USFRA believes that farmers and ranchers and our partners must do what is in their power to keep their animals safe and healthy. And when animals are sick or at risk of becoming sick, they should be treated in adherence with evidence based standards of veterinary medicine in ways that don’t stress the animals or the environment and are in the best interest of long-term human health.
I am in the process of starting small milling company. I would like to start milling Oats. Where can I buy dried whole oats seeds for my milling company located in New Castle, Delaware?
I would like to own an Oats Farm in Delaware or Maryland. What do I need to do to acquire land and machinery needed to start Oats farm?
In today's world, we are seeing an ever increasing age of our farmers. Today the average age of the American farmer is 57 and rising. It alarms me that it is up to that. As a 20 yr old 5th generation farmer, i have an idea as to why it is that high. With land prices skyrocketing, fertilizer prices up, and more natural disasters and droughts, why are some reasons you see that young people aren't getting into farming? What programs are there to help young farmers? How can local non-agricultural people help? And last, what is your idea of what a typical farmer looks like/life is like??
Why doesn't this organization get it? Agriculture is not a dirty word today. As a farmer I find it to be a very trendy word as I meet and relate to people. The dirty word today is "Ag-industry".
Where is USFRA on the 2012 Farm & Food Bill? That's a once-in-five-year opportunity to truly begin shifting the direction of agriculture policy, providing more incentives for aspiring farmers to start their own farm businesses through sustainable practices. That's where the market is headed but where are the voices of farmers and ranchers?
Are land prices becoming too high?
Why has it taken this long for modern farmers and their representatives to directly confront their implacable enemies? Apparently something has changed.
Would you supplement your diesel fuel needs by growing your own PVO to use as a biodiesel? For farmers and ranchers south of a line from Corpus Christi to Laredo (best weather for a cold intolerant plant), jatropha curcas (The Barbados Nut) would be a great addition, in lowering fuel costs, reduction of pollutants, very slightly decreasing foriegn demand for petroleum products (oil for diesel fuel).
How can the consumer help the Farmer and Rancher?
This is a comment rather than a question. I was borne in New York City, and am a city person. Nevertheless, I am horrified by the idea of forbidding farmers from saving seeds. I would hope that farmers from the whole world, including the USA, would oppose this law forbidding Iraqi farmers from saving their seed.
The optimal strategy for building soil for highly productive food gardening is also, when adopted globally by 6 billion people, the most powerful force for pulling carbon from the atmosphere and storing it, and it reduces energy use by 50x and water use by 6x compared to conventional agricultur. The specific disciplines are BioIntensive Gardening, Permaculture, French Intensive BioDynamic Gardening, and the creation of gas from cellulose, for use as energy, when making biochar, which sequesters lots of carbon, and releases it slowly. Also use source reduction: capturing the manure of livestock and humans, adding waste vegetable matter in the optimal proportions, processing it to capture its methane gas, breaking the methane down while providing energy, and using the remaining solids as soil additives and / or sanitary bedding for the livestock. Who supports this?
Given climate change, it behooves a nation to keep food reserves for its people. What comes to mind are the seven lean years in Egypt versus the seven good years during biblical times under Joseph. One hears of year 2012 where the sun will spit out excess radiation and toast earth and its food supply. Does the United States have a government food reserve for its people that will last seven years or more??? Severe climate change can happen affecting our growing seasons, our crops and our food supply. Food may become more precious than gold or oil in the forseeable future. Is there a government foodstock stockpile? One of China's greatest vulnerabilities is lack of food for its people. I have been told that China keeps large US treasury reserves to be able to buy food from the US in case of a national emergency. What if the US has no food to sell to China in an emergency. What then?
I want to know how I can get a representative here in my county/state to speak to the local farmers. I want to get them to stop growing Monsanto's GMO grains.
Are dairy cooperatives the answer to meeting demand for dairy products as well as providing an open market for smaller scale farmers to sell their goods? Could this cooperative model work in other agricultural industries as well?
Kirby Schmidt, Minnesota I believe our future consumers can be positively shaped at a young age. Is making food and agriculture education courses a high school graduation requirement realistic? Especially for urban/metropolitan education systems?
Today's dialogues have been wonderfully thought provoking; however, they have been focused very much on challenges facing U.S. farmers and ranchers (fair enough). But especially given the longstanding global nature of our food system, how can we meet these challenges in ways that lead us toward sharing the successes we hope for in the U.S. more widely with food producers globally
Will USFRA affiliated organizations' members disclose the amount of government subsidies they receive so that the public has a better understanding of American farm subsidies and can develop informed opinions on how to improve our agricultural policies?
Where was the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance during the just ended United Nations Summit on NCDs? (Sept. 19 & 20) Representation from Food and Agriculture sectors was lacking, as agriculture, food and nutrition are naturally important parts of any discussion on health and disease.
What role do responsible farm managers have for "calling out" bad actors in their farm communities?
What do you feel is U.S. agriculture's responsibility in feeding a population expected to exceed 9 billion people by 2050? Do you agree or disagree that it takes all types of farms to offer both the choices and necessary quantity of food?
Why are there not more farmers on the panels at the town halls? I thought this was a farmer outreach. For the NYC panel, I would prefer to see some farmers on the panel from NY or the Northeast.
When will people stop using buzz words such as "dirty word" to short-change the discussion of a very complex topic? In other words, when will facts, justice, social responsibility and science be used instead of charged rhetoric in our national discourse? Seek the truth and tell the truth and we shall be free and healthy and prosperous.
What resources do farmers and ranchers have to stay up to date on the latest insights into farming/ranching techniques, methods and consumer trends?
Why are farmers and ranchers joining forces for this effort?
