly copy any upgrades.

Problem #3: Tough Competition Ahead. Think Tyson, Nestle and other global behemoths.

Problem #4: Production Bottleneck. Beyond has co-manufacturers, which actually put the product together, and to grow Beyond needs more partners.

Problem #5: Unattractive business economics in steady-state. As Beyond expands it will cease being a niche player, and thus compete with meat packers and find lower returns.

Problem #6: Not a Healthy Substitute. Beyond’s patty has more fat, less protein and four times as much sodium as a beef burger.

Problem #7: Valued to perfection. Atuan says to justify Beyond’s $150 stock price, sales have to reach $22 billion by 2030. Analysts on average forecast full-year 2019 sales of $205 million. In other words, current sales are less than 1% of $22 billion.

Presently, the Beyond patties are priced about 2.4 times higher than the real stuff. I’m no Wall Street analyst and I can’t speak a lick of Arabic, but cowboy logic suggests reaching sales of $22 billion in 10 short years is a tall order.

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Fake Meat, Real Men, Happy July 4th

Fake Meat, Real Men, Happy July 4th

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:49:43 GMT

I love the 4th of July. The food and family time are great, and I still have all my fingers.

I also love the 4th of July because it’s an annual reminder of the sacrifices made by the founding fathers – and all our past and current service men and women – that we may live free, eat bacon, and sue our neighbors.

Veterans, please don’t take offense to that last part. I mean that as a tribute to my late father-in-law, who spent World War II in some horrific conditions in the Philippines and other Pacific hellholes. He would be the first to acknowledge he fought for the freedoms of all Americans, even those he didn’t much care for, and there were quite a few Americans who did stuff he didn’t much care for. I can still hear him now, “Those rotten bastards.”

To say that my father-in-law was opinionated would be an understatement. But, like many of the Greatest Generation, he did not talk about his time in the war. In fact, it was only after my mother-in-law died a few years ago that the family found his army footlocker, tucked far into the attic. Inside were his two Purple Hearts, which his children knew nothing about.

Given the fact my father-in-law was opinionated and given that he loved to eat meat of all kinds, I’m pretty sure I know what he would think about the new stuff we call fake meat. I’m also certain he would think the lawsuit announced by the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) against Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant is frivolous, while supporting their right to sue.

PBFA and Illinois-based Upton’s Naturals filed the suit against Gov. Bryant and the state’s agriculture commissioner, Andy Gipson, alleging the state’s law banning producers of plant-based foods from using terms like “vegan bacon” and “meatless steaks” violates the First Amendment.

As you might expect, the lawsuit is causing a lot of folks to exercise their First Amendment rights, including Ag Commissioner Andy Gipson, who says he looks forward to defending the state’s law in court.

“A food product made of insect-protein should not be deceptively labeled as beef,” Gipson said in a statement. “Someone looking to purchase tofu should not be tricked into buying lab grown protein. Words mean something. We look forward to defending the law to make sure Mississippi consumers have clear information on the meat and non-meat products they purchase.”

PBFA sees labeling terms differently. “In order to describe the foods in the clearest possible manner, Upton’s Naturals uses meat and meat product terms as part of the descriptions on its labels,” the suit said.

Hmmmm. While Upton’s seeks to give consumers the “clearest possible” descriptions, one might see deception in the company name – Upton’s Naturals. As in, here are the ingredients in Upton’s product they are calling “Classic Burger”: Water, vital wheat gluten, eggplant, tofu (water, soybeans, calcium sulfate), canola oil, whole wheat flour, soy sauce (water, wheat, soybeans, salt), nutritional yeast, sugar, apple cider vinegar, onion, garlic, sea salt, natural hickory smoke concentrate, black pepper, oregano, paprika, parsley, marjoram. Contains: Wheat, Soy.

Here’s a reminder to PBFA and Upton’s that real classic burgers – the ones with one ingredient – remain one of America’s top food choices on the Fourth of July.

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Short-Selling Beyond Meat Was a Bad Bet

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:25:47 GMT

Traders who short-sold Beyond Meat’s initial public offering (IPO) have lost more than $150 million since the company began trading on Wall Street May 2, according to data-analytics firm S3 Partners.

