Wolves

Wolves seem to be an ever-growing topic in the western United States.  Since their reintroduction in to Yellowstone Park in 1997, the populations have boomed.  The problem with wolves?  Well, there are several:
1)  They have no natural predators thus humans must manage them.
2)  They tend to not stay in their specified area because they have no natural predators and so the populations boom, and they start to move.
3) They feed on livestock and PETS because they start to move because they have no natural predators and the populations boom.
4)  In addition to feeding on livestock they also feed on the big game populations in the area- elk, deer, etc. but because they have no natural predators and the population has boomed, they are starting to decimate the big game populations, moving out of their intended area and feeding on livestock and PETS.

You can see how this builds into a HUGE problem which all starts with the issue that they have no natural predators and must be managed by humans.  The problem, said humans are usually managed by emotions instead of fact.  These emotions have been tainted by not being close to their food source and Disney/Pixar/Dreamworks.

It is a vicious circle.  Most people do not want wolves extirpated like they were in the 1900s they prefer that they were managed like any game or predator species. 

Rush Limbaugh

I was listening to Rush Limbaugh this morning as I was driving to a meeting.  He said something that really rang a bell with me.  He said the way to stimulate the economy is to repeal many of the laws, regulations, and rules that limit business in the United States.

I guess Rush doesn't understand, those laws, regulations, and rules he wants rid of are employing people in government whose job it is to generate paperwork not products.  Jeez, what is he thinking?  I mean, requiring tractors to meet emissions standards requires someone to test the vehicle, someone to write the paperwork, someone to read the paperwork,.... the list goes on.  Not having that rule would allow a farmer $30-60,000 to hire someone to help on the farm, produce food which is harvested and sold, which needs to be processed, sorted, and marketed,  which will be sold in a grocery store to feed people. 

Hmm... I definitely think we need the big government approach. 
Have a great weekend. 

and...

Have you eaten today?  Thank a farmer or rancher!

Ceasar Chavez Day

Tomorrow is Ceasar Chavez Day in California. He is either hailed or hated by many people. Ceasar Chavez was against the mechanization of agriculture because it put many migrant workers out. It was an interesting time in history with tomatoe picking by machine at the forefront.

It is amazing to look how far we have come in many aspects of agriculture in just the last 50 years. In cattle production, carcass fat has decreased from 35% to 27% and beef production per head has increased 80%.

I don't know if it is for the better. We now have subdivisions, ranchettes, and labels. You can go to the grocery store and decide if you want free-range, organic, natural, or traditional eggs. The choices are immense but so is the impact.