Now for a serious note. I am in Environmental Ethics right now and our assignment last week really opened my eyes to how my peers view the livestock industry. Our question was do you think eating meat is ethical? We should all be proud to know that all fourteen group members said that they believe eating meat is ethical. That means that they do trust our industry to a certain degree. But even though they all believe eating meat is ethical some had some pretty strong opinions about how the animals are raised.

People are confused about the industry

The main comments that disturbed me were “Watching any behind the scenes footage from a cattle ranch or a chicken coop you can see the absolute filth and disgust these animals live in.” “Animals are provided with the bare minimum to survive” and ” I am fine with local farms but I have no tolerance for the industrial farming where the meat is raised and slaughtered in bulk.”

I responded to these statements letting them know that we try to keep our animals in clean environments and keep them healthy and happy to make sure that they are getting the best product possible. I also debunked the fact that animals are provided the bare minimum to survive, we as farmers need our animals to be healthy when they go to harvest otherwise we won’t have enough product to stay a farmer  for very long. I also told them that we hate seeing the footage of animal abuse too, and might get even more upset than they do because they are giving our livelihood a bad name.  No animal should be harmed or made to suffer, as farmers we believe that to be very important. And for the last one, there are huge family owned farms, a lot of our consumers believe that if there is concrete or technology that the farm must be factory owned. But that is not true because we need these new ideas and innovations to be an efficient industry that can produce protein for the world.

I tried to respond to their concerns calmly and even invited them to my farm to show them that we care for our animals. It is our job as beef producers to spread the positive views of animal agriculture and let them know that we do not accept animal abuse in our industry and the people that are caught are being punished and we are ok with that. I want my classmates to say it is ethical to eat meat and not have any doubt in their mind when they go to the meat counter at their grocery store. We need to spread the word that we love our animals and want meat to be as safe as possible for the consumer.

I’ll be giving updates on our final campus decisions and how our education efforts are going over the next few months.

Night everyone
– Kim

This week I had some big news! My first calf ever was born. I had all of my past experience working with larger calves in my families fedlot. So as you can expect I was very nervous and excited this week waiting for my heifer Xandra’s calf to be born. Because I knew the day my heifer was bred I could estimate about when the calf would come and with 9 months of pregnancy she was due this week. Because I was back at school in South Dakota I was spending quite a bit of time on the phone checking in on how she was doing. The whole time fingers crossed that she would wait until the weekend to have her calf. This brings me to my new series of blogs that I will be writing, Cow calf update. Every week at the end of my blog I will update every0ne on how my cow calf pair is doing.

My uncle TIm and cousin Allison helping out with his first time nursing.

Lets start with week one. This Friday as soon as I got back from school I headed straight to the calving barn to check on things like I usually do. I came just in time. I could see a black heifer laying down on her side when I walked up but couldn’t tell which one it was. The closer I got the more I realized that this heifer was in labor and about to calve. Then her head popped up and I realized it was MY heifer! At this point my nervousness turned into a little bit of a panic. I felt like an expected father rushing to the hospital. I could see little hooves sticking out and that was the sure sign that this calf was coming now! I calmed myself made a few phone calls for advice and waited. I waited half an hour and with no progress called the vet. The vet ended up having to assist with the birth and even I had to lend a hand in my dress clothes (I had just given my speech at school and had not changed). With the assistance of the vet she gave birth to a healthy, very big bull calf. He is now up and running around and nursing well. Xandra (the cow) is mothering well and is nursing and raising him very well so far for a first time mama. Now I’m looking to all of the Beef ambassador blog readers to help me find a name for my little bull calf. Because his ear tag is 1z I was hoping for something starting in Z.

Look to next weeks blog to see how Xandras little calf is doing in Cow calf update #2!

The following is a blog written by Erin Morrison, an enthusiastic and passionate State Beef Ambassador from Minnesota. I hope you read along and enjoy her recent experience promoting BEEF to school age children!

Thanks & Gig’em

Greetings from Minnesota-

My name is Erin Morrison and I am a proud beef ambassador from the state of Minnesota! I would like to share one of the many lessons I have learned while representing the beef industry. This past week, my sister and I had to opportunity to read to the second graders in our school district. I expected a long afternoon filled with loud, uninterested kids but put a smile on my face anyway. Luckily, these kids proved me wrong. The kids were a joy to be around and reminded me a lot about life.
The biggest surprise about these second graders was there attention to detail and willingness to learn. Throughout our entire story the children listened intently and asked question about the concepts they didn’t understand. After the story, they passed out test with flying colors; remembering everything from what an ear tag tells the farmer to the types of feed a cow eats during the stages of its life.

