In the past, I’ve written before about how people have different perceptions of farming based on their background and experiences. I’m bringing it up again because perception is becoming a very important word in the food debate. Just the other night, I heard someone say that our food is too cheap and that’s causing us to make poor food choices. The last I heard, 6.6% of American’s disposable income is used to buy food. That is much cheaper than any other country, but is food really too cheap? I’m sure a young, single mother trying to feed her kids will have a different perception of food costs!

Animal welfare is another area where perceptions often vary. The group of pigs I am now taking care of, are not the healthiest pigs I’ve had. Because of PEDV virus, it has taken an entire month – and 8 semi loads – to fill the barns. The first two deliveries brought me pigs that were very uneven in size, but the pigs appeared healthy enough. When I unloaded the last bunch of pigs, however, I knew immediately that I was going to have problems because I recognized symptoms of the PEDV virus.

This is a bad situation for so many reasons. First of all, receiving three different loads of pigs makes it difficult to reach of goal of being “all in, all out.” This means all the pigs from the same source come to us at the same time, at the same age, at approximately the same size, with the same disease pressures. Because they basically have the same needs, they’re ready for market at the same time.

The last two weeks have been rough because that third shipment of pigs brought sickness into my barns. I’ve been busy treating pigs individually with a syringe. With some extra care – combined with all the feed they want, plus fresh water, and the ideal temperature and fresh air – these pigs are getting healthy again.

Now there is a perception that raising pig indoors isn’t the best way. Some folks believe pigs should be rooting around outside, but I can tell you from experience that my hog barns have kept these little pigs very comfortable as I treat them. Regardless of how or where a pig is raised, there are always going to be some that get sick and die. It’s just a fact.

Ever since I’ve been raising pigs, I have tried my best to save every one. Sometimes no amount of treatment will ever heal an animal, so farmers must decide how we’re going to handle the situation. Should we let the poor animal suffer until it dies a natural death, or should we take it out of its misery?

It’s very difficult to watch an animal suffer, knowing there’s nothing you can do to help it. That’s why I don’t! When a pig is suffering and has not shown any improvement within 48 hours, I do euthanize that pig in the most “humane” way possible. I believe I must do what’s best for the animals in my care – regardless of others’ perception.

Sustainable and sustainable agriculture can mean different things to different people. So can “climate change.”

Last week I was invited to a three-day conference entitled, “Resilient Agriculture: Adapting to a Changing Climate.” Honestly, my shackles went up when I read “changing climate.” I believe the climate is always changing, but unlike the opinion column printed Aug. 9 in The Des Moines Register, I don’t believe agriculture is destroying our environment.

The Register’s opinion page makes it sound like nothing is being done to protect our air and water, as well as prevent our top soil from washing away. Anyone who attended last week’s conference, however, can tell you that’s simply not the case. Massive amounts of research is underway to raise corn more efficiently, which will be a huge benefit as we strive to feed a growing world.

The Sustainable Corn Project is moving new technology forward at an amazing pace. I compared this type of research to the space program. I’m not sure going to the moon helped mankind much, but the technology from the race to the moon certainly did.

Likewise, researchers are studying ways to apply nitrogen and other fertilizer so nutrients are applied when the plants need it. I learned about an app has been developed to tell me when and how much nitrogen my crop needs. This will result in plants getting more “food” and less fertilizer will up in the Gulf. Win-win.

New computer apps, as well as new machinery and new plant genetics, will make huge changes in how we farm. Drones and powerful cameras will give farmers tools to see what’s happening in fields, and tell us when and how much water or plant food or treatments the crops will need.

It took three days to present all of the new technology during this conference, so I don’t have the time or space to go into in today’s blog. Fortunately, the conference was recorded and should be accessible online soon at sustainablecorn.org.

I listened during last week’s conference and came away with some outstanding information. I wasn’t alone. Researchers and scientists from most land grant universities, research companies, conservation groups, and new startup companies also were in attendance. Even companies like Pioneer, Monsanto, John Deere and groups like the United Soybean Board were involved in last week’s conference. It appears this USDA project is meeting its goal of working with farmers, teachers and students to find agricultural practices that:

• are resilient in times of drought;
• reduce soil and nutrient losses under saturated soil conditions;
• reduce farm field nitrogen losses;
• retain carbon in the soil; and
• ensure crop and soil productivity.

Whether or not I agree with global warming, I can find common ground with these stated objectives. It’s going to take an industry coming together to meet them.

Records were made to be broken, and a fund-raising record set last year was shattered Saturday during the Iowa State Fair.

