This blog printed on 100% recycled electrons.
Whatever is driving higher grain prices—ethanol, inputs, overseas demand—there may be at least one bright side (and you know how I like to look at the bright side): fewer cattle in feedlots. Instead of crowding cattle into messy, stinky concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), farmers are taking advantage of good grass conditions and letting more cattle run longer to eat a more natural diet out in the pastures [or so I learn from "Feedlot Numbers Continue to Shrink," Dakota Farmer, 2008.08.24].
I was paging through Dakota Farmer since I was following up on the CAFO situation in Grant County, where a little citizen activism has scared off (for now) Riverview Dairy from building a 5,700-head feedlot in Kilborn Township. There's still some county business to be done: on Tuesday, Grant County commissioners will consider changing the setback requirements for livestock feeding operations. CAFO opponents originally wanted the county to increase the buffer zone between new CAFOs and homes and wells from a half mile to up to two miles. They have since agreed to a compormise proposal by the township association to create a sliding scale, with the setback distance increasing with the number of cattle in the feedlot [see Terry O'Keefe, "Grant Co. Preps for Petitions," Watertown Public Opinion, 2008.08.28, and same author, "Set-back Discussions Continue," WPO, 2008.08.25].
But even with high feed prices, good grass conditions, and citizen activism, don't expect the drive for bigger CAFOs to disappear. There are big corporate interests putting big money into promoting industrial agriculture and displacing small, independent producers. A Grant County correspondent reports his frustration with a CAFO regulation meeting August 21 at which Ag United exec Steve Dick, state Ag Secretary Bill Even, and other experts offered a hearty defense of the corporate "bigger is better" line.
Funny: Mr. Dick actually believes that we need bigger farm operations to stem population loss, when the trend of the past century shows that bigger farm operations mean fewer farmers on the land.
Growth can be good, but the growth of industrial agriculture doesn't just concentrate cows, manure, and stink: it concentrates wealth, ownership, and independence in the hands of the few big operators whose interests are served by lobbying groups like Ag United.
F’ing USD
-
So a friend of mine made this rap a few years back, and I have to tell you
I have friends over the years who went there and tell the same boring
stories, LOL.
1 day ago
This is a very exciting prospect. It's well known that meat from free range cattle has a much healthier nutrient profile than corn fed beef. If ethanol production increases corn prices "cheap beef" from feed lots may become so expensive that it becomes cost competitive with free range fed animals. Which would in turn, help out smaller producers.
ReplyDeleteI was checking out the Ag United article which caheidelberger linked to.
ReplyDelete“We're agriculture friendly, but...
By: Steve Dick, Ag United Executive Director
September 26, 2006 - Last week I had the opportunity to attend an annual meeting of county officials in Aberdeen. Over 500 elected and appointed county officials from every county in the state were present. The meeting was a great chance for Ag United to share with the officials about the role agriculture has on our state’s economy. As you can imagine, it is a pretty easy sell to the people that are on the front lines of government service. And it is especially easy, when many of the elected officials are actively involved with grain and livestock production.”
I assume that the group which Steve Dick spoke to in 2006 was the South Dakota Association of County Commissioners.
I checked to see if there is evidence that the South Dakota Association of County Commissioners has been brainwashed by South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture Bill Even and Agriculture United for South Dakota Executive Director Steve Dick.
South Dakota Association of County Commissioners
County Commissioners and Welfare Officials Workshop
Pierre Ramkota
March 27, 2008
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Is your County Ready for a Confined Feeding Operation?
-Todd Kays, 1st Planning District
2:00 – 2:45 p.m. Economic Impact Livestock Feeding has on your County
-Secretary Bill Even, SD Dept of Agriculture
-Jon Farris, SD Dept of Agriculture
3:00 - 4:30 p.m. Panel Discussion - Steve Dick, Ag United - Moderator
-Brad Greenway, SD Pork Producers
-Representative Dale Hargens
-Scott Jones, SD Cattleman’s
-Walt Bones, SD Dairy Industry
-Todd Kays, 1st Planning District
I agree with your assesment of the proposed Grant County feedlot. A feedlot of more than 5,000 cattle is not a good idea.
ReplyDeletepasture cattle is a good thing, natural law and all that.
ReplyDeleteAG United is Ag divided, our checkoff dollars are being used against those of us who after a LOT of study and research find cafos to be a bad thing for SD and everyone, the more research, the more we know about pollution from these places.