Even better than the intelligence of these children was their attitudes. The smiles never left their bright faces, and when we returned to read to the second half of the classes we were greeted with big hugs from the children we had already read to. There was not a bit of hesitation with these kids, they were open to meeting new people and ready to learn about farming. When prompted to answer questions, these kids excitedly raised their hands to share the information they had learned. When given a treat they politely took their fair share and thanked us. The passion and enthusiasm in these kids was contagious.

Looking at young students it is easy to believe that we are all wiser and more mature than a group of seven year olds, but they have some very valuable lessons to teach us if we are willing to listen. I’m not sure at what point we lose the passion and enthusiasm that all kids are born with, but wouldn’t it be nice if we could try to bring it back. This week, I challenge everybody to try to look at the world through the eyes of a second grader. Bring back the joy of learning we used to posses and appreciate the education we are given. When presented with a new or scary situation approach it with an open mind and excitement about the possibilities. Most importantly, be thankful for all the blessings we are given. Looking at the world through the eyes of a second grader doesn’t necessarily mean we have to color with crayons. Just take the time to slow down and appreciate the beauty of life.

-Erin Morrison

I am pleased to announce to  all of you fellow followers of the Beef Ambassador blog, that I Arika Snyder just finished signing up for the Broiler Maker 15K Race for July 8^th in Upstate New York!! This will be my first big race to be participating, other than my high school track and field and boy, I’m sure anxious and excited all at the same time! Did you know that just by putting in small workouts in your daily schedule can really make a difference over a long run, haha I made a pun.  Being a college student and all, I’ve had my fair share moments of being lethargic and content with my daily late night runs to the student cafeteria for occasional fries and maybe adding in that famous Ben and Jerry’s ice cream every weekend night. It wasn’t until this past summer I realized that I had started to become what I ate. Not only was I eating unhealthy foods for days on end during my freshman year, but also didn’t have sports in college that interested me in getting involved which resulted in me receiving no physical activity.

Now, a sophomore in college I currently rent an apartment off campus and have the option of cooking my OWN food with healthier choices. Now, I bet you’re guessing I’ve eliminated meat from my diet completely in order to lose close to ten pounds since last year? You’re mistaken! I’ve actually been consuming MORE beef than ever before with delicious side dishes. Beef has been the key all along to a healthy diet and I never knew. Over the last several decades, the media has tried to state that eating red meat can cause disease as well as high cholesterol and possible heart attack and/or stroke.  These beliefs are only myths, in reality beef is especially packed full of iron, zinc and protein. All nutrients that I’m going to need for a successful race this summer, iron and protein are even more important for when you’re doing physical activity because protein is used for building strength, while iron is used for the production of red blood cells so I can keep going longer with quick short breaths. I believe with the right amount of exercise and a daily serving of beef, you can say goodbye to all those unnecessary lbs you been working so hard to get rid of all year. Try a marathon or even a short jog to start off with and then improve each and every day! Not only will you look good, you’ll feel good as well.  You don’t need to fall for the tv commercial ads on how their product will make you lose weight. Join Team BEEF and make a change today!! Be sure to keep a look out for many updates throughout the year about my progress with preparing for the BIG day!!

With a Cattle Calling,

February has once again blessed us with its presents and man can I feel the love in the air. Although Valentine’s Day is the scared holiday where you go all out and express your love to your boyfriend/girlfriend or wife/husband, you can still share your love with yourself. Did you know that February is National Heart Healthy Month?!??! Why not take care of you center for love (aka, your heart) by trying out our new campaign BOLD, Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet.  Studies conducted at my very own Penn State University have shown that lean beef helps provide your body with essential nutrients while limiting the amount of cholesterol you intake. The study used 42 subjects who all had bad cholesterol. Out of the 42 subjects, 36 participants actually finished the study and maintained their weight within almost 5 lbs. Each subject was given the diet for four of the five weeks during the study.  One week out of the study, the participants were able to eat as they wished. On average these participants saw a decrease in both total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol while on the BOLD diet.

