Lots going on as Farm Bureau hits 2011 running.
January 3rd - Regular Board meeting (Resolution committee meeting included)
January 5th - State Legislative meeting in Indianapolis
January 9-12 - American Farm Bureau Federation Convention - Atlanta, Georgia
January 15 - First Putnam County Legislative Update Session
Feb. 7 - Regular Board meeting
Feb. 22 - Business After Hours - Agriculture
Feb. 28 - Putnam County Farm Bureau Annual meeting ( Note date Change)
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Merry Christmas
Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
This year as you sit down for a great Dinner remember to thank the Farmers who grew the food you are about to eat. Many hours of labor went into growing those potatoes, raising the meat, along with all the other food you are having. Remember too the Dairy Farmer who even in the cold and snow will venture out in the early morning to milk his cows so you can have fresh dairy products in your refridgerator. While you and your family are busy opening gifts and enjoying what Santa has brought, the Dairy Farmer's kids are still waiting for their dad to get the milking done so they to can enjoy Christmas. I do believe my kids would remember that time well.
Merry Christmas,
Steve Cash
PR Director, Putnam Co. Farm Bureau
This year as you sit down for a great Dinner remember to thank the Farmers who grew the food you are about to eat. Many hours of labor went into growing those potatoes, raising the meat, along with all the other food you are having. Remember too the Dairy Farmer who even in the cold and snow will venture out in the early morning to milk his cows so you can have fresh dairy products in your refridgerator. While you and your family are busy opening gifts and enjoying what Santa has brought, the Dairy Farmer's kids are still waiting for their dad to get the milking done so they to can enjoy Christmas. I do believe my kids would remember that time well.
Merry Christmas,
Steve Cash
PR Director, Putnam Co. Farm Bureau
Friday, December 17, 2010
HSUS on the "Naughty" List
HSUS Earns Spot On Charity “Naughty” List
Half of every donated dollar that the Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) collects is plowed back into continued fundraising and overhead, according to a 2010 “Watchdog Report” from Animal People News. Meanwhile, an analysis of HSUS tax filings conducted by the Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) concluded that HSUS shares less than 1% of the public’s contributions with America’s underfunded pet shelters. “The holidays are all about giving but HSUS seems more interested in taking, keeping and wasting,” says David Martosko, CCF director of research. “Homeless dogs and cats deserve better. Americans should support their local humane societies which are far more efficient with each precious dollar.” In addition to the Animal People News report, HSUS received a “D” rating in the American Institute of Philanthropy’s most recent quarterly “CharityWatch” guide. And Charity Navigator now gives HSUS one star (out of four) for organizational efficiency. Martosko adds, “Animal lovers need to know the difference between HSUS and real humane societies. The only way to be sure your donations will help homeless dogs and cats is to give to organizations in your own community.” -- CCF release
Half of every donated dollar that the Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) collects is plowed back into continued fundraising and overhead, according to a 2010 “Watchdog Report” from Animal People News. Meanwhile, an analysis of HSUS tax filings conducted by the Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) concluded that HSUS shares less than 1% of the public’s contributions with America’s underfunded pet shelters. “The holidays are all about giving but HSUS seems more interested in taking, keeping and wasting,” says David Martosko, CCF director of research. “Homeless dogs and cats deserve better. Americans should support their local humane societies which are far more efficient with each precious dollar.” In addition to the Animal People News report, HSUS received a “D” rating in the American Institute of Philanthropy’s most recent quarterly “CharityWatch” guide. And Charity Navigator now gives HSUS one star (out of four) for organizational efficiency. Martosko adds, “Animal lovers need to know the difference between HSUS and real humane societies. The only way to be sure your donations will help homeless dogs and cats is to give to organizations in your own community.” -- CCF release
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Feeding the World
This was written by a group of College students with a dedicated interest in the future of Agriculture.
Meat is defined as the muscle fiber of animals used for food. As agriculturists, it is our moral responsibility to ensure the proper CARE for our animals from birth to harvest. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2009 there were 2.1 million farms in America, each of which MUST abide by the same laws and regulations including those relating to animal welfare. The Humane Slaughter Act states that all animals must be rendered insensible to pain and suffering in a rapid and effective way before being hoisted and exsanguinated.
Only 3 percent of U.S. farms are considered "corporate", but 90 percent of these corporate farms are family owned, according to the EPA. In order to produce a food supply for a world that is growing by 140 people per minute, we must continue to employ the most efficient and safe practices possible, according to the World Population Balance. Some of these livestock management practices might include, using feed sources such as corn that can be easily converted into nutrients and energy for the animal, putting dairy calves in their own, individual calf hutch in order to prevent disease transfer, or washing and disinfecting sow facilities frequently. In addition, many new low-stress animal handling techniques have been implemented on farms across America. These new techniques improve animal and human handler safety.
American agriculturists are constantly focusing on producing a safe, wholesome and quality product. Although regulations have become stricter over the last 50 years, agriculturists are still able to raise healthy livestock in a humane environment while continuing to feed a growing population. According to an Alabama cooperative extension system food scientist, "The American food supply is the safest in the world thanks to industry and government efforts."
According to U.S. regulations, all animal food products must be fresh and have proper labeling, including an expiration date. Meat is a nutrient dense food source, which means calorie per calorie it provides more important nutrients than many other foods. Meat also is a complete protein, having all the amino acids one's body needs. It contributes to normal brain development in children, promotes normal growth and development, prevents anemia, helps fight infection and heal wounds, helps keep the immune system healthy, helps prevent memory loss in elderly people and promotes concentration and learning abilities, according to Duane Fimreite and Richard Staack who authored "Physiologically Functional Foods: Where do Meats Fit In?" Furthermore, beef by-products enable us to use 99 percent of every animal. Some of these by-products include gum, pharmaceuticals, shaving cream, makeup, asphalt and paint, according to John Ross, who authored "When is a Cow More Than A Cow." In addition to meat, other livestock products are nutritionally beneficial to a healthy diet, one of these being dairy foods.
Milk is nutritionally unique, and is an excellent source of nine essential nutrients: calcium, potassium, phosphorus, protein, vitamins A, D and B12, and riboflavin and niacin and provides three of the five "nutrients of concern" that children do not get enough of. Dairy foods are by far the most significant source of calcium in the U.S. food supply. According to the Dairy Council Digest, numerous studies published in the past year add to accumulating evidence that dairy products reduce the risk of osteoporosis and hypertension, achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, and have a beneficial role in preventing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and the insulin resistance syndrome.
American's agriculture industry offers many benefits to our country. Unfortunately, there is the occasional bad apple that gives the wrong perception of agriculture to consumers. Just as in any other industry, these people do exist; however, this is why the majority of American agriculturists work day in and day out to promote excellent animal health and well-being.
As concerned farmers, ranchers, consumers and undergraduate students of the college of Agriculture and Biological Sciences at SDSU, we take pride in our way of life. Agriculturists have a common passion for feeding our world and feel that we have a moral responsibility to care for and protect our livestock. Although we come from a variety of agriculture backgrounds and interests including, beef production, dairy production, sheep production, swine production, grain production, range management, veterinary medicine, meat science and agriculture economics we all share a common passion for the industry. Agriculture is our livelihood and is a part of who we are. For this reason, it is in our best interest to properly care for every aspect of production agriculture. Most importantly, caring for the land and animals is the right thing to do, and we are proud of the sustainable legacy we are growing to support future generations.
For more information concerning safe food and where your animal products comes from visit www.fsis.usda.gov, www.midwestdairy.com, or visit one SDSU's livestock units found near campus.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lauren Barber, Meat Science
Sara Berg, Agriculture Education
Jennifer Bosch, Animal Science
Melissa Gradert, Agriculture Business
Jace Hollenbeck, Meat Science
Ann Kolthoff, Animal Science
Melissa Lax, Dairy Science
Mark Misar, Agronomy
Megan Mortellaro, Range Science
Rachel Patrick, Dairy Science
Dustin Theis, Agronomy
Tyler Urban, Animal Science
Meat is defined as the muscle fiber of animals used for food. As agriculturists, it is our moral responsibility to ensure the proper CARE for our animals from birth to harvest. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2009 there were 2.1 million farms in America, each of which MUST abide by the same laws and regulations including those relating to animal welfare. The Humane Slaughter Act states that all animals must be rendered insensible to pain and suffering in a rapid and effective way before being hoisted and exsanguinated.
Only 3 percent of U.S. farms are considered "corporate", but 90 percent of these corporate farms are family owned, according to the EPA. In order to produce a food supply for a world that is growing by 140 people per minute, we must continue to employ the most efficient and safe practices possible, according to the World Population Balance. Some of these livestock management practices might include, using feed sources such as corn that can be easily converted into nutrients and energy for the animal, putting dairy calves in their own, individual calf hutch in order to prevent disease transfer, or washing and disinfecting sow facilities frequently. In addition, many new low-stress animal handling techniques have been implemented on farms across America. These new techniques improve animal and human handler safety.
American agriculturists are constantly focusing on producing a safe, wholesome and quality product. Although regulations have become stricter over the last 50 years, agriculturists are still able to raise healthy livestock in a humane environment while continuing to feed a growing population. According to an Alabama cooperative extension system food scientist, "The American food supply is the safest in the world thanks to industry and government efforts."
According to U.S. regulations, all animal food products must be fresh and have proper labeling, including an expiration date. Meat is a nutrient dense food source, which means calorie per calorie it provides more important nutrients than many other foods. Meat also is a complete protein, having all the amino acids one's body needs. It contributes to normal brain development in children, promotes normal growth and development, prevents anemia, helps fight infection and heal wounds, helps keep the immune system healthy, helps prevent memory loss in elderly people and promotes concentration and learning abilities, according to Duane Fimreite and Richard Staack who authored "Physiologically Functional Foods: Where do Meats Fit In?" Furthermore, beef by-products enable us to use 99 percent of every animal. Some of these by-products include gum, pharmaceuticals, shaving cream, makeup, asphalt and paint, according to John Ross, who authored "When is a Cow More Than A Cow." In addition to meat, other livestock products are nutritionally beneficial to a healthy diet, one of these being dairy foods.
Milk is nutritionally unique, and is an excellent source of nine essential nutrients: calcium, potassium, phosphorus, protein, vitamins A, D and B12, and riboflavin and niacin and provides three of the five "nutrients of concern" that children do not get enough of. Dairy foods are by far the most significant source of calcium in the U.S. food supply. According to the Dairy Council Digest, numerous studies published in the past year add to accumulating evidence that dairy products reduce the risk of osteoporosis and hypertension, achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, and have a beneficial role in preventing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and the insulin resistance syndrome.
American's agriculture industry offers many benefits to our country. Unfortunately, there is the occasional bad apple that gives the wrong perception of agriculture to consumers. Just as in any other industry, these people do exist; however, this is why the majority of American agriculturists work day in and day out to promote excellent animal health and well-being.
As concerned farmers, ranchers, consumers and undergraduate students of the college of Agriculture and Biological Sciences at SDSU, we take pride in our way of life. Agriculturists have a common passion for feeding our world and feel that we have a moral responsibility to care for and protect our livestock. Although we come from a variety of agriculture backgrounds and interests including, beef production, dairy production, sheep production, swine production, grain production, range management, veterinary medicine, meat science and agriculture economics we all share a common passion for the industry. Agriculture is our livelihood and is a part of who we are. For this reason, it is in our best interest to properly care for every aspect of production agriculture. Most importantly, caring for the land and animals is the right thing to do, and we are proud of the sustainable legacy we are growing to support future generations.
For more information concerning safe food and where your animal products comes from visit www.fsis.usda.gov, www.midwestdairy.com, or visit one SDSU's livestock units found near campus.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lauren Barber, Meat Science
Sara Berg, Agriculture Education
Jennifer Bosch, Animal Science
Melissa Gradert, Agriculture Business
Jace Hollenbeck, Meat Science
Ann Kolthoff, Animal Science
Melissa Lax, Dairy Science
Mark Misar, Agronomy
Megan Mortellaro, Range Science
Rachel Patrick, Dairy Science
Dustin Theis, Agronomy
Tyler Urban, Animal Science
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Quilt Club assists Putnam Co. Farm Bureau
The "One Stitch At A Time" Putnam County Purdue Extension Homemakers Quilt Club recently developed a quilt block for the Indiana Farm Bureau Inc. quilt to be auctioned off at the last session of the December Annual Meeting. Each of Indiana's 92 counties was asked to contribute a block to be added to the quilt. The quilt block represents agriculture in the county and has the county name on the block. Pictured from left to right are -- First row, Bonnie Bryan and Julie Burns; Second row, Jean Beilby, Beth Evans, Clair Winings, Dorlis Deaton, Sharon Black.
Putnam County Farm Bureau Inc., would like to thank this new club for its contribution towards the state wide quilt block. The "One Stitch At A Time" Purdue Extension Quilt club is a new club. If anyone would be interested in joining the group, or finding out more information about the quilt club, please contact Bonnie Bryan at765.739.6101 or the Purdue Extension Putnam County office at 765.653.8411.
Monday, December 6, 2010
State FB Convention
State Farm Bureau Convention will be held this friday and saturday in the Indianapolis Convention Center. Go to www.infarmbureau.org website to veiw the program.
Lactose Intolerance people still need milk!!!!!
Change perception of lactose-free milk.
Identify opportunities to increase lactose-free milk consumption, encourage use and grow the lactose-free category.
Address myths and misperceptions of lactose-free milk related to its nutritional value and taste and show that lactose-free milk is “real milk”.
Many individuals with real or perceived lactose intolerance avoid dairy and thus fail to take in adequate amounts of calcium, vitamin D and other essential nutrients, according to a National Institutes of Health consensus report. This avoidance may predispose them to decreased accrual of bone mass and subject them to increased risk of osteoporosis and other adverse health outcomes. In most cases, individuals do not need to eliminate dairy consumption. “There is a huge opportunity to change attitudes and strategies and make sure people who are lactose intolerant are aware of dairy-first solutions,” says Jim Layne, vice president of Dairy Management Inc.’s, strategic initiatives team. “ Moovision.com is a light-hearted approach that gives people a platform to talk about a very personal condition. We want to engage them, retain them and give them the chance to reach out to other people.”
Identify opportunities to increase lactose-free milk consumption, encourage use and grow the lactose-free category.
Address myths and misperceptions of lactose-free milk related to its nutritional value and taste and show that lactose-free milk is “real milk”.
Many individuals with real or perceived lactose intolerance avoid dairy and thus fail to take in adequate amounts of calcium, vitamin D and other essential nutrients, according to a National Institutes of Health consensus report. This avoidance may predispose them to decreased accrual of bone mass and subject them to increased risk of osteoporosis and other adverse health outcomes. In most cases, individuals do not need to eliminate dairy consumption. “There is a huge opportunity to change attitudes and strategies and make sure people who are lactose intolerant are aware of dairy-first solutions,” says Jim Layne, vice president of Dairy Management Inc.’s, strategic initiatives team. “ Moovision.com is a light-hearted approach that gives people a platform to talk about a very personal condition. We want to engage them, retain them and give them the chance to reach out to other people.”
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Monsanto Fund impacting rural communities.
