Chewing The Cud

Okay, it's been an excessively long time since I've written on here. Taking a break from the blog was hard at first. I twitched knowing the blogging world was out there, working hard, having fun, and discussing incredibly important issues in agriculture. Luckily, the twitching subsided with a long, luxurious break of hibernation. You see, during my finals week, I studied my hindend off (okay I think it's still there), and I let articles fly off my fingertips for my weekly agriculture publications in the Farmers' Advance, Tristate Livestock News, and Cattle Business Weekly. When it was all said and done, I was ready for family time, holiday celebrations, cattle shows and basketball games. Knowing that my break is nearly over and on Monday I will begin practice for the SDSU Meats Judging Team, it was my slap back to reality that this girl had things to do.

I made a list of New Year's Resolutions for 2008, and I hope you will join me on them:

1. We will educate America's consumers about meat and dairy products.
2. We will fight outside influences from animal rights activists from impacting agriculture production.
3. We will work towards assisting America's youth in agriculture who dream of the day they can find their success in the industry they love.
4. We will strive to produce the highest quality food and fiber products to feed and clothe the world.
5. We will correct the media and misinformed consumers about myths influencing consumer's food choices.
6. We will use our God given talents and passions to light a fire within us to continue to work for the agriculture industry that we love.

Whether you live on a farm and work everyday to provide essentials for the world or if you head to the grocery store after work and remember to throw animal products into your cart, one or more of these resolutions belongs to you. Please join me. I hope to inspire, inform, and unite producers and consumers to find the truth about animal agriculture production.

Thank you for allowing my absence from the blogging community to revamp, refresh and revive my passions in agriculture. I've missed the fellowship and hope to conquer great things in 2008.
Don't forget, I promised you all a Q&A in the New Year. Stop by Monday, and I'll fill in the missing pieces about Chewing The Cud. Have a great weeekend!

Putting agriculture first,
Amanda

I can't believe the response I received to the questions and answers dialogue I promised all of you readers. I also can't believe that I'm receiving so many visitors despite my long absence from the blog for a much needed rest. I'm just in awe that so many of you are finding the site and staying tuned to learn more about food production and consumption. I want to thank you all for your continued interest, and be patient as I continue to answer the many, many questions thrown my way.

I'm starting my first day of real practice with the SDSU Meats Judging Team today, and we are headed to Dakota City to the packing plant for three intensive days of learning how to Yield and Quality Grade cattle. More on that topic later. Today, I thought we could all use a good way to start out the week. Mondays don't have to be so bad afterall. Check out this video. I know you will enjoy it as much as I did.

LOGAN'S CALF: A remarkable phone call from a 12-year old boy to Houston radio station KSBJ FM 89.3. So profound, the station has it posted on their website.

My dear friend Natalie joins me to discuss her encounters with misconceptions and myths about the meat we eat. She tells me how she keeps it all straight.

It's been a few weeks since my last radio program, so I wanted to give you all a refresher course. Head to the right hand side of the page, and click, Another Round With Natalie. It's a pretty fun show. Check it out! :)

I opened up the floor for questions, and the response was great. Now, GULP...I have to actually answer the inquiries. Well, here it goes...

How do you overcome the negative and uneducated comments your peers say in regards to the beef/dairy industry? Do you ever think, "maybe I should shut up on this one.?" I guess what I'm getting at is do you ever let peer presure influence what you say and when you speak up?

There are many misconceptions and outright lies surrounding the agriculture industry. My philosophy is that if I don't stand up for this industry that I love, who will? There are so many negative people that think I'm radical for doing this and think it's silly to care so much. The future of agriculture and food production is in our hands. Who better to stand up and represent agriculture than yourself?

When did your passion to promote agriculture blossom? Have you always been this way or was there one certain event in your life that made you sit back and say,"I want to promote agriculture with a vengence!"

I was always my dad's little farm girl. Everytime he needed help out side, I would race him outside. The bulls were my favorite, and as I grew up, I became more involved with my family's cattle operation. Then, when I hit high school, everything drastically changed. I was the "farm" girl with the "cows", and I got teased for something I truly loved. Instead of being myself, I tried to mold into everyone else. Be normal. I wanted absolutely nothing to do with agriculture, and I thought there definitely was no future in it for me. It wasn't until my year as a National Beef Ambassador in 2006 that truly changed my life. I realized that I needed to use my voice to stand up for the one thing I am most passionate about, despite what everyone else thought. I haven't turned back, and now I'm putting my entire heart and sole into serving the agriculture industry.

What college do you attend?

I'm a proud Jackrabbit at South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD. I'm studying Agricultural Journalism and Spanish. I'm in my second year here, and it has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. I plan on graduating in May of 2009.

How does one become a Beef Ambassador?

The National Beef Ambassador Program is a spokesperson program for the beef industry. Although the program has seen a few changes in recent years, in my day, it was a speech and interview contest for students ages 17-20. First, one must win their state competition, and then advance to nationals. The national team consists of five young people, and they travel across the country promoting the beef industry. Basically, it was the most exciting year of my life. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. For more information, click here.

Have the challenges of being so heavily involved in the agriculture industry adversely effected your grades at University or are you kicking, shall we say, rump roast?

