Is Ag Snarky? Rancher Frustrated by Bickering
~ guest post by Jecca Ostrander
The other day I started thinking about how ag folks tend to be territorial. We have an opinion on most anything and usually tend to not listen to other producers. Seems to me that there are multiple options in a business such as agriculture. Farmers have preferences in methods of planting and tilling or not tilling (no-till), whether to utilize biotechnology or not, organic, natural and the list continues to grow. Ranchers are just as opinionated. LOL. Ask my rancher hubby how to do most anything and he will have an opinion and be able to stand his ground. Our rancher son doesn’t agree with all the ways ‘dad’ does things either, which makes for fun family dinners.
I think it’s interesting that in an area of a couple hundred miles, in the heart of the Sandhills of Nebraska that are so many different ways of raising beef and making it profitable. Discussions can be made as to whether beef should be grain or grass fed, confined or not, natural, antibiotic free; again the list continues to grow. In my opinion, the big picture is usually lost in these arguments. Those people that eat our food are most concerned about the safety and health of the product they are consuming. The American farmer and rancher raise some of the healthiest products on the planet and do so with great care.
Jecca Ostrander is a ranching wife who loves to see God’s Hand work in all things.
The bigger picture I like to look at is how well the American rancher and farmer can feed not only our nation – but so much of the world. We do so amidst heavy and unnecessary regulations. I have explained many times that if the farmer or rancher does not take care of the ground they make their living on, then they risk losing a family heritage. My husband and I fully understand that overgrazing will diminish our bottom line. We use many conservation practices to maintain the health of the grass we harvest in the form of cattle.
Another aspect to consider is that America is a very affluent society. We are able to choose and have preferences in the types of food we eat. Because of that diversity we are able to have choices such as organic, grass or grain fed, antibiotic free and others. People in Africa aren’t arguing about what’s on their label; they’re just happy to have food. Sometimes we need to keep this bigger picture in mind.
Back to the territorial aspect – the ag industry as a whole represents only 1.8% of our nations’ population and then approximately only .5% of those folks are involved in all animal agriculture,. I am frustrated when we start bickering over methods and procedures within the beef industry. To me it’s like the difference between ‘Fugi’ and ‘Braeburn’ apples; both excellent choices for a snack, but have each apple has been bred to have differences that allow people to make their choice. The same is true in beef; I don’t feel we can argue over whether grass fed or grain fed is best or better or only choice. And the people who can produce for a specific market segment shouldn’t get snarky over whether it’s the best or not.
We ALL are the face of American Agriculture; large, small, family or corporation; we need to be one voice of encouragement to our consumers. We have a very hungry planet to feed, not only here at home but a across the WORLD. All aspects of agriculture can meet this goal with our diverse practices. I remember the little Sunday School song – This Little Light of Mine, I think we need to SHINE, and SHINE together. What can you do to make that happen?
Jecca and her husband Cash ranch in Western Nebraska in the Sandhills and have three grown sons who enjoy the many benefits of ranch living. They raise Angus cross cattle and Jecca has raised cow working Quarter Horses most of her life (https://www.boxoquarterhorses.com). Their son is joining them in the operation and is the fifth generation to be living in the Sandhills. You can find Jecca on Twitter and Facebook.
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This hard to settle because you have two (at least) opposing views in most sectors of ag. One side survives on the demise of the other. The other side is threatened by perceptions placed on it to support the one side.
I agree that it should celebrated as more choice for consumers but the reality is, it is a struggle for market share.
just my opinion, And I apologize for my past snarkyness.
@farmnwife
Is there really a struggle for market share? Or are the “opposing” products being sold to different market sectors? Big picture here. I’m creating markets in our area for livestock farmers that did not exist for them before. They have more choices of where to sell their stock. This has kept many of them farming (I’ll pat myself on the back for that cuz I’m pretty darned proud of it).
