Throughout my high school years and into the beginning of my college life, I was at times full of anger and quite distraught. I had a short temper with family members, and if things didn't go my way, I wasn't someone you wanted to be around. Within the last three years, my entire outlook on life has flipped a 180. I see the value in many things and appreciate life as it comes my way. Living a much more enjoyable life now, here is a reflection on the things I hold closest to my heart.
Family is everything. Many farm families have issues of passing down the tradition from generation to generation, but these stories of disagreement are disheartening. Without family we would be nothing. Without family we would initially have nothing and no one. The bonds that we share with family members are bonds that are different than anyone else. Throughout this holiday season I encourage you to take the time to thank your family and explain how important they are to you. Always remember, blood is thicker than water.
Animals are amazing. The relationship a pet or livestock owner shares with his/her animals is something unique. The pride you take as a rancher seeing newborn calves, lambs, or piglets grow up is a feeling that you can only understand by going through it. The responsibility you have for an animal can lead to a lot of life skills and virtues learned over time. Always remember, a dog is a man's best friend. A little care and nurturing can go a long way with any animal, and also any person that you meet.
Make every moment memorable. It's important to go about life and realize the days are full of events that make us into the people we are. From chasing cows to pulling calves, to planting time and harvest season, to weaning lambs and selling hogs, and to grilling steaks and chowing down hamburgers. Agriculture has made so many memories in my life thus far, and I am quite excited to see how many more I will make. From traveling around the world to Australia, I've had the great fortune of seeing many places and meeting many new people. Being home on the farm has given me the chance to grow closer with my immediate family, making some of the most memorable moments of my life. I am grateful for the life I have had and the memories I have made. They will never be forgotten.
Faith is forever. In my family, we have a strong faith in God our Savior. He has done so many things for us, especially giving His life for us, so we can live ours well. The least we can do is follow in His ways and do our best to guide others. It is through my faith that I have come to terms with how fortunate my life is. There is never a reason to ever be hateful or underestimate anyone. Live in the moment and be thankful for all that surrounds you.
This holiday season I encourage you to make a list of the things you are grateful for. Reflecting on your life can be one of the healthiest things possible!
Saturday, November 29, 2014
Friday, November 28, 2014
From Cottage to Mansion
The population of the United States has grown immensely over time. With this growth in numbers, animal agriculture has as well moved to a higher density population to raise livestock on a more sustainable and efficient level. In most cases, it also is healthier and safer for the animals involved too. Read below about the various livestock industries and the importance of the housing facilities they use.
The Swine Industry in a Cottage.
The majority of the hogs living today are raised in confinement operations, buildings in which pigs are housed and unable to come in contact with the outdoor environment. This lifestyle is healthy for the pigs, as it drastically lessens the chances of them coming in contact with outdoor pathogens that can make them sick, and sadly lead to death. Most consumers believe this life is unfair to the pigs, but in reality farmers are just trying to keep them healthy. It also keeps the pigs safe as they tend to fight with one another when placed in group settings, which can create open wounds and lead to illnesses from bacterial infections.
The Dairy Industry in a Rambler.
Dairy cows have more freedom than hogs. They are housed in barns that consist of group animal contact, but not always allows them to roam outside. Windows or open walls give the barn an outdoor feel and allows for proper ventilation. This partial confinement setting is used so farmers can regulate the proper diet that the cows consume, so they can make the safest, most wholesome milk for the consumer. Within the barns is a bedding option, which could be water beds, sand beds, or gel mats. The bedding creates comfort for the cows, so they spend plenty of time resting, minimizing lameness issues.
The Sheep Industry in a Two-Story Home.
Ewes and lambs are primarily raised outdoors amongst pastures. This facility lets the animals graze as they wish within the area fenced, but not at all times are they free to roam. During lambing time, sheep are confined for easier maintenance and checking for birthing. Immediately after lambing, a ewe and her lamb(s) are put into a small individual pen called a lambing jug. This pen allows for the ewe to create a bond with her lamb(s). After three to five days, they are returned back with the remainder of the flock. Their new found relationship though allows for them to find one another amongst the crowd.