I will admit that my first semester of college was an adjustment as I was still a beef ambassador, and I was still learning the rules of college: studying, socializing, living on my own, etc. My time at college has taught me many things, but the most important thing it has taught me is balance. Time management is key to a busy girl like myself, and I try to fill up every hour of the day with something progressive. Although, sometimes, I just have to remember to take a breather and be a kid. I really should do that more often...

How supportive have your family and friends been to you through this crusade of yours?

My parents are amazing. You won't find more hardworking and driven people anywhere. My parents both have jobs off the farm, and both work hard to make our cattle operation thrive into something we can all be proud of. My mom is a Chief Financial Officer for a corporation in Mitchell, and my dad works for the South Dakota Department of Agriculture. They have taught me that if you put 110% into everything you do, you can do amazing things. My two younger sisters also drive me to set an example of all the amazing things they do if they put their minds to it. If you can dream it, you can achieve it.

Now, during my walkout on a Carrie Underwood concert last year, they were a little more concerned about how far I would go to stand up for agriculture. To be honest, my dad thought I was going to jail. Truthfully though, they are the best. I couldn't ask for more supportive parents.

What activities are you in at school?

Oh boy, this list is long. I'm in Block and Bridle and serve as the Beef Chair. I serve as the First Vice President for Sigma Alpha Professional Women's Agricultural Sorority. I work on staff for Little International, the largest student run two-day agriculture event in the country, as a publicity superintendent. I've just begun my year on the SDSU Meats Judging team. It's been pretty intense thus far. Our first contest is next week. (More about my adventures there later)

AND...in my spare time, I have a radio show with Trent Loos that airs weekly on over 100 radio stations, with over 4 million listeners. I freelance write for two outstanding papers, Tristate Livestock News and Farmers' Advance. Oh, and last but certainly not least, I converse with all of you on my blog. I'm sorry for the inconsistency of writing at times, and my complete absence at other times. When NCBA set up this blog for our ambassador team, I never thought it would expand to something like this. It's like my online journal, and I get to give you all a sneak peek. :)

What do you want to do upon graduation?

Gosh, this is a tough one. There are so many amazing opportunities and adventures to be had out in the real world. I want to do public relations, I want to write, I want to travel, I want to speak, I want to farm, I want to raise cattle, I want a family, but most of all, I want to be happy. My ultimate dream is to put my heart into writing a book someday. Truly, I know that whatever I do, if I'm following my heart and chasing my passions, I will always be happy.

With Love, Putting Agriculture First,

Amanda

Hey everyone, just a quick note to let you all know I'm leaving for my first ever Meats Judging Trip in Colorado. My team and I put in over 50 hours of practice last week, and the work is just beginning. I'm having a blast of course. I'll update you all when I get back home. Adios!

This is an article I wrote for a few publications last week that is gaining national traction. I hope you enjoy it. Also, I'm pleased to announce that I will be serving as the Press Secretary for the Steaks For Troops organization. I'll keep you all posted. Check out their website, or better yet, why not buy a soldier a steak today?

Slipping on a crisp apron, the confident chef grabs his gleaming stainless steel grilling tools. He lights the coals and lays his tender beef cut on the grill. The steak sizzles as the fire dances below. As the succulent steak is finished to a perfect medium rare, the chef knows he will soon bite into a little piece of heaven.

Americans often take for granted the luxuries and conveniences of a free world: electricity, water, clothing, shelter, and food. Knowing that farmers and ranchers dedicate their lives to providing food and fiber to feed the world, it is also important to remember the troops fighting oversees to protect our liberty and our freedom. For 228 years, over 600,000 people have given their lives to protect America’s many freedoms.

Plan Into Action

This was the idea behind Vietnam veteran and cattle rancher, Bill Broadie, in his plight to send steak suppers for the troops overseas. With a passion for the Service and for the cattle industry, Broadie soon realized he could combine his two loves into a plan of action to make a huge impact in the world.

“From serving our country in Vietnam, I realize the tough conditions our men and women are experiencing overseas,” said Broadie, who served with the 3rd Marine division in Vietnam in 1967. “I’m an old mud veteran, and I don’t want our troops treated the way we were. What better gift could you give to a soldier than a slice of American beef?”

Broadie took this concept by storm and, along with a dedicated board of directors, he established the All American Beef Battalion in Aug. of 2007. Their vision is to, “Support the troops fighting the war on terror while promoting American beef.”

“We will provide steaks to the troops upon deployment and their homecoming,” said Broadie, a fourth generation cattle rancher. “As our organization progresses, we hope to grill for the troops directly at the combat zones. Money has already begun to pour in support of our efforts.”

Establishing a non-profit organization of this magnitude is not easy. In his letter to the president asking for support of this organization, Broadie wrote, “A group of individuals involved in the beef industry want to show support to the many troops who are fighting the war on terror. We believe the best way to show this support is for the beef industry to put together a steak feed for ALL the troops in combat zone.”

How to Get Involved

After months of trial and error, hard work, and dedication, the All American Beef Battalion has gained its non-profit status, set up their website and is now taking donations. The organization expects to hold its first steak feed this spring. Potential projects include sponsoring steak feeds, entertainment, programs, meetings, and projects with Service members and their families.

