May 25, 2013

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July 2011 Archive for A Passionate Voice

Even at an early age, Cheryl Day was a passionate and practical advocate for agriculture. Check out her viewpoint on current agricultural topics.

Next to Perform: Meat Destroying the Environment?

Jul 20, 2011

Fire up the grill, showcase your most theatric skills, and tell the story about the healthy advantages of Certified Angus Beef. The most popular contest outside of the showring at the National Junior Angus Association is the All-American Certified Angus Beef Cook-Off. Juniors from age 9 to 21 teamed up to compete for the bragging rights on the best recipe and best skit. After all if your skit requires you to dress up like a bear or Angus cow or some outrageous costume then you want to pull out the win –right?

Illinois had three teams competing in different age groups. The youngest Illinois group decked out in their finest bear attire and one funky Goldilocks revealed a house not serving beef. You know the original story of Goldilocks and the three bears but you never heard it told like this before. In fact, baby bear claimed that Mama and Papa Bear were having martial issues because Mama was serving tofu.

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Photo Courtesy of Angus Topics

While this skit of Goldilocks and the Three Bears was in the spirit of the contest, real life drama is being fed to the general public about Meat and livestock production’s impact on the environment. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) released the Meat Eater’s Guide to Climate Change and Health complete with interactive website and life cycle graphics. EWG encourages people to participate in “Meatless Mondays” and claims giving up meat at least one day a week would help the individual’s health and the environment.

The EWG is putting on their best drama to place FEAR in the minds of the consumer, claiming that animal agriculture is solely destroying the consumer's health and the environment. I urge you to look past the smoke and mirrors and examine the facts.

EWG Claims:

According to the “cradle-to-grave” life cycle assessment that the organization conducted with CleanMetrics (consulting firm hired by EWG), Beef ranks second as having the highest environmental footprint.

FACT:

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the entire U.S. agricultural sector accounts for only 6.4 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and livestock production as a whole only accounts for 2.8% of the agriculture sector.

After the release of the EWG’s Meat Eaters Guide, the USA Today interviewed Dr. Frank Mitloehner, Associate Professor and Air Quality Specialist at UC Davis. Mitloehner shines the truth behind the smoke and mirrors, saying that "scientific lifecycle assessments of meat production haven't been conducted." He goes on to say that according to the Environmental Protection Agency, only 3.4 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions are the result of animal agriculture and "by changing the focus to eating habits, people think it doesn't matter whether they drive a Hummer or a Prius, it's whether they eat a burger or not."

In fact, a Washington State University study showed the beef industry has decreased its impact on the environment through modern technology and improvements in agriculture practices. From 1977 to 2007, beef producers have increased beef yield per animal by 28%. Improving productivity reduces resource use and environmental impact per unit of animal protein.

EWG Claims:

Eating Meat and Dairy Products are bad for your health.

“..eating less meat is important for improving your personal health…” – EWG

FACTS:

The U.S. Dietary Guidelines as well as leading health organizations a balanced diet including lean meat is essential in maintaining a healthy weight, building muscle, and fueling physical activity. One thing the EWG will not tell you that not all proteins are created equally. Unlike plant sources of protien, lean meat is the most readily available and easily absorbed sources of iron and zinc.

A 3 ounce serving of lean beef provides all of the essential amino acids you need in less than 180 calories. To achieve the same levels with plant protein you would have to consume 2-3 times as many servings, which equals many more calories. For example, 1½ cups of beans has two times more calories than a 3-ounce serving of lean beef

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Photo Courtesy of Angus Topics

As Goldilocks explained to the Three Bears, a diet missing lean beef is unhealthy. The Key to healthy lifestyle is a balanced diet complete with proteins from animal products. 29 Cuts of Lean Beef is an excellent or good source of 10 essential nutrients – including zinc, iron, protein and many B-vitamins. In fact, a 3-ounce serving of lean beef provides more than half the Daily Value recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans in less than 180 calories package.

In reality, reducing your meat consumption will NOT have any impact on greenhouse gas emissions but could have serious consequences in the American Diets. So take the advice from this Illinois Cook-Off winning team and make beef a healthy part of your balanced diet.

Reference:

http://www.news.ucdavis.edu/search/news_detail.lasso?id=9336

http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/downloads11/US-GHG-Inventory-2011-Chapter-6-Agriculture.pdf

http://www.explorebeef.org/CMDocs/ExploreBeef/EnvironmentalImpactBeefIndustry1977-2007.pdf

http://www.explorebeef.org

Comments (6)

Let Freedom Ring

Jul 12, 2011

Let Freedom Ring is an appropriate theme for the 2011 National Jr. Angus Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Monday was the official start to a week full of competition, fun, and life lessons for Angus juniors from across the United States and one exhibitor from Canada. The Pennsylvania Jr. Association has welcomed the visitors with open arms and great hospitality.