BY USFRA ON OCTOBER 04, 2012
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) assembles Leaders in Nutrition, Food Policy, Biotechnology, Veterinary Science and Farming and Ranching to Discuss Provocative Food Topics
CHESTERFIELD, MO. (October 4, 2012) – Americans continue to have questions about how food is grown and raised. In response, the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA), which was created to lead the dialogue and answer questions consumers have about food production through unique events, social media, access to farmers and ranchers, and content on its website, www.fooddialogues.com, will host The Food DialoguesSM: New York. Today, USFRA announced the list of panelists who will assemble at The TimesCenter in Midtown Manhattan on November 15 for panel discussions on some of today’s most pressing issues concerning food – antibiotics, biotechnology and media, marketing and food.
BY USFRA ON AUGUST 3, 2012
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance Announces Next Food Dialogues will Take Place in New York on November 15
CHESTERFIELD, Mo. (August 3, 2012) – More than ever, Americans want information on how their food is grown and raised. The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) was created to lead the dialogue and answer questions consumers have about food production through events, social media, access to farmers and ranchers, and content on its website, www.fooddialogues.com. To continue the conversation on some of today’s most pressing issues concerning food, the USFRA today announced plans to hold the next Food Dialogues event in New York on Thursday, November 15.
BY USFRA ON JUNE 25, 2012
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance Kicks Off Nationwide Search to Find Top Ambassadors of Agriculture
LOS ANGELES (June 25, 2012) When it comes to today’s agriculture, there are many examples of great farmers and ranchers all over the country doing wonderful things to bring food to the table for those around the world. But few of those farmers and ranchers are recognizable by consumers, mainstream media and influencers. In fact, the pictures and perceptions of farmers and ranchers often do not match reality.
USFRA wants to change that.
BY USFRA ON JUNE 11, 2012
California Secretary of Agriculture Karen Ross and other leaders in entertainment, foodservice, academia and agriculture will take part in series of panel discussions
CHESTERFIELD, MO. (June 11, 2012) Laura McIntosh, George Motz, Michael Olson and Michael Specter will moderate the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance’s Food Dialogues event entitled, “Lights, Camera, Food: Perceptions and Realities of Farming and Ranching in America,” on June 20-21, 2012. Four separate discussions – held over two days – will bring together entertainment movers and shakers, chefs, academics, large restaurant operators, journalists, local leaders and farmers and ranchers for in-depth conversations about food. California Secretary of Agriculture, Karen Ross, has confirmed her participation as well.
BY USFRA ON MAY 25, 2012
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance Assembles Leaders in Entertainment, Foodservice, Academia and Agriculture for Panel Discussions June 20-21, 2012
CHESTERFIELD, MO. (May 25, 2012) Farmers and ranchers are headed to Los Angeles – the entertainment capital of the world – for the second Food Dialogues event, June 20-21, 2012. Four separate discussions – held over two days – will bring together entertainment movers and shakers, chefs, academics, large restaurant operators, journalists, local leaders, farmers and ranchers for an in-depth conversation about food. All panel discussions taking place at the event entitled, “Lights, Camera, Food: Perceptions and Realities of Farming and Ranching in America,” will be available online (either live streamed or taped) at www.fooddialogues.com.
CHESTERFIELD, Mo., May 11, 2012 – The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) held their spring meetings in St. Louis, Mo. The purpose of this event was to conduct the Board of Directors meeting and bring the Communications Advisory Committee (CAC) and Task Force members together for first face-to-face meeting.
FROM AGRI PULSE ON FEBRUARY 9, 2011
FROM THE INDEPENDENT.COM ON FEBRUARY 11, 2011
FROM AG DAY.ORG ON FEBRUARY 17,2011
On March 15, USFRA will join other ag-related organizations at National Ag Day in Washington D.C.. National Ag Day is a day to celebrate the abundance provided by agriculture as well as build awareness for and appreciation of the role of agriculture in the everyday lives of Americans.
FROM AGRI PULSE ON MARCH 3, 2011
FROM AG WIRED ON MARCH 24, 2011
FROM BROWNFIELD AG NEWS ON MARCH 25, 2011
(USFRA) has selected an advertising agency and plans to launch a consumer-focused communications campaign this July.
FROM FARM FUTURES ON MARCH 8, 2012
On Wednesday the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance hosted a Food Dialogue panel in Washington D.C. Bart Schott, vice president of USFRA, said the initial Food Dialogue last September was very successful, and they felt another discussion would fit right in since this is National Agriculture Week.
The theme of this Food Dialogue was The Future of Food and Farming: An Agriculture Day Dialogue. The panel included Roger Beachy, former director of USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture; Bryan Dierlam, director of government affairs at Cargill; Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Dave White; Eileen Langdon, a North Carolina veterinarian; and Wyoming rancher Pat O'Toole.
FROM MY RURAL TV ON MARCH 12, 2012
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) is a newly formed alliance consisting of a wide range of prominent farmer- and rancher-led organizations and agricultural partners. This marks the first time agricultural groups at the national, regional and state levels have collaborated to lead the dialogue and answer Americans’ questions about how we raise our food – while being stewards of the environment, responsibly caring for our animals and maintaining strong businesses and communities.
FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES FEBRUARY 19, 2012
During the recent Grammy Awards, a cartoon farmer and his cows and pigs made their TV debut, starring in an ad for Chipotle Mexican Grill.
CHESTERFIELD, MO., November 2, 2011 – The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) announced today that BASF is participating in USFRA as a member of its Industry Partners Council (IPC). BASF joins a national farmer- and rancher-led effort to enhance public trust in today’s agriculture.
nytimes.com
By Julia Moski
LAST week, a new public-relations campaign about agriculture got off to a splashy start. With full-page ads in newspapers and panel discussions live-streamed on the Internet, the newly formed U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance began what it called a bid to reshape the dialogue about the American food supply.