“The success of the troops requires the support of all Americans, and each American should do a part to help, said Jim Odle, Chairman of the organization. “Our organization is here to help Americans show their support by helping raise funds to aid the programs of the All American Beef Battalion.”

This organization serves as a great outreach program for farmers and ranchers to get involved with a charity that also promotes their industry. To donate or learn more, check out www.steaksfortroops.com

With the strong determination and hard work ethic of seasoned agriculturalists, this organization will certainly supersede the expectations of their mission to support the troops, promote the beef industry, and give American citizens appreciation and respect to those individuals that serve this country.

Imagine that sizzling steak, grilled to perfection. Great tasting beef is just one of the many luxuries Americans have come to love and enjoy. An American beef steak, provided by the All American Beef Battalion, is the perfect way to say thanks to our troops for protecting our freedom.

My teammate Jace Hollenbeck joins me on the show to discuss our first meats judging competition. :)

What is the recipe for success? Combine one-cup dedication, two tablespoons of teamwork, a dash of dreams, a dollop of endurance, and a whopping pound of hard work. Mix together and success is earned. This was the philosophy of the 2008 South Dakota State University (SDSU) Intercollegiate Meats Judging Team as they made their way to compete in their first contest of the season.

Their recipe for success paid off as the 2008 SDSU Meats Judging Team made their mark in Jackrabbit history as the first SDSU team to take home the championship at the National Western Stock Show Intercollegiate Meats Judging Contest, Greeley, Colo. on Jan. 21. Team members of the SDSU team include: Jace Hollenbeck, Harrisburg, S.D.; Katelyn Milton, Brooklyn Park, Minn.; Tyler Radke, Minnesota Lake, Minn.; Tyler Urban, Lennox, S.D.; Robbie Hellberg, Paso Robles, Cali.; Eric Hogle, Clarion, Iowa; and Amanda Nolz, Mitchell, S.D. The team is coached by Dustin Mohrhauser, Hartford, S.D. and assistant coach Sarah Wells, Cumberland, Ohio.

What Does it Take?

To participate in collegiate meats judging, students must first take an introductory class. After completion of the course, those eligible begin spending countless hours in the school’s meat lab as well as packing plants to perfect their skills. To be successful, terminology must be memorized, reasoning skills must be honed to defend class placings, and the talents of an official USDA grader must be instilled into the student. For the students on the 2008 South Dakota State Meats Judging Team, that meant long, vigorous days of practice devoted to learning the skills needed to compete.

“Putting in over fifty hours in practice the week before the competition was certainly long, painstaking, and intense,” said team member Jace Hollenbeck. “Thanks to our coaches and our team’s efforts, the hard work and long hours definitely paid off.”

With universities meeting from all over the country to vie for the first win of the season, practice was vital to gaining an edge on the competition. Coach Dustin Mohrhauser knows what it takes to win a contest. Mohrhauser competed on a successful team in 2005. He hopes to share the skills and lessons he learned as a collegiate meats judger with his team.

“It’s essential to make sure the team is prepared for everything,” said Mohrhauser, a graduate student at South Dakota State University. “We set up classes in practice to prepare the team for potential things they could see in a contest. We have to maintain our focus and keep working to grow and learn.”

Meats judging, a competitive, educational program of the American Meat Science Association (AMSA) provides contests consisting of four different sections: placing classes, reasons, specifications, and grading. Evaluating pork, lamb and beef, students defend their decisions through written reasons and calculate the value of various cuts and carcasses through specification calls and quality and yield grading.

Finding Success

The 2008 South Dakota State University Meats Judging Team is off to a great start. As a team, SDSU placed second in beef grading, third in lamb judging, first in pork judging, second in beef judging, second in specifications, first in placing classes, and second in reasons writing.

“I thought this team showed a lot of potential, and it really shined through in this contest,” said Mohrhauser, who holds several all-time individual records at SDSU, “It’s pretty exciting to have the high placing team. Everyone showed up to compete, and we all had a good day. Our team has to realize this is the first contest, and everyone will be working hard for the next competition. We just need to keep working towards our goals for a successful season.”

As individuals, team member Katelyn Milton placed eleventh, Tyler Radke placed tenth, Amanda Nolz placed ninth, and Jace Hollenbeck earned the prestigious top honor with high point individual in the senior division. Team member Eric Hogle placed fifth in the alternate contest.

Of his high point win Hollenbeck said, “I wasn’t looking to win the individual competition. Winning the team title was very important, and I wanted to win the contest as a team. Taking the high individual award definitely feels good, and I look forward to competing with my team at the next contest.”

Other contest winners include: Colorado State University, second place; Oklahoma State University, third place; University of Wyoming, fourth place; and Texas A&M, fifth place. The National Western Stock Show Intercollegiate Meats Judging Contest was established in 1975. The next competition will be the Southwestern Intercollegiate Meats Judging Contest held in Fort Worth, Tex., Feb. 2. The meats judging season will resume in the fall with several competitions held across the country.

Fight the Chill with Chili