Chewing The Cud

Dr. Cody Wright, Beef Extension Specialist at South Dakota State University, chats with me about the exciting events taking place at the BEEF BOWL!

My pal, Melissa Hart, a dairy farmer from Michigan, joins me to chat about our speaking adventures and how we communicate online through our blogs.

From a blog post show in an advertising class, to an email from a pessimist in production agriculture, to a fancy internet hoax demanding a boycott, Amanda Nolz teams up with Trent Loos to sort through the propaganda and find the truth about where your food comes from.

The Kansas City Star posted an article about the (PCRM) Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine's new ad, "Dirty Little Secret," claiming that excess unhealthy food is dumped into school lunch programs, paid for by congress. The article said the ad will play nationwide on CNN. I hate to give more buzz to the ad itself, but I think its worth viewing to understand my following points. Click here to view.

To most, this ad quickly paints a picture of corporate America dealing under the table with Congress to make children fat. Let me point out some of the few inaccuracies of this ad...

Fact 1: Congress has nothing to do with buying meat and dairy products for school lunch programs. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Ag Marketing Service Livestock and Seed Program has a branch called Commodity Procurement. With more supply in agriculture products than there is demand, USDA supports American farmers and keeps them in business while nurishing today's generation of students. This has nothing to do with money under the table. It has EVERYTHING to do with ensuring food security through successful production agriculture.

Fact 2: Incorporating meat and dairy products into a young person's diet is so important for development and overall health. The benefits of meat and dairy in the diet are vital to the success a student has in school and throughout their lifetime.
Check out these links to learn about the benefits of meat and dairy.
So what makes America's children fat? Hmmm...generally Americans have troubles with portion sizes and often students gorge on afterschool snacks like cookies and candy, soda pop, and processed, salty foods like potato chips and frozen dinners.

Fact 3: What's the REAL Dirty Little Secret of this article? Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine is not a trustworthy organization at all. In fact, PCRM consists of less than 5% physicians and health professionals. It's another animal rights organization in disguise. Learn more about where their dirty money goes to by clicking here.

My next question, Is CNN really a credible news station if they are willing to run such a bogus advertising campaign? What are your thoughts on this issue?

National Beef Ambassador Chris Molinaro, Pennsylvania, promotes beef against a vegetarian movement on her college campus. Here is a summary of her activities...

Yesterday afternoon Jenny Rassler (PA Beef Ambassador), Amy Shollenberger (Block and Bridle member), and myself packed up our beef promotional material and set up our table in the Findlay Dining Commons of East Halls, home to 4,000 underclassmen students. The dining commons was all decked out with a 'country western' style theme and the smell of BBQ ribs and chili was amazing.

-Chris Molinaro
Current PA Beef Ambassador

Check out her blog here.

There is a movement making waves this week called, Blog for the Environment Day. Bloggers across the globe are putting in their two cents on the environment and ways to live more green. Speaking of that, did you know Al Gore received a Nobel Peace Prize for his work on the environment? The man uses more electricity in his mansion than I do in an entire year!

Don't let me get off the subject.

As a cattle producer, I care about the livestock and the land that I work with. It seems everytime I go somewhere, I hear the ridiculous claims that cattle are the source of global warming! Have you ever seen smog over a cattle farm?

Now I could spout off all the facts.

The number one source of carbon dioxide and methane (greenhouse gasses) are the combustion of fossil fuels in transportation and landfills. However, methane gas from ruminants contributes a measly 2.4% of methane gasses, and that's a stretch.

Or we could use common sense.

Where does most pollution occur? In the wide open spaces of the countryside, or in the condensed population of a busy city? So the next time you bite into that steak, feel no guilt. You could probably consider selling that gas guzzling SUV though...

I read a slogan the other day that read, The world wide web just got a whole lot world widier!

While this may make absolutely no sense, it made me start thinking...

Who are my readers? Where are you at? What do you do for a living? Where do your interests lie in agriculture and food production? Is there something you want to discuss on this blog? Do you have any interesting stories about the foods we eat and the farms that produce them?

