Editorial / Opinions

Many times, over the past 20-some years, I’ve described some of the unique gifts that I’ve gotten my wife for birthdays, anniversaries and Christmases. To be completely honest, a lot of those gifts, such as sending her on a three-day, all-expenses-paid trip to artificial insemination school, a new squeeze chute, insulated coveralls, a set of bred heifers and even a smaller cab tractor, were as much for me as her. And, as you might have guessed, these were all things she didn’t exactly request.

I had the opportunity to visit the Dominican Republic last month for vacation. It sure was an experience I’ll never forget. I even got the chance to swim with a shark and stingrays.

Many times, over the past 20-some years, I’ve described some of the unique gifts that I’ve gotten my wife for birthdays, anniversaries and Christmases. To be completely honest, a lot of those gifts, such as sending her on a three-day, all-expenses-paid trip to artificial insemination school, a new squeeze chute, insulated coveralls, a set of bred heifers and even a smaller cab tractor, were as much for me as her. And, as you might have guessed, these were all things she didn’t exactly request.

I had the opportunity to visit the Dominican Republic last month for vacation. It sure was an experience I’ll never forget. I even got the chance to swim with a shark and stingrays.

It really will be fall soon. Things in life go faster and faster it seems in my life than it did when I was kid. Especially waiting for things to roll around like turning 16 so I could get my license. After school and on weekends I worked on Milky Way Hereford Ranch up on Camelback Road in north Phoenix where there is a big shopping mall now. When I was a boy lots of farm kids drove vehicles starting at age 12. A buddy of mine drove to the license bureau in west Phoenix and got a beginner permit for his folks to fill out. The man said he had to have this filled out and passed before he could drive a car legally. Gene said, “Oh yes, I know that.” He did too, got in the old family car by himself and drove it back home.

How many old men does it take to load one cow?

We’re going to need bright, young leaders in agriculture, to help us meet the challenge of feeding a growing world,” said Donnie Smith, CEO of Tyson Foods. I recently read this quote while scanning through a social media site. These words are packed full of so much power and truth. It’s no surprise that a challenge will arise as we face a growing world population and limited farmland. Luckily, we have technology on our side and bright young leaders to take us there.

How many old men does it take to load one cow?

We’re going to need bright, young leaders in agriculture, to help us meet the challenge of feeding a growing world,” said Donnie Smith, CEO of Tyson Foods. I recently read this quote while scanning through a social media site. These words are packed full of so much power and truth. It’s no surprise that a challenge will arise as we face a growing world population and limited farmland. Luckily, we have technology on our side and bright young leaders to take us there.

I was shocked when I heard a respectable speaker tell an audience of businessmen that we are running out of food because the world’s population is growing faster than our food supply. He really meant that statement and went on to talk about droughts and floods that have added to the problems of food production. In California, which in the past few weeks has gotten some rain, has lost many orchards and perennial plantings like alfalfa, orchards and vineyards due to the long drought and no snow in the mountains. We all take food as a thing we get off the shelf, but he is really concerned about reduced production and more mouths to feed.