The Beef Industry in a Mansion.
On a cow/calf operation, outdoor life is the only life there is. Roaming pastures full of abundant grass meet beef cattle every spring and lasts throughout the summer. During winter months, especially in northern climates, cattle are housed in pastures, but fed hay and silage to maintain their health and body condition. Cows and calves are rarely put into dry lots, up until calves are weaned and moved into feedlot settings, where they eat a ration consisting high in protein to gain weight until harvesting time
Have any questions about the housing facilities used within the livestock industry? Feel free to comment below!
The Swine Industry in a Cottage.
The majority of the hogs living today are raised in confinement operations, buildings in which pigs are housed and unable to come in contact with the outdoor environment. This lifestyle is healthy for the pigs, as it drastically lessens the chances of them coming in contact with outdoor pathogens that can make them sick, and sadly lead to death. Most consumers believe this life is unfair to the pigs, but in reality farmers are just trying to keep them healthy. It also keeps the pigs safe as they tend to fight with one another when placed in group settings, which can create open wounds and lead to illnesses from bacterial infections.
The Dairy Industry in a Rambler.
Dairy cows have more freedom than hogs. They are housed in barns that consist of group animal contact, but not always allows them to roam outside. Windows or open walls give the barn an outdoor feel and allows for proper ventilation. This partial confinement setting is used so farmers can regulate the proper diet that the cows consume, so they can make the safest, most wholesome milk for the consumer. Within the barns is a bedding option, which could be water beds, sand beds, or gel mats. The bedding creates comfort for the cows, so they spend plenty of time resting, minimizing lameness issues.
The Sheep Industry in a Two-Story Home.
Ewes and lambs are primarily raised outdoors amongst pastures. This facility lets the animals graze as they wish within the area fenced, but not at all times are they free to roam. During lambing time, sheep are confined for easier maintenance and checking for birthing. Immediately after lambing, a ewe and her lamb(s) are put into a small individual pen called a lambing jug. This pen allows for the ewe to create a bond with her lamb(s). After three to five days, they are returned back with the remainder of the flock. Their new found relationship though allows for them to find one another amongst the crowd.
The Beef Industry in a Mansion.
On a cow/calf operation, outdoor life is the only life there is. Roaming pastures full of abundant grass meet beef cattle every spring and lasts throughout the summer. During winter months, especially in northern climates, cattle are housed in pastures, but fed hay and silage to maintain their health and body condition. Cows and calves are rarely put into dry lots, up until calves are weaned and moved into feedlot settings, where they eat a ration consisting high in protein to gain weight until harvesting time
Have any questions about the housing facilities used within the livestock industry? Feel free to comment below!
Sunday, October 26, 2014
5 Ways to Brand Yourself
After recently participating in a webinar hosted by DMI (Dairy Management Inc.) I learned a great deal about personal branding and how to make yourself appear more approachable on social media. It would only be fitting to share my new-found knowledge, so here are 5 ways to increase your personal brand.
1. Create a Brand Statement.
A brand statement is a line or phrase used to describe the person you are and what you do in life. It gives readers the chance to build credibility with you and understand what it is you're hoping to educate them about. Use your brand statement as a bio about yourself on social media.
Example.
To consumers across the world, Justin Bartholomay is a 5th generation rancher who does his best to raise wholesome, nutritious beef from North Dakota.
Format.
(Who your audience is), (Your name)(Your reputable background)(What you do/what your product is)(where you are from).
2. Use the app Evernote.
Evernote allows for bloggers and social media gurus to stay on track and up to date with everything they have going on. From scheduling to reminders about events or meetings to attend, Evernote gives you the chance to keep on top of things. This is crucial in personal branding as it gives others the opportunity to realize how organized and professional you are.
3. Google Yourself.
Have you ever done a Google search on yourself before? Do it! Making sure that only posts come up that attribute to your reputation are important. No one wants to be embarrassed of what comes up on Google for themselves, so be sure to check in on this and do your best to fix it if you are not pleased with what you find. A good Google search makes you a much more credible person.