Ag united sent one of their people to our Grant County Concerned Citizens group, she tried to sneak out unidentified and probobly would not have admitted her identity had she not come face to face with a DRA rep who knew her. She then told us that A/U does not take sides but looking into the group we know better!
Some of us intend to take our checkoff dollars back from the commodity group that supports A/U.
We encourage others to do so too.
South Dakota Association of County Commissioners
ReplyDeleteOfficers
SDACC President - Nancy Hansen, Brown County, Aberdeen
First Vice President - Mike Ortner, Fall River County, Hot Springs
Second Vice President - Jim Schmidt, Lincoln County, Sioux Falls
SDACC Treasurer - Jack Thomas, Codington County, Watertown
Past President - Shirlee Leighton, Lake County, Madison
Directors
Oscar Thompson, Aurora County, Letcher
Gene Mann, Grant County, Milbank
Delvin Worth, Potter County, Gettysburg
Bill Floyd, Sully County, Pierre
Casey Krogman, Mellette County, White River
Anne Hajek, Minnehaha County, Sioux Falls
Gale Holbrook, Pennington County, Rapid City
National Association of Counties representative - Don Larson, Brookings County
National Association of Counties representative - Dean Wink, Meade County
Western Interstate Region representative - Clint Farlee, Ziebach County
Check it out…
YOUR South Dakota County Commissioners have been and will continue to be indoctrinated by Ag United for South Dakota and the South Dakota Department of Agriculture that Concentrated hog feeding and farrowing operations, Concentrated dairy farms and Concentrated cattle feeding operations are the logical source of additional future profits and even future survival in YOUR South Dakota county!
If you are in Minnesota, compare the Minnesota Farm and Food Coalition to Ag United for South Dakota.
If you are in Iowa, compare the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers to Ag United for South Dakota.
The Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers, like Ag United for South Dakota, calls groups who want to control CAFO zoning “activists”.
Iowa Citizens for Community Involvement (ICCI)
Iowa Network for Local Control
Jefferson County Farmers & Neighbors, Inc.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
Sierra Club
The Humane Society of the United States
Show me that all of these groups are wrong on CAFOs.
Check it out…
ReplyDeleteSouth Dakota politicians of both major parties keep company with Agriculture United for South Dakota.
timjohnson.com says:
Issues
Agriculture and Rural Development
"The increasing concentration in the agriculture industry threatens the viability of our family farmers and the livelihood of our rural communities, and I am committed to fighting its influence."
Senator Johnson understands that family farms are the backbone of South Dakota's economy. For generations they have grown our food and provided jobs. Now as South Dakota's economy moves forward these same farms will provide the fuel to power the economy and reduce America's dependence on foreign oil.
In addition to helping secure a doubling of the renewable fuel standard, Senator Johnson has fought to pass and implement Country of Origin Labeling, a real agricultural disaster safety net and to implement meaningful payment limitations to ensure maximum benefits for family farmers.
However, timjohnson.com also says:
NEWS
U.S. Senator Tim Johnson will be attending Dakotafest on Tuesday, August 19 at 2:45 pm CT. Senator Johnson will tour the grounds, speak with farmers, and visit booths. Steve Dick from Ag United for South Dakota will accompany Senator Johnson during his visit.
and
U.S. Senator Tim Johnson visited Dakotafest today, touring the grounds, talking with farmers, and visiting booths. Steve Dick from Ag United for South Dakota accompanied the Senator during his visit.
badlandsblue.com says:
Take a look at this story over at SD Watch (hat tip to Todd Epp). It seems one of the companies that GOP Senate candidate Joel Dykstra was CEO of has had a federal tax lien filed against it. SDAPV was trying to bring dairy farms to South Dakota and they used federal and state money to do it. It looks like they neglected along the way to pay their income taxes while it was in operation.
Look what happened at the January 6, 2007, meeting of the South Dakota Corn Growers Association, which is a member organization of Ag United for South Dakota.
Featured speaker of the evening was Collin Peterson of Minnesota.
Also in attendance were Senator John Thune and Representative Stephanie Herseth.
SDCGA recognizes Joel Dykstra with Legislative Appreciation Award.
Steve Dick is named Most Valuable Player in Agriculture with SDCGA award.
Larry Gabriel is named for Excellence in Agriculture Award by SDCGA.
Look what happened at the South Dakota Farmers Union convention on February 15-16, 2008.
