You’ll be seeing some new faces in the management of the YPC Cattle Call. Cari Rincker is proud to hand over the reins to new head editor, Lauren Chase, and co-editors Jesse Bussard, Danielle Schubert, and Meghan Wooldridge. We thank Cari for all her work in helping to start the YPC Cattle Call and nurturing it over the past few years. Our goal as the new editorial staff for the Cattle Call is to tell the story of our members, the young producers, which are the future of the cattle industry. Jesse Bussard will also be taking over as the new YPC Public Relations Task Force Chair.

Lauren is the Multimedia Specialist for the Montana Stockgrowers Association and resides in Helena, MT. Her job is traveling to member ranches to take photos and conduct video interviews for use on MSGA’s social media sites. She will also be producing a series of photo books featuring Montanan ranchers. Lauren graduated from the University of Iowa with two majors: Journalism and Mass Communication and Anthropology. To stay up on the latest beef news news, check out her list of "agvocates" on Twitter and also, follow her multimedia work on MSGA's Facebook page. 

Jesse Bussard is pursuing her M.S. and Ph.D. in Plant and Soil Science, focusing on forages and livestock grazing systems, at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. She is also an Animal Science graduate of Penn State University and a native of Pennsylvania. You can find out more about Jesse on her blog, Pearl Snaps’ Ponderings. 

Danielle Schubert is a junior at South Dakota State University where she is working toward a degree in both Animal Science and Ag Business.  She grew up on a commercial cow/calf operation in central Minnesota and is passionate about being an advocate for agriculture.

Meghan Wooldridge graduated from Colorado State with a degree in Animal Science. She currently works for AgInfoLink in Verified Services.

We are currently looking for new submissions from Young Producer Council members on topics that are in keeping with your daily lives in the cattle industry. Photos, videos, opinion articles - you name it, we want it! This is a great way to tell your story to the world and having the young producers, the future of the industry, talk about it from their perspective is the goal. We will be changing the blog from its current platform to Wordpress soon which will make for easier submissions. We will let you know when that change occurs. As for now, tell us your story! Thank you for your continued dedication to the beef industry. If you know of anyone else who might be interested in this blog, please pass the word along.

Please email one of us to let us know if you are interested in submitting content to the blog. Even if you can only submit one photo or article per month, that would still be great! Our contact information can be found below.

Head Editor: Lauren Chase (Lauren.chase4@gmail.com)

 Public Relations Task Force Chair & Co-editor: Jesse Bussard (Jrb5218@gmail.com)

Co-Editor: Danielle Schubert (dlschubert@jacks.sdstate.edu)

Co-Editor: Meghan Wooldridge (Meghan.wooldridge@aginfolink.com)

Again, thank you and til next time, Happy Trails!

~ The YPC Cattle Call Editorial Staff

My next interview is with Nate Jaeger, the Director of Beef, Hay & Forage Crops and Equine Divisions for the Alabama Farmers Federation.  You can follow Nate on Twitter @NateJaeger, find him on facebook at Nathan.Jaeger, or email him at njaeger@alafarmers.org.  If you will be in Denver in a few weeks for NCBA Convention, you can meet him in person there!  I'm very thankful for everything that Nate did to help get YPC off the ground.  He's greatly missed.  Nate answered my questions as follows:

Describe your involvement in the cattle industry.

I am the Director of the Beef division in the Alabama Farmers Federation, an affiliate of the American Farm Bureau.

Why did you become a member of YPC?  Why do you think it is important for other cattle producers to become a member of YPC?

I became a member of YPC so that I could learn how to help advocate more effectively for the beef business.  I also was interested in connecting young farmers with older established farmers in a mentor and reverse mentor program.

What do you hope YPC will accomplish in the next year?  Next 5 years?

Increase the number of young farmers entering the beef business.  Essentially, lower the average age of cattle ranchers!

If you could have coffee with your elected representative in Washington and talk about anything you wanted, what would you say?

Besides college football, I would reassure my representative that farmers in Alabama and beyond are continuing to raise more beef with fewer resources  than ever before and that environmental, financial and food safety regulations must be minimized if they are to continue being successful.

If you could spend a day with Michael Pollan what would do with him?  What would you say?

If I had a day with Mr. Pollan I probably wouldn’t say much of anything.  I would ask as many questions as I could so I could learn why he says what he says.  I think there is more to learn from him on a marketing and psychological level than we realize.  The man is a brilliant author and an excellent communicator, regardless of what you think of his philosophies on agriculture, we could all take a lesson not about what he says but how he says it.

In your opinion, what is the best way to connect cattle producers to consumers – both in rural and urban areas?

Children.  Consumers are not just people they are families and if you can do something meaningful and impactful for their child you will have a “consumer” for life.  Farm visits and school field trips are great ways to reach children and their parents.

Do you consider yourself an “agriculture activist?”  If so, what type of activities do you partake in?

Yes, I am an activist.  I lobby state and federal legislators, I help educate farmers and sometimes consumers but most importantly, I try to AgVocate through my everyday activity and interactions with friends, family and people I meet. 

