I had an interesting conversation with a young woman from a Journalism class a few weeks ago who asked to interview me about Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) in livestock production, specifically the environmental impacts of cattle feedlots. A Meat Science professor had recommended me since I have spent most of my life acquainted with … Continue reading What Can We Do About Environmental Impacts of Cattle Feedlots?
What do feedlot cattle eat? Ask a Farmer
I have had several conversations where folks assume that grain-finished cattle have little to no access to grass. That is not the complete truth and many are surprised to learn just how short the period is that those cattle remain in the feedlot. The majority of the animal's life is on pasture. Recently I have … Continue reading What do feedlot cattle eat? Ask a Farmer
What is a cattle feedlot? | Ask a Farmer
What is a factory farm? What is a CAFO? What is a cattle feedlot? These and numerous other questions are some that I receive on a weekly basis pertaining to cattle production. I have spent most of my life becoming better acquainted with many aspects of cattle production. Over the next several posts, I hope … Continue reading What is a cattle feedlot? | Ask a Farmer
Does feeding cattle corn harm them? Ask a Farmer
What is a Factory Farm? Does feeding cattle corn harm them? Why are cattle finished in feedlots? These are a few of the questions I often receive when discussing the beef we eat and how cattle are raised. Do cattle eat grass or grain? Most all beef cattle are born and raised on pastures where … Continue reading Does feeding cattle corn harm them? Ask a Farmer
The Care Package: Video About Cattle Welfare
Cattle Welfare. The cattle are here, it's what we do. It's our passion and this business if our livelihood. Bottom line is the cattle are handled better today than they ever were before. The words of this Colorado cattle feedlot operator couldn't be more representative of cattlemen across the country. On farms, ranches, and many … Continue reading The Care Package: Video About Cattle Welfare
McDonald’s Advertisement Misleading, Cattle Full of Antibiotics
When responses get too long... I had a comment on my post about McDonald's new farmer ad campaign this weekend and my response became a bit lengthy. I guess it just hit a spot when people start assuming things about cattle feeding operations and that real farmers aren't out there in the pasture with their … Continue reading McDonald’s Advertisement Misleading, Cattle Full of Antibiotics
The Face Of Food Production
Factory Farm. Big Ag. Corporate Agriculture. CAFO. These are just a few of the terms used by those who oppose large business agriculture in today's food production. Let's face it, agriculture is made of many different farms, ranches, and operations, none of which are exactly the same. Some may be owned by families, others by … Continue reading The Face Of Food Production
Let Us Fix This Consumer – Ag Disconnect
It really should not surprise me or disappoint me by now when I hear someone criticizing food production. After all of the blows and punches consumer groups have taken at crop and livestock producers over the past couple of years, one would think we would have the thick skin to tolerate it. But still I … Continue reading Let Us Fix This Consumer – Ag Disconnect
A Day at the Feedyard
Labor Day weekend for most is filled with memories of family and friends gathered around the water or a BBQ soaking in the last days of summer. For many of us in production Agriculture, those memories also include getting around early to finish the chores before going off to the party. This is how it … Continue reading A Day at the Feedyard