Governor Rounds addresses convention attendees.
Senator Thune speaks to convention attendees.
Senator Johnson accepts his National Farmers Union award.
The future of agriculture was the topic for a panel of farm organization representatives including Secretary of Agriculture Bill Even; SDFU Vice President Larry Birgen; Ag United Executive Director Steve Dick; Farm Bureau President Scott Vanderwal; Corn Growers Executive Director Lisa Richardson; Cattlemen’s Association President Scott Jones and Soybean Association Vice President Kevin Scott.
However, the Iowa Farmers Union has called for a moratorium on CAFOs.
Questions for South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture Bill Even and Ag United for South Dakota Executive Director Steve Dick
ReplyDeleteI emailed them and never got a reply.
What's the difference between a L.L.C. or L.L.P. and corporate farming?
Name all of the corporate farms in South Dakota.
If only a handful of South Dakota farms are corporate farms, shouldn’t you be able to name them?
Are you an advocate of corporate controlled production agriculture or individual ownership and responsibility of our family farms and ranches?
True or false?
Manure lagoons were a bad idea in the first place.
Does a leaking CAFO manure lagoon leak manure or just water?
Were the governments which have placed a moratorium on CAFOs wrong in doing so?
Should a county be envious of other counties which have more CAFOs?
What should be the punishment for CAFOs which hire illegal immigrants?
If a CAFO gets only a slap on the wrist or less for hiring illegal immigrants, wouldn’t taxpayers and citizens be better off if the CAFO did not exist?
Don’t true conservatives oppose illegal immigrant labor?
Do you think there is a connection between the minimum wage law and the flood of illegal immigrant labor?
Has an aquifer ever become polluted?
Is there a way to unpollute a polluted aquifer?
If water from a polluted aquifer may be drunk if it is treated, wouldn’t it have been smarter to have not polluted the aquifer in the first place?
If one gallon of used motor oil can pollute one million gallons of water, can thousands of gallons of CAFO manure lagoon sewage pollute an aquifer?
True or False?
All manure lagoons leak eventually. It is just a question of when and how severely.
How much is a CAFO manure lagoon in South Dakota legally allowed to leak?
If a CAFO manure lagoon is suspected of leaking, will the CAFO immediately cease operation?
Is it wise to entrust a giant pool of sewage to a company with the words “Limited Liability” in its name?
Suppose a man wants to build a CAFO, and he tells the neighbors of the proposed CAFO site that he will not build the CAFO if the neighbors do not want it in the neighborhood, and the neighbors tell him that they do not want the CAFO in the neighborhood, but the man attempts to build the CAFO in the neighborhood anyway. Is the man a reasonable and respectful person?
Isn’t it logical that the people who will benefit the most from a CAFO dairy are the people who want it the most?
If South Dakota wants some non-CAFO dairies, can non-CAFO dairies be profitable and environmentally friendly?
Don’t you think there is something wrong about a non-refundable checkoff?
Don’t you ever get tired of driving through South Dakota without seeing any hogs, dairy cattle, poultry or sheep?
Aren’t CAFO dairy workers who are thankful that they have a job stupid and deceived because if there was no CAFO they might have their own dairy?
If South Dakota truly wants to promote the livestock industry, would the worst possible thing it could do be to promote CAFOs?
Is a family farm with a CAFO better than a family farm without a CAFO?
If South Dakota would be better off without CAFOs, why promote, build, and operate CAFOs?
Why should farmers have to settle for being dairy suppliers instead of being dairy farmers themselves?
Have counties ever become worse for having CAFOs? If so, tell us about them.
What is South Dakota’s legal CAFO limit of hydrogen sulfide?
What have checkoffs ever done for the farmer that supply and demand wouldn’t have done anyway?
Aren’t there many more family farms in South Dakota which could expand sufficiently without reaching CAFO status than there are which couldn’t?
Why would any family farm need to reach CAFO status in order to expand sufficiently when all it would have to do is put the extra livestock on other sites?
Doesn’t it make sense for a large operation to use multiple non-CAFO sites to decrease the chances of epidemic, pollution, catastrophe, etc.?
How in the world is a CAFO dairy going to get all those cows milked if a catastrophe happens? Would the government help it? Why should people who had enough sense not to have too many cows help it?
Could corporate farming be a step towards communism or socialism?
Do county commissioners and planning and zoning commissioners have the right to reject a CAFO permit for any reason, including the nationality, religion or history of the CAFO applicant?