That would be enough cash to buy all the cattle in a 100,000-head feedyard. And, given the outlook for Beyond Meat by some of Wall Street’s biggest investment firms, holding those short positions is likely to produce even bigger losses.

Beyond Meat’s stock opened at $103.25 on Thursday, May 30, 2019, a 313% gain from the initial listing price, inflicting a $158.2 million loss on short-sellers, according to Business Insider . Additionally, the price to borrow stock rose to 100%, meaning that it is just as expensive to short the stock as it is to own it.

Obviously, short-selling Beyond Meat was beyond bad, but, more importantly, what is the market telling us about faux meats? First, Beyond Meat’s fantastic IPO suggests many people believe it’s a viable business model, not just a fad.

Sure, Beyond Meat could hit a road bump next week causing the stock price to tumble. But the same could be said for Apple or Amazon.

More likely, however, is news of a partnership that could take the stock even higher. Business Insider also reports McDonald’s is rumored to seek such a partnership, a move one Wall Street firm says would boost Beyond Meat’s stock price another 30%.

Jeffries Financial Group, a New York-based investment bank and financial services company, sent a note to investors saying “Beyond Meat is well positioned to partner with McDonald’s,” adding a deal “makes sense for both parties.”

Jeffries bases its analysis on the fact McDonald’s recently launched a vegan burger in Germany, and said it was paying close attention to the plant-based protein trend in its latest earnings call. Donald Thompson, McDonald’s former CEO and COO, sits on Beyond Meat’s board.

The investment bank also noted archrival Impossible Foods is struggling to meet demand, and it might be unable to meet McDonald’s supply needs.

Should Beyond Meat land a deal with McDonald’s, Jeffries calculates capturing 1% of annual U.S. burger sales under the Golden Arches would generate about $48 million in revenue and lift Beyond Meat’s shares by $4.50.

Analysts at JPMorgan seems to agree with Jeffries. “At least one major quick-service restaurant chain likely will become a customer by the end of the year,” they wrote.

While a 1% share of America’s burger market remains a distant goal for the plant-based variety, the market suggests that hurdle will soon be cleared.

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A Vegan Clash With The Queen?

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:25:03 GMT

New royal baby Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor may have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but his parents won’t use it to feed him animal-derived foods.

Yep, Prince Harry and Meghan Markel plan to raise their son a vegan. And the Queen is not happy.

According to a story published by Woman’s Day , “Meghan wants her baby to be raised a vegan,” reveals a palace insider. But, “the Queen won’t have it.”

I suspect that, if you’re like me, you have plenty of other things to warrant your attention than gossip about the British Royal Family. And whether a baby born into a family with a $500 million fortune will be raised vegan is, frankly, inconsequential.

But, with media coverage of the Royal’s every move, it’s hard to ignore. Which is why you should be concerned for baby Archie.

Oh, don’t worry about the baby’s health. I’m sure that with a stable of maids, nannies and chefs, baby Archie’s nutritional needs will be more than adequate on a vegan diet. Your concern should be for what message that sends to other young parents.

Reality is, it’s difficult to provide an infant adequate nutrition with a vegan diet. Not impossible, but difficult. And, it’s generally more expensive.

Look, if Harry and Meghan choose to live a vegan lifestyle, I’m fine with that. But they also have a responsibility – given their lofty perch at the peak of the socio-economic ladder – to set an example for their admirers.

We shouldn’t be skeptical about the influence of the Royal’s. Fox Business News reported there are a number of ways the birth of a royal baby impacts the economy over the short-term. John Quelch, dean of University of Miami Business School, said it can provide a bump for restaurants and bars around the U.K., as citizens hold parties – boosting confidence in the face of “Brexit malaise.”

“There’s nothing better than a royal baby arriving on a Friday because that is surely good for party business on Saturday and Sunday,” Quelch told FOX Business.

