Shocked and Disappointed with NE Farmers Union

I am so disappointed in the Nebraska Farmers Union for their recent agreement with the HSUS. (See it here: http://kticradio.com/news/agricultural/index.php?more=hz7j8tzn ) So rather than sit and talk to my friends I decided I should write to the board members who made the decision and point out just a few facts why we don’t want HSUS in our state or actually anywhere.

What is so unfortunate about all of this, is this action only adds to the consumer confusion and divides agriculture even more – the exact things HSUS wants to happen. So after writing this I will again turn my focus to sharing our ag story and hope the consumer can find truth from the NE farmers and ranchers (all sizes) who work every day to help put food on each of our tables. If you are a consumer looking to visit with a farmer to learn more about NE food production, I would recommend starting here: http://www.facebook.com/CommonGroundNebraska?ref=ts&sk=app_190322544333196 or here http://www.becomeafan.org/

Here is my note to the board members:

Hello, I am a farm wife (on a small 5th generation farm), mother and lover of all things agriculture. Our farm is in northeast Nebraska and we work hard to take care of our land and our animals. It's a moral obligation that we have to do it humanely and sustainable and we do. It's been happening on our farm for over 125 years, long before a well-funded DC based group started telling farmers how it should be done.

I can't believe that you supported inviting the HSUS to Nebraska and believe that you can change their track record. They want to eliminate all consumption of animal protein--why would you support elimination of animal protein from our diets?

They mislead and their track record is 'their way or no way'. Have you studied their involvement in Ohio Livestock Standards Board?

NFU needs to do their homework about this organization and I am COMPLETELY embarrassed, appalled and disappointed by your actions. Your organization may feel like it is representing the small guy, but it doesn't matter what size you are or how you raise animals. HSUS doesn't care--they want them all gone, including your pets. They say they care about pets but have you followed the money? HSUS’s advertisements employ the images of downtrodden dogs and cats to tug at the heart strings and wallets of America’s pet lovers. But a new analysis finds HSUS is a “Humane Society” in name only, sharing only $527,566, or 0.4 percent of its $120 million budget with sheltering organizations nationwide in 2010. In the same year, HSUS spent an astounding $47 million in fundraising-related costs (37 percent of its total budget) and parked $32 million in hedge funds.*

Is this the type of organization that you want to work with? I personally don't know why you would--it's not the Nebraska way.

I am a small farmer, hoping, working and praying that my children (sixth generation on our farm) can continue the family business but with actions like yours - their chances have just been reduced.

Sincerely,

Debbie Borg

farmer, mother and agvocate for all sizes of agriculture

*humanewatch.org

What does a farmer Look Like?

The other day I had the opportunity to share the 'amazing' soybean story to a little over 600 4th graders in central Nebraska at a Life on the Farm field trip. About half way through the day, I started asking them-after I introduced myself as a farmer who grows corn, soybeans, alfalfa and fed cattle, "do I look like the farmer you thought you would meet today". And every response was a a very resounding NO.
Than I started asking 'so what did you think a farmer like myself would look like?'
I was shocked, but not surprised. Most of the responses were 'overalls and a straw hat'. And I got several that said they thought I would be dirty with some hay on myself. But the one that really made my jaw drop was--they thought I would have a pitch fork.
So I pointed out that they had met many farmers at this event and no one fit that description.
I was very relieved to hear that I looked 'normal'. I did tell them that there are many dirty jobs on a farm and we do get very dirty (just check out Mike Rowe and 'Dirty Jobs')--its just part of the job.
So as usual there is much to learn from our kids, but this points out just how much work we have to do in telling the amazing story of not just how we feed our family but our part in caring for the soil that raises our crops and tending to the livestock that all contribute in helping to feed the world.

Food (3-Ounce Servings)	Estrogen (in nanograms)
Soybean Oil	168,000,000
Milk	11
Potatoes	225
Peas	340
Ice Cream	520
Wheat Germ	3,400
Beef (no supplemental hormone)	1.3
Beef (with supplemental hormone)	1.9
Beef (with supplemental hormone) serving size equal to 1.5 tons (3000 pounds)	Estrogen amount in one human birth control pill

Sources: Food and Drug Administration; Hoffman and Evers; Scanga et al.; FSIS-USDA; Dr. Harlan Ritchie, Michigan State University; NCBA

In case you're wondering whether you should spend the extra money for 'hormone' free this weekend. Check this out before you do.

Our office

I think everyday since my last post I have had something to share about our farm, but everyday comes and goes without posting , so today I made the time to share about what our office and playground looks like.
Yesterday was Sunday, and we typically try to take a day of rest, but during harvest it is really hard, so often times Sunday is the day to take care of odd jobs so that the other 6 days of week harvesting of our crops happens efficiently.
So I want to share one of the greatest advantages I see of growing food and ultimately getting dirty going to the office. On our farm, our office is wherever we happen to be. Farmer1 got a phone call asking advice about caring for new calves that are arriving all over our area from MT. Special care is taken to get these calves off to the right start. You will notice, he had a hard time hearing because in his office at that moment he couldn't just shut the door to keep out all the noise...many bin fans were running, cattle were mooing, a fence was being built and I think I might have even heard a pheasant.
While Farmer1 was on the phone, farmkid3 was enjoying a little fun in between helping hang a gate. He was having fun and thought he might be able to get a job reading bunks if he could get real fast at going down the bunks on his bike.
Well, I'ld better get busy as I am in charge of weed management in our pasture and today looks like a great day to spray.

