Latest From Opinion

Jennifer Shike
Animal Activists Are Waging War in Your Backyard

As I approached the site of my first animal activist rally, I kept my distance. I watched two people beside a small megaphone and a bag, checking their phones constantly. I leaned in anticipating what would happen next.

Guest Commentary
Extending the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is Good for American Farmers

On Jan. 1, 2023, the percentage immediately deductible through bonus depreciation (a provision in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) went from 100% to 80%. It will continue dropping by 20% each year until it reaches zero.

Greg Henderson
A Girl, a Goat and the Law: The Shasta County, CA, Boondoggle

How fair officials and the local sheriff, both unencumbered by intelligence, tarnished your image as a livestock producer and created a public relations disaster.

Nevil Speer
Critical Thinking Is Paramount (And No, Cows Are NOT Killing The Earth)

An Open Letter to Superintendent Rick Nielsen, Nebo School District (Utah): “Utah school gives kids ‘disgusting’ insects to eat in class for climate assignment on cows killing the Earth.”

Greg Hanes CEO Cattlemen's Beef Board
Hanes: The Beef Checkoff and Lab-Grown Protein

Regardless of how lab-grown protein products are categorized, the federal law that created the Beef Checkoff does not allow such products to be promoted.

Jennifer Shike
When the Reality of the Hunger Problem Hits Close to Home

I'll never forget joining my daughter for a school walkathon. As we started walking, a little boy gravitated to us and made an offhanded comment about sleeping in his car. Could this really be happening in our community?

Greg Henderson
Dear NY Times: Here’s Your Sign

Harassment of Dr. Frank Mitloehner by journalists with an anti-animal ag agenda went about as well as a drunken tourist playing chicken with a bison in Yellowstone.

Greg Henderson
‘Moo’ Intelligence: Google’s New Sustainability Initiative Misrepresents U.S. Beef

America’s cowboys think the tech giant could have Googled more accurate scientific information about beef’s sustainability and value to the environment.

Abby Kornegay-Animal Agriculture Alliance
Activist Threats Aren’t Just on the Farm Anymore

Grocery stores have become a battleground for extremists pressuring retailers to remove meat, milk, poultry and eggs from shelves. Recent trends have shown an uptick in store protests, demonstrations and food tampering.

Hannah Thompson-Weeman
Biosecurity and Farm Security are Closely Linked

Although activism and activist activity certainly pose a reputational concern, biosecurity is one of the key drivers behind the importance of implementing farm security measures. 

Greg Henderson
U.S. Senate Works Overtime to Protect Sunshine

A foreign leader addressing a joint session of Congress this week was a rarity. Not to be outdone, the partisan and often cantankerous members of the U.S. Senate passed legislation unanimously on a voice vote!

Greg Henderson
Colorado Gov. Polis Transparently Undercuts Agriculture

Colorado ranchers say they are “under attack” by their governor after hiring a director of the Bureau of Animal Protection who has ties to Mercy for Animals and leads a project that promotes plant-based food choices.

Greg Henderson
Activists Play Grinch, Seek End To ‘Animal Gifting’

Animal activist groups went full Grinch-mode this week, calling for the end of "animal gifting" programs such as Heifer International and 'Hatching Hope' that work to support impoverished people. Because, well, Humbug!

Hannah Thompson-Weeman
Animal Rights Extremists Take Their Cause to the Courtroom

While some animal rights activist organizations rely on tactics like undercover video campaigns where individuals misrepresent themselves to get hired on farms or plants, others are much more brazen in their approach.

Paul Neiffer
The Three C's of Succession Planning

What makes a good family farm transition? It is difficult to achieve a good farm transition without at least doing well in each of these C's.

Karen Bohnert
This Uncomfortable Conversation Could Save Your Farm

As much as farmers want their child to come back to the operation, few sit down and openly talk about the process to make that happen. Instead, that much-needed conversation is put off for another day.

Taylor Leach
Making that Tough Decision

I knew the day would eventually come where I would have to make a hard decision on my own at the farm, but I wasn’t ready for it to be then.

Hannah Thompson-Weeman
4 Keys to Prevent Animal Activist Attacks in the Wake of a Disaster

Animal rights extremist organizations are known for attempting to take advantage of unfortunate situations. That means farmers need to think about potential activism while coming up with crisis plans. 

Stephanie Mercier
To Address Climate Change, Mend Ruminant Production, Don't End It

While ruminant (cattle, sheep, and goats) production is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions globally, the sector's share is smaller in developed countries due to better genetics and feeding practices.

Hannah Thompson-Weeman
Things Animal Rights Activists Say: 2021 Edition

“Every morsel of meat we eat is slapping the tear-stained face of a hungry child.” Hannah Thompson-Weeman shares remarkable quotes from 2021 activist conferences to demonstrate what animal ag is up against.

