People's perceptions of organic meats, ranching .....etc.

I had the honor of being asked to help judge an FFA extemporaneous speech contest last night.  I enjoyed it immensely and really was impressed by the speaking ability and knowlege base of the kids.  The parents on the other hand could stand some agricultural education.

A wonderful young man gave a great presentation on how modern ag producers can adapt their operations to produce organic foods for the consumer.  The panel of judges were required to collectively ask 5 minutes worth of relevant questions on the presented topic.  I asked a question relative to animal drug withdrawal times, feed additives,etc.  Presentation over.  Young man gets silver award for a job very well done.

After the event, a mother (not his) comes up to the judges and tells us that we were all wrong.  Organic beef only comes from feedlots were the cattle are not subject to standing knee deep in filth, manure and urine, day after day. " You know dont you, that that is how we get nitrates in meat is because the animal absorbs it from standing in filth"?  We could not convince her that organic meats come from certified programs that put limits on types of feeds, medicines, vaccines, etc.  She could not be swayed.  I tried my best to be congenial and even gave her a couple of websites to look at later.

We need to look for any opportunity to set people straight on the American beef industry.  THEY WALK AMONG US!

it is a requirement in edumacation not to expose one's self to information that disagrees with our belief system.  it's really just too traumatic.

the threshold for eating people is getting lower and lower every day.  the carbon footprint reduction is just to beneficial to resist.

Just smile next time and instead of trying to sway her to your side, ask where she can provide the information she is giving you as you would very much like to research her ponit of view.  They usually stammer and say they don't know.  Have done this with PETA people and they scoot away pretty quick.  They love to attack but a lot of them don't have the knowlegde to back up their arguements.  They just love telling people they are wrong. 

We are feeding more people with less beef today.  Lowest cattle on feed since 1954.  If we revert to organic (comparable to 1950's methods) there would not be enough food for all the people in the world.  In next 50 years, we have to produce double the food we produce.  We are going to have to accomplish this with less land, and water.  We have to look at technology, breeds, & modern advances.  We cannot revert to 1950's methods.  If we do, the word sustainable will not apply to humans.  

"They walk among us"....... a truer statement couldn't have been made. "We" the Beef Industry, have more ill-informed members than we do critics from outside the Industry. Sad, but, true.

GB

If you get a chance look at the last issue of the Maine Anjou Voice.  The Ebersole family is marketing grass fed beef rather effectivly.  If you ever get a chance, talk to Shannen about it.  She is one educated lady in this field and is doing a bang up job educating the public in her neck of the woods.

Cowz...as much as you enjoy talking (kinda like me) you were perfect for judging this event! lol

That woman is wrong.  Organic beef can be from a feedlot, it can be fed grain & even stand navel deep manure (as long as the manure is organic    ).

FWIW, most of the "health nuts" believe that "grassfed beef" is better than "organic beef" because grassfed has a higher Omega 3 ratio compared to Omega 6 & higher in vitamins, etc.  I  just sold 3 halves of grassfed beef & kept a 1/2 for myself.  Dry aged 14 days.  So far I've had club steak, ground beef & chuck.  It has plenty of marbling & although it's got a different look & taste, it's not "gamey" & it's as good or better than any grainfed beef that I can recall eating.  Previously, I'd sampled grassfed beef from another breeder/partner & it was also very good every time I tried it.  I'm getting my own labeling set up so I can start selling 10 lb. retail packages.  I even have 3 co-op suppliers lined up who have purchased/leased bulls & females from me.  The demand seems to be fairly high, others seem to like my samples (even some skeptics)  & I am very excited about the potential.