What do you think are the top three issues that affect young cattle producers?

Access to capital and credit
Lack of a business succession plan (estate planning)
Environmental/Governmental Regulation

Today's interview is with YPC Member Landi McFarland from Hoover Angus Farm in Ellston, Iowa.  Let's see what Landi had to say: 

Landi, please describe your involvement in the cattle industry.

My family has been in the purebred Angus business for 82 years, and I am proud to be the 4th generation to carry on the "Hoover Angus" name.  I work with all facets of our operation - from managing our annual production sale to calving cows.  I am a member of several Angus, beef, and agricultural organizations both on a local and national level.  I have served in several state and national leadership capacities, primarily through Angus organizations. 

Why did you become a member of YPC?  Why do you think it is important for other cattle producers to become a member of YPC?

I became a member of YPC to further my quest to promote beef and animal agriculture.  I believe it is important for anyone involved in animal agriculture to form friendly alliances within the industry to promote what we do on a day-to-day basis.  If we don't tell our story, our story will be told by HSUS and other anti-agriculture organizations who have never even visited a farm.

What do you hope YPC will accomplish in the next year?  Next 5 years? 

I hope YPC can continue to branch out and involve more people.  More beef producers need to be aware of the issues, and then take action on those issues.  Hopefully YPC can continue to encourage involvement and education of the issues

If you could have coffee with your elected representative in Washington and talk about anything you wanted, what would you say?

I will actually be doing this next week in DC - first and foremost they will hear from me about Federal Gift & Estate Tax and how this will affect my operation.  I also hope to "educate" our elected officials about what farmers do to provide food and fiber to the world, and also how we do it in a responsible and sustainable manner every single day.

If you could spend a day with Michael Pollan what would do with him?  What would you say?

Seeing is believing.  I would take Michael on a tour of my farm, then head to other farms within traveling distance. We would meet the families behind the farms, we would pet the cows, we would explain the reasons behind why we do what we do.  We would show first hand the sustainability and explain the facts of protein production and how Americas beef producers help feed the world.

In your opinion, what is the best way to connect cattle producers to consumers – both in rural and urban areas?

Social media - this is our way to connect with friends, family, and consumers. 

Did you watch Food Inc.?  If so, what did you think?

No, it would cause my blood pressure to go through the roof.

Do you consider yourself an “agriculture activist?”  If so, what type of activities do you partake in?

Absolutely.  Every week I try to post a pro-ag message or photo on my Facebook page.  When I visit the doctor, I speak with him about food choices he recommends to his patients.  When I visit the Iowa capitol or our nation's capitol, I speak highly of animal agriculture and what we do to provide America and the world with a safe, wholesome, and nutritious source of protein.

What do you think are the top three issues that affect young cattle producers?

#1 - Today more than ever the start-up costs for a new farmer are nearly insurmountable if one does not have a family already engaged in farming/ranching.

#2 - More and more government regulations are beginning to hamper all beef producers - the current sentiment in our nation's capitol right now is: regulation and government involvement are good, free enterprise is bad.  

#3 - Securing our future - we need to be proactive in our messages to consumers and elected officials to ensure a positive outlook for the beef industry.

I had an opportunity to ask one of our very own Cattle Call Bloggers a few questions about his cattle operation, ag policy views and his involvement with YPC.  Let's see what Doug Ferguson of Ferguson Farms near Beatrice, Nebraska had to say: 

1.  Doug, please describe your involvement in the cattle industry.

I am very proud to say I am the fifth generation on the family operation.  My family has always had row crop and a commercial cow/calf operation.  Since I became a part of the operation I have started a small feedlot, where I feed out a few cattle and collect carcass data, and I background a lot of calves there as well.  I also started a registered herd of Angus and Maine Anjou cattle.  This might sound like a lot; just think of it as a bunch of part time jobs

2.  Why did you become a member of YPC?  Why do you think it is important for other cattle producers to become a member of YPC?

I joined up with YPC for several reasons.  I feel it is important to be a part of a group that has the best interest of my industry at heart.  I think other cattlemen should join up for the obvious reason of having strength in numbers.  While we do not always agree on a solution to an issue, these greater numbers generate better ideas, and will help shape stronger policies in the future.  As a side note, it is refreshing to visit with other cattlemen my age.  I’ve had some awesome Facebook chats with other YPC members.

3.  What do you hope YPC will accomplish in the next year? 5 years?

The first and most obvious goal is to continue to grow.  I think it is very important to educate young producers about different issues, from marketing, to politics, so they will be better prepared to face the challenges thrown at them.  I think we can really have a big impact on one front though.  Young people are masters of using technology and social media.  It would be awesome to see Cattle Call become a mainstream blog.  I really liked the one where Chelsea Good wrote about how she has educated her Facebook friends about HSUS.  That was a simple task for her to do, and it had an impact and raised awareness about the enemy that we face.  It would be great if we could master that type of advocacy.  Young people are creative at that kind of stuff, and those creative skills should be put it to good use.  I would caution that I think it is paramount that YPC members take a few moments to go through the MBA program to better their communication skills, before taking on such a project.

