News Archive
Are the Chocolate Lucky Charms Healthy?
Well, probably not.... but they may be a better option than something else.
On my first trip as a Field Mom with Illinois Farm Families, we were able to visit a local grocery store. As part of the tour, we divided up into groups of three and went on a scavenger hunt, looking for healthy and not so healthy items for comparison. We were asked to bring back a box of "Healthy" cereal and a box of cereal that concerned us. One mom in my group has a son with Celiac disease, so we chose Envirokidz Panda Puffs as our healthy choice. Then, wanting to choose the worst of the worst, we chose Chocolate Lucky Charms. During our discussion another mom mentioned that she tells her children "No marshmallow cereal". After comparing the ingredients, she shared that her alternative, an off brand "Coco Poofs" listed the first ingredient as corn syrup. As Lucky Charms and Cocoa Puffs are General Mills brands cereals, they like all GM cereals now have whole grains as the first ingredient.
Read more here.
On my first trip as a Field Mom with Illinois Farm Families, we were able to visit a local grocery store. As part of the tour, we divided up into groups of three and went on a scavenger hunt, looking for healthy and not so healthy items for comparison. We were asked to bring back a box of "Healthy" cereal and a box of cereal that concerned us. One mom in my group has a son with Celiac disease, so we chose Envirokidz Panda Puffs as our healthy choice. Then, wanting to choose the worst of the worst, we chose Chocolate Lucky Charms. During our discussion another mom mentioned that she tells her children "No marshmallow cereal". After comparing the ingredients, she shared that her alternative, an off brand "Coco Poofs" listed the first ingredient as corn syrup. As Lucky Charms and Cocoa Puffs are General Mills brands cereals, they like all GM cereals now have whole grains as the first ingredient.
Read more here.
Upcoming FarmDoc Webinars
FarmDoc will be offering several webinars on the following topics:
- Crop Insurance 2014
- Understanding the Price Loss Coverage and Agriculture Risk Coverage programs in the 2014 Farm Bill
- Understanding the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) in the 2014 Farm Bill
- Crop Economic Outlook 2014
- Introduction and Strategic Implementation of the Dairy Producer Margin Protection Program
- Implications of USDA’s March 1 Grain Stocks and Prospective Plantings reports for corn and soybean balance sheets and price prospects
Cover Crop Options Differ in Corn/Soy/Wheat Rotation
Wheat technically is not a cover crop.
But it provides some of the same benefits, such as increased biodiversity, weed suppression and crop residue as well as reduced soil erosion. And since Illinois farmers plant wheat in the fall, their options to plant cover crops differ from farmers who plant a common corn/soy rotation.
Read more here.
But it provides some of the same benefits, such as increased biodiversity, weed suppression and crop residue as well as reduced soil erosion. And since Illinois farmers plant wheat in the fall, their options to plant cover crops differ from farmers who plant a common corn/soy rotation.
Read more here.
South Dakota's cattle cataclysm: why isn't this horror news?
If you aren't in the ag world, you most likely haven't heard about the devastating loss that ranchers in western South Dakota are struggling with after being hit by winter storm Atlas.
Read more here...
Read more here...
The Evolution of Cattle Production: Why Consumers Can't Have the iPhone 5 Sprawling Suburbs and the Pitchforked Farmer Too.
The iPhone 5s was just released a few days ago, excited consumers across the nation eagerly waited hours (even overnight) for Apple stores to open in anticipation of getting their hands on the newest Apple technology. The iPhone 5s now boasts a larger screen, Touch ID, a faster operating system and enhanced camera features. Technology in communication is widely embraced, new inventions are encouraged, and consumers are eager to evolve with the changing times. That said, I think it’s safe to say that I would be an anomaly if I walked down the street with a vintage phone…
Read more here...
Read more here...
Kids Need More
What has changed for the federally funded and mandated school lunch program this year? Oh, where do I start? Snacks are being regulated. The guidelines continue to prohibit kids—who are hungry—from receiving enough protein and calories. Despite the letters and calls to our elected officials, tweets to U.S. Department of Agriculture, a Sensible School Lunch call to action via Facebook, blogging efforts and even the introduction of the Sensible School Lunch Act, Congress has not changed the mandates and standards, which were initially created by Michelle Obama and then formalized by USDA into the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.
Read more here.
Read more here.
Illinois Farm Families talk with consumers about farming, food & family
Illinois Farm Families® has farmers from across the state reaching out to consumers and answering questions about what really happens on farms and where does America's food come from.
Read more here.
