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Don & Roma

I am in the process of trying to clear up some misinformation that I heard on the Don (Wade) & Roma show on WLS AM yesterday morning.  Roma is a big proponent of this Natren probiotic.  We agree on probiotics, for sure.  They are really quite beneficial.  What we disagree on is the fact that you need probiotics to combat the "super bugs" that you get from consuming so many antibiotics in  your meat.  It is an unfortunate fallacy.  The meat that you consume may have been fed an antibiotic, but that animal has to be clear of that antibiotic before it enters the food supply.

Take a probiotic to help maintain the healthy flora in your body.  Do not take a probiotic to combat super bugs from eating meat.  It's simply untrue.

More articles

We were honored (once again) to be featured in two more farm publications.  One was in the IL Field and Bean magazine and the other in Farm Credit's monthly publication.  Both were well written and included many of the points that we wanted to get across.

Also, we recently met with an Associated Press reporter, Tammy Webber, from Chicago.  She is writing an article about CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) and the permitting process.  This is the first (non farm) reporter we have really spoken to about some of the key issues.  We hope that we got our point across that the dynamics of a family farm are certainly changing, but we are and will remain a family farm despite our size.  We are going to have our eyes and ears open for when that article might surface.  Let me know if you see it before I do.

Accounting

There is nothing I enjoy more than trying to figure out accounting software.  That's it.  We are going to buy Quicken again.  It's the easiest I have ever used.  This dumb business software isn't worth it if I cannot figure out how to work it.  Grrrr.....insert frustrated face.

Branching out

So, I realized how boring it is to read my posts because I have no pictures.  I am going to use this post as my attempt to post a photo on my blog.  If you get some sort of funny line of characters, don't laugh.  I am going to branch into the next century here....maybe.

One drawback

So, I've been diligently counting points on Weight Watchers for the last month or so.  I have lost 8.8 pounds and I'm feeling good about where I'm headed.  Yep, until the cake making train stopped this weekend.  We had a party for Bella this weekend and I made her cake.  No problems for me with the cake itself.  It's the Wilton buttercream recipe that is going to send me to my grave.  If you have never had my frosting, it's pretty much to die for.  It's so creamy and complex.  We use meringue powder and fine grain salt to take it to the next level.  I thought I was doing pretty well, actually, until I realized that I did not finish all the frosting from the mixing bowl.  Darn it anyway.  So, I had a (heaping) tbsp of the delish stuff.  MMMMMMMmmmmmmmm.  I have no idea where to begin on how many points are in that.  I do know that I am going to cut my losses this week, even if I gain.  It's too great to pass up.  I am on track for everything else, so I'll catch back up.  This is why I am grateful that birthdays only come every so often in our family.

Empty rooms

We are in the process of finishing emptying Room #1 in the barn.  Once that room is empty, we will go through and pressure wash every square inch to ensure that everything is clean before restocking the room.  We will begin refilling that room in a matter of just a few days.  In the meantime, selection of gilts continues in the other rooms, and we will begin the process over in those rooms shortly.

It's been great for us to work with Illini Farms on this adventure.  They have made the transition to contract feeding a flawless one for us.

Kilgus Dairy

Off tomorrow to another GRIT meeting, but first we get a "field trip" at Kilgus Dairy in Fairbury, IL.  I am looking forward to getting to taste some delicious ice cream and cheeses!

Here's the link to the Kilgus farm's website:

http://www.kilgusfarmstead.com/

Check out how this family farm has transformed their business.

McDonalds

In response to HSUS's latest video about the use of gestation stalls in the production of pork for McD's, McDonalds has decided to have their producers phase out the use of gestation stalls or no longer produce pork for McDonalds.  Once again, the debate about whether or not modern pork production is the best for the pigs is coming into question.  Much research is being done currently about the use of gestation stalls vs. open pens for pregnant pigs.  Results are showing that the safest method of housing pregnant sows is in gestation stalls.  Many locations are finding that when given a choice between a gestation stall and an open "loafing" pen, the sows return to their stalls to rest, eat, and relax.  They even return to the same stall over and over.

I am going to be doing my best for my health and the pork industry and try not to eat at McDonalds.  It will be tough since those three little ones feel like they need Happy Meals, but we are going to try to limit giving them our support.

Ugh. Another birthday

Thanks for all my birthday wishes.  I don't enjoy celebrating my own birthday, but I am honored to have had so many wishes from my friends and family!

