Issues in Agriculture

As everyone gets ready to start the work week, I would like to highlight a couple ag-related issues. I don't have time to cover everything I would like on here, and always find it refreshing when I find a great source of information on relevant topics written by others.
Up first is South Dakota being ranked the least humane state in the country by HSUS (Humane Society of the United States). I am firmly opposed to the HSUS, because they are not the same group as your local humane society. There primary goal is to end animal agriculture, and they conveniently use the assumption that they are similar in nature to your local humane society to garner funds to support their objectives, which really don't include helping pets. I live about 25 miles from the South Dakota border, and know several great farmers and ranchers that take exceptional care of their livestock every day by a standard that is self-created and unprecedented. Stories of a First Generation Farm Wife lives right in South Dakota, and has an excellent post on this topic. She also includes the link to an article printed in the Rapid City paper on this subject, which quotes another ag producer.
Second is the topic of using false information advertising, especially when that false information makes the agriculture producers in our country look bad. We deal with this a lot right now in agriculture, and it's very frustrating to have to combat and rectify false statements that are stated as fact. Crystal Cattle tackles this topic on her latest post, which highlights several of the misleading angles used in Chipotles Grammy winning commercial.
Just a couple of the important issues currently  faced by farmers and ranchers. Hope everyone's week is off to a great start!

NCBA Convention & Trade Show

This week I am in Denver for the NCBA annual Convention and Trade Show in Denver, Colorado. This morning I have been attending the Cattlemen's College, held in conjunction with the convention. There are speakers from around the country covering a number of livestock production, industry, consumer and customer relation related topics.
This is considered the premier meetingof cattlemen from across the country, and is jam packed with information relevant to our industry.
Yesterday I was in Torrington for Torrington Livestock Markets annual Customer Appreciation Day. Again, an informative event with speakers from across the country. Topics included the Livestock Marketing Associations proposed mandatory animal identification system, the current livestock market situation, the US Cattlemen's Association update and international trade and marketing.
Hope everyone is having a good week so far!