I recommend this site NWV News North American Military Agreement Signed by US and Canada. You should check out this article.
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Archive for March, 2008
Greetings,
As many of you know, running a business in the current economic climate is a challenge. At the farm prices of inputs, especially fuel and feed, continue to rise at a rapid rate approaching 50% above last year. In order to remain sustainable, this has to be passed on in increased prices or, to some degree, increased volume. We are trying some things to increase volume which, hopefully, will help.
However, increased volume with lower profit margin has its limits. You probably heard the world’s largest integrator, Pilgrim’s Pride, closed a processing plant in Siler City and some others around the country. And they are not the only ones having problems because of the same two main items, fuel and feed. These giant corporations operate on volume with only a few cents per pound profit. And when a bump in the economy comes they are in the red. There is a point where volume verses profit margin becomes unsustainable.
On the other hand, we hear that small independent processors are doing a booming business. Part of the reason is they operate on higher profits. The other part is you, the consumers, are buying more locally and sustainably produced foods.
Some of the direct market farmers may be afraid to raise prices but you can be sure, if the present conditions persist for very long, many of them will be out of business. As we have mentioned before, part of sustainability is receiving enough for products that you can continue farming.
On another note, the 2007 Farm Bill is still stuck in the Senate. Last week, I watched part of the hearings on food safety. It was obvious the senators did not know enough about the issues involved to ask pertinent questions. Well, they can’t be experts on everything. They depend on information provided by industry ‘professionals’. These so called professionals are so far removed from the actual food production operations they can’t know the practical problems or solutions. It’s no wonder government programs fail to meet existing needs. Looks like there could be a better way to gather information so lawmakers would be better informed and make better decisions.
This week we are freshly supplied with all cuts of Pasture Finished Jersey Beef and Homegrown Pork. We will have turnip and mustard greens as well as kale.
Just so you will know, it will be around the first of May when we have Pastured Chicken.
We plan to be at the market extra days this weekend since it is Easter. We will be setup for business on Fri., Sat., and Monday from 9:00 until 3:00.
Hope to see you at the market!
Greetings,
The birds and spring toads have begun singing all day since it has begun to warm. They let us know that spring is near. With the pastures turning green and the recent welcome rains one feels like things are beginning to return to normal after last summer’s heat and drought. The cows are looking sleek and lazy as forage increases.
We have begun to plant some early season crops with the hope that rains will continue to come. Plants are starting in the greenhouse and we continue to make plans for the upcoming growing season.
Last week’s recall of 143M lbs. of beef is the largest ever. I’m glad someone was able to record the harsh treatment of cattle and publish it so the abuse could not be hidden. The old adage, “You can tell a lot about a person by how he treats his animals,” is true. In this case, I think this speaks about the state of our society – i.e. the pressure to make profits. By the way, where were the USDA inspectors?
Attached is a story which, in a humorous way, illustrates the way government officials approach farming issues. (and other areas, it seems) Why don’t they ask for input from someone who actually knows what he is doing? Or, to put it another way, ask people who are not trying to stack things in their favor (like lobbyist) but just wants real solutions to real problems. And if there is not a serious problem, he just wants to be left alone to go about his business.
We continue to be at the Triad market each Sat. from 9:00 to 2:00. We have some beautiful early greens – turnip, curly mustard, kale, and upland cress. Some of these will be putting up seed stalks real soon so get them while you can. We continue to have Pasture Finished Jersey Beef and Homegrown Pork.
Denise Robertson (the lady that helps me at the market) is starting a customized cooking service. She will prepare healthy, home-style meals right in your home. This should be ideal for busy lifestyles without the time or energy to cook and for those that don’t want to eat out, or worse, eat fast food. Meals require minimum preparation saving you time and money. You can contact her at 336.706.1938 or drobertson5@triad.rr.com.
We hope to see you at the market!