4. Use Social Media in a fitting way.
There are multiple forms of social media out there, but don't feel as if you need to be heavily involved in each and every one. It's actually more progressive if you pick the social media format you like the most, and dig into that one further trying to reach out to as many people as possible. For me, I love taking photos, so Instagram is my social media app of choice.
5. Blah Blah Blah BLOG!
Blogging is becoming a new and creative way of telling your opinion to others. It's great for storytelling, which in the agriculture industry is one of the absolute best ways to help consumers better understand the farming and ranching process. If you don't already have a blog, take the time to create one and post on it as you have time to. Don't feel like you need to do daily posts, or even weekly posts for that matter. Simply doing one post and reaching out to a couple people will make more of an impact than never posting at all. When creating a blog use either your name or your farm name, as it is easier for others to find your blog through a simple Google search.
Enjoy! And get branding!
1. Create a Brand Statement.
A brand statement is a line or phrase used to describe the person you are and what you do in life. It gives readers the chance to build credibility with you and understand what it is you're hoping to educate them about. Use your brand statement as a bio about yourself on social media.
Example.
To consumers across the world, Justin Bartholomay is a 5th generation rancher who does his best to raise wholesome, nutritious beef from North Dakota.
Format.
(Who your audience is), (Your name)(Your reputable background)(What you do/what your product is)(where you are from).
2. Use the app Evernote.
Evernote allows for bloggers and social media gurus to stay on track and up to date with everything they have going on. From scheduling to reminders about events or meetings to attend, Evernote gives you the chance to keep on top of things. This is crucial in personal branding as it gives others the opportunity to realize how organized and professional you are.
3. Google Yourself.
Have you ever done a Google search on yourself before? Do it! Making sure that only posts come up that attribute to your reputation are important. No one wants to be embarrassed of what comes up on Google for themselves, so be sure to check in on this and do your best to fix it if you are not pleased with what you find. A good Google search makes you a much more credible person.
4. Use Social Media in a fitting way.
There are multiple forms of social media out there, but don't feel as if you need to be heavily involved in each and every one. It's actually more progressive if you pick the social media format you like the most, and dig into that one further trying to reach out to as many people as possible. For me, I love taking photos, so Instagram is my social media app of choice.
5. Blah Blah Blah BLOG!
Blogging is becoming a new and creative way of telling your opinion to others. It's great for storytelling, which in the agriculture industry is one of the absolute best ways to help consumers better understand the farming and ranching process. If you don't already have a blog, take the time to create one and post on it as you have time to. Don't feel like you need to do daily posts, or even weekly posts for that matter. Simply doing one post and reaching out to a couple people will make more of an impact than never posting at all. When creating a blog use either your name or your farm name, as it is easier for others to find your blog through a simple Google search.
Enjoy! And get branding!
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Debunking the Bunk
PBS Frontline recently aired an episode themed "The Trouble with Antibiotics," which focused on the use of antibiotics on farms. It was an informational segment that was difficult for me to watch without cringing in distress. Throughout the film there were parts in which I found disagreement. And with a little bit of research, my argument is worth mentioning.
Within minutes of the film beginning, it claims that 70 percent of antibiotics produced in the United States today are sold to farms for the use in animal agriculture. According to the Animal Health Institute, this statement is one of contradiction. "The 70 percent figure was deduced from comparing two sets of data that are not comparable. The number for animal use collectively used a whole different methodology than the estimate presented for human use. The first rule learned in Statistics 101 is if the data sets measure different universes in different ways, the data cannot be compared." I couldn't agree more. How can one assume the high percentage when the data doesn't coincide.
AHI also kindly informs us of some other facts that REALLY portray the myth. "In addition, 35 percent of the use attributed to animals are compounds not used in human medicine, thus having no potential for reducing the effectiveness of antibiotics used to treat human disease. The 35 percent is included by others only to inflate the animal use number and mislead readers."
