Do As I Say, Not As We Did

This summer our family had the opportunity to host a group of Danish farmers.  The bus load of men from across Denmark came to America to learn more about risk management, agricultural manufacturing, and production practices.  The group was a cross section of family farmers, most with livestock, a few with only crops, and a couple who were organic producers.  They had visited the Chicago Board of Trade, John Deere, Pine Lake Ethanol, and came to our farm as they wound down their trip.

After touring the farm, visiting the feedlots, checking out the corn crop, and taking self guided tours around the machine shed, we sat down for a barbecue.   Then we started to solve the world’s food problems over a cold one.  I had prepared myself to explain and justify the use and safety of biotechnology, but I quickly realized most of our visitors were bigger proponents than me.   “I feed GMO soybeans to my broilers (chickens).  I just can’t grow them myself.  Don’t do what we did.  The European Union ignored science and now we are stuck.”

He explained that they had pretty good soils as a whole, not like central Iowa, but generally very productive.   Denmark limits nitrogen to rates below the economic optimums.  In Europe it’s about 50% less than they used in 1985, plus farmers are restricted from using GMO seed.  While land prices and inputs are comparable in price, yields are limited.   He said they are competing in a world market, and the regulations put Denmark at a big disadvantage.   They had the research but followed the emotional argument.

He then asked, “Do people pay the real cost for organic milk and eggs in America?”  I really didn’t know how to respond, but luckily he continued, “Organic products are subsidized in grocery stores so they are cheaper than conventional milk and eggs.”  Again he reminded me that America shouldn’t do what Denmark had done.  They ignored the real consumer demand for the organic product, which is much lower at real prices.  

As we continued our discussion politics came up.  They had just had elections and with the various parties, the top vote getters were still forming a coalition for control.  “We’ve spent decades trying to get out from the control of government rule (a monarchy until 1849), but they keep adding more rules and laws.  We aren’t trusted.  Don’t do what we do. “

I thought a lot about that last thought since then.  Our founders fled Europe for freedom, and it seems like ours keeps eroding away.   Our ag regulations keep growing all the time, and I am afraid we will do as they did, not as I say.

4-H’s Lessons of Life

This year’s 4-H projects came to a close this week when the kids’ steers were sold at the local sale barn in Tama.  This is not the first time through the production cycle for them, so there were no long good-byes.  As Abby and Nick helped load the steers, we took time to save the ear tag that read “Spike” from one steer.   Abby herded them out of the barn quietly, and as each one passed the gate Nick patted them one by one for the last time, and then he announced “That will be some good hamburger.”  I guess I wouldn’t expect anything different from a farm kid who affectionately named his pigs Sausage, Ham, and Bacon the day they arrived back in March.

There’s many lessons learned each year with their livestock.  Each year the knowledge gets a little deeper.  Animal care and health, feed rations and nutrition, and of course learning more about exhibiting and showing.  The character and responsibility they gain are tough to quantify but are more apparent each year.   They can’t do it all by themselves, and they shouldn’t.  Some people say 4-H showing is more for parents than kids, but just like school or sports kids need guidance, encouragement, and assistance to learn and become better.  The family time and new friendships gained are invaluable as well.   The idea of creating a network and resources to get help or exchange ideas will benefit them long after 4-H.  There are very few activities that teach the life skills and about life itself like these projects.

Growing up on a livestock farm, the kids knew the reason for a market hog or steer was to provide food for people.    As Abby puts it, “People have to eat and these will taste good”.  So the kids learned to do the best possible way to raise their animals and market them to provide a safe wholesome food supply.  There is also a special respect for life that cannot be learned any other way.  On our way home from the sale barn, their attention turned back to plans and goals for next year.  The kids are anxious for this year’s calves to be weaned and up for sale so they can start the cycle over for another year. 

Nick’s gilt named “Bacon” found an unexpected home this year.  She turned out well enough as Reserve Grand Champion to earn a spot in a local show pig producer's herd after the county fair.  This has led to a lot of questions of the hows? and whats? about the entire livestock production cycle.  Learning about the wonders of nature and people is a never ending cycle.