Predictably last week’s State of the Union speech was full of political theatrics but short on specifics. Each year I find it harder and harder to watch our nation’s leaders play to the tv cameras with their orchestrated responses to lines delivered by the President. I’d rather read the speech than watch it. As usual there wasn’t much in it about agriculture except for some references to trade and energy which focused mostly on natural gas. I did agree with the President’s oft stated position of ending subsidies for the oil companies. Even the President’s most agriculture related comments came off as a weak attempt at humor when he pointed out his administration decided not to treat milk the same as oil in the event of a leak. What he failed to mention was how long it took them to make what was on obvious decision. Interestingly the President made the comment that a farmer didn’t need a government agency looking over his shoulder to do the right thing. I wish he would apply the same logic to several other areas of agriculture threatened by governmental agency over reach such as dust and youth labor.
What a year 2011 has been for agriculture. We’ve seen record exports, higher farm income, an explosion in land values and passage of three major free trade agreements. Of course we’ve also seen droughts, fires, floods and price volatility. No doubt the struggling general economy and future spending cuts hover like dark clouds as we enter a new year. A dsyfunctional Congress, an ineffective super committee and an upcoming Presidential election combine to create dreaded uncertainty as we look ahead. Unresolved tax questions, a contentious farm bill debate and a growing anti-agriculture movement promise to make 2012 another challenging year for farmers and ranchers. Naturally occuring events like weather, while concerning, are accepted risks that go with the territory. However it’s the man made disasters that are especially hard to take. Government policies and activist agendas make the challenge of feeding and fueling an exploding world population even more daunting.
One of our annual favorites, author Ace Collins, joined us today to share the stories behind a number of favorite Christmas songs. We encourage you to find out more by buying one of his many books on Christmas songs and traditions. Click here to find out more.
And listen below to hear the story behind O Holy Night, which as Ace explains was the first song ever played on radio.
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A new group has been formed to raise awareness of local pet shelters and draw attention to the fact that money given to the Humane Society of the United States does not trickle down to local pet shelters. Watch the video below to find out more about the Humane Society for Shelter Pets and click on HumaneForPets.com to find out how you can help your LOCAL pet shelter.
You would think with a world population already at 7 billion and heading to 9 billion in the next few years and concerns about feeding all of those people that societies would open their arms to farmers and encourage them to produce as much as they can. Instead groups with their own agendas and governments trying to implement theirs, threaten to keep food producers from doing what they do best. Despite being caretakers of the earth, farmers struggle to keep up with ever changing environmental regulations. Despite caring for their animals, livestock producers are being attacked by vegan activist groups. Despite being early adopters of emerging technologies to reduce the chemical inputs on their crops, farmers face growing criticism for use of biotechnology. Despite dramatic increases in crop production, farmers are challenged to produce even more and on less ground while trying to meet various social, economic and environmental standards. Throw in weather events, government red tape and increasing costs and you start to realize how daunting a challenge it is to feed all those people.
Monday, February 6, 2012 We'll broadcast from the National Biodiesel Conference in Orlando and look at the legislative challenges facing the renewable fuels industry.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 We will continue our coverage of the 2012 National Biodiesel Conference.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 We'll talk with the Animal Ag Alliance about what you can do to combat misinformation about Meatless Mondays.
Thursday, February 9, 2012 Iowa Senator Charles Grassley joins us for his monthly update from Washington.
Predictably last week’s State of the Union speech was full of political theatrics but short on specifics. Each year I find it harder and harder to watch our nation’s leaders play to the tv cameras with their orchestrated responses to lines delivered by the President. I’d rather read the speech than watch it. As usual there wasn’t much in it about agriculture except for some references to trade and energy which focused mostly on natural gas. I did agree with the President’s oft stated position of ending subsidies for the oil companies. Even the President’s most agriculture related comments came off as a weak attempt at humor when he pointed out his administration decided not to treat milk the same as oil in the event of a leak. What he failed to mention was how long it took them to make what was on obvious decision. Interestingly the President made the comment that a farmer didn’t need a government agency looking over his shoulder to do the right thing. I wish he would apply the same logic to several other areas of agriculture threatened by governmental agency over reach such as dust and youth labor.
What a year 2011 has been for agriculture. We’ve seen record exports, higher farm income, an explosion in land values and passage of three major free trade agreements. Of course we’ve also seen droughts, fires, floods and price volatility. No doubt the struggling general economy and future spending cuts hover like dark clouds as we enter a new year. A dsyfunctional Congress, an ineffective super committee and an upcoming Presidential election combine to create dreaded uncertainty as we look ahead. Unresolved tax questions, a contentious farm bill debate and a growing anti-agriculture movement promise to make 2012 another challenging year for farmers and ranchers. Naturally occuring events like weather, while concerning, are accepted risks that go with the territory. However it’s the man made disasters that are especially hard to take. Government policies and activist agendas make the challenge of feeding and fueling an exploding world population even more daunting.
