Pictures! (duplicate post)

Brace yourself, it's high volume picture season. This summer I've added about 8 GB of pics to my computer, but during this week alone, another 8-10 GB are added to my computer for the Delaware County Fair. With the addition of Amanda on the photography staff at the county fair, I'm thinking it's about time she got a Picasa album of her own to showcase her good shots. She has some really good pictures, especially from the sheep show last night and we both also have winnings this year again in the open photography show!

I'm toying around with some watermark ideas as well. Some pictures are getting put this year on the county fair website, so I don't want something obnoxious, but I do want something which draws more people to my Picasa album and hopefully eventually some photography gigs someday. I'm still in the growing stages and so looking for practice rather than contracts with expectations - this freelancing for Del. Co. Fair has been perfect. I'd appreciate commentary on two things: 1) watermark locations - I don't want to be obnoxious, 2) keeping the ScotchPine Photos name is a go?

Speaking of pictures, I'll share the MSU photos through this link for the jazzy uniforms to be used in the Michigan game this year (which we'll be at!). There's a lot of debate going on about the MSU uniforms and I agree with most people's intelligent commentary. I realize the traditions of school colors, and also the history lesson in the bronze inclusion - but to paraphrase a LinkedIn comment, "Why bronze, isn't that third?".

Salmonella

Like always, there's another outbreak cause by a food safety error. Someone like Pollan might tell you that's why you should buy locally, but I still adhere to it all being situational. Sure, this is on a much larger basis than if it had been a local grower causing the outbreak, but still with the larger producer there is also a more consistent supply available and an easier solution to the problem. And there's no way that you can convince me that a small producer is any less or more likely to have a disease problem than a large producer. Again, all situational, but this is my opinion. Feel free to weigh in the comments...

I am definitely glad that Dean Armstrong is willing to stand up and voice his opinion about how unscientifically based the HSUS's claims about egg production and hen housing truly are.

Also, just in case you haven't been watching, the cattle prices have skyrocketed.

Return from camp

Nothing refreshes the mind quite like a full week of 5 hours nights and 200 kids running (well more literally walking) rampage on the camp in a hurry to do all things that they can't do at home. That aside, I truly love 4-H camp and look forward to the opportunity to return as a dean once again next year. In the meantime, I will give you more food for thought today as I sort through my inbox for articles and ideas to post.

Progressive Dairymen is a new group I joined online. Under the name "Proud to Dairy", it's a ning.com group which serves as a great site to find dairy blogs and to network with other people throughout the U.S. who are proud to dairy. Somewhere on the website is an article in which our MSU team was interviewed about our National Dairy Challenge experience in California. However, for now, I include this great interview article with Gary Conklin about the farm video incident earlier this year.

The European Union has voted to ban the sale of cloned animals for food in Europe. Interestingly, we still don't see the true value or cost of using cloned animals to produce food.

My alma mater had a 4 legged, 6 footed piglet born this week. Hopefully I will get some pictures to let you see this strange critter.

About 100 dogs were rescued in Delaware County, OH, and are in desperate need of adoption. It always troubles me to think about so many dogs in need of good homes and the poor alternatives that await them. However, we are still not ready to be getting a dog, and so we'll have to wait for now.

This interview at the JAM definitely happened just in front of me as I was talking to some of my friends. Dr. Croney was greatly supportive of my presentation in Denver and for that I am grateful. Please listen to the interview with an open mind and try to see the points which she tries to make in her interview with Trent Loos.

Col. Sanders was inducted in the Meat Industry Hall of Fame this year. Posthumous recognition always seems pointless to me, but still, it's a nice gesture towards a great man who created a store which now sells notoriously unhealthy food.

Also, the video about the truth of pork production is available on youtube.com. Please share with those around you who may have a skewed view of pork farming.

Finally, another weigh-in on the HSUS/OFBF agreement, this time from the pork producers.

Week 2, Post 3

Updates today come mainly from Sara Long up at MSU and her weekly e-newsletter. If you'd like to subscribe to her newsletter just email me and I will give you the appropriate information.

First on my list today is an article discussing arguments between animal rights groups related to spending and usage of fundraising. It is harsh on HSUS and their spending, so it is worth including.

Also, for those of you who know me longer term, you will remember my specific interest in BSE. Well, this article discusses new research related to identifying the disease earlier through the glow of cattle's eyes when they are infected. It is quite interesting to me.

Don't expect fish products to get any cheaper in the near future, as devastation from the oil accident in the gulf spreads.

Animal welfare and the origin of animals for consumption has topped the list of consumer concerns in Great Britain.

And finally, a company has started producing billboards with a new taste, well, more literally smell to them. As you drive past this billboard, you will smell grilling steak.

Week 2, Post 1

Objects of interest for the beginning of the week:

1) A positive blog about agriculture from an urban personage. I liked it. Thanks to Marcus for that.

2) An interesting article in the Dispatch this past week.

3) A well-spoken article from a person who knew the kid abusing the cows at Conklin's farm. Definitely this is worth the read.

4) Finally the long-awaited and much-quoted report from Humane Watch, an organization which I believe is expected to speak at the 2010 National Block and Bridle Convention. I'm not really sure yet what I think about Humane Watch, but I am in support of their stance against HSUS and their activity on that front.