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As I and my fellow Illinois Advisor, proudly stood with our great group of Illinois Juniors during the Parade of the States, it hit me “Yes, Let Freedom Ring” for the next generation of Angus leaders. Animal Activists groups like the Humane Society of US (HSUS) would prefer the next generation of animal agriculture producers did not emerge.

1996

“My goal is the abolition of all animal agriculture."

---JP Goodwin, employed at the Humane Society of the US, formerly at Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade, as quoted on AR-Views, an animal rights Internet discussion group.

“As a beef producer, it so great to see so many young juniors in this arena” said Matt Meals, Pennsylvania’s Deputy Secretary for Agriculture and Consumer Protection in his welcomed speech.

In one simple but important statement Meals, summarized the reason families take a week of vacation to attend the National Junior Angus Show. These same young faces eager to start the week is the future of the beef industry and should have the freedom to raise livestock. They are and will be raising the beef we consume, adding ZIP (Zinc, Iron, and Protein) to our diet. It is my generation that should ensure the CHOICE to be beef producers is our children’s decision.

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Caution Show Critters on Board

Jul 08, 2011

As we speak, excited Junior Angus members are packing their trailers, belongings, and loading their best Angus cattle to make the annual trip to the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS). This year the destination is Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Looking in from the outside, it may be hard to understand the desire to travel to Historical Pennsylvania just to participate in show but this event has more than meets the eye. The NJAS offers many opportunities for junior members age 9 to 21 to build life-long skills, make new friends from across the nation, and simple build the memories of a lifetime.

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Over the week junior members will not only participate in the show ring but also in a full week of competitions and activities: Cook-Off, Team Sales, Team Fitting, Public Speaking, Quiz Bowl, Career Development, Graphic Design Contest, Photo Contest, Creative Writing, Livestock Judging, and Poster Contest. In addition the kids can participate in a mentoring program, be member of newspaper staff, and state herdmanship award. The laughs, memories, and making new friends are wonderful bonuses.

As an Angus enthusiast, I was blessed to be able to travel to the NJAS as a junior and excited that my children have the same opportunity. I have been asked numerous times “Why do you show cattle?”. The love for Angus Cattle-raising and showing -is in my blood, a passion I inherited from my Grandfather that I actually never met because he left this world way to soon.

The CNN’s Eatocracy blog drew the conclusion that kids participating in livestock 4-H projects are being desensitized to killing. As an individual who actually has raised livestock since 8 years of age and parent who supervises my children’s project, I can honestly say I do not agree with that conclusion. My family is thankful everyday for the animals that give their lives to feed us. In fact, I would confidently say the kids blessed with the opportunity of raising livestock are passionate, well-balanced individuals as a result.

Exhibiting your livestock in the show ring is an activity of livestock projects. The benefits are abundant for both showing and raising livestock.

1. Responsibility- How many city kids rise and shine bright and early every day to feed and care for animals. In fact, 7 am is sleeping in for my kids. My children learn early that every day the animals need food, water, shelter, and healthy environment. They also learn to balance all activities in their lives.

The agriculture sector is seeing a decline of our kids returning to the farm or the industry. Why? Simple, these responsible/loyal/hard-working individuals are being recruited by other occupations with larger salaries and less risk.

2. Compassion – The idea to shield our kids from hardships or death or failure is bogus. My kids experience disappointment and death. I have held my daughter as she shed tears over calf that she nurse around the clock and did not make it. When our cattle our sick, the whole family feels the pain.

On a personal level, our cows are very spoiled. It is my children who hug, groom their hair, and simply show they care.

3. Goal Setting – My children choose to exhibit their cattle or establish a herd. They know that have to work hard to complete their goal. Research and evaluate personal growth is large part of the process. The journey is far more important than the destination.

4. Competition – My family does satisfy our competition quest in the show ring. Your family may choice baseball-football or similar activity. There is satisfaction in completing a well done project.

5. Sportsmanship – I want my children to experience losing and winning graciously. If they fail short of their personal goals then they need to discover what they would differently.

6. Outlet - As young girl my cattle was my outlet. A time to escape the world. My daughter also explain that her cattle are quiet and do not judge. An escape from the everyday he said - she said teenage games.

These are only the few benefits of showing and raising livestock.

Yes, we will embark on the 12 hour trip to participate in week full of family adventure and I am going to take you with us. Over the week, I will blog from NJAS sharing the stories not told in the typical media string. A front row seat, to a group of great kids who passionately take care of their animals.

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania or Bust!

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