Bonnie Johnson
Virtual Recruiting is Here to Stay

Virtual recruiting, including career fairs and interviews, were catching on before COVID-19, but now they’ve become the norm. Virtual recruiting is here to stay.

Hannah Thompson-Weeman
Food Systems Under Scrutiny at UN Food Systems Pre-Summit

The U.S. agriculture community tends to be proud of our role in providing families around the world with safe, affordable and nutritious food. And we have reason to be. However, not everyone shares that same sentiment.

Paul Neiffer
The Proposed Transfer Tax Can be Much Worse for Most Farmers Than the Estate Tax

The Proposed Transfer Tax can actually eliminate net equity for many farm families and cause their heirs to be underwater. It can be much worse than the current or proposed estate tax for most farmers.

Jennifer Shike
The Stock Show “Prize” We Need to Talk More About

An unexpected conversation in the check-out lane spurred editor Jennifer Shike to weigh in on the stock show prize we need to spend more time talking about these days.

Karen Bohnert
Blue Ribbon Memories

Going to the county fair is an experience that kids of all ages work hard for all summer long. As a fair mom, I know all too well how rewarding it is to watch your children work hard with their summer 4-H projects.

Hannah Thompson-Weeman
Nutrition: The Next Activist Battleground?

With so much conversation around sustainable nutrition and some voices calling for everyone to ditch meat to save the planet, we all need to get more comfortable communicating about nutrition. 

Karen Bohnert
The Power of a Coach

I was reminded while sitting on a cold bleacher watching my oldest son play football of the power of a coach who helps push us forward when we are against all odds.

Farm Journals Pork
Reader Responds to Mental Health Struggles in Agriculture

My 28-year-old nephew, Brooks, was a multi-generational farmer and father of 4-year-old twins. His death by suicide is a tragic and poignant indicator of a problem that is drastically increasing, a reader shared.

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Water Your Calves

Here’s a question for you…did you water ALL your calves this morning? In just a few weeks, we will be in the midst of the summer heat and it’s important to assure that calves have plenty of water to drink.

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Hannah Thompson-Weeman
When Events Return, So Will Protests

While in-person events have a long list of benefits, there is one downside – they allow animal rights activist organizations to attempt to gain attention for their cause by holding “disruptions” and protests.

Dennis DiPietre and Lance Mulberry
Prevent Supply Chain Disruption Devastation

What do the blockage of the Suez Canal for several days and the run on feta cheese resulting from a recipe that went viral have in common? They both place unexpected stresses on supply chains.

Taylor Leach
The Calm Before the Storm

It’s here. That unusual sense of quiet tranquility right before all hell breaks loose. It’s the calm before the storm, and it’s starting to stir up tension on our family’s farm.

Hannah Thompson-Weeman
Stand Up For Animal Ag: Policies Loom That Could Impact Your Farm

Attempting to use the legislative process to make things more difficult for animal agriculture is far from a new tactic for animal rights activist organizations, but things seem to be heating up in this area. 

Taylor Leach
"Keeper of the Flame"

As farmers, we are the keepers of the flame. No matter if we are a first-generation farmer or the sixth, we continue to care for our family, farm and animals during both the good times and bad.

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Is It Coccidiosis?

Understanding the disease’s symptoms and impact can help you develop a plan to keep your calves healthy.

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Anna-Lisa Laca
D.C. Leadership Changes Ahead

No single person has left their mark on agriculture like Kansas Senator Pat Roberts who cast his last vote in a career that spans 40 years and thousands of hours in service of farmers.

Hannah Thompson-Weeman
What’s Next for Animal Activism in 2021 and What Can We Do About It?

As much as 2020 has shown us being flexible is just as valuable as having plans, I still believe there is merit to taking a moment to reflect on some of the trends we’ve seen and how they may impact us moving forward.

AgWeb Guest Editor
In 2020, a Time for Prayer and Thanksgiving

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue shares a Thanksgiving message.

Anna-Lisa Laca
Liquid Nitrogen to Be Used for COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

Liquid nitrogen to be used to distribute COVID-19 vaccine.

Anna-Lisa Laca
Let's Learn from 2020

Respect people who have a different perspective than you.

Jim Dickrell
​​​​​​​Rebooting Dairy Policy

2020 will go down as one of the craziest years in the annals of dairy history.

Greg Henderson
California’s Prop 15 Will ‘Punish Farmers and Ranchers’

Californians will vote on Proposition 15, which is billed as tax reform, except neither side can agree on exactly what gets reformed. Farmers and ranchers are rightly wary of the repercussions.

John Phipps
John Phipps: Does Government Aid Get in the Way of Saving Small Dairies?

While the relentless decline in dairy farms is similar to other ag segments, there is something about the ongoing disappearance of small dairy farms that seems more poignant to some. John Phipps explains.