NPR's the SALT
by ALLISON AUBREY
It seems that all the big farm groups - from beef and pork producers to sugar and soybean growers — have been paying attention to those 'Know Your Farmer' bumper stickers.
ABC News10 Sacramento
Kate Larsen
DAVIS, CA - Farmers, ranchers and food experts from across the nation will participate in a multi-city town hall style meeting at the Mondavi Institute in Davis. The purpose is to directly answer questions from the American public about how food is grown and raised.
Sacramento Bee
By Anne Gonzales
A national town hall-style discussion forum Thursday will allow farmers and ranchers to directly answer questions from Americans about how food is grown and raised.
Sacramento Bee
By Anne Gonzales
While Michael Dimock called on America to "rise up" and demand food that's healthier for people and the planet, Eric Benson explained that his family business will spend $30 million to make roomier pens for egg-laying hens.
And thousands of eyes nationwide watched the debate from their computer screens, tweeting and posting reactions on Facebook.
World Dairy Diary
Chuck Zimmerman
The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance, Food Dialogues, is now live for your viewing pleasure. You can watch live on the Food Dialogues website or by using the Food Dialogues app on Facebook. That's where I'm watching.
WJBC – the Voice of Central Illinois
Carrie Muehling
A town hall -style discussion on Thursday aims to give Americans the opportunity to ask questions and get some answers regarding food production and broader issues related to food in this country.
News Radio 1420
Texas Farm Bureau
American farmers and ranchers are invited to participate in an online “food dialogue,” hosted by the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA), from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CDT on Thursday, Sept. 22.
The virtual meeting will allow farmers and ranchers across the country to join four town hall meetings. During the dialogue, the agriculture industry will come together to talk about how consumers relate to American farmers and ranchers through the food and fiber they produce.
Chuck Zimmerman
Corn Commentary
NCGA President, Bart Schott, ND corn grower, was a panelist on today's Food Dialogues, a town hall style discussion via live web stream. Food Dialogues is a project of the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA). Schott is secretary of USFRA.
Brownfield Ag News
Ken Anderson
The Food Dialogues, a series of town-hall style discussions, is taking place today (Thursday) at four locations across the nation, as well as online.
Agwired.com/Precisionpays.com
Chuck Zimmerman
http://agwired.com/2011/09/22/usfra-releases-consumerfarmer-survey-results/
http://precisionpays.com/2011/09/watch-usfra-food-dialogues-live-online-now/
Today the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance released the results of a survey they conducted in July/August. They surveyed 2,417 consumers and 1,002 farmers/ranchers, both on a nationwide basis. The graphic below shows a comparison of the top five things consumers want more information about with the top five things farmers/ranchers think are most important to educate consumers about. You can find a more comprehensive summary of the results with this link (pdf).
Sacramento Bee
Anne Gonzales
A national town hall-style discussion forum Thursday will allow farmers and ranchers to directly answer questions from Americans about how food is grown and raised.
News10 ABC Sacramento
Kate Larsen
Online and broadcast
http://www.news10.net/news/article/155776/2/California-ranchers-farmers-discuss-food-in-America
DAVIS, CA - Farmers, ranchers and food experts from across the nation will participate in a multi-city town hall style meeting at the Mondavi Institute in Davis. The purpose is to directly answer questions from the American public about how food is grown and raised.
Allison Aubrey
Also picked up by GPB, Vermont Public Radio and KUHF-FM Houston Radio http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2011/09/22/140703300/farmers-and-ranchers-reach-out-to-talk-to-consumers
Survey Findings Released During “The Food Dialogues” Indicate Americans Constantly Think About Food Production Yet Have Little Connection to Farming or Ranching; Respondents Split on Whether Agriculture is Improving or Heading in Wrong Direction.
Event will feature Good Morning America's Claire Shipman and Chef John Besh; Farmer/Rancher and Consumer Survey Results to Guide Conversation
Are you ready to talk about food? The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance is. On Sept. 22 they’re holding The Food Dialogues. During the event you’re encouraged to follow the Twitter hashtag: #FoodD and participate!
The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers AllianceSM; (USFRA), comprised of prominent national, regional and state agricultural groups and their partners, today announced plans to lead a conversation with Americans, addressing concerns about their food, where it comes from and how it’s raised.
Farming isn’t always green lush pastures and rainbows. Sometimes the decisions we have to make are hard and painful. For the past week and a half we have been closely watching a three year old cow of ours named Miley. Miley is a great cow. She is good producer and is very structurally correct. In fact, recently she was one of our show cows at the county fair. But, right now Miley doesn’t feel good.
I think most of the moms out there will agree with me: grocery shopping with your kids is challenging. I have three kids: Bella, 6 years; Mae, 4 years; and Nolan, 3 years. Walking through the aisles is a coordinated dance to avoid other carts, continuously apologize for the kids being in the middle of the aisle, and grabbing teeny-tiny hands away from the shelves of endless goodies. Whew, I’m exhausted just writing that.
I am a take charge person. I am a person of action. I am a planner. It is very difficult for me to let things go and not be in the driver’s seat. There is nothing that shakes my world up more than one of my children having a serious illness. I can handle it when I am sick, but it shakes my foundation when it is one of my kids.
For my sixteenth birthday I went for a glider plane ride with one of my swimming teammates, Bill. Bill’s birthday was just a few days away from mine, and we decided to do something “daring” to celebrate my 16th birthday and his 23rdbirthday. Bill had graduated from college and was taking a year off to train for the Olympic Trials, and we became “training buddies”. As “training buddies”, we spent about 30 hours a week together swimming and lifting weights. In between training sessions, I went to high school and Bill worked as a lifeguard.