Is the institution of the family farm all it has been cracked up to be?
Is the institution of the family farm worth protecting?
True or false?
Continued attention to the plight of the American family farmer is as important as anything related to human rights.
Don’t most of the jobs the EB-5 program creates go to immigrants?
Did South Dakota ever have a hydrogen sulfide tester?
What ever happened to South Dakota’s hydrogen sulfide tester?
Shouldn’t South Dakota have a hydrogen sulfide tester to check the CAFOs it has?
Does South Dakota have a Superfund to cover CAFO disasters?
How much money does South Dakota have available to spend on CAFO disasters which the CAFO companies will not pay for?
What good are mega-dairies if only the elite few can afford them?
What advantages do CAFOs obtain by hiring immigrant laborers instead of citizens?
Which are more environmentally friendly and safer: CAFOs with manure lagoons or CAFOs without manure lagoons?
Would you like for a CAFO to be one-half mile from your home?
If a CAFO is a county’s economic solution of today, could a CAFO be a county’s economic or environmental problem of tomorrow?
Would eliminating CAFOs help to level the playing field so family farms could compete with corporate farms?
Is it possible to have a CAFO be stink-free 100% of the time?
Could the quality of the time when a CAFO is not stink-free cancel out the quantity of time when a CAFO is stink-free?
Are the major environmental groups wrong for opposing CAFOs?
Are all South Dakota CAFOs immune from what the major environmental groups are concerned about?
If local farmers refuse to engage in the dairy business with a cheese factory, are they lazy and stupid and irresponsible, or could they have good reasons for it?
Wouldn’t South Dakota be better off with no dairy industry than one supported with CAFOs and the usual CAFO practices?
Is it possible for a CAFO operation to not displace non-CAFO operations?
Is there a place to find a report of county and state CAFO mishaps?
Doesn’t promoting CAFOs tend to define the area as a place of commodities instead of people?
Does South Dakota really want to draw a lot of people who speak only Spanish?
Wouldn’t CAFO dairies provide good jobs at the cheese factory at the expense of good jobs for dairy farmers?
Is a job in town worth more than a job on the farm?
If a CAFO drives up the area’s farmland sale and rent prices, is that always a good thing?
Are CAFOs immune to financial difficulty and mismanagement?
Didn’t this year’s SB173 (An act to exempt certain dairies from the restrictions of the Family Farm Act) violate The Family Farm Act of 1974?
If South Dakota's Amendment E and Nebraska's Initiative 300 were wrong, how could they have been better?
Following the case of Kelo v. City of New London, would you like to see eminent domain used to establish CAFOs?
Has Ag United ever promoted a CAFO which is a violator?
If Ag United had their way, would there ever be a valid reason to keep a CAFO from operating?
South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association pdf
ReplyDeleteWhat have we done for you?
With Ag United, successfully defeated a measure that would have made all livestock permit applications subject to approval by the county commission.
To: communications@sdcattlemen.org
Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2008 9:15 PM
Subject: all livestock permit applications subject to approval by the county commission
Dear South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association,
Please tell me about the incident where South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association and Ag United successfully defeated a measure that would have made all livestock permit applications subject to approval by the county commission.
Please tell me how that is a good thing that you have done for me.
To: executive@sdcattlemen.org
Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2008 8:23 PM
Subject: Website Comment
Remember this TV ad that ran a few years ago?
A young man is hitchhiking in South Dakota. A pot hauling cattle goes by. The driver slows down and locks up the brakes to bring the truck to a stop, even though you shouldn't do that when you are hauling cattle. The truck says "Handy" on it. The driver asks "You need a lift?" The young man says "I need a job. Where are you going?" The driver says "Nebraska." The young man says "Maybe I can find a job there" and gets into the cab. The young man asks the driver "Do you make this trip often?" The driver says "Every day, kid, every day."
The announcer says "With every truckload of cattle that leaves South Dakota goes one job. Support livestock development in South Dakota."
Who sponsored that ad?? I can't find it on the Internet. Ask around if you don't know. Somebody you know should remember it.
To: executive@sdcattlemen.org
Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2008 8:29 PM
Subject: Website Comment
Dear South Dakota Cattlemen's Association,
Please tell me about the incident where South Dakota Cattlemen's Association and Ag United successfully defeated a measure that would have made all livestock permit applications subject to approval by the county commission.
Please tell me how that is a good thing that you have done for me.