Talk to me people! The world wide web is pretty darn huge, so let's be friends! Tell me your story...

Prepare yourself for some heavy reading... I promise, promise, PROMISE that I will have an entertaining story posted next, but today we must ask the question: Could there be an animal welfare group on our side?

Animal welfare is defined as the viewpoint that animals, especially those under human care, should not suffer unneccessarily. While animal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the viewpoint that all animals should have the same rights as humans.

Animal welfare groups believe that the animal rights movement has gone too far. The National Animal Interest Alliance, an animal welfare groups, makes a solid point about the animal rights group, Humane Society of the United States.

The NAIA is known as one of the most prominent critics of the HSUS. We wear that label with honor, many of our members believing HSUS is corrupt to the bone. First, HSUS allows its financial supporters - ordinary, animal-loving Americans - to believe it spends an enormous annual tax-free budget of $123 million on caring for animals, when its real agenda is passing extremist legislation.

Third, HSUS constantly engages in deceptive propaganda, half-truths and outright lies in well-funded media campaigns to win its political and legislative battles. But they are not held accountable for their tactics because they are a nonprofit group that enjoys political free speech protections. Link HERE to read the rest of the article...I promise it will be worth your time!

So what does the National Animal Interest Alliance stand for? Here is a small snippet from their website... NAIA believes that livestock agriculture is beneficial to society and to the animals when they are raised in accordance with established humane animal husbandry practices.Modern American agricultural methods supply us with an unprecedented bounty of quality meat, eggs and dairy products and with leather, wool, furs, and myriad items derived from animal byproducts. The vast majority of Americans enjoy these products as part of a well-balanced diet or lifestyle, and developing countries look to US agriculture to help them overcome the devastating problems of malnutrition, starvation, and economic hardship that plague their nations. Link HERE to read their stance on American agriculture.

So while I'm not 100% on NAIA, either way, friend or foe, they have one thing right: The Humane Society of the United States must be stopped! (Click HERE to see the HSUS' hidden agenda.)

Makayla Schreck joins me today to share her story about a farm accident that nearly cost her life. She reminds all of us to be safe this harvest season.

It's raining--again. It makes me want to crawl in bed and curl up with a novel. It makes me want to drive home so my mom can make me steaming hot chocolate and beef stew. It makes me want to skip class, watch a sappy movie, and cry my eyes out.

Maybe I'm feeling a bit nostalgic, but I'm really missing home--my family and my cattle. Because I'm in this mood and because of a special request, I'm reposting a favorite... It's a story about a memory, about a girl, and about a passion for agriculture. From my heart to yours, enjoy.

The little girl pulled at the tall grass with all her might, falling back on her bottom with only a few blades in her grubby, little hands. The small girl, pigtails bouncing, stood up and brushed off her wrangler jeans and white shoes. She shyly walked up to the fence and extended her hand, offering the grass to the beast. Meagerly, a mighty bull made his way to the fence. He reached his neck out and sniffed at the girl’s hand, caressing her fingers with his cold, wet nose. In turn, she crinkled her own nose and boldly took another step towards the curious bull. Finally, their eyes connected—girl and beast. They seemed to understand each other. The bull nodded his lumbering head and licked up the few bits of grass remaining in the little girl’s hands. In delight, she ran back to fetch more blades of grass for the burly bull. Together the duo became friends, and it was in that one bull that the tiny child understood the true meaning of agriculture.

Her love of agriculture began at the age of five. As the college sophomore sits in her desk chair in her compact dormitory, she thinks back to the days on the farm where she found her passion in life. She smiles, remembering her reasoning for pursuing a career in agriculture. The young woman returns back from her daydream, and continues her homework, knowing it will one day lead her back to the farm she loves.

On Thursday I attended an incredibly heated debate titled Competition for Land: Conservation, Energy? Production?. From each angle there were industry representatives discussing their side of the story. Each stressed the challenges they face...erosion, manure management, corn production for energy, ethanol boom and decline, and challenges a beef producer faces with EPA requirements and high prices of corn.