Indiana Farmers Can Make an Impact in their Community in More Ways than One. Have you ever wanted to be the local hero in your community? Would you like to show everyone how much your town means to you? The Monsanto Fund wants to help you make an impact in Rural America. Indiana farmers in 83 counties have the opportunity to win $2,500 for their favorite nonprofit organization. The donations are available through the Monsanto Fund’s America’s Farmers Grow Communities SM program.The program’s first two pilots provided nearly $1.2 million to farmers in 10 states with $2,500 donations going to a farmer’s favorite nonprofit. The second pilot alone benefited 298 organizations, with 35 percent of the awards going to agriculture youth groups; 24 percent directed toward community organizations such as food banks; and 15 percent donated to various educational programs. With the success of the first two pilots, the program has expanded and now expects to contribute more than $3 million in more than 1,200 counties across 38 states. You might be asking, “What can $2,500 do for my community?” According to previous winners, the answer is,“Plenty!” Click on the link below for a closer look into the many ways $2,500 can help your community. http://www.monsanto.com/americasfarmers/Pages/grow-communities.aspx The America’s Farmers Grow Communities program benefits nonprofit community groups such as youth organizations, schools and other civic groups important to America’s farmers. Farmers can apply online at http://www.growcommunities.com/, or they can call 1.877.267.3332 to apply by phone. Farmers, age 21 and over, who are actively engaged in farming a minimum of 250 acres of corn, soybeans and/or cotton, or 40 acres of open field vegetables, or at least 10 acres of tomatoes, peppers and/or cucumbers grown in protected culture are eligible. Farmers can enter now through Dec. 31, 2010. The program is open to all qualifying farmers, and no purchase is necessary in order to enter or win. The Monsanto Fund will randomly draw one winner from each of the participating counties, and announce winning farmers and recipient organizations by February 2011.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Help stop Pepsi from helping HSUS!
Prevent Extremist Group from Capitalizing on Pepsi's Generosity
Background:The Animal Agriculture Alliance is dismayed that the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has been deemed eligible to compete to win $250,000 in the online Pepsi Refresh Project. Pepsi began the project in January of 2010 with the goal of awarding grants to “innovative and inspiring causes”. Ideas are submitted by individuals, groups, non-profits and businesses with no more than $25 million in revenue. Each month, up to 10 grants are awarded for each denomination of $5,000, $25,000 and $50,000. Two grants of $250,000 are also given. Winners of the grants are selected by public votes on the Pepsi Refresh Project website and text messages. Each month, the projects and organizations competing change and voting restarts.Past winners of $250,000 grants include the Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation, AIDS Research Alliance, Homes of Hope for Children, Inc., Teach for America and the American Legion. Fourteen of the past 17 grants of $250,000 have specifically benefited children and eight of the 17 grants have gone toward medical research.Currently, HSUS is in the top spot to receive a $250,000 grant during the November period. According to the Pepsi Refresh website, HSUS plans to use the funding for “veterinary care, equipment purchases, fleet maintenance, shelter supplies, animal food and travel expenses.” HSUS already has a $100 million budget. Thus, we believe it is already capable of paying for these things without an additional 0.25 percent financial increase.More importantly, HSUS is not affiliated with any local animal shelter. Improving animal welfare is not the main concern of HSUS and other animal rights groups. These extremists are systematically working to prohibit the ownership and use of animals in any way- be it for companionship, entertainment, or food. Most of its money goes towards expensive legislative campaigns and litigation- much of which is aimed at livestock producers.Analysis of its 2008 tax return shows that only one-half of one percent of the group's funds actually went towards caring for animals. This past April, Charity Navigator downgraded its rating of HSUS and its international arm to lower than that of even the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which is generally considered a radical group.Interestingly, the Pepsi Refresh official rules indicate that proposed initiatives cannot “challenge, lobby for or seek to change current laws” or “involve political advocacy”. By applying for this grant, HSUS is unfortunately, and we believe selfishly, taking votes away from organizations that could actually benefit from such a generous donation. The third place group in the running for $250,000 plans to use the grant to fund research on a rare neurological disorder afflicting children. In fourth place is Hanna’s Hope Fund, the only charity worldwide dedicated to exploring and working towards a cure for the deadly genetic disease GAN. Unfortunately, these groups will not receive any funding as long as HSUS continues to dominate the ballot. Another politically-focused organization, Progress Ohio, is currently in the lead in the $50,000 category with a project focused on eliminating antibiotic use in the animal agriculture industry. The group’s proposal includes several inaccurate statements about how livestock are cared for on today’s farms. The Alliance strongly encourages its members and supporters to make an effort to prevent HSUS and Progress Ohio from receiving this money by voting for other, more deserving causes. Registering to vote at www.refresheverything.com is free and takes less than 60 seconds- all that is required is a valid email address. Each person can vote for 10 projects each day through November 30.Get Involved:- Read the Alliance’s letter to Pepsi.- Register to vote for deserving campaigns.- Notify Pepsi of HSUS’ true intentions.- Spread the word on Facebook or Twitter.About the Alliance:The Animal Agriculture Alliance, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is a broad-based coalition of individual farmers, ranchers, producer organizations, suppliers, packer-processors, scientists, veterinarians, and retailers. The Alliance's mission is to communicate the important role of animal agriculture to our nation's economy, productivity, vitality, and security. The Alliance shows how animal well-being is central to producing safe, high-quality, affordable food and other products essential to our daily lives.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
WTHR investigation on Indiana Jobs
Inflated numbers, secretive contracts surround Indiana jobsUpdated:
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Nov 22, 2010 8:42 PM EST
Enlarge this pictureUnemployed workers meet in Fort Wayne.
Enlarge this pictureRobin Needham's entire family is looking for work.
Enlarge this pictureGeorge VanKirk filed bankruptcy after losing his job.
Enlarge this pictureBob Segall gets thousands of state job records.
Enlarge this pictureEconomist Morton Marcus doesn't trust Indiana job stats.
WTHR found tens of thousands of promised Indiana jobs never showed up. Now 13 Investigates has discovered more inflated job numbers, secretive contracts and conflicting stories that help explain why tens of thousands of unemployed Hoosiers are skeptical and downright angry.
Bob Segall/13 Investigates
Indianapolis - Robin Needham has been looking for work for 18 months, and she's not alone.
Her husband, mother and father are unemployed after losing their jobs last year at the Dalton Corporation foundry in Kendallville. Robin's sister is out of work, too. To help pay the bills, her teenage son and daughter started months ago applying for jobs at the local Pizza Hut, Dairy Queen, McDonald's and Wal-mart but, so far, no one has hired them, either.
"It's an awful position for a parent to be in: to have to go up against your 17-year-old daughter or 16-year-old son and compete with them for a minimum-wage job," Needham says, wiping tears from her cheeks. "I feel angry and hopeless. I feel like a failure as a parent. You want to be able to provide for your kids … but no one's hiring."
The Needhams are among more than a quarter million Hoosiers now looking for jobs.
Jan Peppler was laid off as part of a "restructuring" at her retail job two months ago.
George Van Kirk, a longtime carpenter, has been looking for steady work for more than two years.
"I filed bankruptcy in order to keep my house," he said. "I'm 61 years old, close to retirement, and I have no job and no healthcare."
Robin, Jan, George and a dozen other unemployed workers met with WTHR last week at the Northeast Indiana Central Labor Council in Fort Wayne. They represent a cross section of Indiana jobs -- factory workers, accountants, electricians and medical technicians – and all voiced frustration with the current job market.
"Where are the jobs?"
With state leaders announcing thousands of new Indiana jobs every month, the unemployed workers wonder where those jobs are.
"I'm sure not seeing it. Where are they?" asked Chris Oncheck, an unemployed electrician.
"Show us the jobs because I don't see them out there," added Jan.
"Where are the jobs at? If they're there, where are they at?" echoed Dave Hirschy, an unemployed millwright who has decided to return to school for more training.
Their questions are the same questions 13 Investigates has been asking for the past year -- ever since WTHR discovered empty cornfields and abandoned factories where the state claims there are supposed to be thousands of new jobs.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation says, in recent years, it's helped attract more than 115,000 new jobs to Indiana. But when WTHR asks for proof to back up the state's numbers, the agency won't provide it.
"We don't share it with the public. We don't release it to the news media. That's confidential information," IEDC chief executive officer Mitch Roob told WTHR earlier this year.
Contracts that don't exist
In an effort to obtain more information about the economic development deals announced by IEDC, WTHR asked to see contracts the agency signed with businesses it describes as "economic successes" – those companies that, according to IEDC, committed to bring new jobs to Indiana.
While IEDC has yet to provide all of the records requested, the information obtained thus far provides valuable insight into hundreds of reported job commitments. Perhaps most telling is not the thousands of pages WTHR has inspected, but the pages that are missing.
Eyewitness News has discovered IEDC never obtained an incentive contract from many of the companies it reported as economic successes. Some of those companies went bankrupt, drastically reduced the number of new employees originally reported to the media, orchestrated creative hiring practices that resulted in only a small net increase in employment, or simply changed their mind and decided not to bring new jobs to Indiana. But for years, IEDC has continued to count those companies – and their original job commitments -- in the agency's official job numbers.
Examples include:
- IEDC announced in 2008 that PEAT International would create dozens of new jobs in Madison County, but the $12 million medical waste incinerator project was in serious trouble even before the announcement. Anderson Mayor Kris Ockomon declared the project dead weeks before IEDC released its 2008 annual report that listed the PEAT incinerator and its 40 proposed jobs as an economic success.
- In Perry County, a quiet boat ramp sits where Tell City Marine said it would create 243 jobs. Those jobs sunk when company investors decided to take their plans across the Ohio River to Kentucky.
- Getrag Transmission Manufacturing declared bankruptcy before it could hire a single Hoosier to assemble dual clutch transmissions. IEDC said the Tipton County project would create 1400 new jobs.
- In Fort Wayne, designer handbag manufacturer Vera Bradley announced in 2008 it would create 490 new jobs, and now says the 627 employees hired since the announcement far exceed the original projection. But in order to create those in-house sewing jobs, more than 600 people were laid off from other sewing companies around Fort Wayne.
IEDC promoted the PEAT International, Tell City Marine, Getrag and Vera Bradley deals in its annual reports and added their original hiring projections to state job totals, even though the real number of new jobs created was far less than projected. WTHR has not seen a signed incentive agreement for any of those projects among the documents provided for inspection by IEDC.
Conflicting information
In March, IEDC general counsel Shawn Peterson told Eyewitness News that IEDC did not have contracts with any of those companies.
But agency data files provided to WTHR earlier this month offered a conflicting story. IEDC gave WTHR a list of more than 6,500 incentive contracts it claimed to have with companies that brought jobs to Indiana. Companies like Tell City Marine and Getrag appeared on the list. Asked to explain the discrepancy, Peterson again insisted IEDC did not obtain executed incentive contracts from the companies, and blamed a possible "coding error" for the mix-up.
"IEDC is not certifying the complete accuracy of its over 6,500 entries. To do so, the IEDC would need to pull each file to determine whether a particular incentive agreement was fully executed by all parties … While our staff believes that the list [provided to WTHR] is statistically accurate, it is certainly possible that companies may inadvertently appear on that list."
Peterson also said companies receive no taxpayer funded incentives until agreements are fully executed and their performance verified, and some companies that failed to sign incentive contracts offered by IEDC still opted to fulfill their proposed job commitments.
But other businesses say IEDC exaggerated their job numbers, reporting best case scenarios instead of more realistic job projections.
According to IEDC's 2008 annual report, Navistar's Workhorse Custom Chassis committed to add 499 new jobs and $127 million in capital investment at its factory in Randolph County. But 13 Investigates found a letter in IEDC's own files showing the company would commit to far fewer jobs than those later promoted by the state.
In the October 2008 letter sent to IEDC project manager Mindy Kenworthy, Workhorse Custom Chassis' general manager Leon Wolmarans wrote "As stated in previous discussions, Navistar can currently only commit to Phase 1 of this project" which "will require circa $15M investment and create circa 100 new jobs."
Four months later, IEDC published the 499 projection – not 100 – in its annual report, which included a second expansion phase for which the company was not ready to commit.
"In our minds, what we were comfortable with was phase one," Wolmarans told Eyewitness News. "Anything more than that was in a feasibility study, so I don't know who at the state leaked that, but it shouldn't have been listed as a success."
Workhorse Custom Chassis has not added any of the 100 new jobs it hoped to create, and Wolmarans said expansion plans have since been abandoned.
While some of the companies listed as IEDC "economic successes" have hired more workers than expected, infusing hundreds of millions of dollars into the state's economy, many others have laid off far more workers than they hired.
As many as 40% of jobs announced by the state from 2006-2008 have not come, according to an analysis by Eyewitness News. IEDC and Governor Mitch Daniels say they won't give out specific job numbers for any company that has signed an economic incentive agreement with the state.
"Feel like I'm being lied to"
"People like [Gov.] Daniels want to say we've got all this job growth. What's he scared of putting the proof out there for?" asked Adam Lewandowski, who recently lost his job as a roadside tire technician. "Is he afraid that we might find out the truth?"
Chris Oncheck, who's been trying to find a job as an electrician for more than two years, says he is frustrated with the state's secretive position on jobs, too. "I feel a lot like I'm being lied to," he said.
It's easy to understand why.
As the number of job commitments announced by IEDC grows, Indiana's unemployment rate has not gone down. In fact, the state's 10.1% jobless rate is one of the highest in the region. According to the latest report released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, only Michigan's unemployment rate is higher among Midwestern states.
"Today we have 276,000 fewer people working in Indiana than in 2006," said Morton Marcus, an economic consultant who spent 30 years as director of the Indiana Business Research Center at Indiana University. Marcus says ribbon cuttings by the governor and job announcements by IEDC look good, but often fail to translate into real jobs.
"What we have are press releases and you can't run an economy on press releases, he said. "We need to be founded in reality. That's the issue: how many jobs are actually being created."
State officials won't say – at least not with any specificity. Neighboring states like Illinois and Ohio put all of their job information on their public websites, where the data can be easily accessed at any time. But in Indiana, getting to see state job records can mean waiting a long time.
146 days … and counting
This year alone, WTHR has submitted ten requests under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act. Several of WTHR's requests were denied because the agency said it did not organize its economic development contracts by execution date, and the agency was not willing to provide a report that would show which companies had signed an economic development deal with the state in a particular year.
After WTHR revised its requests, IEDC began allowing access to incentive agreements signed during the past five years. To date, IEDC has released roughly 7,500 pages of contracts – fulfilling approximately 50% of WTHR's request. It has been 146 days since WTHR first asked to see IEDC's incentive agreements. To get the remaining 50%, IEDC says Eyewitness News should expect to wait longer.
"We estimate that we may be in a position to fully and completely satisfy your request in early 2011," Peterson advised WTHR earlier this month. "We cannot proceed in a manner that unreasonably interferes with our agency's regular business, particularly in light of the current economic environment and the IEDC's limited human and fiscal resources."
When IEDC does provide records to 13 Investigates, the agency crosses out job and salary information it doesn't want the public to see. While those same details are made public in many other states, IEDC says it is required to redact the information due to a state law that classifies it as confidential.
To a roomful of unemployed Hoosiers in Fort Wayne, the secrecy adds insult to their injury.
"We're sick and tired of the lies and the crap," Robin Needham said. "None of us want to be in poverty. We want good jobs."
IEDC declined WTHR's request for an interview for this story.
wnRenderDate('Monday, November 22, 2010 8:42 PM EST', '', true);
Nov 22, 2010 8:42 PM EST
Enlarge this pictureUnemployed workers meet in Fort Wayne.
Enlarge this pictureRobin Needham's entire family is looking for work.
Enlarge this pictureGeorge VanKirk filed bankruptcy after losing his job.
Enlarge this pictureBob Segall gets thousands of state job records.
Enlarge this pictureEconomist Morton Marcus doesn't trust Indiana job stats.
WTHR found tens of thousands of promised Indiana jobs never showed up. Now 13 Investigates has discovered more inflated job numbers, secretive contracts and conflicting stories that help explain why tens of thousands of unemployed Hoosiers are skeptical and downright angry.
Bob Segall/13 Investigates
Indianapolis - Robin Needham has been looking for work for 18 months, and she's not alone.
Her husband, mother and father are unemployed after losing their jobs last year at the Dalton Corporation foundry in Kendallville. Robin's sister is out of work, too. To help pay the bills, her teenage son and daughter started months ago applying for jobs at the local Pizza Hut, Dairy Queen, McDonald's and Wal-mart but, so far, no one has hired them, either.
"It's an awful position for a parent to be in: to have to go up against your 17-year-old daughter or 16-year-old son and compete with them for a minimum-wage job," Needham says, wiping tears from her cheeks. "I feel angry and hopeless. I feel like a failure as a parent. You want to be able to provide for your kids … but no one's hiring."