Another debunkle. The film quite openly portrays that antibiotics in livestock are making humans more resistant to antibiotics. According to Richard Raymond, MD, former Undersecretary for Food Safety, USDA, "Because of oversight by the FDA, and using best available science, there is actually very little overlap between antibiotics frequently used in animal health and in human health; rather, use of antibiotics by humans is the main culprit for the resistant bacteria confronting patients and human health practitioners today. the CDC confirmed this in its recent report and noted that 50 percent of antibiotics prescribed for use in human health are inappropriate."
So there you have it. Antibiotic resistance caused by animal agriculture? I think not.
Within minutes of the film beginning, it claims that 70 percent of antibiotics produced in the United States today are sold to farms for the use in animal agriculture. According to the Animal Health Institute, this statement is one of contradiction. "The 70 percent figure was deduced from comparing two sets of data that are not comparable. The number for animal use collectively used a whole different methodology than the estimate presented for human use. The first rule learned in Statistics 101 is if the data sets measure different universes in different ways, the data cannot be compared." I couldn't agree more. How can one assume the high percentage when the data doesn't coincide.
AHI also kindly informs us of some other facts that REALLY portray the myth. "In addition, 35 percent of the use attributed to animals are compounds not used in human medicine, thus having no potential for reducing the effectiveness of antibiotics used to treat human disease. The 35 percent is included by others only to inflate the animal use number and mislead readers."
Another debunkle. The film quite openly portrays that antibiotics in livestock are making humans more resistant to antibiotics. According to Richard Raymond, MD, former Undersecretary for Food Safety, USDA, "Because of oversight by the FDA, and using best available science, there is actually very little overlap between antibiotics frequently used in animal health and in human health; rather, use of antibiotics by humans is the main culprit for the resistant bacteria confronting patients and human health practitioners today. the CDC confirmed this in its recent report and noted that 50 percent of antibiotics prescribed for use in human health are inappropriate."
So there you have it. Antibiotic resistance caused by animal agriculture? I think not.
“Because
of oversight by the FDA, and using best available science, there is
actually very little overlap between antibiotics frequently used in
animal health and in human health; rather, use of antibiotics by humans
is the main culprit for the resistant bacteria confronting patients and
human health practitioners today. The CDC confirmed this in its recent
report and noted that50 percent of antibiotics prescribed for use in
human health are inappropriate.” - See more at:
http://www.foodinsight.org/Myths_Facts_about_Animal_Antibiotics_in_Food_Production#sthash.RAwDgfYZ.dpuf
“Because
of oversight by the FDA, and using best available science, there is
actually very little overlap between antibiotics frequently used in
animal health and in human health; rather, use of antibiotics by humans
is the main culprit for the resistant bacteria confronting patients and
human health practitioners today. The CDC confirmed this in its recent
report and noted that50 percent of antibiotics prescribed for use in
human health are inappropriate.” - See more at:
http://www.foodinsight.org/Myths_Facts_about_Animal_Antibiotics_in_Food_Production#sthash.RAwDgfYZ.dpuf
Antibiotics
in livestock are making humans more resistant to antibiotics - See more
at:
http://www.foodinsight.org/Myths_Facts_about_Animal_Antibiotics_in_Food_Production#sthash.RAwDgfYZ.dpuf
Antibiotics
in livestock are making humans more resistant to antibiotics - See more
at:
http://www.foodinsight.org/Myths_Facts_about_Animal_Antibiotics_in_Food_Production#sthash.RAwDgfYZ.dpuf
Antibiotics
in livestock are making humans more resistant to antibiotics - See more
at:
http://www.foodinsight.org/Myths_Facts_about_Animal_Antibiotics_in_Food_Production#sthash.RAwDgfYZ.dpuf
Sunday, October 12, 2014
A Squeal of Fortune
The pork industry is on a rise, and for families that have been involved for generations, their longevity will pay off for them in the near future. Since 1973 hog prices have increased over time. This is much expected with consideration of inflation and cost-of-living increase, but the demand for pork is unrelated, and that has tremendously increased over time.