I asked communications@sdcattlemen.org these questions and I never received an answer. If I don't receive an answer from you, the news of your ignorance will go out on the Internet.
http://madvilletimes.blogspot.com/2008/08/higher-feed-costs-send-cattle-to.html
From: Jodie Hickman
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 8:43 AM
Subject: RE: Website Comment
I believe those ads were sponsored by the Corn Utilization Council, but I’m not certain as that was before I began working for SDCA. I will get you an answer to the additional question you posed regarding livestock zoning shortly.
Regards,
Jodie Hickman, Executive Director
South Dakota Cattlemen's Association
435 Chapelle, Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: 605.945.2333
Fax: 605.224.2745
E-Mail: executive@sdcattlemen.org
Cell: 605.280.9462
From: Jodie Hickman
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 5:23 PM
Subject: RE: Website Comment
The South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association is a member-driven organization that represents nearly 1000 producers from across the state. Our members determine our policies and positions on various issues, including the issue referenced in your e-mail. More information about the ballot measure referenced in your e-mail may still be available on the Secretary of State’s website at:
http://www.sdsos.gov/
officeofSecretary/
officeofSecretary_overview.shtm
Jodie Hickman
South Dakota Cattlemen's Association
Phone: 605.945.2333
Fax: 605.224.2745
E-Mail: executive@sdcattlemen.org
What kind of way is that to run the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association??
Subject: all livestock permit applications subject to approval by the county commission
ReplyDeleteTo: sjjones@gwtc.net, abnagel@gwtc.net, stahlyranch@santel.net
Date: Saturday, 6 September, 2008, 8:13 PM
Dear South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association,
sjjones@gwtc.net
abnagel@gwtc.net
stahlyranch@santel.net
I have been getting the runaround from the South Dakota Cattlemen's Association.
Please tell me about the incident where South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association and Ag United successfully defeated a measure that would have made all livestock permit applications subject to approval by the county commission.
Please tell me how that is a good thing that you have done for me.
To: scottvanderwal@msn.com
Sent: Saturday, September 06, 2008 8:43 PM
Subject: Questions for Ag United
Dear Scott VanderWal,
I sent a bunch of questions for Steve Dick at info@agunited.org but never got a reply.
You are the President of Ag United for South Dakota and the President of South Dakota Farm Bureau which is a member organization of Ag United for South Dakota, so I am sending you a bunch of questions. Your reply or lack of reply will be noted on the Internet.
http://madvilletimes.blogspot.com/2008/08/higher-feed-costs-send-cattle-to.html
How is Ag United funded and what % of their money comes from which check-off dollars?
What's the difference between a L.L.C. or L.L.P. and corporate farming?
Name all of the corporate farms in South Dakota.
If only a handful of South Dakota farms are corporate farms, shouldn’t you be able to ….
I received no reply from the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I did notice that the What have we done for you pdf is no longer listed on the News/Comments page.
http://www.sdcattlemen.org/
newscomments.aspx
However, the News/Comments page with the What have we done for you pdf is cached at:
http://74.125.95.104/
search?q=cache:Pd-srCO8I-MJ:www.sdcattlemen.org/
newscomments.aspx+south+
dakota+cattlemen%27s+association+what+have+
we+done+for+you&hl=en&
ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us
And the What have we done for you pdf is at:
http://www.sdcattlemen.org/
CMDocs/SouthDakota/
What%20have%20we%20done%20
for%20you.pdf
And if that fails, I have the What have we done for you sheet I got from Ag United in Milbank on August 21 available for online viewing here:
http://i228.photobucket.com/
albums/ee194/lightninboy_bucket/
Cowboy%20pictures/
SDCAcommissioners.jpg
So the questions remain.
Please tell me about the incident where South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association and Ag United successfully defeated a measure that would have made all livestock permit applications subject to approval by the county commission.
Please tell me how that is a good thing that you have done for me.
Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008 7:51 PM
ReplyDeleteTo: steve@agunited.org
Subject: A blog with questions about the South Dakota CAFO situation
Dear Steve Dick,
I sent a bunch of questions for you to answer, but maybe you didn’t see them.
How is Ag United funded and what % of their money comes from which check-off dollars?
What's the difference between a L.L.C. or L.L.P. and corporate farming? …….
If Ag United had their way, would there ever be a valid reason to keep a CAFO from operating?