IFF

I know I keep beating a dead horse, but you really have to go check out the IL Farm Families website.  There have been some recent comments regarding two of the blogs posted after our Mom's Meet Up in Chicago.  I even have my own blog put up last Wed.  Feel free to browse the site, leave a comment, etc.  Just check it out!!!

www.watchusgrow.org

Unloading

We have sent more gilts (female pigs that have not had a litter yet) out yesterday and today.  I cannot believe that it has been nearly 4 months since we began filling the barn.  The gilts will go to one of three different sow farms where they will have their piglets (eventually).

We are still feeling anxious about starting on the new barn.  It's going to be exciting and a bit of a whirlwind when all four barns are up and running.  We are pleased, once again, to be working with AgriTech Enterprises.

Getting old

I cannot believe that time is flying so quickly.  Today was my special day to go to Kindergarten with Bella to read her favorite story, bring in a few baby pictures, and also bring in a snack.  It was a lot of fun.  We read Bella Gets Her Skates On.  We also decided on pudding cups and lots of different sprinkles instead of cupcakes.  It seems like they get cupcakes a lot!

I love being able to go into the kids' rooms.  It's really fun getting to know their friends and teachers.

CLMT

I am proud to say that I just finished my Certified Livestock Manager Training yesterday, AND I earned an 87% on the test.  A test that I was convinced I couldn't pass.  The cutoff score was 70%, so I'd say I did pretty good.

IL livestock farmers are required to take the course when they have more than 300 animal units (not the same as "head" of livestock...there is a different multiplier).  You have to take the course and the test when you have over 1000 animal units.  Much of the training focused on responsible environmental stewardship, which we do already.  That part was easy.  It was the geometry and algebra I was not expecting...and I was grateful for my liberal arts education!  I have had so much background in biology and chemistry that the agronomy stuff was much easier for me than even some of the farmers there.

I am glad that I have it behind me, but I am proud of myself.

Lily

We are so excited that our newest niece and nephew are here for a few days.  Our little Lillian is just the smiliest little thing I have ever seen.  The girls are just in love with her.  They are so cute wanting to hold her all the time.  :-)  I heart babies!

SNOW!!!

Why can't we get lake effect bands of 12-18 inches?  Just my quick question for the day!  Happy Valentine's Day

Selling tickets!

I have tickets available for the Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner at Holy Cross School on March 8, 2012.  Dinner is 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.  We will have Mary Cate Smith, a senior at St. Bede, performing Irish Step Dancing and singing Irish tunes.

Also available for $5 each are raffle tickets for technology.  We are raffling off an iPad2, several Kindles, a flat screen TV, etc.  All of the money raised will go to purchase either laptops or iPads for students in our school.

Let me know if you are interested.  We had 3000 tickets available, but only have 250 left!!!

Chinese Delegation

John & I were fortunate enough to get a chance to participate in a luncheon yesterday honoring a high level Chinese trade delegation.  To begin with, we ate at the Union League Club.  A. Maz. Ing!!!  It's unbelievable.  The architecture is phenomenal, but when you walk through and check out their art collection...wow!  It honestly knocked my socks off.  I am not sure if John was as impressed as I was, but it was quite awesome.  I mean come on, they had a Monet!!!

The next part that was awesome was meeting with this delegation from China who purchase 25% of the soybeans produced in IL!  That's amazing!!!!!  Every fourth row of soybeans grown in IL goes to China via the Mississippi River.  Thank God we got those FTAs worked out finally.  The delegation had lots of questions about corn vs. beans (which farmers prefer to grow and store), cash rent vs. owning (which cash flows better...HA!), and future trade goals for IL farmers.  I was fortunate enough to get a chance to sit with the translator for the group, so conversation flowed fairly freely at our table.  I also sat next to a staffer for Mark Kirk (IL Senator) who is responsible for his agriculture policy.  It was nice to get a chance to talk to him and get some real answers, and do some lobbying, also!  BTW, the Senator is doing well in his recovery.

Finally...this is the crazy part...I was speaking with another one of the Senator's staffers.  I asked where they were from originally.  The one said he was from Glenview, which is a northern suburb very near where I grew up.  I explained that I knew Glenview because my childhood dentist (whom I adored) was in Glenview.  He asked who...so I said...turns out it was his father!  Can you believe it?  What a small world.  I enjoy making connections with people, but that one just fell into my lap.  So neat.  We were honored to be asked to represent the Soybean Assn and be part of a wonderful day.