"Aaaaaaa---CHOOOOO! Oh no, not another winter cold!"
From what I have been reading lately, it appears to me that the next big fight over agriculture’s ability to provide consumers with plentiful, safe and affordable meat and poultry products will focus on the use of antibiotics in animals raised for food.
People believe a lot of things that we have little to no evidence for, like that vikings wore horned helmets or that you can see the Great Wall of China from space. One of the things I like to do on my blogs is bust commonly held myths that I think matter. For example, I get really annoyed when I hear someone say sharks don’t get cancer (I’ll save that rant for another day). From now onward, posts that attack conventionally believed untruths will fall under a series I’m going to call “Mythbusting 101.”
From Scientific American
Posted by Feedstuffs Foodlink By DR. RICHARD RAYMOND
You would have to be living under a rock, or on an isolated island, to have missed the big media splash created by the Consumer Reports recent electronically released story titled: "What's in that pork? We found antibiotic-resistant bacteria---and traces of a veterinary drug."
Each day consumers have questions about how their food is grown and raised – and who better to answer those questions than a farmer or rancher? Each week we’re highlighting an Anderson Live viewer question from our Facebook along with a farmer/rancher answer. Today, we are exploring “Are antibiotics necessary when raising farm animals? How and why are they used?”
Here’s what our farmer/rancher expert says:
Antibiotic use in farm animals can be a complicated topic. We know there can be a lot of confusion around whether antibiotics are present – or not present - in the meat and milk we consume. Many people are concerned about the risk of creating antibiotic resistance strains of bacteria. They want to know when and why farmers use them when caring for their animals.
By Bart Schott
Farmers and ranchers do a great job feeding America and the world, but we haven’t done a very good job answering the questions that Americans have about how we grow and raise our food. Questions about the environment, animal treatment and providing choices that are healthy and affordable for everyone could be better answered.
jsonline.com
By ARA
Fewer than 3 percent of Americans work in farming. Yet, this sector of our workforce not only feeds our country, it also provides a wealth of grain and food exports that feed millions of people around the world. In fact, America's agriculture sector is so productive that Americans spend less for food, as a percentage of their total income, than do most other people around the world.
As farmers and ranchers, it is our responsibility to grow crops and raise animals with the utmost diligence and care. We genuinely enjoy our jobs and look forward to sharing the fruits of our labor with you and your families. We take pride in our work and strive to provide the best environment for our crops and livestock. We pour ourselves into our work to provide food for consumers worldwide, but most importantly we do it because we love it. We work hard to provide a comfortable living for our families, just like consumers do in their jobs; however, it's rarely about the bottom line for farmers and ranchers. In today's money-hungry business climate, it's difficult to understand and believe in a concept like ours, and I would tell the average consumer that farmers and ranchers are not greedy, criminal minded, or uneducated. We are hard working individuals just like you. We are your neighbors, friends and colleagues and we want consumers to be as proud of the work we do as we are.
It is no secret that urban sprawl is depleting the amount of land available for food production. As a result, farmers and ranchers are becoming more efficient and conservative in the methods we use to raise livestock and grow fruits, grains, and vegetables. While we are utilizing technology more than ever, we are still just as passionate about our jobs. Just like the newest iPhone, Tablet, or 3-D T.V., technology is allowing farmers and ranchers to do more with less; creating healthy, more available food for you and your families. I wish consumers knew and acknowledged that agriculture is evolving like every other industry, but remaining steadfastly dedicated to growing safe and healthy food for your family and ours.
Farming and ranching is not all big business. Factory farms are not common! 95% of all farms are FAMILY owned.
I would tell the average consumer that there is absolutely no need to worry about the food they are eating, whether their concerns be in animal safety to GMOs to new farm technology; you can be sure it is safe, tested and reliable, and is the way of the future. The new technology and forward movement of the Ag industry is what is going to carry us through the changes of the 21st century. No farms, no food.
I wish Americans knew and understood how farmers and ranchers are overall taking responsibility for their actions in agriculture, from leading the global pack in GMO information and use to taking responsibility for the care of their animals, and knowing that not only are farmers and ranchers working to raise safe food for you and your family, they are working to raise it for theirs, too. A healthy crop or animal yields the best possible results for the farmer, and for you.
As a fifth generation farmer I feel that as America industrialized farmers became removed from the rest of society and have failed to keep open communications with those outside of agriculture. Today we are starting realizing this, and on our farm are recommitting ourselves to listening and answering others concerns about farming and making changes where necessary.
Like all other businesses, farming has evolved over time. Science and technology has allowed us to continue to feed ourselves and our growing communities. Even though farming has changed, farmers still continue to farm with the same moral and ethical standards as our ancestors.
Animal, an L.A. based restaurant, works with local farmers to provide unique meals at a price that can satisfy their customers. Animal owner talks about how he provides food directly from the farmers to his customer base.
According to Dr. Bob Goldberg, he says genetic modification is an ancient technology. Our ancestors have been doing this for years. He says the difference now – we know where the genes are, we know where they go in the plant and we understand the structure of the plant. He says it the safest technology probably ever invented in agriculture.
Dr. Bob Goldberg , UCLA Department of Molecular, Cell, Developmental Biology, says it’s exciting to use these types of technology because if you want better drought resistance (or any trait), it may not be found until you look to a crop that grows in more desert like conditions. He says this science greatly speeds up advancements that will continue to make farming better and more efficient.
Farming takes a self-less act to sustain the environment to pass onto the future generations. The panel says sustainability means using the latest management practices and technological advancements that not only prove safer for the environment but help produce safe food in a sustainable way.
Big is celebrated in many ways because it often equates to success. Big farming often gets a bad rap, but farms often grow in size to sustain more family members. Big doesn’t mean that a farm isn’t a family business.