We don’t have the same customer bases as traditional retail meat outlets (ie. grocery store, supermarket, superstore). Our customers are shoppers that are displeased (for whatever reason) with the current options at other outlets.
With that, is there really a struggle for market share? …or is it just that farmers have a tendency to be stuck in their own ways of doing things so someone that doesn’t do things their way is competing? I don’t survive on the demise of any alternate market. Quite frankly, I find that offensive. I survive on ingenuity, intelligence, hard work, drive, and willingness to hear what my potential customers are saying.
Because we are such a small portion of the ag industry and barely measurable within the population as a whole, it becomes so important to speak with one voice without determent to each others practices. We all feed a VERY large table and can do so with “pleasant” dinner conversation! 🙂
I think we must be more open to the way other’s achieve their goals. What may be right for our ranch/farm might not be best for neighbor around the bend. I really believe no one right way for everybody. I think all the in-fighting just does not send a postive message to the world.
We need to speak with an encouraging voice. There are so many varied choices in our country and plenty that want to enjoy all those choices. Again…our ranchers & farmers bring us all the best, safest and healthiest sources of food on the planet 🙂
Excellent article. I agree. We have to learn to promote our products without throwing other methods of agriculture under the bus. We are all independent, but against animals rights groups and others we are going to have to band together.
Marcia
Thanks!!! again the one voice, tell your story idea. We work hard to bring a quality product to all!
I DO think we need to consider the differences between grain fed and pastured beef. It is not just a personal choice issue, it is a health issue. In fact we need to reconsider what age and what condition we want animals to be in at slaughter… See YouTube – Loren Cordain – Origins and Evolution of the Western Diet: Health Implications for the 21st Century http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dw1MuD9EP4
The neat part is that we do have those choices, for personal or health, you can make those choices. Rancher hubby mentioned the other day that most all cattle start as grass fed. We run a cow/calf/yearling ranch (we raise momma cows & calves and have yearnings that mature on grass)and our harvest of the grass is through our cattle. He likes to quip that he is a ‘grass framer’. 😛 I just get tired of infighting that wants us all to do it one way.
Yes, ‘Ag’ is sometimes snarky. It was that way 30 years ago, and it hasn’t changed that much.
Until you consider, 30 years ago the snarky comments were being traded between 2 farmers vying for a sale of a fed steer to a buyer(consumer) in the parking lot at the sale barn. One fed his steer ground corn, the other had finished his steer out on barley and oats. Back then, the buyer enjoyed the show and made his decision.
Nowadays, that same argument is played out on the internet using blogs, websites and message boards. Scientific studies are quoted. Environmental impact studies are quoted.
And in the end, many times the consumer winds up making his decision the same way that buyer in the sale barn parking lot did, trying to get the most meat they can on their table at the lowest price.
I tend to identify less with the ‘one voice’ statement, but more with this statement: ‘we have to learn to promote our products without throwing other methods of agriculture under the bus.’
Ag is a big tent, and there is room for many different practices thus why I identify less with the ‘one voice’ statement. Very importantly, we need to make sure that food is available to the people who need it. And to do so requires positive collaboration among those of us who produce food.
I embrace and value diversity in agriculture.
Nice post Jecca.
AK
“the ag industry as a whole represents only 1.8% of our nations’ population”
I don’t agree with the choice of words here. The 1.8% represents production agriculture: farmers and ranchers. The agriculture industry (in my opinion) refers to all aspects of marketing, research, and related services. Part of the disconnect between agriculture and consumers is the myth that “farmers” are the only citizens in the ag industry.
Ask a banker in a rural town if they’re in the ag industry. How about the equipment mechanic? The agronomic consultant. The commodities broker. The seed salesperson. They are all a part of the ag industry.
In some areas, more than 25% of the workforce is a part of the ag industry.
Thanks!
I just went with the ag stats from the USDA Census report. Yes – our area is one of those that is comprised of nearly all ag generated economy. However, when reaching out to those who consume ag products our numbers are small.