Commentary
A-FAN Commentaries
Rural Development can aid producers looking for waste-to-energy system
By Scot Blehm | 5/27/2008 10:30:46 AM
USDA Rural Development recognizes the great economical benefits the livestock industry brings to the state of Nebraska. It also is aware of the challenges this industry faces with waste stream management – the costs, environmental impact and the associated societal stigma. (MORE)
Community involvement important for livestock producers
By Mark McHargue | 3/11/2008
Having a great rapport with neighbors and members of the community is a goal of every business owner – including livestock and poultry producers. (MORE)
Livestock and poultry production provides opportunities for young producers
By Bob Campbell | 2/21/2008
Coming back to the family farm or starting a new livestock operation is a dream for many young people across the state. In today’s world, however, the economics of adding people to an existing operation or starting a new venture can create challenges for making the dream a reality. (MORE)
Animal agriculture gives tremendous boost to Nebraska’s economy
By Dr. Donis Petersan and Dr. Ken Lemke | 1/9/2008
Animal agriculture, consisting of livestock and poultry production, is an important part of the Nebraska economy. It accounts for billions of dollars in output value, wages, profits (net farm income), value added and tax revenues — and contributes to the economic health of all parts of the state. (MORE)
Strong livestock sector compounds the value of ethanol
By Todd Sneller | 12/10/2007
We are all familiar with compounding interest, whether it’s in a savings or retirement account. Interest earned upon interest – it helps the initial investment grow. (MORE)
Poultry production in Nebraska is bigger than you think
By Bill Bevans | 10/19/2007
While Nebraska is known around the world as “The Beef State”, there is also a thriving poultry industry here. Nebraska produces some 90 million pounds of broilers, 60 million pounds of turkey, and more than 3 billion (that’s a “b”) eggs annually. (MORE)
Producing pork in harmony with the environment
By Terry O’Neel | 9/11/2007
After completing the National Pork Producers Council's Environmental Assurance Program several years ago, I received a sign that reads “Producing Pork In Harmony With The Environment.” Today that sign, which happens to hang on our mailbox post near the entrance to our hog farm, has become faded—but the good environmental stewardship practices it represents definitely have not. Our family happens to live on the land where our pigs are raised, so we breathe the same air and drink the same water. Environmental responsibility is extremely important to me as a pork producer. (MORE)
Bankers support growth in Nebraska's livestock industry
By George Beattie | 7/10/2007
Challenges to one of our state's most important economic engines have come with more frequency over the last several years. Growth in the livestock feeding industry has all but come to a standstill because we as a state have chosen to no longer embrace a mainstay of our economy. This lack of acceptance is just one of the many hurdles that livestock producers now face as they seek to grow their business and compete in a world economy. (MORE)
Supporting animal agriculture
By Gregg Fujan | 3/6/2007
It is easy to turn away and ignore the criticisms and untruths haphazardly tossed at the animal agriculture industry by those who don’t know any better or those who believe they live on a higher moral plain and, therefore, have every right to tell the rest of us what to eat and how to live. (MORE)
All Responsible Nebraska Agriculture Deserves Our Support
By Roger Berry | 1/26/2007
Following is an op-ed that appeared in the Omaha World-Herald on October 11, 2006. This was written in response to an October 6, 2006 op-ed piece by James Knotwell, an assistant professor at Wayne State College. In his piece, Knotwell accused A-FAN of favoring large livestock concerns at the expense of family operations—and he cited a 1940s study contrasting the experiences of two California ag communities. (MORE)
A-FAN can help create a future for the next generation of Nebraskans
By Don Hutchens | 11/6/2007
Who would have thought fifty years ago that Nebraskans would need to establish an Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska? Today, grower associations for cattle, pork, poultry, corn and soybeans, along with Nebraska Farm Bureau, have organized such an alliance, called A-FAN. (MORE)
