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.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
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.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Annual Meeting
Joe Mann became the next President of the Putnam County Farm Bureau at last nights Annual meeting. New to the board elected to director's positions were Phyllis Legan, Ryan Wilson, and Jerry Martin. After a great meal prepared by Lois Bixler those in attendance enjoyed two presentations, one by Mike Baise of IFB and a power point presentation by Keith Berry on his recent trip to China.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Putnam Co. Farm Bureau, Inc. Annual meeting
Tuesday 6/22/2010 at 6:30 pm
Community Building, Putnam County Fairgrounds
Come enjoy a great meal, help set policy, elect new officers, receive great doorprizes.
Didn't RSVP! Let me know and I'll eat less.
See You There!!!,
Steve Cash
Vice President
Community Building, Putnam County Fairgrounds
Come enjoy a great meal, help set policy, elect new officers, receive great doorprizes.
Didn't RSVP! Let me know and I'll eat less.
See You There!!!,
Steve Cash
Vice President
Monday, June 14, 2010
Cap & Trade from Senator Lugar
Cap and Trade is Dead and Gone
Indiana Senator Richard Lugar said a cap and trade solution to climate change is a dead issue; and, thus he is proposing a new approach to energy legislation. Once interested in carbon trading, he now concludes, based on Europe’s poor experience, poor US public support, and low carbon prices for his own farm’s credits on the Chicago Climate Exchange, that such a system is no longer workable, “There was a high water mark of 7 dollars a ton, at one point, closer to 5 years ago but currently, as you know, it’s now 10 cents a ton.” Lugar says this shows the market believes there’s not a ghost of a chance Congress will pass a cap and trade bill. So Lugar has now introduced a non cap and trade energy bill that seeks to, finally, end US addiction to foreign oil. At a Washington press conference last week Lugar said, “Today, I’m introducing legislation that would, first of all, reduce our foreign oil dependency, secondly, save Americans money on their energy bills, third, improve our industrial competitiveness, fourth, invest in cleaner and more diverse energy sources, and, fifth, better use our domestic fossil fuel resources.” Lugar says the bill’s 3.75 billion dollar price tag to boost vehicle fuel efficiency, build energy efficiency, and phase out coal-fired plants in favor of nuclear ones, is well worth the cost. “It would cut foreign oil dependence by more than 40 percent, decrease national energy consumption by 11 percent, reduce average household electric bills by 15 percent, and cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than 20 percent-or about 1.6 billion metric tons.” Lugar argues it’s the cheapest and easiest way to fix the “leaks in our energy system” while not pre-empting future use of carbon credits.
Indiana Senator Richard Lugar said a cap and trade solution to climate change is a dead issue; and, thus he is proposing a new approach to energy legislation. Once interested in carbon trading, he now concludes, based on Europe’s poor experience, poor US public support, and low carbon prices for his own farm’s credits on the Chicago Climate Exchange, that such a system is no longer workable, “There was a high water mark of 7 dollars a ton, at one point, closer to 5 years ago but currently, as you know, it’s now 10 cents a ton.” Lugar says this shows the market believes there’s not a ghost of a chance Congress will pass a cap and trade bill. So Lugar has now introduced a non cap and trade energy bill that seeks to, finally, end US addiction to foreign oil. At a Washington press conference last week Lugar said, “Today, I’m introducing legislation that would, first of all, reduce our foreign oil dependency, secondly, save Americans money on their energy bills, third, improve our industrial competitiveness, fourth, invest in cleaner and more diverse energy sources, and, fifth, better use our domestic fossil fuel resources.” Lugar says the bill’s 3.75 billion dollar price tag to boost vehicle fuel efficiency, build energy efficiency, and phase out coal-fired plants in favor of nuclear ones, is well worth the cost. “It would cut foreign oil dependence by more than 40 percent, decrease national energy consumption by 11 percent, reduce average household electric bills by 15 percent, and cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than 20 percent-or about 1.6 billion metric tons.” Lugar argues it’s the cheapest and easiest way to fix the “leaks in our energy system” while not pre-empting future use of carbon credits.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Crated Sows survive tornado.