The Needhams are among more than a quarter million Hoosiers now looking for jobs.
Jan Peppler was laid off as part of a "restructuring" at her retail job two months ago.
George Van Kirk, a longtime carpenter, has been looking for steady work for more than two years.
"I filed bankruptcy in order to keep my house," he said. "I'm 61 years old, close to retirement, and I have no job and no healthcare."
Robin, Jan, George and a dozen other unemployed workers met with WTHR last week at the Northeast Indiana Central Labor Council in Fort Wayne. They represent a cross section of Indiana jobs -- factory workers, accountants, electricians and medical technicians – and all voiced frustration with the current job market.
"Where are the jobs?"
With state leaders announcing thousands of new Indiana jobs every month, the unemployed workers wonder where those jobs are.
"I'm sure not seeing it. Where are they?" asked Chris Oncheck, an unemployed electrician.
"Show us the jobs because I don't see them out there," added Jan.
"Where are the jobs at? If they're there, where are they at?" echoed Dave Hirschy, an unemployed millwright who has decided to return to school for more training.
Their questions are the same questions 13 Investigates has been asking for the past year -- ever since WTHR discovered empty cornfields and abandoned factories where the state claims there are supposed to be thousands of new jobs.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation says, in recent years, it's helped attract more than 115,000 new jobs to Indiana. But when WTHR asks for proof to back up the state's numbers, the agency won't provide it.
"We don't share it with the public. We don't release it to the news media. That's confidential information," IEDC chief executive officer Mitch Roob told WTHR earlier this year.
Contracts that don't exist
In an effort to obtain more information about the economic development deals announced by IEDC, WTHR asked to see contracts the agency signed with businesses it describes as "economic successes" – those companies that, according to IEDC, committed to bring new jobs to Indiana.
While IEDC has yet to provide all of the records requested, the information obtained thus far provides valuable insight into hundreds of reported job commitments. Perhaps most telling is not the thousands of pages WTHR has inspected, but the pages that are missing.
Eyewitness News has discovered IEDC never obtained an incentive contract from many of the companies it reported as economic successes. Some of those companies went bankrupt, drastically reduced the number of new employees originally reported to the media, orchestrated creative hiring practices that resulted in only a small net increase in employment, or simply changed their mind and decided not to bring new jobs to Indiana. But for years, IEDC has continued to count those companies – and their original job commitments -- in the agency's official job numbers.
Examples include:
- IEDC announced in 2008 that PEAT International would create dozens of new jobs in Madison County, but the $12 million medical waste incinerator project was in serious trouble even before the announcement. Anderson Mayor Kris Ockomon declared the project dead weeks before IEDC released its 2008 annual report that listed the PEAT incinerator and its 40 proposed jobs as an economic success.
- In Perry County, a quiet boat ramp sits where Tell City Marine said it would create 243 jobs. Those jobs sunk when company investors decided to take their plans across the Ohio River to Kentucky.
- Getrag Transmission Manufacturing declared bankruptcy before it could hire a single Hoosier to assemble dual clutch transmissions. IEDC said the Tipton County project would create 1400 new jobs.
- In Fort Wayne, designer handbag manufacturer Vera Bradley announced in 2008 it would create 490 new jobs, and now says the 627 employees hired since the announcement far exceed the original projection. But in order to create those in-house sewing jobs, more than 600 people were laid off from other sewing companies around Fort Wayne.
IEDC promoted the PEAT International, Tell City Marine, Getrag and Vera Bradley deals in its annual reports and added their original hiring projections to state job totals, even though the real number of new jobs created was far less than projected. WTHR has not seen a signed incentive agreement for any of those projects among the documents provided for inspection by IEDC.
Conflicting information
In March, IEDC general counsel Shawn Peterson told Eyewitness News that IEDC did not have contracts with any of those companies.
But agency data files provided to WTHR earlier this month offered a conflicting story. IEDC gave WTHR a list of more than 6,500 incentive contracts it claimed to have with companies that brought jobs to Indiana. Companies like Tell City Marine and Getrag appeared on the list. Asked to explain the discrepancy, Peterson again insisted IEDC did not obtain executed incentive contracts from the companies, and blamed a possible "coding error" for the mix-up.
"IEDC is not certifying the complete accuracy of its over 6,500 entries. To do so, the IEDC would need to pull each file to determine whether a particular incentive agreement was fully executed by all parties … While our staff believes that the list [provided to WTHR] is statistically accurate, it is certainly possible that companies may inadvertently appear on that list."
Peterson also said companies receive no taxpayer funded incentives until agreements are fully executed and their performance verified, and some companies that failed to sign incentive contracts offered by IEDC still opted to fulfill their proposed job commitments.
But other businesses say IEDC exaggerated their job numbers, reporting best case scenarios instead of more realistic job projections.
According to IEDC's 2008 annual report, Navistar's Workhorse Custom Chassis committed to add 499 new jobs and $127 million in capital investment at its factory in Randolph County. But 13 Investigates found a letter in IEDC's own files showing the company would commit to far fewer jobs than those later promoted by the state.
In the October 2008 letter sent to IEDC project manager Mindy Kenworthy, Workhorse Custom Chassis' general manager Leon Wolmarans wrote "As stated in previous discussions, Navistar can currently only commit to Phase 1 of this project" which "will require circa $15M investment and create circa 100 new jobs."
Four months later, IEDC published the 499 projection – not 100 – in its annual report, which included a second expansion phase for which the company was not ready to commit.
"In our minds, what we were comfortable with was phase one," Wolmarans told Eyewitness News. "Anything more than that was in a feasibility study, so I don't know who at the state leaked that, but it shouldn't have been listed as a success."
Workhorse Custom Chassis has not added any of the 100 new jobs it hoped to create, and Wolmarans said expansion plans have since been abandoned.
While some of the companies listed as IEDC "economic successes" have hired more workers than expected, infusing hundreds of millions of dollars into the state's economy, many others have laid off far more workers than they hired.
As many as 40% of jobs announced by the state from 2006-2008 have not come, according to an analysis by Eyewitness News. IEDC and Governor Mitch Daniels say they won't give out specific job numbers for any company that has signed an economic incentive agreement with the state.
"Feel like I'm being lied to"
"People like [Gov.] Daniels want to say we've got all this job growth. What's he scared of putting the proof out there for?" asked Adam Lewandowski, who recently lost his job as a roadside tire technician. "Is he afraid that we might find out the truth?"
Chris Oncheck, who's been trying to find a job as an electrician for more than two years, says he is frustrated with the state's secretive position on jobs, too. "I feel a lot like I'm being lied to," he said.
It's easy to understand why.
As the number of job commitments announced by IEDC grows, Indiana's unemployment rate has not gone down. In fact, the state's 10.1% jobless rate is one of the highest in the region. According to the latest report released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, only Michigan's unemployment rate is higher among Midwestern states.
"Today we have 276,000 fewer people working in Indiana than in 2006," said Morton Marcus, an economic consultant who spent 30 years as director of the Indiana Business Research Center at Indiana University. Marcus says ribbon cuttings by the governor and job announcements by IEDC look good, but often fail to translate into real jobs.
"What we have are press releases and you can't run an economy on press releases, he said. "We need to be founded in reality. That's the issue: how many jobs are actually being created."
State officials won't say – at least not with any specificity. Neighboring states like Illinois and Ohio put all of their job information on their public websites, where the data can be easily accessed at any time. But in Indiana, getting to see state job records can mean waiting a long time.
146 days … and counting
This year alone, WTHR has submitted ten requests under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act. Several of WTHR's requests were denied because the agency said it did not organize its economic development contracts by execution date, and the agency was not willing to provide a report that would show which companies had signed an economic development deal with the state in a particular year.
After WTHR revised its requests, IEDC began allowing access to incentive agreements signed during the past five years. To date, IEDC has released roughly 7,500 pages of contracts – fulfilling approximately 50% of WTHR's request. It has been 146 days since WTHR first asked to see IEDC's incentive agreements. To get the remaining 50%, IEDC says Eyewitness News should expect to wait longer.
"We estimate that we may be in a position to fully and completely satisfy your request in early 2011," Peterson advised WTHR earlier this month. "We cannot proceed in a manner that unreasonably interferes with our agency's regular business, particularly in light of the current economic environment and the IEDC's limited human and fiscal resources."
When IEDC does provide records to 13 Investigates, the agency crosses out job and salary information it doesn't want the public to see. While those same details are made public in many other states, IEDC says it is required to redact the information due to a state law that classifies it as confidential.
To a roomful of unemployed Hoosiers in Fort Wayne, the secrecy adds insult to their injury.
"We're sick and tired of the lies and the crap," Robin Needham said. "None of us want to be in poverty. We want good jobs."
IEDC declined WTHR's request for an interview for this story.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Indiana Court of Appeals retention results....
Indiana Court of Appeals
District
Question
Yes
No
First District
"SHALL JUDGE LLOYD MARK BAILEY BE RETAINED IN OFFICE?"
351566
172193
Second District-
"SHALL JUDGE CALE BRADFORD BE RETAINED IN OFFICE?"
284660
120656
Fourth District
"SHALL JUDGE MELISSA S. MAY BE RETAINED IN OFFICE?"
931022
389323
Fifth District
"SHALL JUDGE ELAINE B. BROWN BE RETAINED IN OFFICE"?
940562
381254
"SHALL JUDGE MARGRET G. ROBB BE RETAINED IN OFFICE"?
922520
391330
District
Question
Yes
No
First District
"SHALL JUDGE LLOYD MARK BAILEY BE RETAINED IN OFFICE?"
351566
172193
Second District-
"SHALL JUDGE CALE BRADFORD BE RETAINED IN OFFICE?"
284660
120656
Fourth District
"SHALL JUDGE MELISSA S. MAY BE RETAINED IN OFFICE?"
931022
389323
Fifth District
"SHALL JUDGE ELAINE B. BROWN BE RETAINED IN OFFICE"?
940562
381254
"SHALL JUDGE MARGRET G. ROBB BE RETAINED IN OFFICE"?
922520
391330
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Is Natural better? - by John Stossel
When you sit down with your family to Thanksgiving dinner next week … Watch out! Your wholesome feast is actually LADEN with chemicals! Your turkey contains heterocyclic amines and your cranberry sauce has furan derivatives! Truth is, all of these chemicals are NATURALLY OCCURRING. They aren’t actually dangerous … but why are people so chemophobic? Is “Natural” food really better?
The documentary Food Inc won an Oscar nomination. It thrilled Hollywood by claiming that big business has made food more dangerous. But the opposite is true. Food poisoning has been decreasing. Should we fear the dawn of “Frankenfoods”? The latest scare from environmentalists is genetically modified foods. John is eager to eat genetically modified salmon. Grass-fed cattle is said to be tastier, healthier and better for the environment than conventional corn-fed feed lot cattle. It does produce leaner meat, but it’s actually WORSE for the environment. As for taste? We'll hold an informal taste test. And organic food claims to be pesticide free … but Alex Avery from the Hudson Institute explains why many aren’t, and that anyway, microscopic pesticide residues don’t harm anyone. In fact, they help reduce carbon emissions, something environmentalists should support.
Is "Natural" better? That's this week on STOSSEL.
The documentary Food Inc won an Oscar nomination. It thrilled Hollywood by claiming that big business has made food more dangerous. But the opposite is true. Food poisoning has been decreasing. Should we fear the dawn of “Frankenfoods”? The latest scare from environmentalists is genetically modified foods. John is eager to eat genetically modified salmon. Grass-fed cattle is said to be tastier, healthier and better for the environment than conventional corn-fed feed lot cattle. It does produce leaner meat, but it’s actually WORSE for the environment. As for taste? We'll hold an informal taste test. And organic food claims to be pesticide free … but Alex Avery from the Hudson Institute explains why many aren’t, and that anyway, microscopic pesticide residues don’t harm anyone. In fact, they help reduce carbon emissions, something environmentalists should support.
Is "Natural" better? That's this week on STOSSEL.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Food Safety Bill
One thing that no one addresses is how many cases of foodborne illnesses were caused by undercooking the food, improper storage in the home, a time issue from the grocery or food supplier to your home. Did you ever wonder if the milk was ok because you forgot to get it out of the trunk? Let Senator Lugar and Bayh know that you do not want to lose our roadside food stands, the farmer's market, and other local food suppliers. Simply adding a few more inspectors would allow more locally grown cattle, etc. to be utilized by all.
WASHINGTON — The Senate has voted to move forward on a far-reaching food safety bill that would give the Food and Drug Administration more power to prevent foodborne illnesses.
The chamber voted 74-25 to proceed with the bill. Supporters needed 60 votes because Republican Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, had objected, saying the legislation's $1.4 billion cost isn't paid for.
The bill would give the FDA more authority to recall tainted products, increase inspections of food processors and require producers to follow stricter standards for keeping food safe in the wake of outbreaks of contaminated peanuts, eggs and produce that have sickened hundreds.
The House passed a similar bill over a year ago.
However, advocates for buying food produced locally worry the legislation's safety requirements could force small farms out of business.
The opposition of these "locavores" — advocates for buying food directly from the farm or closer to home — and owners of small farms has become a sticking point in the Senate, which was to vote Wednesday on whether to consider the bill.
Supporters needed 60 votes because Republican Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, had objected, saying the legislation's $1.4 billion cost isn't paid for.
While the bill is designed to give the Food and Drug Administration greater authority over the nation's food supply, opponents say it could bankrupt some small farms that don't have the means to comply with new standards the bill would impose.
Story: 5 ways the food safety bill would affect you
Those standards could include registering food safety plans with the FDA and documenting efforts to show food is not contaminated as it is produced.
"It's going to put a nail in the coffin of our family food producers," said Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., who is planning an amendment to exempt some small farms who market food close to their operations. He says many small farms already comply with state and local regulations to keep food safe.
Concerns overblown? Food safety advocates are lobbying against the Tester amendment, saying his concerns are overblown and efforts to broadly exempt smaller farms could be misguided. They argue that the legislation, which would give the FDA more authority to recall tainted products, increase inspections of food processors and require producers to follow stricter standards for keeping food safe, is crucial in the wake of outbreaks of contaminated peanuts, eggs and produce that have sickened hundreds.
"Our view is that food should be safe no matter what the source is," said Erik Olson, director of food and consumer product safety at the Pew Health Group.
Olson and other advocates say that while small farms may not need to follow as many regulations as large corporations, the size of the farm is not as important as the safety of the food. Producers of leafy greens, tomatoes and other foods that more frequently cause illness should have to follow strict standards to keep contamination away from food no matter what the size of their operation, they say.
The two sides were working toward a compromise Tuesday. If the Senate votes to proceed, senators probably would then consider Tester's amendment as part of floor debate on the bill.
Whether the bill could make it to the president's desk during the brief lame-duck congressional session is unclear since the House passed a different version of the legislation in 2009. Even if the Senate passes the bill, the two pieces of legislation would have to be quickly reconciled before the end of this session sometime after Thanksgiving.
President Barack Obama issued a statement in support of the Senate bill Tuesday, saying the legislation would address "long-standing challenges" of the FDA by helping producers prevent foodborne outbreaks and giving the government more tools to keep food safe.
Recent outbreaks have exposed a lack of resources and authority at the FDA as the embattled agency has struggled to contain and trace contaminated products.
Currently, the FDA does not have the authority to order a recall and must negotiate recalls with the affected producers. The agency rarely inspects many food facilities and farms, visiting some every decade or so and others not at all.
WASHINGTON — The Senate has voted to move forward on a far-reaching food safety bill that would give the Food and Drug Administration more power to prevent foodborne illnesses.
The chamber voted 74-25 to proceed with the bill. Supporters needed 60 votes because Republican Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, had objected, saying the legislation's $1.4 billion cost isn't paid for.