4.  If you could have coffee with your elected representative in Washington D.C. and talk about anything you wanted, what would you say?

I always have something on my mind when it comes to Washington.  The issues that are at the top of the list right now, for the purpose of this conversation are GIPSA, Cap and Trade, the EPA and particulate matter, animal ID, and I’d like some answers to the finance reform bill.  The bottom line is this, some people may not have an interest in politics, but politics will always show an interest in you.  This world is not run by the best qualified people, but by the ones that show up.  If you are presented with an opportunity to visit with your representatives, do it.

5. If you could spend the day with Michael Pollan what would you do with him?  What would you say?

I seriously doubt anything I could say or show him would change his mind about what we do.  Shoot, he’s made some good money and gained lots of attention by spreading FEAR, False Evidence Appearing Real.  I would try to pick his brain and find out how he came to develop the paradigm he has.  Maybe I would get a few good nuggets.  You know, the seek first to understand, then to be understood method.  I’ve noticed with a few people I’ve met that blame us for abuse, have had a family member that was a bad actor.  The trick is educating them that most of us don’t behave that way.

6.  In your opinion, what is the best way to connect cattle producers to consumers – in both rural areas and urban areas?

The best way to make that connection is boots on the ground.  Have them shadow you for a day.  The second best is photos, on your Facebook page, or videos on YouTube, of create a blog about your day to day life on the farm.  I’ve shown pictures that I have on my Blackberry to people in airports.  The pictures get a great reaction and people usually will ask questions.

7.  Did you watch Food Inc.?  If so, what did you think?

Food Inc. didn’t get under my skin like I thought it would.  It did lead to a funny conversation with a corn farmer.  This guy is a vegetarian, and at the time he thought I was only in the cow/calf business. He mentioned that movie to me and he asked if I feel bad that my cattle get shipped to a horrible feedlot environment.  I told him that I operate a small feed yard as well.  We had a discussion about feeding and animal health.  He was very pleased to learn about the BQA program and the Master Cattle Transporter program.  Then he responded “I wish all of them would do it the way you do”.  My response was “who said they don’t?” and I asked him if he agreed with everything that film said about corn.  I got a firm “NO”    He did his own research about BQA and low stress animal handling, and after that he quit posting PETA videos on his Facebook page.  I think a lot of people want to be led, and not have to make up their own minds.  Engage people on these topics, and plant that seed in their mind.  Don’t be afraid to tell them how we care for animals, and the environment.  The American public is smart, they just won’t go looking for the other side of the argument on their own.

8.  Do you consider yourself an “agriculture activist”?  If so, what kind of activities to you participate in?

My wife and I are expecting our first child.  There is nothing that would make me happier than to see the operation be turned over to the sixth generation.  This has given me new fuel to tell my story.  I attend most every town hall meeting our elected representatives have that are close to home.  I always have a couple topics that I’m well educated on that I will bring up.  I’ve gotten involved in county government to make sure agriculture here has a voice.  I will add my two cents to the comment section of online articles.  I use Facebook, and if I overhear a conversation about agriculture I will interject if false information is being passed.  I will do everything I can to ensure that my kid will have the same opportunities I had.

9.  What do you think are the top three issues that affect young cattle producers?

When it comes to discussing issues that face young cattlemen I’m gonna skip talking about the mainstream issues that everyone else brings up.  In my opinion the primary issue is a break down in the belief of our industry.  I talk to young adults all the time and I’ve heard every excuse why they can not be in the cattle biz.  After I talk with them a while I discover they really haven’t even tried yet.  Their parents, school counselor, even college professors tell them that it can’t be done, and they accept this as true.  The old myth that you have to get big or get out is a lie.  So is the myth that feeding cattle is a break even business.  Profitability never left the cattle biz.  Most people don’t understand marketing, or they think they are too busy to spend much time on it.  After I went to a marketing school in 2005 I have never lost money on a pen of cattle since.  This industry is saturated with profit.  The question is are you gonna figure out a way to get yours, or are you gonna be content to accept the excuse to fail that has been served to you.  I do know a few colleges here in Nebraska are now offering entrepreneurship classes as part of the ag curriculum.  I am pleased to see this and I am eager to see the results it will have.

The second issue is control.  Most farmers and ranchers are nearing retirement age.  I am wondering who will take over in place of them.  I see this as an opportunity for young people to break into the business.  With a growing world population this could be a big upswing of potential. This will allow many young adults to achieve their American dream of owning land and livestock! Now if the next generation doesn’t step in, I fear the government will.  This may sound far fetched, but we need to be able to feed ourselves.  I have been to other countries and visited state run farms so this possibility is very real to me.

My third issue is one I do not know much about at this time.  I have read a little bit about in-vitro meat.  With the way each new generation grasps new technology, coupled with the strength the animal rights movement has now, I wonder if this won’t become an attractive option to consumers in the future. 

Great interview!  If you are interested in contacting Doug, you can find him on Facebook or email him at mrcattlemaster@hotmail.com.