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November 11, 2011
Antibiotics in Food Animals

How will the future of antibiotics in food animals be impacted?

What are the issues of using antibiotics in food animals? How will their use impact consumers? What are some of the scientific studies saying? These reference links are only a starting reference point to help understand the issues and form an opinion on actions to take.

November 11, 2011
Antibiotics in Food Animals, What are the Concerns?

Consumers are starting to take notice of the issues raised by research about the use of antibiotics in food animals. The discussions go beyond science and research, into the areas of consumer purchasing decisions and food marketing.

The Chicago Public Schools took a public policy stance in 2011 by serving local, antibiotic chicken in 473 of its schools. This action makes the statement that consumers have a preference for food that is free of antibiotics and is locally grown. Independent of the view of farmers, ranchers, or producers, consumers do have a voice and are influenced by how science and technology is positioned.

September 20, 2011
This Week In Ag 0040 - Michele Simon - Food justice and what those in agriculture should know.

Michele Simon believes food companies and governments must bring food nutrition, health, and agriculture policy together to better citizens' lives.

Show notes

Conversation with Michele Simon about food justice and what those in agriculture should know.

July 15, 2011
Food, People, and 2050

9.8 billion people by 2050 will require 2.3 billion metric tons of food per year. How can this be supported?

The population continues to increase to levels that concern those that grow and produce food. Many believe there is a need to develop technologies that will increase food production at least by 50% to support the expected population of 2050 (9.8 billion by some estimates). While there is general agreement that the population will increase and that access to food will be an issue, there is no definitive solution.

April 29, 2011
What Is Pork's Carbon Footprint?

How are those in the US Swine industry tackling sustainability and environmental issues? This presentations outlines the actions being taken and what the future holds.

Dr. Lisa Becton, Director of Swine Health Information & Research, National Pork Board, provides an update on the sustainability and environmental improvements the pork industry is focused on. From the 2011 Annual Conference of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture, April 11 - 14, San Antonio, TX USA.

Presentation.

April 26, 2011
This Week In Ag 0036 - Animal Ag Alliance, What Is Coming Up?

The Animal Ag Alliance brings tools and resources to agri-professionals to help agvocate agriculture to many Americans not involved in raising food.

Show notes

Conversation with Sarah Hubbart, Director for Communications for the Animal Agriculture Alliance.

  • What is the focus for the Animal Agriculture Alliance?
  • In May the Animal Ag Alliance will be holding its 10th Stakeholders Summit. Can you share with us what this year's theme is?
April 5, 2011
This Week In Ag 0035 - What Is The Consumer's Stake in Today's Food Production?

Animal agriculture must begin to incorporate consumer desires, wishes, and input into how animals are raised. The first step involves educating farmers and ranchers about the consumer issues and develop goals to bring consumers closer to the process.

Show notes

Conversation with Scott Stuart, NIAA Board Chairman, about the 2011 National Institute for Animal Agriculture conference

  • What is the focus for the 2011 National Institute for Animal Agriculture Annual Conference, titled Consumer's Stake in Today's Food Production?
  • What do you want attendees to take away from the conference? Are there any actions you hope they follow-up on once back to their operations?
March 18, 2011
This Week In Ag 0034 - What is the Food, and Agricultural Education Information System?

Are you looking for metrics on ag related nationwide higher education? Do you need to better understand the trends in agriculture education? Then the Food, and Agricultural Education Information System needs to be on your radar.

Show notes

Conversation with Food, and Agricultural Education Information System (FAEIS).

  • Can you start by sharing what the Food, and Agricultural Education Information System is focused on and what its core missions are? 
  • Why was FAEIS started? 
  • What is the size and scope of the FAEIS (employees and budget)? Under what part of USDA is FAEIS located?
February 22, 2011
This Week In Ag 0027 - What is the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service?

How does FSIS operate and what are its core missions?

Show notes

Conversation with Dr. Elisabeth Hagen, USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety, which includes the Food Safety and Inspection Service.

  • Can you start by sharing what the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service or FSIS is focused on and what its core missions are? What is FSIS main role/mission in protecting people from food borne hazards?
  • What is the size and scope of the FSIS (employees and budget)?
January 14, 2011
Buy Local Food Economics Not Valid

"A major flaw in the case for buying local is that it is at odds with the principle of comparative advantage."


via econlib.org

Economists Jayson Lusk and F.

December 13, 2010
Can Ethanol and Politics Mix?

What is so hot about ethanol that it brings out the hard core politics and lobbying?

Including extensions to the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) is one of the actions taken up by the 111th U.S. Congress. This extension seeks to continue the 45-cents per gallon credit given to fuel blenders. What is the VEECT? From Bioenergy Wiki:

December 13, 2010
Discovering Ethanol

Ethanol is consider by some to be the path to U.S. energy independence while others say it is only a stop gap at best. These links offer a starting point to learning more.

Ethanol as an energy source has lots of sides, politically, economically, and socially. These links only offer a starting point to discovering more about ethanol.