The bill would give the FDA more authority to recall tainted products, increase inspections of food processors and require producers to follow stricter standards for keeping food safe in the wake of outbreaks of contaminated peanuts, eggs and produce that have sickened hundreds.
The House passed a similar bill over a year ago.
However, advocates for buying food produced locally worry the legislation's safety requirements could force small farms out of business.
The opposition of these "locavores" — advocates for buying food directly from the farm or closer to home — and owners of small farms has become a sticking point in the Senate, which was to vote Wednesday on whether to consider the bill.
Supporters needed 60 votes because Republican Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, had objected, saying the legislation's $1.4 billion cost isn't paid for.
While the bill is designed to give the Food and Drug Administration greater authority over the nation's food supply, opponents say it could bankrupt some small farms that don't have the means to comply with new standards the bill would impose.
Story: 5 ways the food safety bill would affect you
Those standards could include registering food safety plans with the FDA and documenting efforts to show food is not contaminated as it is produced.
"It's going to put a nail in the coffin of our family food producers," said Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., who is planning an amendment to exempt some small farms who market food close to their operations. He says many small farms already comply with state and local regulations to keep food safe.
Concerns overblown? Food safety advocates are lobbying against the Tester amendment, saying his concerns are overblown and efforts to broadly exempt smaller farms could be misguided. They argue that the legislation, which would give the FDA more authority to recall tainted products, increase inspections of food processors and require producers to follow stricter standards for keeping food safe, is crucial in the wake of outbreaks of contaminated peanuts, eggs and produce that have sickened hundreds.
"Our view is that food should be safe no matter what the source is," said Erik Olson, director of food and consumer product safety at the Pew Health Group.
Olson and other advocates say that while small farms may not need to follow as many regulations as large corporations, the size of the farm is not as important as the safety of the food. Producers of leafy greens, tomatoes and other foods that more frequently cause illness should have to follow strict standards to keep contamination away from food no matter what the size of their operation, they say.
The two sides were working toward a compromise Tuesday. If the Senate votes to proceed, senators probably would then consider Tester's amendment as part of floor debate on the bill.
Whether the bill could make it to the president's desk during the brief lame-duck congressional session is unclear since the House passed a different version of the legislation in 2009. Even if the Senate passes the bill, the two pieces of legislation would have to be quickly reconciled before the end of this session sometime after Thanksgiving.
President Barack Obama issued a statement in support of the Senate bill Tuesday, saying the legislation would address "long-standing challenges" of the FDA by helping producers prevent foodborne outbreaks and giving the government more tools to keep food safe.
Recent outbreaks have exposed a lack of resources and authority at the FDA as the embattled agency has struggled to contain and trace contaminated products.
Currently, the FDA does not have the authority to order a recall and must negotiate recalls with the affected producers. The agency rarely inspects many food facilities and farms, visiting some every decade or so and others not at all.
Monday, November 15, 2010
College time humor
Hinting at needing money
Dear Father,
$chool i$ really great. I am making lot$ of friend$ and $tudying very hard. With all my $tuff, I $imply I can't think of anything I need, $o if you would like, you can ju$t $end me a card, a$ I would love to hear from you.
Love, Your $on.
After receiving his son's letter, the father immediately replies by sending a letter back.
Dear Son,
I kNOw that astroNOmy, ecoNOmics, and oceaNOgraphy are eNOugh to keep even an hoNOr student busy. Do NOt forget that the pursuit of kNOwledge is a NOble task, and you can never study eNOugh.
Love, Dad
Dear Father,
$chool i$ really great. I am making lot$ of friend$ and $tudying very hard. With all my $tuff, I $imply I can't think of anything I need, $o if you would like, you can ju$t $end me a card, a$ I would love to hear from you.
Love, Your $on.
After receiving his son's letter, the father immediately replies by sending a letter back.
Dear Son,
I kNOw that astroNOmy, ecoNOmics, and oceaNOgraphy are eNOugh to keep even an hoNOr student busy. Do NOt forget that the pursuit of kNOwledge is a NOble task, and you can never study eNOugh.
Love, Dad
Monday, November 8, 2010
District Scholarship Winners Announced!!!!
Kyle Alcorn and Kristen Fry, son of Ron & Jane Alcorn and daughter of Phil & Janice Fry received the top District Scholarship awards. They are both studying in an Agricultural field at Purdue University. The next major FB activity will be the State Convention at Indianapolis on December 10-11, 2010.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Fall District Farm Bureau Meeting
Dist 5 - Fall Awards Program
Location:Putnam County Fairgrounds Community Building
Start:6:30 PM
This next year's Annual Putnam County Farm Bureau meeting will be held Feb. 21
also at the fairgrounds at 6:30 pm
Location:Putnam County Fairgrounds Community Building
Start:6:30 PM
This next year's Annual Putnam County Farm Bureau meeting will be held Feb. 21
also at the fairgrounds at 6:30 pm
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Putnam County Election Results
PUTNAM COUNTY
Prosecutor
R -- Tim Bookwalter 6,498 votes 69.05%
I -- Robert Perry 2912 votes 30.95%
Sheriff
R -- Steve Fenwick 5,765 votes 57.41%
I -- Joe Tesmer 2,422 votes 24.12%
D -- Garry Clark 1,854 votes 18.46%
STATE OF INDIANA
House District 44
R -- Jim Baird 5,639 votes 54.88%
D -- Nancy Michael 4,250 votes 41.36%
I -- Dennis Beatty 386 votes 3.76%
Secretary of State
R -- Charlie White 6,451 votes 64.64%
D -- Vop Osili 2,750 votes 27.56%
L -- Mike Wherry 779 votes 7.81
Auditor of State
R -- Tim Berry 6,555 votes 67.83%
D -- Same Locke 2,565 votes 26.54
L -- Eric Knipe 544 votes 5.63
Treasurer of State
R -- Richard Mourdock 6,821 votes 70.36%
D -- Pete Buttigieg 2,818 votes 29.24
FEDERAL OFFICES
United States Senator
R -- Dan Coats 5,965 votes 58.72%
D -- Brad Ellsworth 3,452 votes 33.99%
L -- Rebecca Sink-Burris 738 votes 7.27%
House District 8
R -- Larry Bucshon 6,506 votes 65.12%
D -- Trent VanHaaften 2,759 votes 27.60%
L -- John Cunninghamn 724 votes 7.24%
TOWNSHIPS
Greencastle Township Board Member (Top 3)
R -- Karen Hill Ambler 2,391 votes 30.05%
D -- Charles Miles 2,024 votes 25.43%
R -- Marilyn Clearwaters 1,965 votes 24.69%
D -- Doris J. Miller 1,578 votes 19.83%
Warren Township Board Member (Top 3)
R -- Sharon C. Evans 295 votes 32.63%
R -- Bob Dennis 225 votes 24.89%
R -- Lawrence W. Muncie 221 votes 24.45%
D -- Rex A. Parker 163 votes 18.03%
SCHOOL BOARDS
Cloverdale School Board Cloverdale Township
Brian Asbury 519 votes 55.69%
William S. Schwartz 413 votes 44.31%
Cloverdale School Board Taylor Township
Duane L. Huge 491 votes 51.74%
James F. Sharp 458 votes 48.26%
North Putnam School Board Clinton Township
Travis R. Lambermont 188 votes 51.09%
Scott R. Rader 180 votes 48.91%
South Putnam School Board Jefferson Township
Wesley Hacker 240 votes 59.55%
Darwyn Nelson 163 votes 40.45%
South Putnam School Board Warren Township
David Bombei 181 votes 53.71%
Adam Hughes 156 votes 46.29%
Prosecutor
R -- Tim Bookwalter 6,498 votes 69.05%
I -- Robert Perry 2912 votes 30.95%
Sheriff
R -- Steve Fenwick 5,765 votes 57.41%
I -- Joe Tesmer 2,422 votes 24.12%
D -- Garry Clark 1,854 votes 18.46%
STATE OF INDIANA
House District 44
R -- Jim Baird 5,639 votes 54.88%
D -- Nancy Michael 4,250 votes 41.36%
I -- Dennis Beatty 386 votes 3.76%
Secretary of State
R -- Charlie White 6,451 votes 64.64%
D -- Vop Osili 2,750 votes 27.56%
L -- Mike Wherry 779 votes 7.81
Auditor of State
R -- Tim Berry 6,555 votes 67.83%
D -- Same Locke 2,565 votes 26.54
L -- Eric Knipe 544 votes 5.63
Treasurer of State
R -- Richard Mourdock 6,821 votes 70.36%
D -- Pete Buttigieg 2,818 votes 29.24
FEDERAL OFFICES
United States Senator
R -- Dan Coats 5,965 votes 58.72%
D -- Brad Ellsworth 3,452 votes 33.99%
L -- Rebecca Sink-Burris 738 votes 7.27%
House District 8
R -- Larry Bucshon 6,506 votes 65.12%
D -- Trent VanHaaften 2,759 votes 27.60%
L -- John Cunninghamn 724 votes 7.24%
TOWNSHIPS
Greencastle Township Board Member (Top 3)
R -- Karen Hill Ambler 2,391 votes 30.05%
D -- Charles Miles 2,024 votes 25.43%
R -- Marilyn Clearwaters 1,965 votes 24.69%
D -- Doris J. Miller 1,578 votes 19.83%
Warren Township Board Member (Top 3)
R -- Sharon C. Evans 295 votes 32.63%
R -- Bob Dennis 225 votes 24.89%
R -- Lawrence W. Muncie 221 votes 24.45%
D -- Rex A. Parker 163 votes 18.03%
SCHOOL BOARDS
Cloverdale School Board Cloverdale Township
Brian Asbury 519 votes 55.69%
William S. Schwartz 413 votes 44.31%
Cloverdale School Board Taylor Township
Duane L. Huge 491 votes 51.74%
James F. Sharp 458 votes 48.26%
North Putnam School Board Clinton Township
Travis R. Lambermont 188 votes 51.09%
Scott R. Rader 180 votes 48.91%
South Putnam School Board Jefferson Township
Wesley Hacker 240 votes 59.55%
Darwyn Nelson 163 votes 40.45%
South Putnam School Board Warren Township
David Bombei 181 votes 53.71%
Adam Hughes 156 votes 46.29%
Monday, November 1, 2010
Election Day.
Yes, Tuesday November 2 is election day. If you don't know where to vote call the Putnam County Clerk's office 653-2648. Please try and learn as much as you can about the candidates and vote for the best candidate and not a political party. The candidate with the most signs or the biggest ads may not be the best person for the job. If only the party system would disappear when the candidates reach office and are able to vote or make good decisions on their own without being forced to vote the party line. It's a fine line they walk between doing what their voting public wants and what their party wants. Whoever is elected we MUST pray that they will look for divine guidance when making important decisions.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Just check no on the Property Tax Question!
Reprinted from the Indianapolis Star Oct 19:
On Nov. 2, Hoosiers will vote on making property tax caps a part of our state constitution. The Star, the governor and most state-level politicians support the caps. I will vote no.
First, the state legislature understood that property tax caps would reduce local government revenues. Some think this will force localities to become more efficient. Instead, we are more likely to face deteriorating public services.
To meet the potential catastrophe, localities have been given toxic remedies. The local option income tax has been forced upon our communities by the General Assembly. This tax is levied on households only. The state did not give localities the power to tax local corporations. Therefore, a reduction in property taxes is enjoyed by all property owners, but paid for exclusively by households.
In addition, there are now referendum opportunities for local initiatives. These are expensive options that deny the benefits of representative government in favor of emotional campaigns in opposition to progress.
Second, I believe in the potential of local representative government. A constitutional amendment for property caps puts concrete shoes on a struggling institution already in deep water.
Local governments struggle to support police, fire, parks and sanitation services. Winter weather can devastate local budgets. Local schools are the essential tools for economic development; they attract responsible citizens and send forth well-prepared students. Local libraries serve people of all ages with information, connections to the Internet world, and inexpensive entertainment.
As far back as the property tax reforms of 1973, Indiana degraded local government and shifted power to state government. The legislature has increased its control of our schools. Cities and towns have become prisoners of the state in the tax wars. Libraries have been forced to defend their very existence.
Yes, some local governments have built attractive city halls and some school corporations have modernized their facilities while beset by local opposition. In retrospect, those objections often prove to be ill-informed attempts to prevent our communities from moving into modern times.
Third, homeowners think they are going to realize benefits from the caps, but that is not likely for the vast majority. A study by the Legislative Services Agency showed that only 4 percent of the tax reductions from the existing caps went to homeowners. Farmers got virtually nothing from the caps. Nearly 60 percent of the caps benefitted the owners of small rental housing units, commercial apartments and second homes, with about 36 percent going to commercial and industrial properties.
If you believe in making local decisions locally, then vote against the tax caps.
If you believe that all property ought to be treated alike and taxes should not be shifted to households from businesses, vote no on caps.
If you believe that local government services are the foundation of your community's well-being, defeat the property tax caps proposition.
Marcus is an economist formerly with the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.
On Nov. 2, Hoosiers will vote on making property tax caps a part of our state constitution. The Star, the governor and most state-level politicians support the caps. I will vote no.
First, the state legislature understood that property tax caps would reduce local government revenues. Some think this will force localities to become more efficient. Instead, we are more likely to face deteriorating public services.
To meet the potential catastrophe, localities have been given toxic remedies. The local option income tax has been forced upon our communities by the General Assembly. This tax is levied on households only. The state did not give localities the power to tax local corporations. Therefore, a reduction in property taxes is enjoyed by all property owners, but paid for exclusively by households.
In addition, there are now referendum opportunities for local initiatives. These are expensive options that deny the benefits of representative government in favor of emotional campaigns in opposition to progress.
Second, I believe in the potential of local representative government. A constitutional amendment for property caps puts concrete shoes on a struggling institution already in deep water.
Local governments struggle to support police, fire, parks and sanitation services. Winter weather can devastate local budgets. Local schools are the essential tools for economic development; they attract responsible citizens and send forth well-prepared students. Local libraries serve people of all ages with information, connections to the Internet world, and inexpensive entertainment.
As far back as the property tax reforms of 1973, Indiana degraded local government and shifted power to state government. The legislature has increased its control of our schools. Cities and towns have become prisoners of the state in the tax wars. Libraries have been forced to defend their very existence.
Yes, some local governments have built attractive city halls and some school corporations have modernized their facilities while beset by local opposition. In retrospect, those objections often prove to be ill-informed attempts to prevent our communities from moving into modern times.
Third, homeowners think they are going to realize benefits from the caps, but that is not likely for the vast majority. A study by the Legislative Services Agency showed that only 4 percent of the tax reductions from the existing caps went to homeowners. Farmers got virtually nothing from the caps. Nearly 60 percent of the caps benefitted the owners of small rental housing units, commercial apartments and second homes, with about 36 percent going to commercial and industrial properties.
If you believe in making local decisions locally, then vote against the tax caps.
If you believe that all property ought to be treated alike and taxes should not be shifted to households from businesses, vote no on caps.
If you believe that local government services are the foundation of your community's well-being, defeat the property tax caps proposition.
Marcus is an economist formerly with the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.
Monday, October 11, 2010
2010 Putnam County Ballot
Minus the School Board elections, trustees, or other township candidates.
United States Senator
Dan Coats (R)
Brad Ellsworth (D)
Rebecca Sink-Burris (L)
United States Representative District 8
Larry D Bucshon (R)
W Trent Van Haaften (D)
John Cunningham (L)
State Representative District 44
James (Jim) Baird (R)
Nancy A Michael (D)
Dennis Beatty (L)
Secretary of state
Charlie White (R)
VOP Osili (D)
Mike Wherry (L)
Treasurer of State
Richard E Mourdock (R)
Pete Buttigieg (D)
Auditor of the State
Tim Berry (R)
Sam Locke (D)
Eric Knipe (L)
Putnam County Clerk
Marty Watts (R)
Putnam County Assessor
Nancy R Dennis (R)
Putnam County Commissioner District #2
Nancy E Fogle (R)
Putnam County Council District #2
Roger L Deck (R)
Putnam County Recorder
Opal J Sutherlin (R)
Putnam County Sheriff
Steve Fenwick (R)
Garry A Clark (D)
Joseph B Tesmer (I)
Putnam County Surveyor
David E Penturf (R)
Judge of the Circuit Court - Putnam Co.