An Argument for Hog Gestation Crates
There are usually unintended consequences to activist campaigns like those pressed by the Humane Society of the United States. Here's one.
Last weekend a series of devastating tornadoes tore through northern Indiana and Ohio, bringing 170-mph winds and leaving little in their wake but twisted barns, ripped-up roads, and uprooted trees.
Oh ... and lots of healthy (if a bit scared) pigs.
Why? They were in gestation crates. The very devices that HSUS wants outlawed. Logansport, Indiana native Ryan Harter told CNN's iReport that "no pigs had lost their lives in this mess." (Seven people weren't so fortunate.)
This is admittedly an extreme example, but it underscores how farm equipment like this is intended to protect livestock.
Gestation crates protect pigs from inhaling the fumes of (or, yes, eating) their own waste. They protect docile animals from more aggressive ones. They ensure the individual feeding and veterinary care of each animal, instead of letting a few hundred of them fend for themselves. And farrowing crates are actually designed to prevent a sow from crushing her entire litter by rolling over onto them.
Farmers know these things. And I suspect that HSUS's leaders do too. But only one of those groups seems to care.
There are usually unintended consequences to activist campaigns like those pressed by the Humane Society of the United States. Here's one.
Last weekend a series of devastating tornadoes tore through northern Indiana and Ohio, bringing 170-mph winds and leaving little in their wake but twisted barns, ripped-up roads, and uprooted trees.
Oh ... and lots of healthy (if a bit scared) pigs.
Why? They were in gestation crates. The very devices that HSUS wants outlawed. Logansport, Indiana native Ryan Harter told CNN's iReport that "no pigs had lost their lives in this mess." (Seven people weren't so fortunate.)
This is admittedly an extreme example, but it underscores how farm equipment like this is intended to protect livestock.
Gestation crates protect pigs from inhaling the fumes of (or, yes, eating) their own waste. They protect docile animals from more aggressive ones. They ensure the individual feeding and veterinary care of each animal, instead of letting a few hundred of them fend for themselves. And farrowing crates are actually designed to prevent a sow from crushing her entire litter by rolling over onto them.
Farmers know these things. And I suspect that HSUS's leaders do too. But only one of those groups seems to care.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Putnam County Fair
The Putnam County Fair is inching closer everyday. In preparation entries need to be made for Harris Hall, Adults in the Community Building East, Pet Parade, Pretty Baby Contest, Bakers Best, Antique Tractor show, Talent Show, etc. As editor (committee chairman) of this year's fairbook one of my goals was to get the fairbook out by the first of June so those entries could be made with ease. We actually beat that goal by a few of days. Make sure you pick one up. They are available throughout the county at several banks as well as at the extension office. The 64 page book is not perfect but it was our best effort for our first year of putting this thing together. The other goal was to get the fair schedule as accurate as possible and I hope we have accomplished that as well. The entertainment schedule may be adjusted somewhat as additional groups are wanting to perform.
Farm Bureau at the fair will be evident in many areas. We make numerous donations and support to the queen, the Beef Ultrasound, Harris Hall's Master Gardner, Pet Parade, Pedal Pull, 4-H Tenure Awards, Livestock sale, as well as provide ice cold milk at the Milk Barn. This year we are looking into adding some ice cream sandwiches for sale in the Milk Barn.
Farm Bureau at the fair will be evident in many areas. We make numerous donations and support to the queen, the Beef Ultrasound, Harris Hall's Master Gardner, Pet Parade, Pedal Pull, 4-H Tenure Awards, Livestock sale, as well as provide ice cold milk at the Milk Barn. This year we are looking into adding some ice cream sandwiches for sale in the Milk Barn.
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