The 2014 Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show raised $225,350.00 for Ronald McDonald House Charities, which serves families whose children are hospitalized with serious health issues in one of these three Iowa cities: Sioux City, Des Moines and Iowa City. Money raised at 2014 show and sale bested last year’s record of $183,000. More than $2.2 million has been raised for Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa since 1983 when Gov. Terry E. Branstad first joined forces with the Iowa Beef Industry Council to sponsor the Governor’s Charity Steer Show.

Youth and celebrity participants for the 2014 show follow:

Congratulations to all of the Iowa youth whose steers were selected for this year’s show! It takes a partnership between the youth, who raise and show these cattle, sponsors and buyers to contribute to such a worthy cause. Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds is proud to help sponsor the steer owned by Kenderick Suntken.

RELATED ARTICLES:

• 4-H Brought the Suntken Family Together
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Interested in learning where your food comes from? Visit the 2014 Iowa State Fair in Des Moines from August 7-17. Nothing else compares!

Started in 1854, the Iowa State Fair hosts about a million visitors a year. It’s the single largest event held in Iowa each year. This event is well worth a google search… I learned things about “America’s classic state fair” that I did not know – and I’ve lived in Iowa for more than 60 years! There are so many things to see and do. If they held the fair every weekend of the year, you couldn’t see it all.

Three movies, a novel plus a Broadway musical have been written about the Iowa State Fair. But the main reason I believe it’s so important to attend is because there are “real” farmers there! You can eat a pork chop on a stick, prepared and cooked by pig farmers, and then talk to them as you stand in line. These Iowa pork producers are willing to take time away from their farms to appear in public and talk with consumers about how they farm. Feel free to ask them how and why they raise livestock the way they do.

What Farmers Grow, Makes Iowa Grow. Walk through the livestock barns and see how our young farmers are taking care of their animals. Stop and ask them questions because this is an opportunity to learn where your food comes from and how it’s raised.

But if you’re looking for a farmer on the fairgrounds, just don’t look for an old man wearing bib overalls and a straw hat. Look for a young lady, who’s feeding her cattle. Walk through the aisles of goats to find out why show numbers are on the rise. Look for a young college student, studying the new machinery and technology on display. These are the people that will most likely be raising the food we will eat.

Take a look at the machinery displays yourself and imagine – or better yet, ask – what these huge machines cost. Find out what these machines are used for and gain a better understanding of the decisions farmers face every day to remain competitive and to stay in business.

There are many informational displays about farming. Horticulture exhibits are on display inside the John Deere Agriculture Building. (Yes, raising flowers is farming.) Look at the veggies on display. Learn about honey and the bees that make it.

New this year in this building is an interactive display called Farm with Us. Located in the John Deere Agricultural Building, Farm with Us will allow visitors to see growth stages of the plants and experience what a bushel of corn and soybeans looks and feels like.

While browsing through the Agriculture building, be sure to view the butter cow. Each year approximately 600 pounds of pure cream Iowa butter are used to sculpt a life-size butter cow, measuring about 5 ½ tall and 8 feet long. Sculptor Sarah Pratt is also creating a sculpture this year to recognize the 25^th anniversary of the Field of Dreams movie.

Kids of all ages will enjoy the sights and sounds of the Iowa State Fair. Feel the squish of grapes between your toes during the Grape Stomp, which is held daily at 11 a.m., plus 2, 3 and 6 p.m. More Grape Getaway Kids’ Activities are held daily at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. in a tent north of Grandfather’s Barn.

In the Paul Knapp Animal Learning Center and Christensen Farms Hall, you can see real animals. Baby animals are born daily. Plus you can watch shows on stage, including my friend Rhonda Ross who performs her “Thank a Farmer” magic show that teaches young folks about farming and ag products. Did you know lipstick is made with by-products of pigs?

You can even find me, working in Farm Bureau Park, if you visit the fair on Tuesday, August 12. I’ll be there all morning, sharing what I have spent my whole life learning and doing… farming! Farm Bureau Park is daily, and each day, different farmers volunteer to talk about their operations. You can learn about many different types of farming, so be sure to ask lots of questions.

Another good place to ask questions about farming is the interactive exhibit hosted by the Iowa Food & Family Project inside the south atrium of the Varied Industries Building. Shannon Latham will be working at that exhibit on Friday, August 8, when the “Iowa Girl Eats” Kristin Porter autographs the popular “Let’s Cook” cookbook. You can meet Kristin this Friday from 1-3 p.m. and on Saturday, Aug. 16, from 10 a.m. to noon.

There is so much to see and do at the Iowa State Fair. I hope to see you there!