Overheard at the Forum…

"I think there are far too many political appointees at USDA.” — Jim Webster, former USDA official in the Carter administration

"The first thing you do is keep your sense of humor because every day is a challenge, and if you don't, you'll be dead.” — Former Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman giving advice to the new USDA Secretary

"I feel a bit like being in the eye of a hurricane, trying to forecast where we will be next year.” — Joe Glauber, USDA Chief Economist, in reference to the commodity market outlook for 2009

"A candidate's point of view on free trade agreements is often different when he becomes President.” — Allen Johnson, former Chief Agriculture Negotiator for the Office of the United States Trade Representative

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Stat Rack

Links between livestock and soybeans

98% Share of domestic soybean meal consumed by animal agriculture

32.2 million Soybean acres consumed by livestock and poultry

32.1 million Tons of soybean meal consumed by livestock and poultry

1.4 billion Bushels of soybeans consumed by livestock and poultry

69% Amount of animal ag production value in Texas that comes from cattle, which consume 24% of the soybean meal used. Texas is No. 1 in U.S. livestock sales receipts

77% Portion of soybean meal used in Iowa, which ranks No. 2 in U.S. livestock sales, that is consumed by hogs

2 Illinois' ranking in soybean production

1 Iowa's ranking in soybean production

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What a Day!

Pop-Up Truck

 

This is what happens when you don't open the tailgate before lifting the bed. Grab your cell phone for help because it's a long way to the ground.

 
If you've had one of those days—or caught someone else's on film—we'd love to share it with our readers. E-mail high-resolution images to khumphreys@farmjournal.com, or mail prints or slides to What a Day!, Farm Journal, P.O. Box 958, Mexico, MO 65265. Photos for publication will be selected on a first-come basis.

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We Want to Hear From You

Have you overheard a good story at the coffee shop lately? Or maybe you were the one doing the telling and you'd like to share. We're looking for good stories to feature on the Tailgate Talk page. If you have a lineup of Stat Rack numbers or pictures that scream "What a Day!” we'd welcome them as well. E-mail your stories, stats and pictures to khumphreys@farmjournal.com or mail them to Farm Journal, P.O. Box 958, Mexico, MO 65265.

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