No more Chipotle for us

What a bummer.  It's unfortunate that when you find a place that you enjoy eating, something changes and you can't go there any longer.  For us, it's Chipotle's new ad.  Thanks to a Facebook friend for showing it to me.  Their ad vilifies agricuture, especially animal agriculture, by categorizing a "family farmer" into an "industrial farmer", and then illustrates his trip back to what they call "sustainability".  I find it interesting that people see this as supporting farmers and agriculture.  Once again it is clear that people do not understand what a farmer is, does, or how he is focused on the issue of sustainability.

Long story short, our trips to Chipotle are done.  We will not support a corporate entity that attempts to destroy what we hold sacred.

Mary Kay & HSUS???

http://humanewatch.org/index.php/site/post/this_ones_for_all_the_ladies_out_there/

I am going to be trying to follow up with this one to see if there was ever a real answer.  From everything I can see, Mary Kay denies any part of this....I certainly hope that is the truth.  I would hate to have to stop using their products because my money is going to support Wayne and his group.

Do you give to your "local" Humane Society via HSUS????? Your money doesn't go where you think.

http://humanewatch.org/index.php/site/post/even_hsus_donors_are_in_the_dark/

Read this article to find out where the money that HSUS (Humane Society of the United States) receives as donations actually goes.  They get your money by showing you animal shelters, but your local animal shelter will receive less than 1% of that donation!  If you want to support your local shelter, then give DIRECTLY to your local shelter!

Please share and post on your social media sites.  Also, subscribe to humanwatch.org to follow all the stuff that HSUS doesn't want you to know about.

Family

We are excited to welcome home some long distance family members next week.  My brother-in-law and his family, including our newest niece, Lily, are going to be home for a short time.  We are over the moon to get to see her and our nephew.  They are transitioning back to the US from a two year stay in Naples, Italy.  It will be reassuring for us, as well as the whole family, to have them back stateside.

Tickets

Through Holy Cross School, we are selling tickets to the Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner on March 8th.  I am also selling the "Technology for Technology" raffle tickets.  They are $5 each.  You could win and iPad2, a Kindle fire, one of 2 Kindle Touches, a 27 inch TV, etc.  All proceeds go to benefit improving technology programs at Holy Cross.

Let me know if you are interested.

Farm Labor

http://chrischinn.wordpress.com/2012/02/09/will-my-children-be-allowed-to-work-on-our-farm/

This article poses the new question that farmers are asking ourselves now.  Will my children be allowed to work on our farm.  New legislation proposed will prevent children under the age of 16 from "working" on a farm, even their parent's farm.  It will also prohibit them from using any tools that are not "hand or foot" operated.  No battery powered drills, no driving tractors or other equipment, nothing electric or battery powered.

What is frustrating is that we hope that our children will return to the farm one day to establish their careers and families.  Unfortunately, this legislation could prevent our children from learning the necessary tricks of the trade to help them when we are no longer around.

I assume that the legislation is going to be in place because of farm safety issues.  We talk to our children on an almost daily basis about being safe on the farm.  We emphasize how important it is to "hit the grass" when you hear any type of vehicle coming, and our children will go running for the yard the second they hear a car, truck, semi, or tractor coming up the gravel.  We talk about not climbing ladders, not to ever enter a bin without an adult, and to steer clear of the augers.  Our kids know which hogs they are allowed to be in the pen with and which ones they cannot enter because of the size of the kid and the animal.  We take all of this very seriously.  I see no difference with urban parents who have to teach their kids about how to be safe on the ell platform.  Are we going to ban children under 16 from riding the ell in Chicago?

Please talk to your legislators about the foolishness of this proposed law.

Manure

Here's another from www.sustainabletable.org, whom I am not promoting at all, but thank for the ideas.


**QUOTE**Waste
Some industrial livestock facilities produce as much sewage as a small city, but they are not required to treat all this waste. Instead, the waste is held in large pools and spread on farm fields where it often runs off into nearby water systems.**END QUOTE**


Everybody Poops...I think that's a kid's book for potty training, but alas, everybody does, in fact, poop.  That includes our animals.  What Sustainable Table fails to note is that many livestock operations, specifically hogs, do not have "lagoon" storage any longer.  Our farm, for example, has an 8 foot deep pit under each barn to store the manure.  We are not required to treat the manure because it is to be used as organic fertilizer.  Treating this manure and then applying it to the soil where we grow our food seems like more of a safety issue to me.


