In May, I shared with you my struggles as I turned down exciting jobs to take a risk and move home to join my family’s cow/calf business while also working as a self-employed writer and speaker. Yet, I realized over the weekend that I have hardly written about my post-graduation transition back home to my family’s cattle operation. I’ve been keeping busy informing you about my travels, hosting fun contests, reporting on HSUS activity and covering the movements of bills in Congress. However, I have said little about what ranching has actually been like as a next-generation cattle producer, and over the weekend, I had quite the reality check in what this life truly entails.

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You don’t have to have a barn full of hogs to worry about the implications the recent swine flu epidemic will have on consumer confidence in agriculture and food safety. While it’s safe to say that this flu strain doesn’t come from pork products or live pigs, the misconception is there, and our friends in swine production are taking the heat. Yesterday, I kept close watch on the media coverage of the swine flu, and I have compiled a list of headlines worth taking a look at. Find out how the Humane Society of the United States is capitalizing over the growing panic of this flu, similar to their fear-mongering tactics with SARS, BSE and bird flu. Read how pork producers are keeping their hogs safe from this consumer illness. Educate yourself with the facts to avoid catching this flu. Finally, say a prayer for those that have been infected with this illness and that public health officials continue to keep us safe. What are your concerns about the swine flu, both as a producer and as a consumer? What is the word in your area about this outbreak?

Animal Activists Capitalize on Swine Flu Hysteria…For animal rights activists at the Humane Society of the United States, the opportunity to use “swine flu” to scare American meat-eaters was apparently too tempting to resist.

Swine Flu Fears Hit Wall Street …Economists talk about the implications of a swine flu outbreak on the U.S. economy and other market issues.

Hog farmers fear: not germs, but consumers…The swine flu has filled the area’s hog farmers with fear — not that they will catch a deadly disease from their animals, but that grocery shoppers will become needlessly afraid of buying their product.

Pork Producers Protecting Precious Livestock…No Reported U.S. Hogs Infected By Swine Flu

Indiana State Veterinarian says Swine Flu Not Affecting Pork Products…It’s been originally dubbed swine flu, but unfortunately that may have some unintended consequences for our swine industry.

What is swine influenza? Flu mutates constantly, so it is common for new strains to emerge. Pigs can also be infected with both human and avian influenza, and the current circulating swine flu strain appears to contain genetic elements from all three.

History Says Avoid Virus Hysteria… Let the public health experts freak out about swine flu. The rest of us should relax.

Quick BEEF Daily Fact: Still looking for more information on the North American Flu? The Center for Disease Control has the facts to answer all of your questions and concerns. Example Q&A: Can people catch swine flu from eating pork? No. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You can not get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products.

It’s Earth Day, and while farmers and ranchers don’t need a special day to appreciate nature, I truly believe this is a day of celebration. Food producers work hard every single day as stewards of the land and caregivers to livestock. There is going to be a lot of talk in online forums about this big day, and I hope that agriculturalists aren’t left out of the discussion. My challenge is for each and every one of you to step out of your comfort zone to talk to someone outside of agriculture today. Tell them about your role as an environmentalist. Correct a few misconceptions about agriculture and the environment. Reach out to make a connection with someone new. Finally, share your stories in the comment section. As a cattle producer, what do you do to care for the planet every day? In the meantime, I have compiled a few great examples of folks that are getting out to share the agriculture story on Earth Day. Also, check out Earth Day tweets in real time to hear what others have to say. Happy Earth Day, BEEF Producers! We are the original environmentalists!

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In the past few months, BEEF Magazine has greatly expanded its presence on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. I’m also really excited to introduce a new feature in mid-May, audio interviews with the great people in this industry! This weekend, I met with the North American Limousin Junior Association Board of Directors to present a workshop on utilizing social networking tools to begin telling the agriculture story online. Pictured here is NALJA Board Member Nathan Hicks interviewing with me for BEEF Daily. Now, if online resources like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube sound foreign to you, don’t fear. BEEF Magazine will ease you into the process by introducing you to the concept through our own online efforts. To get started, become a fan of BEEF Magazine at Facebook and follow our updates on Twitter.

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I’m getting ready to head to Kansas City to speak to the North American Limousin Junior Association’s Board of Directors this weekend, and I’m excited to meet with my peers in the beef industry to share ideas and get fired up about the future of agriculture! The best part about this blog is being able to meet and connect with so many of you. I learn so much from hearing your thoughts and taking part in the forums in the comments section, and I’m very grateful for the lasting friendships I’m gaining from my work with BEEF Magazine. In the spirit of building friendships and networking with industry leaders, today’s blog post is a special edition compiled by the email alerts I receive from the readers throughout the week. Of course, I have a few things to share, as well, but today’s blog post is dedicated to all of you. I’m so lucky to have such passionate and articulate colleagues in food production, and I encourage you to keep sending your comments, emails and suggestions for the future.