Whether big or small, organic or non-organic, all farmers recognize that their destiny is at the hands of Mother Nature. This is just one thing that links all farmers together – providing a strong example of why farmers should never position one type against another, but rather work together towards a common goal of providing food.
Agriculture productivity needs to increase by 70 percent by 2050 to keep up with consumer demands.
Telling your story can open the door to criticism, but according to Kristin Reese, a farmer and chef, it’s important to work through those conversations to move the dialogue forward regarding the safety and nutrition of food that farmers and ranchers diligently work to supply here in America.
It’s key not to position one side against the other when it comes to farm management styles. All farmers and ranchers work towards the same goal – providing food.
Kristin Reese, a small farmer and chef, says local is great but big is better. It’s going to take big to feed the world. She says at her small farm, local helps make connections to more conventional farms.
Paul Wenger, a California farmer, says that organic farming is a wonderful way to produce food but with its labor intensiveness, he questions the number of farmers willing to make that transition when the U.S. already has one of the safest food supplies.
The challenge is to create a connection between the farm and the dinner table. One panelist says it takes respecting the process of growing food to make that connection.
Young farmers and ranchers are finding market niches. Scott Vernon, founder of “I Love Farmers, They Feed My Soul,” talks about this new era and how young farmers and ranchers will succeed.
Large farmers and ranchers are often perceived in a negative, distorted light; the panel answers why big farmers and rancehrs are perceived as bad and how we can change this message.
Farming and ranching is an interesting lifestyle with many challenges, excitement and accomplishing moments. Jeff Fowle, a California farmer and rancher, explores some ideas of how farming and ranching can be part of the entertainment world.
People are passionate about food but don’t always know where to turn for factual information. How can agriculture showcase their passion for their lifestyle to consumers?
Consumers have an emotional connection to food and those in agriculture have struggled with turning their factual and statistical information into relatable stories for their consumers.
The world's population will triple between 1970 and 2050, yet the amount of farmland will remain about the same. Hear what consumers think about the sustainability of this trend. Then hear how U.S. farmers have evolved to protect farmland and natural resources while meeting the increasing demand for food and fiber production. Video courtesy of BASF
A parody music video promoting agriculture by the Peterson Farm Brothers in Central Kansas.
Cooking shows, food competitions, online content, books and documentaries -- these are only a few examples of the many ways the entertainment world is addressing the topic of food.
Moderator George Motz , panelists Danny Boome, Juliet D’Annibale, Jeff Fowle, Karen Rosa and Scott Vernon discussed the portrayal of food and agriculture in popular culture.
On May 24, Chris Novak, CEO of the National Pork Board, will speak on behalf of USFRA at The Third Annual Food Summit hosted by The Atlantic in Washington, D.C. Chris Novak will join a wide range of voices for a panel discussion called “Feeding a World at Nine Billion—Sustainably.” The panel discussion is part of a broader event that will address food production, consumption, and regulation issues in the food and agriculture sector.
Eric Niemann is a third generation Kansas farmer and grows corn and soybeans.
Norman Husa is a family farmer from Nebraska. He grows grain and manages a seed business.
Common Farming Misperceptions
Our farmers and ranchers want to answer Americans’ questions and make sure they feel good about their food choices. Take a look at how farmers Brent Bible, Brandon Moseley and Neil Moseley are building relationships and answering questions about food. For more information and to join the conversation, visit us at www.fooddialogues.com
Definition of Sustainable
Definition of CSA
Listen to how farmers use technology and biotech seeds to help produce food for consumers. For more information and to join the conversation, please visit us at www.fooddialogues.com
Modern Agriculture
Consumer Reports June issue focuses on the use of antibiotics with turkey. The article in the June issue states that “more than 90 percent of conventionally raised turkeys contain bacteria resistant to antibiotics.” Additionally, this report found that organic turkeys harbored much less bacteria. The report focused on both overuse of antibiotics and fecal contamination that may occur during slaughter. For a full review of the article, click here.
Overview: The Environmental Working Group (EWG) released a report early this week regarding antibiotic resistant bacteria in meat due to overuse of antibiotics in farm animals. They say many of the foodborne pathogens found in today’s meat are bacteria resistant to antibiotics. EWG also recommends reducing meat consumption and warns that consumers should “assume that all meat is contaminated with disease-causing bacteria. They can avoid superbugs in meat by eating less factory-farmed meat, by buying meat raised without antibiotics and by following other simple tips in EWG’s downloadable Tips to Avoiding Superbugs in Meat.”
Overview of the report can be found here.
The Pew Charitable Trusts and MomsRising are hosting a "Supermoms Against Superbugs" Tweetchat on Friday, April 12 at 1 PM EDT (#FoodFri). This event is designed to mobilize consumers just ahead of the Supermoms Against Superbugs Advocacy Day on April 16, 2013. Discussion during the Tweetchat will focus on the use of antibiotics for food animal production and how it impacts human health.
Maryn McKenna, author of Superbug and Beating Back the Devil, released a post on wired.com regarding a recent study linking MRSA infection transmission between animals and humans. The study compares two farmers (with farm animals) who tested positive for MRSA – and farm animals that also tested positive for MRSA. The study concludes that animal-to-human transmission must occur and the drive to eliminate antibiotic usage in farms and ranches must transpire.
Consumers today are exposed to a number of messages and statistics regarding antibiotic usage on farms and ranches – most of which are over exaggerated or just completely false. Recently, Huffington Post ran an editorial in response to a misleading article about antibiotic use on farms and ranches. In the editorial, Richard A. Carnevale, VMD and vice president for regulatory, scientific, and international affairs, Animal Health Institute (AHI), put factual information in front of readers about the amount of antibiotics being used, how farmers use antibiotics and current FDA actions regarding antibiotic use on farms and ranches.