Brushing aside the economic boost, the danger a Royal vegan baby presents is that many young parents may be enticed to follow Harry and Meghan’s lead and raise their children as vegans. Some can afford the luxury, many can’t. And even if they can afford the vegan lifestyle, many won’t understand how to ensure adequate nutrition under such a lifestyle.

Maybe the Queen’s influence will cause the couple to reconsider. One report says Her Majesty, 92, has made her objections known, and, “It’s created tense discussions between Meghan and Harry, who doesn’t want to upset his grandmother,” Woman’s Day reported.

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Turning Over Rocks

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:14:27 GMT

The following commentary does not necessarily reflect the views of AgWeb or Farm Journal. The opinions expressed below are the author’s own.

In many cases, veterinarians know exactly how sickness appears in a group of cattle. In other cases the source remains a mystery, and management, by necessity, focuses on treatment. Fortunately, researchers and practitioners continue asking questions and turning over rocks in search of causes, slowly building a management and biosecurity knowledge base.

At the recent Academy of Veterinary Consultants (AVC) summer conference, several presentations highlighted potential sources of cattle morbidity, where further study and increased awareness could help guide future management and biosecurity efforts.

Aaron Stam is a Federally Recognized Tribal Extension Agent for the Seminole Tribe in South Florida, one of the largest cow-calf operations in Florida. Following a mild winter in 2014, Seminole ranchers noted forage was abundant but cows lost body condition and calving rates dropped significantly. Subsequent testing ruled out mineral deficiencies and toxic plants, and the problem remained a mystery until a visiting veterinarian suggested the signs looked like fescue toxicosis.

There is no fescue grown in the area, but with help from the University of Florida and Biomin, the team began testing and found high levels of mycotoxins in local forages, especially Bermuda grass in low, wet areas during the cooler seasons.

Stam helped tribal ranchers run a two-year controlled trial using Biomin’s Biofix supplement to mitigate effects of mycotoxins and saw significant improvements in calving rates and weaning weights. Stam points out that Bermuda grass dominates improved pastures across much of the Southeast, so the problem could be more widespread than realized.

In another presentation, Scott Dee, DVM, PhD, director of research with Pipestone Veterinary Services in Minnesota, summarized his company’s research on survival of viral pathogens in feed ingredients. U.S. companies, he notes, import a wide range of feed ingredients such as soy meal, soy oil cake, distillers’ grains, lysine and others from countries where production systems allow multiple opportunities for exposure of feeds to pathogens.

Previous research demonstrated that the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) can survive in feed. Dee and his colleagues designed their study using a “transboundary model” to test survivability of several other viruses in a variety of feed ingredients. They inoculated feed samples with the viruses and stored the samples in environmental chambers using timetables and temperature controls to simulate the actual time and conditions for feed shipping across common Pacific and Atlantic routes.

The found that some viruses remained very stable in certain feeds. For example, the researchers used senecavirus as a surrogate for FMDV because of federal restrictions. They found that senecavirus survived in most feeds, and the African swine fever virus survived well in soy meal. Some other viral pathogens such as PRRSV, BHV and BVDV did not survive well in feeds. Clearly we need more research in this area and more screening of imported feed ingredients.

Organic Consumers Are Happy With Their Choice

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:12:22 GMT

Despite the presence of pesticides in equal amounts, organic consumers won’t switch.

A recent study found pesticide levels in organically grown foods is equal to that of conventionally grown foods. That’s right, consumers are paying more for organic foods to avoid pesticides but it’s not helping. Think they’ll switch to conventionally grown foods?

Not likely, according to NPD’s National Eating Trends®, which continually tracks all aspects of how U.S. consumers eat. Organic consumers hold a strong belief in their nutritional knowledge and healthy lifestyle and are not likely to be swayed by the research.

NPD cited a recently released report from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) that found pesticide levels in organically grown foods are equal to those in conventionally grown foods. NPD said consumers have opportunities to consume organic foods and beverages 9.7% of the time, up from 7.5% just three years ago. The group also said about 10% of the U.S. population consumes all organic foods over a seven-day period. Another 19% consume a combination of all-natural and organic foods, with 20% consuming only all-natural foods, the study said.

