Editorial

Start ‘em Young

I’ve talked before about the importance of reaching out to youth, whether the message involves food choices and pork’s role in a healthful diet or the real practices on a modern farm or rallying the next generation to consider agricultural careers. ... Full story.

Opening a Window to Your World

Dairymen have long led the pack when it comes to showing the public what they do on the farm, why they do it and how it translates to the tasty, wholesome products that consumers enjoy (and take for granted). ... Full story.

Prepare Now for Your Next Battle

The issue surrounding animal welfare and gestation-sow stalls has been smoldering for years, really as far back as the 1980s. ... Full story.

So, You Chose the Wrong Career

It’s no secret that agricultural illiteracy is rampant in the United States, well even globally. Most people lack more than the most basic understanding of agriculture, and they fail to comprehend its deep interconnectedness to their daily lives. ... Full story.

Another Year; Another Dollar

You know the saying, “Another day; another dollar.” Well, the same can apply to another new year. ... Full story.

Half Truths

Perhaps it’s the time of year, with harvest winding down, or perhaps it’s because I’ve put my own garden to bed for the season, but my thoughts have turned to the “sustainability” debate that continuously nags at our food system. ... Full story.

You Have to Make a Connection

Ever feel like you’re speaking a foreign language when you’re talking to another person? Maybe it’s happened when you’ve tried to explain a weaning process to a new employee. Perhaps you felt like you were hearing a foreign language as you listened to a production or financial seminar. The words are just not making the intended connection. ... Full story.

A Long Climb out of the Corn Deficit

Nothing has rocked your world more than $5-, $6-, $7-per-bushel corn. Now some market analysts are talking about $9 corn. While that may seem absurd, just a year ago the absurdity was the prospect of $7 corn. ... Full story.

Inviting the Fox into the Coop

A lot of folks involved in animal agriculture did a double-take last month at headlines announcing that the United Egg Producers and the Humane Society of the United States agreed to laying-hen housing requirements. More than that, the two groups will work together to secure federal legislation regarding U.S. egg production and labeling. ... Full story.

Time for a Mid-year Checkup

It’s June, we’re half way into 2011, and I’m going to assume that we’re finally reveling in more than two consecutive warm and sunny days. That may be a stretch given the cool, wet April and May that most of us encountered this spring. ... Full story.

Don’t Let the Window Close

It’s no exaggeration to say that the U.S. pork industry’s future hinges on the export market. Why? In recent years, pork exports have claimed 17 percent to more than 20 percent of the industry’s annual production; this year’s estimate is 22 percent. ... Full story.

Are You Inspired?

A month has passed since the National Pork Board introduced its new pork advertising slogan -- “Pork. Be Inspired.” That’s allowed some time for it to sink in. Okay, I’m guessing you haven’t given it much thought since an initial passing glance. ... Full story.