Matthew L Headley (R)
Prosecuting Attorney - 64th Judicial Circuit
Tim Bookwalter (R)
Robert Perry (I)
Searching Judges by name will give you some background on the judges
Court of Appeals Judge Retention 5th District
Judge Elaine B Brown
Court of Appeals Judge Retention 5th District
Judge Margret G. Robb
Court of Appeals Judge Retention 1st District
Judge Lloyd Mark Bailey
Court of Appeals Judge Retention 4th District
Judge Melissa S. May
Public Question #1
Shall property taxes be limited for all classes of property by amending the Constitution of the State of Indiana to do the following: (1) Limit a taxpayer's annual property tax bill to the following percentages of gross assessed value: (A) 1% for an owner-occupied primary residence (homestead); (B) 2% for residential property, other than an owner-occupied primary residence, including apartments; (C) 2% for agricultural land; (D) 3% for other real property; and (E) 3% for personal property. The above percentages exclude any property taxes imposed after being approved by the voters in a referendum. (2) Specify that the General Assembly may grant a property tax exemption in the form of a deduction or credit and exempt a mobile home used as a primary residence to the same extent as real property?
Please research the pros and cons to passing this public question..............
Putnam County Farm Bureau opposes the Public Question as this contradicts the goal of a fair and equal taxation of the people of Indiana.
United States Senator
Dan Coats (R)
Brad Ellsworth (D)
Rebecca Sink-Burris (L)
United States Representative District 8
Larry D Bucshon (R)
W Trent Van Haaften (D)
John Cunningham (L)
State Representative District 44
James (Jim) Baird (R)
Nancy A Michael (D)
Dennis Beatty (L)
Secretary of state
Charlie White (R)
VOP Osili (D)
Mike Wherry (L)
Treasurer of State
Richard E Mourdock (R)
Pete Buttigieg (D)
Auditor of the State
Tim Berry (R)
Sam Locke (D)
Eric Knipe (L)
Putnam County Clerk
Marty Watts (R)
Putnam County Assessor
Nancy R Dennis (R)
Putnam County Commissioner District #2
Nancy E Fogle (R)
Putnam County Council District #2
Roger L Deck (R)
Putnam County Recorder
Opal J Sutherlin (R)
Putnam County Sheriff
Steve Fenwick (R)
Garry A Clark (D)
Joseph B Tesmer (I)
Putnam County Surveyor
David E Penturf (R)
Judge of the Circuit Court - Putnam Co.
Matthew L Headley (R)
Prosecuting Attorney - 64th Judicial Circuit
Tim Bookwalter (R)
Robert Perry (I)
Searching Judges by name will give you some background on the judges
Court of Appeals Judge Retention 5th District
Judge Elaine B Brown
Court of Appeals Judge Retention 5th District
Judge Margret G. Robb
Court of Appeals Judge Retention 1st District
Judge Lloyd Mark Bailey
Court of Appeals Judge Retention 4th District
Judge Melissa S. May
Public Question #1
Shall property taxes be limited for all classes of property by amending the Constitution of the State of Indiana to do the following: (1) Limit a taxpayer's annual property tax bill to the following percentages of gross assessed value: (A) 1% for an owner-occupied primary residence (homestead); (B) 2% for residential property, other than an owner-occupied primary residence, including apartments; (C) 2% for agricultural land; (D) 3% for other real property; and (E) 3% for personal property. The above percentages exclude any property taxes imposed after being approved by the voters in a referendum. (2) Specify that the General Assembly may grant a property tax exemption in the form of a deduction or credit and exempt a mobile home used as a primary residence to the same extent as real property?
Please research the pros and cons to passing this public question..............
Putnam County Farm Bureau opposes the Public Question as this contradicts the goal of a fair and equal taxation of the people of Indiana.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Mark Legan speaks out!!
Hoosier Pork Producer Voices Concern over GIPSA Proposal
10/03/2010NAFB News Service
In an open letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsak, Mark Legan, pork producer from Coatesville, Indiana, and chairman of NPPC's Competitive Markets Committee, has a suggestion for the Secretary. Legan writes: if you really want to entice people back to the rural lifestyle and increase competition in the livestock industry, scrap the Grain, Inspection and Packers and Stockyards Administration’s proposed rule and start over. Legan says the regulations - will result in government, not producers, deciding how livestock are bought and sold in this country.Legan’s letter continues: - if the goal is to limit packer contracts, the new rules will certainly succeed. They will force hog farmers like me into the smaller ‘cash market,’ where risks can be greater. With fewer contracts, producers will find it more difficult to get financing. Some will simply not survive. That will eliminate desperately needed rural jobs and, once again, lead to decreased – not increased – competition in livestock farming. It will also drive up costs, leading to higher retail meat prices and fewer choices for consumers.Legan said, - packers will likely pay just one price – almost certainly the lowest – to all producers, regardless of quality of their animals or any other special circumstances. This will not only lower prices, it will take away any incentive we have to innovate or produce higher quality animals. Legan emphasized: - there’s no way I could start out in farming today if these rules were in effect.
10/03/2010NAFB News Service
In an open letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsak, Mark Legan, pork producer from Coatesville, Indiana, and chairman of NPPC's Competitive Markets Committee, has a suggestion for the Secretary. Legan writes: if you really want to entice people back to the rural lifestyle and increase competition in the livestock industry, scrap the Grain, Inspection and Packers and Stockyards Administration’s proposed rule and start over. Legan says the regulations - will result in government, not producers, deciding how livestock are bought and sold in this country.Legan’s letter continues: - if the goal is to limit packer contracts, the new rules will certainly succeed. They will force hog farmers like me into the smaller ‘cash market,’ where risks can be greater. With fewer contracts, producers will find it more difficult to get financing. Some will simply not survive. That will eliminate desperately needed rural jobs and, once again, lead to decreased – not increased – competition in livestock farming. It will also drive up costs, leading to higher retail meat prices and fewer choices for consumers.Legan said, - packers will likely pay just one price – almost certainly the lowest – to all producers, regardless of quality of their animals or any other special circumstances. This will not only lower prices, it will take away any incentive we have to innovate or produce higher quality animals. Legan emphasized: - there’s no way I could start out in farming today if these rules were in effect.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
HSUS taking money from local pet shelters?
What Do Local Shelters Think Of Good, Old HSUS?
Amanda Nolz September 28th, 2010
What do local shelters think of the good, old Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS)? That was the question posed to me when I spoke at the American Farm Bureau’s Promotion and Education Conference in Bloomington, MN last Friday. After discussing some of the recent happenings and run-ins occurring in my home state of South Dakota with the national organization, I reminded the group of some key statistics that we need to be sharing with our friends, neighbors and colleagues.For example, did you know?
-83% of Americans have a favorable view of HSUS.
-71% of Americans believe HSUS is an umbrella group for local pet shelters.
-63% believe their local shelter is associated with HSUS.
-59% believe HSUS shares most of its money with local pet shelters.
-Yet, less than 1/2 of 1% actually goes to local shelters.
*Statistics courtesy of HumaneWatch.org.
During my speech, one attendee raised her hand and shared with the group that she had worked with their local shelter before, and they felt HSUS actually took away money that might otherwise be given to them directly. They were actually considering changing their name in order to differentiate themselves from the group and raise money for the work they do to help animals.
Today’s homework is this: Initiate a conversation with your local animal shelter. Find out what they think about the national organization. Share with them the statistics of HSUS and how very few dollars actually trickle down to local shelters. Do they realize these things? Have they been impacted by the cute kitty and puppy commercials asking viewers for $19.99 each month for HSUS? Ask the managers how communities can assist and keep these doors open to continue to help animals.
As farmers and ranchers, we practice animal care each and every day. These local shelters have the same goals in mind. Certainly, we can work together to educate consumers how their hard-earned dollars can be better spent than sending it to our pals at the HSUS lobbying office. What are your thoughts?
Amanda Nolz September 28th, 2010
What do local shelters think of the good, old Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS)? That was the question posed to me when I spoke at the American Farm Bureau’s Promotion and Education Conference in Bloomington, MN last Friday. After discussing some of the recent happenings and run-ins occurring in my home state of South Dakota with the national organization, I reminded the group of some key statistics that we need to be sharing with our friends, neighbors and colleagues.For example, did you know?
-83% of Americans have a favorable view of HSUS.
-71% of Americans believe HSUS is an umbrella group for local pet shelters.
-63% believe their local shelter is associated with HSUS.
-59% believe HSUS shares most of its money with local pet shelters.
-Yet, less than 1/2 of 1% actually goes to local shelters.
*Statistics courtesy of HumaneWatch.org.
During my speech, one attendee raised her hand and shared with the group that she had worked with their local shelter before, and they felt HSUS actually took away money that might otherwise be given to them directly. They were actually considering changing their name in order to differentiate themselves from the group and raise money for the work they do to help animals.
Today’s homework is this: Initiate a conversation with your local animal shelter. Find out what they think about the national organization. Share with them the statistics of HSUS and how very few dollars actually trickle down to local shelters. Do they realize these things? Have they been impacted by the cute kitty and puppy commercials asking viewers for $19.99 each month for HSUS? Ask the managers how communities can assist and keep these doors open to continue to help animals.
As farmers and ranchers, we practice animal care each and every day. These local shelters have the same goals in mind. Certainly, we can work together to educate consumers how their hard-earned dollars can be better spent than sending it to our pals at the HSUS lobbying office. What are your thoughts?
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Fairboard Annual meeting
The Putnam County Fair and 4-H Club Association will hold it's Annual meeting Monday, September 27th at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Building on the Fairgrounds. There will be a pitch-in dinner with meat, rolls, drink and table service provided. You are asked to provide a well filled basket for all to enjoy. According to the bylaws it appears that these townships will be voted upon this (even) year. Listed are the townships and those currently seated on the board.
Jackson - Jeff Coffman
Madison - Ken Heeke
Warren - Rick Sutherland
Cloverdale - Kevin Oxford
Monroe - Jim Hilburn
Marion - My Gilley
Franklin - Raymond McCloud
At - Large positions
Steve Cash
Gerald Edwards
Gerrit Thompson
Terry Clifford
LT Taylor
Rick Judy
Al Harwood
Gene Grable
Officers to be elected at the October meeting will be President, Vice President, and Treasurer.
Livestock Auction Buyers are invited to be our guests at the meeting and are not required to bring any food.
Jackson - Jeff Coffman
Madison - Ken Heeke
Warren - Rick Sutherland
Cloverdale - Kevin Oxford
Monroe - Jim Hilburn
Marion - My Gilley
Franklin - Raymond McCloud
At - Large positions
Steve Cash
Gerald Edwards
Gerrit Thompson
Terry Clifford
LT Taylor
Rick Judy
Al Harwood
Gene Grable
Officers to be elected at the October meeting will be President, Vice President, and Treasurer.
Livestock Auction Buyers are invited to be our guests at the meeting and are not required to bring any food.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
2010 Master Farmer - Keith Berry
Local grower gives back
Greencastle farmer Keith Berry was recently honored by Indiana Prairie Farmer Magazine as a Master Farmer for 2010.
While the award recognizes Keith's commitment and contributions to agriculture, it is also a recognition of the many ways this local man gives back in Putnam County.
Keith raises corn and soybeans near Greencastle, and also operates a 135-sow farrow to finish operation with his son, Brian. Keith has served in leadership in several capacities: As president of Indiana Pork Producers, president of National Pork Producers Council, and within Putnam County SWCD, where he has also achieved awards.
He is also a dedicated volunteer: earning the Blue and Gold Award from South Putnam FFA, and serving as trustee of Putnamville Baptist Church, and as vice president of Putnam County Council.
Keith also provides valuable insights and leadership on the Co-Alliance Board of Directors.
He has served for many years in this capacity, and was nominated for the Master Farmer award by fellow director Jim Lankford.
Kevin A. Still, CEO of Co-Alliance, said, "I truly can't imagine navigating all the experiences we have (at Co-Alliance) without the influence of Keith Berry."
Greencastle farmer Keith Berry was recently honored by Indiana Prairie Farmer Magazine as a Master Farmer for 2010.
While the award recognizes Keith's commitment and contributions to agriculture, it is also a recognition of the many ways this local man gives back in Putnam County.
Keith raises corn and soybeans near Greencastle, and also operates a 135-sow farrow to finish operation with his son, Brian. Keith has served in leadership in several capacities: As president of Indiana Pork Producers, president of National Pork Producers Council, and within Putnam County SWCD, where he has also achieved awards.
He is also a dedicated volunteer: earning the Blue and Gold Award from South Putnam FFA, and serving as trustee of Putnamville Baptist Church, and as vice president of Putnam County Council.
Keith also provides valuable insights and leadership on the Co-Alliance Board of Directors.
He has served for many years in this capacity, and was nominated for the Master Farmer award by fellow director Jim Lankford.
Kevin A. Still, CEO of Co-Alliance, said, "I truly can't imagine navigating all the experiences we have (at Co-Alliance) without the influence of Keith Berry."
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Rural Youth / Young Adult Reunion
Rural Youth/Young Adults alumni reunion planned for Sept. 25
The biennial statewide reunion for all former members of Rural Youth/Young Adults will be on Saturday, Sept. 25, in Scott Hall at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Franklin, Ind.
Registration is at 1 p.m. EDT, and the program begins at 2 p.m. EDT. Supper will be available for purchase.
This is a new site for the reunion, which is held every two years. This year’s reunion will include special recognition of members who participated in the Alpine ski trip to Innsbruck, Austria, December 1969-January 1970. Keynote speaker will be Isabella Chism, second vice president of Indiana Farm Bureau Inc. and a naturalized citizen of the U.S. who was born in Austria.
Sponsored by Indiana Farm Bureau Inc. and Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, Rural Youth/Young Adults was active from 1939-1989. It was made up of single adults between the ages of 18-28. The three broad aims of the organization were education, recreation and community service.
Its peak membership occurred in the 1950s and ’60s when it boasted 6,000 members statewide.
At one time or another there was a Rural Youth/Young Adult club in each county in Indiana. Some clubs functioned continuously from the beginning; others were disbanded and reorganized at later dates. Still in existence is the RY/YA club in Bartholomew County, which has for many years sold homemade ice cream at the Bartholomew County Fair.
The ski trip to Austria wasn’t the only trip sponsored by RY/YA. Among the others were trips to Spain, Hawaii and Las Vegas as well as to dude ranches in Texas and Colorado and the World’s Fair in Toronto, Canada.
One of the group’s major statewide community service projects was installing seat belts in automobiles before they were required by the federal government.
Dennis Noel of Seymour, Ind. (bjnoel13@juno.com ), and Richard Nigh of Shelbyville (rlnigh@yahoo.com ) are co-chairmen for this year’s reunion. They lead a planning committee of seven people from across the state. Mike Jones, Anderson, Ind. (miketiltent@comcast.net ), retiree from Indiana Farm Bureau Inc., and Howard Crussel, Lafayette (765-447-4239), retiree from Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, both former state RY/YA consultants, are now advisors to the committee.
The biennial statewide reunion for all former members of Rural Youth/Young Adults will be on Saturday, Sept. 25, in Scott Hall at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Franklin, Ind.
Registration is at 1 p.m. EDT, and the program begins at 2 p.m. EDT. Supper will be available for purchase.
This is a new site for the reunion, which is held every two years. This year’s reunion will include special recognition of members who participated in the Alpine ski trip to Innsbruck, Austria, December 1969-January 1970. Keynote speaker will be Isabella Chism, second vice president of Indiana Farm Bureau Inc. and a naturalized citizen of the U.S. who was born in Austria.