The NPD group’s study also identified organic-only consumers as most likely to be female, span the ages between 35 to 44 and 55 to 64, live on the West Coast and have a household income of more than $75,000 per year. The study found 51% of the population are non-users of organic and all natural foods.

“Organic consumers will hold steadfast to their beliefs and continue to seek organic foods despite negative reporting, and all-natural consumers will continue to place convenience and taste first,” said Darren Seifer, food and beverage industry analyst at NPD.

Threat of Foreign Animal Disease Deserves Attention, Funding

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:12:14 GMT

The following commentary does not necessarily reflect the views of AgWeb or Farm Journal. The opinions expressed below are the author’s own.

An outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the United States would create significant economic disruption, but its scope, duration and cost depends on our level of preparation, as much as on the nature and severity of the outbreak.

In Late April, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue took a step toward better preparation by authorizing access to genetically modified, non-infectious (FMD) virus on the U.S. mainland. Previously, the only location allowed to use live FMD virus in research was the Plum Island Animal Disease Center off the coast of Long Island, N.Y.

The new USDA Policy enables more U.S. research and vaccine development for FMD, but biosecurity precautions and approval processes will take several years, says UDSA Chief Veterinarian Jack Shere.

The livestock industry has, fortunately, invested in other areas of response planning. The USDA, with input from industry, has developed a detailed “Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Plan,” which focuses on FMD along with other foreign animal diseases. As a component of that plan, Iowa State University’s Center for Food Security & Public Health (CFSPH), in cooperation with Kansas State University, University of Minnesota, and University of California-Davis, have developed the Secure Milk Supply (SMS) and Secure Beef Supply (SBS) Plans, which focus on maintaining business continuity while aggressively mitigating an FMD outbreak.

Current thinking has shifted away from mass culling or “stamping out” as the primary strategy for responding to most FMD outbreaks. Instead, today’s plans place more emphasis on large-scale vaccination as a means of containing the disease while allowing carefully regulated movement of cattle and continuation of commerce.

The volume of vaccine needed would depend on the type and scope of an outbreak. CFSPH director James Roth, DVM, PhD, DACVM, has defined six types of potential FMD outbreaks, ranging from Type 1, a focal outbreak, to Type 6, a catastrophic North American outbreak. At the lower end of the scale, the response likely would focus on culling all infected or exposed animals in the affected zone. But as the outbreak spreads to a larger regional or national scale, stamping out becomes unrealistic, and the response would shift toward alternative strategies including vaccination that could involve millions of animals.

Shere says the new policy will allow companies to work with USDA’s Center for Veterinary Biologics in securing approval to use the live virus in vaccine development and other FMD research. The change Shere says, should allow a more rapid response in vaccine production in case of an outbreak, positioning U.S. companies to quickly scale up production of strain-specific vaccines. Currently, the United States would need to rely largely on overseas manufacturers to supply the vaccines, which would add several critical days to response time. Vaccine manufacturing capacity on the U.S. mainland also could keep costs lower for livestock producers, Shere says.

Shere adds though, that companies intending to work with the live virus will be subject to an extensive authorization process requiring extensive biosecurity measures in the design of their facilities and processes. That permitting process, he says, will require at least two to three years, and possibly up to five years, before private companies begin work with the modified-live FMD virus on the U.S. Mainland.

The USDA currently operates a vaccine bank at the Plum Island Animal Disease Cente. While critical, the vaccine bank at current funding levels cannot maintain an adequate number of virus strains and lacks sufficient “surge capacity” to respond quickly to a large outbreak.

In a 2014, CFSPH white paper titled “FMD Vaccine Surge Capacity for Emergency Use in the United States,” Dr. Roth estimated the cost of funding adequate surge capacity at $150 million per year for five years — a relatively small price to protect a livestock industry that generates $100 billion per year in cash receipts.

Industry groups including the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association have called on Congress to provide the funds so that USDA can upgrade the vaccine bank and build a system for rapid deployment. Now is the time for the government to acknowledge FMD as a national security issue. The price for upgrading our response capabilities is small relative to the risk of an inadequate vaccination program.

