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.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
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.
**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.
**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.
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**
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.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
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.
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.
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.
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