A little bit of state pride

(Good Ole Nebraska Scenery)

I have always lived in Nebraska, and I certainly believe it's the good life. Nebraskans are friendly folks, innovative, and hardworking folks. We can also be stubborn, jump to conclusions, and will share our opinion whether you asked for it or not. I'm not blogging about the wonderful Huskers today, rather the future is on my mind.

In addition to being a cool place to live, Nebraska is one of the best states for livestock production. We have a water source larger than Lake Erie, and it sustains itself (I'm talking about the Ogallala Aquifer). Nebraska is also home to a large ethanol industry, and produces a lot of corn (there's a reason we are called the CORNhuskers). There are a number of large feedlots, dairies, and other livestock operations in the state. These large operations are typically called "bad" by the media and other misinformed organizations, but the truth is that these business fuel my home's economy. Nebraska will never be a home to any other industry (like automobile or textile). My family and many others like it are not only involved in production, but it side industries, like ag lending.

Not only do larger operations provide jobs and stimulate local economies, but they also are the innovators for the newest technology. It was large beef businesses that first implemented Temple Grandin's livestock management systems. Large agriculture operations aren't bad for America, in fact in tough times, they are just what we need. I'm not shy of talking about big business in agriculture after all, it's what fuels the home of Kool Aid, Runza, and Dorthy Lynch!

'till the cows come home,

Ellie

Censorship, Invasion, and China

It's always bound to happen when my older brother comes home. We get in an inevitable argument. Sometimes it's over things as trivial as who does more work in the family, and other times it's actually an intelligent discussion. Snow that trapped the family at home on Saturday night was the perfect situation to begin an argument.

Jake began by stating that the government should have the power to censor what stories come out of the war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. After all, he argued, that technically isn't American soil, so individual rights of freedom of speech don't exist over seas. I argued that the problem wasn't the simple presence of journalists in the war zones, but rather the fact that their stories were examples of lazy journalism. Their stories based largely on opinions, wouldn't even earn a passing grade in my reporting class.

From that argument we went on to discuss why an international course is required in college and not one in production agriculture. After all, the only thing standing between the U.S. and a potential take over (beside nuclear weapons) is the amount of food we produce. We only need to call upon the countries that we feed with crops produced in America to fight as our allies, or risk losing their food supply.

Finally, we turned to China. In every class I hear how the amount of debt we owe the Asian country will cause them to take over our country, but Jake used a simple analogy to explain why they never will. If you produce bulls, and only one large rancher purchases the majority of your bulls each year, you aren't going to buy out that rancher and lose your customer.

The point of this whole blog isn't to start some arguments, but rather to urge you to get an opinion. This argument was passionate, and we both had used some facts to back up our side. Too many of my friends simply choose not to care. They are too worried about matters in their lives to look at a bigger picture, and simply take what they are told at face value. Evaluating the news and politics critically is incredibly important, after all, we are the next generation of decision makers, and the events and policies of today will drastically affect our future.

'till the cows come home,
Ellie

The Stock Show

My dad claims that heaven will be a never ending Denver Stock Show, and I'm hoping he's right. Though I've only attended the stock show once (I earned a trip through 4-H livestock judging), it's legendary status among my family and the livestock community makes me feel the excitement this time of year. This huge show is held in Denver Colorado in January and is always freezing cold. The grounds have begun to feel like home, as I have attended 2 National Jr. Angus Shows there, including helping to host the show last summer.

My family's history with the stock show began when my grandfather first rode the train with his calf out to Denver. He would get on with his beef project in Hemingford, NE, and ride with the calf all the way to Denver. In his adult years, my grandfather took my mom and her siblings to the stock show every year with a carload of Angus Steers. My mom was always responsible for using a show stick to set the feet of the group as she was the shortest member of her family. When my grandfather past on, my dad, mom, and uncle continued to attend the stock show for only a couple years. The stories of shennanigans down in the yards, shows up on the hill, and the adventures in between are the source of many dinner converstions. My family isn't unique. Many farmers and ranchers in Nebraska and across the United States have similar stories about their involvement in the Denver Stock Show. The video below explains how the stock show got started.



If you are luck enough to be able to attend the Stock Show this year, have fun! It's a great tradition in the livestock industry!

'till the cows come home,
Ellie