Listen to an audio recording of UDSA Chief Veterinarian Jack Shere discussing the topic.

The Biological Weapon Against Red Meat

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:12:14 GMT

It’s obviously the devilish work of PETA or some like-minded anti-meat group. An allergy to red meat is on the rise, and highly-susceptible targets are folks who spend a lot of time outdoors.

I’m referring to the meat allergy spread by Lone Star ticks, a malady that was discovered a few years ago, but one that is rapidly spreading across America. A bite from the Lone Star tick can make you allergic to beef and pork. Interestingly, the meat allergy doesn’t apply to poultry or fish, which makes one wonder if the chicken companies are in on this conspiracy with the activists to create a biological weapon attacking red meat consumers.

The ticks are transmitting an allergy to a carbohydrate called galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, which is in most mammalian cell membranes. It’s not a mild, hay-fever type allergy. Humans affected with alpha-gal syndrome will experience a severe, delayed-reaction immune response, which hits hours after you eat red meat. In addition to hives and itching, the episodes can land you in the emergency room with anaphylaxis. Victims may suffer from the allergy for months or years.

In fact, ticks are becoming an increasing overall health threat, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last week the CDC issued a report noting that disease cases from ticks, fleas and mosquitoes more than tripled between 2004 and 2016.

That same CDC report says seven new tick-borne infections have been reported since 2004, and the organization hasn’t recognized alpha-gal allergies yet.

The ticks are aided by a warmer climate, but also because of the expanding white-tailed deer population in the U.S. Deer are one of the lone star tick’s preferred hosts, and the deer provide the transportation help the ticks expand their territory.

Already, according to an allergist at the University of North Carolina, 600 known cases of alpha-gal have occurred north of the Mason-Dixon line, but that may only be a fraction of the cases.

So consider this as an extra warning to watch for ticks this summer. A bite from one just might leave you allergic to your favorite food.

Allow VFD Rules to Work

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:11:50 GMT

The following commentary does not necessarily reflect the views of AgWeb or Farm Journal. The opinions expressed below are the author’s own.

The FDA’s veterinary feed directive (VFD) rules, in effect since January 2017, have caused some confusion and left some producers frustrated with fewer options in some aspects of their herd-health programs. Old habits can be hard to break, and when producers could purchase medicated feeds over the counter (OTC), some became accustomed to using feed-grade antibiotics in ways not specified on the label, such as “pulse” treatments or offering medicated feeds “free-choice” when the label specifies hand feeding.

FDA rules do not allow extra-label use of medically important antibiotics in feed, but their OTC status enabled some uses that were, and are, unlawful. Those uses were not necessarily irresponsible or risky, and in many cases achieved their goals. Today though, with the VFD rules requiring veterinary oversight, we all need to remember that drug-label specifications are legally binding, not just guidelines or recommendations.

While most producers have learned to adapt and comply with the rules, word on the street suggests some have either tried to coerce their veterinarians into falsifying VFD orders to obtain medicated feeds for extra-label use, or intentionally misled their veterinarian regarding intended use of the VFD product. Either of those practices will, eventually, result in negative outcomes for all involved.

The VFD rules specify a need for a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) before the veterinarian signs off on a VFD order. This means the veterinarian must be adequately familiar with the producer and the animals in question to make an informed decision on the use of medicated feeds for a specific purpose. The purpose, dosage and duration of use specified on the VFD form must comply with the product label. A veterinarian puts his or her reputation, license and very livelihood on the line when filing these documents. Use of medicated feeds these days requires a partnership between the producer, veterinarian and feed supplier, all acting in good faith.

When the new VFD rules launched last year, the FDA indicated their initial enforcement efforts would focus on education – they would work with stakeholders to correct problems rather than imposing penalties. Eventually though, enforcement will become more strict and FDA will impose penalties for VFD violations.

Next week, on May 9, GlobalVetLink will host a webinar on the VFD audit process and FDA enforcement, featuring several expert panelists outlining the program and answering frequently asked questions. The presentation offers a good opportunity to clear up questions you might have on VFD compliance.