Wherever you stand on this, there is one thing all sides could agree on: Young people continuing the tradition of farming. Can it be done? With all of the challenges facing young people today (land prices, estate tax, input costs,urbanization etc), it seems like a huge mountain to climb.

This is what I think: challenges or not, we are the future of food and fuel production. We someday will run the land and will be responsible for conserving it for future generations. While it may be hard to remain optimistic, I know that I am determined to someday raise my kids on a family farm.

What are your thoughts on this? Do young people stand a chance? Should we even try? How should this country respond to this growing problem? How do we secure our future in food production?

Just some food for thought? Some cud to chew. Let me know when you have mulled it over...

It's hard to believe that one year has passed... The 2007 National FFA Convention, held in Indianapolis, IN is underway this week. Last year at this time, I passed a huge milestone in my life that I'll never forget--that milestone was my full and true committment to stand up for animal agriculture.

Perhaps you have heard of Carrie Underwood, the 2005 American Idol winner and country music sensation. What you might not have heard was that Miss Underwood is a vocal vegetarian and member of the Humane Society of the United States, an extremist animal rights organization with the main mission of abolishing animal agriculture. So when I heard Carrie was the star entertainment at the FFA Convention last Fall, an organization that represents students in agriculture, I knew I had to do something about it and stand up for animal agriculture.

Here is one of the many press releases about my whirlwind story...

THE VOCAL POINT: Ambassador Puts Some Bite Into 'Good News' About Beef

...Underwood is an avowed veggie who was named PETA's "Sexiest Vegetarian Alive" in 2005 and wore a "V Is for Vegetarian" T-shirt during her American Idol performances. None of that sat too well with Nolz, who grew up on a South Dakota ranch where her folks raise purebred Limousin cattle. In true Generation Next fashion, Nolz created months of buzz on the Facebook Web site, outlining Underwood's anti-livestock affiliations and building momentum for a protest of her FFA show among the high schoolers heading to Indianapolis. As Underwood took the stage, Nolz arose and defiantly walked out of the arena. More than 500, according to witnesses and news reports. In the end, Nolz said she realizes that a single protest by itself isn't going to change the world. But she emphasized that those who believe in agriculture need to stand up and be counted — not counted out.

Click here to read the rest of the story. It's a good one, I promise.

After writing on this blog for a year and a half, I realized that never once, did I tell my story about the walkout. Never once did I mention how crazy my life was, and how good it felt to stand up for animal agriculture. Below is the video of the walkout. The same video that was removed from YouTube by either FFA or Carrie Underwood.

We have got to start telling our story of production agriculture. If we don't, who will? Let us never forget that one voice can make a huge difference.

Thanks for letting me reminisce over some good memories. If anything, someday my kids will think their mom was pretty cool--I led a protest afterall! :)

The American National Cattlewomen's National Beef Ambassador Program (NBAP) is one of the top youth organizations in the world. Sponsored partly by Beef Checkoff dollars, this program brings in youth spokespersons who hold a passion for the beef industry and puts them into action as advocates for agriculture.

On the 2007 NBAP Team, there was a special young woman that truly ignited that passion and put it into action. Chris Molinaro, PA, waved a bittersweet soundoff to her yearlong term as the 2008 National Beef Ambassador Team was selected in New Orleans last week.

Winners included Caitlin Williams, AZ; Jenny Rassler, PA; Leticia Varelas, NM; Michelle Wiggley, CA; and Beth Wood, WY.

Today I want to highlight Miss Molinaro and thank her loud and proud from Chewing The Cud for her dedication and service to the beef industry. Here is Chris and the story of her journey as a National Beef Ambassador...