December 12, 2010
This Week In Ag 0021 - Fueling Ethanol

What is the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit and what impact will new legislation have on the ethanol industry?

Show notes

Chat with Matt Hartwig, The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA).

  • Can you explain the key points of the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (aka VEETC)?
  • What impact would a reduction in the VEETC have on the U.S. ethanol industry? Ideas floating in DC have credit going from $0.45 to $0.36.
  • What is the status of U.S. exports of ethanol? 
November 16, 2010
How Can You Build Consumer Confidence Before, During, and After An Incident?

Building your farm or ranch public health dashboard will help build and maintain customer, consumer, and partner trust.

Audio: via itc.conversationsnetwork.org
November 4, 2010
This Week In Ag 0018 - What Does Ag Policy Look Like Post Election?

The 2010 elections are over and January will bring new legislators. What ag policies will be affected or what impacts on ag could the 112th US Congress impose?

Show notes

  • Post elections ag policy outlook
    • Estate taxes, environmental regulations, land use?
    • The 2012 Farm Bill will continue its development in 2011. What will that look like?
  • Swine industry in current economy.
    • Highlights from Swine conferences?
    • "corn would be a whole lot more affordable for the swine industry if every pound of pork had a 46-cent tax credit, similar to ethanol", comments?
    • Does more consolidation need to occur?
November 2, 2010
What is in store for the 2012 Farm Bill?

The 2010 Farm Bill outcomes are still in the "distant" future. But the elections this year and next will play a major part in what is in or out of the bill.

How will the 2010 election affect the discussions on the 2012 Farm Bill? No one knows definitively. However, the following links may provide some indicators and information to help understand the issues and concerns.

August 27, 2010
This Week In Ag 0013 - Will We See Congressional Action On Estate Taxes This Year?

What will happen if the US tax code is not addressed by the Congress before January 1, 2011?

Show notes

Estate taxes are in limbo as American Farm Bureau Federation Tax Policy Specialist Pat Wolff explains.  Yes, we may still see action but if not, the tax clock roles back ten years come January 1.  You need to talk to your congressman because you really don't want that to happen.

July 30, 2010
This Week In Ag 0009 - Ag Research + Extentions, & Ball Game Bad Food

What is agriculture research and how does it get funded? Learn more about the ag extension system and its impact on production agriculture.

Show notes

July 30, 2010
What Are Agriculture Extensions?

Did you know agriculture extensions offer more than ag data and research?

The USA agriculture extension services are an outreach program of land grant universities. The goal of the extension service is to bring research based information to the ag community.

Ideally, the research information can be applied on production and community operations to help them become more productive, increase their yields, and improve their lives. Extension personnel and services are not only agriculture focused but also focus on family, consumer sciences, youth education, and economic & community development.

July 23, 2010
This Week In Ag 0008 - Dairy Industry Perspective, Ag Media Summit, and Chicken or the Egg?

How has the dairy industry changed over the last 15 to 20 years? And what do ag media editors do?

Show notes

July 23, 2010
World Agriculture Information Research Tools

Looking for ag data can seem daunting. Use these web sites and the power of Google to speed up the search and reduce the hassle.

When looking for information on world agriculture, where do you start? The following websites are good starting points. They are not all encompassing but they will get you started.

Use the power of Google Search. For example Google allows you to specify that your search results must come from a given website. For example, the query [ corn site:fao.org ] will return pages about corn but only from fao.org.

July 2, 2010
This Week In Ag 0005 - What Needs To Be Done Before 2010 Elections, States' Budget Woes On Ag, and Lion Meat Burgers

What ag legislation is to pass before 2010 mid term elections and how are states' budgets affecting ag education and extensions?

Show notes

June 25, 2010
Enough: Why the World's Poorest Starve in an Age of Plenty

Africa has lots of resources and land but its countries struggle to provide food for their own people.

Roger Thurow, former Wall Street Journal correspondent and co-author of Enough: Why the World's Poorest Starve in an Age of Plenty, shares the "complexities of economic dysfunction" in trying to help the countries in Africa feed their people.

June 25, 2010
Roger Thurow Thoughts on Dire Need Versus Bountiful Plenty, Part 1.

Part 2 of Roger Thurow thoughts on feeding people, from BASF Media Summit.

Roger Thurow, former Wall Street Journal correspondent and co-author of Enough: Why the World's Poorest Starve in an Age of Plenty, shares the "complexities of economic dysfunction" in trying to help the countries in Africa feed their people. Part 1 of a presentation from the BASF Media Summit June 2010 in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

June 25, 2010
Roger Thurow Thoughts on Dire Need Versus Bountiful Plenty, Part 2.

Part 2 of Roger Thurow thoughts on feeding people, from BASF Media Summit.

Roger Thurow, former Wall Street Journal correspondent and co-author of Enough: Why the World's Poorest Starve in an Age of Plenty, shares the "complexities of economic dysfunction" in trying to help the countries in Africa feed their people. Part 2 of a presentation from the BASF Media Summit June 2010 in Chicago, Illinois, USA.