Sponsored by Indiana Farm Bureau Inc. and Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, Rural Youth/Young Adults was active from 1939-1989. It was made up of single adults between the ages of 18-28. The three broad aims of the organization were education, recreation and community service.
Its peak membership occurred in the 1950s and ’60s when it boasted 6,000 members statewide.
At one time or another there was a Rural Youth/Young Adult club in each county in Indiana. Some clubs functioned continuously from the beginning; others were disbanded and reorganized at later dates. Still in existence is the RY/YA club in Bartholomew County, which has for many years sold homemade ice cream at the Bartholomew County Fair.
The ski trip to Austria wasn’t the only trip sponsored by RY/YA. Among the others were trips to Spain, Hawaii and Las Vegas as well as to dude ranches in Texas and Colorado and the World’s Fair in Toronto, Canada.
One of the group’s major statewide community service projects was installing seat belts in automobiles before they were required by the federal government.
Dennis Noel of Seymour, Ind. (bjnoel13@juno.com ), and Richard Nigh of Shelbyville (rlnigh@yahoo.com ) are co-chairmen for this year’s reunion. They lead a planning committee of seven people from across the state. Mike Jones, Anderson, Ind. (miketiltent@comcast.net ), retiree from Indiana Farm Bureau Inc., and Howard Crussel, Lafayette (765-447-4239), retiree from Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, both former state RY/YA consultants, are now advisors to the committee.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
More on HSUS
HSUS Closes Doors to Agriculture, Store Owner Cancels Meeting
Amanda Nolz September 1st, 2010
“Want to find out how you can help animals? The Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) invites our members, supporters and other animal advocates to a grassroots meeting to discuss current issues affecting animals. If you are concerned about local animal issues or just interested in creating a more compassionate South Dakota, you should attend this informative meeting to learn how you can take action for animals. Remember to bring your ideas, concerns and questions, and don’t forget to invite your friends. RSVP today to lend your hand and make a difference for the animals in South Dakota! Please tell all your friends. Hope to see you there!”
The above invitation was sent out by HSUS, which currently has a full-time staff member located in South Dakota. The proposed meeting was to be held on Aug. 25 at Oh My Cupcakes, a locally owned shop in downtown Sioux Falls. Interestingly enough, when several agriculture groups and producers responded to the invite and sent in their RSVPs, they were surprised to learn that they were quickly uninvited to the event.
Darci Adams, the HSUS state director for South Dakota, sent out an email to anyone with ties to the agriculture industry that read, “Perhaps you’ve been misinformed, but this is not a public event. This is a private gathering for members of HSUS and supporters who want to get involved in our work to alleviate animal cruelty.”
Adams offered to meet with the farmers and ranchers at a “separate, more appropriate setting.” Unlike my counterparts, I was just planning on showing up to the meeting, leaving my boots at home and carrying a checkbook in hand. (I figured that would give me an all-access pass to the meeting!) However, the meeting was canceled after the owner of the shop that was to host the event received a few phone calls from producers sharing their disappointment with her affiliation with HSUS. She felt hoodwinked by HSUS, she said, especially because she is a strong supporter of local farmers and ranchers, purchasing her eggs and milk from area farmers to make her delicious cupcakes.
What are you afraid of, HSUS? Why couldn’t farmers and ranchers attend your meeting? How does it feel to know a local business didn’t want to be connected to you? What’s your next plan to deceive consumers once they know that you aren’t connected to local animal shelters?
I thought all of you might like to know what’s going on in my neck of the woods. Remember to keep it positive and continue working to educate others about the true mission of HSUS, which is to abolish animal agriculture and eliminate meat, dairy and eggs from the American diet. For more information on this subject, check out www.humanewatch.org.
Oh, and by the way, the next time you swing through Sioux Falls, be sure to stop at Oh My Cupcakes and enjoy one of their sweet treats. I look forward to trying fun flavors like “The Marilyn” and “Party Animal.”
Amanda Nolz September 1st, 2010
“Want to find out how you can help animals? The Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) invites our members, supporters and other animal advocates to a grassroots meeting to discuss current issues affecting animals. If you are concerned about local animal issues or just interested in creating a more compassionate South Dakota, you should attend this informative meeting to learn how you can take action for animals. Remember to bring your ideas, concerns and questions, and don’t forget to invite your friends. RSVP today to lend your hand and make a difference for the animals in South Dakota! Please tell all your friends. Hope to see you there!”
The above invitation was sent out by HSUS, which currently has a full-time staff member located in South Dakota. The proposed meeting was to be held on Aug. 25 at Oh My Cupcakes, a locally owned shop in downtown Sioux Falls. Interestingly enough, when several agriculture groups and producers responded to the invite and sent in their RSVPs, they were surprised to learn that they were quickly uninvited to the event.
Darci Adams, the HSUS state director for South Dakota, sent out an email to anyone with ties to the agriculture industry that read, “Perhaps you’ve been misinformed, but this is not a public event. This is a private gathering for members of HSUS and supporters who want to get involved in our work to alleviate animal cruelty.”
Adams offered to meet with the farmers and ranchers at a “separate, more appropriate setting.” Unlike my counterparts, I was just planning on showing up to the meeting, leaving my boots at home and carrying a checkbook in hand. (I figured that would give me an all-access pass to the meeting!) However, the meeting was canceled after the owner of the shop that was to host the event received a few phone calls from producers sharing their disappointment with her affiliation with HSUS. She felt hoodwinked by HSUS, she said, especially because she is a strong supporter of local farmers and ranchers, purchasing her eggs and milk from area farmers to make her delicious cupcakes.
What are you afraid of, HSUS? Why couldn’t farmers and ranchers attend your meeting? How does it feel to know a local business didn’t want to be connected to you? What’s your next plan to deceive consumers once they know that you aren’t connected to local animal shelters?
I thought all of you might like to know what’s going on in my neck of the woods. Remember to keep it positive and continue working to educate others about the true mission of HSUS, which is to abolish animal agriculture and eliminate meat, dairy and eggs from the American diet. For more information on this subject, check out www.humanewatch.org.
Oh, and by the way, the next time you swing through Sioux Falls, be sure to stop at Oh My Cupcakes and enjoy one of their sweet treats. I look forward to trying fun flavors like “The Marilyn” and “Party Animal.”
Sunday, August 29, 2010
2010 Putnam County Farm Bureau Pet Parade
As promised here are some of the participants in this year's Pet Parade. Thanks to Phyllis Legan for serving as MC, Ryan Wilson, Jerry Martin, and Nick Tharp were the judges. We do ask for your responses as to the interest in continuing the Pet Parade as we struggle to maintain our spot in the fair schedule. Patti Cash served as the Farm Bureau Committee Chairman of the event.
Friday, August 20, 2010
The truth about eggs !
USDA scientists have found that only about 1 in every 20,000 eggs might be contaminated with Salmonella. At current consumption rates, the average American might encounter one of those eggs every 84 years.
Even if an egg is contaminated with Salmonella, the only way it can translate into a human illness is if the egg isn’t refrigerated or cooked properly.
Even if an egg is contaminated with Salmonella, the only way it can translate into a human illness is if the egg isn’t refrigerated or cooked properly.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
FB Crop Meeting
Nearly 25 Putnam County Farmers had the opportunity to hear from Lynn Campbell of Cargill AgriHorizons Marketing Services and David Brooks and Trent Gray from POET biorefining on Thursday, August 19th. Lynn spoke to the group on Cargill's Personal Marketing Manager services where their experienced personnel will work with local farmers in analyzing the various crop markets and be able to explain the reasons behind each increase or decrease in crop prices along with changes in input costs. David Brooks, the General Manager of the POET Ethanol plant in Marion, Ohio and Trent Gray, the Commodity Manager for the plant in Alexandria, IN are working to help get the Cloverdale Ethanol plant up and running. The Cloverdale plant plans to begin purchasing corn immediately to fill the two existing bins at the site and then will purchase more corn in Feb. to fill two additional bins to be built. After $30 million in upgrades they plan to begin operation the end of March. The plant will employ around 40 people and interviews for hourly employment will begin at the end of this year. POET is currently the largest company in the world for the production of Ethanol. Trent suggested going to www.poet.com/alexandria for more information on prices and other news. The plant in Cloverdale will be a zero discharge plant. POET supports the addition of blending pumps to allow Ethanol customers to dial the % Ethanol they want in their gas. Any of today's cars can operate on a blend of as much as 50% but current engines work best with a 30%-40% blend and expect only a minimal drop of 1 MPG. Current research is working on an engine that will increase MPG and engine horsepower.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Farm Bureau Scholarships available (due 9-1-10)
Farm Bureau Scholarship Opportunities
Foundation Scholarship, Marion Stackhouse Scholarship and Career Enrichment Scholarships are the Indiana Farm Bureau Scholarships due by the first of September.
The Foundation Scholarship is due September 1st to the Farm Bureau Women’s Leader, Beth Evans, or it can be turned into the local Putnam County Farm Bureau office. One $500.00 scholarship will be awarded in each district. Eligible applicants must be over 17 years of age and from a family who has been a member of Indiana Farm Bureau for a period of two or more years prior to application. Additionally, the person must be a high school graduate, admitted to an approved or accredited school of higher learning and planning to study a minimum of 1 year as a full-time student in an ag-related major.
The Marion Stackhouse Scholarship is due September 1st. Applications must be sent to the Indiana Farm Bureau home office by the deadline. This scholarship may be used for a workshop, seminar, credit, or noncredit class or degree program in an agricultural area. One applicant may be awarded the full $1,000.00 scholarship, or it may be divided among several applications. Any Indiana Farm Bureau family member is eligible.
Career Enrichment Scholarship application deadline is September 2nd. Applications need to be returned to the organizational team at the Indiana Farm Bureau home office. This application is awarded to adults, 21 years or older. The scholarship may be used for a workshop, seminar, credit or non-credit class or degree program. The award will be made up to the of $500.00 (not to exceed cost of the class).
Applications for all the scholarships as well as additional information are available on the Indiana Farm Bureau website, www.infarmbureau.org. or from the local Farm Bureau office, or County Women’s Leader Beth Evans 765-720.0011.
Foundation Scholarship, Marion Stackhouse Scholarship and Career Enrichment Scholarships are the Indiana Farm Bureau Scholarships due by the first of September.
The Foundation Scholarship is due September 1st to the Farm Bureau Women’s Leader, Beth Evans, or it can be turned into the local Putnam County Farm Bureau office. One $500.00 scholarship will be awarded in each district. Eligible applicants must be over 17 years of age and from a family who has been a member of Indiana Farm Bureau for a period of two or more years prior to application. Additionally, the person must be a high school graduate, admitted to an approved or accredited school of higher learning and planning to study a minimum of 1 year as a full-time student in an ag-related major.
The Marion Stackhouse Scholarship is due September 1st. Applications must be sent to the Indiana Farm Bureau home office by the deadline. This scholarship may be used for a workshop, seminar, credit, or noncredit class or degree program in an agricultural area. One applicant may be awarded the full $1,000.00 scholarship, or it may be divided among several applications. Any Indiana Farm Bureau family member is eligible.
Career Enrichment Scholarship application deadline is September 2nd. Applications need to be returned to the organizational team at the Indiana Farm Bureau home office. This application is awarded to adults, 21 years or older. The scholarship may be used for a workshop, seminar, credit or non-credit class or degree program. The award will be made up to the of $500.00 (not to exceed cost of the class).
Applications for all the scholarships as well as additional information are available on the Indiana Farm Bureau website, www.infarmbureau.org. or from the local Farm Bureau office, or County Women’s Leader Beth Evans 765-720.0011.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
A Perfect Storm
Corn, Soybeans and Wheat Face the Perfect Storm
August 6, 2010
By: Greg Vincent, AGWEB.com Editor
We have a good crop in the United States, says Jerry Gulke, of the Gulke Group. The wheat harvest has gone well and there is a huge supply of wheat in this country. While there remain some questions about the stateside corn and soybean crops, what’s happening overseas and on the technical charts are combining to build a perfect storm that should lead to higher commodity prices for some time to come.
A little more than a month ago, $3.50/bu. for corn looked like a party. Now he says corn buyers around the world are now starting to look at $4.00/bu. corn as a gift.
"It starts in Russia with the heat and the destruction of their crops. It’s the worst drought in 123 years, and it’s reminiscent of 1973-74 when the communist controlled country came in and bought all of our wheat," Gulke says.
"Fortunately worldwide we had a lot of wheat stocks and all we heard two or three months ago was they’d by a billion bushels further on out. What has happened is that source of feed wheat in Eastern Europe has been sharply curtailed."
The drought has now turned so severe that is appears the Eastern European states may now have to imports as much as two- to three-million metric tons of feed grains. Gulke believes that likely will not be feed wheat, but it does mean corn comes into play.
Drought impacts spread beyond the wheat and corn markets, as well, he says. "They also grow sunflowers, corn, barley, and all those crops are severely down. And they have no forage. You’ve got disappearing as well, so how do you keep the dairy and livestock production alive. This is not a small item, it’s the biggest thing out of Russia since 1973-74."
(To receive Gulke's analysis and charts, click here, or visit www.GulkeGroup.com.)
One of the biggest concerns on Gulke’s mind is the export infrastructure in the U.S. With the prospect for record exports in our country, that is a huge question.
Technically, the market has been positioning for a while to move higher. "When you start to look markets trading or closing above the previous week’s high, especially when you had a crop report, it’s telling me the market is digesting everything to that point and new fundamentals are entering. The criteria has changed."
This shows when it happens in one month. The situation now is the markets are on a roll.
"When you can take out the monthly highs in April, May and June, and do it in July, then August again, that’s pretty positive. All those things were happening two weeks and I said then that I’ve never seen all the grains and oil seeds turning positive at the same time."
August 6, 2010
By: Greg Vincent, AGWEB.com Editor
We have a good crop in the United States, says Jerry Gulke, of the Gulke Group. The wheat harvest has gone well and there is a huge supply of wheat in this country. While there remain some questions about the stateside corn and soybean crops, what’s happening overseas and on the technical charts are combining to build a perfect storm that should lead to higher commodity prices for some time to come.
A little more than a month ago, $3.50/bu. for corn looked like a party. Now he says corn buyers around the world are now starting to look at $4.00/bu. corn as a gift.
"It starts in Russia with the heat and the destruction of their crops. It’s the worst drought in 123 years, and it’s reminiscent of 1973-74 when the communist controlled country came in and bought all of our wheat," Gulke says.
"Fortunately worldwide we had a lot of wheat stocks and all we heard two or three months ago was they’d by a billion bushels further on out. What has happened is that source of feed wheat in Eastern Europe has been sharply curtailed."
The drought has now turned so severe that is appears the Eastern European states may now have to imports as much as two- to three-million metric tons of feed grains. Gulke believes that likely will not be feed wheat, but it does mean corn comes into play.
Drought impacts spread beyond the wheat and corn markets, as well, he says. "They also grow sunflowers, corn, barley, and all those crops are severely down. And they have no forage. You’ve got disappearing as well, so how do you keep the dairy and livestock production alive. This is not a small item, it’s the biggest thing out of Russia since 1973-74."
(To receive Gulke's analysis and charts, click here, or visit www.GulkeGroup.com.)
One of the biggest concerns on Gulke’s mind is the export infrastructure in the U.S. With the prospect for record exports in our country, that is a huge question.
Technically, the market has been positioning for a while to move higher. "When you start to look markets trading or closing above the previous week’s high, especially when you had a crop report, it’s telling me the market is digesting everything to that point and new fundamentals are entering. The criteria has changed."
This shows when it happens in one month. The situation now is the markets are on a roll.
"When you can take out the monthly highs in April, May and June, and do it in July, then August again, that’s pretty positive. All those things were happening two weeks and I said then that I’ve never seen all the grains and oil seeds turning positive at the same time."