Having the privilege and honor to be on the 2007 National Beef Ambassador Team was priceless. I traveled more in these last 10 months than in my 20 years growing up. I really enjoyed promoting beef at the PA Farm Show, the Boston Marathon, and the Dover NASCAR Race. I love interacting with the public and teaching them about the many benefits beef provides. I was really surprised with how many people do not understand the beef production story or how valuable beef is in their diets. Seeing President George W. Bush address NCBA in Washington D.C was defiantly a highlight this past year. Wearing the Patty Melt costume in the heat of the summer as we promoted beef in the RV parks at the Dover International Speedway was also right up there :) The knowledge and confidence I had leaned as an ambassador helped me organize the Penn State Meat-In Day and BBQ Tour. I also learned how incredibly important it is to speak up for the beef industry. There are a lot of people who do not understand the role of beef in a healthy diet or how cattle production is really a benefit to the environment. My term as a National Beef Ambassador is coming to a quick end. I swear- it went by way too fast. The many memories, relationships, and connections I made this past year will remain with me forever and I look forward to the next chapter of what life has in store for me.

I am honored to know such a driven, motivated, spirited, and passionate girl like Chris Molinaro. Chris, like me, enjoys writing on her blog on some of the hot topics pertaining to the beef industry. Check it out at www.beefmatters.com

Fast talking firecracker lobbyist Jess Peterson joins me from Washington D.C. to discuss the Beef Checkoff Initiative and what he feels are important changes needed in this program. Beef Checkoff, used for education, promotion, and research is not used for lobbying purposes, but Jess feels that some dollars should be allotted to promote U.S.A. Beef.

Two days ago I posted my journey of standing up for animal agriculture and leading a peaceful walkout on the Carrie Underwood Concert at the 2006 National FFA Convention. I also reposted my video on YouTube. Since then, there has been over 100 views on the web. Along with that have been some incredibly positive feedback, but with that also comes the negative.

I've decided to post some of the comments my video has received on YouTube. These are just a small taste of what I went through last October: my friends didn't talk to me, my peers thought I was crazy, and my parents were certain I was going to end up in jail. Welcome to my pioneer! :)

kellygirl884 says,

i don't know why this girl would promote animal agriculture when SHE'S A COW HERSELF. one day someone is going to mistake her for the heffer she is and string her up by her hooves. then some happy ffa loving family can roast her. hopefully they have a george foreman grill so they can drain all the fat off before they eat or i foresee a few untimely heart attacks.

hadlun49 says,

This is bogus. Amanda has a true connection with animals. She is a DOG.

Susie911 says,

This COW needs to get her facts straight!

I heard a quote last night that said,
"There is never a wrong time to do the right thing."

The time is now, what's right is standing up for our future in food production. Are you ready? Oh yeah, and don't forget to listen to my Chewing The Cud radio interview with lobbyist Jess Peterson as we talk about the future of the Beef Checkoff Program. The link is on the right hand side of the page. Have a GREAT day!

I recently read an article in Vegetarian Times Magazine titled, Why Go Veg? The article lists an array of falsified benefits from going vegetarian.

Why Eat BEEF? I'll tell you why...

Beef Gives You ZIP! Zinc, Iron, and Protein, that is. Not only does it taste good, beef is also a great way to fuel your body. In the American diet, beef is the number one contributor of protein, zinc and vitamin B12, number two of vitamin B6, and number three of iron and niacin. By supplying a nutrient bundle in every bite, eating beef is a great way to make your calories count. A 3 oz. serving of lean beef contributes less than 10% of the calories in a 2,000-calorie diet. At the same time, it supplies more than 10% of the Daily Value for these nutrients.

Beef is Versatile. The American Dietetic Association and the Beef Checkoff combined their expertise to produce The Healthy Beef Cookbook, a compilation of more than 130 delicious recipes, the latest nutrition information, and cooking techniques to create tender, moist, flavorful beef dishes every time. Authored by Chef Richard Chamberlain (owner of Chamberlain's Steak and Chop House in Dallas) and Betsy Hornick, M.S., R.D., The Healthy Beef Cookbook highlights healthy beef recipes brimming with fresh, flavorful ingredients that complement the lean, tender beef. Example recipes include juicy and exotic Mojo Beef Kabobs or hearty and flavorful Cowboy Beef and Black Bean Chili.

Beef Is Celebration! Beef Is Family! A fireworks show on Independence Day isn't the same without a tenderloin sizzling on the grill. A juicy potroast with homemade bread is always waiting at Grandma's house. A slowly cooked prime rib makes Christmas time a family time. Cheeseburgers are always a hit after a softball game. Steak fajitas and beef tacos always make a good party. Life is a treat when we eat beef!