Even if you don’t have a Valentine this Valentine’s Day you can still spread the love with BEEF! Your hearts will thank you and you’ll enjoy a fabulous meal. If you are a last minute planner like some are when it comes to remembering that special day, why not stop by the florist and schedule dinner and a movie? That way you woo him/her with the romantic gesture of flowers, treat them to a delicious steak that shows you care not only for the person they are but also their heart, and you get to digest that tasty steak all throughout that two hour movie. Let’s face it, when it comes to Valentine’s Day, money can be tight, but if you follow my last minute Valentine’s Day plan you’ll be sure to show a eventful night on a small budget. I know if I’m full after my dinner, I know that movie part of the date won’t take all my money. Sorry popcorn and soda, I’ve had my fill on BEEF tonight! Remember be BOLD and show the one you love how you really feel!

With a Cattle Calling,

Arika Snyder

I visited with them when they were doing a series of media interviews and asked why they wanted to become ambassadors and what they’ve been up to so far.

Listen to some passionate advocates for beef here:

You can find a lot of convention photos in my photo album: 2012 Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album

It sure is nice to once again share with you the beloved beef story. As we all know, this weekend is the one weekend in which almost the entire nation prays for one thing on a Sunday. Sadly, most aren’t praying on this coming Sunday for farmers and ranchers to have good weather in which they can tend to their cattle herds or praying to a faith, it’s more likely on this particular Sunday to be praying for either the Giants or the Patriots to win the all mighty SUPER BOWL!!

I can admit that I may not be the most avid watcher of football, but when Super Bowl Sunday rolls around each February I always try to catch the nearest pregame party and enjoy the many dishes of food and fellowship with friends and family.  Being able to have a gathering with friends and family by watching a football game is one way in which you can dazzle them with your cooking abilities. I am not always the greatest cook in the world, and most of the time I screw up a dish here and there, but one dish that no one can EVER mess up is a nice piece of juicy, delicious, and even mouth watering steak or other cut of BEEF!

Yesterday, as I was checking out of the Nashville Hotel from the Cattle Industry Convention I noticed the Wall Street Journal had printed an article about Super Bowl Sunday and the predicted food choices people would consume over this weekend. Although that article stated that over 100 million lbs of chicken wings will be consumed this Super Bowl Sunday, I believe that the chicken wing won’t be winning any bowl game when it comes to a juicy steak. I mean let’s get real here, how much meat is actually present there in that chicken wing? Although it does seem tasty and oh so flavorful, you must add hot sauce, barbeque sauce and maybe other ingredients that can add to the sodium intake as well as increasing your calorie count.  Let me ask you this single question, when you go out to celebrate a special occasion, what do you primarily choose to enjoy your special night? STEAK of Course! Who has ever heard of a celebratory chicken meal and felt like a winner or the honored guest? Since its Super Bowl weekend why not celebrate like a CHAMPION regardless of the score?!

A fast and easy meal to prepare for a party with many guests is going out to the grocery store and purchasing ground beef and making tacos for all your guests to enjoy. It tastes great, it’s flavorful and your guests will have consumed zinc, iron, and protein which are all essential nutrients that your bodies will need to yell and scream loud at your TV to try to change the outcome of a play/call. Trust me I know, you’ll run out of energy probably after the first quarter because the ref called something dumb.  If you have more time on your hands you might care for a nice juicy T-bone steak or possibly going out to your local sports grill and ordering that sirloin steak.

If you do get a chance to look up the article from the Wall Street Journal that was published on Thursday February 2, you’ll also see that the title of the article states: “ Carrots Vie for a Spot on Game Day”. Although this source states that carrots are a healthier choice for this Super Bowl weekend, please keep in mind that BEEF is one of those healthy choices.  Who really gets excited about eating carrots? Sorry Wall Street, but this Beef Ambassador has a different game plan! EAT BEEF, it’s your best DEFENSE!  I hope everyone enjoys their Super Bowl weekend and I’ll be back next week for another exciting blog. Until then I’ll keep riding for the brand!

With a Cattle Calling,

Arika

We also attended the American Cattle Women Membership meeting and got interviewed by Cattlemen to Cattlemen so look for us on RFDTV!!!

The general session was great! There were introductions and welcomes and then we heard from a very entertaining speaker. Marcus Luttrell, a Navy SEAL, has a book titled “Lone Survivor”. He told us about his experiences in combat but still through all that he went through he had an incredible sense of humor and kept everyone on the edge of their seats. It has been a great start to this convention and there is plenty of great information to come! If you are at the conventions and see a sea of red shirts stop us, we would love to interact with more beef enthusiasts!