In a previous post, I stated that we are not irresponsible with our use of the manure, either.  We use annual soil testing results and variable rate technology to help ensure that the proper amount of nutrients are being applied to the soil.  There are even computer programs designed to help you keep the records of weather events around the dates that you apply the manure to the soil to ensure safe nutrient management.  Another change that the swine industry has seen is the use of manure injection systems, meaning the manure is not "thrown" on top of the soil, but rather injected 6-8 inches below the surface.  The injection system cuts down on odor by 66%, provides the nutrients directly to the roots of the plants that grow in that soil the following year, and decreases the chance of "run-off" into water supplies.  


As far as the safety of the animals in the barn where the manure is stored, we have taken many steps to ensure the health of the animals is not compromised by their "poop".  Our buildings are "tunnel" ventilated, which means that there are fans on one end that suck air through the barn at up to 7 mph.  We also have "pit fans" which pull air down from inlets in the ceilings, through the slats in the floor, and out through the pit fan on the sides of the barn.  These two systems provide a well-ventilated and comfortable environment for the pigs.  We also have fail safes built in to the system.  Our building has a state of the art alarm system that calls 5 phone numbers the second any of our systems in the barn fail, i.e., temperature decrease/increase over 5 degrees, loss of power, fans that do not turn on, loss of water, etc.  In the event of a power outage, our barn is equipped with curtains on the side walls that lower immediately in order to keep the barn ventilated.  We also have a generator on site, large enough to power all operations of the barn at any time.  


We feel strongly about the health and safety of our little piggies, and also about the environment that WE also live in and raise our children in.  

Animal feed

A big thank you to www.sustainabletable.org/issues/ for helping me come up with ideas for my blog posts.  I was not sure what to keep writing about, so this really helps.

**QUOTE**Feed
Animals on industrial farms are fed the cheapest grains and waste products in order to fatten them quickly. This leads to widespread health problems, so low doses of antibiotics are also added to the feed. The result is unhealthy animals and unhealthy food for consumers.**END QUOTE**


FALSE!  Our animals are fed a specific ration based on their age and weights.  Animals haven't been fed waste products for years.  Watch Charlotte's Web and you'll see them pouring food scraps or "slop" into Wilbur's pen.  This just is not realistic.  Our feed rations are comprised of soybean meal, corn, fats, and proteins.  We have no "widespread health issues", and our animals' feed DOES NOT contain a low dosage of antibiotics.  Just like you would give your children medicine if they are sick, we do offer a sick animal antibiotics on a case by case basis.  We work very closely with a team of veterinarians who help us determine when it is safe to provide the animals with medicine.  We strive to keep our animals healthy and happy.  We also trust wholeheartedly that our pork is perfectly healthy "for consumers".  We have three small children and feed them our pork without question.  You should feel confident that you can do the same for your family.

True or false?

I am going to call out a few different "hot topics" or controversial issues in agriculture.  I am not a PhD, but this is what I do for a living.  I can tell you some facts and the truth about how things are done on my farm.  I WANT your comments and questions.

These quotes came from a website called www.sustainabletable.org/issues/.  The reason I am surfacing these fallacies is to better explain what modern agriculture is really about.  Farmers really do care, because we are raising families, too.

**QUOTE**Factory Farming
Meat and dairy production in the United States has changed dramatically over the past 30 years. Small family farms have been replaced by huge livestock facilities, where animals suffer horribly, workers are mistreated, the environment is being destroyed, and where rural communities are falling apart.

Family Farms 
Family farmers are being forced out of business at an alarming rate, and hundreds of small farmers sell their land every week. The dramatic expansion of industrial agriculture has made it increasingly difficult for small family farmers in the US, but many small family farms have found hope within the sustainable food movement.**END QUOTE**