It's all over for some farmers-storm damage

We have experienced 2 storms in the last two days and there are some farmers not too far away that lost the majority of their crop if not all.
I just wanted to post a few pictures of the damage done. Yes, some of these farmers lost all opportunity to harvest a crop.

Thought s about trying Organic and weeds

This picture is from 10 days ago where my son and I are trying to pluck all the little weeds. However, today there was no brown dirt to be seen.

I just came in from trying to reclaim my garden (too embarrassed to show pictures).
I am now convinced that weeds grow at least twice the speed of any planted seed.
With all the talk about 'going organic' it crossed my mind to maybe try keeping my garden organic but after having to till my garden just to find items I planted (losing precious soil moisture)-- I think I'm going to rely on using some glyphosphate--otherwise I will not have any produce.
Now, I'm sure that some organic people will ask "why did you let your weeds get so tall?" My first response is "I have a life besides trying to raise food". And it has been raining and raining (which is good) - but it makes it really challenging to weed in the mud.
I planted a garden mainly to make sure my kids understand how food grows - but most importantly how much work goes into raising food. A garden is kinda like an animal - it most be cared for daily--if it goes ignored-- the weeds get out of control. That is a pretty good description of what is going on in one of the public debates. The agriculture industry has been so busy at feeding the world (and doing it more effeciently, because so many have moved off the land for easier and higher paying jobs in the cities) and trying to make a living over the last decade that we didn't realize that other (non-ag) people were telling the story of growing food and taking care of the land and animals. So now we have a population where the weeds (non-aggies and AR type)have been getting the focus instead of the planted seed (farmers).
However, I am excited to see that Ohio has stepped up and said 'enough is enough' it is time to tell our story and let the truth be told about the weeds. See more here.
I hope that everyone is trying to tell their story to any non-aggie they come across. One person at a time - will make a difference.
Who have you reminded today that food comes from farmers not the grocery store?

Real Pics of No-till corn in Nebraska

This field has not seen a plow or disc for over 20 years.
It is dryland (that means we rely on rain for moisture).
Learn more about the benefits of no-till corn compared to grasses here

Random thoughts

We enjoyed a couple of days camping with some very dear friends.

But once again, the headlines can make you dizzy.

U.S. agriculture is the only sector in the U.S. economy with a trade surplus--but we seem to be continually attacked because US farmers are being subsidized. See a great study (here) that concludes that agriculture has a special status in both developed and developing countries with a wide variety of subsidy and protection instruments in place.

Agriculture's efficiency just seems to keep getting better and many of the activists groups want us to go back to the 'old ways'. Why is it, after only a few days our computer needs to be updated, but farmers aren't suppose to update to new technology. Read here that “To produce one billion kilograms of milk in 2007, we need 20 percent less cows, 25 percent less feed, 10 percent less land. In 2007, we produced 40 percent less methane and 56 percent less nitrous oxide compared to 1944. The reason for that is improved efficiency, and these are huge gains.

The Ad Council is teaming up with HSUS to launch a three-year, $80-120 million effort to change the way Americans view shelter pets and boost adoption rates of homeless cats and dogs across the country. Maybe why this campaign is being developed is that too many people have forgotten that pets are an animal that must be cared for daily. Unlike farmers and ranchers who have chosen a field of work that requires a commitment 24/7. Not everyone is designed to be a farmer or rancher--it takes special character and commitment.

Maybe it's that character and commitment that makes our family enjoy the opportunity to camp for a few days. We just can't pack up, lock the house and go. We must arrange for someone to do the chores--twice daily. And it's not too many people we can ask to be responsible for a $60,000+ investment. Plus, the hay can't be be ready.
Actually, for all the planting to be done, hay not ready and someone able/willing to do chores for us all -- happens only rarely (kinda like a blue moon).

So as we celebrate the first official day of summer break, I'm thankful that we are a farm family. That we do have the responsibility of many animals and that the fruits of our labor our enjoyed by many.

Filming at TD Borg Farms

Terry got to explain how our no-till corn planter worked and the benefits of no-till farming to PBS producer Phil Marshall for an upcoming documentary on Sustainability. As my nearly 80 year old father-in-law said "we use to beat the crap out of the soil--before we knew any better". Farming has come a long way and thanks to lots of new technology, we're producing more with a lot less...all to feed a growing population safe, abundant and affordable food.

Snapshots at our Farm

NE farmers willing to share their experiences via Twitter.

TWEET CORN?
Nebraska farmers sharing their experiences via Twitter Micro-blogging tool provides a glimpse of farm life and food production.

LINCOLN, NE ­ If a farmer uses Twitter to talk about planting the latest hybrid, would you call it ³tweet corn²?

