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.

Have you commented to EPA about RFS-2

Here's my letter to any editor who will publish my concerns with RFS-2. Anyone is welcome to use the whole letter or parts--but whatever, be sure and send a comment.

Dear Editor

The future of the U.S. soy biodiesel and corn ethanol industry is at stake. I am encouraging all farmers, neighbors, and fans of renewable fuels to submit comments to the EPA regarding the proposed rule on the RFS-2 implementation. Currently it is significantly flawed and will effectively stop any future production of U.S. soy biodiesel and corn ethanol.

A loss of the domestic biodiesel and corn ethanol market will significantly add more dependence on imported oil and decrease prices paid to U.S. farmers for their soybeans and corn, which will also negatively impact the economies of rural communities.

EPA’s logic includes a faulty measure of the indirect land use; onerous feedstock certification requirements; a major error pertaining to the direct emission calculations for nitrogen in soybean production; lack of accounting for glycerin as a co-product of biodiesel; inaccurate assessment of the energy balance of biodiesel; and lack of accounting for improved agriculture yields and efficiency.

Unless the flaws in EPA’s proposed rule are corrected, soy-based biodiesel and corn ethanol effectively will be excluded from meeting the renewable energy targets established under RFS-2. Nebraska farmers would lose a source of demand for soybeans and corn, jobs would be lost, and our nation would NOT decrease its dependence on imported oil.

That’s why I am asking farmers and renewable fuel fans to contact EPA as well.

There are two online forms to submit comments with the click of a button. Comments must be submitted before the Sept. 25 deadline. Go to:

www.soygrowers.com/policy/RFS2.htm.

or

http://capwiz.com/ncga/issues/alert/

Sincerely,

Debbie Borg

Nebraska farmer

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?

Here's a few pics of our kids working with their bottle fed calves.

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.

So much to Sort through

Everyday since my last posting, I've had ideas for a blog update--but it is nearly impossible to organize my thoughts.
There is the Indirect Land Use Charge (ILUC) that may make corn ethanol and soy biodiesel not meet the RFS2 (renewable fuel standard 2).
An Atlanta TV station does a expose on HSUS and within 24 hours it is removed...and then another 48 hours and it is removed off of YouTube due to copywrite infringements--that is after 15,000 views.
Someone I follow on Twitter believes that all GMO crops must be irrigated!!
Our president is apologizing for US behavior when overseas!!
Our president wants to close Gitmo - without a plan -- and finally he loses, because there is no plan. How many of us can make a business decision and not have a plan.

Some thoughts that I can organize it what has occurred the last two days...WIND, WIND and HEAT. We had high winds (up to 40 MPH gusts) and our topsoil stayed where it belonged. Thankful we are full-time no-till farmers. I drove to town yesterday afternoon for the kids fun day and the town had a haze (it looked like pollution to the untrained eye) and it was dirt. My husband and I visited, do these farmers who till - not see the damage. They are losing their most important piece of the high yield puzzel....soil.

Today I just read that it appears there will be a show-down on the cap & trade legislation. Yesterday, I read that Chairman Harry Ried wants to push a 964 page bill through with little debate. I am glad to hear, common sense is starting to have some momentum in DC. See more at Cap-and-trade Showdown

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and that we take time to honor those who stood for Freedom and paid the greatest cost and those who have been part of our life and gone before us.
May God bless America.

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

Let's keep the Choices

There is so much information available every morning to review, digest and then decide which to believe. How does one know what is science vs. junk science? I seem to be using the words 'everything in moderation' more often these days. Is one food bad? Yes, because we need variety everyday. Every food can be bad-if that is the only one you consume. But when consumed in moderation, I believe we can all enjoy some of the abundance that the US population can choose from.
That's what I keep coming back to, one of the great things about living in the United States of America-is the freedom of choice. Do I think organics are bad? NO. Do I want to feed my family organics? NO. But I am so glad we have the choice to choose today. And I am concerned if we keep heading down the path we're on today - in not too long of time - those choices will not be available.
So I encourage everyone to be wise and read health claims on marketing materials with a degree of skepticism - enjoy the amazing bounty we have and enjoy all the choices we have.

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

Current farming practices improving to feed the very hungry world.

In 7 of the last 8 years, the world has consumed more grain than it produced. Experts now predict our planet will need to double agricultural output by 2050 to feed a growing population. By some estimates, that means producing more food in the next 50 years than has been grown in the last 10,000 years.

—It now takes 30 percent less energy to grow a ton of corn than just a decade ago.

—latest advancements in biotech & improved production methods help farmers squeeze more from every drop of water, fuel and fertilizer and from every acre of farmed land than at any time in history.