Factory Farming vs. Family Farms....actually a great question was just posed on www.watchusgrow.org about this exact topic.  I find a few lines from the above text quite interesting.  1. "where animals suffer horribly, workers are mistreated, the environment is being destroyed, and where rural communities are falling apart."  Interesting.  Our family farm is considered by most a "huge livestock facility", but we do not participate in any of the above statements.  Our animals do not "suffer horribly".  On the contrary, they are in a comfortable, temperature controlled environment, just like at your home.  They are given ample room to spread out and can move wherever they would like in their pen.  They also have unlimited access to feed and water.  Our workers most certainly are not "mistreated", namely because our workers are us.  We are a family farm.  Even when we will have a need to hire extra help, there will be no changes in the importance of maintaining a safe working environment.  I am not even sure what they mean by saying a livestock facility is destroying the environment.  I can tell you that we have the benefit of having manure available to us as an organic fertilizer.  The primary nutrients in manure are nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus.  As you well know, these are vital nutrients to any plant and are organic materials.  We do rigorous soil testing to ensure that the rate at which we apply the manure is exactly what that particular acre of ground needs.  Using technology, we can vary the rate throughout the field to perfectly match the needs of that ground.  We also have strict guidelines on where manure can be applied in relation to ground water supply.  The IL Dept of Ag, and IL EPA both review our Nutrient Management Plan and both have approved it.  Finally, nothing about the construction of our facility have made our "rural community fall apart".  In fact, we feel strongly that the communication we have had with the community and media have strengthened the sense of community and provided positive views of animal agriculture.  

2. "Family farmers are being forced out of business at an alarming rate, and hundreds of small farmers sell their land every week. The dramatic expansion of industrial agriculture has made it increasingly difficult for small family farmers in the US".   In IL alone, 97% of farms are family owned.  There is a perception from the public that over 50% of the farms are "industrial", but in fact they are not.  Family farms are changing from the small "do all" farms of the past.  Before most every farm had a variety of livestock on a small scale, plus a few hundred acres and some equipment.  Nowadays, farmers are able to specialize in the type of crops they prefer to grow (in IL, it is predominantly corn, soybeans, and wheat), and the type of livestock they would like to raise.  The amount of land owned by a family farm is on the rise, also.  So, the truth is that family farms aren't disappearing, but they are growing, leading some to assume that more industrial farms are popping up.

3. "many small family farms have found hope within the sustainable food movement."  Ummm....huh?  All farmers are concerned about sustainability.  We are concerned about how to keep our environment protected and yet maintain good productivity from the land.  As I said before, we do soil testing and control the rate of fertilizer that we apply.  We constantly assess what crop rotation cycle is the best for the land, and make realistic decisions that help promote the sustainability of the land.  To be honest, sure, I wish every person had a garden large enough to support their own families.  To be realistic, it isn't feasible.  What we as farmers can do is continue to look at what practices we are using on our farm to ensure that we are protecting the soils that are so vital to us.

Failing in my duties

So, I actually thought I was doing well educating my co-workers about animal ag.  Until yesterday morning, that is.  The conversation we were having quickly swung into the antibiotics, hormone, steroid topic regarding what we give our animals and the safety of the food supply. 

Most of the conversation was focused on milk and poultry.  As I told my coworkers, the USDA and we as farmers have STRICT guidelines regarding the use of antibiotics and hormones.  You will not find any of them in any of the meat, eggs, or poultry you consume, and also in the milk you drink.  You can feel confident, as I do, that you are feeding your family directly from the world's safest and most abundant food supply.

As a mom, that makes me rest easy.

IL Farm Families

This is my reminder to all of you to check out IL Farm Families efforts at http://www.watchusgrow.org/  You will find so much information coming directly from farmers!!!  If you are a farmer, use this site to get the word out about what we do, and how we make a difference!

TURN ON YOUR HEADLIGHTS!!!!!

What the heck, people?  Of course the day we have to be in Rockford for an 8:15 a.m. Dr's appt, it's the foggiest day all year.  What cracked me up (NOT!) is all the dumbies out there who drive white or gray cars and DO NOT USE HEADLIGHTS!!!!!  Seriously?  I am clearly annoyed, but if you think your auto headlights were working, they weren't! 

While I'm on the subject of dumb drivers, can anyone tell me what the heck is wrong with setting your cruise control?  I set it and forget it (thanks, Ron Popeil).  I had this lady tailing me in this minivan, won't give your her license plate number---but I should!  As I finished passing the semi, I got over into the right hand lane....now I remind you, she was TAILING me...couldn't see her headlights.  She proceeds to pull up nearly to my rear passenger doors, then hang out their until we got close to the next semi.  Then she backs so far up that I couldn't even see her through the fog.  I signal to get into the left lane, and BOOM, there she is again, taililng me!  ARGH! 

Cruise control and headlights, people.  Cruise control and headlights.