Update from Animal Ag Alliance at NAFB

Jamie Johansen

The Animal Agriculture Alliance has been busy over the course of the last year staying up-to-date on animal ag issues, researching current activist campaigns and advocating farm policy. At the 2013 NAFB Convention I met up with Kay Johnson Smith, President and CEO, and Emily Meredith, Director of Communications during the events Trade Talk. Hot topics of discussion included the …

Ag Groups, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Beef, Livestock, Media, NAFB, Pork, Poultry

Future of Ag Technology and Investment

Cindy Zimmerman

Executives from DuPont Pioneer, Elanco and Monsanto all participated in a panel discussion at the World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogue last week on “Research and Returns: The Future of Agricultural Technology and Investment.” “In general, we’re talking about the importance of continued investment and innovation and taking it even further to consumer acceptance,” said panelist Rob Aukerman, President of US/Canada …

Animal Agriculture, Animal Health, Audio, Elanco, Food, World Food Prize

What You’re Not Being Told About Food Production

Chuck Zimmerman

Today the Animal Agriculture Alliance hosted a teleconference with various third-party experts to discuss industry improvements presented in the report “Advances in Animal Agriculture; What the Center for a Livable Future, Pew Commission and Others Aren’t Telling You About Food Production.” (pdf) Third-party experts on the call included: Dr. Richard Raymond, former Under Secretary, Food Safety Inspection Service, United States …

Ag Groups, Animal Activists, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Food

Meatless Monday Campaign Flops

Chuck Zimmerman

This is no surprise to me. The Meatless Monday campaign doesn’t have the participation the organizers would like you to think they have. I have thought for some time that reports and effects of animal activists and their trendy sounding ideas are way over estimated. Thanks to the Animal Agriculture Alliance for doing this research! After weeks of investigation, the …

Ag Groups, Animal Activists, Animal Agriculture, Food, Meat

Myths Busted About Beef

Jamie Johansen

The Cattle Industry Summer Conference was more than committee and board meetings. Education was a key element to help arm attendees with facts and figures they can take home and use in everyday conversations with familiy, friends and complete strangers about beef. Chuck spoke with Dr. Jude Capper, Livestock Sustainablity Consultant, after she presented a talk on common myths about …

Animal Agriculture, Audio, Beef, Education, Livestock, NCBA

LMA Provides Animal Handling Expertise

Chuck Zimmerman

Animal handling is THE big priority issue for the Livestock Marketing Association. Members have Laura Marks, LMA Director of Animal Handling, as a great resource when it comes to this issue. Here at the 2013 LMA Annual Convention Laura conducted a workshop on this issue. I visited with her in between sessions to learn what she wanted members to know. …

Ag Groups, Animal Agriculture, Animal Health, Audio, LMA

Taking on Activists in the Courtroom

Jamie Johansen

Unfortunately, when dealing with the threat of activist groups it is hard to avoid the courtroom. During the Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit we heard from those who have seen first hand the legal ramifications of activist tactics. John Simpson, partner at Fulbright and Jaworski LLP, shared how he fought back for his client for 13 years and tips for …

Animal Activists, Animal Agriculture, Audio

Uniting Partners With One Voice

Jamie Johansen

Partnerships are what the Animal Agriculture Alliance is based on. These partnerships unite the agriculture community, creating one voice. Instead of ‘preaching to the choir,’ attendees at the Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit, heard from outside voices and some challenges were presented that made us all think about how we can join together and address them. I spoke with Chase …

Animal Agriculture, Audio, Beef, Food, NCBA

A Personal Story of Lessons Learned

Jamie Johansen

The past can’t be changed, but we can learn from it. That’s what economist, public speaker, farm girl, wife and mom, Janet Hufnagel Thompson, stressed with her message to attendees at the Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit. The event focused on how we can protect our animals, our farms, the food we eat and the confidence of consumers. Janet shared …

Animal Agriculture, Audio, Beef, Food, NCBA, NPPC

The Glass Walls Project

Jamie Johansen

Speaker after speaker during the Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit reminded us that transparency is no longer an option for the livestock industry. To prove that the agriculture community has nothing to hide, groups have opened their doors to share how your food is made. Senior Vice President for Public Affairs & Professional Development at the American Meat Institute, Janet …

Animal Agriculture, Audio, Beef, Food, NCBA, NPPC, Pork