The questions are online here:
http://madvilletimes.blogspot.com/2008/08/higher-feed-costs-send-cattle-to.html
From: Steve Dick
steve@agunited.org
Subject: RE: A blog with questions about the South Dakota CAFO situation
Date: Tuesday, 9 September, 2008, 3:18 PM
Thanks for contacting me. I did not get an earlier email from you that you made reference to.
Ag United for South Dakota is a coalition of five farm organizations that works with farmers who are looking to develop or expand their livestock operation.
The organization also works on educating the public about livestock production. An example of this is the community education event that was held in Milbank on August 21st. Another educational activity that we recently held in Grant County was an Open House at the Mill Valley dairy in July.
Thank you for sharing your concerns with me.
Steve Dick
Subject: RE: A blog with questions about the South Dakota CAFO situation
To: steve@agunited.org
Date: Tuesday, 9 September, 2008, 6:32 PM
Does that mean you are going to answer the questions I sent you?
From: Scott VanderWal
ReplyDeleteSent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 3:05 PM
Subject: Re: Questions for Ag United
South Dakota Farm Bureau is a grass-roots general agriculture organization
whose policy is driven by its members.
Farm Bureau is one of the founding members of Ag United for South Dakota.
Ag United was formed to promote agriculture and educate consumers about
how their food is produced. It is also there to advise family farmers and
ranchers who wish to responsibly build or grow their operations.
South Dakota's livestock industry is a huge part of our economy.
Livestock production is an integral part of South Dakota's tradition, history and
lifestyle, and especially with modern technology, can be accomplished in
an environmentally and socially responsible manner.
We produce the safest, most abundant, least expensive food supply in the
world right here in the United States. If we don't produce it here, we
will have to import more of our food from other countries who may not have the same
high standards as we use here.
Thanks for your interest,
Scott VanderWal
Pres. SD Farm Bureau,
Chr. Ag United for SD
To: Scott VanderWal
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 6:57 PM
Subject: Re: Questions for Ag United
Dear Scott VanderWal,
Does that mean you are going to answer the questions I sent you?
Anon 9/16 1:32: Sorry, you don't get to throw language like that at fellow commenters, even with asterisks. Clean it up, state your point.
ReplyDeleteJust so everyone knows, when Anon 1:32 got done using foul language, he suggested Von's effort to get KELO to investigate CAFO's will be futile.
ReplyDeleteTo: ksmit@sdcorn.org
ReplyDeleteSent: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 3:35 PM
Subject: Who sponsored SD TV ad with cattle truck?
Remember this TV ad that ran a few years ago?
A young man is hitchhiking in South Dakota. A pot hauling cattle goes by. The driver slows down and locks up the brakes to bring the truck to a stop, even though you shouldn't do that when you are hauling cattle. The truck says "Handy" on it. The driver asks "You need a lift?" The young man says "I need a job. Where are you going?" The driver says "Nebraska." The young man says "Maybe I can find a job there" and gets into the cab. The young man asks the driver "Do you make this trip often?" The driver says "Every day, kid, every day."
The announcer says "With every truckload of cattle that leaves South Dakota goes one job. Support livestock development in South Dakota."
Who sponsored that ad?? I can't find it on the Internet. Ask around if you don't know. Somebody you know should remember it.
From: Teddi Mueller
Cc: Krystil Smit
Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2008 9:56 AM
Subject: RE: Who sponsored SD TV ad with cattle truck?
The South Dakota Corn Utilization Council paid for the development and the media buy for the ad you are inquiring about. It is not on the internet anywhere. Is there something that I can help you with?
Teddi
Teddi Mueller
SDCGA/SDCUC
Legislative and Industry Affairs Director
5109 S. Crossing Place #1
Sioux Falls, SD 57108
605-334-0100 (work)
605-321-1395 (cell)
To: Teddi Mueller
Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2008 2:43 PM
Subject: Re: Who sponsored SD TV ad with cattle truck?
Dear Teddi Mueller,
Thank you for the answer! I don't want anything from you right now, but I'll keep you in mind if I do.
To: Teddi Mueller
Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2008 2:46 PM
Subject: Re: Who sponsored SD TV ad with cattle truck?
Oh, Teddi,
I just thought of something you could help me with. Get me the proof that every truckload of cattle leaving South Dakota takes one job with it. After all, if the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council paid to broadcast that, it must be verifiable, right?
From: Teddi Mueller
Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2008 5:09 PM
Subject: RE: Who sponsored SD TV ad with cattle truck?
