One plan, three men and 50 years
When Wes Jackson, Wendell Berry and Fred Kirschenmann get together, conversation, laughter and ideas flow. Other than a closeness in age, the three appear...
Let there be light in the pork markets
A Dec. 28, 2010, Wall Street Journal story laments the “near-halt” of pork belly trading at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Bellies were “once among...
Dear Mr. Apples and Oranges
Another final column of the year and, as is the custom, another year where readers will have the final word. Some of their words...
The ‘level playing field’ of trade
Some phrases just make the heart flutter. “Call the vet,” was one that always tripped my father’s ticker. “Level the playing field of trade,”...
Hog producers not going to have a very merry Christmas this year
As Christmas approaches, some seasonal elves will shop, some will bake, some will string a couple of megawatts of colorful lights from the front...
Cattle industry flying for 79 floors
Twice a week, New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman drives political and economic policymakers into full rant on topics as opposite as global...
Always cows; usually a turkey
On the 100-cow, southern Illinois dairy farm of my youth, two hearty helpings of Holsteins were always on the Thanksgiving Day menu. In between...
This isn’t going to be a tea party
If ascendant Republicans act on what they say was the clear message sent by voters Nov. 2, the 112th Congress ain't gonna be a...
Proposed GIPSA rules may be a good thing for packers in future
If you only quote the Amen Corner, the only reply you’ll ever hear is “Hallelujah!”And so it was in late October when yet another...
Lucas likely to head Ag Committee
If the current political forecast holds, Nov. 2 will deliver House Democrats their biggest pasting since 1994. With over 60 of their seats either...