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance is preparing for their New York Food Dialogues event on Nov. 15 where a host of issues will be covered, including: antibiotics, biotechnology and the media, marketing and healthy food choices.
Whether you’re planning to attend the event at TimesCenter or view the live stream on Food Dialogues.com (Twitter: #foodd), it’s best to have some background on these topics. To read more about the event schedule, visit: http://www.fooddialogues.com/ny-food-dialogues.
Dr. Oz, a well-known television personality, continues to sway consumers of right and wrong without any respect to science or factual reasoning. Dr. Oz featured Jeffery Smith, author and film maker of Genetic Roulette on Wednesday’s program. Smith’s intentions are obvious – he’s not looking for a dialogue about studies, information or the truth about how food is grown and raised, rather he uses the Oz Show as an opportunity to present misinformation to millions of people regarding the safety of food from biotechnology.
Mark Bittman recently posted about a new adventure he’s taking for The New York Times – dubbed “Go Ahead, Send Me Packing” – where he has plans to pack up and write about food from the places he visits. While we recognize that he may be traveling abroad, why not keep him here in the U.S., and invite him to visit a farm or ranch?
A recent piece posted on The Atlantic’s website discusses biotech seeds and crops and the “very real danger” of their use. The author includes quotes from an agriculture company’s website, but provides little context around them.
Some farmers and ranchers use antibiotics to promote lean muscle production in animals. In 2007, this accounted for about 13 percent of antibiotic use. As part of the efforts to minimize future risk of antibiotic treatment failure in humans, antibiotics important to human medicine used for growth purposes in food animals will be eliminated within three to four years in accordance with the FDA Guidance 209 and 213 (FDA). (Note: the exact timing depends on the final issuance of the FDA guidelines expected in 2013)
Farmers and ranchers use antibiotics judiciously to keep the potential risk extremely low of developing antibiotic resistant bacteria that is harmful to people. They work closely with veterinarians and under the guidelines of the FDA in the best interests of animal welfare and public health. Farmers and ranchers use a variety of tools including vaccines, good nutrition programs and proper housing to keep animals healthy. Antibiotics are only one tool in a plan of good production practices to raise healthy farm animals. Farmers do not constantly treat farm animals with antibiotics. When they do use antibiotics, they do so according to label and dosing instructions approved by the FDA and under the care of a veterinarian.
The industry is taking proactive steps to ensure that antibiotics are being judiciously used to minimize the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Specifically:
A ban on antibiotic use on farms to treat sick animals or prevent illness would lead to animal suffering and mortality and would create food safety challenges.
Eliminating antibiotics to prevent or control disease in farm animals in other countries such as Denmark has not reduced the amount of antibiotic resistant bacteria infections and strains harmful to people. And it has even led to increased need for treatment of animals with newer, stronger antibiotics that are more closely related to those used in human medicine and other problems.
Veterinarian oversight is critical to farmers’ and ranchers’ use of antibiotics. In particular, medically critical antibiotics to human health are administered under the guidance of a veterinarian. Here are the facts:
The FDA has been active in monitoring farm animal use of antibiotics and adjusting regulations accordingly. Antibiotics important to human medicine used for growth purposes in food animals are being phased out within three to four years in accordance with the FDA Guidance 209 and 213 (FDA).
Additionally, the FDA has a rigorous approval process for antibiotics labeled for use in animals raised for food. The FDA has been active in monitoring farm animal use of antibiotics and adjusting regulations accordingly. Farmers, ranchers and veterinarians are legally and ethically obligated to follow FDA's requirements for the use of antibiotics on the farm.
Often when animals being raised “antibiotic free” get sick, they are treated with antibiotics. These animals are simply separated from the non-antibiotic group and marketed as conventional meat after proper withdrawal times have elapsed.
Human and animal health treatment differs. In humans, doctors tend to treat the individual. In farm animals, veterinarians tend to treat the herd. Farmers and ranchers work closely with veterinarians to develop a comprehensive herd health program, which includes many tools such as vaccination, proper housing, hygiene and antibiotics. Preventing or controlling the spread of a disease is critical to keeping animals safe and healthy – and to prevent suffering or unsafe conditions. They can’t stay home and isolate themselves like people can when they are ill. It is more humane and safer to prevent illness than to treat a sick animal that later may infect other animals.
If farmers did not treat sick animals, many would suffer and die. This would be inhumane – and even those who say they are against antibiotic use, such as Consumers Union, agree that sick animals should be treated.
Not all antibiotics are the same. For example, some are used in both people and animals. Some are used primarily in animals and are not medically important to people – and aren’t leading to the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria that is harmful to people. Of the antibiotics used in farm animals today, about one third are called ionophores and are not medically important nor used in humans - meaning if resistance to these drugs did develop, it will have little impact on public health. Further, use of medically important antibiotics actually decreased from 2010 to 2011 on farms while meat production increased (hurdhealth.com; FDA reporting).
Farmers, ranchers and their partners recognize that the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a concern in both human and animal medicine. They are committed to deploying and developing production practices that keep the risk of the development of resistance in human health extremely low.
Although there has been no proven link to antibiotic treatment failure in humans due to antibiotic use in animals for consumption, they are working to minimize future risk. Everyone – farmers, ranchers, veterinarians, doctors, researchers and companies working in animal or human medicine needs to work collaboratively to protect animal and human health.
Statistics often reported in media claiming overuse of antibiotics on farms are often used in misleading ways. Consider:
Healthy animals are the basis of a healthy, humane and safe food system. That is why it is so important to prevent and control diseases in farm animals and to treat animals when they are sick. Farmers and ranchers use antibiotics judiciously to keep the potential risk extremely low of developing antibiotic resistant bacteria that is harmful to people.
