Straight from the Horses Mouth

Duane A. Lienemann,

UNL Extension Educator,

Webster County January 21, 2011 Edition I am probably like everyone else. It takes me a while to get used to writing 2011 on checks, statements, and other things I have to sign. I am getting there, but it might get a lot more confusing as this year. Why do I say that? Well, we will experience 4 unusual dates in 2011. Those being.... 1/1/11, 1/11/11, 11/1/11, 11/11/11. And if that isn’t enough to entertain some of you, go figure this out ... take the last 2 digits of the year you were born plus the age you will be this year and it will equal – (drum roll please) – 111. It's kind of creepy!! But it’s true. I know this isn’t agricultural news, but I bet you think about it the next time you write a check with all of these ones! Now-- on to my thoughts for the week. For you that didn’t get to attend the Cow/Calf College this past week, you missed a really great seminar. The topics were timely and interesting and the speakers were excellent. There was a little something for everyone. There were several things that stuck out to me as I listened. One thing is very clear to me - the beef industry is really amazing in its complexity, diversity, value to our state and to our nation, and the challenges facing it. We were given an overview of major issues and/or challenges facing the animal agriculture industry. Some of them, I have frequently harped on in this column, and there were several that most of us probably don’t think about. I am grateful that we have well-educated people that are involved in looking after our interests and are connected in such a way that a difference can be made. However, I got the message really loud that we as producers, or just living in the rural area, cannot be complacent and hope that somebody else is working towards protecting and promoting the way we work, produce, and live. We need to become educated, know the intricacies of what we do, believe in the importance of what we do, be knowledgeable about the very thing that we make our living on, and more importantly become active. There is strength in numbers, and every producer or person interested in any particular segment of agriculture should become a member (if they are not already) of a commodity group, an agriculture awareness group, an agricultural support organization or an action group of some sort. I am depressed at the number of producers who don’t belong or attend any kind of organization, stick their head in the sand and hope all that what is happening in their world will just go away. I have news for those people, it won’t go away and if we ignore it and don’t band together there will be nobody to blame when we have severe ramifications to our way of life ---but yourself. We must be active – not reactive. We will lose what is important to us, one little piece at a time while many of us sit idly sit by and do nothing – hoping someone else will come riding up on a big white steed and save us. That, while be colorful and the making of a good book or movie, isn’t going to happen. We need to take the future of our profession -our very way of life --in our own hands. Look at being active in groups like Cattlemen, Pork Producers, Grain Associations, Farm Bureau, Farmers Union, etc. I also suggest supporting groups like the Animal Agriculture Alliance, A-FAN, or a myriad of other organizations that are for and by the agriculture producer. They cannot do it alone. You can’t solve problems by sitting in the local coffee shop, but you can make a difference by being an active part of an active organization and better yet - several. Each producer is a professional, and as a professional you should be a part of a professional group that provides an united umbrella for your profession. I am not in the business of saying what group or groups that you should belong to – just become involved. We need to tell our story. Social media can be one way. It is good to see some producers getting active in blogs, utilizing Face Book or Twitter. We need to be proponents of what we do and the food that we produce. We need to let people know what we are doing. They need to know how we care about our animals, that we are good stewards and that we do produce a wholesome and safe food for the consumer to eat. The American Farmer used to be the cornerstone of the very fabric of our country. We were the most trusted and honored profession in our society. That is not the case anymore. There are a lot of negative forces out there that do not have the best interests of agriculture or the agrarian way of life in mind, quite the opposite. You can also make a difference by getting to know your county commissioner, state senator, or on the Federal level, your congressman or senator. Go beyond developing a friendship or social relationship or network. Write and call your representatives with your concerns, make an educated observation and if necessary appeal to your representative on issues or concerns that directly affect you or the agricultural industry. Become your own proponent. I hear a lot of my colleagues say “I am just a farmer, or just a rancher. I don’t have anything to offer.” I look at that as a cop-out. Who can better tell the story or reflect concerns for their industry better than somebody who is directly engaged in the very profession that is facing these challenges. I was told by a Senator one time that the most profound and meaningful observation that he got, did not come from a lobbyist or large agribusiness, but a dryland farmer in his district that was passionate yet courteous on an issue. He didn’t send a form letter, or sign a lengthy petition, but rather spoke in his own way. This senator said that this “just a farmer” ended up being the nail that held the shoe on the horse that carried the warrior to battle, and then ultimately made the difference on who won the war. I think that is rather telling reason for becoming active. You can make a difference. No – you have to make a difference! The preceding information comes from the research and personal observations of the writer which may or may not reflect the views of UNL or UNL Extension. For more further information on these or other topics contact D. A. Lienemann, UNL Extension Educator for Webster County in Red Cloud, (402) 746-3417 or email to: dlienemann2@unl.edu or go to the website at: www.webster.unl.edu/home