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
2010 Pedal Pull Winners
66# and over Class
1st James Stouder, 2nd Seth Lawrenz, 3rd Brady Mann
55 - 65 # Class
1st Lane Sillery, 2nd Dillon Sutherlin, 3rd Eli Smith
41 - 54 # Class
1st Brayden Grable, 2nd Jonathan Short, 3rd Matthew Goodpaster
41 - 54 # Class1st Brayden Grable, 2nd Jonathan Short, 3rd Matthew Goodpaster
0-40# Class
1st Joel Hammond, 2nd Kyle Spencer, 3rd Kiara Boyd
Special thanks to John Shoffner and the North Putnam FFA for their help in running the pull.
Special thanks to John Shoffner and the North Putnam FFA for their help in running the pull.
Pet Parade pictures coming soon.....
Sunday, July 18, 2010
The Putnam County Fair Queen is.....................
2010 Fair Queen is .................... Stephanie Berry. Stephanie is the daughter of David and LaDonna Berry of Roachdale. She was a 2008 graduate of North Putnam and currently attends the University of Indianapolis majoring in Nursing. 1st Runner-up was Dakota Parent the daughter of Doug and Staci Parent. She is a 2010 graduate of Nothe Putnam and will be attending Purdue in the fall to study Engineering. 2nd Runner-up was Elizabeth Wiley last year's Miss Congeniality. She is the daughter of John and Regina Wiley. A 2010 graduate of Cloverdale she plans to attend Indiana State to become a nurse. This year's Miss Congeniality went to Megan Havens the daughter of Mike and Debbie Havens. She is a 2010 graduate of North Putnam and plans to attend Indiana University to become a dentist. The 2010 contest was special in that all 7 girls competing were 10 year 4-H members. Today's activities are the Dog Obedience Show, Pretty Baby contest, and the Talent Show.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Putnam County Fair
Yes the fair is right around the corner and I'm multi-tasking to try and prepare. Patti and I have prepared sign-in cards for the Pedal Pull, free milk coupons for the kids competing in the Pedal Pull and Pet Parade, and judges score sheets for the Pet Parade. As Electricity superintendents we are making some signs for the display and trying to accumulate everything we need to display all the projects. We also work with the South Putnam Community Education Foundation selling ice at the fair so we have flyers and other signs to make. Along with selling ice, working the mike during the dairy show, buying animals for Farm Bureau during the Livestock sale, we enjoy taking the time to talk with friends and playing a game of eucher or two.
This Saturday kicks things off with the Queen Contest.
Hope to see you there,
Patti & Steve Cash
This Saturday kicks things off with the Queen Contest.
Hope to see you there,
Patti & Steve Cash
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
POET buys Ethanol plant in Cloverdale
Ethanol Producer to Upgrade Putnam County Production Facility CLOVERDALE, Ind. (June 30, 2010) – POET Biorefining announced today that it has purchased a production facility here, creating up to 40 new jobs by 2011. The company, which is among the largest producers of ethanol in the world, will invest more than $30 million to modify the former Altra Biofuels facility to produce 90 million gallons annually. POET will also produce Dakota Gold dried distillers grains for livestock feed at the Cloverdale site. “Biofuels continue to be a vibrant industry here in Indiana and we’re glad that POET is making another commitment to Indiana and its workers,” said Lt. Governor Becky Skillman. “These new jobs and the use of this existing facility will be a tremendous boost for Putnam County.” POET, which employs more than 1,500 people throughout the Midwest, plans to begin hiring production and supervisory staff at the plant in the next 90 days. The company anticipates being at full production in the next nine months, after facility upgrades are completed. POET chief executive officer, Jeff Broin, said the productive agriculture community in and around Cloverdale, coupled with POET’s unique processes and technology, will make POET Biorefining – Cloverdale a leader in the industry. “We have been looking at potential acquisitions for some time,” Broin said. “This plant, in this community, will be a perfect fit for what we do at POET.” POET established its first ethanol production plant in Scotland, S.D. in 1987 and had an annual production capacity of one million gallons. Currently, the Sioux Falls, S.D.-based company operates 26 plants in seven states, with a combined annual production capacity of more than 1.6 billion gallons of ethanol. POET operates ethanol and feed production operations in North Manchester, Portland and Alexandria, Ind. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation will transfer existing biofuel production credits to the company based on the company’s job-creation plans. The Putnam County Council will consider transferring additional existing property tax abatement from the Altra facility.
“Putnam County is pleased to have POET join our community through its acquisition of the ethanol plant at Cloverdale,” said Darrel Thomas, president of the Putnam County Council. “The benefits to our agri-business community, the local tax base, the South Putnam school district, and the creation of good paying jobs are welcome and greatly appreciated.” Bioenergy is making a significant contribution to the Hoosier economy with the current production in ethanol and its byproducts worth $1.3 billion at current prices, according to the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. Indiana’s ethanol plants have a combined production capacity of nearly $1.1 billion gallons and require 423 million bushels of corn annually. About POET POET, the largest ethanol producer in the world, is a leader in biorefining through its efficient, vertically integrated approach to production. The 22-year-old company produces more than 1.6 billion gallons of ethanol annually from 26 production facilities nationwide. POET recently started up a pilot-scale cellulosic ethanol plant, which uses corn cobs as feedstock, and will commercialize the process in Emmetsburg, Iowa. For more information, visit www.poet.com.
“Putnam County is pleased to have POET join our community through its acquisition of the ethanol plant at Cloverdale,” said Darrel Thomas, president of the Putnam County Council. “The benefits to our agri-business community, the local tax base, the South Putnam school district, and the creation of good paying jobs are welcome and greatly appreciated.” Bioenergy is making a significant contribution to the Hoosier economy with the current production in ethanol and its byproducts worth $1.3 billion at current prices, according to the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. Indiana’s ethanol plants have a combined production capacity of nearly $1.1 billion gallons and require 423 million bushels of corn annually. About POET POET, the largest ethanol producer in the world, is a leader in biorefining through its efficient, vertically integrated approach to production. The 22-year-old company produces more than 1.6 billion gallons of ethanol annually from 26 production facilities nationwide. POET recently started up a pilot-scale cellulosic ethanol plant, which uses corn cobs as feedstock, and will commercialize the process in Emmetsburg, Iowa. For more information, visit www.poet.com.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Cattle feedlot gets good report from a Vegan
Cattle Feedlot: Behind The Scenes
by Ryan Andrews, June 23rd, 2010.
Also New This Week at PN:All About YogaBody Fuel: Acids and BasesDieting = Deficiency?Women’s Coaches Confess Men’s Coaches Confess Lean Eating – Coming July 2010
By now, most PN readers are familiar Ryan Andrews. Simply put, he’s a nutrition stud.
I’m serious. The guy has earned nearly every nutrition and exercise accreditation available.
A nationally ranked bodybuilder from 1996-2001, check.
Registered and Licensed Dietitian, check.
Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach, check.
A Masters in Nutrition, check.
A Masters in Exercise Physiology, check.
John’s Hopkins trained expert coach, check.
PN Lean Eating coach, check.
Despite this very impressive resume, I’ve gotta level with you.
Ryan’s CV doesn’t tell the whole story. You see, there’s something more you need to know about Ryan.
And that’s his not-so-secret fascination with plant-based foods. In essence, Ryan eats an exclusive plant-based diet. Animal foods are left off his menu. For a variety of reasons.
So, when Ryan called me one day, excitedly announcing an exclusive invitation to visit one of Colorado’s largest cattle farming operations, I was intrigued. A vegan visiting a cattle farm, huh?
Would it be a smooth, fact-finding mission?
Or would I be getting a call to bail the dude outta some local jail?
Well, read on to find out…
My trip to Magnum
My day at the cattle feedlot got off to a rough start. Maybe it’s because I wore my “Have You Hugged A Vegetarian Today Shirt.” Bad move on my part, I guess.
What I didn't wear to the feedlot
No, I’m just kidding. I didn’t wear my vegan shirt.
And my day at the Magnum Feedyard in Wiggins, Colorado got off to a great start.
It all began at a restaurant in Hudson, Colorado, called the Pepper Pod. That’s where I met two new friends: an animal science instructor and a student from Colorado State University, who escorted me up to Wiggins to get an exclusive tour of the Magnum Feedyard.
We met at the Pepper Pod, then up to Wiggins.
During the 75-minute drive, a lot was going through my mind.
For starters, this visit had been 6 months, and quite a few emails/phone calls, in the making.
You see, very few people in the nutrition world are ever allowed to visit feedlots. In fact, some of my favorite authors have written entire books about feedlots without ever being granted permission to see one in person. So I had to “work it” pretty hard to get this kind of access. And was really excited.
However, despite my enthusiasm for the opportunity, I was a little worried. I mean, everything I’d read about feedlots suggested that they’re horrible, dismal places where thousands of sick cows are crammed in tiny pens, being force-fed corn while standing in steaming piles of their own feces.
As someone concerned with animal welfare, what would I do if faced with this sight? Would I run for the gates, throw them open, and let those poor cows free? Was I man enough to do that? Would I just go home with my tail between my legs? Or would I see something totally different, totally unexpected?
Arriving at Magnum Feedyard
With all these emotional and philosophical thoughts running through my head, I wasn’t prepared for the first thought that hit me when we arrived at Magnum – one of the 14,000 beef cattle operations in Colorado.
“Oh, god, the smell.”
Yes, the first thing I noticed when I arrived was the smell. And no, it wasn’t fear. I smelled manure. I guess I should have expected it. After all, I was standing among 20,000+ steers and heifers. Duh, welcome to farming, Ryan!
The Magnum farm
In the U.S. there are 2.2 million farms. 98% of them meet the USDA definition of a “family farm.”
The USDA considers a “family farm” any farm where the majority of the business is owned by the operator and his/her relatives. Steve Gabel, president of the Colorado Livestock Association, owns Magnum, and runs it with his family.
So, Magnum fits this criterion and is thus considered a “family farm”.
This is me and Steve Gabel, owner of Magnum.
So if Steve’s is a “family farm,” what’s a “factory farm”?
Well, the term “factory farm” isn’t actually used in the agricultural community. So, in essence, it’s slang that was coined by skeptics of the cattle industry.
The agricultural community actually calls large animal feeding units “CAFOs.” CAFO means Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation. A CAFO has more than 1,000 animal units, and 1 beef cow = 1 animal unit.
For the record, 75% of all beef in the U.S. comes from CAFOs.
And, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, CAFOs “congregate animals, feed, manure and urine, dead animals, and production operations on a small land area. Feed is brought to the animals rather than the animals grazing or otherwise seeking feed in pastures, fields, or on rangeland.”
So, Magnum fits the criterion of a CAFO. When it started in 1993, Magnum had 4,500 cattle. Now they have 22,000. And operations are managed with 8-13 employees (depending on the time of year).
Magnum houses 22,000 cattle
But, wait a minute! Magnum is a family farm. And Magnum is a factory farm. How can it be both?
Well, they were started and are run by a family. But they also congregate more than 22,000 beef cattle. So, they meet the definition for both categories.
Of course, that makes clean and tidy, black and white judgments about cattle operations harder to make. Trust me it’ll get harder in a minute.
What Magnum cattle eat
When animals arrive at Magnum, they are usually 7 – 9 months of age. During their first four days, they receive 100% grass feed to help maintain rumen health.
Wait a second! Don’t all feedlot cattle get 100% corn? With maybe a sprinkling of soy mixed in?
Uh, nope.
There are five different rations used at Magnum, comprised of seven ingredients, including corn, soy, alfalfa, straw, and wet grain distillers (by-products of the ethanol industry). And these feeds range from 0% corn to 50% corn.
Here are a few pics of the different feeds:
A wet distiller, corn-based.
One of the rations is corn-based.
One of the rations is grass-based.
Feed is delivered by a truck three times each day. And, interestingly, as noted above, corn doesn’t comprise more than 50% of any of the feed ration.
Wait, wait. What about all those reports of sick cows being stuffed with corn?
Well, folks, at Magnum anyway, there’s no such thing as an “all grain” cattle diet. In fact, the diet of the cattle at Magnum never exceeds 50% corn. And often, it’s much, much less.
This is the feed truck that makes its rounds three times per day.
This is where all the feed ingredients are mixed in the back of the truck.
As many animal nutrition experts know, too much grain in a cow’s diet can result in rumen acidosis. That is why, at Magnum, the animals’ diets are formulated by nutritionists bi-weekly. This helps them maintain the correct feed for a given pen of animals.
Of course, the goal at Magnum is to feed cattle efficiently. They want the biggest weight gain for the fewest pounds of feed, in the most economical way. And, at Magnum, they do a good job of efficiency. Cattle are normally kept on the feedlot until around 12 to 15 months of age. This means they’re kept for between 150 and 240 days. During this time they gain 500 to 600 pounds.
Per day at Magnum, the cost per head of cattle is $2.10. Grab you pen and paper folks, multiply $2.10 by 22,000 cattle. Lots of money, every day.
Growth-promoting hormones are used in feedlot cattle as it increases efficiency. These are naturally occurring hormones that are regularly metabolized by the body. Most cattle don’t get antibiotics. And if they do, they need it. Further, they won’t be sent to slaughter until 21 days after antibiotic administration, since it takes that long for the antibiotic to clear the system.
Organic feed
According to Magnum, organic feed doesn’t seem to increase meat quality or safety. Research doesn’t really support the idea either. But, organic feed does allow consumers another option (i.e. organic meat vs. non-organic meat). And organic farming practices may have some benefits for the planet.
Of course, in today’s farming climate, less than 1% of American cropland is certified organic. If a lot more was, it would require a lot more composted animal manure. Fortunately, Magnum is on the right track (with composting) if this pattern were to take hold.
Grass-Fed, Free-Range
Sure, some folks think grass-fed, free-range is better. But, as any good PN reader can attest, it’s a heckuva lot more expensive. And, at the end of the day, Magnum is competing for the protein food dollar. Mainstream America is currently buying conventionally fed meat from cattle, so, feedlots keep producing it.
It’s also important to know that if we continue to eat 200+ pounds of meat per person per year in the U.S., grass-fed isn’t really an option. There’s not enough land.
But it would be an option for meat eaters if we reduced overall meat consumption. Is that something our nation is willing to do? Maybe. In time. Right now, however, it doesn’t look like it.
What about E. coli?
E. coli (or Escherichia coli O157:H7) is a natural occurring pathogen in the digestive tract of cattle, but can be minimized through production practices, i.e. clean living conditions.
E. coli serogroups O26, O111, O145, and others have become a public health problem, accounting for 37,000 illnesses and 30 deaths in the U.S. alone.
Among critics of the “factory farm” model, there’s a large concern about E. coli contamination. Many suggest that feeding cattle a high grain-based diet can increase e-coli in the gut. And cross-contamination with meat makes for, not only sick animals, but sick people.
However, there doesn’t seem to be a relationship between feed and harmful E. coli contamination. Indeed, studies reveal no difference in E. coli O157:H7 prevalence or numbers between cattle fed grain vs. grass. And there are no studies that show superiority for one system vs. the other.
So it seems like this concern is more of a cleanliness issue, not a feed issue.
Cattle care
Speaking of cleanliness, Magnum wants the cattle to be clean and comfortable.
I know, I know, I can see my animal welfare comrades shaking their heads – - but think about it. From a profit standpoint, if animals aren’t comfortable, they aren’t going to eat. If they don’t eat, they don’t grow. If they don’t grow, they won’t be much use to the dude wanting to buy a big steak.
Lots of feedlot cattle were males born on dairy farms. You can tell them by their black and white color.
Also, technology is improving the way cattle are treated. Many cattle are tagged with identification and tracked.This tracking allows farmers to know a host of things like: the length of time the cattle have been there, their health history, their previous feed, their current feed needs, their current health, and any notable health or welfare concerns.
Magnum even has guys riding on horses around pens called, well, “pen riders,” who check cattle for problems. An animal nutritionist even comes on site every couple weeks to check how the cattle are feeding. If anything looks out of the ordinary, a session with the vet is likely. Sick animals are taken to a “hospital” pen and given care.
