News Update
Nov. 4, 2009

Passage of Ohio’s Issue 2 is “A Win for Everyone” 

John Lumpe, president of the Ohioans for Livestock Care Political Action Committee (PAC) today released the following statement in response to the passage of State Issue 2.

“Ohioans have spoken and clearly understand that a board of experts is the appropriate entity to make decisions on behalf of animal agriculture and food production in our state. Passage of Issue 2 is a win for everyone who acknowledges the essential relationship between excellent farm animal care and a safe, affordable, locally grown food supply. Voters agree with Ohio’s farm community and our diverse base of supporters — decisions about food and farming should be made in Ohio, by Ohioans.

“We would like to thank Governor Strickland and our legislative leaders for their support in getting this resolution on the ballot, our collective farm community for their continued commitment to responsible farm management and animal care, the more than 500 state organizations and individual endorsers, and Ohio voters for recognizing the need for such a board in our state. It is clear that all Ohioans — rural and suburban, Republican and Democrat — have come together and recognize just how important agriculture is to the state.

“The Livestock Care Standards Board created through passage of Issue 2 will provide an effective mechanism for determining and enforcing guidelines for the care and well-being of livestock and poultry, and for ensuring the quality, safety and availability of locally produced food in Ohio.

“We look forward to working with the Ohio General Assembly on the implementing legislation.”
 

— Release by the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.

Fraudulent McDonald’s Rumor Circulating Again, NCBA Says

A false rumor about McDonald’s once again is circulating via e-mail and the Internet, according to the National Beef Cattlemen’s Association (NCBA). The rumor claims McDonald’s refuses to buy U.S. beef, and imports potentially unsafe beef from South America. The e-mail reportedly asks recipients to boycott McDonald’s.

NCBA reports it has received several questions about the e-mail, which has been circulating in various forms for at least seven years. The e-mail incorrectly claims to be from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA). This is not true, however, TCFA notes.

“Texas Cattle Feeders Association is not connected in any way with the e-mail you received,” TCFA reported in a statement. Read more.

Remember Safety This Harvest

Weather conditions have finally improved enough to allow many farmers to begin harvesting their crops. While harvest is always a dangerous time of year, the unusual lateness of this season means safety is even more important than ever.

Already this fall, several serious fires have been reported at grain elevators throughout the Midwest. Many factorscontributed to these fires, but ultimately the unique combination of grain and equipment conditions led to these disasters.

Safety should not be an afterthought, according to Doug DeFilippo, Growmark safety services manager.

“The window of harvest opportunity is often short, but don’t take chances, short cuts, or rush unnecessarily to get the job done,” he said.

Fatigue plays a large part in accidents and injuries, so get as much rest as possible. Work in shifts, take a short meal break with your family, and know when to call it a night.

Inspect equipment regularly, and follow all manufacturer recommendations for operation, DeFilippo said. Make sure proper decals and equipment guards are properly mounted and fastened, and never work on a piece of machinery until it is properly shut down, locked out, and relieved of any built up energy.

Personal safety is also very important. Wear proper personal protective equipment, such as goggles, gloves or masks when working with dangerous materials. Never enter a confined space without proper safety precautions, and be especially aware of eye safety.

“When you’re working under equipment and something might fall into your eye, or when you’re grinding, drilling, or hammering on materials that could fly up into your eye, wear eye protection to prevent serious damage or even loss of sight,” DeFilippo said.

Operate all machinery patiently and cautiously both in the field and on the road. Make sure all operators understand how to use the equipment properly and safely.

“Children under the age of 16 working on their own family farms are exempt from child labor laws,” DeFilippo said. “But if a farm child is asked to do a potentially hazardous job, make sure they know safety procedures and check to be sure all equipment is in safe working order.”

— Release by Growmark.

When Times Get Tough, Manage Financial Stress by Having a Plan to Attack It

It’s the worst financial situation of a lifetime for many Nebraska livestock producers, which can mean high stress and uncertainty, a University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) farm transition specialist says.

Although not all livestock producers are in serious trouble, many are asking, “What should I do?” and “Where can I go to get some help?” said David Goeller, farm transition specialist in the university’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Prices for livestock and dairy products are creating losses that are unsustainable for many producers, he said.

“The stress this situation has created on producers and their families has caused some to ask if they will be able to continue in the livestock industry, or if they want to,” he said.
Goeller said a well-organized plan is a good place to start to get organized and in control of the situation.

“What happens is when you start having financial problems the stress gets high, and it is hard to focus and make decisions,” he said. “If you can make a plan and think about it, organize it and work through it with someone, you then can have a step-by-step process to go through. It is something to get up and do and work on instead of just burying your head in the sand or running away from problems.”

Goeller offers these objectives to staying in control in uncertain financial times:

• Look objectively at the financial situation by evaluating the balance sheets from at least the past three years, evaluating income and expense records for the past three years and taking a look at how much the family spends on family living each year.
  
• Look objectively at relationships and circumstances. This includes looking at personal relationships or circumstances that have affected the businesses such as health, housing, divorce or family issues.
  
• Look at urgent issues that need immediate attention, such as deadlines, loan foreclosures, replevin actions, garnishments or judgments. Be sure to know the timeline on these.
  
• Identify what is most important, such as the land, reputation, family or other things. Also, be sure to establish long-term goals for the businesses and family.
  
• Think of alternatives and other options for the business. Be sure to brainstorm as many ideas as possible. This can include things from doing nothing to the extreme of liquidating the farm business. Other alternatives between these two extremes include tweaking the current operation to improve performance, partial liquidation, improving the collateral position with the current lender, restructuring loans, refinancing the business with a new lender, adding some non-farm income, renting some farm assets to a child or selling some to a child or restructuring farm debt with Chapter 12 bankruptcy.
  
• Do a cash flow projection for each option and evaluate the alternatives in relation to long-term goals and the likely consequences of each choice.
  
• Seek additional information if it is needed. Also, be sure to keep lenders informed and keep the lines of communication open.
  
• Access several free confidential programs by calling the Nebraska Farm Hotline at 1-800- 464-0258.

Goeller said symptoms of people under high levels of stress can vary from person to person, but being more irritable than usual, having trouble sleeping or wanting to sleep all the time are common symptoms of normal people under stress.

Other symptoms include being more emotional, an inability to stay focused, not knowing what to do or where to start, feelings of helplessness, panic or loss of control, alcohol or substance abuse and overeating.

If stress is prolonged, many experience problems with their marriages or health.

“If you recognize areas of concern where you may be seeing signs of stress in yourself or a loved one, don’t hesitate to get help by calling the Nebraska Farm Hotline,” he said. “Thousands of Nebraska farmers and ranchers have already decided to become proactive and have used these services to help them work through the process.”

For more information about managing stress, visit the Oct. 21 edition of Cornhusker Economics. For more information about managing in tough times, visit the UNL Managing in Tough Times web site.

— Release by UNL Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

— Compiled by Mathew Elliott, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.