In any case, work with your veterinarian to find ways to protect herd health while complying with the letter, and spirit, of the VFD rules. This might involve shifting toward more management practices and products intended to enhance disease prevention and thus reduce the need for medicated feeds. In the short run you’ll help achieve the goals of the VFD rules and antibiotic stewardship, and in the long run you could see greater returns from healthier, more productive animals.

The End of Livestock Production?

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:11:38 GMT

If you’re busy planting corn or calving cows this week, rejoice. The end of those chores is near. That’s because scientists, entrepreneurs, and activists are building an animal-free food system. So says Jacy Reese, Research Director at Sentience Institute, one of those “think tanks” where some educated folks go to dream up silly stuff.

Reese is promoting his new book, “The End of Animal Farming,” which describes why building an animal-free food system is “one of the most important social movements of our time.”

In a recent TEDx Talk , Reese cites what he sees as the problems with animal agriculture – the cost, environmental damage and the suffering of animals “trapped in this system.”

TED is a non-profit launched in 1984 to spread ideas through short, powerful talks – from science to business to global issues. In his 13-minute talk – viewed 49,000 times, Reese said, “The most powerful tool we have is innovation: the amazing thing is, we don’t have to give up meat, dairy or eggs to end animal farming.”

He refers to the fact lab-grown meat and plant-based products can replace the animal products now in production.

“Think about it - what’s meat? It’s fat, protein, water, and trace minerals. All of these ingredients are readily available in the plant kingdom, they are just not assembled in the traditional architecture of meat.”

Such meat-free ideas are in direct conflict with those of Allan Savory, whose stunning TED Talk a few years ago challenged conventional thinking about animal agriculture. In his talk, “ How to fight desertification and reverse climate change, ” Savory says managed grazing of livestock can “protect grasslands and even reclaim degraded land that was once desert.”

Savory is a soft-spoken Zimbabwean biologist, farmer and environmentalist who has spent a lifetime studying and practicing techniques that combat desertification around the globe. His work through the Savory Institute, which he founded, determined that livestock are a solution to climate change and an effective means by which to fight hunger, poverty and violence across much of the Third World. Savory’s TED Talk video has been viewed more than 4.5 million times.

Continue the conversation on Facebook! Click below to add what you think about the Jacy Reese and Allan Savory videos above.

Move Forward on Traceability

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:11:03 GMT

The following commentary does not necessarily reflect the views of AgWeb or Farm Journal. The opinions expressed below are the author’s own.

This week the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) hosts its annual conference with the theme “Livestock Traceability: Opportunities for Animal agriculture.” During the conference, some participants including state and federal animal-health officials, producers, veterinarians, industry representatives and scientists expressed frustration at nearly 20 years discussing traceability, with at times, minimal progress.

Part of the challenge relates to different aspects and applications of livestock traceability and different priorities for stakeholder groups. For the USDA and state animal-health officials, a functional traceability system can help contain disease outbreaks and protect the continuity of our livestock industries. For producers, traceability can facilitate birth-to-plate records for improving livestock productivity and animal value. For processors, food companies and retailers, traceability helps verify value-added features of animal foods across the production chain, protects food safety and improves access to export markets.

Currently, USDA’s mandatory Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) system provides a paper trail for selected classes of livestock moving in interstate commerce, while various industry groups and private companies use traceability systems for adding value through source and process verification. Ultimately, we’ll need both – disease traceability to protect the industry and value-added programs to help cover inherent costs and incentivize participation.

During the conference, USDA Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Gregory Ibach delivered a keynote address on the future of the Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) system. Ibach stressed that USDA intends to collaborate with industry and commodity groups in advancing the ADT system, with an emphasis on protecting animal health and food safety while also benefiting producers. He outlined three critical “legs” to the USDA’s efforts toward protecting the food supply.

Prevention, preparedness and response: This includes developing systems and standards for biosecurity, surveillance and disease detection, training and outreach and rapid response plans. Previous disease outbreaks, such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have illustrated a need for logistics planning, such as how to move appropriate people and equipment to the necessary locations in response to a disease outbreak.
National Animal Health Laboratory Network: Ibach discussed a need for rapid diagnostic services at close proximity to produces.
An expanded national vaccine bank for foot and mouth disease (FMD) and other diseases.