Beef is Lean 29 X There are at least 29 cuts of beef that meet the government labeling guidelines for lean or extra lean. According to government guidelines, a serving qualifies as "extra lean" if it has less than 5g total fat, 2g or less saturated fat and less than 95mg cholesterol per 3.5 oz. serving. That's 29 ways to say YES to your health!

Beef May Help You Lose Weight. Conclusive Protein Research: Research conducted at the University of Illinois, published in the August 2005 edition of the Journal of Nutrition, demonstrates that high protein diets provide a metabolic advantage that when combined with exercise, resulted in dieters losing fat, rather than muscle. Participants that ate high-quality proteins such as meats, dairy, eggs and nuts, and exercised for as little as 100 minutes each week lost weight. However, when the same high protein diet was combined with five 30-minute walking sessions and two 30-minute weightlifting sessions each week, participants lost even more weight, and nearly all of that weight loss was fat.

Beef Is Life! Beef is more than just meat. We use 99% of the cow, everything except the moo! Beef byproducts touch our everyday lives: shoes, belts, coats, paintbrushes, crayons, deodarant, insulin for diabetics, stearic acid for tires, antifreeze, and countless other items all come from a cow.

Beef Is Good for the Environment. Despite the outrageous propaganda, raising beef cattle actually helps the environment. Over 50% would go to waste if cattle did not graze on it. Cattle graze on land that is too steep, hilly or rocky for modernizing or farming. When they graze, they press grass seed into the soil allowing oxygen to enter and the grass to grow. Cattle also prevent wildfires too by grazing.

Beef Is Tradition. For America’s beef producers, the land is their livelihood and their legacy. They carefully follow science-based best management practices to protect our country’s natural resources for future generations. In fact, beef producers have led conservation efforts proving that raising cattle and environmental stewardship go hand-in-hand. Good management of natural resources on farms and ranches across the country isn’t a choice; producers know that protecting the environment now protects the business for future generations.

Beef So Simple. I bet you're busy like me and wish you had time to put together elegant and impressive meals. You can do that with beef as easy as 1-2-3. Sign up HERE to join an email list that sends cooking tips, recipes, and ideas for convenient ways to prepare amazing meals your family and friends can enjoy!

Beef...There is Nothing Better. Nothing, nothing in the world tastes better than a juicy, sizzling steak hot off the grill. Nothing melts in your mouth with such tenderness and bursting flavor. Nothing makes a celebration more complete than a night out enjoying a steak dinner with friends. Nothing is as simple and as elegant as a steak. Nothing in this world compares to a steak. Nothing. The proof is in the pictures. You ready to give up this for carrots and legumes?

Well the list could go on,
But if you like what you see,
Post this on YOUR blog,
Or comment to me.
With love,
Amanda

No, I'm only kidding! However,Eating Food Will Kill You was the title of a recent article I read, published in USA Daily. The witty and sometimes sarcastic article makes a critical point against this vegan movement we are facing. Here is a piece of that article...

It is now a proven fact that eating food—any kind of food—will kill you. No one who has eaten food in the past is alive today and everyone currently eating food will die. Therefore, those noble people who seek to save us from eating every kind of food that the earth provides should be hailed and saluted for their efforts to keep us alive.Bear in mind that at least 10,000 Americans on the average die every day from something, not infrequently just old age and the infirmities associated with it. If you live beyond age 85 or into your 90s, the odds of dying from something are pretty good.

A Google search for “Meat + Health” will turn up links to literally thousands of studies that proclaim that eating meat will cause breast, prostrate, colon, and other forms of cancers. That said, if you search all the studies, you will also find those that confirm that meat is as healthy a part of diet as anything else. For example, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USDA) 2005 Food Guide and its Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Eating Plan recommend two to three servings a week of lean meat.To read the rest of this article, click here.

Good news, my Why Eat Beef? article is gaining a lot of traction. If you like what you read, post the list to your blog, send it on your email list, or hit me with a comment and let me know what you think! I always like a good dialogue.