They work closely with veterinarians and under the guidelines of the FDA in the best interests of animal welfare and public health. Farmers and ranchers use a variety of tools including vaccines, good nutrition programs and proper housing to keep animals healthy. Antibiotics are only one tool in a plan of good production practices to raise healthy farm animals.
When sick animals are being treated, farmers and ranchers carefully identify them and monitor them closely until they return to good health. If farmers did not treat sick animals, many would suffer and die. This would be inhumane – and even those who say they are against antibiotic use, such as Consumers Union, agree that sick animals should be treated.
The majority of MRSA clinical infections in humans are due to human (versus livestock) strains of MRSA, yet many people are unfairly blaming the prevalence of MRSA in humans on agriculture. To date, no clinical case of MRSA in a human related to livestock has been identified in the United States.
To clarify, antibiotic resistant bacteria can be foodborne or non-foodborne. Non-food strains began emerging decades ago in hospital settings and are not linked to animals in our food system. These are the vast majority of the cases that are so hard to treat and are making people sick.
There are occasional cases of antibiotic resistant foodborne bacteria such as antibiotic resistant salmonella. But salmonella is killed when food is cooked and handled properly. So, people becoming ill from antibiotic resistant foodborne bacteria and not being able to be treated in some manner, is rare if not almost non-existent.
Farmers, ranchers and their partners recognize that the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a concern in both human and animal medicine. They are committed to deploying and developing production practices that keep the risk of the development of resistance in human health extremely low.
Although there has been no proven link to antibiotic treatment failure in humans due to antibiotic use in animals for consumption, they are working to minimize future risk. Everyone – farmers, ranchers, veterinarians, doctors, researchers and companies working in animal or human medicine needs to work collaboratively to protect animal and human health.
The majority of MRSA clinical infections in humans are due to human (versus livestock) strains of MRSA, yet many people are unfairly blaming the prevalence of MRSA in humans on agriculture. To date, no clinical case of MRSA in a human related to livestock has been identified in the United States.
To clarify, antibiotic resistant bacteria can be foodborne or non-foodborne. Non-food strains began emerging decades ago in hospital settings and are not linked to animals in our food system. These are the vast majority of the cases that are so hard to treat and are making people sick.
There are occasional cases of antibiotic resistant foodborne bacteria such as antibiotic resistant salmonella. But salmonella is killed when food is cooked and handled properly. So, people becoming ill from antibiotic resistant foodborne bacteria and not being able to be treated in some manner, is rare if not almost non-existent.
(Hurd SH, Doores S, Hayes D, Mathew Am Maurer J, Silley P, Randall SS and Jones RN (2004). Public Health Consequences of Macrolide Use in Food Animals: A Deterministic Risk Assessment. Journal of Food Protection, 67( 5): 980–992.)
FDA Approval Process Is Stringent: FDA has a stringent approval process for veterinary medicines and antibiotics – much like that for human medications. In fact, antibiotics for use in animals require the same testing as those used in humans, with the additional requirement that they must be tested to ensure meat and milk from the animal given the medicine will be safe for human consumption. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2011). From an Idea to the Marketplace: The Journey of an Animal Drug through the Approval Process. Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved from www.fda.gov.)
When Organic Animals Are Sick, They May be Treated with Antibiotics: When an animal raised for food on an organic farm becomes ill, organic livestock producers utilize natural remedies. If these remedies are ineffective then it must be given medical treatment including antibiotics if appropriate for the illness. Once an animal is treated with antibiotics, it cannot be sold as organic. (U.S. Department of Agriculture 7 CFR 205.238 (c)).
All Milk Tested for Antibiotics: All milk is strictly tested for antibiotics on the farm and at the processing plant. Any milk that tests positive cannot be sold to the public. Likewise, all livestock animals must wait before a treated animal may be slaughtered to assure any antibiotics have cleared the animal’s system. Both meat and milk are rigorously monitored. (American Dairy Association and Dairy Council. (2003). Organic Milk FAQ. Retrieved from http://www.adadc.com/OrganicFAQ.pdf)
Farmers do not constantly treat farm animals with antibiotics. When they do use antibiotics, they do so according to label and dosing instructions approved by the FDA and under the care of a veterinarian. Often they are administered in feed for critical periods such as post-weaning as advised by a supervising veterinarian.
When sick animals are being treated, farmers and ranchers carefully identify them and monitor them closely until they return to good health.
Here are examples of when antibiotics are used:
USFRA believes that farmers and ranchers and our partners must do what is in their power to keep animals safe and healthy. And when animals are sick or at risk of becoming sick, they should be cared for in adherence with evidence-based standards of veterinary medicine to decrease suffering.
USFRA is made up of people in agriculture with a variety of perspectives and views. Most of USFRA’s farmers and ranchers choose to use antibiotics to humanely care for sick animals and to keep animals healthy. Some of our farmers choose not to use antibiotics – and they may choose to market their products as “no antibiotics added.” In addition, we have industry partners who develop and manufacture antibiotics.
Farmers and ranchers work closely with veterinarians to develop a comprehensive herd health program, which includes many tools such as vaccination, proper housing and antibiotics when necessary to keep animals healthy. However, responsible antibiotic use is often the best choice to treat sick animals, as well as to prevent animals during key times of their lives from getting sick or suffering. We support science-based, peer reviewed programs that are designed and monitored by veterinarians and animal care experts.
USFRA believes practices that make our businesses stronger over time are those that also improve the quality and safety of our food. Today, farmers and ranchers are continuously improving how they monitor the health and well-being of their animals – as well as the way they use antibiotics.
