People
From Throckmorton, Texas is a sixth-generation cattle rancher
Brad Bellah
What is the best way for farmers to get their story out?
.
Telling people and showing people.
What is the main factor/contributor to having a successful farm?
The environment – specifically the ground needs to be in good condition
What does using antibiotics “medicinally” mean?
Only using antibiotics when an animal is sick – just as you would for
people. In some operations if an animal receives antibiotics they then
are moved to a different herd because they are no longer all natural.
90% of food in America comes from what?
Family Farm
From Roberta in Crawford County, Georgia is a fourth generation poultry farmer.
Leighton Cooley
What is the biggest hurdle farmers face today?
Public perception and social media issues.
The farm always comes _______ . This is something many feel the general public does not understand unless they came from a farm.
The farm always comes FIRST .
How do farmers learn about their animals and their health?
The best way to learn is by watching and observing.
What did they feel the government needs to do a better job explaining?
Explaining what organic and all-natural really mean.
From near Carroll, Nebraska is a fifth-generation farmer who grows corn and soybeans.
David Loberg
Why is it is so easy to publicize the “bad apples” of farming?
Technology and social media makes it very simple to send the message that “all” are the same as the one bad story.
They shared the statistic that 80% of the land is owned by people 65 and older. Why does it become challenging to pass that land on to others?
The taxes needed to pay on the land are very high.
The market price can fluctuate quite a bit within a few weeks, but when cattle are ready the ranchers do not have the luxury of waiting. Why?
When cattle are ready they might have a 1-2 week window at most, but
then must get them sold regardless of what the market price is currently.
In the discussion about Hormone Free Birds. This is really about what?
All the poultry they were raising was hormone free, but someone got
smart and decided to advertise that their birds were which led to the
misconception that all others had hormones in them.
From Brawley, California is a fourth generation farmer who grows organic onions.
Sutton Morgan
David Loberg – the Nebraska corn and soybean farmer – said that if you don’t want to eat GMO products, that is your choice, but don’t do what?
He talked about organic being a viable option because it is a choice that
consumers have. But, he asked that people not vilify what other farmers
are doing.
GMO seed provides a better defense against what? This also cuts down on the use of what?
Insects and other pests. It cuts down on the use of chemicals.
How does rain – too much or too little – in the Midwest affect the farmers in Texas?
The majority of the corn that ranchers feed their chickens and their cattle comes from the Midwest. When the corn price is high is will affect the input cost of raising cattle and in turn the overall profit.
What does GMO stand for?
genetically modified organism
From near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania started an organic farming business called "One Woman Farm, Inc."
Margaret Schlass
Why do you really need to have a passion for farming if you are going to choose that as your life’s path?
It is emotionally and physically hard.
Did you notice in the scene with the people in the tractors that they aren’t physically driving those tractors. How does that work?
GPS
Farm vs. Business – while farming is a business, why did one of the farmers mention that he really prefers to use the term farm?
Using the term farming or family farm has more of a personal touch too it. It is a business and must be run like a business, but there is a lot more that goes into it – the deep love and commitment that farmers and ranchers have to their land and their animals.
One of the families talked about the year there was snow through most of April. That really affects when they are able to get the seed into the ground. What is the ideal temperature trend for planting corn?
50 degrees and rising.