That was based off a study that we did back then in 2002! The numbers have changed by now! If you would like to visit about this I would be more than happy to. Please feel free to give me a call!
Thanks and have a great night!
Teddi
Teddi Mueller
SDCGA/SDCUC
Legislative and Industry Affairs Director
5109 S. Crossing Place #1
Sioux Falls, SD 57108
605-334-0100 (work)
605-321-1395 (cell)
To: ksmit@sdcorn.org ; Teddi Mueller ; lisal@sdcorn.org
Sent: Saturday, September 13, 2008 10:18 PM
Subject: Proof that a job goes with every potload of feeder cattle
Krystil Smit, Communications Director
Lisa Richardson, SDCGA & SDCUC Executive Director
Teddi Mueller, Legislative/Industry Affairs Director
A young man is hitchhiking in South Dakota. A pot hauling cattle goes
by. The driver slows down and locks up the brakes to bring the truck
to a stop, even though you shouldn't do that when you are hauling
cattle. The truck says "Handy" on it. The driver asks "You need a
lift?" The young man says "I need a job. Where are you going?" The
driver says "Nebraska." The young man says "Maybe I can find a job
there" and gets into the cab. The young man asks the driver "Do you
make this trip often?" The driver says "Every day, kid, every day."
The announcer says "With every truckload of cattle that leaves South
Dakota goes one job. Support livestock development in South Dakota."
Where is the proof that every truckload of cattle leaving South Dakota takes one job with it? After all, if the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council paid to broadcast that, it must be verifiable, right?
It seems to me that it is easier to give numbers through the Internet than it is over the phone, so email them to me or point me to a site with numbers.
You people not providing the proof should damage the credibility and reputation of South Dakota Corn Growers Association, South Dakota Corn Utilization Council and South Dakota livestock development promotion, right?
It doesn't matter to me whether you people are right or not. I just want to see the proof.
lighting boy, Do you ever give up? What is your point with posting all these emails? Get a clue buddy.
ReplyDeleteLightninboy appears simply to be trying to provoke a public discussion of important issues. Anon, would you prefer we all just shut up and do nothing about the issues that concern us? I know that's what the corporate interests would like us to do....
ReplyDeleteIt's 2008, not the 80's and 90's. Some people need to adapt to change, and I think one who really needs to adopt is Von. The "illegals" as he calls them probably live a better life milking cows at a CAFO then he does on his own little "family farm" that wont be around another 20 years.
ReplyDeleteTo: aputze@supportfarmers.com ; rhoppes@supportfarmers.com ; mritter@supportfarmers.com
ReplyDeleteSent: Sunday, September 21, 2008 11:02 PM
Subject: Some questions for Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers
Some questions for Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers
What's the difference between a L.L.C. or L.L.P. and corporate farming?
Name all of the corporate farms in Iowa.
If only a handful of Iowa farms are corporate farms, shouldn’t you be able to …
http://madvilletimes.blogspot.com/2008/08/higher-feed-costs-send-cattle-to.html
From: APutze@supportfarmers.com
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 9:01 AM
Subject: Thank you for your note
Good morning,
Thank you for forwarding the lengthy note of questions that has been circulating via the Internet.
The Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers, created in 2004, has assisted farms of all sizes and shape -- from those who raise livestock independently to those who have incorporated with neighbors or other partners; from those who raise livestock under roof to those who prefer to care for livestock outdoors. Since our launch, we've worked with nearly 1,000 families from all across Iowa, many second-, third-and-fourth generation, who take pride in raising livestock, dairy and poultry responsibly. Our services include helping families follow all rules and regulations, identify good locations for new farms, safeguard the quality of our air and water quality and enhance relations with neighbors (many of whom do not farm or have a farm background). Livestock farming, just like the technology you use to send e-mails and post opinions online, has changed tremendously. Just as "Lightninboy" would not want to return to the manual typewriter and sending his thoughts via the U.S. Postal Service, many farm families do not wish to replicate the way livestock was raised 40-50 years ago.
We have many good farms in Iowa representing all facets of livestock, dairy and poultry farming. We look forward to assisting another 1,000 farm families.
Aaron Putze, APR
Executive Director
Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers
P.O. Box 9127
Des Moines, IA 50306-9127
Office toll free: 800-932-2436
Office:. 515-225-5531
Cell: 515-975-4168
Fax. 515-225-5661
www.supportfarmers.com
MAKE TODAY GREAT!