Families are willing to spend more money on pork-related products, thus driving the market to stay steady, and with new world-wide markets available, the industry is off on a great run. U.S. pork exports have risen from 1,600 million pounds exported in 2002, to 5,400 million pounds exported in 2012. That's an increase of over 300%!
Unfortunately though, the industry continues to see a decline in people interested in raising hogs. The number of farms has decreased incredibly from 647,000 operations spread across the nation in 1977, to 68,000 in 2012. This fall allows for those interested in raising hogs the opportunity to do so.
If you want to simply raise a couple pigs as a hobby, or want to get into it big-time and raise thousands, there are plenty of people out there to help you get to where you want to be. Contact the National Pork Board for more information at info@pork.org.
You won't want to miss out on this squeal of fortune!
Families are willing to spend more money on pork-related products, thus driving the market to stay steady, and with new world-wide markets available, the industry is off on a great run. U.S. pork exports have risen from 1,600 million pounds exported in 2002, to 5,400 million pounds exported in 2012. That's an increase of over 300%!
Unfortunately though, the industry continues to see a decline in people interested in raising hogs. The number of farms has decreased incredibly from 647,000 operations spread across the nation in 1977, to 68,000 in 2012. This fall allows for those interested in raising hogs the opportunity to do so.
If you want to simply raise a couple pigs as a hobby, or want to get into it big-time and raise thousands, there are plenty of people out there to help you get to where you want to be. Contact the National Pork Board for more information at info@pork.org.
You won't want to miss out on this squeal of fortune!
Sunday, October 5, 2014
The Fate of That Plate
We've all been faced with a challenge at some point in our lives, but what if that challenge was a day-to-day occurrence. For many people scattered about our great nation, hunger is an issue. I bet you never thought of that, ey? How can people possibly go hungry in a land filled with dollar menu fast-food chains and a smorgasbord of buffet lines. There is undoubtedly a lot of food throughout the U.S., but not everyone has the luxury of having access to it. I come from a small town of roughly 120 people, and I can think of one or two residents that probably have a harder time finding their next meal than the rest of us. Struggling people are out there. We need to adjust our vision, so these people are no longer overlooked.
It truly is hard to fathom that in 2013, 49.1 million Americans lived in food insecure households. Did you catch that? 49.1 MILLION AMERICANS in our own, amazing country that's full of freedoms. But how free are we really if there are people unable to receive a healthy diet every day? I firmly believe we lack the freedom of equality. Yes, we are all Americans, but people are becoming left in the dust. Once and for all, our nation should be filled with citizens who can all foresee their next meal. That's equality in my book.
Now yes, unemployment continues to be an issue, with nearly 8.8 million Americans searching for careers. I find this an easy cop-out though, to say that people are not trying to take care of themselves, but really, who are we to judge? I think those calls should be left for the man upstairs. Of course we hope unemployment diminishes over time so that people have the fiscal ability to create a strong foundation for their lives. But for now, it's up to us to help aid in that lifestyle change. Give generously to your local food bank when possible. Take time out of your day to not worry about your to-do list, but to concentrate on your help-who list. Together we can make a positive difference.
It truly is hard to fathom that in 2013, 49.1 million Americans lived in food insecure households. Did you catch that? 49.1 MILLION AMERICANS in our own, amazing country that's full of freedoms. But how free are we really if there are people unable to receive a healthy diet every day? I firmly believe we lack the freedom of equality. Yes, we are all Americans, but people are becoming left in the dust. Once and for all, our nation should be filled with citizens who can all foresee their next meal. That's equality in my book.
Now yes, unemployment continues to be an issue, with nearly 8.8 million Americans searching for careers. I find this an easy cop-out though, to say that people are not trying to take care of themselves, but really, who are we to judge? I think those calls should be left for the man upstairs. Of course we hope unemployment diminishes over time so that people have the fiscal ability to create a strong foundation for their lives. But for now, it's up to us to help aid in that lifestyle change. Give generously to your local food bank when possible. Take time out of your day to not worry about your to-do list, but to concentrate on your help-who list. Together we can make a positive difference.
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