Newsflash: Let’s face it, most people in North America haven’t been to a doctor since their mom took them before high school graduation. Further, most humans acquire “feed” from the Cocoa Puff and Pop-Tart aisle.
My health care is better than yours.
Yes, what I’m trying to say is that Magnum Feedyard cattle receive better health care than many North Americans. They get regular vet appointments and a simple diet that is nutrient dense.
Ok, I think we can all agree the living conditions are debatable. But before you rag on feedlot health care, how do your habits compare?
Waste at Magnum
Magnum recently started composting manure and mortalities (i.e. cattle that don’t make it). It’s gotten more expensive to send deceased cattle to processing plants that manufacture pet foods, so this was the next best option.
Plus it’s more sustainable. And the cattle don’t end up standing around in piles of their own feces. Whew!
The Holiday Inn
Have you ever been to a Holiday Inn? That’s kind of like Magnum. They are a hotel for cattle. Profit increases as occupancy increases.
But there’s a slight difference. Upon checkout from the Holiday Inn you get a free newspaper, a mint, and a shuttle to the airport. When you checkout from Magnum, you get a one way shuttle to the slaughterhouse.
Nearly every week, a truck picks up cattle and transports them to a meat packing plant. This is where cattle are harvested and the carcasses fabricated. It’s important for the cattle to be transported quickly and calmly. The more stressed the animal, the lower the quality the meat.
95% of the steers and heifers from Magnum are sold to two packers, both in Colorado, JBS Swift in Greeley and Cargill Meat Solutions in Fort Morgan. The meat from these cows makes its way nationwide.
Conclusions
I was tired of talking about, reading about, and hearing about feedlots. Especially when many of the accounts were from people who had never been to a feedlot in their lives.
So, when I was given this sort of rare access, I jumped at the chance to check one out for myself.
The sign you see when leaving Magnum.
And, I have to say it. If my experience at Magnum is representative of other cattle farms, all those accounts of the dismal, depressing, disastrous cattle conditions seem to be exaggerated.
No, I’m not going to start eating meat again.
However, if I did eat meat, my visit to Magnum would have made me feel great about eating non-organic, non-grass-fed beef. Seriously. I can’t imagine the quality of meat would be substantially better with organic and grass-fed. Nor can I imagine the living conditions would be substantially better for the cattle.
Now, to be clear, we don’t require meat in our diet. And I don’t think we should be using cows for food, doesn’t matter if the cattle are kept on a feedlot or chilling in a waterbed listening to John Tesh. But that’s my own value system and I’m well aware that 97% of people in the U.S. eat meat on a regular basis.
However, considering the amount we procreate in the U.S. (there’s a birth every 8 seconds and a death every 12 seconds); and the amount of meat we eat (222 pounds per person, per year – not including marine life); and the small amount of money we’re willing to spend on food (we spend 9.6% of our disposable income on food, the lowest in the world. India spends 53%, Venezuela 34%, Italy 26%, Japan 19%, France 16%); feedlots have it right.
People want meat. And Magnum’s feedlot system is dialed in. They’re producing safe and cost-effective meat in, arguably, the most cattle-conscious way (short of opening up those pens and letting them run free). Rock on Magnum.
by Ryan Andrews, June 23rd, 2010.
Also New This Week at PN:All About YogaBody Fuel: Acids and BasesDieting = Deficiency?Women’s Coaches Confess Men’s Coaches Confess Lean Eating – Coming July 2010
By now, most PN readers are familiar Ryan Andrews. Simply put, he’s a nutrition stud.
I’m serious. The guy has earned nearly every nutrition and exercise accreditation available.
A nationally ranked bodybuilder from 1996-2001, check.
Registered and Licensed Dietitian, check.
Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach, check.
A Masters in Nutrition, check.
A Masters in Exercise Physiology, check.
John’s Hopkins trained expert coach, check.
PN Lean Eating coach, check.
Despite this very impressive resume, I’ve gotta level with you.
Ryan’s CV doesn’t tell the whole story. You see, there’s something more you need to know about Ryan.
And that’s his not-so-secret fascination with plant-based foods. In essence, Ryan eats an exclusive plant-based diet. Animal foods are left off his menu. For a variety of reasons.
So, when Ryan called me one day, excitedly announcing an exclusive invitation to visit one of Colorado’s largest cattle farming operations, I was intrigued. A vegan visiting a cattle farm, huh?
Would it be a smooth, fact-finding mission?
Or would I be getting a call to bail the dude outta some local jail?
Well, read on to find out…
My trip to Magnum
My day at the cattle feedlot got off to a rough start. Maybe it’s because I wore my “Have You Hugged A Vegetarian Today Shirt.” Bad move on my part, I guess.
What I didn't wear to the feedlot
No, I’m just kidding. I didn’t wear my vegan shirt.
And my day at the Magnum Feedyard in Wiggins, Colorado got off to a great start.
It all began at a restaurant in Hudson, Colorado, called the Pepper Pod. That’s where I met two new friends: an animal science instructor and a student from Colorado State University, who escorted me up to Wiggins to get an exclusive tour of the Magnum Feedyard.
We met at the Pepper Pod, then up to Wiggins.
During the 75-minute drive, a lot was going through my mind.
For starters, this visit had been 6 months, and quite a few emails/phone calls, in the making.
You see, very few people in the nutrition world are ever allowed to visit feedlots. In fact, some of my favorite authors have written entire books about feedlots without ever being granted permission to see one in person. So I had to “work it” pretty hard to get this kind of access. And was really excited.
However, despite my enthusiasm for the opportunity, I was a little worried. I mean, everything I’d read about feedlots suggested that they’re horrible, dismal places where thousands of sick cows are crammed in tiny pens, being force-fed corn while standing in steaming piles of their own feces.
As someone concerned with animal welfare, what would I do if faced with this sight? Would I run for the gates, throw them open, and let those poor cows free? Was I man enough to do that? Would I just go home with my tail between my legs? Or would I see something totally different, totally unexpected?
Arriving at Magnum Feedyard
With all these emotional and philosophical thoughts running through my head, I wasn’t prepared for the first thought that hit me when we arrived at Magnum – one of the 14,000 beef cattle operations in Colorado.
“Oh, god, the smell.”
Yes, the first thing I noticed when I arrived was the smell. And no, it wasn’t fear. I smelled manure. I guess I should have expected it. After all, I was standing among 20,000+ steers and heifers. Duh, welcome to farming, Ryan!
The Magnum farm
In the U.S. there are 2.2 million farms. 98% of them meet the USDA definition of a “family farm.”
The USDA considers a “family farm” any farm where the majority of the business is owned by the operator and his/her relatives. Steve Gabel, president of the Colorado Livestock Association, owns Magnum, and runs it with his family.
So, Magnum fits this criterion and is thus considered a “family farm”.
This is me and Steve Gabel, owner of Magnum.
So if Steve’s is a “family farm,” what’s a “factory farm”?
Well, the term “factory farm” isn’t actually used in the agricultural community. So, in essence, it’s slang that was coined by skeptics of the cattle industry.
The agricultural community actually calls large animal feeding units “CAFOs.” CAFO means Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation. A CAFO has more than 1,000 animal units, and 1 beef cow = 1 animal unit.
For the record, 75% of all beef in the U.S. comes from CAFOs.
And, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, CAFOs “congregate animals, feed, manure and urine, dead animals, and production operations on a small land area. Feed is brought to the animals rather than the animals grazing or otherwise seeking feed in pastures, fields, or on rangeland.”
So, Magnum fits the criterion of a CAFO. When it started in 1993, Magnum had 4,500 cattle. Now they have 22,000. And operations are managed with 8-13 employees (depending on the time of year).
Magnum houses 22,000 cattle
But, wait a minute! Magnum is a family farm. And Magnum is a factory farm. How can it be both?
Well, they were started and are run by a family. But they also congregate more than 22,000 beef cattle. So, they meet the definition for both categories.
Of course, that makes clean and tidy, black and white judgments about cattle operations harder to make. Trust me it’ll get harder in a minute.
What Magnum cattle eat
When animals arrive at Magnum, they are usually 7 – 9 months of age. During their first four days, they receive 100% grass feed to help maintain rumen health.
Wait a second! Don’t all feedlot cattle get 100% corn? With maybe a sprinkling of soy mixed in?
Uh, nope.
There are five different rations used at Magnum, comprised of seven ingredients, including corn, soy, alfalfa, straw, and wet grain distillers (by-products of the ethanol industry). And these feeds range from 0% corn to 50% corn.
Here are a few pics of the different feeds:
A wet distiller, corn-based.
One of the rations is corn-based.
One of the rations is grass-based.
Feed is delivered by a truck three times each day. And, interestingly, as noted above, corn doesn’t comprise more than 50% of any of the feed ration.
Wait, wait. What about all those reports of sick cows being stuffed with corn?
Well, folks, at Magnum anyway, there’s no such thing as an “all grain” cattle diet. In fact, the diet of the cattle at Magnum never exceeds 50% corn. And often, it’s much, much less.
This is the feed truck that makes its rounds three times per day.
This is where all the feed ingredients are mixed in the back of the truck.
As many animal nutrition experts know, too much grain in a cow’s diet can result in rumen acidosis. That is why, at Magnum, the animals’ diets are formulated by nutritionists bi-weekly. This helps them maintain the correct feed for a given pen of animals.
Of course, the goal at Magnum is to feed cattle efficiently. They want the biggest weight gain for the fewest pounds of feed, in the most economical way. And, at Magnum, they do a good job of efficiency. Cattle are normally kept on the feedlot until around 12 to 15 months of age. This means they’re kept for between 150 and 240 days. During this time they gain 500 to 600 pounds.
Per day at Magnum, the cost per head of cattle is $2.10. Grab you pen and paper folks, multiply $2.10 by 22,000 cattle. Lots of money, every day.
Growth-promoting hormones are used in feedlot cattle as it increases efficiency. These are naturally occurring hormones that are regularly metabolized by the body. Most cattle don’t get antibiotics. And if they do, they need it. Further, they won’t be sent to slaughter until 21 days after antibiotic administration, since it takes that long for the antibiotic to clear the system.
Organic feed
According to Magnum, organic feed doesn’t seem to increase meat quality or safety. Research doesn’t really support the idea either. But, organic feed does allow consumers another option (i.e. organic meat vs. non-organic meat). And organic farming practices may have some benefits for the planet.
Of course, in today’s farming climate, less than 1% of American cropland is certified organic. If a lot more was, it would require a lot more composted animal manure. Fortunately, Magnum is on the right track (with composting) if this pattern were to take hold.
Grass-Fed, Free-Range
Sure, some folks think grass-fed, free-range is better. But, as any good PN reader can attest, it’s a heckuva lot more expensive. And, at the end of the day, Magnum is competing for the protein food dollar. Mainstream America is currently buying conventionally fed meat from cattle, so, feedlots keep producing it.
It’s also important to know that if we continue to eat 200+ pounds of meat per person per year in the U.S., grass-fed isn’t really an option. There’s not enough land.
But it would be an option for meat eaters if we reduced overall meat consumption. Is that something our nation is willing to do? Maybe. In time. Right now, however, it doesn’t look like it.
What about E. coli?
E. coli (or Escherichia coli O157:H7) is a natural occurring pathogen in the digestive tract of cattle, but can be minimized through production practices, i.e. clean living conditions.
E. coli serogroups O26, O111, O145, and others have become a public health problem, accounting for 37,000 illnesses and 30 deaths in the U.S. alone.
Among critics of the “factory farm” model, there’s a large concern about E. coli contamination. Many suggest that feeding cattle a high grain-based diet can increase e-coli in the gut. And cross-contamination with meat makes for, not only sick animals, but sick people.
However, there doesn’t seem to be a relationship between feed and harmful E. coli contamination. Indeed, studies reveal no difference in E. coli O157:H7 prevalence or numbers between cattle fed grain vs. grass. And there are no studies that show superiority for one system vs. the other.
So it seems like this concern is more of a cleanliness issue, not a feed issue.
Cattle care
Speaking of cleanliness, Magnum wants the cattle to be clean and comfortable.
I know, I know, I can see my animal welfare comrades shaking their heads – - but think about it. From a profit standpoint, if animals aren’t comfortable, they aren’t going to eat. If they don’t eat, they don’t grow. If they don’t grow, they won’t be much use to the dude wanting to buy a big steak.
Lots of feedlot cattle were males born on dairy farms. You can tell them by their black and white color.
Also, technology is improving the way cattle are treated. Many cattle are tagged with identification and tracked.This tracking allows farmers to know a host of things like: the length of time the cattle have been there, their health history, their previous feed, their current feed needs, their current health, and any notable health or welfare concerns.
Magnum even has guys riding on horses around pens called, well, “pen riders,” who check cattle for problems. An animal nutritionist even comes on site every couple weeks to check how the cattle are feeding. If anything looks out of the ordinary, a session with the vet is likely. Sick animals are taken to a “hospital” pen and given care.
Newsflash: Let’s face it, most people in North America haven’t been to a doctor since their mom took them before high school graduation. Further, most humans acquire “feed” from the Cocoa Puff and Pop-Tart aisle.
My health care is better than yours.
Yes, what I’m trying to say is that Magnum Feedyard cattle receive better health care than many North Americans. They get regular vet appointments and a simple diet that is nutrient dense.
Ok, I think we can all agree the living conditions are debatable. But before you rag on feedlot health care, how do your habits compare?
Waste at Magnum
Magnum recently started composting manure and mortalities (i.e. cattle that don’t make it). It’s gotten more expensive to send deceased cattle to processing plants that manufacture pet foods, so this was the next best option.
Plus it’s more sustainable. And the cattle don’t end up standing around in piles of their own feces. Whew!
The Holiday Inn
Have you ever been to a Holiday Inn? That’s kind of like Magnum. They are a hotel for cattle. Profit increases as occupancy increases.
But there’s a slight difference. Upon checkout from the Holiday Inn you get a free newspaper, a mint, and a shuttle to the airport. When you checkout from Magnum, you get a one way shuttle to the slaughterhouse.
Nearly every week, a truck picks up cattle and transports them to a meat packing plant. This is where cattle are harvested and the carcasses fabricated. It’s important for the cattle to be transported quickly and calmly. The more stressed the animal, the lower the quality the meat.
95% of the steers and heifers from Magnum are sold to two packers, both in Colorado, JBS Swift in Greeley and Cargill Meat Solutions in Fort Morgan. The meat from these cows makes its way nationwide.
Conclusions
I was tired of talking about, reading about, and hearing about feedlots. Especially when many of the accounts were from people who had never been to a feedlot in their lives.
So, when I was given this sort of rare access, I jumped at the chance to check one out for myself.
The sign you see when leaving Magnum.
And, I have to say it. If my experience at Magnum is representative of other cattle farms, all those accounts of the dismal, depressing, disastrous cattle conditions seem to be exaggerated.
No, I’m not going to start eating meat again.
However, if I did eat meat, my visit to Magnum would have made me feel great about eating non-organic, non-grass-fed beef. Seriously. I can’t imagine the quality of meat would be substantially better with organic and grass-fed. Nor can I imagine the living conditions would be substantially better for the cattle.
Now, to be clear, we don’t require meat in our diet. And I don’t think we should be using cows for food, doesn’t matter if the cattle are kept on a feedlot or chilling in a waterbed listening to John Tesh. But that’s my own value system and I’m well aware that 97% of people in the U.S. eat meat on a regular basis.
However, considering the amount we procreate in the U.S. (there’s a birth every 8 seconds and a death every 12 seconds); and the amount of meat we eat (222 pounds per person, per year – not including marine life); and the small amount of money we’re willing to spend on food (we spend 9.6% of our disposable income on food, the lowest in the world. India spends 53%, Venezuela 34%, Italy 26%, Japan 19%, France 16%); feedlots have it right.
People want meat. And Magnum’s feedlot system is dialed in. They’re producing safe and cost-effective meat in, arguably, the most cattle-conscious way (short of opening up those pens and letting them run free). Rock on Magnum.
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