Chewing The Cud

Tumbleweeds, rugged mountains and sloping sandhills weren't the only things greeting me as I arrived in Raton, New Mexico. I was welcomed into the state with a raging hail storm. This didn't damper the spirits of the New Mexico Cattlegrower's Association Members who had gathered for their mid-year meeting this weekend.

As their luncheon speaker, I had the privilege of taking part in industry forums on issues effecting the New Mexican region. I also was able to speak on KRTN and work with the Young Cattlemen's group on spokesperson training. Playing the part of "Sally Consumer", I asked the young cattlemen and women questions about animal welfare, new beef options, hormones and antibiotics, and beef nutrition. It is my philosophy that it only takes one voice to tell our beef production story, and I was so glad that more have joined the fight in telling the truth about animal agriculture.

I also had the opportunity to speak with the newly installed New Mexico Beef Ambassador, Leticia Verales. Leticia is a sophomore Ag Business student at New Mexico State University. Catch my interview with her on Chewing The Cud with Amanda Nolz.

Whether it be a rancher of fifty years or a college ambassador, at the New Mexico Cattlegrower's Association Mid-Year meeting, it was evident that passion runs deep among these beef enthusiasts. It certainly revamped by spirits and reminded me about why I'm so passionate about this great and vast industry.

This interview with Natalie Sturdevant, Mitchell, SD, proves that if we share our food production story with a consumer, they will truly transform into one the strongest advocate allies for agriculture.

I ditched the skyscrapers and glittering lights for the beautiful state of Colorado to attend the 2007 Cattle Industry Summer Convention. I flew in early to make a few pit stops.
Listen in to hear about my adventures at USDA Market News and packing plants Swift and Superior. :)

Wrangling a cowboy poet isn't as easy as it seems. This particular cowboy poet carries no cell phone and doesn't use the computer; yet he gets phone calls to speak and he sells his poems, books, and cds on the internet. After some persistent chasing, I caught myself a Baxter Black. During a two hour breakfast at the Adams Mark Hotel in downtown Denver, I found out some pretty interesting stuff about this fiesty, little, talking cowboy.

1. He likes jam on his toast
2. At least 5 different people approached him during our breakfast together.
3. He has a story to tell, and you better listen.
4. He started his speaking career by accident
5. He used to be a veterinarian.
6. When he speaks, he flops around on the ground. (I like it!)
7. I want to be just like him.
8. He can grow a mustache, I can't.

I hope you enjoy my interview with BAXTER BLACK!

With my days in D.C.dwindling, I thought I would interview my roommate Meredith Aach. She hails for the suburbs from New Jersey, and learned ALOT about agrigulture living with me at George Washington University.

Sister Takeover

Judging Jackpot podcast information...

South Dakota Cattlemen's Association President Scott Jones joins me to discuss the beef forums at Dakota Fest held in Mitchell, South Dakota.

Travis Hoffman shares why he enjoys judging livestock shows: working with youth and educating them about the livestock industry.

South Dakota State Fair Superintendent Dusty Anderson, Parkston, SD, joins me to discuss a BIG event at the fair. Supreme livestock, fitting kids, a poker game, and a sleek trailor...nope it doesn't get any better than this!

Ben Elliot, the face of Colorado's Best Beef Company, shares how his family's cattle operation took advantage of natural beef marketing opportunities.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Michigan dairy producer, Melissa Hart helps me with my series against the Why Go Veg? campaign. Here is her version, with why drink milk.

This is part one of a two part series of radio shows addressing the 2007 Cancer Report released this week by the World Cancer Research Fund. The study links red meat consumption to cancer, and in Part One, I talk with Dr. Eric Westman, Duke University Obesity Professor, and Mary Young, registered dietician for NCBA.

Let's sort out the facts. Tomorrow, I'm joined by the Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine, a vegetarian organization that consists of less than 5% physicians. And they are going to tell me why we shouldn't consume red meat. Join the fun. It will undoubtedly be an interesting debate.

Listen to my interview with SDSU Meats Judger Matt Grussing, Kimball, SD. Look forward to a future article on the ins and outs of meats judging and how it effects you, the consumer.

I'm joined today by my little sister, Courtney Sue. She just won the Prepared Public Speaking Contest at the State FFA Career Development Event in Pierre, SD. Her topic? Animal Rights Activists influencing consumers with propaganda. She discusses the three myths that lead people to vegetarianism and why she stands up to them with her speech.

I'm SO proud of my Courtney Sue!

My dear friend and inspiration in life, Melissa Hart, joined me yesterday to discuss the many benefits of dairy. It was a really great time, and I know you'll enjoy the show! :)

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.

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

My dear friend Lauren Willette joins me to discuss her experiences at the 2008 Black Hills Stock Show and of her dreams for the future.

The headlines have flashed with news about the largest beef recall in history. After California based packing plant, Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co. voluntarily recalled about 143 million pounds of raw and frozen beef products on Feb. 17. USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) made the announcement that the products were unfit for human consumption because some of the cattle did not receive complete and proper inspection.

With all of the hype about this colossal recall, the media has been buzzing nonstop about the safety and health of the beef supply. However, consumers have no reason to worry about the safety of the United States’ beef supply. In fact, this is a critical time for cattle producers to stand up and promote the safety and wholesomeness of the beef products they produce.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) Vice President of Public Opinion and Issues Management, Kendal Frazier stresses the safety of the beef supply. Frazier works to ensure consumer confidence and offers his insight on this historic recall.

I'm planning my study abroad trip to Argentina this summer, where I will be studying Spanish. It is well known that I am a beef cattle enthusiast, but when that was brought up in my first orientation class this week, I heard interesting feedback from my professor about her conceptions of the beef industry. Trent Loos and I dive into this topic this week in a show I know you'll enjoy! :)

Dr. Lynn Locatelli from Cattlexpressions joins me today to discuss low stress handling practices for cattle.