Read more here.
The new face of farm policy: crop insurance
From walking on soil baked into near-concrete during the worst drought in over 50 years in 2012, to dredging across flooded fields this soggy spring, farmers continue to face uncertainty. And that's just weather. As a 27-year-old farmer, I'm starting to wonder what "normal" even means.
Read more here.
Read more here.
Stability of Farm Income
Today's post will use a data set that covers a 20 year period and will consider how accrual net farm income is influenced by farm type.
In the Illinois FBFM methodology, farm type is determined by the intensity of the enterprises on a farm. Farms typed as a grain farms could have a livestock enterprise but the value of feed fed (grain, roughage, and supplement) to the livestock enterprises would be less than 40% of the value of crop returns on the farm. In contrast, livestock farms are farms having a value of feed fed at greater than 40% of the value of crop returns on the farm. Livestock farms are then further delineated by livestock species - hog, dairy, or beef.
Read more here.
In the Illinois FBFM methodology, farm type is determined by the intensity of the enterprises on a farm. Farms typed as a grain farms could have a livestock enterprise but the value of feed fed (grain, roughage, and supplement) to the livestock enterprises would be less than 40% of the value of crop returns on the farm. In contrast, livestock farms are farms having a value of feed fed at greater than 40% of the value of crop returns on the farm. Livestock farms are then further delineated by livestock species - hog, dairy, or beef.
Read more here.
Invest an Acre Lets Farmers Invest in Their Own Communities
Monsanto and Decatur-based Archer Daniels Midland Co. again are joining in the second Invest an Acre campaign enabling producers to donate an acre or more of their harvest at the elevator, with proceeds going to food pantries in area communities.
Monsanto is matching farmer donations.
Read more here.
Monsanto is matching farmer donations.
Read more here.
Focus on Safety: Farming is Hot
Farmers are exposed to extreme heat and work in hot environments in the summer. This puts them at risk for heat stress, which can result in illnesses and injuries. Heat stress can result in heat stroke (the most serious heat-related disorder), heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat rashes. Heat can also increase farmers' risk of injuries as it may result in sweaty palms, fogged-up safety glasses, and dizziness. In addition, hot surfaces may cause burns. There is a greater risk of heat stress for those who are 65 years of age and older, are overweight, have heart disease or high blood pressure, or take medications that may be affected by extreme heat. It is important for farmers to prevent heat stress in themselves and their workers. To do that they must understand what it is, how it affects them, and how to prevent it. -
See more here.
See more here.
Dear Panera Bread Company
Dear Panera Bread Company,
You’ve lost a customer. Now most people wouldn’t offer to help someone out that they don’t like but I am going to be the bigger person here and give you a heads up.
On Friday I stopped into one of your stores to grab a bite to eat after spending the morning at the Dane County Fair watching the hard working 4H and FFA kids showing their dairy cattle. My mother-in-law was along for the ride and since the line was long and she needed time to pick out her sandwich before getting to the counter I grabbed one of your handy menus from a stand. That’s where I found this…
Read more here.
You’ve lost a customer. Now most people wouldn’t offer to help someone out that they don’t like but I am going to be the bigger person here and give you a heads up.
On Friday I stopped into one of your stores to grab a bite to eat after spending the morning at the Dane County Fair watching the hard working 4H and FFA kids showing their dairy cattle. My mother-in-law was along for the ride and since the line was long and she needed time to pick out her sandwich before getting to the counter I grabbed one of your handy menus from a stand. That’s where I found this…
Read more here.
IFB Refreshes Brand, Unveils New Tagline
The Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) today launched an updated brand and new tagline - "Farm. Family. Food." - in an effort to tell both IFB members and the general public more about who the organization represents and for what it stands.
Read more here.
Read more here.
Mason County flooding pictures
You can view pictures of the flooding in Mason County, here.
2nd & 3rd Grade Ag in the Classroom
Mason County students had the opportunity to learn about agriculture from Mason County farmers in early March. Farmer volunteers from the Mason County Farm Bureau spent time with the 2nd and 3rd graders talking about crops raised in Mason County and what products the students eat that comes from those crops. The students also had the opportunity to experience some of the farm equipment use on the farm. The farmers brought combines, tractors and semis to the schools for the students to climb up in and check out.
The Farm Bureau provided the program at Midwest Central Elementary, Illini Central Elementary and New Central Elementary in support of March is Farming Month.
The Farm Bureau provided the program at Midwest Central Elementary, Illini Central Elementary and New Central Elementary in support of March is Farming Month.