April 22, 2013
Recently, the Environmental Working Group issued a report of its interpretation of the 2011 Retail Meat Annual Report of the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS). While FDA is always concerned when we see antimicrobial resistance, we believe the EWG report oversimplifies the NARMS data and provides misleading conclusions. We do not believe that EWG fully considered important factors that put these results in context, including:
Additionally, we believe that it is inaccurate and alarmist to define bacteria resistant to one, or even a few, antimicrobials as “superbugs” if these same bacteria are still treatable by other commonly used antibiotics. This is especially misleading when speaking of bacteria that do not cause foodborne disease and have natural resistances, such as Enterococcus.
When taking such factors into account, FDA believes the notable findings in the 2011 NARMS Report include:
Antimicrobial resistance is a serious and challenging issue. It is critically important that we continue our efforts to minimize antimicrobial resistance, including promoting appropriate and judicious use of antimicrobials in both humans and animals.
Based on a thorough review of the available scientific information, FDA has created a strategy for the judicious use of medically important antimicrobials in food-producing animals that states their use should be limited to situations where the drugs are necessary for ensuring animal health, and done so under veterinary guidance. It is the non-judicious use – for growth promotion and feed efficiency – that is of particular concern to FDA. This collaborative strategy is intended to provide the quickest way to achieve the greatest degree of public health protection, but it does not prevent FDA from initiating regulatory action in the future, if the agency finds it necessary. FDA welcomes all contributions in helping to understand and address the challenge of antibiotic resistance. However, it is very important to look at the NARMS data in the proper context, with a good understanding of the microbiology, epidemiology and genetics of antibiotic-resistant foodborne pathogens and their clinical management.
During this Thanksgiving weekend we had the joys of having my sisters and their children, along with my flock, for many great feasts. Those joys included feeding and washing dishes for 16 people. After so much washing, it is time to think about getting a new dishwasher. Normally, I would turn to Consumer Reports for advice on the best purchase--but no more. After their most recent article about pork safety, “What’s in that pork?”, I have lost confidence in their ability to provide unbiased, scientific information.
This article violated at least three principles of good scientific reporting. It pushed the data too far, as the number of items (n=198) was not nearly large enough (n> 1,000) to make any strong conclusions. It did not provide enough information to repeat the study, as nothing was said about how the samples were collected, where the sample were collected, who did the lab testing, or what lab methods were used. They also did not compare their results to other published studies. Given the above infractions, we can be confident the results are just about useless.
Although the results are weak and relatively meaningless, the title, headings and tone of the article serve to frighten readers and create anxiety. Contrary to the article’s tone and title, the report does not reveal anything alarming about pork safety. Yersinia enterocolitica is fairly common in pigs and pork , but infection in people is “relatively infrequent,” infects only 1 in 100,000 people, and many cases “resolve on their own without antibiotic treatment.” Low levels of Salmonella and Listeria just remind us that all raw meats need to be handled with care and cooked to appropriate temperatures, a process which kills most bacteria that cause human illness.
Ractopamine is interesting as it is neither a steroid, a hormone, nor a GMO (genetically modified organism). In fact, some of my children take a related compound for occasionally asthma attacks. After extensive testing, it has been approved in 27 countries worldwide. Countries that have not approved it are mostly implementing trade barriers. Thankfully, the Consumer Reports article was objective enough to report that levels they found, 5 part per billion (ppb) were “levels that meet FDA and international food-safety standards.” Think about this if the levels were at the FDA maximum of 50 ppb, the average adult would need to consume over 700 pounds of pork in one day to approach the level of observed effect. I love pork, but not that much!
Lastly, the front page inset mentions that Trichinella levels have gone down due to “changes in industry practices (legislation banned the feeding of certain raw foods to hogs) and public awareness of the risks of eating under cooked meat.” This article fails to mention that these “changes in industry practices” were primarily moves toward modern indoor housing where pigs are away from their manure off the dirt and separate from each other, two practices that are often criticized in pork production. These are also practices I encourage in my children.
Read the Entire Article at : http://scotthurd.blogspot.com/2012/11/consumer-reports-distorts-science-to.html
You would have to be living under a rock, or on an isolated island, to have missed the big media splash created by the Consumer Reports recent electronically released story titled: "What's in that pork? We found antibiotic-resistant bacteria---and traces of a veterinary drug."
The story is scheduled to run in the January 2013 edition of Consumer Reports but for whatever reason I guess they just could not wait to send out embargoed copy after embargoed copy to the media.
Arising from its mandate for the protection of animal health and veterinary public health including food safety, OIE is highly concerned about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and has decided to create a dedicated web space to provide updated and relevant information on the subject.
“In accordance with the clear mandate given by our Member Countries, the OIE considers the prevention of antimicrobial resistance and the prudent use of antibiotics in animals as one of its key responsibilities and activities” said Dr. Bernard Vallat, Director General of the OIE.
America’s pork farmers have always been committed to advancing animal well-being and producing safe, nutritious food for consumers. To deliver on this commitment, they work diligently to provide for the comprehensive health needs of their animals. Animal agriculture experts and scientists understand that animal health is vital to food and public safety. Accordingly, responsible use of animal health products, including antibiotics, is a key concern for every person involved in producing pork for consumers.
The general public needs to know more about the importance of preventing and controlling livestock diseases and the financial impact they would have on our lives and food supply if left unchecked. Part of our mission at the USDA Agricultural Research Service is to conduct research to protect the safety of our nation’s agriculture and food supply through improved disease detection, prevention, and control.
Although recent stories in the media have triggered more interest in the topic, the responsible use of antibiotics has always been a top priority for America’s pork producers.
“We welcome a fact-based discussion about this issue, because we know that science tells us we’re doing the right thing for animal health and food safety,” said Paul Sundberg, vice president of science and technology for the National Pork Board. “Producers care about their animals and the safety of the food they produce. That’s really the bottom line that should be understood by everyone.”