>From corn and soybean farmers to livestock producers, Nebraska farmers
>who
have flocked to Twitter provide insight on those subjects and more by ³tweeting² what they are up to on any given day ­ and helping their ³tweeps² (Twitter followers) and others around the world better understand farming, farm life and food production.

³Posts on Twitter are captured in real time and provide a peek into the life of farmers. People can read what we¹re working on that day, the issues we¹re facing, why we do the things we do and more,² said Debbie Borg, a farmer from Allen. ³If people choose, they can join Twitter and ask us questions.²

Borg, who is known as ³@iamafarmer2² on Twitter, frequently posts information on planting and crop progress, cattle production and related issues. She said Twitter is easy to use with a web browser or other software that will help keep track of people you decide to ³follow.² By following someone, you can see what they have posted and their replies to others who are on Twitter.

³This time of year I¹m posting about planting progress, problems that come up some days and issues that are important to me as a corn farmer,² said Brandon Hunnicutt, a farmer from Giltner. Hunnicutt is ³@cornfedfarmer² on Twitter.

Other Nebraska farmers on Twitter include Ryan Weeks of Juniata
(³@huskerfarm²) and Susan Littlefield (³@firefighter89²) of Surprise. Weeks has been posting planting and crop progress updates and related information, while Littlefield has been describing the impact of weather on her operation and providing updates on lambing.

³Twitter is unique in that it is relatively simple to use and posts are a maximum of 140 characters so people can read them quickly,² Hunnicutt said.
³It¹s a great way for anyone to follow a farmer and see what we¹re up to.²

Borg said Twitter is also a great way to ask farmers questions if someone doesn¹t understand what is happening or why. ³I¹d encourage anyone to have a look and pose a question if they are looking for a better understanding of why farmers do what they do and food production in general. If we don¹t know the answer, we¹ll find someone who can help,² Borg said.

To see what these farmers are up to, just follow these web addresses or search for their username at Twitter.com:

§ Debbie Borg: www.twitter.com/iamafarmer2
§ Brandon Hunnicutt: www.twitter.com/cornfedfarmer
§ Ryan Weeks: www.twitter.com/huskerfarm
§ Susan Littlefield: www.twitter.com/firefighter89

What is all the talk about Indirect land use?

Have you heard about 'indirect land use' and direct land use? If you haven't - you probably will soon. It is a phrase that was inserted into the 2007 Energy Bill. Th at bill raised the ethanol mandate from corn to 15 billion gallons and established a biodiesel mandate starting at 500 million gallons. One of the concessions to environmental groups in the deal-making was to require new ethanol plants and all biodiesel plants to make ethanol and biodiesel that have lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions than fossil fuels.
Clearing of land to plant more crops has been going on for about 10,000 years. The rate of rainforest destruction is not highly correlated with biofuels production – which is very recent - or even grain and oilseed prices. Rainforest destruction is caused by a myriad of factors unique to each country. Please note that cropland in the US is shrinking every year. None-the-less, the language is in the law and EPA has to find a way to deal with it. The law could be complied with if only domestic land use changes were considered.
Congress passed a bill that was supposed to ramp up renewable use but then tied conditions to the production of renewables that make it nearly impossible to actually accomplish the goals.

See more at: http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r050509.htm

Safest Food

As an epidemic of anti-farmer, anti-pet anti-animal use legislation sweeps our nation, I’d like to give Nebraskan’s a heads-up. The pet legislation introduced is a red flag that the “animal rights” (AR) movement has effectively infiltrated the Nebraska legislature. The deceptively-named Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) lead the anti-animal use charge to rob us of our constitutional rights and eliminate American farmers.

As a Midwestern farm wife, I used to be amused at the fact most American consumers seem to think the eggs, milk, meat and cheese they need to feed their families just miraculously appear in the grocery store. There’s nothing funny about this ignorance any more. Now it’s just scary, because the animal rights movement exploits this naiveté in its agenda to eliminate our access to local, safe, affordable food.

They already convinced California voters to eliminate nearly their entire egg industry by approving Proposition 2 in last November’s election. This outcome is substantiated by the UC Davis study which explored the economic outcome of Proposition 2. This HSUS-sponsored ballot initiative will abolish the science and experience-based housing systems egg farmers use to keep chickens healthy, happy, safe from predators, and keep their eggs safe from salmonella. And now HSUS has declared it’s taking this “victory” to other states.

This “victory” will wipe out the family farmers and workers who once were the top ranking state in production and has now fallen to 5^th place in producing our nation’s eggs. American farmers working hard to put affordable, nutritious, great-tasting food on our tables - wiped out by a group of vegan animal rights activists who think they have the right to control our food choices and sources.

What can Nebraska do about this? Avoid the same mistake. Don’t ever contribute money to HSUS, PETA or any animal rights group. If you want to help animals, contribute directly to your local shelter. Tell your legislators to oppose animal rights-sponsored bills. Tell your friends and neighbors.

Things are tough enough for Nebraska residents. Let’s not make it worse by wiping out our access to affordable, safe food. You will earn the gratitude of farmers in our state trying to avoid the unemployment line.