It's Been A Long Week

Today I am in Morton, MN writing this. Stacy and I arrived here late last night. We started yesterday off in Phoenix, AZ. We flew back into Rapid City and then headed east for the 500 mile trip. It's been an exhausting couple of weeks being on the road so much, but the people we get to meet and share our story with makes it worth it.

On Wednesday, we had the privilege of sharing the stage with several wonderful speakers in Phoenix. Dr. Dave Sjeklocha from Kansas, who is the chairman of the Beef Cattle Health and Well Being Committee of the Academy of Veterinary Consultants, hosted a meeting to examine how animal agriculture can more effectively deal with the radical agenda of the animal rights groups. It was a fantastic meeting. It was very encouraging to see that so many people realize the threat that animal rights poses to our food producing ability in this country. The room was packed and there was some great discussion that followed the presentations. This is an issue that everyone in animal agriculture needs to be paying attention to. The animal right agenda will do more to shape how you do business in the next 10 years than any other issue out there.

Today, we get to share our story with the Minnesota Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference participants as well as the MNFB Promotions and Education Committee. I will admit that it is hard to go from sunny Phoenix to frozen Minnesota, but the enthusiasm of the people we will be sharing with will be just as high.

Here are a few headlines on the agriculture front that may interest you. PETA's Super Bowl ad was rejected by NBC due to it's graphic nature. Wayne Pacelle says HSUS is ready to take their agenda to Congress and the new Administration. And finally, I saw this article in Newsweek yesterday. I particularly enjoyed all of the hypocrisy it contained, especially from Michael Pollan.

Normally I do most of the commenting on news items I share with you on this blog. Now it's your turn. Read these articles or any others that you have seen this week and share your comments here.

Everyone have a great weekend, and remember, we are one day closer to spring!