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Cutting to the Chase
By: Raoul Baxter
An agricultural reality check
(The views and opinions expressed in this blog are strictly those of the author.)
If information is totally inaccurate, false or just an outright lie, the fact 60 million people repeat it still means it was inaccurate, false or just an outright lie. This is demonstrated by a continuing assault on the science, technology and innovation of modern American agriculture by a number of small but very vocal activists who continue to distort facts. If the facts don't agree with their agenda, they are dismissed as the work of Big Business or, God forbid, someone with a profit motive. It is both strange and mind-boggling to watch.
Strangely I am considered somewhat of a bunny hugger. I am also by definition a small livestock grower. But my brain was not surgically removed, and I can balance out facts and conflicts of information. I think we all want a clean, wonderful country for our children and grandchildren to grow up in. However, one also has to be practical and a realistic optimist. Something has to drive the engine. Something has to fuel the economy so we don't become a third-world power.
We don't live in 1866. We live in 2010, with over 6 billion people on this planet. Now, unless you are going to play God, we have an obligation to feed people. The good old days weren't so good. When alternative economic opportunities presented themselves, people left farms in droves. It wasn't a plot by big people to get bigger. It was individuals looking for a better life. In 1866 people lived to maybe their late 50s. Now we have an average life span in the 70s. As we live longer we are afflicted with different health challenges than when we were younger, many of which are very separate from diet.
American farming innovation has been responsible for increasing our food yields to the point of essentially adding the equivalent of 80 million acres to the United States. In turn, this allows more land for national parks, recreation, wild life preserves and open space. Yes, that is high-yield agriculture, but it has a real benefit. Also, it provides an umbrella for organic, all-natural and local programs. People are going to vote with their pocket book. I believe strongly in food choices, but the claims have to be true. Also, there is a hell of a difference between a real farmer or rancher trying to make a living than a bunch of hobby farmers. Looking at our north-of-$13 trillion-dollar debt I don't think there are going to be many extra agriculture subsidy programs available.