Ibach stressed that prevention is a first priority, and noted that traceability plays a key role in surveillance and response capabilities. USDA, he says, intends to leave traceability technology and mechanics up to individual states, while focusing federal efforts on the information needed to achieve their disease-response goals. USDA will issue requests for proposals from states detailing their biosecurity and traceability plans. Qualification for federal indemnity programs will depend on states implementing approved plans for traceability, including plans for coordinating movement data with neighboring states.

USDA intends to focus initially on a “bookend” system for livestock entering interstate commerce, with assignment of animal identification and tracking capabilities for the farm or ranch of origin and retirement of those ID numbers at slaughter. Eventually, the system would provide traceability through every movement and production stage from birth to slaughter.

Ibach also notes that the Administration’s current budget includes a proposal to move more responsibilities for the federal livestock biosecurity program from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), as research efforts move from Plum Island, N.Y. to Manhattan, Kan. Currently, DHS, ARS and APHIS share responsibilities for diagnosis, research and education programs at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center.

Discussions on traceability always come back to costs and returns for producers and participants at every downstream stage of the food value chain. Advancements in technology continue to reduce the costs of ID systems and data management, but return on investment remains a critical concern for low-margin participants.

Brian Sterling, founder and president of SCS Consulting, told conference participants that “traceability is free.” Sterling, who has worked with numerous value chains in food and other products, says that when information flows up and down the chain, traceability generates more value than it costs to implement. Monetary benefits come from better quality control, opportunities for increased revenue, better transparency and customer trust and, contrary to some beliefs, reduced exposure to liability risk. “”Traceability is just a tool, he says. “The goal is improved business performance.”

Nigel Gopie, PhD, is marketing leader for IBM’s Food Trust initiative , which includes a secure traceability system for multiple food value chains. The system uses “Blockchain” technology. Originally developed for use with cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin, Blockchain is a “shared immutable ledger for recording the history of transactions.” It provides a permissioned network with known identities, enabling data sharing between participants while also providing a high level of security.

Gopie described a pilot project IBM conducted with Walmart, tracking packages of sliced, packaged mango. The group identified 12 production steps from farm to home, and an initial attempt to trace a package back to its farm of origin took seven days. Using the Blockchain-based Food Trust system, the group was able to trace the fruit back to the farm, including every production stage, in 2.2 seconds.

Traceability for beef, pork, dairy and other animal-based foods is becoming more feasible, more secure and, like it or not, more necessary for reducing disease risk, protecting consumer confidence and expanding global market access. Challenges remain, but it is time for the industry to move forward in adopting and embracing farm-to-table traceability.

Will Ag Survive the Art of the Trade Deal?

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 01:59:08 GMT

The following commentary does not necessarily reflect the views of AgWeb or Farm Journal. The opinions expressed below are the author’s own.

Before he became president, Donald Trump cut his teeth and made billions as a New York City real estate mogul. He made million dollar business deals on a daily basis. Sometimes those deals worked, sometimes they didn’t. But the net cumulative result was a huge empire that brought him fortune and fame, including cutting a path to the Oval Office.

I’m not an expert on doing million dollar business deals (I don’t even haggle with used car dealers), but I can assume that those negotiations are not for the faint of heart. It appears that those negotiations start with an outlandish proposal that the opposition will never accept but that sets parameters for ongoing debate. There is little diplomacy, it’s take or be taken.

Eventually, there is a compromise and a final deal. I can only surmise that in most negotiations before becoming president, Trump came out on the plus side of the transaction more often than his adversary. If not, the next deal would bring retribution.

There is little doubt that President Trump has brought that art of negotiation to trade talks. He’s followed the same game plan, because that’s what he knows best. Our trading partners certainly weren’t prepared.

A day into his presidency he cancelled the Trans-Pacific Partnership. A year ago he started renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). He’s placed enormous tariffs on Chinese goods. Mexico is angered over President Trump’s threats to build a wall and once-friendly Canada is not so friendly anymore.

