The Drought—Part 3…

Adversity = Opportunity

I have a sign up in my house that reads “Adversity = Opportunity”.  I truly believe that adversity make us stronger and provides the opportunity for improvement.  When I look back on my life, it is obvious that each personal challenge has made me a stronger and more empathetic person.

Although my girls are growing up on a farm instead of in a city, they really are not that different from other girls all across the country. They laugh, they cry, they bring Matt and I joy—and they need to eat every single day!

There is no doubt that the current drought affects every single one of us—after all, we all need to eat to survive.  However, there are opportunities amongst the challenges that promise to make us a more unified community.  Together we are stronger—Together we prosper and conquer those things that challenge us most.

As a farmer, I worry about:

•                The Weather…
•                The Welfare of my animals…
•                The Welfare of my land…
•                The Ability to grow or purchase affordable animal feed…
•                The Quality of the Beef that my animals provide…
•                The Financial Sustainability of my farm…

As a non-farmer, I am sure that you worry about many of the same things.  Perhaps, most especially, you worry about the quality and affordability of the food that you purchase to provide for your families.  I can imagine that as you read the headlines discussing the drought, you worry that the price of food in the grocery store will increase.  I worry about that too…

• It is true that 55% of the United States’ land mass is in a drought, and that 70% of cattle grazing land is affected by the drought.
• It is true that the rising cost of all types of animal feed is providing a great challenge for farmers and ranchers like me.
• It is true that sometimes today is scary and tomorrow is usually uncertain, but there are things that we can all focus on that will help us to thrive despite the current challenges.

I would like to offer some thoughts relative to the price of beef in the grocery store.

1.  The current drought will not affect the price that you pay for a steak in the short term.  It affects the cost of making that steak, but farmers—ranchers—and packing plants will bear the brunt of that increase in cost.  Although this will test the sustainability of the farming community, many of us will persevere because that is our nature.  Trust me, we are a stubborn group of people!

2.  The single largest driver of the price of beef is supply and demand.  Remember back to Economics 101—as the supply of a product goes down, the price will rise as long as the demand for the product stays constant.  The drought conditions have (over time) reduced the supply of cattle in the United States.  If you remember, Texas and Oklahoma had a terrible drought last year.  Many ranchers were forced to down-size their herds because of a scarcity of feed.  This decreased the supply of cattle and has (over the last 12 months) caused a slight increase in the price of beef.  The current drought will most likely allow this trend to continue.

3.  Fortunately, there are many different choices of beef to purchase in the grocery store which create a wide variety of prices to help with your family’s budget.  I realize that any increase in price is difficult to manage, however, remember that ounce per ounce beef provides an incredibly nutrient rich source of protein.

BeefMadeEasyCutChart

While both Mother Nature and the current economy provide a tremendous amount of adversity, it is important to remember that we will prevail if we work together.  I promise to do my very best to produce high quality and nutritious beef for you—I work hard everyday to create the highest quality and best tasting beef using the fewest number of natural resources.  In turn, I ask that you have faith in me and continue to purchase my beef at the grocery store.  Together we will persevere and have the ability to face all of the new opportunities that appear just over the next horizon…

What challenges you and your family?

Ashley Grace’s Thoughts…Are You Proud of Your Country?

My grandfather was the second in command on a submarine during World War II.  When I think of the responsibility that weighed on his twenty three year old shoulders, I am in awe.

Now in his nineties, he shares his passion for bird watching with my children when we travel back to Florida to visit...

Last week my oldest daughter competed in a Veterans of Foreign War essay contest in honor of Veteran’s Day.  She won first place for her essay which was entitled “Are You Proud of Your Country” and read her essay at the Pot Luck Veterans dinner in our town on Friday evening.  I would like to share it with all of you and make her my first “Guest Blogger” (although those of you that visit “Ashley Grace’s Corner” have read some of her poetry over the past few months).

Are You Proud of Your Country?

By: Ashley Grace Burkholder

VFW 6th Grade Essay Contest

Pride.  Pride is the shining star inside each American’s heart.  Young or old, we all have pride.  My mom says, “Americans are lucky because we have lots of great opportunities.” I am proud to be an American, to live in the land of opportunity, and I will tell you why.

America is the land of opportunity.  Opportunities are a reason that I am proud of my country.  One opportunity is to live in a free country.  We are free to choose what religion we practice, who we vote into office, and what language we speak.  Another opportunity is public schools.  Every child is entitled to a no-cost education if they desire.  Each American should feel proud of the opportunities we possess.

In addition to opportunities, I am proud of our country because we help others in need.  Did you know that the United States is sending troops to Sudan to assist them in finding peace and establishing a productive government?  The United States has also helped many other countries including Iraq and other countries in the Middle East.  Our country also helps people find a better life in the land of opportunity.  This fact should make all Americans proud.

Last, but not least, I am proud of my country because we are a democracy.  According to Webster, democracy means government run by the people.  Since we have a democracy, America has been blessed with political peace and leaders that the people approve of.  Also, because of our democracy, we have the privilege to vote.  Voting is a privilege, not a right, and we need to grasp the chance to make our opinion known.  Once again, this should make all U.S. citizens proud to be Americans.

As you can see, I am proud of my country for many reasons including:  opportunities, the assistance we give other countries, and our democracy.  Now that I have shown you why I am proud to be an American, I have a question for you:  Are you proud to be an American?

I am proud of my daughter…

I am proud of the fact that I am raising my daughter to appreciate her country, the opportunities that her country offers to her, and the proud men and women that work hard everyday to keep our country and our opportunities safe…

I am proud to be an American farmer whose toils produce the safe and healthy food that nourishes my fellow countrymen as well as those in need outside of our country’s boarders.

I am proud to be an American…