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As if we didn’t know….
….it turns out that an important arm of Big Ag (and Big Chemical) is the Farm Bureau. This non-profit giant, basing much of its clout on its insurance business, claims to represent the American farmer. In fact, it is a mouthpiece for some of the worst farming practices. Here’s the link: http://thefern.org/2012/07/farm-bureau-gets-a-closer-look-in-new-report/
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Rub a little dirt in it….
….or better yet eat it. I’ve read things like this before, but never in so august a journal as the New York Times. Turns out those chemicals we spray on things or rub on our hands to prevent disease are (guess what) leaving us more vulnerable to disease. Microbes may cause disease but it’s also microbes that fight the bad bugs and you don’t want to wipe them out. Here’s a link to the full story: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/21/opinion/lets-add-a-little-dirt-to-our-diet.html?_r=2&emc=eta1&utm_source=August+2012+Enews&utm_campaign=FCA+August+2012+Enews&utm_medium=email This isn’t exactly a scientific breakthrough. I remember some years back (okay, like maybe 50) when as horrified parents we saw one of our progeny eating dirt and ran to the pediatrician. Compounding…
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All that glitters….
….could be natural fly control. At least that’s what our friend and holistic vet Sue Beal thinks. I’ve been away on business all week and returned to find an email from Sue to some kindred spirits suggesting her “horse-y” buddies are doing “crafty” things to chase flies. But let Sue tell it: Weeeelllll, I spoke to some colleagues who work in the horse world a week or so ago and they recounted a series of reports and on farm experiences using glitter (you know, sparkle dust, craft glitter…..) on horses as an effective fly repellent. Apparently the flies see the glitter as some sort of predator beast and avoid the animal. So,…
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On top of the world….
….a picture of our granddaughter, Marion, exuberant at the view of the Rockies from her summer camp. I think this captures perfectly the joy in being young, alive and confident of a limitless future. Just thought I’d share the feeling with you….hope you’re not so old that you no longer get it.
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Well, of course…
….once again, in a remarkable display of bi-partisanship despite the bitterness everywhere else, Republicans and Democrats have gotten together to produce another monstrosity of a Farm Bill. As befits such a bill, it is laden with 60% more pork than the last one. Corn subsidies are still there even though corn is at the highest price in history. And Californians will still get handouts to enjoy their foie gras. It’s all in the time-honored tradition of what used to be called “log rolling”. I’ll vote for your bill if you’ll vote for mine. Sometime back, lawmakers from Ag states realized their grip on the process was slipping and so they…
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A terrible tragedy….
A car crash has claimed the life of the son of Kim and Ann Seeley. Kim is a dairy farmer and the former, longtime president of PASA, the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture. The Seeley’s 29-year old son, Shon of Troy, Pennsylvania was killed when his SUV ran off the road Tuesday night. As though not tragic enough, the young man was on the way to the hospital to visit his wife and their brand new baby girl. This is heart breaking news and we can only send our condolences and prayers to the entire Seeley family.
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Once more with feeling…
….we were at a party last night where, once more, someone in one of the conversation circles, announced her family “just doesn’t eat much red meat anymore”. Not a vegetarian exactly, you understand, just would rather not eat much red meat. Because I was a guest (and off-duty), I again let the remark pass. I did not tell the lady that the chicken and pork she was feeding her family was a whole lot worse for them than red meat. But still, despite all the evidence, it’s my impression that most of the experts today are still cautioning against “too much”, whatever that is, red meat. We’ve linked to various…
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Drought claims noted Devon herd….
Quite a few cattle owners have decided to throw in the towel because of the drought, and now we’ve heard from Devon breeder Bill Roberts that he’s planning to disperse his herd. 12 Stones Grasslands Beef is one of the outstanding Devon operations in the country. Bill kept it in the Midwest when he moved to the Phoenix area because the desert environment was more hospitable to his allergies. However, looking at the ravages of the drought…and the rising price for hay…and worse to come… Bill has decided to sell all but the five or so Devon that make up his hopes for the future. Bill is a longtime Devon…
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Alright. That does it! – 2
The other day we mentioned that “the place” Devon in our mind actually stretches quite a bit farther than the place on the map. About as far south as you can go is Cornwall, where several of our partners in Traditional Devon live and farm. One of those is a vivacious young woman named Juliet Cleave from the Kew herd. She not only raises excellent cattle but is in the forefront of promoting the breed and grass fed meat. Juliet has put together videos that we’ve shown here before and here is her latest, which was something she did locally to promote the Great British Beef Week. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBqu1hi1KSw&feature=related
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Alright…that does it!
We’re booking our flight for Devon right now! This picture of Devon near storied Exmoor just came in from our English friend and colleague, Shiamala Comer, who has the good fortune to live there. She also is the breeder of Millenium Falcon, the sire of some of our Traditional Devon embryos near to hatching. We’ve fallen in love with Devon, not only for its namesake cows, but for the beauty of its scenery, and the warmth of its people. Actually, when we think of Devon, we include a wider area from Cambridge all the way down to Lands End….wherever we find our favorite cows and the people who breed them. And, truth…