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Yesterday, a blizzard hit South Dakota, closing the interstate and leaving many travelers stranded. My parents and sisters all stayed home to take care of baby calves. Of course, bad weather seems to correlate with the number of calves dropped on the ground, and my family kept busy yesterday keeping babies warm and out of the wet, cold snow. Even though my day was busy with dreaded tests, labs and homework, I felt pretty guilty that I was in a warm classroom all day while my family battled the weather outside. I had my sister snap a few photos to send me for today’s blog, and it didn’t sound like she was having much fun on her vacation from school!

I recently received a comment from a reader on this blog that said she hated when livestock producers “bragged” about saving baby calves from the cold weather. She insisted that if we REALLY cared about the animals, we would never expose them to below zero temperatures in the first place. To all beef producers, the idea of keeping every expectant cow indoors is laughable. How many times have you discovered a cow that has calved early and has had her calf in the snow or mud? To this woman, the idea of letting them roam outside is outrageous, and everything should be kept indoors. (Ironic? Wouldn’t that be considered the highly criticized management practice of confinement?) Of course, housing an entire herd of cattle out of the elements is financially impossible, and with the care of ranchers, cattle are designed to handle the elements of harsh weather. However, for this woman, if a house can’t be provided for the cattle, it would be much better to let them roam the land, without receiving proper feed, water and shelter as required.

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Yesterday, was informed of the most recent HSUS plot, and I thought I would fill you in on this scandal, as well. Last week, I wrote about endorsing Rachael Ray as an outstanding advocate for the beef industry. I believe we need to thank the celebrities that support our industry, and today, I have provided a perfect opportunity to do just that. Now is your chance to stand up against HSUS and Carrie Underwood and endorse a country singer The Academy of Country Music Awards that holds the same values that we do. If the following message moves you to take action, head to and vote for PRCA member and team roper, George Strait! It only takes a minute to register, but that minute will be well spent fighting HSUS and their sneaky schemes!

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the most radical animal “rights” and anti-hunting organization in the country, has been quietly trying to get Carrie Underwood voted Entertainer of the Year via the Academy of Country Music. The problem is, a large percentage of country music fans are also gun owners and hunters who do not like Carrie Underwood’s active support for HSUS. And HSUS knows it.

Underwood and American Idol have already listed HSUS as a beneficiary of the proceeds of one of her songs and now HSUS is enlisting their radical animal rights supporters to vote for her in the Entertainer of the Year contest. But they are trying to keep it quiet. In an e-mail sent out to supporters by Kathy Bauch, the HSUS Senior Director for Corporate Relations & Promotions, she asked people to vote for Underwood, but added, “Feel free to distribute this to friends and family, but please don’t post to lists, twitter, etc.–anything that would identify that HSUS is urging people to vote for her, or it could just breathe life into the opposition.”

Oops, too late! Perhaps someone should tell the folks at HSUS that e-mails are not exactly the most secure way of communicating their “secret” agendas. Please share this with every meat-eating, freedom loving American you know and then VOTE!!!

Nearly every week I have conversations with many of you about the actions we need to take to help spread the word about beef cattle production to our consumers. Over the years, I have met countless individuals that have taken these conversations to heart, dedicating their time and talents to sharing our stories. One of my friends and a 2007 National Beef Ambassador, Chris Molinaro, is doing just that, and she has established a lasting tradition on behalf of the beef industry at Pennsylvania State University (PSU).

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It’s easy to get down about the headlines that plague our daily lives: another celebrity becomes a vegan, anti-agriculture legislation is introduced, the media unfairly portrays ranchers in a bad light, the economy continues to plummit, more producers are exiting the industry and food prices continue to rise, without adding extra dollars in ranchers’ pockets. It’s hard to stay optimistic in challenging times, but I firmly believe it’s good to always try to think on the bright side. In response to the activities of agriculture’s enemies like Carrie Underwood and Oprah, I have found a celebrity that is worthy of praise. And, she may just be another great spokesperson for the beef industry.

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It’s official: my sister, Courtney, and I just signed up for the 40th Annual Brookings Marathon on May 16. It’s time to get in shape, and fast, as we gear up to run 13.1 miles. While the task seems daunting, I have several friends that have tackled similar races, including BEEF’s Managing Editor, Alaina Burt, NCBA’s Daren Williams and 2007 National Beef Ambassador, Chris Molinaro.

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