Category: Daily

German Farmers’ Tractors Roll for New Economic System

Dump the Agriculture (Military) Financial Complex! by Robert L. Baker Thousands of tractors roll – sending powerful message to lawmakers Jan. 17—The mega Week of Action Jan. 8-15 in Germany, with a 100,000 tractors, trucks, farmers, and allies, holding convoys, rallies and other protests in all 16 states, is a world-significant event. The “drop that…



Return to carcass trade is essential for cattle industry and rural prosperity

Posted on January 22, 2024 by Mike Callicrate After more than 50 years of concentration, consolidation, hyper-industrialization, and a pandemic, the producers, workers, animals, and consumers have all suffered from the loss of competition and demise of local/regional food infrastructure.  Land-grant and business school economists teaching “Big is better – It’s a business, not a…



Op-ed: This Farm Bill Could Rein in Big Agriculture’s Lobbying Power

Including the new Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act in the upcoming farm bill would go a long way toward fixing the USDA’s commodity checkoff programs. By Will Harris January 17, 2024 Ranchers supervise grazing grass-fed cattle. (Photo courtesy of White Oak Pastures) Back in the ’90s, beef was what was for dinner. As a…



As Beef Cattle Become Behemoths, Who Are Animal Scientists Serving?

Callicrate note: Since the 1980’s the U.S cow herd has been reduced by 10 million head. How have we kept up with beef demand? Import more low quality cheap beef and make em’ bigger … The hyper performance enhancing drug, Zilmax (Zipaterol), is supposed to be off the market, mainly due to animal welfare concerns,…



Bayless’s Farm to Table History Inspires Everything Local

Callicrate note: Every community should have a Rick Bayless Creator of the Frontera restaurant empire presented keynote to remember. Bob Benenson Jan 18, 2024 Frontera and Center Chicago Chef Rick Bayless stressed the importance of farmer-restaurant partnerships on the opening day of the three-day Everything Local Conference in Springfield. Photo by Bob Benenson. I was…



“Cowboys Can Save the World”

Saturday, January 13, I spent the day with a group of Montana ranchers at the Beartooth Stock Association annual meeting. They ventured out in minus 20 degree weather, many just finishing cow chores. Cattlemen and women represent the literal heart and soul of our country, often unaware of their cows value beyond feeding us. They…



Kansas cowboy Jim Gray shares some wisdom on Rural America

Jim Gray provides some very important history and insight on Rural America, what happened, and how we can and must bring it back to life. Republished from Grass and Grain Nov 5,  2023 The Way West By “The Cowboy” Jim Gray Transformation and Survival As the great Civil War raged in the Shenandoah valley of…



Brownfield: NEFU VOICES CONCERNS WITH FARMLAND PURCHASES BY MORMON CHURCH

Howdy, Whether it is Bill Gates, Ted Turner, the Mormon Church, or some innocuous sounding LLC that no one has ever heard of before, outside interests are increasingly buying up farm and ranch land. In all cases, the profits that are made from those land purchases end up in the pockets of the owners who…



German farmers block roads with tractors in subsidies protest – Best not withdraw subsidies until there is a fair market

German farmers block roads with tractors in subsidies protest Partial U-turn by Berlin fails to avert nationwide action by farmers and hauliers that could last for days Jon Henley, Europe correspondent @jonhenley Mon 8 Jan 2024 08.49 ESTLast modified on Mon 8 Jan 2024 11.04 EST German farmers have blocked city centres, highways and motorway…



R-CALF – American ranchers’ independence is threatened by the Environmental, Social, and Governance or ESG movement

R-CALF United Stockgrowers of America "Fighting for the Independent U.S. Cattle Producer" For Immediate Release January 3, 2024   R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard Phone: 406-252-2516; r-calfusa View and share this week’s update on Facebook here Twitter here or view the web version here. Please find below R-CALF USA’s weekly opinion/commentary that discusses how American…