To say that President Trump’s approach is risky would be a clear understatement. After all, if he loses it won’t just be his own pocketbook that gets hurt, as it did when his own business deals fell through. Agriculture has already felt the wrath of tariffs, to the tune of $12 billion in government support which is a drop in the bucket compared to the total estimated loss for many commodities. Dairy farmers on both sides of the Canadian border wait to see who will blink first and how their respective balance sheets will be affected.

But maybe we are starting to see this hard line approach actually begin to yield results. We were able to get a deal signed with Mexico, although Congress has yet to approve it. China is starting to feel the impact of tariffs and diplomats have at least agreed to negotiate better trade terms, although that has yet to go anywhere. Canada has inferred that they may provide concessions on dairy, mostly out of fear of President Trump’s threats to place tariffs on automobiles coming south across the border.

Certainly, Americans aren’t accustomed to the brash tweets, threats and the outlandish comments President Trump makes when he’s talking trade. Our trading partners aren’t comfortable with it either. But I’m wondering if President Trump’s old business adversaries are recognizing a pattern, maybe saying under their breath “there he goes again.”

Perhaps the art of the business deal works no matter if you’re trading Manhattan real estate or shiploads of milk powder. Undoubtedly, farmers will continue to lose sleep until we find out for sure.

What do you think? Is President Trump doing the right thing on trade? Send me your thoughts at mopperman@farmjournal.com .

Does Smithfield Scare You?

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 01:55:58 GMT

Strong fences make good neighbors. Unfortunately strong fences can’t stop strong odors from being carried over and dropped squarely on the neighbor’s picnic.

It’s hard to stop the smell of animal agriculture. It’s a never ending cycle – animals eat and drink, and then they ‘do their thing.’ Farmers are left to figure out what to do with the literal end result of that cycle. It’s necessary. It’s nutrient-rich. But many, especially those without a nose for the appreciation of its value, find manure a nuisance.

Back when farms were miles from populated areas, the smell of agriculture never really bothered anyone. But when farms got bigger and townies decided they wanted their own acreage out in the country, the “smells like money” crowd met the “smells like s***” adversaries.

Debates ensued. Farmers used the “we were here first” and “what did you expect when you moved next to a farm” arguments. Those that moved to the country countered with “yeah, but we didn’t know it was this bad.”

What was once just a nuisance turned to litigation. The new country residents claimed the smell affected their lungs, that the manure was leaching into the groundwater. Even that it infringed on their religious freedom.

Most of the lawsuits were either settled out of court or dismissed. But then along came Smithfield.

Just recently a federal jury awarded more than $50 million in damages to plaintiffs in a nuisance case against Smithfield Foods. The plaintiffs held Smithfield responsible for intense odor and other disturbances they say prevented them from enjoying their residences. Jurors felt that Smithfield owned the neighbors a standard of care, and should have done more to minimize the odors.

As a dairy producer, or any other non-pork segment of animal agriculture, you might look at this result and say “those are pigs. That could never happen to me.” Well, think again.

It’s called precedent. Now that one jury has awarded damages to one group of disgruntled neighbors, one would assume that the door could be opened for more of these lawsuits, across all aspects of animal agriculture. Activists don’t need much fodder to trigger a lawsuit. Having an actual case that was determined in an actual court of law offers considerable substance.

So if you have lagoons and neighbors within smelling distance of your operation or anywhere you spread manure, get ready. Most large dairy producers that I visit say they have great relationships with their neighbors. They let them know when manure will be spread so clothes aren’t on the clothesline when a good gust of the end product of last week’s ration comes blowing into the yard.

Certainly there’s technology that reduces odor. Lagoon covers help. I’ve stood next to methane digesters and not smelled a thing. Many producers are composting, which reduces odor significantly.

If you’re not doing these things, you’re rolling some pretty expensive dice. Smithfield has the lawyers and financial support to dole out a $50 million penalty. Do you?

What do you think? Does litigation from a neighbor over odor issues, or anything else, concern you? Let me know at mopperman@farmjournal.com