Common Sense Agriculture's Blog

Feeding A Bummer After Supper

Over the weekend we had our family birthday supper for our February birthdays. At the conclusion, I began to feed the four bummer lambs. Somehow a picture was taken and I had to post it. A number of people asked, “What is a ‘bummer’?”

A bummer lamb is one that is raised entirely or partially away from a mother. They come from a variety of situations. Read more…

A friend of mine on Twitter sent me a link to an article titled “First ‘test-tube’ hamburger to be produced this year” and wanted to know my thoughts, so…

The idea of being able to take bovine stem cells, growing muscle tissue in a lab and then taking that tissue and turning it into “hamburger” is an intriguing idea. It makes me think of a science fiction movie or even Star Trek.

Those who know me and have followed my blog also know that I am a supporter of utilizing technology to improve the ability of agriculture to provide safe and wholesome food in the most efficient manner possible while also being environmentally friendly. This endeavor could potentially provide an option for people to choose, when it comes to choices of “meat.”

After being intrigued by the initial presentation of the idea, I then reached the point in the article where the author begins describing the “benefits” of having being able to create “hamburger” in a test-tube. Yes, I am putting the word hamburger in quotations…I just have a tough time calling something hamburger that comes from lab.

Some of the benefits listed included:

“Conventional meat and dairy production requires more land, water, plants and disposal of waste products than almost all other human foods.”

It is important to realize that most of the land utilized to raise cattle is of very poor quality and not land that is favorable for growing “human foods.” Particularly in the west, cattle run on mountain and dessert range, where elevation and length of growing season limits production to grasses. Additionally, where cattle have been managed properly, beneficial grasses actually increase, for both the cattle and wildlife, fuel loads are reduced and organic material in the soil is increased. Read more…

Making It To The Stump Was A Start

Happy – characterized by or indicative of pleasure, contentment, or joy

Last week, while I was heading someplace, I was listening to John Stossel, on my XM, “What Really Makes People Happy.”

I spent the next few days thinking about this question. I thought about myself and what makes me happy? Read more…

I’m curious what other folks thought about the Chrysler advertisement at half time of Super Bowl 46, starring Clint Eastwood.

First, I thought it was very well done…elicited emotion response, focused on the importance of being an American, the importance of working together, the importance of the individual, a powerful ad.

Then, when Clint Eastwood made the statement that “it’s halftime in America too,” a little switch flipped in my head. This was a political advertisement, a campaign message supporting President Obama.

In my mind I started connecting the dots….

We spent 14 billion dollars bailing out Chrysler and Chevrolet…saved around 100,000 jobs…that is about 1 million dollars per job.

Was this advertisement a way for Chrysler and Chevrolet to thank the President for not forcing them to go through bankruptcy and aid him in his campaign for a second term?

Perhaps I am wrong, but after watching it a second time, I have the perception and believe this is a clear example of why the government should not be involved in private business and bailouts.

What do you think? Here is the video. Watch it again. Am I wrong?

First, I would like to thank Tracy (@NEwheatie), author of NebraskaWheatie and Cheryl (@DayAngus), author of farmchiclogic, for nominating me for the Versatile Blogger Award. It is an honor to be thought of in this way.

What is the Versatile Blogger? In my opinion, it is a neat way to recognize blogs and share appreciation. Here are the “rules” for participating:

1. Thank and link the person/people nominating you.
2. List and pass the nomination on to 15 of your favorite bloggers.
3. Share seven tidbits about yourself.
4. Copy this picture to your blog.

Read more…