To: APutze@supportfarmers.com
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 9:28 PM
Subject: Re: Thank you for your note
Dear Aaron Putze,
I noticed that Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers talks its shtick, but when cross-examined it does not answer the questions and keeps on giving its shtick.
From: APutze@supportfarmers.com
Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 8:43 AM
Subject: Good morning
Good morning,
The Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers is very proud of its efforts dedicated to helping farm families who raise livestock follow all rules and regulations, identify good locations for new farms, enhance air and water quality and improve relations with neighbors. As a result, Iowan's support of livestock farming and its growth continues to increase. We look forward to continuing these positive, pro-active efforts on behalf of Iowa's hard working and responsible livestock, dairy and poultry farmers.
I'll now consider this the end of our correspondence. However, to remain up-to-date on our activities, please make regular visits to our web site at www.supportfarmers.com. While there, you may also wish to visit the "Doing things right" portion of our web site to meet some farm families who we have served.
Have a good day.
Aaron Putze, APR
Executive Director
Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers
P.O. Box 9127
Des Moines, IA 50306-9127
Office toll free: 800-932-2436
Office:. 515-225-5531
Cell: 515-975-4168
Fax. 515-225-5661
www.supportfarmers.com
MAKE TODAY GREAT!
To: info@mnfarmandfood.org
ReplyDeleteSent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:35 PM
Subject: Access to capital
To the Minnesota Farm and Food Coalition,
The Minnesota Farm and Food Coalition's website says:
What We Stand For
Access to capital
Farmers seeking to modernize, expand or begin new operations need assistance. Financial incentives would help farm families and the entire livestock industry.
http://www.mnfarmandfood.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=44
What do you mean by that?
Does the Minnesota Farm and Food Coalition help farmers seeking to modernize, expand or begin new operations get capital? If so, what are some of the lending agencies which have cooperated with the Minnesota Farm and Food Coalition in providing the capital to farmers seeking to modernize, expand or begin new operations?
Or does that mean that the Minnesota Farm and Food Coalition is lobbying the government to provide capital to farmers seeking to modernize, expand or begin new operations?
http://madvilletimes.blogspot.com/2008/08/higher-feed-costs-send-cattle-to.html
From: Tara Sammon Meyer
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 6:17 PM
Subject: RE: Access to capital
We work with Minnesota Livestock producers that are moving through the permitting and expansion process. Sitting down one on one and working on public relations, permitting paperwork, siting, etc.
We are not a lobbying organization.
Thanks,
Tara Sammon Meyer
Animal Agriculture Specialist
Minnesota Farm and Food Coalition
PO Box 64370
St. Paul, MN 55164
612-756-3226
www.mnfarmandfood.org
Coalition members include the Broiler & Egg Association of Minnesota, Minnesota Agri-Growth Council, Minnesota Association of Cooperatives, Minnesota Corn Growers Association, Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation, Minnesota Grain & Feed Association, Minnesota Lamb & Wool Producers, Minnesota Milk Producers Association, Minnesota Pork Board, Minnesota Pork Producers Association, Minnesota Soybean Growers Association, Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Minnesota State Cattleman’s Association, Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, Minnesota Turkey Research & Promotion Council and the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association
To: Tara Sammon Meyer
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 7:32 PM
Subject: Re: Access to capital
Dear Tara Sammon Meyer, Animal Agriculture Specialist,
If the Minnesota Farm and Food Coalition is not a lobbying organization and does not lobby the government to provide capital to farmers seeking to modernize, expand or begin new operations, what does
"What We Stand For
Access to capital
Farmers seeking to modernize, expand or begin new operations need assistance. Financial incentives would help farm families and the entire livestock industry."
mean on your website? If the Minnesota Farm and Food Coalition said that, the Minnesota Farm and Food Coalition should make it clear what it meant by that. You did not answer my question. What do you mean by that?
http://madvilletimes.blogspot.com/2008/08/higher-feed-costs-send-cattle-to.html
To: Tara Sammon Meyer
Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2008 10:15 PM
Subject: Fw: Access to capital
Hey, Tara, you never answered my question.
Does the Minnesota Farm and Food Coalition mean that it helps farmers get capital for CAFOs from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture?
http://www.mda.state.mn.us/about/divisions/agfinance.htm
http://www.mda.state.mn.us/about/divisions/agdev.htm
Give it up Von, you are getting no where.
ReplyDelete